German concert date changes
For technical reasons the PRETENDERS concert on June 22nd in Berlin has
to
move from Huxleys to Kesselhaus and the June 21st date in Stuttgart has to move from Liederhalle/Beethovensaal to LKA . The tickets already bought stay valid.
Thank you very much.
A note from Chrissie Hynde to John Cerna, winner of the Pretenders PETA Video Contest:
Hey John,
Congrats for being our choice. I love a man who is willing to drag an armchair behind him whilst dressed as a rabbit. And I loved your sensitive depiction of what P E T A is about and why we do what we do. Look forward to meeting up in L A.
We had a blast watching all the entrys. At least one guitar player I know is keen to hook up with the Vegan Goddess. I am thinking about learning to sing underwater. Glad to see some other broads my age are playing toy guitars and looking rough. Loved revisiting the English tube system for three minutes - felt right at home. Sorry to see that anyone is compelled to dress like me - always a fashion faux pas but made me laugh. Loved seeing my voice coming out of the mouth of a man - which probably is how it should have been in the first place. All in all it cheered me up to see so many takes and interpretations of the meaning of "Boots of Chinese Plastic", but mostly glad to see so much support for the pride of my generation, The People For The Ethical Treatment of Animals.
Thank you all and I hope we get to meet up somewhere down the road .
Until then, Yours as always, Chrissie
A note from Chrissie Hynde
Hi, Chrissie here,
Yes, imagine me sitting here in my mismatching pajamas, typing skills only marginally better than those of my guitar playing - cannot type unless I'm sitting crosslegged and try that on one of these bouncy swivel chairs they put in hotels - I curse all those who made these chairs popular.
Had to get James up out of bed to ( oh, stop it - he's in another room) figure out why my computer ( yeah, have a good laugh) dumped the last hour of my life and while he was at it move an armchair over - all the chords and wires twisted as I had tried to do this sitting on the bed and then the floor but he reckoned thats why the bloody thing overheated in the first place and of course the arm chair far too low so had to pull the sofa cushions off to bolster me up on what feels like some kind of acid bummer marshmallow. The room looks like an out of control joy rider crashed into it - staff will no doubt think I was 'partying' hard. Right, if I have to stay in alone one more night watching 'Step Brothers'........
Gail already called to 'advise' me not to smoke. I put that one out straight away.
Cleveland was a nightmare. I looked over to see Eric breaking into a full blown fever, streaming perspiration, but of course he could get away with it sitting there playing his peddle steel guitar, and I thought to myself ' Maybe THAT'S why he chose to play peddle steel.' - About as good a theory as I've come up with so far.
Meanwhile, Muggins here was reaching for notes that have served her trustily for 30 years but were now ignoring her like an English shop assistant.
Why Cleveland ??? Why couldn't it be Oslo or Hong Kong? Not Cleveland where it all started - all those shows I dutifully witnessed right here in the hallowed place that would one day go on to inform my entire future. All night I could telepathically hear the communal thoughts of a bemused looking audience -" THAT BITCH CAN'T SING" Dear God, make it go away - and trying so hard to repress the irrepressible urge to shout 'f**k f**k f**k' down the mike which was by then aiding me no better than a bored and unresponsive lover ( I've read about those) - pleading silently with any jumped up journo who might be watching and ready to go off to write up my filthy mouth in his report which no doubt, us being a mere 30 miles from Akron, my parents would get wind of.
Now you may well think that surely, at the age of 57, I should feel free to express my self as I see fit especially on my own stage. But there is not and has never been any swearing in the House of Hynde. I know, hard to believe.
I coughed and wheezed and sweated up a storm in my bunk all the way to Indianapolis.
Doctor said it was a good thing I caught it in it's early stage - could have been the start of a long, painful, protracted respiratory infection. Are you kidding me?? Cancel a show?? I've only canceled twice that I can remember in 30 years! If I were to be even two minutes late to hit the stage it would probably cause me some kind of major breakdown. Oh yes, I'm neurotic as hell. I already told you that.
Trouble is, I find it hard, read impossible, to write if I don't have a fag going. Ask any writer in the world and they'll back me up on that. Ask Martin Amis.
Anyway, to the good and charitable people of Indianapolis, I am truly sorry. And for that matter, you too Cleveland .
Has Martin started doing his blog yet? He's nuts, right?
Yours, as always, Chrissie
Chrissie Hynde's Tour Blog
January 27
Tour off to a good start.
Left home for London Heathrow
at half past two and arrived J.F.K. about 10 hours later.
Got a van from J.F.K. to take us to Albany. Pulled in after midnight,
about 5 am London time. Lord it was cold. By 4 in the morning
a thick blanket of snow covered the city and it was beautiful. Stood
in the window of my hotel room and watched the first of the snowplows
arrive. Meditated on that for a while. Another tour.
You get this haunting personal relationship with the places youve
been over the years. I only feel right if Im in a hotel downtown.
Thats how you can commune with the ghosts.
January 28
In the morning we all went
trudging off through the snow drifts and ice to a shop called Lodges.
Famous as its been going for over a hundred years. Theyre very
proud of it. Everyone got boots and hats. Skinny little English
guys not used to the freezing weather. Ha ha ha.
Big marquee outside the Palace
Theatre with our name in lights. Nice. One day youre gonna
see your name in lights, kid There it was.
The Palace is one of those
Grande Dames that sit in the middle of town like a family jewel.
The sense of timelessness you get in those places is, for me, a turn
on.
Had a production rehearsal.
We all hate rehearsing - just want to get on with it. Gotta
do your f*****g homework though. Ugh.
Met, and was pleased
to say I was right about our opening act, American Bang. I didnt
even have to hear them - I knew theyre going to be great just by
looking at them. Thats what sets bands apart from other
civilians.
January 29
Got the first
show out of the way always a huge relief. It was good fun
too well, it has to be doesnt it. The audience was well up for
it ( thank you Albany) and we - if I do say so myself - didnt
let them down. Good job we didnt burn ourselves out by over rehearsing
the fear and shambolic ness made it, well unique. I need that
wild element to get off. In everything. I was nervous but the
stage is like a glove. Glad I decided to go with my gold T E L
E. Feels perfect.
Some guy gave Tim a ticket
stub to pass on to me that hed saved from a show we did at the Palace
in 1982. Imagine saving it. Oddly it was marked January 29
exactly 28 years ago to the day. James was two.
Question: who is the
S S officer who designed those bathtubs that drop from your neck at
a 90 degree angle? Ive peeled off enough sandpaper daisies
in my time.
January 30
Got the train to the Big Apple.
The guys, being Lymeys and all (except for Eric) probably dont realize
how special it is training it. Of-course Id never
been on one before I went to England and Im still mad for it. How
I dearly wish we could do the whole tour like this. Sadly, only possible
on the east coast. Then we get into the Midwest where the tracks
are down, but nobodys home.
New York State all down along
the Hudson River frozen over was just gorgeous. Always think of Wendy
O Williams when I see The Hudson as she did one of her dare devil stunts
there when she drove a car through flames up a ramp and bailed just
before it plunged in. Miss her.
Naturally shit scared doing
our second show at the high profile Roseland Ballroom. Its another
one of those perfect venues. Last time we played here I came straight
from jail after busting the Gap with P E T A.
Saw some of the Kings
of Leon in the hotel on way to soundcheck.. Nathan
hasnt cut off his curly locks. I was actually compelled to touch
them. Maybe Im starting to lose it here.
Just love those long haired beauties.
Show Time
American Bang delivered,
no problem. So So glad we got them.(Turns out theyre pals
of The Kings. All Tennessee boys of-course! )
Our audience is loving them. Good good good.
Well, I just dig the hell out
of that theatre - standing audience no seats- right there in your
face just like it should be. They see us, we see them. Why bands
want to play stadiums I dont get. When did Rock become a sporting
event? Who wants to sit and eat while youre watching a band?
Recognized so many faces up front, made me feel right at home.
James is a total nutter when
he gets going. I could watch him all night. I can tell people are amazed
to see this lanky pale English kid playing like a hillbilly hot shot.
Then I look to my right and theres Nick giving it his punky thrash
with that maniacal grin egging me on. He is always on. You need that
consistent steady unflappable ness from the bass or the whole thing
just falls apart like stale bread. And because of that Martins playing
at the height of his game which is a joy to behold he really is
the definitive show man. Cracks me up every night. He went all
the way to Liverpool to get some red suede Beatle boots. Did anyone
in the audience see them behind the drums I wonder. And then theres
Eric. Never would have called that one. A peddal
steel player? Whod have thought.
Johnnie Mac got up to play
Precious with us. His face! Bet Borg never saw THAT look.
After the show saw some mates
and had a few. Dozen. Just cant seem to keep that cork in the bottle.
Oh well.
January 31
Train to Atlantic City.
Those train stations are a joy. They now have eateries like
the kilo restaurants in Brazil. My absolute favourite.
You load your plate from a buffet then set it on a scale and pay
by weight. Brussell sprouts, mashed potatoes, asparagus and pesto
pasta. Lots of it. Im getting fat.
Casino gig. Mainly people
in for the week-end who probably just show up cause were the band
playing that night. Of course theres fans too - we give
it to them whatever. Different dynamic than the theatres but the change
keeps you on your toes.
. After the
show everyone went to the tables to try their luck. Not me.
Never got the taste. Surprising really when I consider all my
other disgusting appetites and addictions. Stayed in my room drinking
and watched Step Brothers. Again. Oh I am a sad f**k.
Gail, our manager, lost a hundred
bucks on black jack but not before getting security to throw out some
asshole who was getting abusive. Wish Id been there to
see that. You dont f**k with Gail.
Feburary 1
Nothing to get on room service
for breakfast. Who on Gods green earth would eat a pork sausage
for breakfast by choice? (Only have to take a trip to the
lobby to answer that one.) Never mind. Makes me more resolved
to get my restaurants going. Managed to do my yoga (badly) even with
a hangover. Im a dog.
Penn station again. Ran
to that Kilo bar like a pig to a trough. How I love
sitting in those public places and watching the human pageantry.
I get lost in it. I like people. Sometimes Ill see some
sad sack hanging around and I just feel an overwhelming emotion.
Like the feeling you get when you see the personal effects of someone
recently deceased. Eric and James got their shoes shined.
Eric is that kind of guy, kind of a spiv. But I think
James only did because I accused him of being too cheap to have em done.
He couldnt stop looking at his boots afterwards- obviously
never seen them buffed up before.
Security guard had a
lovely sniffer dog. Glad I havent been smoking
pot for a while. Who needs the hassel. Vice
President Joe Biden and his wife were in our carriage so there was a
twitter of excitement all round. You got my vote brother! Lots
of security, secret service.. Gail and the guys were oh so impressed.
All texting their mates in England. Silly sods.
Going through Baltimore even
more of a thrill than usual since weve turned on to The Wire.
. Avon Barksdale, where are you ? Omar,
come out come out where ever you are! ILL be texting
home about that one.
Washington Train station truly
majestic. The mood in town, up. For all its
troubles, America is feeling pretty darn good. Yes, the mood has definitely
changed. As if the whole planetary alignment above has shifted.
Well, maybe it has. People actually look different and Im not
just imagining it. Even the American flag looks different.
Washington D C is a beautiful
town. I admit, I never really acknowledged it before. Something
to do with hippie in me being ashamed.
A night off and we took James
out to an Italian as its his birthday tomorrow..
Hell be 29. Both Nick and
James had to show their I D s. Hey, what about me? How
about not serving people because theyre too old? That would
save me a great deal of pain.
Ended up in the hotel bar (did
we even pay?) talking to an oboe player who I apparently told to f**k
off. Twice. I dont remember doing that but I did according
to everyone who was there. Those classical musicians are stranger than
rock musicians. I know that for a fact.
Feburary 2
The 9 30 club. Cool venue.
Talked to the guys in American Bang at soundcheck. Found out they
toured with Z Z Top just before we did. We all raved about our time
with the great Z Z Top. I miss seeing Billy Gibbons in his Pijamas.and
boots at soundchecks. Its the little things that count.
Was nervous as hell before
the show. Mainly because I had such a rough day staying in my
room all day indulging in self loathing. Just felt awful.
The guys went out to some museums but I lost the whole day.
Wont be doing that again any time soon. I hope.
Well, thanks to the great Washington
public we had a good if not flawed show. At one point all I could
see was a sea of red lights cause these days people would rather
film the show instead of watch it. Lost my concentration badly
but was partly down to the hang over. Had to ask people to put their
cameras away. Sorry about that. Made some dreadful cock ups but
nobody seemed to mind. Well you can watch me slip and struggle on Youtube.
C******s! Audience was really so gracious. Carried
us through the storm.
The Big Daddy Jackpot was that
the writers/creators of The Wire came back stage after the show. We
were practically kissing their feet. Dan Mathews and David
Cohen and a mate of theirs came back too. They were totally wasted.
I could feel the danger. Back away from the cookie jar! Dan loved
the show so I was happy. They wanted me to go out with them but
after last night I just couldnt face the prospect of another black
tomorrow. In all my times over the years with him, Dan has seen me about
as f****d up as anyone has and probably, recognising the fear in my
eyes, let me off the hook. I imagine he was glad not to have to help
me to my room later with a black eye and bleeding. (me, not him)
He cheered me up a treat by telling me that Pamela Anderson is going
to be in our PETA version of a Boots of Chinese Plastic video.
Went back to hotel and didnt leave the safety of my room. Woke up
at 6, made a pot of tea, feeling the relief. Thank you Jesus.
Gotta quit smoking.
February 3
What a day! Back
to airport hell. Hung around for hours waiting to get a flight
out to Boson. Weather conditions. Made a pig of myself at Chinese buffet.
These airports sorely need some vegetarian fare. I better
get my skates on and get in there. Miss the train but thats
over for now as we get on our tour bus from here on in. The guys
are excited though. Guys love tour busses dont ask me why.
I agree it makes is easier to get out of town. After the
show you climb on, and if you can sleep, wake up in the next city. That
IS nice.
Boston looks absolutely beautiful
in the snow flurries. From my hotel room I look out over the common
and it is a joy to behold. I wonder am I becoming
a sentimental old fool? ( Ive criticised them enough in the
past to deserve it, I know.)
Its a dreaded day off so
I have to be careful.
Went out with Martin to see
The Wrestler. Ive seen it twice now. Nice one Darren.
Nice one Mickey. Nice one Marisa.
February 4
Woke up early and feel refreshed
and good. When Im not a hung over wreck Im awesome.
If I ever get desperate enough to join an on line dating service, maybe
thats how I should describe myself. I imagine the offers
will come in fast and furious.
Well, I
for one am getting sick of my own ramblings so Im going to turn this
blogging shtick over to one of the guys. Its been real!
See you somewhere
down the road.
Yours, Chrissie
Martin Chambers Tour Blog
I had driven up from Washington to Boston thru the night with the crew on their bus ( we were getting our bus in Boston ). It had been very cold since we got to the U.S. and played our first gig in Albany some days earlier. I'm not much of a flyer so i hitched a lift overnight, always nice to find out that the crew bus , is a "happy bus" ..
The Ritz Carlton on a day off , a shower followed by a long wallow in the bath eased the old bones and tired muscles. So far the fingers were holding up with just a little bruising to the knuckles from punching the cymbals with my fists on some endings because a stick had 'gotten away from me '!
The band were flying in today from Washington, the forcast had been for bad weather so i was real glad i was not flying today..
The weather outside was thick of fine snow and visability was poor and today 50 years before a flight cost the lives of Buddy Holly , the Big Bopper , Richie Valens and a few others . I decided to find out the aircrafts status online.
The weather was getting worse and i had hit a brick wall on the computers worldwide interweb so i texted our tour manager Tim. They were still on the ground in Washington. . After a few hours i went to the lobby and got the hotel staff on the case. A few minutes later i saw Chrissie walk through the door. I must admit i felt relieved knowing i still had a job... after all Buddy Holly was born on September 7th , same as our Lead Singer !
The following night we turned up the wick a little and the Orpheum was jumping. I was pleased the bass drum head had held out because at the 9.30 gig in Washington , i had managed somehow to put the bass drum pedal beater through the drum head and play left footed till the end of Day After Day which is quite a mind ****.
We then traveled together for the first time on our tour bus. I always feel better when we have a few over nighters under our belts. The driver David seems smooth with no sign of "nodding out" . So far so good..
In Philly a few days later we played an old Warehouse called The Electric Factory , that was a great gig for us. The stage had some standing balcony"s above me to my left , its like my own audient ..
So , as i Blog we are on the stationary bus outside the back of the Michigan Theatre. Who knows whats gonna happen tonight .
See you soon Martin .
THE PRETENDERS ANNOUNCE IN CONJUNCTION WITH PETA & YOUTUBE BOOTS OF CHINESE PLASTIC VIDEO CONTEST
January 12, 2009 - The Pretenders along with The People For The Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), and YouTube are putting together a contest where fans can make their own video for the band’s hit song “Boots Of Chinese Plastic” from their latest album Break Up The Concrete.
Fans and animal lovers are being asked to create videos via YouTube where they’ll lip synch the song “Boots Of Chinese Plastic.” Contestants are also asked to show off their boots or shoes of plastic somewhere in the performance. One winner will be chosen by the band and later flown to Los Angeles to perform their version in the band’s video for the song. “This is a fun way to raise awareness for a very serious cause. We are looking forward to seeing our fans and animal loving friends perform Boots of Chinese Plastic via You Tube” said Chrissie Hynde. For more information please go to: http://www.thepretenders.com/petacontest.html
The video once completed will debut on the PETA, You Tube and Pretenders websites in an effort to raise awareness for PETA. “We’re excited to have the casting net for this special Pretenders video be open to everyone via You Tube, with the promotion help of Apple QuickTime. The winner is going to have a lot of fun while supporting a great cause.” said Cory Llewellyn head of digital promotion at Shangri La Music. Band founder Chrissie Hynde has been one of the most outspoken activist for animal rights and has been a member of PETA for many years.
“Boots of Chinese Plastic” was a #1 song at AAA radio and Chrissie Hynde was recently named the best AAA artist for 2008 by the radio trade magazine FMQB. The band begins a tour of the U.S. starting January 29 in Albany, NY finishing March 14 in Reno, NV.
PRETENDERS TO RELEASE iTUNES ORIGINALS SET ON DECEMBER 23;
BAND ALSO RELEASES DIGITAL HOLIDAY EP
The Pretenders announced today they will be the latest artist to be part of the iTunes Originals series. The Pretenders edition will be available exclusively at the iTunes Store starting December 23. On top of this release the band has released a digital holiday EP which features a new recording of the bands classic 2000 Miles as well as holiday classics I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus, Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas and Blue Christmas. The version of Blue Christmas will also be featured in the video game Rock Band.
The Pretenders Original release contains new recordings of songs that trace the bands entire career and were recorded with the bands current lineup of Chrissie Hynde, Martin Chambers, James Walbourne, Mark Spencer, and Nick Wilkinson. The band will tour the US for six weeks starting January 29 in Albany (Eric Heywood, the pedal steel player from the last album will be rejoining the band for the tour replacing Mark Spencer). The Pretenders Original also includes interviews with Chrissie Hynde exploring the origins of songs, and the LP Version of Loves A Mystery from the bands critically lauded Break Up The Concrete.
Song list for iTunes Originals:
Almost Perfect
Dont Cut Your Hair
Loves A Mystery (LP Version)
My City Was Gone
One Thing Never Changed
Rosalee
Talk Of The Town
Tequila
Thumbelina
PRETENDERS ANNOUNCE FIRST NORTH AMERICAN HEADLINING TOUR SINCE 2003; TOUR IN SUPPORT OF WIDELY ACCLAIMED ALBUM BREAKUP THE CONCRETE
The Pretenders announced a tour through North American starting January 29 at the Palace Theatre in Albany, NY with the final show taking place on March 14 in Reno, Nevada.
The tour is the band's first extensive headlining tour since 2003.
The Pretenders touring line up of Chrissie Hynde, Martin Chambers, James Walbourne, Eric Heywood, and Nick Wilkinson is touring in support of the band's ninth album,
Break Up The Concrete which was released through Shangri-La Music in October of 2008. The album, which Rolling Stone lauded as, "The best
Pretenders album in years," was recorded in 12 days in Los Angeles and offers an especially gritty and immediate and recalls the band's earlier days. The album has spawned the single "Boots Of Chinese
Plastic" which reached #1 on the AAA radio chart.
Below is the Pretenders 2009 North American tour dates more dates to follow:
January 29
Albany, NY
The Palace Theatre
January 30
New York, NY
Roseland Ballroom
January 31
Atlantic City, NJ
Borgata-Music Box
February 2
Washington, DC
9:30 Club
February 4
Boston, MA
Orpheum Theatre
February 5
Jim Thorpe, PA
Penn's Peak
February 6
Philadelphia, PA
Electric Factory
February 7
Ledyard, CT
Fox Theatre
February 9
Ann Arbor, MI
Michigan Theater
February 10
Cleveland, OH
House Of Blues
February 11
Indianapolis, IN
Murat Theatre
February 13
Cincinnati, OH
Taft Theatre
February 14
Akron, OH
Akron Civic Ctr Theatre
February 15
Chicago, IL
Riviera Theater
February 17
Milwaukee, WI
Northern Lights Theatre
February 18
Milwaukee, WI
Northern Lights Theatre
February 20
Minneapolis, MN
First Avenue
February 21
Kansas City, MO
Ameristar Casino
February 22
Tulsa, OK
Brady Theater
February 24
Denver, CO
Paramount Theatre
February 25
Aspen, CO
Belly Up Aspen
February 27
Dallas, TX
House Of Blues
February 28
Houston, TX
House Of Blues
March 1
Austin, TX
Stubbs
March 4
Phoenix, AZ
The Dodge Theater
March 5
San Diego, CA
House Of Blues
March 6
Pala, CA
Pala Casino-Cabaret Room
March 7
Las Vegas, NV
House Of Blues
March 8
Anaheim, CA
The Grove
March 10
Los Angeles, CA
The Wiltern
March 13
Reno, NV
Silver Legacy Casino
March 14
San Francisco, CA
The Fillmore
PRETENDERS BREAK UP THE CONCRETE FIRST EDITION TO BE RELEASED ON HANDMADE SEED PAPER LETTING FANS PLANT A FLOWER WHILE LISTENING TO AN ALBUM
The Pretenders ninth studio album, Break Up The Concrete, will have a limited run of ecologically-friendly packaging with handmade seed paper starting on the album's release date of October 7. This paper can be planted and, with care, may sprout in 1 to 4 weeks. The paper used on this plantable run, and the paper for subsequent non-plantable runs of the CD and vinyl configuration, has all been certified by the FSC, an independent, non-governmental, not for profit organization established to promote the responsible management of the world's forests. The vinyl version of the album, to be released on September 23, is two 10" discs with a gatefold, die-cut to shape and debossed with concrete texture with a full Album CD in Mini Jacket
The ecological packaging should come as no surprise to anyone who has followed the career of the Pretenders front woman Chrissie Hynde, who has always been on the forefront of ecological issues and humane treatment of animals.
Break Up The Concrete's 11 songs were recorded in 12 days making for an album both gritty and immediate which recalls the band's earliest days. Hynde, along with the other Pretenders: guitarist James Walbourne, bassist Nick Wilkinson and long time drummer Martin Chambers will be introducing new songs from the album on Late Show With David Letterman on October 6 and then the Today Show the following morning October 7.
The media's response has been overwhelmingly positive with Spin naming the band, "Artist of the Day;" and exclaiming in their print edition, "Along with four new Pretenders, [Hynde has] crafted a statement that's stripped bare and dangerous, just like Hynde herself." The single, the restless "Boots Of Chinese Plastic" has already cracked the Top 10 of the Rock radio charts; is breaking boundaries on Alternative radio; and has become an immediate staple on the Classic Rock, Americana, Adult Alternative formats.
Shangri-la Music took the unprecedented step of giving a new MP3 download per week leading up to the release of the vinyl album. 11 different partners made a different song available each week with AOL/Spinner, Apple Quicktime, Clear Channel, CMT, iLike, iMeem, MP3.com/Download.com, MSN Windows Media, Vh1 Classic, Yahoo, and CBS Radio Online all offering downloads, creating a buzz of anticipation that no Pretenders album has had in over a decade.
Shangri-La Music is proud to announce the newest album by one of rock’s seminal bands with the release of The Pretenders’ Break Up The Concrete out October 7th. The album, the ninth in the band's illustrious career and its first in 6 years, has band leader Chrissie Hynde collaborating with a new group of musicians. Recorded in 10 days the result is a stripped down roots album, pure and raw, which highlights Hynde's timeless vocal sound.
While the music for Break Up The Concrete may have its origins in rock’s beginnings, the marketing of the album has Shangri-La Music boldly embracing the present and future. Starting today, the label is launching a massive MP3 Countdown campaign where each week a new song will be available for free download through a different media partner. This week’s song, “Boots of Chinese Plastic,” will be available through AOL's Spinner.com. In subsequent weeks downloads will be available through Apple QuickTime's site, ClearChannel.com, CMT.com, iLike, iMeem, MP3.com/Download.com, MSN Windows Media, Vh1 Classic, Yahoo and CBS Radio Online. Fans will be able to find where the next free MP3 will be available by going to www.thepretenders.com. Says Shangri-La’s Jeff Ayeroff, “The oldest and most basic form of exposing music is through word of mouth and the newest way is through the internet. This campaign combines both word of mouth and the muscle of 11 major online media partners and will allow people to hear how truly great this album is. Anyone who hears any of the tracks on Break Up The Concrete is going to tell everybody about it.”
Backing up Hynde on the album is a band that has no problems conjuring the true spirit of rock’s earliest days. Classic leads by guitarist James Walbourne, the twang of pedal steel from Eric Heywood, and backed by a concrete foundation laid by the rhythm section of bassist Nick Wilkinson and legendary drummer Jim Keltner, this band allows Hynde to show off her best vocal work and songwriting since the early days of The Pretenders. |
