The Long Blondes: Dorian's robohand

Dorian from the Long Blondes is in today's Telegraph, which reports on the treatment he's getting following his stroke:

[T]he musician is now undergoing neurological physiotherapy – including training sessions with a "revolutionary" mechanical glove – and is optimistic about regaining movement in his right hand.

The device, called a SaeboFlex, can benefit patients by supporting their wrists and helping them grasp and release objects.

"It's a fantastic service, it's helping tremendously and I think it can work wonders for me and others – it's almost like a gym for my hand," Mr Cox, from York, said.

The Telegraph call the glove a "bionic hand", although it's not a robotic prosthetic - what it does do, though, is offer a hope that Dorian might get the use of his actual hand back. Nice to have a positive-sounding story to start the week with.

Jackson continues alone

Following the Long Blondes split, Kate Jackson has announced she's going solo:

"It's the first time I've talked about it but that's my plan," she said. "I'm just beginning but I think it will reflect my personal music taste a bit more than the Long Blondes, which was a collaborative thing.

"I've only just started and a lot of the influences will overlap so hopefully fans of the Long Blondes will like what I do."

She's also told 6Music about Dorian's stroke and its effect on him abnd the band:

"It was actually two days after we got back from our American tour and we have no idea what caused that," Jackson told 6 Music.

"Obviously, it was a complete shock for all of us, something that we've had a bit of time now to come to terms with.

"It does mean that he's unable to play the guitar at the moment and we don't really know when he'll be able to do that again. Unfortunately we've had to take the decision to split up."

The quintet have released two albums and were critically praised for their latest offering, the Erol Alkan-produced Couples.

Jackson said that Cox, who wrote a lot of the music, was having daily physiotherapy and was is making "vast improvements".

The band might, apparently, reunite if Cox recovers enough to pick up guitar duties again.

... and never again

The Long Blondes have split, following Dorian's stroke earlier this year.

He posted farewell blog on MySpace;

We have decided to call it a day.

The main reason for this is that I suffered from a stroke in June and unfortunately I do not know when / if I will be well enough to play guitar again.

On behalf of the band I'd like to say a big thank you to anyone who ever came to one of our shows, bought one of our records or danced to one of our songs in a club. Thank you, if it wasn't for you the whole thing would have been pointless.

Finally on a personal note, thanks for all your well wishing messages.

Sadly - and perhaps selfishly - this is another band I'm going to have forever on my 'bugger, I never saw them live'. It's truly sad news, and the loss of one of our greatest and consistently most interesting acts.

[Singles, by the Long Blondes, is released today]

Glastonbury: Weekend without Weekend Without Make-Up

Who won't be going to Glastonbury, then? (Besides 'as many people as Michael Eavis had hoped for'?)

Not The Long Blondes: Dorian Cox has fallen seriously ill and they've cancelled their festival dates - including Glastonbury - and Duran Duran support slots.