YYYs, Broken Social, Antony Head Glasgow Fest
Also: Yo La Tengo, Gang of Four, the Fall, Tapes 'n Tapes, Hot Chip, Camera Obscura, Guillemots

Glasgow, you are in for a treat! Americans won't be the only ones reveling this weekend, as accompanying the awesomeness of Indian summer (weather) we have the Indian Summer Festival! This one goes down September 2 and 3 in Glasgow's Victoria Park and reads like a Pitchforker's wet dream: Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Broken Social Scene, Antony and the Johnsons, the Fall, Yo La Tengo, Gang of Four, Tapes ‘n Tapes, Hot Chip, Camera Obscura, Guillemots, and more have gathered in Scotland to perform at the event. Complete lineup ahead. Keep yr pants on, dudes. [MORE...]

Merge Acts Celebrate Orange Club's Anniversary
Revelers include Superchunk, David Bazan, the Rosebuds, Ashley Stove, more

You know that bar? The one right around the corner? Just down the street? Where all the indie rockers go for a drink? Your Rainbo in Chicago? Your Clem's in Brooklyn?

Carrboro, North Carolina isn't Brooklyn, and it ain't Chicago either, but it has its own musician's watering mecca and-- get this-- it's down on Main Street. Orange County Social Club, founded by former Merge Records retail and mail order manager Tricia Mesigian five years ago, has become that place for Carrboro, a small town of just under 20,000 bordering Chapel Hill, the town whose indie rock Merge has helped make famous for more than a decade.

Mesigian left Merge to start the bar, but her original label crew-- which includes Superchunk and Merge co-founders Laura Ballance and Mac McCaughan-- has been good for business. In the label's guide for out-of-towners at their four-day 15th anniversary party in June of 2004, they endorsed OCSC as the official label bar of choice, and McCaughan has sported OCSC apparel in the artwork for Portastatic's Autumn Was a Lark and Summer of the Shark.

As such, Merge (which isn't 21, btw) helps the bar celebrate its fifth birthday this month, beginning tonight (September 1), as Superchunk and Chris Lopez's Tenement Halls team up for a show at the Cat's Cradle. On September 18, it's "acoustic jams" night at the OCSC, with former Lion named Pedro David Bazan, Jeremy Chatelain (Jets to Brazil, Cub Country), Regia's Louis Schefano, Jenny and Lee Waters of Work Clothes, and Seven Mary Three's Jason Ross (cumbersome choice, eh?).

The real kicker, though, is September 24's show at OCSC: Glorious Merge guitar poppers Ashley Stove play for the first time since 2001, joined by Victory Factory-- the new band of Pipe wildman Ron Liberti-- and Hundred Aires, the new bag of Mayflies USA frontman Adam Price. The Rosebuds and former Spatula guy Chuck Johnson join up for the Carolina cocktail. Nights devoted to karaoke and "Family Feud" (September 6 and 12, respectively) split up the rock nights, but all the cool kids will totally be scoping Rusted Root at the Cradle, anyway (Oh, snap!).

And, in the spirit of giving back, OCSC will donate a portion of all September profits to the MusiCares Foundation. [MORE...]

WOXY Pulls the Plug

This just in from the "totally sucks" desk: citing financial difficulties, beloved Cincinnati radio institution WOXY announced this week that it will cease operations after a final broadcast on September 15.

For those who grew up savoring the station's unique alternative format on FM since its inception in 1983, to those who caught wind when WOXY went web in 1998 (and web-only in 2004), to anyone seeking a music choice outside the corporate mainstream, the news is very sad indeed.

"This is the moment all of us hoped would never come," wrote station representatives in an official statement. "After plugging away at this for the past two years, it's become pretty clear that operating woxy.com as a stand-alone Internet "radio station" is not going to cut it. Our operating costs are higher than you might think, and the revenue we were able to generate from advertising isn't close to supporting what we're doing. Even membership revenue wasn't enough to get us there. When your business doesn't make money, you eventually go out of business."

They continued, "A radio station is only as big as its listeners make it. We're not BS-ing when we say that you guys, our supporters, are the most amazing people on the planet. THANK YOU. The dedication and enthusiasm you've shown for what we do is staggering and inspiring. Thank you to everyone who stepped up to become a member, generously made a contribution, emailed (spammed) your friends, spread the gospel of woxy.com and-- most of all-- listened."

Read the entire farewell statement on woxy.com.

And while all seems dire, a glimmer of hope remains: last time WOXY was in serious jeopardy (after its FM broadcast license was sold in 2004), a pair of mysterious anonymous investors appeared in the 11th hour to backroll the station's new web format-- these miracles don't happen twice, but if anyone deserves another break, it's WOXY. So if you're some chump kid who just inherited daddy's millions, sell the fleet of Hummers and save one of the nation's most respected radio stations. Please. Do it for the karma. Do it for the kids.

Polyphonic Spree Announce EP, Tour

Twenty-six singing and dancing robers come up to you, chanting the words "REACH FOR THE SUN!" Of course, you cough up that wallet...to grab some dollars for a Polyphonic Spree ticket, that is!!

The exuberant pop troupe/cult have announced their first U.S. tour in over a year. The majority of the trek will see the Spree showing up frat-favorite headliner Matisyahu, though for a few days, they'll top the bill, supported by Good Records (chief Spreeman Tim DeLaughter's label) acts Philip E Karnats and Pilotdrift.

The Spree spent early 2006 recording their third album, The Fragile Army, in studios across the country, including Steve Albini's Electrical Audio in Chicago. Co-produced by the pAper chAse's John Congleton and the Speekers (DeLaughter and fellow Spreester Julie Doyle), the disc is slated to arrive in early 2007 after numerous delays.

Can't stand the...wait? The Spree's got yr back: they'll release the iTunes digital exclusive Wait EP this Tuesday, September 5. Featuring two Army tracks and covers of tunes by Nirvana ("Lithium"), the Psychedelic Furs ("Love My Way"), and DeLaughter's former band, Tripping Daisy ("Sonic Bloom"), the collection should sate fans' appetites until whenever that album finally comes out. [MORE...]

Tribe Called Quest Return, Tour With Rhymefest

Eight years after their breakup, A Tribe Called Quest have announced a quest called the 2K Sports Bounce Tour. We jest not-- Q-Tip, Phife Dawg, and Ali Shaheed Muhammad have reunited for the sake of a basketball video game. Joining Tribe for this jaunt is lovable Chicago MC Rhymefest and L.A. crew the Procussions.

According to a press release, Tribe's Phife will appear as a playable character in NBA 2K7, a fact which sealed the deal on the reunion tour.

In addition, the game will feature an exclusive Dan the Automator remix of Tribe's "Lyrics to Go", alongside new, basketball-centric tracks from tourmate Rhymefest, Ghostface Killah, Lupe Fiasco, Mos Def, E-40, Fabolous, Hieroglyphics, and more. If you don't have the fifty-odd bones required to purchase the game, snap up the soundtrack, Dan the Automator Presents 2K7, hitting shelves September 19. [MORE...]

David Yow Talks Scratch Acid Reunion

As previously reported, the much-missed Austin noise rock outfit Scratch Acid will reunite this month for a few shows. It all started when Scratch's one-time home Touch and Go Records announced that the long-broken-up quartet-- featuring David Yow and David Sims, who would go on to help form the Jesus Lizard-- would play the label's 25th anniversary block party. Right now the reunion stands at three dates, with a show in Austin this weekend and a Seattle date post-T&G fest, but the question remains: could this thing develop into a more scathing, less heart-warming equivalent of that Pixies globe-trotting reunion tour?

Pitchfork could only hope so when we spoke with Scratch frontman Yow over the phone recently. Unfortunately, the hope didn't last long. From his home in Los Angeles, Yow confirmed that the three shows will most likely be the entirety of the reunion. When asked what prompted Scratch to reconvene at all, Yow explained, "It's all because of the Touch and Go celebration. And we just figured that it's not fair to play in Chicago and not play Austin." He went on to admit, "It was pretty tough getting me to agree." [MORE...]

Band of Horses Kick Off Tour

The holiday weekend is nearly upon us, and funeral-ready Band of Horses can't wait to celebrate-- with a laborious undertaking. While the rest of this country relaxes and BBQs, these workhorses will be saddling up for an impressive 29-date trek that kicks off Monday in Minneapolis; note the new additions to their itinerary since we last reported. Fellow Sub-Popper Chad VanGaalen lends support for most dates. [MORE...]

Man Man Launch Tour Tour, Prep Vinyl Vinyl

Like James Brown said (kind of), it's a man's man's world, and Philadelphia/New York kitchen sink rockers Man Man will continue their personal quest for world domination through incessant touring, kicking off a jaunt tomorrow night in their hometown. From there, they'll trek across the entire U.S. and even make a stop in Vancouver, playing with quite a few recent P4k favorites along the way, including the Thermals, Grizzly Bear, Asobi Seksu, and the Mountain Goats. In fact, they're playing with so many other bands that we've had to practically exhaust our symbols to list them all (yep, even the Euro got some play). Well done, Man Man. We'll see you on the road. Love, the world.

In other Man-tastic news, a certain Pitchfork advertising director's entrepreneurial aspirations have been thwarted, as Man Man have at last found a pair of labels to vinylize their output. This year's Six Demon Bag and 2004's The Man in the Blue Turban With a Face will finally get the wax treatment thanks to Tonearm Recordings and a mystery label-to-be-named, respectively. No word yet on release dates, but you should get excited anyway. [MORE...]

Lady Sov, James Chance, Ellen Allien Play MEG Fest
Plus: Final Fantasy, Ghislain Poirier, Think About Life, ESG, Bell Orchestre, Hidden Cameras

Polish off those dance moves: The eighth annual MEG (Montreal Eclectic Groove) festival highsteps into Montreal this weekend (September 1-4). Held in conjunction with the previously reported Osheaga Festival, MEG's self-described as "four days of bare feet in the grass in celebration of the creation of modern music" and features an eclectic roster that is very groovy indeed. The live music extravaganza takes place in various venues around the city, including the legendary Club Savoy and the scenic Parc Jean Drapeau.

Sonic highlights include: Lady Sovereign, James Chance and the Contortions, Ellen Allien and Apparat, ESG, Bell Orchestre, Final Fantasy, Think About Life, We Are Wolves, Ghislain Poirier, the Hidden Cameras, Brazilian Girls, To Live and Shave in L.A., the White Mice, Bush Tetras, Zombie, Call Me Poupée, Kiss Me Deadly, Duchess Says, Why Alex, Why?, D*I*R*T*Y Soundsystem, and more. Lowlights include: Uffie.

Girl Talk Extends Fall Tour

Pull out the sleeping bags and toenail polish and s'mores, because it's Girl Talk time. Oh, wait-- we're talking Gregg Gillis and not Hasbro's electronic "That's So Raven" special edition game? Well, okay, but only because the former just expanded his upcoming North American (and now partially Australian) jaunt to meet normal trek-length standards instead of, um, not.

So start bumpin' the weekly Top 40 with Casey Kasem and prep yourselves for the mean, lean, tour-bound mash-up machine that is Pittsburgh's Girl Talk (the DJ).

Dates:

09-02 London, England - Shepherds Bush Empire *
09-09 Chicago, IL - Empty Bottle
09-16 New London, CT - I Am Festival
09-23 Houston, TX - Proletariat
10-06 Decatur, GA - Azul
10-07 New Orleans, LA - Shiloh #
10-12 Orlando, FL - Club at Firestone
10-13 Gainesville, FL - Common Grounds ^
10-14 Tallahassee, FL - Club Downunder %
10-27 Toronto, Ontario - Spin Gallery
10-28 Ithaca, NY - Appel Commons
11-10 Portland, OR - Holocene
11-11 San Francisco, CA - Bill Graham Civic Auditorium
12-08 Melbourne, Australia - Meredith Music Festival
12-09 Melbourne, Australia - Order of Melbourne

* with Beck
# with Gravity A
^ with the Ettes
% with Man Man

Rhys Chatham's Essentialist Tours U.S.

Rhys Chatham loves him some guitar. In the past, the ambitious, avant garde musician has scored pieces for 100 guitars, and last year the city of Paris commissioned him to write a piece for 400 guitars. Now Chatham fans will be amped (ha) to learn he's channeling his guitar love into a Sunn 0)))/Earth/Sleep-inspired, pared-down heavy metal outfit called Essentialist.

As previously reported, Rhys Chatham's Essentialist-- featuring members of San Agustin and Jonathan Kane's February-- make their debut this weekend at the Table of the Elements Fest in Atlanta. From there, they'll head out on a two-week U.S. tour, culminating in an appearance at The Wire's Adventures in Modern Music Fest in Chicago.

So exactly how will this minimalist form of metal sound? A press release describes Chatham's new musical venture as "hallucinatory" and "mind-crushing." Expect an Essentialist debut album in early 2007 on Table of the Elements, and stay tuned for all the essential (groan) info. [MORE...]

Merge Signs the Brokedown

Yeah, we know what you're thinking: "Who're those California boys standing on Merge Records' welcome mat?" To which we respond, "It's the Brokedown, and it's okay-- they're cool." Because hey, they're the newest addition to the Merge roster!

On January 23, 2007, Merge will release the Brokedown's debut LP, I Can't Go On, I'll Go On. The album was recorded over the course of a year with Raymond Richards at Red Rockets Glare studio.

The Brokedown will make their official Merge debut at the label's CMJ showcase in New York during the first weekend of November. Before the festival hits, however, the band will play a handful of East and West coast tour dates. Let's hope their tour van doesn't, er...nevermind. [MORE...]

Do you have a news tip for us? Anything crazy happen at a show you attended recently? Do you have inside info on the bands we cover? Is one of your favorite artists (that's not somebody you know personally) releasing a new record you'd like to see covered? You will remain completely anonymous, unless we are given your express permission to reveal your identity. (Please note that publicists, managers, booking agents, and other artist representatives are generally exempt from this rule, but will also be granted anonymity if requested.)