Yearly Archives: 2003

Gothamist.com’s Jen Chung says Built to Spill’s NYC show was a goodie while our dear friend Eric Metronome says the Columbus show was an exercise in disappointment.

Our interview with Boston’s Helicopter Helicopter is now live and ready for your consumption.

And while you’re at it, listen to one of their songs here. You’ll like it. Have I ever lied to you?

Bankrate, of all places, interviews Gene Simmons regarding his financial investments and KISS merchandise empire. I thought his answer to this question was pretty funny.

Bankrate: How do you decide whether or not to take on a business venture?

Gene Simmons: The deal has to make sense. The aesthetic should pull the heartstrings. The word “cool” is bandied about often enough. NASCAR and the National Hot Rod Association, the NHRA, are cool, and go to the heart of what America is about. So that’s why we have KISS cars, and why I was the grand marshal of both two years in a row. Visa cards, corporate credit cards — as far as I’m concerned that’s about as cool as you can get. Corporate America is cool. People hate to admit it, but what’s cooler than Starbucks and Coca-Cola? We buy their products and we love them. (full interview)

By saying Corporate America is cool, does that make Gene Simmons the most punk guy in the world by going against the trend or just a corporate asshole? You make the call.

LONDON, England (CNN) — Rock singer Robert Palmer has died in Paris of a heart attack at the age of 54, his manager said.

The British star, whose chart hits in the 1980s included Addicted to Love, suffered the attack in the early hours of this morning, Mick Cater said.
Palmer, who lived in Switzerland, was staying in the French capital with his partner, Mary Ambrose, after recording a TV appearance in the UK.

“I can’t say anything else at this point, I’m just in shock,” Cater of What Management in England told CNN.

The Strokes came out with some surprising news indeed today when they announced their sophomore effort Room On Fire will be delayed a week due to “packaging problems.” Why is this a surprise? Well, with an album this heavily anticipated you would expect them to move the date up to combat possible file-sharing. I guess the boys from NYC figure folks’ll be willing to pay for a well put together album. What a concept.

Not so surprising is the announcement that Courtney Love’s debut solo disc will be pushed back from late October 2003 to February 2004 to allow for some “finishing touches.”

Translation? Let’s travel into the disturbing and imaginary land that is Courtney’s brain for this one:

“Well, even with the help of that chick from 4 Non Blondes — y’know the one Pink and Xtina love so much — I just can’t get my shit together. I sure wish my dear deceased hubby was here to supply me with some music. Darn!”

On the eve of lead singer Shannon Hoon’s birthday, donewaiting.com writer Chip Midnight looks back and reflects on his relationship he had with the singer who would later go and overdose on drugs.

A week or so later Blind Melon came to Columbus. I hung out by the band?s RV, waiting to introduce myself to Shannon. I had an armful of True Crime books to give him and I was wearing a Charles Manson t-shirt, just so he?d know who I was. I think I freaked him out a bit when he got off the RV and started walking towards me. When I told him who I was, he gave me a big hug and his face lit up with a smile. That?s one of the things that I always loved about Shannon. He was such a nice and friendly guy, never one to just shake my hand. There always had to be a hug. (full story)

A very touching read. Go.

Wilco, Dashboard Confessional, Willie Nelson, Incubus and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young have been added to the lineup for the 17th Bridge School Benefit concert. As previously reported, event founder Neil Young and Pearl Jam will also be on hand for the show, which will be held Oct. 25 at Shoreline Amphitheatre outside of San Francisco. (full story)

I caught Bridge School two years back, and it was really a great show. Seeing Wilco and Pearl Jam together makes me think about going out for this one, too.

As you know, donewaiting.com is made up of a host of writers writing about their local music scenes, and connecting it into the bigger picture.

Steve Miller, our England writer, travelled to New York City a few weeks back to see two Bruce Springsteen concerts in NJ. He’s finally written about it, and I have to admit it’s probably one of the best things we’ve ever featured on the site. Read it here!

Let me share you two favorite quotes from it.

“After playing ten shows at Giants Stadium, and following an epic version of Dancing In The Dark, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band stood stage front, soaking up the applause and the adulation from this crowd, looking for all the world as if that was it. But, just as they?re leaving the stage, and with the clock ticking towards 11:30, a stagehand tosses Bruce a guitar, and they close out the series with Jersey Girl. It?s obvious, but it?s beautiful, and I bet this reading caused many a tear to be shed. ?It?s been a great summer,? bellowed Bruce during the show. If these last two shows are anything to go by, it?s been a summer of legend.”

and….

“You know when you go to a gig, and it leaves you on a high that?s just really difficult to put into words? It?s a bit like this. Striding through the bus station and Times Square, I?m the king of the world, a grin writ large on my face. When I make it back to the hotel, I call my sister and spend a good twenty minutes telling her about the show. She doesn?t really care, and it?s long after midnight, but I?m so pumped up and I need to tell somebody. I?m reminded of how important music is to me and how vital it is in my life and how sometimes music is all that really matters.”

The rest of the piece is equally as great.

In the message board, Soldierant writes:

Pick one perfect song. A song that connects with you, musically, lyrically, spritually, whatever. A song that gut-punches you every time you hear it. Preferably a song that has withstood the test of time — don’t give me this summers’ greatest all over again, cause by next summer you will have forgotten those.

No, this 1 Perfect Song should be more dear than that. It should be special to you. For reasons you may choose to disclose, or may keep to yourself. It’s your call.

What are you waiting for? Give us your choice, pilgrim. We want to know.

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.

Turning the tables on record labels, makers of the most popular file-sharing network are suing entertainment companies for copyright infringement. Sharman Networks, the company behind the Kazaa file-sharing software, filed a federal lawsuit on Monday accusing the entertainment companies of using unauthorized versions of its software in their efforts to snoop out users. (full story)

Hilarious.

For other news on the RIAA and the crazy world of music technology, always visit the donewaiting.com column Signal to Noise.