Dennys, champions of the world

US pancakes and burger chain Dennys are throwing their slightly-over-normal weight behind small bands, with an initiative called the Dennys All Nighter. This allows webusers to vote for a band from a list of six to receive all the food they can eat, while out on tour, providing they eat at Dennys.

Meanwhile, we're given to understand that several bands are running a campaign designed to help out Village Inn by voting to eat at any remaining branches of that chain while they're out on tour.

Back at Denny's, they chain have also invited Taking Back Sunday to create a signature dish. Considering that the last time we were in a Dennys, their one concession to pop culture was a small photo of Elvis and a 45 nailed to the wall, this is quite a leap forward. Although we're not sure we'd want to eat in a place that lets Taking Back Sunday into its kitchens.

We've had a Taco Bell gig, now Dennys feeding touring bands: Perkins, we're waiting.

Placebo samples

Although it's a lovely idea, we're not entirely convinced that this late in their career a "new listeners start here" ep for American Placebo latecomers is entirely worth the effort. The idea seems to be trying to capitalise on the Placebo slot on the package tour with Linkin Park, My Chemical Romance and Taking Back Sunday (and we're not sure we'd have bothered with that, either.)

The tracklisting:

Nancy Boy
Every You Every Me
Taste in Men
Bitter End
Meds
Pure Morning (live from Arras)
Infra-red (live from Nimes)
Running Up That Hill (live from Santiago)

The live tracks, of course, are previously unavailable on record, so if they don't tempt converted Taking Back Sundayites, there'll at least be some interest from the completists.

You can hear Infra Red for yourself, by the way.