British rockers to cover Sgt. Peppers for tribute album

Some may call it sacrilege while others may call it a fitting tribute but Britpop is covering the Beatles. According to a recent NME article Oasis, The Killers, Travis, and the Kaiser Chiefs are among the British rock groups to cover songs from The Beatles' Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band for the album's 40th anniversary. The Beatles released Sgt. Pepper's on June 1, 1967 and to mark the event, many of Britian's most popular acts will cover tracks from the record for a BBC2 special on June 2.

The BBC reports that Geoff Emerick, the engineer in charge of the original sessions will use the same equipment from the original to record the new versions. When asked about the cover session, Radio 2 controller Lesley Douglas said, "This will be not only a unique radio event, but a very special musical moment. The range and quality of artists involved ensure that this will be a fitting tribute to one of the great albums of all time."

Listen Now: The Beatles - Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds

Take our poll: Travesty or Tribute (in the sidebar)

Smashing Pumpkins, Interpol, Killers headlining Virgin concert

The Smashing Pumpkins confirm that they will be headlining the upcoming North American leg of the Virgin Music Festival along with labelmates The Killers and Interpol. The Toronto leg festival scheduled for Sept. 8-9 will feature Interpol and Icelandic superstar Bjork the first evening with the Pumpkins headlining the mainstage for the second.
The Killers will anchor the Vancouver set of the festival along with My Chemical Romance. Vancouver dates are set for early May 2007.

The newly reformed Pumpkins have finished their latest effort which is scheduled for release July 7 and will be touring in support of the album.