features

53 TOOL

Collectively, the music made by the four members of Tool defies categorization: Yes, it’s heavy, and definitely a bit metallic, but it’s also gothy and proggy. Their penchant for borderless music, psychedelic imagery and dark videos has helped make them one of the most popular bands of our time—while attracting some of rock’s most obsessive followers.

48 STEEL TRAIN

For a band that’s largely unknown, Steel Train has experienced its share of drama: line up changes, relationships with movie stars, 9/11. All of that seems to have subsided on the hard-touring, now-clear-eyed band’s second album, Trampoline.

43 MILES DAVIS

In the early 1970s, Miles Davis began turning his back on the classic style and exploring the funk of James Brown and Sly Stone with his On the Corner sessions. Thirty-five years later, Davis author Phil Freeman remembers this pivotal moment in a legendary career.

departments

10DEAR RELIX

Letters to the Editor

11 MY PAGE

Chuck Prophet on Alex Chilton

12 SOAPBOX

Lonn Friend’s chemtrails

14 SCENE AND HEARD

Mindful music from aroundthe globe: The Beat and Soundcheck

28 ON THE VERGE

Five artists you should know about

30 SPOTLIGHT

The Heavy Pets

32 REARVIEW MIRROR

The return of Bad Brains

34 REELTIME

In the studio with Toubab Krewe

37 INTERVIEW

Bettye LaVette

40 EXPOSED

Lynn Goldsmith

63 REVIEWS

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

78 DEADICATED

Remembering Kerouacand the Summer of Love

80 THE CORE

Perpetual Groove

82 THE LIST

Super Sidekicks

86 PARKING LOT

Free classifieds from around the globe

90 PARTING SHOTS

Bill Medley: Still Righteous