LATEST NEWS: The Beta Band Break Up
Music News
Music News
LATEST NEWS:
The Beta Band Break Up
The Scottish band has decided to call it quits at the end of this year. The band’s statement on their website http://www.betaband.com explains: "Eight years of hard work and critical acclaim but little return in terms of commercial success inevitably takes its toll and a group decision was made to finally lay the band to rest." Before the inevitable, the Beta Band is planning a UK farewell tour (dates to be announced).
The group garnered critical acclaim in 1997 with the release of their debut EP Champion Versions. Hypnotic orchestral arrangements in hits like "Dry The Rain" reaped an impressive fan following. Over the course of three LPs and numerous EPs and singles, The Beta Band cemented their position among British rock’s elite as a diverse and original act mixing Indie with trip-hop, jazz and rock, but their album sales failed to reflect the critical praises.
After the breakup, all four members are planning to continue to work in music and the arts. Steve and Richard are working on their solo albums while John and Robin will divide their time between film and music.
UPCOMING RELEASES AND TOURS:
Second singles box set from Duran Duran
Duran Duran will release a box set covering their singles from 1986 through to 1995 on September 13. Singles Box 2, 1986 – 1995 will feature all the band’s tracks from the original seven-inch singles plus many bonus tracks taken from the 12-inch versions. It will be the first time many of the songs have been made available on CD. The tracks will include "Ordinary World", "Violence Of Summer", "Come Undone", "Skin Trade", "Notorious", "All She Wants", "Meet El Presidente", "I Don’t Want Your Love", "Do You Believe In Shame" and "Burning The Ground." Singles 2 follows the 2003 release of Singles 1 and is the second Duran Duran box set from EMI following last year’s release of "Singles 1" that covered the period from 1981 to 1985.
The five original members, singer Simon LeBon, keyboard player Nick Rhodes, and the three Taylors (John, Roger and Andy), are working on their first album together since Ragged and the Seven Tiger of 1983. LeBon describes it as "Kraftwerk meets the Mamas and the Papas." The band recently spent six weeks in London with Linkin Park producer Don Gilmore and R&B hit-maker Dallas Austin.
Interpol’s Antics due September 28
Our favorite Williamsburg boys have finally completed their second album entitled Antics that will be released September 27 worldwide and September 28 in the US. Interpol won’t disappoint — it’s brilliant from start to finish with a hypnotizing "NARC" as the main highlight. This little beauty should be on everyone’s top ten list of 2004.
The track listing consists of "Next Exit", "Evil", "NARC", "Take You On A Cruise", ‘Slow Hands", "Not Even Jail", "Public Pervert", "C’mere", "Length Of Love" and "A Time To Be So Small." And please forget all the previous Joy Division references. The new sound places them outside of these haunting 80’s sounds and out to conquer new territories. Shame that this may be the end of small venue concerts but keep an eye out for Cuddleworthy, the band’s secret alias.
The Strokes Plan Live Album for Christmas
The band hopes to release a live album of the first of the two shows at Alexandria Palace in London, in December 2004. If all goes as planned, this first official live release will the perfect Christmas present for all of the fans. The track list will be "Reptilia", "Under Control", "What Ever Happened?", "Alone Together", "The Modern Age", "12:51", "New York City Cops", "You Talk Way Too Much", "Someday", "Hard to Explain", "The End Has No End", "Automatic Stop", "Soma", "Take It or Leave It" and "I Can’t Win."
In the meantime, the female fan base can rejoice in the vocalist Julian Casablanca’s engagement break-up. In other live Strokes news, the band is apparently considering shooting some concert footage for an upcoming documentary-type film but so far there have been no confirmations. The fans should also be on the lookout for "The End Has No End" as the third single and video from Room on Fire. The band is currently locked in their studio writing and recording their third album possibly due next spring. Check out http://www.thestrokes.com for more info.
The Magnetic Fields in Europe
The Indie superstars have announced a 17-date tour that will take them across major European cities including Berlin, Madrid, Manchester and Dublin. The band will perform material from their latest full-length album, i, in addition to the all-time greatest hits. In addition, the Magnetic Fields will play Carnegie Hall on November 18th, as part of the Nonesuch at Carnegie series.
R.E.M. North America tour and new album release
According to the R.E.M.’s official website, the band will be heading out on a two-month tour beginning in October. The North American trip should be a welcome change of pace following R.E.M.’s politically charged Vote for Change tour, where they’ll share the stage with Bruce Springsteen and Bright Eyes, from October 1 through October 8. The tour will coincide with the release of R.E.M.’s forthcoming album, Around the Sun, due October 5. The first single off the LP will be "Leaving New York." Log onto http://www.remhq.com for more updates.
N.Y.C.’s new sweethearts: Levy
If you haven’t seen Levy play around town yet make sure to visit www.levytheband.com for more upcoming concert dates before the boys head out to Europe. Their upcoming EP produced by Nicolas Vernhes, who has worked with acts like Fischerspooner and Black Dice, promises a catchy and uplifting blend of pop and Indie rock, echoing with Morrissey ambiance and "softer" Strokes beats.
