Pitchfork

-- Kelly Groucutt, bassist for ELO during their 1970s heyday, died of a heard attack on February 19, according to his official site. Groucutt was a core member of the group from 1974-1983-- that's his jaunty line on "Mr. Blue Sky". The AP reports that he passed away in Worcester, England.

-- Sophisticated British pop-rock band The Week That Was-- whose self-titled debut received an impressive 8.2 on this very website-- is ready to break the U.S.! Or at least play a few shows here. Their first Stateside trek starts March 7 and will hit Chicago, New York, Toronto, Cleveland, and Austin. Full details here.

-- Washington, D.C. label Carpark Records-- home to Beach House and Dan Deacon-- signed a new electro-pop duo called Ear Pwr. Their debut LP, Super Animal Brothers III, is out May 19.

-- Mexico City's Indie-O Fest will take place March 4-7 this year. The south-of-the-border indie-rock spectacular features Los Campesinos!, Clinic, and No Age, along with local favorites Hello Seahorse! and Nos Llamamos. Check the official Indie-O site or their MySpace for full info.