Former Bauhaus and Love and Rockets bassist David J today shared a sparse — and starkly political — new song that he says he wrote this morning called “Thoughts and Prayers” in response to yesterday’s massacre of 17 students and teachers at a school in Parkland, Fla., and the litany of gun violence in this country.
Echo & The Bunnymen and The Jesus and Mary Chain are teaming up for a post-punk dream bill for what appears to be a one-off outdoor concert in the U.K. this summer — with Peter Hook, bassist for Joy Division and New Order, handling opening duties with his band The Light.
It was no secret that Mark E. Smith, the late frontman of post-punk icons The Fall, was in ill health leading up to his death last month at the age of 60. But his family today released a statement revealing what ultimately killed him: terminal lung and kidney cancer. Read the full statement here.
Having taken their name from a New Order video, The Killers have, not surprisingly, shown a predilection toward covering songs by classic alternative acts, including Joy Division, The Smiths, Morrissey and, of course, New Order. Now comes the band’s on-stage homage to The Cure. Watch the band’s cover of “Push” here.
Peter Hook & The Light will continue their march through New Order’s back catalog, moving on to full-album performances of the band’s 1989 album Technique and its 1993 follow-up Republic at a trio of just-announced U.K. concerts this September. Get the full details and tour dates right here,
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 titles include a new EP from the reunited Ride, plus the latest studio album from indie legends Superchunk.
“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 the 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 