I watched Johnny Cash on Larry King Live two weeks ago, and was struck by how strong he was in his thought and speech, though he was so physically frail. I think losing his wife June in May of this year took a heavier toll on him than his health problems did. There’s a transcript of the interview here. Godspeed, Johnny.

On the subject of outlaw country, I got Steve Earle’s Ain’t Ever Satisfied compilation yesterday. It covers all his pre-prison records for MCA (a period I refer to as “Skinny Steve”), a section of his catalog that for some reason I can’t fully explain, I’d been avoiding. Maybe it was the ‘good ol boy’ stigma that I’d attached to Guitar Town and Copperhead Road, on account of the first time I heard of Steve Earle was from drunk yahoos back in university praising those albums. But seeing as how I’m out of post-prison (“Fat Steve”) albums to get, and each one kicks my ass like Mr T as Clubber Lang, it was time to investigate the older stuff. And I’m pleased to announce it’s solid. It’s less introspective and political than his more recent works, and the production is pretty slick, but the songwriting chops are definitely there and the man still had attitude to spare. I’m a little surprised I only knew one of the songs on the whole comp (the title track) since he had considerable mainstream success back in the day, but I think I was still avoiding CMT like the plague in my salad days. How little I knew.

RIP John Ritter. As LHB pointed out, however, at least he didn’t take all his secrets with him. Interestingly, there is actually a Regal Beagle pub down the street from me. I should go by tonight and see if there’s any sort of memorial service there.

I am on cold medication. My nose is clear but I have that lovely antihistamine-induced haze where you’re not really sure if you’re in real life or on a really well-built movie set.

np – The Sadies / Tremendous Efforts

Rest in peace. (Full story)

Update : Radiohead has been officially rescheduled. October 15 at the Skydome Skytent. Original tickets will not be honoured and must be exchanged – full details here.

Christian Bale is Batman.

10 Questions with Family Guy creator Seth McFarlane.

Roy Halladay has become the first pitcher in the majors to win 20. Congratulations, Doc. Esteban Loaiza (who LOST today), you can suck it.

The person who used to have my phone number was an Avon saleslady. This leads to interesting messages on my machine.

This cold is really pissing me off. I’ve gone through like a rainforest worth of Kleenex in the last couple days.

np – New Order / Movement

Re: New X-Men 146 – Grant Morrison, you magnificent bastard. I absolutely did not see that coming.

Further to the Pixies reunion rumours – A spokesperson for Frank Black says, “I have received an offer for the Pixies to perform in April. That said, over the past 10 years, I have received dozens of offers for the Pixies” and 4AD had no comment. So no one get too excited yet, the Beatles got lots of offers to reunite as well.

Beulah are making the ultra-limited-to-Insound-preorders-only disc of Yoko demos available to EVERYONE whist on tour, or at least the first 2500 everyones. Of course I pre-ordered from Insound to get it, so I’m feeling like a little bit of chump right now, but I figure that they’d be sold out by the time they got to Toronto at the end of next month anyway. Oh yeah, their magnificent When Your Heartstrings Break is once again in print and available from their website.

John Sakamoto of The Anti-Hit List has a compilation CD available now. No, I don’t have any idea what’s on it, but from the quality of the column, I would think it’s got some cool shiznit, and hopefully not just a bunch of those mash-up remixes he’s so fond of.

np – The New Pornographers / Electric Version

Berke Breathed is bringing back Opus for a Sunday comic strip. And if Outland was any demonstration, where Opus goes, Bill The Cat, Milo, Binkley and Oliver won’t be far behind… hopefully. Lord knows we could use the return of The Meadow Party for 2004. Imagine a debate between Dubya and Bill the Cat. Bill would mop the floor up with Georgie.

Oh look – The Pixies are reuniting for a tour and maybe an album. Isn’t that special. Tour set to start in April… maybe on the 1st? I will believe it when I hear it come straight from Frank, Kim, Joey or Dave.

UPDATE: A representative of Beggars/4AD has stated “it’s not true” over on the Matador Records Forum. I’m so confused.

The Weakerthans roll into T.O. for a three-night stand at Lee’s Palace, November 6th through 8th. Support for the first night is Jim Bryson and The Fembots, while The Carnations and The Constantines take the last two shows, respectively. Christine Fellows also opens on the last two dates.

Clem Snide and Califone play the Horseshoe October 29.

Pitchfork has a good review of Ride’s Waves BBC compilation.

Good news – My desk and bookshelf have arrived, and I am fully furnished. It’s good to be able to sit in a chair and use my computer. I think now I can finally qualify as fully unpacked. Bad news – I have been on the cusp of having a cold for a few days now, but it won’t either go away or develop into a full-blown sick day. Decide, already!

np – Rilo Kiley / The Execution Of All Things