For years following their official disbanding, rumors have circulated on the Internet about a possible reunion of the iconic indie rock band Pavement. But this time around, a decade after the band played their last concert, the rumors turned out to be true. As most of you probably already know, Pavement is reuniting to play a series of benefit concerts in New York next year.

On Thursday, promoters announced Pavement would perform "a" reunion show at Rumsey Field in New York's Central Park on September 21, 2010. When tickets went on sale Friday morning at 10 a.m. EST, they sold out in just two minutes, according to TicketMaster. Apparently in response to the overwhelming demand for tickets on Friday, three more shows - slated for Sept. 22, 23, 24 in NYC - were added on Saturday. Two of the additional shows sold out in hours, and at press time, tickets were still available for the fourth, and final, show.

This makes the Pavement reunion one of the most anticipated reunions in rock music, and, by next year, one of the biggest music events of 2010. In an acknowledgement of Pavement's huge worldwide fan base, the California born-Brooklyn relocated lo-fi rock band has stated that a 2010 worldwide tour was in the works, but no details on dates or cities were available.

But, as has been the case in the past, there are conflicting messages about the extent of the reunion itself. Pavement guitarist Scott Kannberg, in an interview with Rolling Stone on Thursday, seemed to leave the door open to the possibility of a reunion album or more. "After that [NYC concerts], anything that happens in the future is in the future," he said. However, an official statement from the band on CrookedRain.com cautions: "Please be advised this tour is not a prelude to additional jaunts and/or a permanent reunion."

Kannberg also said that he and Pavement lead singer and guitarist Stephen Malkmus, discussed a reunion for the first time a couple of months ago. Kannberg also confirmed the band was exploring the possibility of headlining Coachella in 2010.

Originally a studio project, childhood friends Kannberg and Malkmus began self distributing their raw, defiant lo-fi recordings in 1989. The tapes sparked a buzz among other musicians, critics and followers within the New York indie rock scene at the time. Eventually, Malkmus and Kannberg recruited drummer Gary Young (who was replaced in 1993 by Steve West), bassist Mark Ibold and percussionist Bob Nastanovich to solidify the band and go on tour to promote their widely acclaimed, and now classic, 1992 debut LP, Slanted and Enchanted.

Pavement quickly became the iconic college rock band, thanks to the release of subsequent albums like Crooked Rain, Brighten The Corners and Wowee Zowee, coupled with numerous national and international concert tours. Among rock lovers worldwide, Pavement released some of the best and most memorable songs and albums of a generation, and played a huge role in shaping and re-shaping indie and alternative rock that continues to this day.

As the 20th century came to a close, Pavement released Terror Twilight, their last studio album. While the album was widely praised, some fans and critics thought it was too "clean," and others suggested it sounded too much like a Malkmus solo record. That same year, 1999, the band showed signs that things were beginning to unravel. At the Coachella festival in April, Malkmus presumably refused to sing during what became mostly an instrumental set. Following the appearance, Malkmus called an impromptu band meeting and reportedly told his band mates: "I just don't want to do this anymore." Pavement played their final concert at the Brixton Academy in London on November 20, 1999 (samples below). During the show, Malkmus announced to a stunned, sold out crowd, "this is our last show…thanks for coming all these years."

In the summer of 2000, Malkmus reportedly called Kannberg and demanded he change the group's website to state Pavement was no longer a band. Kannberg refused, telling Malkmus to first notify the other band members; Malkmus was outraged, arguing the band members already knew the band was not going to play again. West later said he found out the news via the Internet.

Regardless of the drama that happened on stage, and apparently behind the scenes, Pavement is the quintessential American indie rock band, and are just as popular today as they were during their heyday. "It’s weird how over the last however many years, Pavement's become a much bigger thing," Kannberg told Rolling Stone. "This whole generation of kids discovered Pavement after we had disbanded, and made us into a huger thing than we ever envisioned. So now I guess we can tour and make those people happy."

In the years since Pavement dissolved, band members went on to other projects, most notably Malkmus' formation with the band The Jicks and Kannberg's Preston School of Industry, which reunited him with original Pavement drummer Young. Ibold started his own label and went on to record with Sonic Youth, West recorded and toured with Marble Valley and Nastanovich pursued horse racing and served as The Jick's road manager in 2001. In recent years, Matador Records has re-issued many of the band's early albums, with bonus material from live shows and B-sides.

"Cut Your Hair" - Pavement from Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain (1994)

"Rattled By The Rush" - Pavement from Wowee Zowee (1995)

"Shady Lane" - Pavement from Brighten The Corners (1997)

"Stereo" and "Date With Ikea" - Pavement from their last concert, Nov. 20, 1999, Brixton Academy, London (stream the entire concert )

“Heckler Spray/In The Mouth Of A Desert” - Pavement from Live At The Palace, Hollywood, 1994 (2007)

Tickets for the fourth Pavement-NYC show were still available as of 10 pm PST Saturday. The passcode is ZOWEE. According to CrookedRain.com, it is the final show - presumably for the NYC Central Park series. No news yet on bookings for the 2010 world tour.

- Download or listen to a one-hour podcast of Pavement at San Francisco's Great American Music Hall mixed with a whole lotta studio tracks
- Check out more about Pavement on Matador Records and Domino Records
- View the band's official profile, discography and other information at AllMusic.com
- Learn more about Pavement on Wikipedia

Other popular posts this week:

Vampire Weekend Reveal New Song and Album Cover for 2010 Release

Ears To The Music, Vol. II: New Songs from Flaming Lips, White Lies, Good Night States, A.A. Bondy, Sea Wolf and More

Best Rarely Heard Songs of 2009, Vol. I: Sun Airways, The Ambiance Affair, The Bats, Brian Olive, Land of Talk and More

The Concretes' Ex-Vocalist Victoria Bergman Releases Exotic New Album as Taken By Trees

Labels: New York, Pavement, Pavement Reunion Concerts

In response to a playlist challenge to Deerhunter's Bradford Cox's previously published playlist mix, IRC is happy to offer you the following playlist featuring what we think are a great representation of songs of interest to Deerhunter, and non-Deerhunter, music lovers.

"Did You See The Words" - Animal Collective (photo, top) from the 2005 release Feels

"Carrot Rope" - Pavement from the 1999 release Wowee Zowee

"Weird Fishes/Arpeggi" - Radiohead from the 2007/2008 release In Rainbows

"Cello Song" - Nick Drake from the 1969 release Five Leaves Left

"Canadian Girl" - The Walkmen from the 2008 release You & Me


"Is There A Ghost?" - Band of Horses from the 2007 release Ceases to Begin

"Disarm" - Smashing Pumpkins from the 1993 release Siamese Dream

"Scythian Empires" - Andrew Bird from the 2007 release Armchair Apocrypha

"Float On" - Modest Mouse from the 2004 release Good News for People Who Love Bad News

"Knots" - Pete and The Pirates from the 2008 release Little Death

Download the ZIP for this playlist

What do you think of this mix? Use the comments section below.

Labels: Andrew Bird, Animal Collective, Band of Horses, Indie Playlist Mix, Modest Mouse, Nick Drake, Pavement, Radiohead, Rogue Wave, The Walkmen

The new releases stack is growing out of control so if you wanna help, we're all ears. Seriously. Some of the noteworthy new releases include albums by Black Lips, Get Up Kids, Deastro, Mark Kozelek, All American Rejects, Justin Vernon, That Was Something, The Firemen (with Paul McCartney) and Artist Vs. Poet.

Newly available EPs from Luv Lux, Third Eye Blind and Cat Power are out and Christmas themed albums from Backseat Goodbye and Gentlemen Auction House are perfect for right this time of year.

Alternative rock and post punk fans might want to check out special editions from artists like Pavement and Husker Du, not to mention live concerts and studio sessions from Foo Fighters, Belle and Sebastian, Paul Weller and Long Winters.

MP3: "Sweet, Sweet Magdalene" - Justin Vernon from For Emma, Forever Ago

Yesterday we featured the Illinoise pop band Headlights as the IRC Artist of the Month.

So it only makes sense to let you know that Headlights has released a new remixes album containing some creative covers of songs from their previous two full lengths and one EP. The album, strangely titled Remixes, features remixes from artists like

The following list of new releases over the past few weeks was taken in part and parcel from our blogger friends at Music Under Fire and other sources.

Avant - Avant (Official) (MySpace)
Backseat Goodbye - A Christmas EP (Official) (MySpace)
Black Lips - We Did Not Know The Forest Spirit Made The Flowers (Official) (MySpace)
Busta Rhymes - B.O.M.B. (Official) (MySpace)
Cat Power - Dark End of the Street EP (Official) (MySpace)
Get Up Kids - Four Minute Mile (MySpace)
Harmonic 313 - Dirtbox 12" (Official) (MySpace)
Headlights - Remixes (Official) (MySpace)
Long Winters - Live at the Showbox DVD (Official) (MySpace)
Luv Lux - The Brave Kids In Color EP (Official) (MySpace)
Mark Kozekel - The Finally LP (Official) (MySpace)
Paul Weller - Weller at the BBC (Official) (MySpace)
Pavement - Brighten The Corners: Nicene Creedence Edition (Official) (MySpace)
That Was Something - Down But Not Out (MySpace)
The Magnificents - Year of Explorers (Official) (MySpace)

Alaska in Winter - Holiday (Official) (MySpace)
All-American Rejects - When The World Comes Down (Official) (MySpace)
Artist Vs Poet - Self Titled (Official) (MySpace)
Belle and Sebastian - The BBC Sessions (Official) (MySpace)
Deastro - Keeper's (download only) (Official) (MySpace)
Foo Fighters - Live at Wembly Stadium (Official) (MySpace)
Gentleman Auction House - Christmas In Love (Official) (MySpace)
Husker Du - Candy Apple Grey (vinyl reissue) (Official) (MySpace)
The Fireman - Electric Arguments (Official) (MySpace)
The New Regime - Coup (Official) (MySpace)
Third Eye Blind - Red Star [EP] (Official) (MySpace)
You, Me, And Everyone We Know - So Young, So Insane (Official) (MySpace)

Labels: Cat Power, Get Up Kids, Indie Rock 2008, Long Winters, Mark Kozekel, New Releases, Pavement

Former Pavement frontman and one of the original trailblazers that delivered 'indie' music to the masses during the 1990s, Stephen Malkmus, appeared on FOX News' (nice move man; that really appeals to Pavement fans...) program "RedEye" last Friday (at 3 am - when every one's watching) and, well, disappointed some fans, including yours truly, with his apparent snooty and less-than-dignified persona.

Maybe I'm over-reacting, but the interview (watch the video segment) speaks for itself. It's a good educated guess that many Pavement/Malkmus fans may get a different opinion of the 'indie rock sensation' after seeing this clip. Maybe it's just me (although other bloggers were left with a luke warm feeling as well). Is Malkmus a FOX News type of 'thinker'? If so, what a let down.

Not only did Malkmus actually agree to do an interview on FOX News, but he also made what some consider a semi-racist remark, not surprising for a guest on FOX News, but this guy is a representative of indie rock. In another interview, Malkmus compares his music more to the 'underground' than the 'indie fashion.' What?!

Steve, you're not underground at all; you're a multi-millionaire preppy rock star - hardly an 'underground' musician. Even if Malkmus means 'underground' in an artistic sense - that is "holding unorthodox views in an environment where conventional ideas dominate" - he's the one that went on FOX News and acted like a pompous ass.

In response to the question from the always annoying (maybe that's why he's on when no one's watching) Greg Gutfeld about the origin of the word 'jick' (Malkmus' band name is the Jicks), Malkmus said: "I don't know what ghetto that comes from" and went on to elaborate that he believes it means someone who is "between a dick and a jerk." Irony?

Fame often kills the 'indie' in a musician, and yeah Malkmus has made some of the greatest grunge and indie rock ever, but watching this interview left me with a stomach ache. This is the guy who was the force behind Pavement and he's doing a stupid, 'I'm-all-that' interview on FOX News with Greg Gutfeld, who asked one stupid question after another.

It is just head-scratching and disappointing that one of indie rock's most celebrated frontmen would go on FOX News channel and make such an ass of himself with the help of Gutfeld. I wish I'd never seen the damn interview, so if you're a die-hard Pavement fan, you might want to save yourself the trouble and skip it - not 'underground' or true to grunge/indie ideals at all.

The bitch-fest about Malkmus on FOX didn't start here; check out what others had to say:

Stereogum
Pitchfork
Prefix

Just in case you are curious about the debut album Real Emotional Trash, here's a free, legal track off the new album:

MP3: Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks - Baltimore from the new album Real Emotional Trash

* Maybe Malkmus should go to a 'ghetto' somewhere and ask around what 'jick' means and come back to us and explain to us what he meant by the "I-don't-know-what-ghetto-that-comes-from" remark. And perhaps, he could clarify that whether he really thinks he's in the same league as Bach and if he endorses FOX News distorted agenda of blatant support and advocacy of the right-wing agenda. (Ugh)

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Labels: 2008 Indie Rock, Pavement, Stephen Malkmus