On Thursday (Jan. 11), Semisonic bassist John Munson will perform Meltaway, an evening of cover songs, with an ad hoc "house band" and unnamed guests at Minneapolis' 400 Bar. "The song list," Munson explained via e-mail, "grew out of conversations a friend of mine and I have been having about ‘soul music’ (in the broadest sense) -- conversations heavily salted with CDs, many trips to the stereo, dismissals, disagreements, and learning to love some new 'old music.'" Munson says the band, which includes Semisonic-mate Jake Slichter, will perform songs by Brian Wilson, the Faces, Jack Logan, and Curtis Mayfield, among others. Though there are no firm release plans, Meltaway is being recorded for a live CD. Longtime Semisonic fans may view this show with a strange sense of déjà vu. The band, originally known as Pleasure, was formed as a cover band, while Munson and guitarist Dan Wilson were still in the near-famous Trip Shakespeare.

-- Bill Snyder

Semisonic's Dan Wilson Debuts New Songs In Solo, Acoustic Show

Semisonic frontman Dan Wilson treated those lucky to score tickets for his sold-out solo show on Friday (Dec. 15) to an intimate set of his band's familiar tunes, a few new ones, and a handful of surprises.

Accompanied by percussionists Eric Fawcett (Spymob) and Ken Chastain (ex-Greazy Meal), Wilson moved easily between his acoustic guitar and a baby grand at the 450-seat Cedar Cultural Centre in his hometown of Minneapolis. The performance was a benefit for the Minneapolis-based Fraser School, noted for its innovative use of music therapy. The school's student body -- half of which are "special needs" students -- includes Wilson's three-and-a-half-year-old daughter, Coco.

In sharp contrast to the arena crowds Semisonic saw on its last tour, Friday's audience was seated and silent as Wilson took the stage. Setting the mood for the evening, the musician strapped on his guitar, looked out over the reverent audience, and playfully asked, "Are you all OK?" Quips and rambling tales would fill the night as would Wilson's surprisingly soulful vocals.

Opening up with "Falling" from 1996's Great Divide, Wilson made his way through Feeling Strangely Fine's "DND" before breaking out "Make Time For Me," the first of three songs from the band's forthcoming All About Chemistry (due March 6 on MCA). "You always have to have a public face that you can put on and move through your world. ... Sometimes it's hard to keep that mask on, but you have no choice," he explained to the crowd while introducing the tune, possibly the most somber song in Semisonic's catalog.

In a more upbeat vein, the piano-driven pop-rocker "Chemistry" (the album's first single, according to the band's official Web site) pulled out all the hooks that gave "Closing Time" its long ride at the top of the pop charts.

Of the new songs, it was "One True Love" that found Wilson flashing the broadest smile. "Here's a dream I never even had that came true," he told the audience. "I wrote this song with Carole King." The album version of the song finds King joining the band on backing vocals. Wilson also broke out "Rising," a dark tune he wrote several years back, but never released commercially.

Wilson provided what was perhaps the evening's highest points by sharing the spotlight with Craig Wright (piano-vocals) and Peter Lawton (guitar-vocals) of veteran Minneapolis duo the Tropicals. Joking that he "always wanted to be a Tropical," Wilson took lead vocals on "Heaven" and "King of Yellow Butterflies" -- two songs penned by the duo -- as the three singers hit some of the most striking harmonies this side of Simon and Garfunkel.

One of Wilson's hometown gigs would not have been complete without appearances by his Semisonic bandmates John Munson and Jacob Slichter. Forgoing their usual instruments, bass and drums, respectively, Munson took a seat at the piano for "Closing Time," and the pair shared the baby grand on "Secret Smile." Munson later returned to the piano for the encore-closing "Singing In My Sleep."

-- Bill Snyder

Columbia Recording artists Evan and Jaron have teamed up with Semisonic singer Dan Wilson on a track, "Ready Or Not," tentatively slated for the duo's Columbia debut, as well as garnered Fleetwood Mac drummer Mick Fleetwood, who contributes skins on the album.

"Ready or Not" was written together before the duo had even met Wilson.

"I had this unbelievably cool guitar riff, a melody line idea, and a percussive melody that was very hip-hop," says Evan Lowenstein. "I sent it to Dan and when he heard the song, it inspired him to finish the whole thing. That was it, there was nothing left for me to do. He's that talented."

While Lowenstein may look up to Wilson, the Semisonic singer is just as much in awe of the duo, which also includes brother Jaron Lowenstein. "I think it turned out really well," says Wilson. "They are both super together and they are so musical. The first time I heard them sing harmony in the room with me I got chills down my neck. I thought, 'Oh, this is what real talent is. This is what that God-given gift thing is.' It was like being a room with a classical trained quartet."

Evan and Jaron's as-yet-untitled follow-up to their 1998 Island Records debut, We've Never Heard Of You Either, is currently being mixed in Los Angeles. In addition to Wilson and Fleetwood, John Medeski of Medeski, Martin, and Wood played keyboards on the record, among others. Evan also wrote a song with Burt Bacharach, although it likely won't be used for the record. Producers T-Bone Burnett (Elvis Costello, Los Lobos) and John Fields (Dovetail Joint) are behind the consoles.

-- Kevin Raub

Semisonic Discuss Follow-Up To Platinum Breakthrough

It’s been a whirlwind year for Semisonic. "Closing Time" became a staple all over North America radio (and during last-call at bars across the country) throughout the past year, the band is currently enjoying near-platinum success in the U.K. stemming from the single "Secret Smile," and several songs have surfaced on soundtracks to American Pie, For Love of the Game, and Shake, Rattle and Roll. Whew. So what about a new record?

"We have kind of made this weird, amoeba-like goofy transition from all those various one-off projects and scattered summer activities to suddenly being more focused on the album," says singer Dan Wilson.

Wilson tells us that the band is toying with some 50-odd songs for possibility on the album, which will likely surface sometime in mid-2000. Songs on tap include "Act Naturally," "Over My Head," "Summer Cafes," "Swedish Hit," and "Never Been Hurt." Although the band does plan on hitting a Minneapolis studio in a few months, a lot of the record has already been recorded during other soundtrack studio sessions or wherever the recording bug strikes the band.

"Like on both of our last albums, some of the songs are going to end up being recorded on portable gear," says Wilson. "A lot of the songs on Great Divide and Feeling Strangely Fine were done in various bedrooms, living rooms, garages, and rehearsal spaces. That's definitely the case this time."

But don’t expect the typical post-success theme album where newly crowned rock stars follow-up their breakthrough album with a record full of post-fame complaints. "I always hate when bands do the sort of post-massive success album that is all whining and bitching about what a pain in the ass it is to become successful," says Wilson.

"I'm completely not of that opinion that having lots of people hearing the music is this big. I’ve got no complaints about those interesting and fun things about the band doing well. I don’t believe there will be any of the 'Having a hit single really sucks' numbers [on this record]."

-- Kevin Raub

Semisonic's Dan Wilson & Bosstones' Dicky Barrett Cover Bill Haley

Semisonic's Dan Wilson and Dicky Barrett of the Mighty Mighty Bosstones will soon be shaking, rattling, and rolling into a stereo near you. The two have joined forces on a cover of Bill Haley and the Comets smash hit "Shake Rattle and Roll" for MCA Records' upcoming soundtrack to Shake, Rattle and Roll, a CBS mini-series set for November.

In addition to Wilson and Barrett's contribution, Shake, Rattle and Roll: An All-Star Tribute to the Birth of Rock and Roll will also feature Blink-182's take on Jan & Dean's "Dead Man's Curve"; K-Ci and JoJo, Jesse Powell, and Rahsaan Patterson add '90s flare to the Little Anthony and the Imperials classic, "Tears On My Pillow" (also covered by New Edition in the 1986); Terence Trent D'Arby returns with a cover of Jackie Wilson's "To Be Loved"; and B.B. King offers a never-before-recorded tune co-written by Bob Dylan, " Fur Slippers," among others.

The album also features a never-before-recorded song written by Carole King and Toni Stern and performed by the Emeralds featuring Chante Moore. The 21-song soundtrack also features several tunes by the HartAches, the fictional band on which the story of the film surrounds.

In addition to providing music for the film and soundtrack, several of musicians will also have roles in the film. Barrett will play Bill Haley, Terence Trent D'Arby plays Jackie Wilson, Blink-182's Tom Delonge and Mark Hoopus play a surf music duo, B.B. King plays a fictional Blues Master, and K-Ci, JoJo, Rasheen Patterson, and Jesse Powell play a fictitious doo-wop quartet.

Shake, Rattle and Roll: An All-Star Tribute to the Birth of Rock and Roll is scheduled for an Oct. 19 release on MCA. Shake, Rattle and Roll, starring James Coburn, Kathy Baker, and Dana Delany, is scheduled to air on Sunday, Nov. 7 and Wednesday, Nov. 10 at 9 p.m. EST on CBS.

-- Kevin Raub

Barenaked Ladies U.S. TV Debut Slated For May 19

The Barenaked Ladies will get their acting groove on for Two Guys, a Girl, and a Pizza Place on May 19, when, as previously reported (allstar, Feb. 8), they appear on the popular ABC sitcom as themselves. The Ladies will perform tiny vignettes in the same manner as Jonathan Richman's performance in There's Something About Mary. For the Ladies' version, the band, whose members pose as patrons, window washers, and homeless people in various scenes, will break into original tunes written specifically for the sitcom. The band will also perform one well-known tune, their latest single, "It's All Been Done," at the end of the show. In other Barenaked business, the Ladies are currently touring England and will embark on a North American tour (with the Beautiful South, Eagle Eye Cherry, and Semisonic opening various dates) on July 25 in Toronto.

-- Kevin Raub

Per an invite from the lovely Miss Sheryl Crow, with whom they are currently on tour, the boys from Semisonic hopped onstage at the Orpheum in Boston on Wednesday (May 4) for Crow's last two encores -- a cover of George Harrison's "What Is Life" and a cover of Dobie Gray's '70s classic "Drift Away," which the band previously performed at a private Halloween party last year (allstar, Nov. 2, 1998). Having witnessed Semisonic's cover work ourselves, we can only hope a cover album from the band materializes someday, because those boys sure can "sang"...

Semisonic's Wilson Teams With Bic Runga For American Pie

Semisonic's Dan Wilson has teamed up with New Zealander Bic Runga on a song for the upcoming soundtrack to American Pie, due June 29 on Universal Records. The track, "Good Morning Baby," was recently recorded in Los Angeles and Australia. Other previously unreleased tracks slated for American Pie include Third Eye Blind's "New Girl," Tonic's "You Wanted More," and Blink 182's "Mutt," which the band also performs in the film (allstar, Sept. 15, 1998). Sugar Ray's "Glory" and a track from recent Universal signees Shades Apart will be included as well. Other artists are in the works for the soundtrack, but could not be confirmed at press time. American Pie tells the story of four teenage boys who vow to lose their virginity by prom night or die. The Universal Pictures film surfaces in theaters this July.

-- Kevin Raub

Save Ferris, Letters To Cleo, Semisonic On "10 Things I Hate About You" Disc

In addition to their cameo roles in the film (allstar, July 29, 1998), Save Ferris and Letters to Cleo contribute new songs to the soundtrack for 10 Things I Hate About You, due April 6 on Hollywood Records. The modern remake of Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew, which stars Julia Stiles, Larisa Oleynik, and Joseph Gordon-Levitt from 3rd Rock from the Sun, hits theaters March 31. The album features Save Ferris' new song "I Know," two covers from Letters to Cleo (Cheap Trick's "I Want You to Want Me" and Nick Lowe's "Cruel to Be Kind"), and a new song from Sister Hazel ("Your Winter"). They join previously released tracks from Madness, Semisonic, and the Cardigans, among others. The soundtrack to the teen flick also features songs from forthcoming albums by Hollywood artists Ta-Gana, Leroy, and Jessica Riddle. "I Want You to Want Me" is set to be the first single from the soundtrack, with a video expected to follow. There is no word yet on when or where the video will be shot (or if it will consist solely of footage from the movie). The order in which the songs will appear has not yet been determined, but here are the tracks:

Letters to Cleo, "I Want You to Want Me" and "Cruel To Be Kind"
Semisonic, "F.N.T."
Sister Hazel, "Your Winter"
Jessica Riddle, "Even Angels Fall"
Save Ferris, "I Know"
Leroy, "New World"
Ta-Gana, "Saturday Night"
Joan Armatrading, "The Weakness in Me"
George Clinton, "Atomic Dog"
Brick, "Dazz"
Cardigans, "War"
Madness, "Wings of a Dove"

-- Mike Magnuson

Sugar Ray, Semisonic, Robbie Williams Join MuchMusic's SnowJob

SnowJob -- not to be confused with SnoCore (Everclear, DJ Spooky, Soul Coughing, Redman/Black Eyed Peas) or with SnoCone, as Redman had been calling the trek he was on -- has secured its lineup for their annual snow and rock fest. Fresh from winning three Brit Awards on Tuesday (Feb. 16) night, ex-Take That singer Robbie Williams will join SnowJob '99, along with Grammy- nominated Semisonic, "Fly" boys Sugar Ray, Canadian rock outfit the Matthew Good Band, and Canadian teen country/pop sensations the Moffatts. The six-day event takes place March 22-28 at Marmot Basin in Jasper, Alberta, Canada, and is sponsored by MuchMusic USA.

-- Carrie Borzillo

When allstar contributor Bill Snyder asked Dan Wilson of Semisonic (they're up for Best Rock Song for "Closing Time") if the whole Grammy thing was somewhat surreal, Wilson -- after admitting that he erased the message on his answering machine with the news of the nomination -- said, "I guess I'm going to have to report back. I've really learned this year to enjoy stuff and not really think about it. For example, I was sort of fearing the Billboard [Music] Awards. I thought that me and the Billboard Awards would be like oil and water never mixing. And then, walking down the hallway backstage and standing next to Stevie Wonder, and seeing Whitney Houston warming up with her backing vocalists, and meeting Art [Alexakis] from Everclear and being sort of a babbling fan, suddenly I realized I was just enjoying it, and it seemed cool. Any kind of insecurity I had about 'Am I going to fit in?' -- it's this weird ragtag assemblag! ! e of people who all have talent and luck. There's nothing they all have in common that I don't have. Probably two-thirds of them have always been outsiders all their lives, and for some reason, that has allowed me to enjoy things like this more. I mean, ask me after we come back if I had fun, but I have a feeling it's going to be fun. We'll see a lot of people we know. Maybe I'll get to meet Alanis Morrisette. I think that would be cool."...

Semisonic Goes Techno? In a pre-show interview with VH1, Semisonic lead singer Dan Wilson admitted that he's been "getting inspired by that bass techno stuff from England," where the Minneapolis- based pop/rock group recently toured. The band had the plug pulled on them as they closed the show, with, appropriately enough, "Closing Time." Apparently the show was running late and the band got the big heave-ho. However, someone in their camp tried telling us that the band had planned to cut their song short. Ha.