News: Michael Jackson Just Died

After reports that Michael Jackson was rushed to an LA hospital earlier today, the Associated Press just released this news. It's not confirmed, but it seems that Jackson, 50, died of a heart attack.

I'm not sure what to even say about that news so I'll leave it at that.

News: Bowery Presents Loses What Little Dignity It Had Left

So Bowery Presents has partnered with Jet Blue and Superfly Marketing in sponsoring a contest where your band could win a chance to play at the airport. Cause, you know, that's where every band wants to play.

You can find the details here. And the kicker? "The top artist as determined by JetBlue and Superfly will also perform as the opening act for a headlining artist at Bowery Presents' Terminal 5, the popular concert venue in Manhattan's Hell's Kitchen neighborhood, or another Bowery Presents show" (italics mine). So that means, if you win this contest, you could, you know, get to play at 7 PM at Mercury Lounge on a Tuesday. And the airport. Hot DOG!

Thanks for the tip, Jasper.

News: Annex or Fat Baby Closing?

The Gothamist reports that "an off-Ludlow music venue with high ceilings, a mezzanine, a basement, and a capacity of 300" is selling off their lease. As they point out, the only two places that fit this description are the Annex and Fat Baby. My guess is the Annex, because it seems a bit empty there lately and Fat Baby has a big line of generic post-collegiate kids outside every weekend. Either way, no big loss to New York - all the cool has been tapped out of these places ages ago, if it was ever there to begin with.

Here's the original story.

News: Strangest Supergroup Ever

Hi kids! My friend known here as "Helga" sent me a news article announcing the formation of a new supergroup featuring James Iha (the Smashing Pumpkins' hippie guitarist), Taylor Hanson (yeah, Hanson, as in "Mmmbop"), Adam Schlesinger (Fountains of Wayne, Ivy) and Bun E. Carlos (Cheap Trick's drummer). What can I say? Except: what the fuck???

The band is called Tinted Windows. Their debut is out in April.

Source: "Who's Next?" (Yahoo)

News: Chief Bodega

A friend just sent me this story. Apparently Chief Bodega got shut down this weekend, this on the heels of several other recent raids on DIY venues around Brooklyn. Everyone visiting/running/playing at DIY venues, please keep it low-key and keep it safe - always good rules to follow, but more important now than ever.

Interesting Link: Women in Rock

I'm always up for more rants about women in music and the lack thereof. Check it out: "Women Lawyers, Bankers, and Presidents? Sure. Women Rockers? Not Just Yet."

Just got my Guitar Center catalogue. It featured pictures of about a dozen men and not a single woman. Way to go, Guitar Center, way to go.

Yeah, it's changing. But very slowly. And outside of the indie world, the situation is entirely dismal. Still.

(Thanks to Largehearted Boy for posting this link.)