Morrissey Seeks California Love on Tour

Sure, it's only three shows. And they're all in the same city, at the same venue, on three consecutive nights. But this is Morrissey we're talking about, people, and the name alone is reason enough for whole lot of folks out there to get batshit excited.

So here we have it, the reprise to Morrissey's 2006 U.S. excursions, a three-date stint at Pasadena, California's Civic Auditorium. Expect jams from last year's Ringleader of the Tormentors, expect old favorites from the Moz and Smiths back catalogues, except much swooning, and expect boyfriends to propose to their girlfriends (and vice versa) during the mandolin swell on "Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want". I mean, who could refuse that?

Of late there's also been quite a bit of chatter about the possibility of Morrissey recording the UK's entry for the 2007 Eurovision Song Contest.

As a playful Moz told a London crowd last May (as quoted on NME.com), "I was horrified but not surprised to see the UK fail again in the Eurovision Song Contest, and there is one question I keep an asking: 'why didn't they ask me?' That question keeps going round my head."

Taking the joke further, Morrissey's "You Have Killed Me" video depicts the charismatic singer performing in the song contest circa 1970.

But it seems most of that Eurovision chatter is haberdash. While the BBC has admitted to inviting Morrissey to partake, according to a recent story in The Independent, the former Smiths frontman is not likely to accept. "He has certainly had an invitation," a representative from Sanctuary Records told the paper, "but we think it is unlikely he will be taking this forward."

In related news, the previously reported, Moz-centric photo exhibition "Irregular Regulars" is now showing at New York City's Team Gallery. Featuring Ryan McGinley's candid shots of the pope of mope and his congregation in action, it remains open though February 10. Spazz out enough at those upcoming California gigs, Moz-ites, and you just might make the next exhibition. [MORE...]

Subtle Make Plans With TV on the Radio, Launch Tour

Despite a $15,000 robbery last month, Subtle haven't given up on touring. Lucky for them, they've been tapped to open TV on the Radio's March tour, and TVOTR are sure to have some big, bad, burglar-beatin' Interscope bodyguards in tow, right?

Before joining TVOTR, however, Subtle have their own trek to attend to. The jaunt begin this evening in Pomona, California.

Subtle have an East Coast visit in the works for late March, as well as a stop at SXSW. In addition, they plan to make the European festival rounds this summer. [MORE...]

Drag City Brings Boris' Rainbow to U.S.
And at the end of the rainbow, there's a pot of, um, pot

Japanese metalmongers Boris are continuing their collaborative tradition-- most recently realized on the Sunn 0)))-assisted Altar-- with the U.S. release of Rainbow, a full-length collaboration with guitarist Michio Kurihara (Ghost, Damon and Naomi, the Stars, etc.). Pedal Records recently released Rainbow in Japan, and Drag City will bring it to the States on May 15.

Boris will head out a short Japanese tour with Isis and These Arms Are Snakes at the end of January before their Rainbow release party in February. In May, they will tour Japan again with Sunn 0))). [MORE...]

? of ? & the Mysterians Loses House, Valuables to Fire
Four Yorkies, cockatoo, "96 Tears" gold record perish in Michigan blaze

We suspect he cried a few more than 96 tears: the man known only as ?, of influential 1960s garage rock troupe ? & the Mysterians, lost his home and most of his possessions in a fire last week, according to several reports.

The blaze overcame the Clio, Michigan house-- where ? dwells along with manager Luverne Thompson and Mysterians background vocalist Joy-- overnight, claiming most of ?'s possessions, four of his seven Yorkshire Terriers, and a cockatoo. Also lost was a considerable amount of the band's history, in the form of memorabilia-- including the gold record ? and his band received for their 1966 hit "96 Tears".

Still active to this day, ? & the Mysterians are perhaps best known for that song, "96 Tears" (which carved a nice niche at #120 on Pitchfork's 200 Greatest Songs of the 1960s), as well as "Can't Get Enough of You Baby" (not, in fact, a Smash Mouth original).

? (whose birth name is believed to be Rudy Martinez) did not have insurance, prompting an outpouring of support from fans near and far, according to a writeup in The Flint Journal. "The phone's been ringing off the hook," ? said to the paper.

Plans for a benefit concert are already underway, and as ? told the Journal, he has high hopes: "Maybe we can get Bob [Seger] to take a break from his [tour] and have Mark [Farner] come in, Kid Rock, Uncle Kracker, Eminem, whoever's available."

According to The Flint Journal, ? & the Mysterians are already scheduled to play Detroit's Winter Blast festival on February 9.

If you'd like to help, please get in touch with the band via its MySpace page.

Bonnie "Prince" Billy Preps New Single

Bonnie "Prince" Billy might want to ease on down the road a bit, as he's been overexerting himself lately. Will Oldham's previously reported "Lay and Love" CD/7" hasn't even landed yet (it's due in the UK January 22 via Domino and January 23 in America on Drag City) and he's already got another release on the way.

"Strange Form of Life", the fourth single from last year's The Letting Go, comes out on Drag City on March 15. In addition to the title track, the disc also includes three cuts recorded during Oldham's Daytrotter session last September: "New Partner", "The Sun Highlights the Lack in Each", and "The Seedling".

Oldham kicks off a UK tour on Sunday with his backup band (Azita Youssefi, Aram Stith, Alex Nielsen, Emmett Kelly, Dawn McCarthy). McCarthy alter ego Faun Fables serves as the opening act for the trek, which continues through mid-February. Oldham then heads to Europe for a solo trek in March. [MORE...]

Ninja Tune/Big Dada Prep Diplo, Wiley, Bug Releases
Also Coldcut, Cinematic Orchestra, Blockhead, Fink, Mr. Scruff, more

True to its namesake, albums and singles on the Ninja Tune label(and offshoots Big Dada and Counter Records) appear stealthily and in droves. So stealthily, in fact, that TTC's 3615 full-length already slipped under our radar with its January 8 release on Big Dada.

But there are still plenty of Ninja Tune-affiliated artists who have yet to release their music. We already told you about Amon Tobin's January 22 "Bloodstone" single and its corresponding full-length, Foley Room, which comes out on March 5.

Keep in mind that all Ninja Tune/Big Dada/Counter release information is for the UK and Europe only. North American release information may be different.

Ninja Tune will also release the Cinematic Orchestra's "To Build a Home" and "Breathe" singles-- February 26 and April 9, respectively-- and follow them with the Ma Fleur full-length on May 7. Then, DJ Kentaro's forthcoming album Enter-- which features contributions from Spank Rock, the Pharcyde, Fat Jon, Gaggle, and New Flesh-- is scheduled for an April 26 release, with the Spank Rock-featuring "Free" single preceding it on April 2.

The Bug will also join in the fun by "continuing to explore his obsession with bass frequencies in the world of mutant dancehall" on his own upcoming Ninja Tune album and "Jah War" single, according to a press release. [MORE...]

Junior Boys Remixed by Hot Chip, Prep EPs, Tour
iTunes Live Session EP out today

As our holiday highs come down, Junior Boys have just the thing to send them through the roof again. The sublime Canadian electronic duo, whose So This Is Goodbye clocked in at #12 on our Top 50 Albums of 2006 list, has just announced the release of a new EP packed with choice remixes-- including one from UK tourmates and fellow electro-pop sensation Hot Chip.

Details on the remix EP are scant at this point, but we do know it's slated for April release on Domino, and that the U.S. and UK versions will each sport slightly different surprises.

Much nearer on the horizon for our dear Boys: an iTunes live session EP, out today, featuring four JB deep cuts-- including a killer live version of "Under the Sun" from the Boys' debut, Last Exit. If you caught a show on the duo's recent tour (in trio formation, with drummer David Foster), you know this one sounds like that sun is pretty much melting your vital organs with its intense rays, and shit damn is that awesome. Cop that here.

And rest assured, patrons of iTunes UK. The EP goes live next week over thataways.

If you've yet to experience Junior Boys live, however, here's your chance. The pair kicks off 2007 on the good foot, launching a tour of Western Europe in February that has them hitting pretty much everywhere but Luxembourg. They should swing through the U.S. again soon after that, details to be announced.

Finally, it's not too late to submit your entry for the previously reported Junior Boys video contest-- but be wary, the March 1 deadline looms sooner than you think. [MORE...]

Slint Rock Spiderland at Primavera Sound Festival
Joined by Modest Mouse, Low, Built to Spill, Grizzly Bear, Band of Horses, Dirty Three, more

Holy great mother of music festivals, do we have a lineup for you. Barcelona, Spain's Primavera Sound just announced the first round of performers for its 2007 event-- going down May 31 and June 1 and 2 at Barcelona, Spain's Parc Del Fòrum-- and it's enough to make a scrawny young hipster want to start swimming across the Atlantic Ocean right now.

The bands here, chosen in conjunction with All Tomorrow's Parties (whose own Dirty Three- and fan-curated fests rock England in April and May), need no introduction: Slint, Modest Mouse, Built to Spill, Low, Grizzly Bear, Dirty Three, the Durutti Column, Isis, Band of Horses, Brightblack Morning Light, Death Vessel, Oakley Hall, and Pelican. Well okay, maybe the last four are a little lesser known, but regular Pitchfork readers should be all over that stuff.

Best of all: post-rock titans Slint will play their magnum opus, Spiderland, in its entirety. Slint! Spiderland! Exclamation points!!

And that is, as they say, but the tip of the iceberg: Primavera Sound intends to announce loads more acts in the weeks leading up to the festival.

Special thanks to Pop Muzik's Xavi Guasch for the tip-off.

Postal Service Cheat on USPS-- With UPS!

Now, honestly, we're not ones to gossip over here at Pitchforkmedia.com, but OH. MY. GAWD. You won't believe who we saw together during the Bears game this past Sunday!! (Aside: GO BEARS).

Being superfans of the Postal Service, our ears perk up whenever snippets from Ben "Hollywood" Gibbard and Jimmy "Dumb Luck" Tamborello's heartfelt electro-pop project slip into movie trailers and such (Zach Braff = hottie 2 teh maxxx!!), so of course we were at full attention when those warm, opening chords from "Such Great Heights" came wafting through our cathode ray tubes Sunday afternoon.

Ben and Jimmy get around, sure, but here's the kicker: the tune served as the backdrop in a commercial for-- you won't believe this-- UPS!!! As in, the United Parcel Service? As in, like, the chief rival of the real postal service, the USPS??

As any discerning gossip-hound knows, the Postal Service and the USPS have been going steady ever since they kissed and made up after all that cease-and-desist hoopla. They even talked about cross-marketing campaigns, which can only mean it was true love.

So what on earth are Ben and Jimmy doing with this UPS tramp? I mean, UPS gets around all over the world, if you know what we're saying. And UPS is the first to admit that it's fast. Catch our drift? We tried reaching those players in the Postal Service for comment, but no such luck.

If you still don't believe us, just click here (and select TV Spots) for all the cold, hard, brown-hued evidence you need. The Postal Service even soundtrack the UPS website!

So okay, maybe we're jumping to conclusions here. Maybe the Postal Service and the USPS are taking a break, or maybe they're in an open business relationship? Rest assured, once we get the skinny in all its scandalous glory, we'll totally pass you a note during study hall.

Stones Throw Releases Retrospective Comp

The esteemed Stones Throw label will release its second tenth anniversary-related compilation in less than six months on January 23. The first disc of the simply named Stones Throw: Ten Years two-CD set features contributions-- some of which are previously unreleased-- from Madlib, J Dilla, Madvillain, Yesterdays New Quintet, Aloe Blacc, Charizma, and label head Peanut Butter Wolf. The second disc is a J. Rocc mix of the tracks (except for Funkaho's "Bootay") in a slightly altered order.

We aren't quite sure what Funkaho did to deserve being cut, besides having a really stupid name. [MORE...]

Sonic Youth Tour Japan with Vooredoms (Boredoms)
Godzilla: "Will you kids please keep it down? I'm trying to get some work done here."

Noisemakers of the world unite, for the mighty Sonic Youth have announced their first 2007 tour dates, and they include a trio of Japanese shows with the similarly mighty Boredoms, under their Vooredoms moniker. The band starts out in Northampton, Massachusetts on Valentine's Day, hits Mexico after a brief East Coast run, and journeys to Japan in April.

Earplug vendors, you've been warned. [MORE...]

Do you have a news tip for us? Anything crazy happen at a show you attended recently? Do you have inside info on the bands we cover? Is one of your favorite artists (that's not somebody you know personally) releasing a new record you'd like to see covered? You will remain completely anonymous, unless we are given your express permission to reveal your identity. (Please note that publicists, managers, booking agents, and other artist representatives are generally exempt from this rule, but will also be granted anonymity if requested.)