As a big YES fan, I am proud to say that with this new Steve Howe interview, I have now rounded out (not roundabout) interviewing the classic Fragile and Close to the Edge-era lineup. High school Mike Newman would be very proud. He might even freak out!

So tune in to see if much-older Mike Newman freaks out whilst speaking with one of the greatest guitarists ever in rock music. We talked about everything from Yes to Zappa to Asia to Tomorrow. I may have even convinced him that he should put Tomorrow back together!

I’ll air my interview with Steve Howe on Thursday, January 26th on Beyond Beyond is Beyond on East Village Radio, from noon to 2pm EST. Come join us.

• YesWorld
• East Village Radio
• Beyond Beyond is Beyond archives

I was absolutely thrilled to be able to host this show last week. The legendary socio-political singer/musician, Rodriguez was in town for a show with Charles Bradley and stopped by EVR to play a couple songs and chat with me. Take a listen to the archive here…

ARCHIVE: RODRIGUEZ ON BBIB SPECIAL ON EVR

The prog-rock giants, Gentle Giant, just remastered and re-released their 3rd and 4th albums, Three Friends and Octopus, both originally released in 1972…a fine fine year! I’ll have Gentle Giant frontman, Derek Shulman, on Beyond Beyond is Beyond on East Village Radio on Thursday to talk about those amazing albums and spin selections from them. Join us from noon to 2pm on Thursday and get your afternoon prog on!

• Gentle Giant
• East Village Radio
• Beyond Beyond is Beyond archives

I’m very happy to be welcoming Brian Olive to Beyond Beyond is Beyond on East Village Radio on Thursday! The ex-Greenhorne, ex-Soledad Bro and fellow Cincinnati-native has released one of the best rock albums of the year in Two of Everything…on one of my favorite record labels, Alive Naturalsound. And he’ll be recording with the legendary Dr. John this year! We’ll talk about that stuff, his tour, Cincinnati chili and plenty more on Thursday, PLUS Brian will perform live for you in the EVR studio. Don’t miss! Noon-2pm eastern on Thursday.

I’m not gonna make any jokes about them pulling you over or tell you that their music makes you feel like eating donuts and wielding power. But I will say that Brooklyn’s Ex Cops make a music that is infectious, the kind that grabs you more and more after every listen. Which actually seems like more of a rarity these days. So head over here and get a taste of their sound, then tune in Thursday and hear them live on Beyond Beyond is Beyond on East Village Radio, noon to 2pm.

I’m excited to announce that our friends in far-outedness, White Hills, will be joining me on Beyond Beyond is Beyond on East Village Radio for a chat and live ambient performance! It all goes down Thursday, May 19th between noon and 2pm (EST) on EVR.com.

On June 21st, White Hills new album, H-p1, will be released on Thrill Jockey.

Musically, H-p1, White Hills second full-length for Thrill Jockey, expands on the explorations of previous albums in ambience, noise, and space rock all led by guitarist Dave W.’s blistering guitar solos. This is the most fully realized White Hills album to date and the one that takes them furthest from their pure space rock roots. It is also their most angry record. It is a reaction to what White Hills sees as government co-opted and controlled by corporations. It is a wake up call.

And they’re gonna play live for us all in the East Village Radio studio this Thursday at noon eastern on Beyond Beyond is Beyond on East Village Radio.

Press Release: New York City’s Lez Zeppelin has been causing a sensation on stages all over the world including India, Europe and Japan since its 2004 inception. Now “…the most powerful all-female band in rock history…” (according to Chuck Klosterman) and “the ultimate turn-on” (according to Lenny Kaye) is planning another assault on stages nationwide.

This is one band that has to be seen to be believed! Guitarist Steph Paynes gives such good Page that one is hard-pressed to tell the difference with eyes closed. Her unerring note-for-note accuracy is stunning. The same attention-to-detail is evident in the tight rhythm section of bassist Megan Thomas and drummer Leesa Harrington-Squyres, the latter a true Bonzo beast. Vocalist Shannon Conley, rather than copying Robert Plant, is her own woman. Her phrasing, timbre and timing are totally her own. Her vocals, coupled with the bands musicianship, swagger and gender-bending audacity, makes Lez Zeppelin one of the more remarkable bands of this or any era.

Their sophomore effort, Lez Zeppelin I, is an incredible replication of Led Zeppelin’s 1969 debut:  it is obvious that this band has cemented its considerable chops into one powerhouse behemoth of monolithic proportions. It was recorded at the analog Pie Studios on Long Island, New York, with producers Perry Margouleff and William Wittman, on the very same vintage equipment that Led used on its 1969 debut. The intent was to remain true to the sound and texture of the original vinyl recording and, as such, stands as a stirring document that proves the timelessness of this material. This is material that is simply too damn good not to be performed live in 2011 because of its ageless and vibrant aesthetic. The inherent splendor lies in the fact that Lez Zeppelin, in bringing their shock-rock to an already beloved and revolutionary sound, has created a whole ‘nother animal. And this stampeding charging rhino of an animal absolutely demands to be heard.

To that end, the band’s tour will include a stop at the Rock On The Range Festival in Columbus, Ohio May 20 where they will open the festivities for the two-day fest May 21 and 22 with Steel Panther at a “pre-festival anniversary party” at the Columbus Crew Stadium. Lez Zeppelin is excited about being tapped to open such a prestigious fest.

The killer West Coast psych trio will be performing live on EVR and we’ll chat about what’s going on in Entrance Land. Tune in at noon eastern at EVR.com.

They’ll be headlining at Glasslands on Thursday night and supporting The Kills and Cold Cave at Terminal 5 on Friday. I know which one I’d rather be at. ;)

Here are more tour dates:

April 28 – Brooklyn, NY – Glasslands – TEB Headlines

April 29 – New York, NY – Terminal 5*

April 30 – Montreal, QC – L’Olympia*

May 01 – Toronto, ON – Sound Academy*

May 03 – Detroit, MI – Majestic Theatre*

May 04 – Chicago, IL – Vic Theatre*

May 05 – Minneapolis, MN – First Avenue*

May 08 – Vancouver, BC – Commodore Ballroom*

May 09 – Seattle, WA – The Showbox*

May 10 – Portland, OR – Wonder Ballroom*

May 11 – San Francisco, CA – The Fillmore*

May 13-15 – Minehead UK – Butlins Holiday Centre – All Tomorrows Parties

*with The Kills & Cold Cave

And dig this cover of Arthur Lee and Love’s ‘A House Is Not a Motel’, which was just released on 7″ on Record Store Day on Black Tent Press…

*pic by Mike Newman

He’ll be on the East Coast from now till the end of May, so check out jonanderson.com for all the tour dates.

Here in NYC, at B.B. King’s, on Saturday, April 30th!

Check the interview out on East Village Radio, Thursday noon-2pm (ET)

UPDATE: DIG INTO THE ARCHIVED INTERVIEW HERE…