The Wait

I've been on a pretty massive Killing Joke kick as of late and *just* purchased tix to their May 29th show at the Empty Bottle in my soon-to-be-home of Chicago. My dear friend Alex at Flaming Pablum just informed me this morning that I won't be seeing KJ after all, for the band has pushed their new album and tour back to September. BOO!

Youth commented via his own MySpace page. Here's a snippet:

"It is with great pain that the band have had to postpone the European and American tour until later in the year. We are 3 months overdue in delivering this album! I think it could very well be the greatest album we have ever made. The reasons why we are so over due are many...not least because we have so many contender tracks and that they deserve the attention to detail that we are now giving them. We have survived equipment being hijacked, tapes being withheld, nervous breakdowns, family bereavements, blood lettings and a host of other challenges of biblical proportions ... She has been an ambitious album to manifest and we are now at the final ascent and i have to say its one of the greatest albums i have had the privilege to be involved with ...EVER! ... Despite the frustration and inconvenience of having to wait for this and having to re-arrange the next few months schedule to accommodate these changes, I am sure it will be worth it ... Massive apologies to those who have rearrange their schedules and lives around this turn of events."

For more, including Big Paul Ferguson's comments, click here.

Here's hoping all goes smoothly between now and September.

Sick of Goodbyes

This morning I woke up to the most sad news I've heard in a long, long time. Mark Linkous of Sparklehorse took his own life on Saturday, March 6. He was 47.

From The Los Angeles Times:

North Carolina-based singer-songwriter Mark Linkous, who recorded under the name Sparklehorse, has committed suicide, his family said. Known most recently as part of the Danger Mouse and David Lynch collaboration "Dark Night of the Soul," which will finally see an official album release this year, Linkous specialized in a somewhat dreamy, fractured take on blues and folk heard through the prism of his own unique style of songcraft.

The news of his passing was confirmed via an online statement attributed to his family. "It is with great sadness that we share the news that our dear friend and family member, Mark Linkous, took his own life today," read the statement posted on the official Sparklehorse website. "We are thankful for his time with us and will hold him forever in our hearts."

His survivors include his wife, Teresa; his mother, Gloria Hughes Thacker; his father, Frederick Linkous; and his brothers, Matt, Paul and Daniel Linkous.

I had the opportunity to speak with Linkous just over a decade ago when he was touring in support of the brilliant Good Morning Spider album. He and I had a friendly 45-minute conversation about life on the road, songwriting, and working in his garage. I vividly remember he and I talking about castor oil, but cannot remember the context of the conversation.

My article, which was for The Flint Journal, is at my parents' house in Michigan and I wish I could read it right now so I could remember more of our conversation. I can fondly recall Linkous as an incredibly sweet man, but also very shy. I was just this eager 21-year-old wannabe music journalist who obsessed over his music and honored to speak with the man behind such great songs like "Gasoline Horseys" and "Hundreds of Sparrows." But toward the end of our conversation, I found myself encouraging him to keep on keepin' on, almost giving him one of those "attaboy" kind of chats. I wasn't sure how it all came about then or now, but it was in that "can I give you a hug" kind of way. Linkous didn't mind at all.

I missed his show at Alvin's in Detroit a few days later, but my friend Brett, a massive Sparklehorse fan, met Linkous after the show and got me a signed poster. He signed it, "Best Ditches, MacKenzie. Love Mark Linkous." That framed poster hung in my bedroom until my New York City move three years ago. It will be put on the wall again, for it should have never been in the closet stash of posters anyway. I still have the matchbook too.

RIP Mark Linkous. God, you will be so incredibly missed.

The History of John Peel

The late John Peel introduced countless bands to the masses during his 37 years as deejay at the BBC's Radio 1. Via "The Peel Sessions" show, Peel embraced what he loved the various genres of alternative rock, pop, British hip-hope, dance, and even death metal. Some of my favorite acts such as Joy Division, The Smiths, The Cure, and Siouxsie and the Banshees appeared on his show.

Fans can fondly remember or discover for the very first time the brilliance behind the man with the smashing collection, Kats Karavan: The History of John Peel on the Radio. The four-disc box set, out October 26th, spans his entire career, while including one-hit wonders, major chart toppers and other rarities. The Jam, The Slits, Mercury Rev, and Bloc Party are just a few of the many artists who appear of this fantastic retrospective.

John Peel passed away October 25, 2004.

[Thanks to The Line of Best Fit]

Psychedelic Furs to Perform 'Talk Talk Talk'

NME announced today that The Psychedelic Furs are slated to perform the second LP, the incredibly excellent Talk Talk Talk, in its entirety during a quick UK tour this fall.

Shows are scheduled for London, Manchester and Glasgow this November. I absolutely adore the Furs and Talk Talk Talk is my favorite album. To be there would be quite fantastic. I suppose I'll just have to settle for the Furs' show -- the Happy Mondays are also on the bill -- at NYC's Roseland Ballroom on Friday, October 9th.



**UPDATE** (Sept. 25): According to the Furs fan site, Burned Down Days, the dates in London, Manchester and Glasgow have been postponed for the time being, and there is no further information on when they'll be rescheduled. BOO!

Morrissey's 'Swords'

Morrissey's forthcoming rarities collection, the 18-track Swords, will finally see the light of day in the UK October 26. The collection features b-sides from his most recent albums, including this year's Years of Refusal, as well as a bonus disc entitled, Live From Warsaw 2009.

Swords tracklisting:

1. Good Looking Man About Town
2. Don't Make Fun Of Daddy's Voice
3. If You Don't Like Me, Don't Look At Me
4. Ganglord
5. My Dearest Love
6. The Never-Played Symphonies
7. Sweetie-Pie
8. Christian Dior
9. Shame Is the Name
10. Munich Air Disaster 1958
11. I Knew I Was Next
12. It's Hard to Walk Tall When You're Small
13. Teenage Dad On His Estate
14. Children In Pieces
15. Friday Mourning
16. "My Life Is a Succession of People Saying Goodbye
17. Drive-In Saturday
18. Because Of My Poor Education


Live From Warsaw 2009:
1. Black Cloud
2. I'm Throwing My Arms Around Paris
3. I Just Want To See The Boy Happy
4. Why Don't You Find Out For Yourself
5. One Day Goodbye Will Be Farewell
6. You Just Haven’t Earned It Yet, Baby
7. Life Is a Pigsty
8. I'm OK By Myself

Spider Named for David Bowie

I absolutely detest spiders. I think they're creepy, but I suppose one named for David Bowie isn't that bad. Or is it? Check out the little bugger here. GROSS!

The Guardian recently reported that a yellow Malaysian spider has been named in honor for the former Thin White Duke: Heteropoda davidbowie.

German spider specialist Peter Jäger, who has identified 200 new species over the last decade, created the name. He likes naming endangered spiders after celebrities in order to bring attention to the dangers of these creepy, crawly creatures.

Seems appropriate considering Bowie's 1972 album was entitled, The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars.

Last year, East Carolina University biologist Jason Bond rechristened the trapdoor spider, Myrmekiaphila neilyoungi, after Canadian rocker Neil Young.

Public Image Ltd. Returns

I suppose it was only a matter of time John Lydon put PiL back together, right? I mean, he just never stops.

Lydon aka Sex Pistols frontman Johnny Rotten has revived Public Image Limited, the post-punk outfit he formed in 1978 upon the Pistols' demise. The group, who haven't played live since 1992, are playing out to commemorate the band's 1978 epic sophomore effort, Metal Box.

According to NME, Lydon will be joined by Damned guitarist Lu Edmonds, former Slits drummer Bruce Smith, and bassist Scott Firth four five UK dates this December.

Wish I could see one of these shows. I spent much of my high school and college years listening to Second Edition and the like. It'd be fab to finally see Lydon live.

Also in John Lydon news, he's a bit broken up over the recent Oasis split. Awww, I always knew he had a heart.



[Photo courtesy of Dave Lauridsen]

Echo and the Bunnymen Keyboardist Dies

Sadly, tragedy strikes Echo & the Bunnymen again. Longtime Echo & the Bunnymen keyboard player Jake Brockman was killed in a motorbike crash on the Isle of Man in the UK on Tuesday, September 1st. He was 53.

According to BBC News, the motorcycle he was riding collided with with a converted ambulance near Kirk Michael. He later passed away from injuries sustained by the accident at Noble Hospital.

Brockman, also called 'the fifth Bunnyman' by fans, joined the group in 1989, and also appears on the Bunnymen's forthcoming LP, The Fountain, out October 12th. The band shared their condolences via Bunnymen.com:

"Our thoughts are with his wife, family & friends.

Love
Ian, Will, Les, Peasy, Pete, Peter & all his fans"

In 1989, original drummer Pete De Freitas was killed in a motorcycle accident
at the age of 27 while traveling to Liverpool from London.

Along with Echo & the Bunnymen, Brockman also played with Spiritualized's Damon Reece in the dance outfit, BOM. The duo issued one album, Bom Bom Shevaya -- featuring Bunnymen guitarist Will Sergeant on keyboards and additional vocals by Pete's sister Lucy De Freitas -- in 1996.

Noise Addict Brings the Noise Again

In 1993, I was just a little high school sophomore who was obsessed with U2 and Morrissey. MY BFF Alyssa and I were also loyal to watching MTV's alternative rock video show, 120 Minutes, on Sunday nights. It was there that we first discovered the Aussie pop/punk band Noise Addict. Alyssa and I both thought singer/songwriter Ben Lee was pretty cute and cool, and and it was Lee's song about Evan Dando entitled "I Wish I Was Him" that had both of us at hello. (Alyssa was a massive Lemonheads and Evan Dando fan during this time). Don't laugh. You've been there before, too.

Anyhow, Noise Addict put out a couple of American releases via the Beastie Boys' label, Grand Royal, and only issued one album, Meet the Real You, before calling it quits in 1996.

So my inner fan girl was thrilled to hear today (Sept. 1) that Ben Lee -- who issued his seventh solo LP, the incredible The Rebirth of Venus earlier this spring -- has put Noise Addict back together with Lou Barlow of Dinosaur Jr. and Sebadoh and Lara Meyerratken of El May. The new album, It Was Never About the Audience, is available for a free download!

In a press release, Ben Lee says, "I've wanted to make another Noise Addict record for awhile now. Noise Addict is a place more than a band. But it's a band too. This record was inspired by out of tune guitars, Jonathan Richman, and lasagne…not the actual pasta - just the word."

He adds, "The new lineup on this recording is me, Lou Barlow and Lara Meyerratken. That's a new lineup for the band, but the principle remains the same: everything recorded quickly, in my bedroom, with lots of stupid rules like no mic-stands. The songs were all written by me except 'Lasagne,' which I co-wrote with my step-daughter Kate."

It Was Never About the Audience tracklisting:
1. That's How It Goes
2. Do I Know You
3. Get Well
4. Chris Martin's Frown
5. Big Ups
6. Drop That Ghost
7. Hey Baby
8. Lasagne
9. Faster Side of Normal
10. Let Your Heart Decide It
11. Cloudchasing
12. Not Afraid
13. Gravity
14. I Heart Your Band
15. Let's Do Our Thing

You can download the full album at NoiseAddict.net and it's FREE! Everyone loves FREE!

*Side note: Lee actually toured with Sebadoh in 1995 prior to breaking up Noise Addict.

The Always Cool Chrissie Hynde

I LOVE Chrissie Hynde (and the Pretenders, of course). She is the epitome of cool. Her attitude, her swaggering guitar riffs, the hair and the eyeliner, all of it, she's just cool.

She and the band are still plugging along, for she, longtime drummer Martin Chambers, guitarist James Walbourne, bassist Nick Wilkinson, and steel guitarist Eric Heywood are currently touring the U.S. (alongside Cat Power and Juliette Lewis) in support of their latest album, 2008's Break Up the Concrete.

Recently, Chrissie sat down with the The Guardian for a pretty entertaining Q&A. She namechecks Morrissey, too. After all, she's covered "Everyday Is Like Sunday" in years past and added backing vocals to Morrissey's 1991 single "My Love Life." Anyhow, read on for more.

When were you happiest?
A couple of hours ago: I got a text message to meet someone later.

What is your most treasured possession?
I love my guitars, but I'm not married to them. Maybe some photographs of my daughters when they were little.

What do you owe your parents?
I owe them because I had to get really far away to do what I wanted to do so they wouldn't disapprove, and that worked out really well for me.

To whom would you most like to say sorry, and why?
James Honeyman-Scott and Pete Farndon. I'd like to say sorry to them that the rock'n'roll lifestyle, which I certainly was a part of, didn't work out so good for them.

Which living person do you most despise, and why?
I can't feel like that about human beings. I love people – all of them – even the ones I hate!

What is the worst job you've done?
When I was working as a waitress when I was 17, and they mainly had steak on the menu. That's the great shame of my working life.

If you could go back in time, where would you go?
I'd go back to London about 150 years ago. I'd snoop around the buildings and all through the West End. I think about it every day. I just want to hear horses' hooves and see that street life, pre-technology.

What song would you like played at your funeral?
"Sing Your Life" by Morrissey.

Bowie's 'Space Oddity' Turns 40

David Bowie purists, unite! According to NME, David Bowie will release a 40th anniversary edition of his 1969 debut album, Space Oddity October 12. The special release -- originally issued as a self-titled effort in November 1969, only to be renamed Space Oddity in 1972 -- will be completely remastered and will also include several previously unreleased demos, b-sides, radio sessions and more! The 40th anniversary edition will also be available as a digital release and on 180 gram vinyl. Nice!

Space Oddity: 40th Anniversary Edition tracklistings:
CD 1:
1. Space Oddity
2. Unwashed And Somewhat Slightly Dazed
3. Letter to Hermione
4. Cygnet Committee
5. Janine
6. An Occasional Dream
7. Wild Eyed Boy From Freecloud
8. God Knows I'm Good
9. Memory of a Free Festival

CD 2:
1. Space Oddity (Demo)
2. An Occasional Dream (Demo)
3. Wild Eyed Boy From Freecloud (Single B-Side)
4. Let Me Sleep Beside You (BBC Radio Session)
5. Unwashed and Somewhat Slightly Dazed (BBC Radio Session)
6. Janine (BBC Radio Session)
7. London Bye Ta-Ta (Stereo Version)
8. The Prettiest Star (Stereo Version)
9. Conversation Piece (Stereo Version)
10. Memory of a Free Festival (Part 1) (Single A-Side)
11. Memory of a Free Festival (Part 2) (Single B-Side)
12. Wild Eyed Boy From Freecloud (Alternate Album Mix)
13. Memory of a Free Festival (Alternate Album Mix)
14. London Bye Ta-Ta (Alternate Stereo Mix)
15. Ragazzo Solo, Ragazza Sola (Full Length Stereo Version)

180 Gram Limited Edition Vinyl:
Side 1:
1. Space Oddity
2. Unwashed And Somewhat Slightly Dazed
3. Letter to Hermione
4. Cygnet Committee

Side 2:
1. Janine
2. An Occasional Dream
3. Wild Eyed Boy From Freecloud
4. God Knows I'm Good
5. Memory of a Free Festival

Return of the Jaxx

Hells to the yeah. One of my favorite dance acts, Basement Jaxx, returns with Scars, their fifth studio effort October 5. Felix Bunton and Simon Ratcliffe get back to basics on the 13-song set, their follow-up to 2006’s lacklustre Crazy Itch Radio. Their third LP, 2003's Kish Kash remains one of my favorite albums of all time.

In a press release, Felix Bunton says, "There's a good reason why the new record is called 'Scars.' Making it has been a grueling process. When we finished recording, it felt like we’d come out of a boxing ring."

Scars tracklisting:

1. Scars (with Kelis, Maleka & Chipmunk)
2. Raindrops
3. She’s No Good (with Eli "Paperboy" Reed)
4. Saga (with Santigold)
5. Feelings Gone (with Sam Sparro)
6. My Turn (with Lightspeed Champion)
7. A Possibility (with Amp Fiddler)
8. Twerk (with Yo Majesty)
9. Day of the Sunflowers (We March On) (with Yoko Ono)
10. What’s A Girl Gotta Do? (with Paloma Faith)
11. Stay Close (with Lisa Kekaula)
12. D.I.S.tractionz (with Jose Hendrix)
13. Gimme Somethin' True (with Jose James)

Mick Jones the Librarian?

What? Really? Mick Jones of The Clash, Big Audio Dynamite and most recently, Carbon Silicon fame, has founded the Rock n Roll Public Library. It seems that the legendary guitarist/vocalist is somewhat of a pop culture enthusiast, for he's been collecting loads of treasures (count 'em: nearly 10,000 artifacts) for the last three decades.

Jones' own "guerilla-library" is housed in an office space in west London; actually, it's under the Westway, off Portobello Road, not too far away from where he and the late Joe Strummer founded the Clash in 1976.

For Clash fans, this is pretty exciting. Jones' widespread collection features records, books, pizza boxes from Clash tours, camouflage graffiti boots worn by the band on stage, as well as retro recording equipment, and much, much more. The exhibition is on display through August 25. For images, check out Chelsea Space.

[Thanks Boing Boing]

Manics Return to the U.S.

It's been over a decade since Welsh rockers Manic Street Preachers graced American shores with their earnest and stately brand of rock'n'roll. The last time they played America was 1999, while they were touring in support of the always fantastic fifth LP, This Is My Truth, Tell Me Yours. Thankfully, I caught that tour at St. Andrews Hall in Detroit.

Since then they've issued four stellar albums, including the highly underrated (in my humble opinion ... "1985" and "To Repel Ghosts" are bloody brilliant) Lifeblood (2004). Earlier this spring, the Manics delivered a touching tribute to their late frontman, Richey James Edwards, Journal for Plague Lovers. U.S. fans, rejoice! The Manics are coming to America ... yes, thank you! I know where I'll be on October 7th.


Manic Street Preachers' U.S. Tour:

Sept 21 - (Seattle) Neumo’s
Sept 22 - (Vancouver) The Commodore Ballroom
Sept 24 - (San Francisco) The Fillmore
Sept 25 - (Los Angeles) The Avalon
Sept 28 - (Denver) The Bluebird Theatre
Sept 29 - (Minneapolis) The Varsity Theatre
Oct 1 - (Chicago) The Metro
Oct 2 - (Detroit) The Majestic Theatre
Oct 4 - (Toronto) The Phoenix Concert Theatre
Oct 6 - (Philadelphia) World Cafe Live
Oct 7 - (New York City) Webster Hall
Oct 8 - (Boston) Paradise Rock Club

Journal for Plague Lovers will finally get a domestic release come September 15th via Columbia. WOO!

[Thanks to The Music Slut]

Editors Shed Some 'Light'

I've been on a massive Editors kick as of late. Their 2005 debut, The Back Room, is still quite stellar, and sophomore LP, 2007's An End Has a Start, shows incredible growth and promise. So yeah, I am incredibly excited for Editors' new album, In This Light and on This Evening, out September 21.

NME -- via the band's official site -- recently posted remarks from frontman Tom Smith, who is growing especially tired of all questions regarding the band's 'dark' sound.

"I am so fucking bored of people asking us why we're so 'dark' ... or worse questioning our integrity for being this way. This is how we do it, it excites us to express ourselves like this, to be honest we don't even understand what the alternative is and the alternatives we can imagine are too boring for us to even consider."

Smith elaborated further on the album's noir aesthetic, adding: "But this is still a dark record, a record that sings of no God, a record of broken love songs, a record where the filthy city [London] is so close you can smell it, taste it, a record of drunken violence, a record which has lost all trust in those in charge of our world.

"We must be four miserable people to make a record like this though right? I must be troubled to write words like these?

"No, absolutely not, dark is interesting, dark is exciting, dark can be funny, there’s real life in the dark, real life IS dark, when an album feels like this the fragments of hope and love that do occasionally shine through shine through ten times brighter than they would normally do so."

Apparently, too, the synthesizer-heavy In This Light and on This Evening is a bit more sci-fi and influenced by films like Ridley Scott's 1982 movie, Blade Runner says NME.com. Produced by Flood (U2, Depeche Mode, New Order), the album includes song titles like "Papillion," "Bricks and Mortar," "Eat Raw Meat = Blood Drool," and "Like Treasure."

What's up with the Blade Runner influences in music this year? First Doves, now Editors?

Echo to Reel Around 'the Fountain'

Echo & the Bunnymen are set to release their 11th studio effort, The Fountain, their follow-up to 2005's stunner Siberia. Produced by John McLaughlin, The Fountain will arrive October 12th in the UK (and hopefully October 13th in the US?). Coldplay frontman Chris Martin also joins Ian McCulloch, Will Sergeant and Co. on one track.

Four track samples -- "Think I Need It Too," "Do You Know Who I Am," "Proxy," and "Drivetime" -- are currently live for preview at Bunnymen.com and the band's MySpace page. Pretty nice stuff so far. "Drivetime" could shape up to be a EATB classic, no doubt.

"Think I Need It Too" will mark the album's first single and will be available as a digital download and CD-single September 28th.

Other confirmed tracks include: "The Idolness of Gods," "Forgotten Fields," "Shroud of Turin," "Life of a Thousand Crimes," and "The Fountain."

Four UK dates are expected to be announced on Bunnymen.com this week. US fans can catch the Bunnymen at All Points West Festival at Liberty State Park in Jersey City, NJ on Sunday, August 2nd at 8pm.

I know I've posted EATB videos before, but I adore them ... so here's "My White Devil" from my favorite Bunnymen album, Porcupine.

Guitarzzz ...

Happy Birthday to the Gibson electric guitar! Seventy-two years ago today, the Gibson electric guitar was patented in the United States. Gibson's general manager, Guy Hart, was awarded this patent. Rock 'n' roll.

"Gibson’s electric guitar wasn’t not the first to market, but its pickup design was superior to competing models — especially after guitar-makers begin dropping them into their new, innovative designs over a decade later.

Guitarists have a reputation for coaxing as much volume as possible out of their instruments — whether it’s advisable or not. But guitarists playing in dance bands, larger combos and jazz orchestras in the early 1930s certainly needed the volume boost. They were often playing in situations where they were straining to be heard over the drums, brass and audience chatter.

The newest, loudest design of the era was the resonator guitar. Usually made of metal, it had a series of aluminum resonators built into the body. The resonators amplified the acoustic instrument and gave players an edge they couldn’t get out of the common acoustic guitar.

But of course, the ax-slingers were always asking for more volume, so inventors of the day were constantly experimenting with crude electronic-amplification systems.

The first viable electric guitar was designed by guitarist George Beauchamp, who began manufacturing them along with Swiss-born engineer Adolph Rickenbacker. The guitars made by Beauchamp and Rickenbacker were of the “lap steel” variety, which the player holds flat in the lap and slides a metal bar up and down the strings to play different notes."

[Thanks Wired]

Rawk Plate

Hey yooooou guuuuuuys! Check out the radness that is Dang Lorang. They're the ones responsible for creating that awesome piece of art with my beloved Morrissey's face. A BIG thanks again to my dear friend Corey, who got me the plate as a pre-wedding gift. SO AWESOME!

The New York City-based craft collective -- made up of friends Lauriana and Angela -- offers plenty of fun crafty goodies. After all, the opening page exclaims that Dang Lorang is a place for plates, pillows, parasols and all things peachy. Um yeah, pretty cool.

"We're both crafters that focus on the same theme: bands and artists we love," says Lauriana. "We didn't know that fact about each other for a while, but one day I saw a concert T-shirt pillow that Angela made and she told me all about her other band pillows. I told her about the plates I made. So, we teamed up and here we are. It feels like we run a little indie record shop, out of our cramped New York City apartments."

While Angela is the master seamstress behind such rad vintage pillows, featuring the likes of AC/DC, Slayer and Whitney Houston just to name a few, Lauriana is the artist responsible for putting Morrissey, David Bowie, Joan Jett, and Joe Strummer's face (and more!) on a plate. But where did this Morrissey idea come from?

"I started making decoupage plates for my sister, who is a Morrissey lifer as well," Lauriana explains. "She is a mother of five and let's nothing stand in the way of her obsession, not even her husband. The first was a tryptic series of her favorite Smiths albums that I gave her as a thank you for being her plus one to the Apollo show [in 2004]."

"I thought that as the years went on I would make a new plate for on her birthday of the Mozzer in various repose to add to her collection," she adds. "When I was preparing for the craft fair, I wanted to try to update the plate into something a bit more mature. Hence the yellow plate."

Dang Lorang does do custom plate orders and most start at $20 for small ones, but nothing is over $30. The hardest plate to create so far?

"The hardest one is actually a decoupage plate I'm currently working on featuring Nick Cave on a unicorn," Lauriana says. "But as far as painting goes, Dusty Springfield. She ended up looking like Celine Dion."

These plates are safe for looking, not eating. Joe Strummer says so.

New Flaming Lips Album

Hooray for The Flaming Lips! The cleverly cool and quirky trio is slated to release a new double-disc set this fall entitled Embryonic. Seems appropriate, yeah?

NME via BBC 6 Music said frontman Wayne Coyne 'likened the recording sessions for the follow-up to their 2006 album, At War With the Mystics, to working in a kitchen.

I think it must be like being a cook in the kitchen you’re preparing this great thing but by the time it's ready you’re sick of it because you’ve been smelling it, you’ve got it in your hair and in your fingers and all that."

Embryonic is the band's 12th album overall. All songs titles and a tracklisting will be finalized shortly.

A Note From Morrissey

Yesterday, the lovely folks at It's Morrissey's World passed along a note from the Mozzer, who informed fans that his tour in support of Years of Refusal has finally resumed. Morrissey recently canceled a host of gig overseas at a doctor's request to rest his voice. Want to know more? Read on ... and look closely for some new album info.

We Will Resume

I am very pleased to confirm that we will resume at Luxembourg this coming Friday (5 June), absorbed and collected. I have been reconstructed by a Wiltshire hospital and I am as close to good health as I'm likely to get.

I apologize to everyone caught up in the to-ing and fro-ing, but the disappointment of postponement is less than the disappointment of hearing me sing on one engine.

I should stress that nothing has been canceled. The four London concerts are repositioned in July, and both Birmingham and the Royal Albert Hall are October fixtures. I've endured a titanic struggle against an intolerable virus lately, and although Hull, Hartlepool and Manchester were nights that comprised a whole life, the physical limits were reached. False notes crush the soul.

Besides Luxembourg and beyond, I am excited about the October release of Swords, which is an 18-track compilation of b-side of singles from the last three albums. This will be a Polydor release.

Thanks to everyone who bought 'Years of Refusal'. We were the number one seller in the UK for the week of release, but, as with 'You Are The Quarry' and 'Your Arsenal', we were booted off the number one spot on the last hour of the final day. We cried.

I would like to point out that some passable creature is using my name and sending sharply chiseled replies to people via Twitter, MySpace and Facebook. This person is not me. Not enough happens in my life that I would wish to share it with others. I do not scan these sites - or whatever they are - so I can only hope that whoever is posing as me is at least worth talking to. Beware of false imitations.

Thanks for reading these unvarnished facts, and thanks for giving us some greatly enjoyable nights on the Refusal tour.

Absolutely Yours,
Morrissey


.... ooooh, Swords is forthcoming. I'm giddy!

Stunning!

Gorgeous! Björk graces the June/July 2009 cover of Interview. Click here to read part of the interview. [Photographed by Inez Van Lamsweerde & Vinoodh Matadin].



Björk's forthcoming release, Voltaic, is set for June 23rd. The limited edition box set's title is in reference to the five separate releases of related material from 2007's Volta LP.

The full version will also include a 11-song set of live songs from Olympic Studios, a DVD of Björk's live performances in Paris and Reykjavík during the Volta tour, as well as a second DVD of the Volta music videos and videos of the top ten runners-up from the "Innocence" video contest. And that's not all. A second album of remixes featuring Volta singles will also be available. Hot!

Blur's 'Midlife' Crisis

Blur is set to release a new spanning compilation, Midlife: A Beginners Guide to Blur July 28 via Capitol/EMI (it's out June 15 in the UK). Do we need another Blur retrospective? I quite fancy the Best of Blur that the band issued in 2000. But it's Blur, after all ... and we need some of that Think Tank stuff, right? And it's fabulous to see the Brit-pop foursome back together, thus this cleverly titled double-disc is highly welcomed. In addition to featuring 25 songs from the band's seven studio albums, Midlife will also feature a long out-of-print track. Oooooooooh! Wish I could see them at Glastonbury this summer.

YAY! "Popscene" and "Advert" made the cut!

Midlife: A Beginners Guide to Blur
CD1:
1. Beetlebum
2. Girls & Boys
3. For Tomorrow
4. Coffee & TV
5. Out of Time
6. Blue Jeans
7. Song 2
8. Bugman
9. He Thought of Cars
10. Death of A Party
11. The Universal
12. Sing
13. This Is a Low

CD2:
1. Tender
2. She's So High
3. Chemical World
4. Good Song
5. Parklife
6. Advert
7. Popscene
8. Stereotypes
9. Trimm Trabb
10. Badhead
11. Strange News From Another Star
12. Battery In Your Leg

Thanks NME

The Return of Dolores O'Riordan

Irish songstress Dolores O’Riordan, best known for fronting the Cranberries for five studio albums, is prepping to release No Baggage, her first solo offering since 2007's 2007's Are You Listening?. The 11-song set will be available August 25th via Zoë/Rounder Records.

In a press release, O'Riordan says: "I probably haven’t worn my heart on my sleeve like this since the second Cranberries album [1994’s No Need to Argue]. It’s at times very confessional and dealing with my true emotions. Everyone, through their experiences or their background, has had terrible moments where they think they can’t handle it. With this record I’m trying to show that, no matter how bad things may seem, it’s not really that bad in the big picture."

I was a massive fan of the Cranberries as a teenager, and still like listening to Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can't We? and No Need to Argue. The band earned four top 20 Billboard albums, 8 hit singles, and worldwide sales of over 40 million records. They even reunited for a small show in Dublin this past January to commemorate Dolores becoming an Honorary Patron of Trinity College's Philosophical Society. It's nice to see Dolores back in the fold. Details of a U.S. tour is forthcoming.

No Baggage:

1. Switch Off the Moment
2. Skeleton
3. It's You
4. The Journey
5. Stupid
6. Be Careful
7. Apple of My Eye
8. Throw Your Arms Around Me
9. Fly Through
10. Lunatic
11. Tranquilizer

The Beat of Shocking Blue

Hailing from the Netherlands, psyche-pop, folk-tinged foursome Shocking Blue achieved critical success in 1970 with their No. 1 hit, "Venus," later made popular in 1986 by the all-female English trio, Bananarama. Only recently have I discovered them, although I was familiar with "Venus" as a kid, I wasn't familiar with frontwoman's Mariska Veres' magnetic appeal. Her vocals are a near-match for Grace Slick, and her glossy girlish look is classic; Robbie van Leeuwen (guitar/vocals), Cor van der Beek (drums) and Klaasje van der Wal (bass) completed the lineup.

Shocking Blue also wowed fans with songs like "Send Me a Postcard," "Don't Marry a Railroad Man," and "Inkpot." Morrissey featured "Inkpot" and "Mighty Joe" (video featured below) in his pre-show music on his current tour in support of "Years of Refusal."

Before disbanding in 1974, the band sold 13.5 million albums. Sadly, Veres passed away from cancer in December 2006 at the age of 59.

For the indie purists out there, Nirvana covered Shocking Blue's "Love Buzz," which is included on Bleach. "Love Buzz" is also sampled in the Prodigy song, "Phoenix." Ladytron featured "Send Me a Postcard" on their 2003 compilation, Softcore Jukebox.

Shocking Blue - "Mighty Joe"

Press the Eject and Give Me the Tape

Former Bauhaus frontman Peter Murphy appeared in the U.K. version of Maxell's "Blown Away Guy" ad campaign during the 1980s. A great blast from the past.

He's Got Mojo

I haven't bought MOJO in ages ... well, I haven't bought any of those British music mags in a long, long time. I used to worship Q, Vox, and Select, and NME and Melody Maker when they were still in newspaper format. Anyhow, MOJO still hammers out a slick issue now and then and its latest is a good example: Nick Cave dons the March 2009 cover and here, the original Bad Seed reflects upon his three decades in rock in a 15-page spread.

"I'm dressed up -- cufflinks and all -- for your photo session, but I don't wear a suit in a dandyish way. I wear it as a worker. Someone who prepares himself for the job. It's always been like that."

See? Such class.

There's also a killer interview with Brian Eno and another piece with Johnny Marr, but Paul Trynka's reflective piece on Stooges guitarist Ron Asheton is really stellar -- Iggy Pop, J Mascis and James Williamson pay tribute.. Asheton passed away last month at the age of 60. He lived in my old neighborhood on the west side of Ann Arbor ... a cool as hell musician, but just a regular guy. Still sad about this one. RIP Ron Asheton.

The Eternal

[Rob Gretton (center) with New Order]

NME.com announced today that the notebooks belonging to Rob Gretton -- manager to Joy Division and New Order manager -- will be published Tuesday, October 7th.

Entitled 1 Top Class Manager, the collection will include posters, letters, diaries and studio notes, dating from August 1978 to late 1980. Gretton's widow, Lesley Gilbert, culled the book from over 20 notebooks of material. The first print run will consist of 1,500 copies available to order only through the 1 Top Class Manager website. Get it now! It will surely sell out.

Some of the info inside? Who knew that New Order almost named themselves Man Ray? Radical Jesuits, Arab Legion and Sons Of God were also considered as names upon the loss of Joy Division frontman Ian Curtis.

For more on Gretton, Joy Division, and New Order, check out the fantastic Joy Division documentary from The Miriam Collection. English actor Paddy Considine also did a great job portraying Gretton in 2002's 24 Hour Party People. Gretton died of a heart attack May 15, 1999 at age 46. RIP.

You Came to See a Rock Show

When you're at a show ... you know how it is. Look familiar?

The Twilight Singers on Kimmel TONIGHT!

Greg Dulli will forever kill me with his unhinged kind of sexy rock & roll! Catch Dulli and his band,the Twilight Singers, on Jimmy Kimmel Live, TONIGHT, Wednesday, January 3. The raucous group of players, which also includes Mark Lanegan (vocals), Scott Ford (bass), Dave Rosser (guitar), Jeff Klein (guitar/piano), and Bobby MacIntyre (drums), will perform a song from their current masterpiece, Powder Burns. Jimmy Kimmel Live airs weeknights on ABC at 12:05 AM.


For your added pleasure, check out the band's video for "Live With Me," their Massive Attack cover that appears on their 2006 EP, A Stitch in Time.

A Journey From A to B: Badly Drawn Boy Tour Dates

Mancunian songsmith Damon Gough, a.k.a. Badly Drawn Boy, is taking to the road this spring in support of his fifth outing, 2006's Born the in U.K. It wasn't until I heard the lovely aches of "Silent Sigh" from About A Boy that I truly understood the understated beauty that is Badly Drawn Boy. His latest jaunt nothing less than lovely, and the Los Angeles agrees, calling it "Wistful, vulnerable, not averse to facing the dark side, Born in the UK is welcome because it restores some focus and direction to the one thing Gough has never lacked: heart."


MARCH
03 Philadelphia PA @ Theatre of Living Arts
05 Somerville MA @ Somerville Theatre
06 Washington DC @ 9.30 Club
07 New York NY @ Webster Hall
09 Detroit MI @ Majestic Theatre
10 Chicago IL @ Metro
11 Minneapolis MN @ Fine Line Music Cafe
13 Nashville TN @ Exit/In
14 Atlanta GA @ The Loft
16 Austin TX @ Stubbs Bar-B-Q (outdoors-SXSW)
18 Boulder CO @ Fox Theatre
19 Salt Lake City UT @ Urban Lounge
21 San Diego CA @ House of Blues
22 Los Angeles CA @ El Rey Theatre
23 San Francisco CA @ Great American Music Hall
25 Portland OR @ Aladdin Theatre
26 Seattle WA @ Neumo's
27 Vancouver BC @ Richards on Richards

words.music.words.music.

Here comes another shameless plug! Latest scribing from yours truly.

Joanna Newsom - Ys [Metro Times]
Deftones - Saturday Night Wrist [Metro Times]
The Long Blondes - Someone To Drive You Home [All Music Guide]
*Also appearing in this week's "Artist Spotlight" on AMG!

Thanks for reading. xo

We Heart Thom Yorke

Earlier this summer Thom Yorke collected his best ticks, bleeps, werps, and pops for his XL Recordings debut, The Eraser. Via his blog, Yorke announced yesterday that "The Clock" (remixed by Surgeon) and "Analyse" (by Various) will be available for free download for the next seven days. From Monday, December 11th to Monday, December 18th, get ur freak on with some phat new mixes from Mr. Radiohead.

Via Thom's site:

For anyone who has heard The Eraser, there are some remixes coming.

Yes.

I got excited. I've been listening through. I mean. There's some freaky shit.
They may start appearing soon. Gradually. Briefly. Just a taste. And then gone.
On www.theeraser.net.

First there is Surgeon's Rmx of The Clock.
This was the one that made me think, we got to start getting these out
I was chuffed he wanted to do it as think he is a MASTER.
He has turned it into something really hard. And disco.
Well what i call disco anyhow.
It made me very proud.

I hope it gets played in a club somewhere.
Not that i get out much nowadays.

Peace to us all during the festive season.

Thm
X

Holiday Mix Tape

I love mix tapes, er... mix CDs... mp3 mixes. I blogged about Halloween, so here I am again, bloggin' about rad holiday songs. If that makes me a total twenty-something destined for yuppiehood, so be it. So, now that that's settled, it's time for some holiday mix action. Whether or not you dig the O.C.'s jukebox of indie rock faves or prefer a collection of timeless standards, 'tis the season of Comfort & Joy, fools.

Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree - Brenda Lee
Christmas Time Is Here - Vince Guaraldi
Merry Christmas Baby - Bruce Springsteen & the E. Street Band
Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) - U2
Christmas in Hollis - Run DMC
Last Christmas - Wham!
The Christmas Party - The Walkmen
Donna & Blitzen - Badly Drawn Boy
Happy Xmas (War Is Over) - John Lennon
Baby It's Cold Outside - Dean Martin
The Christmas Song - The Raveonettes
Christmas With You is the Best - The Long Winters
It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year - Andy Williams
The Christmas Song (Merry Christmas to You) - Nat King Cole
Christmas Wrapping - The Waitresses
Misty Mountain Hop - Fleming & John
Wonderful Christmas Time - Wings
Do They Know It's Christmas - Band-Aid

Also, to spread the holiday cheer, the Little Ones have created a special Holiday screen saver as their Christmas gift to you! Once it's installed, your countdown to Christmas Day is ON! Plus, there's a crap ton of holiday trivia and fun facts! But the best prezzie of all is that on Christmas Eve, fans will be able to access a free download of an exclusive track from the Little Ones. It will only be available for those who download the screen saver and accessible for ONE day--December 24th!

THE LITTLE ONES CHRISTMAS SCREEN SAVER:
Mac
PC

M. Ward Tour Dates

J'adore M. Ward. The Portland, OR singer/songwriter hits the road next month for a few intimate solo shows. Be there or be square because these select dates are in support of his new EP and single, To Go Home, which is out in February! Tickets goon sale Friday, December 15th! More pre-sale info is available at M. Ward's official site.

JANUARY
26 New York NY @ Town Hall
27 Toronto ONT @ Mod Club
29 Chicago IL @ Park West

FEBRUARY
02 Los Angeles CA @ El Rey
04 San Francisco CA @ Bimbos 365

The Organ Break Up

Vancouver indie rock band the Organ have decided to call it a day after a tumultuous year on the road. An announcement was made today via the band's MySpace page and official site.

"The Organ are breaking up. We want to thank our friends, fans, and family for all the support you gave to us. Thank you. Shelby, Jenny, Katie, Debora, and Shmoo."

2002's Sinking Hearts EP, and their 2004 full-length player, Grab That Gun, appeared like a promising start for the Organ. It's sad to see them go.

Lavender Diamond Broke My Heart

The tender-hearted chanteuse, Becky Stark, had dreams of making a record that sounded like Linda Ronstadt. Endearing, sweet, and incredibly gifted, Stark, and her band, Lavender Diamond, are surely on their way to making some of the most thoughtful music the pop/rock genre has seen in decades.

Having already wowed audiences at this year's SXSW, ArthurFest, and CMJ festivals, Lavender Diamond are fresh off the road from touring with the Decemberists this past November. They're also the latest act added to the Matador roster (Rough Trade in Europe), thus their 2005 debut, The Calvary of Light EP will be receiving the royal reissue treatment January 30, 2007!

Lavender Diamond is: Stark on vocals, pianist Steve Gregoropoulos (W.A.C.O.), drummer Ron Regé Jr. (The Swirlies), and guitarist Jeff Rosenberg (Pink and Brown, Tarentel, the Young People). When not playing with her band, Stark and songstress Eleni Mandell perform as the folk duo, The Living Sisters. Stark is also working on a musical variety show with Miranda July and Jim Drain, and has a side-project called The Mystical Unionists with Regé.

MP3s:
You Broke My Heart
Rise in the Springtime

2007 Grammy Noms!

Highlights & Stuff:

Best Alternative Music Album
Arctic Monkeys - Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not
The Flaming Lips - At War With The Mystics
Gnarls Barkley - St. Elsewhere
Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Show Your Bones
Thom Yorke - The Eraser

Song of the Year
Mary J. Blige – “Be Without You”
Carrie Underwood – “Jesus, Take The Wheel”
Dixie Chicks – “Not Ready To Make Nice”
Corinne Bailey Rae – “Put Your Records On”
James Blunt – “You're Beautiful”

Album of the Year
Dixie Chicks – Taking The Long Way
Gnarls Barkley – St. Elsewhere
John Mayer – Continuum
Red Hot Chili Peppers – Stadium Arcadium
Justin Timberlake – FutureSex/LoveSounds

Record of the Year
Mary J. Blige – “Be Without You”
James Blunt – “You’re Beautiful”
Dixie Chicks – “Not Ready To Make Nice”
Gnarls Barkley – “Crazy”
Corinne Bailey Rae – “Put Your Records On”

My personal favorite: Best Rock Instrumental Performance, which finds the Arctic Monkeys, the Flaming Lips, Peter Frampton, David Gilmour, and Joe Satriani up against one another. Very prog couture.

Ex-Detroiter Jack White and his mates in the Raconteurs have earned two Grammy nominations! Their debut album, Broken Boy Soldiers is nominated for Best Rock Album and the single "Steady, As She Goes" is nominated for Best Rock Performance By A Duo Or Group.



The 49th Annual Grammy Awards take place at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on February 11th 2007. For a full list, click on to Grammy.com

Ready to Visit with Clinic?

They're not real doctors, but they look like it on stage. Liverpool's Clinic takes to the road this spring in support of their fourth album, Visitations. Out in the U.S. on January 23 on Domino, Visitations was solely recorded and produced by Clinic at their own studio, The Cooker. U.K. fans got their hands on the album last week, and the music press is already going mad for Clinic's shape-shifting art-punk madness. NME gave the record an 8 out of 10 calling it, "a stunning return to form," while Time Out London called Clinic, "The Fall of their generation."

Making their first U.S. live appearances since 2004, these are Clinic's only scheduled American performances for 2007. Tickets will go on sale Thursday, December 7th.

MARCH
02 Los Angeles CA @ Troubadour
03 San Francisco CA @ The Independent (Noise Pop)
06 Washington DC @ Black Cat
07 Philadelphia PA @ Johnny Brendas
09 New York NY @ The Gramercy
10 Cambridge MA @ Middle East
11 Montreal QC @ La Sala Rossa
12 Toronto ON @ Lee’s Palace

Morrissey Just Wants to See the Boy Happy

"I Just Want To See The Boy Happy," the fourth single from Morrissey's 2006 stunner, Ringleader of the Tormentors, hit the U.K. yesterday. The new single is available on Maxi CD, limited edition gatefold 7" vinyl, limited edition picture disc 7" vinyl, AND digital download (via iTunes). All formats will feature previously unreleased b-sides, including live recordings. Live versions of "Speedway" and "Late Night, Maudlin Street?" KILLER!

The U.K. Maxi CD single:
I Just Want To See The Boy Happy
Sweetie-Pie
I Want The One I Can't Have (recorded live at The Royal Albert Hall 2002)
I Just Want To See The Boy Happy (enhanced video)

The U.K. limited edition gatefold 7" vinyl single:
I Just Want To See The Boy Happy
Speedway (recorded live at The Royal Albert Hall 2002)

The U.K. limited edition picture disc 7" vinyl single:
I Just Want To See The Boy Happy
Late Night, Maudlin Street (recorded live at The Royal Albert Hall 2002)

MP3: Sweetie Pie Thanks Torr!

Lily Allen Hates NME, Ready to Break America in 2007

I absolutely adore Lily Allen. The cheeky cutie-pie made quite a splash in her native U.K. this year with her own stylish brand of saucy pop, and she's readying herself to do the same in the New Year when her chart-topping debut Alright, Still... finally arrives stateside in January 30th!

Upon the release of NME's Cool List last week, Allen had a few choice words for the veteran music mag. I give mad props to the mouthy Brit for telling it like it is. They nominate a bunch of cool rock women, yet the polished boyish faces of Muse land on the front cover? Psssh. But cheers to NME, too, for giving the #1 spot to the Gossip's Beth Ditto. Talk about a surprise, hello? Ditto's surefire kind of soul is undoubtedly out of this world, and it's great to see the Gossip take top honors. Their latest, Standing the Way of Control is a must have!

But getting back to Miss Lily Allen. Here's what she had to say about NME and how cool they really are. [via her official blog]

Current mood: aggravated

I probably shouldn't be writing this , but I have to get it off my chest . I am not a big fan of the NME , as they sold me down the river when I last talked to them , I did and interview and made a sarcastic joke using the word "gak" which is slang for cocaine . They glorified my joke and used it out of context , then their public relations dept , contacted the tabloids in a shameful attempt to sell more copies . And , I have ever since been known as " Lily Allen , Pint sized potty mouth popstar who once admitted she would celebrate her no 1 single by taking cocaine ! " .

Thanks NME . Now , I have read many articles in the NME , where male band members freely admit to, or associate themselves with the taking of drugs , and I havent seen many of them ending up in the tabloids . Take Klaxons for example, and the ongoing MDMA references. " MDMAZING " I believe was the title of a recent article ( how responsible! ) .

The only reason I can think of , for recieving such a different form of treatment , is because I am a woman . I did recieve a written apology from Conor Mcnicholas ( the editor) . But i vowed never to work with the NME agian . As I thought, if there was one publication I could trust and be frank with , it would be the theirs .

Anyway , I was aproached by them again , with regards to the "Cool List Issue 2006" , five women had made it into the top 10 and , subsequently we (the women) were asked to pose for photos to be the main feature for the cover . As I said before , I vowed not to work with them again , but as the context was so important ie; a a strong female presence in music . I thought i might aswell put aside my differences and do it . Now i don't care for " the cool list " , and I said this to them in the interview , which is probably why they didn't print it . I don't really think the NME are in any position to tell us who is cool and who isn't , personally I don't think a bunch of people sitting in an office drinking tea , inventing musical genres , and watching Nathan Barley DVD's are leading any kind of cool brigade , do you ? But i did find it interesting that they wanted to put five women on the cover , and wanted to name 2006 , our year .

I went to get a copy yesterday , and this is what we ( the women ) got . Another fuckin MUSE cover . I like Muse , infact , Black Holes and Revelations , is one of my favourite albums of this year . But the NME have covered them so much this year already .

Now usually you might expect a call , just out of courtousy telling us we had been pulled off the cover , but we recieved nothing .

This is Conors ( the editors) comments on this issue , He has obviusly put out some press release , stating how supportive the NME is to women in music

Conor McNicholas, the editor of NME, said he was pleased that the Cool List was full of women who had brought "new energy" to the music world.

"This year's Cool List is a testament to the raft of hugely talented women who have taken hold of the music scene in 2006," he said. "From Beth to Lily to Karen, they've brought new energy to a scene dominated by men. They're also living proof that you can still rock a crowd when you're wearing stilettos."

I mean how fucking patronising " you can still rock a crowd wearing stilletos "

Is that all we are , stilleto wearing people , is that all he could say ,that we brought a " new energy" to the music scene . Don't make me sick , wev'e always been here you arrogant prick , this was your chance to actually show you meant it . And instead you put Muse on the cover . Cause you thought that your readers might not buy a magazine with an overweight lesbian and a not particularly attractive looking me , on the front . Wankers .

You should take your heads out of you New Rave arses , and actually think about your responsibilities to youth culture , and to women in general .

Oh and by the way , theres not enough RAVE in New Rave .

MP3:
Smile (Windows Media)
Smile (Real Player)

A Sunny Day in December

I've raved about them before, but A Sunny Day in Glasgow is one of my favorite finds for 2006. Their glossy dream pop sound is classic, and if you haven't already checked out the blissful arrangements of their debut EP, do it ASAP! As of December 10, the The Sunniest Day Ever will be officially out of print. If you like Lush, My Bloody Valentine, Mahogany, and the harmonies of Velocity Girl, order one now!

In related news, the band has signed with Notenuf Records. Scribble Mural Comic Journal will be out February 13th! Be sure to check out "The Horn Song," a new song that's currently available via the band's myspace page.


MP3: The Best Summer Ever

Ys is Coming to Your Town!

Indie rock's reigning princess Joanna Newsom takes to the road this winter in support of her second album, Ys. Her beau Bill Callahan will also be sharing the stage through the Austin gig while Newsom will end the year with a handful of solo shows on the West Coast. The Northern Sinfonia and the London Symphony Orchestra will also join Newsom on select UK dates in January.

NOVEMBER
29 Malibu CA @ the Malibu Performing Arts Center
30 Los Angeles CA @ the El Rey Theater

DECEMBER
01 Santa Cruz CA @ The Rio Theatre
02 Eugene OR @ WOW Hall
03 Portland OR @ the Aladdin Theater
04 Seattle WA @ Showbox
05 Vancouver BC @ St. Andrew's-Wesley Church
08 Minneapolis MN @ the 400 Bar
09 Madison WI @ Great Hall/Memorial Union
10 Lawrence KS @ Granada
11 Norman OK @ Meacham Theater/University of Oklahoma
12 Houston TX @ Orange Show
13 Austin TX @ The Parish
14 Marfa TX @ Ballroom Marfa
15 Albuquerque NM @ Launchpad
17 San Diego CA @ Casbah
19 San Francisco CA @ Great American Music Hall
20 San Francisco CA @ Great American Music Hall

TKO x 3: Jesse Malin Has Glitter in His Eyes

Singer/songwriter Jesse Malin returns to the rock & roll fray in the New Year with his third offering, Glitter in the Gutter. Recorded over the summer in Millbrook, NY, North Hollywood, CA, and Jesse's hometown of Queens, Glitter in the Gutter features performances by Ryan Adams, the Foo Fighters' Chris Shifflett, Josh Homme of Queens of the Stone Age, and Bruce Springsteen. A killer acoustic version of The Replacements' classic, "Bastards of Young" is also included. Glitter in the Gutter will be available February 26th via One Little Indian Records in Europe and Adeline Records in North America. "Don't Let Them Take You Down" and "In the Modern World" are currently streaming on Malin's MySpace page.

Editors: Album News

Say what you want about Editors. I freaking adore the band. Since making their stateside debut this past spring with the release of The Back Room (those of us snobs got the double-disc import in summer '05), Editors slayed audiences at SXSW, Coachella and Lollapalooza. With a late summer run through North America behind them, Editors are beginning work on their sophomore LP. Frontman Tom Smith shared such info via the band's official site, and myspace profile.


A message from Tom (Editors)
Body: Hello everyone,

How are you all?...good I hope. Thought I’d drop you a line to let you know what we’ve been up to and more importantly what we’re about to start. Today is Tuesday the 21st November 2006 and tomorrow we’re all off to Ireland for a month to record the bulk of our second record.

We finished touring The Back Room in Istanbul of all places on the 3rd September. My last moments on stage, of what from start to finish was a 20 month tour, were spent on my back. On the last note of Fingers I slipped clean over, on the beer I threw around earlier on in the show (so no one to blame but myself). I picked my sorry arse up from the stage and in my embarrassed confusion threw my guitar into the surprisingly rapturous Turkish audience. I’m an idiot but it’s all fun and games I suppose, and a memorable end of the tour for me at least. The rest of the band just shook their heads in disapproval.

Since then we’ve been doing a lot of writing, a fair bit of relaxing, some of us have been trying to find new places to live and we’ve seen a load of shows and even reared our heads djing a couple of times. If any of you came to Brixton or more recently Bristol and enjoyed what Ed or Russ spun then nice one, me and Chris tend to just mince about at these things, maybe offer a polite suggestion into their ears but mainly let them get on with it. Bristol the other night was particularly enjoyable; starting with The Boss (Born in the USA!) into Cold War Kids, followed by the new Bloc Party single (slapped hands! Naughty!...it’s very very good) from there on other highlights included NWA, The Twang and Kate Bush.

As some of you know, the week before the show in Turkey we recorded the two new songs we had managed to write (or re-write in the case of TWOTW) whilst on the road. Bones and The Weight Of The World both sound great, they’re not totally finished yet but I’d be very surprised if they don’t make the cut when we’re picking the record next year. More importantly that week made us realise that we could work with Garret Lee, it’s so important we move forward and don’t just make The Back Room part 2. I think we all realised that week that Garret was the man to help us.

So this week we head off to Ireland with around 12 new songs and a host of other ideas floating around. I can’t explain in words how excited we all are about the new songs; they’re without doubt the best songs we’ve ever written. To get your imagination / juices flowing here are some of the titles being thrown around at this point in time:

Smokers Outside The Hospital Doors
The Racing Rats
An End Has A Start
When Anger Shows
Push Your Head Towards The Air
A Thousand Pieces
An Eye For An Eye

The album won’t be finished before Christmas but the break will give us chance to see our families, eat mince pies, get drunk and say hi to Santa, then maybe some more writing before we start recording again in the new year.

That’s it from me for now, just saying hello really and letting you know what we’re up to. Whilst typing this I’ve been listening to the new Joanna Newsom record, Ys, it’s incredible and you can blame any spelling or grammar mistakes on her!

Bye for now,

Take care and be good,

Tom xxxx


MP3: Fingers in the Factories [XFM Session: 04.18.05]

In other Editors news: the FADER Label recently released the Editors Remix EP, which is exclusively available for download via iTunes ($3.96). In addition, bonus tracks not included on the EP (remixes by Shy Child, Pase Rock, Rubber Bullets, Trackademicks, Phones and Dr. Rocktheknobs) will debut on various websites the week of December 4th.


EDITORS REMIX EP tracklisting:
Camera (Sebastian Remix)
Munich (Ghislain Porier Remix)
All Sparks (Prince Language Remix)
Blood (P Nice Remix)

¡Forward, Russia! vs. America

Having already wowed American audiences at this year's CMJ Music Marathon, and fresh off the MTV2 Europe tour with Aussie garage rock ruffians Wolfmother, ¡Forward, Russia! returns to American shores for second round of dates in support of their debut album, Give Me a Wall. The tour launches tonight in Boston.

Decked with a pair of exclamation points and the shirts to prove it, Tom Woodhead (vocals, synth), Rob Canning (bass), Katie Nicholls (drums) and Whiskas (guitar) hail from the bustling English metropolis of Leeds, the same town that brought us the Gang of Four, Sisters of Mercy, and the Wedding Present. Give Me a Wall packs a shouty punk punch that's suitable for dancing (pogoing, slamming, moshing, whatever). Obviously ¡Forward, Russia! is doing something right: both the frenzied passion of "Nine" and the aching guitar riffs of "Twelve" landed in the UK Top 40 earlier this year, and their manic ecstatic fourth single, "Eighteen" debuted at #1 on the UK indie charts in August. With such stardom brewing overseas, ¡Forward, Russia! frontman Tom Woodhead says new fans should brace themselves for quite a show, for performing live is really the band's forte. "People should just expect something with a massive amount of energy. We try and give absolutely everything every night. While that can be hard, you're short-changing the people who've come to see you if you give anything else."

And the story behind the shirts? "It just gives the band a bit more of an identity," says Woodhead. "We are a bit of a motley bunch, and having that unifying symbol brings us together visually. Within the context of the name the exclamation marks give the impression that the words are enclosed in a shout: it's a strong, commanding name."

¡Forward, Russia! keeps a heathly dose of power ballad compilations around while on the road (Woodhead says they are always a must!), but the band has also been enjoying the Mastodon album. "Sometimes we just end up listening to each other's music as there is always a communal stereo in the bus."

Woodhead also battled a throat infection earlier this fall, forcing ¡Forward, Russia! to cancel a few West Coast dates in late October. "To be honest, it was less a break in touring and more an extra day off in the middle of a massive, never-ending tour," Woodhead explains. "When you tour as much as we have you're bound to have vocal problems once in a while. I've never had them quite that severe though. I think it was something to do with all the flying we had been doing. Ridiculous rules regarding taking liquids onto planes don't exactly help."

¡Forward, Russia! vs. crazy America: Woodhead says they nearly got assaulted by a Polish bum in New York. "He accused us of being Russian bastards who belong in the garbage!"

Catch ¡Forward, Russia! this winter with Atlanta's brooding balladeers, Snowden.

NOVEMBER
27 Boston MA @ Great Scott
28 New York NY @ the Bowery Ballroom (plus Meneguar)
29 Philadelphia PA @ Johnny Brenda's
30 Montreal QE @ the Mile End Cultural Centre

DECEMBER
01 Toronto ON @ the Horseshoe Tavern
02 Detroit MI @ the Magic Stick
04 Cleveland OH @ the Grog Shop
05 Chicago IL @ the Empty Bottle
06 Minneapolis MN @ Triple Rock
08 Kansas City MO @ The Record Bar
09 Oklahoma City OK @ the Conservatory
10 Dallas TX @ the Gypsy Ballroom
11 Austin TX @ Stubbs
12 Houston TX @ Walters
14 Atlanta GA @ the Earl
15 Chapel Hill NC @ The Local 506
16 Washington DC @ the Black Cat

Bring Me Down Again

I absolutely adore Blood Red Shoes. The London duo is made up of vocalist/guitarist Laura-Mary Carter and drummer Steven Ansell, and together they make garage rock cool again (and no, they're not dating). I heart Blood Red Shoes so much that I'm writing about 'em second time, praising their latest single, the rioutous disco-punk attack entitled "You Bring Me Down." The limited 7" vinyl was issued on Tuesday, November 20th, and it's also available as a digital download via Drowned In Sound. For more on Blood Red Shoes, check out their live session with Steve Lamacq on BBC Radio 1.

For those who missed out on their earlier releases, Blood Red Shoes have plans to reissue their first three singles on one CD, out early 2007 as a split release for Jonson Family/Try Harder! The video for "You Bring Me Down" is featured below!

Eighteen Eighteen Eighteen Eighteen and I Like It

Out today! U218 Singles includes two new songs, "The Saints Are Coming" with Green Day and "Window in the Skies." For those who know me best know how much this band means to me. If that deems me uncool, boo ya!

Tuesday's Jibber Jabber

Seinfeld's Michael Richards, aka Kramer, goes apeshit. [MSNBC]

Democrat Charles Rangel goes ape, too. He wants to reinstate the draft. [Washington Post]

Why oh why? As if the original version wasn't bad enough? Johnny Marr and David Cross do the Bank of America. [Stereogum]

Bill O'Reilly says iPods are killing America. Pssssh. [Game Politics]

I hope I'm as cool at 92 as this guy is. [Boing Boing]

A UCLA student is tasered for forgetting his ID. How come "Iranian-American" is missing from America's headlines? Horrible. [ABC]

Chan Marshall sings: Cat Power live on the radio tonight! [NPR]

OMG! An American Idol + a Minuteman = Sweet Music [Pitchfork]