MYSPACE FAIL, PRIMROSE HILL'S MYSTERY GIRLBAND, SILVER BULLET'S GOOD NEWS AND MORE

IS IT wrong to dislike MySpace? I know it’s supposed to be a forum for the great unsigned but seriously, it’s impossible to navigate, takes an age to load and seems to be a graveyard for spam.

I’d rather check a band out for real, see their shaky YouTube uploads, or go to their official websites, where it doesn’t take a year to work out where their next gig is.
No offence MySpace but can’t you redesign – again?

• So much to look forward to this year – Pulp at Wireless, Two Door Cinema Club at Roundhouse and my guilty pleasure...Linkin Park at the Roundhouse for the iTunes festival – don’t judge me.



• What’s this about an emerging girl band called Primrose Hill? Have I missed out on the next big thing? Checked them out on MySpace – aside from “snippet” to single LOL, only info is they are three 13-year-olds, loads of spam messages – case in point. Don’t sound bad given their youth.

• Slightly old news but haven’t had a column to mention this – Nambucca, which burned down in a great Islington musical tragedy, but which then inspired The Flowerpot – has reopened and has an overflowing list of live gigs coming up – time to return to Holloway Road.

• Brilliant news for Finsbury Park’s coolest “pop-up” venue. Looks like it will have to drop the “pop-up”, after its lease was unexpectedly renewed. Still, nothing’s permanent so make the most of it while it’s still here.

• My digital radio is stuck on a channel that only plays ‘90s music – good memories but confusing – only bought it for 6 Music, XfM and Radio 4.

GORILLAZ, Dead by Sunrise, Eartraining, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Egyptian Lover, Camden Barfly

I'VE signed the three-page confidentiality agreement and have promised not to say a word until Feb 22. No, it's nothing to do with John Terry's injunction, just the paperwork we've got to go through to get hold of Gorillaz new album, which should be on its way as we speak - by email - so don't even bother trying to intercept my post!! I'll tell you all about it in good time - after the 22nd...
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I'm not ashamed to admit it but there's little better than blasting Linkin Park as loud as possible on road trips. Now frontman Chester Bennington's side project Dead by Sunrise play their first UK side project at HMV Forum (Feb 19), but are they as good as the Park?
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Black Rebel Motorcycle Club’s Forum date has sold out so they’ve given fans one more chance to catch them in London, and this one’s in Camden too. They’ve booked Electric Ballroom on April 15. Their fifth studio album, Beat The Devil’s Tattoo, is out March 8.
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Ever been that one person in the band who wishes they were just that much more in tune with everyone else? Do you love music but want to learn to hear even better. A new website www.easyeartraining.com, launching Monday at a secret location in Islington will help you do just that. "With a little bit of training, you’ll be able to discern minute details in sound which you never knew were there," they
promise. Email april@EasyEarTraining.com to reserve a place.
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Got to mention Egyptian Lover who plays The Big Chill House on Feb 12 - timely after our African Nations Cup final victory this week. Known as the Hugh Hefner of hip-hop, Greg James Broussard, aka Egyptian Lover has been enthralling with his electro talents for 25 years.
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Barfly Camden reopened last week after a full refurb and it's looking good by all accounts.