This week’s new releases include — at long last — the reissues of My Bloody Valentine’s two studio albums, plus a compilation of EPs and unreleased tracks, as well as the new self-titled debut from Heavy Blanket, a project that finds Dinosaur Jr’s J Mascis playing ‘psych-drenched instrumental blues jams.’
Our latest link round-up features sad news about Men at Work’s Greg Ham, who was found dead today in his Australian home, plus a 1990 interview with Mark E. Smith about his record collection, a chat with Lee Ranaldo about the future of Sonic Youth, and a webstream of the new electronic Dinosaur Jr project.
This spring, Dinosaur Jr’s frontman will release a six-track, self-titled debut from Heavy Blanket, which Outer Battery Records describes as ‘blistering psych-drenched instrumental blues jams from J Mascis and his stoner buddies.’ The album is due May 6 on CD and vinyl, plus a super-limited run of 200 purple-vinyl copies.
Legendary Minutemen bassist Mike Watt this May will publish a new book called ‘On and Off Bass’ that combines his 2000s-era tour diaries with his nature photography, and he’ll launch the memoir with a pair of release parties — including a New York show that’ll find him jamming with Dinosaur Jr’s J Mascis and Murph.
This year’s South By Southwest will feature appearances by a horde of ’80s college rock vets, including The Jesus and Mary Chain, Bob Mould performing ‘Copper Blue,’ The Wedding Present, Thomas Dolby, The Cult, Dinosaur Jr and The dB’s, plus R.E.M.’s Peter Buck and Mike Mills playing Big Star’s ‘Third.’
This week’s new releases include a new Simple Minds box set that compiles each of the band’s first five albums, plus Dinosaur Jr’s new live DVD ‘In the Hands of Fans,’ a new studio record from Sinead O’Connor, and the second album from Isidore, featuring The Chruch’s Steve Kilbey.
Our round-up of this week’s Slicing Up Eyeballs headlines includes news about The Jesus and Mary Chain, Squeeze, Elvis Costello, Kraftwerk, Simple Minds, Colourbox, Morrissey, Lloyd Cole and Paul Weller — plus the first new Public Image Ltd. song in 20 years.
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 