Faithless To Split Up

The 'Insomnia' dance group announced they will go their separate ways after 15 years together after their preset tour ends on April 8.

Singer Maxi Jazz made the announcement on the official Faithless website. "After 15 years and six albums I think we've probably made our collective point by now and that it's time to close the book and return to the library" he said.

Continuing, the Faithless rapper thanked fans for their support throughout the band's career. "We've had, with you (fans), the most unbelievable, epic and moving experience, stretching over years and tens of thousands of miles. Joyful, exhilarating and empowering, we never for a moment thought an affair could last this long."

The group is completed by DJ Sister Bliss and producer Rollo, who does not appear with the band for live shows.

Faithless released their first single, 'Salva Mea', in 1995 and quickly became one of the most popular electronic acts in the UK. Their single 'Insomnia' became s a top three hit in 1996 and they had seven top ten hits in total, including 'God Is A DJ' and 'We Come 1'. They group's released their last album 'The Dance' last year' in 2010.

Announcing a final European tour, Faithless have confirmed three British shows:

April

4 Glasgow O2 Academy

7 London O2 Academy Brixton

8 London O2 Academy Brixton

Alice In Chains Bassist Mike Starr Dies At 44

Former Alice in Chains bassist Mike Starr, aged 44, was found dead in Salt Lake City on Tuesday(March 8), police said.

Alice In Chains were often tagged as a grunge group, but in reality the band had little in common with the scene bar geography. Formed in Seattle, the group shared a love of fuzzed up riffs but were in reality an unreconstructed metal group.

Bass player Mike Starr departed the band shortly after the release of 'Dirt' and became a cult figure to fans. Drifting out of the music industry, Starr became one of the great lost talents of the grunge era. Re-emerging some time after, Mike Starr took part in a controversial reality TV show. Broadcast on VH1, the bass player revealed much about his decade long struggle to free himself from drug addiction.

Arrested three weeks ago on an outstanding warrant, it was immediately apparent that drugs were still a problem in Mike Starr's life. Now living in Salt Lake City, the bass player was found dead in his apartment.

Just 44 years old, the news broke on TMZ. Police have confirmed the death, with Mike Starr's father commenting only to say: "It's a terrible shock and tragedy."

The death is thought to be a drug overdose. "There is nothing to indicate that this was foul play by another individual," police said.

In a sad twist, Alice in Chains frontman Layne Staley died from mixture of heroin and cocaine in 2002. The remaining members of Alice In Chains have yet to comment on the news.

RIP Mr. Starr.

BOTM March 2011 - MINAARS

Minnaars is an Indie, Math Rock and Dance-Punk band based out of Leicester, England. The name Minnaars comes from the Dutch word meaning 'lovers'. This five-piece is formed by Neil Humphrey, Gavin Thorpe, Benjamin Cropley, Adam Pickering and original bassist Russell Haynes. Haynes then left to be replaced by Daniel Faulkner, childhood friend of Humphrey, who completed the line-up.

The band went on to perform on the BBC Introducing Stage at Reading and Leeds before doing a short European tour with the band Gallops. In October 2010 the band begun working with Strata Music Group and released an EP, entitled "Ideal & Error", that was readily available from January 2011, to coincide with a lengthy European tour and also as a footing into the UK market.

**Plus: Their songs 'Are Lovers' and 'Busy Hands' reached the Top 100 on Kool Rock Radio's BEST TRACKS OF 2010 chart.