A very terse statement from their usually more voluable news team. Will they be mourned? Will they tour one more time? Have they come to the end of their seam or was there more to give? I'm not sure but it's a bit sad, anyhow.

http://remhq.com/news_story.php?id=1446

My favourite REM moment, I guess, is this one:

with thanks to the ever vigilant Eamonn Forde

A sneak preview of what we can expect in September: "She walks in so many ways" from a re-formed "original line-up" band. Here they are live on Minnesota radio. And it's a belter. If you love jingle-jangle, it'll be right up your street.

http://minnesota.publicradio.org/collections/special/columns/music_blog/...

I must admit that a casual YouTube search for another thread yesterday surprised me immensely. Neil Young, Stephen Stills and Richie Furay have just finished touring the US as I type:-how on earth did I miss this?! Here's some footage of the Bridge School Benefit last year, worth it for the smile on Richie Furay's face just near the song's conclusion.

A new initiative to wake up the fusty world of publishing has just been launched. So, if you want to help get new works published by Terry Jones, Tibor Fischer, Jonathan Meades or Amy Jenkins (This Life), you can find out more here:

http://www.unbound.co.uk/books

And here is Meades talking about his book:

What does the Massive think, is this creative, inspiring or just plain daft? I'm not so sure, but have thrown my hat in the ring.

In other news, today sees the twentieth anniversary of the death of Gene Clark. A man who for all his flaws, produced some great, great music. So, put down your Dylan-ology for five minutes, Massive, and give this a listen: Silver Raven

No matter which way you look at this, trying to ban "being homeless" is ridiculous. Ban it in Westminster in goes to Camden or Islington, ban it from there it goes to Barnet and Haringey. Essentially, you could be arrested for giving a tramp a sandwich.
Regular users of this forum may have noted that I usually steer clear of politics or controversy. But this is about humanity. I assume that Mr. Daniel Astaire, the spokesman for Westminster Council, is merely misguided, rather than a total numpty.
I tweeted this today and a couple of the Massive told all their friends. Please tell yours what an odious policy this is

This won't stop here you know. Tune in next week for part 2.

Tonight on Radio 3 at 9pm, Andy Kershaw is exploring the music of the oceans, in the first of a series of travelogues. He will be speaking to Fishermen, but I do not yet know whether he is a Dab hand at fish puns. Great news for all Kershaw fans, sorry fins.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00x31t3

Hello Massive,

I start a new job next month where I shall exclusively be using an Apple Mac. Given that I am and have been a PC user for the past 17 years, and I am unlikely to get any training I thought I would ask you knowledgeable guys for any handy hints which will save me time.

Thanks in advance,

Richie

Robin Hardy has managed to scrape enough cash together for a sequel of sorts to the Wicker Man...

I'm really quite excited...and Sir Christopher Lee is in it. Anyone else a fan? Will this be a worthy follow up or another Nicholas Cage style Turkey?

This was released the other day:

It's a bit obscure, melding saxophone and Armenian early music and won't be to everyone's taste I know, but really these guys produce music that makes the hair stand up on your neck. The above link is a podcast to promote the new album. Click the link below to hear one of the tracks:

And *relax*

George Michael inside for 8 weeks. Any other pop miscreants who could do with a spell inside? Or with whom he could share a cell?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-11299938

Just been burgled. Goodbye laptop, goodbye six months of work, goodbye 200 quid in cash. We were next door at the time. I blame the squirrels.

Can I recommend this series of short films to the Massive? That is all.

Latest here:
http://roughcutpresents.com/2010/06/misery-bear-world-cup/

Best one here:

Those of you with lives may not have noticed that Springwatch began again last night. Last year's series clanged with Chris Packham's efforts to crowbar as many Smiths titles as possible into the show. Last night he began with "Boys don't cry". Which Cure songs or other indie output does the Massive think would be appropriate for nature documentaries?

I'm really not sure about this...

http://www.gigwise.com/news/56521/Mick-Hucknall-To-Replace-Rod-Stewart-F...

Glen Matlock on bass BTW.