Author: Crossfire

The return of Cannibal Ox looks set to be a non-event after comments by El-P in a recent interview.

The group, who rose to underground fame with their record The Cold Vein which was released in 2001, were due to make a comeback according to the linear notes of a live album put out in 2005. It was also rumoured RZA and Pete Rock would be involved in the production. However, their label boss, El-P, recently said in an interview:

“The fact of the matter is that everyone has been crossing their fingers, including Def Jux, hoping that Cannibal Ox would get their shit together as a group, even to the point where I resigned them…At this point I can’t pretend anymore or cover for those guys. They haven’t been together for a long time, but they tried to get it back together again, but it’s proving to be an impossible task.”

www.definitivejux.net

Shellac have announced some details of their upcoming album.

The band, who are fronted by influential producer Steve Albini [who likes to refer to himself as a recording engineer] and also feature Bob Weston of Burma fame and Toddy Trainer of Brick Layer Cake.

The record will be titled Excellent Italian Greyhound and will be released on June 5th this year. This will be their first new record in 7 years, since the release of 1000 Hurts.

www.southern.com/southern/band/SHLAC/

The line ups for Reading and Leeds festivals have been announced.

The event, which takes place between August 24th-26th, will see Razorlight, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Smashing Pumpkins take the headline slots.

The headliners for the NME/Radio 1 Stage will be Ash, The View and Klaxons, with other acts confirmed to play including Kings Of Leon, Interpol, Arcade Fire, Bloc Party, CSS and Biffy Clyro.

www.readingfestival.com / www.leedsfestival.com

Following Jello Biafra’s outburst against his former band for using their Too Drunk To Fuck track on the upcoming Tarantino/Rodriguez film Grindhouse, The Dead Kennedys have hit back.

They started by saying they didn’t want to jump in but felt it was warranted due to their claim that it was a misleading comment by Biafra and also because he gave away key scene details for the film.

They have claimed he is more interested in being seen as a martyr than having regard for women’s rights and went on to say that despite his claims of writing every note of the song, East Bay Ray, Klaus Flouride and D.H. Peligro all contributed to the song, which has been proved in court. The statement ended with:

“On a final note, JELLO is getting paid EXTREMELY WELL, and we challenge him to put his money where his mouth is and donate his share to a woman’s cause, if he is truly concerned with the issue.”

www.deadkennedys.com

The Fratellis have released their new single on a USB drive today, with speculation that this could lead to a big shake up for the charts.

Baby Fratelli‘s release on the format has led to suggestions that it should be included for eligibility for the top 40, just as downloads were at the start of this year.

Keane first brought the format into play with their Nothing’s In My Way release last October and saw them sell out in one day. The Fratellis have made 7,000 sticks available for purchase around the country.

www.thefratellis.com

Benjy Ferree will play his first show in London since signing to Domino Records.

After having done his bit at the recent SXSW festival in Texas, the singer will be playing the Spitz venue on Wednesday May 2nd and tickets will cost £7.50.

His debut album, Leaving The Nest, came out in January and he will be wowing the crowd with material from it.

www.benjyferree.com

Chad Channing, who played drums on Nirvana’s debut Bleach, has announced details of his new band, Before Cars.

Channing said that he was planning to record more songs this spring with Jack Endino, who produced Bleach, and went on to say that following that, a full CD release would be put out.

He went onto say: “So just going to take things one day at a time and see what happens. I love making this music, and I’m really happy people love hearing it, too. It’s the music I’ve always wanted to play.”

Before Cars’ debut single Old Chair is available now and has a limited run of 500 copies.

www.myspace.com/beforecars

Slint look set to release new matieral this year after getting together to play some concerts this summer.

The band, who released the critically acclaimed Spiderland in 1991, are trying to find some rehearsal space in Kentucky and if they are able to do this, the writing and recording process will be able to get underway.

That said, it is reported that new material will still take a little while to but fingers are crossed that anything that does come out of the rehearsal space will be released.

www.southern.com/southern/band/SLINT

Dexter Holland of The Offspring has posted an update online regarding the band’s new album.

The recording of the new album, which follows up 2003’s Splinter, has begun with 10 songs already having been recorded. Holland is currently recording the vocals though he ended by saying: “I don’t want to tell you guys too much because the record is still taking shape.”

The album is expected to be released in Sprint of this year.

www.offspring.com