Kevin Shields remasters classic My Bloody Valentine LPs

Kevin Shields has personally remastered two of My Bloody Valentine's acclaimed LPs... 'Isn't Anything' and 'Loveless'.

Both albums will be re-released through SonyBMG and enhanced with new mixing by Shields, touc down date, June 16, which just happens to be just before MBV's first live shows in years.

Sleeve notes for the releases have been been written by Shields, explaining what he has done to the seminal albums in the re-mastering process... which could make for thrilling reading for audiophiles or, the dullest thing ever for everyone else.

Both albums will be available as a CD digipack and heavyweight 180gsm vinyl. Read over for tour dates...
 

Scare your kids with Katkiller's pop culture dolls

Josmar Madureira (a.k.a Katkiller) is an artist and designer based in Brazil - as well as being the person responsible for these superb Katkiller pop culture dolls.

Take your pick from...well, just about everyone from Amy Winehouse (complete with tattoos), Joey Ramone and David Bowie (Aladdin Sane era) through to the Star Wars characters, Twiggy and Andy Warhol. All are approximately 21 inches tall and weigh around 195 grams. They're made of cloth (raw cotton and polyester), stuffed with synthetic anti-allergic fibre, then painted with silkscreen ink.

Check out the full range via the link below. We don't know the details of price and ordering as yet - currently chasing up the designer and will update as soon as I know more.

Find out more at the Katkiller website

Via Retro To Go

Ned's Atomic Dustbin to reunite

I've got absolutely no idea what to say about this news story. What I'll do is pad it out with a load of pointless procrastinations, making it look like a thoroughly researched scrawl about an indie band from the early 90s. From a distance at least. Of course, this stalling will only work for so long before you start foaming at the nostril and demanding some news. Well, the news is this: Ned's Atomic Dustbin are set to reform for a Christmas show. That's right, you heard. Ned's Atomic Dustbin have announced that they will reform to play a sole date at the London Astoria on December 6. Now, I can't drag that out any more, so here's a video to bulk up the page with.

Stevie Wonder to tour

Stevie Wonder has announced a short tour of the US and Canada, kicking off June 18 in Wantagh, NY. Wonder, who is backing Barack Obama (and the Choom Gang) in the race for the US President, will play 13 shows which wind up July 12 in Vancouver. Wonder’s most recent album ‘A Time To Love’ was released in 2005 and earned him his 22nd Grammy award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance. For US tour dates, read over... if you live in the UK and are sick at the thought of not seeing, watch The Best Stevie Wonder Video Ever (TM ElecRoul) instead.

'Sonic Youth: Sleeping Nights Awake' documentary to be featured at CineVegas film festival

Man! I need to get me to Vegas. Not only can I watch the lizards in Circus Circus and maybe get someone to drop the melon in the bath with me when White Rabbit peaks, but I can also get over to The CineVegas film festival.

The film festival has announced it's line-up and one of the main films is an intriguing documentary on Sonic Youth, called "Sonic Youth: Sleeping Nights Awake." Produced by non-profit filmmaking patrons Project Moonshine, the twist with this digi-vid doc was that it was shot entirely by seven high school students and featuring interviews, backstage footage, and 10 songs that were filmed live in Reno, Nevada on back in July 2006. The other films stink of rock 'n' roll too...

Stereolab to tour North America in the fall... Europe next?

Stereolab are planning a set of tour dates across the U.S. in support of new long player, Chemical Chords. Interestingly, the support act for these dates is Stereolab singer Laetitia Sadier's other project Monade. Chemical Chords is coming out on August 19th via 4AD. This will be the first Stereolab full length release since 2004's Margerine Eclipse. They'll also play the Synch festival in Athens on June 15th, and the Slottsfjell Festival in Norway this Summer. More dates for Europe are to be announced later. Read over for the dates, or, if you're not interested in American shows, watch this video.

Stephen Malkmus readies single and tour

Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks will release their first UK single from 'Real Emotional Trash' on June 2 via Domino. The tune they've chosen is 'Gardenia', and they are backing it with a new song called 'Walk Into the Mirror'.

The group will support the single with a load of European dates in June. Support on the UK shows comes from Domino mates Wild Beasts. Read over for dates.

Paul McCartney to give away LP for free... with The Mail On Sunday

Paul McCartney has announced that he is to give away his current studio album Memory Almost Full, with the Mail On Sunday on May 18, putting him in the esteemed company of UB40, Prince, Lenny Crevice Kravitz, Simply Red and Jean Michel Jarre. Enough's enough now, surely?

Macca has sold 100,000 copies of his Memory Almost Full LP, which originally came out last year through Starbucks' music imprint Hear Music. However, via The Daily Heil, he could potentially reach 2million homes. I don't know what's more depressing, the fact that Macca is giving his album away through the Daily Mail, or the fact that 2million people read that shite.

Electric Roulette Top Picks

One of the joys of writing about the best music in the world is that you get to share it. Of course, you could see it as 'jamming our opinions down yer damn throat'... but either way, you get some good tip offs so we all win.

Naturally, this being the brink of summer, Electric Roulette folks have taken on a decidedly cheery frame, so maybe it's reflected in the tunes we're currently hoppin' to. You can be the judge I s'pose.

Anyway, enough jabberin', read over for ten randomly plucked treats from the trove... it's the top picks from May 2008.

First look at Neil Young's 'Archives'

Oh boy! Oh boy! Look at this! This is the first preview of Neil Young's 'Archives' and, as expected, it looks awesome. If you don't know what we're talking about, scroll down for the 'Archives' article, or, if you're in a particularly lazy mood, click here.

Neil Young's 'archives' sounds... well... amazing

There's been loads of fuss for nigh on 10 years about Neil Young's 'Archives'. Was it going to be a boxset? A DVD set? What? People need answers... and now, looks like we've got 'em.

Spiritualized have a new video... Soul on Fire

Okay. I like Spiritualized. I liked Spaceman 3 too. Hell, I even like Spectrum. So when there's a new Spiritualized track knocking about, I like to get a little excited. However, as lovely as this new 'Soul on Fire' track is, for all the strings, slow crackling fuzz and all that... I just can't get over the "fire" and "higher" rhyme in the chorus.

Tom Waits announces new tour in a YouTube 'press conference'

Read over if you've no sound on your computer...

Former lives: Ian Astbury

Ian Astbury - he'd love to be Jim Morrison, Robert Plant or indeed any other rock god. But unfortunately he's just a middle-aged bloke from Bradford with a fake American accent fronting a third rate band.

But once upon a time, our Ian was actually quite cool - fronting an anarcho/goth/punk band by the name of Southern Death Cult. And here he is, packing a mohican and 'anarchy' t-shirt, playing guitar...badly. Check out the lyrics too...pure genius.

100 Club Picture Show - music images through the ages

For three days, the 100 Club will open its doors through the afternoons to the public, offering you the chance to see the legendary club, as well as an exhibition of photographs featuring acts who have appeared at the club over the last 60 years.

Photographs from the club, spanning the last 60 years will include Jazz and Blues by Walter Hanlon, Terry Cryer and Chas McDevitt, The Punk Festival of 1976 shot by Barry Plummer, Ray Stevenson and Jill Furmanovsky and Rock and Indie acts by Paul Slattery, Dean Chalkley and Ross Halfin. That includes the likes of The Sex Pistols, The Clash, Siouxsie Sioux, Metallica, Oasis, Humphrey Lyttelton, Gallows, Chuck Berry, The Damned, Primal Scream and The Horrors to name just a few.

An exclusive preview takes place on Wednesday 7th May from 6:30pm - contact the club for details. The main public viewing runs from Friday 9th May – Sunday 11th May, 12pm – 4pm. Entry is free.

100 Club website

Via Retro To Go

The Cure to release a new single every month...

The Cure have announced that they will release a new single each month leading up to the release of their 13th studio album in September. Bob Smith & Co will release the first 45 from the as-yet untitled album on May 13, and intend to release a different a- and b-side single on the thirteenth of each month until the album is released on September 13th. Hands up if you think the LP is going to be called Thirteen or somethin'?

The first single, 'The Only One', includes the b-side 'NY Trip'. The second single, 'Freakshow' (due out June 13th) contains the flipside 'All Kinds Of Stuff'. Both b-sides are exclusive to the singles and will not appear on the full-length album.

They were produced by Smith and Keith Uddin. The July 13th and August 13th singles will be announced shortly. Also, The Cure about to embark on a big ol' tour of the US to support the new album beginning May 9.

The Specials' Reformation... Jerry Dammers speaks

    We told you about The Specials reunion in March. Well, founding member Jerry Dammers has said he isn’t too keen on the whole idea.     Despite everyone falling over with shock at the notion and gettin' all positive, Jerry is a little less optimistic... but that's no nail in the coffin as there's hope yet.

Dope line-up for Rock The Bells includes Mos Def, De La Soul and more...

Man. I wouldn't wanna live in the US, but I wouldn't mind some of their gigs y'know? Mainly, I really wanna go to the Rock The Bells festival which, this years, is playing host to A Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul, Mos Def, The Pharcyde, Nas, Rakim, Method Man & Redman, Raekwon & Ghostface... and the beat goes on and on!

The series kicks off July 19th in Chicago, IL. In addition to nine North American cities, the tour will this year make four stops in Europe. Tour dates over.

Hip hop exhibition of photos and artwork

To celebrate all things Hip Hop and the 25th anniversary of the release of the definitive Hip Hop film ‘Wild Style’, last year PYMCA created ‘Wildstyles’ an exhibition that featured classic rare photographs hailing back to the old skool days.

Now, the exhibition has moved to Bar Vinyl in Camden Town and this time they're hosting a photography and art competition sponsored by Pentax. The exhibition will run from the 19th May – 16th June 2008. Hip Hop competition showcase will run from the 17th – 22nd June 2008.

Patti Smith and MBV's Kevin Shields collaboration gets release

Patti Smith and Kevin Shields' live collaboration on 'The Coral Sea' will finally get its release this summer, when it comes out as a 2CDer on their own PASK label.

The album, due out on July 11, features two live performances from June 22, 2005 and September 12, 2006, both at London's Queen Elizabeth Hall. Both feature Smith spoken-word from her 1996 book 'The Coral Sea', a homage to her close friend and legendary photographer Robert Mapplethorpe.

Shields provides an instrumental backing to Smith's performance, using guitar and his infamous bank of effects. The two shows are said to have a "different stylistic approach". The album is nearly two hours in length. Heavy.

The Prisoners Rare & Unissued reissued on CD by Big Beat

Originally released (in limited numbers) on vinyl in 1988 on Billy Childish’s Hangman label, Rare & Unissued by The Prisoners gets a welcome reissue this week from Big Beat through Ace Records.

Rare & Unissued brings together all the hard-to-find recordings by the 'pioneers of modern day garage', but is slightly different to the original vinyl release. That's because Ace has already reissued some of the album's tracks on previous Prisoners reissues - so rather than offer duplicate tracks, there's two previously undiscovered cuts - the instrumental Unbeliever (fast) from the Wisermiserdemelza sessions and a take of Love Me Lies recorded live in a studio some time before the its appearance at those sessions.

Also added are two cuts recorded at a demo session in 1984 which appeared on various small run compilations – Joe 90 and a version Hush - and new sleevnotes, with contributions from band members. You can pick it up now from Amazon, which is selling it for £8.98.

Find out more about the CD at Amazon.co.uk

The Greatest 100 Greatest List Ever

Stumbled across this whilst flagrantly abusing internet privileges at work - The Detroit Metro Time's "100 Greatest Detroit Songs Ever", an untouchably hip Top 100 compiled by the Deetroit rag's staff late last year. Convention dictates that Top 100 Records Lists a la Mojo Magazine, Q Magazine, The Guardian Guide et al lists are arbitrary, predictable, dull etc etc - this list, however, is dynamite from top to bottom. Tons of Psyche-Soul (Black Merda, Funkadelic, Dennis Coffey), Motown (Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Martha Reeves), garage rock (Stooges, ? & The Mysterians, MC5), plus the occasional groundbreaking techno or hip-hop track...a genuinely fascinating journey through the Motor City's back catalogue, and a forceful reminder of how consistently this city has produced incredible music since the mid 1900s. Go dig! (Also in the Detroit Metro Times this week: "Road Rage - Mayor and council skirmish over Livernois makeover".) PF

Top 5 Acid House tunes!

It's the 20th anniversary of the second summer of love... Mixmag is 25 years old (really? - Ed)... so it seems apt to have a look at some of the best acid tracks from way back when. Of course, this list isn't all from '88, but rather, tracks from around that time that blew everyone's brains out!

1. A Guy Called Gerald - Voodoo Ray

Probably the greatest acid track ever made and has the dubious honour of being the only acid house track to have its lyrics printed in Smash Hits. How? No idea.

My Bloody Valentine curate incredible ATP in New York

On the weekend of September 19-21, My Bloody Valentine will perform in the United States for the first time in 16 years to curate ATP New York, the new American branch of the All Tomorrow's Parties festival. The event will take place at Kutshers Country Club in Monticello, New York and looks like a real cracker!

If My Bloody Valentine headlining wasn't enough, ATP New York unveiled just the beginning of its 30-act lineup. For starters, you get MBV, as well as Thurston Moore performing Psychic Hearts, Tortoise performing Millions Now Living Will Never Die, Shellac, Mogwai and Low. It's an American indie fan's wet-dream!

In keeping with the Brit' ATPs, the New York shindig will be pretty small and revelers will live on the site for three days, staying in motel and hotel rooms. Tickets go on sale this Friday, April 25, at the ATP website.

Primal Scream added to Wax On Live festival bill in Leeds

People think that there's only one big music event in Leeds and it's sponsored by wazz-weak lager. Not true. At the end of May, the exciting looking Wax:On Live is taking place which features a huge variety of acts to tickle your pickle.

Recently added to the bill are Primal Scream, who will join Hercules and Love Affair, Reverend and the Makers, Derrick May, Andrew Weatherall, Friendly Fires, Kila Kella and loads more. The event is taking place at the rather resplendent Lotherton Hall in Leeds.

Mixing up rock, techno and hip hop, this looks like a festival really worth going to. You won't have any of the crowd whinging about the inclusion of rap... unlike some plastic sofa plonked in front of the main stage hummous tossers at one Pilton based fest. Anyway, read over for the line-up for Wax On Live.

Gang Of Four - He'd Send In The Army

This site isn't just thrown together, we do actually give it minutes of thought. And seeing as Gang of Four has been named as one of the headline acts at the Massive Attack Meltdown, it seems only right to highlight one of the band's jaunty post punk grooves.

This is He'd Send In The Army, an early 80s clip taken from one of the best music movies of the era - Urgh! A Music War. Enjoy...

Massive Attack Meltdown line-up - everything from 60s soul to Japanese electronica

We always knew Massive Attack were an eclectic bunch - but if you were in any doubt, check out the line-up for the band's forthcoming Meltdown.

The band is curating this year's festival - and indeed playing two nights (14th and 22nd June). But like all the best Meltdowns, the supporting bill is every bit as interesting. That includes a Gang Of Four / Tom Tom Club double bill (20th June), hippy gods Gong (14th June), Japanese electronic pioneers Yellow Magic Orchestra (15th June), Grace Jones (19th June) and a George Clinton / Parliament / Funkadelic night (21st June).

Also of note is the Vangelis Blade Runner soundtrack (mixed by Massive Attack), Terry Callier, Stiff Little Fingers, Martina Topley-Bird, Elbow, various club nights and movie screenings. For all the details, ticket prices and availability, check out the Southbank Meltdown site.

Find out more at the Southbank Meltdown website

Nick Cave's iTunes session sees release

Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds' exclusive iTunes 'Live From London' session is now available as a five-track E.P from the music download website.

The session was recorded on March 2nd at London's famous Air Studios, Cave and the Bad Seeds, as ever, turned on the venom and threw out a cracking performance, showcasing new album Dig Lazurus Dig!!!.

The E.P. features the album title track, "Moonland", "Midnight Man", "Lie Down Here (& Be My Girl)" and the live version of forthcoming single "More News From Nowhere". The new single is out May 12th and will also feature a brand new track ‘Fleeting Love’.

The band are about to hit the roads of the UK so they can play live at the following places: Dublin Castle (May 3) Glasgow, Academy (4) Birmingham, Academy (5) London, Hammersmith Apollo (7/8/9)

First new Jesus and Mary Chain track released in a decade...

The first brand new track from the Jesus & Mary Chain has been released, which is the band's first in ages. So, it's a single then? Nope. The new track, entitled 'All Things Must Pass' is featured on the new Heroes TV show soundtrack.

Heroes Original Soundtrack also features a brand new track from Wilco called 'Glad It's Over' as well as a host of previously unreleased tracks from bands you may or may not care about.

The soundtrack also features Bob Dylan's 'Man In The Long Black Coat' as well as, with alarming predictability, Bowie's 'Heroes'.

The Heroes Original Soundtrack is available now via iTunes, with a physical release date set for April 28... and fans of the show will be pleased to know that it's back on the box next week on BBC 2, Thursday April 21. The full Heroes soundtrack listing is... overleaf.

Bez - Broke

When I heard that Bez was playing the worst student union in the country, notably The Pav in Salford, I knew something was up. I mean. Bez has danced like Brassneck from The Dandy in some pretty big places... so why would he gig in that shithole? Turns out he needs the money bad.

Y'see, Bez has been declared bankrupt for a second time. The ruling against the Happy Mondays and Black Grape dancer (and gurner) was made in the High Court in London on March 31. The news comes despite Bez, real name Mark Berry, winning the £50,000 first prize on Celebrity Big Brother in 2005.

Described by the Insolvency Register as a "journalist and a musician", he was previously ruled bankrupt in August 2004, say the BBC. Since taking the main prize in the reality TV show, he has remained in the public eye with regular DJ appearances across the country. Last year, the Happy Mondays released their new album, "Uncle Dysfunktional", and toured extensively. I thought he was 'clean' these days, so I wonder where all the money has gone? Maybe Electric Roulette should do a charity gig for him?

Paul Weller collaborates with Oasis... and one ex Blur...

Paul Weller has a new LP coming out soon, and it's Britpop mad! Weller, with his lovely highlights, has talked about working with Oasis’ Noel Gallagher and former Blur musician Graham Coxon on his new solo album '22 Dreams'.

The Oasis lads appear on “Echoes Round The Sun”, and the album track is expected to be the first single released on May 26, a double A-side with “Have You Made Your Mind Up?” Weller told BBC news that the collaboration was a long time coming. He said: "Well me and Noel have been talking about trying to write something for years now. He had the idea for the backing track and I just put the tune and the words on top."

The Lemonhead to play 'Ray' at Truck Festival

The Lemonheads have been confirmed to headline this year's Truck Festival in Steventon, South Oxfordshire in July. This will be Evan Dando & Co's only UK gig this year, so if you wanna party like it's the mid-nineties, then get out the plastic. Why? Well, the group will perform their indie-fave It's A Shame About Ray in it's entirety. They'll probably play other stuff too.

The festival is set to take place on July 19 and 20 and tickets for the Truck Festival are nearly sold-out.

As well as The Lemonheads, the likes of Small Face Ian McLagan and The Bump Band, MAPS, These New Puritans, and The Television Personalities will play across the event's six stages.

Joy Division documentary showing in London - plus Stephen Morris & Jon Savage Q&A

If you are a fan of the band, you might want to get yourself down to the Curzon Soho in London for a screening of Joy Division.

Joy Division looks at the band through never-before-seen live performance footage, personal photos, period films and newly discovered audiotapes, with contributions from Bernard Sumner, Peter Hook and Stephen Morris, as well as the late Tony Wilson, Factory Records graphic artist Peter Saville, photographer/filmmaker Anton Corbijn and Belgian journalist Annik Honoré (speaking for the first time about her relationship with Ian Curtis) the film is described as a 'fresh visual account of a unique time and place'.

If that's not enough, Joy Division drummer Stephen Morris and writer Jon Savage will be on hand to take questions. It's on Thursday 24th April, starting at 6:30pm.

Find out more and order tickets at the Cuezon website

Via Retro To Go

Extract from Mark E Smith's autobiography

Renegade: The Lives and Tales of Mark E Smith is out soon. You should buy it. Why? Because it's going to be an essential read for anyone into music. It's going to be as essential to music fans as Brian Clough's autobiography is to footy fans.

Similarly, you don't have to like The Fall to dig it... just like you didn't have to support Notts Forest to get Cloughie.

Anyway, you don't have to take my word for it. On Electric Roulette, we've got an exclusive extract from Mark E Smith's new book shamelessly lifted from The Guardian. Click over and read of Japanese War Camp games, his dislike of punk and loads more...

Has black music lost its soul?

Estelle, currently hauling the nutrasweet-soul of 'American Boy' around the world, has attacked the state of the music industry. She said: "I'm not mad at 'em - but I'm just wondering, how the hell is there not a single black person in the press singing soul? Adele ain't soul. She sounds like she heard some Aretha records once and she's got a deeper voice - that don't mean she's soul. They keep trying to tell me in the media what soul music is and I'm like, we KNOW what soul music is."

Fair enough, Adele isn't soul music, she's Coldplay with breasts... but this little rant got me thinking. Where is all the black soul music? Now, before we begin, let me determine what I think soul music is... or rather... what soul music isn't. Soul music isn't about histrionics. Soul music isn't about a floor length mink coat. It ain't diamond earrings and showing opulence. Soul is something almost undefinable... something that can stir you and, when the mood takes, force you on to a dancefloor. Of course, I'm biased toward soul that sounds like it came from the fifties, up to the seventies. Since then, soul and funk seems to have lost it's way, and now, the nearest thing we have to that golden period is a couple of pop singers and the grooves found in certain hip hop joints. 

Motorhead to tour UK in November

Motorhead have announced a load of UK dates, due to take place in November. The video above is the rockers playing live... and the dates you can catch 'em at can be found overleaf. Tickets are on sale right now.

Blondie to tour 'Parallel Lines'

Blondie have decided that the best way to celebrate the 30th anniversary of 'Parallel Lines' is to tour the LP.

Of course, the long player is the one that propelled the band to proper, real, stardom, on the back of singles like 'Hanging On The Telephone', 'One Way Or Another' and 'Heart Of Glass'.

Dates have been announced from June 5–28, which you can find if you read over.

Sadly, there's no news of UK dates as yet, but it's inevitable that they'll gig the LP over here as it gave the band a number one in the album charts back when it was released. Keep checking back here and we'll keep you informed of what's going on.

Stereo MCs return with Hot Plate

Stereo MCs had it big. Then they dipped out of the limelight. And since then, they've sporadically peeped in and out with various tunes to various acclaim. Their newest track, 'Gringo', taken from forthcoming EP, Hot Plate, is set to hit us pretty soon. Whether you like them or not, check this insane video out featuring posh graphics and mental sky-diver types. 'Gringo' is a 303 fueled acid-Moroccan-strings-and-things-dancefloor monster. Take your Es now.

Bunnymen frontman to release memoirs (I should use Ian McCulloch's name really...)