The reformed Replacements have announced a run of US tour dates in the wake of recent sporadic festival appearances.

Original bandmates Paul Westerberg and Tommy Stinson, plus guitarist David Minehan and drummer Josh Freese, will also play shows in London, Amsterdam and Spain and are reportedly considering recording a new studio album.

The Replacements were the archetypal college radio slop-rockers of the '80s and an enormous influence on a generation of US bands. 

Melbourne rock-pop legends The Sports will re-convene for a couple of live dates in their hometown in May.

Principal members Stephen Cummings, Martin Armiger and Andrew Pendlebury will be joined by keyboardist-guitarist James Black, drummer Peter Luscombe and bassist Mark Ferry for gigs at Memo Music Hall in St Kilda on May 8 and 9.

UK proto-punk pioneers the Pink Fairies have been in the recording studio.

The current line-up - including Andy Coulquon and including Sandy Sanderson -  went into Brighton Electric studios on January 18 and recorded three new songs for an upcoming record: “Skeleton Army”, “ You Lied To Me” and “Naked Radio”.

The Pinks have been playing sporadic live dates in the UK throughout 2014. No word on a release date or label but we’ll keep you informed. 

Sad news: Singer and guitarist for Sydney band Hell Crab City, Scott “Grogan” Barker, has passed away suddenly at the age of 51.

Friends say Groges appears to have had a heart attack earlier today. 

Hell Crab City immediately cancelled an appearance at the multi-band Punk Rock Bar-B-Q at Sydney’s Town and Country Hotel.

Previously of punk band Jim Cobain, Scott had been a fixture in Hell Crab City since the band formed in 2003.

Hell Crab City has released two albums with a third part-finished. 

Scott's shock loss is reverberating through the Sydney music community with outpourings of grief all over social media.

Bandmates posted on Hell Crab City’s Facebook page: “Undisputedly, the nicest guy in rock'n'roll, his love for his family and for his music was total and unequivocal.

“Naturally, we're all incredibly stunned, and to say that we loved him and will miss him is clearly understating it.”

Scott is survived by his partner Zara and son Harry. 

The Hoodoo Gurus have announced the departure of Mark Kingsmill, their drummer for the last 30 years, from the end of March.

In a Facebook post, frontman Dave Faulkner said: “I won't invade Mark's privacy by going into elaborate detail about his reasons other than to say he feels he's had enough of this vagabond rock 'n' roll lifestyle we all lead.

“Though he still enjoys playing drums, Mark has completely lost his appetite for the endless travelling and the many hours of hotel room boredom.

“The physical demands of playing the drums as energetically as he does are also exacting a higher toll on his body than ever before. Really, who can blame him for wanting a change?”

Here’s a taste of the forthcoming studio album by garage rock pioneers the Sonics. Recorded at Seattle's Soundhouse Studios with killer producer Jim Diamond behind the controls, It will be their first LP release since 1980 and first album of all-new material since 1967.

The album will be accompanied by a US tour (check our Living Eye section at right for dates.)