Bloc Party Are Recording New Album With Kele Okereke

Bloc Party frontman Kele Okereke has confirmed that the band are working on a new album. 

Rumours last year suggested that the band could be set to part company, Okereke releasing a full length solo album.

Last September, the future of Bloc Party’s familiar line-up was thrown in to doubt when three members of the band were apparently caught by Okereke in the midst of recording sessions in his absence. However, the singer has recently revealed that he and the group now have two tracks fully recorded, with a further 17 demoed. 

Bloc Party are currently in the studio

(facebook.com/blocpartyofficial)

Tags: Bloc Party

John Lydon: Music Industry Has Been 'Taken Over' By X Factor

Expected to be released his ninth studio album with the band in the first half of 2012, Public Image Ltd. frontman John Lydon, has taken aim at TV talent shows such as the X Factor for creating an environment in which innovative acts struggle to find attention.

Describing talent shows as ‘unimportant’, Lydon told: “And it’s a shame that the music industry has been taken over and dominated by them. Particularly American Idol – you know, the way they love to awards themselves every year, those institutions.” It’s all artists from that ilk, isn’t it? If you want to call them artists. Unfortunately there’s some fantastic singers that come out of that, but they’re karaoke.”

In turning his attention to record companies, Lydon said: “If you ever want to know why I’m not on a record label, look at The X Factor. Honestly, of all the people that strive to break barriers in music and do good things and write great lyrics, not one of them would ever pass the first round on any of these competitions".

BOTM January 2012 - SPECTOR

Spector is a five-piece indie rock band from London, comprising Frederick Macpherson, Christopher Burman, Thomas Shickle, Jed Cullen and Danny Blandy. Macpherson has previously been in Les Incompétents and Ox.Eagle.Lion.Man.

They have been described as "somewhere between Roxy Music and the Strokes, the Killers, Pulp, Frank Sinatra" and have also been described as "reminiscent of The Walkmen mainlined into The Killers’ chugga-train drive".

The band have announced a headline UK tour for February 2012 and have been confirmed as a support act for Florence and the Machine's March 2012 tour.

They've been recently added to the line-up Isle of Wight Festival 2012, playing in the Big Top Tent on Sunday 24th of June. They will also perform at Field Day festival on 2nd June 2012.

**Spector reached the TOP 10 on Kool Rock Radio's Best New Bands list last year (2011) and their singles 'What You Wanted' and 'Grey Shirt and Tie' have reached the TOP 100 of Best Tracks 2011 list.