It looks like there is a new rock ‘n’ roll supergroup in the works,.. watch out Chickenfoot??! I don’t know. Anyway, Dave Grohl, (Foo Fighters), Josh Homme (QOTSA) and John Paul Jones (Led Zep.) have started a new group called Them Crooked Vultures. I’m not sure if this is another Dessert Sessions or what, but there is the shadow of an official-looking website, and they are playing a midnight show August 9th @ The Metro in Chicago.

I heard of Eagles of Death Metal (EODM) by following Josh Homme and his various musical endeavors over the years. I think a lot of people outside of the US, and definitely outside of California, have probably not heard of EODM just yet.

EODM have just released their third CD, “Heart On” (on November 4, 2008 in Canada) and have an accompanying tour of 42 dates. EODM might not be the most original sounding band in the world. However, if you like good ol’ Rock ‘n’ Roll like the Rolling Stones, cheap thrills, moustaches and irresistible puns – EODM are definitely for you.

Having seen EODM before over previous years, I was absolutely shocked to see how packed the venue was. Henry Fonda is a very cool theater style venue with upper balcony and great stage viewpoints; even if you are on the main floor behind a thousand people. The rooftop patio is massive, with indoor and outdoor seating and two bar set ups.

One of the best part about this band is you never know who is going to show up to play with them. With past appearances from Jack Black, Dave Grohl, Stefan Olsdal (the list goes on)… you are guaranteed an awesome experience and an entertaining show.

Jesse Hughes, lead singer, is undeniably charismatic with his Elvis-like hip movements, and tough-guy moustache perpetuated on enough female fans (Literally! What man can make a woman do that?) that it really makes you feel as if the audience understands that this band is out to have fun. The band performed quite the extensive set with great songs from their previous CDs and well-suited covers.

Of course, there was an expected guest appearance by “Baby Duck” aka Josh Homme. He sang back up on several songs including: “Wanna Be L.A.” and “Boys Bad News.” He also joined them on a pretty unexpected and cool cover of Stealer Wheel’s “Stuck In the Middle With You”. – and Gez, It wasn’t the lighting, the guy ripped it up on drums making “Kissed the Devil” even more impressive then on CD. Other highlights include “I Only Want You” and a cover of “Brown Sugar”, which Jesse claims every EODM song has been based off.

Check out Eagles of Death Metal in Toronto and judge for yourself!

February 20^th, 2009 – Toronto, Ontario @ Phoenix Concert Theater

Four years ago marked the end of The Distillers. Their last album, “Coral Fang” released on Sire/Warner, had significant commercial success, but many were not aware that The Distiller’s performance at Holiday Havoc on Nov. 14th, 2004 was going to be their last show. Seemingly due to artistic differences, The Distillers dissolved and managed to drop Sire/Warner. Four years later, a new relationship to Queens of the Stone Age front-man Josh Homme, one little red-headed baby girl, Camille, and we now have Spinnerette; a 10-peice conglomeration consisting of a recording band and touring band, fronted by Brody Dalle. Spinnerette have recently released a 4-song EP “Ghetto Love” independently, with the help of Toronto-based SRO Management.

Now here is the Canadian kicker- It has just been announced that Spinnerette has signed to Canadian indie label Anthem Records. If you haven’t heard of Anthem, the record label was created around the legendary Canadian prog-rock recording artist Rush. Why Anthem? Turns out they couldn’t find a label to sign them in the US, go figure.

It was announced that Spinnerette would be performing their first three shows in the Los Angeles area. Not wanting to miss their first couple shows, I went with friends to go check them out at Spaceland in Los Angeles on Oct 30th. The venue reminded me of the Bovine but bigger with a giant smoking lounge. The first few bands on stage were respectable, and there was a DJ spinning tunes in the back room. As the room began to fill-up, it became apparent that this wasn’t just a regular gig. Brody’s seat across the bar was taken up by Kat Von D, I passed Julian from the Strokes on the stairs and literally bumped in to Josh Homme on the way to the bathroom, where I proceeded to shit myself. This was a real NME pretend-not-to-notice-who-is-around-you-and-try-not-to-crap-your-pants-gig.

When Spinnerette hit the stage, Brody was visibly nervous, apologized to the crowd, humbly claiming that gig was “just practice”, but as soon as they kicked into the first couple songs, it became apparent that this wasn’t just a practice gig. One Chord Wonder punk melodies have been translated to sexy bass lines, interjected by 70s psychedelic-esque guitar parts performed by Tony Bevilacqua and guitarist Bryan Tulao. Lyrical stunners like “Valium Knights” explores the ostensible relationship between JFK/Marilyn Monroe. Cool songs like rhythm-heavy “Bury My Heart” are undeniably catchy. “Distorting A Code” is probably the most audibly interesting on the EP, infiltrated by wispy vocals and hauntingly distorted guitar. New bassist Nicole Fiorentino, formerly Veruca Salt, is spectre-like on stage, and an absolute sweetheart off… and don’t worry Distillers fans, Brody still has enough grit in her voice to rip your face off, while smiling (I.e. “Sex Bomb“).

Sex Bomb from their first show in Santa Barbara:

Here is some video footage of “Valium Knights” we took for you to enjoy:

It’s looking like a whole new indie scene for Toronto in 2009. With bands like Fucked Up and Spinnerette looking like they are going to blow-up Canada and re-assemble the little pieces left over, maybe the damn high-hat jingle beat that perpetuates popular Canadian indie music is finally dead.

Look out for the new Spinnerette CD this coming February (tentative). Spinnerette are currently touring in the UK, check out their website for details.