Sound Check: Slipknot, New Order
May 24, 2001 -- SLIPKNOT DOES IOWA Masked rock behemoth Slipknot plans to release its newest, titled Iowa, sometime this summer. Material from the band's sophomore album will be polished at upcoming Ozzfest dates. The group's self-titled debut achieved platinum certification, the first time any album on the Roadrunner label has done so.
SMASHING ORDER? NEW PUMPKINS?Electro-pop legend New Order has recruited former Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan for the summer tour season. Corgan also appears on its long-awaited new album, titled Get Ready. Due out in late August, the disc will be the quartet's first full-length since Republic in 1993. Corgan, who will temporarily replace keyboard player Gillian Gilbert (who is on leave to care for her daughter) in the lineup, is not expected to join permanently.
IMPERIAL TEENCalifornia pop-punk quartet Imperial Teen is about three-quarters finished with the recording of its as-yet-untitled third full-length, and the first since splitting from former label London-Sire. "It's all over the map," member Roddy Bottom tells Seattle Weekly of the new tracks, which include "Million-Dollar Man," "Mr. And Mrs.," and "a great new wave tune" titled "Teacher's Pet."
JOE STRUMMER GOES GLOBALJoe Strummer, former frontman of The Clash, is releasing a new album with his ensemble the Mescaleros. Global a Go-Go is set for a July 24 release, and is the second offering from the group. The album is touted as a "melting pot" of music, with influences from throughout the world. Strummer and his band will follow up the release with a summer U.S. tour.
INCUBUSCalifornia funk-metal act Incubus will release the follow-up to 1999's Make Yourself on Epic in late October. The album will be its fourth effort. Producer Scott Litt (Indigo Girls, R.E.M.) will fine-tune and mix the recordings next month while Incubus is on its European tour. The band will also be touring North America extensively this summer to plug the new disc.
FUGAZIThe alternative rock group Fugazi is preparing the finishing touches to its next as-yet-untitled studio album tentatively scheduled for a September release through Discord Records. The album will follow-up 1998's End Hits and celebrate the label's 130th release. The new material will be road tested at Chicago's Congress Theater June 23-24.
CORNELL'S MACHINERage Against the Machine may have found a replacement for vocalist Zack de la Rocha — who exited the band last October. Ex-Soundgarden lead singer Chris Cornell will work with current Rage Against the Machine members on a studio album produced by Rick Rubin, who helmed Rage's final LP, Renegades. The unnamed new group is unsure as to whether the album will be released under Rage's label, Epic, or Cornell's Interscope/A&M imprint, and representatives were unavailable for comment.
WORKIN' IN A COAL CHAMBERLos Angeles metal group Coal Chamber will start recording its third album next week in a Los Angeles studio. The LP is tentatively named Dark Days and is expected to hit stores this fall via Roadrunner Records
FAITHLESSFaithless plans to release its third full-length effort, Outrospective, on July 17 via Arista/Kinetic/Cheeky. The first single, titled "We Come 1," is expected to hit clubs this month. Dido, sister to Faithless member Rollo Armstrong, is back in the fold once more, too, singing on "One Step Too Far."
FROGS AND OTHER ANIMALSLes Claypool and his Frog Brigade will release Live Frogs — Set 2 on July 24. Recorded at San Francisco's Great American Music Hall in October 2000, the disc features a full-length cover of Pink Floyd's 1977 classic, Animals. Claypool and his Frogs plan to tour this summer in support of Live Frogs — Set 1, which was released last month.
JAMES MATHUS AND HIS KNOCKDOWN SOCIETYJames Mathus of the Squirrel Nut Zippers and his side project, The Knockdown Society, will open dates for the legendary Buddy Guy in New York and Los Angeles in May and June. Mathus performed as a guitarist on Guy's newest album, Sweet Tea. The Knockdown Society will perform songs from its 1997 debut, Songs for Rosetta, as well as material from its upcoming Mammoth album, which will feature performances by Luther Dickinson and Cody Dickinson of the North Mississippi Allstars. The new disc is slated for a fall release.
For a comprehensive list of CDs due in the next few weeks, check Wall of Sound's Release Dates.