NSFW: Of Montreal's Kevin Barnes NAKED!
Pitchfork briefly changes name to Pornfork

Oh my. You never know what might happen at an Of Montreal show these days. Random cover songs, costume changes, stage props, audience confrontations...full-frontal nudity?

Pitchfork reader Ian Foley attended Of Montreal's show at the Art Bar in Las Vegas on February 13. According to Foley, "They played gay and straight porn on a monitor in the back of the stage and [frontman Kevin] Barnes sang naked for at least a half-dozen songs."

Foley was kind enough to supply us with photos of the, um, momentous event. These photos can be seen after the jump. WARNING: THEY ARE NOT SAFE FOR WORK.

Ladies and gentlemen...Kevin Barnes as you've never seen him before: [MORE...]

Wayne Coyne to Share Pep Talk With NPR Listeners

While you're making the morning commute to that dead-end Long John Silver's job next Monday, tune in to your local NPR affiliate for a special message of encouragement-- from an esteemed Long John Silver's graduate, the Flaming Lips' Wayne Coyne.

The Lips' space-happy frontman will share his thoughts on "creating one's own happiness" for NPR's "This I Believe" series, as part of "Morning Edition", according to a press release. GRAMMY-winner Coyne hits the airwaves February 26, and among other matters he'll discuss how his 11-year-long fish-frying gig "allowed me to dream about what my life could become." Look for his complete essay on the "This I Believe" webspace following the broadcast.

Coyne joins the hallowed ranks of previous "This I Believe" contributors, including Colin Powell, Bill Gates, Tony Hawk, Gloria Steinem, John Updike, and countless everyday people, each with their own perspective on finding happiness in life.

One place you'll likely find copious happiness is a Flaming Lips show, and as previously reported, there are quite a few of those going down in the Southeastern U.S. this April. The Lips also hit up Bonnaroo 2007 in June.

And you can still catch Coyne and the rest of the Lips rocking out acoustic-stylee with Pete Townshend over in Forkcast. The Lips/Townshend rendition of the Who's "Baba O'Riley" appears on the previously reported "In the Attic" compilation Attic Jam, available now from your favorite digital retailer.

Comp-mongers that they are, the Flaming Lips also cover Radiohead's "Knives Out" on the forthcoming, previously reported Starbucks/KCRW collection Sounds Eclectic: The Covers Project, out March 13. [MORE...]

Hot Chip, Carl Craig, Kode9 Remix Junior Boys on EP
Junior Boys flesh out North American tour

If you're especially curmudgeonly, you might equate remixing songs with flogging a dead horse. And if you're Junior Boys, you might cleverly title your forthcoming remix EP The Dead Horse. So it goes.

As previously mentioned, Hot Chip contributes to the EP, reworking So This Is Goodbye gem "In the Morning". Other tweakers include Detroit techno doge Carl Craig, dubstep sensation and Hyperdub label founder Kode9, ambient mobster Marsen Jules, and Tensnake, aka Marco Niemerski of German techno duo Arp Aubert. Domino delivers the five-track set on CD April 10, with a double-12" following May 8 (sans the Jules remix).

To celebrate The Dead Horse's passing, Junior Boys are on the road right now, wrapping up a series of UK shows and crossing the Channel for Europe shortly. They've also added a bunch of dates to their previously reported North American tour, including a pair in Mexico and some post-Coachella action. [MORE...]

Dark Meat Tour America

It must've taken quite a bit of "I'll have my people call your people" for the 18 (give or take...usually give) members of Athens, Georgia collective Dark Meat (also known as Vomit Lasers/Family Band/Galaxy, if you will-- oh those crazy Athens kids!) to align their schedules for a month-long tour through the States.

Fortunately, the ensemble managed it, and will head out on their first-ever full-blown trek starting tomorrow, kicking things off at Birmingham, Alabama's BottleTree. They'll even manage to scramble over to SXSW in the middle of the stint, and are slated to play three shows as part of the event.

The run follows the release of Dark Meat's debut album, Universal Indians, which landed late last year via Orange Twin, and boasts nearly 30 contributing musicians. Best of luck arranging the transportation accommodations, dudes! [MORE...]

Ponytail Sign to Monitor Records

Fresh off the release of last year's Kamehameha on Creative Capitalism, Baltimore's Ponytail have signed to Monitor Records, which has put out records by the likes of Oxes, Part Chimp, Battles, Indian Jewelry, and Cass McCombs.

Ponytail have a handful of tour dates as well, including shows with Beach House, Hella, and Arbouretum. They will also play two shows at South by Southwest, the second of which is the Monitor Records showcase on March 16. [MORE...]

Yorke, Franz, Cocker, Albarn, B&S Say "No" to Nukes
As do Bloc Party, Mogwai, Aphex Twin, Super Furry Animals, Massive Attack, many more

Here in the U.S., Trident just keeps your breath fresh. For our UK brothers and sisters, however, the only thing Trident keeps fresh is the bleedin' nuclear arms race. Instituted in 1994, the Trident in question today refers to Britain's submarine-housed nuclear weapons system, which the country's Parliament will vote to replace next month. Turns out the majority of the populace-- and a bunch of respected UK musicians-- are none too happy about it.

Thom Yorke, Franz Ferdinand, Jarvis Cocker, Belle & Sebastian, Bloc Party, Damon Albarn, Mogwai, Aphex Twin, Boards of Canada, Super Furry Animals, Massive Attack, Richard Hawley, Guillemots, and many, many others issued a statement on Monday via the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament asking Parliament not to replace Trident. "Almost 60% of the British public say they don't want Trident replaced," the statement reads. "A decision to replace it would make the world a more dangerous place and reinforce the hypocrisy of our government which invaded Iraq on the basis of lies about Weapons of Mass Destruction-- but now plans to build its own new nuclear weapons."

It continues, "To replace Trident, when we face no nuclear threat, could start a nuclear arms race.

"The £76 billion cost to replace and maintain Trident would be better spent on health care, education, alleviating global poverty or tackling the problems of climate change."

Other anti-Trident signatories include Scritti Politti, Ian Brown, Sway, Snow Patrol, Kaiser Chiefs, Razorlight, British Sea Power, Supergrass, Babyshambles, Dirty Pretty Things, Elbow, Archie Bronson Outfit, Chemical Brothers, Zero 7, the Magic Numbers, King Biscuit Time, Doves, and more. For the complete text of the statement and all who signed, check out the .pdf linked below. Not surprisingly, you won't find any Gallagher brothers on it.

In addition, CND, Stop the War Coalition, and the British Muslim Initiative are calling for a demonstration against Trident replacement this Saturday, February 24. Demonstrators will gather at noon at London's famed free-speech site Speakers' Corner, near Marble Arch in northeast Hyde Park. Please protest responsibly, people!

Finally, this is hardly the first bit of social/political activism from a member of Radiohead. The band has been quite vocal about their beliefs in the past, and frequent readers of their Dead Air Space blog know Yorke and his bandmates often post links to petitions and informative articles alongside the cryptic poetry. For some helpful literature on free trade, the environment, Noel Gallagher, and more, float on over to the hypertext masters' lovely blog.

Aloha Tour America

Polyvinyl post-rockers Aloha started a cross-country journey through the States last night in Chicago. The band, still touring on top of last year's Some Echoes LP, will spend most of the jaunt alongside the non-Mars Volta At the Drive-in offshoot Sparta and Philly five-piece mewithoutYOU.

After the tour wraps up in late March, the band will head into the studio to record material for their next Polyvinyl release, due in early 2008. [MORE...]

Dizzee Rascal Snags Lily Allen for Maths and English
Also works with Arctic Monkeys

Considering how close together the releases of Boy in Da Corner and Showtime were, Dizzee Rascal has practically been in recording hibernation since 2004.

Thus, it's not terribly encouraging to hear that he told NME that Lily Allen and Joss Stone will appear on his new record, Maths and English, according to MTV.co.uk.

As nice as Lily is (less so Stone), it seems like an odd fit.

Nonetheless, Allen sings the hook on Maths' "So You Want to Be a Gangsta". Dizzee said he "was working with [producers] Futurecuts, and they got Lily in to sing on the track. I like her. She's straight up."

As for Stone, he said, "She came up to me at the Brit Awards [and] said, 'I'd like to sing a hook on your record.' The track is not what you'd expect. You don't always hear Joss Stone singing on a drum 'n' bass tune, do you?"

Actually, we try to avoid hearing Joss Stone sing on any tune as much as possible.

Dizzee's collaborative spirit seems to stem from his recent work with Arctic Monkeys on a song titled "Temptation", since he also said, "I'd definitely like to work with them again, especially Alex [Turner]... He knows all types of music. It goes beyond rock 'n' roll."

So what gives? Is Dizzee crazy? Just misguided? Has he lost the ineffable "it" on Maths and English? Maybe his statement that "I want this album to go multi-platinum" explains his motives a bit. Then again, there is always the off chance that he knows what he's doing. Remember when Kanye got the Maroon 5 guy to sing on that one record? That worked out pretty well. [MORE...]

Air, Phoenix to Rock Versailles
Phoenix gear up for world tour

What better way to soundtrack a place where peace was made than with the calming electronics of Air and the soft rock stylings of Phoenix? The Astralwerks labelmates and French indie favorites will join forces for a special June 29 gig at their motherland's (and home city's, in the case of Phoenix) Château de Versailles. Alex Gopher and Etienne de Crecy provide support.

By the time late June rolls around, folks should have Air's latest LP lullaby, Pocket Symphony, committed to memory. As you know, that disc hit digital stores this week and crams new release-packed shelves March 6 via Astralwerks. Air-philes should also already be aware that Air take to the European tour circuit in mid-March, then serenade sweat-soaked Coachella crowds on April 29.

Phoenix have quite a few dates lined up as well, on various continents and in assorted hemispheres. [MORE...]

Deerhoof Ballet Hits DVD, Band Extends Tour

As you're probably well aware by now, the students of North Haven, Maine's North Haven Community School staged a performance last October at Waterman's Community Center.

Thankfully, they passed on such hot elementary school scene picks as We Haz Jazz!, Magic in Me, and Feelin' Your Oats for something a whole lot cooler-- a ballet based on Deerhoof's 2004 album, Milk Man, complete with dancers, an orchestra, balloons, and milk-colored outfits and set design.

The play, organized by two NHCS instructors-- music and drama teacher Courtney Naliboff (director) and art and P.E. teacher Ken Jones (choreographer)-- is now available on DVD here. Its footage is culled from several rehearsals and performances, and is sure to be nothing short of brilliant. Just check out this preview and you'll know what we're talking about.

Proceeds from its sale benefit the North Haven Community School Building Fund, a non-profit campaign to build a new school building on the island of North Haven.

In other news, Deerhoof are still on the road in support of last month's Friend Opportunity (Kill Rock Stars). They've extended the previously announced trek to include a slew of European dates; the new shows will run from mid- to late-April. [MORE...]

Jesus & Mary Chain Add Reunion Gigs, Consider Album
Jim Reid on new JAMC LP: "Maybe."

While you were busy conceiving of the cleverest way to compromise your integrity on Craigslist for a Coachella ticket, the Jesus and Mary Chain went and announced two more reunion shows. After melting the Björk-ready masses in Indio, California on April 27, the brothers Reid and their Chain-gang will ship off to Spain for two Summercase festival gigs.

Presently comprised of Jim and William Reid, along with second guitarist Mark Crozer, bassist Phil King (ex-Lush), and drummer Laurence "Loz" Colbert (ex-Ride), the JAMC rock Madrid's Boadilla del Monte on July 13 and Barcelona's Parc del Forum on July 14. Along with Coachella, these gigs will be the band's first in nine years.

Said Jim Reid in a press release, "It's taken this long for me and William to get to a point where it would be realistic to [get back together], and to some degree each of us assumed the other wouldn't be interested, and it was only after we talked about it that we realised this. Also Coachella were very persistent."

These new gigs will also give the band a chance to redeem themselves following a disappointing final show. "The last Mary Chain gig was in 1998 and was such a bloody awful mess, too much drink, too many drugs, nobody seeing eye to eye on anything and the band just blew up, and I suppose you could say this is another good reason for our reformation, 'cause that was no way for the Mary Chain to end."

Does this mean we can expect more shows... and a new album?? "I really don't know," said Jim. "Maybe. I think we would like to and we're looking at another show or two."

For now, we can expect solo albums from each of the Reid brothers later this year. [MORE...]

Sun City Girls' Charles Gocher, R.I.P.

Charles Gocher, percussionist for the experimental trio Sun City Girls, died Monday, February 19 in Seattle at the age of 54. Gocher's death was the result of a long battle with cancer.

In a message on the band's website, the Girls' remaining members-- brothers Alan and Richard Bishop-- said, "[Gocher] is survived by the two of us who adopted him as a brother 25 years ago and his many friends around the world. He will be missed more than most could ever know. Our thanks to everyone for their support and encouragement during the past three, very difficult years. Many of you were not aware that Charles was ill and that's because he wanted it that way. Details of a memorial in his honor will be announced soon."

[Photo by Catherine Lewis]

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.)