Echo & The Bunnymen have premiered a new recording of what the band subtly calls “the greatest song in the world,” a slowed-down, piano-and-strings take on the classic 1984 single “The Killing Moon” that is to be included on the group’s upcoming album The Stars, The Oceans & The Moon.
As part of the commemoration of the band’s 40th anniversary, Bauhaus is releasing a five-song EP recorded at the band’s first studio session on Jan. 26, 1979 — a collection that includes “Bela Lugosi’s Dead” and three previously on released recordings. Full details right here.
Five days after shocking fans with a rare, unbilled live performance in London, former Cocteau Twins frontwoman Elizabeth Fraser surfaced again, showing up backstage at Garbage’s concert in Bristol on Friday night — much to the shock and delight of singer Shirley Manson. Two photos have now surfaced.
Selected lyrics by Kate Bush will be compiled later this year in a new book titled “How To Be Invisible” — named after the title of a song on her 2005 album Aerial — that will include a forward by British novelist David Mitchell, the author of “Cloud Atlas.” The book is set to be published this December.
Record Rack: 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’s releases include reissues from Siouxsie and the Banshees and Devo, plus new albums from Paul Weller and The Chills.
“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. Check out tonight’s full playlist right here.
For this week’s installment of “120 Minutes” Rewind, we present this 1989 clip of host Dave Kendall interviewing Exene Cervenka at the CMJ Festival in New York City about her then-new solo debut, Old Wives’ Tales, the single “Leave Heaven Alone” and the status of her band X, which, at the time, was on something of a hiatus.
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 