British Accents News Recap
by Staff | 00.00.0000

Boston's finest radio show in finding underground US and UK gems, British Accents, gives the rest of the country an update on what's what in the world of indie:

*On the British Accents radio show this Sunday from 2-4pm on WMFO 91.5 FM: brand new music from DOVES, NEW ORDER (pictured right), IDLEWILD, WEDDING PRESENT, BLOC PARTY and much more. Listen online at www.wmfo.org and through iTunes. Also, the lineup for the British Accents 6th Anniversary show will be announced on the show - a lineup was announced last Sunday, but has changed slightly, so tune in for the updates!

*TONY WILSON is refusing to let his legacy slide into obscurity, launching the newest incarnation of Factory Records - called F4 (www.f4records.co.uk). THE DURUTTI COLUMN are not only still around, but still making records, and F4 will release one in March, along with a rapper named RAW-T. Stay tuned for the Hollywood version of the F4 story, 15 Minute Party People.

*RAZORLIGHT have denied rumours that they are splitting after the band came home early from an aborted US tour and then cancelled some UK dates. The band insists they are plagued by fatigue and illness, and that there is no talk amongst the band of breaking up.

*Sometimes new releases sneak out without much warning - it happened last week with a new EP by ASH, just in time for Ash Wednesday. The "Clones" EP features a handful of tracks from the "Meltdown" album plus at least one UK b-side. The song "Clones" will be featured in a new Star Wars video game, and it's the first time George Lucas has used any music in a Star Wars production that wasn't composed explicitly for the film or game.

*HANDSOME BOY MODELING SCHOOL have rescheduled their west coast dates and announced some east coast dates. The duo will hit Boston's Paradise on April 19 with K-OS in tow.

*The Grammy Awards were doled out on Sunday night, and along with the top honors going to a dead guy (the late great RAY CHARLES), and top awards going to future one-hit wonders (Maroon 5 won "best new artist"), WILCO and former President BILL CLINTON both hauled in awards for "best spoken word album" and "best alternative album"... or was it the other way around. The "Garden State" soundtrack also won for best soundtrack compilation.

*U2 have issued an apology to fans who paid $40 for the ability to buy tickets during pre-sales for the band's upcoming tour, but in many cases the pre-sale tickets were not available, or they were bad seats and not worth buying in advance. No word on whether U2 will apologize for releasing "Vertigo".

*THE WEDDING PRESENT now has a New York date - April 29 at Bowery Ballroom.

*Although they played TT the Bear's the last time they passed through Boston, THE DECEMBERISTS will take a crack at the cavernous Avalon on May 25 when they return, and they'll be playing the equally spacious Irving Plaza in New York on May 4.

*SF's "popscene" continues with its uncanny ability to get big name guest performers - HOT HOT HEAT play at the club this Thursday (2/17), EMBRACE make their long-awaited return to SF on March 10, GRAHAM COXON & 22-20'S stop by on March 20, and the club's 9th anniversary show features BLOC PARTY and ERASE ERRATA on March 24. All of these shows are at 330 Ritch, with doors at 10pm, and no advance tickets sold - so get in line early.

*DOGS DIE IN HOT CARS have teamed up with PHOENIX for a springtime US tour that will take them to Paradise on April 4.

*Filter Magazine reports that a DVD is in the works featuring the most memorable performances at the Glastonbury Festival over the last 30 years, and will feature RADIOHEAD, COLDPLAY, FRANZ FERDINAND and many more. No US release date has been announced for the DVD.

*DIZZEE RASCAL returns to the US for the first time since the last STREETS tour, playing Middle East downstairs on April 26.

*BLOC PARTY fans - hope you got your tickets to the band's 2-night stand at NY's Bowery Ballroom, because both shows have sold out, as Bowery is the leader of advance club show ticket sales in the free world. Boston fans may want to get advance tickets for the band's April 5 show at Paradise.

*THE KILLERS have announced a springtime west coast tour that will bring them to SF's Fillmore on April 19 for 2 shows. The band also has a handful of new songs that they will debut at these shows, before returning to the studio later this year to record the follow-up to "Hot Fuss".

*Underrated Swedish garage rockers MANDO DIAO return to the US in April for a handful of shows, including April 27 at TT the Bear's with the also-underrated COMAS.

*Continuing in the spirit of underrated Swedish bands, CAESARS are planning to release their new album on April 26, called "Paper Tigers". You may have seen the latest iPod commercial which features "Jerk it Out", from the band's last album. A remix of "Jerk it Out" will be included on the new album as a bonus track.

*Pitchforkmedia.com reports from the band's website that last year's hot buzz band THE UNICORNS have split up, but as of right now that news is unconfirmed other than a message on the band's website saying "THE UNICORNS ARE DEAD. R.I.P."

*Boston's DRESDEN DOLLS have teamed up with a revived NINE INCH NAILS for the goth scene's tour of the year. So far only west coast dates have been announced for this tour.

British Accents airs every Sunday from 2-4pm et on WMFO - 91.5 FM in The Boston area, www.wmfo.org everywhere else. You can also listen through itunes (search for WMFO). To request a song, win a prize or ask a question during the show, call 617-627-3800 or AIM "DJ WMFO"