Sunday, September 29, 2019

Classic Alternative - Episode #125: Solid State


Classic Alternative - Episode #125: Solid State

Includes The Stranglers, The Normal, Depeche Mode, Buffalo Tom, Roxy Music, Cocteau Twins, The Church, and The Smiths.

Stream below or here and catch up with the archive of previous episodes here or here.


News stories from the week

Johnny Marr announces Singles Life box
Nick Cave announces double LP Ghosteen
Kitchens Of Distinction's Patrick Fitzgerald announces final LP
Depeche Mode screenings for Spirits In The Forest

Johnny Marr announces 7" singles boxset 'Single Life'


Johnny Marr will be releasing a 7" singles boxset in December. Single Life collects Marr's first 10 solo singles (releases from 2012 through 2018) on limited edition colored vinyl. Included is Marr's cover of Depeche Mode's "I Feel You," backed by Marr's live version of "Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want."

The collection arrives in early December and is available to pre-order. View the singles contained in the boxset below.

Johnny Marr - Singles Life

1. "The Messenger"/"New Town Velocity (demo)" on clear vinyl
2. "Upstarts"/"Psychic Beginner" on red vinyl
3. "New Town Velocity"/"The It-Switch" on silver vinyl
4. "Easy Money"/"Use Me Up" on white vinyl
5. "Dynamo"/"Struck" on yellow vinyl
6. "I Feel You"/"Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want (live)" gold vinyl
7. "Candidate"/"Exit Connection" blue vinyl
8. "Hi Hello"/"Jeopardy" orange vinyl
9. "Spiral Cities"/"Spectral Eyes" magenta vinyl
10. "Armatopia"/"The Bright Parade" turquoise vinyl

Nick Cave announces double LP 'Ghosteen' + listening parties


Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds return with a new double album titled Ghosteen this week. Cave revealed the details earlier this week via his newsletter The Red Hand Files. Part one of the album includes eight songs; part two features two "long" songs linked by a spoken word piece. Cave describes the songs on the first album as "the children" and the songs on the second album as "their parents." He adds that Ghosteen is "a migrating spirit."

This Thursday, October 3rd Cave will debut Ghosteen at select listening events worldwide and on You Tube, then on October 4th the record will be released digitally and on streaming platforms. Physical editions on CD and vinyl follow on November 8th. Head over to Cave's website to view the pre-order options.

Kitchen Of Distinction's Patrick Fitzgerald announces new (and final) record


Kitchens Of Distinction vocalist Patrick Fitzgerald announced that he'll release a new solo record in November. The news is bittersweet as Fitzgerald, who has been releasing solo material under the moniker Stephen Hero since 2000, has also revealed that this new album will be his final record. The album titled Deciduous Eccentric features ten tracks and will be released on November 1st through Bandcamp.

Stream the first song off the album titled "Patient Here Myself" below and head here to pre-order.

Thursday, September 26, 2019

Depeche Mode 'Spirits In The Forest' screenings announced; tickets on sale today


Tickets for Depeche Mode's concert film Spirits In The Forest went on sale today. A listing of participating theaters in the metro Detroit area is posted below. Note that some theaters will be screening the film on November 21st AND/OR November 24th. For the most current list of theaters and showings, visit the film's official website here.

Spirits In The Forest was directed by Anton Corbijn and is a concert film, but not JUST a concert/performance film; along with live footage captured on the final date of the Global Spirit tour in Berlin, the film will include "emotional stories" from six different Depeche Mode fans around the world with intimate documentary footage filmed in the hometowns of the fans.

Spirits In The Forest - participating theaters

AMC Forum, Sterling Heights
Emagine Birch Run
Emagine Canton
Emagine Novi
Emagine Rochester Hills
Emagine Royal Oak
Silvercity Windsor Cinemas

Sunday, September 22, 2019

Classic Alternative - Episode #124: Lost In Space


Classic Alternative - Episode #124: Lost In Space

Includes Gang Of Four, The Stone Roses, Depeche Mode, Teenage Fanclub, Pixies, Love And Rockets, Television, and The Smiths.

Stream below or here and catch up with the archive of previous episodes here or here.


News stories from the week
Depeche Mode announce concert film Spirits In The Forest
Peter Hook memoir adapted into TV series
Ministry announce career-spanning picture book
Liam Gallagher debuts MTV Unplugged performance
Trashcan Sinatras tour North America; play Detroit

Ministry announce photo book 'Prescripture: The Visual History'


A new Ministry photo book will be released in December. Ministry: Prescripture The Visual History is a 200 page career-spanning book featuring rare and unseen photos -- some from Al Jourgensen's personal archive -- artwork, commentary/quotes from Ministry band members plus other bands/musicians including Bauhaus, Killing Joke, Nine Inch Nails, Jane's Addiction, Ramones, and more.

Some copies of the book come with a bonus 7" featuring an acoustic studio recording of "Everyday Is Halloween" which also features Dave Navarro of Jane's Addiction.

Al Jourgensen revealed to Rolling Stone that after years of distancing himself from his "Everyday Is Halloween" synthpop days, he warmed up to the idea of performing the iconic 1985 track after some urging from Navarro. He's since come to almost embrace his past:

“It’s a period of my career I never thought I would revisit, but in the end it was cathartic. After playing it a few times both in North America and in Europe on Ministry’s latest tours, I’ve come to realize what a call to arms it is for teens everywhere.”

Ministry: Prescripture The Visual History ships around December 6th and is available to pre-order here.





Trashcan Sinatras bring 'One Night, Two Albums' tour to North America


Trashcan Sinatras return to North America for another One Night, Two Albums acoustic tour. Last year they performed their first two albums Cake and I've Seen Everything in full; this year's tour will see the band playing their next two albums -- A Happy Pocket (1996) and Weightlifting (2004) in full. The tour, which was announced earlier this year, now includes a Detroit area stop at the Magic Bag in Ferndale on October 21st. Tickets are on sale now.

FYI: two stops on the tour -- November 9th and November 15th -- are "all request" shows.



Trashcan Sinatras - One Night, Two Albums tour

Oct 04 -- San Juan Capistrano, CA @ The Coach House
Oct 05 -- San Francisco, CA @ Swedish American Hall
Oct 06 -- Sacramento, CA @ Harlow's
Oct 08 -- Portland, OR @ White Eagle Saloon
Oct 09 -- Seattle, WA @ The Triple Door
Oct 10 -- Vancouver, BC @ Biltmore Cabaret
Oct 12 -- Salt Lake City, UT @ Rye
Oct 13 -- Denver, CO @ The Soiled Dove
Oct 15 -- St. Louis, MO @ Blueberry Hill
Oct 17 -- St. Paul, MN @ Amsterdam Bar & Hall
Oct 18 -- Milwaukee, WI @ Shank Hall
Oct 21 -- Ferndale, MI @ Magic Bag
Oct 22 -- Evanston, IL @ Space
Oct 23 -- Toronto, ON @ Horseshoe Tavern
Oct 25 -- Buffalo, NY @ Rec Room
Oct 26 -- New York, NY @ The Cutting Room
Oct 27 -- Boston, MA @ City Winery
Oct 29 -- Asbury Park, NJ @ The Saint
Oct 30 -- Sellersville, PA @ Sellersville Theater
Nov 01 -- Vienna, VA @ Jammin Java
Nov 02 -- Charlotte, NC @ Evening Muse
Nov 04 -- Atlanta, GA @ Smith's Olde Bar
Nov 06 -- Austin, TX @ 3Ten ACL Live
Nov 08 -- Dallas, TX @ Opening Bell Coffee
Nov 09 -- Dallas, TX @ House Party (all request show)
Nov 11 -- Phoenix, AZ @ Valley Bar
Nov 12 -- Tuscon, AZ @ Hotel Congress
Nov 15 -- Las Vegas, NV @ House Party (all request show)
Nov 16 -- Los Angeles, CA @ Largo
Nov 17 -- San Diego, CA @ Amsdconcerts @ SCC

Liam Gallagher premieres MTV Unplugged performance


Liam Gallagher released his second solo record Why Me? Why Not on Friday. Over the summer Gallagher recorded an acoustic concert for MTV Unplugged, and now that his record is out, MTV Europe is set to premiere the episode on September 27th. To prepare the world for greatness, Gallagher premiered one of the songs from the episode - enjoy the unplugged version of "Now That I've Found You" below:



Published September 22nd, 2019

Thursday, September 19, 2019

Depeche Mode announce concert film 'Spirits In The Forest'


A new Depeche Mode film directed by Anton Corbijn will screen in theaters one night only in November. Spirits In The Forest is a concert film, but not JUST a concert film; along with concert footage captured from the Global Spirit tour, the film will include "emotional stories" from six different Depeche Mode fans around the world with intimate documentary footage filmed in the hometowns of the fans.

Spirits In The Forest screens on November 21st for one night only and tickets will go on sale starting September 26th. So far theaters have not yet been announced but will be revealed shortly. For now, Depeche Mode encourages fans to sign up for more info here.

Depeche Mode's classic concert film (and live album) 101 was released in 1989. A documentary on the making of 101 is available to view below:




Published September 19th, 2019

Wednesday, September 18, 2019

Peter Hook's Haçienda memoir is being adapted into a series


Peter Hook's sensational memoir recalling the rise and fall of The Haçienda is being transformed into a six part television series. According to Deadline, Witchery Pictures, which is owned by the British production company All3Media acquired the rights to The Hacienda: How Not To Run A Club. Ed Whitmore has been enlisted for the daunting task of adapting Hooky's book into a series for the small screen.

The Haçienda: How Not To Run A Club is a spellbinding tale chronicling the glory days and epic failure of the iconic and infamous Manchester institution.

The riveting work was published in 2010 and is Hooky's first memoir. He has since written two other fascinating memoirs focusing on his days in Joy Division (Unknown Pleasures: Inside Joy Division) and New Order (Substance: Inside New Order).

Meanwhile Peter Hook is gearing up to bring his Technique/Republic tour to North America next month. Tickets for all the shows on the tour are on sale now.

Peter Hook - Technique/Republic tour

Oct 24 -- Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer
Oct 25 -- Brooklyn, NY @ Brooklyn Steel
Oct 26 -- Boston, MA @ Paradise Rock Club
Oct 28 -- Toronto, ON @ Danforth Music Hall
Oct 29 -- Montreal, QC @ Theatre Fairmount
Oct 31 -- Detroit, MI @ St Andrew's Hall
Nov 01 -- Chicago, IL @ Metro
Nov 02 -- Minneapolis, MN @ First Avenue
Nov 04 -- Vancouver, BC @ Venue
Nov 05 -- Seattle, WA @ Neptune Theatre
Nov 07 -- Portland, OR @ Wonder Ballroom
Nov 08 -- San Francisco, CA @ The Fillmore
Nov 09 -- Los Angeles, CA @ The Wiltern
Nov 11 -- Austin, TX @ Emo's
Nov 12 -- Atlanta, GA @ Variety Playhouse

Published September 18th, 2019

Sunday, September 15, 2019

Classic Alternative - Episode #123: Naturally Enough...


Classic Alternative - Episode #123: Naturally Enough...

Includes Happy Mondays, The Pop Group, Nitzer Ebb, Depeche Mode, Lou Reed, Ramones, Lush, and The Smiths.

Stream below or here and catch up with the archive of previous episodes here or here.


News stories from the week

Bauhaus reunite for Hollywood show
Video: Pixies play live session
Thurston Moore covers New Order
Supergrass announce career-spanning boxset
R.E.M. release rarity for charity

Friday, September 13, 2019

Video: Pixies play BBC live session


Pixies return with their seventh studio album Beneath The Eyrie today. In promotion of the record the band recently visited the BBC and performed a live session for Radio 6. Check out a few tracks from the session including "Gouge Away" and "Here Comes Your Man" below.

Head here to order or stream Beneath The Eyrie.







Published September 13th, 2019



Thursday, September 12, 2019

R.E.M. release rarity to benefit Hurricane Dorian relief efforts


R.E.M. unearthed the rarity "Fascinating" and released it today as a charity single to benefit Hurricane Dorian relief and recovery efforts.

"Fascinating" is an outtake from the Reveal sessions and said to be Michael Stipe's favorite song from the sessions. As the story goes the song didn't make it onto Reveal and was shelved; R.E.M. later revisited the track and re-recorded it in Nassau for inclusion in their next album Around the Sun, but once again it was shelved because it didn't fit the vibe of the album.

In the wake of Hurricane Dorian, R.E.M. decided it was important to do something to help victims affected by the catastrophic event and have now made "Fascinating" available to fans. The rarity is available to download through Bandcamp with proceeds going to support Mercy Corp's humanitarian efforts in the Bahamas.

Head here to download.



Published September 12th, 2019

Wednesday, September 11, 2019

Thurston Moore covers New Order


Thurston Moore unleashed a cover of New Order's "Leave Me Alone" today. Moore recorded his version of the Power, Corruption and Lies staple in Salford and will be releasing it as the b-side to three different 7" singles which are set for release November 8th. The trio of singles each feature a different A side ("Spring Swells," "Three Graces," and "Pollination") captured live earlier this year. His New Order cover is a new studio recording and serves as the b-side to all three singles.

Moore's version certainly doesn't outshine New Order's brilliant classic -- that would be an impossible feat -- however Moore has provided a respectable version.

Stream "Leave Me Alone" below.





Published September 11th, 2019


Supergrass announce 6LP/13CD career-spanning boxset


Over the last week Supergrass reunited and played two comeback shows in London. Now they've announced details behind a new career spanning boxset Supergrass: The Strange Ones 1994 - 2008. The 6LP/13CD boxset collects their studio albums (I Should Coco, In It For The Money, Supergrass, Life On Other Planets, Road To Rouen, and Diamond Hoo Ha) on 6 vinyl picture discs AND 6 CDs, plus 8 more CDs featuring live material, B-sides, remixes, rarities, studio out-takes, demos, acoustic versions, oddities, new mixes, and more (over 6 hours of previously unreleased audio material is included). The massive set also includes a 7" single of "Caught By The Fuzz," a deluxe book, posters, and buttons.

Supergrass: The Strange Ones 1994 - 2008 arrives January 24th and is available to pre-order here. Stream a previously unreleased track (cover of The Police classic "Next To You") from the boxset below.

Along with the boxset announcement, Supergrass announced dates for a 2020 reunion tour. The tour includes two North American shows: April 1st at The Wiltern in Los Angeles and April 9th at Brooklyn Steel in New York.



Published September 11th, 2019

Tuesday, September 10, 2019

Bauhaus reunite + announce Hollywood show


Bauhaus have announced they will perform a show at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles on November 3rd. The show will feature ALL four members -- Peter Murphy, Daniel Ash, Kevin Haskins, and David J. Tickets go on sale Friday, September 13th at 10 am local time.

This is hugely exciting news for Bauhaus fans -- the band last performed together almost 15 years ago, in 2006.

No other dates have been announced, but stay tuned!


Sunday, September 8, 2019

Classic Alternative - Episode #122: Nuance


Classic Alternative - Episode #122: Nuance

Includes XTC, Supergrass, Felt, Severed Heads, David Bowie, Luna, The Cure, Dinosaur Jr, 999, and The Smiths.

Stream below or here and catch up with the archive of previous episodes here or here.


News stories from the week
Morrissey triumphantly kicks off North American tour
Video: Sinéad O'Connor performs on Irish television
Supergrass reunite in London
David Bowie's 1968-69 output collected on 5CD set Conversation Piece
Video: Pixies play The Late Show

Sinéad O'Connor performs classics on Irish TV

Sinéad O'Connor appeared on Irish television yesterday for an interview and live performance. Her performance included a stunning version of "Nothing Compares 2 U" and "Rainy Night In Soho" backed by an orchestra. Watch video of her breathtaking performance from RTE One below:





Saturday, September 7, 2019

Supergrass reunite in London


Britpop hearts melted last night as Supergrass reunited and played their first show together in almost 10 years. The reunion rumors had picked up steam over the last couple of weeks after Glastonbury festival bigwig Michael Eavis revealed a "big name band" would be reuniting and playing his Pilton Party event in London. As it turned out, the Supergrass prediction proved true as the foursome hit the stage in London and ripped through an 11 song set filled with classics.

The reunion wasn't just a one-off event -- another "surprise" Supergrass show takes place in London on September 9th and considering the band have been tagging social media with #Supergrass2020, it appears even more is in store for next year.





Published September 7th, 2019

Friday, September 6, 2019

Video: Morrissey kicks off North American tour


Morrissey kicked off his North American tour in fine form last night. Moz ripped through a 21 song set featuring material from California Son, classics from his solo catalog and a few Smiths tracks, then returned for a two song encore. During the show he also dryly acknowledged/admitted to a stage spitting incident from the '90s.

The tour heads to Forest Hill Stadium in Queens tomorrow night and rolls through the Detroit area next Friday, September 13th with a show at Meadowbrook.

View the setlist and fan filmed video (courtesy of Jim Powers) from the tour kickoff below:











Setlist

How Soon Is Now?
Alma Matters
Hairdresser On Fire
I Wish You Lonely
Satan Rejected My Soul
Morning Starship
Wedding Bell Blues
Lady Willpower
That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore
I'm Throwing My Arms Around Paris
Why Don't You Find Out For Yourself
If You Don't Like Me, Don't Look At Me
Munich Air Disaster 1958
Seasick, Yet Still Docked
Never Again Will I Be A Twin
Spent The Day In Bed
The Bullfighter Dies
Back On The Chain Gang
Jack The Ripper
Some Say I Got Devil
Suedehead
Everyday Is Like Sunday
First Of The Gang To Die

Morrissey - North American tour

Sep 07 -- Queens, NY @ Forest Hills Stadium
Sep 09 -- Camden, NJ @ BB & T Pavilion
Sep 11 -- Kettering, OH @ Fraze Pavilion
Sep 13 -- Rochester Hills, MI @ Meadow Brook Amphitheatre
Sep 14 -- Highland Park, IL @ Ravinia Festival
Sep 18 -- Grand Prairie, TX @ Verizon Theatre
Sep 20 -- Austin, TX @ Frank Erwin Center
Sep 21 -- Houston, TX @ White Oak Music Hall - Outside
Sep 26 -- Denver, CO @ The Mission Ballroom
Sep 28 -- Salt Lake City, UT @ Saltair
Sep 30 -- Portland, OR @ Theatre Of The Clouds
Oct 01 -- Seattle, WA @ WAMU Theatre
Oct 03 -- San Francisco, CA @ Bill Graham Civic Auditorium
Oct 05 -- Irvine, CA @ Five Point Amphitheatre
Oct 06 -- San Diego, CA @ Pechanga Arena
Oct 10 -- Edmonton, AB @ Northern Alberta
Oct 11 -- Calgary, AB @ Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium
Oct 14 -- Vancouver, BC @ Orpheum Theatre
Oct 15 -- Vancouver, BC @ Orpheum Theatre
Oct 21 -- Winnipeg, MB @ Centennial Concert Hall
Oct 24 -- Saskatoon, SK @ TCU Place
Oct 26 -- Los Angeles, CA @ Hollywood Bowl

Published September 6th, 2019

Thursday, September 5, 2019

Morrissey kicks off North American tour tonight


Morrissey's North American tour kicks off tonight in Columbia, Maryland. The itinerary includes U.S. shows with Interpol serving as support along with several Canadian dates that were rescheduled from late spring.

Morrissey is touring in support of his recently issued covers album California Son BUT he's also recently recorded a new studio album so perhaps he'll test out something new tour (unlikely, but you never know). Either way, it should be quite thrilling to see the legendary Moz back on stage wowing fans as he did on his recent critically acclaimed Broadway stint.





Morrissey -- North American tour

Sep 05 -- Columbia, MD @ Merriweather Post Pavilion
Sep 07 -- Queens, NY @ Forest Hills Stadium
Sep 09 -- Camden, NJ @ BB & T Pavilion
Sep 11 -- Kettering, OH @ Fraze Pavilion
Sep 13 -- Rochester Hills, MI @ Meadow Brook Amphitheatre
Sep 14 -- Highland Park, IL @ Ravinia Festival
Sep 18 -- Grand Prairie, TX @ Verizon Theatre
Sep 20 -- Austin, TX @ Frank Erwin Center
Sep 21 -- Houston, TX @ White Oak Music Hall - Outside
Sep 26 -- Denver, CO @ The Mission Ballroom
Sep 28 -- Salt Lake City, UT @ Saltair
Sep 30 -- Portland, OR @ Theatre Of The Clouds
Oct 01 -- Seattle, WA @ WAMU Theatre
Oct 03 -- San Francisco, CA @ Bill Graham Civic Auditorium
Oct 05 -- Irvine, CA @ Five Point Amphitheatre
Oct 06 -- San Diego, CA @ Pechanga Arena
Oct 10 -- Edmonton, AB @ Northern Alberta
Oct 11 -- Calgary, AB @ Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium
Oct 14 -- Vancouver, BC @ Orpheum Theatre
Oct 15 -- Vancouver, BC @ Orpheum Theatre
Oct 21 -- Winnipeg, MB @ Centennial Concert Hall
Oct 24 -- Saskatoon, SK @ TCU Place
Oct 26 -- Los Angeles, CA @ Hollywood Bowl

Published September 5th, 2019

David Bowie's 1968-1969 material collected on 5CD boxset 'Conversation Piece'


David Bowie's archive has announced a new Bowie boxset titled Conversation Piece will be released on November 15th.

The five disc set collects material from 1968 and 1969 including demos (home demos, Mercury demos), radio sessions, recordings from his experimental band Feathers, the 1969 stereo mixes and Tony Visconte's previously unreleased 2019 mixes of the original David Bowie (aka Space Oddity) album, and more.

FYI: Tony Visconte's 2019 mix of David Bowie/Space Oddity will also be released individually on vinyl and CD on November 15th.

Pre-order info will be announced shortly. For now, head here for more info on Conversation Piece and stream the 2019 mix of "Conversation Piece" below.

UPDATE: those interested in purchasing through Burning Shed can view pre-order options here.





Published September 5th, 2019

Video: Pixies rock out on 'The Late Show'


Pixies return with their new album Beneath The Eyrie on September 13th. In promotion of the release, last night the band played their latest single "Catfish Kate" on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Check out the action below.

Head here to pre-order Beneath The Eyrie.



Published September 5th, 2019

Sunday, September 1, 2019

Classic Alternative - Episode #121: Quiet Despair


Classic Alternative - Episode #121: Quiet Despair

Includes Tears For Fears, Sugarcubes, Depeche Mode, Buffalo Tom, The Clash, Front 242, The Cure, and The Smiths.

Stream below or here and catch up with the archive of previous episodes here or here.


News stories from the week
OMD issue 40th anniversary "Electricity" 7"
The Dukes Of Stratosphear release CD/Blu-Ray 'Psurroundabout Ride'
Liam Gallagher marks 10th anniversary of Oasis breakup with impassioned video