One For The Weekend: Chip Kinman

Check out "So Young" – Chip Kinman's reverie of his time with brother Tony in The Dils – off his forthcoming album out Nov 21. 

Here's Chip with his new self-titled album along with artist Gordon Henderson and graphic designer Stephen Linsley. 

LINKS

Highwire Daze Chip Kinman announces new self-titled album out November 21

Remembering Scott "Rock Action" Asheton on his birthday

Remembering the hard-pounding Scott Asheton with a couple of Stooges classics played with J Mascis, Mike Watt and brother Ron.

Fred Armisen chats with L.A.'s punk elders

Fred Armisen recently hosted a "focus group" of L.A. punks w/ Lee Ving, Kid Congo, Exene, Mike Watt & Penelope Houston.

Red Mass assemble all-star cast for A Hopeless Noise

Montreal's Red Mass are joined by Mike Watt, King Khan, Mac DeMarco, etc for their new concept album A Hopeless Noise, in the works since at least 2014.

Here's the scoop...

"The album tells the story of the Diamond Girl. You follow her as she falls from grace and loses touch with reality. It is The Mass’ modern day retelling of Don Quixote. As the Diamond Girl develops a psychological disorder and suffers delusions of grandeur. She still believes that she is living in the utmost luxury when in reality, her world crumbles around her. Amidst her trauma, she wanders aimlessly through the city and falls prey to the most decadent of low lives. She wallows in vice as the wings of temptation carry her from one nightclub to the next. When she finally breaks she goes on a violent rampage.

"In order to mirror the Diamond Girl’s multiple personalities, the group worked in numerous punk sub genres and picked different artists to bring each song to life. Musicians from all over the world joined in, including members of The Black Lips, Duchess Says, Human Eye, Fly Pan Am & Godspeedyoublackemperor as well as Mac DeMarco, Rick Froberg (Hot Snakes, Drive Like Jehu), John Kastner (Doughboys, Asexuals), Evan Dando, Hugo Mudie (The Sainte Catherines), producer/musician Martin Bisi, Jered Gummere (The Ponys), King Khan and Mike Watt. We ended up with collaborations with some of our favourite musicians, our friends and even our dad's added to the mix. Love is supreme."  – Roy Vucino, Red Mass

Watch the new Red Mass video for "To Fall From Grace" featuring King Khan followed by a live clip of Red Mass developing material for A Hopeless Noise at Portland's Star Theatre back in 2014. Check out A Hopeless Noise on the group's Bandcamp page or stream the album here. 

Nels Cline @ The Horseshoe, tonight

Guitarist Nels Cline is very nearly as popular as his '59 Fender Jazzmaster purchased from Mike Watt. 

Something completely different from Mike Watt

If you haven't already heard, the always busy Mike Watt has an experimental new side-project called The Hand To Man Band with Deerhoof's John Dieterich, Tim Barnes of Silver Jews and noted avant pianist Thollem  McDonas which doesn't sound anything like fIREHOSE.

Their song The Down Moveables will give you an idea of where they're coming from although you may be distracted by the arresting visuals created by Marcos Sanchez for the video clip (below).

If you'd like to hear more by The Hand To Man Band, their tune First Shallows appears on the Post-Consumer Label Sampler 2012 which you can check out right here.


The Down Moveables by The Hand to Man Band

T.V. eye on Iggy Pop

In case you haven't heard, Iggy Pop and the reconstituted Stooges with guitarist James Williamson, bassist Mike Watt and drummer Scott Asheton will be headlining a free concert at Yonge-Dundas Square in Toronto on Saturday (June 19) at 9:30 pm joined by the Ravonettes (8 pm), Wavves (7 pm), Surfer Blood (6 pm) and a bunch of other bands who are just happy to be on the same bill.
Although Iggy's performances are legendary, some of his most entertaining moments happened far away from the stage in television studios. Here are just a few of Iggy's many memorable TV appearances over the past three decades:




Iggy Pop spars with Peter Gzowski 1977


Iggy Pop & David Bowie school Dinah Shore 1977



Iggy Pop talks career aspirations with Tony Wilson 1977


Iggy Pop tries out his Jerry Lewis in drag routine in France 1977


Iggy Pop battles Tom Snyder 1980


Iggy Pop reveals secret passion for household chores 1986


Iggy Pop discusses making The Idiot 2009


Iggy Pop reminisces with Jools Holland  2010