Apparently there are thieves in the Royal Albert Hall. Following the surprise show last week Ashcroft lost his precious acoustic. Give it back you bastards - NOW!
He needs it so he can record the new album!

From NME:

The guitar is a Gibson J200 Vintage Sunburst Acoustic with the serial number 9Z808003. It has a distinctive 7-inch split on the body above and parallel to the strings.

Ashcroft is offering a reward for the guitar's return. Rather than reward the thief, however, he will make a donation to the Teenage Cancer Trust if he gets the guitar back.

If anyone has any information they are asked to send an e-mail to bob@terraartists.com.

...hmm. Does anyone remember what happened to the lost Alone With Everybody tapes? They disappeared following a party... hmm... were there perhaps any alcohols or chemicals at the Royal Albert Hall that might have played a part in this drama? No, not with the Oasis guys, they´re definitely (maybe) always sober. Better call Remington Steele and Jessica Fletcher for this one.

NME reveals that Richard Ashcroft was a surprise guest on the Oasis charity concert held the London Royal Albert Hall last night! He played an acoustic set with the old Lucky Man, Bittersweet Symphony and History as well as two new songs. You can read more about it here. If anyone was there - please give me a mail and tell us all about it!

NME is running an exclusive on Richard Ashcroft. Here is most of it:

"It [the new album] isn't really finished yet so it would be stupid to talk about it, but all I can say is I'm very positive about it and there's a lot of material and it's strong."

Asked if it was similar to his debut, he commented: "No, not really. I dunno how to compare really. I think each thing that I do is just extended a little bit, so the songwriting to me is strengthened, stronger songs and the insanity is purer insanity basically. It's a good mix."

While promoting his debut, the singer suffered various setbacks, including injuries, which caused several cancelled dates in the US. Critics were divided on his debut album, with some describing it as middle of the road rock.

Speaking about his debut, Ashcroft said: "I'm never happy with any record, never truly been happy. Been happy with songs but you know, it's a cliché, but the day I become happy about something is the day that it stops."

Describing his problem injury, he said: "I've had an operation on my (left) hand, dunno what it is, some tendon problem basically, causing pain when I was playing any instrument, piano or guitar. So I had that sorted out."

The singer also denied suggestions he had "mellowed out" since his days in The Verve.

Ashcroft said: "Obviously aging has a certain amount of mellowing process because there's certain things you realise you were doing when you were younger that were plain ridiculous, stupid. But mellowing out in this kind of journalistic, what can we make Ashcroft into this year? No, absolutely not. I mean, when people said I was making bread at home, I was taking a four-week old baby out on my first solo world tour. I was going to cities and places that most people who consider me to be some kind of mellowed out fucking home-maker had never been to or experienced, do you know what I mean?"

You can read the whole thing here. NME will have the full interview in the issue coming out 9th Feb.