www.pixiesmusic.com Alt rock pioneers Pixies need no introduction. Our favourite all-time band reformed, back with brand new music (pinch selves), and Mark, with a supercool team in the States, just made a video for them (pinch selves again). Check the website for EP 1, EP 2 and tour details, and Snakes is up now in PROMOS.
Dinosaur Jr.
www.dinosaurjr.com US alt rock legends and another of our fave all-time bands, back at peak power with original line-up of J Mascis, Lou Barlow and Murph. Not much else we need to say as this is Dinosaur Jr - except we feel mighty privileged to have made one of their videos.
Go see, make ears bleed.
Misty's Big Adventure
Misty's on Facebook John Peel pronounced Grandmaster Gareth 'The New God' and Misty’s have toured with the likes of The Zutons, The Magic Numbers, The Guillemots, Dan Le Sac vs Scroobius Pip and Laura J Martin. They've also collaborated with Gruff Rhys, The Zutons, Jeff Lewis, Broadcast, Kimya Dawson, Noddy Holder, Dave Gorman and Sir Patrick Moore and are soon to be artists-in-residence at Oxford University Astrophysics Department. Oh, and they're so good live. Mark wants to have their babies but he can't so instead he's made them seven music videos, and rising.
Julian Cope
www.headheritage.co.uk Rock star, author, antiquary, musicologist, poet and cultural commentator - one time front-and-behind-man of The Teardrop Explodes, solo since '83 as well as messing with your head in side projects including Queen Elizabeth, Brain Donor and Black Sheep. A collaboration between The Cope and Mark has almost happened a few times, most notably with the Brain Donor film DAUB. But maybe it's better off just existing in our mind's hairy eyeball. Worship at the feet of the Arch Drude! We'll save a space for ya.
www.tenbenson.com From 'quirk-rock experimentalists' to 'inbred redneck truckers', Ten Benson rise Phoenix-like from the ashes once again and are filthier than ever. Partly because they're covered in sump oil. New single Mud Man coming soon.
Before man...
Before beast...
There was mud...
www.thejeffreylewissite.com US singer-songwriter and comic book artist Jeffrey Lewis is often regarded as part of the 'antifolk' movement, mainly cos he was one of the many bands and performers (including The Moldy Peaches) to emerge from New York's Sidewalk Cafe. Jeff doesn't mind the antifolk tag: "I think it's a cool title. The fact that no one knows what it means, including me, makes it kind of mysterious and more interesting than saying that you're a singer-songwriter or that you play indie rock."
Catch Jeff and brother Jack live for a gig unlike no other.