This page will provide the latest official news from Ipecac Recordings. Please be sure to read through these articles before contacting Ipecac Recordings with a question that may be answered here.

Aug. 22, 2003

News Update

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: R.I.P. WESLEY WILLIS

Dear Friends and fellow Wesleynauts,
We are deeply saddened to report that one of our artists, Wesley Willis passed away yesterday, Thursday, August 21st. Wesley will be greatly missed by all that had the privilege to know him, as well as the fans who have been fortunate enough to experience his genius.

Wesley was diagnosed with Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML) at the end of 2002, and had to undergo emergency surgery on June 2nd to identify the source of, and to suppress internal bleeding. It is not clear if this bleeding was related to his leukemia or not, and the exact cause of death is still unknown. Wesley had been recovering at a Hospice in Illinois, and since the surgery his health had declined.

His songs were simultaneously disturbing, hilarious, blunt, and intoxicating. Wesley's sheer excitement and unaffected honesty about every cultural phenomenon, defined his music as truly individual, and truly punk rock. Wesley released well over 50 albums - 3 of which are on Alternative Tentacles, and a 4th, entitled, Wesley Willis Greatest Hits Vol. 3 (LP/CD) had already been scheduled for release in October of this year.

For more information on Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia, please visit http://leukemia-lymphoma.org <http://leukemia-lymphoma.org/>.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: WESLEY WILLIS 1963-2003
A letter from one of his biggest fans, Jello Biafra:

We lost Wesley Willis some time before 9PM Chicago time August 21, 2003. Word is he died peacefully. The likely cause may be heart failure. Wes had been battling leukemia for less than a year.
No services are planned as of yet. There will probably be a memorial concert, or at least a gathering in his honor in Chicago in the near future. We will let you know.
Wesley will go down as one of the most unique songwriters and entertainment personalities in history. His music, lyrics, drawings, insight and the way he put them together are like no one else. Ever. There will never be another.
As I got to know Wes, what really struck me was his sheer will power, his unrelenting drive to succeed and over come his horrifically poor background, child abuse, racism, chronic schizophrenia and obesity among other things. He was the most courageous person I have ever known.
Yet through it all he had such a deep, all-encompassing love of life. Little things, big things. He loved bus rides. He loved watching trains. He loved writing songs about how much he loved his friends. He loved travelling to new towns so he could headbutt new friends. Is there any band he saw that escaped being in their own song about how much he loved their show? He was so warm, so sweet, so giving. He could be a handful when he came to visit; but as soon as he left, we¹d miss him immediately.
As his long time friend Dennis Cooper said, "No More Demons." The voices in Wesley¹s head can¹t yell at him and put him down any more.
Wes was deeply religious. He was afraid that if he died he would no longer get to go see bands play. If there is a hereafter I hope he¹s right up front as Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughn, his beloved Otis Redding and his dear friend Bradley from Sublime "storm the stage" as the crowd "roars like a sea monster." All opening for Wesley, of course.
It will be hard now that he¹s gone, but I¹m not going to let myself stop enjoying the funny stuff, or the look on people¹s faces when they first hear "Rock n Roll McDonalds," or the memories of the good times and Wesley¹s many adventures. He wouldn¹t want it any other way.
There are many down times when all I have to do is think of one of Wes¹s songs, something he said or simply marvel at his Wesley-isms, and the clouds part and a smile comes to my face. I think he does that for a lot of people. He always will.

Rock over London
Rock on Chicago
Sail on, Wes. I love you.

Jello Biafra
8-22-03

Aug. 15, 2003

News Update

Extra Extra! Tomahawk has been invited to participate in the annual Radio 1 "One Live In..."
week long radio broadcast. This year it takes place in beautiful Brighton. It will be broadcast on Radio 1 of course. An honor like this was too hard to pass up so the guys decided to do a mini tour around it! The dates are listed now in the calendar section. ROAD TRIP with the 'hawk.

Aug. 8, 2003

News Update

Ok we HAVE confirmed a few Lollapalooza dates for Mondo Generator!
Nick pulling double duty!!! Catch Mondo live at:
08/08/2003 Dallas, TX @ Smirnoff Music Center
w/ Lollapalooza (2nd Stage)
08/09/2003 San Antonio, TX @ Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
w/ Lollapalooza (2nd Stage)
08/10/2003 Houston, TX @ Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
w/ Lollapalooza (2nd Stage)

Aug. 6, 2003

News Update

Ok. We got Australia confirmed now! Whew!!!
Here ya go mate.
2003 Australian Ipecac Geek Show Tour featuring Tomahawk, Melvins & Fantômas
December
Saturday 6 Brisbane - The Arena
Sunday 7 Adelaide - Heaven II
Tuesday 9 Fremantle - Metropolis
Thursday 11 Melbourne - The Palace
Saturday 13 Sydney - Hordern Pavilion

Aug. 5, 2003

News Update

OOPS!! Seems we were a bit premature with the posting of those Mondo Generator Lollapalooza dates yesterday. Turns out they are not all confirmed, although they did play the show today (8/5/03). We will keep you updated if we receive word on which, if any, of the dates they plan on playing. Sorry again for the inconvenience!

Aug. 1, 2003

News Update

Slow down chief!!!!
We have been informed that the Australia Geek Show tour dates have NOT been confirmed yet and might be moved around a bit. Please ignore the posted dates until further notice. Those shows are NOT CONFIRMED. We hope to confirm things in the next 2 weeks. We will NOT have ticket info, just dates and venues.
Unfortunately due to scheduling problems, there will NOT be any New Zealand shows. Very sorry.

July 30, 2003

News Update


Buy the latest Ipecac CDs in the discography section!
Buy that Queens of the Stone Age limited edition double Lp SONGS FOR THE DEAF vinyl set at cool record stores now!
Oh and Australia will be treated to a QOTSA, Distillers & Mondo Generator tour in January!
New Desert Sessions 9&10 out in late September
Fantômas DELIRIUM CORDIA out in early October
kid 606 KILL SOUND BEFORE SOUND KILLS YOU in early November
What a year!!!

PS non Ipecac topics belong in the soap box and will continue to be deleted.

July 8, 2003

News Update

Mondo mania!To kill some time between Lollapalooza shows, Nick Oliveri has decided to vist a handful of his favorite record stores to pimp the new Mondo Generator record. These should be good.

thu. 7/17 Harmony House - 7pm Detroit, MI

tue. 7/22 Vintage Vinyl - 7pm Fords, NJ

More coming! Buy the record and hang with Nick. Or just buy the damn record.

July 1, 2003

News Update

MONDO GENERATOR "A Drug Problem That Never Existed"
Nick Oliveri's (Queens of the Stone Age) other band! Grab some rock, now!!!!!

July 1, 2003

News Update

Kaada has been added to several European Geek shows!!! Check the calendar.
The Ruins are doing a rare mini US tour. DO NOT MISS THEM! Check the calendar.
New kid 606 US dates. Check the calendar.
Australian Geek Show dates coming soon!
Mr.Bungle merch coming to mrbungle.com soon!
Upcoming releases: Desert Sessions(Sept), Fantômas(Oct), kid 606(?)