Pat DiNizio, the lead singer and chief songwriter for The Smithereens, the New Jersey-bred college-rock mainstays who recorded “Behind the Wall of Sleep,” “Only a Memory” and “Blood and Roses,” has died, the band announced tonight on its official website. He was 62. The cause of DiNizio’s death was not revealed.
David Byrne today announced plans for a short run of East Coast concerts next March at which he’ll test out a new stage concept that he’s calling his most ambitious since the 1983 tour by Talking Heads that Jonathan Demme documented with the film “Stop Making Sense.” See full dates right here.
After weeks of speculation about the band’s plans for 2018, The Cure today announced a giant 40th anniversary concert next summer in London’s Hyde Park with support from Interpol, Goldfrapp, Editors, Ride, Slowdive, The Twilight Sad and more to be announced. Tickets are available now via pre-sale.
American fans clamoring to lay their eyes on the new XTC documentary “This Is Pop” — which premiered on UK television in October — finally will get their chance in January when the 75-minute film has its U.S. premiere on the Showtime cable-television network. The program will be available on demand, too.
Simple Minds and The Pretenders — long-running ’80s hitmakers fronted by former husband-and-wife Jim Kerr and Chrissie Hynde, respectively — will pair up next summer for a joint 13-date U.K. tour spotlighting each group’s new work and classic catalog. Check out the full dates here. Tickets on sale Wednesday.
John Fryer, a member of This Mortal Coil and engineer/producer who has worked with Love and Rockets, Depeche Mode, Nine Inch Nails, Clan of Xymox and more, will be in New York City this weekend for a pair of rare 4AD/Mute-themed DJ sets — and we’ve got tickets, and a chance to meet Fryer himself, to give away.
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 live album from New Order and a B-sides collection from Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark,
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 