Members of long-lost Boston college-radio favorites Scruffy the Cat — part of the so-called late-’80s cowpunk scene that helped spawn the alt-country movement — have reunited around cancer-stricken frontman Charlie Chesterman after two decades apart and will play two headlining shows in their hometown this October.
The folks over at the U.K. arm of Rhino Records continue to dig through the video archive of material by The Smiths, and now they’ve unearthed this 17-minute ‘lost’ documentary about the band, which they believe was commissioned by the label in 1992 in support of the ‘Best…’ compilation.
The playlist from last night’s ‘Dark Wave’ — the weekly Sunday night ‘darker side of alternative’ show on Sirius XM’s 1st Wave — features Skinny Puppy, The March Violets, Bauhaus, Gene Loves Jezebel, Yazoo, Nitzer Ebb and much more.
As promised, the Throwing Muses will support the release of the 4AD band’s forthcoming best-of set ‘Anthology’ — which initially will be released in a deluxe package with a second disc of B-sides and rare cuts — with live dates, including a just-announced 15-date tour of Europe and the United Kingdom this fall.
Synthpop faves Erasure this morning debuted the first single, ‘When I Start To (Break It All Down),’ off their upcoming album ‘Tomorrow’s World’ on BBC Radio 2, and now have made the 3:34-long track available for streaming on their website. The single will be released digitally Aug. 29 and on CD on Sept. 26.
This week’s new releases include a tribute to the British guitarist/songwriter John Martyn featuring The Cure’s Robert Smith, a reissue on 10-inch vinyl of The Clash’s ‘Black Market Clash’ and a 3CD compilation of extended remixes by the likes of New Order and The Jesus and Mary Chain called 12″/80s Alternative.’
Our latest link round-up includes a Q&A with Thomas Dolby, news of a comic-book series inspired by The Smiths, an essay on whether MTV’s ‘120 Minutes’ is still necessary, news of the return of Washington, D.C.’s WHFS and a review and excerpt of Simon Reynolds’ new book ‘Retromania.’
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 