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Weezer To Write With Fans

bibo — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 09:28:19 -0600

American geek rockers Weezer have requested the help of fans for an as yet unfinished track.

Weezer have had a dramatic year. Returning with their new album 'Raditude' the band cheered fans, who had expected the American group to take a break after releasing 'The Red Album' last year.

Containing some of their most outlandish material to date, the sessions for 'Raditude' included numerous collaborations, including a bizarre team up with saxophone star Kenny G.

Touring across North America, Weezer were recently dealt a huge blow when the band's tour bus skidded off the road. Injuring singer Rivers Cuomo, the frontman had to be cut from the wreckage of the vehicle.

Suffering a punctured lung and ruptured spleen, the singer was taken to hospital. Later released, the Weezer singer was ordered to rest. Denied permission to fly home by doctors Rivers Cuomo was forced to embark on a 2000 mile bus journey back home to Los Angeles.

Now the singer has attempted to rope in fans to help him finish a new track. Titled 'Sushi' the song in unfinished, with Rivers Cuomo now inviting fans and fellow musicians to help with the track.

"I wrote this tune, 'Shusui'" Cuomo said on the band's Radio Weezer. "Now I want to write the lyrics. Before I do that, I'd like somebody to produce a better demo of the music. I'll pay you $208."

For more information visit Weezer's official website!

Kinks Musical Cancelled

bibo — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 09:28:19 -0600

A new musical that featured The Kinks singer Ray Davies has been cancelled.

More than a decade after their split, British group The Kinks are back in the news. The legendary group are famed for their unique songwriting style as well as their difficult personal relationships, with brothers Ray and Dave Davies frequently arguing.

However it seems that the two could have patched things up. In a recent interview Ray Davies stated his intention for re-form the band, with new material apparently in the offing.

In addition to this acclaimed director Julien Temple has confirmed plans to craft a film about the band. The Kinks' career spans over thirty years and moved from garage rock to Britpop. In the past Temple has directed such award winning films as 'The Filth And The Fury' - telling the story of The Sex Pistols.

Now a new musical featuring Ray Davies has been cancelled. 'Come Dancing' opened 2008 to warm reviews and box office success. A new run was confirmed for 2010 with director Bill Kenwright returning to the helm.

However in a new statement it was confirmed that the musical will not now go ahead. "Ray (Davies) is extremely disappointed that the 2010 'Come Dancing' tour will not be happening," a spokesperson for Davies' studio Konk wrote.

"(He) will be issuing a statement in due course."

No explanation has been given for the cancellation, although theatres are giving refunds to those who bought tickets in advance.

Blur Documentary Preview Details

bibo — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 09:28:19 -0600

Britpop icons Blur have confirmed details of the premiere of their forthcoming documentary 'No Distance Left To Run'.

Blur began life as a shambling indie quartet named Seymour. Driven by singer Damon Albarn and his childhood friend Graham Coxon the pair's artistic ambition pushed the band to undreamt of heights.

After riding the baggy boom the re-christened Blur retreated to their rehearsal room. Taking inspiration from British songwriting icons such as The Kinks and Syd Barrett the group re-emerged with a potent new style.

Labelled 'Britpop' the band spawned a movement which swept all before it. Later tiring of their role in the jolly mid 90s knees up, Blur took a left turn writing material inspired by underground American rock acts such as Pavement.

Splitting in 2003 following the departure of guitarist Graham Coxon, the band reformed this summer to play a series of emotional shows. Climaxing with a headline set at Glastonbury the group invited film makers to record their comeback.

With no new shows on the horizon it seems that fans will have to make do with a new documentary. 'No Distance Left To Run' is a Pulse Films production, shot by Dylan Southern and Will Lovelace.

Produced by Lucas Ochoa and Thomas Benski, the film traces the history of the pioneering group through their own words. Opening in cinemas across the country from January 19th 'No Distance Left To Run' will be shown for the first time in London.

Taking place on January 14th the premiere will be shown in Leicester Square Odeon, with Blur themselves expected to be in attendance.

For more details on the film visit Blur's official website!

Broken Bells Free Download

bibo — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 09:28:19 -0600

Superstar team up Broken Bells have made a track from their new album available as a free download.

Collaboration seems to be the latest trend in the upper echelons of the music scene. From The Dead Weather to Them Crooked Vultures it seems that everyone's at it, from new stars to established rock heavyweights.

Renowned hip hop producer Danger Mouse is better equipped to deal with this than most. The sonic soundsmith has made a career out of working with other artists, hitting paydirt with Gnarls Barkley.

Recently forced to shelve an all star project, Danger Mouse has now confirmed details of a new album. Teaming up with James Mercer from The Shins the pair have begun crafting exciting new material.

Bringing together to questing yet deeply opposed artists, Broken Bells unites hip hop and rock, dancefloor beats with expert songcraft.

The duo are set to release their self-titled album on March 8th. Anticipation is high amongst fans, with The Shins currently cresting a wave of success, leading the way in the Stateside indie boom.

Speaking to the NME Danger Mouse revealed that recording sessions were remarkably natural. "It was very easy. We didn�t put any pressure on ourselves so there was nothing we trying to achieve or could fall short of, and we work together really, really well. We did it all together, it was all in the same studio, with couple of great engineers."

Now Broken Bells have chosen to preview their debut album with a free download. 'The High Road' is available from the duo's official website - but be quick, the track is only live for 24 hours.

Broken Bells are due to release their debut album on March 8th.

Pete Doherty Arrested... In Court

bibo — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 09:28:19 -0600

Indie icon Pete Doherty was arrested yesterday (December 21st) in court shortly after facing other criminal charges.

Oh Pete. The one time Libertine turned solo star is still capable of producing stunning music, such as his recent solo album 'Grace / Wastelands'. However the singer has matched this with a unique knack for finding trouble.

This year alone Pete Doherty has spent more time in police custody than he would wish for, with the singer being arrested twice in one week.

Facing charges of driving under the influence, the singer appeared in Gloucester Crown Court yesterday (December 21st). Ordered to pay 2,050 in fines Pete Doherty was also banned from driving for 18 months.

Astonishingly, Pete Doherty was re-arrested minutes afterwards. A police officer nabbed the singer's collar before he had even left the building, this time on suspicion of possessing an illegal substance.

According to the singer was walking into court when a clingfilm wrap thought to contain drugs fell out of his pocket. An onlooker describes how Pete Doherty was being frisked when the incident occurred.

"He was being frisked by a security officer and when he emptied his pockets a clingfilm wrap fell out," the onlooker said.

"The security man picked it up and saw it contained what looked like little blue crystals. The security man phoned the police and about six officers came over and waited to arrest Doherty when his case was over."

Morrissey Previews Autobiography

bibo — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 09:28:19 -0600

Manchester songwriter Morrissey has previewed his autobiography with a new section about Saddleworth Moor - linked to the Moors Murders.

Morrissey is a deeply Northern personality. With his dour exterior seemingly drenched in Manchester rain, the singer's lyrics speak of growing up in decaying post-industrial towns amid working class grit.

Profoundly enigmatic, the singer has recently hinted at the possibility of writing an autobiography. Having previously released books on The New York Dolls and 50s B-movie stars, Morrissey is no stranger to prose.

However this could represent an unusual step for the famously secretive singer. Morrissey recently claimed he was yet to finish the proposed tome, but has now confirmed the release of the first excerpt from the book.

An essay written by Morrissey titled 'The Bleak Moor Lies' appeared in the new book 'The Dark Monarch: Magic & Modernity in British Art', published by Tate St Ives.

A work of fiction, the story finds a groups of friends travelling to Saddleworth Moor. Located in the South Pennines the windswept moor became infamous as the location of a series of burials linked to the so-called Moors Murderers.

Ian Brady and Myra Hindley used the site as a burial ground for children they had killed. The infamous case haunted a generation of Northern children, with Morrissey growing up in its immediate aftermath.

Morrissey previously recalled the murders in the early Smiths song 'Suffer Little Children'. In his essay, the singer asks: "How many unfortunates have Saddleworth Moor as their resting place?"

Edited by Michael Bracewell, Martin Clark and Alun Rowlands, the book also includes contributions from Jon Savage and Damien Hirst.

Joe Strummer Christmas Card Unveiled

bibo — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 09:28:19 -0600

Punk icon and singer with The Clash Joe Strummer is set to be honoured with a new Christmas card - which he designed before his death.

Real name John Mellor, Joe Strummer was a walking contradiction. The son of a former diplomat the college drop out turned into a squat rocker, before becoming a ferocious punk rocker battling for peace and love.

The Clash emerged from the Westway with a furious energy. Their debut album blended the anger of The Sex Pistols with a rare humanity, giving the band a political edge that helped define a generation.

Speaking out against racism and prejudice, The Clash blended this with expertly picked influences. The band's tour bus rocked to the sounds of dub reggae, classic rockabilly, soul and even the odd slice of Captain Beefheart.

Continually re-inventing themselves, the band would eventually splinter after the departure of songwriting partner Mick Jones. Joe Strummer picked himself up and engaged in a lingering career that would stretch from cinema to art until he eventually found his way back to the music scene.

Dying in 2002, the punk icon was on the verge of an unlikely revival. Joe Strummer was playing to packed out crowds and, just weeks before his death, the singer would be re-united with Mick Jones at an impromptu performance for striking firemen.

Now Joe Strummer is to be remembered with a new Christmas card. The songwriter was also a keen artist, and designed his own cards to be sent to friends and family.

One design which was never used will now be released in aid of the charity Strummerville, set up after his death. In addition to this the charity are set to release the new record 'Winter Sessions Showcase Album 2009' featuring a range of up and coming acts.

Check out the Strummerville website for more details.

Radiohead's Thom Yorke Slates World Leaders

bibo — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 09:28:19 -0600

Radiohead singer Thom Yorke has criticised world leaders for failing to reach agreement at the recent Copenhagen conference on global warming.

Global warming is one of the biggest problems facing humanity. Rising sea levels, severe weather patterns and shifts in temperature have all conspired to make life on planet Earth more dangerous than ever.

A recent conference in Copenhagen saw world leaders descend on the Danish capital to thrash out a potentially historic deal on climate change. However in a series of scattered debates no consensus emerged.

Radiohead singer Thom Yorke gatecrashed the event after gaining advantage of a press pass, and in a new statement reported by the BBC has revealed his disgust with world leaders.

"I think that western governments have come here expecting to go around this like business as usual" blasted the Radiohead frontman. "They're not interested in what you think. They are interested in covering themselves. They've walked into this negotiation and operated utterly cynically."

"They deserve all they get. All of them, including Obama, were put in power on the basis that they would change the climate change issue. Obama has done something, I'll give him that. I'll give him that it's not easy. But if you�re American you should be utterly ashamed of your president right now."

"If you were going to be really open hearted about it you could say, well maybe there was a practical element to it, maybe they were trying to move things forward. But actually, I think it's far more distressing than that. You have governments who don�t really see how it's going to happen. A lot of them are men and a lot of them are middle aged. They have a lot of friends around them who basically want to keep this ticking over as it is."

"They've come away with nothing here and it's really, really disturbing. This is the time, this is the hour, this is the day it was supposed to happen and it's not happened."

Kasabian Talk New Material

bibo — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 09:28:19 -0600

Leicester indie giants Kasabian have spoken about their new grunge influenced material.

With Oasis out of action a number of groups are attempting to seize their throne. Close friends and fellow British rockers Kasabian could yet emerge as potential replacements, with the rowdy Leicester lads recently completing a massive arena tour.

Celebrating the success of their third album 'West Ryder Pauper Asylum' the band were keen to see out the year in style. Set to take a short break Kasabian have signalled their intentions to return with new material in 2010.

Speaking to BBC 6Music the band's singer Tom Meighan claimed that a variety of garage and psych groups inspired 'West Ryder Pauper Asylum'. Asked what was fuelling current writing sessions the singer claimed that Nirvana and Pink Floyd were big influences.

"Sergio Pizzorno (guitarist) has got a body of songs that are sounding great," he explained. "It�s nothing like what we�ve done on this record it�s really old school grunge. There�s a lot of Pink Floyd, Dark Side Of The Moon, piano-based songs at the minute."

Continuing, the singer outlined the band's plans to return with a quick-fire fourth album. "I think we�ll do it a bit quicker this time," he said. "We took a good three months off last time, because we toured for about four years and that�s the only reason we took that amount of time off, because we toured like crazy."

"I think this time we�ll have a few weeks off or a month off, then we�ll go into the studio and record the new record. Hopefully we won�t wait around so much this time."

Elsewhere, the Kasabian frontman also recalled meeting Led Zeppelin frontman Robert Plant. "I just told him how much I loved him" the singer laughed.

"I called him 'Mr Plant'. He was like, 'Don�t call me Mr Plant, call me Robert and I brought your record and it�s great', is what he said. He was wonderful."

The xx - The Sculpture?

bibo — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 09:28:19 -0600

Acclaimed London newcomers The xx are set to open 2010 with a new sculpture inspired by their album.

The xx are part of a new wave of young talent from London. The city seems to be teeming with musicians, producers, artists and film makers eager to strike out on their own and carve out a unique identity.

In fact the band are well named - 'xx' is Roman numerals for 20, their average age. Banding together at school The xx rehearsed in each other's homes at night, turning down their equipment to avoid disturbing neighbours.

The group's sparse sound combined with a knowledge of dance music to create something very special. Live, The xx have been known to burst into cover versions of garage classics injecting some soul into their moonlit indie rock.

Releasing their debut album earlier this year The xx stunned critics with a remarkably self-assured effort. Closing the year with a number of tour dates, The xx recently lost a member but seem to have managed the transition to a trio fairly effortlessly.

Now the band have confirmed plans to produce an artwork inspired by their album. �xx: a sculpture of the album by Saam Farahmand� opens on January 8th in London's Vinyl Factory.

In Saam's own words:

�Music videos are a 2D visual interpretation of a song. We are interested in creating spaces that exist as a 3D physical interpretation of a song or an album, and that is what we have created for the album xx. It shares sensibilities with art installations but it should not be considered in this context - it is in essence a physical music video, a looping shrine to the album that you cannot compress, send or turn off. We have to understand that these pop up 'rooms' and 'spaces' should and will become as commonplace as music videos, bridging the gap until we have the technology to 'stream' a 3D experience through our home computer as if it was a Youtube clip. The xx are the perfect ambassadors for the medium. Their music is mesmerising, and deeply physically affecting.�

To coincide with the event The xx are set to issue a special edition vinyl version of their debut album. The gallery runs between January 8th - 12th.