A second previously unreleased demo of an unheard song from R.E.M.’s sessions for its 1992 classic Automatic for the People has been released ahead of that album’s reissue next month, a song called “Devil Rides Backwards” that’s being billed as the album’s “great lost track.”
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 haul includes releases from The Replacements, The Church, The Blow Monkeys, a-ha and The Selecter.
Kate Bush, Depeche Mode, Eurythmics and The Cars are among the acts scoring nominations to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame this week, joining a roster of potential inductees that also includes Radiohead, MC5, Nina Simone, Bon Jovi and Rage Against the Machine. See the full list of nominations here.
“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. See the full playlist right here.
Hello. If you’re a regular visitor to Slicing Up Eyeballs, you may have noticed that the site had been down for more than a day, and has now reverted to an old, pre-resurrection backup. We’re currently working with our hosting company to get things fixed.
Nick Cave has been ending the shows on his current tour with the Bad Seeds by filling the stage with fans during blistering performances of “Stagger Lee,” then bringing things way down with a trance-like “Push the Sky Away” in which he often climbs out into the audience. Saturday night in London, he found a friend in the crowd.
This past week saw pioneering British synthpop group Heaven 17 do something it never had done before: perform a live concert in the United States. Specifically, Martyn Ware and Glenn Gregory brought their live show to New York City’s Highline Ballroom on Wednesday night. Check out the setlist and video.
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 