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Get set for Kiss: the comic book heroes

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Veteran US rockers Kiss have created their very own comic publishing company, Kiss Comics Group, in partnership with production company Platinum Studios. Although this is not the first time the flamboyant band have been animated, this will be the first time founding members Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley will have full creative control. Under the name Kiss Catalog Ltd, Kiss will produce their own original comic-book characters in multi-formats, including online, on television and for use in merchandising. Kiss have high ambitions for the new venture, they intend to produce the ‘largest comic book ever published’ with their first outing, “Kiss 4K.” The book follows the story of Simmons and co’s transformation from rock stars into eco-warrior spirits, and will be published as a three-feet tall comic-book, priced at $50. Kiss band members have said that they will be involved in all day-to-day decisions about the co-venture with Platinum. Platinum chairman, Scott Rosenberg explained that the new deal will ingrain comics into the Kiss legend: "The Kiss comics that have come out were licences; they weren't truly part of the mythology. This is all of us working together. [Simmons and Stanley] care about every panel of every comic and how an image looks on a shirt."

Veteran US rockers Kiss have created their very own comic publishing company, Kiss Comics Group, in partnership with production company Platinum Studios.

Although this is not the first time the flamboyant band have been animated, this will be the first time founding members Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley will have full creative control.

Under the name Kiss Catalog Ltd, Kiss will produce their own original comic-book characters in multi-formats, including online, on television and for use in merchandising.

Kiss have high ambitions for the new venture, they intend to produce the ‘largest comic book ever published’ with their first outing, “Kiss 4K.”

The book follows the story of Simmons and co’s transformation from rock stars into eco-warrior spirits, and will be published as a three-feet tall comic-book, priced at $50.

Kiss band members have said that they will be involved in all day-to-day decisions about the co-venture with Platinum.

Platinum chairman, Scott Rosenberg explained that the new deal will ingrain comics into the Kiss legend: “The Kiss comics that have come out were licences; they weren’t truly part of the mythology. This is all of us working together. [Simmons and Stanley] care about every panel of every comic and how an image looks on a shirt.”

Sgt Pepper sleeve designer heads up all-star ICA exhibition

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Musicians and artists including Peter Blake, Bloc Party and Alison Goldfrapp are to contribute a series of images interpreting the theme of “Tomorrow” for a brand new exhibition at London’s ICA this May. The “All Tomorrow’s Pictures” project aims to “highlight the creative potential of fusing art and technology” as part of the cultural venue’s 60th anniversary celebrations. All 59 artists taking part need to produce their image or series of images using a Sony Ericsson K800i, the latest Cybershot phone. A 60th contributor to the exhibition will be chosen by a public competition next month. “All Tomorrow’s Pictures” will run at the ICA from May 30 – June 8.

Musicians and artists including Peter Blake, Bloc Party and Alison Goldfrapp are to contribute a series of images interpreting the theme of “Tomorrow” for a brand new exhibition at London’s ICA this May.

The “All Tomorrow’s Pictures” project aims to “highlight the creative potential of fusing art and technology” as part of the cultural venue’s 60th anniversary celebrations.

All 59 artists taking part need to produce their image or series of images using a Sony Ericsson K800i, the latest Cybershot phone.

A 60th contributor to the exhibition will be chosen by a public competition next month.

“All Tomorrow’s Pictures” will run at the ICA from May 30 – June 8.

Find Bono Through The Church Of England!

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U2 work in mysterious ways The Church of England is planning to replace traditional hymns with hit songs by Irish sensation U2 in an effort to uplift their congregations. The first ‘U2-charist’ will be held in the communion service. Plans for the service will be held in a Lincoln church in May. Adding to the ‘uplift’ effect, a lighting system will pulse along with the beat and a giant karaoke-style sing-a-long screen will display the words to songs such as ‘Beautiful Day’ and ‘Mysterious Ways’. For the venue’s capacity crowd of 500, the “dancing and waving [of] hands” will be allowed. Rev Timothy Ellis, The Bishop of Grantham says: “The Millennium Development Goals are extremely important for the future of the world!” The idea for using U2’s songs was inspired by Bono’s figurehead status in the fight against world poverty.

U2 work in mysterious ways

The Church of England is planning to replace traditional hymns with hit songs by Irish sensation U2 in an effort to uplift their congregations. The first ‘U2-charist’ will be held in the communion service.

Plans for the service will be held in a Lincoln church in May. Adding to the ‘uplift’ effect, a lighting system will pulse along with the beat and a giant karaoke-style sing-a-long screen will display the words to songs such as ‘Beautiful Day’ and ‘Mysterious Ways’.

For the venue’s capacity crowd of 500, the “dancing and waving [of] hands” will be allowed.

Rev Timothy Ellis, The Bishop of Grantham says: “The Millennium Development Goals are extremely important for the future of the world!”

The idea for using U2’s songs was inspired by Bono’s figurehead status in the fight against world poverty.

Pearl Jam Return To UK

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Pearl Jam have announced that they will play a rare UK live show at London’s Wembley Arena this June. The date is part of their 13-date Summer European tour. The show in London on June 18 will see the entire floor section of Wembley Arena reserved for members of Pearl Jam’s fan club. Pearl Jam only headlined the Carling Weekend festival last year – and it is unprecedented that the band should return to the UK so soon. The group’s manager, Kelly Curtis, said they were looking forward to playing: "Historically, there have been five years or so between our visits to Europe, so it's a treat to go back again.” Pearl Jam will play the following European venues in June: Lisbon, Passeio Maritimo Alges, (June 8) Madrid, Festimad (9) Munich, Olympichalle (12) Poland, Chorzow Stadion Slaski (13) Italy, city/venue TBA (15) Vienna, Nova Rock Festival (16) London, Wembley Arena (18) Dusseldorf, Germany, LTU Arena (21) Tuttlingen Germany, Southside Festival (23) Scheebel, Germany, Hurricane Festival (24) Copenhagen, Forum (26) Nijmegen, Holland, Goeffert Park (28) Werchter, Belgium, Werchter Festiva (29)

Pearl Jam have announced that they will play a rare UK live show at London’s Wembley Arena this June.

The date is part of their 13-date Summer European tour.

The show in London on June 18 will see the entire floor section of Wembley Arena reserved for members of Pearl Jam’s fan club.

Pearl Jam only headlined the Carling Weekend festival last year – and it is unprecedented that the band should return to the UK so soon.

The group’s manager, Kelly Curtis, said they were looking forward to playing: “Historically, there have been five years or so between our visits to Europe, so it’s a treat to go back again.”

Pearl Jam will play the following European venues in June:

Lisbon, Passeio Maritimo Alges, (June 8)

Madrid, Festimad (9)

Munich, Olympichalle (12)

Poland, Chorzow Stadion Slaski (13)

Italy, city/venue TBA (15)

Vienna, Nova Rock Festival (16)

London, Wembley Arena (18)

Dusseldorf, Germany, LTU Arena (21)

Tuttlingen Germany, Southside Festival (23)

Scheebel, Germany, Hurricane Festival (24)

Copenhagen, Forum (26)

Nijmegen, Holland, Goeffert Park (28)

Werchter, Belgium, Werchter Festiva (29)

Nirvana will “turn your kids gay”

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Listening to The Doors, Wilco or even Nirvana will turn your children gay, according to an internet database created by Donnie Davies, a “reformed” homosexual who – in his own words – found a way to “escape” from being gay. Davies believes that “God hates homosexuals”, and has compiled a list of music artists for Christian families to avoid, claiming that: “One of the most dangerous ways homosexuality invades family life is through popular music.” Examples of bands on Davies’ hit list included, surprisingly, ‘60s icons The Doors, country rockers Wilco and Nirvana. Not so surprisingly, the flamboyant pop of Scissor Sisters, Erasure and Queen also makes the cut. Sir Elton John gets a special mention as being “really gay”. Rapper Jay-Z, Ravi Shankar and Lou Reed’s Velvet Underground have also made Davies’ list, which can be seen in full on his website, www.lovegodsway.org. Davies has also posted a list of ‘safe’ bands that would have a better influence, and help you on “the journey to normalcy”. Like Cyndi Lauper, for instance… To view Donnie Davies’ site, click here

Listening to The Doors, Wilco or even Nirvana will turn your children gay, according to an internet database created by Donnie Davies, a “reformed” homosexual who – in his own words – found a way to “escape” from being gay.

Davies believes that “God hates homosexuals”, and has compiled a list of music artists for Christian families to avoid, claiming that: “One of the most dangerous ways homosexuality invades family life is through popular music.”

Examples of bands on Davies’ hit list included, surprisingly, ‘60s icons The Doors, country rockers Wilco and Nirvana. Not so surprisingly, the flamboyant pop of Scissor Sisters, Erasure and Queen also makes the cut. Sir Elton John gets a special mention as being “really gay”.

Rapper Jay-Z, Ravi Shankar and Lou Reed’s Velvet Underground have also made Davies’ list, which can be seen in full on his website, www.lovegodsway.org.

Davies has also posted a list of ‘safe’ bands that would have a better influence, and help you on “the journey to normalcy”. Like Cyndi Lauper, for instance…

To view Donnie Davies’ site, click here

Willy Mason – Playing A Living Room Near You…

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Singer-songwriters often profess their love of “intimate” gigs, but Uncut-acclaimed artist Willy Mason has taken things a little further – he’s inviting fans to nominate their own homes as venues. The Martha’s Vineyard troubadour’s second album, “If The Ocean Gets Rough”, is released on March 5. As a taster of his new material, he is embarking on a two-week tour in February, and he wants you to name the setting. Whether your front room, garage or garden – or even the Dog And Duck on the high street – all Mason asks is that you can provide “electricity and a small and friendly audience”. If you’ve fancied putting on a gig in your front room – or something more exciting than karaoke and a quiz night at your local, here’s your chance. For more details, and to nominate a venue, click here

Singer-songwriters often profess their love of “intimate” gigs, but Uncut-acclaimed artist Willy Mason has taken things a little further – he’s inviting fans to nominate their own homes as venues.

The Martha’s Vineyard troubadour’s second album, “If The Ocean Gets Rough”, is released on March 5. As a taster of his new material, he is embarking on a two-week tour in February, and he wants you to name the setting.

Whether your front room, garage or garden – or even the Dog And Duck on the high street – all Mason asks is that you can provide “electricity and a small and friendly audience”.

If you’ve fancied putting on a gig in your front room – or something more exciting than karaoke and a quiz night at your local, here’s your chance.

For more details, and to nominate a venue, click here

Scarlett Johansson Lands New Role – As Cinderella

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Scarlett Johansson has landed a new glamorous role – as Disney’s Cinderella – for a new ad campaign. The actress, clad in a designer ball gown and sporting a tiara worth £165,000, was snapped by celebrated photographer Annie Leibovitz for a new Disney magazine advertising campaign. Leibovitz also photographed singer Beyoncé Knowles as Alice from Alice In Wonderland. She will appear sitting in a giant teacup, accompanied by country star Lyle Lovett as the March Hare. Footballer David Beckham has also been enlisted for the campaign – which promotes Disney’s US theme parks – as Sleeping Beauty’s Prince. His photoshoot took place shortly before the ex-England captain signed for US soccer team, Los Angeles Galaxy.

Scarlett Johansson has landed a new glamorous role – as Disney’s Cinderella – for a new ad campaign.

The actress, clad in a designer ball gown and sporting a tiara worth £165,000, was snapped by celebrated photographer Annie Leibovitz for a new Disney magazine advertising campaign.

Leibovitz also photographed singer Beyoncé Knowles as Alice from Alice In Wonderland. She will appear sitting in a giant teacup, accompanied by country star Lyle Lovett as the March Hare.

Footballer David Beckham has also been enlisted for the campaign – which promotes Disney’s US theme parks – as Sleeping Beauty’s Prince. His photoshoot took place shortly before the ex-England captain signed for US soccer team, Los Angeles Galaxy.

Smashing Pumpkins play Europe!

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Smashing Pumpkins have confirmed that their first headline shows of 2007 will be at two German festivals in early June. They will headline Rock Am Ring, in Nürburg on June 2, and at Rock Im Park, in Nuremberg on June 3. As previously reported on www.www.uncut.co.uk, the band – fronted by guitarist and singer Billy Corgan – have reformed, seven years after disbanding. Other bands confirmed to play alongside the Pumpkins at the festivals include Muse, Arctic Monkeys and My Chemical Romance. Corgan, working once more with the band’s original drummer Jimmy Chamberlin, has yet to confirm who will replace guitarist James Iha and bassist Melissa Auf Der Maur in the new line-up. A new Smashing Pumpkins album is pencilled in for release this summer, and more festival appearances are expected to be confirmed soon. Click here for updates from www.Smashingpumpkins.com

Smashing Pumpkins have confirmed that their first headline shows of 2007 will be at two German festivals in early June.

They will headline Rock Am Ring, in Nürburg on June 2, and at Rock Im Park, in Nuremberg on June 3.

As previously reported on www.www.uncut.co.uk, the band – fronted by guitarist and singer Billy Corgan – have reformed, seven years after disbanding.

Other bands confirmed to play alongside the Pumpkins at the festivals include Muse, Arctic Monkeys and My Chemical Romance.

Corgan, working once more with the band’s original drummer Jimmy Chamberlin, has yet to confirm who will replace guitarist James Iha and bassist Melissa Auf Der Maur in the new line-up.

A new Smashing Pumpkins album is pencilled in for release this summer, and more festival appearances are expected to be confirmed soon.

Click here for updates from www.Smashingpumpkins.com

See Rare Television TV Performance

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Every day, we bring you the best thing we've seen on YouTube - a great piece of archive footage, a music promo or a clip from one of our favourite movies or TV shows. Today: Watch rare video footage of massively influential ‘70s art rockers, Television. Tom Verlaine and co here perform their single “Foxhole”, released in April 1978, just before the group split up. Watch the archive performance by clicking here now

Every day, we bring you the best thing we’ve seen on YouTube – a great piece of archive footage, a music promo or a clip from one of our favourite movies or TV shows.

Today: Watch rare video footage of massively influential ‘70s art rockers, Television.

Tom Verlaine and co here perform their single “Foxhole”, released in April 1978, just before the group split up.

Watch the archive performance by clicking here now

Midlake Take A Break From US Tour To Play UK

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Texan rockers, Midlake have announced a series of gigs in the UK, to take place in April. Midlake will be playing songs from their critically acclaimed 2006 album, "The Trials of Van Occupanther" here for the first time. The album, described as being in the same vein as Neil Young's "Harvest," made it into many end-of-year lists, including the Uncut Top 10. Midlake are currently on a major US tour, but will play a six shows around the soon-to- be remixed and re-released single "Roscoe." Midlake said that they "initially resisted the (many) offers to remix the track… perfect as it is… but the interest was so great that we relented. More info to follow soon… but trust us, what we’ve so far heard sounds amazing." Midlake's tour dates are as follows: Liverpool, Academy (April 8) Glasgow, Oran Mor (9) Sheffield, Plug (10) London, Shepherd’s Bush Empire (11) Brighton, Concorde 2 (12) Oxford, Zodiac (13)

Texan rockers, Midlake have announced a series of gigs in the UK, to take place in April.

Midlake will be playing songs from their critically acclaimed 2006 album, “The Trials of Van Occupanther” here for the first time.

The album, described as being in the same vein as Neil Young’s “Harvest,” made it into many end-of-year lists, including the Uncut Top 10.

Midlake are currently on a major US tour, but will play a six shows around the soon-to- be remixed and re-released single “Roscoe.”

Midlake said that they “initially resisted the (many) offers to remix the track… perfect as it is… but the interest was so great that we relented. More info to follow soon… but trust us, what we’ve so far heard sounds amazing.”

Midlake’s tour dates are as follows:

Liverpool, Academy (April 8)

Glasgow, Oran Mor (9)

Sheffield, Plug (10)

London, Shepherd’s Bush Empire (11)

Brighton, Concorde 2 (12)

Oxford, Zodiac (13)

The Kids Are Disunited

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Punk veterans Sham 69 are in disarray after the band, including original guitarist dave Parsons, acclaim to have “left”, singer and founding member Jimmy Pursey... Sham never achieved the iconic status of punk legends like The Sex Pistols and The Clash – and were often at the centre of violent scenes at gigs that made them unpopular with many punk fans - but scored a succession of hits between 1977 and their split in 1980, among them “Angels With Dirty faces”, “If The Kids Are United” and “Hurry Up Harry”. Pursey put together a new line-up of the band in 1987, although they never achieved anything like their former popularity. A statement from the band’s management said: "Sham 69 have left Jimmy Pursey on the eve of their 30th anniversary. The band had become increasingly fed up with Jimmy's lack of interest in playing live and continually letting down both promoters and fans by pulling out of gigs at the last moment. "Original guitarist and co-songwriter Dave Parsons, and Ian Whitewood, drummer with Sham for the last 20 years, are continuing as Sham 69. They have just recruited a new bass player and will shortly be auditioning singers." Pursey hotly denied that he had ever let the band or fans down, and blamed the split on his decision to re-record “Hurry Up Harry” with former Blur guitarist Graham Coxon for the 2006 World Cup. He vowed never to play again with his former band mates and promised to retain the name of Sham 69, which was also claimed by Parsons. He also promised there would be a new Sham album – which the group had been working on for the last five years – released very soon.

Punk veterans Sham 69 are in disarray after the band, including original guitarist dave Parsons, acclaim to have “left”, singer and founding member Jimmy Pursey…

Sham never achieved the iconic status of punk legends like The Sex Pistols and The Clash – and were often at the centre of violent scenes at gigs that made them unpopular with many punk fans – but scored a succession of hits between 1977 and their split in 1980, among them “Angels With Dirty faces”, “If The Kids Are United” and “Hurry Up Harry”.

Pursey put together a new line-up of the band in 1987, although they never achieved anything like their former popularity.

A statement from the band’s management said: “Sham 69 have left Jimmy Pursey on the eve of their 30th anniversary. The band had become increasingly fed up with Jimmy’s lack of interest in playing live and continually letting down both promoters and fans by pulling out of gigs at the last moment.

“Original guitarist and co-songwriter Dave Parsons, and Ian Whitewood, drummer with Sham for the last 20 years, are continuing as Sham 69. They have just recruited a new bass player and will shortly be auditioning singers.”

Pursey hotly denied that he had ever let the band or fans down, and blamed the split on his decision to re-record “Hurry Up Harry” with former Blur guitarist Graham Coxon for the 2006 World Cup.

He vowed never to play again with his former band mates and promised to retain the name of Sham 69, which was also claimed by Parsons.

He also promised there would be a new Sham album – which the group had been working on for the last five years – released very soon.

Stevie Nicks Reflects With New Retrospective

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The former Fleetwood Mac singer is to release first DVD too Stevie Nicks is to release a definitive song collection entitled “Reflections…The Best Of” in March. The retrospective spans two decades of Nicks’ musical career, from Fleetwood Mac and to her successful solo years. “Reflections” will also include the first ever DVD compilation of Nicks’ videos and live performances, including duets with Tom Petty on “Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around” and with Sheryl Crow on “Sorcerer.” Nicks’ Fleetwood Mac career is represented on “Reflections” with the original version of “Silver Springs”, a Deep Dish remix of “Dreams” and a live version of "Rhiannon." The album also includes two special live performances of “Landslide” and “Edge Of Seventeen” with Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. The full tracklisting for “Reflections” is: 1. Edge Of Seventeen 2. I Can't Wait 3. Sorcerer 4. If Anyone Falls In Love 5. Stop Draggin' My Heart Around (with Tom Petty) 6. Silver Springs (Fleetwood Mac original version) 7. Dreams - Deep Dish version 8. Rhiannon (Live) 9. Rooms On Fire 10. Talk To Me 11. Landslide (Live with Melbourne Symphony Orchestra) 12. Stand Back 13. Has Anyone Ever Written Anything For You 14. Planets Of The Universe 15. Rock And Roll (Live) 16. Leather And Lace (with Don Henley) 17. Edge Of Seventeen (Live with Melbourne Symphony Orch.) Stevie Nicks has also been confirmed to play as part of the pre-game show at the upcoming Miami Superbowl on February 4 prior to four special shows at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas on March 20, 21, 23 and 24.

The former Fleetwood Mac singer is to release first DVD too

Stevie Nicks is to release a definitive song collection entitled “Reflections…The Best Of” in March. The retrospective spans two decades of Nicks’ musical career, from Fleetwood Mac and to her successful solo years.

“Reflections” will also include the first ever DVD compilation of Nicks’ videos and live performances, including duets with Tom Petty on “Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around” and with Sheryl Crow on “Sorcerer.”

Nicks’ Fleetwood Mac career is represented on “Reflections” with the original version of “Silver Springs”, a Deep Dish remix of “Dreams” and a live version of “Rhiannon.”

The album also includes two special live performances of “Landslide” and “Edge Of Seventeen” with Melbourne Symphony Orchestra.

The full tracklisting for “Reflections” is:

1. Edge Of Seventeen

2. I Can’t Wait

3. Sorcerer

4. If Anyone Falls In Love

5. Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around (with Tom Petty)

6. Silver Springs (Fleetwood Mac original version)

7. Dreams – Deep Dish version

8. Rhiannon (Live)

9. Rooms On Fire

10. Talk To Me

11. Landslide (Live with Melbourne Symphony Orchestra)

12. Stand Back

13. Has Anyone Ever Written Anything For You

14. Planets Of The Universe

15. Rock And Roll (Live)

16. Leather And Lace (with Don Henley)

17. Edge Of Seventeen (Live with Melbourne Symphony Orch.)

Stevie Nicks has also been confirmed to play as part of the pre-game show at the upcoming Miami Superbowl on February 4 prior to four special shows at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas on March 20, 21, 23 and 24.

See The Jesus & Mary Chain North London Riot

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Every day, we bring you the best thing we've seen on YouTube - a great piece of archive footage, a music promo or a clip from one of our favourite movies or TV shows. Today: Watch the students rebel at a Jesus & Mary Chain gig at the North London Polytechnic on March 15, 1985. The Jesus & Mary Chain were renowned at the time for rioting that occurred at shows, but this was by far the biggest and costliest. An estimated £8000 worth of damage was caused, and the riot has gone down in Mary Chain history. The band fronted by Jim and William Reid have just announced that The Jesus & Mary Chain will play their first show in nine years, at Californian rock festival Coachella, this May. See the Jesus kids go wild – by clicking here now

Every day, we bring you the best thing we’ve seen on YouTube – a great piece of archive footage, a music promo or a clip from one of our favourite movies or TV shows.

Today: Watch the students rebel at a Jesus & Mary Chain gig at the North London Polytechnic on March 15, 1985.

The Jesus & Mary Chain were renowned at the time for rioting that occurred at shows, but this was by far the biggest and costliest.

An estimated £8000 worth of damage was caused, and the riot has gone down in Mary Chain history.

The band fronted by Jim and William Reid have just announced that The Jesus & Mary Chain will play their first show in nine years, at Californian rock festival Coachella, this May.

See the Jesus kids go wild – by clicking here now

Brian Wilson To Premiere New Creation In London

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Celebrated musician Brian Wilson has been commissioned to write a brand new concert repertoire for London's revamped South Bank Centre, to be performed at the Royal Festival Hall. The new piece is called "That Lucky Old Sun (A Narrative)" and Wilson says it "will consist of four 'rounds', with interspersed spoken word." Wilson will premiere the new work in September, as part of the South Bank Centre's opening season, playing for six nights. As well as "That Lucky Old Sun", Wilson also plans on digging deeper into his remarkable song catalogue, to perform many on stage for the first time. Wilson, who calls the venue his "spiritual home away from home", has played The Royal Festival Hall several times since his debut shows as a solo artist in 2002. It was here that Wilson brought us the world premiere of his mythical unreleased masterpiece "Smile", for the first time in his 40-year career. Wilson will be unveiling his new musical work on the following dates in September: 10, 11, 12, 14, 15 and 16 September at 7.30pm Tickets are priced £35- £55 and go on sale from Monday (January 29). For more details about the concerts and ticket availability, visit the South Bank Centre website by clicking here

Celebrated musician Brian Wilson has been commissioned to write a brand new concert repertoire for London’s revamped South Bank Centre, to be performed at the Royal Festival Hall.

The new piece is called “That Lucky Old Sun (A Narrative)” and Wilson says it “will consist of four ’rounds’, with interspersed spoken word.”

Wilson will premiere the new work in September, as part of the South Bank Centre’s opening season, playing for six nights.

As well as “That Lucky Old Sun”, Wilson also plans on digging deeper into his remarkable song catalogue, to perform many on stage for the first time.

Wilson, who calls the venue his “spiritual home away from home”, has played The Royal Festival Hall several times since his debut shows as a solo artist in 2002.

It was here that Wilson brought us the world premiere of his mythical unreleased masterpiece “Smile”, for the first time in his 40-year career.

Wilson will be unveiling his new musical work on the following dates in September:

10, 11, 12, 14, 15 and 16 September at 7.30pm

Tickets are priced £35- £55 and go on sale from Monday (January 29).

For more details about the concerts and ticket availability, visit the South Bank Centre website by clicking here

Ewan McGregor To Hold Celebrity Burns Night Supper

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Actor Ewan McGregor is hosting a celebrity Burns night supper to celebrate the 18th century Scottish tradition tomorrow night (January 25). The charity event, which takes place in London's Covent Garden, is expected to be attended by Sir Paul McCartney, his daughter Stella, and Rod Stewart. Also invited are Texas singer Sharleen Spiteri and Lethal Weapon star Danny Glover. Entertainment for the haggis supper will be provided by brilliantly named pipe band, the Red Hot Chilli Pipers. The guests will all receive a specially commissioned glass bottle featuring a portrait of Robert Burns, the poet who is celebrated on Burns night. The annual celebrity supper raises money for cancer charity CLIC Sargent as well as the Children's Hospice Association Scotland (Chas).

Actor Ewan McGregor is hosting a celebrity Burns night supper to celebrate the 18th century Scottish tradition tomorrow night (January 25).

The charity event, which takes place in London’s Covent Garden, is expected to be attended by Sir Paul McCartney, his daughter Stella, and Rod Stewart.

Also invited are Texas singer Sharleen Spiteri and Lethal Weapon star Danny Glover.

Entertainment for the haggis supper will be provided by brilliantly named pipe band, the Red Hot Chilli Pipers.

The guests will all receive a specially commissioned glass bottle featuring a portrait of Robert Burns, the poet who is celebrated on Burns night.

The annual celebrity supper raises money for cancer charity CLIC Sargent as well as the Children’s Hospice Association Scotland (Chas).

The Who To Play This Year’s Glasto?

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Pete Townshend has let slip in a radio interview that The Who could be set to play this year's Glastonbury festival. Speaking to Xfm, the band's guitarist Townshend said that he was hopeful the band would be booked for the Somerset festival. Townshend added cautiously, "I don't know if we're allowed to say. But let me put it this way, I think they want us to do it, and we want to do it. So we shall see. I think it's about whether or not they'll give me space to park my tent." Last night (January 23) Townshend and Daltrey picked up a South Bank Show award on behalf of The Who, in recognition of the band's "Outstanding Achievement" in British popular music. The Who have been making music for more than 40 years. The awards, hosted by presenter Melvyn Bragg, aim to recognise British cultural success in music, film, and the arts. The ceremony will be broadcast on ITV1 this Sunday (January 28).

Pete Townshend has let slip in a radio interview that The Who could be set to play this year’s Glastonbury festival.

Speaking to Xfm, the band’s guitarist Townshend said that he was hopeful the band would be booked for the Somerset festival.

Townshend added cautiously, “I don’t know if we’re allowed to say. But let me put it this way, I think they want us to do it, and we want to do it. So we shall see. I think it’s about whether or not they’ll give me space to park my tent.”

Last night (January 23) Townshend and Daltrey picked up a South Bank Show award on behalf of The Who, in recognition of the band’s “Outstanding Achievement” in British popular music.

The Who have been making music for more than 40 years.

The awards, hosted by presenter Melvyn Bragg, aim to recognise British cultural success in music, film, and the arts.

The ceremony will be broadcast on ITV1 this Sunday (January 28).

Ryan Adams Rides On With America

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Prolific alt.rock musician Ryan Adams has appeared with US country rockers America- they of "Horse With No Name" fame-on The Late Show With David Letterman. But Adams' involvement with the band doesn't end there: he also contributes guitar and backing vocals to "Ride On", a standout track on America's new studio album, "Here & Now" - the group's first since 1984's "Perspectives." In fact, the band's new LP is crammed with surprising star names. James Iha, formerly of Smashing Pumpkins, co-produced the album along with Fountains Of Wayne's Adam Schlesinger. Other notable artists contribute too. Ben Kweller (who also guested on Letterman with Adams), Matthew Caws and Ira Elliot of Nada Surf and Jim James and Patrick Hallahan of My Morning Jacket all make an appearance. "Here & Now" even includes cover versions of songs by the contributors- America have a crack at Nada Surf's, "Always Love" and "Golden" by My Morning Jacket. The veteran rockers have announced an eight-date tour of the UK, starting in London in March. There's no telling which guests might spring a surprise visit! America play here, soon: London Hammersmith Apollo (March 13) Wolverhampton Civic Hall (14) Cambridge Corn Exchange (15) Basingstoke Anvil (17) Salford Lowry (18) Cardiff St. David's Hall (19) Gateshead The Sage (21) Glasgow Royal Concert Hall (220 See the video of the Letterman show here - Check out Ryan Adam's 'sha-la-la-las'!

Prolific alt.rock musician Ryan Adams has appeared with US country rockers America- they of “Horse With No Name” fame-on The Late Show With David Letterman.

But Adams’ involvement with the band doesn’t end there: he also contributes guitar and backing vocals to “Ride On”, a standout track on America’s new studio album, “Here & Now” – the group’s first since 1984’s “Perspectives.”

In fact, the band’s new LP is crammed with surprising star names. James Iha, formerly of Smashing Pumpkins, co-produced the album along with Fountains Of Wayne’s Adam Schlesinger.

Other notable artists contribute too. Ben Kweller (who also guested on Letterman with Adams), Matthew Caws and Ira Elliot of Nada Surf and Jim James and Patrick Hallahan of My Morning Jacket all make an appearance.

“Here & Now” even includes cover versions of songs by the contributors- America have a crack at Nada Surf’s, “Always Love” and “Golden” by My Morning Jacket.

The veteran rockers have announced an eight-date tour of the UK, starting in London in March. There’s no telling which guests might spring a surprise visit!

America play here, soon:

London Hammersmith Apollo (March 13)

Wolverhampton Civic Hall (14)

Cambridge Corn Exchange (15)

Basingstoke Anvil (17)

Salford Lowry (18)

Cardiff St. David’s Hall (19)

Gateshead The Sage (21)

Glasgow Royal Concert Hall (220

See the video of the Letterman show here – Check out Ryan Adam’s ‘sha-la-la-las’!

Wreckless Eric Is A Big Smash Once More

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Stiff Records, the label that brought us independent sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll in the 70s and early 80s, is reissuing six classic albums from its catalogue this March. Wreckless Eric's 1980 album 'Big Smash' is one of the titles to be revamped. Wreckless was one of the original Stiff artists, along with Elvis Costello and Ian Dury, and this album spawned his hit single "Whole Wide World" - which even 26 years later has found its way onto the soundtrack for recent Will Ferrell-starring movie "Stranger Than Fiction." As well as the original album, "Big Smash" will feature tracks from his two 1978 albums, "Wreckless Eric" and "Wonderful World Of Wreckless Eric." Wreckless has also recorded a commentary to accompany all of the rare tracks, B-sides and imports that have been included in this new collection. The Stiff reissues will also feature popstar-turned-comedienne, Tracey Ullman's 1983 album "You Broke My Heart In Seventeen Places." With contributions from Kirsty MacColl, and the hit single "Breakaway," the record originally sold in excess of 150,000. This will be the first time her debut album has been made available on CD. Other Stiff artists getting the reissue treatment are Rachel Sweet, Dirty Looks and Any Trouble. All six reissues will be available from March 12. To check out the Stiff Records rock 'n' roll story - Click here to go the label's website

Stiff Records, the label that brought us independent sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll in the 70s and early 80s, is reissuing six classic albums from its catalogue this March.

Wreckless Eric’s 1980 album ‘Big Smash’ is one of the titles to be revamped. Wreckless was one of the original Stiff artists, along with Elvis Costello and Ian Dury, and this album spawned his hit single “Whole Wide World” – which even 26 years later has found its way onto the soundtrack for recent Will Ferrell-starring movie “Stranger Than Fiction.”

As well as the original album, “Big Smash” will feature tracks from his two 1978 albums, “Wreckless Eric” and “Wonderful World Of Wreckless Eric.” Wreckless has also recorded a commentary to accompany all of the rare tracks, B-sides and imports that have been included in this new collection.

The Stiff reissues will also feature popstar-turned-comedienne, Tracey Ullman’s 1983 album “You Broke My Heart In Seventeen Places.” With contributions from Kirsty MacColl, and the hit single “Breakaway,” the record originally sold in excess of 150,000. This will be the first time her debut album has been made available on CD.

Other Stiff artists getting the reissue treatment are Rachel Sweet, Dirty Looks and Any Trouble.

All six reissues will be available from March 12.

To check out the Stiff Records rock ‘n’ roll story – Click here to go the label’s website

See Pulp Live At Glastonbury!

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Every day, we bring you the best thing we've seen on YouTube - a great piece of archive footage, a music promo or a clip from one of our favourite movies or TV shows. Today: Watch an electric performance by Pulp – live at Glastonbury festival in 1995. Charismatic frontman Jarvis Cocker leads the crowd in a resounding sing-along to their hit single “Common People” – one of the most memorable festival performances of all time. See the electric Pulp video footage by clicking here

Every day, we bring you the best thing we’ve seen on YouTube – a great piece of archive footage, a music promo or a clip from one of our favourite movies or TV shows.

Today: Watch an electric performance by Pulp – live at Glastonbury festival in 1995.

Charismatic frontman Jarvis Cocker leads the crowd in a resounding sing-along to their hit single “Common People” – one of the most memorable festival performances of all time.

See the electric Pulp video footage by clicking here

Uncut’s 2007 Album Preview Special

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J MASCIS talks (very slowly) about reforming the original line-up of DINOSAUR JNR with bassist Lou Barlow and drummer Murph and their new album, due later this year. UNCUT: It’s nearly 20 years since Bug. How’s the dynamic changed between you, Lou and Murph? MASCIS: It’s different. Bug was pretty bad energy. We relate to each other differently now. Lou never used to talk before, now he talks. Why did you decide to make a new album? If we were going to keep playing, we were going to get sick of playing the songs. So we decided maybe we should record some new stuff. I mean, historically, most bands I can think of, it’s never been that good if they do a new album 20 years later. We’ll see. I guess it’s an individual thing, everyone will have to judge for themselves. But I hope it’ll be good. Were you expecting the response you got? I wasn’t expecting that level of enthusiasm that greeted us. It was kind of an experiment, just to see what would happens. It seemed to be going pretty well, so we just kept doing it. How’s the vibe in the studio? Every few minutes the vibe changes. Sometimes you think it might be good, sometimes you think it’ll never work. We’re just hoping it’ll be good in the end. Do you see this as a long-term plan? We thought we could play some more shows then we thought we should have some new songs. Either it’ll stay the same, get better, get worse, but it just seems a step we have to take for the next thing to happen, for it to keep going or for it to end. It just seems like: We might as well do this happen and see what happens. What can we expect? There’s some loud guitar. How do the songs differ from Bug? It’s different songs, so I guess it’s different. It’s hard to tell. All records are different. It’s a photo album of a year, of its time. Do you worry that this record will be compared with Bug? It’s fine, I don’t care if these songs are judged against Bug. Have you got a favourite track? Yeah, it’s called “By The Fire”. It’s the longest song, so it’s got the longest solo… INTERVIEW: MICHAEL BONNER

J MASCIS talks (very slowly) about reforming the original line-up of DINOSAUR JNR with bassist Lou Barlow and drummer Murph and their new album, due later this year.

UNCUT: It’s nearly 20 years since Bug. How’s the dynamic changed between you, Lou and Murph?

MASCIS: It’s different. Bug was pretty bad energy. We relate to each other differently now. Lou never used to talk before, now he talks.

Why did you decide to make a new album?

If we were going to keep playing, we were going to get sick of playing the songs. So we decided maybe we should record some new stuff. I mean, historically, most bands I can think of, it’s never been that good if they do a new album 20 years later. We’ll see. I guess it’s an individual thing, everyone will have to judge for themselves. But I hope it’ll be good.

Were you expecting the response you got?

I wasn’t expecting that level of enthusiasm that greeted us. It was kind of an experiment, just to see what would happens. It seemed to be going pretty well, so we just kept doing it.

How’s the vibe in the studio?

Every few minutes the vibe changes. Sometimes you think it might be good, sometimes you think it’ll never work. We’re just hoping it’ll be good in the end.

Do you see this as a long-term plan?

We thought we could play some more shows then we thought we should have some new songs. Either it’ll stay the same, get better, get worse, but it just seems a step we have to take for the next thing to happen, for it to keep going or for it to end. It just seems like: We might as well do this happen and see what happens.

What can we expect?

There’s some loud guitar.

How do the songs differ from Bug?

It’s different songs, so I guess it’s different. It’s hard to tell. All records are different. It’s a photo album of a year, of its time.

Do you worry that this record will be compared with Bug?

It’s fine, I don’t care if these songs are judged against Bug.

Have you got a favourite track?

Yeah, it’s called “By The Fire”. It’s the longest song, so it’s got the longest solo…

INTERVIEW: MICHAEL BONNER