News Update

By Kevin C. Madigan

Mute Records has just announced that Goldfrapp's fifth album, Head First, will be released on March 23, 2010, preceded by the single 'Rocket' on March 9. The label is calling it "Goldfrapp's most powerful trip to date, a speedy rush of synth optimism, euphoria, fantasy and romance." We'll see about that when the time comes....Chapel Hill band Spider Bags comes to The Star Bar on December 9. The current album is called Goodbye Cruel World, Hello Crueler World (Birdman Records) and it just makes you want to cry in your beer....The Whigs, from Athens, offer two new songs - "In The Dark" and "Hundred/Million" - for free download, and on December 4 they will play at Variety Playhouse, a set that will no doubt include these and other tunes from their new album, also called In The Dark....Also coming through town will be Nitzer Ebb, touring with a project they are calling Industrial Complex and presenting a new look, new live show and a new line-up. The gig is at The Masquerade on December 10....No tour dates set for this guy, but good news anyhow: Ryko has announced the U.S. release of Seasick Steve’s Man From Another Time on March 16.  Seasick Steve has a platinum-selling album in the UK (I Started Out With Nothin’ And I Still Got Most Of It Left) as well as being a Brit Award nominee and the winner of Mojo’s Best Breakthrough Act award....Boston punkers Street Dogs are setting off on their Wreck the Halls tour in an effort to entice you into the holiday spirit. On behalf of Toys For Tots, the lads will accept new, unwrapped toys for children in need. Do your bit. It all happens at The Masquerade on December 12....Check out the new music video for the song "Sugar Pill" from The Bravery. The new album Stir The Blood just came out....The ninth annual Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival will take place on June 10 - 13, 2010, and will again be held at the same 700-acre farm in Manchester, Tenn., south of Nashville. Ticket pre-sales are now going on and will last until 11:59 p.m. eastern time on December 31....