August, 2010

An Ending Fitting For The Start

- (London, 08/25/10) John and Paul, Ray and Dave, Liam and Noel – history is littered with great bands that suffered from relationship strains, Pete and Carl being no exception. Six years ago when Pete was forced out of the Libertines, a full scale reunion looked about as likely as an Oasis reggae album. Pete’s well documented drug problem became more of a talking point than the music as the arcadian dream came to a messy end after just two albums. Whether or not Pete is completely clean now is anyone’s guess, but Carl agreeing to play these gigs alludes to the assumption that Pete is in at least a better place than he was back then, whatever ‘better’ is in his chaotic world. There has been much to enjoy of the band’s individual output since they went their separate ways. Babyshambles put out two solid efforts and Dirty Pretty Things had their moments, as did John’s Hassall’s band, Yeti, who were criminally ignored. Yet nothing could recreate that magic which we’ve missed so dearly this side of the 00′s, a void that absolutely nobody could fill, no, not even the Arctic Monkeys.

Due to the track’s political undertones, it’s comprised of vintage footage from conflicts spanning the past century.

Welsh band Los Campesinos! will return to the US and Canada in October for a large tour.

London-based synthpop band Ou Est Le Swimming Pool have revealed they will go ahead with the release of their debut album after their frontman Charles Haddon died at the Pukkelpop event in Belgium last weekend.

Our friends at Miss Win It are offering a lucky winner the chance to catch one of the UK’s best live band’s at this year’s F1 Rocks party in Milan, Italy.
Competition winners will pick up two tickets to the event, with flights, 5-star accomodation and spending money included.

As the 1970 Isle Of Wight festival celebrates it’s 40th anniversary this week, we take a look at the incredible five days which, amidst the clash of hippy ideology, establishment and near-bankruptcy, came to define the shift of power from fans to business and the beginning of big-budget festivals.

Elbow frontman Guy Garvey has told digital station BBC 6Music the follow-up to their hugely successful fourth studio album ‘The Seldom Seen Kid‘ is close to completion, and also disclosed the record’s working title.

The Reading/Leeds festival organiser Melvin Benn has warned he will be forced to pull the plug on Guns n Roses’ headline shows if they take to the stage late at this weekend’s event.

Reformed band The Libertines made their long awaited return to the stage last night at a gig billed as a ‘live rehersal’ in preparation for their forthcoming Reading/Leeds festival appearances.

The Futureheads have released details of a US tour to commence in September. The new dates are in support of their fourth studio album ‘The Chaos‘, and are announced ahead of their scheduled appearance at the Reading/Leeds Festivals this weekend.