March 6, 1999 10:45

LA HAINES

Cheesy seaside-rock 70s bubblegum pop meets void-gazing cheerless-chappie [a]Luke Haines[/a] for a knees-up in the queue for the Lithium pills...

THE AUTEURS return with their fourth album 'How I Learned To Love The Bootboys' in June, preceded by a new single called 'The Rubettes' on May 31.

In a flurry of activity, Luke Haines has finished the new Auteurs material as well as most of the second Black Box Recorder album with John Moore and Sarah Nixey.

A sort of backhanded tribute to glam in Haines' own inimitable downbeat style, 'The Rubettes' transforms the chorus of their 70s candy jolly pop hit 'Sugar Baby Love' into a cynical wasp-chewing aside on the state of the nation. Sort of.

Available on CD and 7" backed with new songs 'Breaking Up' (7" and CD) and 'Get Wrecked At Home' on the CD.

Black Box Recorder play the last of their residencies at the London Highbury Upstairs At The Garage - billed as An Evening Of National Disgrace - on April 21.

Check back for news of a Luke Haines webchat coming to nme.com soon.