Music News – Bands and Artists – Releases, Reforming, Break-ups and Rumors

Them Crooked Vultures Look To New Album

Robin Murray — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:51:15 +0000

Transatlantic supergroup Them Crooked Vultures have claimed they want to work on another album together.

At first they were just a rumour. However when Them Crooked Vultures blasted their way onto the music scene with a tumultuous series of shows the band's music could be heard (almost literally) around the globe.

Formed from a partnership involving Dave Grohl, John Paul Jones and Josh Homme the band united three supreme rock talents. Recording sessions took place earlier this year with the trio showing no signs of wishing to stop.

Currently on a lengthy tour of the UK, Them Crooked Vultures released their self-titled debut album recently which has won praise from fans and critics.

Live, the group seem to be having the time of their lives and in a recent interview singer Josh Homme claimed that the band could yet work on more material.

"I felt we've only just started to pick up steam. Why would we want to stop now?" singer Josh Homme told The Sun. Bass player and Led Zeppelin exile John Paul Jones agreed claiming that the partnership could produce more material.

"We all know we have so much more in us yet," he confirmed.

Dave Grohl has of course been promoting a Foo Fighters retrospective recently, but the drummer stepped behind the stool for Them Crooked Vultures. Promising more material the former Nirvana icon claimed that "when we make our second record, it's going to be even more powerful than this one".

Meanwhile Josh Homme has demanded people like ClashMusic stop called Them Crooked Vultures a supergroup. "It's not that I hate that term," he said. "I just don't shave with it, I don't eat with it and it doesn't mean anything to me."

Stop being so super, then!

Jack White Film Premiere

Robin Murray — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:54:03 +0000

A new film starring Jack White, The Edge and Jimmy Page is set to premiere in the UK early next year.

The electric guitar is one of the 20th century's most important inventions. Utterly changing the way music is created and performed, it allowed the guitar to usurp the saxophone as the main instrument in pop.

Coming into its own in the rock era, the iconic guitar hero is one of modern music's most identifiable figures. Forthcoming film 'It Might Get Loud' follows three such guitar heroes and explores their love affair with the instrument.

Filmed last year, 'It Might Get Loud' features three very different guitarists. From his work with Led Zeppelin and beyond Jimmy Page hails from the golden era of guitar heroes, spawning countless imitators.

The Edge, meanwhile, is indebted to the post punk era. With influences ranging from Gang Of Four icon Andy Gill to blues legend BB King the Irish musician is a master of textures and tonality.

Finishing the trio is Detroit guitar slinger Jack White. Now a denizen of Nashville, the musician has evolved beyond The White Stripes to lead The Raconteurs and The Dead Weather to massive success.

Directed by Oscar winner Davis Guggenheim, the documentary shows an informal side to the trio. Having received its world premiere earlier this year the film is due to get an official release in Britain on January 8th.

Amongst the rare footage incorporated into the film are Jimmy Page's first TV performance as a skiffle fixated teenager, U2's first show and Jack White making a guitar out of old wood and some nails.

'It Might Get Loud' is set to be released on January 8th.

Interpol Prepare New Album

Robin Murray — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:24:26 +0000

Stunning New York act Interpol are set to end their silence with new material set to emerge in 2010.

A wave of acts from New York emerged in 2001 who have gone on to define the decade's music. The Strokes, of course, arrived in a blizzard of hype and delivered their debut album 'Is This It?'.

However in the long run the most critically acclaimed act to emerge from New York in that period could well be Interpol. The band's debut album 'Turn On The Bright Lights' seemed to capture the shimmering beauty of New York at midnight, all neon signs and long shadows.

Continuing to challenge themselves the band's subsequent releases - such as 2007's 'Our Love To Admire' - have seen Interpol travel beyond these beginnings. Set to return next year, band member Sam Fogarino claims in a new interview that the band's upcoming material hints at their gothic beginnings.

"The new record falls back towards the first," Sam Fogarino told Paste Magazine. "In trying to move forward, there was an unspoken realization that you can’t let go of your sonic-defining tag."

The band have yet to confirm a title for their new album, which follows on from a year of solo projects such as Paul Banks' Julian Plenti alter ego.

Returning to their early sound, Sam Fogarino revealed that "there was an effort in Daniel (Kessler)'s guitar tone; he rediscovered it playing in his loft space for a year without anybody."

"The quality of that tone, played in a big room, is just beautiful. It creates an atmosphere."

Interpol are due to return next year with their fourth album.

My Chemical Romance Talk New Album

Robin Murray — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:09:08 +0000

Emo rockers My Chemical Romance have revealed that their new album is set to be influenced by groups such as The Stooges and MC5.

Far from the overnight success it was painted as, emo has deep roots in American punk. After the thrill of hardcore receded many groups found the genre stifling, and began writing about more personal topics.

As a result, the term 'emo-core' was coined. Taken from 'emotional hardcore' it basically meant punk groups who chose to sing about their ex-girlfriends rather than police oppression or how they might explode with anger at any given moment.

Hailing from Chicago, My Chemical Romance struck gold with their third album 'The Black Parade'. A lengthy concept album it drifted away from the band's punk roots with lavish production.

However on their forthcoming release the band could be set to turn up their amps again. Speaking to Rolling Stone magazine singer Gerard Way named The Stooges and The MC5 as reference points.

"We wanted to harness everything that's great about this band into shorter songs, almost protopunk, like The Stooges or the MC5," he said.

Touring the world with a lavish stage show after the success of 'The Black Parade' the singer admitted that the strain took its toll. "I thought the band was going to break up," the frontman revealed.

The first new material fans have heard is dark and paranoid new single 'Trans Am' with its lyrics: "These pigs are after me, after you".

My Chemical Romance are currently recording their fourth album with Brendan O'Brien which is due out in Spring 2010.

Steve Mason Prepares New Album

Robin Murray — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:46:16 +0000

Former Beta Band songwriter Steve Mason has confirmed plans to launch a new solo album.

Whilst they never quite achieved the commercial success they deserved, The Beta Band remain adored by their fans. Hailing from the small university town of Saint Andrews the group's bewitching blend of psych-pop turned them into cult heroes.

Name checked by Noel Gallagher as a massive influence on Oasis, the Manchester certainly learned a thing or two from tracks such as 'Dry The Rain'.

Splitting in 2002 the group's main songwriter Steve Mason carried on writing at a furious pace. Using the name King Biscuit Time the singer released several solo albums on Alan McGee's short lived experiment Poptones.

Retreating to rural Fife, Steve Mason continued releasing spectral psych-folk as Black Affair before deciding to use his own name. Still capable of producing something uniquely spell binding, the singer recently completed work on his new album.

Titled 'Boys Outside' the new album will be released on Steve Mason's own Black Melody label. As ever, the material is difficult to pin down matching a bewildering array of samples to acoustic based songwriting.

The firs track to be taken from the new album is 'All Come Down' which is due to be released as a free download on December 7th. Available from Steve Mason's official website the track is the result of an unusual collaboration.

One time Sugababes producer Richard X has taken controls for the new album, adding a pop sheen to Steve Mason's unique songwriting.

Steve Mason is set to release 'Boys Outside' in March 2010.

Arctic Monkeys Plot Fourth Album

Robin Murray — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:30:47 +0000

Sheffield indie giants Arctic Monkeys have revealed that they have discussed recording a new album - though they may take a break first.

Alex Turner is one of the hardest working men in British music. Having stormed the charts with Arctic Monkeys' opening two albums, effortlessly mixing melody with kitchen sink realism, the songwriter then took time off.

What did he do? Form a new Mercury nominated outfit, that's what. With Last Shadow Puppets now a memory Arctic Monkeys returned earlier this year with their much vaunted third album 'Humbug'.

Spawning the hit singles 'Crying Lightning' and 'Cornerstone' the band have recently undertaken a massive UK tour. Playing two nights at Wembley Stadium in London Arctic Monkeys bowled over the crowd with stunning sets drawing on the full power of their career to date.

With performances due in Glasgow and beyond over the next few days, it seems that Arctic Monkeys have got plenty of surprises up their sleeves.

Now drummer Matt Helders has revealed that that have begun talks to record their fourth album. Speaking to BBC 6Music, the musician claimed that Arctic Monkeys have already got songs in the can for their new record.

"We're already talking about when we can record again, but I still enjoy being on tour as well," he said.

He added: "It's good to have time to work stuff out, then at least you can start doing the quality control before and actually record what you think is decent, rather than recording hundreds of songs to then find out you only like 10 of them."

Arctic Monkeys new single 'Cornerstone' is out now.

Aerosmith Admit Tyler Drug Fears

Robin Murray — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:37:22 +0000

American rock icons Aerosmith have admitted that singer Steven Tyler could have a drug problem.

Aerosmith are one of the longest lasting success stories in American music. First emerging with a tough brand of boogie in the mid 70s, the band were afforded a career boost when Run DMC took hold of their track 'Walk This Way'.

Re-emerging with the smash hit 'I Don't Want To Miss A Thing' the band are still rock icons. However recently there has been much confusion over their future, with singer Steven Tyler behaving erratically.

The frontman fell offstage during a show in the United States earlier this year, forcing the postponement of an entire tour. Since then, the band have had little contact with Tyler and in a new interview guitarist Brad Whitford admitted the singer may have ongoing drug issues.

"This guy has a tremendous history of drug abuse, and you have to be suspicious that this is something that is probably going on with him," he told Rock Radio.

"I think that's got to be a part of this irrational behavior. People in recovery and stuff, if you're really doing it, it takes a lot of work."

"Historically or statistically, the majority of people in that situation don't make it. I have a feeling we might be looking at, you know, someone who's just really struggling very badly with this."

Steven Tyler recently emerged onstage in New York to jam with guitarist Joe Perry at a solo show. Telling the crowd he was "the rainbow" the singer seemed on good spirits, blasting through 'Walk This Way'.

Aerosmith drummer Joey Kramer told Rock Radio that the band could potentially carry on without Steven Tyler. "You know, getting someone else is one of the questions," he explained "We all know that there's really no way to replace Steven, but we want to continue touring together."

"We even have a 40-year anniversary coming up and it's a milestone. We want to be able to celebrate it together and there's millions of fans out there that are dedicated to us."

Morrissey Throws Fan Out Of Hamburg Show

Robin Murray — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 09:50:04 +0000

Mancunian minister of misery Morrissey has thrown a fan out of a show in Hamburg.

Morrissey is not a man to be trifled with. Sure, he may appear to be a shrinking violet but the singer has a track record of taking action where it is required.

Take a recent show in Liverpool for example. Emerging onstage Morrissey managed to get through just one and a half tracks before being hit on the head by a drinks container. Dropping the mic Morrissey walked offstage and did not return.

Since then, the singer has moved onto the continental leg of his European tour. The singer has travelled to Germany, where he was performing in Hamburg on Tuesday (November 17th).

Playing the CCH 1 venue, Morrissey attempted to make a joke about "Hamburgers" when an audience member shouted at him. Clearly not in the mood to be messed around with, the singer had the fan thrown out.

Fan shots of the incident have already appeared on YouTube, showing that when Morrissey explains that "Hamburgers" should be called "Hamburgists" the audience member shouts "fuck you" at him.

Immediately spotting the culprit the singer speaks to him through the microphone. "Go. We don't need you, we don't need you," he says while gesturing at the ticket holder.

"And you can fuck yourself," he adds.

Several of Morrissey's aides then escort the fan to the door, with Morrissey's band mates also pointing out the culprit. After the incident the singer thanked his aides for intervening, before blasting into The Smiths' classic track 'Ask'.

The Beatles Re-Unite On New Album

Robin Murray — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 09:35:12 +0000

Fans of The Beatles have been left stunned by news that Ringo Starr has recruited Sir Paul McCartney for his forthcoming album.

The Beatles split in 1970, but since then the various members have re-united for a number of projects. Drummer Ringo Starr has historically been the centre of any re-union, with one of his solo albums featuring each of the Fab Four - but sadly not at the same time.

The remaining members of The Beatles have not worked together on a project since the famed singles 'Free As A Bird' and 'True Love'. Sadly, since those tracks were released the band have lost George Harrison to cancer.

The two surviving members of the band have hooked up to make music together. Ringo Starr has been working on his new album for some time, and when Sir Paul McCartney heard the tracks he couldn't wait to get involved.

In a statement the jovial drummer said: "I played him this track and Paul said, 'Give me the headphones. Give me a pair of cans.'"

"He went to the mic and he just invented that part where he follows on my vocal. That was all Paul McCartney, and there could be nothing better. He's a genius."

The pair have worked together recently. Ringo Starr and Sir Paul McCartney appeared together onstage to promote the recent Rock Band game, while the two also played together earlier this year at a benefit concert in Radio City Music Hall.

Due for release next year, Ringo Starr's album will be preceded by the single 'Walk With Me'. In addition to this the drummer has also recruited Sir Paul McCartney for the track 'Peace Dream' playing bass guitar.

Ringo Starr is set to release 'Y Not' on January 12th.

The Who's Roger Daltrey To Pen Autobiography

Robin Murray — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:09:55 +0000

Iconic rock singer Roger Daltrey has claimed he could be set to write an autobiography looking back over his time in The Who and beyond.

A sheet metal worker from Shepherd's Bush, Roger Daltrey cut an unlikely figure to become a rock icon. Recruited to The Who, his snappy dress sense and stunning vocals soon made him a star amongst the capital's Mods.

However there was always much more to Roger Daltrey than R&B. Interested in alternative lifestyles, he soon grew his hair and embraced the counter culture.

Famously performing at Woodstock whilst laced with LSD, the singer led The Who to stadium stardom in the United States before becoming an actor. Rightly hailed for his role in crime drama 'McVicar' the singer then escaped from film work by becoming a farmer.

Speaking to Rock Radio, the singer claimed he now wants to tell his own story. "I'm thinking about a biography now," he revealed. "It's probably time. Just the story of my life and the things I've done, you know, it's kind of interesting.

"And when I look at the juxtapositions of things – you know, like being the singer in The Who to being a fish farmer, and being a film star to being a beef farmer, there's all these swings and roundabouts in my life that are so juxtaposed."

Recalling his years on the road with The Who, Roger Daltrey said: "They were interesting times. And it wasn't all fun, but there was an awful lot of fun. The only trouble is, the people usually want the salacious crap and I don't know if I'm prepared to dig that, you know?".

Currently promoting his new solo tour 'Use It Or Lose It' Roger Daltrey also joked about the possibility of The Who making a much rumoured appearance at the Superbowl half time show.

The Who are currently working on a new album.

Beck Posts New Track

Robin Murray — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 13:52:57 +0000

American songwriter Beck has posted a new track on his website, which could infuriate Fiery Furnaces.

It's one of the most unlikely indie rock rows ClashMusic have come across. Sure, not everyone is a fan of Radiohead with some music fans failing to swoon for their melancholic mixture of rock and electronica.

But Fiery Furnaces just seem to hate the Oxford giants. Recent interviews have seen singer Matthew Friedberger take aim at the band, labelling them "bogus" for releasing a recent download.

A tribute to Britain's last First World War veteran, the Brooklyn singer instead though 'Harry Patch' was indebted to an American composer. Lambasting Radiohead for using Harry Partch as a reference point, the singer went on to criticise Beck for good measure.

In a jokey statement Fiery Furnaces claimed that: "Matt would have much preferred to insult Beck but he is too afraid of Scientologists".

Now Beck has uploaded a new song to his official site which coincidentally pays tribute to Harry Partch. A renowned composer Partch helped introduce serial elements into modern classical music.

Uploaded yesterday (November 18th) the song 'Harry Partch' is a fitting tribute to the legendary composer. A statement on Beck's website reads:

"It's a tribute to the composer and his desire to make the body and music unified into what he termed 'Corporeality'... (The song) employs Partch's 43-tone scale, which expands conventional tonality into a broader variation of frequencies and resonances."

Listen to the track HERE!

Of course, Beck has been busy of late launching his 'Record Club'. A series of unique cover versions, the singer recently covered 'The Velvet Underground & Nico' in its entirety.

Hold Steady Re-Issue Plans

Robin Murray — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:36:50 +0000

Acclaimed songwriter with The Holdsteady Craig Ginn is to curate a series of re-issues shedding light on his old band Lifter Puller.

The Hold Steady are one of America's most celebrated acts, with songwriter Craig Ginn frequently compared to Bruce Springsteen and John Steinbeck for his stunning depiction of blue collar life.

Currently working on their fifth album, the band are set to return with a follow up to 2008's 'Stay Positive' sometime next year. However before then singer Craig Finn is set to re-visit his previous band Lifter Puller.

Splitting up in 2000, Lifter Puller didn't win any awards or even dent the charts. However over the course of just a few albums the band built up an unassailable reputation as purveyors of thought provoking post-punk.

The band's entire back catalogue is due to be re-issued later this year, with Craig Finn explaining that he was prompted to look back over Lifter Puller after being informed of the stratospheric sums those original albums can fetch on eBay.

"The impetus for this project was largely due to the fact that people are paying ridiculous prices for CDs on eBay" he explained to Pitchfork. "Maybe it's my age, but the idea of anyone collecting compact discs just seems bizarre to me".

Continuing, Finn explained some of the emotions he felt about re-visiting his time in Lifter Puller. "It's been really nostalgic. Those guys are still some of my best friends in the world" he said.

"Obviously the Hold Steady has garnered quite a bit more success and notoriety, but there was an us-against-the-world feeling in Lifter Puller that I really like looking back on. And just being younger, and some of the personalities involved - it was quite a bit wilder than we ever are in the Hold Steady".

Lifter Puller will re-issue their back catalogue later this year.

Former Jay Reatard Band Join Wavves

Robin Murray — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:20:37 +0000

Former members of Jay Reatard's touring band have joined up with Wavves singer Nathan Williams.

The world of indie rock is a close knit, some would say deeply incest ridden, place. Bands can swap labels at the drop of a hat, switching styles in the space of a download. Now exiles from the world of Jay Reatard have done the logical thing and hooked up with another volatile frontman.

Jay Reatard was abandoned on an American tour earlier this year when several members of his backing band walked out. Bassist Stephen Pope and drummer Billy Hayes upped and quit, leaving Reatard to post some spectacular Twitter messages.

"Band quit ! Fuck them !" the singer screeched. "They are boring rich kids who can't play for shit anyways .. Say hello to your ugly and boring wifes".

However soon after Jay Reatard calmed down and mellowed to the idea of gaining new band members. It seems that Pope and Hayes have lost no time in hooking up on a new project, teaming up with Wavves singer Nathan Williams for a recent show.

Wavves played a show in Mexico recently, with Pitchfork reporting that Stephen Pope and Billy Hayes were among the line up. A spokesperson for Wavves revealed that the pair are now full time members of the band.

Nathan Williams of course has a long standing grudge with Black Lips singer Gerard Swilley. The pair exchanged punches in a Brooklyn bar recently, resulting in a fairly unique triangle of hatred emerging in American indie rock.

Wavves are set to return to the UK soon to complete an upcoming tour. Opening on November 17th the tour takes the band across the nation, playing shows in Liverpool, Glasgow, Newcastle, London and more.

Jackson Family Blame Doctor

Robin Murray — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:59:54 +0000

Janet Jackson has spoken out about her belief that Michael Jackson's physician is to blame for his death.

Michael Jackson's death has dominated pop music in 2009. Simply one of the greatest icons of his generation, the singer broke down the colour barrier in spectacular fashion with his album 'Thriller' becoming one of the most successful of all time.

Due to make a stunning comeback at the O2 Arena, the singer collapsed at his home earlier this year. Taken to hospital, Michael Jackson was pronounced dead sparking a massive wave of mourning around the world.

The growth of downloading meant that Michael Jackson instantly topped charts across the planet, breaking chart records all over again.

However the circumstances of the singer's death has been the subject of much debate. Many point the finger of blame at Michael Jackon's physician arguing that he administered a fatal dose of painkillers.

Now the 'Thriller' icon's sister Janet Jackson has revealed that she blames Dr Conrad Murray for the singer's death.

"He was the one that was administering. I think he is responsible," she told ABC News.

"It just didn't ring true to me. It felt like a dream," Janet Jackson added, recalling the June death. "It's still so difficult for me to believe."

"It's been a tough year," she said. "You have your days where it's just really - it's hard to believe. And a day doesn't go by that I don't think about him."

A new concert film starring Michael Jackson was released earlier this month. Taken from footage shot in anticipation of his performance at the O2 Arena 'Is This It' demonstrated that the singer was still capable of thrilling crowd to the end.

Film Due On Beatles Guru

Robin Murray — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:24:26 +0000

Celebrated director David Lynch is to make a film about The Beatles meditation guru Maharishi Mahesh Yogi.

Sometime during the tail end of 1966 The Beatles went weird. After a few years experimenting with drugs, new literature and Eastern philosophy the Mop Tops went out and the beards, incense and militaria came in.

Igniting the summer of love with 'Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band' the band then took the most drastic step of all, travelling to India to work with a meditation guru.

Maharishi Mahesh Yogi was a holy man, who rose to fame in the late 60s in part because of his association with pop acts in search of the mystic. The Beatles prayed with the Maharishi, with some of their most famous tracks being written during their spell there.

Tracks such as 'Sexy Sadie' and 'Dear Prudence' emerged from these meditation sessions, with George Harrison in particular becoming enamoured with Eastern Philosophy.

Now acclaimed director David Lynch has confirmed that he is to work on a new film about Maharishi Mahesh Yogi.

"It won't be a so-called David Lynch film, really; it will be about Maharishi and the knowledge he brought out," he told Nymag. "It'll hold a lot of abstractions. We're on our way to India in December to start the India part of it."

Lynch also confirmed that the film is likely to be a documentary, although the remaining Beatles are unlikely to star in it. "It'll have to go in the documentary department, I think. I don't think it'll be a 'talking heads' kind of thing, but we're going to do a lot of interviews with people."

"We'll interview — I hope — in India, a 97-year-old man who was with Maharishi from the beginning and get stories of times that weren't so well recorded."

Maharishi Mahesh Yogi died last year.

REM Begin Work On New Album

Robin Murray — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:09:11 +0000

American rock giants REM have begun work on their new album with singer Michael Stipe posting two new video updates.

REM returned last year with 'Accelerate' - perhaps their most energised album in a decade. Gone were the plaintive acoustic laments and in their place were a series of politicised electric anthems.

Playing live the band trawled through their back catalogue to produce their most political set possible. With Michael Stipe making a series of anti Republican statements it was clear that REM were not set to go quiet into the night.

Since then, the band have released a double live album taken from their stint in Dublin during sessions for 'Accelerate'. Featuring familiar material in an unfamiliar guise, the shows found REM on playful form.

Beginning a lengthy re-mastering project, the band recently released deluxe editions of their early albums 'Murmur' and 'Reckoning' allowing fans to bask in their glory all over again.

Now in a new posting on REM's official website Michael Stipe has revealed that the band are working on their new album.

The band are currently working on their fifteenth studio album with producer Jacknife Lee. The message that accompanies two studio clips states: "WARNING: it might get loud". Could this be a return to the rock territory of 'Monster'? We can but hope.

The footage also reveals that Michael Stipe has grown a fuzzy beard, and enjoys wearing straw bowler hats.

REM promise more clips shortly, with the band planning to release their new album sometime in 2010.

Darren Hayman Assaulted

Robin Murray — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 10:55:55 +0000

Former Heftner singer turned solo artist Darren Hayman has been assaulted outside of a show in Nottingham.

Hefner were one of Britain's great lost bands in the 90s. Perennial Peel session favourites, the band moved effortlessly from noisy alt rock to gospel in the blink of an eye lid with a fierce determination to experiment.

Now settling into a solo career, Darren Hayman has continued to challenge fans' expectations of his work. Drifting between indie, country, bluegrass and more the singer released his latest album 'Pram Town' earlier this year.

Currently touring Britain, the singer was savagely assaulted following a show in Nottingham. Playing a set in the city, Darren Hayman was challenged outside the show before being brutally mugged.

The singer's wife told fans on Twitter that former Hefner singer is now recuperating at home. "The full story is, that he was attacked and mugged whilst parking the car after Nottingham's show," she wrote.

"Nothing to do with the gig, just wrong place at the wrong time. He was discharged from hospital last night (November 16th) and is now safely back in London.

There should be no long lasting damage, but he does have a linear fracture in his skull (this is the best kind apparently!) which will keep him fairly quiet for six weeks or so. He also has a head wound, a bit of bruising and a very nasty headache. However, they have prescribed a terrifying amount of painkillers to deal with this."

Darren Hayman's wife also took time to thanks fans for all their "love and best wishes".

Police have not made a statement on the incident.

Download 2010 Dates Confirmed

Robin Murray — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 10:36:57 +0000

One of Britain's biggest metal events Download is set to return in 2010 for a special anniversary bash.

Spawned in the mid 70s by groups such as Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin, metal is a much mis-understood art form. Sure, the genre has produced its fair share of absurd acts but the sheer scale of its global domination means it must be doing something right.

In Britain, the spiritual home of metal is in Donnington Park. The Leicestershire area has hosted iconic shows by the likes of Led Zeppelin, with something primal lurking under the leafy green surface.

Set to return in 2010, iconic metal bash Download is due to celebrate its 30th birthday with a spectacular three day event. So far only the dates for the event have been confirmed, with the festival set to take place between June 11th and 13th.

Headliners are being kept strictly under wraps, however the festival has a history of booking star names.

At this summer's event reformed Californian metal gurus Faith No More headlined, playing one of their first British shows in almost a decade. Led by Mike Patton the band blasted through their stunning back catalogue to the acclaim of tens of thousands in front of the main stage.

Masked metal titans Slipknot also performed, while Sheffield metal icons Def Leppard rolled back the years with a set based on riffs, sweat and as usual plenty of leather.

Download is due to take place between June 11th - 13th.

Fall Out Boy Take Break

Robin Murray — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 10:21:43 +0000

American emo rockers Fall Out Boy are due to take an "indefinite" break beginning later this year.

Fall Out Boy emerged from Chicago's vibrant post hardcore scene, but almost immediately had an ambitious pop voice. Achieving underground success, early albums such as 'Take This To Your Grave' were defiant mixtures of punk and emotive groups such as The Smiths.

Unafraid to tackle personal issues, the band blossoming popularity saw them become the subject of a major label bidding war. Fall Out Boy's debut album for Warner Brothers 'From Under The Cork Tree' became a huge global hit, spawning several hit singles in the process.

Since then, the band have released two albums and picked up countless awards. However earlier this year it began to seem as if all was not well in Fall Out Boy. Singer Pat Stump was arrested while rumours mounted among fans that the band were set to split.

Playing support on Weezer's recent epic tour of the United States, the band confirmed details of a new 'greatest hits' compilation.

Containing a smattering of new tracks, 'Believers Never Die: Greatest Hits' is due to be released in the UK on November 30th.

However it seems as if Fall Out Boy will not be around to promote it. The band are to go on hiatus, with a spokesperson from the Chicago group telling the NME that any return is "indefinite".

"It's a break with an indefinite date when they're coming back," the spokesperson said.

Fall Out Boy are due to release their new compilation album 'Believers Never Die' on November 30th.

Biffy Clyro Talk About 'The Captain'

Robin Murray — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 10:09:10 +0000

Hairy Scottish rockers Biffy Clyro have revealed that recent hit single 'The Captain' began life as a prog rock epic.

Biffy Clyro's success is a testament to hard work. Forming at college in Glasgow the trio toured almost constantly, building up their fan base through sheer perseverance.

Snapped up by Beggars Banquet, three albums followed before a major label hunt saw Biffy Clyro switch to Warner Brothers. Relishing their more comfortable surroundings, the band began experimenting with different sounds.

In a new interview singer Simon Neil revealed that recent hit single 'The Captain' began life as an out there prog rock epic.

"We've a had a couple of different versions of that song," he told the NME.

"One of them was a version called 'Help Me Be Captain' which was a lot more prog, a bit more complex and it took you on a whole different journey."

"We just focused on this big fat stoner rock riff that was really grooving" the singer said.

The band then completely re-worked the track, bringing in a horn section to power Biffy Clyro onto chart glory.

"It was a heavy song and we just thought, 'What would be the most ridiculous thing to put on this to not make it sound like a heavy distorted guitar song?' We just thought, 'Trumpets'. We knew we were onto a winner from then on in."

'The Captain' is the opening track on Biffy Clyro's recent album 'Only Revolutions'. Their most successful effort to date, the band's ongoing UK tour has seen them pack out some of the largest venues of their career.