Recent Dark Wave Playlists

New releases: Gorillaz reunites The Clash's Jones, Simonon; Spandau Ballet reissues

New releases: Gorillaz reunites The Clash’s Jones, Simonon; Spandau Ballet reissues

This week’s new releases include the Gorillaz’s ‘Plastic Beach’ — featuring a reunion of The Clash’s Mick Jones and Paul Simonon — plus reissues of Spandau Ballet’s first two albums and a new early-’80s best-of from The Fleshtones.

Playlist: Sirius XM’s ‘Dark Wave,’ 3/7/10

While this week’s installment of ‘Dark Wave’ on Sirius XM featured a host of all-too-usual suspects (The Cure’s ‘Other Voices,’ Public Image Ltd.’s ‘Rise,’ The Sisters of Mercy’s ‘Lucretia, My Reflection’), there were, as always, some pleasant surprises, including ‘Bird Mad Girl’ from the aforementioned Cure, a dash of the always-welcome Chameleons and even a Chris Connelly track.

Lostboy! AKA: Simple Minds' Jim Kerr preps debut solo album, sets U.K. club dates

Lostboy! AKA: Simple Minds’ Jim Kerr preps debut solo album, sets U.K. club dates

With Simple Minds still active after 30 years, frontman Jim Kerr will release his first-ever solo album this May under the name Lostboy! AKA, and is set to debut his new material — and dig into Simple Minds’ back catalog — with a trio of intimate U.K. club dates this spring before embarking on a full tour.

The Godfathers to play 25th anniversary concert in London, plot full U.K. tour

The Godfathers to play 25th anniversary concert in London, plot full U.K. tour

Revived Brit rockers The Godfathers will play London this June on the exact date of their first gig in 1985, in addition to an extensive, just-announced 25th anniversary U.K tour set for late April and May and a string of summer festival dates.

Peter Hook plans Joy Division set at FAC251, 'Unknown Pleasures' spoken-word tour

Peter Hook plans Joy Division set at FAC251, ‘Unknown Pleasures’ spoken-word tour

Ex-New Order bassist Peter Hook will dig through his celebrated musical past this spring, embarking on a U.K. spoken-word tour and performing a set of Joy Division songs at his new Manchester club on the 30th anniversary of Ian Curtis’ death.

Video: Social Distortion’s Mike Ness discusses new album with Hurley.com’s Davey Warsop

Social Distortion frontman Mike Ness recently took a break from recording the band’s follow-up to 2004’s ‘Sex, Love and Rock ‘n’ Roll’ at Hurley Studios in Costa Mesa, Calif., to chat with Hurley’s in-house musician/model Davey Warsop.

The Fall to release 'Your Future Our Clutter' next month, tour the U.K. in April, May

The Fall to release ‘Your Future Our Clutter’ next month, tour the U.K. in April, May

The irascible Mark E. Smith — who turns 53 today — next month will release his 28th studio album under the banner of The Fall, the ragged, love-’em-or-hate-’em postpunk act that has churned through dozens of members since debuting in 1976.