eP favorites Pitchshifter announced a radical lineup change in mid-February. Frontman J.S. Clayden announced that founding member Johnny Carter (guitars/programming) had decided to call it a day--not only with PSI, but with the music business as a whole. This came as a shock to everyone as Carter had been with the 'Shifter since its inception and his menacing guitar sound all but defined the band for most of its career. Carter has no plans to remain in music, and instead is looking to focus on and find happiness in other areas.

Along with Carter, J.S. Clayden also announced that "D" Walters (live drums) had also left the band. In their place, former Stimulator member Jason Bowld will be joining the band on drums, and Matt Grundy (formerly of Catfish) will be stepping in to pick up guitar duties. With a new album due out at the end of May, and a lot of touring to support it, these guys are certainly going to have their work cut out for them.

Earpollution would like to wish both Johnny and "D" the very best in whatever direction they choose to follow. You'll be missed. We'd also like to welcome Jason and Matt and are looking forward to seeing them in live action with the band. As Pitchshifter's music has always been an evolving discourse of chaos and technology, we look forward to seeing where its noisy irreverence goes next!

For more eP Pitchshifter reading:
Interview with J.S. Clayden (December, 1999)
Pitchshifter Interview (July, 1998)

Death Don't Have No Mercy

Criminey! It's certainly been the month of dying musicians! Heartfelt condolences to the friends and families of Dennis Danell, guitarist and co-founder of Social Distortion, who died February 29 at the age of 38, reportedly from natural causes. Blues singer Screamin' Jay Hawkins, best known for his song "I Put a Spell On You," died in Paris at the age of 70 after multiple-organ failure following surgery to treat an aneurysm. Josh Clayton-Felt, former lead singer for School of Fish, who died from testicular cancer on January 19, at the tender age 32. Doris Kenner-Jackson of the '60s girl group the Shirelles, at the age of 58 from breast cancer. Foghat frontman "Lonesome" Dave Peverett after succumbing to a bout of pneumonia brought on by a long battle with cancer, age 57. Rapper Big Punisher, whose debut album Capital Punishment earned him a Grammy, from a heart attack brought on by excessive obesity, age 28.

And finally, beloved Peanuts creator Charles Schulz, age 77, who died February 11th on the eve of his final comic strip. Diagnosed with colon cancer, Schulz suffered a series of strokes during surgery in November of last year, and some weeks afterward announced his retirement from the comic business. Originally planning to discontinue the strip upon his death, he decided to retire Snoopy, Charlie Brown, Linus, Lucy, and all the gang early so he could focus on family. Schulz, who started Peanuts back in 1950 and drew all of the strips himself, will be sorely missed. You're a good man, Charlie Brown!

Jello: It's Who's for President

Former Dead Kennedys' frontman Jello Biafra has been announced as a candidate for president on the New York State Green Party ballot. You'll recall that the NYSGP also backed Al "Grandpa" Lewis' 1988 bid for New York's gubernatorial election. Lewis' original claim to fame came from his character "Grandpa" on '60s sitcom, The Munsters. Biafra did not seek the nomination, citing that he didn't want to interfere with Ralph Nader's potential bid, but he was quoted as saying, "It's a far greater honor [being linked with Lewis] than being linked with Bill Bradley or Gore, let alone King George II (George W. Bush)." But Biafra does have a platform: a cap on a "maximum wage," the decriminalization of drugs, and free health care, education and public transportation (including air travel) for all. You'll remember Biafra ran for mayor of San Francisco back in 1979, and garnered enough votes to scare the beejesus out of the political elite. All Earpollution wants to know is where we can get ourselves a "Biafra for President" yard sign to sink into the front lawn. We urge you all to write in Biafra come election time.

Let's Lynch the Landlord

The Church of Saint John Coltrane, the religious group who worships late legendary jazz saxophonist John Coltrane is facing eviction from its home on San Francisco's Davisadero Street. The church, which has made its home there since 1971, and which is affiliated with the African Orthodox Church, faces rent hikes that have doubled its monthly rent to $2,500. As well, the current landlord won't renew the church's lease, leaving them on a month-to-month tenancy. The church offers a community outreach program that offers food, clothing, music classes and other services to the neighborhood's needy. Even if the church remains at its current location, the landlord has refused to let the church use the building's kitchen any longer. The congregation's only viable relocation alternative is to move to Hunter's Point, a run-down, post-industrial neighborhood near San Francisco Bay.

Those wanting to help the church out through donations and other services should contact the church through its website.

Richey Edwards Phone Home

Sherry Edwards, mother to Manic Street Preachers guitarist Richey Edwards (missing since February, 1995), wrote a letter to her missing son in a British tabloid asking him to return home, or at least call. "I am scared that your decision to disappear like that has made you feel that you can never come back. [...] We need to let you know that we have never stopped wanting you to come back and that whatever has happened you'll always be safe with us." On February 1, 1995 Richey checked into the Embassy Hotel in London on the eve of the band's departure for an American tour. Sometime later his car was found near a bridge while his passport was located in his apartment. This prompted the fear that Edwards had committed suicide. There have been no worthwhile leads on the case since his disappearance.

Santana on Marley and Coltrane

Quote of the month by 8-Grammy Award winner Carlos Santana: "I'm not trippin' on that at all. All I want to do is to turn people on to John Coltrane and Bob Marley. I'm not a show business guy at all."

Amen to that! If everyone were as dedicated to spreading the word of Marley and Coltrane, the world (and its music) would be a much better place.

Craig Young
Editor, Earpollution