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Across The Pond

Johnny Marr becomes a professor, The Cribs battle through illness and Noah and the Whale.

The US version of the NME Rock N Roll Riot Tour kicked off this weekend in Providence, RI. where Art Brut and The Hold Steady gave rollicking performances. Apparently, Art Brut front man Eddie Argos woke up twenty minutes after the scheduled flight from San Francisco to New York took off. After a tearful exchange at the check-in desk, Eddie's plight convinced the airline to extradite his working-class self across the country just in time. "I could feel these tears on my face," he said. "I was trying to hide them! It was awful but the airline saved my life, they rushed me through security with cymbals." ? Argos then quipped that the instruments could have been a security hazard: "That could be a weapon surely, I could sever someone's head."

In Smiths related news, Modest Mouse guitarist Johnny Marr [still sounds weird huh?] has been given the title of "Visiting Professor" at Salford University of Manchester. Prof. Marr will be delivering a series of workshops and master classes to students on the BA Popular Music and Recording degree at Salford. Marr had this to say, "Salford University is offering some fantastic opportunities to students in music. It is an honor to be appointed as a professor and I'm excited at the prospect of being able to make a contribution."

In related news, Morrissey was spotted in LA last Saturday night lecturing customers of the local "In And Out Burger" joint on the fascinating benefits of Veganism.

A bizarre story fit for an upcoming plot line on House MD. Gary Jarman, bassist for Wakefield natives The Cribs, was recently hospitalized after contracting blood poisoning. The poisoning resulted from being cut up by some broken guitar strings at a gig in Sheffield. Instead of recuperating in one of Britain's fine Health Centers, Jarman defied doctor's orders and continued on with the tour. "[Support act] Bobby Conn has come all the way from Chicago," Jarman said. "He's done it off his own back and he'd lose loads of money, so I didn't want to cancel." Cheers to Gary for taking one for the team and letting Bobby Conn represent the greater Chicago land area.

Everyone take a minute to look down at your shoes and smile. Swervedriver will reunite for a worldwide 2008 tour after a nearly decade-long hiatus. Dates and other details have yet to be announced.

This week’s "Single Of The Week " goes to London based folkies Noah and the Whale with the infectious "5 Years Time."

VIDEO – Noah and the Whale – Five Years Time

Posted by Joe Roth on Oct 24, 2007 @ 12:00 am