R.E.M.’s Michael Stipe made a pair of high-profile public appearances last night, first popping up on “The Colbert Report.” to sing the Christmas carol “Good King Wenceslas” with Stephen Colbert and Mandy Patinkin, then joining Coldplay’s Chris Martin to perform “Losing My Religion” at 12-12-12: The Concert for Sandy Relief.
Paul McCartney closed out Wednesday night’s marathon 12-12-12: The Concert for Sandy Relief and had a few special guests up his sleeve: the surviving members of Nirvana, who reunited to back McCartney not on one of Kurt Cobain’s songs or a Beatles classic, but, rather, a sludgy new rocker called “Cut Me Some Slack.”
We interrupt our regular programming to present what promises to be a historic musical event, 12-12-12: The Concert for Sandy Relief, featuring performances tonight from The Rolling Stones, The Who, Bruce Springsteen and, reportedly Paul McCartney fronting the surviving members of Nirvana.
Killing Joke will celebrate its 35th anniversary in 2013 with the release of the brand-new, multi-format ‘The Singles Collection: 1979-2012’ — including a 34-disc version — a still-to-be-announced new studio album and a world tour beginning in March, initial dates of which were announced today in Europe and North America.
Yo La Tengo are part way through their annual run of eight Hanukkah shows at Maxwells in Hoboken, N.J., and, as usual, the events feature a variety of guests — including, on Night 3, an appearance by The Feelies, who helped close out the show by joining YLT for a 16-minute jam through The Velvet Underground’s “Sister Ray.”
The Smithereens frontma Pat DiNizio has teamed up with jazz musician Christian Josi to record and release a brand-new Christmas single entitled “Holiday 2012” featuring bossa nova takes on holiday standards “Winter Wonderland” and “White Christmas.” Check out their version of “Winter Wonderland.”
Tonight’s episode of the Slicing Up Eyeballs Music Hour featured music from Johnny Marr, Miracle Legion, The Replacements, Not Drowning Waving, Guadalcanal Diary, The Might Be Giants, Wild Swans, The Mission, The House of Love, Concrete Blonde, Wire and more. Replay at 2 p.m EST Friday.
Q&A: Daniel Ash on Love and Rockets’ reunion, his new band — and figuring out how to play “So Alive” 
Q&A: Chris Frantz talks Talking Heads, Tom Tom Club and new book ‘Remain in Love’ 
Q&A: Steve Wynn on The Dream Syndicate’s first new album in nearly 30 years 
Q&A: Bauhaus’ David J on his ‘accidental’ concept album ‘Not Long For This World’ 
Q&A: Peter Murphy on ‘Ninth,’ Bauhaus’ break-up, reuniting Dalis Car 
Q&A: Joey Santiago on Pixies’ ‘Doolittle’ tour, possible ‘Surfer Rosa’ shows, new album talk 
Q&A: Prefab Sprout’s Paddy McAloon on new album, changing the world with music 
Q&A: Peter Hook talks ‘Unknown Pleasures’ tour, re-recording Joy Division 