We’ve been on something of an R.E.M. kick of late here at Slicing Up Eyeballs HQ, which made it easy to choose the third subject of our new readers poll series that seeks to rank the full recorded output of a given band. After putting The Cure and The Smiths up for votes, we now turn to R.E.M.
The Dead Milkmen are back with their first new song in two years, a propulsive rocker about a haunted Swedish train that serves as the first taste of the skewed punk outfit’s Welcome to the End of the World EP — and which we’re thrilled to premiere today at Slicing Up Eyeballs. Stream it here.
A small British publishing house is turning to fans via a new Kickstarter campaign to raise the remaining funds needed to publish “Scatological Alchemy: A Gnostic Biography of the Butthole Surfers,” a new book by Ben Graham about the legendary Texas psychedelic rockers. The book is due out later this summer.
With the release of its sprawling new Manchester-centric box set approaching later this month, Cherry Red Records has debuted a 2-minute trailer to the set, soundtracked by the Mancunian acts — Joy Division, Morrissey, Happy Mondays, New Order, The Stone Roses — featured. Watch it right here.
OK, so, yeah, it’s no longer June. In fact we’re 10 days deep into July. Still, better late than never, and all that. Meaning, here’s the overdue June installment of the ever-popular Auto Reverse mixtape series, two 45-minutes sides of classic-alternative goodness for your listening pleasure. Stream it 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.
U2 opened the European leg of its massive Joshua Tree 2017 tour at London’s Twickenham Stadium this evening, and closed the show by bringing the opening act — a certain Noel Gallagher — back out on stage to team up on the Oasis classic “Don’t Look Back in Anger.” See footage 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 