Primus bassist/vocalist Les Claypool has put the finishing touches on a new solo album, “Of Whales and Woe,” due May 30 via his own Prawn Song label. The follow-up to 2002’s “Purple Onion” was recorded in Claypool‘s home studio and features contributions from percussionist Mike Dillon, saxophonist Skerik and Gabby La La on sitar.

The Akron, Ohio-based rock duo Black Keys will open six shows on Radiohead‘s summer tour, beginning June 10 and 11 in Montreal.Other dates include New York (June 13-14) and Chicago (June 19-20).Radiohead‘s members have been Black Keys fans for years; guitarist Jonny Greenwood was spotted side-stage during the group’s performance at the 2004 Coachella Valley […]

Norma Jean are to call their new album ‘Redeemer’. To be released in August, this will be produced by Ross Robinson.

Motion City Soundtrack are to re-issue their album ‘Commit This To Memory’ next month, through Epitaph. The new version will have a bonus DVD with three hours of footage.

Swiss industrial band P.M.T. are to release their second album later this month. It’s to be called ‘Topping From Below’. Samples are now up here.

Pere Ubu are to have their 1978 album ‘The Modern Dance’ re-issued in Dualdisc format by Silverline on July 24. One side of the disc features the original album, re-mastered, while the other side has the album in 5.1 ‘surround sound’ stereo, as well as an interview with Pere Ubu mainman David Thomas.

Breed 77 are to releaes their new single on June 12. It’s called ‘Alive’, and comes from the album ‘In My Blood (En Mi Sangre)’, which is due out on July 3.

Radiohead singer Thom Yorke and bandmate Jonny Greenwood have played new songs at a special one-off show in London.The concert (May 1) is being held in support of The Big Ask, Friends Of The Earth‘s climate campaign. During the show the band played semi-acoustic versions of some of their biggest hits and three new songs.The […]

Apocalyptica are to release a double CD retrospective at the end of May. It’s to be called ‘Amplified – A Decade Of Reinventing The Cello’. There will also be a double disc DVD, ‘The Life Burns Tour’. A single, ‘Repressed’, is due out in mid-May. This features vocal appearances from Soulfly‘s Max Cavalera and Matt […]

Nevermore guitarist Steve Smyth has been forced to pull out of the band’s US tour with In Flames. This is because he’s suffering from severe kidney problems, and is being temporarily replaced by Jag Panzer‘s Chis Broderick. This is the second medical blow to hit Nevermore, with bassist Jim Sheppard also forced to sit out […]