25/2/99

This week the Samurai Seven had to cancel 2 gigs. According to their website this was because Simon was shot in the eye in Oxford on Valentines Day. There are reports that this was a drive-by shooting, that he unfortunately got involved in. Apparently he was lucky that he was wearing contact lenses that cushioned most of the force of the gunshot. He has been told to rest for a while. Simon get better soon! For more information about the incident read the article in the Oxford Times.

This is particularly unlucky for the band, as the incident has come when the Seven will gain more coverage, because of their recording for the theme song for Sound of the Suburbs.

The latest news from The Bigger the God camp is that they are currently recording their new album. Andy says,'We're about half way through making the album but we only get to spend a weekend on it every few months, so it won't be ready until later this year.' The group have also expanded from a four-piece band to having six members. They have recruited two keyboard players, one to supply organ and 'synth' sounds and the other (an accordion) player to supply accordion noises, and piano and string sounds. He also says that the new sound is much darker and odder and very different from the old indie-pop stuff.

23/2/99

Dustball have a few gigs coming up. They are supporting Medal, who will be releasing their second single soon, at the zodiac on 1^st March and headlining a gig at the Bull & Gate in London on 25^th March. Support for that gig will be from semi-local band Scribble.

 

John Peel's Sound of the Suburbs starts this weekend on Channel 4. Next weekend's show is about Oxford, with Dustball, Samurai 7 and Nought all featuring on the show. The theme tune to the series is Samurai Seven's version of the Members' song Sound of the Suburbs.

 

Oxford University wonders Hester Thrale, the groups formerly known as the Full Monty, are rumoured to have been seen hanging around A+R men in deep discussion with them...

 

The next Snakebite city release apparently will feature tracks from quite a few Oxford groups. Snakebite City volume 9 features...

Samurai Seven-Zeroxy Music

Nebula -Magazine Queen

Holy Roman Empire -Benazir Bhutto

Holy Roman Empire will be the first Oxford group to be on 2 different Snakebite City albums!

 

Whispering Bob are due to release their debut single soon. Currently they are trying to decide if it'll be better to release it on CD or vinyl. E-mail me with your view...

 

17/2/99

Local band Nebula has been shown interest from local label Richly Comic Records.

 

Radiohead are rumoured to be releasing a live album in the next few months before releasing a studio album at the end of the year.

 

Animal House have just about finished recording their debut album, and hopefully they will release it this year. They are delayed because they still have problems with using the name Animal House.