Rockphiles Blog

THE POLICE PUT ON ARRESTING SHOW IN VANCOUVER

The highly-anticipated Police reunion tour kicked off in Vancouver on May 28, apparently exceeding all expectations.  The band had played for 4,000 fan club members the night before.  Here's a review from Billboard.  This promises to be one of the top shows of the summer.  Set list includes:

"Message in a Bottle"
"Synchronicity II"
"Don't Stand So Close to Me"
"Voices Inside My Head"/"When the World Is Running Down, You Make the Best of What's Still Around"
"Spirits in the Material World"
"Driven to Tears"
"Walking on the Moon"
"Truth Hits Everybody"
"Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic"
"Wrapped Around Your Finger"
"The Bed's Too Big Without You"
"Murder by Numbers"
"De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da"
"Invisible Sun"
"Walking in Your Footsteps"
"Can't Stand Losing You"
"Roxanne"
"King of Pain"
"So Lonely"
"Every Breath You Take"
"Next to You"

WHO IN HULL - ARE YOU?

Thanks to our intrepid Rockphiles reviewer, Paul Neve, Who turned in the following review of an evening with Rog and Pete in Hull last night:

A very soggy welcome awaited The Who and the thousands of fans who had bothered to turn out on this cold, wet evening in Hull’s KC Stadium. Even the bootleg T shirt sellers (£10) and cancer charity collectors with their buckets waiting in ambush on the approach walkway were fairly lacklustre in their appeals for money. No sign of the scooter brigade and the much-hyped Mods guard of honour though - probably sheltering under their parkas somewhere warm and dry!

For the first couple of hours, the two warm up acts, Jackson Analogue and The Ordinary Boys, did their best to entertain the crowd on the pitch which, early on, seemed to be dominated by the yellow, orange and green jacket colours of security, stewards and paramedics respectively! Lots of people drinking beer, bottles on the pitch and glasses for those sitting in the stand, made me idly wonder what people did for a toilet break when standing tightly packed in the middle of a crowd. If you leave, how do you get your place back, but if you don’t? Fortunately for my thought flow, the video screens jumped into life to announce that the concert was being recorded as part of their European tour series (US tour versions from earlier in 2007 are also available) and pre-orders could be taken at www.themusic.com .   

At 8pm and just as one over-exuberant fan was being frogmarched out of the tunnel, a casually-dressed Roger Daltry followed by Pete Townshend, looking resplendent in dark shades and wearing a black suit with a scarlet kerchief, led in the rest of the band in the shape of John Bundrick (keyboards), Pino Palladino (bass), Zak Starkey (Ringo’s son) and Simon Townshend (Pete’s brother).

Bang! Straight into I Can’t Explain complete with legendary Daltrey mike-swinging and Townshend windmills. Just as I remembered them from 35 years ago and I knew the evening was going to be a good one. Straight into The Seeker and then my all-time favourite, Subsititute (one of the first songs I ever sang live!). A pause for breath for Roger while Pete promoted and sang the first of their new album’s songs Fragments which also featured some nifty lead guitar work.

Who Are You, complete with screened vintage video clips of a rushing train journey (looked like the London to Brighton run to me, in true Mod fashion). It received rapturous applause (CSI is also very popular over here!) and, wait for it, yep the f*** word version was sung!

A change of pace with Roger singing Behind Blue Eyes and then Relay.  Back up to speed now with another classic, Baba O’Riley,  featuring Roger on harmonica.

Another pause for breath whilst Pete introduced and sang Eminence Front, an ode to cocaine smuggling, which apparently did much better in US than here in UK because it was a sound track to Miami Vice. I thought it was a really strong number.

Another change of pace with Roger singing the poignant A Man In A Purple Dress, another one of Pete’s creative works from the new album. The first of Pete’s two acoustic guitar renditions of the evening with Roger singing really soulfully. It reminded me a lot of the style of Tommy, their rock opera.

The Real Me, sung by Roger,  featured some video background shots of tailors’ dummies.  You Better, You Bet, in which the audience was invited to sing the chorus, received rapturous applause and lots of bottles (I hope they were plastic!) thrown up in the air; most gushing liquid! Straight into My Generation (and more aerial bottle displays!). This was the real thing, not the Zimmers’ new cover version, and then a seamless morph into Cry If You Want  with Roger and Pete swapping vocals on each verse and yet another person evicted for throwing bottles!

Won’t Get Fooled Again, another crowd pleaser (apart for yet another evicted fan!). CSI and WOMD had both contributed to this one’s success! A keyboard solo, a drum solo and guitar solos brought this number to a close and the band to the front of the stage as Roger introduced them by name, each member in turn.

9.25pm - was this the end already? Of course not, although several people clearly thought so and had already vacated their seats below me. After a few minutes of dimmed lights and empty stage (and possibly Pete having a quick drag behind the video screen on my side), they returned with The Kids Are Alright and Pinball Wizard.

Meanwhile, another seven people were evicted en masse for exuberant bottle throwing, each one protesting their innocence more vigorously than the last. The band played on with Amazing Journey with the Sparks instrumental tagged on the end.  A change of pace now with See Me, Feel Me and then the rest of the band left leaving Roger (holding a coffee mug) and Pete (holding his acoustic guitar) on stage to finish with the closer Tea and Theatre.

At the end, Roger Daltry trudged off slowly and almost dejectedly and very grateful for the overcoat handed to him by his assistant. Pete Townshend, on the other hand, positively beamed and waved to me as he walked through the exit tunnel. So I waved back; it seemed like the right thing to do after such a memorable 2 hours of rock nostalgia. Loved it and so did everyone else who went, apart from those who got hit by a bottle (I guess)!

Full Set List

I Can’t Explain
The Seeker
Substitute
Fragments
Who Are You
Behind Blue Eyes
Relay
Baba O’ Riley
Eminence Front
A Man In A Purple Dress
The Real Me
You Better You Bet
My Generation
Cry If You Want
Won’t Get Fooled Again


Encore

The Kids Are Alright
Pinball Wizard
Amazing Journey/Sparks
See Me Feel Me
Tea and Theatre

MOVE OVER PARIS, CELL MATE LINDSAY LOHAN COMING IN

Little Miss Lohan was arrested for DUI today, after crashing her Mercedes on the curve at Sunset Blvd. and Foothill.  She went to the hospital, where John Law, in the person of the Beverly Hills Police Department, caught up with her.  Although she was not taken into custody because she needs medical treatment, she will face arraignment for DUI.  A recent update - fifteen minutes ago here in LA - indicates that the police also found paraphernalia in her car.  More here.

In the photograph, we see Lindsay waving goodbye to her freedom. 

WARREN ZEVON BIOGRAPHY NOW AVAILABLE

"I'll Sleep When I'm Dead," Warren Zevon's authorized biography, by former wife and long-time friend and ally, Crystal Zevon, is now available from Ecco books.  The book was written by Crystal at Warren's request, when he was diagnosed with mesothelioma.  

Compiled from about 80 interviews, with compatriots such as Jackson Browne, Bruce Springsteen, David Crosby, and  Bonnie Raitt, as well as Mitch Albom, Billy Bob Thornton, Carl Hiassen, and Warren's family and other friends, "I'll Sleep When I'm Dead," chronicles the herky-jerky roller coaster ride that was Warren's life in music and in general, as he carved a unique path through the sometimes tangled underbrush of the rock world.  Not only is the book an examination of the life of Warren Zevon, it is also a testament to the times when making it in the world of rock music was a heady and sometimes dangerous adventure, but one which Warren was unafraid to take.

"I'll Sleep When I'm Dead," is liberally supplied with never-before seen photographs, sketches, personal notes, journal entries, tour schedules, set lists, posters, and other miscellany.

By the time of his death in 2003, Warren was generally considered to be a "songwriter's songwriter,"  indeed a writer's writer. His early demons were largely conquered, and he had also become a grandfather to twin boys. 

More here from Amazon, plus positive reader reviews.

And a podcast interview with Crystal, courtesy of David Lifton, here. 

KEITH RICHARDS/CAP'N TEAGUE ACTION FIGURE

When No. 3 in the highly-successful Pirates of the Caribbean movie franchise hits theaters later this month, a new cast member joins up for the finale - Keith Richards in a cameo role as Cap'n Teague Sparrow, father of Cap'n Jack.  Johnny Depp has lauded Keith for his worthy acting skills during his time on the set, and has also credited Keith as his inspiration for Cap'n Jack.

Along with the other principals, Keith/Cap'n Teague will be memorialized as an action figure.  The National Entertainment Collectibles Association, NECA , which has the licensing rights to produce the Disney pirates in action figure form, said Richards' Cap'n Teague character would be available in both 7-inch and 18-inch sizes.

May 25th is the release date of At World's End.  Early reviews are good, after a press premiere in Hollywood last night.  Wired comments.

PINK FLOYD APPEAR AT SYD BARRETT TRIBUTE

Pink Floyd's original members performed at a concert held yesterday in honor of their ex-bandmate Syd Barrett, who died last year.  However, Roger Waters and David Gilmour, who fell out professionally and personally 25 years ago, appeared separately at the tribute gig at London's Barbican Centre.

Gilmour was joined by original drummer Nick Mason and keyboard player Rick Wright, while Waters played solo.

Full story at the link , as well as other articles and information on Syd Barrett and Pink Floyd.

It's a promoter's dream to reassemble the Floyd powerhouse for a world tour, but thus far, though solo tours by both Gilmour and Waters have occurred, so far nothing indicates that a reunion will ever happen.

 

THE BOYS ARE BACK ON TOUR - THIN LIZZY/QUEENSRYCHE ANNOUNCE UK DATES

Thin Lizzy and Queensrÿche will kick off their co-headlining marathon 17-date UK tour at Leicester De Montfort Hall on Thursday, November 22nd and wrap it up at London's Hammersmith Apollo on Thursday, December 13th.  Tickets on sale today, May 11, at this link.       

  The  current Thin Lizzy line-up consists of original guitarist Scott Gorham, joined by John Sykes on lead vocals/guitars,  Marco Mendosa, bass and drummer, Tommy Alridge. The band will play all their greatest hits including ‘Whiskey In the Jar,' 'The Boys Are Back In Town,' 'Don't Believe A Word,' 'Dancing In The Moonlight,' 'Rosalie,', and 'Sarah.'

Queensrÿche's current line-up is Scott Rockenfield (drums), Mike Stone (guitars), Geoff Tate (lead vocals), Eddie Jackson (bass) & Michael Wilton (guitars). Over the past two decades the band has sold over 20 million albums worldwide and 2007 sees them bringing the original ‘Seattle sound’ back to the UK.

 

 

SMELL THE GLOVE - SPINAL TAP REDUX!

Bending to pressure from a demanding fan base, retired Brit rockers Spinal Tap, will reassemble for a special performance at the Live Earth concert, July 7 at Wembley Stadium.  Director Rob Reiner, creator of the band via his 1984 mockumentary, "This Is Spinal Tap," will also attend, with David St. Hubbins, Nigel Tufnel and Derek Smalls, and had this to say regarding the band's participation.  "They're not that environmentally conscious, but they've heard of global warming. Nigel thought it was just because he was wearing too much clothing -- that if he just took his jacket off it would be cooler." 

Once made aware of the true situation, the band came up with a new song for the occasion, Warmer Than Hell, their first offering since 1992's album Break Like The Wind. 

The band also has a 15-minute short video for your viewing pleasure, which can be found at this link.  Scroll down the page. 

SPECTOR JUROR CONTACTED BY LA TIMES

As observed earlier, the shenanigans in this trial continue on.  Newest wrinkle comes in the form of email communication between a juror, an executive for New Line Cinema, and a free-lancer for the L.A. Times.  The free-lancer initiated communications, which are thought to be 'benign,' and the Times acted quickly to notify the judge when the contact was discovered by them.  Judge Fidler, who is already expressing concerns about the continued delay imposed by the health of lead defense counsel, Bruce Cutler, will address the implications of the emails tomorrow, Monday, May 7, when the court convenes once more. 

L.A. Times story.

PARIS GOES TO JAIL

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Michael Sauer has sentenced socialite  heiress Paris Hilton to 45 days in jail for probation violation, in an alcohol-related reckless driving incident.  She must report on June 5, and serve her sentence in a Lynwood, CA women's facility. 

After Judge Sauer handed down the sentence, mother Kathy Hilton asked for the judge's autograph, though it is not clear why. 

More here (if you care.)