Well, remember a few days ago when we reported that the Manic Street Preachers had been dropped by their U.S. label? Well, it's happened AGAIN, as we're now receiving word (unconfirmed but very reliable) that ASH have officially been dropped by Reprise Records in the States, which means the new Ash record, Nu-Clear Sounds, scheduled for an October U.S. release, will most likely now have to be obtained via importer. This is really getting ridiculous.

We're beginning to hear word about a North American tour from THE UNBELIEVABLE TRUTH. One report has them opening a few dates in November for the Barenaked Ladies; another report has them playing a few one-off gigs, including Johnny Depp's infamous Viper Room in L.A. Of course, we'll keep you posted as the dates become official.

The MANIC STREET PREACHERS have been dropped by their American label. Sony US, along with two other US major labels, have turned down the Manic's forthcoming new album, "This is My Truth, Tell Me Yours," claiming it to be "too dark" for American chart success.

The NME is reporting today that William Reid has walked out on the JESUS AND MARY CHAIN following an onstage row during their US tour this weekend. According to NME, the band are continuing their American tour unabated without the tempermental guitarist. A replacement, or even an official press statement, has yet to be announced. We DO know that Excellent member and staff contributor Mia Welch saw the band last night in Denver, and proclaimed it to be "maybe the greatest show I've seen all year."

The big NEW ORDER reformation is officially on for now, with the band expected to record a new album for release in 2000. In the interim, new stuff from THE OTHER TWO, MONACO, and ELECTRONIC are on the way, as well as the long-long-long delayed New Order 11 disc box set, "Recycle".

On a slow news day, THIS made us laugh a lot:

NME is reporting this weekend that BILLY BRAGG has confirmed that he and WILCO will be recording yet another album of Woody Guthrie tracks. The thing is, WE told you about this last week in our Billy Bragg feature. Yeah, "Brag(g)" may indeed be the word of the day.

We're happy to report that ANIMALHOUSE, the new band featuring Mark Gardener and Loz Colbert of Ride, have been signed this week to a subsidiary of BMG Records in the UK, and a single is planned for rush-release in October.

EMBRACE have announced details of a US tour... and we've got the dates! Click TOURS on the left to find out more.

NME is reporting today that SUEDE have chosen to part ways with long-time producer Ed Buller. Their new record, due out in early 1999, is apparantly now being handled by Steve Osbourne, who's previously worked with U2, Placebo, and co-produced the Happy Mondays' "Pills, Thrills, and Bellyaches." Interestingly enough, it was the band's previous insistence on using Buller that provided the major catalyst for the departure of original guitarist and songwriter Bernard Butler, who said at the time that Buller had all but destroyed the "Dog Man Star" album.