News editors: Mikael Kahrle & Johan Carlsson

The "Here and Now Tour" with Spandau Ballet and Howard Jones
• This year's instalment of "Here and Now Tour" enlists some vintage UK talent from Spandau Ballet, China Crisis and Howard Jones. Dates are being played in the UK between April 18 and 28. Adam Ant was taken off the bill some time back from the so-called new romantic genre tour.
Later this year for the "Here and Now Xmas Tour", a higher grade of UK 80's alternative will have Human League, Visage and Altered Images on stage. Tickets are already on sale for the four December UK dates being called a Christmas party. Last year, Heaven 17 performed as part of "Here and Now" 80's themed tour. /Alex Veronac

Strange book released and Visage revitalised

The cover picture for "Blitzed: The Autobiography of Steve Strange". Zoolander anyone?

• Steve Strange has finally had his autobiography published. "Blitzed!: The Autobiography of Steve Strange" is a new book on the rise and fall of the creator of the new romantic scene recently published by Orion Fiction (UK). A paperback edition is to follow toward the end of the year.
Welshman Strange became bored of the UK punk scene back in the late 1970's and during the London "Blitz" period bridged the gap to the disco scene with the chic new romantic genre based in his nightclub with Rusty Egan. Steve Strange's band Visage became the force of the movement at the time with fashion, makeup and music selling millions of records. He was a character in David Bowie's "Ashes to Ashes" video in the bulldozer beach scene. His experiences at parties, heroin, excess, abuse and pleasure boys/girls are highlighted in his book. Strange with his former band Visage is, as mentioned above, to play the "Here and Now Xmas Tour" UK dates in December 2002, but it is unknown whether former bandmates Midge Ure and Billy Currie will perform at this time. /Alex Veronac

"Global Fussball OK"?
• While Magnus Uggla has recorded the official song for Sweden's participation in the 2002 Football World Cup, an unofficial one is written by synthsters Tyskarna från Lund (The Germans from Lund). The band consists of members from the cult declared Swedish television comedy series Varan-TV. The title of the song is "Global Fussball OK" and it was performed live at SAMA a couple of weeks ago in front of an enthusiastic crowd.
The video for the track will include participation from both Swedish hip hop-er Timbuktu as well as Ronnie Hellström, the legendary Swedish football goalkeeper. The official release date for the single "Global Fussball OK" has been appropriately set to two days before the World Cup starts, on May 27. /Niklas Forsberg

New Slick Idiot live content



• The project by ex-KMFDM bandmates Günter Schulz and En Esch called Slick Idiot recently played New York City. Their web site has three new live video clips taken on a handheld digicam. The US based band also features Mel on vocals and Mike on drums. Catch earlier Slick Idiot news. /Alex Veronac

Air radio webcasts
• The French band Air has launched a web radio channel of their own. It currently features classic Air tracks, unreleased rarities, a special interview with Nicolas Godin and Jean Benoit Dunckel as well as some annoying cheesy pop music. The dreamy moogists' latest release is a remix collection from their last studio longplayer "10 000 hz Legend". See the earlier Release review. /Alex Veronac

Endangered Species

Psyche live at DarkRave, Toronto 2001.
Photo by: Alex Veronac (Release)

• "Endangered Species" by Psyche is out now, as a full length remix album on Accession Records with four new tracks. Originally slated as an EP, it became a longplayer filled with a total of twelve tracks mixed by Psyche members, Massiv in Mensch and Sixty Winters. The CD is slated for May 13 in North America on Art of Fact Records and will include a free copy of "Misguided Angels" in a clear DCD package. The "Endangered Species" tour starts April 27 in Bordeaux, France and takes the duo to Germany, USA, Poland, Canada and the UK. Whether the title is ironic or not remains to be seen.
Early history of the brothers Huss in Canada prior to their move to Europe is recorded in "Live at Belvedere Hall 1983." The live early concert also has bonus tracks including "Krieg" - the only remaining demo with ex Psyche man D R Goettel pre-Skinny Puppy. "Krieg" was Psyche's first synthpop song and was named after the location of their first performance in 1982. Goettel's writing is present in the live Psyche track "Torture" as well but he was not a member of the band prior to this recording.
Previous Psyche news at Release can be found here. /Alex Veronac, Mattias Huss

New album from English veterans Curve in June


Toni Halliday.

• The enigmatic English duo of Toni Halliday and Dean Garcia have completed a new opus entitled "The New Adventures of Curve". This disc is currently being mastered by long-time producer and Halliday husband Alan Moulder; it contains seven new songs and new mixes of the old Curve tracks "Recovery" (from 1997's "Come Clean" and the 1996 single "Pink Girl with the Blues") and "Superblaster" (from the 1993 classic "Cuckoo").
The new songs are "Answers", "Till the Cows Come Home" (!), "Every Good Girl", "Star", "Sinner", "Signals and Alibis" and "Joy".
The band is releasing this album initially via the web in June and later through shops in the UK and the US. Curve is also releasing the last album "Gift" in the UK in the coming months with copies going to selected radio stations to promote the tracks "Perish" and "Want More".
For those not aware of Curve, one could easily say they are partly responsible for originating the sound of modern female-fronted electro rock music; the list of bands that have sought to emulate and downright imitate them is endless. Curve has existed since 1990, has released six albums thus far and numerous singles. /Peter Marks

The fourth chapter according to Bio-Tek
• "Ceremony of Innocence" is released on April 23 in both a standard and limited edition. Bio-Tek is one of the many projects of New Mind virtuoso Jonathan Sharp and is more focused on the dark electro danceable end of the spectrum. The limited edition comes in a DVD box with stickers, is hand numbered, autographed and also contains a 3" bonus disc with three exclusive tracks. Further information about Jonathan Sharp can be perused at the New Mind site. /Peter Marks

Electronic garage band future rock'n'roll


One happy family.

• The new as-yet untitled album by Primal Scream will be out in Japan on June 12 and the single "Miss Lucifer" will be out May 29, also in Japan. No details of release dates in other countries are known at this time.
The new album features production from Andrew Weatherall who worked with the band on their 1991 release "Screamadelica". Their new work was recorded over the past year in the band's North London studio and includes the songs "Deep Hit of the Morning Sun" and "Skull Exploding". These two tracks were produced by My Bloody Valentine's Kevin Shields who played guitar on Curve's latest work "Gift". Vocalist Bobby Gillespie recently told the NME that the album was "electronic garage band future rock'n'roll". The band's long time friend as well as former manager Alan McGee alternately calls the new album "a cross between fuckin' heavy metal, Stockhausen and fuckin' Phillip Glass, maaaaaan!". /Peter Marks

Front Line Assembly plays in Vancouver
• The Luvafair in Vancouver gets a visit by Canadian legends Front Line Assembly on May 11. Opening act will be Landscape Body Machine, and you can buy tickets from www.newmusicwest.com. /Johan Carlsson

Apoptygma Berzerk postpones concerts in Israel
• Due to the current situation in Israel, Apoptygma Berzerk have decided to postpone their planned concerts there. It is not a political decision, only a matter of the band's safety. New dates will be announced soon. /Johan Carlsson

Breaking News: Primal Scream and Slater to Arvika

Primal Scream.

• The Arvika Festival has added Primal Scream, Luke Slater, Assemblage 23, Seabound and Pluxus to this year's line-up. /Mikael Kahrle

Jarre plans new mega show in Danish wind park

Carried away by the wind?

• Jean Michel Jarre plans two new mega shows called "Aero" for September 6-7, at the windmill park at Gammel Vrå Enge near Aalborg in northern Denmark. 50 000 people will be able to witness each concert, but they will of course also be recorded.
Giant kite screens will be used for the concert which will bear similarities with last year's Akropolis performances. It will use the power from the wind mills and possibly solar power as well. 15% of Denmark's power is generated by the wind. Jarre has asked for audition with the Danish royal family and the prime minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen to discuss the huge project. Only half of the €3,3 million project is funded as of now.
A new album, also named "Aero", is scheduled for a release close to the concert. Jarre initiated the work in January, assisted by Francis Rimbert. /Mikael Kahrle

Pouppée Fabrikk barely, but still, alive



• The Swedish hard hitting EBM group Pouppée Fabrikk has been the victim of some rumours lately. To dispel them, the band has issued a statement. After the comeback EP "Elite Electronics" the band's work process was not as smooth as before, due to geographical constraints, and so Jouni Ollila left the band. This made the band stop and think for a while, which led to the departure of founding member Henrik Björk. Henrik has several side-projects, and has also recently started his own label 205 Recordings.
Remaining members Leif Holm and Jonas Anaheim have talked to other singers from bands like Run Level Zero, Octoberland and Dupont about handling the vocal duties in the future. These would not be permanent members of the band however, but nevertheless involved in the music making. /Johan Carlsson

Jay-Jay goes synthpop
• Soft lounge pop personality Jay-Jay Johanson from Sweden has previously won the hearts of particularly the French audience. Now, he is back with the first single "On the Radio" (May 6, RCA/BMG) from the new, fourth album "Antenna". He and Martin "Nåid" Landqvist (known for his work with Kent and The Cardigans) has aimed at pure synthpop this time. Quite a trend now, it seems. /Mikael Kahrle

Sixth Fuji Rock Festival in Japan with The Prodigy and Pet Shop Boys
• Asia is not known for its rock festival traditions, but the Japanese Fuji Rock Festival is a successful exception. This year's sixth edition will be held during July 26-28, close to the small town of Naeba, one hour by train from Tokyo.
As Release has previously reported, Pet Shop Boys have the festival as the final stop of their tour. Among the other 40 bands announced so far Alec Empire, The Prodigy, The Chemical Brothers and Sonic Youth might be of interest to our readers. Those who want to try a different eastern vacation can go here to find more info on how to get tickets. They do not come cheap however; expect to pay about $290 or €330 for a three day ticket and a little extra for access to the camping. /Peter Takizawa

London festival with 18 Release bands

L'âme Immortelle.

• The UK always hosts a number of festivals during the summer. The Jubilee Bank Holiday Weekend in London on June 2-3, will invite 18 bands from Europe and USA. Among them: Paradise Lost, Haujobb, Melotron, In Strict Confidence, L'âme Immortelle and Icon of Coil. /Mikael Kahrle

Liam helps Liam
• Liam Gallagher of Oasis is helping Liam Howlett on his new Prodigy album. They have worked together on one of the rockier new songs which might be considered as single. Liam and Liam are both dating an All Saints Appleton sister. /Mikael Kahrle

Three more signings by electro label Alfa Matrix
• Young Belgian label Alfa Matrix has signed Plastic Noise Experience. This EBM project has been around for many years, but has experienced negative press in Release in the past. A new single is called "Clean Head" and an album is of course in preparation.
Alfa Matrix has signed two more bands, but their identity is still a secret. /Mikael Kahrle

Assemblage 23 concludes live dates despite hardship

It's Assemblage 23 and Noxious Emotion. But what kind of animal?

• Assemblage 23 and support act Noxious Emotion completed their US west coast mini tour despite the trailer containing both bands' gear and merchandise being stolen earlier this month. Recently, the bands had to collect additional studio gear to perform on stage after their Seattle gig on April 4 to finish commitments in true rock'n'roll style. Most of the stolen gear had A 23 stickers on it at the time. Check the band's web site for a list of gear to be recovered and details of the theft.
Assemblage 23 is to play one off gigs in Chicago and Columbus, OH soon prior to their festival gig at Synthpop Goes the World on June 30. The American touring members should have a full setup by that time. /Alex Veronac

Swedish EBM act 2XM plans for the future

• Swedish EBM act Deux ex Machina have decided to try their luck once again and are working on a four track demo.
- We have been inactive for many years, but now it's time to produce new music, Fredrik Sjöberg says.
They have shortened their name to 2XM and hope to play some live shows after the demo is completed. /Mikael Kahrle

Project-X remixed by Assemblage 23 and T.O.Y.

• May will see the release of the new single "Infected/Reminder" by Swedish EBM band Project-X. There will be two versions, one of them with up to 15 tracks (tbc), more than most albums. Assemblage 23, T.O.Y., Neuroactive, Backlash, Jouni Ollila (ex Pouppée Fabrikk) and Andreas Tilliander are among the remixers hired.
But it's the autumn that will keep Project-X busy. A new album, single and tour are to be expected. Energy Rekords, where front man Torny Gottberg (in the middle of the picture) works, is Project-X's home in Europe. Inception Records takes care of North America. Project-X have enjoyed a growing following lately after several tours in North America. Some electro bands rarely show themselves on stage, some grab every opportunity. /Mikael Kahrle

Icon of Coil, Melotron and Haujobb on massive tour
• Three of today's most popular electro groups will embark on a massive joined tour on May 24. The trip will take them through Germany, Belgium, UK, Switzerland, Italy and Denmark. So far, a night at Copenhagen's busy and popular Club Metropolis hosts the closing date on June 14. /Mikael Kahrle

Ten years of bob hund
• Swedish alternative music legends bob hund (known internationally as Bergman Rock) are releasing a massive retrospective double album called "10 år bakåt & 100 år framåt" on April 23. Expect all the hits and a couple of rare and hard to find tracks ("Edvin Medvind" for instance). Bob hund are also celebrating their tenth anniversary by opening a temporary museum in Stockholm documenting the history of the band. /Mattias Huss

Goldfrapp in Madonna movie

Alison Goldfrapp
Photo by: Joe Dilworth

• Guy Ritchie invited British duo Goldfrapp to the new Madonna movie "Love, Sex, Drugs & Money". They participate with the song "Lovely Head" and the movie is expected to launch this summer. The song is included on the new single "Pilots", but was originally released on its own in 2000.
Goldfrapp are working on a follow-up to "Felt Mountain" in their studio in Bath, but don't expect a release before late 2002. /Mikael Kahrle

Suicide album delayed
• The new Suicide album we mentioned on April 2, first scheduled for release this month, is delayed until the autumn. Alan Vega and Martin Rev are finishing the work in New York. They also plan a tour for the autumn. /Mikael Kahrle

The Cure headline Germany's Woodstage festival
• This year's Woodstage Festival in Glauchau, Germany takes place on July 13-14. The Cure headline the event and among the other live acts we find And One (exclusive), VNV Nation and Project Pitchfork. The majority of the line-up is yet to be revealed. /Mikael Kahrle