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Supergrass have been tipped, along with Sonic Youth, as openers on Pearl Jam's upcoming U.S. tour this summer. Full venues and details are forthcoming - we'll post them as soon as we receive confirmation.

NME is confirming this morning that UNDERWORLD have split. Though the group will be continuing under the Underworld name, it will be without Darren Emerson, who has officially left the trio. The reasons behind the split apparantly involve both financial issues (Emerson made less money than programmer Rick Smith and vocalist Karl Hyde) and the birth of Emerson's first child last May. The break-up will not affect any of Underworld's festival commitments this summer.

RADIOHEAD have confirmed via their website that recording of their next album has finally finished. The album, originally scheduled for release right about now, has been held up until late summer/early fall due to the band's extensive time in the studio. The album currently remains un-named.

It's about stinkin' time that people have begun to notice UK folkie NICK DRAKE. Regardless of the fact that poor Nick died of an overdose over 25 years ago, he's about to have his very first ever U.S. single. The track in question is "Pink Moon," which you might recognize from the latest Volkswagen ad campaign for the Cabrio convertible.

On a gorgeous April afternoon, Rob Dickinson sprawls by the rooftop pool at a West Hollywood hotel, looking every bit the native LA sun worshipper. "I used to live here, four or five years ago," he says, sipping a beer. "I really like this place." Dickinson and the rest of The Catherine Wheel have come to promote Wishville. It's their first album in three years, during which they've bid farewell to founding member Dave Hawes; joined forces again with Tim Friese-Green (producer of their breakthrough debut Ferment); and broken down what Catherine Wheel was all about, putting it back together as who they are now.

Interview by Lisa Y. Garibay

PRIMAL SCREAM have announced a quick 10-date tour of the United States, in support of the Stateside release of their new record, "Xtrmntr." The album is expected in late May on the band's new US home, Astralwerks Records. The band has also confirmed that the wondrous Kevin Shields (he of My Bloody Valentine) WILL be playing with the band on all North American dates. We've got the entire itinerary - just click on TOURS!

THE HEALERS, the new band led by former Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr, are beginning to take shape with the announcement that former Kula Shaker bassist Alonza Bevan has joined the ranks. The band are readying their debut album, to be entitled "Play Dumb," for a likely fall release. The Healers are set to make their large scale live debut opening for Oasis in Europe beginning late May.

LEEROY has quit THE PRODIGY. In an interview with the BBC, Leeroy confirmed his departure to embark on a solo career. This is only mildly astounding, given the fact that Leeroy simply DANCED for the Prodigy (hey, at least Bez could shake a mean pair of maracas!) The rest of the band, meanwhile, are working on their follow-up to "Fat of the Land" and will reportedly take the festival season off.

THE TRASH CAN SINATRAS are label-less stateside no more, as US indie March Records has signed the band. An EP entitled "Leave Me Alone" is expected this spring, and the band are currently recording their fourth studio album. March Records, which got its start distributing Chicago area bands like Big Hat and Catherine, has been steadily increasing their catalogue over the years, and now boasts domestic deals for THE CHERRY ORCHARD, Scandinavian popsters CINNAMON along with the Trashies and others.

Our annual April Fool's Day gag follows below... the following news story ran untouched all day on our site. FYI: we received no fewer than THREE messages going, "Where did you get this information from? This is SO weird!" etc. We LIVE for April 1st...