The Wedge P.M. News Round Up: Smith Westerns talk Pukkelpop stage collapse

August 22nd, 2011

Smith Westerns were the band set to play when the fatal stage collapse occurred at the Pukkelpop Festival in Belgium last week, killing five people. The band have now spoken out about the incident to Dutch national TV station VPRO. Frontman Cullen Omori said, “At first a screen fell on our drum set. I thought it was thrown from the audience. Than I saw a sort of chandelier going back and forth. The tour manager screamed that we should get off the stage. We ran out and everyone thought that the stage would come down. Much later we found out that the entire tent had collapsed… The front truss with lights came down right there where my microphone stood… Forty minutes later you started hearing sirens and we realized what happened.” (Via Pitchfork)

The death of NDP leader Jack Layton today has shocked many people, including a number of musicians not only across Canada but also worldwide. Most artists have tweeted their comments, praising the opposition leader for his positivity and hope he brought in the recent federal election. Some of the tweets include Owen Pallett (“Shattered by Jack Layton’s passing, he was #1 to everybody. Love and sympathy to Olivia and the Layton family.”), Diamond Rings (“Let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic @jacklayton”) and Broken Social Scene (“Saddened by the news of Jack Layton, a great leader who had so much more to do for our country. Rest in peace.”). (Via Exclaim!)

If you’re desperate for a Christmas stocking stuffers, well, you still have more than fourth months to work on gift ideas. But if you’re an early bird you might want to consider Warner Bros. Records latest set of artist-related treats. Some of the cool items include The Flaming Lips’ 2011 MOFS Costume Pack (exclusive T-shirt designed by Wayne Coyne, a stylish Skeleton Costume (never out of season or fashion), and your very own Torch), Silver Trembling Fetus Ornament, 12-Month Calendar and Gummy Song Fetus; The Black Keys’ Dress-Up Kit (one pair of glasses kinda like Pat’s and one false beard vaguely suggestive of Dan’s real one); and Devo’s official yellow suit and energy dome. (Via Marketwire)

Swedish pop unit The Embassy have announced that they’ll finally return with a new compilation. Life in the Trenches: The Other Side of 2001-2011 will feature mostly unheard and unreleased material, including new MP3 “Puttgarden.” Also in the works and set for a winter release is a forthcoming LP of totally new music. (Via Fader)

If you’re a gamer who adores Neutral Milk Motel, well, boy is this great news for you. A company called BroPortal have designed a free video game based around the band’s second album titled In The Time Machine Over The Sea. Billed as “one man’s quest (Jeff Mangum’s) to go back in time and rescue Anne Frank,” the game features beloved characters from the classic album such as the Two-Headed Boy and the King of Carrot Flowers. (Via One Thirty BPM)

Tags: Devo, Jay Layton, Neutral Milk Hotel, Pukkelpop Festival, Smith Westerns, The Black Keys, The Embassy, The Flaming Lips