Star Trek inspires bizarre musical efforts
Star Trek, a show that’s inspired millions of geeks around the world (myself included,) has perhaps inevitably spawned some very bizarre musical tributes. From filk to electronic remixes, Gene Roddenberry’s 1965 masterpiece has lasted 45 years, and given the success of the latest film in the Star Trek universe (even if it is set in a slightly different but importantly similar universe), it looks like it’s set to continue for some time yet.
1. Dark Materia — “The Picard Song”
What. A. Song. This one needs no introduction — it’s probably the best Star Trek-inspired track to date. This mashup of classic Jean-Luc Picard quotes compiled by Dark Materia is great; it’s not his only output — he also produced two tracks you’ll find later in this list.
2. The Firm — “Star Trekkin’”
I loved this song as a kid, but now, it’s a little grating. If you want to annoy yourself and every single person around you for a few minutes, give this a spin. I can only imagine how my mother must have felt.
Tags: star trek
By Matthew Montgomery 
Mar 12, 2010 
Features, Playlists 
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Drum legend Lenny White to release new solo album
Lenny White with Stanley Clark 1976 Credit: Tom Marcello
Lenny White, best known for his work on drums in fusion jazz outfit Return to Forever, is readying his first release in ten years as band leader. Anomaly, White’s effort, comes off the back of a worldwide tour in 2008 with Return to Forever and a 2009 tour with Chick Corea and Stanley Clarke — together, they make up three-quarters of the group’s 2008 tour.
“We need to restart a revolution so that we can take back the music and stop the fluff,” White said in a press release from publicity group Big Hassle. “I’m hoping that this new album is a representation of that ideal.”
White’s most recent effort includes collaboration with Pink Floyd alumnus David Gilmore and former bandmate Stanley Clarke, as well as other musicians from jazz and rock music alike.
Tags: jazz
By Matthew Montgomery Mar 11, 2010 News, Video Comments (0)
Fifth Stars album set for June 22 launch
Canadian indie rockers Stars are prepping their fifth full-length effort, The Five Ghosts, for release on their new imprint label, Soft Revolution Records. The Five Ghosts is their first release since their most recent release, In Our Bedroom After the War, which hit shelves in 2005.
The Five Ghosts was recorded in Montreal and features writing from all five members of the group: Amy Millan, Evan Cranley, Torquil Campbell, Patty McGee, and Chris Seligman. A U.S. tour is being planned for Summer 2010.
By Matthew Montgomery Mar 10, 2010 News Comments (0)
Pavement videos a classic view of ’90s indie rock
Tags: indie rock
By Matthew Montgomery Mar 10, 2010 Video Comments (0)
Latest from Aloha, Home Acres, blasts indie prog into perspective
The latest effort from American indie outfit Aloha is bold and refreshing: While not necessarily the pinnacle of progressive indie rock from Aloha, it’s 1) something new, and 2) something good. How many other indie rock bands are out using marimbas and bells? Home Acres features plenty of their musical trademark, but we get some delicious additions. The guitars are magnanimous in their distorted quality, and I think at one point, we may hear an idiophone with gourds — maybe the balafon — resonating and buzzing away. Home Acres hits shelves tomorrow.
Tags: indie rock, prog-rock
By Matthew Montgomery Mar 08, 2010 Albums in Brief, News, Video Comments (0)
Mark Linkous, Sparklehorse leader, commits suicide, leaves musical legacy
Mark Linkous, leader of rock group Sparklehorse, committed suicide yesterday in Knoxville, Tenn. He leaves a musical legacy that spans four full-length albums as Sparklehorse and two in collaboration with Danger Mouse and Fennesz. Linkous also worked as a producer, notably with outsider music favorite Daniel Johnston. Share your thoughts on the death of Linkous below.
By Matthew Montgomery Mar 07, 2010 News, Playlists, Video Comments (0)
PLAYLIST: Music, working combine for entertainment, productivity
Few things change your working environment more than good music. In my experience, music is often an essential part of work, whether I’m working on some routine data entry, trying to plow through that last line of code, or getting a last-minute news feature ready for publication. Here’s a short list of some of my favorites.
Pavement – “Spit on a Stranger”
When I’m working, I need something that will capture my attention but not demand it — Pavement’s “Spit on a Stranger” somehow hits on the right side of the line: It’s something rare. A catchy melody and evocative guitar work define this song, and over the past few days of working, I’ve not been able to turn it off.
Tags: fusion jazz, indie rock, pop-rock, shoegaze
By Matthew Montgomery Mar 07, 2010 Playlists Comments (0)
Groovefest lineup promises musical surprises
The Packway Handle Band at Groovefest 2007 / Matthew Montgomery
After a multitude of revisions by Tim and Lisa Cretsinger, the lineup for the 2010 Groovefest American Music Festival has been released. Tim and Lisa own Groovacious Records in Cedar City, Utah, and have been organizing Groovefest for nine years. Groovefest is free to the public, and the main event — two full days of music — will take place at the Cedar City Main Street Park on June 25 and 26. Further events are being planned from Wednesday, June 23 to Sunday, June 27.
Friday, June 25
- 1:00 – 1:45 John Sotter
- 2:00 – 2:45 Molly Venter
- 3:00 – 4:00 Kort McCumber Band
- 4:15 – 5:15 Karling Abbeygate
- 5:30 – 6:30 Oakhurst
- 6:45 – 7:45 John Lisi & Delta Funk
- 8:00 – 9:15 Great American Taxi
- 9:30 – 11:00 Traveler
Saturday, June 26
- 11:30 – 12:15 John Batdorf
- 12:30 – 1:15 Joe Baker & His Barefoot Brakemen
- 1:30 – 2:30 The Gabrielle Louise Show
- 2:45 – 3:45 Trevor Green
- 4:00 – 5:00 The Henhouse Prowlers
- 5:15 – 6:15 Chris Laterzo & Buffalo Robe
- 6:30 – 7:30 The New Familiars
- 7:45 – 9:15 The Scott Holt Band
- 9:30 – 11:00 Lubriphonic
By Matthew Montgomery Mar 06, 2010 News, Southern Utah Comments (0)
