Free live Specials CD with the Sunday Times

Ok, it's not strictly free, you have to buy a weekend rag to get it, but if you fancy getting your hands on a Specials live CD, one is being given away with this weekend's Sunday Times (12th July 2009).

According to the newspaper's website, a 12-track live CD will be given away, all the tracks recorded live at the Brixton Academy during the recent gigs there. if that's not enough, there's also an 'exclusive' interview in the newspaper's magazine too.

Which means it might be worth getting up a little bit earlier this Sunday and beating a path to the newsagents - it's certain to be in short supply.

The Specials website

Via Modculture

New York Dolls back for one more London gig

Not sure how I feel about the New York Dolls these days - sure, they're one of the most influential bands ever and Johnny Thunders was one of the coolest dudes ever to hold a guitar. But he's long dead and just two of the original five remain. If that's enough 'doll' for you, you can catch the reformed band once again in London - at the HMV Kentish Town Forum on Friday 4th December 2009.

David Johansen and Sylvain Sylvain will be joined by newbies Steve Conte (guitar), Brian Delaney (drums), and former Hanoi Rocks bass guitarist, Sami Yaffa to rip through material from ‘New York Dolls’ (1973), ‘Too Much Too Soon’ (1974), and ‘One Day It Will Please Us To Remember Even This’ (2006), not to mention recent Todd Rundgren-produced studio album 'Cause I Sez So’, all for an admission price of £22.50.

See below for tickets and if don't own those first two albums, more fool you.

Gig tickets for New York Dolls in London

*UPDATED* Michael Jackson RIP

*Michael Jackson has died after paramedics were called to the singer's home around midday local time on Thursday after he stopped breathing and suffered a suspected cardiac arrest. He was rushed by ambulance to a local medical centre, but his death was announced shortly afterwards.*

The article written before the news was confirmed is overleaf.

Sky Saxon RIP

Sky Saxon, vox-ace and genius behind The Seeds has passed away. Sky's partner, Sabrina broke the next on Facebook saying "Sky has passed over and YaHoWha is waiting for him at the gate. He will soon be home with his Father. I'm so sorry I couldn't keep him here with us. More later. I'm sorry."

Beastie Boys: New LP and saviour of the music industry and junk

The Beastie Boys, already in the throes of reissuing and remastering every album they ever made, are now ready to unleash a new cut on the world. An e-mail buzzed 'round yesterday and spoke more of Hot Sauce Committee Pt. I... tracklisting, release date and mandate over the jump.

Sonic Boom, The History of Northwest Rock, from Louie Louie to Smells Like Teen Spirit

Check this! A book called 'Sonic Boom, The History of Northwest Rock, from "Louie Louie" to "Smells Like Teen Spirit"' by Peter Blecha. If the title doesn't tell you all you need to know, then here's the skinny. It's about that North Westerly corridor of America that gave us some of the most spit 'n' puke stained noise brat records ever cut to wax. The Sonics, The Kingsmen, The Wailers, The Ventures, Paul Revere and the Raiders...

...but seein' as we ain't read it, you should sling a hook the way of WMFU. That's where we saw news of this and it's only fair that they should get some traffic in return.

Click here to find out more on the book.

Bob Bogle of The Ventures, RIP

Bob Bogle, the lead guitarist and co-founder of the rock band The Ventures, known for killer '60s instro 'Walk, Don’t Run' and the theme from 'Hawaii Five-O' died Sunday. He was 75. The Ventures sold a million or two LPs and pretty much influenced just about any American who ever picked up a guitar.

They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2008, half a century after they first got it on in '58 in Tacoma. Bogle, who suffered from non-Hodgkin lymphoma for the past several years, became ill over the weekend and was taken to the hospital, where he died at the age of 75.

Raw Power reunion? Stuck at the amber light and ready to turn green...

Iggy Pop has once more dropped a big clanging hint that the 'Raw Power' era Stooges thang could be happening, with James Williamson on board. Maybe. Chatting to Mark Radcliffe for a BBC Radio 2 show, Pop confirms that he is "in talks" with guitarist Williamson.

Fancy it if they tour? Sure nuff, there's quite a hole left by Ron's departure, but even a Ronless Ig' will still be better fun than 90% of the other bands you could go see. [MG]

Ian Brown turns curry house critic

So, what does Ian Brown do when he's not knocking out middling albums and denying Stone Roses reunions? He travels the length and breadth of the country, giving his opinion on the nation's Indian restaurants.

Or at least, that's what it looks like. The poster above was spotted in the Polash Indian restaurant, which you'll find at 28 Penlan St Pwllheli in north Wales (should you fancy dropping in), with our Ian declaring it the 'best food in north Wales'.

Personally, I'm not convinced. I nipped in for a something spicy with prawns and it was fine, but nothing in comparison to some of Manchester and Bolton's finest. Then again, if Ian says it's the best in north Wales, I'm taking his word on it - after all, he's the expert. And if you know of any other celebrity endorsements, let us know.

Polash balti restaurant

Mad Ferret Festival, Manchester

Despite the dreadful name, the Mad Ferret festival in Manchester has got some cool-ass bands on. Taking place next weekend (June 12th/13th) a £55 ticket enables you to dig Roots Manuva, The Streets, John Cooper Clarke, Finlay Quaye and a whole buncha other bands and DJs. It's looking pretty bass heavy. For full info, click over the jump. And pray for good weather.