As if we ever doubted it for a minute...Gordy did indeed surface onstage at the Old Blue Last on Thursday. How did they sound? Very loud, apparently. Here's some photographic evidence...
Russell's side-project with Milena Mepris, Pin Me Down, is back on the tracks again. Click here to download a brand new track, 'Time Crisis', possibly influenced by Russell's favourite arcade game, and read an interview with him here, where he talks about his work with Milena and the future of the Bloc.
Not a solo project as such, but Kele has launched his own videoblog...I Am Koko. He's a prolific poster as well...the place is chock-full of his cultural ponderings.
And remember, remember...this Thursday sees the first show of Gordy's 'secret' side-project...Young Legionnaire. Send in your gig reports!
With all the talk of Kele'ssolo project and Russell's forays into dance-pop, it comes as a bit of a surprise that Gordy is the first Bloc Party member to emerge from the cloud of uncertainty that is the band's hiatus/hibernation.
Mr. Moakes is rumoured to be in a band called Young Legionnaire, who will play their first ever gig on Thursday 28th January at the Old Blue Last in London (see the flyer below). The band is also rumoured to feature Paul Mullen (of Yourcodenameis:milo/The Automatic fame), along with William Bowerman (the drummer of I Was A Cubscout/La Roux).
Check back soon to find out whether Young Legionnaire are reality...
In the meantime, remind yourself of the rather awesome 'Wait A Minute', the fruits of the previous time Gordy and Paul Mullen worked together over three years ago in the League of International Super Best Friends...
The League of International Super Best Friends - 'Wait A Minute'
Bloc Party recently performed at the famous Abbey Road studios as part of a programme which aired last Saturday on Channel 4 (UK). Watch the interview plus live versions of 'Mercury', 'Signs' and 'The Prayer' below...
Just when it looked like the Bloc Party boys would be going into hibernation for a good while, it's emerged that Kele has begun working on a solo album...
"Bloc Party singer Kele Okereke is recording an album with Spank Rock producer Alex Epton, aka Armani XXXchange. Fellow producer Hudson Mohawke – Ross Birchard - broke the news on Sunday night in an interview with BBC 1Xtra DJ Benji B, adding that he's hoping to be involved with the Bloc Party man's project. Asked by Benji B if there are any collaborations he's allowed to talk about, Mohawke said he's supposed to be working with Erykah Badu "and then also, I'm kinda... it hasn't been finalized yet, but I'm also kinda doing a little bit of stuff for Kele from Bloc Party's solo album as well. He's doing a record with one of the guy's from Spank Rock, so possibly gonna be doing some stuff for that."" (Gigwise)
Given Spank Rock's roots in rap and electro, this sounds like an outlet for Kele's hip-hop fetish. The results could be interesting...watch this space!
Bloctober rolled to a close last night in Matt's old stomping ground, Bournemouth. The band came back onstage after the interval dressed up for Halloween...if anyone has any good photos, please send them over! Apparently Kele was a banana...
That pretty much wraps up Bloc Party's touring duties in support of 'Intimacy'. The band have made it clear that they're going to be taking a break now before starting the fourth album, after touring/recording relentlessly for the past five years. It's less than clear when the band will swing back into action, but rest assured that news will appear here when it happens (and in the meantime various goodies such as the ultimate Bloc Party archive, currently being lovingly crafted over on Always New Depths). Don't be too long guys...!
Looking frightfully dashing...(thanks to Chris Hart for the photo!)
[Setlist]
One Month Off / Positive Tension / Mercury / Talons / Signs / Trojan Horse / Hunting For Witches / Song For Clay (Disappear Here) / Banquet / Ion Square / Two More Years / One More Chance / This Modern Love / The Prayer
Halo / Waiting For The 7.18 / Mercury / Signs / Hunting For Witches / Song For Clay (Disappear Here) / Banquet / Blue Light / Ion Square / Two More Years / The Marshals Are Dead (!) / One More Chance / This Modern Love / The Prayer
Halo / Waiting For The 7.18 / Mercury / Talons / Signs / Hunting For Witches / Song For Clay (Disappear Here) / Banquet / Where Is Home? / Ion Square / Two More Years / One More Chance / This Modern Love / The Prayer
One Month Off / Positive Tension / Mercury / Biko / Trojan Horse / Hunting For Witches / Song For Clay (Disappear Here) / Banquet / Blue Light / Zephyrus / Talons / One More Chance / This Modern Love / The Prayer
One Month Off / Waiting For The 7.18 / Mercury / Signs / Trojan Horse / Hunting For Witches / Song For Clay (Disappear Here) / Banquet / Ion Square / Two More Years / One More Chance / This Modern Love / The Prayer
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