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Gigwise is confirming this week that MIKE MYERS has been tipped to play Keith Moon in a new biopic of the legendary drummer... and was hand-picked by none other than Roger Daltrey himself. We're kinda up in the air about this one... but we get to wait 'til 2009 to see the results.

One of our favorite new bands is THE 1900's, who wowed us with their debut EP on Parasol Records in 2006. Now, thanks to a neat new program at Chicago's Schuba's, any denizens of the Windy City reading this have plenty of opportunities to catch the band live. Schuba's has introduced "Tuesday Night Practice Space" and are letting area bands have the run of the joint every Tuesday for a month. The 1900's have been selected as February's band -- so they'll be playing live in residence at Schuba's every Tuesday in February. If you're in the area, we can't recommend 'em enough... and watch for the 1900's debut album (being recorded now) soon!

If you've been within earshot of me (Shane) this year, you've heard me rant and rave about Providence, RI's THE BROTHER KITE, who came in practically out of nowhere with one of the best records I've heard in ages, "Waiting for the Time to Be Right." Now, if you're in the midwest, you've got a chance to catch them live, as they're making a rare tour.

Well, folks, welcome to 2007.

If you haven't noticed, we've been slacking. It ends here.

One of the sucky things about not getting, umm, PAID to run a website is that we're forced to hold day jobs. And occasionally night jobs. And midday jobs. And some of take classes. Some of us teach classes. You get the drift.

In the latter half of 2006, we let it get the best of us, and the information you've come to expect from Excellent suffered. It's a fresh year, we've got a breath of fresh air, and it's time to get back to business. We're not going anywhere. So stay tuned as we once again bring Excellent to the quality you guys expect from the site.

Priority #1 is belatedly holding our 2006 Year-End Poll of our members. That's going on right NOW, and we'll have the results posted for ya in just a couple of weeks.

In the meantime, we're about to open the flood gates with information galore. We've already added a boatload of new tour dates, and be ready for the influx of shows that'll start happening around SXSW in just a couple months.

Keep checking back every day. We're on a roll.

Feel like helpin' us? We can always use another hand scouring the net for stories, reviews, and general tomfoolery. Drop us a line and we'll talk.

Last year, we were saying that they'd soon be changing the music world, but word is coming in today that GIANT DRAG have split. Multi-instrumentalist Micah has left the band, leaving the group in the sole hands of vocalist Annie Hardy. Hardy's future plans are unknown, but the band's Myspace page says a new album is underway and lists the members of Giant Drag as Hardy and "whoever feels like playing." So perhaps we haven't heard the last of 'em QUITE yet...

There's an interesting new campaign on Myspace to get UK music empresario JONATHAN KING removed from the British Phonographic Industries (BPI)' "Man of the Year" honour (which King achieved in 1997.)

If you're unfamiliar with King, you're still familiar with his work. He's been a colorful svengali in the music business for over 30 years now. Among his many achievements, King was the brains behind the "original" boy band, The Bay City Rollers. He's also produced many Brit Awards ceremonies, sued the Pet Shop Boys, masterminded the UK entries in the annual Eurovision contest, and has had several UK chart singles under a variety of monikers.

Oh, yeah, and he's also a convicted paedophile. This is where the story gets interesting.

TOWER RECORDS is going out of business.

The mega-store chain, which has been floundering of late, was sold off today to a company that will be liquidating all assets.

Massive sales start tomorrow, so if you're in a Tower city, it might be a good time to go scavenge those import bins for last-chance deals.

Sad.

Word has come in fleeting and mysterious messages of late from the world of bravecaptain. As you should know, Martin Carr -- once the songwriting force of the mighty Boo Radleys -- has been putting out albums under the bravecaptain moniker for several years now. Unhappy with the music biz, Carr's most recent bravecaptain album was released in mp3 format on his website for free download.

Now comes word that the final touches are being put on the project -- bravecaptain is dead. Carr's final show as the Cap'n happens this Sunday at the Black Lion Guest House in Kilburn. The gig is being filmed for future DVD release, and fans are encouraged to share their fave bravecaptain memories and stories at the gig.

As for the future, it's fairly murky. Carr, a friend of this site who has contributed to our many projects over the years, is being mercilessly silent and NOT replying to our interview requests. We can, however, cite a source close to the artist who lets us know that, while bravecaptain may be dead, a new band is in the works and will be revealed very soon-ish. We'll pass on the details when we know 'em.

I hate to say I told you so... BUT I received this email from the Bluetones camp this morning...

It is with great regret that The Bluetones are forced to announce the post-ponement of their planned shows in New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Toronto, Sydney and Melbourne.

The band were looking forward to playing these shows but due to circumstances over which we have had no control, are not in a position to fulfil these commitments.

Due to legal reasons it cannot be discussed here the exact nature of what has caused the cancellations, but rest assured the picture will be made clear for everybody as soon we have the full facts in front of us. Again, I can only stress that this was not a decision that was taken by the band, so much as made for, and unbeknownst to, us.

I cannot properly express the heartbreak all of this is causing us, and apoligize sincerely for any dis-appointment felt by people who have already purchased tickets for these shows. We will try to re-schedule as soon as possible, although that is probably small consolation right now.

As it stands we may well be able to play the scheduled gig in Japan, we are trying to salvage that this week, but if there is any change there will be immediate notification.

I'm so sorry to everyone, but we intend to bounce right back from this and get out to the cities we have so looked forward to playing for the best part of this year, as soon as possible.

We feel like we've been kicked in the teeth....love Mark. x x x

Deja vu anyone? The Bluetones US Tour was due to kick off TONIGHT at the Mercury Lounge in New York City. (sigh)

Despite buying tickets at the box office after the first notice when I heard they were available, I can't honestly say I was entirely excited about seeing Starsailor on 9/11; but as the tickets had already been paid for, I didn't want them to go to waste so I met up with my brother and lined up at the venue.

Arriving at Irving Plaza a little after 7:30 PM behind about 8 people ahead of us, right from the start the vibe was good... we were chatting with other people on queue, joking around with Best Buy "scratch-and-win" giveaway cards the promoters were handing out by the stack full, and saying how James Walsh looks bigger in real life when the band passed us by.