Blur pictures from Rolling Stone

Weekend Rock List: Hidden Tracks

As Coldplay fans may have noticed, the band’s new Viva La Vida contains not one, but two unlisted tracks. To pay homage to the secret song, a victim of the MP3 era, this week’s Rock List is dedicated to hidden tracks. Whether they’re left off the track list, tucked away on an album’s pregap or buffered by 10 minutes of silence after the last song, let us know your favorites and on Monday we’ll reveal the Readers’ List. Here’s our picks: • Nirvana – “Endless, Nameless” on Nevermind • Dr. Dre – “Bitches Ain’t Shit” on The Chronic • Bruce Springsteen – “Terry’s Song” on Magic • Blur – “Me, White Noise” on Think Tank • Coldplay – “To Kingdom Come” on X&Y A few more staff faves from the Nineties — a decade that was all about the hidden track — are after the jump. • Pearl Jam - “Master Slave” on Ten • Cracker - “Eurotrash Girl” on Kerosene Hat • Dave Matthews Band - “#34″ on Under the Table and Dreaming • Alanis Morissette - “Your House” on Jagged Little Pill • Green Day - “All By Myself” on Dookie

Published: 2008-06-20 Provider: Rolling Stone Keywords: Rock Lists

Arctic Monkeys Side Project The Last Shadow Puppets Arrive in NYC

Though no one could quite remember the name of the band, a few dozen New Yorkers showed up at Brooklyn’s Sound Fix Lounge last night for a “surprise” acoustic gig by the Last Shadow Puppets: a collaboration between Arctic Monkeys singer Alex Turner and his mate Miles Kane from U.K. group the Rascals. The pair worked through unplugged renditions of eight songs from their forthcoming album to a crowd that included Vampire Weekend’s Ezra Koenig and Rostam Batmanglij. (VW fans will be pleased to know that drummer Chris Thompson is doing just fine after being hit by a taxi in London last week. “He didn’t even need stitches,” Batmanglij says.) The Puppets’ set was decidedly low-key, coming on more like noir-ish Sixties soundtrack music than the loose-limbed Brit-punk of the Arctic Monkeys. Or, as one astute fan noted: “If the Arctic Monkeys are Blur, this is the Good, The Bad and The Queen.” The duo’s debut album, The Age Of Understatement, is due out April 21st, if that sounds like your cup of tea. For our part, we were impressed. [Photo: Bao Nguyen]

Published: 2008-03-05 Provider: Rolling Stone Keywords: Rock News, Live Shows

Prince Causes Another U.K. Uproar, Marilyn Manson’s Movie Gets a Shoot Date, Flaming Lips-Scored Doc on the Way

He’s not an official royal, but Prince is generating more ink in the U.K. than anyone named William or Harry. The Mail on Sunday, the newspaper that’s giving away free copies of Planet Earth, is threatening to sue the British equivalent of Billboard for not allowing sales of the newspaper/CD to count toward the album charts. Marilyn Manson’s Phantasmagoria: The Visions of Lewis Carroll, starring his girlfriend Evan Rachel Wood as Alice (of Wonderland fame), will begin filming in late autumn. Graham Coxon may or may not be rejoining Blur. The band booked studio time in September as a four-piece, which fueled speculation that Coxon is the fourth piece. Summercamp!, a documentary about (surprise!) summer camp that’s scored by the Flaming Lips, will hit theaters soon. Or you can Netflix it now. Do you ever pause in the supermarket and wonder what happened to key members of Quiet Riot, Cinderella and Nitro? Well, wonder no more, thanks to this article.

Published: 2007-07-14 Provider: Rolling Stone Keywords: Rock News, Afternoon News Roundup

Blur Join “LEGO Rock Band”: See the Band’s Avatars

Many a Britpop fan in the Nineties described Blur as “adorable” — and that was before Damon Albarn and Co. were turned into LEGO versions of themselves for the upcoming music video game LEGO Rock Band. The recently reunited group’s “Song 2″ appears on the title’s in-game playlist (see the full list below), and Rolling Stone has your first look at the band’s avatars and a little video of their playable characters in action. Blur join Iggy Pop and David Bowie, whose LEGO avatars have already been

Published: 2009-10-15 Provider: Rolling Stone Keywords: Rock News, Video Games

Paul McCartney Plans Deluxe “Memory Almost Full,” Morrissey Hits the Studio, Rage and Arcade Fire to Rock Big Day Out

Paul McCartney is brewing up a deluxe edition of his Starbucks-approved semi-new album Memory Almost Full. The reissue, out November 16th on the coffee giant’s Hear Music label, will be accompanied by a live DVD, plus three unreleased songs (“In Private,” “Why So Blue” and “222”). After his current tour ends, Morrissey plans to return to the studio to record the follow-up to 2006’s Ringleader of the Tormentors. Morrissey told BBC News that the album is “absolutely written and completely ready.” The ex-Smiths singer is currently without a record contract, but is weighing an offer from Warner Bros. This year’s Big Day Out Festival, to be held late January to early February in select cities in Australia and New Zealand, will feature performances by Rage Against the Machine, Arcade Fire, Björk, LCD Soundsystem and many more. While you wait anxiously for Matador Records to reissue Pavement’s Brighten the Corners, the label will help pass the time by releasing deluxe, expanded editions of Mission of Burma’s Vs. and The Horrible Truth About Burma in early 2008. Blur’s Alex James has declared that the not-quite-yet-reunited band is still capable of making their “best album ever.” The band, with guitarist Graham Coxon back in tow, had scheduled a lunch this week to discuss returning to the studio to record a follow-up to 2003’s Think Tank.

Published: 2007-10-03 Provider: Rolling Stone Keywords: Rock News, Afternoon News Roundup

Beyonce Show Canceled Over Dress Code, Radiohead Hoax Revealed, Oasis Squashes Beef With Blur

After Gwen Stefani was forced to tone down her performance in Malaysia because of the country’s strict dress code, Beyoncé’s Kuala Lumpur debut was canceled thanks to protests from Malaysia’s Muslim groups. Beyoncé also reportedly refused to conform to the code, which doesn’t allow female performers to show any skin from the top of the chest down to the knees, and thus impeding on her ability to be “Bootylicious.” A countdown is ticking on a recently unearthed site called RadioheadLP7.com, but according to sources inside Camp Radiohead, the only thing that will be revealed when the clock strikes zeros is that the site is a hoax. We smelled “fake” from the onset, given the revert back to Kid A-era font, but that hasn’t stopped us from tricking our friends with personalized messages on the LP7 page. Before there was Kanye vs. 50, there was Oasis vs. Blur. But now, Liam Gallagher tells Mojo that he has put an end to the decade-old feud, officially white-flagging a war of bad words that began in 1995, when both bands released singles in the same week, and should have ended in 1996 when people stopped caring about the feud. Cat Power will release her second album of covers, curiously titled Covers II, on January 22nd. The full track list hasn’t been announced (click here for a short list, though), and Chan Marshall will once again be backed by her Dirty Delta Blues band. Reports that Michael Jackson married his children’s nanny at a shotgun wedding in Las Vegas are completely “not true,” according to Jacko’s spokesperson. [Photo: ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images]

Published: 2007-09-29 Provider: Rolling Stone Keywords: Rock News, Afternoon News Roundup

News Ticker: Flaming Lips, Patti Smith, Arcade Fire and Blur

Photo: Winter/Getty The Flaming Lips will curate and perform at the third night of next year’s All Tomorrows Parties festival in New York. The band will take the stage on September 13th, 2009 at the Kutshers Country Club in Montecello. Animal Collective, Panda Bear and Suicide are among the other bands on the bill. Patti Smith, the Apples in Stereo, Ingrid Michaelson, Tommy James & the Shondells will pay tribute to R.E.M. at a benefit concert at NY’s Carnegie Hall on March 11th. Once’s Glen Hansard, Kimya Dawson and Bob Mould will also appear at “The Music of R.E.M.” The Arcade Fire will release a live DVD documenting the band’s Neon Bible tour. Miroir Noir was filmed by Vincent Moon and directed by Vincent Morisset. Check out the film’s trailer here. Blur have continued mapping out reunion tour dates, adding a second show to their stint at London’s Hyde Park on July 3rd. The band will also play some rehearsal dates in smaller venues in the weeks leading up to the Hyde Park concerts (and potentially Glastonbury.)

Published: 2008-12-12 Provider: Rolling Stone Keywords: Rock News, Morning News Roundup

Blur Reuniting For London Concert, Possible Glastonbury Slot

Photo: Getty After months of rumors, informal lunches and supposed practices, Blur finally revealed today that the Damon Albarn-led band will reunite for a concert at London’s Hyde Park on July 3rd, 2009. Guitarist Graham Coxon, who left the band during the recording of 2002’s Think Tank, will join his bandmates Albarn, bassist Alex James and drummer Dave Rowntree. “It just felt it was right again,” Albarn said of Blur’s reunion, “It somehow feels like there’s something for us to do again, we’re not completely useless or pointless, we’ve got a reason to exist.” One rumored reason to exist: Glastonbury 2009, which the band hinted it might headline. “We’ll do something in London because that seems sensible,” Albarn added, “but we’re also playing in other parts of the country working up to [Glastonbury].” While no new album plans were revealed, Albarn has made it known he was eager to begin work on the third Gorillaz album in early ‘09. Related Stories: • Blur “Certainly Going To Rehearse” In 2009, Says Damon Albarn • Gorillaz Duo Use “Monkey” to Promote BBC Olympics Coverage • Album Review: Blur, Think Tank

Published: 2008-12-09 Provider: Rolling Stone Keywords: Rock News

Blur “Certainly Going To Rehearse” In 2009, Says Damon Albarn

Photo: Cattermole/Getty This is probably the umpteenth time we’re reporting news like this, but according to Damon Albarn, he and his Blur mates will all enter the studio in 2009. “Blur are certainly going to rehearse and see if we’re into it,” Albarn told the BBC this afternoon. Guitarist Graham Coxon, who left the band while they were worked on 2003’s Think Tank, also factors into the reunion equation. The band reconnected numerous times this year in non-musical situations this year, first meeting for lunch and then attending Albarn’s performance of his Monkey: Journey to the West at London’s O2 Arena. If Blur were to reunite for albums and the lucrative festival season, they’d have to compete for Albarn’s time with his other project Gorillaz, as Albarn stated in September he hopes to begin work on the follow-up to 2005’s Demon Days in January. Related Stories: • Album Review: Blur, Think Tank • Album Review: Gorillaz, Demon Days • Albarn Goes Ape Over Gorillaz

Published: 2008-11-25 Provider: Rolling Stone Keywords: Rock News

News Ticker: The Who, Blur, Nas and Sonic Youth

Pearl Jam, the Foo Fighters and the Flaming Lips will take the stage on July 12th to pay tribute to the Who in an upcoming VH1 Rock Honors episode. The Who will also perform at the event, with all proceeds from the concert benefiting the Teenage Cancer Trust. Former Blur bassist Alex James says a reunion of his old band will probably happen eventually. James cites time commitments as the chief factor preventing the group from reforming. Rev. Al Sharpton, one of the biggest critics of Nas’ decision to use Nigger as an album title, applauded the name change. Radiohead, Beck and Eddie Vedder are among the artists that have chosen their favorite Sonic Youth song for the Starbucks compilation Hits Are For Squares. [Photo: Getty]

Published: 2008-05-22 Provider: Rolling Stone Keywords: Rock News

Muse Lose Honor Thanks to Acronym For Boner

The coastal town of Teignmouth, England, was all set to honor local boys Muse with a billboard boasting “Home of Muse” at the entrance to town. (According to David Cox, the town’s council chairman, “a small but significant number of foreign tourists come to Teignmouth because it’s the hometown of Muse.”) Then things went terribly wrong: Somebody with way too much free Googling time discovered that MUSE is an acronym for “Medicated Urethral Suppository for Erection,” which is a really hard way to say Viagra or Levitra. The plans were scuttled. “I thought the slogan ‘Hometown Of Muse’ would create a fresher, younger image for the town,” Cox said, “But now I see the Muse slogan might not send the right message.” The town isn’t entirely disowning the band. Cox is planning for Teignmouth “to honour some of [Muse’s] most famous songs,” whatever that means. Meanwhile, the town of Colchester, England, has launched a full-scale investigation into hometown band Blur.

Published: 2007-11-09 Provider: Rolling Stone Keywords: Rock News

Phish to Headline Bonnaroo 2009, Sources Say

Photo: Getty Bonnaroo, the East Coast’s premiere multi-day, multi-stage gathering of the vibes (held in Manchester, Tennessee from June 11th to 14th) usually doesn’t release its lineup until early February — but RollingStone.com hears from reliable sources close to Phish that the band will top the bill for two nights, restoring the fest to its jam-friendly roots. It would be the fifth time frontman Trey Anastasio appears on the ‘Roo stage, having performed as a solo artist in 2002 and 2004, with bandmate Mike Gordon in 2006 and alongside Matisyahu in 2005. Phish announced their official reunion and first public gigs in four years (their March 6-9th Hampton, Virginia shows) in early October; reps for the band and the fest declined comment for this story. Also being buzzed about with some legitimacy: Bruce Springsteen as Sunday night’s closer. No pressure, but there is a deadline approaching for pre-sale tickets and VIP packages. As for Coachella, the fest reputed for reuniting many a dormant band (the Pixies in 2004, Rage Against the Machine in 2007), Blur is believed to be a frontrunner, though a show scheduled for London’s Hyde Park in July raises some doubt — would the Brits really forestall a comeback gig on their home turf for a U.S. one-off jaunt? We think it’s more likely Britney Spears would pull off a dance tent set, a la Madonna in 2006. (And wouldn’t you know it, Britney is off on Coachella Saturday, April 18th, between tour stops in Los Angeles and Anaheim.) Other artists currently looking at routing dates around the three-day party in the desert include Coachella vets Red Hot Chili Peppers as well as the Pretenders, the Killers, Keane and We Are Scientists. Related Stories: • Photos: Phish Through the Years • Phish Reunite, Plan Virginia Concerts for March 2009 • Bonnaroo News, Photos, Reports and More on RollingStone.com

Published: 2008-12-16 Provider: Rolling Stone Keywords: Rock News, Festivals, Bonnaroo, Coachella

Rock Bloggin’: God Speaks to Billy Corgan, Tells Him to Post Ramblings on Public Forum

Billy Corgan loves this country. He doesn’t just love this country, he LOVES this country!! (The exclamation points his, not ours). In an enormous blog (or as BC calls it “Blob”) post on the Smashing Pumpkins Web site, Corgan waxes poetic about everything from Uncle Sam living in a timeshare in Trinidad to Epcot Center in Orlando to why his band doesn’t play that many Siamese Dream songs in concert. In a mere 1,156 words, Corgan manages to say everything and nothing at the same time in a bizarro stream-of-consciousness blur that would rival James Joyce’s Ulysses were it a tad more, you know, literary. Making the labyrinthine post more confusing is the strange visual aids Corgan intersperses throughout the text. A picture of the Statue of Liberty in a snow globe (a nod to Zeitgeist’s cover?), a twenty-four minute YouTube video about Disneyland, and a photo of the puck commemoratively being dropped before an empty Colorado Avalanche/Phoenix Coyotes hockey game. Corgan does make momentary sense when he confronts a fan’s question regarding the lack of Siamese Dream songs on the setlist, to which Corgan replies: “’this is not a reunion tour’ … if one was to listen to Siamese Dream from a particular perspective, you might hear me at age 25 or so struggling with how to escape my past! How ironic that that same struggle should now become part of my current struggle for autonomy … the current SP is designed to live on happily, strongly, proudly, and boldly…there is no other way that I can see to water the flowers properly … we choose life, and the love of the moment for the song we choose to sing …” Which is roughly Corgan-speak for: we’re not playing Siamese songs because we’re on tour promoting Zeitgeist. You had ample time to purchase Siamese, now go buy our new one. But wait, it gets stranger. Corgan proudly tells those still reading that “God talks to me,” putting himself in the same weight class as Jesus, evangelists and all those haggard guys we see on th

Published: 2007-10-16 Provider: Rolling Stone Keywords: Rock News