A Silver Mt. Zion to Release New LP in October
In curiously capitalistic µ-Ziq riposte, Efrim auctions off collected beard trimmings for 23 Canadian dollars

There are now six musicians in A Silver Mt. Zion, including Becky, Ian and Jessica, all trying desperately to survive in this ever-shrinking, globalized cradle of humanity without the benefit of last names. The group has also made the very wise and respectable decision of changing their bandname to the Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra and Tra-la-la Band. Why not just parenthesize it like our pal (Smog)?

The record, entitled Born into Trouble as the Sparks Fly Upward, is slated for an October 1st release in the UK, and will be issued to the rest of Europe a week thereafter.

In related news, Godspeed You Black Emperor! have confirmed recording dates with Steve Albini in Chicago between their previously announced fall tourdates. Though we must concede that this information has been available to cognizant GYBE! fanatics for nearly a month via secret underground anti-capitalistic pony expresses and mailing lists. Percussionist Bruce Cawdron has noted that two likely candidates for commission to tape are "12-28-99" and "Tazer Floyd," which have received overwhelming adulation from Godspeed audiences and bootleggers. Tourdates:

09-29 Detroit, MI - St. Andrew's Hall
09-30 Cleveland, OH - Beachland Ballroom
10-01 Columbus, OH - Wexner Center for the Arts
10-03 Milwaukee, WI - Miramar Theater
10-29 Tokyo, Japan - Liquid Room
10-30 Tokyo, Japan - Liquid Room
11-01 Nagoya, Japan - Club Quattro
11-02 Osaka, Japan - Club Quattro

Pitchfork Review: http:///record-reviews/s/silver-mt-zion/he-has-left-us-alone.shtml
Constellation Records: http://www.cstrecords.com/

Astralwerks Gets Naked in New Musical Venture
Revealing that they, too, have dumps like a truck

Astralwerks has announced a joint venture with the independent, bi-coastal (San Francisco/New York City) record label Naked Music. This marks the first time in Astralwerks' eight-year history that it's teamed up with a domestic label for marketing and distribution. I guess they simply couldn't resist Naked Music's dubious piercing in the right ear.

Created in 1999 by Jay Denes, Dave Boonshoft, and Bruno Ybarra, Naked Music has managed to wreak havoc on the dance music community. Known for its slick designs and deep, downtempo booty-shakers, Naked Music has managed to win the hearts and head-nods of DJs and club-kids alike.

On October 2nd, Astralwerks, in partnership with Naked Music, will reissue five compilations, including Bare Essentials, Volume 1, a best-of album, and a new mix entitled Nude Dimensions, Volume 3. The joint label's first full-length artist album will be Blue Six, to be released on January 22, 2002. Full-lengths by such acts as Petalpusher and Lisa Shaw will follow later in 2002. God, I just love weddings.

Astralwerks: http://www.astralwerks.com

Nikki Sudden Reissues Inspire Long-Winded Press Release
Punks rally around vital document, punch each other in head

Punk pioneer Nikki Sudden, formerly of legendary 70s post-punkers Swell Maps, is cleaning out his garage of 80s material, and the half that isn't going to Antiques Roadshow could wind up in your record collection. Sudden enjoyed "a very fertile period" (yum!) during the 80s, releasing both solo work and albums as a member of the Jacobites, the Birthday Party, and Crime and the City Solution. All that while your S&L sunk slowly into the sea.

The Indiana-based indie Secretly Canadian (would you tell anyone?) is pouring forth ten albums worth of Sudden material for public consumption, encompassing the entirety of the artist's 80s output, as well as a Twin/Tone compilation titled The Ragged School, and an Italian release, Crown of Thorns. The CD reissues are enhanced with a +4 to bonus tracks, and are fully remastered for the discriminating buyer. Consume joyously.

The first set of recordings will be released on October 29th, and will include a double-disc set with Sudden's Waiting on Egypt (1982) and The Bible Belt (1983), and another double-disc set with Texas (1986) and Dead Men Tell No Tales (1987). Future reissue dates include January 21st and April 15th.

Secretly Canadian: http://www.secretlycanadian.com

The Feud Reignites with Sophomore LP
Juliana Hatfield never could get along with Van McCoy

NYC local favorites the Feud are ready to kick down the doors of musical convention with Language is Technology, their second album, slated for a late autumn release. An instrumental sextet of post-rock lunacy received much critical praise for their debut album, The Feud vs. Yr Universe which was released under the now-defunct Rosewood Union label. After a healthy US tour last year, the band got together and recorded the new album at John McEntire's Soma Studios in Chicago, under the watchful eyes of renowned Austin engineer Jason Ward (Paul Newman, Rhythm of Black Lines).

A brief tour is also in order to support Language is Technology, bringing the dual drum kits and lethal array of guitars and basses on the road to Canada and back home to New York City. A track on My Pal God's upcoming holiday compilation and a split EP on Inner Flight Records are also in the pipeline for release later this year.

08-30 Toronto, ON - Ted's Wrecking Yard
08-31 Hamilton, ON - Raven
09-02 Mercury Lounge - New York, NY (w/Beans, the Heston Rifle)
09-16 New York, NY - Brownies (w/Firebird Band, the Vue)

The Feud: http://www.epitonic.com/artists/thefeud.html

Avalanches Finally Get U.S. Release Date
Saddened by realization that Madonna no longer wears boustier to business talks

The album was originally going to be released on Madonna's insidious Maverick label-- at the time, she would only allow clearance on the sample of her 1983 smash "Holiday" if the Avalanches would sign their souls off with the Goo Goo Dolls and Alanis. Later, the Beastie Boys sought the band for their Grand Royal label, but the deal never came to fruition. Finally, something happened and Sire Records snagged the six young bucks. We speculate that the label, which owns the rights to "Holiday," cut 'em a bargain on the sample. The U.S. release will be identical to the European version; all samples are cleared and ready to rock.

The band will be visiting New York around the time of this year's annual music industry conference, the CMJ Music Marathon, to promote the record. Though no performance has been scheduled as yet, the band's PR firm hinted at the possibility of something happening last-minute. However, at a show last week in the UK, bandmember Darren Seltmann made a leap off a 20-foot stack of amps and broke his leg, so if a gig does come together, it's likely he'll perform his acrobatics from a wheelchair.

Pitchfork Review: http:///record-reviews/a/avalanches/since-i-left-you.shtml
Unofficial Avalanches: http://www.theavalanches.net
London/Sire: http://www.london-sire.com

Danielson Famile, Ida on New Shaggs Tribute
One step up from the Kids of Widney High

Animal World Recordings has announced plans for their Shaggs tribute CD, to be released on October 30th. Rock and roll legend has it that the Shaggs were raw newcomers when they recorded their first (and only) LP, which holds the dubious honor of being the late Frank Zappa's third most favorite album ever. We would attest to its warped brilliance, but you know, we figured you'd trust Zappa over us.

In a brazen move, Animal World has risked public outrage and indie dishonor by titling it Better Than the Beatles: A Tribute to the Shaggs. Hoo boy, we're gonna stay neutral on that one. Tracklist:

01 Ida: Philosophy of the World
02 Optiganally Yours: You're Something Special to Me
03 Thinking Fellers Union Local 282: Who Are Parents
04 Mongrell: My Cutie
05 Bauer: We Have a Savior
06 Joost Visser: It's Halloween
07 Deerhoof: My Pal Foot Foot
08 R. Stevie Moore & the Olsiewicz/Chusid Ensemble: My Companion
09 Plastic Mastery: Shaggs' Own Thing
10 Slot Racer: Painful Memories/Wheels
11 Danielson Famile: Who Are Parents
12 Furtips: You're Something Special to Me
13 The Double U: Philosophy of the World

Animal World Recordings: http://www.animalworldrecordings.com/

Polyvinyl Stalwarts Go Solo
Stop us if you get too emotional

Labelmate Kyle Fischer, of Rainer Maria estimation, also has some solo material up his sleeve. Fischer and friends laid down tracks over a spattering of 14 days between December and May at Madison's Smart Studios with Rainer Maria producer Mark Haines, for a full-length tentatively titled Open Ground. The LP will feature nine songs, one of which is a cover of Otis Redding's "Just One More Day." Mr. Owen himself, Mike Kinsella, drums on a majority of the album, which is due out early next year on a label yet to be determined. Caithlin DeMarrais, Rainer Maria vocalist and bassist, guests on both Kinsella's and Fischer's respective records. According to Fischer, he and Kinsella will be playing shows in and around the East Coast during late October and early November.

Pitchfork Review: http:///record-reviews/a/american-football/american-football.shtml
Polyvinyl: http://www.polyvinylrecords.com

Takagi Masakatsu to Release Multimedia Album
Archaic 486s file age discrimination suit

You've never heard of Takagi Masakatsu, but Carpark Records is betting that you're going to want to, and soon. Well-known in his native Japan as a video artist, Masakatsu has now branched out into the musical realm. The results of his first efforts in this arena can be found on the new double album Pia, to be released on October 16th.

The first disc consists of musical compositions, while the second is a CD-ROM containing five multimedia pieces that have been on display in all sorts of highbrow museums and snooty Japanese coffeehouses. (You must have a Pentium or PowerMac system or better to run the CD-ROM properly.) Decidedly atmospheric, the songs on the first disc combine the sounds of children and of nature with Masakatsu's distinctive blend of arrangement and manipulation.

Masakatsu also has another LP of music due in Spring 2002, on the Karaoke Kalk label. Look for him on tour this fall with Inkblot, Jon Sheffield, and Tom Steinle (Midwest and East Coast) and then with Nudge and Timeblind on the West Coast.

Takagi Masakatsu: http://homepage.mac.com/utono
Carpark Records: http://www.carparkrecords.com

Microphones Record New Album
This is news?

The Glow, Pt. 2 will be released on CD and double-vinyl through K Records, and will feature basically the same line-up that produced, It Was Hot, which included singer/songwriter/producer Elvrum, Khaela Maricich, K Records songstress Mirah Yomtov Zeitlyn, Jenn Kliese, Anna Oxygen, Karl Blau, and Jason Wall.

In addition, the Microphones have just released a vinyl-only pressing of an album entitled Blood. That album, which is limited to a mere 300 copies, contains music Elvrum recorded during the sessions for The Glow, Pt. 2, some of which appears on the forthcoming K release in a much more refined form. Each of the 300 album covers were hand-painted by Elvrum, and all are different. The record is the first release for the Secretly Canadian-owned St. Ives Records, whose goal is to issue similar limited edition vinyl records by popular indie bands. Blood is presently in stores, but sure to sell out quickly. Run!

Pitchfork Review: http:///record-reviews/m/microphones/it-was-hot-we-stayed-in-the-water.shtml
K Records: http://www.kpunk.com

Def Jux and RhymeSayers Tour U.S.
Hip-hop alias reserves officially tapped

The DIY punk attitude has reached hip-hop, and it's coming to your town. Two loose collectives of NYC indie rappers, Def Jux and RhymeSayers, are starting their first U.S. tour this September. Coming straight out of Queens (and Minneapolis), where they've been selling tapes on the street and packing the Bowery and Knitting Factory (and the Qwest), they've finally decided to take their indie rap to the rest of the nation.

For those not familiar with the hardcore rappers, here's a little background. The Def Jux label consists of Cannibal Ox, Aesop Rock, Mr. Lif and EL-P, and their sound is slightly reminiscent of old-school Public Enemy with hard-hitting beats and machine-gun lyrics. RhymeSayers Collective includes Eyedea & Abilities and Atmosphere. They have a new full-length LP coming out in the fall. It was previously reported that they were approached by P. Diddy to record with him, but they rebuked his offers of money and fame, saying that they will leave the covering of old white men's songs to him. Here's the dates:

09-04 New York, NY - Bowery Ballroom
09-05 Philadelphia, PA - TLA
09-06 Baltimore, MD - Fletchers
09-07 Boston, MA - Middle East
09-08 Northampton, MA - Pearl Street
09-10 Montreal, PQ - Cafe Campus
09-11 Toronto, ON - Lee's
09-12 Cleveland, OH - Beachland
09-13 Champaign, IL - High Dive
09-14 Columbia, MO - Blue Note
09-15 Iowa City, IA - Gabe's
09-16 Minneapolis, MN - First Ave.
09-17 Chicago, IL - House Of Blues
09-18 Milwaukee, WI - Globe
09-19 Los Angeles, CA - El Rey
09-20 Los Angeles, CA - Spaceland
09-21 Santa Ana, CA - Koo's
09-22 San Jose, CA - Cactus
09-24 San Francisco, CA - Great American Music Hall
09-26 Eugene, OR - WOW Hall
09-27 Portland, OR - B Complex (Monqui)
09-28 Seattle, WA - TBA
09-29 TBA
09-30 Vancouver, BC - Sonar

Pitchfork Review: http:///record-reviews/c/cannibal-ox/cold-vein.shtml
Company Flow: http://www.companyflow.com

eBay Auction May Land You a Piece of µ-Ziq History
Wake us when Aphex sells his breast implants

Calling all hair fetishists, IDM fiends, and auction aficionados! In one of the more creative scams this side of black market kidney sales, an eBay entrepreneur has placed none other than µ-Ziq headman Mike Paradinas' ponytail up for grabs on the popular auction site. Along with a humorous description tracing the history of IDM ponytails, the item purports to also include a "certificate of authenticity" along with the hair samples. In examination of the picture included with the posting, the hair looks just nasty enough to be legitimate, but Lord only knows.

Some poor saps have already pledged nearly $80.00 for the item, which raises several questions, not the least of which is what the hell they plan to do with it if and when they actually receive it. Word on the street is that famously bald electro-musician Moby is willing to pay a pretty penny for the thing.

.: Ponytail: http://ebay.com

Reubens Accomplice Get Out of the Desert
Vultures snatched their apostrophe

Arizona desert-rockers Reubens Accomplice are heading out on an East Coast tour from late August to early October. Fans of Calexico and Wilco who can also enjoy the rollicking fun of Archers of Loaf will apparently find their ears tickled by this group, which will soon release their debut album, I Blame the Scenery, on Better Looking Records. Joining them on tour in September will be Hey Mercedes and Jimmy Eat World. We love both those bands! Dates:

08-27 Denver, CO - 15th Street Tavern
08-28 Kansas City, MO - TBA
08-29 Peoria, IL - 1704 West Ayres
08-30 Lakewood, OH - Blind Lemon
08-31 Providence, RI - TBA
09-01 Boston, MA - Paradise
09-02 Providence, RI - Lupos
09-03 Boston, MA - Bill's Bar
09-04 New York, NY - Irving Plaza
09-05 New York, NY - Bowery Ballroom
09-06 New York, NY - TBA
09-07 Philadelphia, PA - Theatre of Living Arts
09-08 Washington, DC - 9:30 Club
09-10 Cleveland, OH - Agora
09-11 Detroit, MI - St. Andrews Hall
09-12 WI - TBA
09-13 Minneapolis, MN - First Avenue
09-14 Madison, WI - Barrymore Theatre
09-15 Chicago, IL - Metro
09-16 St. Louis, MO - Mississippi Nights
09-17 TBA
09-18 Dallas, TX - Gypsy Ballroom
09-19 New Orleans, LA - TBA
09-20 Dallas, TX - TBA
09-21 Houston, TX - TBA
09-22 Austin, TX - TBA
09-23 El Paso, TX - Wildhare's
10-03 Phoenix, AZ - Modified
10-04 San Diego, CA - TBA
10-05 Los Angeles, CA - UCLA Cooperage
10-06 Tijuana, Mexico - TBA
10-07 San Diego, CA - The Casbah (CD Release Show)

Slowdance Records: http://www.slowdance.com/

Do you have a news tip for us? Anything crazy happen at a show you attended recently? Do you have inside info on the bands we cover? Is one of your favorite artists (that's not somebody you know personally) releasing a new record you'd like to see covered? You will remain completely anonymous, unless we are given your express permission to reveal your identity. (Please note that publicists, managers, booking agents, and other artist representatives are generally exempt from this rule, but will also be granted anonymity if requested.)