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APRIL 2009: WAR SUCKS - NEW E.P The new 4 track EP from SPECTRUM titled WAR SUCKS is due for release on Mind Expansion records on April 23rd in both 12inch colored vinyl & C.D. formats with free download. The EP features two covers - Sonic's re-worked version of the Red Crayola classic WAR SUCKS, and Laurie Anderson's overlooked gem WALKING & FALLING, plus two originals OVER & OVER and RAZZLE DAZZLE MIND. Between the four tracks it covers the whole gamut of SPECTRUM's unique & influential take on Pop, Psychedelia, Rock & Experimental formats. Known for pushing the boundaries with experimental music whilst also writing pop-styled classics such as How You Satisfy Me and highly charged songs like Revolution, the EP draws together the best of SPECTRUM's material hinting at the variety of songs that will feature on the album due for release later in the year. WAR SUCKS sees the band psychedelically stormtroop through the Red Crayola classic accompanied by nebelwerfer strains - a kind of 'Stalin organ' used in WW2 by the Germans to invoke as much chaos, noise and fear as possible blended with the overhead scream of a Stuka dive-bomber. The combination of the over-driven guitar sound, crashing cymbals and apocalyptic vocal with these screaming sound effects makes for a unique & compelling sound experience. RAZZLE DAZZLE MIND finds the band on instrumental form with this classic Stooges meets Stereolab track - a vocal version is expected for the new l.p. WALKING & FALLING is an inspired cover of Laurie Anderson's spoken word piece from 1980, taking the track to a stunning conclusion only hinted at in the original. Intense delay feedback melding with Sonic's trademark Vox repeater tone creates atmosphere in this sensitive and pulsing track. It seamlessly segues into the final track, a Spectrum original OVER & OVER - highly reminiscent of Playing With Fire era SPACEMEN 3 and at least the equal to songs such as 'Let me down gently' & 'How does it feel'. Strikingly sleeved in collaboration with Swiss artist Ivan Liechti from the design studio DIY (http://www.diy.li) it features psychedelic, candy-coloured artwork based on the unusual zig-zag 'Razzle-Dazzle' deception camouflage used in WW1 and WW2. The vinyl comes in custom pressed blended colors with matching sleeve artwork. The EP will be out on Mind Expansion records http://www.myspace.com/mindexpansionrecords European Tour dates - November 2008 Hey folks, just a few lines to let everyone know what's happening for SPECTRUM in the coming weeks & to thank all the folks who applied for the percussion & lead guitar posts. I was gratified to see such consistent quality amongst all those who applied. I am pleased to announce that ALL UK SHOWS WILL FEATURE THE FULL BAND - performing an extended version of the set featured at the 4 M.B.V. shows we played last year. Expect the full breadth of SPECTRUM's & SPACEMEN 3's catalogue including Suicide, Revolution, How You Satisfy Me, Mary, Transparent Radiation etc. The current financial climate is scaring some of the promoters of gigs to death & if you want to guarantee your local show takes place, please buy tickets in advance as soon as possible. Most shows are in fairly intimate venues & sell out on the night is possible. It's been a long time since I played many of these cities - please let your circle of friends know & pass the info on where you see fit. The current shows & online ticket addresses are: Fri 13th Feb - The Static Gallery, LIVERPOOL www.ticketline.co.uk Sat 14th Feb, The Library, LEEDS www.ticketline.co.uk Tuesday 17th Feb - The Social, NOTTINGHAM - www.alt-tickets.co.uk Friday 20th - Hare & Hounds, BIRMINGHAM - www.moseleyfolk.co.uk/ Tuesday 24th Feb - The Wheatsheaf, OXFORD www.wegottickets.com Wed 25th - The Croft, BRISTOL - www.the-croft.com Fri 27th Feb - The Dome, LONDON - www.wegottickets.com Sat 28th Feb - The Freebutt, BRIGHTON - www.wegottickets.com and Rounder Records We'll be selling Spectrum & Spacemen 3 back catalogue at the shows including some vinyl as well as c.d. releases. Look forward to seeing you at the show. Please feel free to come & say Hi! Best regards Pete Kember European Tour dates - November 2008 Hey folks, Just back from the crazyness & fun of Mexico city & Teotihuacan. It was fun to do a short piece with Robyn Guthrie again after playing some shows a few years back. A big thank you to all our loved ones, friends & everyone who came out to say hi & check out the shows in the USA & Mexico. So..... Tonight it's Copenhagen, a solo Spectrum show. Then next week it's onto Mulhouse in France for a week's workshop at the college of art. Fri 7th nov sees the start of the Band shows with original Spectrum guitarist Kevin Cowen, Nolan Watkinson on bass and from the u.s.a Roger Brogan on percussion. Full list is: 1 Nov 2008, 20:00, Studenterhuset, Copenhagen, Denmark 7 Nov 2008, 20:00, Dachstock Reitschule, Bern, Switzerland (With Roy & the Devils motorcycle & Papiro) 8 Nov 2008, 20:00, Sparte 4, Saarbrucken, Germany 9 Nov 2008, 20:00, Golden Pudel Club, Hamburg, Germany 10 Nov 2008, 20:00, Bang Bang Club, Berlin, Germany 11 Nov 2008, 20:00, Sonic Ballroom, Cologne, Germany 12 Nov 2008, 20:00, Zukunft, Zurich, Switzerland (With Roy & the Devils motorcycle & Papiro) 13 Nov 2008, 20:00, Queen Kong Club @ Case-a-chocs, Neuchatel, Switzerland (With Roy & the Devils motorcycle & Papiro) 14 Nov 2008, 20:00, Flosserplatz, Aarau, Switzerland (With Roy & the Devils motorcycle & Papiro) 15 Nov 2008, 20:00, St Gervais, Biel, Switzerland 26 Nov 2008, 20:00, Museu do Chiado, Lisbon, Portugal 27 Nov 2008, 20:00, Teatro Circo, Porto, Portugal 29 Nov 2008, Bordeaux, France - Festival w/ Psychic ills & others Theres also 2 UK shows in Glasgow & Sheffield in early December - more on this & other UK shows later. On this first full European Band tour we'll be doing a similar mix of Spectrum & Spacemen 3 material that we previewed at our UK and USA My Bloody Valentine shows. Also, we will have T-shirts from Hamburg onwards or by pre-payment & post. Finally it looks like we will re-schedule our cancelled Paris show. More on that as & when its re-booked. my apologies for the cancellation there. Anyone interested in adding shows in Dec or Jan - particularly in Iceland, Holland, Belgium, Turkey, Spain & the Balaerics looking forward El Sonico x US Tour dates 2008 Hey folks, We're just embarking on our full SPECTRUM band tour, reeling out old & new Spectrum stuff from the present 'Indian Giver' l.p back , as well as mining the SPACEMEN 3 catalogue for several old gem. Starting on the 20th sept in NYC with Dean&Britta and winding up in early October on the west coast. The tour is just a few larger cities with return on a larger scale planned for next year. The band is sounding pretty fucking stellar ..... & I'm looking forward to playing the stuff out again - audiences so far seem to agree. Our recent shows with MBV & at Sonic Cathedral were great and we're rolling out after these U.S. shows to Paris, Copenhagen, Berlin & all over central Europe in November before some December shows in Blighty. Other bits of interest : CHEVAL SOMBRE - the NY state singer has released two new 7"s , also available as a 7" clear vinyl lathe cut double pack - all out on Static Caravan & selling out at a rate of knots. It's produced by & featuring myself - Dean Wareham & Britta Phillips (Galaxie 500, Luna etc. ) also both get deep & moody on various Cheval 'cuts'. A full lp is out on Dean Wareham's brand new label DoubleFeature next year recorded by Nick Kramer & myself in New Jersey in the last couple of years . I obviously heartily recommend it - some folk say he has the vibe/sound similar to Jason's earlier Spacemen 3 stuff. Reviews so far have been fairly ecstatic at this sleepy, drowsy & soothingly poetic maiden voyage. Engineer Nick Kramer worked with me on the Dean&Britta 'sonic souvenirs' remixes, part of which also sees re-issue as extra tracks on the new re-release of their bench mark deleted debut l.p. L'Avventura - also on their own DoubleFeature imprint. Spectrum will also be doing t-shirts & hopefully some merch on the road. Please come & say hi at the shows. Till soon Sonic x My Bloody Valentine Hi Guys, Just to let you know Spectrum - the full band - doing the highs, lows and heavenly blows of my career, will be playing with MBV at the Roundhouse this weekend and in Manchester next weekend. The London shows are already sold out, but if you\'ve got a ticket come along early to see us play. The MBV support dates are: Saturday 21st June - The Roundhouse, London Tuesday 24th June - The Roundhouse, London Saturday 28th June - Manchester Apollo Sunday 29th June - Manchester Apollo Spectrum will also be playing a couple of other summer dates .. 17th July - Sonic Cathedral, The Legion, 348 Old Street, London. Support from The Early Years and Flowers of Hell More info and tickets from www.wegottickets.com 20th July - The Truck Fest - Spectrum performing on the Sonic Cathedral stage More info - www.thisistruck.com 21st September - ATP New York - Spectrum performing with MBV, Mogwai and many others More to come later Sonic x Australia/Japan Tour news - updates and extra show HI FOLKS, SO HERE'S OUR FINAL LIST FOR SHOWS IN AUSTRALIA & JAPAN. MIGHT BE A WHILE B4 I'M BACK AGAIN I GUESS, SO THIS MIGHT B YR BEST CHANCE. I'VE ADDED SOME STUFF TO THE SET (MORE SPACEMEN 3 STUFF , A DIFF. SUICIDE COVER , PLUS NEW & OLD SPECTRUM STUFF. THE SHOWS ARE GOING GREAT, DIMMER ARE WELL WORTH SEEING TOO, SO PLEASE ARRIVE EARLY - THERE'S GREAT BILLS AT ALL THE SHOWS & FULL PSYCHEDELIC FIRST CLASS UPGRADES ON MOST OF THE SHOWS. PLEASE COME SAY HI & TELL YR BUDDIES THAT MIGHT WANT TO GO. BESTEST REGDS PETE K THE SHOWS ARE : AUSTRALIA 10TH BRISBANE STEP INN 11TH SYDNEY GAELIC CLUB 12TH MELBOURNE NORTHCOTE SOCIAL 13TH MELBOURNE NORTHCOTE SOCIAL JAPAN 17TH NAGOYA 18TH FUKUOKA 21ST TOKYO Australia Tour news JUST A LINE TO UPDATE U GUYS ON THE STATE OF PLAY WITH OUR SHOWS HERE IN AUSTRALIA. BRISBANE - THURS 10TH - THIS SHOW IS LOOING SHAKY. IF PEOPLE WANT TO SEE THE SHOW, A MOVEMENT ON THE TICKET SALES MIGHT BE CRUCIAL. BUY TICKETS SYDNEY - FRI 11TH - LOOKING GOOD, AGAIN IT MIGHT BE WORTH GRABBING YR TICKETS SOONER THAN LATER IF U CARE ABOUT MISSING IT. BUY TICKETS MELBOURNE - SAT 12TH - IS SELLING FAST & WE'RE LOOKING AT DOING A SECOND SHOW ON THE NEXT NIGHT WITH A DIFFERENT SET PLUS ME DOING A DJ SET TOO. WE'LL DO THIS DEPENDING ON HOW SOON THE 1ST SHOW SELLS OUT, SO IF U WANT TO BE SURE TO SEE THE SHOW PLEASE GET YR TICKETS SORTED. BUY TICKETS (via link in page) APPARENTLY, THE INTENDED ADS IN MELBOURNE & BRISBANE NEVER SHOWED, SO WORD OF MOUTH TO YR BUDDIES & ON LOCAL MUSIC SITES IS MUCH APPRECIATED & MORE CRUCIAL THAN EVER. LOOKING FORWARD TO IT.... PETE K New release: Julie's Haircut with Sonic Boom, N-Waves/U-Waves  "Two studio improvisations from the band you love to hate together with the co-founder of Spacemen 3. 10" solid white vinyl, embossed carton sleeve.": Buy it now directly from the band New Atlantis Studios, December 2007 Hiya Everyone, I'm just tying up the final dates for some U.S. SPECTRUM shows starting late January in NYC & including the Melodica festival in Texas (some of you will have seen or heard about this legendary festival) & dates including Seattle, Toronto, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Austin & Portland. Anyone still looking to book shows please contact littlemissmanagement@hotmail.co.uk or sonic@sonic-boom.info for details. Finally there's a new SPECTRUM vs JIM DICKINSON lp out early next year in Febuary on Birdman Records entitled 'Spectrum meets Cpt. Memphis - Indian Givers'. It's a really nice record featuring collaborations in songwriting & recording with the meta-legenday Jim Dickinson, known for his astounding work with Ry Cooder (Paris Texas + others), Dylan (1990s), the Stones (Wild Horses), Aretha Franklin (1970s), Big Star (Like Flies on Sherbet), The Cramps (Red Headed Woman) as well as his many incarnations from The Jesters (legendary SUN Records artistes) thru to his current mesmerising Mudboy & the Neutrons (known felons in drag ) band & Cpt. Memphis solo persona. Tracks include a re-recording of 'Amen', 'Take your Time' & 'When Tommorrow Hits', new Spectrum song 'Mary', collaborations 'The Lonesome death of 'Johnny Ace' (an astounding song about the late Johnny Ace, a 50s r&b crooner who blew his brains out playing "gun games" backstage between 2 shows on Xmas day at the famous Mitchell Hotel & whorehouse in Memphis... stories dont get much better than this), 'Confederate Dead' and some new fantastic Jim Dickinson songs in 'till your mainline comes' & 'the old cow died'. The sessions were recorded around 3 years ago at Jim's studio in the Mississipi mud lands surrounding the river Mississipi, just south of the Tennesee border. The lp features Randall Nieman of Spectrum & Fuxa and Jimmy Crosthwait from Mudboy & the Neutrons and on Jim's classic 1972 release 'Dixie Fried'. Please note this is not the SPECTRUM lp that has been in the works ready for release next year. The release of that l.p. will be preceded by a new SPECTRUM EP "Walking & Falling" in March on Mind Expansion records. Bestest, Sonic |