Beloved 2 Tone ska act The Specials today released its first new album featuring original frontman Terry Hall since 1980’s More Specials, and helped mark the occasion by announcing a 40th anniversary tour of North America this May and June. Full dates right here. Plus, stream the new album ‘Encore.’
EBM giants Nitzer Ebb, who reformed late last year and played a handful of dates in December, today announced a 12-date North American tour in May ahead of their planned appearances at a spate of European summer festivals and additional concerts into the fall. Full dates right here.
As we reported last fall, the documentary “Industrial Accident: The Story of Wax Trax! Records” — which, to date, has only screened at film festivals and special events — will be released on DVD and Blu-ray in April, along with a soundtrack album. Check out an unreleased Revolting Cocks track right here.
The Arkive — the archival wing of the Beggars Group — today launches a new 50-song, 3 1/2-hour curated playlist spotlighting some of the classic music, and deeper cuts, released throughout the 1980s by its labels 4AD, Beggars Banquet, Situation Two and more. Listen to it right here.
Former Cocteau Twins frontwoman Elizabeth Fraser continued her unexpected public reemergence this week by performing, as advertised, with Massive Attack as the trip-hop legends celebrate the 21st anniversary of their album Mezzanine. See video from the group’s first two shows right here.
This is a round-up of the week’s new albums, expanded reissues and/or box sets, appearing each Monday on Slicing Up Eyeballs. All releases due out this Friday unless noted. This week sees the release of new studio albums from The Specials, The Beat Featuring Ranking Roger and The Stone Roses’ Ian Brown.
“Dark Wave,” hosted by Slicing Up Eyeballs’ Matt Sebastian, airs 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. EDT every Sunday on Sirius XM satellite radio’s 1st Wave (Channel 33). The most recent two episodes also are available via Sirius XM’s On Demand service for online subscribers. See tonight’s full playlist right here.
Q&A: Daniel Ash on Love and Rockets’ reunion, his new band — and figuring out how to play “So Alive” 
Q&A: Chris Frantz talks Talking Heads, Tom Tom Club and new book ‘Remain in Love’ 
Q&A: Steve Wynn on The Dream Syndicate’s first new album in nearly 30 years 
Q&A: Bauhaus’ David J on his ‘accidental’ concept album ‘Not Long For This World’ 
Q&A: Peter Murphy on ‘Ninth,’ Bauhaus’ break-up, reuniting Dalis Car 
Q&A: Joey Santiago on Pixies’ ‘Doolittle’ tour, possible ‘Surfer Rosa’ shows, new album talk 
Q&A: Prefab Sprout’s Paddy McAloon on new album, changing the world with music 
Q&A: Peter Hook talks ‘Unknown Pleasures’ tour, re-recording Joy Division 