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Last update: 2005-07-13 21:56:46

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NEWS

New Blur album: only Alex & Dave

Blur's new album, the follow up to 1999's critically acclaimed William Orbit produced 13, will feature only members bassist Alex James and drummer Dave Rowntree, plus numerous session musicians, IME.com can exclusively reveal now.

Blur bassist Alex James said, in an exclusive interview to IME about the band's new album, "It's going to be like 13 only backwards. Damon's [Albarn - singer] got his Gorrilaz thing [cartoon side project], and Graham [Coxon - guitar] wants to do an album of backwards lo-fi reggae punk on his own, so we asked them if they thought we could carry it off as the two of us. They said 'We'd like to see you try' - ha ha, so we thought 'lets go for it!'".

Dave was unavailible for comment, but may have said "This is a new phase for Blur. Alex and I may be not normally associated with lead instruments but Alex knows a few chords and can sing a bit. And I can make web sites." he may have added, had he said anything.

However, the album may be released under an assumed name; James also expresses the wish that his Fat Les comrades Keith Allen and arty fool Damien Hurst join as session musicians and co-writers. Earlier this year, Coxon stated that if any of those made a record in the name of blur he would personally kill Alex with some kind of Vindaloo monster.

Craig David: New single, plus denial of beard rumours

2-step superstar Craig David is to collaborate with monsters of rock Limp Bizkit's frontman Fred Durst on his new album, rumoured to be called Lurrrvin With Craigy D. The song, to be released as a single in September, is called Smooth Time.

Durst met David backstage at Top Of The Pops, and both alledgedly displayed a mutual appreciation of eachother's work, (Although it is believed Craig David mistook Durst for the Manics' James Dean Bradfield), and immediatly drew up plans for a collaboration. In a statement, Durst said nothing, because he hates us all.

Craig David has also denied rumours that his beard has left to persue a solo career. "That's rubbish," David said, mysteriously beardless.

As previously reported only in IME, Lurrrvin With Craigy D features collaborations with Damon Albarn, Bjork and Geri Halliwell.

Man with fish marrs Embrace gig: guitarist in hospital

Last weeks Embrace gig at Munchen PopHaus was abruptly called off after a man with a large cod snuck past security and ended up on stage with the band. He then proceeded to hit singer Danny McNamara around the face with the fish, before cutting some guitar strings with a pair of wire cutters.

The band were visibly shaken by the event, and stormed off the stage, except for guitarist Richard who passed out and needed medical treatment for post-traumatic stress.

This has been the latest in a series of mishaps on the band's German tour. Last month, a naked man stormed the stage forcing the band to end early, and just two weeks ago a mysterious assailant sabotaged the bass guitars before going on stage so all the strings were tuned to F#, causing severe disruption. The drums were also filled with jelly. A statement from the management has voiced fears that there is an Anti-Embrace taskforce, intent on ruining the bands gigs.

Starsailor/Strokes war of rude words turns into war of fist-shaped ones.

Starsailor singer James Walsh yesterday was hurt in fisticuffs with The Strokes' singer and drummer Vincent de Cool and Lincoln Fonzarelli. Walsh, 20, is alledgedly jealous of their American rival's critical popularity, and previously contraversially called them "rubbish retro sillyheads". The playful war took a nasty turn at the Norwegian Good Pop festival when Walsh threatened the band with a sandwich. This soon escalated into physical violence when punches and kicks were thrown, resulting in a broken arm for Walsh.

The rest of Starsailor are today said to be "upset and dismayed" at The Strokes "immature" behaviour. Characteristically, The Strokes said nothing.

Tim Wheeler from Ash said that "Starsailor are rubbish! Ha ha! So is Craig David! Ash are the best! They are!" when questioned [about an unrelated matter], but Richard Ashcroft has said, in the their defence "They come from Wigan, eh? I used to know someone from there. Or did I? I don't know. Rock on, daddy-o!"

Coldplay to issue 'Best Of'

After 3 years hard work, Coldplay have released a best of compilation. Featuring all their good songs, the Best Of Coldplay will be released on Parlophone records on September 19th.

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