Category: Music News

Reports are coming through that a convict has been identified by a witness, who says the inmate confessed to his part in the killing of Jam Master Jay.

The information emerged during the trial of 43 year old Ronald Washington, who said “they” wanted to blame him for “all the blood in rap”. He denied allegations of involvement in the murders of Jam Master Jay and Tupac Shakur but was convicted of six armed robberies in November 2002.

Of the witness who alleged he was involved, Washington said:

“It’s all lies. She’s telling them that I was mad at Jay because he is doing better than I am, that I killed Stretch because he owed me something and I wanted it. She’s making up lies because they threatened to deport her”

www.rundmcmusic.com

Pete Rock has announced details on his new album, which will focus on New York.

The album, due out on Nature Sounds this summer, is to be called NY’s Finest will follow in the tradition of his Soul Survivor series, featuring his beats and guest rappers doing their bit on the vocals.

Most of the guests will be New Yorkers, such as Papoose, Raekwon, Ghostface, Cappadonna, Masta Killah and The Lox with support from Slum Village, Redman and MF Doom.

www.nature-sounds.net

Victory Records have announced a series of special vinyl releases to come out on May 1st.

The label has put together five albums spanning the entire catalogue, with Bad Brains, Bayside, Blood For Blood, Atreyu and Comeback Kid included.

The leading release will be the out of print 10-inch Omega Sessions. The label is also promising many more vinyl releases before the year is out.

www.victoryrecords.com

Modest Mouse have announced a full UK tour to support their number 1 American album We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank.

The band, who recruited The Smiths’ Johnny Marr recently, will also be releasing their single Dashboard on May 28th which has already gotten to number 7 on the Alternative US Radio charts. Their live dates are:

May:
20th – Somerset, ATP vs the Fans
23rd – London, Royal Albert Hall
26th – Glasgow, ABC
27th – Wolverhampton, Wulfrun Hall
28th – Nottingham, Rock City
29th – Manchester, Ritz Ballroom

www.modestmouse.com

Cursive’s Tim Kasher has been spilling the details on plans for his Good Life project.

The new album, Help Wanted Nights, is due for a September 11th release and will follow up Album Of The Year which came out 3 years ago. The new record is based on a screenplay that Kasher has written, which he describes as:

“[It covers] roughly a week in a bar in a small town where a stranger’s car breaks down…so, he fraternizes with the regulars, getting too wrapped up in their sordid lives. Something like that.”

www.saddle-creek.com

Brazilian nutjobs Bonde Do Role have got a new video available.

The band, who will be releasing their album Bonde Do Role With Lazers on June 4th, will release their new single Office Boy on May 21st, and the video below is another acid-trip rollercoaster for you to enjoy! The single will feature remixes from CSS, Shir Khan and Architecture In Helsinki.

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Their UK tour dates are:

April:

19th – Bullet (Camden Crawl), London
20th – Cuban Bar (Camden Crawl), London
23rd – Pure Groove, London (instore), London
25th – NagNagNag, London

May

19th – The Great Escape, Pressure Point, Brighton
23rd – Tramp, Manchester
24th – Thekla, Bristol
25th – Sheffield
26th – Bad Sneakers @ The Faversham, Leeds
27th – Dot To Dot, Nottingham
28th – Orange Evolution Festival, Newcastle
30th – Crawdaddy, Dublin
31st – Summers Eve Party (with Diplo, Black Lips, etc) – Corsica Studios, London

June:

23rd – Glastonbury – Dance Stage

July:

22nd – Lovebox, London UK
27th – Trochabrahma Glasgow
28th – Trochabrahma London
29th – Trochabrahma Liverpool

August:

25th – Get Loaded – XFM Stage, Cardiff
26th – Get Loaded – XFM Stage, London

September:

1st – Electric Picnic, Dublin
7th – Bestival, Isle Of Wight
8th – Bestival, Isle Of Wight

www.myspace.com/bondedorole

A DVD documenting the recording of Frank Zappa‘s classic albums Over-Nite Sensation and Apostrophe is set for release next month.

The documentary will take a behind the scenes look at each album’s recording sessions, giving a rare insight into the mysterious musician who died in 1993.

Rare footage from the archives were also included, including his performance on Saturday Night Live in 1976. The DVD, which also features interviews with his wife, children and colleagues such as Alice Cooper, will be released on May 1st.

www.zappa.com

Rumours are flying around that Jay Z and Beyonce might be setting up their own label together.

According to reports, Jay Z will leave his position at Def Jam and Beyonce will join him once she has seen out her current contract, with one source claiming that the new label will be ready to for launch early in 2008.

It is unknown which label would house the imprint, but there are sure to be offers with such big name players involved.

www.jay-z.com

The Flaming Lips will release their much anticipated DVD ‘U.F.O.s at the Zoo: The Legendary Concert in Oklahoma City‘ in July.

The DVD was filmed during September’s show at the Zoo Amphitheater in their home town and includes a giant UFO style lighting rig, hundreds of stage props and, as always, Wayne Coyne crowd surfing in a giant bubble.

The DVD will also feature backstage access and interviews. You can check the trailer out here.

www.flaminglips.com

Minus The Bear have announced that their new album Planet Of Ice has been completed.

The band had entered the studio in January to work on the follow up to their recently released remix album Interpretaciones del Oso and will now be heading out on tour. The tracklist for the new album is:

1. Burying Luck
2. Ice Monster
3. Knights
4. White Mystery
5. Dr. L’Ling
6. Part 2
7. Throwin’ Shapes
8. When We Escape
9. Double Vision Quest
10. Lotus

www.minusthebear.com