To honor OLIVIA NEWTON JOHN, who passed away on 8 August
at the age of 73, following along severe battle against breast cancer,
veteran Riot Grrls Sleater-Kinney, Aussie songstress Courtney Barnett
and American actor/comedian Fred Armisen teamed up at a festival
in Marymoor Park in Redmond, Washington, a couple of days ago.
They performed her massive 1981 hit PHYSICAL. It became a lively celebration
of the late superstar. Almost everybody with hairbands (as in Olivia’s sweaty video
of back then). S-K’s Corin Tucker did the vocals and the ONJ gym dance with Fred Armisen.
Band: SLEATER-KINNEY (Olympia, Washington) Active: 1994–2006, 2014–present / 10 albums (so far) Note: Longtime drummer Janet Weiss left the band in 2019,
leaving the other two riot grlls, Corin Tucker (vocals and guitar)
and Carrie Brownstein (guitar and vocals) behind.
NME says: “The band’s first album since drummer Janet Weiss’ departure draws
on the gloom of their turn-of-the-millennium sound, but can be a little on-the-nose…
Time and time again, Sleater-Kinney perform this magical sleight-of-hand that few
artists can manage – they find words for humanity in all of its flawed chaos. Digging
out the meaning within each of their records to date feels like solving a satisfying puzzle…
What could’ve been a savvy dissection of seeking out connection during a surreal year
instead see them go straight down the line.” Full review here. Score: 3/5.
Turn Up the Volume: From then to now. From riot grrrls to riot women.
From sharp-edged punk-up frenzy to funk-fueled grooves. From growing
up with a knife between the teeth to growing older with wayward rock
maturity. I can live with that.
Singles: Worry With You / High In The Grass / Method
Band: SLEATER-KINNEY (Olympia, Washington) Active: 1994–2006, 2014–present / 9 albums (so far) Note: Longtime drummer Janet Weiss left the band in 2019,
leaving the other two riot grlls, Corin Tucker (vocals and guitar)
and Carrie Brownstein (guitar and vocals) behind.
5 new firecrackers to boost your favorite 48 hours…
‘So May We Start’ by SPARKS (Los Angeles)
A sparkling pocket pop opera with Adam Driver and Marion Cotillard joining the Mael
brothers on vocals. From upcoming movie Annette for which they also wrote the script.
Listen here…
‘Stand Down’ by THE SARANDONS (Toronto, Canada)
A cracker “about letting down your guard…maybe doing something crazy like picking up the phone and calling a friend. How punk is that?!”. These Canadians know how to rattle and roll with some Tom Petty gusto and some Stones-esque riffs. Big fun, folks! From their brand new 5-track EP Outrunning. Stream here.
Press play here…
‘Worry With You’ by SLEATER-KINNEY (Washington)
A song about being stuck on the other side of an ocean from someone else.
Pretty funky, brisk, and edgy. From their new, upcoming LP Path Of Wellness.
Tune in…
‘Never Be The Shame’ by FURTHER THE LION (Hamilton, Ontario)
The song “reminds the listener that sometimes something profound can happen to
you that changes you to your core and it’s not always a negative thing.” Expect emo-grunge melodiousness with a passionate edge, a romantic feel, and a gripping chorus that sticks instantly. Touchdown!
Here’s why…
‘Something Real’ by FHANG (Canada) Mishka (half of this Canadian duo): “At the beginning of lockdown I would quietly dance in my living room at 3am listening to a rough version of the tune. It would turn into a disco with all the fire trucks and ambulances lighting up our curtains.” Weird experiences in weird times. This second single is movin’ smoothly on a groovin’ bass line while the sensitive mid-tempo ballad resonates like a reflective and melancholic The National reverie. I love it!
Band: SLEATER-KINNEY (Olympia, Washington) Active: 1994–2006, 2014–present / 9 albums (so far) Note: Longtime drummer Janet Weiss left the band in 2019,
leaving the other two riot grlls, Corin Tucker (vocals and guitar)
and Carrie Brownstein (guitar and vocals) behind.
Band: SLEATER-KINNEY (Olympia, Washington) Active: 1994–2006, 2014–present / 9 albums (so far) Note: Longtime drummer Janet Weiss left the band in 2019,
leaving the other two riot grlls, Corin Tucker (vocals and guitar)
and Carrie Brownstein (guitar and vocals) behind.
Album: CALL THE DOCTOR – 2nd LP Released: 25 March 1996 – 25 years ago today
AllMusic/Jason Ankeny wrote: “Forget the riot grrrl implications
inherent in the trio’s music — Call the Doctor is pure, undiluted punk,
and it’s brilliant”. Score: 4.5/5.
Despite the unexpected and unfortunate departure of drummer Janet Weiss life goes
on for riot grrrl legends SLEATER-KINNEY as they will unleash new album, entitled ‘THE CENTER WON’T HOLD’ on 16th August. After sharing robust lead single Hurry On Home and poppy second track The Future Is Here earlier on the band just dropped the political title track.
The song refers to “the world of catastrophe that touches on the (American) election” says guitarist/vocalist Corin Tucker in a press statement. After a rather meditative start, the
track will detonate near the end. Feel the shock here, ladies and gents…
TURN UP THE VOLUME 