The Charlatans' Tim Burgess Mixing New Album By Joaquin Phoenix's Band

05/17/07 6:30pm

by Jason MacNeil (CHARTattack)

While British rock band The Charlatans are working on a new album, lead singer Tim Burgess and Creation Records founder Alan McGee have also spent time in Los Angeles mixing a new album by The Lady Is A Tramp.

The band feature actor Joaquin Phoenix, who's perhaps best known for his role as Johnny Cash in Walk The Line, and former Spacehog member Antony Langdon.

"How we hooked up with them isn't exactly clear, but the fact is — so far we are working quite well together, and it really is an incredible record/sound," Burgess wrote on his MySpace page on May 10. "We are a team, not to be messed with — we might just storm a trendy LA hotspot tonight, after our work is done!"

There's no word on what might become of the recordings or when they could be released.

Phoenix earned a Golden Globe Award and an Academy Award nomination for his portrayal of the late Cash. He co-stars with Mark Wahlberg and Robert Duvall in We Own The Night, which will premiere at the Cannes Film Festival this month. The actor has also directed music videos for People In Planes, She Wants Revenge and Arckid.

The Charlatans are writing new songs for the follow-up to last year's Simpatico, and have nine finished. Working titles include "You Cross My Path," "Bad Days — 2," "When It Happens" and "Cold In Here." They'll play a handful of shows this summer in Europe.