Our friends at the Rockin’ the Suburbs podcast had the good fortune of recently sitting down with power-pop icon Tommy Keene for a long look back at his career, an interview that now, following his unexpected death last week, serves as a memorial to the good-hearted singer-songwriter. Listen to the first two parts right now.
The original lineup of Microdisney will reunite next June after 30 years apart for a one-off performance of their 1985 album The Clock Comes Down the Stairs, considered to be among the greatest Irish albums ever made, at Dublin’s National Concert Hall. The band will play on June 2.
Today we unveil the results of Round 5 of our Slicing Up Eyeballs readers’ poll series, a ranking of all 157 songs released by electronic-rock pioneers New Order, from their emergence in 1981 from the ashes of Joy Division up through the current post-Peter Hook era. Check out the full list right here.
Now that we’ve revealed the results of our latest Slicing Up Eyeballs readers poll — one that ranks all 157 songs recorded by New Order — it’s only natural we’d throw together a Spotify playlist of the ranked countdown. Well, minus the 46 songs (largely B-sides and other non-album obscurities) that aren’t on the streaming service.
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. Titles out this week include U2’s new album ‘Songs of Experience,’ a reissue from the Sex Pistols, and an album by Cindy Wilson of The B-52’s.
“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.
Next year marks the 40th anniversary of The Cure’s recording debut, a milestone that’s already got fans wondering whether bandleader Robert Smith is preparing something special — speculation both aided and fueled by social media postings from current and former members.
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 