Jamaican Desmond Dekker Dead at 64
One of the original Jamaican artists to bring the ska sound into America during the 60’s, Desmond Dekker was most well known for hit singles like ‘Honor Your Father and Mother’ and ‘King of Ska’ recordered with The Maytals.  His hit tune ‘Israelites’ reached the U.S. top 10 and number one in the UK in 1968. 

The 64 year old self proclaimed “King of Ska” died of as of yet confirmed natural causes – reportedly a heart attack.  We are awaiting confirmation from sources close to the singer and management.  

Although he had a revival period in the mid 90’s when recording with The Specials on King of Kings, Dekker never overcame his bankruptcy woes.

Band of Horses Tour
Band of Horses kicked off their North American summer tour today at Washington’s Sasquatch! Festival.  If you love My Morning Jacket, you will be a whore for these guys.  Check out our review of Everything All the Time linked below.

05-31 Boise, ID - Neurolux/Crazy
06-03 Fargo, ND - Aquarium
06-04 Minneapolis, MN - 7th St Entry
06-06 Chicago, IL - Schubas
06-07 Chicago, IL - Schubas
06-08 Bloomington, IN - Blue Bird's
06-09 Cincinnati, OH - Alchemize Bar
06-10 Detroit, MI - Magic Stick
06-11 Cleveland Heights, Ohio - Grog Shop
06-13 Toronto, Ontario - Lee's Palace
06-15 Philadelphia, PA - The Trocadero
06-16 New York, NY - Bowery Ballroom
06-17 Hoboken, NJ - Maxwell's
06-18 Brooklyn, NY - Warsaw
06-20 Asheville, NC - Grey Eagle Tavern
06-21 West Columbia, SC - New Brookland Tavern
06-22 Atlanta, GA - The Earl
06-23 New Orleans, LA - The Parish (House of Blues)
06-24 Houston, TX - Walter's on Washington
06-25 Austin, TX - The Parish
06-26 Denton, TX - Hailey's
06-28 Tucson, AZ - Club Congress
06-29 Phoenix, AZ - Rhythm Room
06-30 Los Angeles, CA - Echo
07-01 San Francisco, CA - The Independent
07-03 Portland, OR - Doug Fir Lounge
07-28 Seattle, WA - Capitol Hill Block Party
07-29 Chicago, IL - Union Park (Pitchfork Music Festival)

›› Pensatos Review: Band of Horses: Everything All The Time

Snow Patrol Kicks Off US Tour
Gary Lightbody and Irish Co better known as Snow Patrol kicked off their anticipated US Tour on Wednesday playing the Paramount Theater in Denver in front of 1,700 wild eyed fans to support its recently released Eyes Open.  Catch em if their local:

May 25 - Granada Theatre, Dallas
May 26 - Stubb’s BBQ, Austin
May 27 - Wireless Theatre, Houston
May 29 - Roxy Theatre, Atlanta
May 31 - 9:30 Club, Washington, D.C.
June 2 - Avalon, Boston
June 3 - Roseland Ballroom, New York
June 5 - Electric Factory, Philadelphia
June 6 - Metropolis, Montreal
June 7 - Kool Haus, Toronto
June 9 - Clutch Cargo’s, Pontiac, Mich.
June 10 - Vic Theatre, Chicago
June 11 - First Avenue, Minneapolis
June 14 - Commodore Ballroom, Vancouver
June 15 - Paramount Theatre, Seattle
June 16 - Roseland Theatre, Portland, Ore.
June 18 - Warfield Theatre, San Francisco
June 20 - The Wiltern LG, Los Angeles

New Mountain Goats Album
The great kids over at 4AD have just dropped a grand bomb stating that The Mountain Goats are working on a new album currently titled Get Lonely.  According to the press release:

"If [2005's] The Sunset Tree derived its power and energy from an unblinking exorcism of personal demons, Get Lonely is perhaps the quiet, haunted aftermath. It's a reflective, intimate record; the mood is one of bittersweet resignation rather than cathartic release."

Scott Solter of John Vanderslice fame is at the helm production for the album.  Here’s the preliminary track list:

01 Wild Sage
02 New Monster Avenue
03 Half Dead
04 Get Lonely
05 Maybe Sprout Wings
06 Moon Over Goldsboro
07 In the Hidden Places
08 Song for Lonely Giants
09 Woke up New
10 If You See Light
11 Cobra Tattoo
12 In Corolla

Dylan Goes DJ
"If diamonds are a girl's best friend, why do so many girls get mad when you want to go to the ballpark? You tell me." – Bob Dylan on weekly XM Radio show

I just love a man who won’t succumb to the rigors of retirement; god knows he’s due.  Bob Dylan has taken a gig as DJ for XM Radio on a weekly show that ranges in topics from weather to sports and all that range in between.  Refreshingly enough, he avoids the obvious baseball clichés by playing Wilco’s “Joe DiMaggio Done It Again” instead of Simon & Garfunkel’s “Mrs. Robinson.”  You can understand him to boot and he’s a natural behind the mic.

His weekly show is entitled “Theme Time Radio Hour” and airs 10 a.m. EDT Wednesdays on XM Satellite Radio.

Greg Tribette Joins Dimebag Tribute
Darrell “Dimebag” Abbott, famous for his guitar prowless in groups like Pantera, has a growing roster to his tribute exhibit being held at the Alton Gallery in San Antonio Texas on May 5^th thru the 7^th.  The tribute will feature six string guitars graffitied by today’s hottest rock guitar artists including but not limited to Greg Tribbett recently joined the insane tribute roster including Barlie Benante, Dave Grohl, Ted Nugent, Rob Zombie, Marilyn Manson, Tommy Lee, Sammy Hagar and tons more.

Abbott was murdered on stage by a crazed fan Nathan Gale.  He was 38 years old.

For more info call the Gallery at 210.222.9481

Howie Day Back In Studio
According to Epic, Howie Day is heading back to the studio to begin recording new tracks for his third studio album.  We’ll keep you posted as more info rolls in.

Game Arrested In Cali
Pulled over on a rutine traffice violation, rapper The Game was arrested for possession of a dangerous weapon in Lost Angeles, California.  Of course, the dangerous weapon was only brass knuckles… … … …

He was later released on a $20,000 bail with a court date scheduled within 30 days of the incident.  Does this hurt or help street cred?

Arctic Monkeys Play Secret Show
Following our previous story, the Artic Monkeys played a secret gig at the Old Blue Last pub in east London (which only has a 120 person capacity) today in order to test out their new bassist Nick O’Malley.  O’Malley is replacing the original Andy Nicholson who as reported is suffering from “fatigue”. 

The band played a 10 song, 40 minute set covering both Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not as well as the recent EP Who The Fuck Are Arctic Monkeys?.  According to our reports, O’Malley seemed right at home with the transitions and group and the band wanted to continue but was cut short by the curfew set in place.  Is this a permanent replacement?  Only time will tell.

›› News: Arctic Monkeys Lose Member

Subways Derail Shows
Our money was on relationships slowing down The Subways touring, since it’s family and love in the band, but apparently some vocal issues are derailing their tour schedule.  Once again, lead singer Billy Lunn has been ordered by the doctor to not sing due to nodules on his vocal chords.  Its okay, we had to look it up too.  According to the always correct Wikipedia:

“A vocal fold nodule reduces or obstructs the ability of the vocal folds to create the rapid changes in air pressure which generate human speech. Symptoms include hoarseness of speech, painful speech production, frequent vocal breaks and reduced vocal range. Females and adolescent males are most likely to develop nodules.”

The band has cancelled shows at Germany’s Rock AM Fest, Bournemouth University, Swansea University, and Loughborough University this June.  According to sources, though, this is a completely recoverable illness.  The band is practicing new material, albeit minus the vocals, which is a good sign of faith.  We’ll let you know if any further shows are canceled. 

Walkmen On Tour
With their recent release of A Hundred Miles Off, the Walkmen are kicking of a rather large US tour hitting both coasts and most in between.  The DC show will be broadcasted on NPR’s “All Songs Considered”.

05-24 New York, NY - Webster Hall
05-25 Washington, DC - 9:30 Club
05-26 Philadelphia, PA - Theater of Living Arts
05-30 Cleveland, OH - Beachland Ballroom
05-31 Detroit, MI - St. Andrew's Hall
06-01 Chicago, IL - Metro
06-02 Milwaukee, WI - Miramar Lounge
06-03 Minneapolis, MN - 400 Bar
06-05 Englewood, CO - Gothic Theatre
06-06 Salt Lake City, UT - In the Venue
06-08 Portland, OR - Berbati's Pan
06-09 Seattle, WA - Showbox
06-10 Vancouver, British Columbia - Richard's on Richards
06-12 San Francisco, CA - Great American Music Hall
06-13 San Francisco, CA - Great American Music Hall
06-14 Pomona, CA - Glass House
06-15 Los Angeles, CA - El Rey Theatre
06-16 San Diego, CA - House of Blues
06-17 Tempe, AZ - The Clubhouse
06-19 Austin, TX - La Zona Rosa
06-20 Houston, TX - Numbers
06-21 Dallas, TX - Granada Theater
06-23 Nashville, TN - Exit/In
06-24 Louisville, KY - Headliners Music Hall
06-25 Cincinnati, OH - Sawyer Point Park (Desdemona Festival)
06-27 Toronto, Ontario - Phoenix Concert Theatre
06-28 Montreal, Quebec - La Tulipe
06-29 Boston, MA - Avalon
06-30 Brooklyn, NY - Warsaw
07-21 Valencia, Spain - Benicassim Festival

Guster Readies ‘Sun’
Tour favorites Guster are getting ready their next album entitled Ganging Up On The Sun.  The album is set to hit store shelves on June 20^th care of Reprise Records.  Check out the album artwork and track listing:

Lightning Rod
Satellite
Manifest Destiny
One Man Wrecking Machine
The Captain
The New Underground
Ruby Falls
C’mon
Empire State
Dear Valentine
The Beginning of the End
Hang On

‘Snakes’ Finish Album
Metal face favs These Arms Are Snakes are putting the finishing touches on their upcoming album.  According to their MySpace page, Easter, the follow-up to 04’s Oxeneers or The Lion Sleeps When It’s Antelope Goes Home is due out October 9^th via Jade Tree recordings.  Here’s the current track listing: 

Mescaline Eyes
Horse Girl
Subtle Body
Desert Ghost
Child Chicken Play
Hell's Bank Notes
Abracadabraca
Deer Lodge
Lady North
Perpetual Bris
Coporeal
Crazy Woman Dirty Train

No word yet as to the reasoning for going with a shorter album title this time around but it helps spreading the word a bit easier. 

Green Day Back In Studio
After the American Idiot tour has finally wrapped up; you’d think Green Day would take a holiday.  It appears not.  Posted on their website was news the band was returning to the studio but did not reveal if it was a new album or not.  Here’s how it looks:

"It's been a while since we filled you all in to what's going on in Green Day world. We finished touring at the beginning of the year and have all taken some much needed vacation. We have started to get together and work on a bunch of cool projects. It is a very creative time for us and we look forward to working on them for the next year or so.

"Everyone is doing great and we are enjoying the time at home. We will be sure to keep you all updated as to what is going on."

Nothing more is known of the project but we’ll keep you posted.

“I See You” Benefit helmed by J5, DJ Shadow, and More
The famed Keith Tamashiro suffered a cerebral aneurysm in January this year.  Fortunately he survived and is expected to make a full recovery, but unfortunately, the medical bills for this massive recovery are costly.  Tamashiro is known for his artwork for DJ Shadow, Jurassic 5, Herbie Hancock, and more out of the Soap Design Co. based out of Los Angeles. 

Good company does good deeds.  Multiple artists that worked with Tamashiro are teaming up to raise money for his bills entitled “I See You”.  The events kick off on May 24^th with an art fair gallery auction via LA’s Transport Gallery.  May 25^th starts “Word Of Mouth Meets Brainfreeze” concert helmed by J5, Dialated Peoples, The Beat Junkies, Supernatural, and DJ Shadow w/Cut Chemist.  The same show will occur the next night in San Francisco but the blowout will be in Santa Monica with Kim Hill, Adam Rudolph, Prince Po, Mia Doi Todd, and more.  All proceeds will go towards Tamashiro’s medical bills.

Deerhoof Lose Base Player
Bassist Chris Cohen from the oft favored Deerhoof in re-found love for his previous band Curtains.  The classy post on the band’s MySpace page last night made it abundantly clear he was ready to move on – or back – to his roots. 

In celebration, Deerhoof released a nine song EP on their page and announced some summer tour dates.  Name change to Tripod is still in question.

Limp

05-28 Bend, OR - Les Schwab Amphitheater
06-03 Barcelona, Spain - Primavera Festival
06-05 Porto, Portugal - Porto Rio
06-06 Lisbon, Portugal - Lux
06-23 Berkeley, CA - Greek Theater
06-24 Berkeley, CA - Greek Theater
06-26 San Diego, CA - Bayside
06-27 San Diego, CA - Bayside
06-29 Los Angeles, CA - Greek Theater
06-30 Los Angeles, CA - Greek Theater
08-10 Carrboro, NC - Cat's Cradle
08-11 Athens, GA - 40 Watt Club
08-13 Brooklyn, NY - McCarren Park Pool
08-31 Arcata, CA - Kate Buchanan Hall at Humboldt State University
09-02 Seattle, WA - Bumbershoot Festival
10-26 Columbus, OH - Wexner Center

Belle & Sebastian join Franz and Others for Benefit Comp
It never ceeses to amaze me how even the most independent labels can make a cash cow out of nothing.  Enter in the emergence of child rock.  Blame or thank Disney for the regurgitation of the Kids Incorporated formula of School House Rock – the dyslexia of which is now an as-of-yet entitled compilation CD with the likes of Franz Ferdinand, Belle & Sebastion and Flaming Lips to name a few.  As a follow up to our previous report when Franz showed interest in the project last month, many more have since hopped aboard including the wife-favorite Travis and Snow Patrol.  Scheduled for release on September 11^th under Rough Trade in the UK, the CD will benefit the non-profit Save the Children organization.  We’ll keep you posted of track listings and final info as it plays out.

›› News: Indie Goes Nursery Rhymes

Death Cab Invites Spoon
Oh how we adore Spoon.  Gimme Fiction was easily our choice for top 20 in ’05 and continues to amuse us to this day while we wait for their next manifesto due in early 2007.  A few lucky folks on the West Coast will be treated to Spoon with the better-than-expected live acts of Death Cab for Cutie.  Below are the dates if you’re up for the travels.  This is the sound of spooning:

08-11 Berkley, CA - Greek Theatre
08-13 Los Angeles, CA - Greek Theatre
08-15 San Diego, CA - Embarcadero Marina

›› News: Spoon In Studio; Re-releases Old Stuff

M.I.A. Denied Entry to America
Hello this is M.I.A. can you please come get meh?  File under: dismal shame.  How can hundreds of illegal immigrants run across streams into the United States every day in hopes of a better future but someone with an established past and current kick ass album be denied entry?  Yes folks, the borders controlled by the Bush regime have denied international hip-hop start M.I.A. from entry into the US.  No word on the reasons why but she was to begin work on her upcoming album with producer Timbaland whose track record is nothing short of amazing (read: Missy Elliott, Aaliyah, Jay-Z, Snoop Dogg, Nas, and Justin Timberlake).  Let’s hope this is just an issue of proper paperwork and it is resolved swiftly. 

Arctic Monkeys Lose Member
Arctic Monkeys bassist Andy Nicholson is repotedly stepping down for the planned North American tour later this month and throughout June.  Reports state fatigue is to blame but we find this a bit odd in a band of young rascals ready to launch one of the most important campaigns into the American shores.  The band stated that Nick O’Malley will be filling Nicholson’s shoes in his hiatus.  We’ll keep you posted as more develops.