BLOG PARTY.

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2010-03-28T10:44:00.001+01:00

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It's been a while...

2010-03-20T22:22:00.009Z

...as those Staind boys once cried into their cornflakes. Here's what we've missed in Bloc Party land:

Pin Me Down, Russell's side-project with Milena Mepris, will be releasing their debut album on April 19th. Click here to pre-order the album and preview two of the tracks.

Rather surreally, Russell will also be joining his boyhood heroes Ash on their forthcoming UK tour as an extra guitarist/keyboardist! More info here.
And, not content to let Russell hog the limelight, Kele has announced his first couple solo live appearances: Parklife Festival (Manchester, June 12th 2010) and Ibiza Rocks (with Delphic, August 31st 2010).
Meanwhile, Gordy's Young Legionnaire project are currently holed up somewhere planning their world domination...

In non-band news, Blogger have decided to put an end to ftp publishing, currently used by this blog to upload to the interwebz. This means we have to change our publishing method; a process which doesn't appear overly simple at present. Fingers crossed Blog Party will survive the switch...

Young Legionnaire are...go!

2010-02-01T18:57:00.006Z

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...

Yourcodenameis:Moakes

And here's their website.

Meanwhile, Russell and Milena's 'Pin Me Down' project is Spinner's Band of the Week. Nice going.

Solo projects galore...

2010-01-25T19:25:00.007Z

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!

Gordy to become a Young Legionnaire...?

2010-01-17T22:06:00.007Z

With all the talk of Kele's solo 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).

The evidence: this Facebook event page, various Tweeter posts, and a good bit of detective work.

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 - Live from Abbey Road

2009-11-11T22:52:00.004Z

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...

Kele's in retrograde

I see signs now all the time

The Gord's Prayer

Kele working on solo album!

2009-11-04T23:50:00.006Z

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!

Bournemouth BIC, 31.10.09

2009-11-01T23:01:00.005Z

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

So Here We Are / Ares / Flux / Helicopter

Reading Rivermead, 30.10.09

2009-11-01T00:15:00.002Z

[Setlist]

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

Sunday / Ares / Flux / Helicopter

Cambridge Corn Exchange, 27.10.09

2009-10-28T09:55:00.003Z

[Setlist]

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

Tulips (!!) / Ares / Flux / Helicopter

Skeleton (!) / One More Chance

Southend Cliffs Pavilion, 26.10.09

2009-10-28T09:52:00.001Z

[Setlist]

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

Ares / Like Eating Glass / Flux / Helicopter

Truro Hall for Cornwall, 22.10.09

2009-10-28T09:45:00.002Z

[Setlist]

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

So Here We Are / Ares / Flux / Helicopter

Going a bit Tong?

2009-10-19T23:04:00.006+01:00

Taken from The Guardian...

"The future of Bloc Party has been called into question by drummer Matt Tong, who hinted that he is not certain of his continued role in the band. Tong said the group is planning a long break, and that he "wouldn't mind trying something else for a while".

The band are in the middle of a month-long UK tour, but "unfortunately that is going to be it for the time being", Tong told the BBC's Subculture show. "We definitely need to have a break and gain a bit of perspective on life outside of the band. Hopefully, if we do reconvene at some point we'll be refreshed with many new ideas."

Frontman Kele Okereke has also mentioned taking a break, telling an Australian interviewer: "We may take a year off, we may take three years off. We may never make a record again or we may head straight back in and do a record." But while Okereke's comments suggest a temporary break – recalling bassist Gordon Moakes's "baby hiatus" – Tong's doubts seem to go deeper.

"I definitely don't think this will be the last you'll hear of the people who make up Bloc Party," he said, suggesting that side-projects or perhaps a rearranged lineup are likely. "Kele is an insatiable workaholic so you'll definitely hear from him again along with [guitarist] Russell [Lissack] and Gordon," Tong said."

Let's hope it's just tour fatigue syndrome kicking in. Either way, it looks like Bloctober will be the last we hear from Bloc Party for a while. UK Bloctober attendees, make the most of these gigs.

Birmingham Academy, 15.10.09

2009-10-18T21:20:00.001+01:00

[Setlist]

Halo / Positive Tension / Mercury / Biko / Hunting For Witches / Song For Clay (Disappear Here) / Banquet / Blue Light / Uniform / Little Thoughts / Talons / One More Chance / This Modern Love / The Prayer

Ares / Like Eating Glass / Flux / Helicopter

Newport gig cancelled...

2009-10-15T21:59:00.003+01:00

Bloc Party have posted this message over on their official website...

"Bloc Party have unfortunately been forced to cancel this Friday’s Newport show as guitarist Russell Lissack has to undergo a medical procedure which, whilst not being serious, cannot be delayed until the end of the tour. Unfortunately the band are unable to reschedule the date. Refunds are available from point of purchase.
Bloc Party send their sincere apologies to fans and ticket holders and hope to be able to be back in Newport soon."

Stoke Victoria Hall, 14.10.09

2009-10-15T21:22:00.002+01:00

[Setlist]

One Month Off / Waiting For The 7.18 / 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

She's Hearing Voices / Ares / Flux / Helicopter

Leeds Academy, 11.10.09

2009-10-12T22:23:00.002+01:00

[Setlist]

One More Chance / Positive Tension / Mercury / Talons / Blue Light / Luno / Hunting For Witches / Song For Clay (Disappear Here) / Banquet / Two More Years / Kreuzberg / Uniform / This Modern Love / The Prayer

So Here We Are / Ares / Flux / Helicopter

One More Chance (again, because they messed it up the first time!)

Sheffield Academy, 10,10,09

2009-10-12T22:16:00.003+01:00

[Setlist]

One Month Off / Waiting For The 7.18 / Mercury / Price Of Gasoline / Signs / Trojan Horse / Hunting For Witches / Song For Clay (Disappear Here) / Banquet / Ion Square / Zephyrus / One More Chance / This Modern Love / The Prayer

Ares / Like Eating Glass / Flux / Helicopter

She's Hearing Voices

Hull City Hall, 08.10.09

2009-10-09T21:59:00.002+01:00

[Setlist]

One Month Off / Positive Tension / Mercury / Luno / Biko / Hunting For Witches / Song For Clay (Disappear Here) / Banquet / Blue Light / Uniform / Talons / One More Chance / This Modern Love / The Prayer

Ares / She's Hearing Voices / Flux / Helicopter

Inverness Ironworks, 04.10.09

2009-10-06T23:35:00.002+01:00

[Setlist]

Halo / Mercury / Like Eating Glass / Signs / Trojan Horse / Hunting For Witches / Song For Clay (Disappear Here) / Banquet / Two More Years / Letter To My Son / Zephyrus / One More Chance / This Modern Love / The Prayer

Compliments (!) / Ares / Flux / Helicopter

Edinburgh Picture House, 03.10.09

2009-10-06T23:21:00.004+01:00

Bloctober is well underway, and the first setlists have started to trickle in. On Saturday, Bloc Party treated the Edinburgh faithful to the first ever live rendition of 'Zephyrus'...watch it below!

[Setlist]

One Month Off / Mercury / Hunting For Witches / Biko / Trojan Horse / Luno / Song For Clay (Disappear Here) / Banquet / Ion Square / Uniform / One More Chance / Zephyrus (first time played live) / This Modern Love / The Prayer

Kreuzberg / Ares / She's Hearing Voices / Flux / Helicopter

'Zephyrus' gets its first live treatment

'It's Not The Things You Say'

2009-09-27T20:58:00.009+01:00

Over four years since Kele's appearance on The Chemical Brother's 'Believe' single, next week sees the release of another Kele dance collaboration, this time with Dutch superstar DJ, Tiësto. Kele exercises his vocal cords on Tiësto's new album, 'Kaleidoscope', also featuring collaborations with Jónsi (Sigur Rós), Emily Haines (Metric) and Nelly Furtado.

Listen to Kele's track, 'It's Not The Things You Say', below. With Bloc Party's recent sideline in piano-based dance, this could almost pass for their new single...

Reading & Leeds Gubbins

2009-09-01T20:39:00.006+01:00

Click here for the BBC's Bloc Party festival minisite, with performance highlights and photos...

And here's a Kele interview recorded backstage at Reading, 10 years since Kele and Russell first met and kickstarted the Bloc Party love...

Leeds and Reading Festivals, 29.08.09 & 30.08.09

2009-08-31T07:12:00.004+01:00

[Leeds Setlist]

One Month Off / Hunting For Witches / Positive Tension / Signs / Song For Clay (Disappear Here) / Banquet / One More Chance / Mercury / So Here We Are / The Prayer / Flux / Helicopter

NME Review

[Reading Setlist]

So Here We Are / Hunting For Witches / Positive Tension / Talons / Song For Clay (Disappear Here) / Banquet / Two More Years / One More Chance / Mercury / This Modern Love / The Prayer / Flux / Helicopter

NME Review

Rock en Seine, Saint-Cloud, 28.08.09

2009-08-29T18:53:00.004+01:00

Bloc Party were promoted to the headlining slot at this French festival last night after planned headliners Oasis pulled out at the last minute, with Noel Gallagher walking out of the band. Watch below Kele's announcement to the crowd...

[Setlist]

One Month Off / Hunting For Witches / Positive Tension / Talons / Signs / Song For Clay (Disappear Here) / Banquet / Two More Years / One More Chance / Mercury / This Modern Love / The Prayer / Like Eating Glass / Flux / Helicopter