Pitchfork

Please join Pitchfork for a trip through the musical history of Birmingham, England! First up is the commodification of black music by white people: Robert Plant, Steve Winwood, UB40, and Fine Young Cannibals. Druggy class-consciousness and kooky vocals are the next stop, as we're joined by Black Sabbath and the Au Pairs. Then, we'll discover the sexy and sellable synth overproduction of Electric Light Orchestra and Duran Duran. And finally, The Streets pay a visit like a right geez should, blessing you muckers with all three elements of Birmingham's musical history at once. Godlike?

Next month, Mike Skinner escapes England, where he's nominated for the Mercury Music Prize and an arseload of Brit and NME Awards, to tour his garage beats and faux-cockney accent around the US, where his Original Pirate Material was recently ranked fourth on Village Voice's 2002 Pazz & Jop Poll and 18th on Pitchfork's Top 50 of 2002. Meanwhile, he'll make his first live appearance on American television as a guest on NBC's The Tonight Show on March 12th, where he'll likely ask Jay Leno about his rhubarb and custard chin. The next night, he'll make his second live American television appearance in Los Angeles on Jimmy Kimmel Live, assuming the show isn't cancelled by then. Dates, you buggers:

03-11 Los Angeles, CA - El Rey Theatre
03-14 San Francisco, CA - Bimbo's
03-15 Seattle, WA - Chop Suey
03-17 Chicago, IL - Metro
03-19 Brooklyn, NY - Warsaw
03-20 Boston, MA - Paradise
03-22 Miami, FL - Ultra Music Festival

So, to review, he's white and raps and is considered the next big thing. What's missing, then, is a little controversy to burn The Streets into the world's collective consciousness, and maybe an acting gig. Search no longer, Mike, as your former mate has gone to the press, claiming he originated your sound and co-wrote at least one song! According to England's The Sun newspaper, Shaun Kelly, who's known Skinner since childhood, is threatening legal action against The Streets unless he's compensated and given writing credits for "Has It Come To This". Strangely, The Streets' official website features a bio page written from Kelly's perspective, noting Skinner's poor sense of style, drug habits, and eagerness to rip off his chums. Be sure to rush over there and check it out before Skinner wakes up and tells his webmaster to take it down.