SIMPLE MINDS, OMD, DEAD OR ALIVE, THE LOTUS EATERS, FRANKIE GOES TO HOLLYWOOD and THE STRANGLERS are among a host of bands who have been interviewed for a new book about the legendary Liverpool club, Eric's. The A4 book contains over 500 pages of interviews, photographs and memories of the club. See NEWS on the website for ordering details.

BANANARAMA have reportedly selected a cover of the Three Degrees' 'The Runner' as the first single from their forthcoming disco album. Release details are expected to follow shortly.

DEPECHE MODE are expected to announce a headline slot at the forthcoming Lollapolooza Festival in Chicago in August and rumours are also circulating about additional UK shows before the end of the year and Russian dates in February 2010.

THE HUMAN LEAGUE will play the Evolution Festival in Newcastle on May 24th as well as an outdoor show in Thetford Forest as part of the Forestry Commission's annual tour and a headline spot at The Wickerman Festival in Galloway, Scotland in July. See GIGS for details.

DURAN DURAN are back in the recording studio where they are working on the follow up to 'Red Carpet Massacre' with producer Mark Ronson.

OMD are thought to be lining up US dates for the autumn on a bill with SIMPLE MINDS... if reports are correct the two bands will play shows in South America in early September and then move up to North America at the end of the month for shows until the end of October. The two bands are also said to be discussing taking the show to Europe.

KRAFTWERK, DE LA SOUL, LAURIE ANDERSON and THE DURUTTI COLUMN are among artists confirmed to play this year's Manchester International Festival which will take place in venues across the city between July 2nd and 19th.

THE ENGLISH BEAT have lined up US shows through March, April and May, see GIGS for all the dates.

MARTYN WARE is to play a very special show at London's Goldsmiths on March 24th. The 'Future Of Sound/Future Of Light' event will take place in the venue's Great Hall and will see the HEAVEN 17 mainman present sound via a innovative 3D music soundsystem capable of delivering an stadium experience in a small space. Further shows will take place in Bristol on April 25th and Gateshead on May 23rd.

MADONNA is thought to be planning to record a number of new tracks to be included on a forthcoming hits package which is tentatively scheduled for a September release.

MORRISSEY has announced five European shows - to take place in Estonia, Latvia, Poland, Czech Republic and Austria - in July. See GIGS for all the dates.

THE B-52s' FRED SCHNEIDER is working on material as part of a project called The Superions whose first single 'Totally Nude Island' is already enjoying radio success in the USA.

MICHAEL JACKSON has extended his run of shows at London's O2 Arena to 50 shows between July this year and February 2010 after unprecedented demand for tickets during this week's presales which saw around a million tickets sold for the show. See GIGS for all the dates.

FINE YOUNG CANNIBALS frontman ROLAND GIFT has released a new single 'Crushed' via iTunes with an album in the pipeline and live dates expected shortly.

Special thanks goes out to: www.remembertheeighties.com - "The eighties... up to date!"