Neil Young Derides President Trump Over Use of His Music at Mt. Rushmore Rally


Neil Young has joined the ranks of Adele, The Rolling Stones, Elton John, Village People, R.E.M. and the estates of Tom Petty and Prince are among a raft of other artists to demand Trump stop using their tracks at his rallies. The iconic multiple Rock N Roll Hall of Famer took to social media via several of his accounts to voice his anger after his songs were played at Trump’s Independence Day celebration at the Mount Rushmore National Memorial. Young, who is Canadian but became an American Citizen in January 2020, does not want his music played at Trump events, as “Like A Hurricane,” “Rockin’ in the Free World” and “Cowgirl in the Sand” ― were played during Trump’s Independence Day celebration at the Mount Rushmore National Memorial on Friday night.

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Islander Shares Their Hand-Washing Approved Cover of R.E.M.’s “It’s The End of The World As We Know It”


Rockers Islander have released their new single, a cover of the R.E.M. classic ‘It’s The End of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)” first bit of music released since signing to Better Noise Music. The band took a break from writing their upcoming album to cover this timely track, in recognition of the worldwide pandemic and the toll it has taken on the Carvajal family having lost their aunt to the deadly virus. The band’s brothers, Mikey and Chris Carvajal, wanted to use the track to raise funds for a cause close to their (and their Aunt’s) hearts.Continue reading


Bill Rieflin, Drummer for REM, Ministry, Nine Inch Nails, and King Crimson, Dead at Age 59


Bill Rieflin, who had a four-decade career as a drummer across Punk, Alternative Rock, Industrial Metal, and Progressive Rock has died. He was 59. Initial reports of his passing made no mention of a cause of death, but his Wikipedia page reported a battle with cancer, confirmed by his friend, session drummer Kevin Chamberlin. Most recently Bill was the drummer for King Crimson and the news was reported by KC founder Robert Fripp in a very sad and touching memorial via Facebook. Fripp wrote that Rieflin’s wife, Tracy, called him with the news. “Tracy told Toyah (Fripp’s wife) and me that the day was grey, and as Bill flew away the clouds opened, and the skies were blue for about fifteen minutes. Fly well, Brother Bill! My life is immeasurably richer for knowing you.” Rieflin’s career began in his hometown of Seattle, where he drummed with a variety of local acts, notably the punk rock group The Blackouts. The band’s final EP was produced by Ministry’s Al Jourgensen, with whom Rieflin became friends with. Jourgensen recruited the Rieflin to join Ministry when Blackouts broke up, and Rieflin played on the band’s 1988 album The Land of Rape and Honey, an industrial music iconic album in the genre. He continued as a member of the group through the mid-90s, contributing to five of the band’s LPs. Following his departure from Ministry in 1996, he played with KMFDM, New York experimental band Swans and folk group Angels of Light. Rieflin also played on Nine Inch Nails’ 1999 double album The Fragile. Also that year, he released his debut solo album, Birth of a Giant. It was during this time that a publicist introduced him to R.E.M.’s Peter Buck. The drummer would then join and contribute to R.E.M.’s final three albums — 2004’s Around the Sun, 2008’s Accelerate and 2011’s Collapse Into Now. Rieflin had previously collaborated and remained friends, announced that the drummer had joined King Crimson in 2013. Rieflin would tour with the group and appear on five of their ensuing live albums, released between 2015-18. He had been absent from the group since taking an indefinite sabbatical in 2019. Bill was an incredible drummer and kind soul. Not many artists can say they wrote and performed with three Rock and Roll Hall of Fame acts (King Crimson, R.E.M., and Nine Inch Nails) as Bill did. Many artists paid tribute to Bill, including fellow Seattle musician Krist Novoselic of Nirvana. We send out condolences to Bill’s family, friends and many fans at this time.Continue reading


R.E.M.’s Classic “It’s The End of The World As We Know It” Re-Enters the Charts


R.E.M.’s Alt-Rock gem ‘It’s The End of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)’ has re-entered the charts on iTunes as people are streaming and sharing the track in response to the Coronavirus. The track last appeared on the US Charts on Billboard in 1987 when it was a college radio and later mainstream hit, reaching #39 on their album Document (IRS Records). When the song was re-released as a single in 1991, it reached #67 in the UK. In addition to the public reaction the pandemic, the music industry has been crippled by postponements and cancelations. You can track the tour postponements here: Continue reading


Captain Marvel Film Features Nirvana, Garbage, Hole, Elastica, Heart, R.E.M., and More!


Captain Marvel finally came out last weekend to smash success, shattering first week expectations. Set in the 1990s the film features an amazing soundtrack to match the film full of pop culture references like Blockbuster Videos, Gameboys, Troll Dolls and that dope vintage Nine Inch Nails shirt (the band is now selling a collabo item). In addition to the Elastica hit song ‘Connection’ heard in the trailer, the film features memorable 1990s tracks by megastars Nirvana, Garbage, Hole, Beck, R.E.M., Salt N Pepper featuring En Vogue, TLC, and No Doubt. The film also features other artists like Heart, Lita Ford, The Hunting Party, The Marvelettes in addition to The Captain Marvel Official Soundtrack Album score by Pinar Toprak. No word yet if the popular songs will be released as a soundtrack yet. The next film in the MCU series from Disney/Marvel Studios is Avengers: Endgame next month.

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October 19th 2018 New Music Releases


 

Check out all of today’s new releases in the music world!Continue reading


Rise Against – The Ghost Note Symphonies Vol. 1


In a move that shouldn’t have surprised anyone given the band’s long-standing modesty, the sudden appearance of new music from Rise Against still feels like it came out of nowhere. The Ghost Note Symphonies Vol 1 (Sony), effectively a Rise Against unplugged album, arrives with little if any, fanfare but, as with many Rise Against records, it deserves your quiet and rapt attention as what they have delivered here is a record of quiet grace, emotion, and elan.Continue reading