Author: Slicing Up Eyeballs

Video: R.E.M.’s Mike Mills covers Billy Bragg’s ‘Sing Their Souls Back Home’ for Voice Project

Video: R.E.M.’s Mike Mills covers Billy Bragg’s ‘Sing Their Souls Back Home’ for Voice Project

During a break from sessions for R.E.M.’s next album, Mike Mills contributed a cover of Billy Bragg’s ‘Sing Their Souls Back Home’ — off the agit-folkie’s 2008’s album ‘Mr. Love & Justice’ — to The Voice Project.

Vintage Video: The Cure plays early version of ‘A Forest’ with alternate lyrics on French TV

Vintage Video: The Cure plays early version of ‘A Forest’ with alternate lyrics on French TV

We mark this week’s 30th anniversary of The Cure’s ‘A Forest’ single with this rare 1979 performance on French TV, which features Robert Smith singing entirely different lyrics to a revved-up version of the band’s classic track.

Milestones: R.E.M. turns 30 today; band made live debut April 5, 1980, at St. Mary’s Church

Milestones: R.E.M. turns 30 today; band made live debut April 5, 1980, at St. Mary’s Church

Thirty years ago today, R.E.M. played its first-ever concert — reportedly billed as Twisted Kites — performing to several hundred friends and Athens townsfolk at a birthday party inside St. Mary’s Episcopal Church.

New releases: David Byrne/Fatboy Slim, Robyn Hitchcock; Squeeze, Colourfield reissues

New releases: David Byrne/Fatboy Slim, Robyn Hitchcock; Squeeze, Colourfield reissues

This week’s new releases include new albums from David Byrne & Fatboy Slim (‘Here Lies Love,’ about Imelda Marcos) and Robyn Hitchcock (‘Propellor Time’), plus expanded reissues from David Bowie, The Colourfield and Squeeze.

Playlist: Sirius XM’s ‘Dark Wave,’ 4/4/10

Highlights from tonight’s ‘Dark Wave’ on Sirius XM’s 1st Wave include a rare selection from Die Warzu (‘Never Again’), Depeche Mode’s greatest B-side (‘Dangerous’) and a one-off 1989 industrial-dance single from the long-forgotten Gruesome Twosome (‘Hallucination Generation’). Plus, the playlist actually ventured outside of the ’80s, offering ’90s and ’00s cuts from The Cure (‘Burn’), Love and Rockets (‘Sweet F.A.’) and Bauhaus (‘Black Stone Heart’).

Video: Front 242’s ‘Moments in Budapest’ DVD

Video: Front 242’s ‘Moments in Budapest’ DVD

Pioneering EBM act Front 242 this month will release ‘Moments in Budapest,’ a live DVD filmed on Dec. 6, 2008, in Hungary at the tail end of the Vintage Tour, during which the group resurrected their old ’80s analog sequences. Watch the trailer here.

Tears for Fears set summer North American tour following Spandau Ballet trek

Following their upcoming dates opening for the reunited Spandau Ballet in Australia, Tears For Fears will return to North America late this summer for a headlining tour of their own, with at least 17 dates announced so far in the Eastern U.S. and Canada — including a pair of free concerts.

Crowded House releasing ‘Intriguer’ in June; 28-date North American tour to follow

Crowded House releasing ‘Intriguer’ in June; 28-date North American tour to follow

The second post-reunion album from Crowded House — dubbed ‘Intriguer’ — will be released this June under the band’s new deal with Universal Music, and will be followed by a lengthy, 28-date tour of North America beginning in July.

Video: Beck’s Record Club, with St. Vincent and Liars, covers INXS’ ‘New Sensation’

Beck and his Record Club crew, featuring members of St. Vincent, Liars and Os Mutantes, cover ‘New Sensation,’ the second track off INXS’ 1987 blockbuster ‘Kick.’ The ad-hoc group gives the hit single a dreamy, acoustic makeover, complete with violin and vocals from St. Vincent’s Annie Clark and Liars’ Angus Andrew.

Video: Robyn Hitchcock’s 8-song in-store performance, interview at Amoeba Music

Video: Robyn Hitchcock’s 8-song in-store performance, interview at Amoeba Music

Record-nerd mecca Amoeba Music this week posted video of skewed singer-songwriter Robyn Hitchcock’s eight-song, 37-minute in-store performance at the indie chain’s Hollywood megastore, as well as a 10-minute interview segment with the musician.

Buzzcocks to play ‘Another Music,’ ‘Love Bites’ on 22-date North American tour

Buzzcocks to play ‘Another Music,’ ‘Love Bites’ on 22-date North American tour

Classic punk outfit Buzzcocks today announced a 22-date North American tour later this spring that will find the band tearing through its first two albums — ‘Another Music in a Different Kitchen’ and ‘Love Bites’ — in their entirety each night, plus ‘other hits.’

Video: Bad Lieutenant’s ‘Sink or Swim’ remix

Bad Lieutenant, featuring New Order’s Bernard Sumner, last week issued ‘Twist of Fate,’ the second single off its 2009 debut, ‘Never Cry Another Tear’ — and now have offered up a video for one of the remixes of its first single, ‘Sink or Swim.’

Video: Jane’s Addiction makes public debut with ex-Guns N’ Roses bassist Duff McKagan

Video: Jane’s Addiction makes public debut with ex-Guns N’ Roses bassist Duff McKagan

The members of Jane’s Addiction this week effectively confirmed one of the worst-kept secrets in rock: namely that former Guns N’ Roses bassist Duff McKagan has replaced original member Eric Avery, who earlier this month left the band for the second time.