I'm not a huge fan of punk myself but I'm also forever thankful for it. Rock n' roll had grown to such great excess in the mid to late 70s it needed a kick in the pants. Thank goodness punk rock was there to provide it. It also led to many of the great post-punk groups I know and love such as R.E.M., the Replacements, the Cure, Guadalcanal Diary, U2, etc.

I only have this one, a record I haven't revisited in far too long.

I'm aware of both bands (the Dandy Warhols being the other) featured in the DiG! documentary but neither piqued my interest enough to seek out any of their work.

From Billboard: Mark Olson and Gary Louris Wes Orshoski, N.Y. While the Jayhawks may me be no more, the lauded Americana band's formerly estranged principals Gary Louris and Mark Olson have finished a new album together, their first since the 1995 Jayhawks classic "Tomorrow the Green Grass." Titled "Ready for the Flood," the album was produced by Black Crowes singer Chris Robinson, who also helmed Louris' new solo debut, "Vagabonds," released earlier this week on Ryko. You can read the rest of the article at this link: http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/articl...t_id=1003714310

Ray Davies Gary Graff, Detroit A few weeks back, a supposed reunion by the Kinks was trumpeted by several outlets. But frontman Ray Davies tells Billboard.com not to get its hopes up just yet. Davies acknowledges he's had reunion discussions with the members of the Kinks' original lineup -- his brother, guitarist Dave Davies, bassist Pete Quaife and drummer Mick Avory. But "it depends on if Dave and I get together," he says, acknowledging that the younger Davies is still recovering from a stroke he suffered in 2004. "He's gradually getting his strength back, but he's playing again, so that's a good sign." You can read the rest of the article here: http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/articl...t_id=1003714286

Portishead Relaunching At Coachella Portishead Lars Brandle, London Out in the California desert, the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival is fast becoming an oasis for high-profile reunions. The Jesus and Mary Chain, the Pixies, Rage Against the Machine, Gang of Four and Bauhaus are just a handful of the acts who've come back to life at the Indio, Calif.-based event in recent years. You can read the remainder of the article here: http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/articl...t_id=1003714458

While I'm a Janis fan I wouldn't say Me and Bobby McGee is all that indicative of her overall style. That song has a bit of a folky-country feel, while I feel the blues is more fitting of what she was about overall. While on the subject I must also say I love the Dead's cover of it, a very fitting tribute to Janis (even though it was originally penned by Kris Kristofferson). Grateful Dead "Me and Bobby McGee"

That's not my point at all. Of course there should be discussions and questions but something as simple as a tracklist can be looked up in a matter of seconds.

From the ninebullets.org board: Hey guys, I just found out about this and was asked to pass the info along. The DBT documentary, "The Secret to a Happy Ending" is going to have it's World Premiere in Florence, Alabama on Friday, April 18th. It's part of Alabama Studio Weekend. You can find out more about other events here: http://www.alabamastudio.org Details about the film screening below.... 8:00 - 10 pm The Shoals Theater The world premiere screening of "The Secret to a Happy Ending", a documentary film by Barr Weissman about The Drive-by Truckers. Nearly 4 years in the making, the film features interviews and musical performances, as well as in studio, road and at home footage. Corner of Mobile and Seminary Streets in Florence Open to the Public

From what I understand this is pretty much it for the magazine. Any options they may have had for surviving have already been explored. Then again there's that saying about never saying "never". I'm not sure if you're familiar with it or not but a couple of years ago Jim White's concept album The Mysterious Tale of How I Shouted Wrong-Eyed Jesus! served as the inspiration for the film Searching For the Wrong-Eyed Jesus which includes performances by The Handsome Family, Melissa Swingle (of Trailer Bride/The Moaners), David Eugene Edwards (of 16 Horsepower), David Johansson, Johnny Dowd and others.

R.E.M. launches a site devoted entirely to Accelerate: http://www.remaccelerate.com

It amazes me that so few people seem to be capable of looking this type of information up online via sites like AllMusic.com, Amazon or any of the many other sites that provide tracklists, especially when it's more than obvious that you have the abililty to do so right there at your fingertips.

I would imagine very little. While I do read album/movie reviews I don't rely on them 100%, I put more stock in the opinions of friends with whom I share similiar musical tastes. The true test is actually listening to the album myself. Oftentimes I find my opinion differs greatly from the reviewers (and sometimes even my friends) so I wouldn't worry too much about what reviewers say and/or how their comments might affect album sales. Obviously if a record gets poor reviews across the board it's reason for concern but that doesn't mean I'm not going to like the album in question.

I've only purchased one or two but I noticed the same thing with those Millenium collections. To further clarify my "cheap knockoff" comment, I'm not sure how they get around the legalities of it but those Extended Versions and Millenium collections don't appear to be sanctioned by an artists' actual label. Those are only two examples, I've seen a lot of other collections that are obviously cash-ins. They're not counterfeits or they'd never be allowed on store shelves but they're not "official" releases either. We've all seen them in the budget bin, convenience stores, drug stores, truck stops and other places or at least I have. Most of the time I steer clear of them and go with albums released by the artists' actual label.

From what I've read in interviews Waters and Gilmour are talking more than ever but neither has much interest in a Floyd tour. As for the big arena/stadium shows I've grown out of the habit of attending them as much as I use to in recent years. Most of my concert going these days consists of catching my favorite bands in clubs instead. This year I already have more big shows (Van Halen, R.E.M., Winwood/Petty) lined up than I have in a very long time. Last year's Police show at Bobcats Arena in Charlotte reminded me why I don't do the big shows so much anymore. One thing is the cost ($90 a ticket for seats in the nosebleed section), another is the lack of intimacy at a stadium show. It's hard to feel any sort of connection with the band on stage when you feel more tempted to look at the big screen projections than the tiny ants on stage below. Depending on the artist, I'll take club shows over the Enormo-Dome shows any day of the week.

ND on NPR

I'm not sure but it's very likely considering the number of festivals they play every year.

By "cheap knockoff" I wasn't referring to the price of the CD itself but to the fact that on those Extended Versions CDs the material has already been made available elsewhere.

No, I haven't but I appreciate the tip and will definitely keep an ear out for her. In the same vein musically are you familiar with Donna the Buffalo? In addition to the cajun and country they also throw in a bit of rock n' roll and reggae. Donna the Buffalo on stage at Merlefest in North Wilkesboro, NC Donna the Buffalo on MySpace

Some Farrar solo dates and news of him working on a Kerouac documentary: Jay Farrar solo dates Jay is heading out for some solo dates this weekend. Mark Spencer will be accompanying him. Anders is opening the show at Maxwell's as well as all West Coast dates. Chris Masterson (Son Volt) and Eleanor Whitmore will open in Brooklyn. 2/22: Maxwell's Hoboken, NJ 2/23: Music Hall of Williamsburg Brooklyn, NY 2/25: Belly Up Tavern Solana Beach, CA 2/26: Troubadour Los Angeles, CA 2/27: Great American Music Hall San Francisco, CA 2/29: Tractor Tavern Seattle, WA 3/1: Aladdin Theatre Portland, OR Farrar pens music for Kerouac documentary "One Fast Move Or I'm Gone" is a documentary about Jack Kerouac's life as it relates to his novel, Big Sur. Notable actors & historians, family members & love interests lend their voices to this documentary as Jay's original compositions, inspired by the novel, underscore the film. Jay also collaborates with Ben Gibbard (Death Cab for Cutie) on several songs. You can check out the trailer at: http://www.kerouacfilms.com.

My interest in the whole alt.country thing dates back much further than the term itself, back to when it was called "country rock" in the 70s. That was some of the first music I discovered through friends and family members that wasn't all that present on the radio. Artists like John Prine, Jimmy Buffett, Guy Clark, Steve Goodman, Emmylou, Gram Parsons/Flying Burrito Brothers, Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen, Pure Prairie League, Poco, Goose Creek Symphony, Leon Russell's Hank Wilson's Back, Vol. 1 album, etc. In the 80s it was Lone Justice, Long Ryders, Jason and the Scorchers and others. By the mid to late 90s I was pretty much out of touch with most artists (aside from Prine and Clark) that made that kind of music anymore. I kept reading about Uncle Tupelo, Son Volt, Wilco, Lucinda Williams, Whiskeytown and some other local artists such as the Backsliders, Trailer Bride and Six String Drag which eventually led to me picking up Son Volt's Trace and later, a compilation of regional artists called Revival Vol. 1: Brunswick Stew n' Pig Pickin'. All along I had been aware of No Depression magazine but never purchased a copy. Once I went online and was able to find like minded music fans via e-mail lists and messageboards I started to broaden my horizons even further beyond the artists I was already familiar with. No Depression and discussions on those e-mail lists and boards played a huge role in that. I'm glad to know they are going to carry on in some fashion by keeping the website active but it saddens me very much to know the print edition is being put to rest.

If you go back further in the UT catalog you'll find they have a much rawer sound than that found on Anodyne. By the time of Anodyne you could already hear the seeds of Wilco in Tweedy's more refined sound. I find Farrar a bit "dry" at times myself but I think you'll love Trace.

I'm not made of cashola but I'd like to buy them all at once (despite already owning at least a couple of them) since it would be less expensive then buying them one at a time. Same thing with the box of Stones remasters. I've been a Dead fan forever but in order to catch up on their back catalog I purchased both of their boxes (and the Jerry box All Good Things) a few summers ago. Believe it or not, I'm still making my way through all of them. I can go purchase a brand new disc by whoever but if my mood dictates it I may just as well reach for some vintage record from my collection instead. In fact, I have a bunch of stuff I've recently ordered sitting in a stack right now that remains unlistened to. Fucking criminal I know but I also know I'll eventually get around to listening to them all at some point.

...or Wilco's Kicking Television:

I think we did. I saw them in Raleigh at the now defunct Hideaway BBQ last year but they were also doing their regular Tuesday night gig in Austin when I was there last spring but catching his show just wasn't in the cards. I may have also mentioned this before but Ian has guested on at least one Patty Hurst Shifter record. Without looking at liner notes I'm not completely sure but I think he sat in on Sadder Side from their newest record: http://www.myspace.com/pattyhurstshifter