The release of Metallica’s new album, Death Magnetic, is not the only newsworthy event this week. It was announced today that Sonic Youth has signed with Matador Records to release their 16th studio album, reportedly entitled The Eternal. Matador part-owner, Gerard Cosloy, wrote:

“For Matador, the opportunity to work in partnership with a group who’ve made such an profound impact on our roster/hometown/collective consciousness was one to jump at. Kim Gordon, Thurston Moore, Lee Ranaldo and Steve Shelley will commence recording the new Sonic Youth LP/CD this autumn and we look forward to sharing further details in the very near future.”

Seems like Thurston is staying as busy as ever, still running his own label, Ecstatic Peace!, and doing shows aside from Sonic Youth including The 50th Anniversary Fender Jazzmaster Concert this Friday. The show will also feature artists such as Tom Verlaine, Nels Cline, Lee Ranaldo & J Mascis. The event, which takes place at the Knitting Factory in New York, will not only be an opportunity for musicians to honor their favorite guitar, but a great chance for music fans to catch their favorite indie-rockers all in one place. (I wonder if Mascis will be playing his signature Jazzmaster).

More info on the show and each artist performing here.

More upcoming shows of interest:

Sonic Youth:
10-09 Milan, Italy - Alcatraz
10-10 Bolzano, Italy - Museion
10-11 Bolzano, Italy - Stahlbau Pichler

Thurston Moore and Lee Ranaldo:
09-12 New York, NY - Knitting Factory *
* with Nels Cline, Tom Verlaine, J Mascis

Thurston Moore:
09-17 Northampton, MA - Pearl Street #
09-19 Monticello, NY - Kutshers Country Club (ATP New York) #
09-27 New York, NY - Stone (as Northampton Wools)
# performing Psychic Hearts

Kim Gordon:
09-26 Saratoga, CA - Montalvo Arts Center (Kim Gordon Meets Phantom Orchard)

Lee Ranaldo:
09-28 Urbana, IL - Krannert Center for the Performing Arts *
* with Bang on a Can All-Stars, Glenn Kotche

Gibson.com has a great, brand-new interview with Buzz Osborne of The Melvins up at their site. In this interview Buzz Osborne discusses, among other things, the recording of The Melvins new album “Nude With Boots” and his thoughts on music in general.

One thing I thought was very interesting about the interview is that he mentions using Fender guitars in places on the new album. Buzz Osborne is usually associated with Les Paul Customs, as many Melvins fans know. Excerpt…

“I used my ’69 Les Paul on the whole album supported by a Silvertone, Telecaster, and an early ’90s reissue Mustang.”

You can check out the full interview here.

Planning to jam out with the Fender Mustang extensively, will see how it works out. I’m also I’m going to get the pics up here soon.

So, I finally heard back from the Guitar Center tech regarding the status of my Fender Mustang. He said the guitar will be ready at the end of today and that everything should be worked out with it. I’m going to pick it up after work and check everything out. I’ll try to post some pics of the guitar up here on Monday.

Also, just wanted to mention that I was browsing the internet looking at different guitar prices this morning. I knew vintage Fender Strats and Les Paul’s to be pretty up there, money-wise. It’s crazy though what prices some of the original Fender Mustangs are selling for. I’ve seen some decently beat up ones going for $2500 - $3500 at times.