Author Archives: robert duffy

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.

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.

Brian Straw, friend of donewaiting.com, got some publicity yesterday on Pitchfork for his current collaboration with Six Part Seven. It warms our hearts to see he and his band getting attention, and hope that more people will pay attention, too.

While you’re at it, download some solo Brian Straw songs here. You’ll be better off for it.

Forget being in The O.C. or Time Magazine. Spoon have truly arrived: their music was featured in tonight’s episode of Queer Eye for the Straight Guy.