Pop enigmaBoy Georgejust handed over a religious artifact -- a prized treasure of his personal collection -- to its rightful owner. Upon learning that the Christ icon was actually stolen from the Church of Cyprus, George gracefully returned the artifact. It had been in his possession for more than 26 years.
According to a report byNME, theCulture Clubsinger bought the item from a London art dealer in 1985, unaware of its origins. The icon rightfully belongs to the Church of Cyprus, in the Cypriot village of New Choria-Kythrea, who gave evidence to George proving its ownership. The artifact, along with thousands of other religious items, were stolen from northern Cyprus following the 1974 Turkish invasion.
"I have always been a friend of Cyprus and have looked after the icon for 26 years,"George toldBBC Newson Wednesday."I look forward to seeing the icon on display in Cyprus for the moment and finally to the Church of Saint Charalambos from where it was illegally stolen."
Atta boy, George.
Watch Culture Club's 'Do You Really Want to Hurt Me' Video
After apparently turning her back on performing music,Lily Allenis now said to be indulging in a new behind-the-scenes role after forming her own record label.
The singer is reported to have been pledged a£100,000 (£156,000) salary after Sony won the rights to become backers to her label In The Name Of.
The Sunreports that she has already snapped up American band Cults under the noses of other interested labels -- her quest aided by adding an A&R man to her ranks from umbrella label Sony.
In addition to reportedly forming her own label, Allen is running a London clothes shop and also spending time correcting journalists on Twitter, as previously reported byAOL Music. Allen lashed out at Mail on Sunday reporter Katie Nicholl last year after writing erroneously about her private life, claiming that Allen and partner Sam Cooper were to become married at New Year.
As reported byAOL Music, Lily Allen's half-sister had been quoted as claming Allen would be trying for another baby in 2011 after suffering a miscarriage in October last year.
Less than a week after plans for an officialGrateful Deadvideo gamewere announced, the iconic jam band has divulged plans for a 60-plus-CD box set. Available for preorder now through theDead's website, the release will reportedly cost more than $400 when it hits the market next fall.
"We were hot,"guitaristBob WeirtoldRolling Stoneof the 1972 European shows that comprise the sprawling project. Chronicling the band's first-ever overseas trek, Weir said the band's gigs in England, Germany, France, Denmark and Holland were significant because they were"a challenge for us, playing for people not familiar with what we were up to. But we were ready for fresh ears."
Boasting a staggering 22 shows culled from the Dead's archives, the still-untitled, comprehensive project builds on the band's beloved three-album offering 'Europe '72,' which was originally released in November of that year. The forthcoming limited-edition set, which producer David Lemieux is currently mixing and mastering, will boast the kind of onstage explorations that made the Grateful Dead pioneers of the jam band movement.
"Someone would catch fire, and that would spread,"Weir said of the tour, the Dead's first with pianist Keith Godchaux and its last with Ronald"Pigpen"McKernan."I'd catch a riff everyone coalesced around. Then someone else would come up with something that took us another way. It was a collective flash -- time to move on."
The Grateful Dead are also considering similar treatments of their fall 1973 and spring 1990 treks."If we can find an era like this, with a story line and development -- and I have a feeling there is -- there would be merit in doing this again,"Weir said.
The Grateful Dead Perform 'Ramble on Rose' in 1972
He's one of the most famous lyricists in rock history - nowBob Dylanhas signed a deal to write six more books for his publisherSimon And Schuster, including two autobiographical follow-ups to 2004's 'Chronicles: Volume One,' the highly-praised memoir of the star's early years.
Although there's no hint yet as to when anything will hit the shops, fans are hoping a tome isn't far off, as the publishers revealed in 2008 that Dylan had begun work on the next book.
Waterstone's spokesperson Jon Howells told theGuardian newspaperthat it was"hugely exciting for any Bob Dylan fan and for any aficionado of rock history"to hear that two more volumes of memoirs were on the way.
Howells continued,"Chronicles set a new standard in what people expected from a rock'n'roll autobiography, and was a revelation.
"No one expected him to be so open, and the writing was completely in his voice, and essential reading. Another volume is great, two more is fabulous news."
Another book in the new deal is said to be a collection of Dylan's musings from his Theme Time Radio Hour show he presents on the Sirius XM satellite channel, which is broadcast in the UK on BBC 6Music, but there's been no confirmation as yet.
The critically-hailed 'Chronicles' become a major hit, spending 19 weeks on theNew York Timesbestseller list.
Previously, Simon& Schuster spokeswoman Hannah Corbett had said the star had been"very hard to pin down"on how many books he had wanted to write as their arrangement with him had been made on"shifting sands."
If you're going to celebrate a momentous event then you might as well celebrate it in style.Keith Richards' birthday parties have been known to go on for days but for the reunitedPixies, the festivities for their seminal 1989 album, 'Doolittle,' are set to continue well into 201i. The band are to head out to Canada and selected American dates to play the album in full.
And why not? Pixies have already taken the 'Doolittle' show across the globe and though the band are continually adding to their live gig free download archive on theirwebsite, there really is no substitute for catching the band's quiet-loud-quiet dynamic in the flesh.
The tour kicks off in Nova Scotia on Apr. 9 before winding up in Vancouver on May 9.
Pixies play:
Apr. 9 Metro Centre -- Halifax, Nova Scotia Apr. 10 Centre Casino Moncton -- Moncton, New Brunswick Apr. 12 Salle Albert-Rousseau -- Quebec City, Quebec Apr. 13 Metropolis -- Montreal, Quebec Apr. 16 Civic Centre -- Ottawa, Ontario Apr. 17 The Center in the Square -- Kitchener, Ontario Apr. 18 Massey Hall --Toronto, Ontario Apr. 20 Wentworth Room --Hamilton, Ontario Apr. 22 Fox Theatre -- Detroit, MI Apr. 23 Eagles Ballroom --Milwaukee, WI Apr. 24 Roy Wilkins Auditorium -- St. Paul, MN Apr. 27 Centennial Concert Hall -- Winnipeg, Manitoba Apr. 29 TCU Place -- Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Apr. 30 Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium -- Calgary, Alberta May 1 Shaw Conference Center -- Edmonton, Alberta May 3 Orpheum Theatre -- Vancouver, British Columbia
Suedewill play their first three albums in full at consecutive London gigs and re-release re-mastered versions of all five studio LPs later this year, it has been announced.
In a statement released to Spinner, the band revealed that they will perform their self-titled debut at London's Brixton Academy on May 19, 'Dog Man Star' on May 20 and 'Coming Up' on May 21.
Brett Anderson, Mat Osman, Simon Gilbert, Richard Oakes and Neil Codling will then release these albums -- plus 'Head Music' and 'A New Morning' -- on Demon Records in June.
A spokesman told Spinner that the indie rockers had been working on the re-packaged releases with former guitaristBernard Butlerand that there would be bonus audio and visual content, including previously unreleased material and unseen footage.
Anderson said in a statement,"This is the definitive collection of pretty much everything we released in 14 years together -- and some stuff which we didn't.
"It's all re-mastered and includes unreleased, never-before-heard oddities and gems which even I'd forgotten about. It's the complete audio history of a band and, like any band of interest, it's flawed, strange and sometimes beautiful."
Suede, whose sold out performance in December 2010 at London's 02 Arena garnered an ecstatic response from fans and critics, have also been confirmed for the SOS 4.8 Festival in Murcia, Spain, alongsideWhite Lies,Everything EverythingandTwo Door Cinema Club. It takes place on Apr. 30 and May 1.
Tickets for the London shows meanwhile go on sale on Friday, Jan. 28 at 9AM.
Canadian radio listeners may hearDire Straits' controversial 'Money for Nothing' blasting across the airways once again if the nation's broadcast regulator overturns the recent decision to ban the English rockers' classic hit.
According to the CRTC, they have received more than 250 letters since the ban was announced on Jan. 12, and today, in a letter sent to the Canadian Broadcast Standards Council today, urged the CBCS to reconsider blacklisting the 1985 Grammy-winning track.
"Given the exceptional nature of this situation, the Commission has asked the CBSC to appoint a panel with a national composition to review the complaints,"wrote CRTC Secretary General Robert Morin, who asked that the age and origin of 'Money for Nothing,' as well as its intended message, be considered in the evaluation.
As Spinner previouslyreported, the song -- a staple on rock radio and classic rock stations for more than 25 years -- was deemed by the CBSC to violate the Canadian Association of Broadcasters' Code of Ethics and Equitable Portrayal Code because of its inclusion of the word"faggot."Last February, a listener filed a complaint after hearing the unedited, unabridged version on Newfoundland radio station CHOZ-FM.
Watch Dire Straits Perform 'Money for Nothing' Live
In the letter, Morin noted the level of public outrage over the ruling and expressed concern that there was confusion"that it was the Commission, and not the CBSC, that determined that the version of the Dire Straits song containing the contested derogatory word was inappropriate for radio airplay.
"The volume of letters and perceived overlap of responsibilities between the commission and the CBSC has created uncertainty for the public and for radio stations requiring information on the continued appropriateness of playing that version of the song."
In the wake of the Jan. 12 announcement, Dire Straits and their fans have been up in arms over the ban, with keyboardist Guy Fletcher taking to his website to call the ruling"unbelievable"and"a waste of paper."
These days, Toronto'sRural Alberta Advantageare content with their configuration, but there was a time when they worried they were undercutting their sound by forgoing a bass player.
"When we first started recording it was hard for people to understand: 'Nope, there's just three of us. Nope, there's no bass,'"singer-keyboardist Amy Cole tells Spinner."The difference between then and now is that now we know what we want to be doing, whether it's the right thing or not."
Given the explosive response to their 2008 debut, 'Hometowns,' and the subsequent fanfare surrounding their forthcoming release, 'Departing,' anyone taking shots at the band because of their cozy lineup doesn't have the most compelling case.
"The last couple years of playing so many shows in front of different people and seeing their response has helped with confidence,"says frontman Nils Edenloff, who's happy to be heading back out on the road in March touring across North America in support of the new record."It's like, 'Oh, we weren't doing something weird. It might have been a little different, but we were on the right track.'"
Watch Rural Alberta Advantage's Video for 'Drain the Blood
"It's hard to stick to your stuff when people are asking, 'Why aren't there X, Y, or Z?'"adds Cole."But it's exciting that we stuck to our guns and now we have a new record."
And it's a record that fans have been clamouring for ever since lead single 'Stamp' was unveiled in December. Bouncing between sentimental tunes like 'North Star' and 'Coldest Days' -- both mirror the pretty, introspective lullabies heard on 'Hometowns' -- and lively barn-burners such as 'Muscle Relaxants' and 'Tornado '87,' the LP, which stands as a companion to their debut, proves once and for all that Rural Alberta Advantage have no need to add to their ranks.
TheLow Anthem's second album, 'Smart Flesh,' isn't due out until Feb. 22, but the young Americana band have lined up several prestigious performances during the month of January to promote their forthcoming release. This weekend, the Rhode Island-based outfit has two shows as part of an ASCAP showcase at this year's Sundance Film festival in Ogden, Utah.
"I don't really know what I'm doing there, but I'm really pleased we're going,"singer and founderBen Knox Millertells Spinner."I've always been curious about Sundance."
Miller doesn't count himself a film buff, but he's eager to take in some previews."I sent a couple of emails to different friends who work in the film business. I want some recommendations because that world is wide open to me. I have no knowledge of what's going on."
And will Miller be partaking in the notorious Sundance parties?"Except it's in Utah and the beer is 3.5 alcohol {by volume} by legal limits,"he says."At least, whenever we've been through there it's been pretty sad."
So is he a man who likes a good beer?"Yes I do,"Miller admits.
Following the two Sundance spots, the band heads to Los Angeles for a sold-out show withIron and Wineat The Wiltern on Jan. 26. The two bands launch a full tour together when Feb. 24 hits. The Low Anthem also notched up a notable sold-out performance as part of the prestigious American Songbook series at the Lincoln Center's Allen Room on Jan. 13."It seems like they're trying to capture the trajectory of songwriting in America,"Miller continues."That's very flattering to be included in a category such as this."
And there was also the band's spot on 'Late Show with David Letterman.'"I'm not sure how these things are organized,"Miller says of his busy pre-album schedule, which includes a solo show in Glasgow, U.K. on Jan. 21."But it's probably just down to when the bookings came up. I'm not sure these were too planned out."Besides, Dave calls and you go, right?"Yeah,"Miller laughs."A spot probably opened up."
Sad news --Sound Tribe Sector 9bassist David Murphy has been diagnosed with cancer,Consequence of Soundreports. The eclectic instrumental band -- akaSTS9-- is canceling all of its shows after Saturday's gig in Mexico.
"I have just been diagnosed with a cancerous tumor primarily in my sinus cavity (a type of internal skin cancer),"Murphy said in a statement."It will require extensive surgery followed by a few months-long recovery periods. There will be some treatment for the cancer following also but at this time we aren't fully aware of what that will entail and at this time we are just focusing on the task at hand which is the surgery."
"There is nothing more in the world I love then playing music and sharing it with all of you and we will continue to do it for a long time together and all I ask for is y'all's thoughts and prayers during this time of recovery!"he added before promising more updates regarding his health in the future.
Now thatAretha Franklinis over her medical troubles, the Queen of Soul can turn her attention back to a proposed biopic of her life.
While Franklin has frequently mentioned that she wantsHalle Berryto play her on the silver screen, the Oscar-winning actress doesn't think she's really qualified for the part, thePress Asssociationreports.
"I can't sing!"Berry told E!'s Ryan Secrest."If I could carry a tune, I'd consider it."
Berry is no stranger to portraying iconic entertainers on film, as she's starred asPlatterssinger Zola Taylor in 'Why Do Fools Fall in Love' and the lead role in 'Introducing Dorothy Dandridge.' But because of Franklin's iconic voice, Berry doesn't feel she can fill her shoes."Someone should tell Aretha that I can't do her justice,"she said.
Last year, Franklin announced that she wantedDenzel Washingtonto play her father andTerrence Howardto portraySmokey Robinson.As Spinner previously reported, Franklin is currently recuperating after undergoing surgery in December for an unknown problem. Although stories circulated about the singer's health, Franklin recently announced that she never had pancreatic cancer.
Franklin is planning to get back to performing in May, and Columbia/Legacy is releasing 'Take a Look: Aretha Franklin Complete on Columbia,' a 11-CD/DVD box set on March 22.
With the sort of jangly, slacked-out indie guitar work that defined the '90s suddenly back in style, it's no surprise that Chapel Hill mainstays Archers of Loaf have finally returned to the stage for a moment of celebration.
While their work hasn't had the lasting power ofPavement's detached English Major humor orGuided by Voices' workmanlike rock n' roll, Archers are truly masters of the form, and showed off their unique sound at an unannounced reunion show in North Carolina last night.
Stunning the crowd as a random opener for a local act called the Love Language at The Cat's Cradle in Carrboro, N.C., Archers of Loaf played their first show since 1998. Fans have alreadyflooded message boards and blogswith rumors of a full tour in the works, but the band's label, Merge, has yet to comment on the reunion gig and if it will turn into something bigger.
For now, we know that last night (Jan. 16) Archers of Loaf absolutely slayed with a 12-song set that was heavy on fan favorites like 'Web In Front' and other tracks off the band's masterwork 'Icky Mettle.' Enjoy a couple videos from the gig below and cross your fingers for a full tour.
Watch Archers of Loaf Live Jan. 16 at The Cat's Cradle
Recently, Dan Boeckner announced his bandWolf Paradearegoing on hiatusso he can work on theHandsome Furs'third albumwith bandmate and wife Alexei Perry. For its lone tour date scheduled in 2011 (so far), the dynamic duo performed a total of seven new songs at Chicago's Lincoln Hall Saturday night for the Tomorrow Never Knows Festival.
Since they had spent the greater part of last year touring Eastern Europe and Asia, Boeckner told the crowd he was relieved this was the first English speaking show they'd played in over eight months. Dressed in spandex and leather shorts, Perry aerobically kicked out her legs and head banged while she twisted knobs on the drum machine. On the other side of the stage, Boeckner multitasked on the guitar and keys.
The Furs opened with a brand new song, which featured skittering beats, electro tinges, heavy vibrations and early '80s influences. Over half of their set was comprised of new ones, some with just keys and the drum machine, and others with the guitar added. Before they performed a song they wrote just a few days ago, they confessed they hadn't played it all the way through yet and felt"terrified"to use the audience as"guinea pigs"-- but they nailed it. Another new one, 'Bury Me Standing,' continued the electro theme, while a song they've been playing live since 2009, 'Agony,' generated booming effects and major hair whipping.
Besides experimenting with new songs, the Furs touched upon 'Legal Tender,' 'All We Want, Baby, Is Everything,' 'I'm Confused' and the chaotic bliss of 'Radio Kalininbrad' from 'Face Control.' For the final song of the regular set, Perry and Boeckner switched places and performed a slow burner which resulted in machine-gun ratatat noises and the band being engulfed in puffs of smoke.
The Furs came back for a two-song encore and performed 'Dead + Rural' from their first record, 'Plague Park,' which is about growing up in a small town in British Columbia. They ended the night on a new one they'd been playing out for a while, 'No Feelings,' a song Boeckner prefaced was about a drunk Serbian friend who wished she didn't have feelings. After the heart-pounding drums, blaring reverb and romantic embers subsided, Perry and Boeckner reiterated to the audience how"f---in' sweet"it was to play for them and took a final bow.
At a few minutes before midnight on Friday (Jan. 14),Twin Shadowtook the stage at Schubas in Chicago to play their headlining set at the Tomorrow Never Knows festival, a five-day, multi-venue event showcasing new bands. From the moment their '80s-inspired sound burst through the speakers, the restless weekend crowd whipped themselves into a frenzy and continued to dance throughout Twin Shadow's entire 45-minute set.
The pulsating bass and new wave inspired vocals from frontmanGeorge Lewis Jr.fueled the crowd's energy, as they jumped in placed and pumped their fists along to such songs as 'Tyrant Destroyed,' 'When We're Dancing,' and 'Slow,' all from Twin Shadow's debut album, 'Forget.' Lewis wailed away on his Telecaster, stepping back from the microphone at certain points and giving his Prince-esque guitar solos their turn in the spotlight.
"I'll tell you why I love Chicago,"Lewis said midway through his set."We got lost on the way here today and I ran a red light and the guy in front of me was a cop. And he totally saw what I did and was like... 'Eh, whatever,'"Lewis paused as the crowd cheered his story on."That's why I love you Chicago, you corrupt city of sinners."Several songs later, Lewis announced to fans that they had come to the final song of the night. After the raucous booing and yelling died down, Lewis and bandmates blazed through the song and retreated to the side of the stage.
Walking back to their places on stage less than a minute later, Lewis addressed the obvious issue at hand."How does a band successfully and smoothly execute an encore at Schubas?"Lewis pondered out loud, referring to Schubas' lack of a back stage area."That's the encore, a lecture about encores,"Lewis joked before tearing through the final two songs of the night, the fast-paced 'At My Heels,' and the moody 'Tether Beat.' The crowd picked up right where they left off and danced until the final notes of Lewis' guitar faded out."Thank you guys, cheers! We can't wait to come back again,"Lewis said with a smile.
Among those caught up in the devastating floods that have taken place across Australia this month is Jessica Origliasso, singer in Antipodean band theVeronicas. The vocalist, who formed the group in 1999 with twin sister Lisa, is trapped at her mother's house in Brisbane, Queensland (reportsContactmusic).
Speaking to radio station Austereo, she revealed that she had stocked up on supplies before the rising waters became too much, going on to say that they had no power either."We were actually told that our area wasn't going to lose power so we prepared a little, but it suddenly went out, and we're not sure if it will get turned back on -- it probably won't for a fair few days."
Origliasso's sister and bandmate Lisa is currently overseas and the twin was quick to stress that the rest of her family were safe and in no specific danger, though her music equipment was unlikely to survive the flooding. She said,"We have a warehouse that's going to go under that's got a lot of musical equipment... {but} possessions can be replaced -- it's people that can't."
The floods, which have killed 19 and displaced tens of thousands from their homes, have alreadyprovoked a reaction from the music worldwith Australian promoter Michael Gudinski planning the benefit Sound Relief 2, with a wish list includingKings of Leon,RihannaandUsher. Renowned Australasian festival Big Day Out, meanwhile, will donate AU$20,000 ($19,800/£12,486) from its events taking place from the end of January.
Watch the Veronicas Play 'When it All Falls Apart' Live
The devastating flooding affecting parts of Australia's Queensland region is causing havoc for some artists regarding their itineraries. But the situation is also resulting in several Australian artists and promoters, as well as international acts, doing their part to create benefit concerts.
Although no venue or date has been announced, Australian promoter Michael Gudinski is in discussions regarding a Sound Relief 2 benefit concert with artists such asKaty Perry,Kings of Leon,Rihanna,Michael BubléandUsheron the"wish list"as their respective tours visit Australia in February or March.
Gudinski announced the concert during a national benefit telethon on Jan. 9. The first Sound Relief occurred in 2009 and benefited those affected by brush fires. Two concerts were staged in Melbourne and Sydney and featuredColdplay,Jet,Taylor Swift,Jack JohnsonandMidnight Oil, among others.
Elsewhere, organizers of Big Day Out -- the annual rock festival which hits Australia and New Zealand in late January and early February -- announced they will contribute $20,000 to the Queensland Flood relief from the upcoming shows. The festival also stated on itssitethat the Gold Coast date set for Jan. 23 is still a go.
Watch a Flash Flood Rescue in Australia
"At the moment the Gold Coast has been spared the brunt of the heavy rains and the Gold Coast, and the Big Day Out Parklands site, are currently in good condition,"organizers Viv Lees and Ken West wrote. Stage construction began yesterday on the site with some road closures resulting in deliveries taking alternate routes.
Meanwhile, longtime Brisbane rock group Powderfinger, who officially called it quits last year, are being requested by fans and even politicians to reunite for a benefit concert.
"I think it's a good idea, I've written to the Premier asking for her support,"MP Rob Messenger told ABC Radio last week."This is a once-in-hundred-year natural disaster, Powderfinger is Queensland music. Queensland needs them right now."The band has yet to comment on the request.
Two benefit concerts in Melbourne have also been confirmed. According to Australian music siteUndercover, rapper Pharoahe Monch and Jean Grae will headline a show Friday night (Jan. 14) with additional acts to be announced. And DanceAid, organized by producer Grant Smillie, will take place on Jan. 19 with the Potbelleez, Zoe Badwi, Ruby Rose and others on the bill. MeanwhileWolfmother, who are on the Big Day Out roster, will play a few"side shows"in Byron Bay, Ballarat and Geelon with $5 from every ticket donated to the Queensland Flood Relief Appeal.
The flooding has also caused some artists to rework or cancel their tours. Canadian singer-songwriterJason Collettconfirmed earlier this week he canceled his remaining four Australian dates this week due to the floods. Kasey Chambers also canceled some January shows scheduled for Queensland. RapperMos Defpostponed a concert this evening in Brisbane and has had to shuffle around a few dates, but his tour is still going ahead. As well, the Tamworth Country Music Festival is also going ahead as scheduled this weekend with different fundraising events planned.
And finally, country starKeith Urbantoday delayed the on-sale date for an April 15 Brisbane show due to the flooding. Urban's management said the concert will still go ahead but will delay selling tickets for the time being.
The flooding -- which has affected a land area roughly the size of Germany and France combined -- has so far claimed the lives of at least 16 people and caused billions of dollars in damage.
Bob Geldofhas been announced as the Keynote Speaker and Showcase Performer at this year'sSXSWmusic festival taking place in Austin, Texas, March 11-19.
The legendary Irish musician, who has been called"one of Ireland's greatest lyricists ever,"will be on hand for SXSW's 25th Anniversary celebrations to share tunes from his latest record, 'How to Compose Popular Songs That Will Sell,' and reflect on his prolific career.
Fittingly, the musician and social activist will speak on March 17, which just so happens to be St. Patrick's Day.
Using music to"to talk about things. To articulate change and its desirability,"Geldof has been applauded for his humanitarian efforts, includingco-writingthe iconic 'Do They Know It's Christmas?' charity single -- one of the biggest selling records of all time -- and launching the largest global concert ever seen with Live Aid, which will be the topic of anupcomingTV movie. No surprise, he is highly regarded by Bono for his"charity to justice"work, and is an inspiration to musicians and fans worldwide.
Watch the Video for 'Do They Know It's Christmas?'
British post-punk bandWirehave been making music since the late '70s with a sound that progressed from fragmented three-chord punk to melodic prog rock. But the group is surprised by the impact that one particular album had on the American punk scene: the 1977 classic 'Pink Flag.'
"It seems like a weird thing because hardcore was happening in the USA when Britain certainly was not interested in punk,"Wire singer/guitarist Colin Newman tells Spinner."Nobody was listening to rock music even -- certainly punk rock was old as the hills -- so it came as a complete shock that there was a bunch of hardcore bands who really looked up to Wire."
The band's 12th studio album, 'Red Barked Tree,' is out now and like most post-'70s Wire material, it features a variety of moods, textures and sounds. Still, the most notable aspect is Wire's emphasis on the seamless quality of the album as a whole, instead of just a collection of songs.
"That's a slightly old-fashioned view, one of the few old-fashioned views I admit to, which is the desire to make an album,"Newman says."Most people aren't making albums anymore. That's the situation that's really obtained since the '90s. It's not a new thing."
Since the band's reformation in 1999, they've seen a resurgence of attention from fans and critics alike, but Wire still can't seem to escape the nostalgia of their early work and the indelible impact it had on the American indie scene.
"{Pitchfork} actually wanted us to do their festival, I think two years ago,"Newman says."They insisted that we only play '70s material and we politely refused because we don't do that."
Wire's bassist Graham Lewis agrees, saying the band's early material works only in the context of their entire catalog, not alone as a nostalgia act.
"If you are playing older material what you are trying to do is infuse it with the essence which you think is relevant to now,"he says,"rather than thinking that you're trying to emulate something former."
"That was the idea, to flip the script,"singer-guitarist Stephen Ramsay tells Spinner."We really set out to put our money where our mouth was."
The track, a snippet from The Montreal outfit's upcoming full-length, 'Shapeshifting,' sees the band cast aside their dream-pop aesthetic in favour of a smokier, more seductive dance vibe. The album title itself also reflects the shift."It seemed like the obvious choice given the nature of the record,"says Ramsay.
Pared down to the trio of Ramsay, his girlfriend and co-vocalist Catherine McCandless and bassist Stephen Kamp after the departure of keyboardist Max Henry, Young Galaxy are eagerly anticipating what fans will say about their new direction."It's hard to say,"says Ramsay."I'd like to think that people who liked the first couple of records would like this one; there's a lot of things about it that are like the band before. But it's a totally different approach."
After spending last January recording at home and, in part, at Breakglass studio with their friend (andBesnard Lakesfrontman) Jace Lasek, the band sent their raw material overseas. Having never formally met producer Dan Lissvik of Swedish electronic duo Studio (Young Galaxy has yet to meet him in person, still), Ramsay and his bandmates stood by as this relative stranger took the reigns to the project.
"We were trying to get him involved even for 'Invisible Republic,'"says Ramsay. Scheduling conflicts may have prevented Lissvik from signing on back in 2009, but it didn't stop Young Galaxy from scheming."We knew even before we began recording that he'd be involved and the way that he would be involved."
Watch Young Galaxy's Video for 'Come and See' Off of 'Invisible Republic'
Despite being a continent apart during the nine months it took to mix and complete the album, the band built a strong friendship with Lissvik through weekly Skype conferences.
"He kind of became the voice of our computer, in a weird way,"laughs Ramsay, who admits the working arrangement was less than ideal at times.
"It was sort of stressful. He would describe to us what he was doing to the music but he wouldn't let us hear it; he kind of held it really close to his chest."
Being big fans of Studio alleviated some of their unease, but it was ultimately the bond they formed through the Skype chats that convinced the group Lissvik would ace the job."We were getting to know each other, and knowing that that would inform the music kind of made it a more intimate process."
"I don't think many bands would do that because you're losing a lot of the control you have over the final product,"he adds."WhenColdplaysaid that they were going to work withBrian Eno, and that it was going to be an experiment, you were like 'Oh my God, I can't wait to hear this! This is going to be crazy!' But then it was just like Coldplay with more keyboard -- this is very different."
When the finished record finally did arrive, Ramsay found listening to it to be a novel experience."It was just strange because you're usually sick to death of it, and you can't really have any perspective anymore, but this was really fresh. So I was able to listen to it over and over again."
Watch Young Galaxy Perform 'Pathos' Off of 'Invisible Republic'
"I could look at it a little more objectively than I've been able to in the past,"he continues."My first reaction wasn't like, 'Yes, this is amazing! Let's ship it off to the masses now.' I had to get to know it, too."
Ramsay suspects that 'Shapeshifting' might take a few listens to fully grab fans, which, he explains, is actually a bonus."I think growers are some of the best records. Records that hit you immediately are often like crack. I want this record to be more than that. I don't want it to feel like crack cocaine!"
Young Galaxy hope to work with Lissvik again, but will have to let schedules and timing dictate future plans. In the meantime, though, Ramsay and McCandless are already working with him on another project, a"Robyn-style solo artist"named Hanna, who the couple write songs for.
As for touring, the band will hit the road in February with labelmatesYou Say Party!-- and that means bolstering their lineup in all likelihood to offset the loss of Henry, now fully occupied with another Montreal band calledSuuns.
"He just sort of outgrew the situation with us,"says Ramsay of the split."We still love him and I think he has a very bright future as a musician, but in the end, it was probably easier. You know that show 'Big Love'? It was like that for Max, he was just feeling the pressure."
The shift is just one of Young Galaxy's many natural transformations over the years, he adds.
WhenBobby Farrellunexpectedly passed away last week (Dec. 30) in Russia, little was known how theBoney M.singer died. Now, Russian officials reveal Farrell's cause of death was due to heart disease.
The 'Rasputin' performer wasfound deadby staff in his hotel room in St. Petersburg, Russia after he failed to respond to a wake-up call. Sergei Kaptionov, a spokesman for the St. Petersburg branch of Russia's Investigative Committee, told Russian news agencies Farrell's death was due to heart disease and was not a criminal matter.
According to his agent, John Seine, Farrell had complained of breathing problems before and after a show on Wednesday (Dec. 29), a day before his passing. He was scheduled to fly to Rome for a TV show that Friday.
Farrell, a native of Aruba, was Boney M.'s sole male member. Before touring as a group with singers Liz Mitchell, Marcia Barrett and Maizie Williams and becoming a chart staple in the UK and Europe, the singer-dancer worked mostly as a DJ in Germany. Boney M. officially disbanded in 1986, but Farrell went on to perform as a solo act.
Oasis' rock and roll credibility may have died the dayNoel Gallagherhobnobbed with Tony Blair at No. 10 Downing Street, but theKings of Leonhave no qualms about yukking it up with dignitaries -- especially when table tennis is involved.
In what sounds like a historic, if unlikely, summit, Tennessee's own royal family apparently met with Britain's Prince Harry over the green hardwood of a ping-pong table recently,The Sun reports.
The four Kings and one prince hooked up backstage at the O2 arena and things quickly became competitive."He picked up a ping-pong bat and we went at it,"recalled drummer Nathan Followill."I'm not sure what the etiquette is when you play a prince at table tennis, but hey, I'm a king aren't I? A king trumps a prince."
Indeed -- it seems the 'Sex on Fire' rhythm-keeper's mastery of the slice and topspin smash is superior to the young Windsor's, at least according to the band themselves.
"It was a hard-fought battle but I took him in the end,"insisted Followill."I think the other guys thought, 'Maybe you should let a real prince win.' But he is so tall and he's got military training so I figured he can look after himself."
KOL's princely fixation doesn't end with matters sporting, either. The garage-turned-arena rockers -- who are currently taking a break before resuming their world tour in support of fifth album 'Come Around Sundown' -- are angling for further royal recognition.
"Man, we would jump at playing the royal wedding if we were asked,"Followill added."Wills and Kate look like nice people but Harry is the dude. His is the wedding we would most likely play. He knows his music. He keeps it real on his iPod. I'm sure Wills and Kate know what they are doing but Harry would definitely throw a Kings of Leon-style party."
British Sea Powerabandoned hi-tech recording studios for their fifth album 'Valhalla Dancehall' -- opting instead to hole up in a remote farmhouse on the Sussex Downs, a venue vocalist Yan describes as"timeless, silent and also full of noise and ale."
According to Yan,in a blog for the Guardian, rustic living was something of a steep learning curve for the Brighton-based six-piece."In winter things became rather cold,"reported the singer-guitarist."Having never looked after a country property before I neglected several duties such as pre-ordering oil in vast quantity months ahead of time. If nothing else it certainly toughened me up."
Despite the hardships, the 18-month experience was apparently a productive one for BSP."When the house was busy several band members could be working simultaneously on different songs,"explained Yan."I was painting in the shed one day and decided to take a look about and see what the others were doing. Also outside, but in the pigshed, Neil was singing away. Around the other side Martin was recording while Abi was playing viola in the garden. Inside, Graham was preparing mixes in 'the room of doom' and Phil and Woody were goofing around in what sounded like a Blade Runner meets drum workshop scenario."
Upping sticks to a remote location to work on an album has a long tradition in popular music, often -- as in theRolling Stones' infamous 'Exile on Main Street' sessions at Keith Richards' south of France mansion Nellcôte, or the Happy Mondays' disastrous attempt to record 'Yes Please!' in Barbados -- resulting in a surfeit of sex and drugs, and a distinct lack of rock and roll.
British Sea Power's backwoods sojourn also had its racy moments:"The house had a huge grassy lawn extending down to a copse of trees... over the summer this grew wild like a meadow,"Yan wrote."I enjoyed the safety of the long grass and took to European-style sunbathing."
Watch the video for British Sea Power's 'Living Is So Easy'
British rock bandEditorswill release a deluxe edition collectors box set 'Unedited,' featuring the B-sides collection 'You Are Fading,' later this year.
"We've been picking through the archive recently, looking back at our three records, many many b-sides and some material that has never seen the light of day,"frontman Tom Smith writes on the band'swebsite.
"It's been addictive. We can't leave it alone, much like picking a scab, and we've decided to package it all together and share it with our fans, officially. We've raided the vaults, searched through old CD-Rs, cassettes and photo albums and gathered it all together. We'd like you to have this music on any and every format we can produce and also share some photos and memories of the last 6 years in a volume that you can keep forever."
Watch Editors' Video for 'Eat Raw Meat = Blood Drool'
'Unedited' includes a 100-page photo art book featuring lyrics and photographs of the band and their concerts. As well, it features seven CDs, seven heavyweight vinyl LPs and seven high quality 320kbps album downloads with individual wallets for the CDs and LPs.
The box set contains all three studio albums: 'The Back Room,' 'An End Has a Start' and 'In This Light and on This Evening' in the three formats, and a B-sides collection called 'You Are Fading,' which contains 35 tracks over four discs ('You Are Fading I,' 'II,' 'III,' 'IV'). The collection features original demo recordings, live cuts and alternate versions, and will be available as a separate digital download beginning Feb. 28.
Editors released their last album 'In This Light and on This Evening' in 2009. According to their site, the bandplansto"record in stages over 2011"for their fourth studio album.
Paul McCartneyhas been living the vegetarian lifestyle for years, and now the former Beatle is urging India to declare a day to commemorate the meat-free lifestyle.
McCartneywrote a letterasking Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to designate Jan. 12 -- the anniversary of PETA India's founding -- as"a day to celebrate vegetarianism and compassion towards animals."
"Such a declaration would save countless animals, reduce the environmental devastation caused by the meat industry and help participants clear their arteries and their consciences,"he wrote."It would be a celebration of life -- all life."
McCartney's fight for animal rights in India isn't a new mission. In 2000, he made an appeal to the Indian prime minister to stop the black market leather trade. The legendary musician also narrated 'Glass Walls,' a documentary looking what really happens to animals in slaughterhouses, that was just released in India.
"Were it to be shown in every school, I have no doubt that the next generation would fully embrace vegetarianism,"he added.
According to theAP, the UN food agency estimated that 42 percent of India's population was vegetarian in 2003.
Paul McCartney Performs 'Let It Be' in Our Studios
Athens,Georgia'sDead Confederatefinish off 2010 and start the New Year with a localized tour of their home state before heading off to Germany for dates withThe Whigs. As far as New Year's resolutions go, however, the band's already sorted.
"I'm not satisfied being in a mope-y quasi grunge band,"singer Hardy Morris declares to Spinner."I want to make music that isn't just in a certain genre. I don't get excited if it's the same song after song after song."
Far from quasi, though somewhat mope-y and grungy in a great way, the quintet's summer-released 'Sugar' certainly stepped away from their debut 'Wrecking Ball's' deliciously dark, churning meditations.
"We reached the decision that we did not want to make the same record twice. We want to keep people on their toes and keep ourselves on our toes. I guess, the biggest example would be 'Run From The Gun',"Morris recalls of recording the record's wistful anti-war epic."We had to approach it a lot differently. Everybody in the band liked the song, but we wondered, 'How are we going to play this? What's everybody going to play?' We're used to banging away with a bunch of distortion. We stripped it down and I played it on the acoustic first. We added layers to it; we went round and around with it, tried it a few different ways. That song, I'm sure is furthest away from anything on the last record, but it's also got the most reaction."
When it comes to artistic and career role models, it's no big surprise that the noise rockers holdSonic Youthin high regard."It's their fearlessness and being true to themselves. I feel like the bands that I really value have never compromised in their careers. We'll continue to do what makes us happy and hope that translates to people. Then, at least you tired. I'd feel far worse if I was compromising and got bad results. At least, if I do what I want to do and get bad results then who cares, you know."
Far from quasi, though somewhat mope-y and grungy (in a great way), the quintet's sophomore effort, 'Sugar,' certainly stepped away from the deliciously dark, churning meditations heard on 2008's 'Wrecking Ball.'
"We reached the decision that we did not want to make the same record twice. We want to keep people on their toes, and keep ourselves on our toes. The biggest example would be 'Run From the Gun,'"says Morris of recording the album's wistful anti-war epic.
"We had to approach it a lot differently. Everybody in the band liked the song, but we wondered, 'How are we going to play this? What's everybody going to play?' We're used to banging away with a bunch of distortion. We stripped it down and I played it on the acoustic {guitar} first. We added layers to it; we went round and around with it, tried it a few different ways. That song, I'm sure is furthest away from anything on the last record, but it's also got the most reaction."
Watch Dead Confederate's Video for 'Giving It All Away' Ft. J. Mascis
When it comes to artistic and career role models, the noise rockers have a few stalwarts they hold in high regard, includingDinosaur Jr.frontmanJ Mascis(who lends a hand on 'Giving It All Away,' featured on Dead Confederate's new album) and, no surprise,Sonic Youth.
"It's their fearlessness and being true to themselves,"Morris says ofThurston Mooreand the gang."I feel like the bands that I really value have never compromised in their careers. We'll continue to do what makes us happy and hope that translates to people. Then, at least you tired. I'd feel far worse if I was compromising and got bad results. At least, if I do what I want to do and get bad results then who cares, you know?"
Afterannouncinga string of reunion shows late summer 2011, British pop bandPulpare seemingly hard at work preparing for the dates. The band sent a message to fans Saturday (Jan. 1), on their official mailing list thanking them for their interest in the three confirmed dates.
"We will not let you down,"the message says."The fact that so many of you have shown in interest is an inspiration– we knew it was a big part of OUR lives, it's exciting to know it's a big part of YOUR lives too. We have played the songs and the songs sound good. We can have fun together, get to know each other again. Christ, it's been too long– we'd almost forgotten what you look like. Don't ever let that happen again. Cross your heart?"
The band also added how they're anticipating the shows while using a line from the song 'Disco 2000,' from their 1995 album 'Different Class.'
"And so it grows...each day that passes brings us closer together. It's exciting isn't it? So much to say, so much to share. Is that a new haircut? You know what? Let's cut to the chase– at the risk of being corny: let's all meet up in the Year Two Thousand -& eleven. Promise? We do if you do."
The band will perform at Barcelona's Primavera Sound Festival on May 25 before playing the Isle Of Wight Festival on June 10 and London's Wireless Festival on July 1. No other dates have been announced. The shows mark the band's first live performances since Dec. 14, 2002.
Pulp released its last studio album, 'We Love Life,' in 2001 with deluxe reissues of 'His 'n' Hers,' 'Different Class' and 'This Is Hardcore' released in 2006.
Stefania D'Alessandro, Getty Images
If you're going to celebrate a momentous event then you might as well celebrate it in style.
