More than a simple How-to, the book informs young ladies on picking out the right instrument, where to buy and not to buy said instrument, how to play music with friends and much much more. As a musician and, I assume, a lady herself, Ms. Hopper is more than aware of the ins and outs of the unique challenges girls face when starting a band, not to mention promoting, recording, and touring.
Don’t take it from me, take it from Joan Jett. About the book, Jett said, “For anyone looking to dive in, this book is a great place to start.” Pretty cool. Check out the infomercial as well. And ladies, start rocking:
Plagued by notoriously controlling record companies (see: the 80′s/early 90′s) and labels going belly up just weeks after a release (see: their highly under appreciated return to form from 1997) it’s no wonder Cheap Trick have taken matters into their own hands and are self-releasing their latest called, well, The Latest on June 23.
Apparently the band is in no rush to get their new album out there. Amazon.com has exclusive rights for the first month with fans given the opportunity to pre-order via Cheap Trick’s site. After that the album will be available on vinyl and 8-track. Yes, 8-track.
Given their recent track record – the a fore mentioned Cheap Trick ’97, the surprisingly eclectic and dense pop of 2003′s Special One, and the straight forward power of 2006′s Rockford – there is no reason to believe that The Latest will be anything but good ol’ Cheap Trick doing what Cheap Trick does best.
Speaking of what Cheap Trick does, you can catch them opening up for washed up wannabes Def Leppard and Poison on July 17th at the First Midwest Bank Amphitheater, or better yet, hope that they headline some shows in their home town later this year.
Los Angeles’s Black Math Horseman live somewhere between the world of 70’s leaning stoner rock and modern shoegazers while adding 80′s Goth and 90′s post-rock flourishes. It’s a combination that sounds difficult to sell, but the listener’s patience will undoubtedly be rewarded with the songs on the band’s Tee Pee Records debut Wyllt.
Local psych/krautrock/what-have-you-band CAVE have a new full length album coming out May 26 on Important Records.
After releasing a split 10″ with the California Raisins and a 7″ featuring Bobby Conn earlier this year, it will be a pleasure to hear more than 5 or 10 minutes of new material in one sitting.
If you missed their record release show at The Hideout on the 14th looks like you’ll have to wait until June 12 at Automatic Space to hear the new tunes live as they are heading out west until then.
Thee Oh Sees’ 2008 album, The Master’s Bedroom Is Worth Spending, although steeped in 60′s garage and psychedelia, had a feeling of not existing in a particular time or place. The band sounded like they played underground, possibly underwater. Though their new album, Help, offers a similar sound to their previous effort, it does seem that the band has at least come up for air.
Local rock critic, sometimes bass player, and all around lover of pretzel bread Jessica Hopper has just released her first book, “The Girls’ Guide to Rocking” through Workman Publishing. 
Plagued by notoriously controlling record companies (see: the 80′s/early 90′s) and labels going belly up just weeks after a release (see: their highly under appreciated return to form from 1997) it’s no wonder 
