Punk Smurf pens a bilingual blog

Sharleen Spiteri led birthday tributes to her Texas bandmate Ally McErlaine at a gig last Saturday - reassuring fans he is on his way to recovery after suffering a recent brain hemorrhage.
The guitarist collapsed suddenly in September and underwent an operation in London to relieve pressure on his brain.
He spent a month in an ICU and was finally taken off a life support machine last month. His recovery is progressing even further.
Spiteri told fans the good news at a show in Scotland last the weekend and got them to sing a chorus of Happy Birthday in honor of him, who turned 41 on Saturday.
She told the crowd, “Ally is now moving his arms and legs around, which is brilliant. I’m going to see him in hospital next week. He is still as cheeky as ever. Today is his birthday and he would love it if you could all sing Happy Birthday to him.”

For all the Texas fans out there (as found on Texas superfan Dirk’s site):

TEXAS guitarist Alistair McErlaine has been moved out of intensive care after a life-threatening brain haemorrhage.
Friends and family who have kept a vigil by his bedside yesterday revealed the 40-year-old musician has made a vital breakthrough.
He was critically ill in hospital after an operation to remove pressure from his brain.
Alistair spent almost a month in the intensive care unit of a London hospital following his collapse on September 10.
Bandmates, including singer Sharleen Spiteri, have been praying for his survival along with his wife Shelly Poole, 37, of the ’90s pop group Alisha’s Attic.
The talented musician and photographer was due to start a recording session with his new project, Red Sky July, before his sudden illness.
Relatives were shocked by his rapid deterioration in September and said he had appeared in good health and displayed no symptoms.
Texas manager Rab Andrew said friends and family were delighted by his progress.
He said: “On Wednesday, Alistair made a great breakthrough and was taken out of intensive care.
“He has now got rid of any viruses that may have been lurking and is thankfully off his life-support machine. He has a really long way to go but it is just great that he is off the danger list. He has made good progress to get this far.
“It will be a long slow process but it is wonderful that he is heading in the right direction.
“Alistair will have to relearn everything but he’s a real fighter.
“I got a message from his wife and it was the best message I have had since it happened.
“She sounded much more upbeat, as she has been through an incredibly tough time.
“Shelly has been fantastic under all this pressure. The doctors don’t know yet how long the recovery will take but he is alive and that is just the first step.”
Last month, Sharleen said: “I am thinking of Ally and all his family at this time. Like everyone else, I am desperately hoping Ally will get well and pull through.”
Fans have posted a string of get well messages on the internet.
Dirk, who runs a Belgian-based fans’ website, wrote: “We all hope that Ally will recover and we wish Shelly and his family and friends lots of strength.”
Fan Stuart Ferguson said: “Best wishes to Ally.”
The Glasgow-born guitarist is one of three founder members to have been with Texas since the band was formed in 1988.

Currently listening to Editors (single: Papillon)

While I was enjoying my vacation Texas guitarist Ally McErlaine suffered a brain hemorrhage and was hospitalized in critical condition. My thoughts go out to him and his family. (There’s no update as of yet.)

Singer/songwriter Dayna Kurtz has released a new album called “American Standard”. I’ve listened to the entire album and, as with her previous albums, I like what I hear. I’m not a big Americana fan, but Dayna has an amazing voice.

Skunk Anansie officially released their latest single “Because of you“, and uploaded the video of their next one (one of three new songs on their Best Of) called “Squander“. Squander is set for release on October 26th.

In the meantime Serena Ryder (who else?) and her friends spent a week in Southern California shooting a new video for “All for love”. Betcha this one’s geared at the US audience. Here’s a teaser:

OK, that one was just for me. Artworks Magzine published an interview with her recently: read it here.

And did you enjoy the Melissa Etheridge - Kelly Clarkson duet as much as I did? Very reminiscent of what Melissa did with Joan Osborne several years ago (I have their version of “Bring me some water” on CD somewhere). Heard about it, but haven’t seen it? Watch it here (bear with the ads; it’s the only video I could find that wasn’t geo blocked)!