Web site reports that Olympia's Unwound will disband

ROSS RAIHALA

Originally published Friday, March 15, 2002

One of Olympia's longest-running bands is apparently calling it quits.

Earlier this week, Pitchforkmedia.com reported Unwound will disband following four live dates this month that wrap up with a March 29 show at the Northwest Asian Art Theater in Seattle.

Unwound recorded seven albums for Olympia's Kill Rock Stars and performed live more than 700 times, both here and abroad.

The group celebrated its 10th anniversary during a special Yoyo A Go Go performance last summer. At that time, the College Music Journal had praised Unwound as one of the last high-profile, early-'90s indie rock acts that remained on an independent label.

Unwound's most recent album, "Leaves Turn Inside You," was an ambitious double-CD set that featured lush packaging and full videos for two songs.

The band's first studio album in three years, it explored new sonic territory for the group. It touched on Unwound's earlier, more abrasive sound while taking it into fresh, more textured areas.

Unwound's Justin Trosper and Vern Rumsey will continue to run MagRecOne, the studio they built to record "Leaves Turn Inside You." And Rumsey also will maintain his Punk in My Vitamins label.

Troubleman Unlimited's Mike Simonett posted a quick eulogy to Unwound on his record label's Web site: "Unwound were (and still are) beautiful people. Unwound was one of the most influential and vital bands of the '90s, and their last record was a masterpiece. You just don't know it yet. Unwound's influence will live on for a long time to come, and they were everything a band should be: independent and non-compromising in every aspect."

Beat box happens

In happier news, the Beat Happening box set is ready to go. For real!

Chris Swanson of Secretly Canadian, the Indiana record label that now manufactures K Records' products, reports the deluxe, seven-CD set looks gorgeous. It will be accompanied by a 96-page book written by Lois Maffeo and illustrated with tons of old fliers and photographs.

K Records Web site, www.kpunk.com, is taking pre-orders for the box set, which will be available in stores May 7. Those who purchase it directly from K before April 1 will receive a special signed copy that will ship a month before the general release.

The box set is priced at $60 and includes all five Beat Happening albums and a compilation disc of non-LP singles.

The final disc in the set includes, among other things, footage of a 1988 Beat Happening performance on TCTV and excerpts from the 1991 International Pop Underground Convention.

Check out K Records' Web site for a full track listing and other information.

NYC Strokes

The Strokes have announced plans to finally release the controversial "New York City Cops" here in the States.

The song was included on the overseas version of the band's debut "Is This It," which was named the best album of 2001 by Entertainment Weekly, New Musical Express and Time magazine. The song also was set to be included on the U.S. release.

But after Sept. 11, the chorus of "New York City Cops, they ain't too smart" didn't seem like the greatest idea and the track was replaced with "When it Started" for the American release of "Is This It."

Still, the Strokes continued to perform "New York City Cops" live and did so when they played Tacoma in October. (And I surely can't be the only person out there who thinks that when Julian Casablancas sings "cops" it sounds a whole lot more like "girls" -- am I?)

"New York City Cops" will be included on the domestic CD single for "Hard to Explain," which is scheduled for release next month.

In other Strokes news, the band will appear on David Letterman's "Late Show" on April 9. The band's manager has said the Strokes probably won't tour this summer and will work on a new album instead.

One Internet-based rumor, by the way, suggests the boys are planning to collaborate with Badly Drawn Boy.

New White Stripes date

It seems like just yesterday the White Stripes played Thekla in Olympia.

Actually, that was back in July. But anyway, the Detroit duo will return to Washington on June 8 for a headlining show at the Moore Theatre in Seattle. Tickets are $16 from Ticketmaster.

Guitarist/vocalist Jack White also has announced he's a fan of the mysterious group Diff'rent Stripes, a British tribute band that is set to release a U.K. single featuring Casio keyboard versions of three White Stripes tracks.

No one knows who is behind the Diff'rent Stripes, although speculation has included Blur/Gorillaz vocalist Damon Albarn and Pulp's Jarvis Cocker. The same folks released a similar tribute to the Strokes last fall, under the name Diff'rent Strokes.

The Diff'rent Stripes single will feature takes on "Hotel Yorba," "Fell in Love with a Girl" and "I Think I Smell a Rat."

Relijun return

K Records' Old Time Relijun will make a rare live appearance at 9 p.m. Wednesday at Le Voyeur Cafe and Bar, 404 Fourth Ave. E., Olympia.

They'll be joined by Drag City artists U.S. Maple, who are touring in support of the "Acre Thrills" album.

Tickets are $6 at the door. For more information, call 360-943-5710.

Ross Raihala covers music for The Olympian. Send items of interest for this column to: rraihala@olympia.gannett.com.

The Olympian Copyright 2002

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