The Killers saxophonist found dead

The saxophonist for The Killers died earlier this week from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to his head. He was only 33.

Thomas “Tommy” Marth, who was found dead in his Las Vegas home on Monday, played on tour with The Killers between 2008 and 2010 and played on their second and third albums “Sam’s Town” and “Day & Age”

His death has been ruled a suicide by officials in Clark County, Nevada

The Killers posted on their official Twitter account on Tuesday:

“Last night we lost our friend Thomas Marth. Our prayers are with his family. There’s a light missing in Las Vegas tonight. Travel well, Tommy.” 

Is this the end for Gorillaz & Blur?

Damon Albarn dropped a couple of bombs in his recent interview with The Guardian.  The front man of brit-pop icons Blur and cartoon band Gorillaz has alluded to the termination of both projects.

On Blur, who disbanded in 2003 and famously reunited in 2009:

So no more Blur records?

“No, I don’t think so.”

And will you play live again after Hyde Park?

“No, not really.”

This is even bigger news. So that’s it?

“I think so, yeah,” he says. A little later, he goes on: “And I hope that’s the truth: that that’s how we end it. I don’t know: you can write scripts, and they always end up going… [pause]… well, one thing I’ve learned, and I’m sure you’re exactly the same, is that everything I think I’ve got totally sorted out, and I know exactly what’s going to happen – it never works out that way…”

So how should I put it? That in all likelihood, this is the end of Blur?

“In all likelihood, I would say. [pause] Oh, God…”

On Gorillaz, a musical/cartoon collaboration with Jamie Hewlett:

“Gorillaz was a really wonderful, spontaneous thing,” he says. “It started with two people sitting on a sofa, going, ‘Let’s make a band.’

‘All right, I’ll go into my studio and draw some characters.’

‘I’ll go in mine and make a tune, and we’ll put them together.'”

Which brings us to another of today’s revelations. Will there be more Gorillaz music?

“Er… unlikely.”

Really?

“Yeah.”

That’s a shame. Do you feel you’re done?

“Jamie does, which is fair enough. I think we were at cross purposes somewhat on that last record, which is a shame. So until a time comes when that knot has been untied…”

So what do we think? Will Albarn really lay both these musical maestros to rest?

Amy Winehouse found dead at 27

British soul singer and poster child for why not to do drugs, Amy Winehouse, has been found dead in her north London home.

Police confirmed the 27 year old died in Camden on saturday just after 4pm. No cause of death has been released, however Winehouse was widely known for her drug abuse and party heavy lifestyle. Friends of the singer have rumoured her death came from a “dodgy ecstasy pill” combined with copious amount of alcohol.

Winehouse, who was considered by many as one of the greatest voices of her generation, was working on the follow up record to the 2006 ‘Back To Black’ at the time of her death.

A terrible loss to the musical community, and an unnecessary addition to the 27 Club. Her smokey blues voice and her signature beehive will be sorely missed.

Don’t do drugs kids.

RIP Amy Winehouse.

Silverchair call it a day

Aussie rock icons Silverchair have announced, via a letter on their website, that the band has been put into “indefinite hibernation”.

The letter reads:

We formed Silverchair nearly 20 years ago when we were just 12 years old. Today we stand by the same rules now as we did back then … if the band stops being fun and if it’s no longer fulfilling creatively, then we need to stop.

Therefore after much soul searching we wanted to let you know that we’re putting Silverchair into “indefinite hibernation” and we’ve decided to each do our own thing for the foreseeable future.

We assure you that this decision has not been taken lightly. In fact we’ve been struggling with it for quite a while now.

Back in 2009 we went into the studio to start work on a record. Initially things were going well and as a result we did some shows in 2010 to maintain creative momentum. However, over the months that followed in the studio it became clear to us that we were moving in different directions. Despite our best efforts over the last year or so, it’s become increasingly clear that the spark simply isn’t there between the three of us at the moment.

As a result we’ve decided to put the band into ‘a deep sleep’ while we all do other things that we find more inspiring right now. This means that Silverchair won’t be making music together or playing shows any time soon. It also means that the three of us won’t be working together unless and until it feels right again.

We understand some of you may be disappointed by this news but we really see it as a liberating and positive step for us at this point in our lives.

We also want to make it really clear that this decision has been made with the best possible intentions. We’ve always tried our hearts out to make the best music we could possibly make at the time – regardless of commercial consequences.

The three of us still truly care about each other. At the moment Ben’s busy in the studio recording his own music, Chris is working on various business, musical and charitable ventures while Daniel is creating a film soundtrack and working on other musical projects. We hope you’ll continue to take an interest in our individual work over the years ahead.

In closing we’d like to acknowledge all the people ‘behind the scenes’ who’ve helped us keep this train on the tracks since we first started playing in a garage. There are too many to name but they know who they are and we truly appreciate all their love and hard work.

Above all though we want to thank you for all your support in good times and bad. You’ve put up with our long breaks between albums, our constantly changing musical styles and lots more. The unbelievable loyalty we’ve been shown by you our audience, and our friends, has never gone unnoticed or unappreciated. That’s why we wanted to tell you first.

With Sincere Thanks For Your Understanding.

Sweet Dreams.

Daniel, Ben and Chris

Silverchair formed in Newcastle in 1992 since then, the band has released six studio albums, has won 21 ARIA awards, six APRA Awards and has sold in excess of six million albums.

RIP Silverchair. You will be missed.

As Tall As Lions reform for final Australian tour

Get your party poppers out because As Tall As Lions have announced they will be reforming for a final Australian Tour in April.

The Long Island four-piece went their separate ways in September last year after released the following statement to fans:

After ten years of music, friendship, laughter, adventure, bliss, blood, sweat, tears, and everything else that goes along with it, As Tall As Lions are retiring for the foreseeable future. There is no sadness on our side, and we hope there is none on yours. We will be playing a handful of shows across the country to try and give everyone an opportunity to see us one last time.

The cult indie act, responsible for amazing tracks such as Love, Love, Love and Ghost Of York and three studio albums will play the following final Australian shows.

Wednesday 20 April – The Hive, Brisbane
Thursday 21 April – Club 299, Brisbane
Saturday 23 April – The Cooly, Coolangatta
Sunday 24 April – The Wall, Sydney
Sunday 24 April – Gee Wizz Holidays, Gosford
Thursday 28 April – Hot Damn, Sydney
Friday 29 April – Tuggeranong Alliance Church, Canberra
Saturday 30 April (Afternoon) – Phoenix Youth Centre, Melbourne
Saturday 30 April (Evening) – The Evelyn, Melbourne
Sunday 1 May – Enigma Bar, Adelaide

Contact the venue for more information.

Don’t miss As Tall As Lions at these shows, because you won’t get another chance to see them. EVER.

Hearts break around the world as The White Stripes call it quits

What’s red and white and covered in tears? A White Stripes fan who’s worst fears have just been confirmed – Meg and Jack are going their separate ways. It’s true; The White Stripes are breaking up.

Bursting out of Detroit in 1997, The White Stripes brought a new energy back to rock n roll. Combining grunge, country and good-old fashioned rockabilly, our favourite ex-couple Meg and Jack White sunk further into our hearts with each new release. And now the dream is over.

The band posted the following statement on their website overnight:

The White Stripes would like to announce that today, February 2nd, 2011, their band has officially ended and will make no further new recordings or perform live.

The reason is not due to artistic differences or lack of wanting to continue, nor any health issues as both Meg and Jack are feeling fine and in good health.

It is for a myriad of reasons, but mostly to preserve What is beautiful and special about the band and have it stay that way.

Meg and Jack want to thank every one of their fans and admirers for the incredible support they have given throughout the 13 plus years of the White Stripes’ intense and incredible career.

Third Man Records will continue to put out unreleased live and studio recordings from The White Stripes in their Vault Subscription record club, as well as through regular channels.

Both Meg and Jack hope this decision isn’t met with sorrow by their fans but that it is seen as a positive move done out of respect for the art and music that the band has created. It is also done with the utmost respect to those fans who’ve shared in those creations, with their feelings considered greatly.

With that in mind the band have this to say:

“The White Stripes do not belong to Meg and Jack anymore. The White Stripes belong to you now and you can do with it whatever you want. The beauty of art and music is that it can last forever if people want it to. Thank you for sharing this experience. Your involvement will never be lost on us and we are truly grateful.”

Sincerely,
Meg and Jack White
The White Stripes

No, that’s not a tear in my eye, it’s a bug. Damn bugs.

But seriously, this is an emotional time, after six studio albums, countless live shows, a documentary and one very disturbing are they aren’t they related rumour, to lose The White Stripes will be like losing a limb. We are all now James Franco.

God speed old friends, God Speed.

RIP White Stripes

Rocketsmiths announce break-up

What’s in the air up in Brisbane? It seems that following the announcement of Yves Klein Blue’s split, Rocketsmiths, who released their fabulous debut album in 2010, have also decided that it’s time to go their separate ways.

The following statement was made on the band’s website today:

“After almost four years of playing music together, Rocketsmiths have decided to call it a day. This wasn’t an easy decision and it certainly wasn’t because there is any less love between us (we love each other more than most bands should…) or because there were any musical differences. We are just ready to move on and try new things.

We have recorded and released three EPs and an album which we are immensely proud of. We have met some of the most amazing people that we will remember for the rest of our lives, we have played with some of the best bands in the world and we have had experiences we will never forget (both good and bad). We have enjoyed ourselves more than anyone can possibly imagine and playing together has been the happiest time of our lives.

To celebrate our short, yet eventful, career we are having one last show on Friday, March 4th at The Zoo. We’ll be playing some pretty old songs, playing some special covers and who knows, we may even don the old suits we used to wear when we were the quirkiest motherfuckers in town. Get there. Enjoy it. Drink and be merry and help us go out on a high note.

As well as this we should also announce that you can now download our debut album ‘The Bones’ for completely FREE FREE FREE from our website.

At this point we should say a massive thank you so much to every person who has helped us along the way. Friends, family, girlfriends, booking agents, publicists, managers and EVERYONE else who has given us a leg up. Special thanks go out to the people who gave us shit on the internet, you made us feel more famous than we actually were.

The following people need an even bigger thank you from us:

Magoo
Joe Woolley
Luke Kennedy
Joc Curran and all The Zoo staff

You have inspired us, supported us and helped us more than you can imagine. Thank you so much.

SEEYA ROUND Y’ALL. Dom, Ian, Dan, Heff and Brenty.”

Get your arse down to The Zoo on Friday 4^th of March to properly farewell “the quirkiest motherfuckers in town”.

And, if you haven’t already bought the debut album The Bones – grab it here for free.

RIP Rocketsmiths xxx

Yves Klein Blue offically split

It’s official, Yves Klein Blue have parted ways. The Brisbane band, who played their last show at the Go Between Bridge concert in June 2010, posted the following statement on their Facebook page this morning:

“Yves Klein Blue broke up because of creative differences some time in the second half of 2010, after 5 years together. We grew up and apart. We now live in different cities and pursue our respective vocations to our utmost capacity.

We leave behind 1 full length album and 2 EPs in the hope that you will remember us through that body o…f work. Thank you for singing along.

We remain hopeful for the future.”

Though the break up had been rumoured for some time, since front-man Michael Tomlinson moved from hometown Brisbane to uber-chic Melbourne with his now ex-girlfriend Megan Washington during 2010, this is the first official statement from the band.

Does this make Megan the Yoko Ono of Yves Klein Blue?

RIP YKB.

Brisbane’s The Troubadour set to close its doors

In a horrible local news day, another Australian music icon has died, Brisbane’s The Troubadour.

Representatives for the Fortitude Valley venue released a statement today confirming the end was near.

It’s news that will rock the Brisbane music community – the heart and soul of Brisbane’s music community, the iconic The Troubadour will be calling last drinks and closing its doors forever come the end of November.

In what will be a devastating blow to the town with a matter that has gone beyond the control of owners Jamie Trevaskis and Corinna Scanlon, the beloved music venue will close its doors on Sunday, November 21.

More information as to how the venue will be farewelled and why it is closing will be released in the very near future. The Troub crew would like to extend gratitude to every single band, artist and punter who has graced the venue in the last seven and a half years.

The future of “The Troubadour” name and recognisable aesthetic remains uncertain but for now, the dream is over.

The Day The Music Died.

The Models frontman found dead, aged 51

James Freud, front man for Melbourne band The Models has been found dead in his home, aged 51.

The singer and bass player’s battle with alcoholism has been well chronicled. His two books on his recovery and five years sobriety were bestsellers and gave a lot of people who were suffering the same affliction comfort and hope.

In a sad twist of fate, Freud succumbed to his disease and took his own life this morning.

The Models were inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame in Sydney last Thursday 27 October for their contribution to the Australian and international 80’s music scene. Freud was absent from the ceremony.

James Freud commenced his music career at the age of 17 as a member of the Teenage Radio Stars who had their first Australian hit with ‘I Wanna Be Your Baby’.  He signed with Michael Gudinski’s Mushroom Records label and had a successful solo career with the hit ‘Modern Girl’ from the album ‘Breaking Silence’ in 1980.  James joined The Models in 1982 and wrote their smash hits ‘Barbados’, ‘and ‘Out Of Mind, Out Of Sight’ from their hugely successful ‘Out Of Mind, Out Of Sight’ album.   Always a dynamic and energetic performer, James got a rousing reception each night of the 2006 Countdown Spectacular when he performed ‘Out Of Mind, Out Of Sight’ to the sell out crowds across Australia.

James Randall Freud is survived by his wife Sally, and sons Harrison and Jackson.

R.I.P.