Artists & Music Grant lee Buffalo Rides Again SlashlWarner Bros. Act Revitalizes Sound With `Jubilee' BY CRAIG ROSEN production company. pushed buttons. Tempers flared to a LOS ANGELES -When Grant Lee With the band reduced to Phillips certain degree, but by the end of Buffalo parted company with Paul and drummer Joey Peters, the pair that first meeting, I found myself sit- Kimble last year, fans of the band ting at his piano, working through feared the worst. After all, Kimble, my songs, and realized that there the trio's bass player and producer was an honest rapport." since its 1993 debut, was an integral With Fox in the control booth and Shine On. Elektra Entertainment executives surround the Scott Thomas Band part of its sound. the band seemingly taking to heart following its show at New York's Shine. The quartet's debut album, "California," Surprisingly, those fears seemed the advice of the title of "Jubilee" will be released May 26. Shown standing, from left, are bassist Curt Schneider, to be unfounded. The departure of track "Change Your Tune," GLB senior VP of promotion Greg Thompson, VP of promotion Bill Pfordresher, senior Kimble is to -who continuing pro- went on to record the dozen songs director of marketing Dane Venable, co- producer /guitarist Andrew Williams, and duce other acts only hasn't -not hurt (published by Storm Hymnal Ltd./ VP of marketing Brian Cohen. Sitting, from left, are drummer Sandy Chila, the band, it's invigorated it. Follow- GRANT LEE BUFFALO BMI) with a revived spirit and sense singer /guitarist/producer Scott Thomas, executive VP /GM Alan Voss, and senior of ers GLB and label staffers are of purpose. As Phillips explains, the VP of marketing Steve Kleinberg. calling the band's fourth album, played a series of impromptu gigs at (Continued on page 14) "Jubilee," due June 9 on Slash/ L.A.'s Largo, picking up former Warner Bros., its best album to date. Tonic bassist Dan Rothschild as a "We had, up until this point, been support player. a pretty insular group, producing the Based on the recommendation of Was (Not Was] Back In The Present Tense; records inside the band, and basical- friend Robyn Hitchcock and its man- ly shutting the outside world out," ager, Peter Leak of the New York explains singer /guitarist Grant Lee End Ltd., GLB recruited producer EMI Publishing's Lemberg In A Capitol Deal Phillips. "We just reached a certain Paul Fox (XTC, Hitchcock, 10,000 point where it was time to shake it Maniacs) to helm the sessions at WAS (NOT WAS) IS: Good news for fans of that dis- is recording a new album, slated for September release. all up and try things in a different A &M Studios in Hollywood. tinct crossbreed of rock, funk, soul, and dance music "People who know them know that Greg Dulli has a love fashion." "He was quite frank about his feel- that can only be categorized as Was (Not Was). Don and fascination of great soul music," says Devine. "This Kimble departed the band after it ing concerning our previous records Was and David Was are at it again. Although they don't record infuses horns and strings, which they've had a completed tracks for the soundtrack and the record he felt we should yet have a label deal, the two are quietly collaborating little bit before, but it's heavier here." An expanded line- to "Velvet Goldmine," an upcoming make," Phillips says. "He went on a new album while each continues separate produc- up of the band will hit the road shortly after the album's glam- rock -inspired film, which is through our records like a surgeon. ing gigs. "We are just going to do it," says Don. "Our release ... Blondie (with the exception of bassist Nigel being produced by Michael Stipe's A lot of it hit home, and some of it approach is going to be to make the record first." Then, Harrison) are working on an album of new material for he says, the duo will "see who likes it and who would Beyond Records with producer Craig Leon. The band, like to be responsible for selling it." which vetoed a greatest-hits album with two new tracks Commenting on the long separation between the pair, that was slated to come out more than a year ago, Sub Pop's Jesus Mary Chain who have been friends since growing up in Detroit in "wanted to make a bold statement" with all-new mate- the '60s, Don cryptically jokes, _ rial, a representative says. The "We were just temporarily insane. album will be out this fall and will Returns Head On With `MunNi' Now we're cured." be followed by a world tour. Was (Not Was) has not released BY CARRIE BELL seek out the JAMC album but an album in eight years, and the G LUTTONS FOR PUNISH- LOS ANGELES -Over the last 14 jumped at the chance when Sub Pop reunion's timing coincides with the MENT: Bad Religion will have a years, the Jesus & Mary Chain has COO John Schuch learned it was completion of high -profile film tent at the Warped tour where been on a crusade for the perfect available for U.S. distribution. soundtracks by both members. BUT amateur acts can drop off demo modern fuzzy pop gem. Eight al- "He thought it would be a wise David helmed "The X- Files" for tapes. The Atlantic act promises bums, a Lollapalooza gig, drug and move on our part," Jasper says. Elektra; Don oversaw "Hope by Melinda Newman to listen to each and every tape assault arrests, a few soundtracks, "Everyone here flipped, because they Floats" for Capitol. "We reached a and select a winner a few weeks were either old Jesus fans or thought point where other interests took after the tour's conclusion. The it would mean good sales. When we precedence; it's easier to run someone else's project winner receives a demo deal with Atlantic Records. No got the tape, it was all you could hear than your own," says David of their decision to split in word yet on whether the band members will produce blasting out of all the offices." the early '90s. "But then you reach a point where you're the winner's record. Reid says the enthusiasm made too full of responsibility ... and you want to go back to The tent will also feature Bad Religion's pirate radio him eager to work with the Sub Pop some sort of Zen -like regimen." station, where the group will be playing music from team and rejuvenated his feelings That regimen is shaping up to be a true meeting in some of their favorite signed and unsigned bands. about the new songs, which are pub- the middle of the pair's divergent producing styles. Bad Religion's newest album, "No Substance," comes lished by BMG. "We've been talking and starting to figure out what out Tuesday (5) on Atlantic. The band kicks off the JESUS AND MARY CHAIN "We just went over to Seattle a songs we have in our heads," David says. "My vision is Warped tour June 30 in Phoenix. The tour will go to month ago to do press and meet the different from Don's. He has become this avatar of live Europe starting in August; Bad Religion will headline and a beer commercial later, the staff" he says. "They are young, char- music. And for me, on some tracks I'm proud to say that that leg as well. brothers Reid think they've found it ismatic, and into music as opposed to there is not any live music; there are not even any liv- with their first Sub Pop release, just making a career out of it." ing musicians." The album is expected to be finished by TRIBUTE CALLING: No Doubt, Cracker, and Indi- "Munki." The label's excitement translates the end of the summer, with a label arrangement to be go Girls are among the acts cutting tracks for a Clash "We've been refining this collection into one of the largest and most announced within a few months. The act's last two tribute album due Aug. 25 on Epic. They've cut "Hate- of songs for three years as we settled expensive marketing campaigns the albums- 1988's "What Up, Dog ?" and 1990's `Are You ful," "White Riot," and "Clampdown," respectively. label deals and personal strife, so we Seattle -based indie has ever orga- Okay ?" -were both released on Chrysalis. Other acts include Afghan Whigs ( "Lost In The just want to get it out there for pub- nized. Supermarket "), MxPx ( "Janie Jones "), Rancid lic scrutiny," says Jim Reid, 36 -year- "We will definitely donate more STUFF: Look for Evan Lamberg, senior VP of cre- ( "Cheat "), Silverchair ( "London's Burning "), Moby and old singer /songwriter /instrumental- money and time to the project than ative for EMI Music Publishing, to add A &R stripes at Heather Nova ( "Straight To Hell "), the Mighty ist, who is joined in the band by his we do to most of our releases," Capitol Records to his duties. In a one -of-a -kind deal, Mighty Bosstones ( "Rudie Can't Fail "), the Urge brother, William, and Ben Lurie. Jasper says. "We have to be realistic. Lamberg will sign pop and R &B artists to Capitol while ( "This Is Radio Clash "), and 311 ("White Man In Ham- "There is a similar thread running This band has a much bigger follow- continuing to ink talent to the publishing company.