Last night, Dec 26th, the world finally saw the broadcast of the Kennedy Center Honors Gala. The Gala honoured all five honourees: Dustin Hoffman, Natalia Makarova, Buddy Guy, David Letterman and Led Zeppelin. All honorees had an eminent person/a Jack Black/Tina Fey provide an introduction, plus a short video of their work and then a performance of their art.
In Led Zeppelin's case, at the top of the bill, performance by the Foo Fighters, Kid Rock, Lenny Kravitz and Heart provided the moments. Jack Black gave an introduction in the standard Jack Black style, that is to say, just a tad over the top: he really is a perpetual 14-year old and a more mature perspective of the band would have been nice.
The footage shown was edited for time, as early reports had Foo Fighters doing 2 songs, as did Kid Rock. As it was, the Foo Fighter's performed Rock and Roll, with Dave Grohl taking the drum stool and drummer Taylor Hawkins picking up the vocal duties. This is the second time the Foo's have performed this song with this makeup. Their performance of Black Dog, with Hawkins back behind the kit and Grohl singing, didn't make the broadcast.
Kid Rock's performance has the LedZeposphere buzzing this morning, wondering why he was chosen for this honour. Like him or hate him, however, Kid Rock has always paid homage to the rock and rollers who have come before him, and Led Zeppelin's Whole Lotta Love gets a nod on his album Live Trucker when it bridges the songs Somebody's Gotta Feel This and Fists of Rage (go to the 3 minute mark on the linked video). Early reports had it that Kid Rock performed Babe I'm Gonna Leave You and What is and What Should Never Be, however the broadcast had him playing Ramble On.
Lenny Kravitz then performed Whole Lotta Love, while President Barack Obama sang along in the choruses (no word on him belting "woman, you need it..." to Michelle). Kravitz was followed by Jason Bonham appearing behind the drum kit to the obvious surprise and delight of the band themselves. He was then joined onstage by the Wilson sister, Ann and Nancy, of Heart, to perform an abridged version of Stairway to Heaven. As the song progressed, the artists were joined onstage by a small choir and a chamber orchestra, and then by a larger choir, all wearing bowler hats in homage to John Bonham. By the end the band members all seemed moved, with Robert Plant appearing to be moved to tears.
Here is Heart, with Jason Bonham and others, performing Stairway to Heaven.
Showing posts with label Dave Grohl. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dave Grohl. Show all posts
Thursday, December 27, 2012
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
O2 Reunion Show DVD Coming at "Tectonic Plate Speed."
In his latest edition of the ubiquitous Led Zeppelin fanzine, Tight But Loose, Dave Lewis interviews John Paul Jones. He asks the most important question on the Led Zeppelin fans minds (besides when are you playing together again?, which, kudos to him, Lewis manages to avoid asking).
When asked what is happening on the release of a DVD (and BlueRay obviously) of the O2 reunion show, Jones said:
As a follow up, Lewis asks, "So you can see it happening?"
This answer tells us a couple of things. The DVD is being held up by a member of Zeppelin, or his camp, not called John Paul Jones. And by "two others," we can presume Jones doesn't mean Jason Bonham.
As for a post O2 reunion tour, and the three instrumentalists in the band playing together, Jones had this to say:
As for Them Crooked Vultures, Jones saw himself playing with Josh Homme and Dave Grohl again, but not in the near future:
It's an excellent overall interview with the Zeppelin bassist that covers everything from his equipment to his opera.
If you don't subscribe to Tight But Loose, I can't recommend it enough. However, if you would rather check it out first, issue 32 is available as a one off purchase from Tight But Loose:
http://www.tightbutloose.co.uk/tblweb09/?page_id=14475
I'll have a full review of the entire edition in the next few days, but at halfway through, it is excellent. Click on the link and buy now.

...things move at a tectonic plate speed in the Zeppelin camp.
As a follow up, Lewis asks, "So you can see it happening?"
I could have... I'm not sure... I think it will but obviously it's not just down to me, there are two others to consider. Let's hope it does.
This answer tells us a couple of things. The DVD is being held up by a member of Zeppelin, or his camp, not called John Paul Jones. And by "two others," we can presume Jones doesn't mean Jason Bonham.
As for a post O2 reunion tour, and the three instrumentalists in the band playing together, Jones had this to say:
I did rehearsals with Jimmy and Jason and I think we all thought it could be a goer. In the end we couldn't really find a singer we could all agree on and it fizzled out...
As for Them Crooked Vultures, Jones saw himself playing with Josh Homme and Dave Grohl again, but not in the near future:
...it's probably way ahead but yes I could see it coming together again.
It's an excellent overall interview with the Zeppelin bassist that covers everything from his equipment to his opera.
If you don't subscribe to Tight But Loose, I can't recommend it enough. However, if you would rather check it out first, issue 32 is available as a one off purchase from Tight But Loose:
http://www.tightbutloose.co.uk/tblweb09/?page_id=14475
I'll have a full review of the entire edition in the next few days, but at halfway through, it is excellent. Click on the link and buy now.
Monday, July 4, 2011
Busy Weekend for John Paul Jones
John Paul Jones has been seen around town with his new BFF, Seasick Steve this weekend. On Saturday, Seasick Steve played the legendary Roundhouse as part of the iTunes festival.
Steve was joined on stage by Jones, Jack White and Alison Mosshart to play Write Me A Few Lines.
On Sunday, Jones and Seasick Steve turned up at Milton Keynes and joined the Foo Fighters onstage to play Steve's Back in the Doghouse.
Jones has joined Steve a number of times to play Back in the Doghouse, and other songs, lately, and Jones performed on the song on Seasick Steve's new album, You Can't Teach An Old Dog New Tricks
.
Steve was joined on stage by Jones, Jack White and Alison Mosshart to play Write Me A Few Lines.
On Sunday, Jones and Seasick Steve turned up at Milton Keynes and joined the Foo Fighters onstage to play Steve's Back in the Doghouse.
Jones has joined Steve a number of times to play Back in the Doghouse, and other songs, lately, and Jones performed on the song on Seasick Steve's new album, You Can't Teach An Old Dog New Tricks
Thursday, November 11, 2010
More Crooked Vultures
When Them Crooked Vultures finished their string of shows last summer, it seemed like the supergroup may have run it's course.
Dave Grohl was heading back into the Foo Fighters fold: reports emerged they were back in the studio and some July 2011 UK dates have already been announced. Allowing for the difficulty in matching schedules of three highly successful musicians, Them Crooked Vultures looked like it may have run it's course.
Not so, says John Paul Jones:
On a side note, Jones also suggested he may join the Foo Fighters on stage at one of their London concerts in July. But unlike 411mania, I don't see that as the real story.
More Crooked Vultures, that's the real story.

Not so, says John Paul Jones:
He [John Paul Jones] says the group is already in the planning stages for a new album
"Some stuff we've worked on, but we're gonna write pretty quickly and just put it down," he said. "We may be a year or so."
He said the new set "will mainly be excess material from the first album".
On a side note, Jones also suggested he may join the Foo Fighters on stage at one of their London concerts in July. But unlike 411mania, I don't see that as the real story.
More Crooked Vultures, that's the real story.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Independent Record Store Day
Saturday April 17 was Independent Record Store Day. Many artists contributed material to be sold exclusively in participating stores, including Them Crooked Vultures. Them Vultures contributed a special 10" picture disc with Mind Eraser, No Chaser from the Them Crooked Vultures LP, and a new, live track, Hwy 1 on side A. Side B is an interview with Liam Lynch. Here's some pictures of the disc in question:

The disc came in a red plastic, semi-transparent envelope. Notice the sticker on the top left corner.

The last line, left of the bar code, is the logo for Record Store Day. Here's the disc, front

and back

Pity Jimmy Page, who has suggested he has new material to release this year, didn't put up a tease for Record Store Day. Guess a cool picture disc will have to do.

The disc came in a red plastic, semi-transparent envelope. Notice the sticker on the top left corner.

The last line, left of the bar code, is the logo for Record Store Day. Here's the disc, front

and back

Pity Jimmy Page, who has suggested he has new material to release this year, didn't put up a tease for Record Store Day. Guess a cool picture disc will have to do.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
CD Review: Them Crooked Vultures
When reviewing a new band made up of established musicians, the temptation is to search for comparisons to past works, to evaluate the new based on the old. Sometimes it bears fruit, Chickenfoot is, after all, nothing but another bad Joe Satriani album, admittedly with vocals.
Upon listening to Them Crooked Vultures debut release, the comparisons are begging to be searched out, but the search bears little fruit.
Them Crooked Vultures line-up consists of three significant artists in slightly different areas of rock: Led Zeppelin bassist John Paul Jones; Foo Fighters front man/Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl on drums; Queens of the Stone Age guitarist/singer Josh Homme fronting the band. The result is heavy, pounding rock that hints at the bands roots without ever stealing from them.
During the pre-release live shows Them Crooked Vultures have performed, drummer Grohl has aped his Foo Fighter drummer Tyler Hawkins, with a drumming style that can best be described as bombarding. Constantly in motion, the drumming doesn’t let up. On recording, however, Grohl displays a much more restrained drum style, preferring to stick with the groove, and let the song shine. It is both effective and enhances the music. On the other hand a band fronted by the singer/guitarist from one band is bound to have similarities between the bands. This happens less frequently than you would expect with Queens of the Stone Age/Crooked Vultures front man Homme. Of course it has hints of Queens, as lead singer that’s inevitable. But the risk is always that such a band as Them Crooked Vultures will be an extension of what the front man has always done, and the risk has been nicely avoided here.
Another risk posed by this grouping is that Them Crooked Vultures would become karaoke Led Zeppelin, with Homme having a perennial turn at the microphone. Dave Grohl is an avowed John Bonham fan, and teaming him up on drums with Bonhams rhythm mate Jones, the risk is real that Homme would be playing guitar and singing over an unmistakably Zeppelin back beat. This rap is, too, nicely avoided. Sure, Jones pulls out the clavinet and vamps Trampled Underfoot during Scumbag Blues, the effect is, however, subtle and in the background. In fact, the song borrows far more from Cream than any other known influence. Jones really noticeable creative contribution to this effort is in the arrangement. The songs, almost without fail, twist and turn, bridges with no connection to the song, Codas from left field, time changes, all staples of the Led Zeppelin catalogue, and common through this disk.
If we’re comparing Them Crooked Vultures to Led Zeppelin, however, it should also be noted to the negative that what Them Crooked Vultures lacks is some of Jimmy Page’s famous, “light and shade.” There are few respites from the very heavy, grinding hard edges rock music. No ballads, no light spots outside of psychedelic 60’s tinged Interlude with Ludes, that sounds like a reject from Jones days producing Sunshine Superman, a brass band coda on Mind Eraser no Chaser, a Bontemi Organ ending to Caligulove, and the piano intro to Spinning in Daffodils. The otherwise lack of breathing space may be the bands weakest spot.
It’s strength? The songs. A constant array of solid blues based rockers, including the opening single, the eminently catchy New Fang, No One Loves Me and Neither Do I, The Bowie meets Hendrix Mind Eraser, No Chaser, Elephants, Bandoliers and the aforementioned Scumbag Blues. All superior songs that more than compensate for a few weaker numbers towards disks end.
Being a fan of earlier rock and roll, I like to play a game with new CDs that come out. I trim the song line-up down to 8 or 9 songs - 40-45 minutes of music - as an LP would have been in the 70’s. It offers a fairer comparison between a newer CD and an older album, where much of the excess that makes it to a CD would get cut in mastering. Here’s what I get
That’s an album that belongs in my collection. Two sides of great music that blend together into a nice whole. A great album. As it is, Them Crooked Vultures is one of the best albums in a long time, strong songs played with extremely high musicianship in an album of unapologetic rock. What more where you looking for?

Them Crooked Vultures line-up consists of three significant artists in slightly different areas of rock: Led Zeppelin bassist John Paul Jones; Foo Fighters front man/Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl on drums; Queens of the Stone Age guitarist/singer Josh Homme fronting the band. The result is heavy, pounding rock that hints at the bands roots without ever stealing from them.
During the pre-release live shows Them Crooked Vultures have performed, drummer Grohl has aped his Foo Fighter drummer Tyler Hawkins, with a drumming style that can best be described as bombarding. Constantly in motion, the drumming doesn’t let up. On recording, however, Grohl displays a much more restrained drum style, preferring to stick with the groove, and let the song shine. It is both effective and enhances the music. On the other hand a band fronted by the singer/guitarist from one band is bound to have similarities between the bands. This happens less frequently than you would expect with Queens of the Stone Age/Crooked Vultures front man Homme. Of course it has hints of Queens, as lead singer that’s inevitable. But the risk is always that such a band as Them Crooked Vultures will be an extension of what the front man has always done, and the risk has been nicely avoided here.
Another risk posed by this grouping is that Them Crooked Vultures would become karaoke Led Zeppelin, with Homme having a perennial turn at the microphone. Dave Grohl is an avowed John Bonham fan, and teaming him up on drums with Bonhams rhythm mate Jones, the risk is real that Homme would be playing guitar and singing over an unmistakably Zeppelin back beat. This rap is, too, nicely avoided. Sure, Jones pulls out the clavinet and vamps Trampled Underfoot during Scumbag Blues, the effect is, however, subtle and in the background. In fact, the song borrows far more from Cream than any other known influence. Jones really noticeable creative contribution to this effort is in the arrangement. The songs, almost without fail, twist and turn, bridges with no connection to the song, Codas from left field, time changes, all staples of the Led Zeppelin catalogue, and common through this disk.
If we’re comparing Them Crooked Vultures to Led Zeppelin, however, it should also be noted to the negative that what Them Crooked Vultures lacks is some of Jimmy Page’s famous, “light and shade.” There are few respites from the very heavy, grinding hard edges rock music. No ballads, no light spots outside of psychedelic 60’s tinged Interlude with Ludes, that sounds like a reject from Jones days producing Sunshine Superman, a brass band coda on Mind Eraser no Chaser, a Bontemi Organ ending to Caligulove, and the piano intro to Spinning in Daffodils. The otherwise lack of breathing space may be the bands weakest spot.
It’s strength? The songs. A constant array of solid blues based rockers, including the opening single, the eminently catchy New Fang, No One Loves Me and Neither Do I, The Bowie meets Hendrix Mind Eraser, No Chaser, Elephants, Bandoliers and the aforementioned Scumbag Blues. All superior songs that more than compensate for a few weaker numbers towards disks end.
Being a fan of earlier rock and roll, I like to play a game with new CDs that come out. I trim the song line-up down to 8 or 9 songs - 40-45 minutes of music - as an LP would have been in the 70’s. It offers a fairer comparison between a newer CD and an older album, where much of the excess that makes it to a CD would get cut in mastering. Here’s what I get
Side one
No One Loves Me
Mind Eraser No Chaser
New Fang
Elephants
Caligulove
Side Two
Scumbag Blues
Bandoliers
Warsaw or The First Breath You Take
That’s an album that belongs in my collection. Two sides of great music that blend together into a nice whole. A great album. As it is, Them Crooked Vultures is one of the best albums in a long time, strong songs played with extremely high musicianship in an album of unapologetic rock. What more where you looking for?
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Them Crooked Vultures: Sound Academy Toronto
Them Crooked Vultures, Led Zeppelin's John Paul Jones, Foo Fighter's/Nirvana's Dave Grohl, Queen of a Stones Age's Josh Homme, and Alain Johannes, stepped on the Sound Academy stage in Toronto without fanfare or introduction, and spent an hour and a half blowing the roof off the place. Loud, tight and played at a pace that can rightfully be described as frantic, Them Crooked Vultures didn't let up from beginning to end.
The show began with Elephants, shifting time signatures throughout, Them Crooked Vultures announced immediately they weren't just another band. John Paul Jones stepped out with an 8 string bass,

Jones played with a relaxed calm that belied the thunderous power emanating from himself and his band-mates. Looking at his ease and enjoying himself, Jones even stepped to the microphone for a call and response type verse. His piano solo was shorter than fans of his earlier work are used to, but satisfactorily familiar for that. I couldn't help but wonder if he would call his new piano solo two-bits, as his ex-band mates had stolen no quarter from him in an earlier incarnation.
Unlike Jones' calm detached concentration, drummer Dave Grohl was channeling the Muppets Animal: head bobbing, hair flying, sticks pounding in a frantic blast of timekeeping. Unfortunately, Grohl eschewed a drum riser (or at lease a riser of any significance), making him virtually invisible over heads in the packed house. That aside, his playing was top notch, showing no signs of rust for having spent the past ten years fronting the Foo Fighters instead of drumming. It's not easy to keep in drummer shape, but Grohl kept it up for the full set, with no breath catching ballads to be found. Alain Johannes filled out the rhythm section with solid guitar duties, as well as playing bass when Jones' played his horizontal slide TV.
As a guitar player I can say with authority it would be a dream to play in front of such a rhythm section, but at the end of the day, Them Crooked Vultures are a Josh Homme vehicle as much as anything else. He fronts the band, he sings, he plays lead guitar. However, Homme's vocal was lower in the mix than is usual, and the vocals got lost in the thunderclap rhythm section. Technical nit-pickery aside, Them Crooked Vultures blew away a jam packed house at The Sound Academy, a startling achievement considering none of the music is available for public consumption as of yet.
Setlist (from setlist.fm)
- Elephants
- Dead End Friends
- Scumbag Blues
- Gunman
- Caligulove
- New Fang
- Bandoliers
- Interlude w/ ludes
- Reptiles
- Daffodils
- Mind Eraser
- Nobody Loves Me
- Warsaw
***************
Notes
No introduction necessary: Singer Homme introduced Dave Grohl and Alain Johannes, but when it came to Led Zeppelin bassist John Paul Jones, he merely pointed to Jones side of the stage before the crowd roared in approval. Despite the lack of formal introduction, by evenings end chants of "John Paul Jones, John Paul Jones..." could be heard between songs.
The very strict no camera policy seen at some TCV shows seemed to relax on this evening, possibly because the size of the crowd made any form of enforcement impossible. That said, heavy use of back lighting by the band made taking decent pictures a challenge.
A variety of t-shirts, as well as a touque style hat was available for sale.
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Them Crooked Vultures Tour
Them Crooked Vultures inaugural tour begins in Austin Texas on October 1st, and carries across America for 9 dates in 14 days. Here are the dates:
October 1st Austin, TX - Stubb's
October 2nd Austin, TX - Austin City Limits Festival
October 5th Nashville, TN - War Memorial
October 6th Columbus, OH - LC Pavilion
October 8th Detroit, MI - The Fillmore
October 9th Toronto, Ontario - The Sound Academy
October 11th Boston, MA - House of Blues
October 12th Philadelphia, PA - The Electric Factory
October 14th Washington, DC - 930 Club
Tickets are on sale now for all shows, although some appear sold out.
Ramble On will be at the Toronto show so a full report will be forthcoming.
After the North American Fall Tour, the band will begin a UK Winter Tour in December with 7 shows in 8 days:
December 10th Plymouth, England - Pavilions
December 11th Portsmouth, England - Guildhall
December 13th Blackpool, England - Empress Ballroom
December 14th Birmingham, England - O2 Academy
December 15th Edinburgh, Scotland - O2 Academy
December 12th-17th London, England - HMV Hammersmith Apollo
October 1st Austin, TX - Stubb's

October 2nd Austin, TX - Austin City Limits Festival
October 5th Nashville, TN - War Memorial
October 6th Columbus, OH - LC Pavilion
October 8th Detroit, MI - The Fillmore
October 9th Toronto, Ontario - The Sound Academy
October 11th Boston, MA - House of Blues
October 12th Philadelphia, PA - The Electric Factory
October 14th Washington, DC - 930 Club
Tickets are on sale now for all shows, although some appear sold out.
Ramble On will be at the Toronto show so a full report will be forthcoming.
After the North American Fall Tour, the band will begin a UK Winter Tour in December with 7 shows in 8 days:

December 11th Portsmouth, England - Guildhall
December 13th Blackpool, England - Empress Ballroom
December 14th Birmingham, England - O2 Academy
December 15th Edinburgh, Scotland - O2 Academy
December 12th-17th London, England - HMV Hammersmith Apollo
Monday, August 10, 2009
Them Crooked Vultures
John Paul Jones new vehicle, Them Crooked Vultures, with Dave Grohl and Josh Homme, debuted at a midnight show at Chicago's Metro. The show was at the lollapalooza after show concert. Reviews are coming in, and they are strong.
For the best information, head to Lemon Squeezings where Steve has an a comprehensive running post on the show. The Chicago Tribune has the first Them Crooked Vultures review:
The full twelve song set list is also being reported:
The blog Hightower and Jones where even more ebullient about the debut:
Holy cow! But tell us how you really felt.
Wyatt, the ZepCowboy, has some images of merchandise, specifically the poster.

Also on sale was a t-shirt, which is also available online at the Them Crooked Vultures merchandise store.

The trio also have an album scheduled for October 23rd release, titled according to rumour, "Never Deserved the Future."
For the best information, head to Lemon Squeezings where Steve has an a comprehensive running post on the show. The Chicago Tribune has the first Them Crooked Vultures review:
[caption id="attachment_130" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Them Crooked Vultures at The Metro"][/caption]
The term “super group” gets thrown around way too often in rock, but in the case of Them Crooked Vultures, it applies...
...the music has been a mystery; none of the tracks has leaked on the Internet, and the group’s future plans are shrouded in secrecy. After debuting a dozen songs at Metro, the group made it very clear that it’s not only for real, but also has the chance to be the exception to the super-group rule... Crooked Vultures sounded like it was on to something fresh, invigorating and just plain nasty...
History tells us that super groups usually don’t last very long. But at least this particular one is off to a rousing start.
The full twelve song set list is also being reported:
Elephants
New Fang
Scumbag Blues
Dead End Friends
Bandoliers
Mind Eraser
Gunman
Daffodils
Interlude w/ Ludes
Caligulove
Warsaw
Nobodys Loves Me
The blog Hightower and Jones where even more ebullient about the debut:
Three words: Them Crooked Vultures. Five additional words: are the greatest band ever. On August 10, the Metro was sold out, the house lights went down, the audence screamed and Them Crooked Vultures made their debut. To call it the greatest debut ever is like calling Kareem Abdul-Jabbar a mere center or Bruce Lee a simple martial artist. To call it promising would severely downplay the talent of the band's members and the songs that spanned their 77 minute debut.
Holy cow! But tell us how you really felt.
Wyatt, the ZepCowboy, has some images of merchandise, specifically the poster.

Also on sale was a t-shirt, which is also available online at the Them Crooked Vultures merchandise store.

The trio also have an album scheduled for October 23rd release, titled according to rumour, "Never Deserved the Future."
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
The Rumour Persists
There seems to be truth to the rumour that Joshua Homme, Dave Grohl and John Paul Jones are working and recording together. The website antiquiet is reporting that the rumours are true, and that we should be excited.
According to Homme's wife, Brody Dalle of Spinnerette:
Hopefully we'll all soon get to be the judge of that, as Jones is quoted as saying in April he was working on some new music and "we hope to be everywhere by summer."
Hey JPJ - it's summer and we are waiting.
According to Homme's wife, Brody Dalle of Spinnerette:
[the project] is pretty fucking amazing. Just beats and sounds like you’ve never heard before.
Hopefully we'll all soon get to be the judge of that, as Jones is quoted as saying in April he was working on some new music and "we hope to be everywhere by summer."
Hey JPJ - it's summer and we are waiting.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Is John Paul Jones in the Studio?
The blog Plastic Pizza Party is reporting that:
Obviously I can't verify this report, but an old interview in Mojo of Dave Grohl, that seems to be from around 2005-2006, reports the same thing:
So the question:, is this finally happening, or just a re-hash of old information?
Joshua Homme, Dave Grohl and John Paul Jones have been holed up in a Los Angeles recording studio working on a new record. The new band name and record release date are currently TBA … keep your ears peeled kiddos
Obviously I can't verify this report, but an old interview in Mojo of Dave Grohl, that seems to be from around 2005-2006, reports the same thing:
The next project that I'm [Grohl] trying to initiate involves me on drums, Josh Homme on guitar, and John Paul Jones playing bass. That's the next album. That wouldn't suck.
So the question:, is this finally happening, or just a re-hash of old information?
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