Time Warp -- Playlist 4/26/15

Time Warp airs every Sunday from 8am until noon ET on 89X and streams live on the net. For more on artists played on the show, visit my blog, which is updated throughout the week with music news, etc.

8 am hour:

Joy Division "She's Lost Control"
Call "Everywhere I Go"
Eurythmics "Love Is A Stranger"
Camouflage "The Great Commandment"
Hilt "Superhoney"
Porno For Pyros "Tahitian Moon"
Teenage Fanclub "Here Comes Your Man"
La's "Timeless Melody"
New Order "1963"
Public Image Limited "The Body"
Ocean Blue "Between Something & Nothing"
Primitives "Crash"
Ramones "Rock & Roll High School"
English Beat "Twist & Crawl"
XTC "Radios In Motion"

9 am hour:

R.E.M. "Harborcoat"
Ian McCulloch "Proud To Fall"
Mighty Lemon Drops "Inside Out"
Catherine Wheel "Crank"
Mike Ness "Don't Think Twice"
School Of Fish "Three Strange Days"
Godley & Creme "Cry"
Replacements "Androgynous"
Mono "Life In Mono"
Chapterhouse "Pearl"
Veruca Salt "Number One Blind"
Amps "Pacer"
Happy Mondays "Kinky Afro"

10 am hour:

Whale "Hobo Humping Slobo Babe"
Nine Inch Nails "Get Down Make Love"
Pailhead "I Will Refuse"
Social Distortion "Story Of My Life"
Rodriguez "Only Good For Conversation"
Doors "Peace Frog"
Charlatans "The Only One I Know"
Stone Roses "Elephant Stone"
Northside "Take Five"
Depeche Mode "In Your Room"
Ramones "Do You Remember Rock & Roll Radio"

11 am hour:

Ride "Leave Them All Behind"
Ultravivid Scene "Special One"
MC5 "Kick Out The Jams"
Boo Radleys "Does This Hurt?"
Luna "Sweet Child Of Mine"
Alphaville "Forever Young"
New Order "Thieves Like Us"
Smiths "I Know It's Over"
Joy Division "Atmosphere"

Published April 26th, 2015 @ 11:48 AM

Video: Stream Swervedriver & The Church SXSW archive

Last month Swervedriver and the Church played a free (and stellar!) show at South By Southwest in Austin, Texas. Fans who missed the live global webcast can now officially stream the professionally shot archive of both sets. Enjoy below:





Published April 22nd, 2015 @ 8:08 PM

'R.E.M. by MTV' theater screening in May

Back in November REMTV, the R.E.M./MTV 6 disc boxset chronicling R.E.M.'s career-spanning MTV/Viacom appearances, was released.  One of the discs featured the full documentary, R.E.M. by MTV, which tells the story of the legendary band's history/relationship with MTV through interviews, live performances, and more. On June 2nd, the film and bonus material (111 minute film, five deleted scenes, two trailers) will be released separately on DVD & Blu-Ray. In promotion of the release, R.E.M. by MTV will be screened in select theaters nationwide on May 19th.  Tickets for the one-night-only engagement are on sale now through Fathom Events. View a list of participating theaters in Michigan below, or view the nationwide list of theaters here.

Pre-order R.E.M. by MTV on DVD & Blu-Ray here.



Detroit area screenings -- May 19th

Livonia, MI @ Livonia 20 with IMAX
Sterling Heights, MI @ Forum 30 with IMAX
Ypsilanti, MI @ Ann Arbor 20 IMAX
Walled Lake, MI @ Commerce Township 14

Other Michigan locations -- May 19th

Portage, MI @ Celebration Cinema Crossroads with IMAX
Grand Rapids, MI @ Celebration Cinema Grand Rapids

Published April 22nd, 2015 @ 6:24 PM

Social Distortion hit the road for 25th anniversary tour

Social Distortion is hitting the road this summer in celebration of the 25th anniversary of the self-titled album Social Distortion. The six week tour will feature Social Distortion playing their landmark album in its entirety along with other classic tracks and rarities from their extensive back catalog. The Detroit area show is April 15th at the Royal Oak Theater August 15th and the general onsale for tickets is this Friday (4/24) at noon. The full tour itinerary is posted below:



Social Distortion 25th anniversary tour

7/28 -- Phoenix, AZ @ Marquee Theater
7/31 -- Austin, TX @ ACL Live Moody Theater
8/01 -- Houston, TX @ House Of Blues
8/02 -- Dallas, TX @ House Of Blues
8/05 -- Sturgis, SD @ Sturgis Motorcycle Rally
8/07 -- Minneapolis, MN @ First Avenue
8/08 -- Milwaukee, WI @ Eagles Ballroom
8/09 -- Chicago, IL @ House Of Blues
8/14 -- Indianapolis, IN @ Egyptian Theater
8/15 -- Royal Oak, MI @ Royal Oak Music Theater
8/16 -- Cleveland, OH @ House Of Blues
8/18 -- Buffalo, NY @ Town Ballroom
8/19 -- Philadelphia, PA @ Festival Pier
8/21 -- Pittsburgh, PA @ Stage AE
8/22 -- Asbury Park, NJ @ Stone Pony Summer Stage
8/23 -- Boston, MA @ House Of Blues
8/25 -- Silver Spring, MD @ Fillmore
8/27 -- Raleigh, NC @ Ritz
8/28 -- Charlotte, NC @ Fillmore
8/29 -- Nashville, TN @ Ryman Auditorium
9/02 -- Denver, CO @ Fillmore
9/03 -- Salt Lake City, UT @ The Depot
9/05 -- Portland, OR @ Roseland Theater
9/07 -- Bend, OR @ Century Center
9/09 -- Oakland, CA @ Fox Theater
9/11 -- Paso Robles, CA @ Vina Robles Amphitheatre

Published April 22nd, 2015 @ 3:45 PM

Martin Gore premieres new LP during live streaming event

Martin Gore of Depeche Mode releases his new solo album MG on April 28th in North America. A few weeks ago he debuted a song from the album titled "Europa Hymn" along with the an official video. Today Gore is hosting a live full album stream and will be answering fan questions during an event on his official website. Access the exclusive album stream and Q & A here starting at 4pm ET.



Published April 22nd, 2015 @ 3:22 PM

Full LP stream: Blur 'The Magic Whip'

Blur return with their new studio album The Magic Whip on April 28th (April 27th in UK/Europe). The album is the band's first album in 12 years and was produced by Stephen Street . The record includes material Blur originally recorded in Hong Kong in 2013 -- though the band scrapped the original versions, they came together early this year to rework and add to the songs. The full album is now streaming ahead of its release on iTunes -- take a listen to the record here.

Pre-order through Amazon and Blur's official store.

Stream a few tracks from The Magic Whip below and watch the official videos for "Lonesome Street" and "There Are Too Many Of Us"











Published April 21st, 2015 @ 6:10 AM

Video: Buzzcocks electrify Late Night with Seth Meyers

Buzzcocks performed a pair of songs on Late Night With Seth Meyers yesterday.  The band performed the classic "Ever Fallen In Love" along with "Keep On Believing" from their latest album The Way. Stream both performances below:

Buzzcocks released The Way in November 2014. The video for the album's first single "It's Not You" is posted below:



Published April 21st, 2015 @ 5:59 AM

Video: Waterboys make network TV debut on Letterman

The Waterboys made their network television debut in the U.S. last night on Letterman. Watch them perform "The Girl Who Slept For Scotland" off their latest album Modern Blues below.



Stream a few other songs from Modern Blues here.

Published April 21st, 2015 @ 5:49 AM

Video: Garbage ft. Brian Aubert -- "The Chemicals"

Garbage released a new song titled "The Chemicals" featuring guest Brian Aubert of Silversun Pickups. The track was recorded especially for Record Store Day and was released April 18th on limited edition 10" vinyl. So far the single is not available digitally, however the official video for "The Chemicals" is available to view below along with audio of the b-side "On Fire."





Garbage recently announced a handful of shows celebrating their 20th anniversary. So far no dates on the 20 Years Queer tour have been announced for North America, but stay tuned.

Published April 20th, 2015 @ 9:28 PM

The Radio Dept. return with 'Occupied' EP

The Radio Dept is set to return with a new EP titled Occupied on June 9th. No further details other than the release date have been provided. The band will be announcing the lead track and pre-order info shortly.

The band's last full length album Clinging To A Scheme was released in 2010.





UPDATE: 6/16 -- The EP was released today! Stream below:





Published April 14th, 2015 @ 6:49 PM

Protomartyr debuts "Blues Festival" ft Kelley Deal

Protomartyr debuted new single this week titled "Blues Festival" featuring Kelley Deal on backup vocals. The track will be released as a limited edition split 7" single with Deal's side project R. Ring (also includes Ampline's Mike Montgomery). R Ring contributes a song titled "Loud Underneath." The physical version of the split single arrives June 16th (pre-order here), but the digital version of Protomartyr's "Blues Festival" is available to purchase now through iTunes and Amazon, and the digital version of R. Ring's "Loud Underneath" is available through Kelley Deal's store.



As previously reported, R. Ring is releasing another split 7" single with Quailbones in July which features the new song "Singing Tower." Stream "Singing Tower" below via Yahoo.



R. Ring North American tour

4/18 -- Wooster, OH @ Lucky Records w/ Buffalo Killers and Ampline (noon)
4/18 -- Dayton, OH @ Omega Music w/ Buffalo Killers and Ampline (6pm)
4/21 -- Cincinnati, OH @ Northside Tavern
4/30 -- Dayton, OH @ Canal Public House
5/01 -- Chicago, IL @ Empty Bottle
5/02 -- Madison, WI @ Frequency
5/03 -- Minneapolis, MN @ 7th Street Entry
5/04 -- Fargo, ND @ The Aquarium
5/05 -- Billings, MT @ Pub Station
5/06 -- Spokane, WA @ The Bartlett
5/07 -- Seattle, WA @ Sunset Tavern
5/10 -- Portland, OR @ Mississippi Studios (w/ Bed)
5/11 -- San Francisco, CA @ Elbo Room (w/ 1939 Ensemble)
5/12 -- Los Angeles, CA @ Satellite (w/ 1939 Ensemble)
5/14 -- Albuquerque, NM @ Launchpad
5/15 -- Denver, CO @ Hi Dive
5/16 -- Omaha, NE @ O'leavers
5/17 -- Lawrence, KS @ Replay Lounge
5/18 -- Columbia, MO @ Cafe Berlin
5/19 -- Louisville, KY @ The New Vintage (w/ Quailbones)

Published April 14th, 2015 @ 6:34 PM

Noel Gallagher debuts "Riverman" video; dominates top selling vinyl chart in UK

Noel Gallagher premiered the official video for his latest single "Riverman." The track is from Gallagher's brilliant new album Chasing Yesterday which was released in March. Take a look at "Riverman" below:



Meanwhile the UK launched its first official Vinyl Charts this week -- as part of the launch, the Official Charts Company revealed the 40 biggest selling vinyl albums and singles for the decade so far. Arctic Monkeys' latest album AM is the biggest selling vinyl record of the decade, and David Bowie's 1973 single "Life On Mars" is the best selling vinyl single. Oasis was well represented -- Definitely Maybe and What's The Story Morning Glory were among the top selling albums, and placed alongside records from the Beatles, Pink Floyd, Radiohead, and the Stone Roses.  The Gallagher brothers also dominated the top selling singles list with their solo projects -- seven Noel Gallagher singles and five singles from (the now defunct) Beady Eye made it onto the charts.  The full list of top sellers here.

Don't miss Noel Gallagher on tour this spring -- he plays the Royal Oak Music Theater on May 31st. Full tour schedule is posted below:

05/03 -- Toronto, ON @ Sony Centre
05/10 -- New Orleans @ Civic Theatre
05/13 -- Houston, TX @ House Of Blues
05/14 -- Dallas, TX @ Majestic Theater
05/16 -- San Diego, CA @ Humphrey's Concert By The Bay
05/18 -- San Francisco, CA @ The Warfield
05/20 -- Los Angeles, CA @ Orpheum Theatre
05/22 -- Las Vegas, NV @ The Joint/Hard Rock Hotel
05/29 -- Chicago, IL @ Riviera Theater
05/30 -- Milwaukee, WI @ Pabst Theatre
05/31 -- Royal Oak, MI @ Royal Oak Music Theatre
06/02 -- Cleveland, OH @ House Of Blues
06/04 -- Washington, DC @ Lincoln Theater
06/06 -- Boston, MA @ Opera House
06/07 -- New York, NY @ Governor's Ball Festival

Published April 13th, 2015 @ 8:18 PM

FFS (Franz Ferdinand & Sparks) debut "Johnny Delusional"

As reported previously, Franz Ferdinand and Sparks formed a collaborative project titled FFS and release the full length album FFS on June 9th. As the story goes, Ron and Russell Mael met Franz Ferdinand years ago in Los Angeles when they (FF) were touring behind their debut album. Soon after they recorded a few demos together, but nothing ever came of the sessions due to schedules, etc. Years later Sparks and Franz revisited the idea of recording together when they bumped into each other at Coachella, and in 2014 they finally got around to recording a full album over the span of two weeks.

FFS issued a song titled "Piss Off" a few weeks ago and today they've debuted the album's first single, "Johnny Delusional." Stream both songs below and pre-order FFS through iTunes, Amazon, and Domino Records. For more on FFS, visit them on their newly launched website, Facebook, or Twitter.





Published April 13th, 2015 @ 3:28 PM

Video: Ride interview & performance from Coachella

Ride is in the U.S. for the next two weeks playing shows on the west coast. Over the weekend the band played Coachella -- after Ride's set Billboard caught up with Mark Gardener and Loz Colbert for a short interview. Gardener and Colbert talked a bit about how the reunion came together and said they're not sure where they go from here ("nothing is ruled out or ruled in"), just enjoying things as they are for now. Take a look at the interview along with some performance video from their set at Coachella:

UPDATE (4/14): Added fan filmed video of Ride covering the Stooges' "I Wanna Be Your Dog" from their 4/13/15 show in San Francisco!









Ride tour dates

4/13 -- San Francisco, CA @ The Warfield
4/14 -- Pomona, CA @ Fox Theater
4/16 -- San Diego, CA @ Humphreys
4/17 -- Indio, CA @ Coachella
5/08 -- Atlanta, GA @ Terminal West
5/10 -- Atlanta, GA @ Shaky Knees Festival
5/22 -- Glasgow, UK @ Barrowland Ballroom
5/23 -- Manchester, UK @ Albert Hall
5/24 -- London, UK @ Roundhouse
5/26 -- Amsterdam, NL @ Paradiso
5/27 -- Paris, FR @ Olympia
5/29 -- Barcelona, ES @ Primavera
6/02 -- Toronto, ON @ Danforth Music Hall
6/04 -- New York, NY @ Terminal 5
6/07 -- London, UK @ Field Day Festival
6/21 -- Hilvarenbeek, NL @ Best Kept Secret Festival
7/19 -- Gräfenhainichen, DE @ Melt! Festival
7/24 -- Niigata Prefecture, JP @ Fuji Rock Festival
8/09 -- Katowice, PL @ Off Festival
8/15 -- Middelalderparken, NO @ Øya Festival
9/04 -- Stradbally, IE @ Electric Picnic

Published April 13th, 2015 @ 1:57 PM

Kelley Deal side project R.Ring debuts single

R. Ring -- featuring Kelley Deal and Ampline's Mike Montgomery -- is back in action. In 2012 the duo released a few singles, and now they've returned with a new song titled "Singing Tower." The track will be released as a split 7" single this July (Kentucky garage band Quailbones will have a song titled "A Tip To Trick The Tide" on the flip side) through Sofaburn Records. A special limited edition handmade custom packaged 12" version will be available on dates on the band's U.S. tour this spring, which so far does not include a stop in the Detroit area. Another split 7" single from R Ring is in the works and more details on that will be announced shortly. For now, stream "Singing Tower" below via Yahoo.



R. Ring North American tour

4/18 -- Wooster, OH @ Lucky Records w/ Buffalo Killers and Ampline (noon)
4/18 -- Dayton, OH @ Omega Music w/ Buffalo Killers and Ampline (6pm)
4/21 -- Cincinnati, OH @ Northside Tavern
4/30 -- Dayton, OH @ Canal Public House
5/01 -- Chicago, IL @ Empty Bottle
5/02 -- Madison, WI @ Frequency
5/03 -- Minneapolis, MN @ 7th Street Entry
5/04 -- Fargo, ND @ The Aquarium
5/05 -- Billings, MT @ Pub Station
5/06 -- Spokane, WA @ The Bartlett
5/07 -- Seattle, WA @ Sunset Tavern
5/10 -- Portland, OR @ Mississippi Studios (w/ Bed)
5/11 -- San Francisco, CA @ Elbo Room (w/ 1939 Ensemble)
5/12 -- Los Angeles, CA @ Satellite (w/ 1939 Ensemble)
5/14 -- Albuquerque, NM @ Launchpad
5/15 -- Denver, CO @ Hi Dive
5/16 -- Omaha, NE @ O'leavers
5/17 -- Lawrence, KS @ Replay Lounge
5/18 -- Columbia, MO @ Cafe Berlin
5/19 -- Louisville, KY @ The New Vintage (w/ Quailbones)

Published April 10th, 2015 @ 9:40 AM

Stream: Ride live session

The newly reunited Ride is back on U.S. soil this week for a handful of shows on the west coast. Yesterday afternoon prior to their show at the Roxy in Los Angeles, the band stopped by the KCRW studios to play their first live session in over 20 years. A portion of the session -- which included 6 songs and 2 interview segments -- is available to stream below, and the entire session is posted here. Ride plays both weekends of Coachella -- so far the Coachella webcast schedule isn't posted, but it's possible Ride's set will be available to stream sometime this weekend.

"Leave Them All Behind"



Vapour Trail



Seagull



Published April 9th, 2015 @ 5:56 AM

Stream: Robert Smith covers The Twilight Sad

Robert Smith of the Cure recorded a cover of The Twilight Sad's song "There's A Girl In The Corner." Smith's version will be released as the AA side on the Scottish band's forthcoming 7" single "It Never Was The Same" which is set for a June 15th release. For now, stream a minute-long preview of "There's A Girl In The Corner" by Robert Smith along with the full version of Twilight Sad's "It Never Was The Same" below. [Those unfamiliar with Twilight Sad can stream their excellent 2014 album Nobody Wants To Be Here & Nobody Wants To Leave here.]

Been quiet about our news. Hearing someone that's influenced all of us covering our song is a special moment & something we'll never forget

— the twilight sad (@thetwilightsad) April 7, 2015

(Robert Smith "There's A Girl In The Corner" preview)





It's been a good couple of weeks for Robert Smith fans -- last week 8:58 debuted a collaborative track titled "Please" featuring Smith on vocals. If you missed out on that, check it out here.

Published April 7th, 2015 @ 11:46 AM

Stream Wire's new LP 'Wire' in full

Wire return with its 13th studio album, simply titled Wire, on April 21st in North America. The band previously said the record "is full of swooning pop melodies with a 60s tinge and an irresistible, near motorik rhythmic momentum. One can recognise certain melodic inflections, guitar and bass motifs, and drum rhythms from Wire’s idiosyncratic vocabulary but it has a remarkable freshness." But don't take it from them, judge for yourself -- the full album is available to stream ahead of its release. Head over to NPR to stream the record (stream available through April 12th) and pre-order Wire from iTunes, Amazon, and Wire's official store. [Note that the digital download will be available starting April 13th but the physical version arrives April 21st.]

Don't miss Wire on the road in North America this spring. The tour includes a June 9th stop at the Majestic Theater in Detroit and tickets are available here.





Wire -- North American tour

05/27 -– Seattle, WA - Nuemos
05/29 -– San Francisco, CA – Slim’s
05/30 -– Los Angeles, CA – The Echoplex
06/02 -– Cambridge, MA – The Sinclair
06/03 -– Brooklyn, NY – Music Hall of Williamsburg
06/04 -– New York, NY – Bowery Ballroom
06/05 -– Philadelphia, PA – Union Transfer
06/06 -– Washington, DC – Black Cat
06/08 -– Cleveland, OH – Beachland Ballroom
06/09 –– Detroit, MI – Majestic Theatre
06/10 –– Louisville, KY - Headliners

Published April 6th, 2015 @ 8:29 PM

Morrissey premieres oddball video for "Kiss Me A Lot"

Morrissey debuted the official video for his latest single "Kiss Me A Lot," and SHOCKER -- the video features a few scantily clad ladies who wouldn't be out of place at a Victoria's Secret fashion show.  It's a bit of a peculiar and awkward video to say the least. Watch it below via The Guardian:



Morrissey hits the road this summer for a North American tour. Tickets for the Detroit show go on sale Friday, April 10th at 10am, and the pre-sale kicks off Thursday, April 9th at 10am.  The full tour itinerary is posted below:

Morrissey North American Tour

6/11 -- New Orleans, LA @ Saenger Theater
6/13 -- Atlanta, GA @ Atlanta Symphony Hall
6/15 -- Durham, NC @ The Carolina Theatre
6/24 -- Worcester, MA @ Hanover Theater
6/27 -- New York, NY @ Madison Square Garden
6/29 -- Akron, OH @ Akron Civic Theater
6/30 -- Cincinnati, OH @ Aronoff Center For The Arts
7/02 -- Nashville, TN @ Grand Old Opry House
7/08 -- Detroit, MI @ Masonic (Jack White Theater)
7/09 -- Chicago, IL @ Civic Opera House
7/11 -- Normal, IL @ Bloomington Center For The Arts
7/13 -- St. Paul, MN @ Fitzgerald Theater
7/16 -- Morrison, CO @ Red Rocks
7/18 -- Salt Lake City, UT @ The Depot
7/21 -- Seattle, WA @ Benaroya Hall
7/23 -- Troutdale, OR @ Edgefield
7/25 -- San Jose, CA @ San Jose Event Center

Published April 6th, 2015 @ 8:47 AM

Morrissey announces North American tour including Detroit show

Morrissey has yet again announced a new leg of North American tour dates in support of World Peace Is None Of Your Business. The trek includes a Detroit stop July 8th at the Scottish Rite Theater (Jack White Theater) inside the Masonic Temple. Official ticket information for the Detroit show will be announced Monday, April 6th at 10am and will be posted here along with Detroit pre-sale info, so check back shortly. Blondie will open the NYC show and Amanda Palmer will open for San Jose, however the opening act for the rest of the tour has not yet been announced. The full tour itinerary is posted below:

UPDATE: Tickets for the July 8th show at the Jack White Theater in Detroit go on sale Friday, April 10th at 10am. The pre-sale kicks off Thursday, April 9th at 10am.

UPDATE: Detroit password is "WORLDPEACE"; Chicago password is "TRUETOYOU" (Jam presale) & "93morrissey" for WXRT pre-sale.





Morrissey North American Tour

6/11 -- New Orleans, LA @ Saenger Theater
6/13 -- Atlanta, GA @ Atlanta Symphony Hall
6/15 -- Durham, NC @ The Carolina Theatre
6/24 -- Worcester, MA @ Hanover Theater
6/27 -- New York, NY @ Madison Square Garden
6/29 -- Akron, OH @ Akron Civic Theater
6/30 -- Cincinnati, OH @ Aronoff Center For The Arts
7/02 -- Nashville, TN @ Grand Old Opry House
7/08 -- Detroit, MI @ Masonic (Jack White Theater)
7/09 -- Chicago, IL @ Civic Opera House
7/11 -- Normal, IL @ Bloomington Center For The Arts
7/13 -- St. Paul, MN @ Fitzgerald Theater
7/16 -- Morrison, CO @ Red Rocks
7/18 -- Salt Lake City, UT @ The Depot
7/21 -- Seattle, WA @ Benaroya Hall
7/23 -- Troutdale, OR @ Edgefield
7/25 -- San Jose, CA @ San Jose Event Center

Published April 3rd, 2015 @ 5:19 AM

Stream: Swervedriver live session

Swervedriver stopped by the KEXP studios in Seattle last month while on tour in support of their latest album I Wasn't Born To Lose You. Stream the band's interview and four song studio session hosted by Stevie Zoom below.



00:00 -- Introduction
00:52 -- Autodidact
05:57 -- Setting Sun
08:59 -- Interview
14:06 -- Last Rites
17:26 -- I Wonder
22:52 -- Wrap up

Swervedriver's album will be released in Canada on April 7th and will play a handful of dates in Eastern Canada in May. Dates are posted below:

5/04 -- Montreal, QC @ Theatre Fairmount
5/05 -- Ottawa, ON @ Zaphod Beeblebrox
5/06 -- Toronto, ON @ Horseshoe Tavern
5/07 -- London, ON @ Call the Office
5/08 -- Hamilton, ON @ This Ain’t Hollywood

Published April 2nd, 2015 @ 6:41 PM

Stream: Robert Smith guests on new 8:58 track

Robert Smith of the Cure guests on the new album from 8:58 (project featuring Orbital's Paul Hartnoll). Smith guests on a bumping groove track titled "Please" which is available to stream here via The Line Of Best Fit.  The full length album from 8:58 will be released in the UK/Europe on April 7th and is available to pre-order through Pledge Music and as an import through Amazon.

Published April 1st, 2015 @ 7:52 PM

Johnny Marr discusses his forthcoming "authentic" biography

Johnny Marr was interviewed by BBC 6 Music's Matt Everitt about his forthcoming biography.  Marr's made mention of the biography in interviews over the years, but now that he's actually begun writing it in earnest he had more to share about what to expect.  Stream the three minute interview here for two weeks, and read the transcript of the interview below:

Johnny Marr: "I've done quite a bit of it, yeah. I've done a few chapters, I think there's got to be--I've done probably about a third of it, and I've enjoyed it. I mean, it's a lot of work. You have to watch that you don't get so daunted that you freeze up and don't have your own voice. I want it to be really good. I want it to be my own voice, so I'm writing it, you know, I'm not using a ghostwriter or journalist or anything like that, and I'm just relying on a very, very good memory, you know.

I'm enjoying it, it's a different thing, you know, it's a different thing. I've got an idea for a screenplay as well that I was kicking around with somebody that may come to fruition, so I want to get the book done, I want to get the screenplay done, and then, and then another record, and I'm doing a movie as well, so I've got a lot going on."

Matt Everitt: What do you think is going to surprise people about the book?

Marr: "What's going to shock people is that the Smiths really liked each other. (Everitt laughs heartily) A couple of them, anyway. What I want to do, to be honest, without pre-empting anything, but I want for people to, who like what I do, to like from a lifestory to match up with the music, you know and what they think I'm about, to kind of confirm it, for better or worse, really. I want it to be really authentic.

My life story has been sort of unusual. A few of us, Paul Weller, could maybe say the same thing: coming from a working class family, to you know, staying up late with Keith Richards and playing with the Wailers, and Sly and Robbie as the rhythm section, how the hell did that happen? And also you know, I got known for what I do by the time I was 19, 20, you know. And there's a lot of life after the Smiths, you know? Obviously I want remember the Smiths and I want to honor the Smiths, and I want to be honest about the Smiths, but there's been a lot of living in between then and now too, so I want to balance it. It's not all going to be super early 80's, you know.

I just want to have this sense of journey, really. A certain kind of bewildering journey, I think, because it feels bewildering to me. That's what i want to get across." 

No release date for the memoir has been announced as of yet. 

Marr releases his cover of the Depeche Mode classic "I Feel You" on April 18th. The official video for the release is posted below:



Published April 1st, 2015 @ 7:41 PM

Franz Ferdinand/Sparks project FFS debuts "Piss Off"

As reported previously, Franz Ferdinand and Sparks formed a collaborative project titled FFS. As the story goes, Ron and Russell Mael met Franz Ferdinand years ago in Los Angeles when they (FF) were touring behind their debut album. Soon after they recorded a few demos together, but nothing ever came of the sessions due to schedules, etc. Years later Sparks and Franz revisited the idea of recording together when they bumped into each other at Coachella, and in 2014 they finally got around to recording a full album over the span of two weeks.  FFS arrives on June 9th and is available to pre-order now through iTunes and Domino Records. Stream the first track "Piss Off" below. For more on FFS, visit them on their newly launched website, Facebook, or Twitter.



Published April 1st, 2015 @ 7:40 PM