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Weird Al Hits the Road
Musician Weird Al Yankovic arrives at the Premiere of Universal Pictures' 'Bridesmaids' at the Mann Village Theatre on April 28, in Westwood, California. (Michael Buckner/Getty Images)
Hot on the heels of his latest release Alpocalypse, Weird Al Yankovic hits the road to bring his humor, spoken word, and parodies of today’s hottest songs to cities across the United States.
Yankovic first found success with My Bologna, a Knack knockoff, and Another One Rides the Bus, a tip of the hat to Queen. For over three decades, he’s been parodying the hit makers.
According to his website, Yankovic always gets permission from the artists to use their songs, and that “most artists are genuinely flattered and consider it an honor… Some groups (including Nirvana) claim that they didn’t realize that they had really ‘made it’ until Weird Al did a parody of them!”
Look for all the old favorites and new releases like the Lady Gaga parody Perform This Way, Kesha’s Tik Tok, and Owl City’s Fireflies. Yankovic will be touring through October. For details: www.weirdal.com
Jimmy Page Launches New Site
Jimmy Page attends The Ivor Novello Awards 2011 at The Grosvenor House Hotel on May 19, in London, England. (Dave Hogan/Getty Images)
Jimmy Page, the iconic guitar player from Led Zeppelin has launched a new website with a vast archive of musical history. It’s loaded with rare photos, video footage, and the inside scoop on playing in one of the biggest rock bands in history.
But it’s not all about Zep. The site also features Page’s other projects, including the Yardbirds (a band known for grooming great guitar players including Jeff Beck and Eric Clapton), Page and Plant (mid 1990s collaboration with Zeppelin’s lead singer Robert Plant), and even his work with the Black Crowes, including their 2000 release Live at the Greek.
Page also made a special guest appearance on July 13 with the Black Crowes on their Say Goodnight to the Bad Guys Tour. For all things Page related: www.jimmypage.com
Polaris Music Prize Announces the Shortlist
Every year, Polaris, which is a nonprofit organization that celebrates creativity and diversity in Canadian music, hands out the esteemed Polaris Music Prize. The award recognizes the outstanding Canadian Album of the Year, regardless of genre, professional affiliation, or sales history.
This year is extra special for the winner, as the prize money has increased to $30,000. The “long list” of 40 bands was announced in early June, with the release of the shortlist on July 6.
This year’s shortlist: Hey Rosetta!, Ron Sexsmith, Arcade Fire, Austra, Braids, Destroyer, Galaxie, Colin Stetson, Timber Timbre, and The Weeknd. The award will be handed out Sept. 19 at the Polaris Music Prize Gala in Toronto.
Sonic Youth Returns Remastered
Thurston Moore of Sonic Youth perfoms on stage at La Riviera on April 19, 2010 in Madrid, Spain. (Juan Naharro Gimenez/Getty Images)
Sonic Youth is re-releasing the 1992 documentary 1991: The Year Punk Broke according to an announcement on their website. The film, directed by Dave Markey, focuses on footage from Sonic Youth’s 1991 European Tour but also includes up-and-coming Nirvana as an opening act, Dinosaur Jr., Babes in Toyland, and the Ramones.
The film, which has been out of print, has been digitally restored, remastered, and features 65 minutes of unreleased footage. It includes a live clip of Nirvana playing In Bloom and Sonic Youth doing Inhuman, Eric’s Trip, and White Cross. Look for the release to hit stores Sept. 6.
