Quasi - American Gong

Portland prime-movers Quasi release their eighth album on Monday 22nd Feb in the UK (23rd in U.S). The album, American Gong, is their first as an official three-piece, Joanna Bolme of The Jicks now being a fully fledged member.

American Gong finds the group shredding their way through eleven tracks, only stopping briefly to adjust their amps, flick the hair back from their eyes, and delve into country melancholy on The Jig Is Up, before bellowing through Black Dogs & Bubbles and personal album highlight, the anti-bond theme pomp of 'Death Is Not The End'.

Speaking honestly, i'd only heard of Quasi through their Malkmus or Elliott Smith links (they backed Smith on early records and subsequent tours) and though its taken eight albums for me to find them, i'm definitely on board now...effortlessly pop oriented but unafraid to smash the shit out of their instruments to convey the emotions of their compositions, Quasi will be coming over to take part in the much aniticipated Pavement re-union shows as well as playing a few dates of their own.





UK Headline tour

25/05 Freebutt, Brighton, UK
26/05 Hoxton Bar and Grill, London, UK
27/05 Night & Day Cafe, Manchester, UK
28/05 The Captains Rest, Glasgow, UK

Check out some sneak previews of American Gong tracks at their website here

Pavement

Record Store Day - Limited editon 'Quarantine The Past'

Yes were mad about Pavement, we literally wet oursleves when we heard they were reforming and weve got an interview on the cards, if your getting bored of this stuff, then tough!

Another reason to get your hands into your pockets on this years Record Store Day (April 17) is news that Pavement will release an exclusive version of career retrospective 'Quarantine the Past'.

A shiny spangled double vinyl edition featuring a silkscreen cover designed by the band themselves as they undertake their comeback tour.

Jay-Z, Thom Yorke and Pavement! Coachella 2010 Line-Up Announced

Today Coachella Festival has announced the line up for the 2010 event, held in California's Coachella Valley.

The music festival is known for its all conquering line up and ability to coax retired alt rockers such as Jesus and Mary Chain out of retirement, although apparently Morrissey still isn't returning their calls...

For most of us its a dream away from the reality of Leeds/Reading Festival, ironic campfire shouting matches and being burned alive in your tent at four in the morning by a looting party. But we can dream...