Monday Music News

12/02/2013

Janice Headley

Longtime KEXP faves The Walkmen have announced they'll be going on "a pretty extreme hiatus" after a "final" December 4th show at Philadelphia's Union Transfer. Bassist/organist Peter Bauer told The Washington Post, "It’s been almost 14 years now. I think that’s enough, you know?” Bauer is currently working on a solo album, as are fellow Walkmen Hamilton Leithauser (whose solo debut features members of The Shins, Fleet Foxes, and Vampire Weekend) and Walter Martin. Listen to their 2004 in-studio session here, and watch a performance from their January Little Big Show set below. [The Washington Post]

Well, that didn't last long: Kim Shattuck announced on social media today that her time with The Pixies has come to an end. Shattuck had replaced founding bassist Kim Deal, who quit the band earlier this year. The Pixies will spend 2014 touring the US, including a February 18th stop at the Paramount. No word yet on the next bassist, presumably named Kim. [Pitchfork]

Now that the Grinch has stolen Hanukkah, Yo La Tengo have turned their sights to Christmas with the dreamy post-apocalyptic track "Toymageddon." Watch the video below, which stars "This American Life" host Ira Glass as Santa, and Sub Pop comedian Eugene Mirman as a murderous robot. The track will appear on the comedy album 2776: A Millennium of American Asskickery, with proceeds going to the charity OneKid OneWorld. [Pitchfork]

Speaking of post-apocalyptic robots, Scottish ambient rockers Mogwai have released a new video for the track "The Lord Is Out of Control," from their forthcoming release, Raves Tapes, out January 21st on Sub Pop Records. Check it out below: [Spin]

Reggae legend Junior Murvin has passed away at the age of 67. His 1976 breakout hit "Police and Thieves" was famously covered by The Clash on their self-titled debut the following year. He was admitted to the hospital last week for diabetes and hypertension. He leaves behind a 30-year legacy in reggae music. [Spin]

The music world also lost concert photographer and writer Andrew Youssef over the weekend. Youssef, who was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2011, was a devout Nine Inch Nails fan. At a Las Vegas show that Youssef was too ill to attend, Trent Reznor called him on the phone from the stage. On his blog, Youssef had written, "One of my many favorite moments was being able to eat with Trent and talk about everything from Breaking Bad to my journey fighting colon cancer, and how I refuse to give up without putting up a fight." Rest in peace, Andrew. [Rolling Stone]

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Happy Thanksgiving! Or, "Thankskilling," if you ask Morrissey, who has penned an open letter to President Obama accusing him of laughing "as 45 million birds are horrifically abused." Read the whole thing online here: [Pitchfork]