MusicBoxer.com

50-year old British pop singer Morrissey is recovering in a UK hospital this morning after collapsing onstage during a concert Saturday night.

The former Smiths front-man appeared to have trouble breathing shortly before slumping to his knees midway through his first song of the evening, onlookers said.

Band members quickly came to his assistance and he was rushed to Great Western Hospital in Swindon, the The Telegraph first reported.

This is not the first time the singer has been sidelined by his ailing health. In both March and May of this year, shows and a TV spot were canceled due to “unspecified illness.”

A history of drug use has not been ruled out as a possible link to his respiratory woes.

As of this morning, the singer is listed in stable and improving condition. There is no word yet as to the future of the tour which only began October 23rd to promote his ninth solo album, Years of Refusal, released in February.

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Challenging his own self-cultivated image as this generation’s Harry Connick Jr., Michael Buble released his latest album Crazy Love earlier this week to the chagrin of Jason Mraz and Howie Day, I’m sure.

This latest catalog of love songs has a familiar theme, no doubt, but the news here is that Buble has traded in his staple of suits and sway for a much more updated pair of blue jeans, preppy sneakers and enough pop melody to insure the first single “Haven’t Met You Yet,” makes it on at least one major Top 40 countdown this week.

Sweet-faced pop singers beware: not only is he invading your turf – he’s got the whole hot foreigner thing going for him to boot.

Yikes.

Though, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that not only is Buble poaching the pop sound, his “break into synchronized dance in the middle of a supermarket” video looks eerily familiar, minus one Ben Stiller cameo.

Mraz and Day are one thing… but tread cautiously in the Travis territory Cannuck.

I’m watching you.

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Now, while Nashville is typically known for being the heart, spine, spleen and knee-cap of the country music scene, that’s not to say some mildly serious rock can’t happen there.

And happen it has. Just months after the release of her second solo album, Butterfly Boucher (real name) has teamed up with guitarist David Mead and drummer Lindsay Jamieson to form Elle Macho, a self-described trio of “Rock ‘n Roll ‘n Pop Music!”

From the official release:

You may have heard me talk about the band in recent interviews, in fact I can’t NOT talk about them because… well… I have just been so excited about being a part of this right from day one! We will be releasing our very first EP, title ¡ES POTENCIAL! on Oct 6th – that’s just around the corner!

But, if you don’t want to wait a week, here’s a taste:

Popular Music Tour: Rock Night from Elle Macho on Vimeo.

Yes – those are not southern accents. Globalization has happened, people. Deal.

The website is up and tour dates have been announced:

October 8 The Mercy Lounge Nashville, TN
November 19 Arlenes Grocery New York, NY
November 24 Silverlake Lounge Los Angeles, CA

Gracias.

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Beasties are out (for VERY good reason – our thoughts are with you, Mr. Yauch) – Tenacious D are in.

Just confirmed The Greatest Band on Earth, featuring Jack Black and Kyle Glass, will headline the final night of the San Francisco Bay area festival, Outside Lands, August 28th-30th.

The 3-day soiree will also feature The Black Eyed Peas, The Mars Volta, Modest Mouse, Silversun Pickups, Tom Jones, Jon Vanderslice, The Thievery Corporation, Dave Matthews Band and Pearl Jam among many, many others.

In fact, the line-up is eerily similar to another festival taking place that same weekend at the other end of the state.

Is it a vain effort for a San Diego Street Scener to wish for The D on our ticket too?

Here’s hoping. In the meantime – word has it – Public Enemy just added. Yeah boy!

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After finishing the summer festival circuit with the rest of the boys from Travis, Fran and Andy will be taking their “acousticky” act to (at the moment) New York and LA – and making up vocabulary words along the way.

As of now, just the two dates are scheduled – but I have a sneaking suspicion more may be added on Monday.

Here – let the scruffy, be-capped Scot tease you himself:

Ticket presale information and dates will be announced tomorrow (7/24) at their main website.

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