I guess some of this is technically old news, but I never realized it until this week. Morrissey, currently not actually on tour (he got to the US on March 6th after cancelling four shows, played one night, and then cancelled two more), was supposed to be touring with Massachusetts' neo-soul wonder-kid Eli Paperboy Reed. This was confirmed by Eli himself in a lemmingtrail posting. On December 5th Eli described the opportunity as "Totally nuts". Three posts later he wrote, "Yeah its insane. No animal products on our rider anymore!" (I like that part). BUT... Flash forward 8 dissapointing days later. Eli posted:

Eli - 12/13/08 - 2:30 am

This isn't happening....Morrisey came to our show in London and said that we weren't right for his tour. Apparently on his last tour he kicked off the opening band after the first show so at least that didn't happen. I'm pretty bummed

That does suck. That also explains why Eli is available to play the Bell House (3/12, TONIGHT), SXSW, and a whole bunch of other shows this month including March 28th at Maxwell's.

That also explains why Bill Pearis' partly-published list of UK bands playing NYC this month included a band (that I am now just first posting about) called the Courteeners, who in addition to playing Mercury Lounge on March 17th, are in North America because they're touring with Morrissey (as opposed to being here because they're playing SXSW like most of their countrymen). And yes, Morrissey is a fan:

"Every song was very strong and full of hooks and dynamics. So many groups in England, they're hyped and they're all over the press, but they don't actually have any songs, they don't really have anything to offer ... But it's different with The Courteeners."
- Morrissey.

As much as I feel bad for Eli, at least the Moz is keeping it real. Eli is probably over it anyway. He's got better things to think about, like, eleven shows at SXSW, and...his major label record contract...

After releasing his debut album through Somerville's Q Division last year, Brookline native Eli "Paperboy" Reed this week signed a major-label deal with Virgin Records.

Reed spread the news earlier today via the Lemmingtrail music and arts message board.

"After what seemed like forever of contract negotiations on Tuesday I finally signed with EMI/Virgin Records," Reed wrote. "I am really psyched to start working on another record and to make the best damn record I've ever made. 2009 is going to be a good year, I think."

Reed wrote that his Virgin deal does not include his seven-piece backing band, the True Loves, due to their unstable lineup. But he added he will continue to work with them under some sort of "sharing agreement." Terms of the contract were not revealed. [Boston Herald]

All Eli Paperboy Reed dates HERE. All Courtneeners dates (including the three NYC shows with Morrissey that are hopefully still happening) (but not including any Morrissey dates before NYC - Red Cortez are the band opening, or not opening, the beginning of Morrissey's tour) and a video, below...

Continue reading "Morrissey cancelled more shows, The Courteeners (not)opening instead of Eli Paperboy Reed (now on Virgin) "

Circuit City / Virgin (pic via Racked)

"And then there were three.

The Virgin Megastore music chain will close its Union Square location in New York City at the end of May and its Market Street store in San Francisco at the end of April, sources say. The company previously announced that its Times Square store would close in April.

In August 2007, the Virgin Entertainment Group North America was acquired by two real estate companies -- the Related Cos. and Vornado. Since then, the chain has been reduced from 11 units -- with the industry awaiting word of the fate of the three remaining stores in Denver, Los Angeles, and Orlando"
[MSNBC/Billboard/Reuters] (thx rob & liz)

Circuit City, right next door, is going out of business too.

Friendly Fires @ MHOW (more by Gabi Porter)

Friendly Fires are DJing tonight/Monday at Le Royale in NYC. They'll be playing a free in-store at the Virgin Megastore in Union Square at 7PM tomorrow/Tuesday (12/9) before their show at the Annex with Lemonade.

Albert Hammond Jr. is playing a free show at the Virgin Megastore in Union Square at 8pm today (July 8, 2008)

He's also playing a sort-of-private SPIN Magazine show in NYC tomorrow (July 9, 2008) at Hiro Ballroom . I have two pairs of tickets to giveaway to that one. To get them, email BVCONTESTS@HOTMAIL.COM (subject: hammond). Include your first and last name. Two people will be picked and contacted. For another chance of winning, you can try for one of the 200 TICKETS GBH is giving away.

Like the recent show at Mercury Lounge, all this Albert Hammond hoopla is timed to coincide with the release of his latest album "Como Te Llama" which you can currently stream in its entirety at AOL.

Albert is also playing McCarren Pool in August with Regina Spektor (not to be confused with Ronnie Spector who played McCarren Pool this past Sunday). All tour dates below....

Continue reading "Albert Hammond Jr shows today & tomorrow + album stream "

"We fought hard for the right to be in control of how our music is used, to avoid situations like this kind of crass commercialism and exploitation. Labels like EMI are no longer running the show, and we won't be bullied by those in the 'old' music business who consider every artist to be easily expendable. Those days are over." --Billy Corgan

Continue reading "the Smashing Pumpkins are suing Virgin Records "