Matador Records | News June 2002

June 7, 2002

Matador Salutes Matt Ransford (in a non-military pacifist kinda way)
Matador's longtime webmaster and designer of this very site, Matt Ransford has left the company to pursue other interests. We don't want to spoil any surprises Matt might want to unleash, but if you are planning on watching the Mike Tyson/Lennox Lewis fight this Saturday night, you might recognize Lewis' cut man.

OK, I guess that does spoil the surprise. In any event, the management of Matador Records wishes Matt all the best in his future endeavors, and he has our sincere thanks for the development of this site and his efforts on behalf of the label and its artists.

Jon Spencer Blues Explosion - new video
a mind-blowingly great animated video for the Blues Explosion's "Sweet & Sour" will be up on this site very soon, around the same time that Mute will be releasing a 7" and CD single of the same incindiary track. Jon, Russell and Judah just completed a killer US tour and they'll be back on the road this autumn with support from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and the Liars.

Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks : Stephen says :
"...jicks went into studio. in bear creek washington end of may. working title:"pig lib" trax: doctor drop, do not feed the oysters, the calories, vanessa from queens, grab it and gone, fractions and feelings, chromatic advisor, 1% of 1, animal midnight, couple more..... "

meanwhile, our good friend and talented broadcaster Rene Araya of Chile filed the following report :
"STEPHEN MALKMUS & JICKS played in Chile this past April 26!! He made an amazing concert at TEATRO NOVEDADES (a small but comfortable place to discharge adrenalyne) in Santiago de Chile. Unfortunately, newspapers didn't tell not even a phrase about it (It's a shame ..I know)..However people who enjoyed the show left a few words on the air and gave their bold opinion to my portable recorder:

1.-"An astonishing concert of pure raw poetry & energy, Tunes like "Phantasies" and "Jo Jo's Jacket" offers a good proof of neverending "Glam-attitude" with the guitar playing a starting role...Long Live to JICKS!" - ARTURO PALMA (25)

2.- "MALKMUS is even more funny than PAVEMENT itself... but-curiously-their songs perspire an uneasy taciturn background..something inefable, hard to put in words...a sort of bittersweet "homesick"...especially in songs like "Church On White and "Trojan Curfew". Even more I agree with those who define their stuff like "Bi-Polar Glitter Pop" going from sadness to euphoria in a couple of minutes" -SANDRA ANDRADE (20)

3.- "Mmmm, By the time I was listening his songs- in the middle of concert- I thought "He reminds me of DONOVAN, JAMES TAYLOR, even an early DAVID BOWIE ("Phantasies") that is to say: A multifunctional Pop-Rock to the bone.A whispering sonic storm, towering overhead, both far and wide.Ecclectic but not flamboyant...Power-Glam"...that's the straight word"

4 - "STEPHEN & JICKS keep audience hypnotized from the very beginning due to their surrounding strategy of silky vocals carefully wrapped on catchy melodies...Stephen's voice throws the bait...but then you get notice of guitar forest around you... Nothing's compared to it...Nothin...Well, maybe PAVEMENT" GLENN MAHONEY (30, American Citizen)

5 - "I'd like to switch roles on Rock And Roll: can you imagine STEPHEN MALKMUS singing DANZIG's stuff: It could be "Son Of The Morning Star" or "Twist of Cain"...Or maybe LOU REED's anthems: "Perfect Day" or "Walk On The Wild Side"..or maybe some MORRISSEY tunes, "Boxers" or "Alma Matters". Those were my inner feelings during the concert...excuse me PATRICIA ACOSTA (22)

OK..some of those comments were slightly weird..but you know: 'Vox Populi, Vox Dei'"

LARGE PROFESSOR

Large Pro's Matador full length debut LP/CD, the legendary MC/producer has confirmed a rare solo date at Manhattan's SOB's, Wednesday, June 19.

Belle & Sebastian - Isobel departs
Belle and Sebastian announce the departure from the band of cellist and singer Isobel Campbell. Isobel, who has been a member since 1996, returned home mid-way through the band's recent US tour after deciding that Belle and Sebastian wasn't the life for her anymore. The split was amicable, and it is true to say Isobel will be missed. None of the band's current commitments will be affected, and there are no immediate plans to replace Isobel.

Belle and Sebastian's new album "Storytelling", which features Isobel's last contributions to the band, was released June 4th on Matador. Isobel has recorded a new album, which she plans to release under her own name later this year.

"Ghosts of Yesterday", the new mini-album by Bill Wells and Isobel Campbell, will be released on June 17th on Creeping Bent.

SOLEX - Elisabeth Esselink writes :
Amsterdam, June 5th Tonight I went to The Breeders, and two things crossed my mind; - ' Is it me,...or are these new songs ?' - ' What the hell is Gerard Cosloy doing behind the drumkit?'. I even got the 10" too !"

Richard Hell - at the Exoterica Festival this weekend
Richard will be reading at the Exoterica Poetry
festival in the Bronx this coming Saturday, June 8.

PRESTON SCHOOL OF INDUSTRY - touring continues with Summer dates accompanying WILCO
following a series of successful UK gigs supporting Wilco, Preston School Of Industry have been invited to supported the Chicago quartet on 2 weeks of US dates this July. Check the tour dates section for more information.

The Soft Boys - new album, new Hitchcock double CD
September will see the release of the a new, as yet untitled Soft Boys album on Matador, recorded this past winter and spring with Pat Collier. Just out in the UK is Robyn Hitchock's 'Robyn Sings' (Editions PAF!), a double CD collection of Bob Dylan covers. Robyn has dates forthcoming in Canada, Scandnavia and the UK and you can read all about it at The Museum Of Robyn Hitchcock.

Yo La Tengo - live, outdoors, in Brooklyn.
following a brief trip to Barcelona where they will be performing the 'Sounds of Silence' material alongside Jean Painleve's films as part of the Sonar Festival, Yo La Tengo will return to the metropolitan area for an outdoor concert in Brooklyn's Prospect Park on July 12. Although we were told the show is free, we've also heard that there is a $3 admission fee. Either way this sounds like bargain, though one could argue that $3 is not free. By the same token, the Modest Mouse/De La Soul gig at the same venue carries a $30 ticket price, so perhaps it will cost several thousands of dollars to attend.

Matador Alumni - Putting The "Ex" in Excellence :
please note the following new titles by former Matador recording artists :

Non-Phixion - The Future Is Now (Uncle Howie)
originally recorded for this very label and a constant "coming soon" staple of these very updates throughout 2001, the mega delayed, mega destructive full-length debut from Sabac, Ill Bill, Eclipse and Goretex is finally in the shops. Timely stuff in today's politically charged climate, Non-Phixion are kings of uneasy listening no matter what label they're on.

Various Artists - Crooked (Wordsound):
tracks from Sensational are included on the soundtrack CD to the amazing Wordsound docudrama, 'Crooked', a DVD release that might be the best film ever made about an independent label (its about a thousand times more entertaining than "24 Hour Party People" for whatever that's worth).

Timothy Prudhomme - With The Hole Dug (Smells Like Records)
Solo debut from Fuck's crooner/guitarist and a fine one at that.

Live Human - Live (Hip Hop Slam)
live to DAT recordings of the improv-tastic San Francisco trio, available only from the Hip Hop Slam site or a handful of cool retailers.

Tommy Keene - The Merry Go Round Broke Down (Spin Art)
Those of you who appreciate that Mr. Keene's past work will be encouraged to learn that his new album could be the greatest of his long career. As for everyone else, I wasn't talking to you, go read something else. Various ex-Gin Blossoms and Wilcos lend a hand. Rocks like a hurricane.

Silkworm - Italian Platinum (Touch & Go)
now residing in the Windy City and joined by keyboardist Matt Kadane (The New Year) and guest vocalist Kelly Hogan (Pine Valley Cosmonauts) --- their best album since their last one.

Label Co-President Invited To Dinner
May 15, 2002 Mr. Gerard Zosloy Matador Records, Inc. 625 Broadway, 12th Fl. NY NY 10012-2611

Dear Mr. Zosloy, I write to invite you to join the President and Mrs. Bush for a private dinner here in Washington DC on June 19th and also to ask you to serve as a representative of New York, New York at The President's Dinner. In fact, a special place of honor has already been reserved for you to recognize your steadast support of President Bush. Enclosed are your official invitations and your RSVP reply card. If for any reason you cannot be here on the 19th, the President and I still want to honor you for your service to our party and your past support. So if you cannot attend, please accept the honor of becoming an Honorary Co-Chairman of the President's Dinner. As you know, the President's Dinner is traditionally the "kickoff" for the fall campaign season and the cornerstone of the Presiden's personal effort to maintain and expand our very slim Republican majority in the House and to regain our Republican majority in the U.S. Senate. And it is also the annual gathering of the President's closest supporters like you, the Republican members of the House and Senate, and our Party's Grassroots leaders. The year, the President's Dinner takes on special meaning. It is an opportunity to honor President Bush for his courageous leadership during this historic time and to thank you for making that leadership possible through your steadfast support of President Bush and his agenda. Please don't delay in returning your RSVP card to let us know you will be coming to dinner and that we can count on your support during the 2002 election.

Together President Bush and our Republican leadership in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives have accomplished a great deal. We have cut taxes, reformed education, rallied the nation to confront and fight terrorism both here and abroad and fulfilled our promise to bring compassionate conservatism to Washington. Thank you for your continued support. We hope you will attend the President's Dinner. sincerely, Dick Cheney

(NEXT MONTH : Attorney General Ashcroft wants to know if Chris Lombardi wants to "hang out, maybe get a beer")

Mary Timony - "Dr. Cat" video on the way
just days after the release of her latest solo album, 'The Golden Dove', Mary Timony visited New York to begin work with director Brett Vapnek on a video for "Dr. Cat". It will be up and playable on this site as soon as we can get Matt Ransford on the telephone to tell us how.

LISTENING HABITS OF THE WELL CONNECTED

Ben Goldberg, Matador Records
Fucking Champs "V" - I guess it's no surprise that metal-inspired guitarists would also love making Michael Nyman type minimal pieces. I'm starting to think that my entire perspective on music is based on the first three Metallica records.

Lots of Classical LPs - There's this place by here called Housing Works which is this terrific nonprofit cafe/bookstore/used record store and they threw out thousands of LPs into this giant dumpster. I didn't go IN the dumpster, but I hung outside of it and when one of the many people in it passed on something, I asked them to give it to me.

Johnny Cash "Love, God, Murder" - This whole box set was at my local library. You see, even if they have five copies of the Anne Heche autobiography, libraries can surprise you.

Soundgarden "Louder Than Love" Cave In "Jupiter" California Oranges S/T

Patrick Amory's Listening Pile:
1. Interpol -- Turn On The Bright Lights (CDR)
2. Fairport Convention -- Liege & Lief (Island CD)
3. Fairport Convention -- Fairport Unconventional (Free Reed box set)
4. The Fucking Champs -- V (Drag City CD)
5. Rocket From The Tombs -- The Day The Earth Met The... (Smog Veil CD)
6. Terry Callier -- Occasional Rain (Cadet LP)
7. Kyuss -- Blues From The Red Sun (whatever that label was CD)

Lyle Hysen, Matador Records
Paul Westerberg - Stereo/Mono
Love -DaCapo (reissue)
Andrew Peckler -Station To Station
Descendents -Live (bonus cd w/ the recent All live cd)
Heart Attack - The Last War 1980-1984
Jorge Ben - Sacundia
Ben Samba
Darrell Banks - Darrell Banks Is Here
Kenny Burrell w/ Art Blakey - At the Five Spot
Pop Ambient 2002
v/a Kompakt Norah Jones -Come Away With Me
Smokey and Miho - Self titled Ep (1st pressing...)

Dave Martin, Matador Records
1) Dug Dug's S/T, Smog, Cambia Cambia & El Loco
2) Melvins Hostile Ambient Takeover
3) Piranhas S/T CD on On/On Switch
4) Lord High Fixers The Beginning Of The End...The End Of The Beginning!
5) The Electric Prunes Stockholm '67
6) The Broke Revue - CDR of new album, out this fall
7) The Scientists The Human Jukebox 1984-1986
8) Tangerine Dream Syndicate III Violins For III Stooges
9) Tony Joe White S/T & The Train I'm On CD reissues on Sepia Tone
10)MX-80 Sound Live At the Library

Doug Nyce's hot syrup list
J-Live--"All of the Above" Coup D'etat
Jean Grae-- "Thank Ya" 3rd Earth
Mas Pyke-- "Get Lifted" Bukarance
Large Pro-- "Born to Ball" Matador
Al Shid-- "Fight Club" Old Maid
Non Phixion-- "Cult Leader" Uncle Howie
People Under The Stairs --"I-15" Om
El-P-- "Dr. Hellno and the..." Def Jux
Nas-- "Doo Rags" White Label
Cam'ron feat. Beanie Seagal and Memphis Bleek-- "The ROC" 'just fire' Rocafella
Dilated Peoples-- "Certified Official" Official Joints

Elisabeth Esselink, Solex
1-Prince Gabe and the Millionares; Memories of Beale Street
2-Maarten Altena ensemble: Generations
3-Buffalo Daughter:
4-Breeders: Title TK
5-Spinvis: Spinvis

Gerard Cosloy, Matador Records
Tommy Keene - The Merry-Go Round Broke Down (Spin Art)
Blevin Blectum - Talon Slalom (Deluxe)
Sonic Sum - Plasterman (Ozone)
Concentrick - Luciddreaming (Emperor Jones)
Screamers - In A Better World (Extravertigo/Xeroid)
Damien Jurado And Gathered In Song - I Break Chairs (Sub Pop)
Sage Francis - Personal Journals (Anticon)
The Buff Medways - Steady The Buffs (Transcopic)
Ugly Casanova - Sharpen Your Teeth (Sub Pop)