It appears that Mike Joyce and Andy Rourke, the rhythm section of The Smiths, are planning something — a concert? a full tour? — this year with Craig Gannon, the onetime Aztec Camera member who toured with The Smiths as a second guitarist toward the end of the band’s life.
4AD this March continues its Cocteau Twins reissue series with new repressings of the dream-pop masters’ second and third albums — 1983’s Head Over Heels and 1984’s Treasure — on 180-gram heavyweight vinyl and in “digital HD audio” versions for the download enthusiasts out there.
The Dream Syndicate stopped by the studios of Seattle’s KEXP radio station in September while touring in support of the band’s excellent reunion album How Did I Find Myself Here?, recording a 35-minute session and interview that is now available for all to see. Watch it right here.
The Afghan Whigs and Built to Spill will team up for a 24-date North American co-headlining tour this spring, taking their alt-rock guitar stylings out on the road for a tour that opens April 11 in Madison, Wisc., and wrap ups May 15 in Seattle. Tickets for all shows go on sale this Friday.
News of the sudden and unexpected death of Cranberries frontwoman Dolores O’Riordan this week at the age of 46 continues to ricochet across the music world, with artists from R.E.M., U2 and Duran Duran to Tonya Donelly, The The’s Matt Johnson and Peter Murphy paying tribute to the beloved singer via social media.
David Byrne today announced a massive, 80-date world tour in support of his album American Utopia, a trek that will keep him on the road from early March through the end of August, accompanied by a 12-piece band performing “the most ambitious show I’ve done since the shows that were filmed for ‘Stop Making Sense.’”
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 titles from They Might Be Giants, Meat Beat Manifesto, Mudhoney and Book of Love.
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 