Odds & Ends: Kanye, Pixies, Cheap Trick

When Kim Shattuck announced she was leaving the Pixies after less than five months she made it sound like she was fired – and now she’s confirmed that’s what happened.

The bassist who took the place of founding member Kim Deal broke the news on Facebook Nov. 29 by writing, “Super disappointed to learn that my time with the Pixies ended today. Amazing experience. Looking forward to focusing my attention back on the Muffs and our upcoming new album. All the best to everyone.”  

Shattuck had more to say on the topic during a recent interview with NME.

She said she was surprised because the reviews were good and the fans were “super-nice.” After saying goodbye to the rest of the band at the airport following the conclusion of the European tour in November, the Pixies’ manager called her the next morning and told her “the band has made the decision to go with another bass player.” 

When asked if she had any inkling about why she’s no longer part of the lineup, Shattuck told NME, “I get the feeling they’re more introverted people than I am. Nobody really talked about deep issues, at least out loud. There was a show at the Mayan in Los Angeles where I got overly enthusiastic and jumped into the crowd, and I know they weren’t thrilled about that. When I got offstage the manager told me not to do that again. I said, ‘Really, for my own safety?’ And he said, ‘No, because the Pixies don’t do that.”

She added, “I would have preferred it is they told me face to face as a group, but they’re nice people. I’m still a fan of the Pixies!”

On Monday Pixies announced that its 2014 North American, South American and European dates will feature Paz Lenchantin as the band’s touring bassist.

Most acts would be thrilled to receive any Grammy nominations, but of course this is the part where we remind you that Kanye West isn’t any ol’ artist.

Although “New Slaves” was nominated for best rap song and Yeezus is up for best rap album, that is just not good enough.

During last night’s show at Phoenix’s US Airways Center the rapper expressed his frustration with the Grammys.

“Yeezus is the top one or two album on every single list, but only gets two nominations from the Grammys. What are they trying to say?” West told the crowd, according to an Instagram video posted by Phoenix radio station KISS-FM (via Rolling Stone).

Poor, poor Kanye! Rolling Stone notes that he’s already received 21 Grammys out of 53 nominations. But he needs more!

West’s “New Slaves” is competing for Best Rap song with “F***in’ Problems” by ASAP Rocky Featuring Drake, 2 Chainz & Kendrick Lamar; “Holy Grail” by Jay Z featuring Justin Timberlake; “Started From The Bottom” by Drake; and “Thrift Shop” by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis featuring Wanz.

Yeezus is up against Drake’s Nothing Was The Same, Jay Z’s Magna Carta … Holy Grail, Kendrick Lamar’s Good Kid, M.A.A.D. City; and Macklemore & Ryan Lewis’ The Heist for best rap album.

SeaWorld Orlando’s schedule of performers for its “Bands, Brew & BBQ” series continues to dwindle with Cheap Trick the most recent act to nix its gig.

In the past two weeks Barenaked Ladies, Willie Nelson and Heart have canceled appearances, citing the documentary “Blackfish,” which portrays the reported mistreatment of killer whales in captivity as well as the subsequent consequences and danger to trainers.

The film, which aired on CNN in October and is available on DVD now, features the story of Tilikum, a 12,000-pound orca that has killed three people, including a SeaWorld trainer in 2010.

As of the time of this post Cheap Trick had not commented on its reason for canceling the Feb. 8 show. WKMG 6 Orlando reported that a representative for the band confirmed the show was called off. The date is no longer listed on the band’s website.

Activists and fans signed Change.org petitions to convince all four of the acts to cancel their shows to protest how SeaWorld treats its animals.

An announcement from Change.org points out that additional petition campaigns are targeting the remaining acts scheduled to play SeaWorld including Trisha Yearwood, REO Speedwagon, Scotty McCreery and Martina McBride.

After Heart canceled its show, SeaWorld spokesman Nick Gollattscheck told CNN Sunday, “While we’re disappointed a small group of misinformed individuals was able to deny fans what would have been great concerts at SeaWorld by Heart, Barenaked Ladies and Willie Nelson, we respect the bands’ decision.”

CNN.com published an op-ed in October by Michael Scarpuzzi, vice president for zoological operations at San Diego SeaWorld, titled, “‘Blackfish’ Film Ignores SeaWorld’s Benefits To Conservation, Research.”