Details

Dale Crover recently announced that on August 4th he'll be releasing his solo album "The Fickle Finger of Fate" on Joyful Noise Recordings! Rolling Stone premiered "Little Brother" off the album and also interviewed Dale about the project. Joyful Noise has the album up for pre-order now so act fast to get the special colored vinyl variants!

Introducing, the debut solo album from the enigmatic legend that is Dale Crover. Amongst his 30+ year career as one half of the essential Melvins roster, Crover has contributed to countless albums ranging from platinum-plated classics (ahem, Nirvana) to seminal cult LPs. However, up until this point Crover's solo efforts have only appeared once in a blood moon, limited to the Melvins 1992 KISS-themed solo EP, and a couple intermittent 7" releases. The Fickle Finger Of Fate marks Crover's first calculated, full length solo effort.

But let's be clear: this is not a drum record. The album features a perplexingly diverse batch of songs that recall the best moments of the Melvins catalog. With 90% of all instruments played by Crover, and recorded by longtime engineer Toshi Kasai, the album is sure to tickle the temporal lobes of Melvins devotees.

Sonically, the album ranges from slightly microwaved heaviness, to surprisingly chill Pink Floyd-tinged ballads, to Max Roach-meets-Throbbing-Gristle drum experimentations, to good old fashioned Andy Kaufman-style head-fuckery.

Though consistently otherworldly, The Fickle Finger Of Fate is surprisingly approachable— dare we say, catchy. But even at it's most anthemic, you won't be able to shake the feeling that a sinister ambience is hovering just beneath the surface.

 

"I think the Joyful Noise guy had a good description which was, uh, it was like Elvin Jones–meets–Throbbing Gristle. ... I'd like to be able to play this stuff live at some point. I actually talked about it with the Joyful Noise guys. We'll see what happens. Either I have to find some players or try to be a one-man-band. I suppose I could go out and play acoustic guitar if I really had to, but it'd be much more fun to have the drums involved and players, you know. I gotta get my daughter up to speed." - Crover

Fickle Finger Of Fate tracklist:

  1. Chicken Ala King
  2. Bad Move
  3. The Members Bounce
  4. None, No More
  5. Hillbilly Math
  6. String Bean
  7. The Short Con
  8. Little Brother
  9. Tiny Sound
  10. Slide On Up
  11. Big Uns
  12. Prismo
  13. Giant Hunka Cake
  14. Fickle Finger of Fate
  15. Thunder Pinky
  16. Horse Pills
  17. There Goes The Neighborhood
  18. Our Supreme Leader
  19. I Found The Way Out
  20. Vulnavia

 

Details

As previously announced last month, Melvins will be releasing a double album "A Walk With Love and Death" this summer on July 7th via Ipecac. They'll also be touring in support of its release across the U.S. and parts of Canada this summer, so be sure to check out the full list of tour dates below! (Spotlights will be opening on all dates, tickets are on sale now) Ipecac has recently begun pre-orders for the album, including bundled options with a t-shirt. Double LP set is housed in a ridged box. Death LP is opaque PINK and Love LP is opaque VIOLET. Loudwire also debuted Christ Hammer from the new album, check out the stream below!

July 5, 2017 - San Diego, CA - Casbah
July 6, 2017 - Santa Ana, CA - The Observatory
July 7, 2017 - Los Angeles, CA - The Troubadour
July 8, 2017 - Fresno, CA - Strummer’s
July 9, 2017 - Sacramento, CA - Goldfield Trading Post
July 10, 2017 - San Francisco, CA - Great American Music Hall
July 12, 2017 - Portland, OR - Hawthorne Theatre
July 13, 2017 - Seattle, WA - The Showbox (w/ Eagles of Death Metal)
July 14, 2017 - Vancouver, BC, Canada - Venue Nightclub
July 17, 2017 - Edmonton, AB, Canada - Union Hall
July 18, 2017 - Calgary, AB, Canada - The Marquee
July 20, 2017 - Winnipeg, MB, Canada - Pyramid Cabaret
July 21, 2017 - Fargo, ND - The Aquarium
July 22, 2017 - Minneapolis, MN - Grumpy’s (BASH 17)
July 24, 2017 - Milwaukee, WI- Turner Hall Ballroom
July 25, 2017 - Chicago, IL - The Metro
July 26, 2017 - Grand Rapids, MI - The Pyramid Scheme
July 27, 2017 - Detroit, MI - El Club
July 28, 2017 - Cleveland, OH - Grog Shop
July 29, 2017 - Columbus, OH - A&R Music Bar
July 31, 2017 - Pittsburgh, PA - Rex Theater
August 1, 2017 - Syracuse, NY - The Westcott Theater
August 2, 2017 - Boston, MA - Paradise Rock Club
August 3, 2017 - New York, NY - Irving Plaza
August 4, 2017 - Philadelphia, PA - Union Transfer
August 5, 2017 - Asbury Park, NJ - The Stone Pony
August 6, 2017 - Baltimore, MD - Ottobar
August 8, 2017 - Richmond, VA - The Broadberry
August 9, 2017 - Carrboro, NC - Cat’s Cradle
August 10, 2017 - Knoxville, TN - The Concourse
August 11, 2017 - Louisville, KY - Headliner’s Music Hall
August 12, 2017 - St. Louis, MO - The Ready Room
August 13, 2017 - Lawrence, KS - The Bottleneck
August 15, 2017 - Englewood, CO - Gothic Theatre
August 17, 2017 - Salt Lake City, UT - Urban Lounge
August 18, 2017 - Las Vegas, NV - Hard Rock Hotel & Casino (Psycho Fest)
August 20, 2017 - San Jose, CA - The Ritz
August 21, 2017 - Santa Cruz, CA - The Catalyst
August 22, 2017 - Los Angeles, CA - The Echo
September 5, 2017 - Phoenix, AZ- Crescent Ballroom
September 6, 2017 - Tucson, AX - 191 Toole
September 8, 2017 - Austin, TX - The Mohawk
September 9, 2017 - Dallas, TX - Tree’s
September 10, 2017 - San Antonio, TX - Paper Tiger
September 11, 2017 - Houston, TX - Warehouse Live (Studio)
September 13, 2017 - New Orleans, LA - One Eyed Jack’s
September 14, 2017 - Pensacola, FL - Vinyl Music Hall
September 15, 2017 - Jacksonville, FL - Jack Rabbit’s
September 16, 2017 - Tampa, FL - The Orpheum
September 17, 2017 - Ft. Lauderdale, FL - The Culture Room
September 18, 2017 - Orlando, FL -The Social
September 20, 2017 - Athens, GA - 40 Watt Club
September 21, 2017 - Atlanta, GA - The Masquerade (Hell Stage)
September 22, 2017 - Nashville, TN - 3rd & Lindsley
September 23, 2017 - Memphis, TN - Hi-Tone
September 25, 2017 - Madison, WI - High Noon Saloon
September 26, 2017 - Rock Island, IL - Rock Island Brewing Co.
September 27, 2017 - Des Moines, IA - Wooly’s
September 28, 2017 - Omaha, NE - The Waiting Room
September 30, 2017 - Ft. Collins, CO - Aggie Theatre
October 2, 2017 - Albuquerque, NM - The Launchpad
October 3, 2017 - Flagstaff, AZ - The Green Room


Poster by Dave Kloc

Details

The Melvins just announced what will be their first double album, A Walk With Love and Death, which will hit the streets on July 7 via Ipecac Recordings. The dual albums find the trio of Buzz Osborne, Dale Crover and Steve McDonald showcasing two distinct sides to the band’s music: Death, a proper Melvins’ release and Love, the score to the Jesse Nieminen directed, self-produced short also titled A Walk With Love and Death. A release date for the short has not been announced yet but a trailer has been made available: https://youtu.be/NhWvlpf-uXg.

“This was a huge undertaking,” explained band ringleader Buzz Osborne. “All three things: the album, the soundtrack and the film are benchmarks for us.”

Drummer Dale Crover added, “A Walk With Love and Death is one giant, dark, moody, psychotic head trip! Not for the faint of heart. You'll sleep with the lights on after listening.”

The albums, which include guests Joey Santiago (The Pixies), Teri Gender Bender (Le Butcherettes/Crystal Fairy) and Anna Waronker (That Dog), were self-produced with engineer Toshi Kosai. A North American tour is in the works for this Summer with dates to be announced soon. A Walk With Love and Death pre-orders will launch soon, with the collection available as a double-CD, on vinyl and digitally.

A Walk With Love and Death track list:

Love

  1. Aim High
  2. Queen Powder Party
  3. Street Level St. Paul
  4. The Hidden Joice
  5. Give It To Me
  6. Chicken Butt
  7. Eat Yourself Out
  8. Scooba
  9. Halfway to the Bakersfield Mall
  10. Pacoima Normal
  11. Park Head
  12. T-Burg
  13. Track Star
  14. The Asshole Bastard

 Death

  1. Sober-delic (acid only)
  2. Euthanasia
  3. What’s Wrong With You
  4. Edgar the Elephant
  5. Christ Hammer
  6. Flaming Creature
  7. Cactus Party
  8. Cardboro Negro

Details

More good news on the reissue front, Boner Records has recently released the original Melvins solo albums from 1992 on vinyl for the first time in many years. Rumor has it there will be special editions of these at some point this summer, in addition to a mystery fourth solo album as well! In the meantime, you should be able to order these from your local record store, Boner's longtime distro Midheaven, or other online outlets. "In 1992 the Melvins' fascination / adoration / denigration of the mighty KISS rock and roll universe compelled them to excrete out three solo masterworks inspired by the KISS solo LPs. The first in the series is King Buzzo, from the Melvins' giggling guitar grumpus. Four songs of atmospheric clanging and rockin' banging. Also features the many talents, drumming and otherwise, of a famous Grunge™ superstar, whose name sort of rhymes with New Wave Asshole. The second in the series is Dale Crover, from the Melvins' sleepy drum caveman. Four songs of gloomy heaviness, with Dale doin' the drummin', singin', guitarin', and dancin'. The third in the series is Joe Preston, from the Melvins' electronic beard warlord. Three songs of fuzz bass computer drone temper tantrum. All three 12-inches reissued on vinyl after 100,000 years out of print."

 As most know Steven McDonald, recent Melvins bassist is in other great bands including Redd Kross and they announced recently that they'll be going on tour this spring and Dale will be joining them on drums! It's a four week tour so be sure to check them out if they're coming near you:

Redd Kross w/ Dale Crover — 2017 Tour Dates
04/15/17 Denver, CO Larimer Lounge
04/17/17 Omaha, NE Slowdown
04/18/17 St. Paul, MN Amsterdam Bar and Hall
04/19/17 Milwaukee, WI Cactus Club
04/21/17 St. Louis, MO The Firebird
04/22/17 Memphis, TN Growler’s
04/23/17 Dallas, TX Club Dada
04/25/17 Austin, TX Barracuda
04/26/17 Houston, TX White Oak Music Hall
04/27/17 New Orleans, LA Siberia
04/29/17 Atlanta, GA The EARL (Atlanta Mess Around)
05/01/17 Durham, NC The Pinhook
05/02/17 Washington, DC Black Cat
05/03/17 Philadelphia, PA Underground Arts
05/04/17 New York, NY Bowery Ballroom
05/05/17 Montreal, QC Bar Le “Ritz” PDB
05/06/17 Toronto, ON Lee’s Palace
05/08/17 Cleveland, OH The Grog Shop
05/09/17 Columbus, OH Ace of Cups
05/10/17 Detriot, MI El Cub
05/11/17 Chicago, IL Empty Bottle
05/12/17 Louisville, KY Zanzabar
05/13/17 Nashville, TN Third Man Records Blue Room
05/16/17 Los Angeles, CA The Echo

Steven recently spoke to Brooklyn Vegan about the tour and the addition of Dale to their lineup:
What is up with Redd Kross in 2017, why tour now?
"We are touring now because we found a rare moment where everyone is available and able. I am in two other touring bands: OFF! (with Keith Morris) and the Melvins, who I joined last year. Recording and touring with my other bands has taken up much of my time. I also produce bands in my home studio. I am deeply grateful to be able to say these are my “day” jobs.
Since the release of our much beloved Researching the Blues on Merge Records in 2012, Jeff has been keeping superfans satiated, digging deep into the archives and putting out three releases on our own mailorder-only label, Redd Kross Records. Among those is an extended version of our 1984 all-cover tunes concept record Teen Babes From Monsanto. We will be performing that whole record as part of our set on this tour. Dale Crover from the Melvins recently joined Redd Kross as our drummer, and we couldn’t be more excited about having him. Dale’s power and energy is like rocket fuel for the band, and I think his fans will be surprised and excited to hear him flexing his “groovy” chops."
What does the future hold for Redd Kross; with the addition of Dale Crover on drums could this signal a more active period ahead for the band?
"Yes, definitely! We’ve already started work on a new record. It is tentatively titled Octavia. It will be our eighth record. Dale is a big inspiration. He is a real working musician that has never retooled or changed his course. His enthusiasm for the band has been a great catalyst already. Look out for much more activity from us in the future."

Details

Today marks the official release date of Crystal Fairy via Ipecac. As previously mentioned, Crystal Fairy is the latest project from Buzz and Dale, which also includes Teri Gender Bender of Le Butcherettes and At the Drive-In/Mars Volta founder Omar Rodríguez-López. It's getting favorable reviews across the board and is currently streaming online via RollingStone.com! According to Ipecac the CD is in stores now and the vinyl will be available on March 10th with pre-orders purchased through their webstore shipping late next week. The limited edition pink vinyl version sold out during the pre-order phase, however the black vinyl is still available on their webstore.

 "It's one of my favorite things I've ever done. I guess the one thing I really liked was being able to write songs that Teri could sing. I think she's an unbelievable talent. It was a privilege to me to be able to write songs and then have somebody write lyrics and sing along ... in such a great way. It's not something that I take lightly. At all. … I love it. It was a joy and a pleasure to work with Teri. One of the high points of my career to me. And I've had a lot of 'em. I'm a very, very fortunate and hard-working guy." - Buzz via Rolling Stone

 

Decibel Magazine recently interviewed Buzz about Crystal Fairy - "The last night we recorded, Terri was putting vocals on a song called “Secret Agent Rat” and I had been thinking — because she speaks English and Spanish fluently — I had this idea in my head for a while that “Oh, she should sing one of these songs in Spanish. That’d be cool,” and I realized this was the last song and I was gonna tell her “Maybe you should try this in Spanish. It might be cool.” So I’m sitting there and we run the song, it was just me and her there in the studio with the engineer and she starts singing in Spanish. I couldn’t believe it. It was the fucking weirdest thing, totally weird. That was pretty strange. It was one of the thing that almost gives you the creeps."

Teri recently reflected upon the recording process of the Crystal Fairy album among other things with The Quietus - "It's very scary how sometimes we read each other's minds. I wish I could describe it. It's very surreal but with Buzz and Dale it just comes out. We did four songs in two days. I really wish I was a scientist to be able to explain it, but even then it would be impossible to convey how oddly easy it was to come up with the songs."


Amrep also released a limited edition 12" 45 RPM single which sold out very quickly last month. Side A is the title track Crystal Fairy and Side B is Chiseler. "So, what we's has here is their brand new 2-song 12 inch 45. That's right, 45 RPM in 12" format. No, you're not living in a cuckoo clock, this actually was a pretty common thing, back in the day. The mail order edition is limited to just 150 copies with a 3-color silk screened sleeve of Haze XXL's original linocut design & printed by Obsolete Industries in Austin, TX. (meaningless Bonus Points if you know what the smiley character on the back is.)" - AmRep

Details

Crystal Fairy announced today their first series of shows on the west coast to coincide with the release of their debut album on February 24th via Ipecac. The album is now up for pre-order on Ipecac's webstore in both CD/LP formats including a limited pink vinyl variant, as well as bundle options with a Crystal Fairy t-shirt. Additionally they also debuted Chiseler, a new song from the forthcoming album yesterday on Pitchfork.

Crystal Fairy is made up of Buzz and Dale from Melvins, Teri from Le Butcherettes and Omar from At The Drive In/Mars Volta.

Teri had this to say about Chiseler: "It was so much fun to write this song with Buzz, Omar and Dale. It literally just came out like a flying saucer while we were working the parts out for Chiseler. That same day we recorded everything. It was so impressive to see how well we all experiment with one another. While writing the lyrics for this one, I completely let my hand do the story telling... the unconscious is sometimes wiser than our premeditated thoughts."

 Crystal Fairy is featured on the cover of the latest edition of New Noise magazine, order it here.

  • Crystal Fairy tour dates, tickets on sale Friday, Dec. 16 at 10 AM Pacific (these tour dates have been canceled due to an unforseen scheduling conflict):
  • February 21 Santa Ana, CA The Observatory Constellation Room
  • February 22 San Diego, CA Casbah
  • February 23 Pioneertown, CA Pappy & Harriet’s
  • February 24 Los Angeles, CA The Troubadour
  • February 25 San Francisco, CA Slim’s

Poster art by Pedro Mendoza (these tour dates have been canceled)

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