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12/07/2003- NEW OFFICIAL EELS LYRICS DATABASE:
Up until now the only way to get EELS lyrics on the internet has been at the many EELS fan sites that have done their best to guess at EELS lyrics. Many of these attempts are wildly wrong, so EELStheband.com has decided to set the record straight and offer the correct lyrics for all released EELS compositions. Choose by album or select a song from the alphabetical pull down menu HERE.

11/13/2003- EELS iTunes:
EELS music is now available at Apple's iTunes. Go ahead, load up your iPod with delicious EELS music. Now Mac and Windows friendly. To download iTunes software and get EELS tunes go HERE.

11/10/2003- TOUR OF DUTY CONCLUDES:
The EELS 2003 Tour Of Duty that began in June, with stops in some 80 cities around the world, concluded with the final stop in Brooklyn Saturday night. EELS played a long set that included Tour Of Duty rarities "Skywriting," "The Good Old Days," "Ant Farm," "Climbing To The Moon," and Willie Nelson's "Whiskey River." Surprise guest Rickie Lee Jones celebrated her birthday by joining E for The Beatles' "For No One" as well as her own "Altar Boy." A good time was had by all, with the possible exception of MC HONKY, who appeared to suffer some sort of meltdown, leaving the stage in the middle of his final set of the tour. EELS would like to sincerely thank everyone who attended a Tour Of Duty show and hope that you enjoyed attending as much as they enjoyed performing.

11/01/2003- EELS TV:
Missed the recent EELS performances on Late Night With David Letterman and The Tonight Show With Jay Leno? See them on the EELS video page HERE.

10/22/2003- R.I.P. ELLIOTT:
EELS are very saddened to hear of their friend and neighbor Elliott Smith's death. E and Elliott had talked about doing something musical together but, sadly, never did. E: "Elliott was very encouraging to me about my songs and that meant a lot to me. He was a really sweet guy that wasn't equipped to deal with some of the cards that life dealt him. I'll always remember walking off stage one night after playing "It's A Motherfucker" and Elliott walking up behind me in the dark and patting me on the back. That's how I will remember him."

10/21/2003- EELS BACK IN THE USA:
EELS Tour Of Duty returns to America and is currently winding through the U.S. and Canada, serving the faithful by playing in many of the towns that have been neglected in EELS tour itineraries of the past. The EELS recognize that it is their duty to rock you, and so the Tour Of Duty is here. Please enjoy EELS. See the latest tour dates HERE.

10/20/2003- DREAMWORKS RELEASES EELS LIVE CD TO U.S. INDEPENDENT STORES:
The EELS' ELECTRO-SHOCK BLUES SHOW live CD, recorded during the EELS' 1998 world tour, is now available at independent record stores in the U.S. Click HERE for a list of participating stores. International-friendly online ordering is still available at CD Baby HERE.

10/10/2003- RETURN OF THE MAN FROM UNCLE E!
Dear old Uncle E has returned with a brand new Dear Uncle E column. How does he do it, you ask? We don't know. How can one man circle the globe twice since June, rocking any city that comes in his path, leaving a long trail littered with broken guitar strings and exhausted concertgoers, and then still have the energy to dole-out advice to you advice-needy people -- and still only be one man? Again, we don't know. Check out the latest Dear Uncle E column HERE or click on the Dear Uncle E box on the upper right.

10/09/2003- EELS ON KCRW:
If you missed the October 4th KCRW interview with E, you can hear it archived on the KCRW site. In addition you can also hear in-studio live EELS performances from 1996, 1998, 2000, 2002 and 2003 (which you can also watch a film of), as well as a 1997 session with E as guest DJ. Go HERE and scroll down to the performance you want to hear, then click on the speaker symbol or RA.

10/02/2003- E COVERS NEW GROUND:
E will be interviewed on NPR / KCRW's NEW GROUND program, Saturday, October 4th at 12 Noon, Pacific. Click HERE for online simulcast.

09/23/2003- NEW TOUR DATES JUST ADDED:
EELS Tour Of Duty stops in Nashville and Iowa City have just been added. Also, the venue for the Champaign show has changed. New ticket links have just been added. More links to come. See all the latest EELS tour dates HERE.

08/28/2003- TOM WAITS, CAMERON CROWE NOMINATE NEW EELS ALBUM FOR AWARD; EELS TOUR OF DUTY CONTINUES AROUND THE WORLD:
Tom Waits and Cameron Crowe have both nominated the new EELS "SHOOTENANNY!" CD for the 2003 Short List Music Prize. The Short List Prize is designed to be a U.S. equivalent to Britain's prestigious Mercury Prize.

Tom Waits speaks about EELS:
"Electric Jungian therapy on vintage pawn shop instruments. Tribal grooves and garage energy. The Eels are outsider like folks that paint with fingernail polish. I eagerly await each new release. What's not to like about cheap microphones, distortion melody and great songs?"

Meanwhile, the EELS Tour Of Duty that began in June now continues back through Europe, Australia and Japan.

08/24/2003- MR. E: BORN TO ROCK:
Although Doctors still have EELS leader E on a strict diet of shutting up in order to save his damaged vocal chords, the prognosis is good and Mr. E pledges not to miss any of the upcoming EELS shows to the best of his meager ability. In a handwritten statement to EELStheband.com, Mr. E said, "Let's rock!" The EELS Tour Of Duty now continues back to Europe, Australia and Japan. See the latest dates HERE.

08/20/2003- DON'T SPEAK:
Having blown out his voice during the UK leg of the EELS Tour of Duty, while continuing to abuse it for another 30 or so shows after, doctors have now ordered EELS leader E not to sing or speak even a single word for several days, in hopes of healing his ailing vocal cords in time for next week's EELS shows. The EELS entourage is enjoying this rare quiet time.

08/08/2003- EELS IN ITALY AND JAPAN:
The EELS Tour Of Duty has just added dates in Italy and Japan. See all the latest tour dates HERE

08/08/2003- The LA Alternative Press has a long cover story about Mr. E of the EELS and MC HONKY. Check out the online version HERE

08/08/2003- FLAMING HONKY:
MC HONKY caused more trouble at the MC HONKY/EELS/FLAMING LIPS concert in Nashville Wednesday night. During the amazing Flaming Lips show, MC HONKY made his way to the front of the stage and danced among the animal-costumed dancers. A Flaming Lips security guard dressed as Santa Clause forcibly removed Mr. HONKY from the stage. Apparently Mr. Honky was drunk and upset over Flaming Lips front man Wayne Coyne offering EELS leader E a bunny suit to wear for the show. Nonetheless, even MC HONKY couldn't ruin the Flaming Lips great show. For a related story printed before the event go HERE.

08/08/2003- EELS ON LETTERMAN AGAIN:
The EELS' recent appearance on The Late Show With David Letterman will air again on Monday, August 18th, CBS, 11:35pm (Eastern/Pacific).

08/06/2003- ELECTRO-SHOCK BLUES SHOW IS BACK:
CD BABY now has the limited EELS live ELECTRO-SHOCK BLUES SHOW CD back in stock HERE

08/01/2003- EELS HEART NY:
After taking New York City by storm (THE NEW YORKER calls E "Cheerily demented" and says that EELS have "that rarest thing in contemporary pop: a unique sound"), the EELS Tour Of Duty caravan now winds it's way down the East coast. Come see what all the hubbub is about!

8/1/2003- SUBTERRANEAN E:
E will be the guest on MTV2's SUBTERRANEAN, Friday, August 8 at midnight (Eastern/Pacific in the U.S.)

7/31/2003- ANOTHER AUSTRALIAN EELS DATE:
Due to popular demand, Adelaide has been added to the Australian Tour of Duty. See all the latest dates HERE.

7/26/2003- EELS ON LETTERMAN:
EELS make a brand new appearance on The Late Show with David Letterman, Tuesday, July 29th at 11:35 pm (eastern/pacific) on CBS.

7/24/2003- THROW ANOTHER EELS ON THE BARBIE:
The EELS Tour of Duty rocks on through America, back to Europe and then on to Australia. See all the latest dates on the EELS Tour Dates page HERE.

7/24/2003- ANY DAY NOW:
After an incident at the end of the EELS Minneapolis concert whre opening act MC HONKY walked onto the EELS stage kissing a topless woman as E was addressing the audience, things are looking particularly grim for those hoping to see MC HONKY at any future EELS concerts. EELS leader E told EELStheband.com: "I know the guy has never been on tour before and he's not used to all the attention, but bringing a topless groupie on MY stage is going way too far. I don't know if I can take him anymore. He belongs back in his bedroom with his turntables to keep him company." We'll keep you posted of any further developments...

7/17/2003- SATURDAY MOURNING:
The EELS online store has completely sold out of the SATURDAY MORNING single. If and when the store can get any more, we'll let you know.

7/17/2003- SONNET #4 (LIKE A DICK):
Previous reports of new tension between EELS leader E and Tour of Duty opening act MC HONKY appear to be warranted based on incidents at the Salt Lake City show Wednesday night. Either E refused to let HONKY set up his turntables on the EELS stage or Mr. Honky refused to perform on the EELS stage (depending on who you choose to believe). Either way, MC HONKY performed his set in a completely different part of the venue's complex and later walked on the EELS stage to take a bow, only to have the EELS leader bark, "get the fuck off my stage!"

7/17/2003- STUCK INSIDE WYOMING WITH THE BOULDER BLUES AGAIN:
The transmission on the EELS Tour of Duty bus died a few hours after the Salt Lake City show, on the way to Boulder, CO, leaving the EELS stranded somwhere in Wyoming and forcing them to miss the Fox Theater show in Boulder Thursday night. Luckily the Fox Theater was able to reschedule the show for the next night, Friday (July 18). EELS regret the inconvenience to concertgoers planning on attending Thursday but are grateful that the show could be rescheduled so quickly.

7/14/2003- INDY ROCK:
The July 24th Indianapolis EELS show has been moved to the larger Vogue Theater. Please mark your datebooks accordingly.

7/14/2003- HONKY TENSIONS:
Relations could once again be getting icy between EELS leader E and current tour opening act MC HONKY. According to the merch table's sales statistics for the opening night of the EELS U.S. tour at the Fillmore in San Francisco, concertgoers bought more than twice as many copies of MC HONKY's "I AM THE MESSIAH" CD than the EELS new "SHOOTENANNY!" CD. EELS leader E is said to be none to happy over this development.

This comes as great news for MC HONKY, since selling his CD was prohibited at the European shows, and he noted that his assistant couldn't find a single copy of "I AM THE MESSIAH" in any European or English CD shops. In a terse statement to EELStheband.com, Mr. Honky said "B Unique Records can lick my tired, old scrotum. I left my pottery business for this? Fuck them."

In related news, several boxes of the now out of print EELS live CD "OH WHAT A BEAUTIFUL MORNING" were recently discovered in the EELS Los Angeles bunker and will be for sale at the US shows while suppplies last.

7/9/2003- IT'S THE PITTS:
The July 29 EELS concert in Pittsburgh has been canceled so that the EELS can appear on The Late Show With David Letterman. The EELS send their heartfelt apologies to the people of Pittsburgh and will reschedule if and when possible. Having conquered Europe, the EELS Tour Of Duty now rolls through America, starting Friday at The Fillmore in San Francisco. Batten Down the hatches. Stock provisions. Lock-up your daughters. Here they come.

7/7/2003- LOCAL PROPS FOR E:
The L.A. Alternative Press calls E the best Los Angeles musician in it's "Best Of L.A." issue, thanks to "a body of work that rises above modern-day rock's attitude-laden environs and floats into the realm of classic art." See the rest of the text along with the other Best Of L.A. winners HERE.

6/27/2003- SHOOTENANNY! VINYL!:
In addition to the already released UK vinyl edition of EELS SHOOTENANNY!, there is a new U.S. vinyl edition of SHOOTENANNY! available for a very reasonable price HERE.

6/20/2003- MORNING BECOMES EEL-CLECTIC:
Hear a fantastic live in studio EELS performance on KCRW's Morning Becomes Eclectic, Friday, June 27 at 11:15am (Pacific). On line Simulcast available HERE.

6/13/2003- EVEN MORE TOUR DATES:
Tucson, Phoenix, others just added to the EELS TOUR OF DUTY. See the latest confirmed dates HERE. Ticket links will be updated as they go on sale.

6/13/2003- E & MC HONKY RECONCILE!:
Great news for MC HONKY fans. EELS leader E, who co-produced and played on MC HONKY's 'I AM THE MESSIAH' CD had recently revoked his invitation for MC HONKY to tour with the EELS this year (See previous news items for the whole saga). After a nasty feud sparked by the UK press calling MC HONKY's album essentially "E's solo album" (whatever that means), HONKY and E got into a war of words via the press, which went as far as E telling The Silverlake Press that he hoped MC HONKY dies of SARS. Although some venues had advertised an MC HONKY performance, it was looking like he would have to be a no-show. EELStheband.com has been informed that MC HONKY and E have RECONCILED and that MC HONKY will be making his FIRST EVER LIVE APPEARANCES on the EELS TOUR OF DUTY!

In an exclusive statement to EELStheband.com, EELS leader E said: "We had a very long, very nice conversation last night. I think I have been wrong about him. He's a shy man, which can often appear to be aloofness, or rudeness. I now realize that he is a good person that means well and just doesn't want to be part of the whole show business thing. I understand why he was angered by the press reports giving me more credit than I deserved. I made the mistake of lashing out in the press, when I should have reached out to him personally. He's really a lovely fellow. He appreciates what I've done for him, being his cheerleader, and he wants to make the effort to show people what he's all about."

6/12/2003- REVELATORY MUSIC:
The Wall Street Journal has an interesting profile of Mr. E. Read it HERE

6/12/2003- EELS ON TOUR:
More dates are being added to the EELS TOUR OF DUTY. Just added: Salt Lake City, Indianapolis, Nashville, Dallas and San Diego. See all the latest date HERE.

6/6/2003- LATE LATE SHOW:
If you missed the EELS performance on The Tonight Show With Jay Leno you can catch them performing again on The Late Late Show With Craig Killborn, Friday, June 13 (technically Saturday morning -- how appropriate) at 12:30 am(Eastern/Pacific) on CBS, right after The David Letterman Show.

6/5/2003- MAKING SHOOTENANNY!:
See a film of EELS recording an alternate version of LONE WOLF during the SHOOTENANNY! sessions:
56k | 256k

6/3/2003- MORE E - HONKY TROUBLE:
The chances of MC HONKY appearing with the EELS on their upcoming TOUR OF DUTY appear to be slim. Although E had a long-standing invitation out for MC HONKY to tour with EELS this year, things have grown icy between the two after MC HONKY was angered by the UK press crediting his album I AM THE MESSIAH to E. It sounds as if E's invitation no longer stands. According to an about to be published story in the SILVERLAKE PRESS, EELS main man E said "I hope MC HONKY dies of SARS."

6/2/2003- SHOOTENANNY! IS HERE:
The 5th EELS album, SHOOTENANNY! is released today. For more SHOOTENANNY! info go HERE.

6/2/2003- EVEN MORE EELS TOUR DATES:
Newly confirmed dates have just been added to the EELS TOUR OF DUTY. Just added: Toronto, Minneapolis, Cleveland, Detroit, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Omaha and Austin. See the latest confirmed dates HERE. More to come!

5/27/2003- TONIGHT SHOW:
EELS will perform on The Tonight Show With Jay Leno, Thursday, June 5th at 11:35pm on NBC.

5/27/2003- SATURDAY MORNING SINGLE:
The SATURDAY MORNING single with 3 non-album tracks is now available!

5/27/2003- SHOOTENANNY! ****:
Rolling Stone gives SHOOTENANNY! a four star review in its new issue. See it HERE.

5/21/2003- EVERY DAY IS SATURDAY MORNING:
U.S. EELS fans can buy the new EELS SHOOTENANNY! CD at independent record stores and get the SATURDAY MORNING CD single with 3 new previously unreleased NON-LP tracks for FREE starting June 3rd! For a list of participating stores go HERE. There are no plans to release the single anywhere else yet, but the EELS on line store hopes to stock it individually soon. For once, the U.S. fans get something first. No more whining! If you live in another country and want the single released in your country, complain to your local Universal Music representative! The EELS would love for you to have it.

The SATURDAY MORNING CD single track listing:

01 Saturday Morning
02 Her
03 Waltz Of The Naked Clowns
04 Sad Foot Sign

05/21/2003- MC HONKY TO TOUR?
The rumors that MC HONKY wants to tour seem to be warranted. Angry over the UK press calling MC HONKY's I AM THE MESSIAH album "E's solo album," when E was merely a guest producer and performer on the disc, Mr. Honky, who claimed he cared little for show business and fame, now says he wants to show the people who "THE MESSIAH" is. Although relations between E and MC HONKY are currently
icy, we hear that E's long-standing offer for MC HONKY to tour with the EELS still stands. In an exclusive statement to EELStheband.com, Mr. E said:

"After MC HONKY's daughter gave me his tape a few years ago, I liked it so much that I decided to make it my mission to be his cheerleader by helping with his record, giving him a page on the EELS website and telling the world about him. I regret that decision now. It has been a thankless, exhausting job. However, if he really wants to come out and show the people what he's made of, then my offer to tour with the EELS still stands, as I am a man of my word. But this is the last time I will be involved with MC HONKY in any way."