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Gearing up for New American Shame's self-titled debut release, Atlantic Records publicist Kim Asplund called to ask what I could do for the band, informing me outright that "management wants a cover"--as in cover of the paper. Word to "management" (who, by the way, is Seattle resident Don Robertson): The bands we fuss over aren't determined by obnoxious publicists. And we sure as hell ain't gonna climb on that blowjob train with a band as unoriginal, uninspired, and downright awful as fucking New American Shame, who not only named their album after themselves, but named a song after themselves as well.
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The Melvins' Saturday afternoon performance at the Velvet Elvis (R.I.P.) was a star-studded event--not only did Tool's Adam Jones join 'em, Krist Novoselic hopped onstage for Flipper cover "Sacrifice," during which he rolled all over the floor and threw his guitar in the air and--hooray!--missed his own noggin', unlike his famous, internationally televised MTV Music Awards mishap in 1992.
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Foo Fighters' replacement guitarist Franz Stahl (who stepped in when Pat Smear vacated the position) has left what should be known as the Dave Grohl Experience, forcing the now trio to cancel their appearance at the upcoming Woodstock '99 (yawn). Meanwhile, Foo Fighters has left Capitol Records, and is supposedly considering joining manager John Silva on his new web-based company, which also counts former Capitol head Gary Gersh on its list of bigwigs.
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"The Olympia Indie Rock Syndrome"--a common side effect of too much success--brought the Tight Bros from Way Back When's East Coast tour to an abrupt halt last week. All is not lost, however. Following a rest, Quitty and Company will hazard a kinder, gentler West Coast junket. On the flip side of too much success, Murder City Devils tanked their way across Canada last month, hating every minute and mile of that boring, boring country. As soon as they crossed back over to their own rockin' soil, the band enjoyed sold-out audiences again.
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More info on the plight of former Seattle music biz fixture Andrea Mulrain--recently diagnosed with breast cancer--whom Harvey Danger was kind enough to play a benefit for last Friday night at RKCNDY. While American doctors were recommending a mastectomy across the board, European cancer specialists have agreed to treat Mulrain with a less extreme, commonly prescribed Parisian procedure that includes extensive chemotherapy and the implantation of radioactive seeds in the breast tissue--a procedure currently used in the U.S. to treat prostate cancer. This has the gals at Jane magazine so hoppin' mad that they're working fast and furiously on a feature based on Mulrain's story.
Last but not least, the Showbox is getting into the all-ages scene with a special show on July 21, featuring Everclear. It's co-sponsored by Surge and the End, with no advance ticket sales--though they do promise some giveaways.
