Andrews Rock Blog

No, I’m not talking about Jeff Brown. I’m talking about Bruce Springsteen. Not only is Bruce back on the road for more shows in support of his latest album “Magic”, but as he told USA Today this week, he’s also hard at work in the studio on two separate projects.

The first finds him once again working with the E Street Band and “Magic” producer Brendan O’Brien on a new group album. But Bruce is also ”recording on my own, for an acoustic record. I work on a lot of projects at once.”

I don’t know how you feel, but I can’t stand solo Bruce albums (with the exception of “Nebraska”). Neither “The Ghost of Tom Joad” or “Devils and Dust” did much for me. In fact, they both bored me to tears. I’m way more eager to hear another big rock record with his longtime bandmates.

Here’s some classic Boss from Toronto in 1984 for your weekend viewing pleasure. The song’s title is also your bonus code.

Have a great weekend!

Frank Bonner? Who’s that? How about the one and only Herb Tarlek from “WKRP In Cincinnati”. Today Frank turns 66, and we in the Jack Nation are celebrating. Click below to see Frank get back into character one more time to play his defining role in a video for Canadian icons The Rheostatics 2004 single “The Tarleks”.

Ok, let me preface this entry with one big word: RUMOURS

That being said, last week Van Halen cancelled a handful of dates, which set off a ton of talk and speculation as to why. According to melodicrock.com, there are a bunch of stories going around. There’s talk that Eddie Van Halen is having hearing issues, which is leading to some sloppy playing, and in return some frustration on the part of both Ed and David Lee Roth. There are also RUMOURS that because of these frustrations Ed has started drinking again. As you might recall, it was EVH’s drinking problems that pushed the Van Halen tour back from a summer to fall start last year.

I hope that these are indeed just rumours. Last fall’s run at ACC was fantastic, and I’d love to see the guys keep things together long enough for another album and tour. There should be more info coming up about this situation in the next few days. I’ll keep you posted.

Today’s bonus code is: RUMOURS

 Did you hear about all the shenanigans going between the Black Crowes and Maxim Magazine. Here’s a brief rundown - the latest issue of Maxim has a review for the brand new Black Crowes album “Warpaint”, which hits stores this Tuesday. The magazine gave the album 2.5 stars, and were extrememly critical of it, stating that there wasn’t much growth etc. Well, this pissed off the Crowes to no end, since Maxim actually hadn’t heard the new album. Management sent out a heated press release revealing the deception. This is how Maxim responded:

“It is Maxim’s editorial policy to assign star ratings only to those albums that have been heard in their entirety. Unfortunately, that policy was not followed in the March 2008 issue of our magazine and we apologize to our readers.”

Well, that really didn’t help matters to much, according to the Black Crowes and their manager. Here’s an excerpt from their latest press release from manager Peter Angelus:

“Maxim seems to continue in their attempt to deceive the public with their usage of the word ‘entirety.’  At the most, Maxim could have only heard the one complete song that has been released to radio, before publishing their ‘album review.’   It comes as no surprise that Maxim has elected to apologize to their readers now that the world has been informed of their deception; however, that is not full accountability.”

In closing, Angelus said,“In my opinion, Maxim’s ‘apology’ is self-serving damage control by failing to mention The Black Crowes. The appropriate action from Maxim is to immediately issue a public apology to The Black Crowes for disparaging both the band and their soon to be released new album ‘Warpaint’ without having heard the material.”

In my opinion, Maxim got caught doing a huge disservice to their readers. Review a song if that’s all you’ve heard (”Goodbye Daughters of The Revolution”, in this case) but don’t lay claim to having an opinion on an entire piece of work. But on the other, the Black Crowes haven’t gotten this much mainstream notice in years. You can make your own decision about “Warpaint” when it hits stores Tuesday. In the meantime, check out first single “Goodbye Daughters of the Revolution” below.

Todays bonus code is: MAXIM

I was checking out the Sun this morning and I saw that Live Nation announced the long list of bands making their way to the Amphitheatre this summer. Rush, Robert Plant + Alison Krauss, Radiohead are among the highlights. I was also happy to see that the one and only Eric Clapton will hit Toronto with very special guest Steve Winwood on May 27th. While I was already psyched to see Winwood open for Tom Petty in June, the fact that he’s apparently teaming up with his old Blind Faith bandmate EC for gigs almost guarantees us some excellent jamming.  I keep saying I don’t need to see Clapton again, but he keeps doing cool things - Cream reunion, jamming with Derek Trucks, and now playing with Steve Winwood.

As soon as ticket info is out, we’ll let you know. In the meantime, check out footage of EC and Winwood playing a kickass version of “Cocaine” at the Crossroads festival this past summer.

UPDATE: I just found out that Steve Winwood has been taken off the bill! It was an “error”. That sucks!

Man, I hope I have as much energy as Sir Paul when I hit my 60’s. Even with his divorce from the golddigger, Macca continues to work on new material. Reports came out Monday that Paul’s been in the studio, with an eye towards a new album this summer. That would be just over a year since the release of “Memory Almost Full”, which to my ears was a strong piece of work. It was also McCartney’s most succesful studio album in years, no doubt thanks in part to his deal with Starbucks music label, HEAR Music.

I think I’ll always be interested in hearing what Paul comes up with. He may be on his way to 70, but he’s still an interesting artist. What do you think? Do you have any interest in a new McCartney album, or are you happy to just play “Sgt. Pepper’s” and “Band On the Run” over and over?

Todays bonus code is: MACCA

Have you read Motley Crue’s book “The Dirt” - it truly is what it says. A down and dirty look at one of rock and roll’s most indulgent and, dare I say, dirtiest bands ever. Coke, booze, women, and even a little bit of music too. The Crue talk about it all. And now they’ve got a brand new studio album on the way titled, what else, “The Dirt”. Due Tuesday July 8th, it will be the first Motley Crue album to feature the original line-up since 1997’s classic “Generation Swine”. Remember that fine offering? Yeah, me neither.

Nikki Sixx says the chemistry in the studio between band members is “unbelievable”, but is that good or bad. From all accounts, these guys hardly even like one another. Who knows, maybe all that animosity will result in some cool creative tension. And if you’re wondering, whatever issues the band and Tommy Lee had with one another are water under the bridge. Until next time.

Are you interested in a new Crue album? If you get a minute, let me know. And if you’ve got a fave Crue song, leave that too.

This weekend’s bonus code is the name of the song below, all one word. Have a great weekend.

Well it only took a couple of weeks for me to be able to write a blog about two of my favourite things - rock and comic books.

This morning, I read via Rolling Stone online that the Foo Fighters are suing Marvel Comics for copyright infringement. It seems that Mighty Marvel and a few others forgot to ask permission to use music from the Foos in the trailer for the brand new animated series “Wolverine and the X-Men”. As we all know, copyright is a big deal, especially to artists. I wonder how this will all work out, but if Marvel didn’t ask the Foos for their music, I think Dave Grohl and co. have a right to be ticked.

Take a look at the trailer below to see what the hubbub is all about:

Todays bonus code is: WOLVERINE 

By the way, if you want a chance to win tickets to see Foo Fighters and Against Me! when they hit Air Canada Centre in a few weeks, make sure you check out the Jack Nation Countdown on City TV, this Saturday afternoon at 4.

The soundtrack to the upcoming Rolling Stones film “Shine A Light” will be in stores Tuesday April 1st, and you’ll have lots of different versions to choose from. There’s going to be a single disc versionwith the following track listing:

Jumping Jack Flash
She Was Hot
All Down the Line
Loving Cup
As Tears Go By
Some Girls
Just My Imagination
Faraway Eyes
Champagne & Reefer
Band introductions
You Got the Silver
Connection
Sympathy for the Devil
Live With Me
Start Me Up
Brown Sugar

 Then there’s the2 cdversion that will feature what looks to be a complete setlist:

Disc 1:
Jumping Jack Flash
Shattered
She Was Hot
All Down the Line
Loving Cup
As Tears Go By
Some Girls
Just My Imagination
Faraway Eyes
Champagne & Reefer
Tumbling Dice
— Introductions
You Got the Silver
Connection

Disc 2:
Sympathy for the Devil
Live With Me
Start Me Up
Brown Sugar
(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction
Paint it Black
Little T&A
I’m Free
Shine A Light

 I don’t understand for the life of me why the Stones would put out two differant versions of the album. The only people who will be picking this up are the diehard Rolling Stones fans, and they’re going to want a complete show.

For you tech savvy folks, you’ll also be able to buy the album via a USB key that looks something like this:

Which, if any, will you be picking up?

Today’s bonus code is: SOUNDTRACK

28 years ago today Bon Scott passed away.

Take 5 minutes to watch this classic piece of ACDC and remember a legend.