BlurTalk - Blur News

Offical Gorillaz News

Fri, 11 Jun 2010 09:25:13 GMT

Gorillaz headline Friday night at Glastonbury on June 25th. This will be broadcast on BBC2 and BBC4. Experience the new Gorillaz album 'Escape to Plastic Beach' on the Plastic Beach tour. For more information about all of the Escape to Plastic Beach tour dates, including how to book tickets for shows in the UK, Ireland, Italy and Germany visit the tour pages of Gorillaz.com. EXCLUSIVE PREMIERE "On Melancholy Hill" the new video from Gorillaz The latest single from Gorillaz will be available on iTunes from June 15th 2010 - find it at iTunes.com/Gorillaz If you've not seen all the fantastic videos in the Plastic Beach story - you can find them on YouTube.

The Britpop Story

Fri, 11 Jun 2010 09:17:17 GMT

Friday 11 June, 9:15pm - 9:45pm, BBC4 The musical line-up on BBC4 continues with an unlikely transition from hot-blooded Italian opera (La boh�me at 7.30pm) to tongue-in-cheek indie. The Britpop Story (9.15pm), first shown in 2005, looks back at those heady days when virtually any English-accented guitar group could have a hit. Suddenly, it was cool to be British, even cooler to be working class, and fresh-faced Prime Minister Tony Blair felt compelled to invite Oasis to tea. In No Distance Left to Run, after a ten-year hiatus, a middle-aged Blur forget their quarrels and get in shape for their 2009 reunion tour (9.45pm). Their triumphant comeback performance at Glastonbury, featuring a choked-up Damon Albarn, follows at 11.30pm.

New Blur Single Fool's Day is available from www.blur.co.uk

Sun, 18 Apr 2010 12:56:06 GMT

Blur's new song Fool's Day recorded especially for Record Store Day has sold out on limited edition 7 inch vinyl record. Fool's Day was available across the UK at independent music retailers participating in Record Store Day. 1000 7 inch vinyl copies were pressed. Blur's manager Chris Morrison has said it is important that the song was made available to fans legally. "To avoid fans having to illegally obtain an inferior copy of this track from pirate sites - we have made it freely available through the band's website". Fool's Day is available from www.blur.co.uk at midnight this evening, Saturday April 17, 2010. Recorded in London earlier this month, Fool's Day is the first song 4 members of Blur have recorded together since Battery In Your Leg from the album Think Tank (2003).

NME - Exclusive interview with Graham Coxon

Tue, 28 Jul 2009 16:12:36 GMT

In this weeks issue of NME (released 1st August) we have an exclusive interview with Graham Coxon talking about the possibility of recording a new album with Blur.

Live CDs from Hyde Park

Mon, 20 Jul 2009 12:31:11 GMT

You can now buy the live Hyde Park gig CDs here; http://blur.sandbag.uk.com/Store/DisplayItems-1-0-0.html Also blur.co.uk has a good new forum, long gone are the days of the blurtalk board! http://forums.blur.co.uk/viewforum.php?f=9&sid=3da31add50eca97493fede7a1910f6b1

Lots to catch up on‏ (from blur fan club)

Thu, 2 Apr 2009 23:26:27 GMT

Firstly, support acts have been announced for the Manchester date as The Klaxons and Florence & The Machine. Secondly, there are some UK Graham shows on sale for May. They are: 3 May Norwich Arts Centre 4 May Brighton Digital 6 May Tunbridge Wells The Forum 7 May Hertford Marquee 12 May Cambridge Soul Tree 15 May Wolverhampton Civic Hall Bar Thirdly, the Gorillaz documentary, Bananaz, gets a DVD release on 1 June with an on-line premiere on 20 April. There is now an official site counting down to those events - http://www.bananazfilm.com/

Blur perform together on stage for the first time in 9 years

Thu, 26 Feb 2009 08:04:52 GMT

Awful qality but its something to wet the appetite! Thanks to BFC

Blur, Manchester MEN, June 26. (News from blurfanclub.co.uk)

Tue, 10 Feb 2009 08:14:00 GMT

In the lead up to the Hyde Park and Festival appearances this year, Blur will play the Manchester MEN Arena on Friday June 26. Tickets go on general sale from Friday 13 February from 9am. Booking lines are: 0844 847 8000; 0871 2200 260 and 0844 826 2826 Also available from www.gigsandtours.com and www.ticketmaster.co.uk

Blur booked to play 'T in the Park' and 'Oxegen'

Sun, 8 Feb 2009 09:01:56 GMT

The latest on the blur comeback trail.... TEXT FROM OXYGEN: Blur, one of the most important bands of the past twenty years are set to play OXEGEN 2009 �.a tremendous coup for the festival and fantastic news for music fans! This one and only appearance in Ireland this year will be a welcome return for these superstars who burst onto the scene more than a decade ago and who have not played live since 2003. This will be an extremely rare opportunity to catch the band that shaped a generation and is one not to be missed!

Damon presenting the Zane Lowe show on Radio 1 (News from blurfanclub.co.uk)

Fri, 9 Jan 2009 07:32:22 GMT

Damon will be presenting Zane Lowe's Radio 1 show on Wednesday of next week: There are unconfirmed reports that Damon will use the opportunity to showcase some as yet unreleased material. Also, there is a BBC4 programme on Suzi Winstanley, Damon's partner, at 10pm on 2 Feb. I'm unsure if the programme features Damon, but promises to be an interesting documentary on her work as a wildlife artist.

Alex backstage at Hyde Park (News from blurfanclub.co.uk)

Wed, 17 Dec 2008 07:32:59 GMT

The Independent newspaper, for which Alex writes, is holding it's annual charity auction. One of the lots is 2 tickets and a meeting with Alex backstage at Hyde Park. To bid, visit the ebay listing: EBAY LINK

Alex's cheeses available to purchase (News from blurfanclub.co.uk)

Wed, 17 Dec 2008 07:32:40 GMT

Paxton & Whitfield have Alex's cheeses available to purchase mail order: Blue Monday, his New Order inspired soft blue cheese, Fairleigh Wallop, Alex's 2nd Goats cheese, Little Wallop - the original goats cheese available in the New Brits gift pack, and all three, along with chutney and crackers in an extravagant gift pack for the more affluent. Go here to purchase or just drool.

Blur Tickets and Interviews on Absolute Radio

Thu, 11 Dec 2008 09:37:39 GMT

Absolute Radio have a pre-sale happening for their Hyde Park gig, it commences at 9am Thursday and tickets will be available from http://www.absoluteradio.co.uk/tickets They have a top 10 chart which is going out tonight between 11pm and 12 midnight, as voted for by Absolute Radio listeners. The vote results will be published shortly. They have 4 live session tracks from a few years ago on the site too, here's a link: http://www.absoluteradio.co.uk/music/artists/blur/article/3541.html And last but by no means least, Damon and Graham popped in Tuesday night and Alex James the other day, they have both interviews and some photos here: http://www.absoluteradio.co.uk/music/artists/blur/article/3550.html

Damon and Graham were on Zane Lowe's Radio 1

Wed, 10 Dec 2008 08:28:42 GMT

Thanks to Martin at Blur Fan Club for the news; Go to I-Player and listen again: http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/radio/bbc_radio_one?page=2

Blur Reunion - NME Cover Strory!

Tue, 9 Dec 2008 12:42:31 GMT

In this week's NME... (08/12/08) In this week's special issue of NME, dated December 10, we put the Blur rumours to bed for the final time and confirm in a world exclusive interview that Blur are definitely back.

Blur will play a live show in Hyde Park in summer 2009

Tue, 9 Dec 2008 08:30:47 GMT

Thanks to Martin at Blur Fan Club for the news; Graham Coxon will join Alex James, Dave Rowntree and Damon Albarn onstage for this first time since their Royal Festival Hall performance in 2000. The concert will take place at London�s Hyde Park on Friday 3rd July 2009. Tickets will be on general sale from 9am Friday 12th December 2008 at www.livenation.co.uk. All tickets are �45.00, are limited to six per person, and subject to a booking fee. Promoters recommend fans purchase tickets from official outlets only. Blur.co.uk page has been updated with video of the band.

Damon Albarn: 'Blur are reforming for rehearsals'

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 09:56:58 GMT

All four band members will reunite in 2009, says singer. Damon Albarn has confirmed that Blur will be reuniting next year. The singer revealed his old band, including guitarist Graham Coxon, will be working together. Albarn made the comments just before a special one-off performance of his opera 'Monkey: Journey To The West' at the BBC Radio Theatre in London this afternoon (November 25).

Quotes from Damon

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 17:57:37 GMT

"The truth be known Graham and I have been hanging out together a bit. We had lunch the other day," Damon Albarn told BBC Newsbeat. "He's great, it's fantastic to get my old friend back." And it appears Albarn may get his old band back too: "It's very possible I'll go back to Blur," he said, "it really is very possible."

Blur Reunite at Damon Albarn's Opera in London

Thu, 13 Nov 2008 17:53:53 GMT

Damon Albarn was reunited with his Blur bandmates, Graham Coxon and Alex James in London last night (November 12). The pair watched the opening night production of Albarn's opera, 'Monkey: Joruney to the West' received its official premiere last night at the O2 Arena. The opera, created with Chinese director Chen Shi-Zheng, is being staged in a specially-erected tent at the Meridian Gardens in Greenwich until December 5.

Alex James makes it through first round of Maesto

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 09:21:14 GMT

Check on Alex's progress through the TV program Maesto as he tries to make it as an orchestral conductor. See videos of his performances, work at baton camp and time spent with with mentor Brad Cohen. From BBC : Eight Celebrities, one top-class orchestra and the opportunity of a lifetime. The final challenge? To conduct the BBC Concert Orchestra in front of a live audience of thousands at Proms in the Park...

Damon Albarn Reveals Olympic His Passion of Table Tennis

Fri, 1 Aug 2008 16:34:19 GMT

The Blur man has spoken about his passion for playing table tennis - and has taken on members of the British Olympic squad. Damon Albarn - who with Gorillaz collaborator Jamie Hewlett have adapted characters from their opera 'Monkey: A Journey To The West' for the BBC's Olympics coverage - told Radio Times he's obessesed with ping pong. "Yeah, everywhere I go I have to have a table tennis table. I love it; it's a brilliant way to relax when you�re working," he explained. "I'm playing at the Lyon Festival and they wanted a slightly longer set, so I said, 'If you give us a table tennis table then you'll get a longer set'."

Monkey? Magic!

Thu, 31 Jul 2008 13:01:11 GMT

Get Monkey on your desktop Download the Desktop Monkey and he will magically whisk you the latest stories about your favourite events from the Beijing Olympics. If you haven't met Monkey, click to watch him in BBC Sport's Olympics movie. "Once you download me to your desktop, I'll calmly and efficiently fetch you the latest Olympic stories for your favourite sports. And when events you want to follow are about to start, I'll give you a handy reminder. All you have to do is set me going, choose up to five Olympic sports, and tell me which events you'd like to be reminded about. I do the rest! I even set my watch according to whichever time zone your system is currently using, so all the event times will adjust automatically, wherever you are in the world. "

BBC Sport's Olympics Monkey

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 09:33:34 GMT

Monkey, Pigsy and Sandy head on a "Journey to the East" for BBC Sport this summer. This animated sequence, based on the classical Chinese novel, "Journey to the West", has been produced by Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett, the men behind virtual band Gorillaz. It will feature on TV, radio, web and mobile, introducing coverage of the Games on BBC Sport - the Olympic broadcaster in the UK.

Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett Reveal New Project Collaboration

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 10:21:42 GMT

Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett � the duo behind animated band Gorillaz and the opera 'Monkey: Journey To The West', have revealed details of their next collaborative project. Hewlett explained that the project will be named 'Carousel', and will be a film and stage project that Albarn has written around 70 songs for so far. The visual artist told the Observer: "'Carousel' is even bigger and more difficult than 'Monkey'. I've done a lot of visuals and Damon's done a lot of music but we haven't figured out how they're going to fit together. "It's sort of like a film but not with one narrative story. There's many stories, told around a bigger story, set to music, and done in live action, animation, all different styles. "Originally it was a film but now we think it's a film and it's a stage thing as well. Damon's written around 70 songs for it, and I've got great plans for the visuals."

Alex James in Africa : Farming for a future

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 11:29:23 GMT

Alex James made a programme called Alex James in Africa: Farming for a future. It is showing again on the Community Channel on 13th August and is avaliable online. They are also running a competition to win signed copies of "Bit of a Blur" online.

James wants to call daughter Boudica

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 09:16:06 GMT

Ex-Blur bass player Alex James has revealed that his wife Claire is pregnant with their fourth child. James, who has three sons - Geronimo, four, and two-year-old twins Artemis and Galileo - told OK! that he is having a daughter. Speaking to the magazine, the musician admitted that he wants to continue his tradition of giving his children odd names. He said: "I think you've got to have a look at them before you decide what they will be called. We quite like Sophie, although I don't think we will get that past the board of censors - especially Geronimo!" James added: "There's a shortlist now. I quite like Boudica."

Blur: 'We nearly played Glastonbury'

Mon, 7 Jul 2008 09:14:17 GMT

Alex James says 'Damon's mum nixed' offered headline slot Blur's Alex James has revealed that his band were offered a headline slot at this year's Glastonbury festival. Writing in The Independent, James explained that the band were close to agreeing a deal to play on Worthy Farm, but the booking was eventually scuppered. The bassist did, however, suggest that the band could headline the festival in the future, having last done so back in 1998. "Blur very nearly played Glastonbury this year," he wrote. "There was a pang of regret when I heard Damon [Albarn]'s mum had nixed it at the 11th hour. "I was looking forward to showing off to [his wife] Claire and the kids, but I suppose the important thing was to have been asked, and listening to all that screaming I felt pleased about how things had turned out. "I'm sure it'll happen one day, but for the meantime I put Rossini back in the machine and ate the high road."

An Honest Jon's Chop Up!

Tue, 24 Jun 2008 11:53:30 GMT

Featuring Tony Allen, the Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, Damon Albarn, Kokanko Sata Doumbia, Lobi Traore, Afel Bocoum, Candi Staton, Simone White, Victoria Williams, Toumani Diabate & more 5 July 2008 / 19:30 Barbican Hall Tickets: �12.50 / 15 / 20 subject to availability

Monkey: Journey To The West comes to London

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 08:57:04 GMT

The first date, showing at London's Royal Opera House, will take place between July 23 and 26. The show's premiere season sold out at the Manchester International Festival in 2007. There are only a handful of tickets left for this mostly from �75 upwards!

Gorillaz create BBC's Olympics opening sequence.

Tue, 3 Jun 2008 13:07:34 GMT

Gorillaz collaborators Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett have created the opening sequence for the BBC's Olympics coverage. Based on the traditional Chinese tale Journey To The West, here the characters Monkey, Pigsy and Sandy stand by the Bird's Nest stadium in Beijing.

Black Ghosts New Album Featured Damon Albarn

Mon, 2 Jun 2008 13:09:01 GMT

The self-titled record is due out on July 8 in the US via the Iamsound label. The album's first single 'Repetition' features guest vocals by Damon Albarn.

James hints at Blur reunion

Sat, 24 May 2008 10:49:15 GMT

Blur bassist Alex James has fuelled speculation the band will reunite, insisting he would be "surprised" if they never performed together again. (Advertisement) The Britpop pioneers have been on hiatus since 2003, with bandmembers working on side projects and solo projects. Meanwhile, James has been developing his own range of cheese on his farm in the English countryside. Frontman Damon Albarn recently dismissed the idea of a Blur reunion, because they don't need the money - but James disagrees. He says, "We're all pretty busy, but I'd be surprised if it never happens, but I would be terrified if it was happening on Monday."

Blur's Alex James and Goldie for classical music reality TV show

Fri, 23 May 2008 10:50:19 GMT

Former Blur bassist Alex James and drum'n'bass star Goldie are among the competitors in a new reality TV show, the winner of which will get to conduct the BBC Concert Orchestra. As well as the aforementioned duo, actors David Soul and Jane Asher, plus newsreader Katie Derham and comedians Bradley Walsh and Sue Perkins, will star in 'Maestro', which will air on BBC2 in August. The competitors will undergo training as conductors, then will be judged by a panel of judges and orchestra members on how they perform when conducting. The winner will get to conduct the BBC Concert Orchestra at the BBC Proms In The Park on September 13, reports BBC News.

BLUR frontman DAMON ALBARN is taking his circus opera to the US.

Mon, 5 May 2008 10:50:59 GMT

MONKEY: JOURNEY TO THE WEST will make its stateside debut at the 2008 Spoleto Festival in Charleston, South Carolina, beginning on May 23rd, reports NME magazine. The show will be performed 18 times during the 17-day event and will then travel to London for a stint at the Royal Opera House, according to the publication. It made its debut last year in a Manchester Theatre. The opera features music by Albarn and set creations from his GORILLAZ collaborator JAMIE HEWITT. Chen Shi-Zheng directs the show which is a mix of animations and live-action circus acts. It follows the tale of an ancient Chinese legend, in which a monkey king gains immortality after leading a revolt against heaven. Meanwhile, it was recently reported that Albarn is planning a 130-musician album. Speaking to BBC 6 Music, he said that his latest endeavour will feature a Chinese choir and a full orchestra but refused to reveal any details about the title or whether it is linked to any of his previous projects.

BLUR - DAMON ALBARN PLANS 130 MUSICIAN ALBUM

Fri, 25 Apr 2008 10:52:01 GMT

Former BLUR frontman DAMON ALBARN has announced plans to release a rather unusual new album. The singer told BBC 6 Music that his latest endeavour will involve more than 100 musicians, including a Chinese choir and a full orchestra. "This one's got about 80, 90 musicians on it - something in that region. It's got a 100-piece Chinese choir on one of the tunes. That plus the orchestra probably goes to about 120-130 people," he added. Damon, who has also had chart hits with the animated band GORILLAZ and more recently THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE QUEEN, remained elusive about the details of his new project, refusing to reveal its name or state whether it was linked to any of his previous endeavors. However, he did say that there will be a monkey connection, drawing parallels with both GORILLAZ and his recent opera MONKEY: JOURNEY TO THE WEST, by stating that the title has "something of monkeys in there". THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE QUEEN, in which Damon sings and plays the keyboards, recently headlined the Love Music Hate Racism event in London's Victoria Park.

ALEX JAMES LAUNCHES 118 520 CELEBRITY STORYBOOK IN SUPPORT OF NSPCC

Wed, 20 Feb 2008 16:25:59 GMT

Farmer and musician Alex James, is the first of a number of celebrities to put pen to paper to launch a special children�s storybook in support of a new charity directory enquiries number,118 520, supporting the NSPCC. If every one of the 378 million calls to directory enquiry services every year were made to 118 520 instead of other 118 numbers or free directory enquiry services, the public could help raise more than �34 million pounds for the NSPCC. To help promote the new 118 520 number and raise as much money for the charity as possible, each celebrity will be tasked with writing 10 lines of the �Once Upon A Time� enchanted tale before passing it on to the next in line. Alex has taken inspiration from the classic Blur favourite, �Country House�, and his favourite childhood tale, �The Secret Garden�, to create the magical world where the story begins. Alex tells the tale of a very big house in the country, inhabited by a wealthy Duke. The house has cellars full of wheels of the finest cheese; no doubt inspired by �Little Wallop� the cheese Alex produces on his farm in the Cotswolds. Alex�s passion for space is also brought to life within the story; he has given the Duke a huge telescope positioned within the very highest turret in the house so he can enjoy the Andromeda galaxy. Alex�s contribution ends with the arrival of four children at the very big house; an influence from one of his favourite childhood authors, Enid Blyton. It will be up to Radio One DJ Sara Cox to decide their fate, and develop the story further, as she completes the second contribution for what is set to be one of the most exciting stories ever written. Other celebrities who have already committed to put pen to paper to support the 118 520 story include sports legend Linford Christie, musician KT Tunstall and fashion designer Henry Holland. The priceless 118 520 tale is expected to be completed by October and will be unveiled at an exclusive story-telling event where it will be auctioned to raise funds for the NSPCC after its first ever public reading. Alex James said; �I am delighted to be the first author of the 118 520 story book. I try to read my sons a story every night so this is an opportunity I just couldn�t say no to! I hope this book encourages many people to call 118520 and raise funds for the NSPCC.� Nine pence from every call made to 118 520 will be donated entirely to the NSPCC � the highest donation being made from any 118 number to a single charity. So why not make a real difference every time you ring directory enquiries by making 118 520 your number of choice � use it, save it and pass it on!

X-clusive: Coxon Concept Album On The Way

Mon, 18 Feb 2008 14:04:56 GMT

Speaking to Xfm, the former Blur guitarist confirmed that he's to re-enter studio to record the follow-up to 2006's 'Love Travels At Illegal Speeds'. And not only that - it'll be a concept album. So what's it all about Graham? "It's about a man who is born in, um, possibly the fifties. Grows up, meets a girl, gets married, then has to go to war and gets really knackered up and then has a divorce and then goes mad and then...er...dies and goes to heaven." Right... He continued: "I've written an awful lot and they've gone into two piles. I am concentrating on one element of what I do more than the other. I think I got to a point on the last record where I covered that really and I want to concentrate on some other preoccupations, it's about those."

Damon Albarn: Working with Lily Allen was a bad idea

Mon, 18 Feb 2008 14:00:42 GMT

Former Blur star Damon Albarn has his attempted collaboration with Lily Allen was a disaster. The musician was forced to work with the Smile star by his record label, but says it was a "bad idea". He said: "The record label thought it would be a good idea. Lily came down to my studio and said normally she would just sit around and listen to a musician and come up with some ideas. "I jumped on the piano and played mad stuff and she just looked at me - it didn't exactly go well. She's a really talented kid, but it was just a bad idea."

Reunion proving difficult

Wed, 30 Jan 2008 13:59:43 GMT

Blur bassist Alex James has blamed Damon Albarn for delaying plans for a band reunion. The Britpop legends have long planned to reform only for individual members to then publicly express distaste at the idea of getting back together. And according to James - who recently travelled to Colombia to produce a documentary regarding the cocaine trade for BBC1's Panorama - it is lead singer Albarn who is the current hurdle in the path towards a Blur revival. Talking to the BBC, he explained: "We all have to sort of take it in turns to not want to do it. I think it's Damon who doesn't want to do it at the moment, I think it's my turn next. "March onwards I can't do it because I am in a bad mood," he joked. The four-piece have not recorded together since the Marrakesh production sessions for their 2003 album Think Tank, during which guitarist Graham Coxon quit the band. While Coxon has continued his respected solo career, Albarn formed the hugely successful virtual band Gorillaz as well as collaborating with former Clash bassist Paul Simonon in the Good, the Bad and the Queen. James has since worked regularly as a writer, broadcaster and farmer, while drummer Dave Rowntree stood unsuccessfully as the Labour Party candidate in the candidate in the Marylebone High Street ward by-election for Westminster city council. But according to James, a new album could now be on the cards for the Parklife stars. "We are all talking," he explained. "You know, it's great, we have all gone on to do other things, it would be a disaster to think there would never be another Blur record."

Cocaine: Alex James in Colombia

Mon, 28 Jan 2008 15:47:41 GMT

Alex James, bass player of Britpop band Blur, revealed in his autobiography that he'd spent "a million pounds on champagne and cocaine". According to the Home Office there are 800,000 cocaine users in Britain. Colombia supplies 80% of the world's cocaine and Colombian President Alvaro Uribe invited celebrities publicly linked to drug use to visit his country to see the damage the cocaine industry has done. At our suggestion Alex took up the challenge. In Colombia, Alex met the Vice-President, Francisco Santos Calderon, who explained what he hoped the visit would achieve:

OASIS V BLUR: THE REMATCH

Mon, 21 Jan 2008 12:37:03 GMT

BRITPOP rivals Oasis and Blur are set to go head to head again in a sensational telly special. Beeb bosses are plotting a reunion clash between the two bands as part of a special episode of hit quiz show The Weakest Link. More than a decade after their feud at the height of Britpop, telly chiefs are in talks with Gallagher brothers Liam, 35, and Noel, 40, and their old chart rivals Damon Albarn, 40, and Alex James, 39. And they want to draft in a string of other top names for the pop music showdown. Their hit-list includes Suede�s Brett Anderson, 40, Elastica�s Justine Frischmann, 38, Pulp�s Jarvis Cocker, 44, and Manic Street Preachers frontman James Dean Bradfield, 38.

Blur frontman and ex-MI5 chief to guest edit Today

Tue, 4 Dec 2007 16:12:39 GMT

Damon Albarn, the lead singer of Britpop band Blur, and Dame Stella Rimington, the former MI5 director-general, have been confirmed as guest editors for BBC Radio 4's Today programme between Christmas and the New Year. Albarn and Rimington are among the names who will take it in turns to present an edition of the flagship morning news programme. The other confirmed guest editors are historian and author Professor Peter Hennessy, Sir Martin Evans, winner of the 2007 Nobel prize for medicine, and members of the Dyfed Powys police force. Albarn will present a package on how Britain could learn from Mali's approach to recycling. Hennessy will track the evolution of political satire, Evans will investigate the consequences of Chernobyl, and Rimington will report on declining trust in politics. Previous guest editors on the programme have included Bono, Professor Stephen Hawking, Yoko Ono and the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams. Each guest editor is typically responsible for between a third and a half of the programme's output. Duty editors, producers and reporters are on hand to make sure the material is newsworthy and conforms to BBC editorial guidelines. The Today editor, Ceri Thomas, said: "Guest editors never fail to surprise us with the breadth of their interests and the quality of their ideas, and we�ve got a fantastic line-up this year."

Gorillaz D-Sides

Wed, 28 Nov 2007 18:59:38 GMT

Just a reminder that Gorillaz released D-Sides last week, a collection of their unreleased work. Amazon Description; Gorillaz are a virtual band - characters created by Blur/The Good, The Bad And The Queen frontman Damon Albarn and co-creator of the Tank Girl comic book series, Jamie Hewlett. Blending hip-hop, catchy pop hooks and dancefloor-filling beats, Gorillaz have a sound (along with an image) all of their own. 'D-Sides' is a collection of B-sides, early demo rarities and remixes. The album includes the War Child contribution 'Hong Kong', a demo of 'Don't Get Lost In Heaven' and remixes by the likes of Soulwax, DFA and Hot Chip. If you want to buy it click here for UK, USA/Global, ITUNES

Gorillaz go Bananaz with new documentary

Thu, 15 Nov 2007 09:34:57 GMT

It seems you can't keep a good cartoon character down, or even kill them off. And just like Wile E. Coyote, no matter if Albarn and Hewlett's animated popsters run off a cliff, they'll bounce back with something new. Gorillaz are set to release a feature-length documentary about themselves entitled Bananaz. The cartoon band, which draws on the musical ability of Damon Albarn and the pencil skills of Jamie Hewlett, will be put through their paces by director Ceri Levy. Although a few screenings of the film are expected, it's thought that it will be primarily aimed at the DVD market. No release date for Bananaz has yet been set, but the as the film is still in production, it's thought that it won't see the light of day until 2008 at the earliest. In other pop primate news, the band have just released a second two-disc batch of remixes, rarities and B-sides on the compilation D-Sides. Written by Mark Thompson

COMPETITION WINNERS - Damon Albarn biography

Thu, 15 Nov 2007 09:22:54 GMT

Hi blur fans, Thanks to INDEPENDENT MUSIC PRESS We have 2 copies of their forthcoming unofficial Damon Albarn biography to give away! This comp is now over, well done to Erik Newton and S. Praditngam on answering 'Circus'. We had lots of guesses at Seymour, Two's a crowd and Real Lives but better luck next time everyone else...

Coxon, Babyshambles and Smiths Stars Form Indie Supergroup

Fri, 9 Nov 2007 09:23:18 GMT

Beth Ditto, Andy Rourke from The Smiths, Graham Coxon, Paul Weller and The Enemy are amongst the acts who have formed an indie supergroup called Crisis. The charity of the same name has joined forces with Drinkaware to raise money to fight homelessness and alcoholism. Also in the group are New Young Pony Club, Supergrass, Drew from Babyshambles, Ed Harcourt and Pearl Lowe � the latter of which has been an ambassador for Crisis for three years.

Damon wins the Q inspriration award

Mon, 8 Oct 2007 19:12:47 GMT

Damon wins the Q inspriration award for 2007, click the link for the video of his acceptance speech.

BLUR STARS TALK REUNION OVER LUNCH

Fri, 5 Oct 2007 15:09:40 GMT

BLUR are one step closer to reforming after bassist ALEX JAMES and drummer DAVE ROWNTREE met for lunch to discuss plans for a reunion While James admits the band - including guitarist Graham Coxon, who quit in 2002 - are raring to go, he cautions that the four-piece may not be releasing an album of new material any time soon. Writing on his blog for U.K. newspaper The Independent, James says, "Rowntree was on good form. We looked forward to the four members of Blur sitting round a table for lunch for the first time in a long time." He adds, "Rumours of another Blur record are greatly exaggerated. But that lunch happened. It was just lunch - there are no immediate plans to go into the studio."

ALBARN'S DRIVING TEST FAILURE

Tue, 2 Oct 2007 11:26:47 GMT

BLUR singer DAMON ALBARN has failed to pass his driving theory test - because he has trouble with the multiple choice answers. The 39-year-old rocker has already taken the written test five times without success. He says, "I've got a big problem with some of the choices. I disagree with them. If you see someone by the side of the road who looks ill, what do you do? "I might do something entirely different to what they say. But that doesn't mean it's wrong! I'm a rubbish driver anyway."

Gallagher Brothers Finally End Blur Feud

Sat, 29 Sep 2007 11:26:09 GMT

Oasis' Liam and Noel Gallagher have finally moved to end their long-running feud with Blur frontman Damon Albarn. Anomosity between both parties has endured since their Battle of Britpop days over a decade ago, but now both Liam and Noel have finally voiced their admiration of Albarn. Noel has told the NME, "You know Damon, bless him, I've got a lot of respect for him. This never comes across in interviews, but I really do mean it. "Because I'm indifferent to Damon, he thinks that I think he's a c**t. Our Liam will talk to him. I won't because he's just another singer in a band to me, but I don't think he's a c**t. Good luck to him."

Albarn takes Chinese monkey show overseas

Tue, 25 Sep 2007 12:15:51 GMT

After more than 15 years as one of the leading lights in British pop music, Damon Albarn is this week preparing for the international debut of his latest project. A founding member of leading Britpop band Blur and one half of revolutionary "virtual" group Gorillaz, Albarn has turned his attention to the unexplored terrain of mixing ancient Chinese folk music, opera and circus performance. "Monkey, Journey to the West" arrives in Paris on Wednesday for an 18-night run at a theatre in the French capital before heading to Berlin next year.

Gorillaz Dsides

Thu, 20 Sep 2007 12:16:55 GMT

(Filter) Damon Albarn's Gorillaz will release a second collection of rarities titled D-Sides on November 7th via Virgin. Remixers featured on D-Sides include Hot Chip, DFA, and Soulwax. The 2 cd collection will come in standard and deluxe editions. Gorillaz first released a b-sides compilation in 2001 titled G-Sides.

Graham Coxon 'I'm raring to record with Blur'

Mon, 17 Sep 2007 14:21:47 GMT

Speaking to NME.COM, Coxon suggested that the reunion now depended on Blur frontman Damon Albarn. "Dave, Alex and I are all talking. I talk to Alex the most. But there's four individuals in the band," he said. "We're all really busy, but there's definitely a week [when we're going to record]. "I'm just raring to record," he added. "But anything could happen. An alligator could come out of the Thames and eat the Tate Modern while I'm in it, or a mosquito could come and kill us all." When asked what the new Blur material would sound like, Coxon joked, tongue firmly in cheek, that "there would be ten tracks, recorded on a 16-track, and all the songs will have loads of guitar on them."

Alex James to judge unsigned bands competition

Fri, 14 Sep 2007 11:19:23 GMT

Blur bassist Alex James, who recently revealed to NME.COM that his band are set for a full reformation with formerly-departed guitarist Graham Coxon, is to judge a new unsigned bands competition. James, along with TV presenters Alex Zane and Jo Wiley, will judge the Mobile Act Unsigned competition, which will see 50 bands battling it out to win a record contract. The 50 bands have embarked on a series of showcases which James and his judging colleagues will judge, before finally announcing a winner

Alex James reveals the latest

Tue, 11 Sep 2007 09:05:59 GMT

Alex James has given 6 Music an exclusive update on a Blur reunion and the follow-up to Think Tank. Alex reckons Graham Coxon � who left five years ago over musical differences � is ready to re-join the band. Speaking to Julie Cullen on The Music Week, he said: �Funnily enough, people have been talking to each other. I don�t think Graham and Dave have spoken for quite some time and there�s been a flurry of texting and long chats which is good. I�m very hopeful.� Alex reckons that, on reflection, they all needed a break

Blur WILL reunite next month says Alex James

Mon, 10 Sep 2007 13:22:18 GMT

Blur are to set to record together as a four-piece for the first time since 2002, when guitarist Graham Coxon left the band. Speaking to NME.COM, Blur bassist Alex James explained that the band are all in touch again and plan to record together - with the aim of making an album - in the near future. "It's going to happen soon," James explained, speaking of imminent recording sessions. "It's looking promising, It's important for us emotionally not to leave Blur as an unfinished thing. It could be good musically as well."

Graham Coxon has signed a PURE Marshall radio for the RockStarRadios charity auction

Sun, 9 Sep 2007 15:06:20 GMT

Graham Coxon has signed a PURE Marshall radio for the RockStarRadios charity auction in order to raise money for Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy. PURE, Marshall Amplification, Planet Rock and Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy are all set to �turn it up to 11� this coming October by hosting an online charity auction � �RockStarRadios� - for special edition DAB digital radios signed by the very best of rock music talent. All proceeds will go to Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy, the UK�s leading independent music therapy charity. Rock and music legends from around the globe have all been getting involved to make their mark on the PURE EVOKE -1XT Marshall edition DAB radios. To be auctioned off via www.rockstarradios.com for the whole month of October 2007, the highest bidder will win each radio. Some of the other signees include: Noel and Liam Gallagher, Paul Weller, Joe Walsh, Manic Street Preachers, Eric Clapton

Jamie T Teams Up With Damon Albarn

Thu, 6 Sep 2007 10:29:13 GMT

The unlikely pair recently collaborated at the Albarns Africa Express project for a pseudo-acoustic (with Damon on keys) version of Jamie T's Top 10 single, ''Calm Down Dearest'. Catch a full clip of the performance, plus a legendary Blur MP3, by clicking the link below.

Kano: 'Damon Albarn Is Inspirational'

Tue, 4 Sep 2007 10:24:47 GMT

Kano has heaped praise on Damon Albarn, saying the Blur and Gorillaz frontman has �inspired him.� Speaking to Gigwise, the rapper says that working with Albarn on the �London Town� track �Feel Free� was an enlightening experience. He said: �He inspired me a lot man. I was into the Gorillaz and it made me really wanna work with him and when we were in the studio its was just� cool you know � he�s a really creative guy and I think it�s unique � it�s one of my favourite tracks I�ve done.�

Two Blur demos surface from �Parklife� era

Mon, 3 Sep 2007 10:26:26 GMT

In the mid-90�s, britpop turned grunge on its ear. Well, in England, anyway. The Oasis vs. Blur war was unfairly represented by the press as a battle between the lager-swilling good ole boys of the working class vs. the arsty and effete privileged lads. Well, it is true on some level that Oasis appeals to the lowest common denominator, while Blur requires a slightly more refined musical ear, but the fact remains that Damon Albarn could churn out sing-along anthems even the daftest bloke could appreciate. And he was at his absolute peak (after injesting Martin Amis� glorious London Fields) in 1994 when Parklife turned London upside down. Two demos from that era have surfaced over at Dead Flowers: Anglophiles Anonymous, and they just happen to be that record�s two biggest hits, �Parklife� and �Girls & Boys.� Both are expectedly rough but reveal that the band had to do little to turn them into hits. Alex James� bass work is particularly accentuated in the latter, heaping on the evidence that he�s one of the most underrated bassists of britpop and beyond.

Dave Rowntree: I was a coke addict

Fri, 24 Aug 2007 10:50:32 GMT

Blur drummer Dave Rowntree has admitted to being addicted to cocaine during his band's Britpop days. Rowntree has said that he began using the drugs during the height of the band's fame. He said: "I didn't start using regularly until the 90s, but as my tolerance increased, I used more. I managed to get help before they destroyed my life, and these days I'm active in the recovery community.

Confusion Over Camden Benefit Gig

Mon, 13 Aug 2007 12:40:38 GMT

Many sources have been reporting today that both Graham Coxon and Kate Nash will be playing at a special benefit gig tonight, for the Save The Camden Stables campaign. NME.com have reported that the 'secret' gig will take place at Boogaloo in Highgate this evening. However, a message has been posted on Graham's official website stating that: 'Contrary to press reports...Graham will NOT be playing at the Save The Stables Market gig at Boogaloo tonight.'

Blur star's stalker hell

Mon, 13 Aug 2007 12:40:09 GMT

A crazed fan who stalked former Blur guitarist Graham Coxon for more than a year and wrecked his home has been cautioned by police. US-born Sue Ellingham, 31, met Coxon at gigs. After failing to land him, she abused him on his website and wrote false claims about his sex life. As her obsession worsened, she allegedly turned up at the school of the star's five-year-old daughter and at his London home. AdvertisementLast month, she trashed Coxon's farmhouse near Canterbury, Kent. Us-born Ellingham risks being deported if she tries to contact him again. Coxon, 38, told a friend: "She was writing poison." Police said: "We cautioned a woman for harassment and criminal damage."

Damon to appear on Kano's new album

Mon, 13 Aug 2007 12:36:45 GMT

FROM BLURCENTRAL.co.uk : As many of you may already know, Damon Albarn features on a track on London rapper Kano's second album 'London Town', which is to be released in early September. Damon contributes piano and vocals to the track 'Feel Free'. In an interview with soundgenerator.com, Kano says: I was a big fan of Damon's, especially that first Gorillaz album. I came up in the garage scene and they did a lot of garage remixes......

COXON BATTLES TO SAVE LONDON MARKET

Fri, 10 Aug 2007 11:45:23 GMT

BLUR guitarist GRAHAM COXON is following in the footsteps of his ex-bandmate DAVE ROWNTREE by taking on his local council. Coxon has launched a campaign against a multi-million pound plans to redevelop London's Stables Market, insisting it is destined to become "mediocre, modernist piece of crap." He says, "This is a pathetic attempt at modernisation, What's going to be in it? More Starbucks coffee houses and Carphone Warehouses? "It should be full of tailors, shoemakers, cheesemakers and independent shops, but of course they are not going to do that." Drummer Rowntree lost his election attempt to become a local councillor for the Labour party in London's Westminster council in May (07). (LJ/WNBIN/IG) WENN - FOURTH - HOLLYWOOD, SHOWBIZ & PEOPLE NEWS - 7 AUGUST 2007

Alex James' Cheese Diaries

Fri, 20 Jul 2007 14:16:53 GMT

Alex is doing a series of video podcasts about his cheese-making exploits. The relevant url is below and people can then subscribe via iTunes. Do have a look in any case, it's a great trailer and the whole enterprise promises to be a lot of fun!

Damon and Jamie's Excellent Adventure - BBC1 Tonight

Wed, 4 Jul 2007 17:19:00 GMT

Transmission: Wednesday, 4th July 2007 Damon and Jamie's Excellent Adventure Alan Yentob speaks exclusively with Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett as they embark on a new creative endeavour and their first collaboration outside the Gorillaz partnership.

Monkey:Journey to the West - Palace Theatre, Manchester

Mon, 2 Jul 2007 09:49:45 GMT

Monkey:Journey to the West Thu 28 June - Sat 7 July Adapted and directed by: Chen Shi-Zheng Composer: Damon Albarn Visual concept, costume, design and animation: Jamie Hewlett Dramaturgy: David Greenspan Conductor: Andr� de Ridder The launch event of the first Manchester International Festival is a circus opera for the 21st century, based on an ancient Chinese legend but reworked as a dazzling spectacle involving more than 40 Chinese circus acrobats, vocalists and performing martial artists. For centuries, the epic tale of the Monkey King�s journey of enlightenment has been an omnipresent part of Chinese culture, delighting young and old with its heady mix of adventure, mystery and magic. Now, East meets West in 'Monkey: Journey to the West', a new production that reinvents the legend with a thrilling combination of music and action. The show has been adapted and directed by Chen Shi-Zheng, whose credits range from Chinese opera and theatre to the Hollywood movie 'Dark Matter', starring Meryl Streep. The music has been composed by Damon Albarn and the design and animation is by Jamie Hewlett, the artists behind award-winning virtual band Gorillaz.

Paul Weller and Graham Coxon to release single

Tue, 26 Jun 2007 13:10:16 GMT

The Sun newspaper recently reported that Graham Coxon and Paul Weller had teamed up to record a number of songs together. At the time taken with a moderately sized pinch of salt it turns out that one of the collaborations is to be released as a single next month! The track, entitled �This Old Town�, also features drums by Zak (son of Ringo) Starkey and will be issued on 7″ on 30th July via Regal (home to Loney, Dear and Lily Allen), and is available as a download from 2nd July. The release will also feature the Coxon-penned Each New Morning, and Weller�s Black River. Of the collaboration, Coxon says: "As a long time admirer of Paul I never dared imagine getting a chance to work with him so I was bricking it when we first met�but he is an absolute gent and a shockingly great singer and musician. It�s been a total pleasure." Weller added: "I�ve always been a big fan of Grahams and love his work so it was exciting for me to work on something new with him."

BIT OF A BLUR by ALEX JAMES

Sun, 17 Jun 2007 09:30:14 GMT

BIT OF A BLUR by ALEX JAMES is released today.... CLICK HERE TO ORDER THE BOOK For Alex James, music had always been a door to a more exciting life: a way to travel, meet new people and, hopefully, pick up girls. But as bass player of Blur � one of the most successful British bands of all time � his journey was more exciting and extreme than he could ever have predicted. Success catapulted him from a slug-infested squat in Camberwell to a world of private jets and world-class restaurants. As �the second drunkest member of the world�s drunkest band� life was always chaotic, but Alex James retained a boundless enthusiasm and curiosity at odds with his hedonistic lifestyle. From nights in the Groucho with Damien Hirst, to dancing to Sister Sledge with Bjork, to being bitten on the nose by the lead singer of Iron Maiden, he offers a fascinating and hilarious insight into the world of celebrity. At its heart, however, Bit of a Blur is the picaresque tale of one man�s search to find meaning and happiness in an increasingly surreal world. Pleasingly unrepentant but nonetheless a reformed man, Alex James is the perfect chronicler of his generation � witty, observant, frank and brimming with joie de vivre.

Gorillaz Action Figures

Sat, 16 Jun 2007 10:33:40 GMT

Sorry if this is an old story but I have never come accross them before so I dont think I have ever posted news about them, Will The final colorways of the new Gorillaz figures are here! Rebirthed in new and improved sculpts only 1000 sets of the 2-Tone edition exist. Because of the success of the last sets of figures which released with their platinum album Demon Days, we have teamed up with Jamie Hewlett and produced a new set of 3D vinyl creations based on the world's first virtual band For those unfamiliar, the Gorillaz are the creation of designer/illustrator Jamie Hewlett and Damon Albarn, the lead singer of Blur. This animated band went platinum with their self titled debut and repeated their success with Demon Days last year. The four Gorillaz characters - 2D, Noodle, Murdoc, and Russel are brought to life in beautiful vinyl. Each comes with various accessories including a wrench, a busted drum, guitar, bass, and microphone stand. Each comes packaged in a semi-transparent display box.

ADULT CONTENT LOSELY BASED ON BLUR! - Hewitt Pens Jimmyjane + Kabaret�s Prophecy Collaboration

Sat, 16 Jun 2007 10:25:16 GMT

Immortalized on a limited edition collection, the saucy boys and scintillating girls of decadent London nightclub Kabaret's Prophecy are now available in the light of day. Envisioned by acclaimed pop culture artist, Jamie Hewlett, these ultimate club members epitomize the larger-than-life characters that the paparazzi revere�from randy heiresses and hunky male supermodels, to busty baronesses and pouty designers du jour. With the ULTIMATE MEMBER LIMITED collaboration, Jimmyjane and Kabaret's Prophecy have joined forces to give the characters a new life as pieces of useable pop art. Bringing new meaning to �the enjoyment of art�, Jimmyjane has adorned its award-winning LITTLE SOMETHING vibrators with intricate etchings of acclaimed artist Jamie Hewlett�s characters to create a limited edition of 1,500 sequentially numbered vibrators and a boxed collector�s set.

Blur return to studio - and may make comeback album

Thu, 7 Jun 2007 11:54:50 GMT

Blur, one of the biggest Britpop acts of the 1990s, have agreed to meet for a recording session that may lead to a "comeback" album after years of silence. The reunion in October could lead to a series of gigs and an album. While fans were hailing the move as a sign that the band would reunite, Dave Rowntree, the group's drummer, said no firm decisions had been made but that the group were cautiously optimistic. "We will spend one week recording and see what happens," he told The Independent. "We're dipping our toes in the water. We have not made any decision but we'll see how we feel and if the spark is there." While stressing the band were not technically reforming as "we have never split up", he said other studio get-togethers had led to the creation of albums and subsequent gigs. "That tends to be the way albums start," he said. "That's how the last one started. We get together and either we say 'it's not the right time' or we say 'brilliant'. We don't want to pre-judge the issue right now."

WILSON BLASTS ALBARN FOR ALBUM RANT

Wed, 6 Jun 2007 11:56:04 GMT

KAISER CHIEFS' frontman RICKY WILSON has hit back at DAMON ALBARN after the BLUR frontman called their new album "empty". Albarn compared the Kaiser Chiefs new album Yours Truly Angry Mob to Blur's much maligned record, 1995's The Great Escape. Referring to the Ruby hitmakers release, he said, "The Kaiser Chiefs' new record sounds a bit like The Great Escape in that it sounds a bit empty. Sometimes records are like that if you try too hard to repeat your success." However, Wilson has hit back at his former pop pal. He says, "I don't give a s**t what Damon says. It's one man and his opinion. "Of course we tried hard - it was our second album. He can say what he likes."

Virgin Gorillaz Train

Thu, 31 May 2007 19:20:28 GMT

This is how public transport should be done. Unveiled Monday and travelling back and forth between London and Manchester, this tricked-out locomotive from Gorillaz aritst Jamie Hewlett is to promote the forthcoming circus/opera he's involved with called Monkey: Journey To The West . It's based on an ancient Chinese legend and the music has been composed by Hewlett's partner in the cartoon band, Damon Albarn. The show kicks off this year's Manchester International Festival which runs 28 June - 15 July 2007

Alex James feeds Gordon Ramsey breast milk cappucino

Wed, 30 May 2007 19:26:14 GMT

Alex - 'The F Word' Recipe Challenge, with Alex's new country lifestyle comes inventive new ways of using hay as he goes head-to-head with Gordon Ramsay to produce the best lamb recipe. Breast is certainly proved to be best as Ramsay is introduced to the delights of breast-milk cappuccino. Try ordering that in Starbucks.

Blurcast presents the first dedicated Blur video archive

Wed, 30 May 2007 11:25:42 GMT

Blurcast presents the first dedicated Blur video archive, presenting non-commercial only live performances and archive footage. We offer genuine fans the opportunity to view and discuss rare footage from the band's 17 year career that would otherwise never be seen anywhere else! Register for free and start interacting with other fans. Post comments about what you watch and submit your ratings. Create your own profile, upload a photo and bookmark your favourites.

Alex James - 'Bit of a Blur' Interview (Later with Jools Holland)

Fri, 25 May 2007 19:26:29 GMT

Jools talks to Alex about his "rock and roll memoir" 'Bit of a Blur'. This short interview also includes some archive footage of the band performing 'Country House' on TOTP right after their No 1 victory. But the burning question for all us fans is whether the recent reunion rumors are true. Alex's eventual reply may well cause some debate but there's a look in his face that may suggest otherwise... Buy the book here

Graham Coxon records with Paul Weller

Mon, 21 May 2007 19:26:48 GMT

Graham Coxon and Paul Weller have been in the studio to record together, it has been claimed. The unlikely collaboration between the former Blur guitarist and Jam icon is expected to see the release of some material in the coming months. According to reports, the pair currently have at least three songs in the bag, although it remains unclear what each has contributed. The tracks are scheduled to come out in the summer, according to a UK tabloid. There has been no confirmation from either act as yet. Paul Weller is on the bill for this summer's Glastonbury Festival. Graham Coxon is rumoured to be in the brink of rejoining Blur.

Damon Albarn Despised 2 Blur's Albums, Went on with Kaiser Chief's

Mon, 14 May 2007 10:11:55 GMT

Damon Albarn made a statement regarding his disappointment towards Blur's two works. The vocalist who is also behind virtual band Gorillaz thinks that Blur's first and fourth albums are total flops. "I've made hundreds of mistakes. I've made two bad records. The first record, which is awful, and The Great Escape, which was messy," said Albarn referring to 1991's "Leisure" and 1995's "The Great Escape". He went on to comment on fellow British band Kaiser Chiefs' latest album "Yours Truly, Angry Mob". He said, "The Kaiser Chiefs' new record sounds a bit like The Great Escape in that it sounds a bit empty. Sometimes records are like that if you try too hard to repeat your success."

Fan Q&A with Damon Albarn

Fri, 11 May 2007 18:19:58 GMT

Fourth in the series of fan questions and answer sessions with the members of the band. Fans submitted questions to the band's myspace and through the official site, and some of the best were were put to the band before they took the stage at london's Hammersmith Palais. This week: Damon Albarn, keys and vocals.

Dave Rowntree Defeated in Council Election

Mon, 7 May 2007 19:27:03 GMT

Drumroll please...the votes from yesterday's Westminster, London council election have been been tallied, and we now have results for the hallowed Marylebone seat. The victor, as reported by NME.com, is...not Dave Rowntree. As previously reported, the Blur drummer traded his drumsticks for Labour Party policy advocacy and announced his intentions to run for the council seat a short while back. On the bright side, one man's election loss is a Blur-loving globe's gain: this development, after all, makes that rumored reunion that much more plausible.

Blur reunion confirmed

Tue, 1 May 2007 15:34:12 GMT

Blur bassist, Alex James has confirmed Graham Coxon will be rejoining the band for their recording sessions this summer. James says the guitarist will play with the band for the first time in five years when they enter the studio again in August. He says, "We're all heading into the studio together this summer. Graham's coming too." However, James adds that the reunion will be on a trial basis only, and could merely serve as Blur's death-knell. "We're gonna see if we've still got it," he says. "If not, I think we'll just call it a day."

DAMON APPEARS IN - SCOTT WALKER - 30 CENTURY MAN

Mon, 23 Apr 2007 23:40:49 GMT

The film is out on release in UK cinemas from this Friday 27th April and it'd be great if you could add the following links/info on your site to plug Alison in the film. The film also features David Bowie, Radiohead, Johnny Marr, Gavin Friday, Jarvis Cocker, Damon Albarn, Dot Allison and more.... www.scottwalkerfilm.com IN UK CINEMAS FROM APRIL 27TH. Released by Verve Pictures www.vervepics.com/scottwalker - check here for your nearest cinema. View trailer on www.myspace.com/scottwalkerfilm. U.s Premiere : Tribeca Film Festival - premieres May 2nd and 3rd www.tribecafilmfestival.org. The film will open internationally from Fall 2007 - keep your eye on our website for more information.

GORILLAZ TO QUIT AFTER FILM

Fri, 20 Apr 2007 20:03:32 GMT

Grammy-winning animated rockers GORILLAZ will quit after appearing in a movie, to be directed by TERRY GILLIAM and scored by frontman DAMON ALBARN. Albarn has confirmed Gorillaz have released their last ever album and will go their separate ways when the film is released. The news comes after months of speculation about the future of the band - the Blur frontman's side project. He says, "We're trying to make a film next, starting in September hopefully. There won't be another pop record." Albarn has, meanwhile, refused to rule out a reunion with his Blur bandmates - including ex-guitarist Graham Coxon - adding, "I really don't know. I think it's possible that we might be. But I'm not entirely sure we are."

Dave Rowntree runs in local 'By-election' for Labour

Tue, 10 Apr 2007 22:44:50 GMT

Dave Rowntree runs in local 'By-election' for Labour.

Green Fields - The Good The Bad and the Queen New Single

Thu, 5 Apr 2007 21:54:26 GMT

Single released 2 April 2007 Buy Green Fields UK or USA 1. Green Fields 2. England Summer (In Black And White) Polling Day 3. Green Fields 4. Kingdom Of Doom 5. England Summer (In Black And White) Dog House

Albarn to guest on Xfm

Wed, 4 Apr 2007 21:38:25 GMT

Damon Albarn will kick off a new celebrity-led slot on indie music radio station Xfm, hosting four Sunday night shows this month. The Gorillaz and Blur frontman, who returned to the charts recently with his latest band, The Good, the Bad and the Queen, will take listeners on a "tour of his personal record collection", the station said. Albarn's stint at the station will be followed Welsh rockers the Manic Street Preachers, who have a new album out next month.

EMI, Apple to Sell DRM-Free Songs Online

Tue, 3 Apr 2007 19:27:43 GMT

LONDON (Map, News) - Breaking from the rest of the recording industry, EMI Group said Monday it will begin selling songs online that are free of copy-protection technology through Apple Inc.'s (AAPL, News) iTunes Store. The deal, however, doesn't include music from the label's biggest act, The Beatles. ITunes customers will soon be able to buy songs by Blur, The Rolling Stones, Norah Jones, Coldplay and other top-selling artists for $1.29, or 30 cents more than the copy-protected version. The premium tunes also will be offered in a higher quality than the 99-cent tracks. EMI Chief Executive Eric Nicoli said The Beatles music catalog is excluded from the deal, but said the company was "working on it." He declined to set a time frame for negotiations over the catalog. ITUNES LINK

The Good, The Bad and The Queen; First London Outdoor Show

Mon, 2 Apr 2007 16:20:15 GMT

The Good, The Bad & The Queen will play their first summer outdoor show at the Tower of London on Monday July 9th. A celebration of London's musical identity and history, this will be the first summer-time performance of The Good, The Band & The Queen. The album has been played live at many winter gigs around the UK and Europe but this Tower of London show will be the first outdoor gig in London, naturally the venue is of fitting historic significance sitting alongside the oft mentioned River Thames. Tickets for The Good, The Bad and The Queen at Tower of London go on sale at 9am tomorrow, Tuesday April 3rd see www.aeglive.co.uk www.ticketmaster.co.uk

GBQ Latitude Festival

Thu, 29 Mar 2007 11:44:35 GMT

The Good, The Bad & The Queen will headline the Saturday night of the Latitude Festival, taking place on 12-15 July at the Henham Park Estate, Southwold, Suffolk. Arcade Fire, Damien Rice, Wilco, CSS, Magic Numbers and Clap Your Hands Say Yeah are also confirmed. More info can be found at the Festival site - www.latitudefestival.co.uk

The Good, The Bad & The Queen confirm Hammersmith farewell

Mon, 26 Mar 2007 09:53:55 GMT

The Good, The Band And The Queen have announced a series of guests for their Hammersmith Palais farewell show at the weekend (March 31). The band will play the second last gig ever at the London venue, the home of the Shockwaves NME Awards for the last five years. The building is due for demolition and the space will be used for flats. Joining Damon Albarn's band at the special show will be openers The Tony Allen Orchestra, followed by a performance from John Cooper Clarke and a DJ set from The Clash collaborator Don Letts.

Albarn readies opera

Fri, 23 Mar 2007 15:58:43 GMT

A Damon Albarn opera will open the Manchester International Festival this summer, it has been confirmed. The Blur, Gorillaz and The Good, The Bad And The Queen star has been working on the production in recent months, inspired by the ancient Chinese tale of the monkey. "Monkey: Journey To The West" is described as a "circus opera" by festival director Alex Roots and features a 45-piece troupe from China, Shaolin monks and martial arts experts. The show, which includes music composed by Albarn and a visual concept designed by Jamie Hewlett, runs between June 28 and July 7.

The Good, The Bad and The Queen - Apple Store NY

Mon, 12 Mar 2007 09:23:13 GMT

The Good, The Bad and The Queen are playing an acoustic set at the Apple Store in New York Date: Monday, March 12, 2007, 2PM Showtime Location: Apple Store Soho. 103 Prince St., NY, NY 10012

Damon Albarn song performed at anti-nuclear protest

Fri, 9 Mar 2007 12:26:20 GMT

A new Damon Albarn song was performed tonight (March 8) at an anti-nuclear weapon gig. '5 Minutes To Midnight' was performed by 50-piece choir Sense of Sound on board the Greenpeace boat Arctic Sunrise which was docked on the Thames. The 25-minute long song had an ambient keyboard backing, over which dialogue was spoken by different members of the choir. The controversial, thought-provoking spoken word piece incorporated anti-nuclear statements and the history of nuclear weaponry. Dialogue included the statements: "The target will be a purely military one...384 Hiroshimas..6 million dead...We are not condemned to repeat the lessons of 40 years at the nuclear brink...The price already paid is too clear...It is 5 minutes to midnight. The clock is ticking."

Damon Albarn slams Oasis

Thu, 8 Mar 2007 09:28:58 GMT

(BANG) - Damon Albarn has slammed Oasis for appearing at the BRIT Awards. The former Blur singer - who has been feuding with brothers Liam and Noel Gallagher since the Blur versus Oasis Britpop chart battle of the mid-90s - says it was "unnecessary" for Oasis to accept the Outstanding Contribution To Music award and perform at last month's ceremony. Damon told Britain's NME magazine: "The BRITs is like the shopping channel for famous people. I don't really understand why Noel and Liam did the awards, it didn't seem necessary. Their contribution is obvious. "They're certainly better than Sting, so why put yourself in a position when you're putting yourself into a linage following him? I don't understand it."

Greenpeace gig on the river

Thu, 8 Mar 2007 09:22:35 GMT

This evening (Thursday 8 March 2007) down at Butlers Wharf (next to Tower Bridge) Greenpeace are hosting a special music performance on their ship, the Arctic Sunrise, as a peaceful protest against renewing the UK's Trident nuclear programme. Damon Albarn and Brian Eno have put a bit of music together, with Massive Attack's Robert Del Naja on visuals; and they're promising some other big names too. It all kicks off round 6pm for a 6:30 start, or should be available on the web here if you can't make it. (Check back on the link above for details on the day).

Feisty Noel softens attitude on rival musician

Mon, 5 Mar 2007 11:14:48 GMT

The Oasis guitarist, who has been feuding with Damon for years since the famous Blur versus Oasis Britpop chart battle of the mid-90s, is impressed by his enemy's latest musical project The Good, The Bad and The Queen. Noel - who once said he hoped Damon would "catch Aids and die" - told Britain's NME magazine: "I love the bit at the end of their song The Good, The Bad and The Queen when it goes crazy. There are some nice passages of music on their album as well." Although Noel's hostility to Damon has softened, the Blur frontman recently insisted he will never make friends with The Masterplan singer. Damon said: "I can't make it up with Noel. Britpop would be over and heaven forbid that we'd ever admit we'd all grown up! Britpop still reigns supreme over Britain as a musical force and will do until Blur and Oasis split."

ALBARN WRITES MUSIC FOR OPERA

Mon, 5 Mar 2007 11:09:25 GMT

GORILLAZ and BLUR star DAMON ALBARN is writing the score for an opera called MONKEY: A JOURNEY TO THE WEST. The British singer-songwriter has urged fans to buy tickets for the show, insisting it will open their eyes to a side of the arts which may never have interested them before. He says, "I hope people come and see it because it might change their idea of what an opera is all about." Albarn is no stranger to the genre, having written music for opera as a child with Blur bandmate GRAHAM COXON. He explains, "When I was a kid, I used to write for orchestral instruments. In fact GRAHAM COXON and I entered a composing competition when we were 15. "There weren't many entries, so it's not important. But with the opera, I had to remember a lot of stuff, and I've been learning about the form and structure of operatic music. I've been making it up as I've been going along. "I had to take it to operatic companies in Paris and Germany. It's a very different world... very traditional and very contained." Monkey: A Journey To The West is a re-working of the ancient Chinese legend JOURNEY TO THE WEST, and will be staged in Manchester, northern England, as part of the Manchester International Festival this summer (07).

Damon Albarn records with Massive Attack

Thu, 1 Mar 2007 17:06:47 GMT

Damon Albarn has worked with Massive Attack on tracks for their new album. The band are currently working on the follow up to their first new studio album since 2003's '100th Window'. Albarn is one of the featured vocalists on the new tracks along with TV On The Radio's Tunde Adebimpe and former Mazzy Star singer Hope Sandoval plus regular collaborators Horace Andy and Liz Fraser.

BLURCENTRAL - Damon Albarn: I'll work with Graham

Thu, 1 Mar 2007 09:05:16 GMT

From Blurcentral : (from this week's NME, cover date: 3 March 2007) Damon Albarn and Graham Coxon look closer to revealing plans to work together again, after NME confronted the Britpop legends. Last week (February 17), Coxon declared he'd been thinking about a Blur reunion, so when we were given a chance to talk to Albarn about The Good, The Bad & The Queen this week, we couldn't help but enquire about his old band. With a single and more live dates planned for GBQ, along with an 'opera' and new anti-nuclear weapons website, Albarn has plenty on his plate, but we still sneaked in a Blur question. Here's what he had to say...

The Good The Bad And The Queen Update

Thu, 1 Feb 2007 16:12:54 GMT

The Good, The Bad and The Queen was released last Monday; entering the UK charts at number 2, the album went gold in its first retail week. In keeping with this record's celebration of London; The Good The Bad and The Queen was plastered around London when some virtual graffiti hit a few capitol landmarks - including Buckingham Palace. The week ended not just with a number 2 gold record but the band were about to launch their first tour. Bristol's Trinity played host to the first ever The Good, The Bad and The Queen Tour, and the historic evening finished with a performance of The Clash's Guns of Brixton - before the band headed to Portsmouth to play Southsea Pier on Sunday. The tour continues this week with an eclectic stage show featuring a magician, a contortionist, acrobats and jugglers the tour also features special guests Indigo Moss. If you fancy free tickets for the tour, you can enter a competition to win a pair by answering a question on the link above. The band will also tour the US in March, with an appearance on Letterman set for March 13th, Coachella in April and they will also perform at SXSW. Click Here for US tour dates. The Good The Bad And The Queen is available in record stores now, click one of the links below.

The Festival in the Desert 2007 - Essakane, Mali

Thu, 1 Feb 2007 12:51:31 GMT

Damon will be playing at The Festival in the Desert 2007. The festival will last 3 days. Every day will be divided in two main parts: traditional happenings and the music festival. Traditional happenings will undergo during daylight since the morning. There will be camel rides, "tind�s" (traditional women songs), expositions, conferences, games� On the contrary, lights and music (concerts and animation) will start just before the sunset.

TGTBATQ Debut US Tour Dates

Wed, 31 Jan 2007 16:37:47 GMT

The Good The Bad and The Queen have confirmed the following first-ever series of North American dates: March 11th Toronto Kool Haus March 12th New York Webster Hall March 14th Washington DC 930 March 16th Austin Stubbs (SXSW) March 18th New Orleans Republic More dates are forthcoming, including an April 28 appearance at the annual Coachella Valley Musc & Arts Festival, and will be announced as they are confirmed, so keep your ears and eyes on the site and on the myspace

Graham Coxon and Bono to Customise Guitars.

Mon, 8 Jan 2007 12:11:00 GMT

The guitars will be auctioned in aid of the charity. The centrepiece of a season called Harrods Rocks, the Born To Rock Exhibition features rare models including the first known electric guitar known as the 'Frying Pan', as well as models plated by legends like Jimi Hendrix and Muddy Waters, and newer bands like Oasis and Kasabian.

Blur ready for reunion, says Alex James

Mon, 8 Jan 2007 12:02:52 GMT

Blur bassist Alex James has said Graham Coxon is considering rejoining his former bandmates for a new album. Speaking in the Sunday Times, he said: "I've been talking to Graham and there might be some good news. It's by no means in the bag, but it looks quite promising. Maybe the time is right. We've always left the door open for him, so that's what I'm hoping

NME interview with Damon and Paul

Wed, 3 Jan 2007 12:02:54 GMT

blurcentral has typed up the NME article on TGTBATQ...

Blur plan a return in 2007

Tue, 2 Jan 2007 09:01:56 GMT

BLUR are planning to make 2007 a year to remember. DAMON ALBARN and GRAHAM COXON have finally buried the hatchet and agreed to reunite. For the first time in almost five years Damon, Graham, ALEX JAMES and DAVE ROWNTREE are set to make sweet music together. The kings of Britpop made their mark in the Nineties with No1 album Parklife. And their 1995 single Country House beat arch rivals OASIS in a huge chart battle. But by the end of the century Damon fell out with Graham over his persistent drunken antics.

Graham Coxon And Athlete For Crisis Gig

Tue, 12 Dec 2006 11:43:13 GMT

A host of acts have signed up to play a special charity gig set for the New Year. Supergrass, Graham Coxon, Athlete, Ed Harcourt and Bez will all appear at Pudstock which will raise money for Crisis.

Listen to Tell It Like It Is

Mon, 11 Dec 2006 15:56:28 GMT

Graham and his PR company have made available Tell it Like it Is to listen to online, Ive added a couple of links below if you want a listen... Windows Media Audio Real Player Audio Quicktime Audio

Africa Express

Thu, 7 Dec 2006 12:19:59 GMT

This just in from the blurfanclub. Damon Albarn and Africa Express are organising a unique event in London on December 13th in south London. "This Is Not A Jam, This Is Not A Clash, This Is Not A Piss Up, This Is Not A Private Party, This is not really what it is, What it is is the opposite" To enter a draw to win one of only 50 pairs of guest passes for you and a fried, answer this question; Which continent contains the most countries? A. Africa B. Asia C. Europe Then text the word MALI, followed by your name and your answer (A, B, or C) to 87140 by midnight on 11th December. Example�. Mali John Smith A This is a private party on the 13th December (8.00pm) for around 300 people. If you win, you and your guest will have to be able to bring photo ID and your mobile phone to the location which is in south London in order to get in. For full terms and conditions go to the www.africaexpress.co.uk Entry will be free to the event but in addition to your mobile phone operator�s normal tariff charge for each text message you send, a further charge of �1.50 will be made for each message sent You must have the permission of the bill payer to text.

EXCLUSIVE UK SHOW - win tickets with Myspace!

Tue, 5 Dec 2006 08:40:09 GMT

The Good The Bad and The Queen have teamed up with MySpace to create the first ever UK List event. The intimate Christmas gig will be the first to be broadcast worldwide onsite via MySpace.

TGTBATQ on Jools Holland

Wed, 29 Nov 2006 11:40:35 GMT

11.35pm, BBC2. Fri 8th December. Scissor Sisters, The Good, The Bad & The Queen, Tony Bennett

Kingdom Of Doom to be released.

Wed, 29 Nov 2006 11:25:42 GMT

Damon Albarn's new band "The Good, The Bad And The Queen" are set to release their new single 'Kingdom Of Doom' on January 15. The release of the song will be followed by the unleashing of their self-titled debut album on January 22.

Coxon in a Blur?

Wed, 22 Nov 2006 10:42:30 GMT

Graham Coxon has admitted he would consider playing with Blur again, three years after leaving the band. As the saga of his departure from the Britpop stars continues, Coxon now appears open to a possible reconciliation. Speaking in a new interview, he was responding to recent comments made by bass player Alex James, who suggested the group wanted to make one more album with him. Coxon admitted he had little contact with Damon Albarn and Dave Rowntree, although he does remain close to James.

Albarn Producing Algerian Group, Penning Opera

Tue, 21 Nov 2006 09:09:04 GMT

Not content with having two successful bands in Blur and Gorillaz, vocalist Damon Albarn has four new projects underway. On Oct. 27, Albarn flew to Algiers, where he spent three days producing Algerian group El Gusto for an album due on his own Honest Jon's label in spring 2007. Returning to London, the artist had to knuckle down to a December deadline for completing an operatic score for "Monkey: Journey to the West," based on an ancient Chinese legend. The work is due to premiere at the Manchester International Festival of Arts, to be held June 28-July 15.

Freestyle 45 Top Blur Sites

Mon, 20 Nov 2006 09:02:54 GMT

To vote for BlurTalk in the new blur sites toplist please click the link above, thanks!

Observer Magazine Article on Blurcentral - How Alex James became a very big cheese in the country

Sun, 19 Nov 2006 17:40:05 GMT

The fact that Alex James has retreated to a farm in the Cotswolds to make cheese is either the most surprising turn-up for the books ever, or a predictable twist in the narrative of the modern celebrity. Formerly the most debauched member of the 1990s Brit Pop set, Alex James pursued a fast and definitively urban lifestyle for a decade. He was famous (the bass player for Blur), very rich, young and pretty, which facilitated all manner of bad behaviour. Women, private-members' clubs, booze and drugs, a rumoured tendency to do things like sleep under the snooker table of London's Groucho Club...

Art lovers could pick up a Graham Coxon at postcard sale

Fri, 17 Nov 2006 09:10:58 GMT

LONDON (AFP) - Art lovers in London will get the chance to snap up a Damien Hirst or Tracey Emin for the price of a cab ride -- but they must pick out the hidden bargains from works by hundreds of unknowns, the Royal College of Art (RCA) has revealed. The sale, which first took place in 1994, has become a London institution and this year, interest looks to be as high as ever, with works by Paula Rego, fashion designer Sir Paul Smith and Blur guitarist Graham Coxon up for grabs.

The Good, The Bad & The Queen tracklist announced

Thu, 16 Nov 2006 09:20:39 GMT

The album will see a release on January 22, 2007 from Honest Jons / Parlophone. 1. History Song 2. 80s Life 3. Northern Whale 4. Kingdom of Doom 5. Herculean 6. Behind the Sun 7. The Bunting Song 8. Nature Springs 9. A Soldier�s Tale 10. Three Changes 11. Green Fields 12. The Good, The Bad & The Queen

Damon writes Blurb for the Clash

Wed, 15 Nov 2006 12:52:52 GMT

The Clash: The Singles was officially released Nov. 14. Other labels have produced the same kind of project for singles from the Beatles and the Rolling Stones: issue them in CD format with original label and sleeve artwork. Like those projects, the packaging here is outstanding; so is the liner notes, a compilation of tributes and nostalgic antecdotes from famous fans (Shane MacGowan, Nick Hornsby, Carl Barat, Damon Albarn, soccer star Stuart Pearce).

Blur Spark New Oasis Feud

Wed, 15 Nov 2006 12:48:13 GMT

Blur bass player Alex James has reignited his band's feud with Oasis by describing the Gallagher brothers as "grotesque". The two bands had an infamous rivalry in the mid-nineties when their records went head to head in the charts and Oasis guitarist Noel Gallagher was quoted as saying he wanted James to "catch AIDS and die" along with Blur singer Damon Albarn.

Fundraiser featuring Damon Albarn, Fatboy Slim & Mylo

Tue, 14 Nov 2006 14:10:17 GMT

Damon will be Djing at Fabric with a host of other Dj's, including Remi Kabaka, Fatboy Slim, Mylo, Zane Lowe (Radio 1), Annie Mac (Radio 1), Rachel Barton, Arthur Baker, Dudu Sarr, Alexkid, Alex Gopher plus, Just Jack, and Rodney P. THURSDAY 16th NOVEMBER 2006 9pm - 3am FABRIC, 77a Charterhouse St, Clerkenwell, London, EC1M 3HN TICKETS: �12

Blur date set

Mon, 13 Nov 2006 09:49:06 GMT

James, who covered for Nemone this afternoon (10 November) on 6 Music, says it�s looking likely that things will get going next year. James was joined on air with another fellow band member, David Rowntree, who claimed that if it was up to him then the band would already be back together: �The days of Blur doing a tour will not happen, most of the band have kids now, and when you�re a touring band you have to make a choice, so there will never be a return to that, but we have been talking about doing an album next year, we have even set a date for it.�

Graham Coxon & More For Art Show

Fri, 10 Nov 2006 09:14:25 GMT

Graham Coxon, John Squire and Holly Johnson are among the contributors to a show at London's College of Art this month. The exhibition, which runs from 17-24 November, features postcard-sized artwork from various musicians, artists, illustrators, designers, photographers and architects. All cards will be displayed anonymously and will be available to purchase for �35 a piece from 25th November. The postcards will be viewable online from the start of the show at rca.ac.uk.

TGTBATQ Latest News

Wed, 8 Nov 2006 14:37:39 GMT

Herculean is out now and the band have played their first, thrilling, sold-out show at London's Roundhouse. Next stop, the album: The Good The Bad And The Queen will be released on 22nd January 2007. To mark the release of the album the band will be setting out on their first UK tour in January and February. Tickets go on general sale on Friday 3rd November, but fans will have an exclusive presale. Two tickets per person will be available from 9am on Thursday 2 November from www.gigsandtours.com

Gorillaz Book Signing

Wed, 8 Nov 2006 14:31:32 GMT

On Monday 6th November from 6pm - 7pm Damon and fellow cohorts Jamie Hewlett and Cass Browne will be signing copies of Gorillaz's scurrilous autobiography 'Rise of the Ogre' at Waterstone's, 311 Oxford Street, WC1. If you can't make it to London on Monday you can still reserve a signed copy. Please contact the branch on 0207 499 6100. Signed copies may not carry dedications and unfortunately they can not always be guaranteed. Entry to the signing will be on a first come, first served basis so arrive in plenty of time.

Terry Gilliam And Gorillaz - Dream Team?

Sun, 5 Nov 2006 14:46:51 GMT

According to Damon Albarn, there might not be any more albums from his virtual band Gorillaz, but there is going to be a tie-in movie - and Terry Gilliam is 'involved'.

Alex James Reveals Graham Coxon Set To Rejoin Blur

Sat, 4 Nov 2006 14:39:58 GMT

Blur�s Alex James has revealed in an exclusive interview with Gigwise that Graham Coxon is set to rejoin the band for their new album. The bassist has revealed that all three members of Blur are now talking to Coxon again, and are optimistic he could rejoin the band for recording next year.

BlurTalk now available through News Feed readers (RSS)

Thu, 2 Nov 2006 18:48:19 GMT

Rather than visit the site for updates, you can now add a News Feed for BlurTalk into your RSS reader (Bloglines or whatever you may use) and you will be informed when new news is available.... Click the logos on the right to add to your RSS reader.

James has hopes for Blur reunion

Thu, 2 Nov 2006 14:48:38 GMT

Some might say that Alex James is being ambitious by stating that he wants Blur to make one final album with their original line-up. Guitarist Graham Coxon left the indie band in 2002 after being told his services were no longer required - and since then has frequently said that he has no plans to return.

The Good, The Bad and The Queen live set on BBC Electric Proms

Mon, 30 Oct 2006 00:00:00 GMT

The large crowd wait expectantly for the arrival of tonight's headliners The Good, The Bad and The Queen. Nobody in the audience knows quite what to expect - no one's heard any of the band's music before. But there's a feeling that the assembled musicians will produce something extraordinary.....

Click the link above to go and check out the set.

Set List:History Song, 80s Life, Northern Whale, Kingdom Of Doom, Herculean, Behind The Sun, Intermission Jam, Bunting, Nature's Springs, Soldiers Tale, Three Changes, Green Fields, Mr Whippy, The Good, The Bad and The Queen

The Good, The Bad and The Queen

Wed, 18 Oct 2006 00:00:00 GMT

'Herculean', the first single from the album, 'The Good, The Bad & The Queen' can now be heard at band's website. Click the link above. The band also feature in this week's London edition of Time Out magazine. You can read the article here:

Damon Albarn 'our album's a natural successor to Parklife'

Wed, 18 Oct 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Damon Albarn has declared The Good, The Bad And The Queen's debut album 'the natural successor to Blur's 'Parklife''.

Former Clash bassist Paul Simonon, who plays in the new band, also liken the new group's record to the work of his former band.

'If The Clash was the sound of the Westway, this music is strongly rooted in the same area. It's a very London record,' he explained.

Click the link above to read more....

New Graham Single announced

Wed, 18 Oct 2006 00:00:00 GMT

To tie in with his UK tour, Graham will be releasing a new single on October 23rd. The tracks 'Bloody Annoying' and 'What Ya Gonna Do Now?' were recorded last month, and are the first recordings of Graham’s songs to feature the whole band. The double A side will be available on 7' vinyl and digital download.

Dave's Ailerons release download EP

Wed, 18 Oct 2006 00:00:00 GMT

The Ailerons debut EP 'Left Right' is released through iTunes today. The first release from The Ailerons, the Left Right EP, is out now, exclusively through iTunes. The tracklisting for the EP is: Dig A Hole/ Waking Fever/ Bonafone/ Roll Over. 'Dig A Hole' has also been made 'Single Of The Week' so it can be download completely free! Click here to download it.

The Good, The Bad & The Queen

Fri, 6 Oct 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Damon's new band, The Good, The Bad & The Queen are playing a series of
warm-up dates in Devon, in the lead-up to their show at the Roundhouse on
Oct 26th. The band are giving away 20 pairs of tickets for each show.

GRAHAM SINGLE AND DATE

Fri, 6 Oct 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Graham will be releasing a new single on October 23rd. The tracks 'Bloody
Annoying' and 'What Ya Gonna Do Now?' were recorded last month, and are the
first recordings of Graham's songs to feature the whole band. The double A
side will be available on 7' vinyl and digital download.
Graham will also be playing an exclusive invite only gig at the 100 club in
London next Wednesday, October 4th. There are a limited number of tickets up
for grabs via a competition.

AILERON'S EP & DATES : Press release

Fri, 6 Oct 2006 00:00:00 GMT

The first release from The Ailerons, the Left Right EP, will be out on
Tuesday 17th October exclusively through iTunes. The tracklisting for the EP
is: Dig A Hole/ Waking Fever/ Bonafone/ Roll Over
The Ailerons are a five-piece band formed in London during the summer of
2005 by Blur drummer Dave Rowntree, Mike Smith (keyboards for Blur and MD
for Gorillaz live shows) and American-born singer Charity Hair. The line up
is completed by Grog on bass and Dan Beattie on guitar.
The Ailerons produce shiny, noisy, smart pop music. Inspirations include Le
Myst�re des Voix Bulgares, The Day the Earth Stood Still, The Coen Brothers,
grilled haloumi and American Renegades.
Ailerons are hinged control surfaces attached to the trailing edge of an
aeroplane wing, used to control the aircraft in roll. The word �aileron' is
French for �little wing�; in English the word has recently become identified
with forward-leaning glamorous new-wave pop.
See The Ailerons live in London:
October 16th: Hoxton Bar & Kitchen
October 17th: Brixton Windmill

Damon and Hewlett win Ivor Novello Award

Mon, 5 Jun 2006 00:00:00 GMT

The 51st annual ceremony took place at London's Grosvenor House Hotel and saw Damon and Jamie Hewlett win Songwriters of the year!

Details of the formats for Graham's new single, 'You & I'

Mon, 24 Apr 2006 00:00:00 GMT

CD1:
You & I
Click Click Click (previously only available on the Japanese
Album release)

CD2:
You & I
Click Click Click
Light Up Your Candles
You & I video

7':
You & I
See Saw (a cover of the Jam song)

Blur fans in Essex?

Tue, 18 Apr 2006 00:00:00 GMT

BBC looking for dedicated Blur fans in Essex to take part in a radio piece we're putting together about Damon Albarn's Colchester roots at the beginning of May.

People can get in touch with them by emailing oliver.rogers@bbc.co.uk

Alex James and Betty Boo on SoccerAM

Sat, 1 Apr 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Betty Boo with Blur bassist Alex James were on Soccer AM this morning talking about their new band WigWam.

When asked about a new blur album Alex said they have a couple of days in the studio in April to see if they are all getting on ok but Graham probably wont be coming back for the next album.

If you want to hear more about wigwam, check out the Guardian Article by clicking the link above.

Damon colaboration with Massive Attack released

Tue, 28 Mar 2006 00:00:00 GMT

'Collected' the new Massive Attack compilation, is released today. The Special Edition version contains video promos and some audio rarities - amongst these we finally get to hear the Damon collaboration, entitled 'Small Time Shoot 'Em Up', an alternate version of the 100th Window track, 'Small Time Shot Away'.
You can hear lengthy samples of all the tracks from 'Collected' by following the link above.

Blur DVD's to Rent

Mon, 27 Mar 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Just added a videos page which links to a company called screenselect. I just joined them and they rent a decent selection of blur DVD's and videos. If you havent seen them then this could be better than buying them? Look at the videos page to see the selection by clicking the link.

Love Travels At Illegal Speeds

Tue, 21 Mar 2006 00:00:00 GMT

'Love Travels At Illegal Speeds' is the fifth solo album byformer Blur guitarist Graham Coxon. A concept album about love, this release contains some of Coxon's most personal songs to date, and is the follow up to his successful 2004 album 'Happiness In Magazines'. Features the single 'Standing OnMy Own Again'
Click the link above this text to buy the album.

More Graham gigs announced

Tue, 21 Mar 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Graham's been added to the bill at the Birmingham SoundStation Festival on May 28th and the Newcastle Evolution Festival on May 29th... keep watching this space for more shows...

Gorillaz - Demon Days Live In New York

Mon, 6 Mar 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Fresh off opening the 48th Annual Grammy Awards alongside Madonna and taking home the Pop Collaboration with Vocals award, GORILLAZ will now receive yet another Stateside honor: the U.S. production of the DEMON DAYS LIVE tribute concerts.

Confirmed for April 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 at Harlem's famed Apollo Theater, DEMON DAYS LIVE will feature the guest musicians from GORILLAZ' worldwide multi-million-seller Demon Days recreating 'Feel Good Inc.,' 'DARE' and the album's other classics live onstage.

The previous UK staging of DEMON DAYS LIVE, which took place November 1st through 5th at the Manchester Opera House, sold out instantly and moved SPIN magazine to comment 'the group is reinventing the way that artists stage concerts.'

Click link above to read more.

Damon to Write Stage Musical on Notting Hill Life

Tue, 28 Feb 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Blur and Gorillaz singer, Damon Albarn, is writing a stage musical based on life in London's Notting Hill, to be performed at London's National Theatre some time next year. It's being dubbed an antidote to the Julia Roberts movie, Notting Hill, by reflecting the true multicultural nature of the area.

It's a natural progression for Damon Albarn, whose recent work, both solo and with Blur, has centred on Notting Hill, specifically round Ladbroke Grove's Honest Jon record label and shop, both of which focus on world music.

Blur's 2003 album, Think Tank, was recorded in Morocco, and combined Arabic and black American influences with that Englishness that made Blur the epitome of Brit-pop back in the mid-1990s.

Blur Fan Club is re-launching itself in the spring.

Wed, 11 Jan 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Blur Fan Club is re-launching itself in the spring. You can register for more news when it's ready by clicking the FAN CLUB button at www.blur.co.uk - Also you can have your say on what the Fan Club content should include by posting on the link above

Blur reveal new album plans

Thu, 29 Sep 2005 00:00:00 GMT

And there's a change of direction in store

Blur are to record their 'basic' new album as a three piece after Graham Coxon decided to continue as a solo artist.

Singer Damon Albarn has revealed that with no sign of Coxon rejoining his old band, Blur will record the follow-up to 'Think Tank' without an additional guitarist. As a result, the sound will be completely different.

'There is a Blur record at the moment but it's very basic,' explained Albarn of the album, which could be out next year. 'The reason why it's so basic is we decided that if we're going to make another record it's just got to be the three of us and I've got to play guitar. And because I'm such a rudimentary guitarist it has to be really stupid and basic punk rock.'

Click the link above to read more......

Music Is My Radar outfits up for auction

Fri, 16 Sep 2005 00:00:00 GMT

Blur are amongst the stars of fashion, film and music who have donated items of their clothing for an online auction to support Oxfam's lifesaving work around the world. Several of the motorcyle helmets, motorcyle gloves and dancers' costumes used in the band's 'Music is my Radar' video, along with over a hundred other eminently collectable fashion items, will feature in an online auction during London Fashion Week - 18th to 25th September.

Click the link above for all the outifts.

BRITAIN'S TOP BANDS START RECORDING 'HELP: A DAY IN THE LIFE'

Fri, 9 Sep 2005 00:00:00 GMT

BRITAIN'S TOP BANDS START RECORDING 'HELP: A DAY IN THE LIFE'

Dare straight in to UK Charts at No1

Mon, 5 Sep 2005 00:00:00 GMT

Dare, featuring Shaun Ryder of Happy Mondays fame, entered the UK charts at number 1 last night. If you want to buy the track and keep it at the top then click the amazon link above this text.

Looking back at the birth of Britpop

Tue, 16 Aug 2005 00:00:00 GMT

This week marks the 10th anniversary of the chart battle between Blur and Oasis at the height of Britpop. In the first of a series of features, The BBC look at how Britpop was born.

In early 1992, one band dominated the global alternative rock scene.

Nirvana had suddenly become the voice of a restless generation thanks to their seminal, seething album Nevermind and single Smells Like Teen Spirit, which were released the previous year........

BBC Four's Britpop Night, including The Britpop Story with John Harris, is on Tuesday from 2030 BST.

Click the link above to read the full article.

Oxfam: Auctions Blur Guitar & Sells Loads Of Wellies

Fri, 1 Jul 2005 00:00:00 GMT

Those all-round good eggs Oxfam have announced this week that they're auctioning a guitar signed by Blur's Damon Albarn, Massive Attack and The Coral. Plus news of how the charity benefited from Glasto's storm by raising a shedload from wellie sales.

Damon Albarn Attacks 'Exclusive' Live 8 Line-Up

Fri, 10 Jun 2005 00:00:00 GMT

Early statements claiming he would be performing at Edinburgh's Live 8 concert prove hugely mistaken, as Blur frontman Damon Albarn has said he will not be playing and criticises the event's line up. For more info click the link above

Graham Coxon at Goldsmith College

Thu, 2 Jun 2005 00:00:00 GMT

Graham Coxon is playing a special one-off gig at Goldsmith College Students' Union on Wednesday 22nd June..

Featuring: Graham Coxon, Lady Sovereign, The Idle Lovers,
+ 'The Allstar New Cross Showdown' (DJ�s) featuring - Fear Of Music vs. Zipper Queen vs. Angular Records vs. 24 Records vs. Greenwich Pirate vs. Throw another t.v. in the Thames vs. Smiths

Wednesday 22nd June
@Goldsmiths College Students� Union, Dixon Road, New Cross, LONDON, SE14 6NW
Doors - 7.30pm
Tickets - N.U.S. �10
From: Goldsmiths College Students� Union, Dixon Road, New Cross, LONDON, SE14 6NW, Tel. 0208 692 1406

DAMON TALKS OF 'HORRIBLE HOLE' IN BLUR WITHOUT GRAHAM

Thu, 26 May 2005 00:00:00 GMT

DAMON ALBARN has spoken again about his relationship with GRAHAM COXON - saying there's a 'horrible hole in sound' now he�s out of BLUR.

Albarn was recently quoted as saying he�s waiting for Coxon to rejoin the band before thinking about a new Blur record.

Speaking to Radio 1 today, the singer explained the situation. He said: 'I grew up with Graham and it�s really confusing when you grow apart from someone who you grew up with. I�ve only got a sister so I did consider him for many years to be like my brother and it�s a real shame that there�s been such a breakdown in communication.

FLIGHT 5065: BA LONDON EYE - 21ST JUNE 2005

Wed, 18 May 2005 00:00:00 GMT

Tickets are now on sale for a spectacular evening of
live entertainment on board the BA London Eye. Each of the London Eye's 32
capsules will become a venue for exclusive live performances of music,
theatre, and comedy; from Damon Albarn curating new African music with
Honest Jon's record label, to Beth Orton, Turin Brakes and hip hop artist
Jonzi D; from the National & Royal Court theatres to cutting edge companies
Shunt and Recorded Delivery and young British and African playwrights being
produced for the very first time; from Arthur Smith and Junior Simpson to
new political comics Andy Zaltzman and John Oliver amongst many, many other
names.

Blur waiting for Coxon

Wed, 18 May 2005 00:00:00 GMT

Blur Are Waiting For Coxon's Return
According to a new interview, Blur frontman Damon Albarn has explained he is waiting for his former bandmate Graham Coxon to rejoin the outfit before starting a new album, while it seems Gorillaz prepare to take their new album out on tour. For more info click the link above.

Gorillaz 'Feel Good Inc' climbs to no2 in the UK Charts.

Wed, 18 May 2005 00:00:00 GMT

The first single of the forthcoming Gorillaz Album release has climed 19 places to 2nd in the UK Chart being beaten only by the superb and quite obviously much better release by Akon. Maybe next week!

Live At The Zodiac EP

Wed, 30 Mar 2005 00:00:00 GMT

As a companion to the recently released 'Live At The Zodiac' DVD, there is an exclusive EP to download from 7digital.com. The tracks are 99p each or �1.99 for all three and are stereo mixes of tracks which are available on the DVD.

Gorillaz - Listen to the New Single

Wed, 30 Mar 2005 00:00:00 GMT

Follow the link above to hear rhe new gorillaz single...
The first play of the video will be on the BBC's Top Of The Pops on April 1.

Country House Candle on ebay

Wed, 23 Mar 2005 00:00:00 GMT

The huge green Candlestick piece from the huge 'Rat Race' board game that is the main theme of Blur's Country House promo is up for sale on ebay, click the link to check it out, thanks to Paul (Beetlebum) for letting me know.

GORRILAZ ALBUM NEWS

Fri, 11 Mar 2005 00:00:00 GMT

News has emerged about the new Gorillaz album. 'Noodle wrote most of this album herself,' says drummer Russel Hobbs. 'Murdoc may try and take the credit for it, but from the basic sketches to the finished album, this was Noodle's vision.'

Demon Days will be released by Parlophone on 23rd May, with the single Feel Good Inc (featuring De La Soul)is out on 9th May.

Co-produced by Gorillaz/Damon Albarn and Danger Mouse, the album is darker than the debut. Noodle: 'The soul of the recording can't avoid being a manifestation of the time, climate and location of the place we were in when it was recorded. Consequently the colours are rich, dark and heavy while the rhythms are clean, strategic and relentless. It has a consciousness to it.'

Featured on the album are guest contributions from De La Soul, Neneh Cherry, Martina Topley-Bird, Roots Manuva, MF Doom, Ike Turner, Bootie Brown of the Pharcyde, Shaun Ryder, Dennis Hopper, the London Community Gospel Choir and the San Fernandez Youth Chorus.

Tracklisting:
1.Intro
2.Last Living Souls
3.Kids With Guns
4.O Green World
5.Dirty Harry
6.Feel Good Inc.
7.El Ma�ana
8.Every Planet We Reach Is Dead
9.November Has Come
10.All Alone
11.White Light
12.DARE
13.Fire Coming Out Of The Monkey's Head
14.Don't Get Lost In Heaven
15.Demon Days

Blur Animation Hits TV Screens

Mon, 7 Mar 2005 00:00:00 GMT

While Blur may be on temporary hiatus, drummer Dave Rowntree has been working hard directing a new animated series 'Empire Sq.' and spoke exclusively to Xfm about his new creations, life as Blur's drummer and why it'd be 'fantastic' to have a Blur World Exclusive to report.
For the FULL story click the link above:

DAMON'S SURPRISE GIG APPEARANCE

Wed, 23 Feb 2005 00:00:00 GMT

Damom made a surprise appearance at the Tsunami benefit concert last Saturday at Bristol Academy. Damon played 2 tracks acoustically (just Damon + his guitar) - Tender (complete with audience sing-a-long) & a new, as yet untitled song.
The gig also featured Portishead, Massive Attack, Robert Plant and The Coral.
A web stream can be seen at the concert website - http://www.crisisinasia.co.uk/

GRAHAM GIG

Wed, 23 Feb 2005 00:00:00 GMT

Graham played the Hammersmith Palais on Friday night as part of the NME Shockwaves Awards festivities. Graham, who won Best Solo Artist at the award ceremony, performed the following set featuring 2 new songs: Spectacular ; No Good Time ; Bittersweet Bundle Of Misery ; Life It Sucks ; Right To Pop! ; Gimme Some Love ; Fags & Failure ; Don't Be A Stranger ; Feel Right ; Fame & Fortune ; I Can't Think Of Your Skin ; Freakin' Out ; People Of The Earth ; Who The Fuck? -- All Over Me ; Lake

Graham Wins Best Solo Artist

Mon, 21 Feb 2005 00:00:00 GMT

Graham won the award for Best Solo Artist last night at the nme awards show in London. From the stage Coxon said: 'I am absolutely genuinely chuffed! I've been making some choices lately which obviously have turned out to be the right ones, so thank you very much.'

Damon Sofa up for auction

Fri, 28 Jan 2005 00:00:00 GMT

Just to say Ive been let know that 'Damon Albarn's incredibly stylish blue sofa from his recently sold flat is being auctioned of on www.auctioning4u.co.uk next week.' click the link to check out the site....

The Best Of Glastonbury DVD Unveiled

Tue, 18 Jan 2005 00:00:00 GMT

The release details for the highly anticipated Glastonbury Festival DVD, entitled �Glastonbury Anthems � The Best Of 1994 to 2004' have just been revealed, with tracks by Coldplay, Blur, Radiohead and Ash all included.

�Glastonbury Anthems � The Best Of 1994 to 2004� will be released on March 21 on EMI Records and will be the first ever official Glastonbury DVD compilation, containing 20 performances taken from the last 10 years of the festival�s history.

TRACKLISTING:
Blur �This Is A Low� (1994)
The Levellers �One Way Of Life� (1994)
Elastica �Connection� (1995)
Prodigy �Breathe� (1997)
Radiohead �Karma Police� (1997)
Placebo �The Crawl� (1998)
Robbie Williams �Angels� (1998)
Fun Lovin' Criminals �Scooby Snax� (1999)
Manic Street Preachers �A Design For Life� (1999)
The Chemical Brothers �Hey Boy Hey Girl� (2000)
Moby �Why Does My Heart� (2000)
Travis �Driftwood� (2000)
Coldplay �Yellow� (2002)
Faithless �We Come 1� (2002)
Ash �Shining Light� (2002)
Supergrass �Pumping On Your Stereo� (2003)
Primal Scream �Rocks� (2003)
Basement Jaxx �Good Luck� (2004)
Franz Ferdinand �Matinee� (2004)
Paul McCartney �Hey Jude� (2004)

ANNOUNCING THE RETURN OF BLUR RADIO!

Mon, 17 Jan 2005 00:00:00 GMT

To celebrate 15 years of Blur, we announce the arrival of Blurcast - a brand new internet radio station dedicated to the band's entire back-catalogue.

On Thursday 20th January 2005, Blurcast will be launched with an exciting programme of b-sides, rarities, solo material, collaborations, interviews and live tracks... 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!