May 5, 2007

"The Lost Tracks of Danzig" is a two-CD set comprised of 26 previously unreleased gems that Danzig recorded during the seven album "arc" that began with 1988's classic "Danzig." The release date is May 29.

Not "B-sides" or "throwaways," these rarities just didn't fit "vibe" of the albums they were originally recorded for.

GLENN DANZIG talks about a few selections on "The Lost Tracks of Danzig"

"White Devil Rise" - Finally seeing the light of day is a song Rick [Rubin] suggested I write in response to some inflammatory remarks made about the white race by Black Muslim leader Rev. Louis Farrakhan. It is about the white race rising up and answering his call for a race war. It was never finished in time and I even recorded another version for 'Danzig 5' that had also remained unfinished.

"Satan's Crucifixion" - Originally intended as a joke Rick Rubin and I wanted to play a joke on [then] Def American VP Mark DiDia. He asked Rick and I not to make another 'satanic' Danzig record, so I wrote this track after Rick suggested the title. We sent it to Mark and told him it was the lead track for 'Danzig 4P.' Needless to say, he about lost his mind. I still laugh when I think about it.

"Deep" - An alternate take of the song I gave to 'The X Files.' It was supposed to be on 'Danzig 5' but in the end didn't make it onto the 'X Files' soundtrack because Disney got spooked.

"I Know Your Lie" - Did this one alot at rehearsals and couldn't wait to record it. In the end, it didn't make it onto the '6-66' CD because I think we played it so much I got sick of hearing it.

posted by tearaway at 11:28:58 AM | More Band News »

Peter Townshend says "YOU can be a rock star"

from the DIY Music dept.

British rocker Pete Townshend on Wednesday unveiled an Internet-based software program that will help music fans compose personalized tracks at the click of a button.

The Who guitarist/songwriter said that with a voice recording, a digital image and a rhythm clapped into a microphone, his new "Method" software will create spontaneous digital music and allow anyone to be a composer, and possibly a rock star.

"You can put data in and get a piece of music out. It's as simple as that," said Townshend, a technical wizard who pioneered the use of the synthesizer more than 35 years ago on the classic tunes "Won't Get Fooled Again" and "Baba O'Riley."

The project, which started percolating during his art school days in the 1960s, was developed by mathematician/composer Lawrence Ball and software developer Dave Snowdon.

From May 1, users will be able to get free access to the Web site (http://www.lifehouse-method.com) for three months, and will be able to compose instrumental tracks that they can e-mail or post on their Web sites. From August 1, it will become a subscription-based service.

Composers such as Townshend and Ball will also take some of the tracks and add instruments and rhythms, to create more complex pieces that could become the basis of future albums.

"It represents a whole new level of rock integration, blending rock and psychedelia with classical and experimental music," Ball said. Townshend said he hopes the Web site will enable more people to become composers and said it was part of a growing trend towards using the internet to create and distribute music. He joked that even his girlfriend's dog could inspire music using the software, likening the composing process to sitting for a portrait. "I as a composer would try to get something out of this dog that would give me the chance to turn the dog into music," he said. "I might listen to the way it breathes, I might touch it and see how it feels, I might listen to its bark, I might look at the rhythm of his running. Townshend said he hoped members of the site would share their copyrights.

posted by al at 11:27:04 AM | More Music News »

Apr 30, 2007

Spinal Tap Reunites to fight global warming

from the How much CO2 does an exploding drummer emit? dept.

The spoof heavy-metal band immortalized by the mock documentary "This is Spinal Tap" has reunited to join a campaign to save the world from global warming. Rob Reiner, whose 1984 film set the bar for the "mockumentary" genre, has made a new short film called "Spinal Tap" as part of a campaign dubbed SOS/Live Earth. The band will also play in London at one of 7 Live Earth concerts on July 7. "Spinal Tap" and eight other short films -- the first of 60 that have been commissioned for the campaign -- will be posted on the Web site www.liveearth.msn.com.

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