R.E.M. has followed up the recent release of its deluxe multi-disc expanded reissue of 1992’s Automatic For the People with a new 24-minute mini-documentary about the making of that record, a film called “Automatic Unearthed” that is streaming on YouTube. Watch the full program right here.
Reunited Paisley Underground-era rockers The Dream Syndicate today announced they’ll be joined onstage “for a few songs” at two California shows next week by former bandmate Kendra Smith, who played bass and sang on the band’s 1982 debut The Days of Wine and Roses. She’ll play with the band in Los Angeles and San Francisco.
For the second time in a year, a U.S. tour by Morrissey has stumbled to a halt amid medical-related cancellations. This afternoon, Boston’s Orpheum Theatre announced Moz’s tour-ending concert on Thursday is being canceled “due to illness in the touring party” — the same excuse as when the singer scrubbed his Philadelphia show.
Now, we here at Slicing Up Eyeballs HQ have assembled Christmas-themed mixtapes in years past, but never to this scale. Below you’ll find a brand-new, 75-song mix of classic alternative acts performing old standards and holiday-themed originals. That’s a whopping four hours of Christmas cheer, all streaming here.
Stop me if you think… never mind. Morrissey, who had gone nearly a month since canceling a concert, has postponed tonight’s performance at The Fillmore in Philadelphia “due to illness in the touring party,” the venue announced via Twitter just hours before showtime.
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 vinyl reissues from the Beastie Boys and a five-disc box set of U.K. post-punk.
“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.
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 