features

54 BLACK CROWES

More than five years since the band imploded, and more than seven since the Robinson brothers last sat before a music journalist, The Black Crowes have given Relix the story behind their resurrection. Despite ongoing lineup changes, the Crowes have seemingly hit their creative stride once more. But that doesn't mean the Robinson brothers have started to see eye to eye on things.

43 THE MARS VOLTA

When they dropped out of At The Drive-In at the peak of its popularity, friends and fans thought Omar Rodriguez- Lopez and Cedric Bixler-Zavala were crazy. As psychedelic rock monsters incarnate The Mars Volts proves—death, drugs and evil spirits aside— the duo chose wisely.

48 WEEN

Two friends meet in 8th grade, adopt alter egos at the behest of a demon and record an arsenal of songs that run the gamut from hard rock to smooth jazz while experimenting with nitrous-powered gas-mask bongs and whatever else they can get their hands on. Welcome to Ween, the least typical band on the planet.

departments

12DEAR RELIX

Letters to the Editor

14 SCENE AND HEARD

Mindful music from around the globe: The Beat and Soundcheck

20 MY PAGE

Les Claypool on the jamband mockumentary Electric Apricot

30 ON THE VERGE

Five artists you should know about

32 SPOTLIGHT

The Whigs

34 REARVIEW MIRROR

Joe Ely

36 REELTIME

Rose Hill Drive on the comforts of home

39 INTERVIEW

Mick Jones

63 REVIEWS

Albums, DVDs, books, Plundering the Vaults, Indiefind and more

81 DEADICATED

UMass hosts Dead Symposium

83 THE CORE

Keller Williams

86 PARKING LOT

Free classifieds from around the globe

90 PARTING SHOTS

Dolly Parton