Soul Boys Of The Western World

Well...... Its been an awful long time since my last post..... but things seem to me moving at pace in Spandau world. The film "Soul Boys of The Western World" is now finally finished, and is being premiered in Austin Texas next week. The trailer is released today on the USA Today website (link at foot of post) and it looks FANTASTIC. 

Sadly there's no news yet on where and when us lesser mortals will be given the opportunity to see it, but hopefully news will reach us soon.

In addition to the premier of the film, the band are apparently doing two shows in Texas to coincide with their visit. The first being at 12.30AM on 13th March at The Vulcan Gas Company, a former Psychedelic hangout and music venue in Austin, that, from what I can gather has now been transformed into an electro dance club. The second gig (on the 14th March) will be as guests at The Paramount Theatre in Austin, as special guests at The Lou Reed Tribute concert. 

It certainly looks like the band will be kept busy. Two gigs, a film premier, and all of the associated press "stuff" withing 48 hours, looks like the type of schedule One Direction would be hard pushed to pack in.

Its great to see the boys back together again, and hopefully this WILL now be the start of something "solid" for the next couple of years. Gary Kemp likes to offer the odd "teaser" re future tours, records etc..... but nothing has yet been confirmed for this year or next. The cynic in me suspects that this is a deliberate decision taken by Tony Hadleys management, in order to maximise ticket sales for his October tour. You cant blame him I suppose.... Everyone has a crust to earn.

Lets keep our fingers crossed, that the reaction to the film and the live shows is a positive one, and one that persuades everyone involved to make the band their number one priority once more.

Good look fellas 

http://www.usatoday.com/videos/life/popcandy/2014/03/05/6083947/

Amazing but TRUE!

Yes, I know it seems like yesterday but sadly its not. Its 30 years today (26th April) that Spandau Ballet hit the top spot in the UK charts for the first and incredibly the only time. On tour at the time, the band learned of the great news whilst preparing for the evenings gig at Nottingham Royal Concert Hall.
The single remained at the top of the charts for four weeks until being knocked off by Candy Girl by New Edition. 
Keep an eye on Gary Kemps twitter feed (@garyjkemp) for any 30th anniversary gossip!

Happy 30th Birthday

Unbelievably, Monday the 4th of March marks the 30th anniversary of the release of Spandau's seminal album TRUE. 

The album marked the real high point of the bands career and contained no less than four singles (five if one includes "Pleasure" which wasnt released here in the UK).

Recorded at Compass Point Studios Nassau, the album peaked at number one in UK on 14th May only to be usurped by a little know record by Michael Jackson the following week. Produced by Tony Swain and Steve Jolly, the project had initially started out with Trevor Horn as producer and was known among the band as "the pleasure project". However, the band ultimately found working with Horn difficult and both parties went their separate ways after Horn had tried to insist on the firing of Spandau drummer, John Keeble. Jolly and Swain were recruited fresh from huge success producing Imaginations "Body Talk". 

Having not previously toured a great deal in support of earlier releases the band toured extensively on the back of the release of True and this had a marked effect on the future direction of the band, Later releases, Parade (1984) and Through The Barricades (1986) had a distinctly "rockier" feel to them.

True really is a fantastic body of work. Although by today's standards it is a very short album (35 minute 36 seconds), every song is excellent. 

One final note, the artwork on the album and supporting singles (except Lifeline) are paintings by David Band, who continued his association with the band for many years, producing work for both the Parade album and Heart Like A Sky. See earlier posts on this blog.  

I, like many hope that the band see fit to celebrate this 30th anniversary in the only way possible - by getting back on the road this year. 

Come on Mr Hadley - Pull yer finger out!!!

Happy Birthday!!!

2009 Interview

A 2009 interview with Steve, Gary and John has recently appeared on YouTube. It is in 6 parts and can be found by following the links below. 

For most, there's nothing particularly "new" in this 20 minute chat but its always great to see the guys together reminiscing about the past. However, its even more interesting when they talk of future Spandau projects, and this is something they touch on here. On a personal note I was delighted to hear Gary say his favourite re-worked track on the 'Once More' album was 'She Love like Diamond'. I totally agree! It was always a fantastic song and I was always amazed as to how it flopped back in 1982. The latest version really is outstanding and for me was one of the highlights when played on the Reformation Tour.

Hopefully there will be some news really soon of "plans" for next year. There seems to have been a lot of "get togethers" recently in particular between Gary and John which MUST be a good sign. It is worth noting that May 2013 will be the 30th anniversary of 'TRUE' reaching number one in the UK single chart. I'm sure that we will see the band do "something" to commemorate this! We live in hope.

Watch this space!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jbv85MHa8fM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=fvwp&v=MW-IeU4avJ4&NR=1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGW4SBn6iAg&feature=relmfu

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ddCkuUtOyw&feature=relmfu

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yb9Ip3ZtCjY&feature=relmfu

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kNI2MxACNr4&feature=relmfu

Cockney Rebel?

24th November sees Steve Norman performing alongside Steve Harley and a full symphony orchestra at Birmingham's Symphony Hall. 

Interviewed recently, Steve Harley said "With several tracks needing a sax solo played like the originals, and other sax parts occurring throughout the albums - some within the orchestral arrangement - we really needed a great player. One with genuine élan and a rock and soul attitude. I've long been a Steve Norman admirer and it means a great deal to me to know he'll be playing my songs on stage that very special night."

Should be a great night. Sadly however, as one would expect - its completely sold out!

Look Familiar?

Twitter followers of Gary Kemp will no doubt already be aware that his eldest son Fin and his partner Charlotte Mallory have written and recorded a fantastic song by the name of Way To The Heart. Fin and Charlotte have also produced an exceptionally good video to accompany the song. We wish them all the luck in the world with it. I personally think its excellent and hope to hear more soon. The video can be viewed here

The 80s According To Gary Kemp!

Take a trip down memory lane and recall the significance of the '80s on the music scene. Speakers include Gary Kemp and Pauline Black (lead singer of The Selector, song writer, broadcaster and author). The event chaired by Robert Elms was recorded in front of a live audience and can be listened to here.

Very interesting to here all viewpoints and Gary as ever speaks with great enthusiasm of his background and the part working class culture payed in the creation of a decade that has become remembered, in my opinion incorrectly, for decadence and greed.