Kurt Cobain writes on Converse Shoes

Converse have gone and decided to completely take themselves to their all-time lowest level. As part of their 100 year Anniversary special, Converse in conjunction with the Kobain Estate, have decided to produce pairs of low and high top one-stars with Kurt Kobain's writings printed all over them. Even Kobain's other 'white girl', Courtney Love, has given the green light to produce them.

Surely if Converse had any sort of imagination, they would have made these in a range of colours such as gunmetal grey, suicide red or sugar brown to certify that these really were the shoes Kobain wore when he took his life. Surely, if he were alive today, Kurt would never sell out and have allowed such a monstrosity of a marketing ploy to have taken place. If he were alive to see this, he probably wouldv'e taken his life before these shoes hit the streets.

At Music Universe we love you Kurt. We will spit on anyone caught wearing these shoes. Period.

We hope Converse go bankrupt over this. Clearly they are taking Kurt's lyrics "Rape Me" too literally.

Angus and Julia Stone return home

Sydney's latest and hottest brother/sister duo, Angus and Julia Stone, have announced their national tour in June performing in venues which reflect the growing popularity of this amazing duo.

From the Enmore Theatre in Sydney to the Forum Theatre in Melbourne and City Hall in Hobart, it is certainly a step up from the more intimate venues we are accustomed to seeing them perform.

Angus and Julia Stone will return home from the UK after having spent most of March supporting Newton Faulkner on his sold out tour performing to over 20,000 people and also opening for David Gray in Manchester.

In Australia, Angus & Julia Stone also just finished up at The Blues Festivals around the country and the album “A Book Like This” has already sold 50,000+ albums.

Tickets for Angus and Julia’s June tour will go on sale Thursday, April 10.

ANGUS AND JULIA STONE JUNE TOUR

Tuesday, June 10 - Lake Kawana Community Centre, Sunshine Coast

Wednesday, June 11 - Tivoli Theatre, Brisbane

Friday, June 13 - Gold Coast Arts Centre

Saturday, June 14 - Byron Cultural & Community Centre

Sunday, June 15 - Byron Cultural & Community Centre

Wednesday, June 18 - Enmore Theatre, Sydney

Thursday, June 19 - Newcastle City Hall

Friday, June 20 - Regent Theatre, Wollongong

Saturday, June 21 - Hobart City Hall

Sunday, June 22 - The Saloon, Launceston

Thursday, June 26 - The Forum Theatre, Melbourne

Friday, June 27 - Thebarton Theatre, Adelaide

Saturday, June 28 - Octagon Theatre, University of WA

http://www.angusandjuliastone.com/

The Thrills return to Australia

Irish indie/rock band, The Thrills, formed in 2001 in Dublin with their big break came with their debut album 'So Much for the City' which became an Irish number one. The band’s second album, 'Let’s Bottle Bohemia', enjoyed similar success to the band’s debut, largely on the back of the single “Whatever Happened to Corey Haim?”. Their sound seems like it just washed off the beaches of California. Simply serene.

Their third album 'Teenager' is their latest and was released mid last year and have waited until now to bring their show back to Australia with shows in Brisbane, Melbourne and Western Australia plus an appearance at the Come Together Festival in Sydney.

Tickets go on sale Wednesday, April 2

THE THRILLS JUNE AUSTRALIAN TOUR

Wednesday, 4 June - The Zoo, Brisbane
Friday, 6 June - The Hi Fi, Melbourne
Saturday, 7th June - Come Together Festival, Luna Park, Sydney
Tuesday, 10 June - Amplifer, Perth
Wednesday, 11 June - Fly By Night, Fremantle
Fri 13 June - Settlers Tavern, Margaret River

www.thethrills.com

The Bravery tours Australia

With the full lineup announcement for the We Love Sounds Winter Festival expected this week, another of the 2008 tour’s headliners has been slipped (!!! were the other), with New York electro-rockers The Bravery set to feature. They’ll also take in sideshows along the east coast.

The Bravery initially broke through in 2005 with their crossover hit ‘An Honest Mistake’. The band were famously dissed in the press by Brandon Flowers, the notoriously outspoken frontman of The Killers, who claimed they were nothing more than a carbon copy of The Killers’ synth-rock sound.

This will be The Bravery’s second Australian tour, having not visited since 2005. In that time they’ve released two new albums, ‘The Sun And The Moon’ and remix LP ‘The Sun And The Moon Complete’, so there’ll be a stack of fresh material for them to debut to local crowds.

The Bravery headline show dates:

Thu 5th Jun – Melbourne, Corner Hotel
Fri 6th Jun – Sydney, Metro
Tue 10th Jun – Brisbane, The Zoo

www6.thebravery.com/thebravery/home.php

!!! to tour Australia again

!!! (or Chk Chk Chk) is returning to Australia to perform their radically funked up shows again.

With ten members touring this time around, !!!'s live shows has the crowd sweltering before they've even played a single note. Their sound is a mutant blend of raw funk, rock, punk and electronica, whilst never quite conforming to any of those tags. !!! toured only last year, but they’re not the kind of act whose antics get old fast…

!!!’s 2008 tour is presented by Civil Society, and includes both festival slots on the We Love Sounds circuit and more intimate theatre gigs. Check out all the dates below.

Sat 31 May – The Bakery Artrage Complex, Perth
Thursday 5 June – Rocket Bar, Adelaide
Friday 6 June – We Love Sounds, Brisbane
Saturday 7 June – We Love Sounds, Melbourne
Sunday 8 June – We Love Sounds, Hordern Pavilion/ Royal Hall Of Industries/ The Forum & Surrounds, Fox Studios, Sydney

www.chkchkchk.net

Powderfinger 'Upstairs at the Downstairs' tour this June

Yes people, they are back once again. Powderfinger have announced that they are heading back on a tour around Australia with the 'Upstairs at the Downstairs' tour. As well as this, the band are asking the fans to vote for the set list!!

Each show will be split into two hit-filled sets - one acoustic followed by a second rock set. The band are asking people to vote online for both set lists. To make this even more special, the band will be playing at intimate venues across the nation.

One of the fingers, Darren Hanlon stated earlier that Powederfinger are "trying a concept we've never done before on a tour. One of our main focuses for this tour is to make it a little more personal and have more interaction with our fans and what they would like to hear us play. Hence, they're choosing our set list...we will be at their mercy."

Tix go on sale to the general public on April 11th. Tix for fanclub members go on sale on the 10th. The band will be supported on this tour by 'Whitley'.

Dates:
Fri Jun 6th - Lake Kawana Centre, Sunshine Coast QLD
Mon Jun 9th - Tivoli, Brisbane QLD
Wed Jun 11th - Enmore Theatre, Sydney NSW
Fri Jun 13th - The Forum, Melbourne VIC
Tues Jun 17th - Thebarton Theatre, Adelaide SA
Thurs Jun 19th - Metro City, Perth WA

www.powderfinger.com

Jay-Z blamed for poor Glastonbury ticket demand

Emily Eavis has stuck up for Glastonbury headline act, Jay-Z, reporting that he’s not to blame for the lower than usual demand for ticket registration.

Many festival goers are allegedly non plussed by the line up, and Beyonce’s fella in particular, which also includes, The Verve, and Massive Attack.

The world famous festival has been criticised in recent years for its middle aged appeal, rather than giving the kids what they want.

The organisers admit that demand is lower than usual, but that could be due to last years poor weather and muddy event.

When news emerged that the demand was lower than expected at the ticket registration phase, it prompted a mass flurry by those thinking it would be easier to register.

www.theglastonburyfestivals.co.uk

The Kooks release double album - 'Rak'

To mark the release of their new album 'Konk’ on April 14th The Kooks have announced details of a special limited edition double album 'Rak’ which will be released on the same day.

'Rak’ will comprise of two discs; the full studio album 'Konk’ on one, and a second featuring seven new songs recorded live in one day at Rak Studios in North West London, plus an acoustic version of album track 'See The Sun’ and a home demo of Luke Pritchard performing new track 'Brooklyn’. All tracks are exclusive and available for the first time ever for a limited period. The tracks at Rak were recorded with Mike Crossey (Arctic Monkeys, Coral, Zutons).

'Konk' tracklisting:

1. See The Sun

2. Always Where I Need To Be

3. Mr. Maker

4. Do You Wanna

5. Gap

6. Love It All

7. Stormy Weather

8. Sway

9. Shine On

10. Down To The Market

11. One Last Time

12. Tick Of Time

Plus 'Rak' tracklisting:

1. Watching The Ships Roll In

2. Eaten By Your Lover

3. No Longer

4. Fa La La La La

5. Nothing Ever Changes

6. By My Side

7. Hatful Of Love

8. See The Sun (Alternate Version)

9. Brooklyn (Home Demo)

The Kooks will release 'Konk’ on April 14th on Virgin Records, preceded by their new single 'Always Where I Need To Be’ on March 31st.

http://www.thekooks.co.uk/

Panic At The Disco to tour Australia

Panic At The Disco will perform their first major tour of Australia in August.

The band will play key venues such as Sydney's Acer Arena and Melbourne's Rod Laver Arena on the tour.

The Las Vegas band has just released its second album 'Pretty.Odd'. It is the follow-up to the debut 'A Fever You Can Sweat Out' which was written and recorded when the band members were only 17 years old.

The support band for all shows will be The Academy Is…

Tickets go on sale on April 15.

Dates are:

Wednesday 20 August Brisbane Entertainment Centre
Friday 22 August Acer Arena, Sydney
Saturday 23 August Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne
Monday 25 August Adelaide Entertainment Centre
Wednesday 27 August Burswood Dome, Perth
Saturday 30 August Vector Arena, Auckland

http://www.panicatthedisco.com/

Coldplay 4th album announced

Coldplay's 4th studio album has been christened 'Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends'.

The band has announced the title at their official website.

A statement at the site dated March 19 reads 'Album should be finished by the end of this week. I'll write up the tracklisting once we've finally decided what it's going to be."

Coldplay will have a midyear release for the new record.

www.coldplay.com

Lily Allen wanted by Jermain Defoe

Guess which English soccer star is pursuing Lily Allen because he is obsessed with her womanly curves?

We had a list of at least 100 players........including the culprit, Jermain Defoe of Portsmouth Football Club.

The 'Smile' singer - who split from Chemical Brothers star Ed Simons in January after suffering a miscarriage - has been "bombarded" with phone calls from Defoe, who is known for his success with women.

A source close to the Portsmouth star told Britain's Daily Mirror newspaper: "Jermain is done with skinny blondes and thinks curvy Lily would be perfect. He thinks she is the perfect mix of ghetto and posh, and he also likes her curvy ass too."

However, 22-year-old Lily is said to have her eye on someone else - 'Harry Potter' star Rupert Grint.

Good luck Jermain - seems like some really stiff competition.

www.mirror.co.uk/

Michael Stipe admits to being gay

Well, we all knew this already, but finally Michael Stipe has come out of the closet - publicly.

The R.E.M frontman has never felt the need to publicly discuss his sexuality before, but thinks now is the right time to do so.

He said: "It was super complicated for me in the '80s. I was totally open with the band and my family and my friends and certainly the people I was sleeping with. I thought it was pretty obvious.

"I didn't always see that. But I see now, of course that's the case, of course that's needed. I'd just never felt strongly enough about a particular relationship to say, 'Yeah, he's my boyfriend, that is what it is.'

"Now I recognise that for public figures to be very open about their sexuality helps some kid somewhere."

Michael, 48, also revealed he feels much more comfortable about his writing ability now he is older. The singer started his career writing about himself but now realises he can connect with his audience without baring his soul.

He added to Spin magazine: "There are songs I wrote in the past that were gender-specific. '7 Chinese Brothers' was about me breaking up a couple - and then dating both of them, a man and a woman, which is a terrible thing to do, but I was young and stupid.

"At the time I was writing about what I knew, and what I knew was myself. I found out I'm not that kind of writer. I think I'm better when I write about things that are not me."

Raconteurs release follow-up album

Jack White's side project, The Raconteurs (Sabateurs), are ready to release their second album which will be available next week. 'Consolers Of The Lonely' will be available next Tuesday (March 25) on all formats. The 14-track album is the follow-up to 2006's critically acclaimed 'Broken Boy Soldiers'.

Once the mastering was completed, the band decided to rush release the album with March 25 being the first available date. The Raconteurs denied that the quick release was to prevent internet leaks and confirmed that the band would promote the album in due course.

"In the event that the record leaks, we didn't want this method of release to be seen as a reaction to such a leak.It's not. The actual worst thing about a leak is the usual poor sound quality, akin to watching a movie on a wristwatch instead of in a theatre. Which for the album's creators is a bit of a letdown, but again, it is completely up to the listener."

The band also expressed their desire for fans to download the album as a whole if they chose the digital format rather than purchasing individual tracks.

"The band also prefer that fans buy the album as a whole instead of breaking up the tracks, but until iTunes and other digital services allows bands to release their albums with the option of not breaking it up, it will be sold in that fashion on those particular sites."

www.theraconteurs.com

P Diddy denies killing Tupac Shakur

P Diddy has strongly denied a report in the Los Angeles Times that he was responsible for the 1994 robbery and shooting of Tupac Shakur at a New York recording studio, and that he knew about the attack which was methodically planned.

"The story is a lie," the hip-hop mogul said in a statement Monday. "It is beyond ridiculous and completely false. Neither (the late rapper Notorious B.I.G.) nor I had any knowledge of any attack before, during or after it happened.

"I am shocked that the Los Angeles Times would be so irresponsible as to publish such a baseless and completely untrue story."

The Times said its story was based on FBI records, interviews with people at the scene of the 1994 shooting.

www.latimes.com

Alex Turner covers David Bowie on new EP

Alex Turner's new band 'The Last Shadow Puppets' will include a David Bowie cover.

The band which also features friend Miles Kane, from The Rascals, release their debut single next month with a n album to follow.

"The Age Of Understatement" will be the first single released on April 14. Ive heard it a few times and its very Arctic fast-paced style. It's addictive.

The b-side is a version of Bowie's "In The Heart Of The Morning" and "Wondrous Place", originally recorded by Billy Fury.

An album of the same name "The Age Of Understatement", is slated for an April 21 release.

www.ageoftheunderstatement.com

....Trail of Dead set to release album in September

As the dust settles on the Interscope Records break up, ,And You Will Know Us By the Trail Of Dead have signed with German label Superball Music for their European releases.

The Texas band are currently in the studio recording a new album, slated for a September 2008 release.

A US label deal announcement is expected after SXSW, when the band are to embark on a series of European tour dates.

www.trailofdead.com

Muse set to quit making albums

Muse have revealed that they are to stop recording albums.

Frontman Matt Bellamy said: "I don't think we're going to approach the next album like we're making an album... we're just gonna make a load of music."

This suggests that Black Holes And Revelations, could be their last conventional album release instead opting for a more singles led release schedule.

Speaking to NME Bellamy said: "I like the idea of releasing a series of songs, every month or every couple of months - just putting songs out there.

"Almost like making the single a more prominent format and then every few years doing a 'best of' from that period and that would be the album.

"So in other words, throw out songs every couple of months and see how people like them, and whichever ones people like, stick that on a record of 11 tracks."

He added that Warners still had to approve the plans.

Should the move go ahead it will be another revolutionary development in the way music is released.

www.muse.mu

Arctic Monkeys release 3rd album in 2008

Sheffield lads, Arctic Monkeys, are on track to release their third album this year.

The follow up to 'Favourite Worst Nightmare' is well under way in a secret London location.

A 'source' told the Daily Star: "A lot of people were surprised to see Arctics at the Brits as it's usually the kind of event they steer clear of. The reason they went is because they've been down in London working on new material and fancied a night off to relax.

www.arcticmonkeys.com

The Subways set to release 'All Or Nothing'

The Subways are poised for a sensational return this year when they release their second album 'All Or Nothing’ on June 16th.

The album, produced by Butch Vig (Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins, Sonic Youth), will be preceded by the singles 'Girls And Boys’ (March 25th - download only) and 'Alright’ (June 2nd) as well as 2 nationwide tours of intimate club venues.

Track 'Girls And Boys’ will be available free to download at www.subways.net from March 25th. The download will then be available from selected websites on March 31st.

www.thesubways.net

You aint cool if you aint listening to these....

Peter Moren - Social Competence (member of Peter, Bjorn & John debuts solo release)



The Notwist - Good Lies (new single from upcoming album 'The Devil, You + Me)



The Kooks - Always Where I Need To Be (acoustic version of new single from new album 'Konk')



Tapes 'n Tapes - Hang Them All (new single from new album 'Walk It Off')



Guillemots - Kriss Kross (a single off their recently released new album 'Red')



Death Cab For Cutie - I Will Possess Your Heart ( from new album 'Narrow Stairs' due out May)



Yael Naim - Paris (amazingly beuatiful song in hebrew from this french-israelie girl)



Hayden - More Than Alive (new single off this great Canadian singer's 5th album)



Hercules And Love Affair - Blind (ft. Antony Hegarty from Antony & The Johnsons)

Radiohead release 'Nude' as second single

The second single to be taken from "In Rainbows" is "Nude" and will be released March 31st by XL Recordings.

The 7' will feature the b-side '4 Minute Warning', while the CD will be carry the track 'Down Is The New Up'.

Both songs were only previously available on the limited edition 'In Rainbows' box-set.

To coincide with the the release, Radiohead will also be giving fans the chance to remix Nude with details announced soon.

http://www.radiohead.com/

NME magazine finished?

The New Musical Express (NME) awards at London's O2 Arena should have heralded a new lease of life for the indie rock weekly but backstage at the lavish award show media rumours of dropping circulation figures emerged.

After seeing Klaxons, Bloc Party, Kaiser Chiefs and Manic Street Preachers take to the stage the magazine's circulation figures for the second half of 2007 paint a different picture.

Currently averaging 64,000 per issue they have hit an all time low.

Recent years have seen NME diversify online, on TV, at festivals and branded tours, and industry insiders speculate the mag could be nearing its end in its current format.

Pnau 'We Are Back' tour coming April

Pnau have just been given the thumbs up from Elton John and we do too. So its time for you guys to do the same. After an award-winning album, massive media exposure for their hit 'Wild Strawberries' and a raucous set at BDO 2008, Pnau are setting out on the "We Are Back" national tour.

Thursday April 3rd - The Great Northern, Byron Bay NSW
Friday April 4th - The Met, Brisbane, QLD
Saturday April 5th - Coolangatta Hotel, Gold Coast QLD
Wednesday April 9th – University Of Canberra, Refectory Hall. ACT
Thursday April 10th - Wollongong University Bar, Wollongong NSW
Friday April 11th - The Enmore Theatre, Sydney NSW
Saturday April 12th - Panthers, Newcastle NSW
Thursday April 17th - Pier Hotel (21st Century Nightclub) VIC
Friday April 18th - Billboard Nightclub, Melbourne VIC
Saturday April 19th - Uni Bar, Tasmania University, Hobart. TAS
Sunday April 20th - Groove Is In The Park Festival Rymil Park, Adelaide. SA
Wednesday April 23rd - Amplifier, Perth WA
Thursday April 24th - Metropolis Fremantle WA

http://www.pnau.net/

The Klaxons to record in Italy

The Klaxons are heading to Milan to work on a spaghetti Western inspired follow up to their debut album.

'Myths Of The Near Future' won the Mercury Music prize and also landed Klaxons with Best Album gong at last week’s NME Awards. Now the boys are off to Italy to work with Ennio Morricone. The legendary Italian composer has written scores to some of the most famous films of all time including 'A Fistful Of Dollars' and 'The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly'.

Keyboard player, James Righton, is hoping some of his spine-tingling magic will rub off on the nu-raver’s second album. He said: "We’re all huge Morricone fans. He recorded most of his scores in a studio in Milan so, that’s where we’re heading.'We’re going to start recording in May."

They intended to start work on their new collection much earlier, but lack of preparation meant they had to blow out big name producers. James added: "We had something booked in with Tony Visconti, but we weren’t in the right place when that was scheduled so we had to postpone it."

http://www.klaxons.net/

Stereophonics to tour Australia

With their sixth album 'Pull The Pin' now located in every music store, Welsh rock mainstays Stereophonics are again visiting Australia.

The band has been making music since 1996, however, they took time out in 2006, after vocalist Kelly Jones admitted exhaustion with the “album-tour-album-tour” cycle. According to Jones, 'Pull The Pin' has made them refresehd. “I think we’ve achieved the best parts of the band over the last ten years on one record,” he writes. “The energy captured reminds me of when we started. It is the sound of a band happy to be back together.”

Stereophonics are currently in the midst of an exhaustive world tour, including a string of arena dates in England culminating with the UK V Festival. Ten years after their first visit to our shores, it’s time to welcome the boys back in April/May.

Tickets go on sale Monday 17 March.

Stereophonics bring their 'Pull The Pin' tour to Australia on the following dates:

Wednesday 30 April – Metropolis, Fremantle
Friday 2 May – The Forum, Melbourne
Monday 5 May – The Metro Theatre, Sydney
Tuesday 6 May – Newcastle Panthers
Friday 9 May – The Arena, Brisbane

http://www.stereophonics.com/

The Panics 'Don't Fight It' tour 2008

The 2007 J Award winners, The Panics, have had a sensational time recently. Their third album 'Cruel Guards' debuted in the ARIA Top 20, consolidating the band’s passionate fan base. As for their lead single, 'Don’t Fight It', it muscled into the Top 10 of the Triple J Hottest 100.

To show the world how it’s done down under, the Perth-bred boys are heading overseas for a run of dates including SXSW in Austin, Texas. Straight off the plane, the Panics will then embark on the 'Don’t Fight It Australian tour' in April and May, playing a range of shows.

Here’s where you can catch The Panics on their national rounds. Tickets are on sale now.

Wednesday, 23rd April – Showroom Country Club, Tasmania
Thursday, 24th April – University Of Tasmania, Hobart
Saturday, 26th April – Tanks Art Centre, Cairns
Thursday, 1st May – Great Northern Hotel, Byron
Friday, 2nd May – Currumbin Sound Lounge, Gold Coast
Saturday, 3rd May– Tivoli Theatre, Brisbane
Sunday, 4th May – The J, Noosa
Wednesday, 7th May – Newcastle Uni Bar, Newcastle
Thursday, 8th May – Wollongong Uni Bar, Wollongong
Friday, 9th May – Metro Theatre, Sydney
Saturday, 10th May – ANU Bar, Canberra
Wednesday, 14th May – Barwon Club, Geelong
Thursday, 15th May – Peninsula Lounge, Moorooduc
Friday 16th May – Prince of Wales, St Kilda, Melbourne
Saturday, 17th May – Corner Hotel, Melbourne
Sunday, 18th May – The Governor Hindmarsh, Adelaide
Saturday, 24th May – Capitol Bar, Perth

www.thepanics.com.au

The Dead 60s split

The Dead 60s have announced that they have split.

The Liverpool ska-rock four-piece confirmed the news on their official website. Apparently the decision to "call it a day" was taken at Christmas.

The message reads: "Some of you may have heard the news by now, The Dead 60s are no more. We decided to call it a day just after Christmas."There's no big story, no falling out between us. We just felt like the band had run its course, time for us all to branch out and try other things."

The band released a self-titled debut album in 2005, which featured four top 40 singles, including a wiked song 'Riot Radio'.

Their 2007 single release 'Stand Up' reached a meager number 54. A follow-up LP 'Time To Take Sides' was scheduled to be released later this year and as yet there is no word as to their plans for the album.

http://www.thedead60s.com/