In probably one of the stranger things we've heard all year, it seems that the former Hüsker Dü guitarist has joined Ted Turner's World Championship Wrestling in a behind-the-scenes capacity. Mould, apparently a huge wrestling fan, has joined up as a wrestling script writer and will be coming up with creative new ways to use folding chairs and facial expressions. What can we expect next? Jello Biafra having a recurring role on Friends?

Thieves are Scum (Naked and Lonely remix)

Red Hot Chili Peppers' lovable and cuddly bassist Flea reported in mid-November that someone had stolen his favorite turquoise colored pants from his backstage room before a performance in Milan, Italy. Flea posted his plea to help find his prized pants on the band's official website: "As material possessions go, they are close to my heart. They were taken out of the room where I meditate and warm up for the shows and is a sacred place to me. If anyone knows who has the pants... I would be so happy to get them back with no questions asked, and will put the person who returns them on the guest list forever."

We're happy to report that the female culprits who nipped Flea's pants confessed to their dastardly deed and Flea is once again in possession of his favorite trousers. Posts Flea: "Thank you girls, I hold no resentment to you for taking them, I understand. I have done worse. My heart feels warm." Ahh...

Cracks in the Pavement

During Pavement's set at the London Brixton Academy last month, singer Stephen Malkmus reportedly told the audience that, "This is our last show. Thanks for coming all these years." Apparently there were also a pair of handcuffs hanging from Malkmus' microphone stand, which he commented on by saying, "These symbolize what it's like being in a band." Rumors had been circulating for most of the band's current tour that it would be their last, but as of press time there has been no official word from the band's record company.

Wire Reform/Reissue Essentials

On a much better note, we're quite happy to report that the seminal UK art punk band Wire are scheduled to perform their first gig in 10 years with their original lineup at the London Royal Festival Hall on February 26. This comes on the heels of the announcement that Mute Records will be reissuing all of Wire's post-EMI catalog in February as well. Those albums are: Documents and Eyewitness, The Drill, The Ideal Copy, A Bell Is A Cup Until It Is Struck, It's Beginning To And Back Again, Manscape, The First Letter.

Alternative wraps its Tentacles around Un-UK

We're even more pleased to report that Alternative Tentacles will be releasing Pitchshifter's Un-UK EP in the States early next year. Jello and the band have long been admirers of each other, and the former Dead Kennedys vocalist has recorded vocals for a track to appear on the 'Shifter's new album, Deviant, due out late spring of 2000. The Un-UK EP is currently only available in Europe.

NWA No Longer MIA

The surviving members of NWA have reunited after a nearly 10 year hiatus to record "Chin Check," a song that will appear on the soundtrack to Ice Cube's upcoming movie, Next Friday. As reported previously, Snoop Dogg will be appearing as a "tribute replacement" for the late Eazy E. No further word if the collaboration will carry over to a new NWA release.

Einstürzende Neubauten Want Your Tattoos

German industrialists Einstürzende Neubauten are searching the globe for fans who have tattoos of the band, with the best ones appearing as artwork on the band's upcoming album, scheduled to be released in the spring of 2000. Photo submissions can be either e-mailed to the band at: en@freibank.com or snail-mailed to: Einstuerzende Neubauten, Ditmar-Koel-Str.26., 20459 Hamburg, Germany. I'm sure Henry Rollins has already mailed his in.

"Just Tell Me 'We're 2000'"

As the year comes to a close, so does our first year of publishing Earpollution. A long, strange trip indeed! Starting out as a passionate desire among friends to share our music and opinions with whomever would listen, I really am amazed at what we've done, and continue to be amazed at the devotion to do more. Firmly D.I.Y., with no advertising and no source of income, with no one being paid and yet everyone having to pay in their own way, eP is currently read in nearly 70 countries around the world. We've been featured in numerous media outlets, from radio to print to the Internet, and have been given kind words by the industry's top. What we've lacked in money, connections and flash has been more than overcome by our desire to recognize the music, people and art that has made a difference to us. Quite a feat.

None of this would have never come to fruition without the selfless help of Earpollution's Mayhem Makers, both past and present. Their tireless devotion has been a constant source of inspiration and one which I can't thank with mere words. I've been asked time and again by numerous people, "What do you plan to do with Earpollution? Where are you going to go with it?" And my reply is that I have no plans other than to publish the next issue, and beyond that the next issue, and beyond that the next. My only goal in starting Earpollution was to be able to publish each month an issue that was solid in content from front to back. When I became unable to create issues that I felt had "quality," I promised myself I would stop. No one's being paid to do this--quite the opposite. My only goal was to be able to look back and feel good about what had been done. And so in looking back over the 13 issues that were published this year, I feel very fortunate to have accomplished so much with so little, and feel very privileged at being able to work alongside some incredibly talented people. And I look forward to being able to do the same in a year's time.

Thank you one and all. It's all much appreciated.

Craig Young
Editor, Earpollution