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.

Taken By: Crystal Morris

After a few “practice” gigs in LA, the UK and an EP release,  Spinnerette’s album finally hit stores on Tues. June 23rd in the US on Canadian indie label Anthem Records. The new CD is the first full-length release we’ve had from front-woman Brody Dalle in about 6 years. You can see it on the “new release” shelves at HMV in Canada and the UK, and hopefully at Best Buy stores in the US. I say hopefully, because prior to Spinnerette’s first performance after the CD release at the Troubadour, it was difficult enough to find the CD in Best Buy stores surrounding LA and the Inland. Prior to playing the Troubadour, Spinnerette played a few gigs in Ontario, Canada including Call the Office in London and a nearly sold out gig at the Mod Club for NXNE.

The crowd at the Troubadour was an odd array of age ranges.  At the past few Spinnerette shows I’ve seen people I haven’t in five years; it was a surprise to me that I saw some of them at all.  Lime green mohawks have been reduced to slightly tamer brown ones, homemade zebra print purses replaced by LAMB bags. I saw old Distillers fans who were visiting, and some old fans who have migrated to LA from UK, Canada and even Alaska.  Everyone is grown up, five years older, slightly wiser – but they are still some of the baddest motherfuckers I know. If you walk through the room of old Distillers fans it encapsulate the feel on the album. Spinnerette is refined, but will still kick you in the face. The album is mature but Dalle’s killer song writing and lyricism take control.

Spinnerette isn’t a massive departure from The Distillers, but more of a  natural progression. On songs like  “All Babes are Wolves”, “A Spectral Suspension” and “A Prescription for Mankind” it’s hard to decide what’s more explosive, the arena riffs or Dalle’s signature razor-edge vocals. This shit rocks hard like the best out of the 90s, with an old psychedelic soul in the vein of The Pixies, Roky Erickson and The Coral. You’ll hear the remnants of Dalle’s 4 chord melodies in “Bury My Heart”  and “Cupid”, coupled with a haunting resonance.

The album is audibly interesting, you’re going to be surprised. Crowd favorite and one of the catchiest tracks is “Sex Bomb.” It’s pure sweet pop beats over filthy rough vocals. The song has been released three times, my favourite being the Adam Freeland remix. Each release is different and they are all worth a listen. “Geeking” and “Rebellious Palpitations” reveal a new, fun and playful side of the band.

“Impaler” is the perfect song for a Canadian audience, it’s an awesome juxtaposition of spectre-like melodies and roots acoustic folk, courtesy of  producer Alain Johannes. If you’re sick of Puddle of NickleCreed, crave pop music that’s worth listening to, you‘ll probably think that Spinnerette is a saving grace.