THE HUMAN LEAGUE's classic 'Don't You Want Me' has been covered by the unlikely duo of Garbage's Shirley Manson and Marilyn Manson although it seems unlikely the song will ever be released, Shirley Manson saying "It's really cool but neither of us felt comfortable enough putting it on our records, so I don't know if it will ever come out".

SIOBHAN FAHEY has lined up a number of dates in April, May and June. The former BANANARAMA and SHAKESPEAR'S SISTER singer will undertake a combination of band PA's and DJ dates. See GIGS on the website for all the dates.

GENE LOVES JEZEBEL have added a number of dates to their forthcoming UK tour in support of the band's new album 'Exploding Girl'.
JOE JACKSON is the subject of a recent tribute album from a number of female and female-fronted acts. The fourteen track album 'It's Different For Girls' is available on the Skipping Discs label.

ROXY MUSIC are currently working on a new studio album, their first since 'Avalon' in 1982. As previously reported the band will also share the headlining on the June 10th bill of the Isle Of Wight Festival with MORRISSEY.

BONNIE TYLER, JOE COCKER and ELVIS COSTELLO will all play at July's Cornbury Music Festival. The festival will take place in Oxfordshire's Cornbury Park on July 9th and 10th.

ECHO & THE BUNNYMEN will headline Cornwall's 'Springloaded Festival' on May 26th at Truro's Hall For Cornwell, where they will be supported by BILLY BRAGG.

THE MISSION have announced an extensive UK tour taking in sixteen UK cities in September. The 'Lighting The Candles' tour will promote the band's forthcoming DVD of the same name and will be The Mission's only UK shows this year although European dates are expected shortly.

HAPPY MONDAYS will reissue their 'Greatest Hits' collection on April 4th in the wake of their Brixton Academy shows at the weekend.

THE PROCLAIMERS are continuing to add shows to their 2005 schedule, including their first ever shows in Dunoon, Campbeltown, St Andrews, Aviemore and Galashiels in June and July as well as a rare London show. The band are currently working on a new album scheduled for August release.

SOFT CELL will NOT be playing at London's Shepherds Bush Empire on July 21st despite adverts (and ticket availability!) to the contrary. The band were provisionally booked for the show before frontman MARC ALMOND's motorcycle accident but the singer has confirmed that on doctors orders he is still unable to play a full live concert and the show will not be happening.

THE HUMAN LEAGUE have been in talks with 'Dare' producer MARTIN RUSHENT about working together on new Human League material. Rushent met the band during their recent tour and confirmed in an interview with Blast 1386 radio's Mark Watkins that both parties were interested in persuing the idea...

ECHO & THE BUNNYMEN's classic 'Lips Like Sugar' has been remixed by Way Out West for a Warners album of remixes of tracks by a variety of artists which is expected to be released in July.

CHINA CRISIS, who have just released a DVD 'Done & Dusted', have announced a one-off UK show at Southampton's The Brook on April 8th.

B-52s frontman FRED SCHNEIDER has written four new songs for UK singer Sophie Ellis Bextor which have just been recorded in New York.

MORRISSEY and his special guests ROXY MUSIC have been confirmed as headliners on the Saturday night bill (June 11th) at the forthcoming Isle Of Wight Festival. REM will headline the Sunday night.

SHAKATAK's new album 'Beautiful Day' has been delayed in the UK as a result of changes to the band's business structure. However the band have imported a number of Japanese versions of the album which are available to buy from their website.

GENE LOVES JEZEBEL are lining up a long overdue UK tour in support of their new album 'Exploding Girls' which will be released in the UK in May. The tour will take place in May and June and the band will also release a hits compilation and reissued versions of their first three albums via Beggars Banquet around the same time.

HOWARD JONES, TIFFANY, CAROL DECKER, BELINDA CARLISLE, BROTHER BEYOND, SHAKIN STEVENS. LIMAHL and SINITTA have all been confirmed as artists participating in the new primetime ITV1 saturday night TV show 'Hit Me Baby One More Time'. The series starts on April 2nd and will feature each artist performing one of their classic hits alongside their interpretation of a contemporary hit by another artist.
SAMANTHA FOX will release a new album in the summer preceded by a single 'Angel With An Attitude' in April. The as yet untitled album will feature twelve tracks including the single and tracks entitled 'To Be Heard', 'I Give Myself To You', 'You & Me', 'Breathe Through It All' and 'Cause & Effect'.

IMAGINATION's classic hit 'Just An Illusion' has been covered by MARIAH CAREY for inclusion on her new album. Imagination frontman LEEE JOHN meanwhile is embarking on a jazz tour of the UK starting in March in Colchester to promote his forthcoming album 'Feel My Soul' which will be released in September and preceded by a single 'Thin Line'.

DEACON BLUE frontman RICKY ROSS has added a number of shows to his forthcoming UK tour in support of his upcoming solo album 'Pale Rider' which will be released on May 2nd, preceded by a single 'She Gets Me Inside' on April 25th.