Guardian Music — With their squalling and spacey sound, these Japanese noise merchants are Can meets Kraftwerk, Faust meets FugaziHometown: London.The lineup: Taigen (vocals, bass), Kohhei (guitar), Yuki (guitar), Mon-chan (drums).The background: They look amazing. F... more info

Pitchfork - Forkcast — Here's a taste of things to come in 2010. "Sun Hands", the forthcoming single from the Rising L.A. band Local Natives, starts out quietly: a delicately florid guitar, a subtly Fugazi-esque bassline, a few celestial touches of harmony. The song takes ... more info

Guardian Music — The Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist has allegedly left the band and will be replaced by Josh Kinghoffer, according to reportsJohn Frusciante has quit the Red Hot Chili Peppers, according to reports. After about two decades as the Peppers' lead guitar... more info

411 Mania — Hear the new Final Fantasy single, the new Frightened Rabbit album, Fugazi live recordings, news on the the new Cat Power album, Steve Albini and the poor vs. the USPS, Neutral Milk Hotel videos and more. more info

Rolling Stone — Fugazi, Stage Banter [Stage Banter] So, let’s be clear about something: Single Minded loves Fugazi. Loves. And hearing this stage banter — charming, confrontational, aggressive, passionate — just reminds us of all the reasons why. Clare & the R... more info

Live Daily — With over 15 albums to his credit, Athens, GA, singer/songwriter Vic Chesnutt [ tickets ] is a prolific musician's musician. He's collaborated with artists ranging from Michael Stipe [ tickets ] of R.E.M. [ tickets ], Nanci Griffith [ tickets ], Mado... more info

Stereogum — For anyone who followed Fugazi from stage to stage in the '90s, this montage of onstage jokes, chimpanzee and Bengay tales, $5 ticket checks, constructive crowd criticism, and all-around awesomeness is welcome nostalgia. "You little MTV Generation pi... more info

Guardian Music — Academy, LeedsAyrshire trio Biffy Clyro's rise to fame reads like a pop morality tale. The band have triumphed over other faster-paced overnight sensations by plugging away for 15 years, clocking up endless gigs and support slots to the point where 2... more info

Chicago Tribune — Vic Chesnutt: The singer's alternately harrowing and rueful songs will be fleshed out on this tour by an all-star band, including members of Fugazi (Guy Picciotto) and Godspeed You! Black Emperor. more info

LargeHeartedBoy — Pitchfork interviews Flaming Lips frontman Wayne Coyne. Two new short stories at the New Yorker: Jonathan Lethem's "Procedure in Plain Air" and "While the Women Are Sleeping" by Javier Marias. Gothamist interviews Fugazi's Guy Picciotto. The Korea He... more info