Pere Ubu Offer Fontana Reissues, Tour

[Photo by Lex Van Rossen]

On April 16, Pere Ubu will reissue their four albums originally released on the Fontana label. Mercury Records will reissue The Tenement Year (1988), Cloudland (1989), Worlds in Collision (1991), and Story of My Life (1993), all digitally remastered with bonus tracks and, occasionally, tweaked tracklists. The Wire's David Stubbs contributes extensive liner notes to each release.

In other Pere Ubu news, Smog Veil Records will pay tribute to Ubu associate Peter Laughner with the November 6 release of some lo-fi demos, rehearsals, and live tracks he left behind before his death in 1977. Laughner was a singer, songwriter, and guitarist who played with proto-Ubu band Rocket From the Tombs as well as an early version of Pere Ubu. The Smog Veil collection is currently untitled.

Just before the Fontana reissues hit stores, Pere Ubu will embark on a short tour of the U.S. Then, just after the reissues are released, the band will skip over to Europe for a whole month's worth of shows in support of their newest album, Why I Hate Women. In between, frontman David Thomas will play one show in Cleveland with side project Two Pale Boys. [MORE...]

Ted Leo Kicks Off Tour, Rocks NPR
His van leads somewhere, but it's not yet to your door

Animal rights activist, rabble-rousing punk lifer, and handsome devil Ted Leo's been accused a lot of things over his storied career, but laziness just ain't one of 'em. He'll spend his summer throwing his weight-- which we estimate to be a lean, mean 93 pounds-- behind the fresh to def Living With the Living both at home and abroad on a nearly non-stop tour he'll inaugurate tonight in Philly.

Your tax dollars will be working overtime Thursday night at Ted's gig in our nation's capital, which the fine folks of National Public Radio will broadcast live on their website and eventually chop into MP3s. Will the mouthy Leo take the opportunity to let his dissenting voice ring out over the nation's car speakers? Hard to say for sure, but it wouldn't be a Pharmacists show without a barb or three at the expense of our fearless leaders.

Ted's Touch and Go Records home has also announced a caption contest for Pharmacists fans looking to go all Rex Morgan M.D. on this picture of Ted and company. A bit of bubble-filling could translate into big winnings for ten guffaw-makers, with the spoils coming in the form of tickets for the grand victor's choice of Pharmacists dates, scarves, a PETA hip bag, and an autographed copy of Living. The contest ends April 5, so you'd be advised to start warming up your zinger-muscle now.

Finally, as we previously reported, the deft-handed amongst you still have a snatch up Living With the Living complete with the soon-to-be-extinct Mo' Living EP. Cop that disc! [MORE...]

Jack White to Play Elvis in New Film?

NME.com reports that Jack White has signed on to play the King of Rock'n'Roll in Walk Hard, a new film from Orange County director Jake Kasdan. White's publicist confirmed that Jack "did take part in this movie", but would not elaborate as to whether or not he actually plays Elvis.

It makes sense if you think about it, though: both married under curious circumstances, both were fond of Nudie suits, and both are among rock's acest interpreters of black music.

White, whose previous acting turns in Cold Mountain and Coffee and Cigarettes won him critical praise, will join such cast members as John C. Reilly, "The Office"'s Jenna Fischer, "Saturday Night Live"'s Tim Meadows, Chris Parnell, Kristen Wiig, and David Koechner.

The flick, apparently a parody of Johnny Cash biopic Walk the Line, was co-penned by director Kasdan and 40 Year Old Virgin scribe Judd Apatow.

Oh yeah-- the White Stripes have an album coming out soon.

Arcade Fire Announce New Single
Earth's tectonic plates dance a jig

While Win "sicker than a brick" Butler rests up and the band laments those recently cancelled European tour dates, Arcade Fire have a consolation prize for American Neon Bible-thumpers.

On May 5, Merge Records will release the first U.S. single off the Arcade Fire's epic sophomore LP. "Keep the Car Running" comes backed with "Broken Window"-- and arrives with typically lavish packaging on 7" vinyl.

Given a speedy Butler recovery, Arcade Fire will commence their latest North American pilgrimage-- which includes stops at David Bowie's High Line festival and other celebratory events-- on April 26. [MORE...]

Patrick Wolf Bound for New York, Europe
Preps new single; praises Björk, Beth Ditto on website

There's a new Wolf in indie America's midst, and we'd do well to welcome this one with open arms and lots of glitter. Patrick Wolf, having just wrapped up a stretch of dates with the Arcade Fire-- and on the prowl in support of his Best New Music-inducted third LP, The Magic Position (out May 1 over here via Low Altitude/Universal)-- has revealed plans to make a 2007 U.S. foray at last early next month.

Colorfully-maned Wolf has lined up three Stateside dates on the eve of his April-long European jaunt. Not surprisingly, all of them go down in someplace called Ne Wyork. Never heard of it.

To celebrate his New World landfall, Wolf will release a single featuring The Magic Position's title track on April 9...in the UK. Like lots of things in that exotic land, it comes in more formats than you could ever possibly need, including CD and two different seven-inches. Naturally they all have different B-sides, and of course you must collect them all in order to validate your Patrick Wolf super-fanatic-dom.

Wolf, who recently dueted with child-opera-star-turned-jailbait Charlotte Church on the latter's television program, posted some rather impassioned remarks earlier this month on his website. Lamenting the "deadly, unspoken segregation" still manifest in his home country and the "deep, dark, invisible, conservatism, boring, lazy, top forty pop music charts, [and] grey, endless hours of radio programming," Wolf went on to shout-out Björk and Gossip frontlady and recent UK press darling Beth Ditto, among others.

Quoth Wolf, "It means so much to me to look around and see Beth Ditto, all fire and graces blazing, Bjork coming back from her self made palace of technology, flesh, volcano and supernatural reality with a new, much needed voice in the army and apparently quite the disco shoes to match...Even Britney, ready to go with your head shaved, umbrella in hand."

There you go, Brit-- someone still loves you. [MORE...]

Hold Steady Announce Red-Blooded American Dates

Paste magazine cover stars (!?) and acoustic-dabblers (!??) the Hold Steady will prove they're truly all about the Boys and Girls in America this spring, as the Boss-y Minneapolis quintet preach the gospel of their 2006-conquering third LP across the purple mountain majesty of the USA. Appropriately, many of these events on the Steady's just-announced tour occur in the Midwest, where the streets are paved with beer.

First, however, those traitors will flirt with dangerous socialist notions among the winos over in Europe. They'll also commingle with treacherous free-thinkers at the previously reported Sasquatch! and Bonnaroo festivals/drug-orgies. Hopefully all the other dates in America's freedom-drenched bars and ballrooms will help keep the Steady true to their motherland's infallible capitalistic ideals. Hopefully my cheek enjoys the massage it's getting from my tongue right now.

A toast to reader Jeff Benson for the tip!

Finally, it's not too late to submit your 11th hour entry for the Hold Steady music video contest, but act fast! They're due March 31. [MORE...]

Dr. Dog, Spinto, Bardo Pond Play Philly's POPPED!
Also Pissed Jeans, Pattern Is Movement, Fursaxa

Blame it on all that brotherly love: Philly bands don't front when it comes to civic pride. A whole slew of Illadelph natives will wind their way into the Rebel Capitol for the first-ever POPPED! Festival, poppin' off all over the 215 April 9-15.

Over seven nights, in five different clubs, Philly rock's top-shelf will yet again prove Camden can't hang. Plenty of local acts will pop up throughout the week-- peep the mondo bizarro antics of Golden Ball's Thursday night set if you dare-- but Saturday night's bill is the heftiest, with a four-tiered blowout from Dr. Dog, Bardo Pond, Illinois, and the Spinto Band. Attendees of the show will receive discounted entry to that evening's Klaxons gig at Transit, which'll serve double-duty as the festival's official afterparty and, you know, a showcase of rollicking Brit-rock.

Full schedule after the jump. [MORE...]

Flying Lotus Signs to Warp Despite Silly Name

After cooking up beats for those ubiquitous Cartoon Network Adult Swim promos, and delivering last year's Plug Research LP 1983 (which cracked quite a few folks' best of 2006 lists), L.A.'s Flying Lotus has been drafted into the indie big leagues.

England's legendary Warp Records has signed the nostalgic beat-maker, who happens to be a nephew of recently deceased jazz icon Alice Coltrane. Lotus will serve up his debut Warp release, a four-track, 12" vinyl-only EP, this June. Keep your browsers clicked to Forkcast for a stream from that 12" titled "Spicy Sammich"-- or gratify yourself instantly by sampling the track on Lotus' MySpace.

Turns out Flying Lotus is the first L.A.-based Warp artist, and if the man's press release quote is to be believed, he's thrilled to be onboard (duh): "Warp is the absolute best home for my work. They've made history by putting out some of the craziest beats on the planet, and they want to continue doing it. Warp knows that there's a lovely thing goin on in L.A. so by being their first L.A. artist...I got a lot of work to do."

Beach House Release Debut on Limited Vinyl

Photo by Elizabeth Flyntz

Woozy Baltimore duo Beach House released a vinyl version of their excellent, self-titled debut via Heart Break Beat Records on March 20. The LP comes pressed on white vinyl and features different artwork from the CD release; if you hurry, you can still pick up one of the limited 500 copies.

Don't forget that, in addition to a March 29 appearance at the Crossroads Film Festival in Jackson, Mississippi, Beach House are heading out on tour with the Clientele in May. Turns out they'll join the rainy-day quartet a few dates later than we originally reported: the first Clientele/Beach House date is now May 12 in Atlanta. [MORE...]

Mission of Burma, Jawbreaker, Travis Morrison Contribute to Callum Robbins Benefit Comp
Bob Mould, Radio 4, Fin Fang Foom play benefit shows

The outpouring of support for Callum Robbins is nothing short of heartwarming. Young Callum turns fourteen months old today and is the son of Jawbox/Burning Airlines/Channels rocker J. Robbins and Channels' Janet Morgan. As previously reported, he suffers from Spinal Muscular Atrophy (Type 1), a disorder that often leads to death at a very young age, and for which there is no cure.

Callum's parents began seeking donations for expensive SMA treatments back in December; since then, big names like Ted Leo, Shellac, and a reunited Dismemberment Plan have stepped up to help Callum's cause, along with countless other fans and musicians the world over.

As J. Robbins wrote on his official website late last week, "My wife Janet and I have been overwhelmed by the kindness and support of the creative and caring people around us in response to our son Callum's diagnosis of SMA." Robbins and Morgan have expressed similar sentiments on For Callum, the blog they regularly update on behalf of their son.

More benefits and fundraisers, meanwhile, pop up by the day; consider this a brief digest of the latest happenings. As before, you may donate directly to Callum's family by clicking here.

First up, Interpol drummer Sam Fogarino has put together a benefit at NYC's Bowery Ballroom on April 16. The bill includes college rock icon Bob Mould, Radio 4, and Mercury Rev offshoot Harmony Rockets, with special guests promised. Score tickets here.

Shortly before that, on April 7, Lovitt Records post-hardcore mainstays Fin Fang Foom head a benefit bill at Durham, North Carolina's Bull City Headquarters. Red Collar and Caltrop will also play. Details here.

Next up, a heap of artists have contributed tracks to the Catlick Records 2xCD compilation For Callum, available for purchase here. All proceeds go to Callum's care fund, and the 32-cut comp includes tunes from Mission of Burma, Jawbreaker, Travis Morrison, Channels, David Grubbs, Engine Down, Maritime, Joe Lally, The Life and Times, Medications, Pilot to Gunner, the Eternals, Arcwelder, Chad, the Oranges Band, and more.

Michigan-based quarterly music and culture publication Copper Press, meanwhile, has started a subscription drive to raise funds for Callum Robbins. For every new subscription, they'll donate $5 to Callum's family. For details, click here.

Finally, even folks closer to Callum's age group have pledged to help the little guy. The adolescent members of Ohio pop act ShiSho are inviting other bands featuring at least one member aged 18 or under to contribute to their downloadable Callum benefit compilation, The Magnetic Bunny Seaside Summer Compilation. It's due to arrive June 6 via ShiSho's own Magnetic Bunny imprint. Interested participants can contact the band via the Magnetic Bunny MySpace, and confirmed contributors include Artillery Road, Bonzai, Dirty Spanglish, Empty State, Fiasco, the Flairz, Kara Hopkins, L.E.G.S., Lot 40, Magnolia, Mod Rocket, ShiSho, and, um, a band called Jew on Jew. Action! that apparently consists of a preschooler. Kids give their bands the darndest names!

And of course, don't forget the Dismemberment Plan reunion going down at DC's Black Cat. Due to an avalanche of demand (gee, whooda thunk it?), the band have added an extra date, as previously reported, meaning they'll play April 27 and April 28.

Nas, Public Enemy, the Roots, MF Doom Rock the Bells
Join Rage Against the Machine and Wu-Tang Clan

The bi-coastal, three-date Rock the Bells festival went from reunion vehicle to probably the best hip hop festival in the country with the recent announcement of its full lineup.

Joining the previously announced Wu-Tang Clan and Rage Against the Machine on all dates are Public Enemy, the Roots, Pharoahe Monch, Mos Def, EPMD, Cypress Hill, Sage Francis, Immortal Technique, and Jedi Mind Tricks.

The artists who will perform only on select Rock the Bells dates are Nas, MF Doom, Hieroglyphics, Mr. Lif, Murs (solo), Felt (Murs with Atmosphere's Slug), Blackalicious, the Coup, Cage, Blueprint, Brother Ali, Living Legends, Grouch & Eligh, Hangar 18, and Lucky I Am.

Hi-Tek, Rahzel, and Supernatural will host the festival, which also features DJs Icy Ice, Rocky Rock, Mike Relm, Mark Luv, and C-Minus.

Currently, your only other chance to see Rage Against the Machine is at Coachella. Nas, however, kicks off a full North American tour in Cleveland on April 2. [MORE...]

Connect Fest Links Up JAMC, Björk, Beasties
And: Primal Scream, LCD Soundsystem, Mogwai, Go! Team, CSS, Idlewild

Hope you're sitting down for this one: in a rustic European setting, over a summer weekend, there's going to be a music festival. Many notable artists will play there, often on the same day. Camping will be available for those who seek it.

Weren't ready for that, were ya?

This year's Connect Music Festival, taking place on the banks of Loch Fyne near the presumably very old Inveraray Castle in Argyll, Scotland August 31-September 2, will host the keep-crumblin', moat-ripplin' headlinin' antics of Björk, the Beastie Boys, and Primal Scream. The bill also includes the resurrected Jesus and Mary Chain, the Yo La Tengo-beloved Only Ones, the best new music made by LCD Soundsystem, the audible spin-art that is the Go! Team, the messy punk of CSS, and a swarm of others. Fret not, dancemongers; though the fest's current lineup may seem bloated with rocker-types, the loungey Frenchies of Nouvelle Vague are the first of what festival organizers promise will be "plenty more" electronic acts in their Manicured Noise Tent.

For the whole of the confirmed lineup, lookee here: Björk, Beastie Boys, Primal Scream, the Jesus and Mary Chain, Mogwai, LCD Soundsystem, the Go! Team, the Only Ones, Idlewild, CSS, Tilly & the Wall, Nouvelle Vague, King Creosote.

Do you have a news tip for us? Anything crazy happen at a show you attended recently? Do you have inside info on the bands we cover? Is one of your favorite artists (that's not somebody you know personally) releasing a new record you'd like to see covered? You will remain completely anonymous, unless we are given your express permission to reveal your identity. (Please note that publicists, managers, booking agents, and other artist representatives are generally exempt from this rule, but will also be granted anonymity if requested.)