Excellent Online

We're getting a little irked that we can't find out the official story on the unfolding IAN BROWN U.S. tour story, but we're still trying. This we know: The only two dates that havn't been cancelled as of yet are New York and Los Angeles. The circulating rumour is that Ian's been dropped by his American label, and that they've cut off tour support. We honestly don't know if this is true or not - there's been NO official statement yet. Again, we'll keep you updated.

We are receiving word today that IAN BROWN is cancelling some, if not all, of his North American tour. We know at this time that the Canadian shows, as well as the Boston gig, have been pulled. More details as we know them...

     There once was a cat. There was once a really cute cat. His name was Snoogums. And his owner was named Schrodinger. Erwin Schrodinger. So one day Erwin (or "Erwin" to his friends) decided that it would be a worthwhile idea to take Soogums, stick him in a box, throw in an unopened bottle of poison gas, and shut it tight. Well, it was 1926. It seemed like a good idea at the time.

NOEL GALLAGHER has effectively pulled a Brian Wilson this morning, with his announcement that he is to quit all overseas touring with OASIS effective immediately. The band cancelled their gig Saturday night, claiming tendonitis in the wrist of drummer Alan White. However, as the band cancelled tonight's show, the Daily Mirror reported that yet another band fight (supposedly caused by Liam's excessive behavior on the road) had caused the elder Gallagher to catch a flight home.

Is Excellent Online cursed? Examine, if you will, the evidence: We interview the Candyskins - their label goes under and they split. We interview Symposium - they split. And now comes the latest: We interview the APPLES IN STEREO - they cancel their entire US tour. However, this time there's an up side to the story.

Wichita Recordings currently has available several sound clips from BRAVE CAPTAIN, otherwise known as our favorite ex-Boo Radley MARTIN CARR. According to Wichita's website, the first material from Carr's new outfit is expected this July. Read all about Carr and the fledgling label's activities via their website, www.wichita-recordings.com

Congratulations go out to Icelandic chanteuse BJORK, who scored a rather major coup for picking up the Best Actress award at this year's Cannes Film Festival. Our favorite elf won for her portrayal of a Czech immigrant in Lars Von Trier's forthcoming film, "Dancer in the Dark." Bjork's character in the film is afflicted with a degenerative eye disease, and as she slips closer to blindness, she escapes by imagining her life to be a musical.

Uh oh. Guess what I just found out. I share an opinion with Fred Durst of Limp Bizkit. Needless to say, this worries me a bit... so it's time to put pen to paper (which still sounds infinitely better than "put fingers to keys") and attempt to justify whatever in my brain is causing me to join forces with my least favorite figure in contemporary music.

Yep, that's right... it's time for me to take on... THE NAPSTER ISSUE.

Unless you've been living under a rock, you know that Richard Ashcroft, former leader of the seminal UK stalwarts, The Verve, has just released his first solo record, Alone With Everybody. Excellent Online correspondant Jay Babcock was able to sit down with Ashcroft to reflect on his former band, his new album, and his renewed look on life. Notes from this interview were used for a story which originally appeared in July/August 2000 issue of Mean magazine, but we're pleased to bring you the transcript of the entire interview.

Interview by Jay Babcock

It's being reported today that GENE's live shows in the States next month are to be recorded for the band's first live album. CDNow is reporting that the album, tentatively titled "Rising Before Sunset," will also coincide with a concert DVD culled from the same shows.