Post by LS on Aug 11, 2005 22:58:18 GMT -5
Van Zandt Taking 'Underground Garage' To TV
By Jeff Vrabel, Jacksonville, Fla.
E Street band guitarist Little Steven Van Zandt's Underground Garage radio show has become a big hit, having branched out to 130 stations in 190 markets nationwide. But it may soon be coming to a new medium.
"We're pretty much all over the radio, so I think it's time for it to go to TV and get that synergy going," Van Zandt tells Billboard.com. "There's one version that was like the old Howard Stern or Don Imus thing, but not quite as literal. We'd be doing the show, but in a more surreal fashion, adding more production elements and having more fun with it -- a little more craziness than just a camera sitting there."
Other ideas include a more elaborate "bands, go-go girls and interviews" approach, and one not far from "American Bandstand." "We're hoping to have something on certainly by the first of the year," he says.
Meanwhile, Van Zandt remains involved with the campaign to save New York rock club CBGB from having to close its doors later this month. Along with such CBGB regulars as Debbie Harry and Tommy Ramone, the artist is working to facilitate negotiations between the club and its landlord, the Bowery Residents Committee. "We're staying very optimistic about this," Van Zandt says. "It's quite a fight."
In related news, Van Zandt confirms work is underway on a new edition of the Springsteen classic "Born To Run," which turns 30 next month. "There is a very cool thing that's going to come out," he says, declining to reveal additional details. "It's a CD/DVD -- one of those combinations." He adds with a laugh, "I don't think it's a big surprise. I hope it's not a surprise!"
Van Zandt also indicates that while there are no specific plans right now, he expects to be back in the studio with Springsteen before too long. "Bruce is still doing great with his solo thing," he says. "I'm sure at some point, we'll probably go make another record and go back out."
Lastly, Van Zandt will reprise his role as mobster Silvio Dante on the sixth season of "The Sopranos," which begins in March on HBO.
By Jeff Vrabel, Jacksonville, Fla.
E Street band guitarist Little Steven Van Zandt's Underground Garage radio show has become a big hit, having branched out to 130 stations in 190 markets nationwide. But it may soon be coming to a new medium.
"We're pretty much all over the radio, so I think it's time for it to go to TV and get that synergy going," Van Zandt tells Billboard.com. "There's one version that was like the old Howard Stern or Don Imus thing, but not quite as literal. We'd be doing the show, but in a more surreal fashion, adding more production elements and having more fun with it -- a little more craziness than just a camera sitting there."
Other ideas include a more elaborate "bands, go-go girls and interviews" approach, and one not far from "American Bandstand." "We're hoping to have something on certainly by the first of the year," he says.
Meanwhile, Van Zandt remains involved with the campaign to save New York rock club CBGB from having to close its doors later this month. Along with such CBGB regulars as Debbie Harry and Tommy Ramone, the artist is working to facilitate negotiations between the club and its landlord, the Bowery Residents Committee. "We're staying very optimistic about this," Van Zandt says. "It's quite a fight."
In related news, Van Zandt confirms work is underway on a new edition of the Springsteen classic "Born To Run," which turns 30 next month. "There is a very cool thing that's going to come out," he says, declining to reveal additional details. "It's a CD/DVD -- one of those combinations." He adds with a laugh, "I don't think it's a big surprise. I hope it's not a surprise!"
Van Zandt also indicates that while there are no specific plans right now, he expects to be back in the studio with Springsteen before too long. "Bruce is still doing great with his solo thing," he says. "I'm sure at some point, we'll probably go make another record and go back out."
Lastly, Van Zandt will reprise his role as mobster Silvio Dante on the sixth season of "The Sopranos," which begins in March on HBO.