Regina Spektor Further Postpones Shows

It turns out the vertigo Regina Spektor suffered recently while on tour in Nashville will take longer than expected to pass. "Unfortunately, according to her doctor, the infection may take many more weeks to clear, and the vertigo episodes will randomly continue to occur throughout her healing process," explains an update on the singer's site. Spektor has responded by once again postponing her remaining shows.

Those four shows (in Nashville, Atlanta, Norfolk, and Richmond) will now take place next year, though when exactly remains to be revealed.

Thanks to Lance Conzett for the tip, and get well soon, Regina. [MORE...]

Regina Spektor Collapses Before Nashville Gig
Nashville, Atlanta shows rescheduled

According to a report in Tennessee's Dickson Herald passed along by several alert readers, singer-songwriter Regina Spektor collapsed last night (November 14) in Nashville before a stop on her previously announced tour in support of Begin to Hope. Pitchfork contacted Spektor's publicist, who shared the following statement:

"Last night in Nashville, TN, following her sound check at The Ryman Auditorium, Regina Spektor was taken to a local hospital after collapsing due to a severe inner ear infection which caused a sudden case of vertigo. Regina was released late last night and is resting comfortably. Regina is extremely disappointed that she had to cancel on her fans but will return to The Ryman on December 6th, where all tickets will be honored or refunded."

Word on the status of Spektor's remaining tour dates (including tonight's show in Atlanta) is expected later today. Get better, Regina!

UPDATE: Spektor has postponed her Atlanta show tonight (November 15) until December 5. She plans to continue the rest of the tour as scheduled, beginning November 16 in Norfolk, Virginia.

In other Spektor news, she's got that new 7" and a track on the Dan in Real Life soundtrack, plus she'll pop up on TV January 12 as part of "Austin City Limits". [MORE...]

Soulwax Roughed Up by Bouncers in Liverpool

It was a typical club night in Liverpool this past Friday, November 2. A dance-oriented band-- Soulwax-- on stage at the Nation venue, a crowd cutting it up on the floor, and, in between, a bunch of those beefy bouncer dudes. Yet something ran afoul that night, and for reasons that aren't entirely clear, a pack of these security guard types swarmed the stage during Soulwax's set and forcibly removed the band.

A Liverpool Daily Post report cites a number of eyewitness accounts from the event. "There were bouncers standing at the front of the stage making people stand about a meter back because someone got manhandled," described one concert attendee. "The lead singer [Stephen Dewaele] stopped the music and asked the bouncers to let the people come forward.

"One bouncer saw red and jumped on to the stage and waved another couple of bouncers on to the stage, at which point they muscled in and the drummer was pushed over."

The resulting melee was captured on a couple camera-phones and posted on YouTube. The quality leaves something to be desired, but both videos appear to show Soulwax-- the four skinny guys in white-- being roughed up to what would seem an unreasonable degree by a fair number of big dudes in dark clothing.

In one video, you can see a member of Soulwax being pushed across the stage by a bouncer. A second video captures the chaos from a much closer vantage point. If you watch closely (check the vidcap above as well), you can see a hand-- presumably belonging to Soulwax drummer Steve Slingeneyer-- reaching up from the ground. The dense crowd, clearly miffed, also booed the proceedings intensely before erupting into chants of "Soulwax! Soulwax!"

It would seem no one was seriously injured, as Soulwax have pressed on with gigs since the scuffle. Meanwhile, the Daily Post report indicates that Chibuku-- which hosted the club night-- has launched an investigation into the incident. Both Soulwax and Chibuku have also issued statements, which are reprinted after the jump.

Many thanks to reader Nicolas Dalias for the tip.

Undeterred, Soulwax will continue soldiering on with a number of appearances in the coming weeks. Catch them in South America this week. [MORE...]

Roisin Murphy Injures Eye Socket at Moscow Gig

Poor Róisín Murphy! Seems the UK dance-pop chanteuse was Overpowered by a derelict stage prop during a performance in Russia this past weekend. While treating fans at Moscow's Ikra Club to Overpowered jam "Primitive" on Saturday, October 27, Murphy hit her head on a chair and had to be rushed to a hospital.

As the statement from Murphy's camp puts it, she "severely damaged her eye socket." Thankfully, she's now back in the UK and recovering, and "despite [a] serious concussion and losing a lot of blood, her vision is unimpaired."

Murphy has had to cancel at least a week's worth of gigs, including upcoming performances in Warsaw, Berlin, and Prague. Other European dates-- beginning November 3 in Munich and wrapping up November 24 in Hamburg-- are on for the moment, but may be nixed depending on Murphy's condition. UK and Ireland dates thereafter, however, "should be unaffected."

Murphy hopes to reschedule the cancelled dates before the end of the year. [MORE...]

"Severe Illness" Tanks Underworld Tour

2007 hasn't been terribly kind to Underworld. While this year has allowed the UK electronic duo to release its latest opus and first album proper in five years-- Oblivion With Bells-- it also left member Rick Smith injured in a riot, and has now dealt the band another fateful hand: according to a statement from Underworld, the remainder of their European Oblivion tour is off.

"It is with great regret that we have had to pull out of the European leg of the current Underworld tour due to severe illness in the band," reads the statement. "More details will follow, but in the meantime, we appreciate your patience and understanding."

It is unknown at this time whether the "severe illness" in question is connected to Smith's riot injury.

The cancelled dates, recounted below, would have begun October 26 in Munich and wrapped up November 10 in Ghent, Belgium. A run of late November dates in Asia is still on for the moment. [MORE...]

Report: Mastodon's Brent Hinds' Head Injury a Result of Fight With System of a Down Bassist
"Hinds took off his shirt and hit Odadjian with it, then struck Hudson in both the face and chest, prompting Odadjian to advise Hinds 'to relax' several times."

Sadly, it looks like the post-VMAs head injury Mastodon guitarist/vocalist Brent Hinds suffered in the early morning hours of September 10 may have been more his fault than previously imagined.

According to a Las Vegas Weekly report by Aaron Thompson, Hinds' injuries ("brain hemorrhaging, a broken nose, and two black eyes") were the result of an altercation between him, System of a Down bassist Shavo Odadjian, and another musician, William Hudson.

Thompson cites a Las Vegas Metro police report "based on firsthand accounts and corroborated by hotel-security video footage" in describing "an inebriated Hinds...leaving Mandalay Bay [Hotel and Casino] around three a.m. when he encountered Odadjian and musician William Hudson at the hotel's west valet area. Hinds took off his shirt and hit Odadjian with it, then struck Hudson in both the face and chest, prompting Odadjian to advise Hinds 'to relax' several times.

"The police report then indicates both Odadjian and Hudson punched Hinds in the face, knocking him to the ground. An unidentified friend of Hinds, who reportedly witnessed the event, rushed to the musician's aid and apologized to Odadjian and Hudson, saying Hinds was 'just drunk.'

"No charges had been filed at press time, though the police report lists Hudson as a 'suspect,' facing a possible charge of 'battery with substantial bodily harm.' The police report lists Odadjian as a 'witness.'"

When asked for a response to the Las Vegas Weekly story, Mastodon's publicist said, "Brent has begun writing and wants to just put all this past him for the moment."

As we passingly mentioned in a story about Queens of the Stone Age's Anthony Bourdain holiday special, Hinds is recovering well from his injuries. According to Thompson's report, he was released from University Medical Center of Southern Nevada on Friday, September 14.

Fire Breaks Out at Austin City Limits, Several Injured
Update: Now with photo!

According to reports on Austin360.com and the website of Austin network KXAN, a fire broke out in a trailer at the Austin City Limits Music Festival in Zilker Park this afternoon, injuring two people critically and wounding several seriously.

The blaze, which KXAN reports was caused by exploding propane tanks, consumed the structure around 2:30 p.m. (central time), sending a tall cloud of black smoke into the air. It apparently spread to other trailers and several portable toilets as well.

Pete Yorn's set on the nearby AT&T stage was suspended as fire trucks and rescue personnel rushed across the grounds. According to Austin360.com, Yorn resumed around 2:55 p.m. and emergency officials had the blaze under control by 3:10 p.m.

Thanks to several readers for the tip.

Austin City Limits kicked off today and, barring further incidents, will run through Sunday, September 16. Just be careful out there, okay guys?

UPDATE: Here's a photo of the fire, taken by Kyle Gustafson.

Mastodon's Brent Hinds in Hospital After VMAs Injury

Photo by Lyndsay Siegel 

Mastodon guitarist and vocalist Brent Hinds [above right, with Motörhead's Lemmy, center, and bandmate Brann Dailor, left] is receiving treatment in a Las Vegas hospital after suffering what the band's management called "a severe head injury," according to a report from Blabbermouth.net and confirmed by Mastodon's publicist. Hinds sustained the injury following Mastodon's performance of "Colony of Birchmen" (with Josh Homme) on the MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday, September 9.

While it might be easy to crack wise about MTV or the VMAs in conjecture about what actually happened (unsubstantiated rumor via Blabbermouth is that the injury is the result of "a brutal assault"), the truth is that Mastodon is one of the most thrilling live bands I've had the pleasure of seeing, and they also happen to be very professional and incredibly nice people. So here's hoping for a speedy recovery for Brent.

They may not be too keen on the city after this incident, but Mastodon's lone remaining tour date this year is in Las Vegas at the Vegoose Festival on October 27.

Morrissey Still Ill, Postpones More Shows
This just in, body rules mind

Photo by Paparazzi by Appointment

A hale and hearty Morrissey-- thought fit to take the stage following a nasty little throat infection, some postponed gigs, a doctor's visit, a presumed clean bill of health, and a Letterman appearance-- has shelved his touring aspirations again following a performance last night at Vienna, Virginia's Wolf Trap. It seems Mr. Morrissey is... wait for it... still ill.

Thus far Moz has postponed tonight's show at the Rams Head in Baltimore The status of his remaining tour dates remains unclear at this time, although an announcement is expected soon. and two more dates this week in New Jersey. He hopes to return to the stage July 7 in Boston.

According to a press release from tour promoter Live Nation, Baltimore-based Smiths/Moz tribute Girlfriend in a Coma will entertain folks who happen to trek out to Rams Head tonight unawares. It's a free gig and it's open to the public, so if you still haven't made holiday plans, there you go. Tickets for tonight's Moz gig will be honored at the rescheduled date, however.

Moz's proposed dates lie ahead, although it should be stressed that more may be postponed at the doctor's orders. [MORE...]

Trainwreck Riders in Car Crash

Man, what a lousy weekend it was for bands in vans! First Jana and Ray, and now, San Francisco-based alt-country act the Trainwreck Riders. While in Fort Worth, Texas, on Saturday night, the boys were victims of a crash caused by a drunk driver. Though there were no major injuries to speak of, the band has been forced to cancel the rest of their tour and head home to regroup.

The Riders are no strangers to misfortune on the road-- remember what happened the last time they were in Texas?

According to a post on their website, this is how it went down:

For those of you who have not heard (or maybe you have, and that's why you're here), we were side-swiped by a drunk driver late Saturday night / Sunday morning (6/24). Our van was flipped and rolled. Luckily (miraculously), the van itself and our equipment took the worst of it. As far as we can tell, we did not sustain any serious injuries - various scrapes and bruises, a broken arm, maybe a rib - sticks and stones stuff mainly. We feel very lucky to have been able to walk away from this sort of accident. The drunk driver was caught a few miles down the road.

We are bummed to announced that we will likely have to cancel the rest of our US tour with the Black Diamond Heavies. We appreciate the Heavies' understanding and support - their kind wishes, more than appreciated.

We are currently headed home to San Francisco, where we will spend some time to gather ourselves and maybe heal up a bit.

A genuine thank you to all who have taken an interest in our well-being, and rest assured, we will do our best to make it back on the road as soon as possible.

The band is accepting donations to replace their banged-up gear and so forth via Paypal at trainwreckriders@yahoo.com. They should be rested up for a mid-September set at their hometown Treasure Island Festival. [MORE...]

Richard Lloyd Hospitalized, Quits Television
Television R.I.P.?

Photo by Godlis

Sad news on several fronts from the camp that brought you Marquee Moon and some three decades of on-and-off rock excellence. Television guitarist Richard Lloyd-- having already announced his intentions to leave the band-- has been hospitalized for nearly a month now with pneumonia.

As of a June 1 posting on Lloyd's website, the man had been in an intensive care unit at an unspecified hospital for eight days. "This has responded to treatment and he has shown some improvement and is now free of the breathing apparatus," the post said.

Lloyd had revealed prior (in the third person) that his June 16 performance with Television at Central Park SummerStage would be his last with the band. Another Lloyd-signed post read, "After the possible SummerStage show, Richard Lloyd will, after 34 years, be amicably severing all ties with the band Television, in order that he may concentrate his magnetic force and supernatural energies upon his own career in support of his forthcoming record, due out in the fall."

Lloyd did not, however, appear this past weekend with Television. According to several reports, Television frontman Tom Verlaine disclosed during the band's set that Lloyd is still in fact in the hospital.

It remains to be seen whether Lloyd-- provided he receives a clean bill of health anytime soon-- will wish to reschedule his last hurrah with Television, or simply move on and focus on his own band, the Sufi Monkeys.

As Lloyd would have it, however, Television would be kaput after this weekend.

"To the fans of Television," wrote Lloyd in his valedictory message, "from the very first show at the townhouse Theatre on March 4, 1974 till the hopeful last show here in New York at the SummerStage...thank you for your support over these many years. I hope to see you follow both my own and the other members of the band in their own solo efforts for many more years to come."

Thanks to reader Asif Siddiqi for the tip.

Underworld's Smith Injured During Festival Riot

Photo by Perou

Pioneering electronic dance group Underworld were forced to cancel their performance alongside Madness and the Beastie Boys at the Ejekt Festival in Athens, Greece on Saturday, June 16 after member Rick Smith was injured as a result of a riot that broke out at the festival.

According to a press release, 30 masked individuals identified as "anarchists" and armed with tear gas, iron bars, and baseball bats stormed the site of the festival during the Beastie Boys' performance around 11:20 p.m. The group burned cars, damaged property, and forced authorities to evacuate the stadium, seriously injuring several people, including Smith, in the process.

Smith was hospitalized in Athens, but he has since returned to the UK for further treatment. All signs from the Underworld camp seem to point toward a full recovery on his part in time for the rest of the group's summer tour dates.

Thanks to reader Steven Beijer for the tip.

Underworld are also preparing a new album for a fall release, when they will make their way to the U.S. They have only announced three U.S. dates so far, but more are forthcoming. [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.)