Ear on TV: Week of April 30

Of all the bands reuniting in the past few years, the one that surprised me the most is Dinosaur Jr. Frontman J Mascis' firing of Lou Barlow fueled some of the most inspired vitriol in his songwriting through the 90's with his band Sebadoh, and it seemed like there existed impossible chasm between the two. Tomorrow they release their first album together (Mascis, Barlow and drummer Murph,) in twenty years, (Beyond,) reminding us all that they helped draw up the blueprint for alternative rock of the 90's. When they play Letterman tonight, look for some awkward smiles, furtive glances, and Mascis' long grey mane bobbing as he tears through a solo.

As if that isn't enough excitment on Letterman, Tuesday night sees Modest Mouse making their tv debut with Johnny Marr (The Smiths) on guitar. Elsewhere on Monday night, The Noisettes' performance that I profiled a ways back finally gets aired on Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson after getting bumped from it's original intended airing, and Arctic Monkeys are back again this week (this time on Conan.)

Speaking of back again, if you missed The Stooges last week, I sure hope you have IFC, because they rip it up on The Henry Rollins Show on Friday (here's a video outtake performance of "I'm Fried" to wet your whistle.) All in all, it's a week that doesn't bode well for sleep.

Playlist: Picks of the week
Monday, April 30
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Silversun Pickups (REPEAT)
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Dinosaur Jr.
CBS: Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson: The Noisettes
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Kaiser Chiefs
NBC: Late Night With Conan O'Brien: Arctic Monkeys
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Silversun Pickups (REPEAT)
Tuesday, May 1
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Kaiser Chiefs
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Modest Mouse
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Patti Smith
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: The Format
Wednesday, May 2
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Ben Kweller
CBS: Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson: Fountains of Wayne
SYNDICATION: The Ellen Degeneres Show: Stevie Nicks
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Teddybears, Alice Cooper
Thursday, May 3
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Macy Gray
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Tori Amos
CBS: Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson: Alice Cooper
Friday, May 4
CBS: Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson: Ozomatli
IFC: The Henry Rollins Show: The Stooges, Iggy Pop
NBC: Late Night With Conan O'Brien: Tom Waits, Snoop Dogg
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: The Nightwatchman
SYNDICATION: Live With Regis and Kelly: Tori Amos

tags: music, television, soundtrack, talk shows, dinosaur jr, modest mouse, the noisettes, iggy pop, the stooges, arctic monkeys, indie rock, rhapsody