The intimidating Monsters Of Folk (pictured)–Bright Eyes’ Conor Oberst and Mike Mogis, My Morning Jacket’s Jim James and singer/songwriter M. Ward—are releasing their self-titled debut September 22 (on Shangri-La Music). The quartet has been playing shows under the Monsters moniker since 2004 … Minus 5/Young Fresh Fellows mastermind Scott McCaughey returns July 7 with great new records from both bands. Fans (and non-fans, too, we guess) who pre-order the Minus 5’s Killingsworth and the Fellows’ I Think This Is (both on Yep Roc) from the label’s website will receive two limited-edition buttons. Because, you know, buttons are so in right now. Download the Young Fresh Fellows’ “New Day I Hate” … Industrial legends Pigface, led by Martin Atkins, return with 6 (Full Effect) on June 16. Past Pigfacers include Trent Reznor; En Esch (ex-KMFDM) and Chris Connelly contribute to 6. A fall tour is in the works … You might have heard that Merge Records is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. As part of the festivities, owners Mac McCaughan and Laura Ballance have collaborated with author John Cook on Our Noise: The Story Of Merge Records, The Indie Label That Got Big And Stayed Small (Algonquin Books). Due September 15, the tome features an introduction by Ryan Adams but is probably worth reading anyway. Download Superchunk’s “I Believe In Fate” … The under-appreciated Brendan Benson’s fourth solo LP, My Old, Familiar Friend (ATO), is slated for release August 18. Benson recorded the effort in Nashville and London while on a break from the Raconteurs, his project with Jack White … Segues ‘R’ Us: The under-appreciated Doug Gillard, formerly of Death Of Samantha, Cobra Verde, Gem and obscure lo-fi indie rockers Guided By Voices, releases his second solo outing, Call From Restricted (on 347, his own label), September 8. Gillard’s debut, 2004’s Salamander, was top-notch. Just saying … Seminal female punkers the Slits return October 6 with Trapped Animal (Narnack), the band’s first LP in more than 25 years. This year also marks the 30th anniversary of the group’s debut album, Cut … For those of you who never tired of that “Are You Gonna Be My Girl” song that was in that iPod commercial and probably a half-dozen movies will be glad to know that Jet’s third record, Shaka Rock (Horrorshow Records/Five Seven Music), will be out August 25. We’re told it’s highly anticipated. We have our doubts … No matter your opinion of the Black Crowes—we won’t state ours, but come on—you have to give props to the hippies’ sense of fair play. The band is issuing Before The Frost… (Silver Arrow/Megaforce) on September 1 with a download code for a free second album called …Until The Freeze as a thanks to their loyal fanbase. Some might say that freebie is still overpriced, but we won’t.
