June 9, 2000

Stunning news from Radiohead's secret underground sound bunker in Oxford: The group will release not one but two new albums in the next year and a half. Seems Thom Yorke and company had extra material, and want to release a 10-11 track experimental record that is sure to become the most anticipated art-rock excess of the young 21st century. All the news comes to us courtesy of Humo, a Belgian rag that's also online.

Death in Vegas have announced their new single will hit stores in the UK and US on July 3. It's called "one more time," and will probably not be included on next record. The duo headed to the studio this week to record the follow-up to last year's "The Contino Sessions."

Guided By Voices' new box set is attributed to over 80 fictitious bands, including the memorable Fake Organisms and Hazzard Hotrods. SonicNet has the story.

June 8, 2000

Robert Smith has confirmed the rumors swirling around the Cure: the band is no more. The increasingly Elizabeth Tayloresque pop singer has decided to record as a solo artist rather than front the group he formed 21 years ago. The band has inspired both devotion and derision throughout its history, and in the end what we're left with at least an LP of great pop songs, and another of some of the best gloom ever put on wax. Robert Smith has been talking about a solo project since the mid-80s, now it seems likely to see the light of day, or rather the dark of night...

If the band were bigger, the Sun might have screamed: Belle Boys Busted in Beer-fueled Beeb Breakout. Or something like that. As it were, the lads from Belle and Sebastian made some news after being collared by the BBC security directly following their first performance on Top of the Pops. According to BBC-1, the group had a few pints after they finished singing 'Legal Man', and decided to find the EastEnders' set. Shortly thereafter BBC's crack security squad swooped in and called the cops on what they perceived to be a gang of drunken ruffians. The group was saved from incarceration by the Top of the Pop's producer, who assured the security staff that the gentlemen were also musicians.

Gene's big comeback in Los Angeles was webcast around the world-- but longtime fan Morrissey wanted to hear the group in person. Gene's initial rise to fame a few years back was no doubt boosted by the Smiths' frontman's attention, as he was often spotted at their shows. If you want to be like Moz, the show is still online here

June 5, 2000

Shellfire Records is feeling fine in the pop sunshine this summer. New releases from The Shelflife and Laura Watling, plus a mini-tour featuring label standouts majestic, the arrogants and le coupe will be keeping the American pop imprint busy this month.

June 2, 2000

Naughty knob-twiddler Moby is now denying that he likes to rub his naked penis on the world's most famous celebrities (see yesterday's news). After the story, printed in Q Magazine, went public, Moby hastily declared that the whole thing was a joke-- the bald DJ told the BBC that every once in a while he'll say something completely outlandish to see if it gets in print. USOUNDS thinks Moby's just angry that no one ever noticed his puny member during his "knob touch' games.

Members of Killing Joke, Nine Inch Nails, and Public Image Limited have formed an industrial supergroup of sorts called "The Damage Manual." The group doesn't yet have an album, but they'll be touring the UK and USA this summer. Chris Connelly is the group's singer, and Jah Wobble helps out on bass. NME has the full UK tourdates.

June 1, 2000

New and exciting details are emerging about Radiohead's new album. Described by bassist Colin Greenwood as 'dark,' the record will reportedly feature 14 tracks culled from 60 songs the group has written since the release of OK Computer. Brother Johnny Greenwood told a Dutch Radio station that "if you like things like Exit Music (For A Film), Talk Show Host and Airbag you will like the new album, because it's got songs similar to that. And also some experimentation with electronic music as well that we're sort of getting into." It sounds like another brilliant record.

In other Radiohead news, the band is reportedly considering bringing a massive tent with them on tour, so they can control their venue, and not play in stadiums designed for sports. The idea would be to pitch the tent (which has a capacity of 10,000) wherever the band plans to play, and do the concert inside.

The bizarre item of the day comes from Moby, who admits that he enjoys rubbing his naked penis against unwitting top celebrities. Victims of the DJ's party game, which he lovingly calls 'Knob Touch' include Winona Ryder and Dennis Rodman. Q Magazine plans an expose of Moby's party games in their July issue, but for now you can get more details online.