R.I.P. John 'Brad' Bradbury of The Specials

John 'Brad' Bradbury, drummer of the Specials has died at the age of 62. Bradbury joined the Specials in 1979 and had been a member of the band throughout their various incarnations (including Special AKA and Special Beat) and Specials' reunion in 2008. The news of his death was announced via the band's official website:

"It is with deepest regret that we have to announce the very sad news that our much loved husband and father John "Brad" Bradbury passed away on Monday the 28th of December. Brad's drumming was the powerhouse behind the Specials & it was seen as a key part to the Two Tone sound.

He was much respected in the world of drumming and his style of reggae and ska was seen as genuinely ground breaking when The Specials first hit the charts in 1979. He was an integral part of The Specials reforming in 2008 and toured with them extensively up to the present day.

His contribution to the world of music can not be understated and he will much missed by family, friends and fans alike. It is the families sincerest wish that they are allowed the time to remember him privately."

This is the second member of the Specials that died in 2015 -- longtime trombone player Rico Rodriguez died in September at the age of 80.

Published December 29th, 2015 @ 8:35 PM

Lemmy, legendary Rock God has died

Rock legend Lemmy (Ian Lemmy Kilmister) died yesterday at the age of 70. According to Motorhead's official site, Kilmister died after a short battle with an extremely aggressive form of cancer. He had just turned 70 years old on December 24th.

R.I.P. Lemmy, rock & roll will never be the same!

In 1991 Lemmy recorded a brilliant tribute to the Ramones -- the Ramones loved it so much, they in turn covered Lemmy's tribute.





Published December 29th, 2015 @ 5:39 AM

Free download: Radiohead shares "Spectre"

Radiohead revealed today that they were asked to compose a theme for Spectre. Though the Bond producers rejected the lush and haunting track, opting instead for the more commercial and cheesy Sam Smith theme,  Radiohead decided to share the track with fans worldwide. If "Spectre" is any indication as to where Radiohead is at musically these days, fans are sure to be in for quite a treat when the band's new album finally gets released (rumored in 2016). Stream "Spectre" in all its elegance and beauty below and grab a free download here.

"Last year we were asked to write a theme tune for the Bond movie Spectre.
Yes we were. It didn’t work out, but became something of our own, which we love very much.
As the year closes we thought you might like to hear it.
Merry Christmas. May the force be with you."



Published December 25th, 2015 @ 7:44 PM

Robert Smith records new version of Cure rarity

Robert Smith re-recorded the Cure's 1985 track "A Few Hours After This" for the UK crime drama series Luther. Turns out the show's creator/screenwriter Neil Cross is a huge Cure fan and thought the obscure b-side would work as the perfect backdrop for an episode. When contacted by the show's producers, Smith agreed to record a new version, which was featured in an episode airing on the BBC this week. The re-recorded version will eventually be released on the Luther Season 4 soundtrack.

The original version "A Few Hours After This" was released as the b-side to "In Between Days" and was included on the Cure rarities compilation Join The Dots.

Stream both versions below:



ORIGINAL VERSION



Published December 23rd, 2015 @ 5:33 PM

Kevin Shields of MBV performs with Dinosaur Jr!

Dinosaur Jr have been celebrating the 30th anniversary of their debut, Dinosaur, with a series of shows in New York. The band promised they'd perform Dinosaur in full along and invite some "special guests" to join them.  Indeed they have delivered and then some -- over the past few shows Bob Mould, Kim Gordon, Frank Black, Don Fleming, Lee Ranaldo, Jeff Tweedy, and Kurt Vile have all showed up to perform.  Last night the elusive and brilliant Kevin Shields of My Bloody Valentine, Mike Watt, and Sharon Van Etten were all in the house!

Tonight is the final show at the Bowery...should be interesting to see who shows up tonight!

Video of Shields performing "Thorn" with Dinosaur Jr is posted below, courtesy Brooklyn Vegan.

Dinosaur Jr covered My Bloody Valentine's "Thorn" w/ Kevin Shields at Bowery Ballroom (video, setlist) ++ Sharon Va… pic.twitter.com/FijUQ1gKNZ

— Matt Skelton (@mattskelton) December 9, 2015

"IT'S MIKE WATT IT'S MIKE WATT IT'S MIKE WATT!!!!!!" by realjasonjohnson pic.twitter.com/EqMZnB0Ql5

— Freak Scene (@FreakSceneNet) December 9, 2015

#DinosaurJr with J on drums joined by #BobMould for a #HuskerDu cover!

A photo posted by wiezorek (@wiezorek) on Dec 6, 2015 at 8:52pm PST

Suede premieres new single/video from 'Night Thoughts'

Suede return with the follow up to 2013's Bloodsports on January 22nd.  Night Thoughts is the band's seventh studio album and includes 12 tracks and a full string section.  Earlier this year Suede premiered the live version of "What I'm Trying To Tell You" at the NME awards, followed by the release of the single "Outsiders" in September.  Suede have now issued another new song and video for the track "Like Kids":



Night Thoughts is available to pre-order on standard CD, double heavyweight vinyl, and deluxe CD/DVD through the official Suede store. The DVD is a feature length film directed by Roger Sargent, who shared the following comments about the project:

"I was asked to pitch an idea for this film project… I really had no idea what they were wanting or expecting so I tried
 to write in the least self-conscious way possible. The record deals with a lot of familial themes — life, death, love, anguish and despair; themes that are expanded upon in its visual companion, providing a study of how those elements affect
the human psyche. It resonated with me for many reasons, not least because my mother passed away a few days after I started writing a story for the film. The film starts with a man drowning in the waters of a deserted beach at night, as he fights for life, his mind plays out the events that lead him to be there."

For more on Suede, visit the official site here. 

Ring in December with Teenage Fanclub

It's the first of December. Good time to rock out this timeless classic from Teenage Fanclub:



While you're at it, enjoy some footage of the Fannies performing at Reading 1992