Due to the disappearance of Manic Street Preachers guitarist Richey Manic (nee James), the American release of their third album, The Holy Bible, has been indefinitely postponed from a July date.
The new Morrissey album, Southpaw Grammar, is slated to be issued on July 11. Produced by Steve Lilywhite, the track listing is: "The Teachers Are Afraid of the Pupils" (an eleven minute song), "Reader Meet Author", "The Boy Racer", "The Operation", "Dagenham Dave", "Do Your Best And Don't Worry", "Best Friend on The Payroll" and "Southpaw". No single has currently been selected from these tracks. He will be touring in the summer and fall, although dates have not been confirmed.
Oasis will return to the studio in May to begin recording the followup to their smash debut, Definitely Maybe. The sophomore album is expected to be released worldwide in fall of 1995. In the meantime, the single "Some Might Say" debuted at #1 in the U.K. (see review elsewhere in this issue), and the band is rumoured to be releasing a non-U.S. album which would compile their B-sides on one release.
In addition, drummer Tony McCaroll has officially left the band. His replacement, 22 year old Alan White from South East London, made his first appearance with the band on the May 4 edition of Britain's "Top of The Pops".
The Artist Formerly Known as Prince has entered into a licensing agreement with Warner Brothers Records for the distribution of Exodus on his new independent label, NPG Records. Exodus is due to hit the streets at the end of June.
