I’m Picking Up Ghoul Vibrations

In this issue: RIP Phil Lesh, Prinze George, Matthew Sweet, A Tribe Called Quest, Cindy Lee, Thom Yorke, LCD Soundsystem, Caroline Polachek, and more…

Oct 27, 2024

In this week’s issue of Zappagram, you’ll find no tricks, only treats.

It’s hard to believe that Halloween is already upon us. Where did this entire year go?

Musically speaking, this time of the year is typically slower for new music releases, but in typical 2024 fashion, this year is different in nearly every way. Given the abundance of excellent music released this past week, I opted not to create the typical Halloween playlist you might expect.

Instead, this week’s playlist is all killer, no filler. Does that sound spooky? Perhaps. But there’s nothing scary about the songs on this playlist other than how scary good they all are.

One of my favorite modern bands, Prinze George, just released their third studio album Better Girl (click the link to listen on your platform of choice) and the Zappagram weekly playlist (#131) kicks off with three songs from that release—each was just too good to not be included. While their entire album is fantastic, I did have to leave room for some of the other great music released this week too, so be sure to look out for a proper review of Better Girl coming later this week.

Circling back to the subject of how much new music was released this week, you’ll see below under the New Releases section that there are four to five times as many albums listed as on a typical week which is pretty insane. My favorites are highlighted to give you an indication as to where you might want to start listening.

Finally, I’d be remiss for not including anything Halloween-related in this issue, so please enjoy this bizarre clip of The Beach Boys performing “Monster Mash” live on the ABC musical variety show Shindig! from 1964. Talk about horrifying!

It may just be one of the weirdest covers you’ve ever seen.

Ground control to reader: Take your protein pills. Put your helmet on. This newsletter ain’t gonna read itself.

WEEKLY PLAYLIST

Zappagram Weekly (#131)
Featuring: Prinze George, Colatura, Vision Video, The Altons, Starlite & Campbell, Lenny Kravitz, Soccer Mommy, Searows [Spotify | Apple Music]

Zappagram Playlist
3+ years of music [Spotify | Apple Music]

MUSIC NEWS

RIP LEGEND

Phil Lesh, founding member and bassist for the iconic Grateful Dead, passed away on Friday, October 25, 2024, at the age of 84. Lesh joined the band in 1965 when they were still known as the Warlocks. He remained with the group until its dissolution in 1995 following Jerry Garcia's death, and later continued performing with Phil Lesh and Friends. Throughout his career, Lesh contributed to the band's songwriting and notably sang lead vocals on the American Beauty classic “Box Of Rain.” ❖

RIP ANOTHER LEGEND

DJ Clark Kent, the heavily influential New York producer and hip-hop elder statesman known as "God's Favorite DJ," passed away on October 24, 2024, at the age of 58 after a three-year battle with colon cancer. Throughout his career, he made significant contributions to hip-hop, producing for notable artists such as Jay-Z, Notorious B.I.G., and even Mariah Carey. ❖

HELP OUT

Matthew Sweet, a key figure in the power pop resurgence of the 90s, recently suffered a debilitating stroke while on tour in Toronto. Without insurance or touring income, Sweet faces an estimated $250,000 in medical expenses for his treatment and recovery, including specialized care and rehabilitation. A GoFundMe campaign has been setup to help pay for his medical expenses and transport back to the United States for further treatment. ❖

IT’S ABOUT DAMN TIME

A Tribe Called Quest was (finally) inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with an all-star tribute performance featuring artists like Busta Rhymes, De La Soul, and Queen Latifah. Dave Chappelle gave an emotional induction speech, and surviving members Q-Tip and Jarobi White accepted the honor on behalf of the group. ❖

ALL ABOARD

Ozzy Osbourne was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame for the second time (his first induction was with Black Sabbath in 2006.) Jack Black delivered a memorable speech, followed by a star-studded performance fronted by Maynard James Keenan, and featuring Wolfgang Van Halen, Zakk Wylde, Robert Trujillo, Chad Smith, and Billy Idol among others. The entire ceremony, including the segment honoring the Prince of Darkness, is available to stream on Disney+. ❖

CARRY THAT WEIGHT

The original EMI TG12345 prototype recording console used by the Beatles to record Abbey Road is set to go on sale via Reverb.com on October 29, 2024, after being restored with 70% of its original parts. The 350lb, one-of-a-kind console, which was also used for several early solo projects by the band members, is expected to fetch several million dollars based on the previous sale of a similar model. ❖

CULT FAVORITE

Cindy Lee, the project of former Women frontperson Patrick Flegel, announced the upcoming release of their album Diamond Jubilee on vinyl and CD on February 21, 2025. The album (which earned an impressive 9.1 from Pitchfork) has already been made available for streaming on both Bandcamp and SoundCloud. ❖

NEW BEGINNINGS

Sharon Van Etten has announced a new project, Sharon Van Etten & the Attachment Theory, with their self-titled debut album set to release on February 7 via Jagjaguwar. The band will embark on a European tour in 2025, supported by Nabihah Iqbal, and has released a lead single "Afterlife" with an accompanying video. ❖

THIS IS HAPPENING

LCD Soundsystem is set to release their first new album since 2017. The band previewed a new single, “X-Ray Eyes” on the online platform NTS Radio, though it has yet to hit streaming services. Following their U.S. tour earlier this year, the band is set to embark on another stateside run, kicking off in Los Angeles on October 31st. ❖

CLASSIC THOM

Thom Yorke, in a recent interview, expressed indifference towards fan expectations of a Radiohead reunion, stating “I am not aware of it and don’t really give a flying fuck. No offense to anyone and thanks for caring, but I think we’ve earned the right to do what makes sense to us without having to explain ourselves.” Despite Thom’s statement, bassist Colin Greenwood revealed that the band held rehearsals over the summer, hinting at potential future plans to reunite. ❖

NO REGRETS, COYOTE

Cameron Crowe expects his upcoming Joni Mitchell biopic to be released by Christmas 2025. The legendary director emphasized that it will tell Mitchell's life story from her own perspective. The film, which has been in development for several years, is set to begin production by the end of this year and will explore the characters who impacted Mitchell's life. ❖

FLYING SOLO

Jason Isbell has announced a run of 2025 solo shows. "An Intimate Evening with Jason Isbell" will feature special theater shows across the U.S., starting in Chicago on February 15th and concluding in Atlanta on March 29. Tickets are on sale now. ❖

SOUL REVIVAL

Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats have extended their first arena tour into 2025, covering major cities across the United States and Canada from February to March. The tour will feature various supporting acts including Charley Crockett, Iron & Wine, Waxahatchee, The Teskey Brothers, and Gregory Alan Isakov. ❖

SEEMS UN-TOOL LIKE

Tool is hosting a destination festival called “Live in the Sand” at the Hard Rock in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, from March 7-9, 2025, featuring performances by Tool, Primus, Mastodon, Coheed and Cambria, and Eagles of Death Metal, among others. ❖

HARM AID

The GoFundMe to help victims of Hurricane Helene is ongoing as those impacted are still suffering from the devastating losses of their loved ones, homes, and jobs. ❖

B-SIDES

LA DOLCE FEETA

Lily Allen revealed that she earns more money from her OnlyFans account where she posts feet pictures than from her Spotify streams, despite having nearly 8 million monthly listeners on the platform. This financial disparity highlights the challenges artists face with streaming revenue or the lack thereof. ❖

SEE YA LATER, ALLIGATOR

Lana Del Rey has officially married Jeremy Dufrene, an airboat captain from Louisiana. The couple first met during one of Dufrene's alligator tours in 2019. Lana also recently gave an update on the status of her new album Lasso. ❖

THIS WOMAN’S WORK

Kate Bush has announced plans to release a new album, citing "lots of ideas" and an eagerness to return to a creative space. ❖

ON THE MEND

U2 has provided an update on drummer Larry Mullen Jr.'s health, stating that he is recovering well from injuries—and subsequent surgery—that prevented him from performing during their recent Las Vegas residency at the Sphere. ❖

Z-REX

Caroline Polachek performed a beautiful cover of Radiohead’s “True Love Waits” in Paris at Musée de l’Orangerie in front of Monet’s “Water Lilies” on October 18th 2024.

NEW RELEASES

Allen Stone: Mystery EP [listen]
Amyl and the Sniffers: Cartoon Darkness [listen]
‡Amythyst Kiah: Still + Bright [listen]
Ben Folds: Sleigher [listen]
Bryan Ferry: Retrospective: Selected Recordings 1973-2023 [listen]
‡Charlotte de Witte: Sanctum EP [listen]
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young: Live at Fillmore East, 1969 (2024 Mix) [listen]
Florence + The Machine: Symphony of Lungs (Live) [listen]
Gang of Four: Songs of the Free* [listen]
Green Day: American Idiot (20th Anniversary Deluxe Edition) [listen]
‡Hammock: From The Void [listen]
King Crimson: Red* (50th Anniversary Edition) [listen]
Laura Marling: Patterns in Repeat [listen]
Lone Justice: Viva Lone Justice [listen]
‡Meltt: Swim Slowly (Expanded Edition) [listen]
Motörhead: We Take No Prisoners: The Singles: 1995 – 2006 [listen]
‡Peach Pit: Magpie [listen]
Phantogram: Memory Of A Day [listen]
Pixies: The Night the Zombies Came [listen]
‡Prinze George: Better Girl [listen]
‡Proper Youth: Rusty Grand Am [listen]
‡Soccer Mommy: Evergreen [listen]
Tears For Fears: Songs for a Nervous Planet (Live) [listen]
They Might Be Giants: Beast of Horns EP [listen]
‡Vision Video: Modern Horror [listen]

‡Indicates Zappa’s favorites

RELEASE RADAR

:: NOV 1

The Cure: Songs of a Lost World • Drive-By Truckers: American Band* (Deluxe) • Elvis Costello: King of America & Other Realms • Illiterate Light: Arches • Ivy: Long Distance* • Richard Swift: 4 Hits & A Miss • Weezer: Weezer 30 (Anniversary Super Deluxe) • Willie Nelson: Last Leaf on the Tree

:: NOV 8

The Beach Boys: The Beach Boys’ Christmas Album* • Neil Young: On the Beach* (50th Anniversary Edition) • Orbital: A Beginner’s Guide • Primal Scream: Come Ahead • Talking Heads: Talking Heads: 77* (Super Deluxe Edition - 2024 Remaster) • The Tragically Hip: Up To Here (Box Set) • Violent Femmes: Hallowed Ground*

:: NOV 15

Alvvays: Alvvays (Vinyl Reissue) • Chelsea Wolfe: Unbound EP • Dwight Yoakam: Brighter Days • George Harrison: Living in the Material World (50th Anniversary) • Linkin Park: From Zero • MF Doom: Mm..Food (20th Anniversary Edition) • Michael Kiwanuka: Small Changes • Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross: Challengers Original Score (Vinyl Release) • TV on the Radio: Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babes (20th Anniversary Edition)

:: NOV 22

Black Pumas: Live From Brooklyn Paramount • Father John Misty: Mahashmashana • Kim Deal: Nobody Loves You More • My Morning Jacket: MMJ Live Vol. 4: Terminal 5 – NYC – The Tennessee Fire 10/18/10 • New Order: Brotherhood (Definitive Edition) • Pet Shop Boys: Nonetheless (Expanded Edition) • The Beatles: A Hard Day’s Night (Vinyl Reissue) • U2: How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb (Re-Assemble Edition)

:: NOV 29

The Doors: Live in Detroit (Vinyl Release) • Echo & The Bunnymen: What Are You Going To Do With Your Life? (Vinyl Reissue) • The Innocence Mission: Midwinter Swimmers • Jimi Hendrix: Songs For Groovy Children: The Fillmore East Concerts (Vinyl Release) • MF DOOM: Operation: Doomsday (Reissue) • Modest Mouse: Baron von Bullshit Rides Again (Vinyl Release) • Rage Against the Machine: Democratic National Convention 2000 (Vinyl Reissue) • Regina Spektor: Songs

ON THIS DATE

:: OCT 28

Birthdays: Desmond Child (1953) • Stephen Morris of Joy Division (1957) • William Reid of The Jesus and Mary Chain (1958) • Ben Harper (1969) • Frank Ocean (1987) –» The live-action movie KISS Meets the Phantom of the Park, was shown on NBC in the U.S. (1978) • Jerry Lee Lewis died aged 87. (2022)

:: OCT 29

Birthdays: Denny Laine of Moody Blues, Wings (1944) • Peter Green of Fleetwood Mac (1946) • Roger O'Donnell of The Cure and Kevin DuBrow of Quiet Riot (1955) • Peter Timmins of Cowboy Junkies (1965) • Chris Baio of Vampire Weekend (1984) –» Duane Allman of The Allman Brothers Band was killed when he lost control of his motorcycle on a Macon, Georgia street while trying to swerve to avoid a tractor-trailer and was thrown from the motorcycle. The motorcycle bounced into the air, landed on Allman and skidded another 90 feet with Allman pinned underneath. He was three weeks shy of his 25th birthday. (1971)

:: OCT 30

Birthdays: Grace Slick and Eddie Holland (1939) • Timothy B. Schmit (1947) • Gavin Rossdale (1967) –» Jim Morrison of The Doors was fined and sentenced to six months in jail after being found guilty of exposing himself during a gig in Miami. (1970)

:: OCT 31

Birthdays: Larry Mullen Jr. (1961) • Johnny Marr (1963) • Colm O’Ciosoig of My Bloody Valentine (1964) • Ad-Rock a.k.a. Adam Horovitz (1966) • Adam Schlesinger (1967) • Isabella Summers of Florence and the Machine (1980) • Frank Iero of My Chemical Romance (1981) –» During a gig in Seattle, Washington, Billy Idol dumped 600 dead fish in Faith No More's dressing room. They responded by walking onstage naked during Idol's set. (1990)

:: NOV 1

Birthdays: Jim Steinman (1947) • David Foster (1949) • Ronald Bell of Kool & the Gang (1951) • Lyle Lovett (1957) • Anthony Kiedis (1962) • Rick Allen of Def Leppard (1963) –» The Beatles scored their 13th #1 album in the U.S. with Abbey Road. (1969)

:: NOV 2

Birthdays: J.D. Souther (1945) • Carter Beauford (1957) • kd Lang (1961) • Chris Walla of Death Cab for Cutie (1975) –» American vocalist and guitarist Eva Cassidy, died of skin cancer aged 33. (1996)

:: NOV 3

Birthdays: Adam Ant (1954) • Courtney Barnett (1987) –» Sun Records released “Great Balls Of Fire” by Jerry Lee Lewis. (1957) • James Taylor and Carly Simon were married by a judge in Simon's Manhattan apartment, beginning their eleven year marriage. (1972) • Russian inventor Leon Theremin died. (1993)

CODA

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May your playlists be all killer, no filler. 🤘🏻