Them Crooked Vultures Do Interview With Absolute Radio Before TCT Gig In London

Last night at London’s Royal Albert Hall, Them Crooked Vultures opened the 10th anniversary of the series of benefit concerts for the UK charity Teenage Cancer Trust. Prior to the concert, the members of Them Crooked Vultures—John Paul Jones, Dave Grohl, and Josh Homme—sat for an interview with Ben Jones of the UK radio station Absolute Radio. In the interview, the band discussed how Roger Daltrey, the Teenage Cancer Trust’s patron, got them to do the gig. To watch the interview, click below: 

BBC 6 Music’s Web site has a review of Them Crooked Vultures’ Teenage Cancer Trust show. It seems like it was a pretty impressive show.

Them Crooked Vultures Are Streaming Their Entire Album On You Tube

Rock’s latest supergroup Them Crooked Vultures are streaming all 13 songs from their self-titled debut album as a series of 13 videos on You Tube. To see the videos, go to http://www.youtube.com/user/themcrookedvultures.

The album is being released tomorrow, Monday, November 16th in the UK and on Tuesday, November 17th in the United States and Canada.

For more on this story, see the article from XFM London.

Them Crooked Vultures features Dave Grohl from the Foo Fighters on drums, John Paul Jones of Led Zeppelin on bass, and Josh Homme of Queens of the Stone Age on guitar and vocals. They will be playing live at the Wiltern in Los Angeles on Tuesday night.

To hear Them Crooked Vultures’ song “No One Loves Me & Neither Do I,” click below:

For more on Them Crooked Vultures, see:
http://www.themcrookedvultures.com
http://www.myspace.com/crookedvultures
http://www.youtube.com/user/themcrookedvultures

Them Crooked Vultures Put Debut Single “New Fang” Online

Them Crooked Vultures, the “supergroup” comprised of Dave Grohl of the Foo Fighters, Queens of the Stone Age frontman Josh Homme, and Led Zeppelin’s John Paul Jones, have put their debut single “New Fang” online on You Tube. It’s a good tune, and it actually sounds like a hybrid of the Foo Fighters, QOTSA, and Led Zep. If the rest of the album is this good, it’s going to be a monster seller.

To hear “New Fang” by Them Crooked Vultures, click below:

The self-titled debut album from Them Crooked Vultures is being released on November 16th in the UK and November 17th in America. They play at The Wiltern in Los Angeles on the night of the album’s American release. In December, Them Crooked Vultures will be touring Germany and the UK.

For more on this story, see the article from NME.com.

John Paul Jones recently discussed his involvement with Them Crooked Vultures with the BBC, which you can read about in an article from BBC 6 Music.

For additional information on Them Crooked Vultures, go to:
http://www.themcrookedvultures.com/
http://www.myspace.com/crookedvultures
http://www.youtube.com/user/themcrookedvultures

Arctic Monkeys Discuss Their Humbug Album On XFM London

This past Tuesday, August 25th, Alex Turner and Matt Helders of Arctic Monkeys stopped by the Leicester Square studios of XFM London for a track-by-track discussion of their new Humbug album with XFM London DJ John Kennedy. The discussion aired on Kennedy’s Xposure program. The interview is now up on the XFM London Web site. You can hear it by clicking here and then clicking the individual audio links on the page. The music from the album is not included in the Web site version of the interview due to rights restrictions.

Last night, Arctic Monkeys headlined the Brixton Academy in London. Supporting Arctic Monkeys at the show were the new supergroup Them Crooked Vultures, which feature Led Zeppelin’s John Paul Jones, Josh Homme from Queens of the Stone Age, and Dave Grohl of the Foo Fighters. Homme produced part of Arctic Monkeys’ Humbug album. To read a very positive review of the Brixton Academy show, see The Times of London’s Web site.

Powerline A.D.’s Patrick Prince has reviewed Arctic Monkeys’ Humbug album. You can read the review here.

My review of Arctic Monkeys’ August 3rd show at The HighLine Ballroom in New York City can be read here.

The Humbug album was released earlier this week and is available for purchase in the United States, the UK, and elsewhere.

WTF? Jimmy Page’s Manager Now Says Led Zep Won’t Tour Or Record

What a difference a day makes.

Just yesterday, the music world was abuzz with the talk of who would replace Robert Plant (pictured above) as the vocalist in the band featuring his Led Zeppelin cohorts Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones, and Jason Bonham, the son of their late drummer John Bonham. The talk was stoked by comments from Jimmy Page’s manager, Peter Mensch, to BBC 6 Music. Then, later yesterday, Mensch pulled a complete 180, telling MusicRadar.com:

“They tried out a few singers, but no one worked out. That was it. The whole thing is completely over now. There are absolutely no plans for them to continue. Zero. Frankly, I wish everybody would stop talking about it.

“Led Zeppelin are over! If you didn’t see them in 2007, you missed them. It’s done. I can’t be any clearer than that.”

Mensch’s stunning reversal from his comments to BBC 6 Music have left many scratching their heads. Is he serious this time? Or was Page upset when he read Mensch’s comments and told him to issue a retraction? This bizarre story just gets stranger and stranger.

When he was asked what Page will be doing this year now that the Led Zeppelin reunion is off the table, Mensch stated, “Fuck if I know. I’m waiting to hear.”

Maybe tomorrow, Mensch will reveal that Led Zeppelin’s new vocalist is William Hung!

For more on this story, see the articles from MusicRadar.com and XFM London.

Also, see the piece from MusicRadar.com revealing how the BBC 6 Music interview with Peter Mensch was months old.

Jimmy Page’s Manager Discusses A Led Zeppelin Without Robert Plant

Speaking with BBC 6 Music, Jimmy Page’s manager, Peter Mensch, discussed the possibility of Page, John Paul Jones and Jason Bonham touring and possibly recording a new album with a singer other than Robert Plant. Mensch stated:

“People don’t really understand it. Jimmy Page has been playing guitar professionally since he was 16 years old. Jimmy Page likes being a musician. That’s what he does! He doesn’t want to be a race car driver or a solicitor.

“So they [Page, Jones, Bonham] did the show with Robert Plant; they had a really good time rehearsing, the three of them, before Robert showed up.

“And they decided that if they could find a singer that they thought would fit their bill – whatever their bill was at this stage in their career – that they’d make a record and go on tour.

“And I support that because, why not? That’s what Jimmy Page does. That’s his job, his hobby, his vocation.”

Mensch also revealed that Page, Jones, and Bonham have not yet found a replacement for Plant. Mensch said, “John Paul Jones and Jimmy Page enjoy playing with each other, Jason Bonham is a really good drummer so why not? We just need to find a singer.”

Steven Tyler, Chris Cornell, and Myles Kennedy of Alter Bridge are three singers rumored to be interested in deputizing for Plant. Mensch would not conform anything about the identity of a singer, saying, “I can’t comment on any rumors right now. It’s gonna be a long and difficult process. And we’re not soliciting people! So don’t call me about it!”

Mensch’s company, Q Prime, had previously issued a statement that said the new band would not be working under the Led Zeppelin name.

I really hope they don’t pick the horrible Steven Tyler. That would be a nightmare. Chris Cornell would be a far better choice. I’m not familiar with the work of Myles Kennedy, so I can’t really say whether or not he’d be suitable.

At least there has been no mention of David Cover Version . . . uh, I mean David Coverdale. That would truly be awful.

For more on this story, see the articles from BBC 6 Music, XFM London, and NME.com.

Led Zeppelin To Tour… But Wait, Under A Different Name?!

Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones have decided — it seems — that they can not be Led Zeppelin without Robert Plant as the frontman. And they cannot wait around for him. So they will record and tour under a different name, according to various sources. In fact, a spokesman has said:

“Whatever this is, it is not Led Zeppelin. Not without the involvement of Robert Plant.”

Looks like dreams die hard, my fellow fans. Thanks Robert.

The spokesman, however, did not say what the new name of the band will be, or who will even be singing for this incarnation — and will they play Zeppelin songs? I mean, let’s have some reality here: fans want to hear Page and Jones playing Zep songs, not new songs… this is not the 80s and we don’t want to hear songs like “Radioactive” anymore, Jimmy. It’s that simple. On-stage, everyone wants to hear the catalog Zep songs ONLY. Maybe they can simply call the band Zeppelin. Drop the “Led” out. (Note: It would be funny if Page called the band The New Yardbirds.) I think that’s fair, even with a fill-in singer for Plant.

And speaking of fill-ins, rumors are that Myles Kennedy of Alter Bridge is not necessarily a done deal. Other vocalists mentioned are Chris Cornell and even Steven Tyler. Yes, that Steven Tyler.

My vote would be Chris Cornell. He would almost make up for Plant not being involved. Almost.

Nonetheless, the musicians are excited. Straight from Jones’ mouth:

“I’m afraid there’s no final answer yet. Jimmy, Jason and I are actually rehearsing and we’ve had the odd singer come in and have a bash. But we really hope that something is going to happen soon because we really want to do it and we’re having a lot of fun just rehearsing. We really want to do something and Robert doesn’t want to do this for the moment. I don’t really know what his plans are. He really doesn’t want to make loud music anymore. But what we’ve done so far sounds absolutely fantastic”.

Poor Percy Plant. Looks like he’s gone soft. Even Sting came out of his contemporary adult music malaise to please the millions of Police fans he owed his success to.

Led Zeppelin: Do Not Want a Replica of Robert Plant

Bassist John Paul Jones told BBC that the band does not want to pick a singer that is merely a replica of their old singer, Robert Plant:

“You could get that out of a tribute band, but we don’t want to be our own tribute band.”

Jones claims a record and tour now seems inevitable.

However, a major promoter, Harvey Goldsmith, claims that if the band plays without Plant they should name themselves something else besides Led Zeppelin.

Seems fair but let’s not forget that the band would make more money as Led Zeppelin. Guys like Goldsmith think this would ruin the legend and only disappoint fans.

I see his point but as another legendary band, The Who, pointed out, more people recognize a classic band name. Many don’t recognize the musicians’ names. Therefore more will turn up at the shows, and buy the new record, if the name remains the same.

Remaining Led Zeppelin Members Have Replacement for Robert Plant Ready: Myles Kennedy from Alter Bridge

Dee Snider of Twisted Sister claims to have insider knowledge of the Led Zeppelin rehearsals taking place in England, and the singer they have “waiting in the wings” to replace Robert Plant. The singer’s name is Myles Kennedy (right) of the band Alter Bridge. Snider told muchmusic.com that Zeppelin has their replacement ready for a tour if Plant continues to say no. Page and Jones are hoping for Robert Plant to give in, even if it’s at the 11th hour. Plant, however, does not seem to be giving in.

Now, Myles Kennedy is an excellent singer (and an excellent double for the True Blood vampire character Bill Compton), but, IMHO, Kennedy fits the 90s Soundgarden mold more than Led Zeppelin’s. I believe him and Led Zeppelin would be not as good of a match as many might think. In fact, if you go to Alter Bridge’s MySpace page you can hear for yourself and decide.

The strange thing is that Alter Bridge have tour dates lined up and booked for the rest of the year in Europe, starting Nov. 4th in the Midlands. Is that the deadline for Plant to give his final answer? If it’s yes, Kennedy continues on with Alter Bridge. If it’s still no, Kennedy commits to Led Zeppelin. I can’t see Kennedy committing to Led Zeppelin and then tour on with Alter Bridge. And are Alter Bridge prepared for this possible departure? I’m sure this must be worked out by now, even legally.

Kennedy will have Alter Bridge as a back up in case his chance in Zeppelin history doesn’t work out. And Alter Bridge may not be the magnitude of Zeppelin but they are quite goos at what they do. Listen to “Ties That Bind” and “Watch Over You” to hear the musical reach of the band. This band could wield its own weight, especially after the PR of Kennedy auditioning with LZ. If Plant wakes up from his creative coma and decides to join Page and Jones, Kennedy can still have a nice career ahead of him with Alter Bridge.

Here We Go Again: Robert Plant Says ‘No Go’ For Led Zeppelin Tour and Record

This time it’s straight from the horse’s mouth.

On Robert Plants’ website, robertplant.com, he posted an “Official Statement:”

“Contrary to a spate of recent reports, Robert Plant will not be touring or recording with Led Zeppelin. Anyone buying tickets online to any such event will be buying bogus tickets.”

“It’s both frustrating and ridiculous for this story to continue to rear its head when all the musicians that surround the story are keen to get on with their individual projects and move forward. I wish Jimmy Page, john Paul Jones and Jason Bonham nothing but success with any future projects.”

Oh well, that’s pretty official alright. Plant just put the last nail in the coffin. Plant also says that after this tour with Alison Krauss ends,he “has no intention whatsoever of touring with anyone for at least the next two years.”

Led Zeppelin doesn’t have two more years to wait. Congratulations, Alison Krauss. You get the latest Yoko Ono award.

So without Robert now, Led Zeppelin will be a project, not a reunion. You can only assume that the remaining band will carry on with a recording and tour with a new singer. Question is, who will be singing for the new Zeppelin project? I hope it’s not Coverdale.

Ever hear the singer, Lenny Wolf, from 80s hard rockers Kingdom Come? If he joined that would infuriate Plant. But it would also infuriate the fans because it would be part tribute band. Page and Jones might as well get the singer of Dread Zeppelin at that point, Tortelvis, because without Robert Plant, it will be pretty much of a joke.