today's news

The Stooges to release “The Weirdness” – first album in 33 years will hit stores on March 20, 2007.

On March 20, 2007, the band that predated punk and helped make rock and roll dangerous will release its first studio album since 1973’s seminal Raw Power. The Weirdness will feature three of the four original band members, singer Iggy Pop, guitarist Ron Asheton and drummer Scott Asheton along with ex- Minutemen and fIREHOUSE bassist Mike Watt and original Stooges sax player, Steve Mackay.

The Stooges wrote over 30 songs for the record at a cottage in Florida, early this year, and then rehearsed in Ann Arbor Michigan before they entered the Chicago studio of esteemed producer Steve Albini in early October.

Iggy decided to reform The Stooges in 2003 while he was working on his solo album Skull Ring. He called the Ashetons, who still had the same phone number he last called them on 25 years ago.The brothers agreed to contribute to four songs on the disc and the reunion seeds were planted. Then on April 27, the full band (with Watt on bass) played its first show together in 30 years to a spellbound audience at the Coachella Valley Music Festival in Coachella, CA.

If you’re unable to attend Sting’s one night only performance of Songs from the Labyrinth at the Walt Disney Concert Hall

On January 11,2007, not to worry you’ll be able to catch Sting’s celebration of the music of acclaimed Elizabethan songwriter John Dowland from the comfort of your own home, On February 26^th at 10pm EST PBS’s Great Performances will present Sting” Songs from the Labyrinth”.

Nokia has launched an international community of music connoisseurs- the Music Recommenders. As a fanatical explorer and discoverer of music around the world, David Bowie is taking the role of music’godfather’. He will be contributing to Music Recommenders every month through features and podcasts, sharing his most exciting discoveries as well as appearing in a short film shot by Wim Wenders which advocates new music and the culture of record stores around the world.

“Waking up to a new sound or new band is something that makes my day just that bit more exciting” said David Bowie.” Unfortunately so much music goes unheard, especially things that don’t bow to the mainstream, Music Recommenders help navigate the undiscovered music that is out there. I have actually been to some of the stores featured on Music Recommenders in various parts of the world, and found them to be a wonderful source for new and less traditional music.”

new of the day

Josh Kelley’s performance at the NASCAR Truck Series Banquet will air on the SPEED Channel on December 29^th at 9pm EST, or you can catch Josh live on tour with Collective Soul:

1/3/07- Center Stage at The Ples – N. Charleston, SC.

1/5/07 –N Club – Greensboro, NC.

1/6/07-House of Blues- Myrtle Beach, SC.

1/7/07- House of Blues-Lake Buena Vista, FL.

1/9/07- Jannus Landing – St. Petersburg, FL.

1/10/07-Revolution – Ft. Lauderdale, FL.

Bryan Ferry’s new solo album will be released on March 5^th 2007. As well, UK tour dates are scheduled to begin in Carlisle at Sands Centre on 3/1/07 check out www.bryanferry.com for more info.

KT Tunstall will perform three songs from “ Eye to the Telescope” on Dick Clark’s New Years Rockin Eve 2007 – 12/31/06 at 10pm on ABC TV.

Did we mention?

Pink Floyd is auctioning off a piece of their history for charity. Here's a link to the auction, put on in support of Crisis, a charity to help the homeless.

The auction closes Wednesday December 20th, so please, visit the site and if you can, put in a bid! If the auction is a bit too rich for your blood, then you might also consider a donation directly to Crisis.

We are very proud of Pink Floyd's commitment to charitable causes.

Another Day, Another Visit

It seems the closer we get to the Holidays, the more visitors we get to Anthill's Manhattan loft. Yesterday was no exception. Coming to spend some time were the good folks of Pilgrim Management, aka the managers of our European clients, Rammstein. With plans for '07 not yet set, it should be nited that we got a preview of what might be the ultimate "must have" for Rammstein fans: a combo DVD/coffee table book featuring a gig day in the life of Rammstein. This limited edition product has unique packaging and we hope will soon be available on the group's exclusive online shop.

chart update!!!!

from the 12/23/06 – issue of Billboard

CONGRATULATIONS to all of our artists, but especially to Ciara with her #1 position on the Top 200 Album chart!


Billboard Hot 100 Singles:

Ciara – “ Promise” - #14
Ciara – “ Get Up “ -#42


Billboard Top 200 Albums

Ciara – The Evolution - #1
Il Divo – Siempre #6
Celtic Woman – A Christmas Celebration - #36
Il Divo – Il Divo - #66
Celtic Woman – Celtic Woman - #79
Drake Bell – It’s Only Time - #81
Il Divo – Ancore - #87
Sting – Songs from the Labyrinth - #128

Charts and Parties

We want to congratulate Celtic Woman on having not one but two albums on the Billboard Top 200, “A Christmas Celebration” is at #35, and “Celtic Woman” has reentered the charts this week at #172.



And it certainly is a Happy Holiday season for Il Divo, who deserves congratulations as well for having three albums on the Billboard Top 200 chart, the band’s latest release “Siempre” is at #16 this week, “ Il Divo” jumped from #186 last week to #130 this week and “Ancora” reentered the charts at #161.



Ciara will perform at “MTV Goes Gold” New Year's Eve 2007. The event will be held in Times Square, and MTV.com will feature performances on demand after the show. Drake Bell will be appearing on Fox’s New Year's Eve Live.

Garden Party for Dashboard Confessional fans

The buzz of excitement and anticipation was felt from the moment we arrived in the lobby of Madison Square Garden on Friday evening. The cold outside was soon forgotten by the huge crowd who were sporting their myriad DC t shirt designs from this and previous tours. Aptly opened by this leg’s special guests, Brand New, the concert had a very special feel to it-perhaps an early dose of holiday cheer.

But the night really got into high gear with the arrival of Dashboard and as always it was a religious experience. With Chris and the band laying down an intense set the crowd’s response grew song after song often singing along louder than the band and their pa system. On many songs Chris was out on a runway that led deep into the crowd from the stage confirming his status of man among his fans.

Your Anthill correspondents got to see this first ever Garden show from the vantage point of a skybox and the overall effect was superb. Of course major thanks go out to the gang from Vagrant Records and Hard 8 Management for their hospitality. And bigger congrats go out to Dashboard for delivering such a memorable event in their MSG headline debut.

HOLIDAY BONUS: Sirius Radio Alt Nation will begin airing an in studio performance and interview on 12/25/06 – for additional air dates check dashboard's website

good taste x 2

Had a wonderful meat fest early last week courtesy of Joel "Red Meat" Kleinfeld and some of his key reps. Had the pleasure of talking about hockey and AC/DC with our good friend from Kohl's, Jim Rodgers, who was in New York to officially deliver the cold weather we are now (not) enjoying. Jim's been a big supporter of our Rockware and our loungewear in particular. Here's hoping we see more porterhouse soirees in the new year. Thanks, guys.

news for today

Check out the 12/14/06 issue of Rolling Stone magazine – Page 14 (the one with America’s most loveable pimp Snoop Dogg on the cover) and see how the little engine that could Anthill Trading is at the forefront of the expanding rock merchandise market –Blondie, The Cars and The Rolling Stones apparel can now be found at The Gap.

“It’s Only Time” the new album from Drake Bell (star of Nickelodeon’s “Drake and Josh” show) is in stores now. Drake talks to Teen People and Cosmogirl about the new album.

We all know you haven’t finished your Christmas shopping, but what about New Year’s Eve? With only three weeks until the ball drops in Times Square have you made any plans? Well we have a few suggestions; My Morning Jacket will be play a three night run at The Fillmore in San Francisco 12/29, 12/30 and New Years Eve. Josh Kelley will be performing at The Abbey in Chicago, IL and The Tragically Hip will be celebrating New Year’s in Chicago at the House of Blues. Blondie and The Violent Femmes will be ringing in the New Year at the Orange Drop at the Orange County Fairgrounds in Costa Mesa, CA.

FROM THE NEVER TOO LATE DEPARTMENT

Forgot to mention a trio of My Morning Jacket News from last week;

1) Congrats to manager Mike Martinovich and his wife on the birth of their son.

2) Congrats to the band on their amazing set at the Roseland

3) And thanks to TwoTone Tommy from the band who did a driveby visit to our New York showroom!

Happy to see we just opened the My Morning Jacket online store and we plan to keep it stocked with plenty of new and unique stuff.

Ciara: The Evolution

Ciara's much anticipated sophomore album "The Evolution" hit stores on December 5th, 2006. With appearances on The Late Show, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Live with Regis and Kelly, MTV's TRL and BET's 106th and Park, Ciara is just beginning her efforts to "triple what I did last time," as she stated in an article in the New York Times. "The Evolution" caps an amazing two years for the Atlanta native. Since releasing her debut album "Goodies" in 2004 , Ciara has earned four Grammy nominations (including Best New Artist) five ASCAP awards for songwriting, three Teen Choice Awards, a Vibe award, and was give the prestigious "Entertainer of the Year" award at the Soul Train Awards in 2005.

Anthill's latest Ciara projects have been going down well on tour, and are ideal for smart retailers everywhere!