Today we celebrate the birthday of Catherine Elizabeth Pierson, better known as Kate Pierson, singer of The B-52’s. She was born 75 years ago on April 27 (1948) in Weehawken, New Jersey, USA and became in 1976 one of the founding members of The B-52's. Beside singer/lyricist she is also a multi-instrumentalist, playing guitars, bass and keyboards. In the early years of The B-52's, as well as a vocalist, Pierson was also the main keyboard player and was notable for performing on a keyboard bass during many live shows (see The B-52's video below) and many of the band's recordings, taking on a role usually filled by a bass guitar player which differentiated the band from their contemporaries. This along with Pierson's distinctive wide ranging singing voice remain trademarks of The B-52's unique sound until today.
In 2015, Pierson released her first, and so far only, solo album, Guitars and Microphones. She later released the non-album single "Better Not Sting the Bee" and a cover of "Venus" (video below) as a stand alone single.
Pierson has also collaborated with many other artists including The Ramones and R.E.M but probably her biggest worldwide succes, besides The B52’s, was her duet single with Iggy Pop, “Candy’ (video below).
Happy birthday Kate!
New Jersey's The Antoine Poncelet Band has just unveiled their debut single; the cinematic dark rock track, "April".
The song tells the tale of an imagined conversation between a forlorn lover and a prophet of sorts unable to find balance between heaven and earth.. love and purpose and so on. It's also about an aspect of the writing process and inspiration; the artist begging their muse for something real and true.
"April" was chosen to introduce the band simply because it is a climactic and dynamic example of the band's ability to blend old school goth with classic rock while still sounding new.
Also released with "April" is a cover of Roxy Music's debut single "Virginia Plain".
Alien Creation returns after hibernation and consolidation with their previously unreleased track, "Red Pill".
Taken from a well-known phrase in ‘The Matrix’ movies. "Red Pill" confronts the modern world and our inability to see an obvious scam in our internet-obsessed, neon-lit, high-tech society.
Lyrics in the song address the one mantra we should say to ourselves in the mirror every morning; there is a ‘scam in just about everything’ and no matter what happens in the world, someone somewhere is making money from the misery of others. “Wise Up Sucker!”” Take the Red Pill and see the scam in everything.
"Red Pill" is a catchy tune enveloped in textured synthesized layers of hard-hitting sound carefully crafted to deliver an incredibly infectious dance track. The song probes deeply into the senses with the power of the bass drum and catchy lyrics, the driving force behind Alien Creation’s unique sound.
For fans of: IAMX & Marilyn Manson
"Red Pill" is available on all major streaming platforms and as a digital download from Bandcamp.
Washington, DC-based industrial/rock band, 51 Peg has just announced the release of their long-awaited full-length album, AVersion.
AVersion's themes center on the relationships we have with ourselves and others, and how they can fracture despite our best intentions. While some of the lyrical content is the most personal that singer Jeff Sargent has ever written, he still managed to tap into universally-shared experiences.
We’ve all dealt with the heartbreak and confusion of losing connection with people we’ve loved. Moreover, society itself has become literally (during the pandemic) and figuratively distanced from each other. Different “versions” of reality exist for everyone which has made it difficult to connect despite technology having been designed for us to communicate more effectively.
AVersion is available on CD, digital & all streaming formats:
Today it’s 37 years since Siouxsie and the Banshees released their seventh studio album Tinderbox (21 April 1986). Two songs were released as singles between late 1985 and early 1986, Cities in Dust and Candyman.
The B-sides of Cities in Dust and Candyman, were added as bonus tracks on the original CD version of this album.
Tinderbox peaked at number 13 in the UK Album Chart and at number 88 on the US Billboard 200.
A remastered CD version was issued in 2009 with bonus tracks including an unreleased version of Song from the Edge of the World and an unreleased song called Starcrossed.
A 180g vinyl reissue of the album, remastered from the original ¼” tapes and cut half-speed at Abbey Road Studios by Miles Showell, was released in August 2018.
The album is considered a classic by both critics and musicians.
Tinderbox (Original LP Tracklist)
Side A
01. Candyman 3:44
02. The Sweetest Chill 4:07
03. This Unrest 6.21
04. Cities in Dust 3:51
Side B
01. Cannons 3:14
02. Party's Fall 4:56
03. 92° 6:02
04. Land's End 6:14
