October Spawned a Monster

England’s High Court has granted Morrissey permission to pursue his libel suit against NME for what he claims is a defamatory interview from 2007. Mr Justice Tugendhat stated that Morrissey’s claim is a ‘very serious one’ considering the wide audience that NME’s publication reaches.

Morrissey’s claim against NME began in 2007 after the interview was initially published, and although he’s been criticized for not following up with the suit since 2008, his lawyers have cited that a lack of help from his former management is the cause of the delay.

Although a trial has not been scheduled, it is not likely to take place before next summer.

“Virginal Plight” – Anne

Portland quartet Anne explore a slightly more visceral edge of the sonic rock spectrum with their latest track “Virginal Plight.” The song, which will appear on their 12″ entitled Dream Punx (a389 Records), departs from the silver-winged clarity of their shinier pop songs, but never loses its identity. Unmistakably Anne, the track dips moodily and angst-filled through dimly lit, reverb-rich halls.

More details for preorders for Dream Punx available soon.

Guided by Voices Stream New Track

In anticipation of their upcoming full-length, Guided by Voices is streaming a new track – “The Unsinkable Fats Domino” – on Robert Pollard’s website. The song, available as a 7″ single through Matador on November 22, will be on their 2012 LP Let’s Go Eat the Factory.

The album will be the first since 1996 to feature the “classic” lineup of Robert Pollard, Tobin Sprout, Greg Demos, Mitch Mitchell, and Kevin Fennell. It will be available on the band’s GBV, Inc. label in North America.

The Art of Music, the Music of Art

John Squire, guitarist for Stone Roses and creator of their Pollock-inspired album art, boasts a full gallery of artwork. He also admits a penchant for the Jesus and Mary Chain, which found a way into his art as well. On the subject of creating album covers for Stone Roses, Squire admits:

I was also listening to a lot of Jesus And Mary Chain at the time and wanted to emulate some of their sounds and also express it visually and the splatter paints seemed the best way to do it.

Visit Squire’s complete gallery at john-squire.com.

The Closer I Get… to Suing NME

Lonely high court judges are now deliberating over whether or not Morrissey has the green light to sue NME for a 2007 interview he claims portrayed him as racist. He is quoted to have said during that interview:

The gates of England are flooded. The country’s been thrown away… Although I don’t have anything against people from other countries, the higher the influx into England the more the British identity disappears.

Racist? Perhaps not, but the stigma has tarnished his character ever since. In 2008, he donated money to Love Music Hate Racism. Then in 2010, he was rebuked for having called the Chinese a “subspecies” in reference to their practices of animal abuse.

The more you abhor me…

Stone Roses Announce Future Shows

During today’s press conference, the Stone Roses announced that their reunion is official and their first two shows will take place next year in Manchester on June 29th and June 30th in Heaton Park. Tickets for those shows will go on sale this Friday at 9:30 a.m. (BST). Visit the Roses’ official website for more details.

In addition to next June’s Manchester shows, the Stone Roses also announced that they’re planning a world tour and writing new material. When The Guardian asked if the new material would culminate in a new album, Ian Brown could only hope that it would, adding that the Roses would “ride this until the wheels come off, like we did last time.”

M83 Debut “Midnight City” Video

M83′s U.S. debut of the “Midnight City” video features some students from Professor Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters lashing out and casting a city into what may or may not be perpetual darkness.

Stone Roses to Reunite?

It’s no secret that the Stone Roses have a long-standing feud between them. It’s also no secret that the friends-turned-foes just may become friends again for a reunion tour and follow-up album to 1994′s Second Coming.

After a Friday announcement from The Sun, rumors – fueled by commentary from Shaun Ryder and Tim Burgess – built over the weekend that the original Stone Roses lineup will come together for a press conference tomorrow to outline their plans for shows next year.

Joey Santiago Talks About Pixies With Slicing Up Eyeballs, Appropriately

In a recent interview with 80′s college rock blog Slicing Up Eyeballs, Pixies guitarist Joey Santiago revealed speculative details about ideas for a Surfer Rosa album tour, possibly recording a new Pixies album, and how you should never admit your band was influenced by Pixies if you want him to listen to your music.

Thulebasen – “Monster”

I happen to know one of the coolest DJs in San Antonio. And one of the perks of being in that particular situation is that quite often, he sends me links to videos and songs I might not have ordinarily discovered.

One particular link was to a video released this June by Danish band Thulebasen. Starting as a solo project in 2001 and releasing a critically acclaimed debut in 2008, Thulebasen is now a functional three-piece that has shifted from avant-garde experimentalists to something a bit more tangible.

Crunchy guitars, unexpected melodies, unforgiving drums, and a shimmering veil of vocals wedge this song in the subconscious somewhere between a memory and imagination.

Future rock is here.