On June 23rd, Drive-By Trucker Patterson Hood will release the long-awaited Murdering Oscar (and other love songs) on Ruth St. Records. In support of the album, Patterson is hitting the road, including a Saturday, June 20th at the Metro in Chicago. As an added bonus, opening up that show is Will Johnson of Centro-matic/South San Gabriel fame.

Muzzle of Bees Giveaway: We’ve got two (2) pairs of tickets to give away to the aforementioned Patterson Hood & the Screwtopians + Will Johnson show at the Metro. To enter, drop a comment with your favorite Drive-By Truckers album or song. I’ll select two winners at random next week.

Pre-Order: Patterson Hood - Murdering Oscar (And Other Love Songs)
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Myspace: Patterson Hood
MP3: Patterson Hood - “Pride Of The Yankees”
MP3: Patterson Hood - “Pollyanna”

Kudos to my friends over at WMSE 91.7FM who announced yesterday the inaugural Radio Summer Camp – “a four-day music festival and symposium taking place at venues throughout Milwaukee from Thursday, August 20th through Monday, August 24th.”

I’ve gotten a peak behind the curtain and I can tell you they have some amazing stuff going on over the four days, so do stay tuned to their blog for updates. Until then, pimp the line up for The Backyard BBQ which goes down at Cathedral Square park from 11AM – 9PM on Saturday, August 22nd, “mixing some of Milwaukee’s best with great national touring acts.”

The Backyard BBQ - Saturday, August 22nd

11 – 11:45am Cedarwell
12 – 12:45pm Alex Wilson Band
1:15 – 2:05pm The Championship
2:30 – 3:30pm Joe Pug
4:00 – 5:00pm Bill Kirchen
5:30 – 6:30pm Justin Townes Earle
7:00 – 8:30pm Paul Cebar Tomorrow Sound

One of my favorite albums of the year is Steve Earle’s musical hat tip to his hero/mentor, Townes Van Zandt. The appropriately named Townes dropped last month on New West Records and I admit my heart sank a little when the initial tour dates for the album lacked a Wisconsin date. After all, Steve put on one of my favorite concerts of 2008 with his show at the Barrymore Theatre in Madison.

I’m happy to report that Steve Earle will play the Pabst Theater on Wednesday, July 29th.

Suggested Reading: Diversions :: Steve Earle on Townes Van Zandt (Aquarium Drunkard)

Buy: Steve Earle - Townes
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Myspace: Steve Earle
MP3: Steve Earle - “To Live Is To Fly”

“What keeps me alive is the green in your eyes and the sweet distant drawl of your voice on the phone.”

I caught the Felice Brothers over the weekend on the Terrace in Madison. Beautiful night for some music outdoors. It was my second time seeing them this year, and now that the Yonder Is Clock material has sunk in, I can enjoy those songs right alongside old favorites like “Frankie’s Gun” and “Whiskey In My Whiskey.”

The above track, “Her Eyes Dart Round” is one I watch repeatedly on YouTube, yet have been unable to unearth any actual recording of the song. If you’ve got it, drop a comment or hit me up via e-mail. Thanks to everyone who sent in live and studio versions!

Update: Below you’ll find an official recording of the track taken from the now out of print release Iantown. Thanks to Roland for the hook up!

MP3: The Felice Brothers - “Her Eyes Dart Round”

Buy: The Felice Brothers - Yonder Is The Clock
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Myspace: The Felice Brothers
MP3: The Felice Brothers - “Run Chicken Run”

Last night in Chicago Menomena reminded everyone how great their 2007 Release Friend and Foe was, and how desperate everyone is for its follow up. The Empty Bottle crowd was on hand for what turned out to be a 32nd birthday celebration for Brent Knopf, who, as you can see in the pictures below, blew out the candles, then helped the band through a blistering set of material.

Those hoping to hear some new material got their wish. By my count there were two (possibly three) new tunes, but the majority of the set drew from Friend and Foe, which drew no complaints from me and my crew. Check the photos from Daniel Brielmaier and drop a comment with your thoughts if you made the show.

Those hungry for new Menomena material can get their fix via Brent Knopf’s new Ramona Falls project until a proper studio record comes around.

Buy: Menomena - Friend and Foe
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Myspace: Menomena
MP3: Menomena - “Wet & Rusting”

AIDS Walk Wisconsin named Justin Vernon of Bon Iver as its honorary chair for its Sunday, October 11th event. It sounds like he’ll be playing a brief acoustic set at the conclusion of the event at Summerfest grounds.

Maybe we should start up a Muzzle of Bees team? Anybody wanna join forces/feet for the event?

Been a long-time fan of Kings of Leon. I know they’re huge stars outside of the US and they continue to increase their draw here in the states, but boy did they make a huge jump from the Eagles Ballroom to the Bradley Center, where they play on Saturday, September 26th.

Check the rest of their US Tour Dates here.

Price: $44
On Sale: Saturday, June 13th @ Noon
Opener: Glasvegas

Myspace: Kings of Leon

Here are the Wisconsin and Chicago shows we recommend you take in this week. Check them out below and let us know which ones you’ll be attending or ones you think should really make our list. Also, don’t miss the very solid week of new releases, including our recommended purchases below.

Upcoming Wisconsin Shows:

6/3 - Maynard James Keenan (Tool) - Whole Foods Wine Bottle Signing, Milwaukee
6/4 - John Vanderslice/Tallest Man On Earth - Turner Hall Ballroom
6/4 - Jenny Lewis + The Sadies - Barrymore, Madison
6/5 - John Vanderslice/Tallest Man On Earth - High Noon Saloon, Madison
6/5 - St. Vincent - Pabst Theater, Milwaukee
6/7 - Rock Plaza Central/Laura Gibson - High Noon Saloon, Madison

Upcoming Chicago Shows:

6/1 - Menomena - Empty Bottle
6/2 - Amadou & Mariam - Park West
6/4 - Crosby, Stills & Nash - Charter One Pavillion
6/4 - Murs - Pearl Room
6/5 - Jenny Lewis - Park West
6/5 - Telepathe - Empty Bottle
6/6 - Hayes Carll - Lakeshore Theater
6/6 - Apostle of Hustle - Metronome Celebration
6/7 - Apostle of Hustle - Empty Bottle
6/7 - St. Vincent - Metro
6/7 - Telekinesis - Schuba’s

Just Announced:

7/4 - Stephen Malkmus + The Jicks - Red, White & Blue Ribbon Festival, Milwaukee

New Releases:

Eels - Hombre Lobo: 12 Songs of Desire, Neil Young Archives, Vol. 1: 1963-1972, Cass McCombs - Catacombs,

+Bookmark our Wisconsin and Chicago shows pages for all your concert announcements+

I’ve really enjoyed my first couple spins through the new Son Volt record, American Central Dust. In fact, the song “Dynamite,” featuring the lyrics “this love is like celebrating the 4th of July with dynamite,” might be their catchiest song (in a good way) to date.

I’ve long positioned myself on the fence with this band in the past. Trace is a hard album to argue with, making it mighty hard to follow up. American Central Dust cuts closest to their best work to date and I think it will age gracefully amongst their catalog. It drops July 7th via Rounder Records.

Buy: Son Volt - “American Central Dust”
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Myspace: Son Volt
MP3: Son Volt - “Down To The Wire”

Welcome to the 10th podcast/download I’m co-hosting with Ryan Schleicher at 91.7 WMSE. We dedicate this week’s podcast in tribute to Jay Bennett, who recently passed away, and whose musical lineage and contributions we will always remember.

Muzzle of Bees + 91.7 WMSE Podcast: Volume 10:

Wilco - “Cars Can’t Escape” / Jay Bennett - “Another Town Another Ride Another Window” / Jay Bennett - “Without The Benefit Of Sight” / The Low Anthem - “(Don’t) Tremble” / John Sieger - “Remember Me” / DeYarmond Edison - “Dead Anchor” / Justin Vernon - “Hazelton” / Megafaun - “The Fade” / Strand of Oaks - “Lawns Breed Songs” / Donovan Quinn & The 13th Month - “They’re Going to Pick Us Apart” / Steve Earle - “Delta Momma Blues” / Steve Earle - “Mr. Mudd & Mr. Gold” / White Antelope - “It Ain’t Me Babe” / The Felice Brothers - “Katie Dear”

Download/Stream: Muzzle of Bees + 91.7 WMSE Podcast: Volume 10