We've been contacted by some of our friends and members of the Excellent community who've been affected by the disaster in Southeast Asia. These fantastic folks have urged us to put up information on how to donate to the tsunami relief effort, and we're more than happy to. There are many good organizations out there raising funds, and here are just a few you can choose to support:

The American Red Cross
UNICEF
AmeriCares
Oxfam
Network For Good

Meanwhile, the folks at MoveOn.Org are running a petition drive to ensure that the U.S. government does everything in their power to assist in the relief efforts. To learn more about their petition and to sign on, click HERE.

We just wanted to pop on and express our sympathy and support for any of our Asian friends who may have been affected by today's earthquake and subsequent tsunamis. Our hope and hearts are with you guys as you try to sort it all out. You're in our thoughts.

It's been a somewhat interesting weekend in Paris, as Carl Barat may have finally put THE LIBERTINES to bed.

It's been no secret that this has been a trying year for The Libertines, given that co-founder Pete Doherty has been MIA from the Libs for pretty much the entire year. Barat soldiered on with the rest of the band, doing promotional tour stops in support of the band's self-titled sophomore album.

This weekend's gig in Paris was long-rumoured to be Barat's final gig under the Libertines' moniker (barring the unlikely return of a rehabilitated Doherty.) Barat seemed to hold true to his word, telling music journos and the crowd that the Libs were through.

However, the news that no one was expecting came not from the Libertines, but from P.J. HARVEY, who was also on board for the Parisian gig. Polly Jean shocked the crowd by announcing simply, "This is the last show I will ever play." Whether she's retiring from recording or from simply the live arena has yet to be explained.

Meanwhile, addled former Libs co-frontman Pete Doherty ended his BABYSHAMBLES tour on the same night in the usual fashion -- that fashion being not showing up, not taking the stage, and causing fans at the London Astoria to riot. This comes after last week's shambolic performances where, at one point, security had to drag a near-incoherent Doherty off-stage in a headlock.

Congratulations are in order for friends-of-excellent KOALA. After being the first to offer their tunes for our various compilations many years in a row this UK foursome have released their debut cd this week on Co-Pop Records. They've created a fabulous mini-site for the new record, Do Not Be Afraid where you can hear sample tracks, view specifics on the artwork, watch videos, find out where to buy the record and more.

I'm not exactly a non-biased reviewer... so best to point you towards some of their positive press:

"Koala demonstrate so many different sides to them; the political, glam, sensitive, subtle, violent, and all the songs are well written and intelligent, sometimes even satirical. This one is really worth a listen: and make sure you don't just jump around but listen to the words too. 9/10" - Scan Music

"it's yobbish beach boys harmonies and inspired bubble gum-dumb 'blockbuster' choruses' make it worth checking out. it's like a mixture of slade, silver sun, super furries, sweet and flaming lips." - Rough Trade

How would you like to be in the most successful animated band on the planet? (To be fair... I can't say the competition is that tough after all Josie and the Pussycats and the like haven't been drawn in ages). Gorillaz are searching for a new bandmate and are offering web surfers the exclusive chance to "Get Yer Skills Out!". From the mouth of the toons...

We are looking to shine a light on brand new talents, and are asking people from all creative fields to send in submissions. Entries could be anything from animations, musical, sickly off-cuts, brief sketches, film scenes, caught-on-cameras clips, out-takes, voice-overs, bits of unused footage, whether humorous, dark, edgy, juvenile, insightful or thought provoking.  We are hoping that this will throw up some truly creative fresh talents, and provide an open forum for people who would normally have no outlet to display their work.

Details are available on gorillaz.com.

If you're in LA, you can catch the world premiere of a new documentary... of a documentary? Yes, I'm a little confused but apparently starting December 9 you can catch (THIS IS KNOWN AS) THE BLUES SCALE at The Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood. According to the press release...

Director David Markey presents a film of rare, never-before-seen outtakes of his documentary 1991: THE YEAR PUNK BROKE (1992, We Got Power Films, 99 min.) from the fabled Sonic Youth/Nirvana tour. A cinematic postscript that is just as entertaining and stimulating as its movie parent, with Sonic Youth singer/guitarist and all-round-rabble-rouser Thurston Moore proving a devilishly funny ringmaster to the circus of backstage antics. Featuring more performance footage of Sonic Youth and Nirvana as well as pungent commentary by Moore, Kim Gordon, Lee Ranaldo, Dave Grohl, and others.

So I wasn't so far off about it being a documentary about a documentary... was I?

The Dears released their latest album, No Cities Left, in the US a month ago to quite a lot of fanfare. The once hidden Montreal supergroup have been making a name for themselves by playing a million live shows around the world. Unfortunately, due to a hiccup in scheduling they've had to cancel a few shows and will be touring this holiday season mostly along the US west coast. Sincere apologies have come from the band for having to cancel shows in Denver, Chicago, Buffalo, etc. They'll be spending the holidays holed up in the Canadian cold laying down the dozen or so songs they've worked up so far as a followup to NCL. Then it's back to the road with a massive UK and European tour starting up again in January.

It may not be obvious but Saint Etienne have had a busy year. They've released not one but two compilation/mix cd's, an American Best of through SubPop and have been putting their finishing touches on a new record, all the while growing their little family with new children and marriages. They've recorded 23 tracks (!) for the new disc... and Bob has let a few details slip here and there. If you'd like a preview... you can join the few of us who are making the trip overseas for their London New Years Eve show with The Concretes and The Magic Numbers.
I was lucky enough to catch a live set by the Magic Numbers in London in March and was absolutely floored. Keep an eye out for new material from them on Heavenly Records, or you could take a peek at their video for 'Hymn For Her' at NME.

Rumor has it that Morrissey's final shows in LA featured him in a vicar's outfit. Not to worry, he apparently still showed off his abs during the ripped shirt portion of his encores. What a perfect tie-in to his new single, I Have Forgiven Jesus. Purely unintentional I'm sure. Moz will be releasing A DVD/CD deluxe edition of "You Are The Quarry" stateside in December. The DVD will feature many new b-sides to American audiences as well as video performances of his Kilborn stint and several music videos. The album marks Moz's most successful release to date (including all Smiths releases) so we're not quite sure why a re-release is needed.
Oh wait, I'm supposed to put editorial content in italics... oops. ;-)

In other unnecessary re-releases, Franz Ferdinand have reissued their debut record for American audiences this past Tuesday to include all the b-sides from their British singles. Apparently, the four US tours in a year weren't enough to catapult their name back onto the top 20 of the "college" radio charts. Oh right, I've neglected to mention they are on their way back to the states for a bevy of radio holiday shows. Well good luck with that...

They've been quiet as of late, so it shouldn't be too shocking but GENE have thrown in the towel. Martin Rossiter confirmed tonight in the UK (um, that's today here) to Olympians Online that there will be no more new material, and no more shows... well except for the single they'll be releasing next Monday apty titled, "Let Me Move On" and the 3 farewell shows they have planned for the UK. Gene released a DVD today in the UK featuring a live show recorded earlier this year in Sheffield. The disc also features interviews, a scrapbook and more.