Your favorite Cure-channeling Swedes, the Shout Out Louds, are on their way back. The Stockholm quintet has released a new digital EP, with a new album, “Works,” the band’s third full-length and first since 2007’s “Our Ill Wills,”  to follow on Feb. 23. The new album was produced by Phil Ek (the Shins, Fleet Foxes, Dios, among others), and its teaser track, “Walls,” is a wiry little number with a nifty piano line.

||| Download: “Walls”

||| Also: Watch the video for the new single “Fall Hard.”

||| Live: Shout Out Louds play May 21 at the El Rey Theatre.

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Jonesy’s Jukebox is back — although not exactly on the air.

The radio show hosted by the Sex Pistols’ Steve Jones — a linchpin of FM station Indie 103.1 during its five-plus years on the Los Angeles FM dial — has found a home on the Internet. Jones now has his own show (actually, his own station) through IAMROGUE.com, an entertainment website run by movie producer Ryan Kavanaugh’s Relativity Media. The jukebox streams a Jones-curated playlist 24 hours a day, with the 54-year-old guitarist going live in his old timeslot, weekdays at noon.

“I’m happy to be getting my chops down — I’d had enough time off — and it’s a good thing that we get to film some of the shows,” Jones says of the Jukebox, which has featured interviews with artists such as Billy Corgan and, during a recent trip to Sundance, the likes of Norman Jewison, Tobey Maguire, Michael Chiklis and Adrian Grenier. “I’m very fortunate that Ryan Kavanaugh was a fan.”

Still, Jones says, he misses the reach of terrestrial radio that he had on Indie 103.1, a station that altered the complexion of the L.A. music scene and broke more than a few hearts when it abandoned its rock format in January 2009.

“I’d be lying if I said that I don’t get a bit disheartened” that Indie 103 isn’t still around, Jones says. “L.A. is a driving city, and I think most people listened to it in the car.”

If Jonesy’s Jukebox pushed the boundaries of eclecticism on terrestrial radio, the live Internet edition of the show is even more unpredictable (and R-rated), with Jones mixing music, interviews, wisecracks with longtime collaborator/producer Mark Sovel (aka Mr. Shovel) and sundry craziness like going off on wild tangents in affected voices.

Oh, and about that web campaign pitching Jones as the replacement for Simon Cowell on “American idol?”

“Maybe I could put a twist on it but it’s a longshot,” Jones says. “But think of all the motorcycles I could buy if I was on that program.”

Image via iamrogue.com

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There were a lot of mammals — of the stuffed variety and of the soggy variety — at the Natural History Museum on Friday night. The occasion was the February installment of the museum’s First Fridays, and along with the event’s normal fare of fossils, exhibits, tours, discussions and DJs, there were sets from two buzzy indie bands, NYC’s Yeasayer and L.A. trio Warpaint. A huge crowd braved the rain to heap adulation [above] on the bands, and photographer Jeff Koga braved the crowd to send along this gallery. [Next up: March 5 with Deer Tick and an opener TBA.]

 

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This month’s heaping helping of appetizing residencies continues: At the Echo, where Useless Keys headline and Light FM supports, there’s a set from band called L.E.F. — which features members of the late Viva K, a quartet that had a good thing going about four years ago (an album on Stinky Records, some love from KCRW) before the principals opened the Silver Lake eatery Elf. … Princeton is the resident band at Spaceland, and the deliciously electro-funky Casxio supports. … Jenny O and Rumspringa bookend headliner Red Arrow Messenger at the Bootleg Theater. … Haim plays in front of residents Gamble House at the Silverlake Lounge. … And at the Detroit Bar in Costa Mesa, Railroad to Alaska has Monday duty. … Also: Spirit Animal at the Roxy: Laura Jansen at the Hotel Cafe; Relax to Paris at the Viper Room; and Joe Jack Talcum (co-founder of the Dead Milkmen) at Echo Curio.

Photo by Chris Valdes

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In case you missed the premiere Friday on Pitchfork, Spoon has released a video for “Written in Reverse.” It was shot by Danny Clinch in black and white, with the band performing the song against a large mirror. … Oh, I get it. The tune is the first single from the Austin outfit’s seventh album, “Transference,” a record that so far has failed to grab me ’round the throat like its previous four albums. Which is a pretty mild complaint, considering how high Spoon has set the bar.

||| Live: Spoon performs Sunday, April 18, at Coachella.

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Update: Thanks to everybody who watched. I hope to post a link to the complete show (with a surprise) soon.

Here’s the link to Spaceland Recordings’ webcast of the performances by Warpaint (8:30 p.m.) and Yeasayer (about 9:30) from tonight’s First Fridays event at the Natural History Museum. We had some tech problems last month when we tried this — hopefully they’re worked out. For best results, refresh the page at the scheduled start time. Cheers.

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Singer-songwriter Jim Hanft’s amiable folk music earned him a deal last year with Swedish imprint Veranda Records — and a trip to Stockholm in August to record with producer Lasse Marten, who has worked with Peter, Bjorn & John, Lykke Li, Kelly Clarkson and Pink, among others. An interesting fit, you say? Maybe. The first songs to emerge from the sessions will be on the “Burn Me in My Boots” EP, due in May, and the title track, at least, doesn’t sound like a huge sonic leap from his debut, 2008’s “Backyard Waltz.” A full-length album is planned later this year.

||| Download: “Burn Me in My Boots”

||| Live: Jim Hanft performs March 6 at the Hotel Cafe.

Photo by Pat Gookin

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A short note to Ronnie James Dio and his wife (and manager) Wendy:

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Dio,

First, Ronnie, I heard you’ve been undergoing treatment for stomach cancer. Let me wish you the best in this battle, and that you bounce back quickly so you can tour in support of that “Heaven and Hell” DVD.

Secondly, and the reason for this short note, is I’d like to ask you a favor, aging blogger to veteran rocker: Could you please ask your legal squad to lay off the guys in the Hawthorne pop band Dios? I heard your lawyer sent just them a note taking issue with their band name — it’s the same thing that happened back in 2004 when they changed their name from Dios to Dios Malos, or Dios (Malos), or however they rendered it. All the indie kids in town know them as Dios; heck, they played Coachella as Dios. So they’re going back to the Dios name for this new album, and I say good for them. Besides, you Google “Dio” and your sites come up; you Google “Dios” and theirs do.

My simple point is, nobody is going to confuse Dio with Dios. If you think your fans are going to be befuddled, you’re not giving them much credit. Same goes for Dios’ fans.

Dios didn’t have the resources to fight your cease-and-desist letter in 2004, and I’m guessing they don’t now. In fact, I’m not sure they’ve made enough money in seven or so years as a band to cover a blogger’s bar tab.

So a simple suggestion: Live and let live, yes? And rock on.

Best
Bronson

◊ ◊ ◊

Other names in the news:

L.A. shoegazers Shiloe are now going by Hexham Heads. No reason given. They play their first show under their new name tonight at Spaceland. Background.

And, perhaps thinking there was one too many Grizzly to bear, L.A. folkies the Grizzly Owls have changed their name to Funeral Club. One thing for sure — if you sample the music, you won’t confuse them with Funeral Party.

Photo from ronniejamesdio.com

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[Our weekly Stolen Lyric takes us to the beach ...]

||| Source: Editors, “Bones”

||| Live: Editors perform Feb. 11 at the Wiltern

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[If you're near a computer, watch Buzz Bands this evening for a live webcast, courtesy of Spaceland Recordings, of the Yeasayer/Warpaint sets from First Fridays at the Natural History Museum.]

Tonight: Brooklyn quartet Yeasayer, the electro-soundscapers (soundscapists?) whose suddenly dancey sophomore album “Odd Blood” comes out Tuesday, headlines the sold-out First Fridays event at the Natural History Museum. Warpaint also makes nice in the museum’s Hall of Mammals. … Dave Davies plays the El Rey Theatre, with the rock trio that his son Daniel fronts, Year Long Disaster, opening. … Helen Stellar [pictured] headlines Spaceland — the finished version of the album I wrote about in November is darned near epic — with Hexham Heads (the new moniker for Shiloe) and Wet and Reckless supporting. … Old 97s main main Rhett Miller headlines the Troubadour, with Leslie and the Badgers opening. … At Casey’s Irish Bar downtown, doo-woppers the Damselles & the TC4 kick off a Friday night residency; Les Blanks and Jack Wilson Jr. support. … Pete MacLeod celebrates the release of his “Lost and Fond” EP at Molly Malone’s (RIYL: Richard Ashcroft). … And a new monthly event at Santa Monica’s V-Lounge that will appeal to electro kids features DFA’s Holy Ghost! and L.A. duo Classixx. … Also: Daedelus, Nosaj Thing and Jogger at the Echoplex; Ebony Bones and Little Red Radio at the Echo; Anvil at the House of Blues; Uriah at the Viper Room; Catherine Feeny at the Hotel Cafe; and at the Detroit Bar in Costa Mesa, Vivian Girls, along with Best Coast.

Saturday: Bob Marley would have turned 65 on this day, and to honor his memory and his music, there’s a big benefit for Haiti relief at the El Rey Theatre — Dengue Fever, the Lions and Joey Altruda are among the performers. … The buzzy Vivian Girls/Best Coast tour hits the Smell. … On the Strip, After Midnight Project rocks the Roxy, while Warner Drive does the same down street at the Key Club. … Beth Thornley celebrates the release of her new album “Wash U Clean” at the Hotel Cafe. … And it’s Obi Best and Larry Goldings at the Bootleg Theater. … Also:
Scott H. Biram at Spaceland; two shows from They Might Be Giants at Largo; Stars Align at the House of Blues; and  Learning Music at Pehrspace.

Sunday: There’s a big benefit called No Cancer — and by big, I mean it includes Darker My Love, No Age, Vivian Girls and Abe Vigoda, among others — but it’s at a secret location. You need to RSVP to get the details and then pony up $10, which sounds like a good deal. … Also: Devon Williams and Moses Campbell at the Smell; Justin Clayton at the Bootleg Theater; My Pet Saddle at Spaceland; and the Shakers at the Viper Room.

Photo by Kristy Sparow

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