Jason Falkner, the Posies’ Jon Auer, Bleu, Damone and Butch Walker are among those contributing tracks to “Substitution Mass Confusion,” a tribute to New Wave icons the Cars, due Jan. 4 from Not Lame Recordings.
A portion of the compilation’s proceeds will be donated to the American Cancer Society in memory of Cars bassist Benjamin Orr, who died of cancer in 2000.
Photographer and fan Peter Kuehl organized the CD, inspired by Orr’s passing. “The first thing I thought was that someone should get a tribute together,” he explains. “And I thought that it should be for charity. After three years, none had been produced, so I decided to do it myself.”
Falkner’s version of “Touch and Go” kicks off the disc, which also boasts Bleu’s take on “You Might Think,” Auer’s “Misfit Kid,” the Gigolo Aunts’ “I’m Not the One,” Damone on “Just What I Needed,” Chris von Sneidern on “Drive” and in-demand producer Walker turning out “My Best Friend’s Magic Girlfriend.”
A CD release show featuring a number of the bands on the disc is planned for Feb. 10 at Boston venue T.T. the Bear’s Place. For more information, visit the Not Lame Web site.
In related news, Cars frontman Ric Ocasek has left his post as senior VP of A&R at Elektra Records. According to a spokesperson, the artist no longer has a role at Warner Music Group.
Here is the track list for “Substitution Mass Confusion”:
“Touch and Go,” Jason Falkner
“My Best Friend’s Magic Girlfriend,” Butch Walker
“You Might Think,” Bleu
“Misfit Kid,” Jon Auer
“Just What I Needed,” Damone
“Got a Lot on My Head,” Owsley
“Hello Again,” the Argument
“I’m Not the One,” Gigolo Aunts featuring Kid Lightning
“Bye Bye Love,” Spiraling
“Tonight She Comes,” Action Action
“You’re All I’ve Got Tonight,” the Millions
“Drive,” Chris von Sneidern
“Shake It Up,” PurrBox
“Dangerous Type,” Johnny Monaco
“It’s All I Can Do,” the Bravery
“Candy-O,” Doug Powell
“Since You’re Gone,” the Andersons!
“Let’s Go,” Dum Dog Run
“Slip Away,” sparkle*jets u.k.
“Nightspots,” the Cautions
“Good Times Roll,” the Daybirds