James To Tour The U.S.

When the soundtrack of your 90's life announces a new album and a soon-to-happen U.S. you are bound to gt excited. U.K. veterans James have just inked a deal with Decca Records to release their first new album in 7 years, Hey Ma. With a U.K. arena tour in full swing its now the U.S. that just need to be announced. Stay tuned!

Does Being Late Count?

Wino was an hour late to her performance at the Rock In Rio festival and just sounded a mess in front of 90,000 people. Her voice was cracking, she looked clueless...pretty bad.

The good thing is she's wearing a killer Matthew Williamson dress on stage. At least she can fuck up with style!

Amy Winehouse Gets Ultimatum #2432532

The best part about Amy Winehouse is that through all her issues she still manages to actually WANT people to come and see her live. Then again, do they want to see her perform her songs or just royally fuck up.

Maybe this will help; record label execs from Universal Music have given Amy an ultimatum. Whats it this time? Show up to all your booked summer gigs or no American tour for Amy.

This ultimatum comes with a relaxation therapist and a masseuse. Not such a bad ultimatum, huh?

She & Him Announce Summer Tour

If you missed She & Him at SXSW or some of the other shows they did a couple months back then you have the opportunity to catch them again!

Here are the summer tour dates:

07.23.08 - Toronto, ON (Opera House)
07.24.08 - Northampton, MA (Academy of Music)
07.25.08 - Philadelphia, PA (Trocadero)
07.26.08 - New York, NY (Terminal 5)
07.28.08 - Carrboro, NC (Cats Cradle)
07.29.08 - Atlanta, GA (Varsity Playhouse)
07.30.08 - Nashville, TN (Mercy Lounge)
07.31.08 - Asheville, NC (Orange Peel)
08.02.08 - Newport, RI (Newport Folk Festival)
08.05.08 - Chicago, IL (Park West)
08.07.08 - Minneapolis, MN (First Avenue)
08.08.08 - Madison, WI (Barrymore)
08.10.08 - Washington, DC (V Fest)

Likely Looks: MGMT - Electric Feel

What happens when you mix Bjork's video for Human Behavior with a D rate production of Tarzan? Well, its MGMT's video for Electric Feel. At first I was ok with the "out in the jungle" concept and then it just got funny.

Highlight is the part towards the end where they fly their motorcycles in the air a la E.T. Absolutely classic...and hysterical.

We Are Scientists Announce Their American U.S. American Tour

We Are Scientists are back with their new album Brain Thrust Mastery and a tour to back it up.

Here are the dates:

7/01 Los Angeles, CA El Rey Theatre
7/02 San Diego, CA The Casbah
7/03 Pomona, CA Glasshouse
7/05 Sacramento, CA The Blue Lamp
7/06 San Francisco, CA The Independent
7/08 Portland, OR Berbati's Pan
7/09 Seattle, WA Neumos
7/29 Philadelphia, PA Johnny Brenda's
7/30 Cambridge, MA The Middle East- Downstairs
7/31 Brooklyn, NY Music Hall of Williamsburg
8/01 New York, NY Bowery Ballroom
8/02 Washington, DC The Black Cat
8/03 Columbus, OH The Basement
8/04 Detroit, MI Magic Stick
8/05 Indianapolis, IN The Music Mill
8/06 Madison, WI The High Noon Saloon
8/07 Minneapolis, MN Varsity Theater
8/08 Chicago, IL The Abbey
8/09 Cleveland, OH Grog Shop
8/10 Newport, KY Southgate House

Likely Listens: Elle Milano

There are quite a few bands that have influenced Elle Milano but there isn't a band out right now LIKE Elle Milano. A three piece hailing from Brighton (UK), the band has crafted a unique sound with a little bit of good rock, a little bit of electro and a bunch of tunes that are definitely not for the nerds.

With their debut album Acres of Dead Space Cadets released in the UK in April of 2008, the band have already been on BBC Radio 1, 6 and have performed with Metric and Bloc Party.

Check out their video for Meanwhile In Hollywood

Diplo Gets In On The Mystery Jets Action

First Erol Alken, then Switch and now Diplo get in on the fun with the Mystery Jet's track Hideaway.

Diplo did some editing on the track and its definitely worth the download

Mystery Jets - Hideaway (Diplo Edit)

Likely Looks: Leona Naess - Heavy Like Sunday

Its been a long time (5 years!) since we last heard from Leona Naess. Yes, she was engaged to Ryan Adams and sort of had one hit record but it all seemed to fade as quickly as it came for Leona.

Now she's back with her fantastic new single, Heavy Like Sunday that will be released in the UK on June 2nd. The clip is absolutely darling and so simple yet so enjoyable.

I officially cannot WAIT for this record!

CSS Reveal Artwork For Donkey

CSS are back with their second album Donkey. The track listing is as follows:

01 Jåger Yoga
02 Rat Is Dead (Rage)
03 Reggae All Night
04 Give Up
05 Left Behind
06 Beautiful Song
07 How I Became Paranoid
08 Move
09 I Fly
10 Believe Achieve
11 Air Painter

and here is the artwork!

Liz Phair To Play Exile In Guyville In Full

It sort of doesn't get any better than this. Liz Phair is performing her legendary debut album Exile In Guyville in FULL on June 25th at Hiro Ballroom in New York.

The show comes a day after the reissue of the album comes out on ATO Records.

Shows in Chicago and San Francisco will follow.

This is going to be amazing.

The Kooks Rock The LA Streets

The Kooks are taking their instruments and doing a mini tour of the LA streets today. If you can make it out of work early make sure to catch them around the Westwood Village Theatre around 3:30 PM and then on the UCLA campus shortly after.

If you have a job that won't let you out early then catch them at Canter's Deli and shortly after at the Kibitz Room (it only holds 50 people so get there early!).

Hercules and Love Affair Play Studio B

It was your typical night at Studio B; too hot to dance, too many people to actually see the stage and too many people at the bar to get a drink. Then again not every night do you get to witness the latest New York buzz band's first official show ever?!

Hercules and Love Affair came on with the hopes of impressing the hot and sweaty crowd at around 1:10AM. They only half succeeded. While their catchy tunes sounded great live, the pause between songs was a bit frustrating. Also, the fact that I had to jump up to catch a glimpse of any of the action on stage drove me crazy (although that's not the band's fault now is it?!!). Kim's costume changes were fun and Shayne's dancing was a nice sight to catch (if I jumped up) but overall the gig just didn't gel together as well as it should have.

Its just the typical "band needs practice" type thing but expect more great things from Hercules and Love Affair. Plus, who can deny the genius of their debut album???!!


Photo credit: EduardoO

Amy Winehouse and Dionne D. Cover Alicia Keys

Amy Winehouse has taking a liking to YouTube lately with her new best friend Pete Doherty. Accompanying her goddaughter Dionne D. on guitar and backing vocals, they perform a completely stripped down cover of Alicia Keyes' If I Ain't Got You filmed by Pete (or Peter as Amy calls him) and uploaded for our viewing pleasure.

Might I say that Dionne D. has a pretty killer voice for a 12 year old.

Oasis Confirm September Release

Little is known about the upcoming Oasis album but slowly everything is piecing together.

As of last night, Noel spilled the beans on Russell Brand's Radio 2 show that the album would be released in September! The official date wasn't announced due to Noel claiming would "tell him off" for letting the date slip.

Get ready for the tour dates to pour in...

Likely Looks: Coldplay - Violet Hill

Whatever the formula Coldplay has mastered in crafting the perfect emotional pop is just mind blowing. With their third album Vida La Vida Or Death And All His Friends soon to be released, their first single Violet Hill will secure their spot as one of the biggest and best bands in the world.

The clip sees Chris Martin and co. as soldiers getting down and dirty in a desert and in front of a pretty house performing the track. Obviously, Chris Martin has no shame about his teeth as well...

Its an odd one but good none the less...

Does It Offend You, Yeah? Play Highline Ballroom

It started out as a weak night for Does It Offend You, Yeah while (somehow!) opening up for Yo Majesty on a rainy night yesterday at Highline Ballroom. Going through the motions with a set consisting mostly of tracks from their debut album You Have No Idea What You're Getting Yourself Into, the band seemed quite bored as they tried to get the crowd hyped up.

Midway through, finally Morgan was able to spark a bit of life into the crowd as he swung from the stage over to the VIP tables and finally into the crowd during Let's Make Out. It went uphill from there but the band was never able to achieve their usual energy as seen in previous performances.

Running into some technical issues, the band performed their cover of Devo's Whip It without a keyboard. It was quite endearing as they forgot the words and by the end were clearly just having fun with it.

Overall, it wasn't their best performance...but the crowd were so boring I'm surprised the band didn't fall asleep on stage.

Courtney Love Bags A New Writing Partner

In the continuing quest for Courtney Love to feel as British as possible, she's ditched the Billy Corgan's and Linda Perry's of the world for none other than Micko Larkin. Micko WHO? Well, it seems that Micko Larkin (guitarist of the recently broken up band Larrikin Love) has been assisting in Love's recording sessions in Los Angeles.

Could the follow up to America's Sweetheart be a britpop record? Who knows with C. Love these days...

Hot Chip Announce North American Tour

Hot Chip continue to maintain their status as the kings of live electro with their new set of dates in North America. After an amazing performance at Coachella that showcased the absolute perfection of them blending all their hits into one fantastic set, its safe to say these shows are not to be missed.

Here are the dates:
9/21 Los Angeles, CA Wiltern
9/22 Los Angeles, CA Wiltern
9/23 Tucson, AZ Rialto Theater
9/25 Dallas, TX Palladium Ballroom
9/26 Austin, TX Austin City Limits
9/28 Chicago, IL Metro
9/29 Chicago, IL Metro
9/30 Toronto, ON Koolhaus
10/1 Montreal, QC Metropolis
10/3 New York, NY Terminal 5
10/4 New York, NY Terminal 5
10/5 Philadelphia, PA The Trocadero
10/7 Baltimore, MD Rams Head Live
10/8 Washington, DC 9:30 Club
10/9 Atlanta, GA Variety Playhouse

Also, here is the video for their single One Pure Thought

Likely Looks: The Zutons - Always Right Behind You

The Zutons are back with their first single in 2 years, Always Right Behind You.

The video is quite simple but fun...typical Zutons style. Plus, if you forget the song title there are multiple reminders in the background to tell you EXACTLY what it is.

How Amy Winehouse and Pete Doherty Entertain Each Other Part 1

Amy Winehouse and Pete Doherty have been seeing a lot of each other lately and seem to really entertain each other. They also find it fun to make videos of themselves playing with mice that are newborns.

They should make a real music video about mice and cats. Maybe it won't be as baffling as these...

Death Cab For Cutie Going Strong To Be Billboard's #1

Who ever thought that the little band that could from Seattle, Washington would ever make it to the top of the Billboard Top 200? Yes, they've played on Saturday Night Live and are now on a major label...but still!

Well, it turns out that DCFC are poised to take the top spot on the Billboard Top 200 with approximately 135K to 145K sales of their latest effort "Narrow Stairs". I guess the moral of the story is major labels actually do help.

Robbie Williams and Oasis...Will The Feud Ever End?

Now that we all know Oasis has parted ways with Zak Starkey its surfaced that the new drummer is none other than Robbie Williams drummer, Chris Sharrock.

Robbiw has been having some issues with his label EMI and has been out of the spotlight for quite some time. What's his drummer to do? Oh that's right...go drum for one of your enemies. That sounds like a good plan.


Ahhhh...the good times

Likely Looks: Duffy - Borderline

During Radio 1's big weekend Madonna wasn't the only one performing her tracks. Duffy got in on the act doing a fantastic cover of Borderline with a little Duffy twist.

Surprisingly, she didn't know all the lyrics but she pulled it off with style even with a lyrics sheet!

Conor Oberst Announces First Solo Album In 13 Years

Its been 13 years since Conor Oberst has released an album he can call all his own...but 2008 will change that.

During January and February of 2008, Oberst packed up and went to Mexico to record with a special band named the Mystic Valley Band. A temporary studio was created in a mountain villa called Valle Místico on the outskirts of Tepoztlán, Morelos where the band and Oberst were often not aware of the time of the day.

Conor Oberst will be released in August. Here is the track listing:

1. Cape Canaveral
2. Sausalito
3. Get-Well-Cards
4. Lenders In The Temple
5. Danny Callahan
6. I Don’t Want To Die (In The Hospital)
7. Eagle On A Pole
8. Moab
9. NYC – Gone, Gone
10. Valle Místico (Ruben's Song)
11. Souled Out!!!
12. Milk Thistle

Oberst will also be taking the record on the road with the Mystic Valley Band. Dates are as follows:

August
22 - Leeds Festival, UK
24 - Reading Festival, UK
29-31 - Connect Festival, Scotland
31 - Electric Picnic, Ireland

September
12 - End of the Road Festival, UK
27 - ACL Music Festival, Austin TX

Now Why Can't America Have Commercials Like These?!

This commercial for Vittel Water in France is absolutely one of the most genius
things I have ever seen. Whoever came up with this idea is brilliant...obviously.

Likely Looks: The Kills - Last Day Of Magic

The Kills have slowly creeped their way into being on of my favorite bands of the moment with their latest album "Midnight Boom". Their latest video for "Last Day Of Magic" is a whirlwind of pure sex and pure aggression. The chemistry that Jamie and Allison have is amazing...and regardless what their status is (friends, lovers...blah blah) I could give a shit. All I know is that they are brilllliant.

Santogold Takes Us Behind The Scenes

Santogold's video for L.E.S. Artistes as we all know is absolutely wicked. Yet, how the hell did they come up with that concept?

Well, you wondered...Santogold answered! Check out the clip and find out the explanations!

The Futureheads Change Album Release Date

The Futureheads are back...but not quite yet! Now their album This Is Not The World will be released on June 3rd and in the UK on May 26th.

The band will also be here for their only (so far) US date on June 17th at Bowery Ballroom.

Also, check out the video for the band's second single, Radio Heart

Death Cab For Cutie Does Letterman

I'm not going to lie...this song isn't growing on me as fast as I would have liked it to. Sometimes I feel like there is the possibility that Death Cab For Cutie's incredible way of making pain so poppy gets old. Then again I think its just the fact that "I Will Posess Your Heart" sort of has no chorus and that could be the problem.

Regardless, don't think I didn't tune into Letterman to watch them perform the track

I Just Had To Do It...

Now we don't usually discuss pop music here (even though I am a total sucker for it) but this year us Greeks in the Eurovision contest have a shot to win with Kalomira. She's cute, she's just learned Greek and she's from Queens. You have to love her!

Here is her first rehearsal for the contest!

Rob Dickinson To Re-Release Debut Solo Album

When front men in bands make solo albums its usually not something to write home about. Then again when Rob Dickinson from Catherine Wheel made an album 5 years after the band broke up, people definitely took notice.

The album was a much more "adult" album, allowing Dickinson to throw away the guitar riffs for more of a softer side. Luckily, fans embraced the tracks and it was a hit with Catherine Wheel fans.

Now Dickinson is taking his re-release to new heights by making is now a two disc set which include one new track and 6 acoustic Catherine Wheel songs. Getting the best of both worlds never hurt.

The re-release of Fresh Wine For The Horses will come out June 10th.

Rob Dickinson - End Of The World

Blood Red Shoes Announce New Single and New Tour Dates

On June 30th, Blood Red Shoes will be releasing their new single This Is Not For You on June 30th in the UK. Of course, with any new band they've been crisscrossing the UK and Europe playing gig after gig and winning over audiences every night.

You've got some time to see the band still on the following dates:

May
30 - Germany, Immergut Festival
31 - Holland, Pinkpop

June
14 - Sweden, Hultsfred Festival
28 - France, Le Rock dans tous ses Etates, Evreaux

July
04 - France, Les Eurockeenes, Belfort
05 - France, Cluses Musiques en Stock Festival
15 - Switzerland, Montreaux Jazz Festival
18 - Melt Festival, Germany
19 - Slovakia, Pohoda Festival
20 - Poland, Jarocin Festival
22 - Switzerland, Paleo Festival

August
09 - Tokyo, Japan, Summersonic Festival
10 - Osaka, Japan, Summersonic Festival
14 - Frequency Festival, Austria
16 - Lowlands Festival, Holland
17 - Highfield Festival, Germany
22 - Reading Festival
23 - Leeds Festival
29 - Germany, Area 4

October
13 - Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth (14+)
15 - Cockpit, Leeds (14+)
16 - Academy 3, Manchester (14+)
18 - Drummonds, Aberdeen (14+)
19 - King Tuts, Glasgow (14+)
20 - Academy 2, Newcastle (14+)
21 - Waterfront, Norwich (14+)
23 - Academy 2, Birmingham (14+)
24 - Astoria 2, London (16+ / 14+ with an adult)

Weezer Bumps Up Album Release Date

Now let's face it, Weezer hasn't really made a great record since Pinkerton BUT somehow we are all still fascinated with Rivers and co. enough to see whats next in their world.

This time around we see the band releasing their latest self titled release now 3 weeks earlier than before. Say hello to June 3rd as the new release date for Weezer fans.

Also, interesting choice to record the single with Jacknife Lee...funny enough it doesn't sound like he had any damn input in the song.

Weezer fans, embrace the new release date and enjoy.

Oasis Has a Line Up Change?

Before Oasis hit the road again they might be seeing a change in their line up. Rumor has it that drummer Zak Starkey and Noel Gallagher have been having their disagreements as of lately and its highly unlikely that he will be joining Oasis on the road.

“There have been arguments with NOEL GALLAGHER and general disagreements. It looks like the album will be his last involvement with the band", claims a source close to the band.

Roll in drummer #4 please...

Sunday Video Rewind: Tricky ft. PJ Harvey - Broken Homes

The pairing of Tricky and PJ Harvey for the single "Broken Homes" could be one of the best pairings on a track ever. Their voices combined created such a eerie yet enjoyable track with an even more eerie video. I vote PJ Harvey as having some of the best duets ever...thoughts? Yes, the Bjork and PJ cover of "Satisfaction" counts in this category as well...

Radiohead Not Too Fond Of Their Greatest Hits

The world of major labels as well all know isn't so hot right now. New artists are really breaking in the money sense so the only thing they have to fall back on is greatest hits collections, the same live album done 7 times over or multiple re-releases with the only new thing on it being a shit remix.

EMI obviously falls into this category and their upcoming release of a Radiohead "Greatest Hits" record is the next step to making whatever extra they can on the legendary band's catalog. The good news is that Radiohead have stood their ground and voiced their unhappiness with the release.

Singer Thom Yorke told The World Magazine, "There's nothing we can do about it. The work is really public property now anyway, in my head at least. It's a wasted opportunity in that if we'd been behind it, and we wanted to do it, then it might have been good."

There you have it folks...another label frustrating another band.

Did You Register For Your Coldplay Tickets?

Coldplay are doing the "good press" thing and taking the free route to their music and shows for their upcoming album "Vida La Vida Or Death And All His Friends". First it was a free download for their single "Violet Hill" and now its a free concert at Madison Square Garden.

To get tickets for the show go to www.coldplay.com, follow the directions and you are on your way to possibly getting a pair!

See you at the gig!

Likely Looks: Gnarls Barkley - Going On

There is one thing Gnarls Barkley does well and thats music videos. In their latest clip for "Going On" which was shot on location in Jamaica, the video takes such a simple concept and puts a lot of life to the clip.

Then again is anything they do not lively?

Check it out for yourself:

Likely Looks: R.E.M. - Hollow Man

If you ever wanted to play a somewhat twisted form of karaoke to an R.E.M. song then this is your chance. It feels a bit like a final project at some artsy fartsy film school...but who said final projects wouldn't be as good as some big budget production?

Siren Festival Line Up Announced

Its that time of year again! Summer is coming and that means loads of free gigs in New York. With all the speculation that Coney Island was closing last year, no one was sure that the Siren Festival was going to happen...but it is and the lineup is nothing to write home about.

Here is the lineup for the festival:

Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks
Broken Social Scene
The Helio Sequence
Beach House
Times New Viking
Jaguar Love
The Dodos
Annuals
Film School
Parts & Labor
Dragons Of Zynth
These Are Powers

Don't get me wrong though...anything to ride the cyclone and eat crap food all day is sort of right up my alley. Therefore yes, I will be attending.

New Oasis Tracks Leak Online

Well, its no surprise that new Oasis tracks have leaked online...the catch is that these tracks have been floating around for some time in the fan community.

The tracks that have "leaked" are "Stop The Clocks", "Nothin' On Me", and "I Wanna Live My Dream (In A Record Machine)" and are from 2005's 'Don't Believe The Truth" demos. Regardless, now they will be up for grabs around the internet and you should give them a listen. In fact, give them a lot of listens. Its Oasis...they never do anything bad.

Here they are courtesy of YouTube (sorry for the lack of MP3s!):

"Stop The Clocks":


"I Wanna Live My Dream (In A Record Machine)":


"Nothin' On Me":

Dandy Warhols Give Themselves Up For Free

Once you are free of the major label system and you can decide your own fate, it seems to be a bit more fun. The Dandy Warhols now have their own label through World's Fair and are giving away a free MP3 to kick things off.

The Dandy Warhols - The World The People Together (Come One)

Isn't it fun to control your music in this world we call the music business?

Black Kids Join The Columbia Roster

Black Kids have just announced that they are joining the Columbia Records family and will be releasing their album "Partie Traumatic" through the label. They join the Almost Gold family outside of North America too...so its one big Sony party!

Columbia has gotten a bit cooler over the years thanks to Almost Gold and a few key Columbia releases. Congrats to them...I guess they are the new home for bands that should have stayed indie.

Black Kids are on tour with Cut Copy* too. Here are the dates:

May 5 - Omaha, NE at Waiting Room*
May 6 - Minneapolis, MN at 7th Street Entry*
May 7 - Chicago, IL at The Abbey Pub*
May 8 - Detroit, MI at Magic Stick*
May 9 - Toronto, ON at Lees Palace*
May 12 - Boston, MA at Paradise*
May 13 - Brooklyn, NY at Studio B*
May 15 - Washington, DC at Black Cat*
May 16 - Philadelphia, PA at Pure*
May 17 - Baltimore, MD at Sonar*
May 18 - New York, NY at Bowery Ballroom

Likely Looks: Justice - Stress

WARNING: Do not watch this video of you are hungover. The shaky camera action almost got me sick and I am sober!

Now, tune in for yourself!

The Kills Set Webster Hall On Fire...Literally

Last night not only were the Kills on fire, but so was Webster Hall. Early on in the set for some reason a rush of people came down the stairs saying "Webster Hall is on fire! There are flame on the balcony!". My first response was to see it...but I missed out on the flames.

The Kills continued on playing till the fire department stepped on stage and told the audience it would be about 10 to 15 minutes till the band could continue. Allison thanked the audience for their patience and people either left or gathered around the bar.

About 30 minutes later, the band kicked back into their set like nothing had happened. Oh how "seasoned veterans" it was of them to be able to pull it together and bang out a killer set after all the craziness.

Here is the set list (courtesy of Music Snobbery:

* U.R.A. Fever
* Pull A U
* Sour Cherry
* Tape Song
* No Wow
* Alphabet Pony
* Wait
* Last Day of Magic
* Kissy Kissy
* The Good Ones
* What New York Used To Be
* Cheap and Cheerful
* Fried My Little Brains
* Goodnight Bad Morning
* Encore: Love Is A Deserter
* The Search For Cherry Red
* Fuck The People

and now for a photo of the fire madness...

Photo credit: zsumoz