R.I.P. R.E.M.

A sad day indeed...

R.E.M. CALL IT A DAY (UPDATED WITH BAND MEMBERS' COMMENTS)

I've seen them so many times that I've lost count. I still remember the first time, back in the early 80's, playing a small college show. When I tried to get tickets from my nearest Ticketmaster outlet, the old lady running the ticket machine swore to me that there wasn't a band called R.E.M. and that I really meant REO Speedwagon. I declined. At the show, they were playing a bunch of new songs that would become Fables of the Reconstruction. Stipe performed the entire show under dim lights with his back to the stage. Contrast that to shows in the 2000's where the entire stage was a blaze of lights and colors and Stipe moved around like an indie rock Mick Jagger.

Since this is the end, here's one from the beginning... their first TV appearance on the old Letterman show, singing a song too new to have a name that ultimately became the classic "So. Central Rain".

MJTV: Foo Fighters Take On Westboro Baptist Protesters in KC

The Foo Fighters were in Kansas City last night for a rollicking show at the Sprint Center. Before the show, the cretins from Westboro Baptist were out in force in front of the arena, protesting the Foos for their apparent promotion of godless fornication in their music. Never one to miss a chance to find a little humor in a situation, Dave Grohl and company show up in disguise on a flatbed to urge the protesters to "Keep It Clean"...



KC Star Review of the show here.

MJTV: Blitzen Trapper - Love The Way You Walk Away

Melancholy americana from the Portland band. This song'll end up on some 2011 'Best of' lists. American Goldwing is out Tuesday 9/13.

MJTV: Wilco - Born Alone

A rare video attempt from Wilco's upcoming album "The Whole Love," out September 27, 2011 on dBpm Records. Directed by Mark Greenberg.

Cheap Thrills: Wilco - I Might

The first single from The Whole Love (due 9/27)...

Wilco - I Might by ListenBeforeYouBuy

MJTV: AmA - The Unforgettable Fire

Check out my new favorite discovery. AmA is Amanda Bauman, a singer-songwriter with amazing pipes. Her CD, Electric Life, is coming out soon but in the meantime, you can make due with this video of her cover of U2's The Unforgettable Fire.





This is the cover for the CD... look for it at your favorite online stores soon.

Breaking Radio Silence...

Ok... so there hasn't been much activity on the blog/tweetscape, as we've been focusing our energies on something big that's taking a little longer than hoped. Not ready quite yet there. But you might have noticed some new stuff... including four new stations:

Musical Justice: MJU - The underground. All the newest indie stuff. Home for your next favorite band.

Musical Justice Americana - Getting back to our roots. Literally. Musical Justice started out over 11 years as AltTwang, featuring the best in alt-country music. And now it comes full circle with this station focusing on roots and folk tracks.

Musical Justice: Now! - Our first love was the top 40 and we grew up listening to American Top 40 and buying all the current singles. This is Top 40 MJ style with the hottest hits in the US and UK under one roof.

Musical Justice: Downtime - Chill out, read a book or just hang out with our eclectic downtempo mix.

And don't forget our other stations...

• Musical Justice Chronicle (Classic Rock)
• Musical Justice Redux (Classic Alternative)
• Musical Justice: Horizons (Lite Alternative)

And of course, the flagship - Musical Justice.

MJTV: St. Vincent - Cruel

St. Vincent's latest, Strange Mercy, is due in stores on 9/13...