Whenever someone asks, “what’s new” we never know what to say. Well, now you can have an answer at the ready with our A-Z guide to summer:
A: Alexisonfire added to Warped Tour July 10 at Arrow Hall.
B: You’ll have to Deal with The Breeders Aug. 15 at Lee’s.
C: If you’re going to the Coldplay show July 30, at the Rogers Centre you’ll get a copy of their new live record Left Right Left Right Left.
D: Dinosaur Jr. play their best song in years, “Over It,” on Fallon this Thursday (June 25)
E: Elvis Costello’s new disc, Secret, Profane & Sugarcane, is worth hearing live at Massey Hall August 28.
F: Jimmy Fallon has Grizzly Bear on this Friday (June 26) and then is off for two weeks.
G: Gordon Lightfoot plays his gold at Massey Hall November 18-21
H:The Hold Steady’s cross-country tour ends Sept 27 at Lee’s Palace. Tickets on sale Thursday June 25.
I: Incubus are bringing the great Duke Spirit to town with them July 30 at the Molson Amphitheatre.
J: The Japandroids gig July 16 at the El Mo has gig-of-the-year potential.
K: Kyp Malone of TV on the Radio will release a solo disc under the name Rain Machine this fall.
L: Lemonheads’ new covers LP, Varshons, out now; they play Lee’s July 4.
M: Modest Mouse have at least two new songs to play August 21 at Sound Academy.
N: Neil Finn’s supergroup project The Sun Came Out — featuring Johnny Marr, Jeff Tweedy and Radiohead — hits stores August 10.
O: Octahedron is the name of the new Mars Volta record. The New York TImes loves it.
P: The Pixies’ new box set, Minotaur, comes in a deluxe edition that stands two feet tall, weighs 25 pounds and costs $495.
Q: The Quinn sisters, Tegan & Sara, have posted an update from the recording sessions with Chris Walla at http://teganandsara.com/
R: R.E.M.’s second LP, Reckoning, gets the reissue treatment this week with bonus disc of a 1984 show at Chicago’s Aragon Ballroom.
S: Sonic Youth’s June 30 date at Massey Hall is close to sold out. You’ve been warned.
T: Tool play Kingston August 4.
U: The soundtrack to Up features the tune “The Spirit Of Adventure” by Michael Giacchino. Listen please.
V: Virgin Festival Toronto… is it happening? Check www.virginfestival.ca/.
W: It’s no trick: Wilco are planning to treat us to a post-Halloween show.
X: Help X singer Exene Cervenka in her battle with Multiple Sclerosis by supporting Sweet Relief: www.sweetrelief.org
Y: Yeah Yeah Yeahs tickets for their August 4 Kool Haus date are on sale this Thursday at 10am.
Z: Digital indie record store Zunior.com celebrates its fifth birthday with a show this Saturday at the Tranzac.
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