If Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder, This Issue Is a Long-Overdue Love Letter

Zappagram 149: Lizzie Weber's haunting Soundgarden cover, The Kills & QOTSA melted my face off, Jeff Buckley documentary coming soon, RIP to legends Brian Wilson and Sly Stone, and so much more...

Damn Zappagram fam,

It’s been a hot minute, has it not?

“Hot” is the operative word as most of us are melting right now and it’s only June. The summer is already off to a scorching and busy start, but if the tour news covered below is any indication, things are just beginning to heat up.

Lately, my concert-going has been rare, but I recently lucked into seeing two of my all-time favorites—The Kills and Queens of the Stone Age. The show was so mind-blowingly awesome, I almost don’t want to write about it because words can’t possibly do it justice.

For those unaware, The Kills are the dynamic duo, Alison Mosshart and Jamie Hince. Two people who command the stage with such swagger and bravado and enormous sounds, you’d swear there were six people onstage, not two. The Kills are all attitude, grinding grooves, and killer riffs—always a delight.

And what can I say about Josh Homme, Troy Van Leeuwen, Michael Shuman (aka Mikey Shoes,) Dean Fertita, and Jon Theodore that hasn’t already been said? With the exception of Mikey Shoes (who is approaching 40) the other guys are in their 50s and they sound better than ever, look cooler than ever, and still know how to melt faces and delight fans like me who didn’t want the show to end, despite looking forward to standard show closer “Song For The Dead”—a face-melter if ever there was one.

Queens are touring like mad, now through the end of the year. Having just wrapped a run in the States, they’re headed to Europe and the UK before returning to North America for a string of fall dates. If you get the chance to see them, grab tickets immediately. You’ll thank me.

Life has had me feeling like a clown lately, juggling too many things at once, and walking around, not with a rabbit in my hat, not with some tricks up my sleeve, but rather with a devastating case of burnout. Between family, trying to earn a living, and staving off a mental breakdown brought on by the existential dread we’re all facing, life has been kicking my ass.

Fortunately, I’ve been kicking it right back because I’m a stubborn bastard with anger issues. Two can play at that game.

But seriously, I am doing my best, and even though these newsletters are farther apart than I would like, I’ll catch up eventually. But hey, if absence makes the heart grow fonder, think of this issue as a long-overdue love letter.

From me to you,
Chris Zappa

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

MUSIC NEWS

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OH I…I’M STILL ALIVE

Netflix’s new documentary, Titan: The OceanGate Submersible Disaster, dives deep into the bizarre ambitions of the late OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush—including his wild idea to invite Pearl Jam aboard the doomed Titan sub. Fortunately for Eddie and the band, and despite having songs titled “Oceans” and “Deep” and “Wreckage,” they also have a song titled “Why Go,” and so they remain very much “Alive.” Talk about dodging a Titanic-sized disaster.

FUCK ICE

Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong posted a video on Instagram featuring footage of the Los Angeles protests against Trump’s Gestapo thugs snatching innocent people off the streets. The post, soundtracked by Green Day’s song “Fuck Off,” was published with the simplest of captions: “🖕🧊” and I agree.

BUCKLEY FANS, REJOICE

Jeff Buckley fans, mark your calendars: the long-awaited documentary It’s Never Over is finally hitting theaters on August 8th, with an HBO debut to follow this winter. Directed by Amy Berg, the film offers an intimate, all-access look at Buckley’s life and legacy, weaving together never-before-seen archival footage and candid interviews with his closest friends, collaborators, and family. Nearly three decades after his untimely passing, Buckley’s singular voice and the mythos of his legendary album Grace still loom large—and this doc looks set to remind us why. You may also want to check out this piece I wrote in 2022 on the 25th anniversary of his death.

CLASSIC MORRISSEY BEHAVIOR

Nick Cave recently shared that Morrissey reached out and asked him to collaborate on a new song—not by singing, but by delivering a spoken-word “anti-woke screed” over a lengthy Greek bouzouki intro. Cave stated that he has long admired Morrissey’s songwriting—even calling him the best lyricist of his generation—but, since he prefers to keep politics out of his own music, he politely declined, saying that this was just not his thing. Cave went on to explain that he believes music should bring people together rather than stir up controversy, choosing instead to reflect on the power of music to heal and connect, while leaving the polemics to others. While Morrissey’s former bandmate Johnny Marr continues to be a decent human being who stands up for human rights, Morrissey, sadly, continues to be…well…Morrissey.

I AM ALUMINUM MAN

Liquid Death just pulled off one of the wildest merch stunts yet—selling 10 empty iced tea cans, each one actually chugged by Ozzy Osbourne and laboratory-sealed to preserve traces of his DNA. Dubbed the “Infinite Ozzy” cans, the cans were signed by the Prince of Darkness himself and were released to commemorate Ozzy’s final concert with his Black Sabbath bandmates (being held July 5th in Birmingham, England). Despite their $450 price tag, the cans—like tickets to Ozzy’s last show—sold out almost instantly. According to Liquid Death’s publicity team, “Once technology and federal law permit, fans can use this DNA to try to clone Ozzy in the future and enjoy him for hundreds of years to come,” to which Ozzy fittingly added, “Clone me, you bastards!”

I WILL ALWAYS SHOUT AT THE DEVIL

Mötley Crüe just pulled off one of the most odd and unexpected collabs of the year, teaming up with national treasure and undisputed queen of country music, Dolly Parton, for a “Home Sweet Home” duet. The track pairs Vince Neil’s original vocals with Dolly’s harmonies, giving this Crüe classic a whole new twist. The remake closes out their upcoming greatest-hits album, From the Beginning, which drops September 12, available to stream or for purchase on CD or double LP.

KEYWORD: PSYCHEDELIC

Sean Ono Lennon, James McCartney, and Zak Starkey—the sons of John, Paul, and Ringo—have joined forces on a track for Starkey’s psychedelic supergroup, Mantra of the Cosmos. Last week, Starkey teased a video for the new single “Rip Off” on his Instagram page, and while it’s definitely not trying to channel the Beatles, the public reaction has been pretty brutal. Beyond the Beatles lineage, the track boasts serious musical pedigree, with Oasis’s Andy Bell and Happy Mondays’ Shaun Ryder and Mark Berry rounding out the lineup. You can hear a snippet of the song on the IG post, but reading the comments won’t disappoint either.

ELECTRIC NEBRASKA OR BUST

Bruce Springsteen has confirmed that while the long-rumored “Electric Nebraska” full-band recordings do exist, they remain incomplete and aren’t planned for release anytime soon. On the bright side, Springsteen has wrapped up Tracks III, an archival set featuring five previously unreleased albums spanning his career from 1973 to 2024—so while “Electric Nebraska” stays on the shelf, fans still have plenty of new music to look forward to.

TAKE ON ANYTHING

Morten Harket, the unmistakable voice behind a-ha’s synth-pop classics, has revealed he’s been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. In a candid interview posted to the band’s website, the 65-year-old frontman detailed his ongoing treatment—including advanced brain surgery—to help manage symptoms that have affected his energy, sleep, and, most heartbreakingly, his vocal ability. Despite all this, Harket remains optimistic, and his incredible resilience is an inspiration to anyone facing health struggles.

THANKS BUT NO THANKS

Legendary bassist Carol Kaye declined her 2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction, citing her long-standing objection to being labeled as part of the “Wrecking Crew”—a term she finds inaccurate and insulting to the team spirit of 1960s studio musicians. Kaye played on at least 10,000 recordings including hit songs and sessions with legends like The Beach Boys, Frank Sinatra, Simon & Garfunkel, and Stevie Wonder—to name just a few—emphasized that she and her peers were simply “studio musicians,” and refuses to participate in an event that, in her view, misrepresents their legacy. When I wrote about her in 2022, I was unaware of her feelings regarding her association with the Wrecking Crew. (My apologies, Carol.)

RIP BRIAN WILSON

Brian Wilson, the creative force behind the Beach Boys and a true legend of American music, has passed away at age 82 after battling a neurocognitive disorder similar to dementia. Known for his revolutionary work in the studio and timeless albums like Pet Sounds, Wilson’s life was marked by both extraordinary artistic triumphs and profound personal struggles. His signature harmonies and innovative production techniques not only defined the Beach Boys’ sound but also reshaped the landscape of pop music, earning him a spot in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, and a lasting legacy as one of the nation’s most influential musical minds. Despite his challenges, Wilson continued to create and inspire, leaving behind a matchless body of work.

RIP SLY STONE

Sly Stone, the electrifying legend behind Sly and the Family Stone, has passed away at 82 from complications related to COPD. With a style as bold as his sound, Stone shattered musical and social boundaries by blending funk, soul, R&B, and rock into anthems that championed both dancefloor freedom and political change. His groundbreaking albums not only shaped an era but also inspired countless artists across genres and decades. Though he became increasingly reclusive following the band's peak years, Stone's revolutionary influence on music cemented his legacy as one of the genre's most visionary and enduring icons.

RIP DOUGLAS MCCARTHY

Douglas McCarthy, the dynamic frontman of Nitzer Ebb, has died at 58. As a pioneer and driving force behind electronic body music, McCarthy’s commanding stage presence and intense vocal style helped define the genre’s industrial edge, and his influence shaped the sound and attitude of electronic and industrial music for decades, inspiring artists like Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails and Al Jourgensen of Ministry.

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B-SIDES

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• Big Thief announces new album Double Infinity

• Bright Eyes announce additional 2025 North American tour dates

• Bruce Springsteen movie gets release date and first trailer

• David Byrne announces tour and new album

• Devo and the B-52s announce joint headline tour of North America

• Faye Webster announces orchestral tour dates

• Goose adds batch of fall 2025 tour dates

• Grizzly Bear add more dates to first tour since 2019

• How to watch Black Sabbath’s star-studded final concert

• Incubus to kick off 2025 “Morning View” tour

• Jason Bonham’s ‘Led Zeppelin Evening’ announces 2025 North American tour

• Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit announce 10th anniversary Ryman Auditorium residency

• Kim Gordon reworks “Bye Bye” into Trump protest song

• Margo Price announces new album

• Max Richter announces new album sleep circle

• Natalie Merchant maps out autumn acoustic tour 2025

• Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats detail fall 2025 US tour dates

• Nine Inch Nails is on their 2025 “Peel It Back” world tour, looks epic

• Phish announce late 2025 summer tour dates

• Poppy announces fall 2025 US tour

• Portugal. The Man announce fall 2025 tour dates

• Public Enemy release new protest song

• Sharon Van Etten & the Attachment Theory announce fall 2025 tour dates

• Sigur Rós announce 2025 North American orchestra tour dates

• Stevie Nicks adds new shows to 2025 North American tour

• Tears for Fears add new dates to Las Vegas residency

• The Beaches announce 2025 North American tour

• They Might Be Giants expand fall 2025 US tour

• Third Man Records to reissue Elliott Smith’s Heatmiser’s final album

• Turnstile announces the Never Enough tour

• Violent Femmes announce fall 2025 US tour

• Weird Al Yankovic launches 2025 tour

• Wilco announces 2026 return of Sky Blue Sky Festival

• Yeah Yeah Yeahs kick off 25th anniversary tour

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Z-REX

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My insanely talented friend Lizzie Weber crafted a gorgeous and haunting cover of Soundgarden’s “Head Down,” and I can’t recommend it highly enough. Watch the video or stream/buy it wherever you listen to music. Also, check out the story on Lizzie’s version in this feature from Rolling Stone.

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NEW RELEASES

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The Cure: Mixes of a Lost World
King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard: Phantom Island
Mo Lowda & the Humble: Tailing the Ghost
Neil Young and the Chrome Hearts: Talkin’ to the Trees
Ray LaMontagne: Trouble (20th Anniversary Edition)
Tropical Fuck Storm: Fairyland Codex

‡ Zappa’s picks

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RELEASE RADAR

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:: JUN 27

Blonde Redhead: The Shadow of the Guest • Durand Jones & The Indications: Flowers • Fishbone: Stockholm Syndrome • Lorde: Virgin • Bruce Springsteen: Tracks II: The Lost Albums • The White Stripes: Get Behind Me Satan (20th Anniversary Vinyl Reissue)

:: JUL 4

Dropkick Murphys: For the People

:: JUL 11

Ólafur Arnalds: A Dawning • The Swell Season: Forward • Wet Leg: Moisturizer

:: JUL 18

Alex G: Headlights • Billie Marten: Dog Eared • Grinderman: Grinderman & Grinderman 2 (CD & Vinyl Reissues) • Lord Huron: The Cosmic Selector Vol. 1 • Madeline Kenney: Kiss From the Balcony • Margarita Witch Cult: Strung Out in Hell • Scissor Sisters: Scissor Sisters (20th Anniversary Edition) • Sly and the Family Stone: The First Family: Live at the Winchester Cathedral 1967 • Vines: I’ll Be Here

:: JUL 25

Folk Bitch Trio: Now Would Be A Good Time • Gary Numan: A Perfect Circle: Live • Indigo De Souza: Precipice

:: AUG 1

The Armed: The Future Is Here and Everything Needs to Be Destroyed

:: AUG 8

The Black Keys: No Rain, No Flowers • Ethel Cain: Willoughby Tucker, I’ll Always Love You

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ON THIS DATE

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:: JUN 22

Birthdays: Kris Kristofferson (1936) • Producer Peter Asher (1944) • Todd Rundgren (1948) • Cyndi Lauper (1953) • Alan Anton of Cowboy Junkies (1959) • Steven Page of Barenaked Ladies (1970) • Judy Garland died in London of a barbiturate overdose aged 47 (1969) • Joni Mitchell released Blue. (1971)

:: JUN 23

Birthdays: June Carter Cash (1929) • Stuart Sutcliffe, original bassist of The Beatles (1940) • Robert Hunter, American lyricist known for his work with the Grateful Dead (1941) • Randy Jackson (1956) • KT Tunstall (1975) • Steve Shelley of Sonic Youth (1962) • During his “Welcome To My Nightmare” tour in Vancouver, Canada, Alice Cooper fell from the stage and broke six ribs. (1975)

:: JUN 24

Birthdays: Jeff Beck (1944) • Mick Fleetwood (1947) • John Illsley, bassist of Dire Straits (1949) • Jeff Cease of The Black Crowes (1957) • Curt Smith of Tears For Fears (1961) • Mario Calire of The Wallflowers (1974) • Frank Zappa performed live for the last time in Prague. (1991)

:: JUN 25

Birthdays: Carly Simon (1945) • Tim Finn of Split Enz and Crowded House (1952) • David Paich of Toto (1954) • George Michael (1963) • Hillel Slovak of Red Hot Chili Peppers died from a heroin overdose. (1988) • Michael Jackson died at the age of 50, after suffering heart failure at his home in Beverly Hills. (2009)

:: JUN 26

Birthdays: Mick Jones of The Clash (1955) • Chris Isaak (1956) • Harriet Wheeler of The Sundays (1963) • Colin Greenwood of Radiohead (1969) • Nathan Followill of Kings of Leon (1979) • Elvis made his last ever live stage appearance at the Market Square Arena in Indianapolis. (1977)

:: JUN 27

Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention released their debut studio album Freak Out! (1966)

:: JUN 28

Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne ordered Trump not to use Ozzy’s music for his political campaign. Trump had used “Crazy Train” in a video mocking his Democratic rivals. Sharon Osbourne suggested Trump ask some of his prominent supporters such as Kanye West, Kid Rock, and Ted Nugent to supply him with music for his campaign. (2019)

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CODA

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Burning out his fuse up here alone,
Chris Zappa 🤘🏻

P.S. Check out Gonzo Report if you hate fascists.