Tampa Calling

When Billy Corgan first announced his intention to resurrect The Smashing Pumpkins, longtime fans crossed out the names of uninvolved former members (except Jimmy Chamberlain) one by one. We knew there would be no James Iha (now in that silly supergroup Tinted Windows) and no D’Arcy Wretzky (right). Only now do we finally hear what’s up with the silvery-haired bassist! D’Arcy randomly called Chicago alt-rock station Q101 to let us know she left the rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle behind in favor of passing her days on a horse farm in rural Michigan. Oh, and she loves Silversun Pickups, who don’t at all sound like The Smashing Pumpkins.

Last month, I reported on Courtney Love and her similar intention to resurrect Hole with minimal involvement from former bandmates. Former Hole guitarist and co-conspirator Eric Erlandson took time out from Buddhism and marketing vegan food for a Spin Q&A. When asked about his feelings on Hole’s return, he responded:

We have a contract. She signed a contract with me when we decided to break up the band, which was like 2002 or something, so I really don’t have a comment on it except that I know my part in that band. The way I look at it, there is no Hole without me. [Laughs] To put it blunt. Just on a business level… I’m open to discussions regarding the real Hole, and if she has a solo album together, I think that’s great.

What did Mrs. Cobain have to say about this? Find out after the jump! Read the rest of this entry »

You know when you learn something pleasantly unexpected?  For instance, a favorite band you wrote off as finished because its principal members blame each other for stupid shit through music blogs announces their first tour in years? What’s that feeling called? Oh, yeah… hope!

The Pixies return to action this summer with a series of European concert dates, including a June 14 appearance at the Isle of Wight festival with Neil Young, Billboard has confirmed. The gigs will be the first for the alternative rock standard-bearers since 2007, dispelling doubts that the group’s most recent hiatus was permanent. Further details about the additional European shows will be released soon. No North American gigs are planned, according to Billboard’s sources.

The full article from Billboard provides a bit more background, but barely scratches the surface of several years of tension. Statements made by Frank Black and Kim Deal towards the end of 2007 fueled my pessimism that the reunion was over.

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In a press release issued early Tuesday, the band responsible for unleashing Mike Patton upon the mainstream music world announced its return. Faith No More is back!

Back in the early 90s when MTV actually played music videos on a regular basis, eyes shooting lightning bolts in the palms of hands and fish flopping around in synch with a somber piano melody were common sights. These memorable images were from the classic Faith  No More video, “Epic.” The band peaked with The Real Thing in 1990, Patton’s first effort with the band, and the slow decline of the band followed.

Angel Dust is first CD I ever bought. Its lead single, “Midlife Crisis,” along with “Epic,” have since been credited (or blamed, depending on your outlook) for the eventual rise of suburban white guys rapping over chugga-chugga riffs (coined as “nu-metal”). The album performed almost as well as The Real Thing commercially, but showcased a new diversity to the band’s sound to the detriment of virtuoso guitarist, Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey co-star, and amateur pumpkin farmer, Jim Martin. Martin left soon after and so did many of FNM’s fans. The band released two more mediocre albums before splitting, and Patton resumed creating one weirdo-rock record after another with bands like Mr. Bungle, Fantomas, Tomahawk, Peeping Tom, ad infinitum.

As Pitchfork reports, details are scarce.  We don’t know the band’s lineup. Is Jim Martin involved? Will there be anything beyond this European Tour? New music? Time will tell. Here’s a little “Epic” while we wait:

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