· You can hear some Radiohead influences in Peter Adams' music, but his sophomore album, I Woke With Planets in My Face, is taking a different kind of cue from Thom Yorke and Co. Adams — whose bedroom-made debut, The Spiral Eyes, helped earn him international acclaim, record company attention and a couple of profiles in Magnet magazine — is releasing the new album on May 13 in a variety of formats and with a variety of pay options. A traditional CD version of Planets can be ordered from CD Baby or through Adams' Web site. "The Lunaphonic Omnibox" version will also be available later this summer, featuring a CD and vinyl copy of the album with bonus artwork, an extensive booklet featuring information on each song and the recording process and other goodies.
The download version of Planets is the most unique when it comes to distribution. Like Radiohead, Adams is letting fans "pay what they want" when ordering the download from his Web site. Adams says this isn't a one-time, limited offer or a publicity stunt — the download will forever be available at whatever cost the listener wants to pay. Look for Adams to hit the road next month to promote the album, starting with a May 2 appearance on woxy.com's live Lounge Acts series. (peteradamsmusic.com)
· A few years ago, CityBeat ran a cover story about the Punk Pop band Bottom Line, a local group that had just signed with Warner Bros.-affiliated label Maverick. The band seemed poised for the big time, with a firm grasp on the "sound of the moment" — catchy-as-hell Pop Rock songs destined for major radio airplay. When Maverick shuttered its doors and the band tried to shop the completed album to other labels, Warner Bros. wanted too much money for the master recordings.
By all accounts, the band members were devastated, but they were in no way ready to give up on music.
Bottom Line's main songwriters began to write in different directions, leading Benjamin James to leave the fold and start a new band, Pluto Revolts. (Bottom Line continues on as a trio.) James and the band recorded their debut EP, Suffer No Delusions, which is available for free at plutorevolts.com. Pluto Revolts plays its first show this coming Wednesday at the Mad Hatter, opening for legendary Punk Pop band, MxPx. Tuesday, the band opens for former Face to Face frontman Trever Keith at the 20th Century Theater in Oakley.
· Frank Harrison, drummer for local rockers The Upset Victory, reports that his band has signed a deal with Takeover Records, the label founded by members of Yellowcard. The band is hoping to have a release out on the label by this summer. TUV's next local show is Saturday at the Madison Theater with Close to Home, The Winners Circle, Holcomb, The Beneath and Made Avail. (myspace.com/theupsetvictory)
· Country artist Dan Varner and his band are celebrating the release of a new EP this Saturday at Jasper's in Mount Lookout. The show will feature a raffle that includes prizes like an acoustic guitar and, um, a bottle of Crown Royal. Varner's just-released new single, "Back in My Life," has been getting some attention nationally from various radio outlets. (danvarner.com)
Contact Mike Breen: [email protected]
