9-11-07

First off i would like to correct something about last weeks column.
I previewed an upcoming show by the Gossip and unfortunately the band
just cancelled their  US tour.  I’m sure they will reschedule as soon
as they can.  I’m sure this might have something to do with their next
release, their first record for Columbia under direction of it’s new
President, Rick Rubin.  There was an amazing article in a recent New
York Times by Lynn Hirschberg called The Music Man.  It profiled Rick
Rubin and his recent agreement to co-chair Columbia Records.  He’s an
interesting and accomplished producer with a long history of
hit-making and a huge over-all effect on the music industry–from his
early days with Rap music and Def Jam records to his more recent work
reviving the careers of legendary performers like Johnny Cash and
producing big hit records for The Dixie Chicks.  At any rate, he’s
like the big boss of the music industry and he saw The Gossip play
live in L.A. at the Troubador and thought they were the best thing
he’s seen in five years so he signed them and decided  that their
first release for Columbia will be a live CD and DVD.  Damn, when it
seems the Gossip couldn’t get any more positive response and attention
than they’ve whipped up for themselves over the past year, suddenly
Rick Rubin wants them.  I’m so happy for this great band’s massive
lunge into the big time.  They just deserve it.  They are the most
brilliant band going and Rick Rubin saw this.  It’s unfortunate that
their tour was scrapped but I’m certain we’ll get the chance to see
them in the near future–and we’ll definitely be getting a new record
soon.  I just love it when I go on about a band in my columns for
years and suddenly they get all the success they deserve and i can
sort of say, “I told you so.”  It’s fun.  I like that.  I like being
right.  Especially when it concerns great music reaching our ears,
making us feel  happy, sweaty, sexy and alive.  Few things are better.
While i was DJ-ing at the Eagle on sunday some friends
came in with a truly fabulous and exclusive gift.  It was the fruits
of a recent recording session they conducted with that band with the
greatest name ever, Fierce Perm.  I was quick to put it right on
without even a little preview because I think this band is great.
What I heard was likely my new favorite song.  It’s called “Posters”
and its another great burst of energy from this portland based
band–adept rock hooks with a touch more melody than previous efforts
and an increasing vocal range and strength from singer Natalie who
once again doesnt go sparingly on the screaming but proves thats not
her only trick by far.  The other two songs are shorter but still pack
a punch–and I cant seem to ever stop after just one.  People
immediately responded, coming to the booth and asking who it was,
liking her voice, etc.  Of course i cant wait to say “It’s Fierce
Perm.”  Every time.  I think Fierce Perm sound like they are gearing
up for a pretty great album in their future–some smart label ought to
be working that out soon. Portland is starting to sound like the Indie
Rock music capital of the world, like Seattle once was.  The Gossip
reside there, as do Modest Mouse, The Dandy Warhols, The Thermals,
Epoxies, Quasi, Sleater-Kinney, The Shins, The Briefs, Shaky Hands,
They Shoot Horses Dont They, The Decemberists, Elliot Smith, Swan
Island, Pink Martini and many more but good music has always come from
Portland over the years.  Garage rock legends the Sonics are from
there as were Paul Revere and the Raiders and one of my punk rock
faves The Wipers.  Courtney Love resided there for quite awhile as
well.  Speaking of Courtney, it looks as if there will be a new album
from her in the near future, her collaboration with another powerful
industry hit-maker, Linda Perry.  They apparently performed a few
shows together in L.A. and New York to introduce these new songs and
mark Courtney’s return to music after her troubled scary and messy
times we’ve all heard so much about.  I think it’s awesome that Linda
Perry sees the Rock Goddess that Courtney is and wants to bring it
back to the fore.  There’s one new song floating around the worldwide
internet called “How Dirty Girls Get Clean” and it is pretty epic
actually.  It has also become one of my favorites lately with its
slightly somber dramatic acoustic guitar strumming intro that
gradually builds bigger and harder as does Courtney’s voice.
Lyrically it is awesome, but that has always been the big selling
point with me–she writes incredible songs–brilliant imagery,
masterfully harsh, evocative and honest.  Go back to Live Through This
and check those words out if you need to be reminded of her talent.  I
look forward to the LP and seeing Courtney earn back some favor in
this often cruel dehumanizing tabloid-driven world of celebrity.  She
was recently featured in Septembers Harpers Bazaar in a almost nude
photo taken in Coco Chanel’s apartment.  If Karl Lagerfeld says so,
and he does, I guess Courtney is back in fashion.  In the article  she
describes her own fashion history in detail but really, i dont sit
around reading fashion magazines.
I was just glad she’s gaining some reprieve from the hate here and there.
This Friday the 14th I have been invited to guest DJ at Charlie
Horse, the drag rock and roll club at the Cinch every friday night.  I
went there this last friday and it was a packed and jamming affair
with a fresh crowd of all kinds.  I’m especially honored because it is
Charlie Horses drag figurehead Anna Conda’s 40th birthday and she
wanted me to play it!  I’m looking forward to giving queens who rock
all I have and more so this should be lots of fun.  There will be a
cavalcade of performers throughout the night and you can see if this
bar still makes the most lethal long-island ice teas on earth., it
certainly used to.  On top of all these thrills, i cant wait to play
in a booth you have to climb a ladder to get to!  I hope we can all
remain safe but danger will figure prominently, as it should