NEW Blur single: It's real, I know nothing.

So maybe I'm too pessimistic? Yesterday I thought this Blur single thing was a stretch at best, but it turns out it's real! ABC News is reporting it (weird.) To be fair they're reporting it from the NME, who in turn might be reporting it from The Sun, but still...
Rough Trade's twitter confirmed it this morning too. According to the ABC article, the single was recorded two weeks ago, confirming that I know nothing. About anything. At all. Ever. Oh Blur, why must you be so mercurial?
I still haven't sleuthed whether or not this will only be at British record shops, or if there will be any floating about in America (doubtful). I will be at Coachella on Record Store Day so fingers crossed that the record tent has one (I know, I'm deluded).
[NME: Blur to release newly recorded song for record store day]
[ABC: Blur to release first new single for seven years]

"Red Carpet" interviews from the Blur movie premiere: For God's sake don't make them listen to their own music!

There's not much the Blur lads agree on, but not listening to Blur is one of them...

In this first interview for Sky news Graham refers to Damon as his brother, and before you all go "awwwwwwww" he likened their brotherly relationship to the Gallaghers of Oasis, and the Davies' of The Kinks. So, you know, not too cuddly really... Graham also jokes that the others still hate him, and although it's all said in jest I can't help but think there's a grain of truth when he reveals they haven't phoned since the summer (sniff).


It's Absolute Radio's turn to annoy Damon. Despite trying to affirm his "Blur cred" by stating he was at one of the Hyde Park shows, this poor interviewer gets only a few seconds with a shifty eyed Damon. When confronted with the question "how does it feel to be a movie star" he grumpily states that he's definitely not one. I think someone's forgotten a little film called Face.
Damon's probably in total Gorillaz mode at this point, so all this Blur stuff is a huge pain in the arse for him. I'm starting to think the hat was an intentional choice to show his apathy, or maybe I just want the hat to be ironic, please let it be ironic.


Ever the gentlemen, Dave happily chats with Absolute Radio. Looking dapper, Dave's quite easily the nicest, and least ridiculous member of Blur (Vote Dave).


Even though Damon's a grumpy bastard, he's still my favorite genius, so all my snarky comments are said with the utmost respect (before you think I've converted).
Thanks to Blureu for the video tips!

Blur at premiere of reunion doc. "No Distance Left To Run"

In a shocking sartorial twist, Dave Rowntree is the best dressed Blur member. Damon, regressing further into some sort of mid-life crisis "homeless" mode, is again wearing the most wretched hat ever to have graced the head of a musical luminary. As it's a special occasion, he even showed up without his dental crown for that truly authentic toothy grin of someone who just doesn't care. Of course, we'll always love them, and it's nice to see that I'm not the only one who's aged these past ten years.
(All images © Getty)

Blur before Blur: Seymour live at The Square, Essex - 18th December 1989

Oh wow, this is pretty amazing. A video's up on Youtube of Seymour, Blur's first incarnation. You must watch! Baggy jumpers, strange trousers, and Graham's perfectly coiffed hair abound! Link below.

Seymour - Superman

[via Guardian Music's twitter, and Scissorkick's youtube]

Dave Rowntree talks to the BBC about running for Parliament, wears various Fred Perrys.

Dave's getting some good use out of those left over Fred Perry polos from the Blur tour. Modeling two twin tipped tees, he speaks with the BBC about his upcoming Parliament run. Hopefully the laurel will see him better than it did Andy Murray. As always, VOTE DAVE.
[BBC]

Now Graham wants to do a new Blur album?

Oh, it's an emotional roller coaster. In a recent interview, Graham had this to say about the prospects of a new Blur album:

"I'm up for it, doing another one - it would be a really interesting thing to do. I don't want it to be like 'Modern Life Is Rubbish' or nostalgic b******s. I want it to be a development. There's nothing saying there's a great big 'No'. My gut feeling is, 'Why not?' Since we got into '13' we just went 'bang', creatively. So I'm not worried about it. Think Tank' was another kind of animal as well. It's almost like we can start wherever we want, do whatever we want."

The current tally:
Damon and Alex are saying no on a reunion
Graham is saying yes
Dave has yet to weigh in.

Honestly, I kind of just want the Gorillaz album ASAP, so maybe hold off on the Blur if it's going to happen? I know that's blasphemous, but I'm super excited about Plastic Beach (if that's still what it's called).

Via Contact Music.

Blur to record new music? blah blah blah...Alex says...blah blah...who cares unless they come to America?

I was recently visiting my parents and found a photograph of myself, circa 1996, wearing a Blur Parklife t-shirt. I might use that photo in some sort of desperate plea to get Blur to come to America. I'm thinking an open letter to Damon, Alex, Dave, and Graham in which I document the various Blur injustices I've had to endure (not including the On Your Own video).

God, my headline. I would hate anyone who wrote that, and sort of hate myself for it! I don't mean it in the sense that I think nothing's important unless it's happening in America...I'm British after all. I'm just growing anxious to hear of any further developments on the U.S. show front. It's been a month since Chris Morrison hinted at some European and U.S. stops...and nothing!

Being jealous is not how I want to spend my summer.

Oh right, the new Blur music story. Well basically it's Blur oracle Alex talking about them jamming during rehearsals.
Here's the link.

A Fantastic Guardian Article On Blur

I know it seems like I'm just pasting the latest Blur snippets incessantly on here, mostly without comment. It's been such a rush of Blur news lately that sometimes it's hard to keep up. It's long way from my DaMonday's posts of yore.

This gold rush on Blur culture is quite fantastic, but I feel slightly anxious too. What's to become of Blur now? Will they record again? It felt as though they "ended" on a really high note with Think Tank. They never fell into the trap of nostalgia, or repetition the way that other britpop stalwarts like Oasis did. I suppose it's a little selfish that I want to keep Blur the way they were. If you look at their track record, I shouldn't worry that they'll resort to pandering to their fans in lieu of innovation.

There's a lot of good that's come from the Albarn-Coxon reunion. Obviously the biggest excitement is that I might get to see them live at last!

John Harris has a brilliant article in the Guardian, interviewing the band and giving some great insight into the realities of the Blur breakup. There's a brutally detailed account of Graham's "firing", and a reassuringly sweet tale of Damon and Graham's subsequent reunion over eccles cakes.

Throughout the piece Alex appears as the main instigator of the reunion. He's sort of the oracle of Blur- mentioning the reunion months before it came to fruition. With this track record it's very exciting when he says this:
"Apparently, we've been offered Madison Square Garden in New York. Blur have never been bigger. Why? Fuck knows. Fuck knows."
There's hope for a Blur show in the U.S. yet!

Damon even speaks to John about Justine Frishmann, and in a "where are they now?" moment we find out that she's married and living in California.

Read the whole article here. [Guardian]

VIDEO: Blur accept their Mojo Honor from some "special" fans

Blur at the Mojo Awards

Blur's 1999 South Bank Show appearance on youtube

If you haven't seen this, it's a pretty great watch. Graham's at his mumbliest and Damon takes us back to where it all began, Stanway School.
All in celebration of Blur's 10 year anniversary.
I've embedded part one below, click through for the rest. Thanks to ClivesVidCollection for the upload.

Are Blur going to record a new album?

Oh god I hope so.
Apparently Graham told the Daily Star (reeeeeeally?) that it's a possibility.
"I'd be up for it if everyone else is really into the idea - if it feels good then we will (record again), I'm sure we will."
Not exactly a confirmation, but promising none the less.
[Virgin Media], [My Park Magazine]

Meanwhile, it seems I'm not the only one who thought there might be a glimmer of hope Blur would play Lollapalooza. Well, they're not (so far) and the lineup is pretty much total weaksauce right now. I've already got my ticket so I'm going either way (I live in Chicago). There are a few good bands, but nothing outstanding.
Maybe Blur will get added to Pitchfork? Not likely, according to the Trib's Greg Kot.
Read some other peoples disappointment on the comment section of Greg's Lolla post.
[Chicago Tribune]

It really, really, really could happen...but probably only if you live in the U.K.

A BLUR SONG A DAY: The Universal

Alright, so I'm going to try this thing you see...sort of a reverse hunger strike. I'm going to post a Blur song a day until we hear about a US reunion show. Now, odds are that this means I'll be posting one every day, forever... So really it's until I get bored or run out of songs...
First up: The Universal. It's one of the shining beacons from The Great Escape.
Honestly, when I was 13 and this came out, I was obsessed. To an alarming degree. The music video, the b-sides, the Clockwork Orange eyeliner...sigh. They released two singles, the first had the b-sides Ultranol, No Monsters In Me, and Entertain Me (The Live It! Remix). The second "Universal II" was live from the beeb, and had album tracks Mr Robinsons Quango, It Could Be You, and Stereotypes. Of course I rushed out to Woolworths in the high street and bought both. It's a classic timeless song, it's perfect.

Live on Jools Holland in 1995:


And the famous "Clockwork Orange" video:

at this point it's just pathetic that I won't get to see Blur...

Jeez...you lucky people in the U.K. MORE warmup shows announced...

Southend,Wolverhampton and Newcastle...well here's your lucky day.

COME. TO. AMERICA (just once...I'll fly anywhere...NYC, LA?? eh?)

Does this mean Damon likes Vampire Weekend?

There was me thinking fondly on the fact that Damon might have pulled the fire alarm to prematurely end a Vampire Weekend show, and all of a sudden they're opening for one of the Hyde Park reunion gigs!
That's the only questionable pick, here's the full lineup, it's like a mini-festival!
(Sorry Kaiser Chiefs...you're out)
July 2 features the following bands:
Foals, Crystal Castles, Friendly Fires and Hypnotic Brass Ensemble

July 3 features the following bands:
Vampire Weekend, Amadou & Mariam, Florence And The Machine and Deerhoof

[NME]

Blur's Manchester support acts revealed...and they're good!

Blur have recruited Klaxons (yay) and Florence and the Machine (yay) to support their Manchester warm up show at the MEN arena on June 26th.
According to the NME, each of the Blur reunion shows will have different opening acts...
It'll be interesting to see who else gets chosen for these amazing gigs!

Blur for Lollapalooza? Time Out Chicago thinks "maybe"...

Oh my jesus! I'm not going to get all prepared like I did for Coachella, only to be disappointed when it doesn't pan out. However, Time Out Chicago's blog has a Lollapalooza speculation post which contains this hopeful possibility:

"I’m crossing my fingers for Blur. As my co-workers can attest, I’m a big Britpop geek. Yes, after a decade the entire group (including guitarist Graham Coxon) has reunited. Damon Albarn’s extra-curricular work with Gorillaz and continued hockey-arena usage of “Woo-hoo!” ensures a top spot, if the reunion decides to cross the Atlantic. Which is a big assumption, seeing how no U.S. shows have been announced. Many predicted a Coachella gig, but there was no way a U.K. supergroup is playing an American desert first in its comeback. However, after Blur headlines Ireland’s and Scotland’s biggest summer tentpoles in mid-July, the schedule is clear."

Ahhh. If this is a real possibility (which I suppose anything can happen) I'll try to keep the fangirl squeeing to a minimum...but for serious, Blur playing down the street??

N.B. THIS IS TOTAL SPECULATION AND PROBABLY WON'T HAPPEN.

[Via Time Out Chicago]

Blur to play Manchester warm up show

From laterooms.com:

"Blur will play a warm-up gig in Manchester ahead of their expected appearance at Glastonbury Festival, it has been announced.

The band will play at the city’s MEN arena, which is within easy reach of central Manchester hotels, on June 26th."

[link]

Blur to play T In The Park, Oxegen festivals...

Blur have signed on for two headlining festival gigs; Lollapalooza, and my apartment. Yeah, I wish.

Nah, they're heading to bonny Scotland for T In The Park on July 11th, and Ireland's Oxegen festival that same weekend.
What does this mean for the rumored Glastonbury performance?

via:
[NME] [Daily Record]

Studio Footage of Blur recording Parklife

Record producer Stephen Street, who produced Blur albums Modern Life is Rubbish, Parklife, The Great Escape, and Blur, as well as the Smiths' final album Strangeways, Here We Come has posted a video of Blur in the studio recording 1994's Parklife.
His new website boasts info, footage and photos of all the great acts he's been involved with.
Often called the fifth member of Blur, Stephen was a huge part of their britpop era sound.
Stephen produced some of Graham's solo albums too, including Happiness In Magazines. He has famously called Graham the best guitarist since Johnny Marr.
Here's the video thanks to JP's Blog. You'll discover the secret behind those la la la's!


[via JP's blog]