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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There’s always been a shroud of mystery around the iconic Detroid garage rock band [tag]White Stripes[/tag], as they’ve always kept a bit to themselves. Today’s no different, and to continue to the string of fan intrigue, that spans from illness to sex to photography, those Whites sure love to build up tension. Here’s what they’ve posted on their website and MySpace page, earlier today:

“The White Stripes have just filmed an exciting new video and recorded three never before heard original songs (with a special collaboration) and one unique new version of a song from their latest album Icky Thump.”

There’s no news at to when this, most likely, mini EP or video, for the unknown untitled song, will be released, as the men managing the Stripes haven’t leaked a single thing. However we’ll keep you posted, with the latest update.

After releasing a stellar album in the form of Because Of The Times, at the beginning of the year, the Followill quartet are already planning a follow up. The band is currently extensively touring the US, after which they’ll head to UK, before flying to the more sunny shores of Australia. In this extremely busy schedule [tag]Kings of Leon[/tag] manage to write new songs as well, and according to the eldest brother, drummer Nathan Followill:
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As you most probably know a while ago the White Stripes were forced to cancel 2 months worth of touring, due to drummer’s Meg mysterious severe anxiety illness. Speculations always fallow mysteries and New York Magazine has come up with 10 reasons that would cause her breakdown. Enjoy !

1. The cleaners keep washing her whites with her blacks and reds.
2. Difficulty of remembering drum part to “Seven Nation Army.”
3. The emotional scarring of having accidentally married her brother.
4. Exhausted from constantly having to talk Jack out of regrowing his mustache.
5. Kanye West not winning a single award at the VMAs — seriously, what was that?!
6. Secretly wants to wear orange, just once.
7. Jack’s insistence on recording the next White Stripes album with just a megaphone and a wax cylinder.
8. Upset about Vulture’s review of the band’s MSG show. Whoops!
9. Wants to try one of her songs for a change.
10. Is actually a great drummer; sick of holding self back to fit Jack’s idea of primitivism.

Now that was loads of fun!

Yesterday [tag]White Stripes[/tag] fans everywhere had been disappointed by the shocking announcement that the band was forced to cancel it’s US tour dates, due to Meg White’s acute anxiety issues that renders her unable to travel. Now the rest of the tour has been scrapped as well, as it can been seen at the WS website. “The White Stripes have canceled all remaining tour dates through the end of the year. This includes all dates in the UK this fall.”

Let’s hope for a fast and refreshing recovery for Meg. Canceled dates after the jump:

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Yesterday morning it was announced that sadly [tag]White Stripes[/tag] weren’t gonna be able to perform at this weekends 15-16 September Austin City Limits Festival due to unpublicized ‘health issues’ affecting Meg White. Guess all that touring had to leave some marks.

A few hours later a press statement was released on whitestripes.com, clearing what the so called ‘health issue’ was and revealing even more sad news for fans. Read on and you’ll know what I’m talking about.

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Artist name: Black Lips
Album name: Good Bad Not Evil
Label: Vice Records
Gender: Alternative Rock/Garage Rock
Release date: September 11, 2007
ZMErating: 7.5/10
Website: http://www.myspace.com/theblacklips

The term of garage rock revival seems to get tossed around a bit easily, few bands really follow up to their label so to speak, but a band of witty post-teenagers that jams in dark basements to Stooges songs, such as early [tag]Black Lips[/tag], might deserve their tag line. Although far from their early garage days, self named “flower punk rockers” Black Lips still convey those influences in their music, namely in their past four albums. Now at record number five the Atlanta quartet have decided to make a more accessible album, targeted at a broader audience, not just their native southern brethren, filled with vintage southern vibes and filth rock songs.

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When he’s not snorting lines of cocaine, [tag]Pete Doherty[/tag], makes, or at least tries, to make music, good one even. His band, [tag]Babyshambles[/tag], is set to release their second album called “Shotter’s Nation“, on October 23 in the US, via ASTRALWERKS Records. It will be interesting to see if Pete’s band can at least match the success of their debut album; alas many people don’t credit them with much chances and regard this upcoming effort with skepticism. I don’t share their opinion and believe this new album will be quite good actually,  check out their great upcoming first single Delivery and see why.

The Pete Doherty fronted band [tag]Babyshambles[/tag] have just reveled the artwork for their latest single “Delivery“, due to be released on September 17. The cover features a painting depicting teenaged genius poet Thomas Chatterton, by famous pre-Raphaelite painter Henry Wallis. Apparently Pete Doherty was always intrigued by the young poet’s work, who died a tragic death, after he committed suicide at age 17, to escape death by starvation. via NME.

[tag]The Fiery Furnaces[/tag] is a Brooklyn based indie rock band, consisted of two very talented siblings: Matthew and Eleanor Friedberge. A real great band which i’ve been digging for a while now, but which most people confuse it for a [tag]White Stripes[/tag] look-alike, because of the similar garage rock/blues sound and also because Jack and Meg White were considered brother and sister(they’re actually a divorced couple). That’s entirely not true, their a very solid and great band, with distinct influences that every band experinces, but which is very unique. “Navy Nurse” is a great track of their upcoming sixth LP “Widow City”, due on October 9. The track opens up with a aggressive drum barrage and Jimmy Page like riffage, but which is soon followed by an assembly of flout, keys, and percussions, which together with Eleanor Friedberge’s dynamic and emotional vocals make it a must listen.