Minus the Bear Announce Tour, Dates with the Big Sleep

Photo by Sara Sanger

From the Planet of Ice to this planet of Earth, Minus the Bear will bring the hits (and those hits' unwieldy titles) on a continent-spanning North American tour they've scheduled for the months of March and April.

Along the way the Seattle quintet will meet up with Frenchkissers the Big Sleep, whose Sleep Forever somnambulated into our lives just this week, and Portugal. The Man, who hail from the ice planet of sorts known as Alaska. I hear they use weird punctuation up there.

Speaking of non-contiguous U.S. States, the next Minus the Bear date is February 23 in Honolulu, Hawaii, although the tour proper won't kick off until March 24. That gives you plenty of time to scheme to steal their beloved white tiger. Just kidding, you shouldn't do that. That would be mean.

Ooh, and the Big Sleep have dates minus Minus the Bear too. Catch all the hottt tour date listing action below. [MORE...]

M83 Announces North American Tour

We all know Saturdays = Youth, but what do Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and all those other days of the week equate to? For somebody somewhere this spring, they'll add up to an exhilarating live run-in with the one and only M83.

M83's Anthony Gonzalez will take his twentysomething symphonies to the cosmos across the North American continent beginning May 20 in Los Angeles. By the time he wraps up June 7 in DC, 2008 will come to know the wonder that inspired Gonzalez to craft Saturdays, the wonder that is the 1980s. M83 also has those three previously reported dates Down Under in March.

For the live setting, M83 will expand to a four-piece band featuring Gonzalez on vocals, keyboards, and guitars, Loic Maurin on drums, Pierre-Marie Maulini on bass and guitar, and frequent Saturdays vocalist Morgan Kibby (also of the Romanovs) doing her singing thing and playing keyboards.

Saturdays = Youth arrives April 15 in North America and April 14 elsewhere via Mute, while first single "Couleurs" lands digitally on February 26, backed by a Jori Hulkkonen remix. Stream it up below. [MORE...]

Polvo Reunion Coming to America, Spain
Drawings be explodin' all over da world

Photo by Robert Weston

After over a decade of inactivity, beloved 90s indie rock band Polvo is breaking their silence in a big way. As previously reported, singer/guitarist Ash Bowie (also formerly of Helium), singer/guitarist Dave Brylawski, and bassist Steve Popson have reunited to play the Explosions in the Sky-curated May 16-18 edition of the All Tomorrow's Parties festival (former Cherry Valence drummer Brian Quest Quast is filling in for original drummer Eddie Watkins).

But now, it has been revealed that the reunion will continue with a performance on the ATP stage at the Primavera Sound Festival, taking place in Barcelona, Spain from May 29-31. AND Polvo is planning a U.S. tour, starting with a couple of May dates in Washington, DC and Carrboro, North Carolina. Look out for East Coast and Midwest runs this summer, and a West Coast trek this fall. [MORE...]

Death Cab Announce Tour, Confirm Stairs Tracklist
Cave Singers open

If you wanna live where Death Cab for Cutie fan meets Death Cab for Cutie, look no further than the six headlining live dates the quintessentially sentimental quartet has lined up in the days leading up to their appearance at Coachella.

The Death Cabbies will slide on down the West Coast beginning April 18 in Bremerton, WA, with fellow Seattle residents the Cave Singers in tow for most dates. They also head to Bonnaroo in June, as you know.

What's more, Ben Gibbard and the gang have finalized the previously reported tracklist for Narrow Stairs, due May 13 from Atlantic. A few changes to note: "The Remainder" has become "Long Division", "Cath" now has some ellipsis points, and "You Can Do Better Than Me (But I Can't Do Better Than You)" lost its parenthetical, thereby rendering it only half as ridiculously emo as it was before. See the whole thing below.

Stairs was produced by the Cab's own Chris Walla, and "I Will Possess Your Heart" will be its first single (details forthcoming). [MORE...]

Common Endorses HIV Testing, Drinking Smirnoff
In this news story, as in life, sex and alcohol go hand in hand

As a lyricist, loverman, children's book author, and actor, Common wears quite a few hats (figuratively and otherwise) while he goes about his day-to-day business. But perhaps most nobly, he's also a chronic do-gooder, helping make the world a better place one rhyme at a time. For his latest good deed, Common has teamed up with MTV for A:Minute, a contest aimed at encouraging young folks to get tested for HIV/AIDS.

From now until March 27, A:Minute will be accepting, in text, audio, or video format, "lyrics or poems" addressing the urgency of youth HIV testing. The winning entry will be performed by Common in a PSA set to debut on National HIV Testing Day, June 27. The spot will air on MTV2 and mtvU.

When's he not out doing his part to save the world, Common is, um, helping to sell vodka. He's teamed with Just Blaze to create a new version of his classic song "The Light" especially for Smirnoff, as part of the Smirnoff Signature Mix Series. The track and its video will be available on the Signature Mix website starting February 26.

The series, "a campaign pairing three acclaimed rappers with contemporary beat-maestros to create new versions of iconic hip-hop songs," (according to a press release) also features Q-Tip and Cool & Dre re-doing A Tribe Called Quest's "Midnight" and KRS-One and DJ Premier re-doing Boogie Down Productions' "Criminal Minded".

But what does that have to do with vodka? Take it away, press release: "Each artist/producer pairing represents a Smirnoff mixed drink made by blending one of the best-selling Smirnoff flavored vodka products with a popular mixer. 'The Southside,' made with Smirnoff Green Apple flavored vodka and cranberry juice, is the inspiration for Common and Just Blaze's collaboration. 'The Blueberry Abstract,' made with Smirnoff Blueberry flavored vodka and lemonade, is linked to the partnership between Q-Tip and Cool & Dre. 'The Cypha,' an exciting blend of Smirnoff Raspberry flavored vodka and pineapple juice, represents the collaboration between KRS-One and DJ Premier."

Somewhere, Nas is having a good laugh right about now.

In other Common news, he won the Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group Grammy for "Southside" featuring Kanye West from Finding Forever, he's (reportedly) appearing on the next Roots LP, he's backing Barack Obama, encouraging you to read books, appearing in the upcoming film Wanted and the Justice League flick, working on a new album he's titled The Believer (not to be confused with these guys), and, last but not least, touring.

Jesus, this guy is busy! [MORE...]

Radiohead to Play All Points West Festival-- Twice!
Ancient proverb: Point west enough times and eventually you'll point east

Looks like those rumors about Radiohead playing the inaugural edition of the All Points West Music & Arts Festival were true, as reported by URB Magazine and subsequently confirmed. All Points West, produced by AEG Live and Goldenvoice (aka the people behind Coachella), takes place August 8-10 in Liberty State Park in Jersey City, New Jersey. Radiohead will headline the first two nights, August 8 and 9.

More North American tour dates should be announced soon; they will probably be in July and early August, per the big gaping hole in Radiohead's touring schedule right now. According to Radiohead authority At Ease Web, Japanese and South American tours should pop up in the fall. [MORE...]

Love's Forever Changes Gets Another Expanded Reissue

Just in case you didn't get a chance to love Love's Forever Changes enough the first time around, or the time it was reissued with bonus material in 2001, or the time it became a live album, holy hallelujah, today is your lucky day.

Rhino will give the world one more Forever Changes expanded reissue on April 22, with their (slightly belated) 40th anniversary double-disc "Collector's Edition" of the 1967 psych-folk masterstroke and frequent "all time best" list shoe-in.

But why, you may ask, do I need yet another copy of Forever Changes? Well, my friend, there are 21 reasons for you just down yonder. Among them: a complete alternate mix of the album, outtakes, demos, backing tracks, and even something called "tracking session highlights". I mean, what's not to Love?

In related news, Love and the late Arthur Lee will be honored at a special tribute concert scheduled for June 7 at the Malibu Performing Arts Center in Malibu, California. [MORE...]

Mission of Burma Reissues: Now With Tracklists
Holy mother of god, these things are DELUXE

Bonus tracks! Previously unreleased material! Companion DVDs! "Never-before-seen photos and ephemera!" All these phrases in conjunction can only mean one thing: it's reissue time! And my oh my, have Matador got a heck of a reissue campaign planned for Boston post-punkers Mission of Burma.

As you know, Matador are furiously repackaging a trio of classic Burma releases from the Ace of Hearts label-- 1981's Signals, Calls & Marches, 1983's Vs., and 1985's The Horrible Truth About Burma-- for a March 18 release, with a mess of extras, including a bonus DVD with each disc.

Signals, Calls & Marches will be joined by the "Academy Fight Song" 7", a pair of unreleased tracks from the sessions for the 7", and a DVD of live performances, Live at The Space (October 6, 1979) and The Underground (April 20, 1980).

Vs. includes four bonus tracks: three from the album's sessions and one the B-side of the "Trem Two" single. That set's live DVD is Live at The Bradford Ballroom, March 12, 1983. It captures the afternoon set from the band's final hometown show.

The Horrible Truth About Burma is restored to its original sequence and bolstered by three previously-released bonus tracks and one, "Weatherbox", that's been in the vaults until now. The accompanying DVD for The Horrible Truth contains the evening performance from the band's Beantown farewell, as well as "the original, abbreviated VHS program, with original titles, released by Ace of Hearts through Atavistic in 1988," which whittles down the full set to a lean, mean 11 tracks.

Each and every reissue will come with a 32-page booklet featuring interviews with the band and producer/Ace of Hearts owner Rick Harte, plus the aforementioned photos and ephemera.

The vinyl versions of the reissues will come with "some extras" (there's MORE?!), the DVDs, and coupons for free downloads of the mp3s of the audio.

As for present day Burma, they recently raised a little coin for Callum Robbins, and they'll be appearing at Barcelona's Primavera Sound festival this May 29. [MORE...]

Pere Ubu Guitarist Jim Jones, R.I.P.

Jim Jones, Cleveland music scene stalwart and guitarist (and sometime keyboardist) for legendary art rockers Pere Ubu for some 15 years, died Monday (February 18) at his home after suffering a heart attack, according to Pere Ubu's Ubu Projex website [via The Daily Swarm].

Jones joined Pere Ubu in 1987, after serving as a roadie. Due to his declining health, he retired from the live band in August 1995, although he continued to record with Pere Ubu for some time after, playing on 1998's Pennsylvania and 2002's St Arkansas. Jones is particularly noted for his contributions to the more pop-oriented sound Pere Ubu embraced during his tenure with the band.

A life-long musician, Jones also played with Mirrors, the Styrenes, the Electric Eels, Foreign Bodies, Easter Monkeys, and Home & Garden.

According to a report in Cleveland newspaper The Plain Dealer, Jones was 57 at the time of his death.

Pere Ubu: "Breath" (live on "Night Music")

No Age Reveal Nouns Tracklist, Add Dates

Photo by Raul Perez

The lads of No Age have thrown 28 more words onto the pile that is Nouns, their forthcoming Sub Pop debut (and first proper full-length album). 28 words, which, when sequenced properly, make up a tracklist.

The disc, due May 6, has itself a twelve-item song roster, all the more reason to get yourself good and pumped for the follow-up of sorts to last year's astonishing Weirdo Rippers. It was recorded at L.A.'s Infrasonic studio this past October-December with Pete Lyman, and will come with a 68-page full-color booklet packed with photos and art pieces.

Mere days away from wrapping their run with Liars, No Age have snuck a few more dates onto the back end of their itinerary, which sees them following their time at South by Southwest with couple New York dates and a trip to Europe and the UK in May.

The UK in May, you say? Sounds like a perfect opportunity to invite No Age over to the ATP vs. Pitchfork festival we're having. Oh, they're already coming? Well, that settles that! [MORE...]

Acid Mothers Temple in Touring/LP-Releasing Shocker

Monolithic, messy Japanese psych-out artistes Acid Mothers Temple have lined up yet another full North American tour, this time for their "Melting Paraiso U.F.O." incarnation.

Like Acid Mothers Temple tours before it, this one has a name you'll want to share with friends, coworkers, and random strangers at every opportunity: the "Recurring Dream and Apocalypse of Darkness Tour". It kicks off March 13 in Los Angeles, and the mobile Mothers will be joined at almost every turn by Portland's Danava.

Not just a tour, Recurring Dream and Apocalypse of Darkness is also the name of the latest Acid Mothers Temple album, due April 8 from Important Records and available for sale on this tour. Buried amid the tens of thousands of AMT releases on the merch table, you may also find a new tour CD titled Acid Mothership Live and Important's remastered edition of 2003's Magical Power From Mars.

Meanwhile, a European tour is shaping up for Acid Mothers Temple SWR (as part of the traveling Japanese New Music Festival), while Acid Mothers Guru Guru have some upcoming gigs as well.

Finally, back in their native Japan, nary a day goes by without some Acid Mothers affiliate playing live somewhere. Here's the best place to find out who's doing what when. [MORE...]

Rufus Wainwright Wants You to Turn the Lights Off

Front page photo by Akmal Naim

With three months of tour dates ahead of him, Rufus Wainwright will have plenty of time this year to showcase the theatrics he displays on Rufus Does Judy Live at Carnegie Hall. But one of his upcoming shows is a little more than entertainment.

On March 19, Wainwright will play an intimate, unamplified, candle-lit NYC benefit for Blackoutsabbath, an energy conservation initiative he is organizing. Simply put, he's proposing an intentional blackout for 12 hours from 12 noon to 12 midnight on June 21. Inspired by the 2003 blackout, it's intended to give people time to think of ways they can help the environment.

Part of the Blackoutsabbath plan is for people to make lists of their environmental solutions, which they would then post to their refrigerators and re-evaluate every year. Thus, to promote the initiative, Wainwright is asking fans to donate refrigerator magnets by either approaching him with the magnets at one of his upcoming shows or mailing them to him at the following address:

Rufus Wainwright
c/o MCT Management
520 8th Avenue, Suite 2001
New York, NY 10018
[MORE...]

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