Hmmm, what’s it been now? Nearly a fortnight since I’ve reported the goings on of the most important band in the universe. This time out though I’ll be focusing on their diffident and prolific frontman… No it’s not the fifth coming of Van Halen but something so much better.Radiohead’s Thom Yorke has recruited Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea, longtime Radiohead producer Nigel Godrich, Beck and onetime R.E.M. drummer Joey Waronker and percussionist Mauro Refosco for a new live group that will make its debut this Sunday and Monday, October 4th and 5th, at Los Angeles’ Orpheum Theatre. The singer announced the unlikely union on Radiohead’s Dead Air Space website yesterday. The news ends weeks of speculation surrounding the usually reserved Radiohead frontman, who has been seen in Los Angeles recently, DJing at the Roosevelt Hotel and being summarily “papped”.
“In the past couple of weeks I’ve been getting a band together for fun to play The Eraser stuff live and the new songs etc. to see if it could work,” Yorke writes. “We don’t really have a name and the set will not be very long cuz… well… we haven’t got that much material yet! But come and check it out if you are in the area.”Yorke has reportedly long expressed a desire to bring the textural Eraser to the stage, but so far his solo performances have amounted to him sitting alone onstage with an acoustic guitar and piano. That should change with this new, nameless band. (Your suggestions of course are always welcome in the comments section.) I’d like to offer Headless Chickenfoot as a nod to Thom's band name past yet tying in his Red Hot Chili brethren. Of course the circle would have been complete with Diamond David Lee Roth in the mix; alas a guy can dream.
It’s been a hectic month for Thom who has released unleashed a pair of new Radiohead tracks (“Harry Patch (In Memory Of)”, “These Are My Twisted Words”), his own 12” single last week. Lastly, Yorke’s song entitled “Hearing Damage” will be featured on the New Moon soundtrack in short order.
4 comments:
My first reaction to hearing this news was "Seriously? Flea and Thom?" It's so crazy it just might work. :)
So who's up for a quick trip to LA? I'll drive! I'm half serious, I would love to hear how a full band handles the material on The Eraser.
The band in question should be named On A Sunday And A Monday. OF COURSE!
Band Name = "The Plastic Yorko Band"
Thom Yorke is a truly creative and dynamic person, following his muse regardless of it's commercial appeal. I also really appreciate his efforts to make bold steps in creating and distributing music in the digital age.
Allison - Flea is a music chameleon. It will work, oh yes it will!
Barbara - On a Sunday and a Monday? Hmmmm, I do like that. And I am with you on the trip to California. This would definitely be enough to get me there! I'll keep watching my email for that invitation from Thom. I am sure its just caught up in the mail.
Matthew - The Plastic Yorko Band - Yet another worthy suggestion. I like the Beatles allusion too. Seems quite fitting.
I devote a lot of blog space to Thom for exactly the reasons you pointed out. Thom is breaking down a lot of stereotypical music industry traditions therein reinvigourating it. Thom is a genius. Thankfully too, he is prolific. As fans we live in interesting times. I can't wait to see where next he will go.
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