Foals Prepare Debut LP for Sub Pop/Transgressive

Photo by Nilina Mason-Campbell

Dave Sitek produced it (in Brooklyn no less), Celebration's Katrina Ford sings on it, and a few friendly folks from the Antibalas horn section play on it. Return to Cookie Mountain II: Cookie's Revenge? Nah, it's Antidotes, the debut full-length from Oxford, England's Foals. Look for this, Foals' debut full-length offering, in the UK via Transgressive March 24 and in the U.S. via new Stateside home Sub Pop April 8.

The fun, feisty post-punk tunes these guys craft will be splayed out over eleven tracks on Antidotes, though the Sub Pop edition is bolstered by a pair of tracks lifted from recent UK singles. Speaking of which, a single for album track "Cassius" is due from Transgressive March 10.

And, while they're skirting both sides of the pond, know this: Foals have dates both at home and abroad over the coming months. The next is tonight (February 12) in New York City. Perhaps they'll use the occasion to talk up their new fave rave, Barack Obama? [MORE...]

Islands Sign to Anti- Records
Nick Thorburn interview coming tomorrow

Photo by Alex Wagner 

For their sophomore effort, the previously announced Arm's Way, Nick Thorburn (formerly Nick Diamonds) and his Islands have moved on into the Anti- fold. (Anti- being the Epitaph sister label that houses the likes of Tom Waits, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Neko Case, Bob Mould, Man Man, and many, many others.)

Islands will issue Arm's Way on May 20. Be sure to check back here tomorrow for our interview with Thorburn, where he discusses the label switch, the music of Arm's Way, and the state of some of those wacky side projects he's perpetually involved in.

Following a date in their native Montreal this weekend, Islands will set off on a tour of the UK and Europe before making their way to the U.S. for South by Southwest, Coachella, and quite a few other gigs besides. [MORE...]

Apes Play Ghost Games on New LP, Tour

If it seems like a while since we've heard from Washington, D.C.'s Apes, rest assured, they haven't just been monkeyin' around (sorry). Rather, they've replaced longtime lead singer Paul Weil with visual artist/new vocalist Breck Brunson (great name, BTW) and busied themselves with some Ghost Games, which they'll release on CD and LP February 19 via Gypsy Eyes.

You can expect your Ghost Games CD and your Ghost Games vinyl to look vastly different, and not just because one is like four times bigger: the discs will come with different artwork. And, in the spirit of overdoing it on the creative tip, you can expect a bunch of videos for Ghost Games' tracks to emerge shortly, courtesy of a number of the band's craftier friends. The first, "Dr. Watcher", is available for Dr. watching below. Find more here.

And what's a new album without a brand new tour? Those Apes head out in support of Ghost Games tonight (February 12), joined at a number of stops by Anticon artist Sole and elsewhere by the rowdy An Albatross. [MORE...]

Ladytron Reveal Velocifero Tracklist
Announce European Tour

Photo by Staphane Gallois

Looks like we got us a tracklist for Velocifero, the new one from that moody bunch in Ladytron, which hits U.S. shelves June 3 from Nettwerk. The disc, as we noted last week, was produced by the band in Paris, with Alessandro Cortini and Ed Banger associate Vicarious Bliss lending hands when needed. What we didn't mention (until now) was this slew of very Ladytron-y song titles. "Black Cat"! "Ghosts"! "Burning Up"! (Madonna cover?) And "I'm Not Scared"! Speak for yourselves, Ladytron!

There's a big ol' Ladytron tour on the way, too-- now with European dates! [MORE...]

The Game Sentenced to 60 Days for Gun Charge

Live and learn: you can't whip out a piece on a school basketball court without upsetting a few people. Jayceon Terrell Taylor found this out the hard way yesterday (February 11), as the rapper-- better known as the Game-- was sentenced to 60 days in jail for possession of a firearm in a school zone (a felony), according to a Billboard.com report.

As previously reported, the Game was charged for the aforementioned offense and two others way back on June 4, 2007. During a February 24, 2007 pickup game of basketball at a Los Angeles school, the rapper allegedly "punched a player on the opposing team, went to his red Cadillac Escalade to pull out a gun, and came back threatening to shoot the other player."

After Taylor's defense's scrapped its claim that it was the Lupe Fiasco metaphysical character on the basketball court that day and not their client (jk), the Game pleaded no contest and received the 60-day sentence, which also includes 150 hours of community service and three years' probation.

Replacements' Twin/Tone Catalog Reissued, Expanded
Deluxe editions of Sire albums due later in the year

Those long in the works Replacements reissues are finally here! Whether you've never pored over their tales of Upper Midwestern debauchery and desperation, or you just need to switch out your tired, beer-soaked copies for shiny new models, there's plenty for fans and new converts to dig into throughout Rhino's deluxe editions of the 'Mats' four releases for the Twin/Tone label.

On April 22, Rhino will throw a ton of stuff you've never heard on the back of these classic Replacements platters. 1981's Sorry Ma, Forgot to Take Out the Trash gets a bunch of demos and outtakes as well as the B-side "If Only You Were Lonely", the 1982 EP Stink gets some covers, 1983's Hootenanny gets rough mixes and alternate takes, and 1984's Let It Be (Pitchfork's 29th favorite album of the 1980s) gets T. Rex and the Grass Roots covers.

The reissues were overseen by producer/Replacements manager Peter Jesperson, and according to a press release, the band was involved in picking the bonus tracks.

Rhino plan to do all this again later this year with similarly stuffed reissues of the band's Sire catalog, including Tim, Pleased to Meet Me, Don't Tell a Soul, and All Shook Down.

In other Replacements news, All Over but the Shouting, a book about the band with contributions from Jesperson, Twin/Tone label co-founder Paul Stark, the Hold Steady's Craig Finn, R.E.M.'s Peter Buck, and Hüsker Dü's Bob Mould and Grant Hart, is out now on Voyageur Press. [MORE...]

Pitchfork Seeks Graphics Intern in NYC Office
See what we did on the left there? That took us seven hours

Pitchfork Media is seeking a graphics intern in our New York City office. The ideal candidate must be available 10-15 hours a week, a pro at Photoshop, Illustrator, and Flash, and have work samples that kick our ass. Motion Graphics and/or Final Cut experience is a major plus, but not mandatory. Qualified applicants must submit links to samples of their work (no attachments please!), along with a resume and cover letter, to jobs@pitchforkmedia.com by Friday, February 15 at 6:00 p.m. EST. Please include "Graphics" in your subject header.

Thom Yorke, A.C. Newman Do Farrell Benefit Auction

As previously reported, former Rogue Wave bassist and Magnolia Electric Co. touring member Evan Farrell died late last year in an Oakland apartment fire. Farrell's untimely passing has weighed heavily on many, and none so much as the wife and two children the beloved musician left behind.

Several big names have stepped forward to help the Farrell family by contributing unique items to a benefit auction hosted by friends of Evan. Among the goods available now on eBay for bidders: a signed copy of Thom Yorke's The Eraser, a printer's proof for the New Pornographers' Challengers bearing the signature of Mr. A.C. Newman, a signed copy of Joan of Arc's classic Live in Chicago, 1999, and a bunch of awesome posters and rare screen-prints from Jay Ryan and Mat Daly of Chicago's own Bird Machine printmaking collective (the folks responsible for lots of snazzy Pitchfork Music Festival promotional material as well). More items are expected to hit the auction block, so you'd do well to bookmark that eBay link up there.

Most of the current auctions end on the evening of Sunday, February 17 (with the Newman one ending the following Tuesday morning), and all proceeds once again go to Evan Farrell's family. You may also still donate directly to the Farrells via PayPal by clicking here.

Radiohead! North! American! Tour! Details!!!

As expected, popular alternative rock combo Radiohead will sail across the Atlantic in the coming months to show North American audiences what they've been up to. These promising youngsters have been causing quite a stir, let me tell you!

Lead by enigmatic frontman Thomas Edward Yorke, Radiohead are making waves for their innovative approach to the tried-and-true rock band setup. Their distinct sound also incorporates strains of electronic music, and their lyrics address such enticing topical fare as post-modern paranoia and dystopian angst. I'm not sure what that means, but boy does it sound neat!

Truly, this is a band destined for greatness. But don't take my word for it. See this Radiohead for yourself live and in the flesh at any number of the quintet's upcoming tour stops. The Southern leg of their North American trek has been announced, beginning in West Palm Beach, Florida on May 5. Many more cities are expected to be announced on our continent, before the band attends to some previously discussed European engagements through most of June and early July.

(Editor's note: Looks like this is a Live Nation tour, folks. So those of us who don't like supporting monstrously huge music industry corporations might have to choose between our ethics and Radiohead.)

Wow, how does this band ever sleep, let alone find time to craft its challenging, envelope-pushing music? [MORE...]

YACHT to Open for Vampire Weekend

Much (too much?) has been made of the affluence of the Ivy league-rooted, crunk-trusting upper crust-ers of Vampire Weekend. Shucks, even they poke fun of their image a bit in the video for "Mansard Roof" from their self-titled LP by lazing about on a boat and wearing deck shoes.

So they had to know somebody would say something when they lined up the opening act for their spring tour.

That's right: on a string of dates on their current North American trek, Vampire Weekend will be employing a real live YACHT. Yup, Jona Bechtolt will join the boys in blue Polo from mid-March on into April. And he himself will be joined by Claire L. Evans, who is now a regular touring member of YACHT. (She's also his partner in creating those excellent MacBook Air envelopes.) Check out this adorable photo of the two of them:

What a lineup! Vampire Weekend-- who, like, probably own yachts-- and YACHT, the dancin' beatmaker guy! The irony is just too rich.

YACHT has a mess of dates of his own, too, including a spring European trek. [MORE...]

Kanye West Reveals "Glow in the Dark" Tour Dates

Tron-ye West over there has some news for you, so listen up y'all. The venetian shades-rocking rapper and Grammy-getter has revealed a bunch of dates for his forthcoming, previously reported Glow in the Dark tour.

Kanye by himself is a treat enough, but this jaunt also packs in a near-flawless support bill that includes Lupe Fiasco, N.E.R.D., and Rihanna. The itinerary available as of this moment begins April 16 in Seattle and wraps up May 30 in Calgary, with plenty of conspicuous gaps in between. A stop at Bonnaroo will follow for Kanye (and Lupe too).

Thanks to reader Nicolas Hart for the tip! [MORE...]

Cover Art Cop: Colin Meloy vs. Peter Moren

Above: Colin Meloy album cover. Below: Peter Morén album cover.

Colin Meloy and Peter Morén are brothers from another mother. Here are the things they have in common:

• Both are frontmen for popular indie rock bands: The Decemberists (Colin), Peter Bjorn and John (Peter).
• Both are adorable, slightly doughy men with modified mop top haircuts, occasional beards, and side parts.
• Both are releasing their debut solo albums on April 8 in North America. As you know, Colin's is called Colin Meloy Sings Live!, and it's on Kill Rock Stars on CD and Jealous Butcher on vinyl. (If you pre-order it from Kill Rock Stars, you'll get a poster and a "one of a kind bookmark.") As you also know, Peter's is called The Last Tycoon, and it's on Quarterstick. (According to a Myspace blog post from Peter, Wichita / Cooperative will release The Last Tycoon in Great Britain, Ireland, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, France, and Scandinavia.)
• Both will embark on solo tours in April. They will play many of the same cities, often within days of each other.

And most importantly for this here news story:

• Both decided to feature portraits of themselves on their album covers.
• Both are depicted with their eyes closed in said portraits.
• Both commissioned their significant others to draw/paint the portraits: Frequent Decemberists illustrator Carson Ellis (Colin), Christine Jacobsson (Peter).
• Both are apparently very much in love.

UPDATE: Looks like Victoria Bergsman wants in on the action as well! Here's the new Taken by Trees single, which features a cover of Guns N' Roses' "Sweet Child O' Mine": 

[MORE...]

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.)