The latest news on Dennis Wilson's Pacific Ocean Blue reissue

Dennis Wilson's lost classic, 'Pacific Ocean Blue', as we previously reported, is set for re-release soon... well, now we have more details like, when it's released and what the hell is on it.

Disc one has the original 12-song album plus 4 previously unreleased bonus tracks with disc two featuring 17 tracks (all previously unreleased but one) from sessions for the never completed 'Bambu' follow-up album. Taylor Hawkins of Foo Fighters adds a newly-recorded vocal to the last track on disc two, the previously unreleased 'Holy Man'.

Original all-star collaborators include Beach Boys Carl Wilson, Bruce Johnston, Billy Hinsche and Ricky Fataar; background vocalists Karen Lamm-Wilson, Christine McVie of Fleeetwood Mac, Gerry Beckley and Dewey Bunnell of America, Dean Torrence of Jan & Dean, and more Full-color booklet includes previously-unseen photos and extensive essays by a variety of Beach Boys scholars.

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).

File sharing court case may get retrial

If you read various blogs and websites today, you'll see that most of them think it's okay to illegally download music. I'm not sure why. If everyone stole records, then there would be no need to hang around waiting for bozo writer reviews would there? No, it strikes me that the blogs want to appear like 'they're one of the fans', not like those big nasty magazines who side with the recording industry and all their sponsorship. Before I start ranting, you can have out thoughts on the illegal download thing by clicking here and here.

Anyway, all this talk of downloads is in the fore thanks to Jammie Thomas. Remember? In a federal courtroom in Duluth, Minnesota, Jammie was accused of using KaZaA to download and offer for distribution almost 2000 songs. She was in one corner, and in the other, the Legion of Doom tag team (or EMI, Sony BMG, Interscope Records and Warner. This was a case of copyright infringement based on the premise that offering these files through KaZaA, Jammie was distributing the music and they felt that was illegal. She lost... however...

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...
 

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.

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.

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.

Phil Spector cohort, Larry Levine, RIP

One of the most important people in rock 'n' roll history has joined the choir invisible. Engineer Larry Levine has died at the ripe ol' age of 80. Who is Larry Levine? Lemme tell you.

Larry is the man responsible for creating the ‘Wall Of Sound’ technique with producer Phil Spector.

Levine became Spector’s longtime recording engineer after the pair worked together on The Crystals’ ‘He’s A Rebel’, and they went on to work together on such classics as ‘Da Doo Ron Ron’, 'Be My Baby', ‘You've Lost that Lovin' Feeling’ and ‘River Deep, Mountain High’. And that's only the tip of the iceberg ladies and gents.

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.

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.

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...

Exhibition of Bob Dylan paintings London

This lady, holding a painting by Bob Dylan, couldn't look less thrilled could she? I mean, she may well dig John Wesley Harding and Freewheelin', but chances are, she's got painters she digs a whole load more. Anyway, that's not the point of this article. So what is the point?

Well, an exhibition of Bob Dylan's art will be on display in London featuring drawings and sketches from the singer's time on the road between 1989 and 1992. The Halcyon Gallery announced Friday that fans will be able to peruse the art starting June 14, at an exhibit called The Drawn Blank Series. A gallery release described the works as invoking feelings of "anonymity, transience, rootlessness and sometimes loneliness." Hey! I get that sometimes!

"This is an incredible opportunity for viewing this powerful body of work, which gives an insight into the artist's soul and which have already been the subject of widespread critical acclaim," the gallery's president Paul Green told BBC News.

Spider named after Neil Young

Ironic this. This weekend, some guy in a white coat turned up at the Roulette offices with a spider trapped under a pint glass. He told us that it was a new breed and discovered by him while he sought some clarity in a pub down the road. He'd gone and named it Aranues Blogtipus Diadematus Creemripoffius. He got his £50, 40 cigs, one pair of shoes and some roll-on antiperspirant off us and left. Something to do with an 'admin fee'. Anyway, the irony of all this is that Mr Singer Songwriter Neil Young is immortalised in the bug world after an American biologist named a new species of trapdoor spider after his favourite musician.

East Carolina University biologist Jason Bond calls the new species Myrmekiaphila neilyoungi. "There are rather strict rules about how you name new species," Bond said in a statement. "As long as these rules are followed you can give a new species just about any name you please. With regards to Neil Young, I really enjoy his music and have had a great appreciation of him as an activist for peace and justice."
No mention of a strange admin fee though...

Beach Boys to re-release early singles set

The Beach Boys are going to release a collection of all their early US singles on Capitol Records, covering '62 to '65. Right up to, but not including, Pet Sounds basically. The collection will be released on June 16 in a limited edition boxed set of 16 CDs recreating the original 45s, including the original B-sides. As with all releases like this, there'll be loads of bonus material too. Read over for the details...

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.

Unreleased live LP of Frank Zappa out soon!

The Zappa family trust continue their archival excavation project with a previously unreleased 2CD concert album... 'Wazoo' which celebrates the 35th anniversary of classic Zappa LP, 'The Grand Wazoo'.

Vaulternative Records will release Frank Zappa's 2CD concert recording 'Wazoo' on May 27, 2008. The Trust - headed by Zappa's widow Gail Zappa - celebrates the musical legacy of Frank Zappa with new albums, DVDs and AudioDocumentaries.

'Wazoo' is the third concert release from Vaulternative Records, which releases whole concert albums and other miscellaneous Vault recordings. The Trust also runs Zappa Records, which consists of finished masters or album projects produced exclusively by Frank Zappa. Zappa Records releases include 'MOFO': two historic multi-disc packages on the making of Zappa's seminal debut album 'Freak Out!'

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.

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.

Lou Reed says 'Lester Bangs - who?'

For those who have read any of the compilation books of Lester Bangs work for Creem and the like, you'll know that there were some legendary bouts between the writer and Lou Reed. Reed, moody old queen delivering snide put-downs and Bangs, a fanboy who wouldn't let on... the tussles were epic. Well, Jim DeRogatis, Bangs biographer, has kicked up a stink about Lou Reed after he said "who was Lester Bangs?".

DeRogatis wrote "Oh, that Lou: He's such a curmudgeonly old crank, unwilling to ever acknowledge that anyone else in any way enhanced or even shed light on his unparalleled genius. (John Cale what? Robert Quine who?) Witness this dis of his critical amanuensis Lester Bangs the other day at the Tribeca Film Festival, during a conversation with handpicked interviewers Julian Schnabel, director of the new "Berlin" concert film, and overpaid Vanity Fair rock gossip columnist Lisa Robinson, who no one will ever, ever quote about anything."

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

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

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.

Pentangle to headline Green Man Festival

Remember us telling you about a big ol' Pentangle tour? Well, they're now to close this year's Green Man Festival in Wales on August 17. Bert Jansch, John Renbourn, Jacqui McShee, Danny Thompson and Terry Cox recently reformed to play a one-off 40th anniversary concert, but demand has forced them to play a world tour. The UK dates start at London's Royal Festival Hall on June 29.

Tickets and more info about Green Man is available from the official site... www.thegreenmanfestival.co.uk

Pentangle's UK tour dates are over the jump.
    

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.

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.

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 some of the group's new tracks the forthcoming 'Songs In A&E' at the band's MySpace page (click here for a listen). The new long player is 18 tracks long and the first full length Spiritualized release since Amazing Grace in 2003. Got to be honest here, sounds like the band's strongest work since 'Ladies and Gentlemen...'. For a full low down on the tour dates read over...

Jimi Hendrix - Sex Tape?

First he's supposed to have recorded a version of the Welsh national anthem, and now, Jimi Hendrix is supposed to be in a sex tape. Yep. You heard. Vivid Entertainment plans to release what it claims is a sex tape featuring the legendary axeman.

The film shows a man in the nip, who resembles Hendrix, wearing a bandana and having sex with two brunettes in a dimly-lit room. His face appears on screen for only a few seconds, while in other segments, there are flashes of his profile. The film has no audio, reports The New York Times.

Vivid Entertainment, a large maker of mucky flicks, has created a 45-minute DVD, called 'Jimi Hendrix - The Sex Tape' that combines 11 minutes of sex footage with a retrospective of Hendrix's career in the '60s. Vivid, if you're wondering, are the company that put out the Pamela Anderson and Tommy Lee vid back in the 90s. This Jimi tape will retail at $39.95.

Of course, there are loads of people disputing the fact that this is Jimi at all...

Glastonbury line-up revealed

Glasto doesn't normally tell everyone who is on the bill. This year, thanks to a leak, we can now see who is on some of the main stages. Apparently, this happened because one of the printers used by the Eavis family leaked details.  Not that anyone's really bothered. Most of the tickets have been sold anyway. Also, you can't help but think that the leak may have been intentional in a 'Look! Never mind all this Jay-Z stuff! We've got Shakin' Stevens on!'.

Seriously.

Shakey will be the token 'novelty act' on the Saturday morning. He will be joined by bands that you presumed would be playing at the festival anyway. Basically, there's no surprises whatsoever. Glastonbury is notoriously one of the most conservatively billed festivals on the circuit (just look at the response to the Jay-Z thing with idiots calling for boycotts of the main stage and the like). Anyway, if you wanna see what is on, click over the jump.

Unreleased Byrds material soon!

Like The Byrds? Well, you'll be pleased to learn that previously unreleased archive material from the notorious Bryd brothers is  due for release soon.

A recording of an appearance at the Royal Albert Hall in London '71 (the Roger McGuinn, Clarence White, Skip Battin and Gene Parsons line-up) is to be released in June by Sundazed.

McGuinn has told uncut.co.uk that the recording came from his private collection – and that more releases of a similar kind would probably follow it.

Win The Who's Magic Bus - which is actually a VW camper van

The Who - in conjunction with the Teenage Cancer Trust - is currently running a competition to win The Who's Magic Bus - and it is a real bus.

Well, it's actually an original (but customised) Volkswagen T1 panel van from 1965, signed by both Roger Daltrey (patron of the Teenage Cancer Trust), and Pete Townshend.

You have to pay £5 to enter (with proceeds going to the charity) and answer a ridiculously easy question. And as a bonus, all entrants get a free download of a previously unreleased live performance of The Who's 'Magic Bus' performed during the International Bus Meeting in Hannover in October 2007. If you are feeling lucky, the link below takes you to the band's competition page.

The Who's Magic Bus competition

New album from Bonnie Prince Billy

Check this for facts. No fluff. Just facts. Apart from this bit. This is all fluff. Now. Facts. Bonnie Prince Billy will release a new album, 'Lie Down In The Light', on May 19. Lambchop and Calexico producer Mark Nevers worked on the album. Tracklisting overleaf.

Mojo's Paul Weller love-in

We all love Paul Weller. Actually, that's a lie - the majority of the Electric Roulette team loathe him, but in the interests of balance I like him - even if he hasn't made a decent record in a decade.

Anyway, Mojo this month has gone Wellertastic, with one of those never-ending interviews to 'celebrate' his 50th birthday and offering up a Weller-inspired CD that's worth the cover price alone - including the likes of the Small Faces, William Bell, Gil Scott-Heron, The Staple Singers and Bob Marley.

Oh yes - there's also a Prince Buster and Bobby Bland feature, along with the usual smugness. Out now.

Mojo's dull website

Stooges, Bob Dylan, Chuck Berry, The Black Keys... all at one festival!

Check this. Bob Dylan, Iggy & the Stooges, Chuck Berry (backed by the Silver Beats), the Black Keys and Wilco will play at this years Virgin Mobile Festival at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore on Aug. 9-10.

Now. For the bad news. Paramore, Jack Johnson, Kanye West, Nine Inch Nails and Stone Temple Pilots are also on. What a rollercoaster!

Aside from the aforementioned, the rest of the festival will also show Bloc Party, Cat Power, Duffy, Foo Fighters, Gogol Bordello, Lupe Fiasco, Rodrigo y Gabriela, Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Underworld, Moby, Erol Alkan, Ferry Corsten, Soulwax and Richie Hawtin.

Beginning May 3rd, tickets will be available through Ticketmaster.

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