Kyle Gilkeson

Kronos Quartet to play encore of JG Thirlwell’s Eremikophobia in NYC

Featured in the upcoming ALARM 38: Invisible, Australian experimental composer JG Thirlwell recently commissioned his second piece for the prolific chamber ensemble Kronos Quartet.

Kronos Quartet debuted the 18-minute multi-movement piece, named Eremikophobia (a fear of sand or deserts), at Carnegie Hall in March as part of its Perspectives Series. Now, the group will perform it again on October 8 and 9 2010 at New York’s Le Poisson Rouge.

They will also be playing pieces by Michael Gordon, Clint Mansell and Dan Visconti.

Fifth annual Umbrella Music Festival set for November 3-7

The acclaimed Umbrella Music Festival returns November 3-7 for its fifth annual celebration of jazz and improvised music from Chicago and beyond. The festival opens with a special evening of free concerts dubbed “European Jazz Meets Chicago,” co-presented by Umbrella Music, the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs, and 10 different European consulates and cultural organizations.

Powerglove’s five favorite video-game covers

Named after the Nintendo robot-hand gaming accessory, Powerglove plays power-metal covers of classic video-game songs. The band released its debut EP, Total Pwnage, in 2005, covering, among other songs, the Tetris theme and the Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers theme. The band continued to develop its “Nintendo-core” sound with a full-length in 2007, entitled Metal Kombat for the Mortal Man.

With a new album based on Saturday-morning cartoons on the way (Saturday Morning Apocalypse, 9/28, E1 Music), Powerglove caught up with ALARM to share a few of its all-time favorite video-game covers.

Unsane kicks off Scattered, Smothered & Covered US Tour, plays entire album live

Influential alt-metal group Unsane has announced super-special summer US tour dates. The trio will perform its classic 1995 album Scattered, Smothered & Covered from start to finish. The tour started last night, August 5, at NYC’s Santos Party House.

The announcement of the special Unsane live shows coincides with the 25th anniversary of Amphetamine Reptile Records, once home to the band. Unsane will perform alongside the Melvins, Boss Hog, and more as one of the featured artists at the AmRep 25th Anniversary Bash, set to take place August 27 and 28 in Minneapolis, MN.