The Current Music Blog: August 9, 2006 Archive

The Strokes: Dancing On Their Own Graves?

Posted at 12:07 AM on August 9, 2006 by Hans Eisenbeis

The new Strokes album, "First Impressions of Earth," has so far sold 262,000 copies. That would be the definition of sophomore slump, considering the insane sales and rabid press the band received for their debut five years ago. On the bright side, their concerts are still paying the bills. Yesterday, Strokes manager Ryan Gentle told Billboard.com as much:

"Our record sales get to their lowest point and our ticket sales get to their highest point," Gentles says with a laugh.

That laugh sounds a lot like the nervous snickering we're hearing from the entire music industry these days.

Resumes to Replace Liner Notes By 2010

Posted at 9:04 AM on August 9, 2006 by Hans Eisenbeis

Back in 1998 in Philly, Paul Green founded the Paul Green School of Rock Music, known informally as the School of Rock (and inspiration for the Jack Black mnovie of the same name). Like the name suggests, it's an academy to help teach the ambitious how, precisely, to rock out on demand and for money. Now there are campuses in a half-dozen cities, and the School sponsors two summer touring groups of its best students, the School of Rock All-Stars. This writer in Tuscon makes a good point, though: Isn't it kinda lame to go to school to learn how to rock? You're either born to rock, or not, right? Dean Green responds:

"We have lots of safeguards," explained Green. "All of our teachers are hairy, dirty, grungy rock 'n' roll types."

It's good to know that authenticity still counts for something.

He Gave & He Gave Without Taking--And Now He Needs An Outpatient Procedure

Posted at 11:01 AM on August 9, 2006 by Hans Eisenbeis

He's no Jerry Lee Lewis, but Barry Manilow has always pushed those piano pedals like that Steinway was a kick drum. Apparently, it's taken its toll on the 60 year old. This report says Manilow is taking a three-week break from his regular gig as house band for the Las Vegas Hilton, because he's undergoing surgery to repair both hips. Oh, Mandy!