THE BLUETONES have officially unveiled a release for their new single - it's a double A-side of "Fast Boy" and "Liquid Lips" - now scheduled for UK release on April 21. The band's new album - reportedly to be in a completely new musical direction - will follow the single sometime in May.

Japanese popkids Elekibass kick off their 11 date US tour tomorrow with a show in Tallahassee, Florida. After opening for Of Montreal on their first trip to the states a few years ago, this will be the first time the band headlines a tour over here (on tour with fellow Happy Happy Birthday To Me artists 63 Crayons). Elekibass' cross between "Sgt. Pepper" and the Archies is absolutely infectious during their live shows. You can find the band at Happy Happy Birthday To Me or at a venue near you.

Hiding in the summer festival shadows right now is the Bonnaroo Music Festival . This fest is scheduled for June 13-15 and takes place on a farm about 60 miles south of Nashville, TN. While acts are being confirmed everyday, some of those set to perform already include Sonic Youth, Tortoise, The Roots, Ben Harper, Kid Koala, Mix Master Mike and many more. Sorry, no Blur.

JR posted a message to the list about Blur being added to the Coachella lineup. And sure enough, I went to www.coachella.com and there they are on the Saturday list right betweeen Queens of the Stoneage and Groove Armada. I'm sure a couple of you want to change your vote in the current poll right about now. :)

Mike Skinner (aka The Streets) has just scheduled a quick jaunt across the ocean to our shores. The seven city tour includes an appearance on The Tonight Show.

Torr Leonard mentioned that The Music's self-titled debut album will be released in the US on Tuesday, February 25th and will only be 7.99 at Tower Records. Steve Markoff then replied and said you can pre-order it now from Best Buy for a measly 6.99! I love it when new releases are priced so damn cheap!

Not much to say really. Just click on the 'read more' link to get the official lineup. Obviously this is subject to change, blah blah blah...

Saturday: Beastie Boys, Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals, Queens of the Stone Age, Groove Armada (live), Blue Man Group, The Donnas, N*E*R*D, Ladytron, Felix Da Housecat, Masters At Work (Little Louie Vega and Kenny "dope" Gonzales), Kinky, Roger Sanchez, Darren Emerson, Talib Kweli, Peanut Butter Wolf/Jaylib (Jaydee & Madlib)/Wildchild, Badly Drawn Boy, The Libertines, Gomez, The Music, Hot Hot Heat, Idlewild, Amon Tobin, Ben Kweller, Joseph Arthur, Particle, Christopher Lawrence, Division Of Laura Lee, South, Stereo Total, The Mooney Suzuki, Nightmares On Wax, Herman Cantanneo, D:Fuse, Spymob.

Sunday: Red Hot Chili Peppers, The White Stripes, Underworld, Jack Johnson, Primal Scream, Blue Man Group, Sonic Youth, Thievery Corporation, Cafe Tacuba, Fischerspooner, Dirty Vegas, Deep Dish, Richie Hawtin, Timo Mass, The Mars Volta, Johnny Marr and The Healers, G. Love and Special Sauce, Rooney, Ben Folds, Tortoise, The Soundtrack of Our Lives, The Polyphonic Spree, Mouse on Mars, El P/Aesop Rock/RJD2/Mr. Lif/Murs, Black Eyed Peas, The Von Bondies, Whirlwind Heat, The Kinison, DJ Irene, 22-20's, DB, Eisley.

Tickets go onsale February 22 at 10am through Ticketmaster. They're going to be 75 bucks each day plus a limited number of 2-day passes for 140 bucks (ouch!). Doors open at noon and the free parking lot opens at 10am. See you there!!!

Another Coachella festival is upon us and the official lineup will be announced on Tuesday but that doesn't stop anyone from posting reports of who's expected to be there. Several acts have already been confirmed including: Underworld, Bestie Boys, White Stripes, Groove Armada, Polyphonic Spree, Cat Power, Fischerspooner, Johnny Marr, and a lot more. Tickets will go onsale February 22nd and the event is scheduled for April 26-27 in Indio, CA.

Well, Valentine's Day DID bring one bit of bad news: Bis are to split, following some farewell shows and a final single. A brief message on the band's website tells the usual tale of a band that's run its course, that wants to diversify, and whose members hope to all remain in music. While kind of a bummer, you've got to respect that they stayed together THIS long, as most critics predicted they wouldn't make it past one album.

April 29 the US will get a new record from Martin Gore (Depeche Mode) on Mute/Reprise. The new album, Counterfeit is the second in Martin's series of cover albums (the first being released in 1989). This album will feature re- worked tunes by Iggy Pop, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, David Essex, Lou Reed, John Lennon and more.

"Without some of the artists I've covered here, I wouldn't be writing the way I do. They have all affected me at some point, especially when I was younger." Martin goes on to say that he has created this album from a fan's perspective because he has a deep personal connection to all of the songs he's covered.