OK, so yeah, we’re a bit late on this one… but it is August, and a new month means a new installment our monthly series of Auto Reverse mixtapes — two 45-minute chunks of music to help get you where you gotta go. Stream or download the two sides, brimming with vintage ’80s college rock goodness and some fresh new tracks.
As had been rumored, The Stone Roses are playing an “intimate” club gig in London tonight — presumably tied to the ongoing Olympic festivities — that is free to fans who live in the London area and who bought tickets to the band’s three-night homecoming stand at Manchester’s Heaton Park earlier this summer.
The House of Love — who have been largely dormant following a couple years’ worth of activity surrounding the release of 2005 reunion album ‘Days Run Away’ — returned to the stage Friday night for the first time in four years, performing at the Off Festival in Katowice, Poland. Check out a clip of the band playing ‘Road.’
This week’s new releases include a 10CD career-spanning box set from Roxy Music, Redd Kross’ first new studio album in 15 years (‘Researching the Blues’), a new live album from The Specials and a vintage one from Bad Brains, and new compilations from Frankie Goes to Hollywood and Jesus Jones.
The playlist from tonight’s edition of “Dark Wave” — the Sunday night “darker side of alternative” show on Sirius XM’s 1st Wave — featured Concrete Blonde, Clan of Xymox, Love and Rockets, The Teardrop Explodes, Cetu Javu, The Sugarcubes, Skinny Puppy nd much more.
This week’s roundup of headlines includes items on Killing Joke’s Jaz Coleman, New Order, Ian McCulloch, R.E.M., Aztec Camera, The Jesus and Mary Chain, The Jazz Butcher, Crime and the City Solution, Men Without Hats, Ministry, Public Image Ltd., Close Lobsters, Mojo Nixon and more.
The break-up of R.E.M. won’t stop the release of new product from the beloved college-rock vets, and the next title in line is a 25th anniversary reissue of the band’s fifth album, ‘Document,’ which is expected to be formally announced next week and appears likely to be released as soon as mid-September.
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 