NEWSLETTER: The 'Gum Drop: Volume XX

Wednesday :: January 16, 2008 'Gum Drop Giveaway #20 Hardcore Killers fan? Having a difficult time looking sharp? This week, four sartorially smart winners each take home a limited-edition custom made Killers tie along with the Killers' comp Sawdust. Enter now »
West Indian Girl - "Blue Wave (Acoustic Jug Band Remix)" We've visited West Indian Girl poolside (uh, twice) and at their places of business, but never before to the foot of the Appalachians. That's all changed, because in this week's Drop, the California crew returns with a reworked, banjo-lined version of anthemic 4th & Wall rocker "Blue Wave." You can hear the original at the band's MySpace. We asked vocalist/guitarist Robert James (who handles the banjo below) and bassist Francis Ten (who takes on the mandolin) to explain the new take. They responded as one West Indian entity. How'd you decide on such a radically different revision of "Blue Wave"? It wasn't anything conscious. We were sitting around one night and I happened to pick up a banjo when all of a sudden Burt Reynolds ran through the room with an arrow stuck in his back. He's good for that. Do other versions exist? There's going to be a club remix coming out soon. In a few years, we'll release the all tubular bells version. Other than introducing Burt Reynolds into the picture, does the new instrumentation change the song's meaning? It definitely doesn't have that same "surfer" feel the original has, but the meaning is the same. The jughead version has more obvious sexual overtones. /// Surely, which is why it's fitting West Indian Girl ushers in 'Gum Drop Volume XX. Hopefully we find some unreleased R. Kelly for XXX.	Win Butler Weighs In On Barack, Hillary » As the primaries roll, more rockers offer thoughts on who should be the next President. Showing his support for Barack, the Arcade Fire vocalist blogged in with his two cents: "man if we miss this opportunity we don't deserve it." Can't wait to hear "I Got A Crush On Obama" set to anthemic group shouts. MTV On The 2008 Brooklyn Scene » Hopping on the L Train, MTV ventured across the river and into the center of Brooklyn, bringing us interviews with current stars of the borough's scene. Unfortunately, MGMT didn't wear their capes. Trent Reznor Proposes Internet Tax » Disheartened by folks downloading Niggy Tardust without paying for it, Mr. NIN suggested an ISP tax as a solution. Our readers had another idea: "If that Saul Williams album didn't suck so much ass maybe more people would've dished out the cash." Juno » Get the soundtrack from the critically acclaimed comedy JUNO, out now with artists from The Kinks to Sonic Youth, anti-folk heroes the Moldy Peaches, and Juno and Bleeker singing Anyone Else But You.