Check out the latest installment right here — this week’s episode covers news about the major Record Store Day releases from The The, New Order, The Cure, Wire and The Pretenders, plus a countdown of the top 10 albums by U2 as voted by Strangeways Radio fans.
Matt Johnson this week announced he’ll release a new 7-inch by The The for Record Store Day next month, a single called “I WANT 2 B U” that finds the musician writing and recording with the “quirky Omnichord instrument” for the first time since he used in on 1983’s “This Is the Day.” Hear a short sample here.
Last month, Johnny Marr brought his old friend Matt Johnson onstage in London to perform a cover of the Lovin’ Spoonful’s 1966 single “Summer in the City” — their first time onstage together in 25 years. Turns out they also recorded a version of the song at soundcheck that night, and now have released it digitally.
Fans were thrilled to see Johnny Marr rejoin the The The fold for the band’s comeback single last year, but the ex-Smiths guitarist did not join Matt Johnson’s touring band for its first concert dates in 16 years this summer — presumably as he had his own album to promote. Tonight, though, they did perform together in London.
Just a week into his The The comeback tour, bandleader Matt Johnson was hit with devastating news today as he learned that his 86-year-old father, Edward Charles Johnson, had died, according to a statement posted to the band’s official Facebook page. Read the full statement here.
Matt Johnson debuted the 2018 incarnation of The The on Friday night, playing a 24-song, career-spanning set to open the first of three warm-up gigs for the highly anticipated Comeback Special tour — a show that marked The The’s first live performance in 16 years. See the full setlist right here.
After slowly rolling out The The reunion dates in the U.K. and Europe, bandleader Matt Johnson today announced an 8-date North American run that marks the band’s first shows on the continent in 18 years, since the tour in support of 2000’s Nakedself. Full details right 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 