4waystop

Nine Inch Nails seeks input from YOU...the fans

Personally, I have never gotten Nine Inch Nails, but I have always respected their band name.  It shows that they are, in fact, intellectuals.  I just don't like their music.  However, they are forward thinking and care about their fans in a way seldom seen anymore in todays world of crass commercialism.  We got this in our email from the the band today and thought we would post it for you all today.  Its not like Trent wrote us the email personally or anything, we just got it as part of an email blast from the band because we are in the business, so to speak.  but it did contain some really good information.  So here it is:

Message from Trent:

Hello everyone.

I'd like to thank everyone for a very successful year so far in the world of Nine Inch Nails. I'm enjoying my couple of weeks off between legs of our Lights In The Sky tour and got to thinking... "wouldn't it be fun to send out a survey to everyone that's shown interest in NIN?" Well, that's not exactly how it went, but regardless - here it is. As we've moved from the familiar world of record labels and BS into the unknown world of doing everything yourself, we've realized it would benefit us and our ability to interact with you if we knew more about what you want, what you like, what you look like naked, etc.

I know it's a pain in the ass but we'd truly appreciate it if you'd take a minute and help us out. As an incentive, everyone who completes the survey will be able to download a video of live performance from this most recent tour (and I know what's going through your little minds right now: "I'll just grab this off a torrent site and not have to fill out the survey!!!" and guess what? You will be able to do just that and BEAT THE SYSTEM!!!!

BUT

What if we were to select some of those that DO complete the survey and provide them with something really cool? I'm not saying we'll ever get around to it, but if we did maybe something like signed stuff, flying someone to a show somewhere in the world, a magic amulet that makes you invisible, a date with Jeordie White (condoms supplied of course), you know - something cool. See, you'd miss that opportunity AND be a cheater.

Do the right thing - help us out. You'll feel better.

Thank you and I've had too much caffeine this morning,
Trent

Visit here to take the survey:
http://www.questionpro.com/akira/TakeSurvey?id=1049187

Oh yeah, there was one thing I liked about the nine inch nails, they made really good videos. Those videos were produced at the what some would say was the golden age of MTV in the very early 1990's.  I believe that the golden age of MTV ended the first time Curt Loder of Rolling Stone appeared on MTV News and they began doing game shows like Remote Control and whatever that first dating show was.

Its along way to the top...

Seldom does an artist in today's world of music give you goosebumps when you are listening to their albums. Nor is there any such thing as an album in todays world of music.  I wonder everyday what the recording industry is going to give artists to reflect music sales now that the record stores are almost completely extinct.  Seriously, there will be no more gold records, no more gold Cd's.  How will they give a representation of downloads? Gold plated shells of laptop cases...your guess is as good as mine. Hell maybe it could be gold plated i-pods or i-phones or perhaps even a gold plated blue-tooth head set (in a frame of course with a plaque with the total number of downloads).

Back to goosebumps.  I listen to and write a lot about music and I thank God that it is my job and it takes a lot to give me goosebumps. There is a guy in Nashville that you should listen to if you if haven't heard of him yet.  Believe it or not, in some way or another you have listened to him.  He is one of the most talented songwriters in the music industry today and most sought after session players working today.  If that isn't enough, the guy is quickly becoming one of the hottest producers in Nashville as well.  Will Kimbrough is a busy man.  But in the immortal words of AC/DC it's a long way to the top if you want to Rock and Roll.

Like any touring musician, Kimbrough doesn't see his family much.  He plays over a hundred dates on the road a year as a solo artist and as a side man with such artists Rodney Crowell and Todd Snider.  But the Mobile, Alabama native also does duty as a guitarist with fellow Mobillian Jimmy Buffet and the Coral Reefer Band.

Touring with Buffet, led to good fortune with the margarita-ville man recording Kimbrough's song "Piece of Work" on his License to Chill album.  Country superstar Toby Keith also recorded his song "Champion of the World".  But Kimbrough has by no means sold out to the industry establishment nor has he "gone commercial" as the late Frank Zappa used to sing about when making fun about the music industry.  In fact,  he is his own industry in itself. An alternative free-market music industry that we hope to talk with Will about after his performance at the historic and prestigious Town Hall in New York City October 25, 2008 during the 2008 CMJ conference.

Will Kimbrough has been playing guitar professionally since his early teens in Mobile, Alabama and has never looked back.  He found early success with the band Ground Zero which ultimately gave birth to to the eponymous Will and the Bushmen, a Southeastern college rock powerhouse in the vein of REM and today's Hootie and the Blowfish that was signed to the now defunct.  The band spawned two albums and a handful of singles that received minimal promotion from the label's A&R department because they were  busy supporting the albums primary breadwinners at the time Wilson Phillips and Vanilla Ice.

After the band broke up and the members went their separate ways, Kimbrough turned to what he he knew best singing, songwriting and playing the guitar.  At the time, Nashville was still very much a country music town and Will was a rock musician. He learned to sing for his supper becoming a session musician...writing songs in his spare time. 

His first solo album "This" re familiarized me with him and showed that the sound of Will and the Bushmen was still there but was refined and more mature and didn't have that slick sugary cherry on top bullshit that a major label of today record always has.  He produced himself.  He paid to make it himself and was selling it himself on the "Internets".  He would even autograph it for you.  I bought five copies and sent them to friends that liked "Will".  But this album included such awe inspiring tracks as Chimayo...a beautiful song about him being stuck gigging out west and missing his wife. (available for stream on his myspace page :   www.myspace.com/willkimbroughmusic) and Good Night Moon a lullaby written to his young children.

Unfortunately, only one song from his most recent full length album "Americanitis" is available for stream on  his myspace page (see above for link). Americanitis is a seventeen goosebump raising rant against the current presidential administration and the war in Iraq, preferential treatment for contractors and the general state of American Affairs.  It reminds you of the greatest work of by The Band, CCR, Dylan and Steven Stills' Manassass album from 1972.  If you are pissed off and are motivated to vote for change buy 15 copies of "Americanitis" share the goosebumps with all of your friends.  The song from "Americanitis" on Will's myspace page is called Pride.  I highly recommend it.

Like I mentioned before, Will Kimbrough keeps a busy tour schedule but I would definitely go ahead to make plans to see him at the Austin City Limits Music Festival next weekend.  The festival is sold out.  But if you are fortunate enough to have tickets, add him to your list of artists to see. 

Man, I could say so much about these guys but you should just listen to Bryan Scary & the Shredding Tears

We all have fetishes in life... mine happen to be listening music and watching reruns of televsion.  It is a shame that Nick at Nite and TV Land are changing their programming strategies...but i digress.  I am a genre whore when it comes to music.  I really like psychedelic pop and I mean a lot.

When I was a freshman in college, I gave up following the Grateful Dead to follow a band called Jellyfish.  In my book, at that time if the Grateful Dead was God...Jellyfish were in no certain terms the 12 apostles.  They could musically do no wrong and were the quintessentially perfect pop band with great hidden drug references.

While I have yet to hear their entire album, I have heard samples of their new release "Flight of the Knife" and am thoroughly impressed with their harmonics and instrumentation's as well as their songwriting abilities.  The band does not work to imitate Jellyfish in any way, however it takes the new psychedelic sound that Jellyfish helped pioneer to a higher and almost religious level.

The band is composed of Mike Acre man - Brian Bauer - Graham Norwood - David Ostrem - Bryan Scary and while only a five piece sounds at times as if it is backed by a symphony of musicians.

What touched me most about the band and their ability to hold together was a piece they posted on their myspace blog.  This type of thing could normally break up a band

Last April, BSST were stranded in Los Angeles.  The five musical clowns woke up one morning to find their van and instruments stolen, along with their plastic alligator.  What did the band do?  What COULD the band do?   Well, with the aid of generous donations, and the great GODS of insurance...the band stitched its arsenal back together.  They took to the studio in L.A. and whipped up a soon-to-be released batch of new songs.  These recordings dip toes into genres hitherto unprodded by Scaryville's sons...

All of us at 4waystop have worked with bands over the years and have seen the event of losing your van and equipment break-up the band.  These guys are committed to the cause.

They deserve a once over and the purchase of a download or two.  And remember we put it on the line...If you are unhappy write and tell us why you didn't like the purchase we recommended and while supplies last we will send you a 4waystop Tshirt in the size of your choice compliments of the fine folks at Dixie Creme Sugar Biscuits while they are in stock.

Link to Bryan Scary Website:  www.bryanscary.com

ALLMAN BROS CANCEL NY SHOWS

"I'm getting better but I'm still tired," Allman says. "I need to be at 110% to do the shows the way we do them. I can't tell you how much I appreciate the support and understanding my Brothers and our fans have given me."
For More click

DR PEPPER AN GNR ON TOUR

The Guns N' Roses album Chinese Democracy has been nearly as long in the making as, well, Chinese democracy. But now some soda stunters, the makers of Dr Pepper, are leveraging their marketing savvy to aid the advance of democracy—at least the musical kind.
To wit, the pop pushers have offered a free can of their prune-flavored beverage to nearly every man, woman and sweet child in America, if only Guns N' Roses frontman Axl Rose will release the album sometime this year (fyi, the last new GNR album was released in 1993). The only folks to be denied their can o' Pepper by the soda company would be guitarists Slash and Buckethead, with whom Rose has feuded.

But now it seems as if Rose is ready to bury the hatchet, saying, "As some of Buckethead's performances are on our album, I'll share my Dr Pepper with him." Finally, detente.

Another possibility: Rose doesn't like Dr Pepper.
Via NY POST

STEPHEN KELLOGG & THE SIXERS ON TOUR

One of our favorite bands 2007 Stephen Kellogg & the Sixers Announce Spring Theater Tour with Hanson
Following An Electrifying

Showcase at this Year’s SXSW Critically-Acclaimed Album,  Glassjaw Boxer - Out Now on Everfine Records

For the past few years, the band has toured non-stop, some years clocking in close to 300 shows. They’ve shared the stage with such notable and diverse artists as Guster, Jason Mraz, Kathleen Edwards, Mike Doughty, Josh Ritter, and has also played arenas with million-selling American band O.A.R. Don’t miss them on their latest US tour with Hanson! Confirmed tour dates are below and please check www.stephenkellogg.com for the most up-to-date list.

 

Stephen Kellogg & The Sixers

Mar. 29^th Sunday River Ski Resort                                     Newry, ME

Apr. 2^nd Toad’s Place                                                          New Haven, CT

3^rd Chronic Town                                                       State College, PA

4^th Legends of Notre Dame                                      South Bend, IN

5^th The Intersection                                                    Grand Rapids, MI

6^th Beat Kitchen                                                          Chicago, IL

7^th Flying Mango                                                       Des Moines, IA

9^th La Crosse Center –                                     South Hall La Crosse, WI

11^th The Rave                                                                Milwaukee, WI

12^th Barrymore Theatre                                               Madison, WI

13^th Meyer Theatre                                                       Green Bay, WI

15^th Egyptian Room at Murat Theatre                          Indianapolis, IN

17^th Madison Theatre                                                 Covington, KY

18^th US Cellular Coliseum                                           Bloomington, IL

19^th Royal Oak Music Theatre                                      Royal Oak, MI

21^st Water Street Music Hall                                         Rochester, NY

22^nd Northern Lights                                                 Clifton Park, NY

23^rd Higher Ground                                                  S. Burlington, VT

25^th Calvin Theatre                                                  Northampton, MA

26^th Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom                        Hampton Beach, NH

29^th Starland Ballroom                                                  Sayreville, NJ

May 1^st State Theatre                                                        Falls Church, VA

2^nd Crocodile Rock Café                                            Allentown, PA

3^rd Chameleon Club                                                    Lancaster, PA

5^th The Orange Peel                                                    Asheville, NC

6^th House of Blues                                                     Myrtle Beach, SC

7^th Carolina Theatre                                                    Durham, NC

9^th Five Spot                                                                Atlanta, GA

10^th Ashland Coffee & Tea                                        Ashland, VA

JOE JACKSONSON TOUR 2008

In support of is new album "Rain"  that comes out January 29th.
Joe Jackson - 2008 Tour Dates

Wed, 27 Feb - UK Cardiff, The Point
Fri, 29 Feb - IE Dublin, Olympia Theatre
Sun, 2 Mar - UK London, Shepherds Bush Empire
Tue, 4 Mar - FR Paris, La Cigale
Wed, 5 Mar - BE Brussels, Ancienne Belgique
Fri, 7 Mar - NL Amsterdam, Paradiso
Sat, 8 Mar - NL Amsterdam, Paradiso
Mon, 10 Mar - DE Hamburg, Fabrik
Tue, 11 Mar - DE Berlin, Schiller-Theater
Thu, 13 Mar - DE Mainz, Phönixhalle
Fri, 14 Mar - CH Zurich, Kaufleuten
Sun, 16 Mar - IT Milan, Teatro Smeraldo
Mon, 17 Mar - IT Forlì, Naima Club
Wed, 19 Mar - IT Rome, Auditorium
Sat, 22 Mar - AT Vienna, Joe Zawinul's Birdland
Tue, 25 Mar - IL Tel Aviv, Zappa Club
Wed, 26 Mar - IL Tel Aviv, Hangar 11
Tue, 1 Apr - CA Toronto, The Music Hall
Wed, 2 Apr - CA Montreal, Metropolis
Fri, 4 Apr - US Glenside, PA, Keswick Theatre
Sat, 5 Apr - US Northampton, MA, Calvin Theatre
Mon, 7 Apr - US Somerville, MA, Somerville Theatre
Wed, 9 Apr - US Red Bank, NJ, Count Basie Theatre
Thu, 10 Apr - US Washington, DC, 9:30 Club
Sat, 12 Apr - US Kingston, NY, Ulster Performing Arts Center
Tue, 15 Apr - US New York, NY, Apollo Theater
Wed, 16 Apr - US New York, NY, The Town Hall
Sat, 19 Apr - US Pittsburgh, PA, Carnegie Music Hall of Homestead
Sun, 20 Apr - US Ann Arbor, MI, Michigan Theater
Mon, 21 Apr - US Milwaukee, WI, Pabst Theater
Wed, 23 Apr - US Chicago, IL, Vic Theatre
Thu, 24 Apr - US Chicago, IL, Vic Theatre
Sat, 26 Apr - US Atlanta, GA, Variety Playhouse
Mon, 28 Apr - US Austin, TX, Paramount Theatre
Tue, 29 Apr - US Dallas, TX, Palladium
Thu, 1 May - US Boulder, CO, Boulder Theater (etown)
Sun, 4 May - US Seattle, WA, Moore Theatre
Mon, 5 May - CA Vancouver, BC, Chan Centre
Tue, 6 May - US Portland, OR, Aladdin Theater
Sat, 10 May - US Redwood City, CA, Fox Theatre
Sun, 11 May - US San Diego, CA, Humphrey's
Tue, 13 May - US Los Angeles, CA, Orpheum Theatre
Tue, 20 May - AU Brisbane, Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre
Thu, 22 May - AU Sydney, State Theatre
Fri, 23 May - AU Sydney, State Theatre
Sun, 25 May - AU Melbourne, Melbourne Town Hall
Tue, 27 May - AU Adelaide, Adelaide Entertainment Centre
Fri, 30 May - AU Perth, Riverside Theatre

WILCO WIDGET

Now you can follow Wilco throughout their tour with a desktop widget that includes eight custom "skins".

DASHBOARD CONFESSIONAL FIRST TOUR IN 5 YEARS

Following a hugely successful arena tour in support of their fourth album Dusk and Summer (Vagrant), Dashboard Confessional’s Chris Carrabba is going back to his roots with a rare North American solo tour – his first in five years.  Joining him for this very special trek are Augustana and John Ralston. The tour officially kicks off on September 14^th in Rochester, MI.
Carrabba and his bandmates—guitarist John Lefler, bassist Scott Schoenbeck and drummer Mike Marsh—ended 2006 on a high note with a sold-out show at New York City’s legendary Madison Square Garden. The band has continued to play dates in 2007 in support of the radio success that they experienced with Dusk and Summer’s second single “Stolen,” which became a Top 40 smash.
Recorded with Don Gilmore and Daniel Lanois, Dusk and Summer marked Dashboard’s third straight gold album.  Dusk and Summer debuted at Number Two on the Billboard Albums Chart and Number One on the
iTunes Top Albums Chart following its June 26^th release last year on Vagrant Records.
Carrabba has already started working on a new album and while he won’t reveal details at this point in time, he has hinted that this tour will give fans a glimpse of what’s to come.
TOUR DATES

STEEP CANYON RANGERS NEW CD & TOUR

In 2006 the Steep Canyon Rangers captured the IBMA Emerging Artist of the Year honors. In 2007 sees the Steep Canyon Rangers releasing Lovin' Pretty Women, their second full-length for bluegrass traditionalists Rebel Records. The album, set for a August 14th, 2007 release, was produced by renowned bluegrass protagonist Ronnie Bowman and engineered by SCR guitarist Wyatt Rice. On Lovin' Pretty Women, the band's innate passion to bluegrass unfolds in each note played out, honoring the heritage of traditional bluegrass while simultaneously jumping ahead with a groundbreaking style of their own.

While living in South Carolina  I had the privilege to see Ralph Stanley & The Clinch Mountain Boys at Bill's Music Shop in Columbia. I must say this show was a highlight on my  road to becoming a Bluegrass fan. Now let me tell you the The Steep Canyon Rangers are the real thing.

Download lovinprettywomen.mp3

Tour Dates