XTC reissues 'Drums & Wires' with 5.1 surround mix

XTC is reissuing its 1979 album Drums & Wires on October 27th. The reissue is the second in a series of expanded reissues (Nonsuch was reissued in 2013), and includes 5.1 surround mixes.  The CD/dvd-a includes a stereo mix by Steven Wilson plus 6 additional singles and non-album tracks; the CD/Blu-ray includes additional stereo and 5.1 tracks, new stereo album instrumental mixes, 5 demo sessions, plus promo films for "Making Plans For Nigel" and "Life Begins At The Hop." According to XTC's website, the tracklisting for the bonus material will be confirmed shortly, but fans can pre-order the reissues now right here. All pre-order copies come with exclusive postcards signed by Andy Partridge.



If you missed the news earlier in the year, XTC re-released the corrected polarity edition of Skylarking back in April. Details on that are posted here.

Published August 30th, 2014 @ 4:37 PM

Post-punk/darkwavers Koban release glorious new EP 'VIDE'

Vancouver post-punk/darkwave duo Koban followed up its stellar full length album null with an equally glorious EP titled VIDE. The 6 song EP includes the single "401a," which premiered back in June, as well as the new single "Cool Wind." Like the band's previous output, the songs feature dark synth grooves and both male and female vocals (courtesy of Samuel Buss and Brittany West). Fans of Bauhaus, Siouxsie & the Banshees, the Cure, and A Place To Bury Strangers owe it to themselves to take a listen to VIDE. Highly recommended listening.

Stream a few tracks from VIDE below and purchase from Bandcamp. Catch up with Koban on the band's official Facebook page.





Published August 30th, 2014 @ 3:10 PM

Kim & Kelly Deal talk new Breeders music

The Breeders will be heading back out on the road in North America in September for a handful of dates. When the band announced the tour earlier this year, they promised they would debut some new material. In a new interview with Rolling Stone, Kim Deal confirmed they're still planning to  perform at least a few new songs and they'll likely record them after the tour is over:

"Right now, five that we can play, three sound really good. One sounds OK and the other we could play if we had a gun to our heads. There are other ones we have not worked on, really pretty ones. We will play the new songs and then probably record them back in Chicago with Albini again."

As for the sound of the new record, Deal told Rolling Stone:

"I don't want it to sound like it was recorded on and mixed in a laptop. We're just guitar, bass and drums. It's an old fashioned outfit. It's just a matter of getting good songs together and recording them. I don't know how to do it any other way."

Read the full interview with Kim and Kelley Deal here.

The Breeders North American tour

9/02 -- St. Louis, MO @ Off Broadway
9/03 -- Kansas City, MO @ the Record Bar
9/05 -- Denver, CO @ Summit Music Hall
9/07 -- Salt Lake City, UT @ Urban Lounge
9/08 -- Garden City, ID @ Visual Arts Collective
9/10 -- Seattle, WA @ The Showbox
9/11 -- Portland, OR @ Wonder Ballroom
9/13 -- San Francisco, CA @ Fillmore*
9/16 -- Phoenix, AZ @ The Crescent Ballroom
9/17 -- San Diego, CA @ Casbah
9/18 -- Los Angeles, CA @ Hollywood Bowl
9/20 -- Chicago, IL @ Goose Island 312 Urban Block Party

*The Breeders 9/13 show in San Jose was recently canceled and a San Francisco show was added in its place.

Published August 28th, 2014 @ 7:45 PM

Stream: New LP by Dead Horse One produced by Ride's Mark Gardener

French psychedelic/shoegaze band Dead Horse One released its impressive debut album Without Love We Perish this month. The nine track album was produced by Ride's Mark Gardener and includes two previously released singles, "I Love My Man," and "Raven." Fans of classic shoegaze acts like Ride, Telescopes, Swervedriver, Catherine Wheel, and Revolver should press play and prepare to swoon! Stream the album in full below and order the record now through iTunes or Bandcamp.

For more on Dead Horse One visit the band on Facebook.







Published August 28th, 2014 @ 7:23 PM

Video: Bob Mould on Jimmy Kimmel Live

Bob Mould played two songs on Jimmy Kimmel Live last night in support of his new album Beauty & Ruin. Mould's powerful live band usually features Jon Wurster and Jason Narducy, however last night special guest drummer Taylor Hawkins filled in behind the drum kit.  Watch the stellar performance of "Hey Mr. Grey" and "The War" below.





Don't miss Bob Mould live on the road in North America this fall. Dates are posted below:



08/30 -- Minnesota, MN @ Minnesota State Fair
09/05 -- Philadelphia, PA @ Theater Of Living Arts
09/06 -- Washington DC @ 9:30 Club
09/07 -- Toronto, ON @ Riot Fest Toronto
09/10 -- New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom
09/11 -- New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom
09/12 -- Boston, MA @ Paradise Rock Club
09/13 -- Brooklyn, NY @ Music Hall of Williamsburg
09/15 -- Cleveland, OH @ Beachland Ballroom
09/16 -- Detroit, MI @ Magic Stick
09/17 -- Milwaukee, WI @ Turner Ballroom
09/19 -- St. Louis, MO @ Old Rock House
09/20 -- Austin, TX @ The Mohawk
09/21 -- Denver, CO @ Riot Fest Denver
09/23 -- Seattle, WA @ The Neptune Theater
09/24 -- Portland, OR @ Wonderland Ballroom
09/26 -- San Francisco, CA @ The Fillmore
09/27 -- Los Angeles, CA @ The Roxy
09/28 -- Los Angeles, CA @ The Roxy
09/30 -- Las Vegas, NV @ Bunkhouse Saloon
10/04 -- Des Moine, IA @ Vaudeville Mews

Published August 28th, 2014 @ 5:44 AM

Whirr premiere dreamy new song "Lines"

Whirr premiered another dreamy fuzzed out song from its forthcoming album Sway. Stream "Lines" below along with two other songs from the album below. Sway will be released through Graveface Records on September 23rd. Pre-order the album now through Graveface Records or Amazon.







Published August 27th, 2014 @ 8:10 PM

Depeche Mode's "Everything Counts" covered by robotic lego band

Depeche Mode's classic "Everything Counts" has been covered by the Toa Mata Band aka the world's first Lego band. Mastermind Arduino Uno rigged up robots, MIDI sequencers and other unconventional equipment, then performed the track live. Take a look at the impressive results below (the performance itself begins ~ 1:30). Via the Creators Project.





Published August 27th, 2014 @ 6:17 PM

Ian Curtis' personal writings to be published

A book containing Ian Curtis' personal writings will be released through Faber & Faber this fall.  So This Is Permanence is a 304 page book featuring lyrics and reproductions of previously unpublished pages of Curtis' notebooks along with a foreward by Deborah Curtis. From the listing:

"Edited by Jon Savage and with a foreword by Deborah Curtis, So This Is Permanence presents the intensely personal writings of one of the most enigmatic and influential songwriters and performers of the late twentieth century, Joy Division's Ian Curtis.

Interspersed with the lyrics are previously unpublished facsimile pages of Ian's notebooks, which throw his highly emotive lyrics into fascinating relief and cast light on the creative process of this singularly poetic songwriter."

A standard and limited edition version of So This Is Permanence will be released in the U.K. on October 2nd. The limited edition version includes a paper envelope containing a high-quality print reproduction of "She's Lost Control" lyrics and is signed by Deborah Curtis, Peter Hook, Stephen Morris, Jon Savage and Bernard Sumner. Only 200 copies of the limited edition version are available, so those interested are strongly encouraged to pre-order now through Faber & Faber.

The standard edition of book will be released in North America on November 4th and is available to pre-order now through Amazon.



Published August 27th, 2014 @ 3:32 PM

Oasis share "She's Electric" demo featuring Noel Gallagher on vocals

Oasis launched its reissue campaign Chasing The Sun -- Oasis in the 90s back in May with the reissue of Definitely Maybe. Next up is the re-release of the band's mammoth 1995 album (What's The Story) Morning Glory, which will be reissued in North America on September 30th. Like the Definitely Maybe re-release, the deluxe, super-deluxe, and boxset versions will be packed with tons of extra material, including live versions, demos, and more. In anticipation of the release, Oasis shared the demo version of "She's Electric" from the reissue, featuring Noel Gallagher on vocals. Stream the demo along with the trailer for the reissue below.

Pre-order (What's The Story) Morning Glory from Amazon or the official Oasis store.





Published August 27th, 2014 @ 11:41 AM

Bob Mould plays Jimmy Kimmel Live tonight!

Bob Mould is appearing on Jimmy Kimmel Live tonight (Wednesday, August 27th), so be sure to tune in to watch the legend in action!

Mould released his new album Beauty & Ruin in June and hits the road next month in support of the record. Don't miss him at the Magic Stick in Detroit on September 16th. The full North American tour itinerary is posted below.

UPDATE (8/28 @ 5:44 AM): Watch Mould rip through two songs on Jimmy Kimmel Live here.





08/30 -- Minnesota, MN @ Minnesota State Fair
09/05 -- Philadelphia, PA @ Theater Of Living Arts
09/06 -- Washington DC @ 9:30 Club
09/07 -- Toronto, ON @ Riot Fest Toronto
09/10 -- New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom
09/11 -- New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom
09/12 -- Boston, MA @ Paradise Rock Club
09/13 -- Brooklyn, NY @ Music Hall of Williamsburg
09/15 -- Cleveland, OH @ Beachland Ballroom
09/16 -- Detroit, MI @ Magic Stick
09/17 -- Milwaukee, WI @ Turner Ballroom
09/19 -- St. Louis, MO @ Old Rock House
09/20 -- Austin, TX @ The Mohawk
09/21 -- Denver, CO @ Riot Fest Denver
09/23 -- Seattle, WA @ The Neptune Theater
09/24 -- Portland, OR @ Wonderland Ballroom
09/26 -- San Francisco, CA @ The Fillmore
09/27 -- Los Angeles, CA @ The Roxy
09/28 -- Los Angeles, CA @ The Roxy
09/30 -- Las Vegas, NV @ Bunkhouse Saloon
10/04 -- Des Moine, IA @ Vaudeville Mews

Posted August 27th, 2014 @ 11:29 AM

Interpol stream 'El Pintor' in full + webcast live tonight

Interpol return with its new studio album El Pintor on September 9th. The full album is streaming ahead of its release over at NPR (through 8/31) and Amazon (through 9/8).  Additionally Interpol will be performing songs from El Pintor at KCRW's Mack Sennett Studios in Los Angeles tonight. The band's performance will stream live tonight at 10pm ET as part of a First Listen Live video webcast (accessible through NPR and KCRW).

UPDATE (8/29): Watch the archive of Interpol's live performance here.

Pre-order El Pintor through iTunes and Amazon.





Published August 26th, 2014 @ 12:30 PM

The Ramones aren't rubbish; Morrissey curates new Ramones collection

Morrissey revealed that by request of the Ramones' management he's curated a new Ramones greatest hits collection and selected the sleeve image for the release.  The set is expected to be released by Sire/Rhino later this year, though an official street date has not yet been announced. 

A young Morrissey famously wrote a letter titled "Ramones Are Rubbish," which was published in Melody Maker in 1976.  The scathing correspondence concluded with:

"the Ramones have absolutely nothing to add that is of relevance or importance and should be rightly filed or forgotten."

Moz later regretted writing the letter and told Billboard in 2012, "three days after writing that Ramones piece, I realized that my love for the Ramones would outlive time itself."

Published August 25th, 2014 @ 3:06 AM

Siouxsie & the Banshees reissues on the way + watch 1983 interview

The final four Siouxsie & the Banshees studio albums will be reissued as expanded sets by Universal Music on October 13th. The albums -- Through The Looking Glass, Peepshow, Superstition, and The Rapture -- have been remastered and include rare bonus and unreleased tracks, plus extensive liner notes. The tracklisting and pre-order information for the deluxe sets is expected to be announced in the coming weeks.

Meanwhile, a Siouxsie & the Banshees interview from 1983 recently appeared on You Tube. Take a look at the somewhat awkward video below (a brief discussion about Robert Smith starts ~ the 3 minute mark):



Published August 23rd, 2014 @ 6:56 PM

Video: Echo & the Bunnymen on Letterman

Echo & the Bunnymen appeared on Letterman last night and performed the new song "Holy Moses." Watch the performance below. "Holy Moses" appears on the band's album Meteorites, which was released in June.



Published August 22nd, 2014 @ 3:18 AM

Morrissey has even more to say about his label drama

Morrissey offered up a new statement regarding his label drama with Harvest. Among other things in the lengthy account, Morrissey believes his new album World Peace Is None Of Your Business will be pulled from iTunes. Read his full statement via True To You.

"In response to 77 million questions I can only say this much on the subject of the Harvest drama. It is quite true that Harvest initially appeared like a saintly beacon of light, and they instantly packed us off to France where we recorded World peace is none of your business. The universe was back in balance, and we all considered this to be the very best Morrissey recording ever, and even the boo-hoo-suck-it-off elements of the press appeared to want to agree. At last I am born.

It all seemed too good to be true. It was. I believed that the rich soil of the album had several strong hit singles. Frayed tempers began when Harvest arranged the 'spoken word' films, none of which gave any clue as to what World peace is none of your business intended to be, or is. The films were OK, but they went nowhere and stayed there.

With every nerve alert, we pushed the label for a proper video for Istanbul to precede the album, not least of all because a single ahead of the album release might inch the album to a higher chart position. The label backed off, even though Istanbul received 55 radio plays in just seven days on a major US station. Instead, the label requested a fifth spoken-word film, which naturally had me fumbling around for an axe: no independent thought required. The UK label, meanwhile, created a quite fantastic television advertisement to transmit during the week ahead of the album release. I could taste excitement once again. The TV ad never appeared and my hackles bristled as my bristles heckled. The label responded with frosty aloofness, and I suddenly realized that we were not, after all, of the same species. I ploughed into them insisting upon "proper band videos, where the band play and I sing" - an evidently confusing concept that required seven weeks of explanation, detailed graphs and several drawn up maps.

The label suggested I come to Los Angeles and read passages from Autobiography in front of selected audiences. As frightening as that idea was, I hung on, desperate to believe that Harvest were not as cheap as they now looked. I hope to finish this statement whilst I'm still clean-shaven, so I will jump to the final curtain: during the weeks of the album release, the label were minus one single structural idea, and it appeared evident that each member of the team was acting in separate rooms without doors or windows. Mutual mistrust exploded between Harvest and I, and with fashionable pessimism, the label boss yawned and ordered the surface smartness of dropping World peace is none of your business three weeks after its release. There, now! This would not have happened to the Teletubbies.

Sorrily botched the project may now be, but it's worth it to get Morrissey out of our Inbox. Yes, I can be intensely persistent, and I certainly have an over-active fantasy-life, but the Harvest experience tells us that despite the blinding flash of teeth and smiles, it doesn't take much for the coin to flip and suddenly we're all compromised and shattered. All you need to do is disagree with the vanity of the label boss and your beheading will be slotted in between bottles of the most average champagne on the market. Just one weak-chinned drone can assert the fist of injustice and all of our efforts are flushed away. And thus ... they were.

I might be wrong, but I think World peace is none of your business will instantly disappear from iTunes and record stores and every download-upload-offload outlet on the planet, because Harvest technically have no right to sell it.
Most of the Harvest team are very nice, and I sincerely thank them for trying and caring so much - even if their promotional duties were fully undertaken by the Morrissey audience themselves, whose You Tube videos for World peace is none of your business fully provide the art that the label could not muster. The listeners instantly understood how entertainment could also be art.

Staggeringly, I still believe that there's a label out there with my name on it, and one that will issue World peace is none of your business, and afford it the respect it deserves.

Thanks for reading this (rashly assuming that you have), and thanks once again to the Harvesters who tried.

We are boot-camp ready for Lisbon in October, so with the will of many gods, hopefully at least 38 of you will turn up."

Published August 21st, 2014 @ 6:46 AM

Swervedriver's Adam Franklin releases 'All Happening Now disc 3'

The third and final installment in Adam Franklin's All Happening Now series was released this week. All 36 songs in the collection were recorded in July 2013 as part of the Songs Project (fans who pre-ordered the limited edition version of Black Horses requested a song for Franklin to cover; Franklin recorded the cover songs over 30 days, then sent the fans a free download of all 36 songs).   Due to popular demand, (and after a slight tweaking), Franklin decided to finally make the songs available for everyone to enjoy, as he explained on his website:

"The title 'All Happening Now' was suggested by Samuel Lapalme-Remis and it really was all happening last July - I didn't have too long to spend on each number and so the recordings had to be pretty spontaneous. I have allowed myself the luxury of re-mixing and retouching the tracks here and there in the interim, meaning that a certain number of the original recordings people received remain absolutely exclusive. There has been no additional recording however, just some drum tracks re-programmed and things nudged around."

Purchase All Happening Now on iTunes (disc 1, disc 2, disc 3), or Bandcamp and stream the full collection below:







Published August 20th, 2014 @ 8:25 PM

Four Rock & Roll Bastards Get Together To Fuck Shit Up

Sonny Vincent of Testors formed a new project with Rat Scabies (the Damned), Glen Matlock (Sex Pistols) and Steve Mackay (Stooges). Sonny Vincent & Spite promises to "fuck shit up" on its debut album Spiteful, which arrives on November 17th. Prepare yourself for rock & roll badassery by streaming snippets from the 14 track album in the trailer below.  Pre-order Spiteful now through Still Unbeatable Records -- the limited edition release will be available orange vinyl (150 copies), black vinyl (300 copies), and on CD (500 copies).



01. Sidewalk Cracks
02. Wait
03. Bad Superstition
04. Beg For Love
05. Real Hard
06. Disinterested
07. Clouds
08. Macon
09. Dog On The Subway
10. Not The Same
11. Borders
12. Inside Your Head
13. Now That I Have You
14. DTK

Published August 20th, 2014 @ 7:56 PM

Video: Jack White & the Vescovo clinic for contagious disease

On July 2nd, Jack White played a unique show in London to promote his album Lazaretto. Drawing on the quarantine theme of Lazaretto, White, along with the help of the Punchdrunk Theatre Group, transformed a set of offices into a Vescovo & Co Clinic for Contagious Diseases and held a secret show. Upon entry, attendees were given masks and hospital gowns, and had to sign release forms to give away their organs. Fans were eventually treated to a live set by White, which ended with him collapsing, being strapped to a gurney, and transported to a hospital (all part of the performance). Third Man Records has uploaded some video from the event which can be viewed below. Pictures from the show are posted here.



Published August 20th, 2014 @ 10:53 AM

Peter Buck releases new EP 'Opium Drivel'

Peter Buck follows up the release of I Am Back To Blow Your Mind Once Again with a new EP titled Opium Drivel on October 21st. The listing for the EP via Uncut is posted below. Pre-order the release here.

"Side A features two rockers - one being "Portrait Of A Sorry Man" in which Peter asks for forgiveness for all his sins and one being the classic rock thumper - "If This Is Love Give Me My Money Back". The other B side (did we mention this is a double B side?) is two raw stripped down demos played simply and beautifully by Peter and Scott McCaughey."

Take a listen to a few tracks from I Am Back To Blow Your Mind Once Again below:







Published August 20th, 2014 @ 10:28 AM

Morrissey interviewed in Hot Press

Morrissey talks about his new record, health, autobiography, and more in a new exclusive interview with Hot Press. Some entertaining kernels of info from the interview: Morrissey was once offered a Rice Krispies & Kit Kat commercial; he and his band are obsessed with late cabaret star Mrs Shufflewick; a non-authorized Moz biopic titled Steven is in the works; and he's "never not sad." He also briefly mentioned Harvest Records' boss Steve Barnett made positive comments about World Peace Is None Of Your Business (interview likely took place before the acrimony between the label head and Morrissey & his lawyers). Read the interview here.

Published August 20th, 2014 @ 9:04 AM

Dead Can Dance vocalist Lisa Gerrard releases new solo LP 'Twilight Kingdom'

Lisa Gerrard (Dead Can Dance) released her new solo album titled Twilight Kingdom last week in North America.  The album includes guests Daniel Johns, Astrid Williamson, Patrick Cassidy, and Russell Crowe. Gerrard shared the official video for "Seven Seas" and posted a full stream of the album on her official site. The track "Seven Seas" is also available as a free download to those who sign up for Gerrard's mailing list.



Published August 18th, 2014 @ 11:55 AM

James premieres video for "Curse Curse" + band lands AIM nomination

James released its new album Le Petite Mort in the U.K./Europe back in June and the album finally arrives in North America on September 16th. Today the band premiered the video for its latest single, "Curse Curse" which is available to view below. The video features footage of James performing live, and unlike the band's intense but remarkable video for previous single "Moving On," this one won't make you tear up at the end.

Pre-order Le Petite Mort through iTunes and Amazon.



Meanwhile, the aforementioned video for "Moving On" was nominated for Independent Video of the Year at the AIM awards. The 4th annual Association of Independent Music awards takes place in London on September 2nd.



Published August 18th, 2014 @ 11:36 AM

Stream J Mascis 'Tied To A Star' LP in full

Dinosaur Jr leader J Mascis returns with a new solo album titled Tied To A Star on August 25th. Mascis' new album highlights his strong songwriting skills and distinctive voice, but doesn't (and isn't supposed to) rock in the way Dinosaur Jr does. Stream the album in full ahead of its release this week over at NPR (those in U.K./Europe can access the stream here) and pre-order Tied To A Star from iTunes, Amazon, and Sub Pop.

Don't miss J Mascis on tour in North America. Dates listed below:





09/24 -- Hamden, CT @ The Ballroom at The Outer Space
09/25 -- Philadelphia, PA @ World Cafe Live
09/26 -- Baltimore, MD @ Ottobar
09/27 -- Chapel Hill, NC @ Local 506
09/28 -- Asheville, NC @ Grey Eagle
09/30 -- Birmingham, AL @ Bottletree
10/01 -- Nashville, TN @ Exit/IN
10/02 -- Athens, GA @ 40 Watt Club
10/03 -- Atlanta, GA @ Terminal West
10/04 -- Louisville, KY @ Zanzabar
10/05 -- St. Louis, MO @ Off Broadway
10/07 -- Lawrence, KS @ Bottleneck
10/08 -- Omaha, NE @ Waiting Room
10/09 -- Minneapolis, MN @ Minneapolis Institute of Arts
10/10 -- Madison, WI @ High Noon Saloon
10/11 -- Chicago, IL @ Subterranean
10/13 -- Ann Arbor, MI @ Blind Pig
10/14 -- Cleveland, OH @ Grog Shop
10/15 -- Pittsburgh, PA @ Club Cafe
10/16 -- Washington, DC @ Black Cat
10/17 -- New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom
10/18 -- Boston, MA @ Sinclair
11/07 -- Austin, TX @ Fun Fun Fun Fest (Dinosaur Jr)
11/09 -- Austin, TX @ Fun Fun Fun Fest (J Mascis solo)
11/11 -- Phoenix, AZ @ Crescent Ballroom
11/12 -- San Diego, CA @ Casbah
11/13 -- Long Beach, CA @ Alex's Bar
11/14 -- Los Angeles, CA @ The Echo
11/15 -- San Francisco, CA @ The Independent
11/16 -- Sonoma, CA @ Gundlach Bundschu
11/19 -- Seattle, WA @ Tractor Tavern
11/20 -- Portland, Or @ Dante's
11/21 -- Denver, CO @ Larimer Lounge
11/22 -- Denver, CO @ Larimer Lounge

Published August 18th, 2014 @ 9:27 AM

Johnny Marr live session

Johnny Marr stopped by BBC Radio 2 yesterday for a live radio session in promotion of his forthcoming album Playland. During the session Marr performed a new song titled "Candidate," plus performed the Smiths' classic "Stop Me If You Think You've Heard This One Before." Stream the interview and performance in full below.

["Candidate" begins ~ 09:00; "Stop Me" begins ~ 22:00]



Johnny Marr's new album Playland arrives on October 6th. The album's first single, "Easy Money" is available now as a digital download.



Published August 17th, 2014 @ 9:01

Echo & the Bunnymen play Letterman

Echo & the Bunnymen wrap up their North American tour this week, but before returning home they'll perform on Letterman this Thursday, August 21st.

UPDATE (8/22 @ 06:50 AM): Watch the performance from Letterman below:



Take a look at an old clip of Echo performing "The Killing Moon" on late night tv below:



Published August 17th, 2014 @ 8:29 PM

Morrissey rebuts Billboard report in latest round of record label drama

Last week Morrissey announced that he was once again in search for a new record label after Capitol/Harvest Records dropped him. The August 9th statement:

"Three weeks after the release of Morrissey's World Peace Is None Of Your Business (#2 UK, #14 US), Capitol Records/Harvest have ended their relationship with Morrissey, as directed by label boss Steve Barnett. Morrissey is once again in search of a record label."

But then on August 15th, Billboard reported that Morrissey's claim was false and he was indeed still signed and under the terms of the contract he still owes Capitol/Harvest one more album:

"Billboard has confirmed that Morrissey is still under contract with Harvest, the label behind his most recent album, World Peace Is None of Your Business.

A source close to the situation tells Billboard that Moz has not been dropped by Harvest/Capitol, and that his contract with the company calls for two releases, the first of which was World Peace."

Today, in round three of LabelGate, Morrissey affirms his previous statement and says Billboard's report is false:

"In response to Andrew Flanagan's incorrect report for Billboard online (15 August 2014), both Morrissey and Morrissey's lawyer are in possession of email correspondence from Steve Barnett (head of Capitol-Harvest Records), and also from Steve Barnett's personal assistant, both of whom confirm that Capitol-Harvest have ended their relationship with Morrissey. No recording Agreement with Capitol-Harvest was ever signed by Morrissey, and Morrissey retains full ownership of World Peace is None Of Your Business. Contrary to the assured Billboard report, Capitol-Harvest have very clearly stated that they would have no interest in licensing a second album by Morrissey. Russells (London), who represent Morrissey, are presently concluding Morrissey's relationship with Harvest Records.  Once again, Morrissey is in search of a new label."

Morrissey no longer appears on the official Harvest Records' website.



Published August 16th, 2014 @ 10:11 AM

Swervedriver's Adam Franklin releases 'All Happening Now disc 2'

Swervedriver's Adam Franklin is releasing a collection of 36 songs he recorded in 2013. All 36 songs in the set were recorded in 30 days as part of the Songs Project (fans requested songs for Franklin to record, which he then recorded and sent quickly sent back to the requester). A year later (and after a slight tweaking), Franklin has decided to release the entire collection as a three volume digital set, as he explained on his website:

"The title 'All Happening Now' was suggested by Samuel Lapalme-Remis and it really was all happening last July - I didn't have too long to spend on each number and so the recordings had to be pretty spontaneous. I have allowed myself the luxury of re-mixing and retouching the tracks here and there in the interim, meaning that a certain number of the original recordings people received remain absolutely exclusive. There has been no additional recording however, just some drum tracks re-programmed and things nudged around."

The entire 36 song collection is broken down into three volumes, each containing 12 songs. The first set, All Happening Now disc 1, was released August 4th, and this week Franklin released volume 2. Both sets are available to purchase through iTunes and Bandcamp. The third and final disc in the series will be released on August 18th. Stream both sets of songs in full below:





Catch up with Adam Franklin on his official website, as well as Facebook and Twitter.

Published August 15th, 2014 @ 9:23 AM

Full LP stream: Midge Ure's solo LP 'Fragile'

Midge Ure released his new solo album Fragile in the U.K. last month, and the record will finally be released in North America on August 19th. Stream the album in full below via Billboard.



Midge Ure will be on tour in North America over the next few weeks playing a few one-off solo shows and the Retro Futura tour. More solo shows are expected to be announced shortly.

08/19 -- New York, NY @ Iridium (solo show)
08/21 -- New York, NY @ Best Buy Theater
08/22 -- Glenside, PA @ Keswick Theatre
08/23 -- Brookhaven, NY @ Pennysaver Amphitheater
08/24 -- Boston, MA @ Wilbur Theatre
08/26 -- Toronto, ON @ Kool Haus
08/27 -- Chicago, IL @ Ravinia Festival
08/29 -- Los Angeles, CA @ Greek Theatre
08/30 -- Saratoga, CA @ Mountain Winery
09/03 -- Tempe, AZ @ The Marquee
09/04 -- San Diego, CA @ Humphreys Concerts By the Bay
09/05 -- Las Vegas, NV @ Mandalay Bay
09/06 -- Sandy, UT @ Sandy Amphitheater
09/07 -- Vancouver, BC @ Rickshaw Theater (solo show)
09/08 -- Grand Prarie, TX @ Verizon Theater
09/09 -- Denver, CO @ Soiled Dove Underground (solo show)
09/12 -- New York, NY @ Iridium (solo show)
01/07 -- Seattle, WA @ Triple Door (solo show)
01/08 -- Portland, OR @ Fir Lounge (solo show)

Published August 15th, 2014 @ 8:28 AM

Inspiral Carpets prep first new LP in 20 years; debut video for new single

Madchester faves The Inspiral Carpets return with their first studio album in twenty years. The new album, Inspiral Carpets, will be released through Cherry Red Records on September 29th and is available to pre-order digitally in the U.S. through iTunes and Amazon; physical versions are also  available to pre-order through Amazon.

The album's first single "Spitfire" will be released digitally and as a 7" single on August 25th backed by the song "Controller." The Carpets shot the official video for "Spitfire" at the historic Gorton Monastery in Manchester. Take a look below.



Published August 15th, 2014 @ 8:17 AM

Johnny Marr debuts "Easy Money"

Johnny Marr returns with his new solo album Playland on October 6th. Today he debuted the first single "Easy Money" on British radio and the official video is scheduled to debut later this morning.  While you're waiting for the video, listen to this morning's interview with XFM plus take a look at the live version of "Easy Money," performed a few weeks ago at Marr's show in Portsmouth, England.

UPDATE: Marr's video for "Easy Money" is now streaming via Pitchfork.







Marr is also eventually planning to release his autobiography. He told Rolling Stone he began gathering stories and info for his book over the last year and a half and he'll begin writing it after the tour cycle for Playland is over. He also revealed that his memoir, "won't be any kind of response to anything," so don't expect any tit-for-tat in regards to Morrissey's best seller Autobiography from 2013.

Published August 15th, 2014 @ 5:57 AM

R.I.P. Tony Wilson

Tony Wilson, founder of Factory Records and the Hacienda, died on this day in 2007. Take a look at some video clips of Wilson as well as the full documentary about Factory below.











Published August 10th, 2014 @ 8:14 PM

Swervedriver's Adam Franklin releases 36 song set 'All Happening Now'

Last summer Swervedriver's Adam Franklin recorded 36 songs in 30 days for fans as part of the Songs Project (fans requested songs for Franklin to record, which he then recorded and sent quickly sent back to the requester). A year later (and after a slight tweaking), Franklin has decided to release the entire collection as a three volume digital set, as he explained on his website:

"The title 'All Happening Now' was suggested by Samuel Lapalme-Remis and it really was all happening last July - I didn't have too long to spend on each number and so the recordings had to be pretty spontaneous. I have allowed myself the luxury of re-mixing and retouching the tracks here and there in the interim, meaning that a certain number of the original recordings people received remain absolutely exclusive. There has been no additional recording however, just some drum tracks re-programmed and things nudged around."

The entire 36 song collection is broken down into three volumes, each containing 12 songs. The first set, All Happening Now disc 1, was released this week and is available to purchase through iTunes and Bandcamp. The second volume will be released August 11th, and the final set arrives August 18th.

Stream All Happening Now Disc 1 below and catch up with Adam Franklin on his official website, as well as Facebook and Twitter.



Published August 6th, 2014 @ 8:04 PM

Pulp documentary screens in Detroit in November

Pulp documentary PULP: A Film About Life, Death and Supermarkets will premiere this week in New York City, then will be screened in select cities in North America (including Detroit) starting November 19th. The film, directed by Florian Habicht, features the band's farewell show to hometown fans in Sheffield, England in 2012, plus includes interview with fans and the band. Take a look at the trailer for the film below along with the initial screening dates.




***Cinema Detroit will be screening the film November 19th through November 30th (no screenings on Thanksgiving Day).

08/06 -- New York, NY @ Film Society of Lincoln Center
08/07 -- Brooklyn, NY @ Rooftop Films
11/19 -- Detroit, MI @ Cinema Detroit
11/19 -- Boston, MA @ Brattle Theatre
11/19 -- Washington, DC @ Angelika Pop-Up
11/19 -- Fairfax, VA @ Angelika Mosaic
11/19 -- Columbus, OH @ Gateway Film Center
11/19 -- Seattle, WA @ Grand Illusion
11/19 -- Portland, OR @ Hollywood Theatre
11/19 -- Dallas, TX @ Angelika Dallas
11/19 -- Plano, TX @ Angelika Plano
11/19 -- San Diego, CA @ Reading Gaslamp
11/19 -- San Diego, CA @ Reading Town Square
11/19 -- Sacramento, CA @ Reading Tower
11/19 -- Honolulu, HI @ Reading Kahala
11/26 -- Los Angeles, CA @ Cinefamily

Published August 6th, 2014 @ 1:07 PM

Protomartyr's Joe Casey profiled in Spin

Post-punk band Protomartyr was featured in the latest issue of Spin. Leader Joe Casey talks in depth about the band as well as Detroit in the feature, which is available to read in full here.

If you like post-punk bands and have not yet heard the new album from Protomartyr, do yourself a favor and stream Under Color of Official Right below. The record is easily one of the best records of 2014.



Published August 5th, 2014 @ 10:36 PM

Morrissey issues new statement; books live dates

Morrissey issued a new press statement thanking fans for posting homemade videos to promote his new album World Peace Is None Of Your Business. In the statement he also sang the praises of social media, and lamented that not one television program has reached out to him for a promotional appearance:

"It is 30 years on since The Smiths album entered the UK chart at number 2 with zero airplay and zero promotion, and the struggle for the airwaves remains difficult. Yet, I am writing this to you now, and you are reading it.

In answer to many people who have asked, I should like to finally make it clear that I have not received any television invitations – worldwide! – to either discuss World peace is none of your business, or even to sing any songs from the album."

Morrissey also announced one live show scheduled for October 6th in Lisbon. Shows in Athens, Istanbul, Rome, and Ireland are expected to be announced shortly.

Published August 5th, 2014 @ 9:19 PM

James release 'Le Petite Mort' in U.S. this fall + stream/download live session

James released its 13th studio album, Le Petite Mort, in the U.K./Europe in June and the album will finally be released in North America on September 16th. The album title translates to "the little death" and as one might expect, the subject of death is the theme of the record. Leader Tim Booth wrote the album after suffering the death of his mother, as well as the death of another close friend. Though the album deals with loss, it doesn't do so in a morbid, dark, or depressing way, instead it's a  not a morbid or dark/depressing album.

Le Petite Mort is available to pre-order in North America through iTunes and Amazon (obviously fans who can't wait can purchase the import version of the album, though it costs a few dollars more as an import).

Stream highlights from a recent live session with James below -- it includes a few short interview segments plus the performance of six songs (old and new).  The session is also available to download for free here for a limited time:



Watch the official video for "Moving On" below (and try not to tear up):



Published August 5th, 2014 @ 7:25 PM

David Bowie exhibit & documentary 'David Bowie Is'

A David Bowie touring exhibition featuring over 300 costumes, photographs, album artwork, handwritten lyrics, and more from the official David Bowie Archive will be on display at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago from September 23rd through January 4th.  Tickets and more info on attending the exhibit is posted here.

To celebrate the exhibition's arrival in the United States, a documentary tour of the ground breaking exhibition will be screened at select theaters nationwide on September 23rd. David Bowie Is was filmed on the closing night of the exhibition in London and was directed by Hamish Hamilton, the director of the Opening Ceremony at the London Olympic Games in 2012.

"The film takes the audience on an extraordinary journey through the David Bowie is exhibition with special guests including legendary Japanese fashion designer Kansai Yamamoto, Pulp front-man Jarvis Cocker, and other collaborators, to explore the stories behind some of the key objects that document Bowie’s artistic career. The exhibition curators, Victoria Broackes and Geoffrey Marsh, provide fascinating insight into the most memorable music videos and original costumes, as well as more personal items such as never-before-seen handwritten lyrics, album cover artwork, set designs and diary entries, which reveal the creativity and evolution of Bowie’s ideas."

View a listing of participating theaters* and trailer for David Bowie Is below. For more on the film visit the official site here.



All screenings one night only, September 23rd

Royal Oak, MI @ Main Art Theater
Grand Rapids, MI @ Urban Institute For Contemporary Arts
Phoenix, AZ @ Film Bar
Berkeley, CA @ Landmark Shattuck 10
Hollywood, CA @ Arclight Cinema
Los Angeles, CA @ Vintage Vista Theatre
Pasedena, CA @ Laemmle Playhouse
San Diego, CA @ Landmark Hillcrest 5
San Diego, CA @ Reading Town Square
San Diego, CA Reading Carmel Mountain
San Francisco, CA @ Landmark Embarcadero Centre
Denver, CO @ Landmark Mayan
Denver, CO @ SIE Denver Film Centre
Washington, DC @ Landmark E Street
Miami, FL @ MDC's Tower Theater
Atlanta, GA @ Landmark Midtown Art Cinema
O'Fallon, IL @ O'Fallon 15
Chicago, IL @ Landmark's Century Centre
Cambridge, MA @ Landmark Kendall Square 9
Chestnut Hill, MA @ Showcase Superlux
Revere, MA @ Showcase Revere 30
Baltimore, MD @ Landmark Harbor East
Minneapolis, MN @ Landmark Lagoon
St. Louis, MO @ Ronnies 20
St. Charles, MO @ St. Charles Stadium 18
Edgewater, NJ @ Showcase Edgewater
New York, NY @ Angelika New York
New York, NY @ Village East Cinema
New York, NY @ The Paris Theatre
Cincinnati, OH @ Showcase Springdale 18 with IMAX
Cleveland, OH @ Capitol Theater
Columbus, OH @ Gateway Film Center
Tulsa, OK @ Circle Cinema
Portland, OR @ Hollywood Theater
Philadelphia, PA @ Landmark Ritz Five
Bethlehem, PA @ ArtsQuest Centre
Pittsburgh, PA @ Southside Works Cinema
Dallas, TX @ Angelika Film Dallas
Plato, TX @ Angelika Film Plato
Houston, TX @ Landmark River Oak
Richmond, TX @ Santikos Palladium 22
Tomball, TX @ Santikos Silverado 19
Fairfax, VA @ Angelika Mosaic
Seattle, WA @ The Uptown (Seattle International Film Festival)
Milwaukee, WI @ Landmark Downer Theater

*More cities/theaters are being added, search the listings by zip code here.

Published August 2nd, 2014 @ 5:02 PM