The Velvet Underground pictures with tag: rock news

Watch Found Footage of Suicide, The Ramones at Max’s Kansas City

Along with CBGB, Max’s Kansas City was one of the most famed venues of New York City’s 1970s punk era. The nightclub on Park Avenue South featured performances by the Velvet Underground, the Ramones and Iggy Pop and served as a home away from home for Andy Warhol and his circle of artists and musicians. First opened in 1965, Max’s was also the site of Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band and Aerosmith’s first New York City shows, and after closing in ‘74 and reopening in 1975 as Max’s II, the

Published: 2010-03-04 Provider: Rolling Stone Keywords: Rock News, Videos

John Cale Shoots Down Velvet Underground Reunion

Photo: Michael Ochs Archive/Getty Pavement, Faith No More, Public Image Ltd., the Specials and Soundgarden are just a handful of artists returning to the stage after a long hiatus, but John Cale insists the Velvet Underground haven’t caught reunion fever — or at least, he hasn’t. Cale told BBC 6 Music that despite offers to play some major music festivals, he has no interest in reforming the iconic New York group with his former bandmates. “It’s not something that I can see happening on the basi

Published: 2010-03-01 Provider: Rolling Stone Keywords: Reunions, Rock News

Lou Reed Does Not Care About Dow Jones

Journalists with the task of interviewing Lou Reed learned a valuable lesson today: Don’t ask Reed about financial matters. The former Velvet Underground singer was discussing his new Sirius radio show New York Shuffle with New York magazine when the journalist asked Reed, perhaps jokingly, about his stock options at the satellite radio station. Reed then launched into an expletive-laden tirade (highlight: “I’m here telling you the truth about music and you want to know if I have stock in the fucking radio?”) against the writer, Andrew M. Goldstein, before abruptly ending the interview. [Photo: Getty]

Published: 2008-06-06 Provider: Rolling Stone Keywords: Rock News

Fricke’s Picks: Classic Oz Rock

Issued in 1986 — at the twin zeniths of the first psychedelic revival and Australia’s post-punk underground — and just reissued in a deluxe two-CD set, Free Dirt (Aztec Music), by the Sydney band Died Pretty, is a classic debut album on both counts. “Just Skin,” “Next to Nothing” and “Through Another Door” are built on late-Sixties templates — the frantic-Bach dynamics of the Doors; the scouring drone of the Velvet Underground; singer Ron Peno’s high, clear belting, like an operatic Iggy Pop — reinvigorated with a jagged modernism and brash, beckoning hooks. Free Dirt was the Died Pretty’s first full-length release after three singles and an EP, and this set wisely brings them all together, including the 10-minute “Mirror Blues,” an obvious homage to the Velvets’ throb epic “Sister Ray” and one of the few equal to the task.

Published: 2009-02-26 Provider: Rolling Stone Keywords: Rock News, Fricke's Picks

Fricke’s Picks: The Garden of Forking Paths

String Theories The Garden of Forking Paths (Important) is a record of converging passions: an overview of the post-John Fahey improvising-folk renaissance through newly commissioned solo pieces for stringed instruments — acoustic guitar, lute, cello and Japanese koto. “The Broken Hourglass,” by the British guitarist James Blackshaw, the album’s curator, shows why he is a rising star himself. His twelve-string arpeggios tumble through cavelike echo with railroad-train force and balletlike finesse. Cellist Helena Espvall’s “Home of Shadows and Whirlwinds” skids from atonal groans to hovering modal runs like John Cale’s viola minus the rest of the Velvet Underground. In “The Mirror of Eternal Light,” the Dutch lutist Jozef van Wissem catches his own reflection in tender, minimalist picking and gold-spray overdubs. Koto player Chieko Mori’s opening and closing pieces are also duets — Mori playing with her virtual twin. But the effect is pure, private prayer.

Published: 2008-03-13 Provider: Rolling Stone Keywords: Rock News, Fricke's Picks

Justin Timberlake, Lou Reed, Billy Joel and More Recruited for Rock Hall Inductions

Justin Timberlake, Lou Reed, Billy Joel and John Fogerty are among the artists that have been recruited to induct this year’s class at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame ceremony on March 10th in New York. Timberlake, who is shooting the baseball film The Open Road in Louisiana, will fly to NYC to usher Madonna into the Hall, another in a long line of collaborations (he appears on the Material Girl’s “Four Minutes to Save the World,” the first single from her new album Hard Candy). In other Hall of Fame news, the Velvet Underground’s Lou Reed will induct Canadian singer/songwriter Leonard Cohen, while Billy Joel will welcome John Mellencamp into the Hall. Additionally, Tom Hanks will introduce the Dave Clark Five, Fogerty will induct the Ventures, Ben Harper will welcome blues great Little Walter and Jerry Butler will induct the songwriting team and Philadelphia soul pioneers Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff. Related Stories: Mellencamp Asks McCain to Stop Using Tunes Madonna Emerges as Big Super Bowl Winner Madonna Named Cash Queen of Music After $72 Million Year [Photo: Getty]

Published: 2008-02-27 Provider: Rolling Stone Keywords: Rock News

Velvet Underground Tell Tales About Warhol, Nico at NY Library

Photo: Michael Ochs Archive/Getty As the Velvet Underground’s “Heroin” blared through the loudspeakers at the New York Public Library on 42nd Street last night, a spotlight focused on a lone turntable and the band’s Lou Reed, Maureen “Moe” Tucker and Doug Yule took seats alongside Rolling Stone’s David Fricke. The special occasion: a rare discussion of everything from the Velvets’ first paying gig at Summit High School in New Jersey ($80 for the night) to their success with Andy Warhol. “Warhol

Published: 2009-12-09 Provider: Rolling Stone Keywords: Rock News

Weekend Rock List: 1969 Albums

This weekend marks the 40th anniversary of Woodstock, which means this year albums like the Beatles’ Abbey Road, David Bowie’s Space Oddity and countless more classics are turning 40, too. Tell us your favorites (Wikipedia has a decent list) and we’ll tally the results into the ultimate ‘69 playlist on Monday. Check out our favorites below: • The Beatles - Abbey Road • The Velvet Underground - The Velvet Underground • The Rolling Stones - Let It Bleed • Bob Dylan - Nashville Skyline • The Band -

Published: 2009-08-14 Provider: Rolling Stone Keywords: Rock News

Weekend Rock List: What Classic Album Should Phish Cover This Halloween?

Photo: Flanigan/WireImage Today, Rock Daily reported that perennial jam crew Phish are going to play their first Halloween concert in 11 years—an event that means the band covers a legendary album in its entirety. In previous years they’ve done the Beatles’ White Album, the Who’s Quadrophenia, Talking Heads’ Remain In Light and Velvet Underground’s Loaded, and they’re always a secret until Halloween night. So will we get a trick or a treat? Our comment section is already speculating: Will they p

Published: 2009-07-24 Provider: Rolling Stone Keywords: Rock News

Beck Celebrates “Modern Guilt” Birthday With Acoustic Version

Beck continues to add noteworthy new departments to his refurbished Website, launching the site’s new Videotheque over the weekend. While Beck’s Record Club focuses on the Mellow Gold singer and friends rerecording classic albums (like Velvet Underground & Nico), the Videotheque will for now feature Beck rerecording his own albums. “Modern Guilt was released one year ago this week! For the occasion we are putting up acoustic versions of the entire album recorded earlier this year after returning

Published: 2009-07-13 Provider: Rolling Stone Keywords: Rock News

The Forty Essential Albums of 1967: Reviews, Clips

Robert Christgau and David Fricke break down the crucial discs from the year of Rolling Stone’s birth, from Sgt. Pepper’s to The Velvet Underground and Nico. Click here for their write-ups and audio clips.

Published: 2007-07-03 Provider: Rolling Stone Keywords: Rock News

Tour Tracker: Mike Gordon, Van Morrison and Melvins

Mike Gordon supports his new album without going Phishing, Van Morrison plots a handful of shows and Melvins bring their Houdini act on the road. Dates for all three treks are after the jump. Mike Gordon June 30 - Northampton, MA @ The Iron Horse July 4 - Quincy, CA @ High Sierra Music Festival July 6 - Rothbury, MO @ Rothbury Festival July 12 - Masontown, WV @ All Good Music Festival July 19 - Denver, CO @ Mile High Music Festival August 2 - Bridgeport, CT @ Gathering of The Vibes August 3 - Philadelphia, PA @ Fillmore at TLA August 5 - Richmond, VA @ Toad’s Place August 6 - Raleigh, NC @ Lincoln Theatre August 7 - Charlotte, NC @ Neighborhood Theatre August 8 - Charleston, SC @ Music Farm August 9 - Atlanta, GA @ TBD August 13 - New York, NY @ Highline Ballroom August 14 - Buffalo, NY @ Lafayette Square August 22 - Seattle, WA @ Tractor Tavern August 23 - Portland, OR @ Aladdin Theater August 24 - San Francisco, CA @ Outside Lands Festival August 26 - Los Angeles, CA @ Roxy Theatre August 29 - Boulder, CO @ Fox Theatre August 30 - Bellevue, CO @ Mishawaka Amphitheatre August 31 - Omaha, NE @ The Slowdown September 2 - Minneapolis, MN @ Varsity Theatre September 3 - Madison, WI @ Majestic Theatre September 4 - Chicago, IL @ Park West September 5 - Cleveland, OH @ Beachland Ballroom September 7 - Boston, MA @ The Paradise Van Morrison July 7 - Toronto, ON @ Massey Hall July 8 - Rosemont, IL @ Rosemont Theater July 9 - Detroit, MI @ Fox Theatre July 10, 11 - Upper Darby, PA @ Tower Theater July 12 - Atlantic City, NJ @ Borgata Event Theater Melvins July 16 - Santa Barbara, CA @ Velvet Jones July 17 - Sacramento, CA @ The Boardwalk July 18 - San Francisco, CA @ Slim’s July 19 - Reno, NV @ Club Underground July 21 - Modesto, CA @ Fat Cat July 26 - Seattle, WA @ Showbox July 29 - Teton Village, WY @ Mangy Moose July 31 - Denver, CO @ Ogden Theatre August 3 - Madison, WI @ High Noon Saloon August 4 - Chicago, IL @ Double Door August 5 - Detroit, MI @ Small&

Published: 2008-06-05 Provider: Rolling Stone Keywords: Rock News, On Tour

Thurston Moore, J Mascis, Be Your Own Pet Blow Minds, Amps at SXSW

Thurston Moore demonstrated all sorts of guitar heroics at Friday night’s Ecstatic Peace showcase at the Mohawk Patio. The rock legend/label mastermind spent the night prepping to play his own headlining set while shepherding the rest of the lineup’s acts through trouble — reassuring Be Your Own Pet when their sound went dead; adjusting the treble on J Mascis’ amp (”Much better!” he mouthed). Though he was often visible lurking side-stage, when Moore stepped up for his set and teased a photographer in the front row about his Courtyard Marriott pen, the truly magical Moore arrived. Opening with “a song about everybody who’s out of work” he kicked into “Off Work,” a wordless three-chord jam that summarizes the aesthetic of last year’s solo album Trees Outside the Academy — crisp acoustic-guitar led tracks that sound like Sonic Youth’s less-squawky songs on Ambien. Moore played several more Trees tunes (”Silver>Blue,” “Honest James,” “Fri/End”) that showed off his ability to write (relatively) short and sweet songs and his skill at generating epic tension with just a single repeated note. When it came time to acknowledge his band, Moore introduced his bassist — a dead ringer for Chris Cornell in Singles— simply as “Satan,” adding, “you know Steve Shelley” (violinist Samara Lubelski and guitarist Chris Brokaw rounded out the lineup). Moore returned for the encore with a sticker-coated electric guitar and the crowd went wild when he announced the band would be playing the Velvet Underground song they’d honored Lou Reed with the day prior, lesser-known gem “I’m Not a Young Man Anymore.” “I’m going to be five-oh this year,” Moore said, “and I like this song because it’s about growing old.” It was an ironic intro since watching his mop of hair flop around duri

Published: 2008-03-15 Provider: Rolling Stone Keywords: Rock News, SXSW

The 60-Second Rock Tour: Spots That Inspired Songs in NYC

New York Dolls — New York Doll Hospital This decades-old doll repair shop is often credited as spot that inspirated Arthur “Killer” Kane to name his ‘70s glitter-rock band the New York Dolls. Dolls singer David Johansen disputes this account, explaining that guitarist Syl Silvain came up with the name the Dolls, then Johansen added “New York” to it. “I was thinking how there was New York, and then the rest of the country was like Gommorah,” says Johansen. “The city was so different than now — it was burnt out, full of boarded-up buildings and had this post-apocalyptic vibe. It was like love among the ruins — that’s the kind of name I was going for.” Nonetheless, people all over the world still send their dolls to get repaired at the Doll Hospital. “I never lost a patient,” boasts proprietor Irving Chase. One recent customer was Bruce Springsteen, who had his favorite childhood teddy bear repaired so he could give it to his son. The Ramones — “53rd & 3rd” On the Ramones first album, Dee Dee sings about hustling on this street corner, an infamous gay prostitute zone in the early 1970s. Joey Ramone’s brother, Mickey Leigh, recalled seeing him there in punk oral history Please Kill Me: “He had a black leather motorcycle jacket on, the one he would later wear on the first album cover … I was kinda shocked to see someone I knew standing there, like, “Holy shit. That’s Doug standing there. He’s really doing it.” Dee Dee also claims the song is about him, and not a Green Beret as is often said. “The song ‘53rd & 3rd’ speaks for itself,” he once said. “Everything I write is autobiographical and very real. I can’t write any other way.” The corner now houses the Lipstick Building, named for obvious reasons. Velvet Underground — Lexington and 125th Street This is the infamous street corner Lou Reed sang about scoring heroin on the 1967 Velvet Underground classic “I’m

Published: 2007-07-11 Provider: Rolling Stone Keywords: Rock News, The Sixty-Second Rock and Roll Tour