2005

Rumors about a full-blown Fugees reunion have been coming and going for years, but it looks as though it could be for real this time.

The group recently dropped its first single in more than eight years, “Take It Easy,” and has booked a European tour with plans for a new album release this winter.

If all goes according to plan, Lauryn Hill, Wyclef Jean and Pras will perform their first full concert together since 1997 November 30 at Vienna, Austria’s Stadthalle.

Right now, the iinerary has them traveling through Finland, France, Sweden, Norway, Germany, Italy, Switzerland and the U.K. with shows booked for three weeks.

The last scheduled gig is December 20 at Hallenstadion Zurich in Switzerland, but there has been no official word on the tour, so it’s not clear if the itinerary is complete.

The group shocked fans by appearing unannounced at the Dave Chappelle Block Party in summer 2004. All was quiet again until they performed at the BET Awards this past June, and subsequently released “Take It Easy.”

Although a title for the group’s new album has not been made public, the disc is reportedly set for a December 27 release.

There’s been no word of any U.S. tour plans.

The Bravery are heading out on a headline tour in support of their self titled debut album including dates with openers (International) Noise Conspiracy and also VHS or BETA. Then the band is off to hit the road with Depeche Mode on select dates of their upcoming US winter tour.

Please visit the Bravery’s website to watch the new “Unconditional” video.

Tour Dates –

Oct 2 – Sauget, IL (St. Louis, MO) – Pop’s – W/ International Noise Conspiracy
Oct 3 – Kansas City, MO – Beaumont Club – W/ International Noise Conspiracy
Oct 4 – Chicago, IL – Vic Theater – W/ International Noise Conspiracy
Oct 5 – Detroit, MI – Majestic Theatre – W/ International Noise Conspiracy
Oct 6 – Milwaukee, WI – The Rave – W/ International Noise Conspiracy
Oct 8 – Northfield, MN – St. Olaff College – W/ International Noise Conspiracy
Oct 9 – Decorah, IA – Luther College – W/ International Noise Conspiracy
Oct 11 – Toronto, ON – Kool Haus – W/ International Noise Conspiracy
Oct 12 – Montreal, QC Le Spectrum – W/ International Noise Conspiracy
Oct 13 – Boston, MA – Avalon – W/ International Noise Conspiracy
Oct 15 – Las Vegas, NV – Pepsi Smash
Oct 16 – Los Angeles, CA – Avalon
Oct 17 – Phoenix, AZ – Marquee
Oct 19 – Philadelphia, PA – Theatre Of Living Arts – W/ International Noise Conspiracy
Oct 20 – New York, NY – Roseland Ballroom – W/ International Noise Conspiracy
Oct 21 – Baltimore, MD – Sonar – W/ International Noise Conspiracy
Oct 22 – Norfolk, VA – The Norva – W/ VHS or Beta
Oct 23 – Carrboro, NC – Cat’s Cradle – W/ VHS or Beta
Oct 25 – Columbia, SC – Headliners Live – W/ VHS or Beta
Oct 26 – Nashville, TN – Exit In – W/ VHS or Beta
Oct 27 – Birmingham, AL – Zydeco – W/ VHS or Beta
Oct 29 – Memphis, TN – Voodoo Festival
Oct 31 – Tallahassee, FL – The Moon
Nov 4 – Orlando, FL – House of Blues

Opening for DEPECHE MODE:
Nov 2 – Fort Lauderdale, FL – Bank Atlantic Center
Nov 3 – St Pete, FL – St Pete Times Forum
Nov 5 – Duluth, GA – The Arena at Gwinnett Center
Nov 7 – Houston, TX – Toyota Center
Nov 8 – Dallas, TX – American Airlines Center
Nov 9 – San Antonio, TX – SBC Center
Nov 11- Denver, CO – Magness Arena
Nov 12 – Salt Lake City, UT – E Center
Dec 3 – Atlantic City, NJ – Borgata
Dec 4 – Montreal, QUE – Bell Centre
Dec 7 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden
Dec 9 – Washington, D.C. – Patriot Center

The Mars Volta will release the live full-length album Scabdates. The album captures the band

Back Country Excursions of Southern Maine will be holding their 8th Annual Haunted Halloween Mountain Biking Spookfest on October 21-23. The BCE Crew has brewed up another hauntingly fine weekend including a Freeriders delight that is chock full of some of the spookiest stunts and gnarliest singletract East of the Rockies. The weekend includes: Local brews, Pilgrims Progress Feast, apple bobbing and pumkin carving contests – and plenty of charted and uncharted rides.

For reservations see: bikebackcountry.com

“To: Elliott From: Portland”, a tribute to the late Elliott Smith, will be released February 7, 2005 on Portland-based independent label Expunged Records. Ten percent of the proceeds will be donated to the Elliott Smith Foundation’s charity, “Free Arts for Abused Children”.

The compilation features notable Portland bands The Decemberists (“Clementine”), Helio Sequence (“Satellite”), The Thermals (“Ballad of Big Nothing”), Swords (“I Didn

The mission of the Boston Music Awards is to celebrate the wonderful music that is produced by artists with strong ties to the Boston-area. The event encompasses most genres of music, highlighting the diversity and the quality of the music from the area. A Board of Advisors consisting of community and music industry leaders assist in the creative direction of the event.

Last night’s event offered many surprises, with unassuming singer-songwriter Ray LaMontagne earning both song of the year and album of the year for his RCA debut, “Trouble,” as well as singer-songwriter of the year. Other notable winners included:

Act of the year: Dropkick Murphys
Independent album of the year: “Black Dialogue” by the Perceptionists
Male vocalist: Howie Day
Female vocalist: Aimee Mann
Live act: Dresden Dolls
Funk or jam band: Addison Groove Project
Jazz act: Pat Metheny Group
Blues act: Susan Tedeschi

For a full listing of winners see: boston.com