Jon Spencer Blues Explosion Leave Matador, Ready Star-Studded New Album
The blues was number one, goddamnit! THE BLUES WAS NUMBER ONE!!!

It seems Sanctuary Records is snapping up anyone who'll have them these days. Recently, Morrissey, RZA, Ween, Megadeth, and, yes, even The Tubes have been added to the label's suddenly star-studded roster. Now, NYC's Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, a seminal group for all artists who would eventually shout their own bandnames out in song like it was some kind of big deal or something, have joined the fold. Yes, it's true: The Elvis-loving, bellbottom-sporting blues machine funky enough to shake the pants off a quadriplegic recently announced their departure from their longtime label, Matador Records, and will be joining Sanctuary this fall with a brand new album. I say goddamn!

The new album, Damage, appears to be something of Supernatural for the indie set, featuring an impressive set of A-list contributors. Guesting on the record is the late Elliott Smith, as well as NYC no-wave progenitor James Chance, former Tricky vocalist/lover Martina Topley-Bird, and Public Enemy mouthpiece Chuck D. And the production staff is even brighter, showcasing the skillz of everyone from Alan Moulder and David Holmes to Dan "The Automator" Nakamura and DJ Shadow. Former producer Steve Jordan, who worked on the band's 2002 release, Plastic Fang, will feature as well. Damage is presently set for a September 29th release.

Sanctuary: http://www.sanctuaryrecords.com/