First acts announced for Mighty Boosh Festival

First acts announced for The Mighty Boosh Festival.

Indie behemoths. Electronic wizardry. Wobbly jazz. Weird Texan rock. We all knew that The Boosh festival would be eclectic... and how.

Read over to find out everything you need to know, including where to buy your tickets from and places where you can get all multi-platform (which essentially means signing up to various social networking sites).

Suge Knight gets knocked clean out...

Okay, we're gonna get a bit tabloid here. Marion Suge Knight, former daddio at Death Row Records is not a man to be messed around with. For a start, he's fuggin' massive. Add to that, he's a well connected brutha who was involved in all that Crips business which saw Tupac gettin' shot. Well, Suge got himself in a rumble this week at the Shag Club in La-la-land and got himself knocked out cold. All 3000 pounds of the muvva. Now, here's a video of a blood splatted (and reelin') Suge.

Not only that, World Star Hip Hop have tracked down the guy responsible for the mightiest left hook in history... and you can watch an interview with him by gettin' yourself over the jump.

Leonard Cohen kicks off his tour... look.

Man, I dunno if Leonard Cohen had a plan way back, but the fact remains that his delivery of yore could've always been recreated in his vintage. Tim Buckley had to die. So did Lennon. They woulda been an embarrassment if they were still tryin' to sound like they did in their prime. Okay, they were probably quick enough to develop whole new styles that woulda make me cry tears of joy and say lame things like "oh... the innovation kills me" (we keep tellin' ya... us rock scribes are the lamest people you'll ever meet)... but... where was I? Yeah, Lenny Cohen. He's on the road again, and here's a video of him during his latest tour and he sounds pretty good. Even if the crowd insist on drowning out every little biddy thing with whooping.

Tim Burgess and Joaquin Phoenix team up for musical project

According to the NME, Tim Burgess has revealed some details of a collab. that The Charlatans frontman has done with Joaquin Phoenix. Joining them is Anthony Langdon of Spacehog... but to be honest, that means fu... all to me.

The trio have laid down tracks in a Los Angeles studio with the help of former Creation Records boss.... and... y'know... like... uuuuhhh... this has gotta be the most pointless news story ever y'know?

There's quotes about Joaquin being a perfectionist and all that... but seriously, it's not worthing beyond what's written in the headline. So, to make up for wastin' mine, and more importantly, your time I'm gonna make a list of musos and thesps that could, and sometimes have, collaborate. Maybe some aren't even actors. Read over schmucksack.

A Beginners Guide To...Jay-Z

Why Bother?

YEAH! Why bother, right? That's what I'd like to ask Micheal Eavis right now! "Jay-Z: Why bother?" Whydya bother desecrating the saced "Glasto" Headline Slot with This Sort Of Thing, huh? I mean, I've no problem with black artists playing Glasto, just as long as they're reassuringly old / reassuringly smiley / reassuringly part of some African dance troupe I read about in the Independent / and most importantly: Real Far Down The Bill, OK? Look at Jay-Zed in this picture: he just looks so angry! I mean, what if he's angry at us? Is Micheal Eavis really gonna take responsibility for inviting an angry black American to come over here, take our headline slots, and potentially BROADEN OUR HORIZONS AND OPEN OUR MINDS with SOME MUSIC I MIGHT NOT HAVE HEARD BEFORE? Yeah! Like I really go to "Glasto" to broaden my horizons! The headline slot is for middle of the road white indie bands who happen to be doing well at the time: EVERYBODY KNOWS THAT!

Bob Dylan to perform at World Expo

Bob Dylan has today (May 14th) been confirmed by organisers of this year's World Expo in Zaragoza, Spain, to perform at the event on June 23th. Not one to sit still and rest on his laurels (sometimes to a fault), Dylan had recorded a new version of 'A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall' for use on adverts promoting the 2008 World Expo... now he's gonna perform it.

Beck to rush release rushed album (not as bad as it sounds)

Beck will release a new album this summer... which is a bit of surprise seeing as there's been next to zero talk about it. The LP will comprise of material that's only just been written, as opposed to well crafted and pondered over.

The album has been produced by Dangermouse, and features 10 tracks and runs in at under 30 minutes in duration. 'Bout time too. Far too many bands see those 70+ mins and think 'FILL IT'.

This will be Beck's outing since The Information in 2006. He'll release it on his new home XL Recordings. The release is being called a below-the-radar release due to it's quick production time and release schedule. Apparently, Cat Power makes an appearance. A press release sez "Beck has recorded a new album, produced with Dangermouse, to be released this summer. The as-yet-untitled album contains 10 new songs,…a tightly assembled group…that range in lyrical tone from introspection and social commentary to off-the-cuff wordplay and lighthearted humor…Musically, the album’s ten tracks vacillate between economy and experimentation, hybrid and pop classicism." Go figure. Beck tour dates here.

Gig Review - The Junipers/John Stammers, The Deaf Institute, Manchester

Okay. There were more bands on last night... but being the half baked idiot that I am, I completely missed 'em. Thanks to a combination of drinking and fawning. Instead of promoting the 'you really should see every band on a line-up because that's the right thing to do', I simply watched the two acts that demanded that I leave the house for once, and those people were The Junipers and John Stammers.

Leaving the house on a confusingly pleasant evening, I met up with the super cool people also bracing themselves for quite possibly the greatest gig Manchester will see this year, and sat down in the sumptuous surroundings of The Deaf Institute near the BBC in Manchester. Expectations were high as The Junipers' 'Cut Your Key' LP has now become firmly lodged in my psyche as The Best Debut Album Ever Made. Also, I'd seen John Stammers on numerous occasions and he's always cookin' with the good stuff. Metaphorically, my pen hovered for dishing up a kicking...

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

Possibly the greatest show on earth... The Junipers and John Stammers - Live! Tonight!

If you're in Manchester tonight, better get yourself down to the greatest show on Earth. Seriously. At Lee Gorton's (of Alfie fame) Down At The Redbricks night, tonight, you'll get the incredible sunshine popsike of The Junipers, promoting their new 'Cut Your Key' album (the album of 2008), as well as the pastoral jazz-folk of John Stammers, playing with full band (more here).

It starts at 8pm and Manchester's gorgeous and newest venue, The Deaf Institute on Grosvenor Street. [pic: Bob Stuart]

Autechre to release 13 new songs

Autechre can be hard work... but then again, like Beefheart or Zappa, they can be hugely rewarding too. So with that, Autechre are to release 13 new songs digitally over the space of two weeks beginning on May 19.

In total the band will release over 140 minutes of new music. The tracks will be released digitally on bleep.com over a course of a fortnight either as a mini-subscription or individual track downloads as and when they become available. The tunes will then appear as EP Bundles on iTunes a week later. Although most people will probably wait a couple of weeks and pinch the lot from Bit Torrent or something. Anyway, the tracklisting is overleaf.

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.

Mira Calix to perform live film soundtrack

Mira Calix, first lady of modern electronics, is to work with Augusto Contento, director of the film Onibus. Their project, also called Onibus, will see Mira Calix performing at Evolution Festival at Leeds Town Hall and the National Centre for Early Music in York.

The live performance will feature a film score performed for a screening of the film, with musicians Peter Sparks, Mark Norman, Oliver Coates and Mira Calix. "This unique performance weaves a hauntingly beautiful score for clarinet, marimba, cello and laptop around a trip into the depths of the Brazilian land and people," reads the Opera North web site, who commissioned the project. Mira Calix has performed with Radiohead, Godspeed You! Black Emperor and Aphex Twin, if you need a point of reference. If you need another, there's a video waiting for you over the jump.

'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...

New Releases, 12th May, with Rick Allen's missing arm

Hey man. Y'see this guy here? It's my old pal, Rick Allen. Rick's the drummer with Def Leppard. Now, The Deflep guys like to rock y'know? Not me. I've got other interests. Man. I dig jazz, rock, folk... but not really metal. I jus' can't buy into y'know? So, a while back, me and Rick split. It was painful at first, but y'know, after a while, we started writing letters and swapping emails and things are pretty good between us.

People always ask me if me and Rick will ever get back together, but it'll never happen. We're both happy doin' our own thing y'know? The last time I saw Rick was around the car crash... I was lying down, jus' laughing after our race with an Alfa Romeo, then, up comes Rick, blinking wildly and muttering "I'm a famous rock drummer!", "I want my mommy!" Crazy times. Well, now it's time for me to get reviewing for Electric Roulette... and there's LOADS of good records out today!

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.

Review - Portishead 'Third'

Like most, Electric Roulette has to wait a bit to get a record. Sometimes, we're a bit lazy and don't get 'round to doing something, buying an LP long after reviews are out... but that shouldn't stop us reviewing an album when we do get out arses in gear. Seeing as we didn't get a review copy of Portishead's 'Third', and I went and bought it yesterday, I thought it was time for a peer into the murky sky flickery.

I've heard a lot of snippets and leaked tracks, but that only served as a taster. I've always felt that Portishead were an album band and that the singles, or at least single-tracks, only told a bit of the story. Go back to 'Dummy' or the eponymous LP and you'll see that, as a whole, they make a lot more sense than grabbing a track on (the horrendous) shuffle function on an MP3 player. So, as a whole, what is 'Third' like?

Celebrate the weekend with video by The Junipers

It's the weekend and the sun looks like it's out for a few pints and a trip down the record/charity shops. Do, with that, let's celebrate with some sonic sunshine in the shape of The Junipers, THE band of 2008. Official. Read our review of their latest LP here. It's a masterpiece.

R. Kelly... finally goes to court over serious allegations

A while ago, we took the piss outta R Kelly with a snap, taken as he left court. Well, after a stupid amount of time, R Kelly now goes to trial, after 5 years waiting. Quite why there's been such a delay is something of a mystery.

The case revolves around R Kelly allegedly having sex with an underage girl. And allegedly filming it. And allegedly pissing on her. Now, right at the last minute, sources say that there have been secret hearings dealing with the potential trial testimony of the Atlanta woman, who allegedly had a threesome with Kelly and the girl who appears in the video for which he faces charges.

The Atlanta woman can identify the girl and testify she was underage at the time, sources say.    The same sources reckon that the Atlanta woman received immunity from state and federal prosecution in exchange for her testimony. Now, for the lengthy, and pretty grisly background on this case, read over. Trial starts today.

Music blamed for death again, this time it's emo

I'm not one to defend emo music. Far from it. I think it's awful. However, when music is blamed for someone's death, I start getting agitated. I mean, it seems that, if you like heavy metal, hip hop - and now emo - you simply can't resist the temptation of death. Certain sections of society would have you believe that hip hop makes people go on a drive-by when before hip hop, these people would be found knitting. Heavy metal makes you go on killing sprees around various American schools and now, emo makes you kill yourself. It's pathetic.

The girl in the picture is 13-year-old Hannah Bond. The Telegraph said of it all: "Maidstone Coroners’ Court heard that Hannah, of East Peckham, Kent, had lived a double life, outwardly a bright fun-loving family-orientated schoolgirl, but inwardly a devotee of “emo” which stands for emotional. She had secretly chatted to “emo” followers online all over the world, talking about death and the glamorisation of hanging and speaking about “the black parade” - a place where “emos” believe they go after they die."

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.

Adem does bonkers covers LP (this article includes Aphex cover MP3)

Some time ago, I went to a festival and there, I met Adem, who turns out to be a rather lovely, but intense man. I like people like this. So with that, I watched him play his set and was impressed by his folkie stylings which were, rather lovely and intense.

If you didn't know, Adem Ilhan is Kieran Hebden's Fridge bandmate and releaser of solo albums under his own first name. Domino are set to release his newest LP soon and it's called 'Takes' and will hit shelves on May 12th. 'Takes' is a covers album which sees Adem taking on some of his favorite tunes released between '91 and 2001. This includes tracks by Björk, Aphex Twin, Tortoise, PJ Harvey and the Breeders, to name a few. The tracklisting for 'Takes' (complete with original artists in brackets) can be found on the B-side of this article as well as some live dates. Also, you can hear Adem's take on Aphex Twin's To Cure a Weakling Child over the jump too.
 

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.

Review - Le Beat Bespoke 3 (V/A)

Rob Bailey, the bloke behind Le Beat Bespoke, and I, have had our run-ins. Basically, I was a little let-down by his festival and he thought I was a dick. This being the world of music, no-one was gonna back down. Quite right too. So with that, I'm now sat with a copy of the new Rob Bailey compiled Le Beat Bespoke 3 compilation and I'm tempted to act like a child and say it's the worst thing I've ever heard. However, that would make me rather petty.

Before all the spats and snidery, I'd bought the previous LBB comps. The first outing didn't do it for me, but the second one blew me away. As a whole, it was a decent comp, but a couple of tracks made it well worth buying. So will the third outing be like the first, second or, something completely new?

New Oasis songs leaked online

I'm not a fan of Oasis by any stretch of the imagination... however, there's loads of you who are. So instead of being pig headed and ignoring the three new leaked tracks from their forthcoming LP, I thought I'd give 'em to you straight.

Basically, if you click over the jump, you can listen to ' I Wanna Live A Dream (In My Record Machine)', 'Nothin' On Me' and 'Stop the Clocks'. Work is being done to get them removed (presumably by the record company and the band), so if you wanna hear 'em, act swift.

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.

Review - The Junipers 'Cut Your Key'

When Roulette hero, Mark Wirtz (man behind many popsike masterpieces) declares "Love it! Makes me cry with nostalgia!", you know you're in trouble. But what glorious technicoloured trouble we're in. The Junipers have been featured on these pages before (click here) leaving me gasping that they had "more hooks than a Abu Hamsa lookalike competition". It's safe to say that I absolutely adore this band... and with good reason.

Thankfully, San Remo records seem to agree and have given the psychedelic good vibers a chance to make a full and proper LP. The world needs to brace itself. With the release of 'Cut Your Key', summer has officially started... and it looks something like The Magical Mystery Tour.

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

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

Suggestions for indie band names

There's more and more bands being created than ever before. Music is still your ticket to escaping the doldrums. So you've got your instruments. You've written your songs. You've got your image just so. But what about the name? What you gonna call yourselves?

Well, in an age where band names are high on irony, or failing that, 80s nostalgia, I thought I'd come up with some band names for those struggling to come up with something new.

Each band name will have a brief note with it so you know what sort of group suits which type of name. If you use any of these, let us know/

Review - Pathaan 'Globetronica'

Sometimes, albums make it really easy for a reviewer to dish out kickings. I mean, I took one look at this compilation and thought 'crusty'. It's called 'Globetronica', which is like, totally a play on words... like, electronica, but worldwide... man... like, electronic music puttin' arms around the Earth and saying 'It's okay man... I'm a hippie on my flying scooter and everything's gonna be jus' okay... NOW WHO IS READY TO PAR-TAY?!'

I've no idea who this Pathaan is... but I'd like to bet that he's got at least one dream-catcher in his house. I'd also like to bet that he's a bit exotic... like his dad is Moldovan and his mum is from Sri Lanka... leaving our Pathaan the most exotic person to ever live in Brentford. Anyway, Pan Handle has got a new comp out set to free minds, open hearts and shove in huge spoonfuls of lentils.

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

Review: Joy Division (2008)

One of my earliest childhood memories is being dragged into Manchester by my parents - and being ever-so-slightly scared by the decaying warehouses and factories, the disused Manchester Central railway station and the concrete monstrosities that made up the actual centre. It was grim beyond belief. But that decaying, depressing and hopeless environment produced one of Manchester's most iconic bands and the basis of this self-titled documentary - Joy Division.

Yes, with Control barely out of the cinema, here's another Joy Division story to replace it. But if you are a fan of the band, this is one you really need to see. Why? Well, it's all about the detail.

Mojo Honours List - Shortlist announced

So, some whittling has been done and the voting for the 2008 Mojo Honours List enters the phase of 'shortlist'. Basically, that means a list which is considerably shorter than the longer list which went before. Sorry. I'm in pedantic mode today.

Big hitters in the list of nominees are Arctic Monkeys’ Alex Turner who finds himself in four categories, and Welsh singer Duffy and Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds both bag a brace of noms.
The two that really prick the ears up is a nomination for the wonderful The Very Best Of Ethiopiques (for best comp) and a nomination for Roulette fave, Pete Molinari. Anyway, if you'd like to vote or merely peruse the shortlist, click over.

Pre-order The Last People On Earth LP right now!

The release of The Last People On Earth's 'Electric Angel' saw this writer speculating that the earthquake we had a few months ago, was actually the fault of this very band. Psychedelic tremors sent from melting speakers pointing into the earth saw us all shaking in our beds and The Last People On Earth giggling at the thought of their next stunt.

Anyway, their LP left me stunned into submission. I said 'it's one of the best albums I've heard - period' and I still think that now. The band have created a psych-prog masterpiece and everyone needs to get aboard their cosmic bus to be taken on a trip somewhere very fuggin' weird indeed. If you need refreshing, click here for review or, if you've been waiting for its release click here to pre-order Electric Angel.

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.

Spiritualized to headline Green Man Festival

In an already busy summer, Spritualized have been added as headliner for the Green Man festival.

"They will be joining the Main Stage on Friday night alongside Drive By Truckers and King Creosote," in an announcement on the Green Man Festival web site.

Some other great news is that you can check out som