No Reunion Till Rod Gives The Nod

Any future Faces reunion will depend on whether Rod Stewart agrees to it, according to Ian McLagan.

Last year saw rumours circulating that the band were on the verge of reuniting for a world tour and even a brand new album, their first since 1973. The reunion would have seen the four surviving members of the band reunite with Red Hot Chili Pepper, Flea, replacing the late Ronnie Lane. However, in January both Rod Stewart and Flea denied any knowledge of the reunion.

Speaking to Billboard Ian McLagan says he had met up with Stewart, Ronnie Wood, Kenney Jones and Stewart’s touring bassist for three days of rehearsals last November and despite it being “really, really great”, he has heard nothing since.

“I'll get a call eventually, and maybe we'll do something in June or July,” McLagan says, “'cause I don't want to do anything next year. I'm not gonna wait again. It's either gonna be this year...It's now or never! I've got my fingers crossed, but I'm not going to waste energy trying to make it happen. I've worked for 30 years trying to make it happen. It's now in the lap of the gods -- or the hands of Rod, maybe.”

McLagan says that Jones, Wood and himself have a new plan to entice Stewart into the reunion. “We do a couple shows and film it. Whether Rod wants to do that...I'm hoping he'll be into that 'cause it'll be such a lot of fun. It's what the three of us would like Rod to agree to.”

McLagan is currently touring his latest solo album Never Say Never in the US with his Bump Band.

Oasis Unsuitable For China

Oasis have been deemed unsuitable to perform in China, it has been revealed.

The band were due to perform a couple of shows in the country in April, but after the dates were mysteriously cancelled yesterday the reason was yet to be revealed.

But the band released a statement yesterday afternoon that revealed the reason why the dates had been cancelled.

“According to the show's promoters, officials within the Chinese Ministry of Culture only recently discovered that Noel Gallagher appeared at a Free Tibet Benefit Concert on Randall's Island in New York in 1997, and have now deemed that the band are consequently unsuitable to perform to their fans in the Chinese Republic on 3rd and 5th of April, during its 60th anniversary year.

“Oasis are extremely disappointed that they are now being prevented from undertaking their planned tour of mainland China and hope that the powers that be within China will reconsider their decision and allow the band to perform to their Chinese fans at some stage in the future.”

In their homeland, meanwhile, things are going a little better with the band confirmed as one of the headliners at this year’s V Festival, which takes place on 22 – 23 August.

Joe's New Album Hits UK Charts

Joe Bonamassa’s latest album The Ballad Of John Henry landed in the Top Thirty of the UK charts this week.

Joe reached number 26 in the UK album charts this week, marking his best debut in this country to date following last year’s live album Live From Nowhere In Particular making its debut in the top 50.

Joe is on tour in April, and although most of the tickets have already been snapped up there are a handful left so make sure that you get your hands on some.