LOTS of new tours to report on... We've got confirmation on a U.S. mini-tour from GOMEZ - It's a quickie - just six dates, major cities only, in late September. Plus we've got the TRICKY tour now being confirmed by the official website. Add to that another confirmed US leg for the CHEMICAL BROTHERS. Beyond that, we've put the BIS tour dates up hopefully in enough time for you to score tickets.

Stop the friggin' presses... BONEHEAD has quit OASIS. In a statement released today on Oasisinet.com, rhythm guitarist Paul "Bonehead" Arthurs officially exited the band: "After a lot of consideration, I have decided to call it a day with Oasis.

Help, it's the attack of the Reproducing Pop Stars! Never to be outdone by Liam and Patsy, DAMON ALBARN of BLUR is now the proud papa of a baby girl. British tabloids say this morning that Albarn and girlfriend Suzy Winstanley have yet to decide on a name for the wee one. Hrm... Liam named his son Lennon... we suppose "Ray" or "Dave" or perhaps "Malkmus" arent quite girly-name material...

The first new material from MARTIN CARR since the demise of the Boo Radleys is now set to emerge on August 30th. The track, "The Monk Jumps Over the Wall," is to be included on a new compilation, "The Carve-Up," created by NME's Keith Cameron. Though reported elsewhere as being the debut performance of Martin's new project, Brave Captain, the track is actually a home recording of a demo cut by Carr around the time of the last Boo Radleys album, "Kingsize." We'll have ALL the details on Carr's new band as details become more and more available.

GAY DAD have been signed in the U.S. to Sire Records. The debut album that's been making HUGE waves across Europe is due to hit American shelves August 31st (according to some sources) or September 21st (according to other sources.) Check back within the next few days for an updated RELEASES list, spotlighting confirmed U.S. dates for Stereolab, The Cure, Death in Vegas, Stereophonics, and more!

The Coachella Valley Music And Arts Festival was announced today. It's being described as a mini-Woodstock for the west coast except it actually has a good lineup of diverse artists. The headliners alone are totally mismatched: Beck, Chemical Brothers, Rage Against The Machine... and the oddest of all, Morrissey. Several sources close to the Morrissey camp, however, tell us that the show is NOT yet set in stone, though they are confirming that Morrissey is planning a world tour in the fall to promote a triple-DVD compilation of Smiths/Moz footage.

The coveted 1999 MERCURY MUSIC PRIZE for Album of the Year shortlist of nominees was announced this week in London. Many critics were shocked by the omission of recent albums from Fatboy Slim, Travis, and particularly, the Super Furry Animals, whose "Guerrilla" was hotly tipped to take home the Prize this year. Click the "Read More" link to see the list of nominees. Here are the 1999 nominees, as decided by the judges:

Beth Orton, "Central Reservation"
Black Star Liner, "Bengali Bantam..."
Blur, "13"
Chemical Brothers, "Surrender"

The U.S. release of CATATONIA's "Equally Cursed and Blessed" album is in doubt, as the band have been dropped by Warners for apparently being too "pop". Sigh. The band hope to have a new label lined up shortly and are also hoping to tour the states early next year.

CHARLATANS forever! NME is reporting that the Charlatans new album, "Us and us only" will be released in the UK on October 18. Contrary to prior reports, the first single, due October 4, is "Forever", rather than "The Blonde Waltz". A full UK tour is planned for October. No word yet on U.S. dates.

Could it be the end of the road for the band that could perhaps be called the epitome of the UK-Indie music scene? BLUR were certainly throwing hints this weekend in Scotland that it could happen. The band, making a rare live appearance to headline the annual T in the Park Festival, played almost entirely from their latest album, "13," and then encored with a stable of classics: "Girls and Boys," "Parklife," and "Song 2." BUT...