girl about town

Philadelphia's OASIS fans go MAD as news of best-laid-plans are made for latest Beatles-ish sensation helmed under Liam Gallagher to play TLA; "Bring it ON!", says a seriously crazed fan when broached on topic of actually getting a hand on tickets.

What else is there to say? It's BEADY EYE. We predict that it's going to get nasty on Ticketmaster, StubHub and Ebay. We repeat: It's going to get nasty. For all of you trying for tickets; make sure that you have a strong connection and exercise that Home Row and mouse-click action. You probably have even less than 60 seconds to make the call now. Are you in, or are you out? Read the incredible news below.....

Beady Eye - band site

Beady Eye Add Philadelphia Date To Sold-Out North American Run   Band To Debut New Album    Different Gear, Still Speeding In Philadelphia, New York, Chicago & Toronto This June   New York, NY - March 21, 2011 - Beady Eye announce today the addition of a Philadelphia date on their first North American tour . Previously announced dates in New York, Chicago & Toronto quickly sold-out when announced earlier this month.  The band (Liam Gallagher, Gem Archer, Andy Bell and Chris Sharrock) will be giving fans in Philadelphia a first live taste of their debut album, Different Gear, Still Speeding at Theater of the Living Arts on June 25th.  Please see below for detailed ticketing information.   Beady Eye is currently on their sold-out debut European tour.  UK daily newspaper, The Independent was at the tour kick off earlier this month in Glasgow, Scotland and remarked that Beady Eye, "sound encouragingly refreshed.... you realise watching them that Beady Eye are in the very unique position of possessing iconic impetus while being newly unchained from the weight of their past."   You can click here to see Beady Eye (and separately, eager fans as they wait to get into the venue) perform "The Roller" off their new album and live for the first time ever at Glasgow's Barrowlands on March 3, 2011:  Beady Eye - Glasgow Barrowland (03/03/11)   And fans can head over to http://www.spin.com for an exclusive look at behind-the-scenes photos from Beady Eye's Glasgow show.   When asked how it felt to be on stage for the first time ever as Beady Eye, Liam Gallagher immediately said "Loved it.....can't wait to take it around the world."  And Beady Eye will be doing just that throughout 2011.  Fans can sign up at http://www.beadyeyemusic.com/ to be the first to receive the news.   Beady Eye's debut album, Different Gear, Still Speeding was released by Dangerbird Records in North America on March 1st.  The album features 13 brand new songs written by the band and recorded at RAK Studios in London last fall with GRAMMY Award-winning producer Steve Lillywhite (U2, Dave Matthews Band, The Smiths).     Upon reviewing Different Gear, Still Speeding, The Boston Globe stops the naysayers in their tracks and warns, "For all those who thought Liam Gallagher would be musically astray without big brother Noel, meet Beady Eye."   While Paste noted that Beady Eye "...sounds like Oasis returning to its less complicated roots, stripping back the heavily overdubbed layers of their curtain call, 2008's Dig Out Your Soul. Beady Eye aren't here to dick around-they're here to rock. And it would be a lie to say they've failed in that regard; this is an album of live, full-band rock 'n' roll energy, built on Rickenbacker crunch and Ludwig thump. There's no time for frills-Gallagher and company are making up for lost time."   Beady Eye was formed by three former members of Oasis, including enigmatic front man and lead vocalist Liam Gallagher. The multi-platinum and Grammy nominated Oasis sold over 70 million albums worldwide spanning seven studio albums awarded with six Brit awards, 15 NME awards, nine Q awards and four MTV Europe Music awards, just to name a few.   Beady Eye's inaugural European Tour in March this year sold out within 30 minutes of going on sale.  The band will be joined by Matt Jones on keyboards and Jeff Wootton on bass for all dates.     BEADY EYE Philadelphia TICKETING INFORMATION: June 25    Philadelphia, PA @ Theater of Living Arts On Sale March 25th at www.ticketmaster.com, TLA Box Office & Charge By Phone 215.922.1101   BEADY EYE Previously Announced Dates: June 18    Chicago, IL @ Metro SOLD OUT June 20    Toronto, ON @                   The Sound Academy SOLD OUT June 23    New York, NY @ Webster Hall  SOLD OUT

The Charlatans UK - Checking in for future updates re: tour and everything else

The Charlatans UK, who played last night right here in Philadelphia, were on stage at local Fishtown favorite Johnny Brenda's. In the middle of the group's song "Tellin' Stories" (a track that was a special request from a fan who showed up early), talented drummer Jon Brookes (who has incidentally been lighting up the stage with his fantastic playing for the group's US dates) suddenly seemed to stop. The band and crowd slowly came to the realization that Jon needed medical attention and was having a seizure. Thankfully there was a doctor in attendance at the show to help get Jon the help that he needed and he is now in recovery at a local hospital.

The Charlatans UK were due to play Montreal, Toronto and Chicago (as well as several California dates which could be on or off at this point) following their date here in Philadelphia. Although in our upcoming interview with Tim Burgess before the group's set began, it was noted that they will be touring the States again, but not until after the full release and promotion of their album "Who We Touch" out now on Cooking Vinyl. For updates on the band and their tour, please visit www.thecharlatans.net for further information. Girl About Town wishes Jon the best in health, and care in a speedy recovery.

Please check back soon for the full feature interview and story featuring Charlatans' Tim Burgess and order their new album "Who We Touch" now by visiting the band's web site online. Well-wishers will also likely be leaving messages on The Charlatans message board.

During The Charlatans UK song, "Smash the System" last night.
More pictures forthcoming, along with the interview.

Statement from The Charlatans:

The drummer for The Charlatans, Jon Brookes, collapsed on stage last night during a gig at Philadelphia’s Johnny Brenda’s.

Early into the set Brookes suddenly collapsed and stopped breathing. Fortunately there was a doctor in the audience who administered first aid and got the drummer breathing again before the paramedics arrived minutes later. Brookes was taken to St. Joseph’s Hospital in Philadelphia and during the night was given a CAT scan and has been responding well to treatment. He has now been transferred to a larger hospital in the city for further tests, although his condition is said to be improving and doctors believe there will be no long term effects on his health.

Fans are advised to check the website regarding future gigs.

The Charlatans - band site

Bad Lieutenant Cancels Dates due to Volcanic Eruptions

 

As a sign of the times to come: bands that will be canceling US dates due to the volcanic eruptions that are happening in Iceland's Eyjafjallajokull, include Bernard Sumner's new group Bad Lieutenant who were set to tour for their debut album Never Cry Another Tear, and Frightened Rabbit (although with Frightened Rabbit, their tour is still expected to kick off on Monday April 19th instead....providing that British air space gets things off the ground...), and quite possibly Swedish group The Mary Onettes (who were set to play Philadelphia for their second time touring here on Monday this coming week). For Bad Lieutenant, this is the group's second time canceling dates (obviously not their fault) in the US. We'll still have an interview with Yes, Giantess who were slated to open for them, so stay tuned later this week for that.

From Bad Lieutenant's Press Release:

"The members of Bad Lieutenant and their management have come to the disappointing decision to cancel their Chicago and New York dates that had been set to take place on Monday, April 19 and Wednesday, April 21, respectively.

"We're stuck in Manchester," said Bad Lieutenant's Bernard Sumner.  "We were hoping that conditions might change at the last minute and we'd be able to come and play for our fans.  Obviously, this is a situation out of everyone's control, and we are crushed that we won't be coming to America for these dates."

Since British air space was closed on Thursday morning, the band also canceled their planned appearances in San Francisco last night and today at the Coachella festival near Palm Springs, CA.

Refunds will be available for ticket holder at the point of purchase."

In other news: Supergrass have broken up. First, Alex Chilton, and then Malcolm McLaren. Girl About Town wonders if the World is coming to an end?! 

Wake Up The Nation: New Weller album and single pushed back to April for release on Yep Roc. Weller honored by NME "Godlike Genius" Award.

In late February, our favorite (one and only) Modfather, Paul Weller, was awarded NME's "Godlike Genius Award" and is now in the company of several honorees including The Cure, Primal Scream, Ian Brown, New Order, and Jane's Addiction (among others). Weller's forthcoming tenth studio album, 'Wake Up the Nation', was set to drop in the beginning of March (March 4th, 2010), but on March 2nd it was announced on paulweller.com (Paul's official site) that the single release, double A-side "Wake Up The Nation/No Tears To Cry" would fall forward to April 12th, 2010 with the official full-length to hit a week later, on April 19th, 2010.

Pre-sales are still being shown as available at several different online shoppes including amazon.com, yeproc.com, HMV.com, and of course paulweller.com via townsendrecords.co.uk with the web site stating, "Apologies to all the fans - we hope you can hang on just that little bit longer. We promise you it'll be worth the wait." (from paulweller.com) We hope to post further information as soon as we hear more news on the upcoming single and album song previews. With only one single released, the fast and loud rocker "7&3 is the Strikers Name", fans are beginning to get excited anticipating any new updates. U.S. tour dates will be announced soon according to Yep Roc.

"A departure stylistically from last year's more pastoral 22 Dreams, Wake Up is lean, mean and as uncompromisingly focused as it's maker, Wake Up the Nation also brings Paul Weller full circle: twenty-eight years on from The Jam's split, two tracks feature the former bassist Bruce Foxton. The album also sees contributions from My Bloody Valentine's Kevin Shields, The Move's Bev Bevan and legendary session drummer Clem Cattini." (yeproc.com)

Wake Up the Nation track-listing:
1. Moonshine
2. Wake Up The Nation
3. No Tears To Cry
4. Fast Car/Slow Traffic
5. Andromeda
6. In Amsterdam
7. She Speaks
8. Find The Torch, Burn The Plans
9. Aim High
10. Trees
11. Grasp and Still Connect
12. Whatever Next
13. 7&3 Is The Strikers Name
14. Up The Dosage
15. Pieces of a Dream
16. Two Fat Ladies

Deluxe Edition (as featured in the 2nd-disc bonus):
1. Wake up The Nation (Zinc\x{2019}s Crack House Remix)
2. Fast Car Slow Traffic (Erland & Carnival Carnivalization)
3. Grasp & Still Connect (The Bees Version)
4. She Speaks (Tunng Remix)
5. Andromeda (Richard Hawley Remix)
6. In Amsterdam (Noonday Underground Remix)
7. No Tears To Cry (Leo Zero Remix)
8. Find the Torch, Burn The Plans (Nick Zinner (Yeah Yeah Yeahs) Remix)
9. Aim High / Pieces of a Dream (The Amorphous Androgynous Remix) Part 1: Aim High (Aim Higher)
10. Aim High / Pieces of a Dream (The Amorphous Androgynous Remix) Part 2: Pieces Of A Dream (A Dream In Pieces)
11. Aim High / Pieces of a Dream (The Amorphous Androgynous Remix) Part 3: Aim High (The Higher Aim)
12. Aim High / Pieces of a Dream (The Amorphous Androgynous Remix) Part 4: Aim High (Like Water Needs A Flower)
13. Pieces Of A Dream (Bonus track)
14. Grasp & Still Connect (Bonus track)

Paul Weller - band site / yeproc / myspace