Trent Reznor talks Nine Inch Nails, The Cure, and meeting Robert Smith

Nine Inch Nails released Bad Witch last month and have been promoting the EP with a series of interviews with the press. In an excellent new interview with legendary music journalist John Dolan of The Quietus, Trent Reznor spoke at length about the music industry, alt bands that have given up, playing saxophone, touring, and the new EP. But the most intriguing part of the piece was Reznor discussing The Cure.

Reznor revealed that he discovered the Cure at the age of 18 with The Head On The Door, a record that he says spoke to him and got him through a lot of dark times. He went on to work his way backwards through the Cure's catalog and was blown away by the music. Then years later, after being a successful musician, Reznor met Robert Smith for the first time in New Orleans.

The Cure happened to be in town and Reznor got word from his people that Smith was at a nightclub and was interested in meeting Reznor. So of course, you go. As Reznor remembers the meeting:

"It’s the sort of club that no matter what time you turn up, they’re always playing ‘Blue Monday’ by New Order. I walked in and there is Robert Smith, all by himself dancing in the middle of the dancefloor but with a circle of goth girls all around him just watching him move. I walked out, he sees me and I see him and we’ve never met before but he just gives me a big hug. And we were just hugging for about two minutes and I think by the time we stopped ‘Blue Monday’ actually was playing. And we were just looking at each other and he was just [nods head slowly]. And that was it! My meeting with Robert Smith!"

Read the full fascinating interview with Trent Reznor over at The Quietus.

Nine Inch Nails hit the road with The Jesus & Mary Chain this fall. View the itinerary below:

Cold and Black and Infinite tour

Sep 13 -- Phoenix, AZ @ Comerica Theatre
Sep 14 -- Phoenix, AZ @ Comerica Theatre
Sep 18 -- Morrison, CO @ Red Rocks
Sep 19 -- Morrison, CO @ Red Rocks
Sep 24 -- Memphis, TN @ Orpheum Theatre
Sep 26 -- Atlanta, GA @ Fox Theatre
Sep 27 -- Atlanta, GA @ Fox Theatre
Sep 29 -- Nashville, TN @ Ascend Amphitheatre
Oct 09 -- Washington, DC @ The Anthem
Oct 13 -- New York, NY @ Radio City Music Hall
Oct 14 -- New York, NY @ Radio City Music Hall
Oct 16 -- Brooklyn, NY @ Kings Theater
Oct 17 -- Brooklyn, NY @ Kings Theater
Oct 19 -- Boston, MA @ Boch Centre
Oct 20 -- Boston, MA @ Boch Centre
Oct 22 -- Detroit, MI @ Fox Theatre
Oct 23 -- Detroit, MI @ Fox Theatre
Oct 25 -- Chicago, IL @ Aragon Ballroom
Oct 26 -- Chicago, IL @ Aragon Ballroom
Nov 23 -- New Orleans, LA @ Saenger Theatre
Nov 24 -- New Orleans, LA @ Saenger Theatre
Nov 25 -- New Orleans, LA @ Saenger Theatre
Nov 27 -- Irving, TX @ The Pavillion at Toyota Music Factory
Nov 28 -- Irving, TX @ The Pavillion at Toyota Music Factory
Dec 03 -- San Francisco, CA @ Bill Graham Civic Auditorium
Dec 04 -- San Francisco, CA @ Bill Graham Civic Auditorium
Dec 07 -- Los Angeles, CA @ Palladium
Dec 08 -- Los Angeles, CA @ Palladium
Dec 11 -- Los Angeles, CA @ Palladium
Dec 12 -- Los Angeles, CA @ Palladium
Dec 14 -- Los Angeles, CA @ Palladium
Dec 15 -- Los Angeles, CA @ Palladium

Published July 31st, 2018

New Order issue 35th anniversary 'Power, Corruption & Lies' art print

This year marks the 35th anniversary of New Order's masterpiece Power, Corruption and Lies. New Order have now issued a limited edition print 35th anniversary print of Peter Saville's iconic artwork. The artwork is on premium glossy paper and features a new message created by Peter Saville using the original color code specifically for the anniversary. The PCL 35th anniversary print is limited to 150 copies worldwide and is available while quantities last through New Order's store. View the artprint below.

The cover art for Power, Corruption and Lies was inspired by Henri-Fantin Latour's painting A Basket Of Roses which is still on display in London. The album's artwork included a color code on the front of the sleeve with a key to the code in a color wheel on the back. Saville was inspired by the emergence of digitally archived artwork and his color code concept was his interpretation of "historic works with the futuristic hieroglyphs of computer code."

In that London this weekend and this absolutely HAD to be done. pic.twitter.com/rXAZwEWRsq

— Shepherd's Pie (@sparkycat2000) July 20, 2018

Published July 31st, 2018

Spiritualized debut another divine new jam from 'And Nothing Hurt'

Spiritualized previously announced their eighth studio album And Nothing Hurt and issued a pair of songs from the record last month. Today they debuted another divine new jam titled "Here It Comes (The Road) Let's Go." Stream the official audio below.

Pre-order And Nothing Hurt through the official Spiritualized store.







Published July 30th, 2018

Nitzer Ebb career-spanning LP box set 'Nitzer Ebb 1982 - 2010'

Nitzer Ebb announced the release of a career-spanning vinyl box set Nitzer Ebb 1982 - 2010. The set collects their five Mute/Geffen studio albums which have been out of print since the early 90s: That Total Age, Belief, Showtime, Ebbhead, and Big Hit; plus the remix EP AS/IS.

Each album has been expanded on double vinyl and includes bonus tracks and rare 12" mixes. The original artwork has also been expanded into gatefold sleeves, with embossing and spot UV finish. It also contains a large size booklet with liner notes by the band's co-founders Douglas McCarthy and Bon Harris, along with unseen photos, flyers and artwork, detailing their entire career in chronological order.

There are TWO editions of the boxset; the standard 10 piece LP boxset and an 11 piece limited colored vinyl edition. The colored vinyl box set includes a copy of Basic Pain Procedure, Nitzer Ebb's debut self-released album pressed on limited edition red/clear/white splatter vinyl. The limited edition colored vinyl box is ONLY available through Pylon Records.

The standard vinyl box edition is available through record distributors and includes extra space inside the box itself to house Basic Pain Procedure and Nitzer Ebb's most recent album Industrial Complex. [A black vinyl edition of Basic Pain Procedure and Industrial Complex were both recently issued and are widely available, thus Nitzer Ebb opted to omit these from the box set].

Nitzer Ebb 1982 - 2010 will be released on October 5th. Pre-order here.

Meanwhile Nitzer Ebb announced their live return. Douglas McCarthy and Bon Scott have been performing together as Nitzer Ebb but have been on hiatus since 2010. Today Nitzer Ebb announced that along with McCarthy and Scott, original NEP (NitzerEbbProdukt) members David Gooday and Simon Granger will join them onstage to perform at the Amphi festival in Cologne next July. This marks the first time all four members have performed together since 1987. More dates featuring the original expanded lineup will be announced soon.

Nitzer Ebb - 1982 - 2010 tracklisting

That Total Age

(limited edition colored edition will be pressed on red translucent vinyl)

Side 1

1.Fitness To Purpose
2.Warsaw Ghetto
3.Violent Playground
4.Murderous

Side 2

1.Smear Body
2.Join In The Chant
3.Alarm
4.Let Your Body Learn

Side 3

1.Let Beauty Loose
2.Into The Large Air
3.Murderous (Instrumental) – Bonus
4.Fitness to Purpose (Mix Two) – Bonus

Side 4

1.Join In The Chant (Burn! 12” Mix) – Bonus
2.Let Your Body Learn (12” Mix) – Bonus
3.Join In The Chant (Metal Mix) – Bonus

Belief

(limited edition colored edition pressed on clear vinyl)

Side 1

1.Hearts and Minds
2.For Fun
3.Control I’m Here
4.Captivate
5.T.W.A

Side 2

1.Blood Money
2.Shame
3.Drive
4.Without Belief

Side 3

1.Control I’m Here (Command Control Confront Mix) – Bonus
2.Shame (Mix no 2 William Orbit) – Bonus
3.K.I.A. (PK Mix) – Bonus

Side 4

1.Captivate (William Orbit Mix) – Bonus
2.Hearts & Minds (Mix Subsonic) – Bonus
3.Backlash (William Orbit Mix) – Bonus

Showtime

limited edition colored edition pressed on orange vinyl

Side 1

1.Getting Closer
2.Nobody Knows
3.One Mans Burden
4.All Over
5.My Heart

Side 2

1.Lightning Man
2.Rope
3.Hold On
4.Fun To Be Had

Side 3

1.Lightning Man (The Industry Vs. The Ebb Remix) – Bonus
2.Fun To Be Had (Long Mix George Clinton) – Bonus
3.Getting Closer (The Kitchen Mix) – Bonus

Side 4

1.Fun To Be Had (Dust Brothers Master Mix) – Bonus
2.Lightning Man (RSW Mix) – Bonus
3.Getting Closer (The Trance Mix) – Bonus

Ebbhead + AS/IS EP

limited edition colored version includes one green record and one red record

Side 1

1.Reasons
2.Lakeside Drive
3.I Give To You
4.Sugar Sweet
5.DJVD

Side 2

1.Time
2.Ascend
3.Godhead
4.Trigger Happy

Side 3

1.Family Man (Jaz Coleman Mix) –Bonus
2.Come Alive (Alan Wilder Mix) – Bonus
3.Lovesick (Flood Mix) - Bonus
4.Higher (Barry Adamson Mix) – Bonus

Side 4

1.Ascend (Vince Clarke Anonymous Mix) – Bonus
2.I Give To You (Pestilence Mix) – Bonus
3.Godhead (Remix) - Bonus

Big Hit

limited edition colored edition pressed on yellow vinyl

Side 1

1.Cherry Blossom
2.Hear Me Say
3.Kick It
4.I Thought

Side 2

1.Flood Water
2.Border Talk
3.In Decline
4.Living Out Of A Bag

Side 3

1.Boy
2.Our Own World
3.Friend (Brittle Mix) - Bonus
4.Beats Me – Bonus

Side 4

1.Kick It (Adrian Sherwood Compulsion Edit) -- Bonus
2.Kick It (Popular Music Mix) -- Bonus
3.I Thought (Final Sin) -- Bonus

Basic Pain Procedure

This record only included with limited edition colored boxset and is pressed on red/clear/white splatter vinyl (2012 master)

Side 1

1.Faded Smiles
2.Tradition
3.The Home
4.Star

Side 2

1.The Passage
2.The Book
3.Crane
4.Trust Ran In Colours

Published July 30th, 2018

Classic Alternative - Episode #66: Unsavory Character

Presenting Classic Alternative - Episode #66: Unsavory Character

Rock it old school with a brand new episode of Time Warp. This week's show includes music from Pixies, Wire, Echo & The Bunnymen , Joy Division, Japan, Roxy Music, Cocteau Twins, Dinosaur Jr, Mazzy Star, Kraftwerk, and more.

Stream below or here and check out the full archive of Time Warp episodes here or here.


Classic Alternative stories from this week:

Peter Murphy + David J team up for 40 Years Of Bauhaus tour; reissues on the way

ohGr (Ogre of Skinny Puppy) releases new LP 'Tricks' + tours North America w/ Lead Into Gold; plays Detroit

Yazoo (aka Yaz) announce 'Four Pieces' vinyl boxset + stream previously unreleased version of "Don't Go"

John Lydon voicing animated Mutant Ninja Turtle character

Morrissey unearths another "lost" studio track

James premiere new music from 'Living In Extraordinary Times'

Blur's Graham Coxon tours North America; plays Detroit

Peter Murphy + David J team up for '40 Years of Bauhaus' tour + vinyl Bauhaus reissues coming soon

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the formation of Bauhaus. The gold standard of gothic formed in 1978 and went on to release four massively influential, impressive, and magnificently dark experimental albums which cemented their place and importance in music history before disbanding in 1983.

In celebration of the 40th anniversary, original Bauhaus members Peter Murphy and David J will hit the road for a global tour which will see the legends perform the band's debut album In The Flat Field in full along with an extended encore of Bauhaus classics. The first leg of the tour has been announced and will kick off in October. North American dates are expected to eventually be announced once Murphy's visa issues have been ironed out with the U.S. government. [As it stands now, Murphy has rescheduled his San Francisco solo residency at least 4 times over the last year, with the residency now scheduled for March 2019.]

Meanwhile Murphy has revealed on his website that a series of Bauhaus albums will be reissued later this year on colored vinyl. Details on the reissues have not yet been announced.

View the global list of dates for the 40 Years of Bauhaus tour below.



40 Years of Bauhaus tour

Oct 18 -- Wellington, NZ @ San Fran
Oct 19 -- Christchurh, NZ @ Foundry
Oct 20 -- Auckland, AU @ Powerstation
Oct 22 -- Adelaide, AU @ Governor Hindmarsh
Oct 25 -- Brisbane, AU @ The Zoo
Oct 26 -- Melbourne, AU @ Max Watts
Oct 27 -- Sydney, AU @ The Factory
Oct 28 -- Perth, AU @ The Capitol Theatre
Nov 06 -- St. Petersburg, RS @ Aurora Hall
Nov 07 -- Moscow, RS @ Glavclub
Nov 09 -- Belgrade, RS @ Dom Omladine Beograda
Nov 10 -- Frankfurt, DE @ Das Bett
Nov 12 -- Zurich, CH @ Mascotte
Nov 14 -- Paris, FR @ Bataclan
Nov 18 -- Madrid, ES @ La Riviera
Nov 19 -- Barcelona, ES @ Razzmataz
Nov 21 -- Rome, IT @ Orion Live Club
Nov 22 -- Milan, IT @ Fabrique
Nov 23 -- Munich, DE @ Ampere
Nov 24 -- Bochum, DE @ Christuskirche
Nov 26 -- Wroclaw, POL @ A2
Nov 27 -- Berlin, DE @ Columbia Theater
Nov 28 -- Hamburg, DE @ Knust
Dec 04 -- Manchester, UK @ O2 Ritz
Dec 05 -- Glasgow, UK @ SWG3
Dec 06 -- Northampton, UK @ Roadmender
Dec 08 -- Leeds, UK @ Leeds Beckett SU
Dec 09 -- London, UK @ O2 Forum Kentish Town
Dec 11 -- Copenhagen, DK @ Store Vega
Dec 12 -- Stockholm, SW @ Nalen
Dec 14 -- Athens, GR @ Gazi Music Hall
Dec 15 -- Thessaloniki, GR @ Principal Club Theater

Published July 27th, 2018

ohGr ft Skinny Puppy's Nivek Ogre team up with Lead Into Gold for North American tour

ohGr featuring Nivek Ogre of Skinny Puppy returned with an enchanting new album titled Tricks last month and now a North American tour in support of the record has been announced. The tour kicks off next month in San Diego and includes a Detroit area stop September 18th at Small's in Hamtramck. Tickets for the tour are on sale now.

Lead Into Gold, the awesome Wax Trax! project featuring Paul Barker will be opening for ohGr on the tour.



ohGr - North American tour

Aug 14 -- San Diego, CA @ House Of Blues
Aug 15 -- San Francisco, CA @ Slim's
Aug 17 -- Seattle, WA @ El Corazon
Aug 18 -- Portland, OR @ Hawthorne Theater
Aug 19 -- Vancouver, BC @ Red Room
Aug 21 -- Edmonton, AB @ Starlite
Aug 22 -- Calgary, AB @ Dickens
Aug 24 -- Salt Lake City, UT @ Metro
Aug 25 -- Denver, CO @ Oriental Theater
Aug 27 -- Dallas, TX @ Gas Monkey Bar & Grill
Aug 28 -- Austin, TX @ Barracuda
Aug 29 -- Houston, TX @ White Oak Music Hall
Aug 31 -- Tampa, FL @ Orpheum
Sep 01 -- West Palm Beach, FL @ Respectables
Sep 02 -- Orlando, FL @ Soundbar
Sep 05 -- Nashville, TN @ Mercy Lounge
Sep 07 -- Atlanta, GA @ Masquerade Hell
Sep 08 -- Carrboro, NC @ Cat's Cradle
Sep 09 -- Baltimore, MD @ Baltimore Soundstage
Sep 11 -- Philadelphia, PA @ Underground Arts
Sep 12 -- Boston, MA @ Brighton Music Hall
Sep 13 -- New York, NY @ Irving Plaza
Sep 15 -- Montreal, QC @ Les Foufounes Electriques
Sep 16 -- Toronto, ON @ Lee's Palace
Sep 18 -- Hamtramck, MI @ Smalls
Sep 19 -- Cleveland, OH @ Agora Ballroom
Sep 21 -- Chicago, IL @ Metro
Sep 22 -- St. Louis, MO @ Delmar Hall
Sep 25 -- Albuquerque, NM @ Launchpad
Sep 26 -- Phoenix, AZ @ Club Red
Sep 27 -- Los Angeles, CA @ 1720

Published July 27th, 2018

Yazoo (aka Yaz) announce 'Four Pieces' deluxe LP boxset + stream previously unreleased "Don't Go"

Iconic electro duo Yazoo (aka Yaz) featuring Alison Moyet and Vince Clarke have announced the release a 4 piece vinyl set Four Pieces - A Yazoo Compendium. The deluxe reissue boxset arrives on October 26th and includes the two studio albums Upstairs At Eric's and You and Me Both, along with the remix LP Eight Remixes, and a previously unreleased compilation collecting their BBC sessions.

All of the material has been remastered and pressed on heavyweight black 180 gm vinyl. Also included is four exclusive art prints, posters, and six pocket-sized photos. The boxset cover is white, soft-touch, matt laminate printed with silver foil on the front and back.

Pre-order Four Pieces here.  Stream the previously unreleased version of "Don't Go" taken from the band's 1982 BBC session and view the Four Pieces tracklisting below.

UPDATE (8/1/18:) Yazoo announced that due to an outpouring of requests from fans Four Pieces will also be released on CD format. The tracklisting will be identical to the vinyl edition, though they're still working out the packaging details, etc. Pre-order info for the CD release will be announced once everything is sorted.

LP1 – Upstairs At Eric's

Side A

1. Don’t Go
2. Too Pieces
3. Bad Connection
4. I Before E Except After C
5. Midnight
6. In My Room

Side B
1. Only You
2. Goodbye 70’s
3. Tuesday
4. Winter Kills
5. Bring Your Love Down (Didn’t I)

LP2 – You And Me Both

Side A

1. Nobody’s Diary
2. Softly Over
3. Sweet Thing
4. Mr Blue
5. Good Times

Side B

1. Walk Away from Love
2. Ode to Boy
3. Unmarked
4. Anyone
5. Happy People
6. And On

LP3 – Eight Remixes

Side A

1. Nobody’s Diary – Extended Version
2. Situation – Richard X Remix
3. Don’t Go – Remix
4. Only You – Orchestral Mix

Side B

1. Situation – The Aggressive Attitude Mix
2. Don’t Go – Tee’s TNT Radio Mix
3. State Farm – Madhouse Mix Edit
4. Winter Kills – Minute Taker Remix (Previously Unreleased)

LP4 – Two BBC Sessions

Side A

John Peel, June 1982

1. Don’t Go (Previously Unreleased)
2. Midnight (Previously Unreleased)
3. In My Room (Previously Unreleased)
4. Winter Kills (Previously Unreleased)

Side B

David Jensen, September 1982

1. Bring Your Love Down (Didn’t I)
2. In My Room
3. Situation (Previously Unreleased)
4. Too Pieces (Previously Unreleased)

The legendary John Lydon voicing animated Mutant Ninja Turtle villain

John Lydon's surly tones will be featured in Nickelodeon's animated series Rise Of The Mutant Ninja Turtles. Lydon himself announced the news on social media, revealing he'll be the villainous voice of Meat Sweats, a "power-hungry mutant pig" pictured below:

The season featuring Lydon debuts on September 22nd.

Watch a trailer for the new season below (video is forwarded to Lydon's character bellowing "unleash the flavor"). Read more about the series here.

Meanwhile Public Image Ltd released a boxset anthology The Public Image Is Rotten (Songs From The Heart) last week. A North American tour celebrating PiL's 40th anniversary kicks off in October.



Public Image Ltd - North American tour

Oct 09 -- New Orleans, LA @ The Civic Theatre
Oct 10 -- Atlanta, GA @ Variety Playhouse
Oct 12 -- Washington, DC @ Black Cat
Oct 13 -- Asbury Park, NJ @ Asbury Lanes
Oct 15 -- Brooklyn, NY @ Brooklyn Steel
Oct 16 -- Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer
Oct 18 -- Montreal, QC @ Club Soda
Oct 19 -- Toronto, ON @ Lee's Palace
Oct 21 -- Detroit, MI @ The Majestic
Oct 22 -- Chicago, IL @ Thalia Hall
Oct 24 -- Dallas, TX @ Granada Theatre
Oct 25 -- Austin, TX @ The Mohawk
Oct 28 -- Portland, OR @ Wonder Ballroom
Oct 29 -- Seattle, WA @ Showbox
Oct 31 -- San Francisco, CA @ The Chapel
Nov 01 -- San Francisco, CA @ The Chapel
Nov 03 -- Los Angeles, CA @ El Rey
Nov 06 -- Mexico City, MX @ Pepsi Centre

Published July 25th, 2018

Morrissey unearths another "lost" studio track

Morrissey unearthed a new "lost" studio track this week titled "Blue Dreamers Eyes." The video was created by Sam Esty Rayner (Mozzer's nephew) and includes footage captured at recent shows.

Earlier this year Morrissey posted the "lost" track titled "By The Time I Get To Wherever."

Morrissey released a new compilation This Is Morrissey earlier this month on CD. The album will be released on vinyl August 31st.





Published July 25th, 2018

Yaz teasing mysterious announcement

Yaz/Yazoo are teasing an announcement. The influential electro duo featuring Vince Clarke and Alison Moyet began posting cryptic images on social media this week with the words "four pieces" and the date October 26th, 2018.

While Yaz could be teasing a reunion, it seems highly likely the announcement will involve vinyl reissues. Mute has been on a tear reissuing vinyl releases lately -- next month sees the first two releases in the Depeche Mode vinyl singles collection; they've recently reissued Throbbing Gristle's and A Certain Ratio's back catalog on vinyl. Additionally, October 26th is a Friday (Fridays are universal record release days).

We shall see. Stay tuned.

pic.twitter.com/Z5ScDUML2U

— Yazoo/Yaz (Official) (@yazooinfo) July 25, 2018

pic.twitter.com/Jusd5IZGJI

— Yazoo/Yaz (Official) (@yazooinfo) July 25, 2018

pic.twitter.com/hzVfERsl99

— Yazoo/Yaz (Official) (@yazooinfo) July 24, 2018

Published July 25th, 2018

James premiere new track off forthcoming LP 'Living In Extraordinary Times'

James return with their 15th studio album Living In Extraordinary Times on August 3rd. To date they've issued three songs from the record, and now they've premiered another titled "Many Faces." The song received its live debut at shows last year, and the studio version is now available to stream. Check out "Many Faces" below along with the previously issued songs "Better Than That," "Hank," and "Coming Home (Pt 2)."

FYI: The version of "Many Faces" is the edited version. According to Tim Booth, the unedited version will be the "heart" of the new LP

Pre-order Living In Extraordinary Times here.









Published July 25th, 2018

Blur's Graham Coxon touring North America

Graham Coxon announced dates for his first ever North American solo tour. The Blur guitarist is performing 10 dates on the tour which includes a stop in Detroit September 20th at El Club. Tickets for the tour go on sale this Friday, July 27th.

Coxon's first original score -- composed for the Netflix series The End Of The F***ing World -- was released in January. His last solo album A & E was released in 2012.





Graham Coxon - North American tour

Sep 19 -- Toronto, ON @ Mod Club
Sep 20 -- Detroit, MI @ El Club
Sep 21 -- Chicago, IL @ Park West
Sep 23 -- Washington, DC @ Rock & Roll Hotel
Sep 24 -- New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom
Sep 25 -- Brooklyn, NY @ Elsewhere
Sep 26 -- Boston, MA @ Middle East - Downstairs
Sep 27 -- Philadelphia, PA @ Foundry
Sep 30 -- San Francisco, CA @ August Hall
Oct 01 -- Los Angeles, CA @ Lodge Room

Published July 25th, 2018

Classic Alternative - Episode #65: Perish

Presenting Classic Alternative - Episode #65: Perish

Rock it old school with a brand new episode of Time Warp. This week's show includes music from Aztec Camera, Pixies, New York Dolls, Joy Division, Big Black, Roxy Music, The Jesus & Mary Chain, Swervedriver, R.E.M., The Cure, and more.

Stream below or here and check out the full archive of Time Warp episodes here or here.


Classic Alternative stories from this week:
Kraftwerk perform "Spacelab" with astronaut in space
Video: Ron Asheton tribute ft Kim Gordon, J Mascis + more
Video: Peter Hook receives honorary degree + delivers commencement address
David Bowie boxset Loving The Alien (1983 - 1988) arrives in October
Violent Femmes announce tour; play Detroit

Kraftwerk play "Spacelab" with astronaut aboard International Space Station

Kraftwerk had a massive surprise for fans attending Friday's show at the Jazz Open Festival in Stuttgart, Germany. Before performing "Spacelab" the legendary band contacted astronaut Alexander Gerst live at the International Space Station. Then Kraftwerk and Gerst magically performed a special version of "Spacelab" together - Gerst played virtual synthesizers on a tablet.

Of course there's video of this historic event and you can watch it below courtesy of Kraftwerk and European Space Agency.



Published July 22nd, 2018

Video: Ron Asheton tribute ft Kim Gordon, J Mascis, Mike Watt + more

On July 17th, the day Ron Asheton would have turned 70 years old, the Blind Pig in Ann Arbor hosted a tribute concert for the late co-founder and guitarist of The Stooges. The tribute, which also doubled as a benefit for the Ron Asheton Foundation, included legendary artists Kim Gordon, J Mascis, Don Fleming, Mike Watt, Mark Arm, and more.

Check out some fan filmed video from the concert below:









Published July 22nd, 2018

Video: Peter Hook receives honorary degree + delivers inspirational speech

Peter Hook was presented an honorary degree during the graduation ceremony at the University of Salford today. The legendary bassist was recognized for his contribution to rock music, the history of rock music, and his connection with the city of Salford.

Prior to presenting Hooky with the honorary Doctor of Arts degree, the University gave a history of Hooky's extraordinary career and delivered glowing praise for Joy Division and the band's impact on the world. Moments later, Hooky took the podium to address the class of 2018. He told the story of how seeing the Sex Pistols inspired him to become a musician and delivered words of wisdom and inspiration to aspiring musicians: don't give up.

"Learning is the easy bit and getting out into the wide world and have everybody try and stop you doing what you're trying to do is the difficult bit. And you have to learn and you have to keep trying and people are always asking me, many many times I'm asked, "What's the advice you give to people who want to be a musician?" And there really is only one piece of advice that you can give - and that's to keep going.

And the thing is that as soon as you stop you sink, you're done. So you have to keep going. Now the thing is, in life, pretty self-explanatory, that's what you have to do anyway, you have to keep going. And sometimes it's difficult. And sometimes it's wonderful. And sometimes you make a mess of it for yourself, and sometimes other people do. But you learn from every occasion, and then you never know, you might end up like me...with three gigs this weekend. Who would have thought that that night at the Sex Pistols concert that I'd still be doing it and enjoying it."

Watch Peter Hook's graduation speech (first video) below. Aziz Ibrahim of The Stone Roses was also awarded an honorary degree - his speech is also available to view (second video) below:

💬 "I was less nervous than this when I headlined Glastonbury"

You're not going to want to miss honorary graduate @peterhook's speech at our @UoS_ArtsMedia #SalfordGrad18 ceremony today.https://t.co/HyS7vEMBru pic.twitter.com/5DLkarhowF

— University of Salford (@SalfordUni) July 19, 2018

Thanks to everybody and all the best of luck for the future. @peterhook @SalfordUniNews pic.twitter.com/a78E6IQj6S

— Peter Hook (@peterhook) July 19, 2018

Salford Uni presenting Doctorates for Salford’s Peter Hook (New Order) & Manchester’s Aziz Ibrahim (Simply Red) at the Lowry. pic.twitter.com/lfsXmiAiv5

— Councillor Stephen Coen (@StephenCoen) July 19, 2018

Published July 19th, 2018

David Bowie boxset 'Loving The Alien (1983 - 1988)' due in October

The fourth installment in the series celebrating David Bowie's incredible musical career will be released October 12th. David Bowie Loving The Alien (1983 - 1988) focuses on Bowie's most commercially successful era and will be available as an 11 CD boxset, 15 piece 180 gm vinyl set, and digital download.

Included are newly remastered versions of Let's Dance and Tonight; two versions of Never Let Me Down (remastered edition of the original 1987 release, plus 2018 edition featuring new production and instrumentation), live album Glass Spider, previously unreleased Serious Moonlight live album (captured in 1983), Dance (a collection of original remixes), and RE:CALL 4 which compiles non-album tracks, b-sides, alt versions, and more.

The CD and vinyl sets have the same audio content and both come with a book filled with previously unpublished photos, extensive liner notes, press reviews, commentary, and more. The book with the CD set is 128 pages; vinyl edition 84 pages.

Stream the 2018 version of "Zeroes" from the collection and view the tracklisting for David Bowie Loving The Alien (1983 - 1988) below. The full press release for the boxset is available to view here.



Let's Dance

Side 1

Modern Love
China Girl
Let’s Dance
Without You

Side 2

Ricochet
Criminal World
Cat People (Putting Out Fire)
Shake It

Serious Moonlight (Live, 1983)

Side 1

Look Back In Anger
“Heroes”
What In The World
Golden Years
Fashion
Let’s Dance

Side 2

Breaking Glass
Life On Mars?
Sorrow
Cat People (Putting Out Fire)
China Girl
Scary Monsters (And Super Creeps)
Rebel Rebel

Side 3

White Light/White Heat
Station To Station
Cracked Actor
Ashes To Ashes

Side 4

Space Oddity/Band Introduction
Young Americans
Fame
Modern Love

Tonight

Side 1

Loving The Alien
Don’t Look Down
God Only Knows
Tonight

Side 2

Neighborhood Threat
Blue Jean
Tumble And Twirl
I Keep Forgettin’
Dancing With The Big Boys

Never Let Me Down

Side 1

Day-In Day-Out
Time Will Crawl
Beat Of Your Drum
Never Let Me Down
Zeroes

Side 2

Glass Spider
Shining Star (Makin’ My Love)
New York’s In Love
’87 And Cry
Bang

Never Let Me Down (2018)

Side 1

Day-In Day-Out
Time Will Crawl
Beat Of Your Drum

Side 2

Never Let Me Down
Zeroes
Glass Spider

Side 3

Shining Star (Makin’ My Love) (ft Laurie Anderson)
New York’s In Love
87 & Cry
Bang Bang

Side 4

David Bowie 1987 logo etching

Glass Spider (Live, Montreal 1987)

Side 1

Up The Hill Backwards
Glass Spider
Day-In Day-Out
Bang Bang

Side 2

Absolute Beginners
Loving The Alien
China Girl
Rebel Rebel

Side 3

Fashion
Scary Monsters (And Super Creeps)
All The Mad Men
Never Let Me Down

Side 4

Big Brother
‘87 And Cry
“Heroes”
Sons Of The Silent Age
Time Will Crawl / Band Introduction

Side 5

Young Americans
Beat Of Your Drum
The Jean Genie
Let’s Dance

Side 6

Fame
Time
Blue Jean
Modern Love

DANCE

Side 1

1. Shake It (Re-mix aka Long Version)
2. Blue Jean (Extended Dance Mix)
3. Dancing With The Big Boys (Extended Dance Mix)

Side 2

1. Tonight (Vocal Dance Mix)
2. Don't Look Down (Extended Dance Mix)
3. Loving The Alien (Extended Dub Mix)

Side 3

1. Tumble And Twirl (Extended Dance Mix)
2. Underground (Extended Dance Mix)
3. Day-In Day-Out (Groucho Mix)

Side 4

1. Time Will Crawl (Dance Crew Mix)
2. Shining Star (Makin’ My Love) (12” mix)
3. Never Let Me Down (Dub/Acapella)

RE:CALL 4

Side 1

1. Let's Dance (single version)
2. China Girl (single version)
3. Modern Love (single version)
4. This Is Not America (The theme from ‘The Falcon And The Snowman’) - David Bowie / Pat Metheny Group
5. Loving The Alien (re-mixed version)

Side 2

1. Don't Look Down (re-mixed version)
2. Dancing In The Street (Clearmountain mix) - David Bowie and Mick Jagger
3. Absolute Beginners (from Absolute Beginners)
4. That’s Motivation (from Absolute Beginners)
5. Volare (from Absolute Beginners)

Side 3

1. Labyrinth Opening Titles/Underground (from Labyrinth)
2. Magic Dance (from Labyrinth)
3. As The World Falls Down (from Labyrinth)
4. Within You (from Labyrinth)
5. Underground (from Labyrinth)

Side 4

1. When The Wind Blows (single version) (from When The Wind Blows)
2. Day-In Day-Out (single version)
3. Julie
4. Beat Of Your Drum (vinyl album edit)
5. Glass Spider (vinyl album edit)

Side 5

1. Shining Star (Makin’ My Love) (vinyl album edit)
2. New York’s In Love (vinyl album edit)
3. ‘87 And Cry (vinyl album edit)
4. Bang Bang (vinyl album edit)
5. Time Will Crawl (single version)

Side 6

1. Girls (extended edit)
2. Never Let Me Down (7” remix edit)
3. Bang Bang (live - promotional mix)
4. Tonight (live) Tina Turner with David Bowie
5. Let's Dance (live) Tina Turner with David Bowie

Published July 17th, 2018

Brett Anderson's memoir 'Coal Black Mornings' set for North American release

Brett Anderson of Suede released his memoir Coal Black Mornings earlier this year in the U.K. Today Anderson announced the book will be published in North America on October 2nd. Pre-order the book here or here.

The 224 page hardcover book chronicles Anderson's childhood and formative years through early adulthood and beginnings of Suede. Read more about Coal Black Mornings here.

Meanwhile Suede return with The Blue Room, their eighth studio album and the third and final part of the triptych of albums they've recorded and released since reforming in 2013. The record has been described by the band as "dark and troubling," "diverse" and "complicated" album and a "genuinely progressive, expansive and definitive body of work." Check out the pre-order options here and stream two songs from the album below:





Published July 17th, 2018

Violent Femmes announce tour; play Detroit

Violent Femmes announced a handful of North American dates taking place this autumn. The tour kicks off in late October and includes a Detroit stop at the Majestic Theatre on November 3rd. Tickets for the show go on sale Thursday, July 19th at 1pm.

Violent Femmes are currently on tour with Echo & The Bunnymen. The co-headline tour wraps up next week.

Violent Femmes - tour

Jul 17 -- Nashville, TN @ Ryman Auditorium
Jul 18 -- State Bank Amphitheater @ Atlanta, GA
Jul 20 -- Lake Buena Vista, FL @ House of Blues
Jul 21 -- St. Augustine, FL @ Saint Augustine Amphitheatre
Jul 23 -- Richmond, VA @ The National
Jul 24 -- Norfolk, VA @ Norva
Jul 25 -- Washington, DC @ The Anthem
Oct 26 -- Pittsburgh, PA @ Mr Smalls
Oct 27 -- Philadelphia, PA @ Harrah's Philadelphia
Oct 28 -- Brooklyn, NY @ Brooklyn Steel
Oct 30 -- Boston, MA @ The Royale
Oct 31 -- Montreal, QC @ MTELUS
Nov 02 -- Toronto, ON @ Queen Elizabeth Theatre
Nov 03 -- Detroit, MI @ Majestic Theatre
Nov 04 -- Chicago, IL @ The Vic

Published July 17th, 2018

Classic Alternative - Episode #64: Unearthing The Copper Fang

Presenting Classic Alternative - Episode #64: Unearthing The Copper Fang

Rock it old school with a brand new episode of Time Warp. This week's show includes music from Siouxsie & The Banshees, The House Of Love, Concrete Blonde, Front 242, Killing Joke, Love Battery, The Jam, Love And Rockets, R.E.M., The Cure, and more.

Stream below or here and check out the full archive of Time Warp episodes here or here.


Classic Alternative stories from this week:

Born on this day: The legendary and brilliant Ian Curtis
Suede premiere new single from The Blue Hour
Ramones announce 40th anniversary Road To Ruin collection
Soft Cell say hello wave goodbye with massive career-spanning set
The Cure's Hyde Park show
Johnny Marr calls out ex-bandmates + Classically Smiths production
Public Image Ltd announce North American tour
Peter Hook receiving honorary doctorate + auctioning off personal Joy Division items

Born on this day: Ian Curtis

Ian Curtis would have turned 62 years old today - the Joy Division legend was born on this day in 1956. Though he was here only a short time, Curtis shared his brilliance and magic with the world, and his legacy lives on. So tragic to think that he never knew the massive impact and crucial role he played in influencing music culture. Such a talent. Such a legend. R.I.P.

Be sure to keep Curtis in your thoughts today.









Published July 15th, 2018

Soft Cell massive career-spaning set 'Keychains & Snowstorms - The Soft Cell Story'

Soft Cell announced a massive career-spanning anthology. Keychains And Snowstorms - The Soft Cell Story features 130 tracks and 12 hours of music spread across 9 discs. The collection covers their history from 1978 - 1984 as well as their reunion in 2003 and includes hits, live cuts, 12" mixes, demos, covers, and a complete concert captured in 1981.

Keychains And Snowstorms - The Soft Cell Story will be released September 7th in the U.K. and is available to pre-order here. View the tracklisting below.

In February Soft Cell announced they'd reform to perform one final show to say goodbye to fans. The show takes place September 30th at the O2 Arena in London.

Disc: 1

01. Tainted Love/Where Did Our Love Go?
02. Bedsitter
03. Say Hello, Wave Goodbye
04. Torch
05. What
06. Where The Heart Is
07. Numbers
08. Soul Inside
09. Down In The Subway

Disc: 2

01. Tainted Dub/Where Did Our Love Go?
02. Facility Girls (12" Version)
03. Fun City
04. Insecure Me (12" Version)
05. So (12" Version)
06. It's A Mug's Game (12" Version)
07. Barriers (12" Version)
08. You Only Live Twice (12" Version)
09. Her Imagination
10. 007 Theme
11. Disease & Desire
12. Born To Lose

Disc: 3

01. Say Hello, Wave Goodbye (Dave Ball Lateral Mix)
02. Youth (Dave Ball Wasted On The Young Mix)
03. Secret Life (Extended Mix)
04. Chips On My Shoulder (Extended Mix)
05. Facility Girls (2018 Mix)
06. Heat (Alternative Version)
07. Kitchen Sink Drama (Extended Mix)
08. The Art Of Falling Apart (Extended Mix)
09. Martin (Dave Ball Hallowe'en Mix)
10. Barriers (Dave Ball Broken Down Angels Mix)
11. Meet Murder, My Angel (Extended Mix)
12. Slave To This (Life Of Existence Mix)

Disc: 4

01. The Girl With The Patent Leather Face (Original Version)
02. A Man Could Get Lost (Daniel Miller Vocal Edit)
03. Memorabilia (Non - Stop Ecstatic Dancing Version)
04. Forever The Same (Unreleased Extended Version)
05. Heat (US 7" Version)
06. Loving You, Hating Me (Special USA Mix)
07. Martin
08. Hendrix Medley (Hey Joe, Purple Haze, Voodoo Chile)
09. Numbers (7" DJ Version)
10. Down In The Subway (7" Remix Version)
11. L'Esqualita (7" Version)
12. Soul Inside (Demo)
13. So (Dave Ball Demo Outtake)

Disc: 5

01. Memorabilia (Original Daniel Miller Mix)
02. Persuasion (Original Daniel Miller Mix)
03. Metro MRX (Flexipop Version)
04. A Man Could Get Lost (Daniel Miller Demo)
05. The Girl With The Patent Leather Face (Demo)
06. Tainted Love (Demo)
07. Bedsitter (Demo)
08. Potential (From Mutant Moments EP)
09. L.O.V.E Feelings (From Mutant Moments EP)
10. Metro MRX (From Mutant Moments EP)
11. Frustration (From Mutant Moments EP)
12. Red Tape, Sticky Tape (Demo - Previously Unreleased)
13. Martin (Original 1980 Demo)
14. Paranoid (Black Sabbath Cover)
15. Science Fiction Stories (Demo)
16. Bleak Is My Favourite Cliché (Demo)
17. Cleaning Fanatic (Demo)
18. Mix (Demo)
19. A Man Could Get Lost (Early Version)
20. Walking Make Up Counter (Live at Leeds Polytechnic, December 1979)
21. Occupational Hazard (Live at Leeds Polytechnic, December 1979)
22. Persuasion (Live at Leeds Polytechnic, December 1979)
23. Dave's Theme (Previously Unreleased Demo)

Disc: 6

01. Entertain Me (Richard Skinner Radio 1 Session)
02. Seedy Films (Richard Skinner Radio 1 Session)
03. Chips On My Shoulder (Richard Skinner BBC Radio 1 Session)
04. Youth (BBC Whistle Test)
05. Sex Dwarf (BBC Whistle Test)
06. Soul Inside (David Jensen BBC Radio 1 Session)
07. Where Was Your Heart (When You Needed It Most)? (David Jensen BBC Radio 1 Session)
08. God Shaped Hole (Remix)
09. Divided Soul (Hooker Mix)
10. Somebody, Somewhere, Sometime
11. Monoculture (Dave Ball Extended Version)
12. The Night
13. Darker Times
14. Last Chance
15. Together Alone
16. Caligula Syndrome
17. Desperate

Disc: 7

01. Non - Stop Euphoric Dubbing (Continuous Mix)
02. Bedsitter (Erasure Remix)
03. Where The Heart Is (The Grid Remix : 2018 Re - Edit)
04. So (The Grid Remix)

Disc: 8

01. Mr Self Destruct
02. Soul Inside
03. Forever The Same
04. Insecure Me
05. L'Esqualita
06. Loving You, Hating Me
07. Torch
08. Youth
09. Disease & Desire
10. Where Was Your Heart (When You Needed It Most)?
11. Baby Doll
12. Martin
13. The Art Of Falling Apart

Disc: 9

01. Hey Joe/Purple Haze
02. Memorabilia
03. Heat
04. Ghost Rider (with Clint Ruin)
05. Say Hello, Wave Goodbye
06. Numbers (Live)
07. It's A Mug's Game (Live)
08. The Best Way To Kill (Live)
09. Down In The Subway (Live)
10. Barriers (Live)
11. Tainted Love Where Did Our Love Go? (Live)
12. Sex Dwarf (Live)
13. Surrender (To A Stranger) (Live)

Published July 15th, 2018

Suede unleash second glorious song from 'The Blue Hour'

Suede return with their highly anticipated new album The Blue Hour on September 21st. The band previously issued the majestic first track "The Invisibles" and today they've unleashed another killer new song titled "Don't Be Afraid If Nobody Loves You." Stream below:

The Blue Hour is Suede's eighth studio album and the third and final part of the triptych of albums they've recorded and released since reforming in 2013. The record has been described by the band as "dark and troubling," "diverse" and "complicated" album and a "genuinely progressive, expansive and definitive body of work." Check out the pre-order options here.



Published July 13th, 2018

Ramones announce 40th anniversary 'Road To Ruin' collection

Ramones announced the latest installment in their 40th anniversary reissue series. Road To Ruin,  which was originally released September 22nd, 1978  will be reissued as a 40th anniversary deluxe edition this September 21st. The reissue will be available as a 3CD / 1LP box including 2 different mixes of the album, previously unreleased rough mixes of every album track, and an unreleased concert captured December 31st, 1979 at the Palladium in New York City.

The limited edition box set comes packaged inside a 12 x 12 hardcover book and is limited to 7500 copies worldwide. A newly remastered single CD edition of the original album is also set for release on September 21st. Pre-order here.

Stream the basic rough mix of "I Wanna Be Sedated Take 2" from the collection and view the tracklisting below.



Disc One - Original Mix remastered

01. I Just Want To Have Something To Do
02. I Wanted Everything
03. Don't Come Close
04. I Don't Want You
05. Needles And Pins
06. I'm Against It
07. I Wanna Be Sedated
08. Go Mental
09. Questioningly
10. She's The One
11. Bad Brain
12. It's A Long Way Back

40th Anniversary Road Revisited mix

13. I Just Want To Have Something To Do
14. I Wanted Everything
15. Don't Come Close
16. I Don't Want You
17. Needles And Pins
18. I'm Against It
19. I Wanna Be Sedated
20. Go Mental
21. Questioningly
22. She's The One
23. Bad Brain
24. It's A Long Way Back

Disc Two: Rough Mixes & 40th Anniversary Extras

01. I Walk Out (2018 mix)
02. S.L.U.G. (2018 mix)
03. Don't Come Close (single mix)
04. Needles And Pins (single mix)
05. I Just Want To Have Something To Do (basic rough mix)
06. I Don't Want You (basic rough mix)
07. I'm Against It (basic rough mix)
08. It's A Long Way Back (basic rough mix)
09. I Walk Out (basic rough mix)
10. Bad Brain (basic rough mix)
11. Needles And Pins (basic rough mix)
12. I Wanna Be Sedated (take 2, basic rough mix)
13. I Wanted Everything (basic rough mix)
14. Go Mental (basic rough mix)
15. She's The One (basic rough mix)
16. Questioningly (take 2, basic rough mix)
17. S.L.U.G. (basic rough mix)
18. Don't Come Close (basic rough mix)
19. I Wanna Be Sedated (backing track)
20. I Don't Want You (brit pop mix)
21. Questioningly (acoustic version)
22. Needles And Pins (acoustic version)
23. Don't Come Close (acoustic version)
24. I Wanna Be Sedated (ramones on 45 mega mix)

Disc Three: Live At The Palladium, NY 12/31/79

01. Blitzkrieg Bop
02. Teenage Lobotomy
03. Rockaway Beach
04. I Don't Want You
05. Go Mental
06. Gimme Gimme Shock Treatment
07. I Wanna Be Sedated
08. I Just Want To Have Something To Do
09. She's The One
10. This Ain't Havana
11. I'm Against It
12. Sheena Is A Punk Rocker
13. Havana Affair
14. Commando
15. Needles And Pins
16. I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend
17. Surfin' Bird
18. Cretin Hop
19. All The Way
20. Judy Is A Punk
21. California Sun
22. I Don't Wanna Walk Around With You
23. Today Your Love, Tomorrow The World
24. Pinhead
25. Do You Wanna Dance
26. Suzy Is A Headbanger
27. Let's Dance
28. Chinese Rock
29. Beat On The Brat
30. We're A Happy Family
31. Bad Brain
32. I Wanted Everything

LP - 40th Anniversary Road Revisited Mix

Side One

I Just Want To Have Something To Do
I Wanted Everything
Don't Come Close
I Don't Want You
Needles And Pins
I'm Against It

Side Two

I Wanna Be Sedated
Go Mental
Questioningly
She's The One
Bad Brain
It's A Long Way Back

Published July 13th, 2018

The Cure's Hyde Park concert

The Cure celebrated their 40th anniversary Saturday night in London's Hyde Park. Ride, Slowdive, The Twilight Sad, and Interpol were among the bands also playing the daylong festival, but obviously the main attraction was Robert Smith and The Cure. View The Cure's full set (set and encore) from Saturday's anniversary gig below.

UPDATE: Full video has been removed, however audio is available to stream

Today marks the 40th anniversary of The Cure. Their first show ever (aka Mourning The Departed) took place at The Rocket in Crawley July 9th, 1978.



Plainsong
Pictures Of You
High
A Night Like This
The Walk
The End Of The World
Lovesong
Push
In Between Days
Just Like Heaven
If Only Tonight We Could Sleep
Play For Today
A Forest
Shake Dog Shake
Burn
Fascination Street
Never Enough
From The Edge Of The Deep Green Sea
Disintegration
Lullaby
The Caterpillar
Friday I'm In Love
Close To Me
Why Can't I Be You?
Boys Don't Cry
Jumping Someone Else's Train
Grinding Halt
10:15 Saturday Night
Killing An Arab

Published July 9th, 2018

Johnny Marr calls out ex-Smiths bandmates + Classically Smiths production

Johnny Marr released his new album Call The Comet last month and has been doing press in support of the record. During a recent interview with Mojo magazine, Marr was asked to comment on the Classically Smiths concerts that were originally being staged by former members of The Smiths. Marr pulled no punches -- he called out Mike Joyce, Andy Rourke, and Craig Gannon, and slammed the production as a money grab:

“What a farce. That was so obviously about money. The legacy was being plundered. I wasn’t consulted and that tells you all you need to know.”

“It felt like being burgled by someone you used to know. It’s a good job those guys weren’t running the band when we were actually together, else we would never have been able to get one concert together.”

The Classically Smiths production was going to feature Joyce, Rourke, and Gannon playing iconic Smiths classics, backed by the Manchester Camerata Orchestra this summer in the U.K., however the production imploded only days after its announcement in January. They began teasing the event on January 19th, officially announced the Classically Smiths gigs January 22nd, and called it all off January 23rd.

Published July 9th, 2018

Peter Hook receiving honorary doctorate + auctioning off personal Joy Division items

A selection of items from Peter Hook's personal archive will be auctioned off in December. Peter Hook: Joy Division Signature Collection includes vintage equipment, demos, pictures, posters, and more. The auction will be held December 8th at 1pm (GMT) through U.K. based Omega Auctions, one of the world's leading auction houses for vinyl and music memorabilia.

Those interested can register here to participate in the auction. More details regarding the specific pieces and the auction itself will be announced in the weeks to come. View the IG post announcing the auction below.

Meanwhile, the bass legend will be awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Salford at the institution's graduation ceremony next Thursday, July 19th. Hooky will be recognized for his influence on pop culture and important contribution to "rock music and the history of rock music, after writing three well received books about his life, The Haçienda nightclub and the bands in which he has played." Read more about the event here.

Ok - so here's the big news. On December 8th 2018 we'll be auctioning the Peter Hook: Joy Division Signature Collection. As you'd expect, there is a frankly stupendous amount of treasures from Hooky's personal archive to include demo recordings, posters, equipment, pictures, artifacts from Joy Division history and so much more. We'll be talking through the catalogue in greater detail in coming months but for now here's a sneak peek. #PeterHook #JoyDivision #AnIdealForLiving #NewOrder #Fac251 #Hacienda #Manchester #ManchesterMusic #musichistory #musicmemorabilia #auction #musicauction #musicposter #music #musiclovers #manchesterhistory #salford

A post shared by Omega Auctions (@omega_auctions) on Jul 8, 2018 at 11:10am PDT

Published July 9th, 2018

PiL announce North American tour

Public Image Ltd announced a North American leg of tour dates celebrating their 40th anniversary. The Public Image Is Rotten tour kicks off October 9th in New Orleans and includes a Detroit area date October 21st at The Majestic. Tickets for all of the shows announced today go on sale this Friday, July 13th.

Meanwhile, the band's career-spanning boxset The Public Image Is Rotten (Songs From The Heart) featuring PiL's singles, b-sides, live material, unreleased mixes and more and will be available as a 5CD/2DVD box or 6LP box. Both formats will be released July 20th and are available to pre-order here.

Theatrical screenings for PiL's documentary The Public Image Is Rotten will be announced in the weeks to come. The feature length documentary tells the story of PiL and was directed by Tabbert Fiiller. The film premiered last year and has already been screened in the U.K. and Europe. North American screenings are being organized for the fall.

Public Image Ltd - North American tour

Oct 09 -- New Orleans, LA @ The Civic Theatre
Oct 10 -- Atlanta, GA @ Variety Playhouse
Oct 12 -- Washington, DC @ Black Cat
Oct 13 -- Asbury Park, NJ @ Asbury Lanes
Oct 15 -- Brooklyn, NY @ Brooklyn Steel
Oct 16 -- Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer
Oct 18 -- Montreal, QC @ Club Soda
Oct 19 -- Toronto, ON @ Lee's Palace
Oct 21 -- Detroit, MI @ The Majestic
Oct 22 -- Chicago, IL @ Thalia Hall
Oct 24 -- Dallas, TX @ Granada Theatre
Oct 25 -- Austin, TX @ The Mohawk
Oct 28 -- Portland, OR @ Wonder Ballroom
Oct 29 -- Seattle, WA @ Showbox
Oct 31 -- San Francisco, CA @ The Chapel
Nov 01 -- San Francisco, CA @ The Chapel
Nov 03 -- Los Angeles, CA @ El Rey
Nov 06 -- Mexico City, MX @ Pepsi Centre

Published July 9th, 2018

Classic Alternative - Episode #63: Shifty

Presenting Classic Alternative - Episode #63: Shifty

Rock it old school with a brand new episode of Time Warp. This week's show includes music from Siouxsie & The Banshees, Buzzcocks, INXS, Suede, Catherine Wheel, Elvis Costello, The Sisters Of Mercy, Pixies, R.E.M., The Cure, and more.

Stream below or here and check out the full archive of Time Warp episodes here or here.