Adam Yauch of the Beastie Boys has announced, by video on the band’s site, that he will be receiving treatment for cancer and that as a result they will have to cancel some shows and push back the release of a new album Hot Sauce Committee Part 1.

Joined by band mate Adam Horovitz, Yauch said “This is something that’s very treatable and in most cases it’s, um, they’re able to completely get rid of it”

We are thinking of him and wish him a speedy recovery.

Paul Lekakis – Boom Boom Boom (Let’s Go Back To My Room)

Made in 1987, regurgitated in 1992, swallowed again in 1997, spat back out in 2002, resuscitated yet again in 2007. That’s it… I’ve had enough Paul Lekakis… off to the Jukebox From Hell with you.

For all you lucky punters heading up to Byron this weekend for Splendour (note that I am NOT one of you), here’s one more reason I am insanely jealous:

Holly Throsby, The Middle East and Leader Cheetah are performing together in a one off all-ages Spunk label showcase at 6pm this Friday (July 24) at the Byron Bay Community Centre. Perfect for a first beer after the loooooong drive to Belongil Fields.

Here’s the lowdown on each artist:

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The coolest dudes in Hip Hop have got together with NAS and here is a listen to their track Too Many Rappers off their album Hot Sauce Committee Part 1 coming out September 18

Ch-ch-check it out

Hello from the UK! The kind folks here at theinsound have asked me to pop in from time to time with a few updates from the land of poms and pop stars. Don’t worry though – the current Mrs John is Australian, meaning that I quite regularly use words like “pash” and “snags” (I have to draw the line at “dooner” though) in general conversation. I hope to fit in here nicely.

So on Saturday 11^th July, Lily Allen took to the stage at London’s Somerset House – by day the venue houses several different government offices – but by night its magnificent courtyard plays host to summer concerts, outdoor films (I caught Leon there last year – awesome) and at Christmas turns into a large ice rink.

However, unlike our friends at Wimbledon’s Centre Court, the 18^th century building is still(!) lacking a detractable roof, and thus I pretty much got pissed on for about an hour and a half. It was worth it though, and the constant drizzle never threatened to dampen the spirits of the crowd.

At exactly 9.30pm, Lily’s silhouette appeared along with the band’s on the white canvass that concealed the stage set – and after a few bars of album opener Everyone’s At It – the sheet dropped to the floor revealing the young songstress draped in a glittering shawl and poised for a glamorous performance.

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I’ve just been watching a copy from Triple J of MHs performance and am impressed by the 15,000 people who stood dancing in the rain in Gippsland where it would have been freeeeeezing.

Miami Horror joined the Hilltop Hoods for this years ‘One Night Stand’, and you can hear it this Monday on Triple J at 8pm. Personally I wish you could see it because Josh is the best dancer!

Someone’s done a really fun edit of Don’t Be On With Her… check it out:

I love the interwebs. You find weird stuff like this all the time…Katy Perry being challenged by Calvin Harris to open a can of Jam for ‘JAM TV’:

WTF, Calvin Harris?

And more tasty Katy fodder… Check out the ‘Manhattan Clique Mix’ of Waking Up In Vegas including far too M&Ms for this lifetime:

Nice one bruvva!

Katy is coming to the land of Oz in August for her first proper tour – superfantastic! Dates and ticket info her: www.katyperry.com

Personally I’m hoping to see some outfits like this:

Or this:

Or an entrance like this:

Or this:

Any or all of the above would be fine with me, Katy. KTHANXBAI

On August 2 at 3pm JET and Channel [V] are putting on a free gig at Sydney’s Luna Park. They will perform songs from their new album SHAKA ROCK for the first time in Australia, as well as some old favs

Channel [V], who will air it live on TV and on their site for those who can’t be in Sydney

There are heaps of tickets so go to www.channelv.com.au to go in the draw… you can register your mate too. Even better it’s all ages!

Who said you never get anything for free!?

Nope, it’s not Chapter 37 of R. Kelly’s Trapped in the Closet, it’s a much more wholesome affair with Bob Evans readying the clip for Hand Me Downs. The filming took place in an inner-city Sydney warehouse/loft space as these types of things do.

So… that means in a week or so we should have a proper clip to show you. Oh yes, there’s this too…

My fave oft-swearing-cardigan-and-fur-earflapped-cap-toting-hipster Lightspeed Champion (AKA Dev Hynes) is back in the studio. This can only mean good things.

Now that the new Lightspeed record is almost done, he has more time for building websites (www.lightspeedchampion.com), making “shitty videos” with his housemate and a dcr-trv950 camera, and giving you songs to download.

Dev is giving away Heavy Purple (which Dev wrote and recorded 3 days ago at the studios of both his mate Scott and Patrick from Chairlift). Supposedly, this is his “feeble attempt at some I Want You meets Midnight Love Marvin Gaye type-shit”. Sounds… fascinating!

To collect your Heavy Purple mp3 (nearly wrote Heavy Purple Rain there!), sign up to www.lightspeedchampion.com and you’ll see a new tab with the free mp3 link.