News

A new book of rare and unseen images of The Smiths and Morrissey by former NME photographer Lawrence Watson is to be released in August. The release of the book, The Smiths, on August 12 will coincide with the 25th anniversary of Watson's final shoot with Morrissey. The majority of the images in the book are previously unseen and context is provided by captions written by Watson himself.

Pearl Jamhave announced details of a brand new studio album, Lightning Bolt, to be released in October. The album will be the US band's tenth in total and their first since 2009's Backspacer. The first track to be taken from the album, "Mind Your Manners", can be heard above, now. Speaking earlier this year, guitarist Mike McCready said the content of the album, which will again be produced by Brendan O'Brien, was inspired by Pink Floyd and punk rock, adding that the record is "experimental".

Otis Redding’s widow, Zelma, tells Uncut about her late husband in the new issue (dated August 2013 and out now).

Nirvana's third and final studio album, In Utero, is to be given a 20th anniversary deluxe reissue in September, reports Rolling Stone. Details are scarce about the content of the reissue, although a trailer for the anniversary release has emerged online – scroll down to watch.

Brian May has become involved in the row surrounding a gorilla painted to look like Freddie Mercury. The guitarist was informed of the incident, which saw a sculpture of a gorilla painted to look like Mercury removed from Norwich city centre for breaching copyright laws, via Twitter and informed his followers that he would "look into" what was going on. Meanwhile, ITV News report that May has labelled the move, "outrageous and petty".

Morrissey has postponed his current South American tour, citing food poisoning. Spin reports that the 14 date jaunt has been pulled because Morrissey and his backing band are suffering from "severe food poisoning". It has been said by a local news source that Morrissey has returned to the UK to receive specialist treatment from his 'personal physicians'. Over the past year Morrissey has postponed and cancelled a host of tour dates because of his mother's and his own ill health. He recently revealed that he nearly died earlier this year due to medical problems.

A sculpture of a gorilla painted to look like Freddie Mercury has been removed from Norwich city centre because it infringes copyright.

Damon Albarn has reportedly confirmed that the band will record a new album following the release of his forthcoming solo LP.

Morrissey has received a £10,000 payout after winning a court case against Channel 4 after they failed to ask permission to use a Smiths song to promote a Gordon Ramsay Christmas special. The TV station is understood to have paid the singer in recognition of its error after it used "Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want" ahead of Gordon Ramsay's Christmas Cookalong Live show in 2011.

Jack White has revealed that he has recorded new material with both The Dead Weather and The Raconteurs.