More Cowbell (Coco) Please!

Conan ended his final Tonight Show by picking up his axe and jamming with a motley band of musicians (including Beck, Ben Harper and ZZ Top's Billy Gibbons) through a Will Ferrell-led rendition of "Freebird."

Now that's how you say goodbye.

Happy "4th of July" from Galaxie 500

Next week, late 80's dream popsters Galaxie 500 ship orders of their first three albums finally reissued on vinyl. Today (1988,) On Fire (1989,) and This Is Our Music (1990) are all now classics in the indie rock genre, and to celebrate the occasion of our fine country's birthday, their giving away a free mp3 of the song "4th of July," (in exchange for your email, see below). Below is also a video for Damon & Naomi's "Song to the Siren."

Fun fact: The first drum kit used by the band (used by drummer Damon Krukowski) was a loaner from Harvard classmate Conan O'Brien. It's on a many songs from early recordings of the band.

Attention Target Shoppers: Pearl Jam on Conan

Performing "Got Some" on Conan's successful debut as The Tonight Show host:


via audioperv

We'd been told that the band was prepared to play two songs, but it looks like Will Ferrell provided enough hijinks to cover that extra song's time. I'm not sure if it's worth commenting on the quality of the song when the sound was so off. I'm calling it a first musical performance mulligan for The Tonight Show... see if they can get it right for Green Day on Tuesday.

Loved Conan's exclamation following the song's conclusion: "Good Lord, it's Pearl Jam!"

Previously: Pearl Jam partners w/ Target, to perform new song on Conan (Ear on TV)

Ear on TV: Week of June 1

The Conan O'Brien era for The Tonight Show begins this week, and for the debut on Monday, Pearl Jam is set to perform two new songs from their as yet untitled forthcoming album. One of the songs, "The Fixer," is also rumored* to be part of a Target promotion for the band, which is throwing fans for a bit of a loop.

*Rumors confirmed this morning, via official word from the band.

The once fiercely anti-corporate Pearl Jam find themselves in the same boat as other once guaranteed top-selling artists like U2 and Prince, in the unsteady waters of the recording industry. In order to make enough green, acts are co-opting their songs for TV commercials, shows, and even cutting exclusive deals with retailers. Prince did it with Target, and now the rumor is that Pearl Jam might be doing the same with the Minnesota-based store. This past Thursday, Pearl Jam played an invite-only show that saw Cameron Crowe directing the band in a promotion for Target. Several bloggers posted on it and then had their report removed, apparently forgetting they signed an NDA upon entrance.

While "everybody's doing it," Conan's guest for Tuesday night has taken it to the extreme. If you've watched any ESPN in the past few weeks, you've undoubtedly noticed that Green Day has suddenly become the house band. It's so widespread, even stories written for ESPN.com (like this one on the Stanley Cup Playoffs) are likening athletes to Green Day. I'm surprised they haven't changed the network name to GDSN, as Green Day seems to have purchased the channel outright. Whatever it takes to sell, I guess.

Playlist: Picks for the week
Monday, June 1
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: No Doubt (REPEAT)
CBS: Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson: Tori Amos
FUEL: The Daily Habit: Big Pooh
NBC: The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien: Pearl Jam
Tuesday, June 2
FUEL: The Daily Habit: Ponytail
NBC: The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien: Green Day
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Paul Simon w/ Antibalas and The Roots
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Diane Birch
Wednesday, June 3
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Steve Earle
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Dave Matthews Band
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Lissy Trullie
SUNDANCE: Spectacle: Elvis Costello With...: Elvis Costello, Elton John (REPEAT)
Thursday, June 4
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Elvis Costello
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Doves
Friday, June 5
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Asher Roth (REPEAT)
FUEL: The Daily Habit: Say Hi
NBC: The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien: Chickenfoot
Sundance: Robyn Hitchcock: I Often Dream of Trains: Robyn Hitchcock
Saturday, June 6
PBS: Austin City Limits: Bloc Party, Ghostland Observatory (REPEAT)
VH1: Iron Maiden: Flight 666: Iron Maiden