Category: Music News

Graham Coxon has recently been discussing going back to Blur.

The guitarist quit the band in 2002 during the writing and recording of Think Tank to concentrate on his solo material, but lately there have been reports that he might make a return to the group. Coxon said that a return has gone through his mind, adding:

“When you go and get yourself straightened out after a period of abuse, it takes you longer than you think to get over it. It’s been five years. There were things that I really really needed to do for my own good. Personally and musically I had to do some things to see if I was capable.”

www.blur.co.uk

Dennis Lyxzen’s (International) Noise Conspiracy have posted an update from their studio, where they are working on new material with Rick Rubin.

Writing from Hollywood, the band said:

“The first week has been used to rehearse and rearrange the songs, mainly by ourselves at Cole street rehearsals, but significant time has also been spent together with Rick Rubin as we try to make the songs the best they could be. At this moment we’re working on 17 songs, and we’re facing the wonderful problem of having more songs we’re excited about than we will fit on an album.

“So yesterday, after a week of productive rehearsals, numerous visits to Amoeba Records, stoner rock shows and skateboarding, we entered the Sunset Sound studios together with Rick and engineer Greg Fidelman to begin recording.”

www.internationalnoise.com

The Dismemberment Plan have announced they will reform to play a special benefit show.

The group, who last released a record in 2001, will be playing the show to raise money for Callum Robbins, the song of their producer J. Robbins, who was born with Spinal Muscular Atrophy.

The show will take place in Washington on April 28th, though it’s not likely this will lead to a permanent reunion.

www.dismembermentplan.com

The first song from the new Tiger Army album has been released.

The song will feature AFI’s Davey Havok on back up vocals, which will see the favour returned when Nick 13 does some vocals to Havok’s Blaqk Audo side project.

The group’s new album Music From Regions Beyond will be out in June and you can hear the track Afterworld by clicking here.

www.tigerarmy.com

Diddy, Puffy Daddy, P Diddy… whatever he’s called, he’s been accused of battery.

An incident apparently took place at a hotel in LA on the night of the Oscars, where it is alleged the producer attacked a real estate agent.

Apparently Gerard Rechnitzer was assaulted near the Kodak Theatre, claim the LAPD. Diddy’s camp have made no comment.

www.diddy.com

The daughters of Reverend Run are to launch their own footwear.

Angela and Vanessa Simmons, daughters of Joseph Simmons of Run DMC fame, will take over the range of Pastry Footwear, which will feature athletic shoes “aimed at young women”.

Each shoe will get a colour related name – Strawberry Shortcake, Red Velvet, Chocolate Mousse etc and will come with lip gloss and a scent.

The line will be out on March 23rd and the development of it is chronicled in the new season of Run’s House which is due to hit the screens in Spring.

www.mtv.com/ontv/dyn/runs_house/

Goldie Lookin’ Chain have been added to the bill for a charity gig.

The Welsh group will join Gruff Rhys from Super Furry Animals, The Automatic and The Alarm. The event is the Pop Factory’s Burberry Workers and will take place on March 24th at the Ystrad Leisure Centre.

Money raised from the event will go to the 300 workers at Burberry’s Treorchy Factory who will lose their jobs when the factory relocates. Tickets go on sale tomorrow [Friday 2nd] at £12.50.

www.thepopfactory.com

Red Bull Beat Battle is back for 2007 and the B-Boy event will have free tickets up for grabs.

The event will return to a secret location in London on April 7th and will include 8 of the world’s most talented 8-member B-Boy crews, who will all perform an 8 minute routine and be judged by some big industry names. With the legendary Crazy Legs hosting the night and a special guest music artist scheduled to appear, this event is going to be off the chain.

There is a 1,300 person capacity and tickets will be allocated via ballot to those who have registered on the official site [see below] from February 23rd until March 23rd. All successful entrants will be notified by email on March 26th and invitations will be sent out shortly after the venue location has been revealed.

www.redbullbeatbattle.co.uk

Reports are floating around that the massive Jaylib album will be re-issued.

Jaylib, which combines the legendary J Dilla and Madlib, put out Champion Sound in 2003 to great acclaim. Rumours are that the album will be put out again this year with B-Sides, remixes and instrumentals.

Keep your eyes peeled on the Stones Throw website for tracklistings and release dates.

www.stonesthrow.com

Modest Mouse have posted up the first video from their new album.

The video is for the track Dashboard which comes from their forthcoming album We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank, due out this month on Epic.

If you want to see the video for a taster of the first material since Good News For People Who Love Bad News, then click here.

www.modestmouse.com