[tag]Art Brut[/tag] and its sophomore release, It’s A Bit Complicated, have certainly been one  of my favorites this year, but I was really blown away when I started watching their live gigs on the telly and on the web. I myself haven’t ever attended in person one of their live shows, but apparently the band are making it possible for me to finally see them in the flesh, as they’ve announced the venues and dates of their forthcoming 2008 European tour. No love for the US fro now.

Before  hitting the UK at the end of January, Art Brut will embark on a short trek in the outback, where they’ll be playing starting from December 15th, until the 19th, when they’ll play their last gig in Australia. Art Brut tour dates after the jump.

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Ok, we admit, we got rick rolled. Apparently the highly publicized albumsix.com website that has sprung up news alleging [tag]Weezer[/tag] will be releasing its sixth album, is all a big lie, hoax, banana oil, bunco, con or plain old bull****. The dudes behind the website admitted they never believed things would go so far and expected the band’s official to close their mouths, but nothing happened. A few days ago they debunked Weezer’s new album, together with its false title Tout Ensemble and false schedule on April 22.

“Weezer and Geffen Records have no affiliation with www.albumsix.com. The new Weezer record is not called “Tout Ensemble” and there is no official release date yet for the album.” - Rivers Cuomo, Weezer

Ouch! There’s really nothing more embarrassing for journalists then a chain of false information, if it’s about something big like a new Weezer album, then it can turn into a total domino catastrophe. Still this doesn’t mean that there isn’t really any sixth Weezer album in the works, as mister Cuomo kindly puts it “there’s no official release date.” Think twice before posting guys, goes double for me too.

Photo: Christie Walsh

I knew the Whites had a thing for read, but their taking it to a whole new level in their new video, for the Corky Robbins-penned “Conquest.” Here, Jack is a matador in a hispanic arena, dueling a really bad ass bull. Soon Jack and the bull embark in a deadly dance of blood as he dodges and repeatedly stabs the oversized cow. Jack is however a man with a big heart and can’t manage to give the killing blow to it’s helpless victim, as the bull pulls the old puppy dog eyes trick; but it’s all just a trick, the charming matador lets his guard down and soon “the hunted became the huntress and the hunter became the prey.” Decent video, but we’d expect more from such a high budget.

Although he’s been the frontman for one of the grunge pioneers with Soundgarden,before the early ‘90 hard rock bum and also the lead singer for one of the most iconic rock groups of the new millenium Audioslave, [tag]Chris Cornell[/tag] feels better riding alone.

According to him “I am in a situation where I can kind of spontaneously make decisions and do whatever I feel like doing,” he says. “Any future ideas in terms of recordings or collaborations I want — it’s all kind of materializing. I’m finally realizing anything is possible.” And I though my teens was a rough time, having a rough time with those forties Chris?

Apparently Chris is in top shape from all points of view and since he’s been soling he’s been terribly energetic and motivated. Lately he announced that he’s reached a creative climax and is hard at work, writing new songs. “It’s very exciting for me [to be able to put out music quicker],” he says. “I already have plans to do different projects and release different things over the next six months and over the next year.”
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Their initial reunion shock hype has died off a bit, so it’s a good thing the band’s taking it a step at a time, with new updates each week. Feels like a soap opera already. This week [tag]My Bloody Valentine[/tag]’s manager has announced the band intends to pull a Radiohead-wise stunt and release, their much awaited followup to the classic 1991 “Loveless,” as a digital download.

Don’t expect a freebie though, according to manager  Vinita Joshi, MBV will release the predicted 2008 release as digital download, but you’ll have to pay for it a fix amount of money, just like you’d do with any other retail record. Still it wouldn’t surprise me too much if the band decides to make “pay what you think its worth” policy, their religiously faithful fan base is sure to provide the band with a good deal. Their label would have a big word to say here though.

“At the moment, all I can say is that Kevin is getting the band back together and they will go into the studio next month to work on the new record,” says MBV’s London-based manager Vinita Joshi, referring to notoriously reclusive singer/guitarist and bandleader Kevin Shields. “The plan is that they will release the album themselves via the Internet, but there will also probably be a vinyl release.”

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Last week we were all syked, when [tag]Weezer[/tag] finally revealed some details regarding their sixth studio effort, announce a definite release date for April 22. Now, the band’s bassist Scott Shriner, broke a bit of tension by responding to a few albumsix related questions and announcing the record’s official name: “Tout Ensamble.” Which, from my limited knowledge, I believe is French for “all in all’” or something like that, if any one’s got a better translation, let it rip. The musketeerish title is based on the fact that all of the band’s members will each get to sing lead vocals on Tout Ensamble. This should be interesting.

“I have never been so excited about a project in my life,” bassist Scott Shriner says. “Weezer fans truly have something to look forward to. The entire band has accomplished some of its most challenging goals as a group and as individuals. It’s all coming together on this album.”

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A few weeks ago Vegas native [tag]The Killers[/tag] revealed their latest single, in the form of Joy Division cover, titled “Shadowplay.” Since then their efforts have been dismissed as very poor, not nearly enough delivering to the expectations that came with such a ambitious cover. Today, the video for Shadowplay premiered over at Spinner, featuring Brandon Flowers and company interwoven with scene’s from the recent critical acclaimed Ian Curtis biopic, Control.

Yesterday the Irish quartet announced their much awaited (well 16 years i quite a lot) reunion tour,  that is scheduled to take place this summer, starting from June 20. Sadly a lot of fans’ surprise, the band only announced 3 gigs.

Alas due to high demand, [tag]My Bloody Valentine[/tag] has come to its senses and has announced 4 more gigs, that oddly enough are scheduled in the same venues, as the original 3. Looks like I’m not the only one who hates packing …

Dates and venues after the jump.

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Most of the rock scene was in shock last week, after the [tag]My Bloody Valentine[/tag] frontman Kevin Shields announced that the band will be reforming and not only that, but will be releasing a new record soon as well. The interview was conducted by Ian Zvenonious, in a really casual manner at a local London pub, as part of vbs.tv’s Soft Focus series. Head over to the official Soft Focus page and check out the full interview with master Shields, where among others, he discussed about the MBV reunion, the upcoming album, originality and plagiarism, the band’s sound and a lot of other interesting stuff.

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Last week the [tag]White Stripes[/tag] mad a mystery press release on their website, announcing that they’ll be releasing a few brand new tracks, a secret collaboration with a big artist and a new music video. Well I have to admit that the whole thing’s been bugging me this week, but luckily before I had any chance to deviate into paranoia, the Whites reveled their secrets. Firstly the mystery collaborator is none other then uber producer [tag]Beck[/tag], with whom the Detroit duo have recorded three new songs, in Mr. Hansen’s livingroom. As for the video? Well some of you will laugh, but the video is for “Conquest,” where Jack White is set to play a bullfighter…

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