In The News: Pixies, Dead Weather, Apples In Stereo, Spoon, Thom Yorke, Michael Stipe And Free MP3s

Sick of reunion cash grabs? Too bad for you, then, that grunge-era relics Alice In Chains return with a new LP, Black Gives Way To Blue (Virgin/EMI), on September 29. Dates in Europe and the U.S. commence August 1 in Dublin, and while the band’s press release proudly trumpets a July 18 gig with Kid Rock at Detroit’s Comerica Park, it makes no mention of late founding member Layne Staley, who OD’d in 2002. Download “A Looking In View” … In other reunion news, the Pixies (pictured) are once again playing some shows. To celebrate the 20th anniversary of 1989’s Doolittle (or, more accurately, to grab some cash), Black Francis, Kim Deal, Joey Santiago and David Lovering are embarking on a short European tour, also beginning in Dublin, but on October 1 …  X’s Exene Cervenka releases Somewhere Gone (Bloodshot) on October 9. That’s a ways off, of course, but we’re telling you now because in June, Cervenka announced she’d recently been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. She’s committed to raising funds and awareness for the disease; read her statement … We’ve always celebrated the Wedding Present, but now you can, too, if you want to travel to At The Edge Of The Sea, a Weddoes-centric festival taking place August 22 in Brighton, England. The seven-hour shindig will feature a Wedding Present set, an acoustic Cinerama performance and other bands, including the Pipettes, Lucky Soul and Frank Sidebottom … If you happen to be watching Skinemax (Cinemax to those who don’t appreciate the cable channel’s reputation for gratuitous nudity) this month, keep an eye out for Treat Me Like Your Mother, a short film featuring the Dead Weather: Jack White (White Stripes, Raconteurs), Dean Fertita (Queens Of The Stone Age, Waxwings), Jack Lawrence (Greenhornes, Raconteurs) and Alison Mosshart (Kills). Directed by Jonathan Glazer (Sexy Beast), the uncensored film debuts July 11 at 9:55 EST and airs at other times over the following five weeks. Watch the trailer. What’s that? Oh, yeah, the band’s record, Horehound, is out July 14 … Concert pianist Christopher O’Riley continues his interpretations of rock ‘n’ roll with Out Of My Hands (August 18, on White Tie), featuring songs by Nirvana, R.E.M., Radiohead, Pink Floyd, the Smiths and others. O’Riley’s previous efforts included LPs of Radiohead, Elliott Smith and Nick Drake compositions … The Apples In Stereo compile 16 examples of their pop craftsmanship on #1 Hits Explosion (Yep Roc), a best-of due September 1. As for any new material, Schneider says, “We are currently working on an album of soul music, filtered through a UFO” …  You know, we like Spoon just fine and are glad to report that Merge has released the three-song Got Nuffin, available on CD and as a download. (12-inch vinyl, available for pre-order, will be ready this month.) But man, that title really bugs us …  Heavy rockers Nebula kick off a U.S. tour August 4 in San Francisco. The jaunt supports Heavy Psych (Tee Pee), out July 7. Download “The Dagger” … September 29 sees the release of the worthwhile Ciao My Shining Star: The Songs Of Mark Mulcahy (Shout! Factory), a tribute featuring covers of songs by former Miracle Legion frontman Mark Mulcahy, whose wife passed away suddenly last year, leaving him to care for their three-year-old twin daughters. Funds from the record will go to support his kids’ care and to continue his music career. The LP has 21 tunes by the likes of Thom Yorke, Michael Stipe, Dinosaur Jr, Mercury Rev, the National and Frank Black; another 20 tracks, from artists such as A.C. Newman and Buffalo Tom, will be available digitally.