Excellent Online

MARK GARDENER, he of Ride fame and friend/musical hero of this site, has finally revealed plans for his upcoming solo record. The record is now in its final stages of recording and should be out in the fall. Gardener, however, is asking for a little bit of support. Mark is attempting to fund the recording of the album on his own and then its release will be licensed and distributed through an array of global labels that he's already arranged. However, he's looking for some more funding to complete the record's recording... that's where we come in. Gardener is offering a pre-sale on the CD through Oxfordmusic.net. Those of you who pre-order the record will not only be helping a very worthy cause, you'll also get something special for your trouble: a limited edition DVD documentary of Mark's past couple of years on the road and in the studio. There will only be 2500 copies of the pre-order available, so don't miss out on the bonus disc. We have also inquired with Oxfordmusic.net as to the format of the DVD. At this time, their plan is to release the DVD on a region-free format, compatible with all DVD players.

Also, we can attest to the prompt and reliable service of Oxfordmusic.net, as we have ordered from their site frequently ourselves and give it glowing reviews.

Well, like he's prone to doing, Robert Smith has pink slipped three members of THE CURE. Longtime keyboardist Roger O'Donnell and guitarist Perry Bamonte were both handed walking papers this weekend. Bamonte's brother, Daryl, who served as the band's manager, was also let go. Extreme shake-ups like this are nothing new for The Cure, though Smith had kept a fairly steady line-up over the past several years without much change. Rumours are flying about that Steve Severin of Siouxsie & the Banshees may be called to task on guitar for the band's small slate of summer gigs, but nothing has been confirmed yet. Sacked keyboardist Roger O'Donnell has posted to his official website about the split, and plans to record a second solo record and continue in music. When contacted by Excellent Online, O'Donnell said he was sad about Smith's decision. "This line up has a place in people's hearts," he told us, "but I'm looking forward, not back."

LONGWAVE have finished recording their new album, "There's A Fire" which is scheduled for a June 28 release. John Leckie produced this album and they recorded it in New York. Currently on their site you can download a new song from the album called, "The River". They're also doing a quick tour in June before the album comes out.

Former STONE ROSES guitarist John Squire certainly got the rumor mill going in full swing today, thanks to an interview in "Time Out" magazine that has him direct quoted as saying his 2005 plans include "making a ferocious guitar record on my own, then put the Roses back together." Lots of talk has swirled about a possible Stone Roses reunion for some time now, with bassist Mani often citing the possibility in interviews. What remains to be seen at this point, however, is whether or not Squire can put an end to the slagfest going on lately between himself and former Roses frontman Ian Brown. Beyond THAT, the 3 would then have to look under every rock in Manchester in search of Roses drummer Reni, who pretty much disappeared off the map when he left the band a decade ago. Today's news, while not a confirmation by any stretch of the mile, does make us raise an optimistic eyebrow, as until now, it's been thought that Squire would be the biggest hurdle to overcome if the Roses were to ever attempt a reunion. Seeing as how if they were to reform it would likely be the biggest news story we've ever covered, it's safe to assume that we WILL keep you informed as things play out...

I have not one but two bands on the MUST SEE list for May... The Lucksmiths and The Changes. The first... Australia's LUCKSMITHS are on what is gossiped to be their last US tour (for awhile... oh a long while) after just releasing a brand new record, Warmer Corners, on US indie label Matinee Recordings (click the link for sound samples). They've been quickly gathering positive reviews from Pitchfork and the like for their constantly expanding emotional depth and are an absolute pleasure to experience first hand.

The other band, THE CHANGES, you might not have heard of yet but mark my words these guys have what it takes. Hailing from my home town of Chicago they have been quickly building momentum and are (as of today) the only unsigned band that will be gracing the stage of Lollapalooza. I wouldn't expect their unsigned status to last for long as recorded and onstage they are already proving themselves a shoe in for next-big-thing. (Psst... If you see them... be sure to pick up the limited edition EP they're carrying with them. It's priceless.)

Normally we don't take the time to tell you guys when a cool band is showing up for five minutes on some talk show or another, but tonight is a bit of an exception, as the stars are aligning for some serious televised goodness. First off, Conor Oberst is bringing BRIGHT EYES to the mainstream tonight with an appearance on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Then flip it over to the Jimmy Kimmel Show to catch THE RAVEONETTES. Then, swing your dial to the Late, Late Show with Craig Ferguson to catch KASABIAN. Then go to sleep because you'll be tired from all that channel flipping.

Oh thank goodness The Magic Numbers are finally gaining a bit of momentum. Their debut single 'Forever Lost' has been getting airplay on Radio 1, Radio 2, XFM and 6Music... with a live session in the works for next week's Zane Lowe show on Radio 1. They new single will be hitting UK store shelves soon (May 23) with the album shortly after on June 13. If you still haven't gotten a grip on the harmonious love that's about to overtake the UK with the release of this record (oh yeah... I am so unbiased) you can take a peek at their new video for Forever Lost illustrated, directed and all around loved by Pete Fowler. (For different video feed see the band's website.)

The NME has a tracklisting for the forthcoming debut record:

Mornings Eleven, Forever Lost, The Mule, Long Legs, Love Me Like You, Which Way To Happy, I See You, You See Me, This Love, Wheels On Fire, Love Is A Game, Try

Today is a bit of a busy day for US new releases with new records coming from the likes of New Order, Tim Burgess, The Mountain Goats, The Eels, The Caesers, Ben Folds and reissues from Super Furry Animals, Elvis Costello, The Cure... but there's an artist to watch out for releasing her debut cd today you might not have heard of... Feist. Feist is Canadian songstress Leslie Feist who managed enough starpower at SxSW last month to draw out half of the on-air staff of BBC Radio, both Erlend and Erik of Kings of Convenience, Frodo Baggins (err I mean Elijah Wood) and half of the industry's A&R reps to an afternoon open air performance... in a howling rainstorm. The hype around her new record, Let It Die seems well placed as she's got a tremendous voice and modern-day-lounge-star-in-the-making presence that will definitely bring a few green-eyed monsters out of hiding. This may be her first full length record but she has already collaborated with the likes of Broken Social Scene, Peaches, Gonzalez and the aforementioned Kings of Convenience. Look out for her at a venue near you alongside British Sea Power.

Just happened to catch this one on the radio today... our fave Scottish indiepop band, the legendary TRASH CAN SINATRAS, who are currently meandering their way around the States on their second US tour in support of last year's excellent "Weightlifting" record, are playing live tomorrow...

On Air America Radio!

Don't know exactly when the session will be on, but the Trashies WILL be the special guests of Janeane Garofalo on Friday's edition of "The Majority Report." The show airs at different times on different Air America affiliates, but most stations carry it live in the late afternoon/early evening hours.

Once again trying to align themselves with indie cool, iTunes has arranged a promotion in conjunction with THE WHITE STRIPES. Available TODAY as an exclusive download, you can be the first on your block to hear the new White Stripes single, "Blue Orchid." It's available exclusively through iTunes (or your nearest free-music-off-the-internet haunt within 24 hours, most likely.) The single officially comes out in May, and the new White Stripes album, "Get Behind Me, Satan," is due worldwide the first week of June.

UPDATE: If you wanna hear the track NOW, a streaming version is now available