Music Notes
November 9th, 2007
By Sean Rayford
Most Americans have had their fair share of Chalupas, Gorditas, Meximelts and the occasional 7-Layer Burrito. And because most Americans don’t eat enough in the normal three meal day Taco Bell has created Fourth Meal, the meal between dinner and breakfast. It’s for all those late night hungers when you don’t want to go to Sonic because of the fist fight last time in the drive-thru.
And because Taco Bell is such a charity conscious entity they’ve developed a coinciding program, partnering with musicians on independent labels who criss-cross the great American landscape at odd hours of the night. Play show at dirty rock club. Pack up gear and say goodbye to scene whores. Get in van and eat free Taco Bell. Sounds swell.
As ridiculous as this Fourth Meal campaign is I guess the chain is doing at least one thing somewhat positive by giving 50 hard working bands $500 in Fourth Meal gift certificates.
Richmond’s politico-punk outfit Strike Anywhere, who just passed through Columbia was one of the bands selected to partake in the free late night cheesy, crunchy, melty midnight meals.
In a recent interview with the Richmond Times Dispatch singer Thomas Barnett explained, “It’s crazy, because, on this tour, it’s really what we need. It’s an interesting spot for us to be in. As vegetarians, there are things we can eat at Taco Bell that aren’t at other fast-food places, but we still can’t bring ourselves to do it twice a day.”
Killbot 2000, you are the last dragon
Just one day after Murder by Death brought its sideshow circus of horror to Columbia on Devil’s Night Vagrant Records officially announced the signing of the Bloomington, Indiana quartet. Singer Adam Turla said that at one time the band was interested in signing with Bloodshot Records but ultimately Vagrant appeared to be the best fit. Most known for bands like the Get Up Kids, Saves the Day and Senses Fail the label has gathered up a more diverse lineup including The Lemonheads, Paul Westerberg and The Hold Steady.
Death rides a horse
The technically sound instrumental gurus in Russian Circles have also announced an arrangement with a new home for upcoming releases. The Seattle-based label Suicide Squeeze will be releasing their current project with the help of Matt Bayles (Minus the Bear, Isis, Mastadon) and is scheduled for a Spring or Summer release. Former Botch/current These Arms Are Snakes bassist Brian Cook is currently filling in after the departure of Colin DeKupier.
I’ve got dimebag in my stocking
Dimebag Darrell Abbott (Pantera, DamagePlan) has already been sonically immortalized and now is in physical form with the help of the wonderful world of plastic. This Christmas metalheads across the world will be wishing for the new Dimebag poly-resin 10 inch action figure produced by Knucklebonz. You might try snatching one of the 3333 made on eBay where bidding starts around 100 bones.
Garth brooks does not eat babies
Garth Brooks is now officially the best selling recording artist of all time after recently surpassing Elvis Presley while selling over 123 million units. Strangely enough and completely unrelated local metal monsters Diavalo (who will eat your babies) will be performing an Elvis cover set on New Year’s Eve at the New Brookland Tavern. Maybe they should try the Garth Brooks thing too.
talkback@columbiacitypaper.com
November 12th, 2007 at 09:10 AM
The Beatles and Garth Brooks only surpass Elvis’ album sales in the U.S.A. because of the ridiculous accounting rules of the R.I.A.A. They only count round figures of 500,000, one million and two million. All of the Beatles and Garth Brooks albums have gone over two million in sales BUT Elvis has over 200 albums which have sold less than 500,000 copies which according to the R.I.A.A. do not count. This accounting rule gives a false impression to the general public and should be rescinded as soon as possible.