For those about to rock—or still rocking after all these years—we salute you

Zappagram 146: Tennis' last serve, two stories of human scum, the Melvins' Melvan, trans artists cancel U.S. tours, AC/DC still kicks ass, and more...

Apr 20, 2025

My fellow music obsessives,

Welcome back to one of the few remaining corners of the internet where only the music matters—where algorithms and corporate greed don’t run the show. What support Zappagram receives is from music lovers like you, and your support is the only thing keeping the lights on. If you dig what I do, kicking in for a subscription would further prove that not all heroes wear capes.

I bring you the latest stories of what’s happening in the world of music—this week that includes news of one of my favorite bands calling it quits, news of tours and new album releases, of old bands releasing new music, and of old touring vans being disassembled and the parts auctioned off.

Before we get into all of that, I’d like to direct your attention to another fantastic music publication here on Substack that’s run by a good friend of mine.

Since 2019, Thea Wood has published Herizon Music, a music industry newsletter and a podcast (both excellent) “spotlighting women’s contributions to modern music, and industry trends affecting women who work on stage, on air, and behind the scenes.”

It’s a must-read for music lovers—fans and artists alike.

Thea recently published a timely piece examining the escalating suppression of artistic expression—a tactic historically favored by authoritarian regimes like the one that’s currently gutting our artistic (and scientific and historic) institutions. Drawing sharp parallels to historical fascist regimes, she highlights how attacks on the arts are part of a calculated effort to suppress and eliminate free expression and to erase marginalized voices from both the arts and public life.

Part warning, part call to action, Aesthetic Force By Omission Part II - Suffocating divergent artistic voices in 2025 speaks to anyone who believes that art should challenge power, not bend to it—and that every artist deserves the opportunity and freedom to freely create, perform, and exist without fear.

Herizon Music: The Newsletter

Aesthetic Force By Omission Part II

In October 2023, I published “Aesthetic Force By Omission Part I” as a brief historical study showing how removing women’s voices from music history and media ultimately shapes society’s mentality that simple absence means women don’t belong. I highly recommend you read the first AFBO article before moving forward for context…

3 months ago · 15 likes · 9 comments · Thea Wood

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

MUSIC NEWS

THE FINAL SERVE

I am sad to report that one of my favorite bands of the last twenty years, Tennis, have announced that they’re calling it quits. They will release their final studio album, Face Down in the Garden, on April 25. Additionally, they’ll release one final EP titled Neutral Poetry: First Recordings, Unreleased Demos 2009-2010 on May 16, offering fans a parting glimpse into their early work.

I wrote about Tennis a few years back:

“What makes Tennis remarkable is their uncanny ability to channel the sophisticated smooth pop sensibilities of the 1970s while creating something entirely new and uniquely their own. Their sound masterfully weaves together Moore's ethereal vocals, with lush, dreamy melodies, and crystalline production that feels refreshingly modern. It's as if they've discovered a musical time capsule and reimagined its contents through a contemporary lens.”

Tennis will embark on a farewell North American tour starting May 16 in Las Vegas, concluding on September 4 in Saratoga, California.

RIP MELVAN

The Melvins’ legendary 1972 touring van—dubbed “The Melvan” and featuring a KISS mural drawn by Kurt Cobain with shoplifted Sharpies—is being partially auctioned off. Sections of the van, including Cobain’s artwork and carvings from Krist Novoselic and Dale Crover, will be sold at Julien’s “Music Icons” auction in NYC on May 30–31.

BACK IN BLACK

AC/DC already kicked off their first North American tour in nearly a decade, rocking across the country until the tour wraps on May 28 in Cleveland. The 13-stop stadium run—dubbed the Power Up tour—offers fans a rare (and possibly last) chance to witness one of rock’s most thunderous live acts. Guitarist Angus Young is almost 70 years old, but remains the band’s high-voltage heart, duckwalking across the stage in his schoolboy uniform. And frontman Brian Johnson, now 76, is back in action after overcoming serious hearing issues that sidelined him for years. Imagine being their age and still kicking ass—shit—I’m 51 and when I drop something I have to seriously evaluate whether picking it up is really worth it or not. Getting old sucks, kids.

SAY IT AIN’T SO

Jillian Lauren, wife of Weezer bassist Scott Shriner, was shot by LAPD and charged with attempted murder after allegedly pointing a gun at officers during a manhunt in her Eagle Rock neighborhood. She sustained a shoulder wound, was hospitalized, and later released on $1 million bail. Despite the incident, Shriner performed with Weezer at Coachella days later. The band made no mention of the situation onstage. Wild.

SUPPORT TRANS ARTISTS & FDT

Bells Larsen, a trans singer-songwriter from Montreal, has canceled his U.S. tour after being informed by the American Federation of Musicians that he is no longer eligible for a U.S. visa. The denial stems from the Trump regime’s transphobic policy that restricts gender recognition to only male and female, disregarding trans and nonbinary identities. Larsen’s passport lists his gender as male, which does not match his sex assigned at birth, therefore: visa denial. He expressed disappointment, but noted that personal safety has to be his priority. Other trans artists, including T. Thomason and Aya Sinclair, also canceled U.S. performances for the same reason.

UNRELEASED DRAKE

Nick Drake’s estate has announced The Making of Five Leaves Left, a box set project, nine years in the making, featuring over 30 previously unreleased recordings from the sessions of his 1969 debut album. Scheduled for release on July 25, the collection includes demos, outtakes, and alternate takes, all remastered by original engineer John Wood. The set comes in 4LP or 4CD formats and includes a 60-page book detailing the album’s creation. Though Drake died in 1974 at the age of 26, his quiet genius has only grown louder in the decades since.

EVERYBODY KNOWS THIS IS NOWHERE

Neil Young says Trump’s immigration policies slowed down his U.S. citizenship due to past marijuana use, forcing Young to have multiple interviews and tests. Though he finally became a citizen in 2020, he now fears being blocked from re-entering the country after his European tour because of his outspoken criticism of Trump.

COMMON PEOPLE, REJOICE

Pulp have announced More, their first album in 24 years, set for release on June 6 via Rough Trade. The album includes contributions from Richard Hawley, Jason Buckle, and backing vocals from the Eno family, with string arrangements by Richard Jones performed by the Elysian Collective. The band will co-headline two nights at the Hollywood Bowl with LCD Soundsystem in September.

ARMY OF LUIGIS

Keith Morris of Circle Jerks’ addressed the Coachella crowd after performing their 1983 song “Coup D’État,” clarifying that its closing line, “kill all,” was not an incitement to violence. He stated, “That’s a pretty fucking ugly statement…in ugly times. Do not think that we encourage that.” Morris then added, “What we do encourage—what would be totally fucking happening—would be an army of Luigis.” Morris also criticized his sister for supporting Trump, describing her as a “white Christian nationalist.” His comments were broadcast uncensored on the Coachella livestream, contrasting with other artists whose political statements were reportedly edited out .

BLEED ‘EM ALL

Metallica is teaming up with the American Red Cross to host blood drives in select U.S. cities like Nashville, Columbus, Philadelphia, and Denver during their 2025 “M72” tour. Donors will receive a limited-edition T-shirt. The tour runs through late June.

RIP AL

Al Barile, guitarist and co-founder of the pioneering Boston hardcore band SSD (formerly SS Decontrol), has passed away at the age of 63 after a battle with colon cancer. Barile was a seminal figure in the straight-edge movement, known for his commitment to sobriety and his influential role in shaping the hardcore punk scene.

PIECE OF SHIT ALERT

Joe Seiders, drummer for The New Pornographers since 2014, was arrested on April 9 in Palm Desert, California, after allegedly recording an 11-year-old boy in a Chick-fil-A restroom. Two days later, he was observed entering and exiting the same restroom with juvenile males. A search of Seiders’ home, vehicle, and phone revealed further incriminating evidence. He faces charges including possession of child pornography, molestation, and invasion of privacy, with bail set at $1 million. The band expressed shock and immediately severed all ties with Seiders. Rot in hell, motherfucker.

ANOTHER PIECE OF SHIT ALERT

Tim Lambesis, frontman of As I Lay Dying and convicted attempted murderer (of his ex-wife,) is now facing more trouble over a video allegedly showing him abusing his dog. A petition demanding an animal cruelty investigation and psychological treatment has racked up over 70,000 signatures. This comes amid leaked footage of violent altercations with his current wife and the full exodus of his bandmates, who cited unsafe conditions and disturbing behavior. Lambesis, who insists he’s the victim of a smear campaign, plans to continue the band solo—because of course he does.

B-SIDES

Alan Sparhawk and Trampled by Turtles announce new album
Autechre expand 2025 North American tour
Ben Folds announces 2025 US tour dates
Chuck D announces new solo album Radio Armageddon
Ethel Cain announces tour dates and new album
Father John Misty adds 2025 US tour dates
Leon Bridges and Charley Crockett announce summer 2025 tour
Matt Berninger readies second solo LP
Neko Case announces fall 2025 tour
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds launch North American tour
Patti Smith to release new memoir Bread of Angels
Rainbow Kitten Surprise extends 2025 Thanks For Coming tour
TV On The Radio announce 2025 North American tour dates
Wet Leg announce new album Moisturizer
Wilco add summer tour dates

Z-REX

Singer, songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist, Cautious Clay, has a new album coming May 16, but while we wait for that, check out this stunning acoustic version of his song “Wildfire” in this totally chill backyard performance. Love his voice.

NEW RELEASES

Beirut: A Study of Losses
Black Country, New Road: Forever Howlong
Bon Iver: SABLE, fABLE
Bootsy Collins: Album of the Year #1 Funkateer
Bryan Ferry: Loose Talk
Butch Bastard: Death Valley **
Craig Finn: Always Been
De La Soul: The Grind Date (20th Anniversary Edition)
Deafheaven: Lonely People With Power
Destroyer: Dan’s Boogie
Japanese Breakfast: For Melancholy Brunettes (& Sad Women)
Mamalarky: Hex Key
Melvins 1983: Thunderball
Ministry: The Squirrely Years Revisited
My Morning Jacket: Is
Neil Young: Coastal (soundtrack)
OK Go: And the Adjacent Possible
Perfume Genius: Glory
Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs: Death Hilarious
Röyksopp: True Electric
Sleigh Bells: Bunky Becky Birthday Boy
Smoking Popes: Lovely Stuff
Spin Doctors: Face Full of Cake
Taylor Rae: The Void
The Horrors: Night Life
The Waterboys: Life, Death and Dennis Hopper

** Zappa’s favorite

RELEASE RADAR

:: APR 25 ::

Beach Bunny: Tunnel Vision • Ghost: SKELETÁ • Jeff Goldblum: Still Blooming • Rilo Kiley: The Execution of All Things (Frozen Lake Edition) • Simple Minds: Live in the City of Diamonds • Stereophonics: ‘Make ‘em Laugh, Make ‘em Cry, Make ‘em Wait’ • Sting: Sting 3.0 Live • Tennis: Face Down in the Garden • Various Artists: Heart of Gold: The Songs of Neil Young • William Tyler: Time Indefinite

:: MAY 2 ::

Blondshell: If You Asked for a Picture • Lucius: Lucius • Model/Actriz: Pirouette • Pet Shop Boys: Dreamworld: The Greatest Hits Live at the Royal Arena Copenhagen • Pink Floyd: Pink Floyd at Pompeii – MCMLXXI • Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings: Naturally (20th Anniversary Edition)

:: MAY 9 ::

Arcade Fire: Pink Elephant • Behemoth: The Shit Ov God • Counting Crows: Butter Miracle, The Complete Sweets! • Dan Wilson: good night, los angeles • Dope Lemon: Golden Wolf • The Head and the Heart: Aperture • I’m With Her: Wild and Clear and Blue • INXS: Listen Like Thieves (40th Anniversary Deluxe Edition) • The Kooks: Never/Know • Nils Frahm: Night • Peter Murphy: Silver Shade • Rilo Kiley: That’s How We Chose To Remember It

:: MAY 16 ::

Cautious Clay: The Hours: Morning • Hozier: Hozier (Vinyl Reissue) • Pelican: Flickering Resonance • Slow Joy: A Joy So Slow At Times I Don’t Think It’s Coming • Tune-Yards: Better Dreaming • Windser: Windser

ON THIS DATE

:: APR 18 ::

♯ Birthdays: Producer Paul Rothchild (1935) • Drummer Clyde Stubblefield (1943) • Greg Eklund, drummer for Everclear (1970) ♯ Events: Storm Thorgerson, who designed nearly all of the album artwork for Pink Floyd, died aged 69. (2013)

:: APR 19 ::

♯ Birthdays: Producer/engineer Eddie Kramer (1942) • Bernie Worrell of Parliament-Funkadelic (1944) • Tim Curry (1946) • "Suge" Knight (1966) ♯ Events: Levon Helm, drummer, singer and multi-instrumentalist best known for his work with The Band, died of cancer aged 71. (2012)

:: APR 20 ::

♯ Birthdays: Luther Vandross (1951) • Mikey Welsh, bassist of Weezer (1971) • Stephen Marley from Ziggy Marley & The Melody Makers (1972) ♯ Events: Five friends at San Rafael High School in California coined the term "4:20" as a euphemism for smoking weed, and later fans of the Grateful Dead would help spread the phrase far and wide. (1971)

:: APR 21 ::

♯ Birthdays: Iggy Pop (1947) • Paul Davis (1948) • Robert Smith (1959) • Michael Timmins of Cowboy Junkies (1959) • John Maher, drummer of Buzzcocks (1960) ♯ Events: Guitar legend Lonnie Mack died, and Prince was found dead at his Paisley Park estate. He was 57 years old. (2016)

:: APR 22 ::

♯ Birthdays: Charlie Mingus (1922) • Glen Campbell (1936) • Peter Frampton (1950) • Paul Carrack (1951) • Kenny Lyons of The Lemonheads (1956) • Daniel Johns of Silverchair (1979) ♯ Events: Richie Havens, the soulful folk singer who set the tone for Woodstock with his unforgettable opening set in 1969, died of a heart attack at his home in Jersey City at the age of 72. (2013)

:: APR 23 ::

♯ Birthdays: Roy Orbison (1936) • Captain Sensible of The Damned (1955) • Anthony LaMarca, guitarist for The War on Drugs (1987) • Josh Kiszka (1996) • Laufey (1999) ♯ Events: Ramones released their eponymous debut album. (1976) • Johnny Thunders died of a drug overdose. (1991)

:: APR 24 ::

♯ Birthdays: Doug Clifford, drummer of Creedence Clearwater Revival (1945) • Nigel Harrison, bassist of Blondie (1951) • Boris Williams, drummer of The Cure (1958) • Billy Gould, bassist of Faith No More (1963) • Patty Schemel, drummer of Hole (1967) ♯ Events: Paul and Linda McCartney spent the evening watching Saturday Night Live with John Lennon at his New York City apartment. It was the last time Lennon and McCartney were ever together. (1976)

CODA

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I’ll see you on the dark side of the moon,
Chris Zappa 🤘🏻