Wednesday, July 29, 2015

The Charlatans announce U.S. tour


The Charlatans announced a short tour of the U.S. in support of their excellent new album Modern Nature. Unfortunately the trek doesn't include a Detroit area stop, but fans interested in roadtripping can check out the tour itinerary below. Tickets for the tour go on sale Friday, July 31st.

The Charlatans -- U.S. tour

11/07 - Fun Fun Fun Fest, Austin, TX
11/09 - Turner Ballroom, Milwaukee, WI
11/10 - Webster Hall, New York, NI
11/12 - Howard, Washington, DC
11/13 - House of Blues, Chicago, IL
11/15 - The Fonda, Los Angeles, CA
11/16 - The Regency, San Francisco, CA
11/18 - Ace of Spades, Sacramento, CA
11/19 - Crystal Ballroom, Portland, OR

The Charlatans released Modern Nature, which is their first record without late drummer Jon Brookes, in the winter. The band has not replaced Brookes, but instead utilized the talents of three notable drummers -- Joy Division/New Order's Stephen Morris, Pete Salisbury of The Verve, and Gabriel Gurnsey of Factory Floor -- for the record.







Published July 29th, 2015 @ 8:15 PM

Tuesday, July 28, 2015

PiL share Johnny Lydon-licious "Double Trouble" video


Public Image Limited are set to return with a new album What The World Needs Now on September 4th. A few weeks ago the band debuted the album's first single, "Double Trouble," and today they shared the song's official music video. John Lydon fans, dig in, you'll love it!



Pre-order What The World Needs Now from PiL's official store.

Published July 28th, 2015 @ 7:40 PM

OMD preps live DVD; Andy McCluskey fills in for Paul Humphreys on "Souvenir"


OMD release a limited edition DVD titled Live at the Museum in Liverpool this fall. The footage was captured last November during the band's two-night multi-media event at the Pier Waterfront in Liverpool where they performed Dazzle Ships in full. OMD shared another preview of the DVD which is available to view below and fans can pre-order the DVD directly through Pledge Music. According to OMD, the DVD is strictly limited edition and only 2000 copies of the DVD will be released.



Meanwhile, OMD's Paul Humphreys is currently on the mend in New York after undergoing emergency gallbladder surgery. The incident forced Humphreys to miss OMD's recent show in Scotland, but according to Humphreys he's set to rejoin the band for their festival gigs this weekend. Read his statement here and watch Andy McCluskey attempt to sing "Souvenir" without Humphreys below:

"I take my hat off to him for doing it anyway and I think he did a great job, but I'm sure Andy would be the first to say it was the first and last time, but a nice one-off treat for everyone there, right?" ~ Paul Humphreys

"You are the only people who will ever hear me sing that song live...thank you for putting up with me" ~ Andy McCluskey



Published July 28th, 2015 @ 7:10 AM

Stream: New Order unveil "Restless"


New Order unveiled the first track from the new Hooky-less album, Music Complete. "Restless" will be released as a digital download tomorrow (July 29th) and is available to stream now:



Music Complete arrives on September 25th and the band hits the road for a U.K. tour in November. North American dates are expected to be announced shortly.

Pre-order Music Complete from iTunes, Amazon, or New Order's store. Vinyl fans can obtain the album on standard double black vinyl, limited edition clear vinyl, or grab the comprehensive boxsetMusic Complete on double clear vinyl, extended versions of all 11 songs on red, blue, yellow, grey, white 12" vinyl, plus 1 sided black etched vinyl. Additionally, New Order will be signing 200 copies of the box set and the signed copies will be randomly be shipped to fans who purchase from the band's official store (box set ships in November).

Published July 28th, 2015 @ 6:05 AM

Sunday, July 26, 2015

Stream: Ride play Melt! Festival in Germany


Pro-shot video of Ride's set captured July 19th at the Melt! Festival in Germany has appeared online. Watch the set below while you can...



Ride return to North America this fall for a handful of dates including a stop at St. Andrew's Hall in Detroit on October 1st. The tour itinerary is posted below:

09/17 -- Washington DC @ 9:30 Club
09/18 -- New Haven, NJ @ College Street Music Hall
09/19 -- Philadelphia, PA @ TLA
09/21 -- New York, NY @ Irving Plaza
09/22 -- New York, NY @ Irving Plaza
09/23 -- Asbury Park, NY @ The Stone Pony
09/25 -- Chicago, IL @ Riviera
09/26 -- Cincinnati, OH @ MidPoint Festival
09/27 -- Champaign, IL @ Pygmalion Festival
09/29 -- Minneapolis, MN @ Mill City
10/01 -- Detroit, MI @ St. Andrew's Hall
10/02 -- Cleveland, OH @ House Of Blues
10/03 -- Boston, MA @ Paradise
11/06 -- Birmingham, AL @ Saturn
11/07 -- Austin, TX @ Fun Fun Fun
11/09 -- Phoenix, AZ @ Crescent Ballroom
11/10 -- Las Vegas, NV @ House Of Blues
11/12 -- Los Angeles, CA @ The Wiltern
11/14 -- Santa Cruz, CA @ The Catalyst
11/15 -- Portland, OR @ Crystal Ballroom
11/16 -- Seattle, WA @ Neptune
11/17 -- Vancouver, BC @ Commodore Ballroom
11/19 -- Honolulu, HI @ The Republik

Video: Wire debuts "High" video


Wire shared the official video for their latest single "High" this week. The track was released on Wire's critically acclaimed 13th studio album Wire, which dropped back in the spring. Check out "High" along with two other songs from the record and purchase Wire from iTunes, Amazon, or Wire's store.





Monday, July 20, 2015

Echo & the Bunnymen 9/13 show moved to Fillmore Detroit


Echo & the Bunnymen's September 13th show at St. Andrew's Hall has been MOVED to a larger venue due to popular demand. The show will now take place the same night (September 13th) at the Fillmore Detroit. Tickets for the St. Andrew's show will be honored at the Fillmore (these will be main floor tickets). The general onsale for the rest of the tickets is Friday, July 24th at 10am. The pre-sale starts on July 23rd.

Anyone with questions should contact the venue (not this blog).





Published July 20th, 2015 @ 7:53 PM

Thursday, July 16, 2015

A Place To Bury Strangers share "Love High" video


A Place To Bury Strangers debuted a new video today for their short & sweet song "Love High." The video features some trippy flashy effects, so if you get dizzy easily, be forewarned.



"Love High" is featured on APTBS's latest album Transfixiation. A new North American tour in support of the record kicks off in September and plays Detroit October 3rd.

09/12 -- Vancouver, BC @ The Cobalt
09/13 -- Seattle, WA @ Chop Suey
09/14 -- Portland, OR @ Star Theater
09/19 -- Santa Cruz, CA @ The Catalyst
09/20 -- West Sacramento, CS @ TBD Festival
09/22 -- San Diego, CA @ Soda Bar
09/24 -- Salt Lake City, UT @ Urban Lounge
09/25 -- Denver, CO @ Larimer Lounge
09/27 -- St Paul, MN @ Turf Club
09/29 -- Chicago, IL @ Empty Bottle
09/30 -- Bloomington, IN @ The Bishop
10/01 -- Covington, KY @ Madison Live
10/02 -- Cleveland, OH @ Beachland Ballroom
10/03 -- Detroit, MI @ Majestic Cafe
10/06 -- Montreal, QB @ La Sala Rossa
10/09 -- Brooklyn, NY @ Saint Vitus Bar

Published July 16th, 2015 @ 8:27 PM

Wednesday, July 15, 2015

Front 242 announces 'No Comment' remaster, remix contest & free download


Front 242 are planning to reissue a remastered version of their classic 1984 album No Comment. The band hopes the remastered version will "showcase the album's innovative sound in its best audio quality possible today. You will be able to hear the album on vinyl and cd with the improvements or differences permitted by today's audio technology."

So far no official release date for the No Comment remaster has been announced, but we're getting close -- today Front 242 debuted the remastered version of "Lovely Day" and they're giving it away to fans for free (name-your-own-price) download along with a remix of "Take One." They've also launched a remix contest for "Lovely Day" with the winning remixes being released digitally on August 30th. Get the details on the contest and grab your free download here. Stream the "Lovely Day" remaster (and original) below:





Published July 15th, 2015 @ 10:26 AM

Tuesday, July 14, 2015

Protomartyr announce LP 'The Agent Intellect'; premiere new single


Detroit's own Protomartyr follow up the release of last year's superb Under Color Of Official Right with a new record titled The Agent Intellect. The album's title comes from after an ancient philosophical questioning of how the mind operates in relation to the self. The Agent Intellect arrives on October 9th.

Today Protomartyr premiered the album's first single "Why Does It Shake," which is available to stream below (grab a free download here for a limited time), and pre-order The Agent Intellect from iTunes, Amazon, and the Hardly Art store.  Vinyl fans: the Hardly Art store is offering the first press on limited edition opaque green and all vinyl copies (limited edition or standard) come with a lyric zine, poster, and download code.



In addition to the exciting album news, Protomartyr announced a North American tour in support of the Agent Intellect. The tour kicks off record release night, October 9th, in Detroit at Marble Bar. Protomartyr play a handful of one-off festival gigs later this month including this weekend's Pitchfork Festival in Chicago. 

For those who missed it: Earlier this year Protomartyr released a split single with Kelley Deal's project R.Ring. Protomartyr's contribution was a song titled "Blues Festival" which is available to stream below. Purchase the 7" here.



Protomartyr tour

07/16 Indianapolis, IN @ Joyful Noise
07/18 Chicago, IL @ Pitchfork Festival
07/18 Chicago, IL @ Schubas (Pitchfork Aftershow)
07/24 Seattle, WA @ Capitol Hill Block Party
10/09 Detroit, MI @ Marble Bar
10/11 Toronto, ON @ Horseshoe Tavern
10/12 Montreal, QB @ Bar Le Ritz PDB
10/13 Cambridge, MA @ Middle East Upstairs
10/17 Baltimore, MD @ Metro Gallery
10/18 Philadelphia, PA - Johnny Brenda's
10/20 Raleigh, NC @ King's Barcade
10/21 Atlanta, GA @ The Earl
10/22 Nashville, TN @ Stone Fox
10/23 Bloomington, IN @ Blockhouse
10/24 Milwaukee, WI @ Cactus Club

Published July 14th, 2015 @ 11:32 AM

Monday, July 13, 2015

Swervedriver premiere "Winter Depths"


Swervedriver followed up the release of their stellar album I Wasn't Born To Lose You with a wholly intoxicating new track titled "Winter Depths." The song was released today as part of Adult Swim's 2015 (free) singles collection. Bask in the power, beauty, and brilliance of "Winter Depths" below and grab your free download here.



FYI: Adult Swim's 2015 collection features 19 songs total and so far 6 of the songs have been released. Check 'em out here [besides Swervedriver, the second track, "Sip 'O Poison" from Cherry Glazerr is rather outstanding.]

Don't blow it!  Swervedriver is on the road this fall.  You know what to do.

Swervedriver North American tour

08/28 Denver, CO @ Riot Fest
08/29 Omaha, NE @ Reverb Lounge
08/30 Kansas City, MO @ Record Bar
08/31 Columbia, MO @ Rose Music Hall
09/01 Louisville, KY @ Headliners Music Hall
09/02 Columbus, OH @ Skully's Music Diner
09/03 Pittsburgh, PA @ Club Cafe
09/04 Baltimore, MD @ Ottobar
09/05 New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom
09/06 Cambridge, MA @ The Sinclair
09/08 Buffalo, NY @ Waiting Room
09/09 Cleveland, OH @ Grog Shop
09/10 Ann Arbor, MI @ Bling Pig
09/12 Chicago, IL @ Riot Fest
09/14 Nashville, TN @ Exit/In
09/15 Asheville, NC @ The Mothlight
09/16 Athens, GA @ 40 Watt Club
09/17 Birmingham, AL @ Saturn
09/18 New Orleans, LA @ House Of Blues
09/19 San Antonio, TX @ Paper Tiger
09/20 Houston, TX @ House of Blues
09/21 Austin, TX @ The Parish
09/23 Phoenix, AZ @ Valley Bar
09/24 Las Vegas, NV @ Bunkhouse Saloon
09/25 Costa Mesa, CA @ Maison
09/26 Pioneertown, CA @ Desert Stars Festival
09/27 Santa Barbara, CA @ Velvet Jones
09/28 San Diego, CA @ Casbah
10/01 Honolulu, HI @ The Republik

Published July 13th, 2015 @ 7:33 PM

Stream: New Order 'Power, Corruption & Lies' documentary


New Order's beloved album Power, Corruption & Lies was the subject of a new BBC radio documentary. The hourlong doc includes commentary from key players Peter Hook, Stephen Morris, and Peter Saville along with Tim Burgess, Martin Moscrop, and other notable members of Manchester's music scene. New Order: Power, Corruption & Lies was narrated by American DJ Colleen Murphy, founder of the Classic Album Sundays series. Listen to the archive of the documentary (through August 9th) here.





Published July 13th, 2015 @ 7:32 PM

Saturday, July 11, 2015

Creation Records boxes up 'Artifact: The Dawn Of Creation Records 1983 - 85'


A five disc boxset celebrating Creation Records' early years is set for a September 25th release. Creation Artifact: The Dawn Of Creation Records 1983-85 is the first comprehensive collection devoted to the label's output from the era and is packed with singles, album tracks, rarities, previously unreleased demos, and rare BBC sessions from Jesus & Mary Chain, Primal Scream, The Pastels, The Moodists, The Loft, and many more. View the tracklisting for the set below and pre-order here.



Disc 1 -- Singles

01. The Legend! -- '73 In '83
02. The Legend! -- You (Chunka Chunka) We're Glamorous
03. The Legend! -- Melt The Guns
04. The Revolving Paint Dream -- Flowers In The Sky
05. The Revolving Paint Dream -- In The Afternoon
06. Biff Bang Pow! -- Fifty Years Of Fun
07. Biff Bang Pow! -- Then When I Scream
08. The Jasmine Minks -- Think!
09. The Jasmine Minks -- Work For Nothing
10. The Pastels -- Something Going On
11. The Pastels -- Stay With Me Till Morning
12. The X-Men -- Do The Ghost
13. The X-Men -- Talk
14. Biff Bang Pow! -- There Must Be A Better Life
15. Biff Bang Pow! -- The Chocolate Elephant Man
16. The Jasmine Minks -- Where The Traffic Goes
17. The Jasmine Minks -- Mr. Magic
18. The Loft -- Why Does The Rain
19. The Loft -- Like
20. The Loft -- Winter
21. The Legend! -- The Legend! Destroys The Blues
22. The Legend! -- Arrogant Bastards
23. The X-Men -- Bad Girl
24. The Pastels -- Million Tears
25. The Pastels -- Surprise Me
26. The Pastels -- Baby Honey



Disc 2 -- Singles

01. Jesus & Mary Chain -- Upside Down
02. Jesus & Mary Chain -- Vegetable Man
03. The Loft -- Up The Hill & Down The Slope
04. The Loft -- Your Door Shines Like Gold
05. The Loft -- Lonely Street
06. The Loft -- Time
07. The Bodines -- God Bless
08. The Bodines -- Paradise
09. Primal Scream -- All Fall Down
10. Primal Scream -- It Happens
11. The Jasmine Minks -- What's Happening
12. The Jasmine Minks -- Black & Blue
13. Meat Whiplash -- Don't Slip Up
14. Meat Whiplash -- Here It Comes
15. Five Go Down To The Sea? -- Singing In Braille
16. Five Go Down To The Sea? -- Aunt Nelly
17. Five Go Down To The Sea? -- Silk Brain Worm Women
18. The Moodists -- Justice & Money Too
19. The Moodists -- You've Got Your Story
20. The Moodists -- Take Us All Home
21. The Pastels -- I'm Alright With You
22. The Pastels -- Couldn't Care Less
23. The Pastels -- What It's Worth
24. Biff Bang Pow! -- Love & Hate
25. The Weather Prophets -- Worm In My Brain



Disc 3 -- Rarities Album

01. The Laughing Apple -- Participate!
02. The Laughing Apple -- Wouldn't You?
03. The Revolving Pain Dream -- In The Afternoon
04. The Jasmine Minks -- The Thirty Second Set Up
05. The Jasmine Minks -- Somers Town
06. Biff Bang Pow! -- Fifty Years Of Fun
07. Biff Bang Pow! -- Waterbomb
08. J.C. Brouchard w/ Biff Bang Pow! -- Someone Stole My Wheel
09. J.C. Brouchard w/ Biff Bang Pow! -- Sunny Days
10. Jesus & Mary Chain -- Upside Down (demo)
11. Jesus & Mary Chain -- Just Like Honey (demo)
12. The Bodines -- God Bless (alt version)
13. The Membranes -- I Am Fish Eye
14. The Membranes -- Gift Of Life
15. The Jasmine Minks -- Seven & Seven Is
16. The June Brides -- I Fall
17. The Legend! -- Arrogant Bastards
18. The Three Johns -- A.W.O.L.
19. The Loft -- Your Door Shines Like Gold
20. The Mekons -- Rock & Roll Shoes
21. The Legend! & His Swinging Soul Sisters -- Sweet Soul Music
22. The Jasmine Minks -- Green Fuz
23. Alternative TV -- Lonely Lenny
24. Television Personalities -- A Picture Of Dorian Gray (live)
25. Television Personalities -- The Dream Inspires (live)
26. Television Personalities -- Family Affair (live)




Disc 4 -- Demos

01. The Jasmine Minks -- All Fall Down
02. The Jasmine Minks -- Work
03. The Jasmine Minks -- Second Post
04. The Legend! -- Boredom (Is)
05. Meat Whiplash -- Losing Your Grip
06. Meat Whiplash -- Always Sunday
07. Meat Whiplash -- Walk Away
08. The Legend! -- Victorian Values
09. The X-Men -- Home
10. The X-Men -- Planet Of The X
11. The Moodists -- The Train From Kansas City
12. The Moodists -- The Day They All Wake Up
13. The Moodists -- I Guess I'm Dumb
14. The Legend! -- Social Protest (By Numbers)
15. The Jasmine Minks -- Mr. Magic
16. The Jasmine Minks -- Friends
17. The Legend! -- Do You Remember
18. Biff Bang Pow! -- Lost Your Dreams (demo)
19. Biff Bang Pow! -- I'm Okay Me (demo)
20. The Legend! -- Picture The Scene
21. The X-Men -- A Tryst For Liszt
22. The X-Men -- Stone Cold One Note Mind
23. The Jasmine Minks -- Choice
24. The Jasmine Minks -- Everybody's Got To Grow Up Sometime



Disc 5 -- BBC Sessions

01. The X-Men -- The Witch
02. The X-Men -- Little Girl
03. The X-Men -- Xtramental
04. The Loft -- On A Tuesday
05. The Loft -- Skeleton Staircase
06. The Loft -- The Canal & The Big Red Town
07. The Loft -- Lonely Street
08. The Moodists -- Other Man
09. The Moodists -- Bullet Train
10. The Moodists -- Take The Red Carpet Out Of Town
11. The Moodists -- Justice & Money Too
12. Meat Whiplash -- Loss
13. Meat Whiplash -- Walk Away
14. Meat Whiplash -- Eat Me To The Core
15. Meat Whiplash -- She Comes Tomorrow
16. The Bodines -- Scar Tissue
17. The Bodines -- Therese
18. The Bodines -- William Shatner
19. The Bodines -- The Back Door
20. The Loft -- Beware
21. The Loft -- Wide Open Arms
22. The Loft -- Worm In My Brain
23. The Loft -- Up The Hill & Down The Slope

Published July 11th, 2015 @ 5:07 PM

New Order premieres 'Music Complete 3' + stream Stephen Morris interview


New Order premiered the third preview of new material from their forthcoming album Music Complete. Stream Music Complete 3 below:



New Order previously announced that Tom Rowlands of Chemical Brothers guests on Music Complete, and this week the band revealed a few more guest appearances -- Iggy Pop, Brandon Flowers, and La Roux. None of the guests should be too surprising to New Order fans -- the band has performed with (and gushed about) both Flowers and Iggy Pop.



Also this week, drummer Stephen Morris did an interview with BBC Music 6. As is traditionally the case with Morris interviews, it was highly entertaining, but Morris didn't divulge too much about the new record other than confirming that "all the songs have guitar and synth, some are more synthy, some are more guitary." Stream the interview here.



Music Complete arrives on September 25th and is available to pre-order as a standard 11 track digital album download through iTunes; Amazon is selling the physical CD, and double LP (on black vinyl).  New Order's official store is offering the digital album download, physical cd, double LP on black vinyl, the limited edition double LP (clear vinyl), and a massive limited edition 8 LP vinyl deluxe box set. The boxset includes Music Complete on double clear vinyl, extended versions of all 11 songs on red, blue, yellow, grey, white 12" vinyl, plus 1 sided black etched vinyl. Additionally, New Order will be signing 200 copies of the box set and the signed copies will be randomly be shipped to fans who purchase from the band's official store (box set ships in November).

Tracklisting for Music Complete is posted below:



01. Restless
02. Singularity
03. Plastic
04. Tutti Frutti
05. People On The High Line
06. Stray Dog
07. Academic
08. Nothing But A Fool
09. Unlearn This Hatred
10. The Game
11. Superheated

Published July 11th, 2015 @ 5:06 PM

Friday, July 10, 2015

Yuck premiere new single "Hold Me Closer"


Yuck premiered a new song this week titled "Hold Me Closer," which serves as the first single from their forthcoming record. The band is expected to announce details regarding their third full-length record soon. Stream "Hold Me Closer" below and catch up with Yuck here.



Yuck North American tour

8/05 –- Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny’s Brenda
8/06 –- New York, NY @ River Rocks / Pier 84
8/07 –- Baltimore, MD @ Metro Gallery
8/08 –- Raleigh, NC @ Kings
8/09 –- Atlanta, GA @ The Wrecking Ball

Published July 10th, 2015 @ 7:15 PM

Stream: Public Image Ltd "Double Trouble" + John Lydon interview


Public Image Limited premiered the first single from the new album What The World Needs Now. "Double Trouble" backed with two songs -- album track "Bettie Page" and bonus non-album track "Turkey Tits" -- will be released on 10" vinyl August 21st and is available to pre-order here. The digital version of "Double Trouble" is available to purchase now from iTunes and Amazon and can be streamed below. The band's 10th studio album What The World Needs Now is scheduled for a September 4th release.

Meanwhile, John Lydon appeared on the Greg Gutfeld show last weekend. Watch a portion of the segment below:





Published July 10th, 2015 @ 2:39 PM

Mad Season's 'Sonic Evolution' + 'Live At The Moore' remaster coming 8/28


On January 30th, surviving members of Mad Season reunited and performed at Benaroya Hall backed by the Seattle Symphony. The Sonic Evolution set also included guests Chris Cornell, who filled in for Layne Staley while Matt Cameron & Duff McKagen filled in for John Baker Saunders. The ten song performance will be released on LP and CD August 28th with proceeds benefiting the Seattle Symphony and Vitalogy Foundation. The tracklisting for the set is available to view below and pre-orders are being taken here. Video from the event is available to view here.

Meanwhile, Mad Season's final performance Live At The Moore is celebrating its 20th anniversary with a stereo remaster.  Mad Season: Live At The Moore was captured April 29th, 1995 and includes the full 11-song set, originally released in part on VHS in 1995 and later expanded for release on CD and DVD as part of the deluxe reissue of Above in 2013. Pre-orders are being taken here.



Mad Season/Seattle Symphony/Sonic Evolution tracklisting

01. Waking The Horizon McCready w/ Symphony
02. Long Gone Day - Mad Season w/ Symphony
03. River Of Deceit - Mad Season w/ Symphony
04. I Don't Know Anything - Mad Season w/ Symphony
05. Wake Up - Mad Season
06. Lifeless Dead - Mad Season
07. Above - Mad Season
08. Call Me A Dog - Temple Of The Dog
09. Reach Down - Temple Of The Dog
10. All Alone - Mad Season



Published July 10th, 2015 @ 2:21 PM

Tuesday, July 7, 2015

Johnny Marr talks autobiography & the Smiths in new interview


Johnny Marr was interviewed by BBC Music 6 hosts Radcliffe and Maconie today ahead of a few live shows planned for this weekend. During the interview Marr revealed he's going to put a live album out (implied that he might be recording at some U.K. shows this fall) and he's written the soundtrack to a new Julianne Moore film which will be released this October. Marr was asked about the status of his autobiography and admitted that he's procrastinated a bit, but has at least started on it and hopes to finish it after his tour is over:

"I've started, I've written quite a bit of it...I'm writing it myself, I don't want to use a ghost writer or a journalist or anything, and I really enjoy it, but it takes a lot of time...it means not writing music, and I've been writing some new songs as well. I'm going to get down to finishing it off when this tour is over.

I'm not really writing it in chronological order. I've done some bits of it, I've probably done about 20 percent. I'm looking forward to getting it finished, I want it done, I want to do a good job of it.

If people already kind of like what I do, records and all of that, if by the end of the book they want to hang out with me, then that's the job done, really. I want to celebrate a lucky life...it's not going to be a Disney thing, I want to be straight-headed about things, I want it to be like my life, intense and interesting and a lot of joy in it, and some of the other stuff that has been more mysterious, I want to represent that properly. I want to cover the whole thing."

Another highlight of the interview was a discussion about how Smiths songs were created -- Marr would famously compose the music, much like a backing track, then give the music to Morrissey. The hosts asked Marr if he was ever disappointed with what Morrissey came up with lyrically. Marr had only positive things to say:

"It's a complete surprise as to what goes on top, and then you react to that, and that's great...I was always really, really pleased to have another song...for some reason I always loved it."

Marr didn't want to discuss details about any particular songs because he didn't want to spoil it for fans, but he did reveal that some of the Smiths' instrumentals were intended to be instrumental and others weren't:

"Some of the instrumentals he (Morrissey) couldn't get a handle on, and a couple of them, we decided were going to be written as instrumental b-sides, "Oscillate Wildly" was one like that, that's why it has a very strong melody."

Listen to the archive of the interview here (starts ~ 36 minutes into the broadcast).

Published July 7th, 2015 @ 6:50 PM

Sunday, July 5, 2015

Video: Charlatans perform with Stephen Morris & Gillian Gilbert


The Charlatans performed a huge show in their hometown of Manchester last night. The band used old footage of the late Factory Records' legend Tony Wilson for their introduction, then they ripped into an energetic 19 song career spanning set. The encore was an 8-minute epic version of "Sproston Green" which featured Stephen Morris and Gillian Gilbert of New Order! Watch video of the encore from their set at Castlefield Bowl below:


Charlatans Intro : Castlefield Bowl from Chris Burwin on Vimeo.



The Charlatans released an oh-so-excellent album titled Modern Nature earlier this year. If you're not up to speed with their new album, check out a few videos from the record below:







Published July 5th, 2015 @ 8:21 PM

Friday, July 3, 2015

New Order premiere 'Music Complete: 2'


Last week New Order announced details for their new studio record, Music Complete, which arrives on September 25th. The first single from the album will arrive in August, but until then, New Order have been debuting snippets of new music on You Tube. The band premiered the second trailer in the Music Complete preview series this week. Stream Music Complete: 2 below:



Music Complete is New Order's first proper studio album since 2005's Waiting For The Sirens' Call and notably New Order's first record since Peter Hook's departure (also the first record in almost 15 years to include Gillian Gilbert, who rejoined the band a few years ago). According to Bernard Sumner, this time around the band did NOT shy away from synthesizers.  The 11 track album features two collaborative songs with Chemical Brothers' Tom Rowlands -- "Singularity," the song New Order debuted live last summer, and another track titled "Unlearn This Hatred." In a previous interview, Sumner revealed New Order recorded 3 tracks with Rowlands, so it's possible the third song may wind up as a b-side down the road.

Also of note: The artwork for both the album and limited edition boxset was directed by longtime Joy Division/New Order/Factory Records' designer, the legendary Peter Saville.



Music Complete is available to pre-order as a standard 11 track digital album download through iTunes; Amazon is selling the physical CD, and double LP (on black vinyl).  New Order's official store is offering the digital album download, physical cd, double LP on black vinyl, the limited edition double LP (clear vinyl), and a massive limited edition 8 LP vinyl deluxe box set. The boxset includes Music Complete on double clear vinyl, extended versions of all 11 songs on red, blue, yellow, grey, white 12" vinyl, plus 1 sided black etched vinyl. Additionally, New Order will be signing 200 copies of the box set and the signed copies will be randomly be shipped to fans who purchase from the band's official store (box set ships in November).

Tracklisting for Music Complete is posted below:

01. Restless
02. Singularity
03. Plastic
04. Tutti Frutti
05. People On The High Line
06. Stray Dog
07. Academic
08. Nothing But A Fool
09. Unlearn This Hatred
10. The Game
11. Superheated

Published July 3rd, 2015 @ 5:57 PM

Stream: Veruca Salt 'Ghost Notes' LP


Veruca Salt are set to return with their first new album featuring all original members since 1997! The new album Ghost Notes arrives on July 10th, but is now available to stream ahead of its release over at NPR. Stream it here through July 9th. Pre-order Ghost Notes from iTunes, Amazon, and Pledge Music.

Watch the official videos for three tracks from Ghost Notes below:







North American tour dates

7/08 -- San Diego, CA @ Soda Bar
7/10 -- San Francisco, CA @ Slims
7/11 -- Los Angeles, CA @ El Rey Theatre
7/21 -- Nashville, TN @ Mercy Lounge
7/22 -- St. Louis, MO @ The Ready Room
7/23 -- Minneapolis, MN @ The Cedar
7/26 -- Chicago, IL @ Wicker Park Fest
7/28 -- Toronto, ON @ Lee's Palace
7/30 -- Boston, MA @ Paradise
7/31 -- New York, NY @ Webster Hall
8/01 -- Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club

Published July 3rd, 2015 @ 5:56 PM