Jesu's Broadrick Does a Whole Bunch of Stuff
Procrastination, prepare to face thy Conqueror

Most intricate metal-makers can craft, what, one deck chair a day? And that's on a good day. But, by the time 2008 rolls around, intricate metal-maker Justin Broadrick will have used his 365 good days to make a whole lot more than just some weather-resistant thing to sit on.

The Jesu frontman and renaissance dude posted his 2007 to-do list on his MySpace blog recently, and, man alive, is it ever ambitious. Rather than reformat it all, I'll just save you the trouble of hopping on MySpace and running afoul of those obnoxious silent ads with the ladies in the gym:

Justin K Broadrick remix of FOG on Lex Records - imminent.
Justin K Broadrick remix of MANINKARI on Conspiracy Records - soon.
FINAL remix/collab with Fear Falls Burning - approx 20 mins, 1 of 10 collabs in ltd box - imminent.
jesu / Eluvium split ltd ed. 12" vinyl & CD on Temporary Residence & Hydra Head - very soon. [this is available for preorder now and limited to 4,000 copies, 2,000 per label; tracklist below]
jesu /Battle Of Mice split ltd ed. 12" vinyl & CD on Robotic Empire - soon.
Justin K Broadrick mix and production of ISIS 'Oceanic : Live' DVD & other formats - soon.
jesu headline tour of U.S - Oct 07
jesu new EP on Hydra Head - 4 new songs, Jarboe guesting on 1 song - Oct/Nov 07.
jesu / Mono (Japan) co headline tour of U.K - mid Nov 07
jesu / FINAL tour of Japan with Neurosis (TBC) - late Nov 07
jesu headline tour of mainland Europe with Fear Falls Burning - Dec 07
Avalanche Recordings relaunch & online shop - Aug 07
Grey Machine (Broadrick, Dave Cochrane, Aaron Turner, Diarmuid Dalton) debut album - soon.

And that's not even counting the EP he's plotting for Mark Kozelek's Caldo Verde label in 2008! Or the dates he's playing with Sunn O))) in July! Or how he was asked to tour with Tool but had to decline due to short notice! And he already did that kickass Conqueror record this winter! Dude makes it happen. [MORE...]

Explosions, Books, Pinback Rock Wall of Sound Fest
Plus: Midlake, Baptist Generals, Ghostland Observatory, Om, Peter and the Wolf, Paper Chase

September 22, deep in the heart of Texas, the likes of Explosions in the Sky, the Books, Midlake, Pinback, and others are gonna push up their sleeves, wipe the sweat from their brows, and build up a big ol' Wall of Sound.

Over 40 bands will perform at the three-stage, day-long festival at Fort Worth's LaGrave Field; others include Baptist Generals, Ghostland Observatory, Peter and the Wolf, the Paper Chase, Om, Lymbyc Systym, the Sword, and Spectrum (featuring Sonic Boom of Spacemen 3).

More bands are expected to be announced for the 2007 incarnation of the fest, which-- for the sake of your health and well-being-- hopefully won't feature any appearances from the inspiration for its name, Phil Spector.

Octopus Project Have New Album, Rather Large Tour

We're learning a lot about recent Forkcast stars the Octopus Project all the time, and we like what we're finding out so far. One might even proffer that they're wrapping their eight arms around us and sinking their tentacles in. Or one might not, because that's a terrible metaphor.

The Octopus Project recently revealed some (but not much) information on their forthcoming album, the follow up to their full-length collaboration with Pitchfork faves Black Moth Super Rainbow from last year. The new Octopus album has no title yet-- or, for that matter, cover art-- but it does have a tracklist and a release date: October 9 from Peek-a-Boo Records (tracks after the jump, you know the drill).

The Project play with Dan Deacon and Erase Errata this weekend at Brooklyn's McCarren Park Pool, and will follow that with three full months of fast food and some dudes' floors come August. Along the way-- a long, long way that includes repeat visits to several venues-- they'll get cozy with acts like Aesop Rock and Stereo Total. [MORE...]

Thurston, Boris, Ladytron Join Portishead ATP Fest
As well as Sparklehorse, A Hawk and a Hacksaw, Julian Cope

The Portishead-curated, All Tomorrow's Parties-hosted Nightmare Before Christmas fandango keeps getting fly-er, as big papa Thurston Moore, Japanese guitar heroes Boris, liquid cool Ladytron, glimmer-man Sparklehorse, cut-ups A Hawk and a Hacksaw, that Julian Cope fella, and a couple others have been added to a pretty fly bill that already includes Aphex Twin, Black Mountain, Oneida, Earth, and Portishead themselves.

Indeed, the mere notion of a possible Boris/Thurston onstage collaboration is enough to make us wanna fly to England and camp out on the beach 'til wintertime (although Mr. Moore is listed as performing "solo", so we'll take care not to raise our hopes too high). And with plenty more acts still to be announced, we're writing up our two weeks' notice now. Later, boss!

Portishead's Nightmare Before Christmas goes down December 7-9 at Butlins Holiday Centre in Minehead, England. Any outstanding pay should be forwarded accordingly.

BOAT Drag Drag Our Feet out on Tour

Sloppy, poppy Seattle act BOAT will spend their summer trolling on a tour in celebration of the release of latest album, Let's Drag Our Feet, out July 10 on Magic Marker.

They'll tool about the upper part of this nation of ours, journeying as far east as the Second City before making it home for a number of Seattle dates. They've got a couple of radio days planned too; July 6 at KEXP and July 24 at Moscow, Idaho's KUOI. [MORE...]

Two Gallants Plan New Full Length for Fall, Tour

Barely three weeks since the release of The Scenery of Farewell EP, Two Gallants are primed to release a full-length follow-up to last year's What the Toll Tells.

Saddle Creek will issue the San Francisco duo's third album, a self-titled affair, on September 25. Perhaps tellingly, it contains a tune titled "Emo Country Song".

Until then, both Gallants have a summer full of tour dates that continue tonight (July 3) in Seattle. [MORE...]

Yeah Yeah Yeahs Announce August Dates

With their Is Is EP available everywhere July 24 via Dress Up/Fiction (not just in the UK on July 23, as previously reported), Yeah Yeah Yeahs have announced another addition to their 2007 schedule: a few North American tour dates!

Instead of the mere pair of festival dates we previously reported, Karen O and co. now have, like, two weeks full of shows.

The tour begins August 1 in Lawrence, Kansas and ends August 18 at the Download Festival near Boston. Thanks to reader Sarah Powers for the tip.

Yeah Yeah Yeahs' Karen O and Nick Zinner, as you may have read, also lend their talents to Squeak E. Clean's forthcoming NASA LP. [MORE...]

Boredoms Reveal 77 Drummers!
Includes Andrew W.K., David Grubbs, Alan Licht, plus people from Modest Mouse, Man Man, Lightning Bolt, Hot Snakes, Oneida, Excepter, Unwound, Enon, Gang Gang Dance, White Magic

There seems to be loads of excitement brewing over this weekend's 77-drum circle put on by the Boredoms at Brooklyn Bridge Park (going down 07/07/07, naturally). Is it the numeric synergy? A show of support for Japan's premier noise-rockers? Either way, expect the opposite of boredom at what's being billed as 77BOADRUM.

Sure, Boredoms could've chosen any djembe-dragging Joe off the street to fill in their 74 vacant spots (we presume the other three-- and the mysterious "0" spot-- are going to Boredoms members). But no; they had to get members and friends of Modest Mouse, Lightning Bolt, Man Man, Gang Gang Dance, Soft Circle, Oneida, Excepter, Aa, Blood on the Wall, Pit Er Pat, Unwound, Enon, Arbouretum, Sunburned Hand of the Man, Sightings, White Magic, No Neck Blues Band, Panthers, Celebration, Negative Approach, Tall Firs, and others, turning this into a veritable Traveling Wilburys of avant-garde percussion.

Something tells me, despite the 76 other maniacs pounding around him, Andrew W.K. will come through loud and clear. From note one. Something also tells me an enterprising production company could turn this into one of the cooler live albums/DVDs we'll see in a while.

In other Boredoms news, they've got quite a few regular tour dates after the drum thing. Scope those and the complete enumerated list of drummers below. [MORE...]

Morrissey Still Ill, Postpones More Shows
This just in, body rules mind

Photo by Paparazzi by Appointment

A hale and hearty Morrissey-- thought fit to take the stage following a nasty little throat infection, some postponed gigs, a doctor's visit, a presumed clean bill of health, and a Letterman appearance-- has shelved his touring aspirations again following a performance last night at Vienna, Virginia's Wolf Trap. It seems Mr. Morrissey is... wait for it... still ill.

Thus far Moz has postponed tonight's show at the Rams Head in Baltimore The status of his remaining tour dates remains unclear at this time, although an announcement is expected soon. and two more dates this week in New Jersey. He hopes to return to the stage July 7 in Boston.

According to a press release from tour promoter Live Nation, Baltimore-based Smiths/Moz tribute Girlfriend in a Coma will entertain folks who happen to trek out to Rams Head tonight unawares. It's a free gig and it's open to the public, so if you still haven't made holiday plans, there you go. Tickets for tonight's Moz gig will be honored at the rescheduled date, however.

Moz's proposed dates lie ahead, although it should be stressed that more may be postponed at the doctor's orders. [MORE...]

Interpol Flesh Out North American Tour

Interpol are finally ready to deliver on the promise that their Love is deserving of admiration on July 10, and they'll also give us ample opportunities to admire their live chops this fall, as they've unveiled two more months' worth of shows in the U.S. in September and October.

The new dates begin September 10 in Albany and end October 23 in Los Angeles, though they are totally smothered on both sides by previously reported dates in the UK, Europe, Japan, and Canada.

As you may know, "The Heinrich Maneuver" single drops UK-ways in several formats on July 2. Interpol are also offering fans who preorder Our Love to Admire via iTunes an exclusive bonus track, "Mind Over Time", plus early access to concert tickets. They play "Late Night with David Letterman" July 10 as well. [MORE...]

Deerhunter, Castanets Play Team Clermont Fest/Prom
Plus: Calvin Johnson, Ladybug Transistor, Starlight Mints, Phosphorescent, Summer Hymns

Prom; it's a time for $15 flowers, poorly-concealed flasks, and the realization that no amount of wet wipes can lift vanilla sheet-cake and Banker's Club whiskey from your lapel. The point is, prom is all about self-indulgence. So, as Athens, GA-based public relations firm Team Clermont puts on their 10th Annual Summer Festival and Blue Ribbon Ball-- complete with series-capping "Prom"-- you'll forgive them if they choose to celebrate themselves just a little bit.

Team Clermont artists (and a few non-Clermont stragglers) will don their best bib and tucker at a few Athens locales at the end of July. The likes of Deerhunter, Starlight Mints, Castanets, the Ladybug Transistor, Phosphorescent, Summer Hymns, Tin Cup Prophette, A Northern Chorus, and Benjy Ferree are among those chipping in for the limo.

Permissive chaperon Calvin Johnson will also perform at a kickball tournament July 28, which is appropriately bizarre, I suppose. All this culminates in the Blue Ribbon Ball, sponsored by beer-like-substance Pabst Blue Ribbon, featuring the glamorous Bobby Conn playing a mix of covers and his own hits. [MORE...]

The Flaming Lips' Fall Tour: Now With Venues

Being the decent Oklahoma boys that they are, the Flaming Lips have attached some venues to their previously reported fall tour of North America with Black Moth Super Rainbow.

The tour begins September 7 in Chicago, but the band has to bang out some summer shows before then. Those continue tonight (July 3) in Cork, Ireland.

As a tide-over until the fall, the Lips will release the previously reported U.F.O.s at the Zoo DVD on July 10. [MORE...]

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.)