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News From 1998
Dec 30, 1998
Recording for New Album is Complete
The band finished recording their new album just before Christmas with Buddy Miller in Nashville. Emmylou Harris and Julie & Buddy Miller make appearances, and Brady Blade who played most recently with Emmylou and Steve Earle played drums for the recording. Expect the album, which doesn't yet have a title, to hit the streets by April 1999.
Dec 6, 1998
New Live Album Released and VoL in Studio
As one more act of independent spirit, just after inking their deal with major label Pioneer Music Group, after years of people saying that the Vigilantes of Love are at their best when they play live, the band is releasing a brand new live album through PasteMusic. Live at the 40Watt was recorded on a single night in the band's home town of Athens, Georgia, at the fabulous 40Watt with simple equipment and serves as a snapshot of the band's independent year, 1998, when they recorded and released an album on their own, added Kenny Hutson on rootsy stringed instruments, performed blistering shows across two continents, and proved they were willing to do what it takes to get the music out. Plus it has a couple of new tunes. Get this limited pressing direct from PasteMusic while you can.
Also, we reported that the band is recording for Pioneer, and that Buddy Miller might produce (he is), but I don't believe we mentioned that Emmylou Harris' drummer is playing with the band in the absence of Scott Klopfenstein. (You may have heard Emmylou performing with Julie and Buddy Miller yesterday on A Prairie Home Companion.)
Nov 6, 1998
Recording for Pioneer in November
The band has signed on the dotted line with Pioneer Music Group and will head into the studio right after playing their November 14th gig in Nashville, the last show of their fall tour and the last to feature Scott Klopfenstein on drums.
Oct 31, 1998
New Albums and a Record Deal
You've heard the rumors, and they're mostly true. First things first:
Live Album: VoL will be releasing a live album through a small Seattle-based company (PasteMusic). The disc was recorded live on a single night at the 40 Watt in Athens, GA, one of the band's favorite venues. It has 13 live songs, one of which is brand new, and also has one studio recording of a second new song. In addition to the usual VoL lineup, Randall Bramblett played Hammond B-3 with the band that night at the 40 Watt and appears on 4 of the tracks. (You may know him as Steve Winwood's sax player, a songwriter, or "probably the best keyboard player in the region" according to Bill Mallonee.) More details, including how and when you can order the CD, will be be available soon.
Major Label Album: VoL is very close to signing with major label Pioneer Music Group, a relatively new division of Pioneer Electronics, distributed by the Atlantic Group. Label mates would include CeCe Winans, Tiny Town, Full on the Mouth, Mancy A'lan Kane, and Judson Spence. You can expect a brand new studio album release, possibly by April, and VoL is hoping to have Buddy Miller produce the album. Not only is Buddy known as a solo recording artist, as the husband of singer-songwriter Julie Miller, and as a guitarist who has most recently toured and recorded with Emmylou Harris, but he also knows and understands the Vigilantes of Love personally, certainly a good thing. (Despite rumors to the contrary, the band is not currently in the studio—they are spending November on the road and auditioning drummers. But they may be recording by the year's end.)
EP for the UK: VoL has already recorded a mostly-acoustic seven-track EP for UK independent label Startled Chameleon Records (the guys who organized this year's UK mini tour). Expect a UK release early next year. We'll have more details as they develop.
Oct 29, 1998
VoL on New Awakening Records Compilation
Awakening Records has released a new compilation that features two Vigilantes songs, "Paralyzed" and "Opposite's True" from the band's latest album. The compilation is Awakening's second—it has 18 tracks from 13 independent folk-rock artists. You can order the compilation securely, hear audio samples, and post your reactions to the compilation on their web site. (Bill Mallonee also produced "Gravity," the Filet of Soul cut on the disk.)
Oct 15, 1998
WeatherVane Music Has Clips from Compilation
WeatherVane's web site has clips of the songs that will appear on their forthcoming Christmas compilation which, we reported in September, features two Vigilantes songs: an older song called "Sing Angel Choirs" that has appeared on previous compilations and a brand new, never heard before band recording of an older but rediscovered Vigilantes gem called "On To Bethlehem (My Heart's Electric)."
Oct 8, 1998
VoL to Audition Drummers
Vigilantes of Love is looking for a full-time drummer. This person should be familiar with VoL, willing to work for peanuts, able to be on the road for long stretches, be nice, be fun, and be a great drummer. If you're interested, send a photo, biography, and drumming examples to VoL at P.O. Box 48094, Athens, GA 30604-8094. When the band gets back from Europe, they'll be organizing auditions.
Sep 30, 1998
Songs To Appear On Two New Compilations
A couple of brand new compilations coming out soon will include Vigilantes songs. The first is a Christmas album being put together by WeatherVane Music. It is set to be released November 1 with the name The Gift, and it features not one but two Vigilantes songs: "On To Bethlehem (My Heart's Electric)" and "Sing Angel Choirs." Fans will recognize both of these from previous compilations, but this version of "Bethlehem" will be a brand new band recording.
Also, a VoL song is said to appear on the second volume of the True Tunes series known as We The Living which will highlight independent bands grouped according to genre. Volume Two is largely an acoustic/Americana collection and features one VoL song. We're not sure which song, but the grapevine says that it's a live recording of a brand new unreleased song. We should know more as we get closer to the release date, which is late January.
Finally, for those who were wondering, though Scott Klopfenstein has resigned from the band, he will be performing with the band until a new drummer is lined up. He's currently performing with the band in Europe.
Sep 18, 1998
Scott Klopfenstein Resigns
The recently-married Scott Klopfenstein has decided that touring as much as the Vigilantes do would probably be too tough on his new family and has decided to resign as the Vigilantes' drummer. You may want to read his own words. Many musicians (and many drummers) have backed up Bill Mallonee, and I'm sure the person who steps in will be great, but Scott will be remembered as a key part of one the best line-ups in the band's history. Later, Scott.
Sep 11, 1998
More US Touring in November
After returning from Europe at the end of October, it looks like the band may be hitting some more midwestern dates, possibly including Nashville, Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan, and heading northeast to play in New York and Pennsylvania. Keep your eye on the tour dates for more information.
Sep 10, 1998
Recording in December
Bill has mentioned at two live shows, now, that the band will be recording the new album in December. Stay tuned for details. Also, we hear reports that the Bill Mallonee-produced single from Filet of Soul called "Gravity" is getting some airplay in Athens on WPUP 103.7FM—on a show called "Local Noise."
Sep 9, 1998
Tour of Midwestern US and Europe
The band doesn't get to stay home long: they're off on another tour, hitting a number of midwestern states in September and Europe for most of October. Get out and see the band—they're performing some favorites and also a number of new ones that may appear on the new album due out in 1999. Check the live dates page and report back if you have more information.
Aug 31, 1998
New Studio Band Album in April?
Bill said at a recent appearance in Milledgeville, GA, that the new album will most likely be a rock and roll band album, with some acoustic stuff mixed in, and it may be out in April 1999. It's probably a safe bet that some of the newer rock tunes that audiences are enjoying now, such as "Extreme North of the Compass" and "Starry Eyed" will show up on the album, but who knows for sure?
Also, the rumored tour with The 77's probably will not be happening since the band will probably be in the studio in early 1999 and may already have plans for touring.
Aug 25, 1998
Who Knows What Album is Next?
While some folks are reporting that the band is going to record a new album in December and release a live album early next year, things are still probably up in the air. The next album will probably be one of the following, but who knows which: a live album, a studio band album, or the long awaited acoustic album (aka Bill "solo" with Kenny). Also, the Filet of Soul debut album that we told you in April would have tracks produced by Bill Mallonee will be available any day now. Finally, the band embarks on a mini-tour in September before heading to Europe in October.
Aug 11, 1998
Possible Short Tour with 77's
The Vigilantes of Love have been considering performing three weeks of shows in 1999 with The 77's. Nothing is finalized, and "a number of challenges" for VoL (according to Bill) would need to be overcome for this to happen. Watch the upcoming shows page for VoL tour info.
Jul 21, 1998
Tentative Tour Plans
The band is close to wrapping up its current tour, but they'll be heading out again later in the year. They are tentatively planning on another short West Coast run, more college dates in the Midwest, Europe in October, heading through the northeastern US and stopping at a few southern colleges in November, and wrapping it up in time for the holidays. With all the touring and plans for a possible live album and a studio acoustic album, it's a busy year for the Vigilantes.
Jul 19, 1998
Brisk Sales, Possible Acoustic Album
At a recent show in Columbus, OH, Bill Mallonee mentioned that the band has sold more copies of To the Roof of the Sky in the last eight weeks than they did any of their previous major-label albums. He also mentioned that he may record an acoustic album later this year with the Vigilantes' guitar/mandolin/dobro player Kenny Hutson. Long-time fans know that Bill has wanted to record an acoustic album that is separate from the band's rock and roll albums for some time but never received support from the record company. (Fans also know that Killing Floor, a favorite album of many fans, was performed mostly by Bill Mallonee and guitar/mandolin player Billy Holmes in the studio.)
Jul 9, 1998
Possible Live Album
Some folks who attended the Cornerstone festival in Illinois last week thought they heard someone say something about a possible VoL live album in the works. Certainly, Bill has mentioned several times that cutting their major label ties has given the band the freedom to release material as often as they like, and the last few months have seen some of the best VoL live shows ever. We'll see. (Also, check out the live tracks on the Killing Floor re-release, still available in stores and from the band, but who knows for how long?
Jul 3, 1998
VoL-List Becomes Moderated
The moderator of the vol-list opened up the list's hood and was under there for a good bit. We won't repeat any of the stuff Aunt Mabel heard him muttering under his breath, but rumor has it he tricked the whole thing out to improve the signal-to-noise ratio. Not sure if this is street legal, but it hauls. Also, the coin box has been re-jiggered so that the list no longer takes slugs or wooden nickels. Purrs like a kitten, I kid you not. Read the details.
Jun 3, 1998
Texas and Points West
The Vigilantes have embarked on a tour of Texas and the West Coast of the US. The tail of the tour is still being worked out and may sweep back through some of the rarely-visited western states. Stay tuned to the tour dates page, and get out to see the band at its best. Be sure to pick up a tour poster as a souvenir.
May 27, 1998
To the Roof of the Sky in Demand
The band is making a second printing of To the Roof of the Sky! Sales are strong even though the CD has very limited distribution.
May 12, 1998
To the Roof of the Sky Orders Being Fulfilled
People who ordered To the Roof of the Sky at live shows or via the web site have started receiving their CDs.
May 1, 1998
New Release Party
To the Roof of the Sky will be released officially May 16th at a release party at the 40 Watt in Athens, GA. The party will be a benefit concert for the Athens Homeless Shelter. Come one, come all.
Apr 30, 1998
Bill the Producer
Bill has recently been producing the debut album of the Athens-based band Filet of Soul. Check out their web site.
Apr 24, 1998
New Release to Arrive in May
Manufacturing for the new album, To the Roof of the Sky, will be finished by the beginning of May. Pre-orders should arrive by mid-May. In other news: Kenny cut his hair.
Mar 30, 1998
Orders Being Taken for To the Roof of the Sky
The band is taking advance orders for the new album, To the Roof of the Sky, via mail order and at the live shows on the Will Rock For Grits tour (heh). The special disk is being distributed independently, is expcted to be available around May 1, costs $17, and features art work by Tobin Hines and a short story by Bill Mallonee. Bill calls it "far and away the most satisfying album I've made."
Mar 22, 1998
Vigilantes Appear on Compilation
The Vigilantes have a song on the inaugural 99X Locals Only CD sponsored by Atlanta's 99x radio station. I believe the song is "Tokyo Rose" from Slow Dark Train. The CD, which features local bands, is only available at Atlanta-area Borders stores, and proceeds benefit the Atlanta Task Force For The Homeless.
Mar 19, 1998
New Album Rumors
According to someone who saw the band recently at Eddie's Attic, the band is hoping to have the new album out the door by the end of April.
Feb 24, 1998
Beyond the Vigilantes of Love
Bill Mallonee has spent the time before VoL hits the road in support of the new album by producing a few fledgling bands. To date, he has worked with Kevin Bianchi, a singer-songwriter from Cleveland; a band called Jasper Gate; and a band called the Fishermen.
Feb 7, 1998
Plans for an April Release
It sounds like the band is aiming for an April release of the new album, To the Roof of the Sky. We still have no word on what the distribution will be like.
Jan 28, 1998
A Few Items
The new album will most likely be called To the Roof of the Sky, from the song of the same name about George Leigh Mallory. Also, Jake Bradley is playing bass for the band since Chris Bland has left the music business. Also, there have been reports in the past that Bill didn't perform songs from Driving the Nails, possibly because of the legal problems he's had with the label. (No one from the band gets royalties from the album, and Bill changed the lyrics of "Real Down Town" when it was re-recorded for Blister Soul to refer to Core Records' "possession" of the album.) However, the band did perform the title song, "Driving the Nails," at a recent show in Athens.
Jan 15, 1998
Hopes for Fast Turnaround on New Project
We don't have exact dates, yet, but it's possible that the new album could be out the door by March. The band's goal seems to be to get the music (this album and beyond) out to listeners and to avoid the kinds of restrictions that labels and other music business relationships often place on artists. Whether that means releasing the next album independently or on a supportive label remains to be seen.
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