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The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion are set to release their first new album in eight years. The 12 track Meat And Bone will be released on September 17 and follows 2004's Damage – which was released under the shortened name of Blues Explosion. It features 12 tracks, and will be the band's ninth LP. Scroll down to listen to the album's opening track "Black Mold".

Jack White has said that The White Stripes will never get back together. When asked if a reunion would ever be on the cards, the Nashville singer told Dutch news station Newsuur, "No. I don't think that could ever happen; it's all done. But the lord works in mysterious ways so there'll probably be something better come out of me one day. I hope so, I've got nothing better to do."

The Black Keys' drummer Patrick Carney has hit out at the recent reunions of Black Sabbath and Van Halen and their failure to include all their original members. The full original line-up of Sabbath reunited last year, but have subsequently parted ways with drummer Bill Ward over a contract dispute. Van Halen released their first album for 14 years earlier this year, but recorded it without long-time bass player Michael Anthony, with mainman Eddie Van Halen's son Wolfgang Van Halen taking the role.

Alabama Shakes have announced a short UK tour for this November. The band, who released their critically acclaimed debut album Boys & Girls earlier this year, will play four shows in November, including two in London. The run of shows begins at Manchester Academy on November 12, before moving onto Glasgow Barrowlands on November 13, the band will then play two dates in the UK capital, first day at the Coronet on November 16 and then at the HMV Forum on November 17.

Former New Order bassist Peter Hook has announced that Factory251, the music venue inside the former Factory Records office, will help launch a master's degree in Music Industry Management and Promotion alongside the University of Central Lancashire, reports The Guardian.

Jarvis Cocker has spoken about Pulp's future plans and says that he and his bandmates haven't ruled out recording new material. The band reunited in late 2010 and played a number of festivals and well-received gigs last summer, but have not as yet indicated if they will be writing or recording any new material. Speaking in an interview which you can read in the new issue of NME, the singer refused to be definitely drawn either way on the prospect of new material, but also ruled out the band breaking up once again.

The Rolling Stones' guitarist Keith Richards has revealed that he and Jack White have "recorded a couple of tracks" together and could release them in the coming months. Speaking to Rolling Stone, the legendary guitarist said that he and White had worked together and he'd up for releasing the songs as long as White was also onboard with the idea.

Jack White has spoken about his issues with digital format music and his love of vinyl records. Speaking in a video interview with the BBC, the former frontman of The White Stripes said that he enjoys the "romance" of vinyl, adding that "invisible" digital music "makes you feel like some other being is in charge".

The Sex Pistols are to reissue their 1977 single, "Pretty Vacant". A limited edition seven-inch picture disc will be released via Universal Music on July 2 - 35 years to the day that the single originally came out. "Pretty Vacant", released as the band's third single following "Anarchy In The UK" and "God Save The Queen", peaked at number 6 in its fourth week on the UK singles chart. Reissued versions of the single charted again in 1992 and 2007, while a live version of the song cracked the top 20 in 1996.

Blur have cast doubt on their future once again, with bassist Alex James hinting that the band's show in Hyde Park this summer could be their last. The band will headline a huge outdoor gig at London's Hyde Park on August 12, which sees them topping a bill that also includes New Order and The Specials. The gig has been put on to coincide with the closing ceremony of the Olympic games.