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ROUGH
MIX
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Youssou N’Dour
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SAY
NO TO WAR: Senegalese-born vocalist Youssou N’Dour,
whom a Rolling Stone critic once dubbed “a singer with
a voice so extraordinary that the history of Africa seems
locked inside it,” was to have performed at the Egg next month
as part of a seven-month tour of North America. The singer
and UNICEF ambassador has canceled all of those gigs, in 38
cities, in response to the war. “It is my strong conviction
that the responsibility for disarming Iraq should rest with
the United Nations . . .,” N’Dour has said. “I find it impossible
to imagine playing concerts in America when such grave issues
are confronting all the peoples of the world.”
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Tom
Burre (far left) with fellow Bone Oilers
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STILL
SAY NO TO WAR: When area trailblazing musician Tom
Burre, leader of the art-rock group Bone Oil and
the live improvisational project Ghost Names, isn’t
hard at work recording or performing live, he’s learning Web
design. You can check out his new skills at his page dedicated
to the Feb. 15 war protests in New York City: www.boneoil.com/
nowar.html. The site features photos of that day, words about
war and peace, video clips and myriad useful and informational
links on the topic—including many ways to get information
on the war without having to wade thorough our mainstream
media’s slop heap.
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The
Maynard Brothers Band’s Nasty Packages
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BATTLING
WITH BANDS: Local blues-rock band the Maynard Brothers
recently returned from Memphis, where they competed head
to head with other bands in an international competition that
took place in nightclubs on that city’s Beale Street. While
they weren’t the reigning band in that competition, they placed
sixth in the Plainfolks Award—a prize based on songwriting
skills. The Brothers, who were asked to play the awards ceremony
in Los Angeles but couldn’t get themselves there, competed
among more than 100,000 entries—and they placed with their
song “Down to the River,” from their debut release. The Brothers
seem to be on a roll, as another one of their songs will be
featured in the upcoming film Live Thy Neighbor with
Roy Scheider. They recently released Nasty Packages,
and will play a slew of dates behind that in the summer.
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THE
POWER OF THE SUGGESTIONS: The Suggestions have recently
released the EP Mix Tape, on their own Mr. Duck records,
and they’re touring like madmen behind it. Frontman John
Brodeur, bassist Keith Hosmer and drummer Jason
Schultz will officially head out on the road on Sunday
(March 9) and return in late April-early May, with 22 stops
in between—including a slot at the International Pop Overthrow
festival. Go to www.thesuggestions.com for information about
the band, the CD, the tour, the meaning of life, and such.
HAVE
(NEW) CAR, WILL TRAVEL: Those cow-punk guys we love to
love, the Coal Palace Kings, are selling their tour
vehicle, a 1986 Chevy Suburban bus. It’s got a new exhaust,
new tires, new paint and 176,000 miles. According to bandleader
Howe Glassman, “It runs like a goddamn top.” Interested
buyers should contact 446-9940.
—Kate
Sipher
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Columns
& Opinions
