Before I head off into the city (okay, before I head off to H&M), here’s a few bits and pieces that have made their way into my Google Reader (and a MBV vid I found on YouTube).

Hugo Burnham and Dave Allen have left the semi-recently reformed Gang of Four. The story from Dave’s blog. Hugo, aka DGS BLX, and Dave were SXSW regulars and always good fun.

My Bloody Valentine will tour this fall after curating ATP New York. But where’s the new record?!! Also, now that we’ve got Swervedriver and MBV, does that mean Chapterhouse might reunite, too? I still have great memories of seeing them at the Marquee in London in ‘91 (crap, I’ve just admitted to total geezerdom).

And lastly, my old faves, Tindersticks, have a new record. How I long to hear the dulcet tones of Stuart Staples once again.

Are you still living in the BritPop days of yore? Email us at musicblog@sxsw.com. Subscribe to our feedie here.

I hear it’s nice outside, lp