Odds and Sods

While you await the next bootleg in our series -- which I'll try to get up before I go on vacation this weekend -- there's some great stuff to be grabbed elsewhere:

Heather at IAFYAF offers the first of the five nights of "open rehearsals" that R.E.M. wrapped up in Dublin, Ireland last week. (You'll need to scroll down a bit to her July 7 post.) The band sounds tremendous, and from everything I've read, the more-or-less unanimous buzz on the new batch of songs that were debuted during these shows (sorry, Bertis) is that it's their strongest in years. I am seriously excited about the new record.

Another kind-but-anonymous soul has posted Nirvana's set at the 1992 Reading Festival for the taking. There's one less classic boot that we'll need to cover. (via GoldenFiddle)






And the mighty Stereogum got 12 bands, including the likes of John Vanderslice, Cold War Kids, The Twilight Sad and My Brightest Diamond, to record a tribute to Radiohead's OK Computer to commemorate that record's 10th anniversary. (Jeez, how the time does fly.) Better yet, Scott and co. are giving that collection away gratis, complete with artist commentary and cool cover art. We, and other humble music bloggers everywhere, can only shake our heads in awe.


Finally, you just have to get a load of the new Joe Strummer replica Telecaster about to be released by Fender, with a not-very-punk $900 price tag. Lord knows we worship Saint Joe here at TTT, and don't begrudge the Widow Mellor for making sure her kids are taken care of, but does anyone else think this is just a bit too cheesy? (Thanks to DJ Cayenne at BGB for the heads up on this one.)

Odds and Sods

Scottish band Mogwai provide the soundtrack for Zidane, a documentary portrait of the iconic French footballer (and head-butter) by Scottish film director Douglas Gordon, and we have a track to share. I am praying that this film gets a DVD release, at least, in the U.S. Vive Zizou!

MP3: Mogwai - "The Black Spider" from Zidane original soundtrack



The official site for The Future Is Unwritten, Julien Temple's documentary on TTT patron saint Joe Strummer, is up and running. The film was huge at Sundance this year, and opens in select cities on May 18. If the trailer is any indication, this will be a favorite music flick of all time.






In a move sure to draw a snide comment from Rich about their forthcoming record, Wilco will play A Prairie Home Companion this Saturday evening. U.S. readers can tune in to their local public radio stations between 6:00 and 8:00 PM Eastern to catch the performance, live from legendary Lake Wobegon. Sky Blue Sky is out next Tuesday, May 15, and if you purchase your copy at an independent record store you'll get some bonus goodies, as Jeff Tweedy will tell you himself.


The weekly Take-Away Shows at La Blogoteque feature videos of some of the finest indie artists around (Arcade Fire, Cold War Kids, Andrew Bird, The National, The Shins, Guillemots, My Brightest Diamond, Grizzly Bear) performing, busker-style, in public spaces in and around France. Bonus footage of six bands is also up this week to mark the first anniversary of the project.


And our Classic Bootleg Series will continue by no later than the end of this weekend. Promise. The next one's a must-have, kids, so don't miss it.

I Slept And I Dreamed Of A Time Long Ago

Exciting news on the movie front: Currently garnering major raves at the Sundance Film Festival is Julian Temple's (director of the Sex Pistols biopic The Filth and the Fury) new documentary on the life of Joe Strummer, the coolest Mother Effer ever to walk this planet. The movie is entitled The Future Is Unwritten.

Temple, who was a close friend of Strummer's, reportedly chronicles the life of the man before, during, and after his time in The Clash (the greatest rock band of all time), including his time in the band that he fronted right up until his untimely death in 2002 -- the ridiculously overlooked Mescaleros. According to the Sundance website:

"Filmmaker Julien Temple chronicles the transformation of a self described 'mouthy little git,' born John Mellor, into an antiestablishment icon known to the world as Joe Strummer. In his latest documentary, Temple uncovers the myth behind the front man of the seminal punk band the Clash.

"Through previously unearthed interviews with Strummer himself and recollections of those who knew him best, Temple reveals a complex man who used his music as a bullhorn for his conscience--as well as a means to educate others about the injustices of the world. The film includes live concert footage spanning Strummer's career and tapes of his BBC radio program, all of which provide a fitting soundtrack to his distinctive and storied existence.

"The performance footage would be fascinating on its own, but Temple probes beyond Strummer's mystique to reveal a person with his own flaws who could sometimes be idealistic to a fault. Temple has created a thoughtful and poignant portrait of a man many think they knew. Joe Strummer: The Future Is Unwritten provides a rare glimpse into the man behind the legend of 'punk rock warlord.'"

Could anything be more exciting than that? Hell no! FoxNews is reporting (I know Frank, bear with me) that IFC films is interested in the movie, so keep your fingers crossed that it makes it to the big screen.

For old time's sake, check out the following:

The Clash: "Capitol Radio Two" from the 1979 Cost of Living EP
The Clash: "Straight to Hell" (Live) from From Here To Eternity
Joe Strummer & the Mescaleros: "Shaktar Donesk" Live at St. Ann's Warehouse, Brooklyn, April 2002
Joe Strummer & the Mescaleros: "White Riot" Live at St. Ann's Warehouse, Brooklyn, April 2002 (Thanks to Berkeley Place)

In unrelated news, the rumors appear to be true: According to Billboard, the Police are preparing to reunite and tour this summer, their first outing since the 1983 Synchronicity tour. I saw that show in Biloxi, and it remains on my all time list. Here's hoping Sting still has it in him after all his tantric activities and lute diversions. Whatever -- I'll be in line for those tickets.