July 31, 2014
© KRISTIN BURNS
For the casual observer, here are some facts to report. First, all 1st pressings of AEGEA have been shipped, with assembly and shipping of pressing 2 to begin tomorrow.
Also, MadameZuzus.com reports that in less than 24 hours, all the copies of ADORE on vinyl they’d ordered have indeed sold out. But if you’re looking for a standard copy of the original, yet remastered cd, never fret, as pre-order copies are now up and available for purchase. Supplies though are limited, and can purchased here: http://www.madamezuzus.com/music/
And this from BC on preparations for the RAVINIA solo show: “So far the main focus has been on the first 8 songs of the show, with many an obscure number to reconstitute. And now that that section has been fairly defined and identified, I’m wading deep into the Mellon Collie waters, even going so far as re-learning the album’s theme song. And this was at 7 AM!”
If you haven’t got your tickets, you can purchase here: https://www.ravinia.org/ShowDetails/Index?id=849
July 29, 2014
From BC: "Yes, there are those things that I don't even have, and this is one of them. But what tops that is that I've never even seen one of these, and whatever that press release is that it came with was certainly not approved by yours truly. Oh, and don't forget this nugget: "And How can we be sure that the album won't be leaked before hand?" I asked. Warner's Rep: "Oh, it will be watermarked. That means if someone does leak the album, we'll know exactly who!" Fast forward to album being leaked, costing us tens of thousands of sales and quite possibly a number 1 album. "Do you know who did this?" I asked. "Yes," they told me, fingering someone I believe in Belgium. "So what are you going to do about it?" I railed. "Nothing," Warners told me. "Because if we prosecute them we're afraid all our other releases will get bad reviews."
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Interested in sharing unique items from your own personal collection? Send pictures and all information you might have to officialspmemorabilia@gmail.com, and those selected will not only be featured on THE PANOPTICON, but receive insights from WPC as to whatever information he might (or might not!) recall.
July 29, 2014
photo credit: Drew Reynolds www.drewreynolds.com
Began RAVINIA solo show practice today in earnest, The Shredder and I having taken a few days off post-MTAE madness. And I must admit, pulling up to work today I felt that particular shudder one gets when returning to the scene of ‘something:’ be it trauma, dramas, or rot and roll. Writing that, a word for the wordly: a like my job, and my health is good; as is life. So please don’t read between the lines too much on the jokes, as I spent some of my AEGEA release party explaining to guests that what I share here is for bemusement, and not complaint; nor sympathy.
That said, I’ll be complaining plenty any second now about a host of stolen SP tracks that someone criminal out there is taking glee in leaking. So I hope they got a good lawyer, because the tips are already coming in as to who this person is, and SP Int’l will be prosecuting; if not to mention suing for big bucks. Stay tuned, more to follow on that.
Back to happy things…
Shredder and I have whittled down the voluminous list to 5 sections, each with its own ‘feel’ so to speak. And typing it in so that we might remember, I must say I was impressed how different this show will feel; the first of what I hope will be many, many more to come in what we’ll call a semi-acoustic feel.
While this was going on, SIDDHARTHA I must add is finally being transferred; a multi-day process given the 10 to 12 reels.
W.P.C.
July 25, 2014
Hello, everyone! Yes, it’s me again, blustering away….
I’ll start first with last night’s AEGEA event, which though sparsely attended was quite affable and featured a short, one hour ‘impressions’ on AEGEA set on The Music Machine Modular. Now, for posterity’s sake, let me say that if I’d announced there’d be live music I think (as before) we would have been inundated with requests and the like for reserved seating, advanced info, and so on. But it’s not always easy to strike the right balance at Zuzu’s, the capacity being small, and our events, though all cool, being of different stripes. In the case of AEGEA release party, it was to simply offer some freshly-minted 3rd edition copies for sale (the lavender press), have a laugh, and record an AEGEA live set for later release. So in that I’d it was a great success, and thank you to those who came. And if you’re interested, the ‘MUSIQUE CONCRETE’ installation is still there, on display, for a month.
As a side note, there are those who’ve not yet received their 1st edition press of AEGEA. This probably means you’ve got a colored vinyl coming, the number being low of the 250. On the 2nd edition, we’re just now getting those. Don’t ask, but let’s just say that when someone tells you something is shipped and it hasn’t, there is no way to combat that other than to apologize. I know in the future I’ll handle such timetables and contingencies differently.
On ADORE, Zuzu’s is still awaiting word on when to sales on the remastered vinyl editions can begin, and we expect to offer similar packages (with a different, Hexestential image too) very soon. And they also report that all box sets: signed, unsigned, and so on, have completely sold out.
Which maybe turns me to talk of the next, and last in the series from the Virgin years: MACHINA, with the deeper work beginning next week to cull together all the many parts. For that I’ve already tabbed Howard Willing to do the mixing, with me beside him, to try to bring out the dark, metallic, and muscular album #1 that lays buried beneath all the hazy insanity, and bring #2 into line. Expect a very, very different and illuminating work.
Also, I’ll be finally (!) transferring the SIDDHARTHA tapes, as that will be my next private press release. Planning for artwork has begun, with cover art by LINDA STRAWBERRY. Expectations are for a 5 to 6 disc set.
While all that’s going on, Jeff and I will be preparing away for RAVINIA, Aug 30th, with a few special guests lining up for a varied program. But note that there will be no mystery, as I’ll announce whoever shall be involved before. The set that’s shaping up will definitely, definitely be talked about for some time.
Don’t forget: tonight is RESISTANCE PRO’S last show before we start shooting for our new, unscripted television show. I know I’ve said it before, but there will be those who’ll regret not seeing the promotion in its innocent infancy. From here on, there’ll be no looking back. Bell time 7:30, ARABIAN KNIGHTS, WILLOWBROOK, IL.
On new SP, mixing for MONUMENTS TO AN ELEGY is set to begin Aug 18th, and I’ll be once more sharing updates during that process, as well as early stage comments on DAY FOR NIGHT; which will undergo a similar process and build-up; staring almost immediately. And though I can’t say for sure, we are now hopeful of a December release on album #1; with a single in October. Now that, that would be fab. And without giving anything away, I’d like to share a message with you I got from our manager PETE KATSIS, who though having heard the demos, had never heard the album in process. “WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
Lastly, let me once again thank ALTERNATIVE PRESS for putting on one heck of an awards show. Yes, it was rough in spots, but what it had reminded me of a certain awards show put on by a certain network back-in-the-day that used to have awards shows that were about music and up and up and coming bands; and though staged and contrived as anything those shows at least felt dangerous because the artists themselves were young, hungry, and ready to take over the world. So kudos to AP for reclaiming our alternative culture, as ephemeral a word as that may now be, and putting a face on it for those beaming faces I saw out there in the audience. As I’ve said 1,017 times, I’m fine with irrelevancy if it involves being replaced by a generation who is out to make our planet a better place. Until then, I stand defiant and in league with those ‘kids’ I saw backstage, who I perceive are sick of the numbness they see, and by extension treated me with an incredible respect and kindness. It was a great, awesome night.
And who better to be introduced by then the indomitable CM PUNK? Who graciously spoke of our mutual love for the squared circle. I can’t think of a better man….
W.P.C.
July 25, 2014
One of the resident cats at Whisker Woods Sanctuary (an animal sanctuary in Australia)
‘Henry’ was found living in a drain at a local KFC drive-through, he was skinny, sick and wild when I found him but after some care and meds he turned into a total smooch pot.
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Mr.Thom + Sammi xo
July 24, 2014
Two pairs of tickets have been added to tonight’s raffle, as additional prizes to the planned giveaway of the lone copy of WPC’s ‘MUSIQUE CONCRETE’ installation, as well as AEGEA #501; the first press from edition 3; signed and personalized.
The tickets have been offered in the buildup to Billy’s much-anticipated RAVINIA solo show, as of this writing his only scheduled concert for 2014. The unique set, which will feature a ‘MELLON COLLIE SUITE’ to honor the 20-year anniversary of the writing, will be Aug. 30th, or just 37 days away.
