Still plenty to Scream about
PRIMAL SCREAM PLAN TO KICK OFF THE SECOND LIVE FROM TIMES SQUARE WEEKEND SHOWS IN TRUE ROCK ‘N’ ROLL STYLE
AFTER a turbulent summer, Scottish rock legends Primal Scream are looking forward to playing at Live from Times Square tonight.
The band are delighted to be back on the road after they had to cancel a series of UK and European dates after frontman Bobby Gillespie cracked a vertebrae after falling from a speaker stack while performing at the Caribana festival in Crans-pres-Celigny, Switzerland in June.
The enigmatic singer was instructed to rest for eight weeks, meaning they had to cancel appearances at Secret Garden Party and Beat Herder, as well as festivals in Spain, Ireland, France, Sweden and Italy.
But the band are now back in action and have already played LakeFest, Boardmasters in Newquay and at Kelvingrove Bandstand in Glasgow this month, and can’t wait to perform in Newcastle.
Guitarist Andrew Innes said: “We are really looking forward to coming to Newcastle as it’s great to be back on the road after Bobby’s accident.
“Thankfully he has made a full recovery, although he is still in some pain. Unfortunately, we had no other option but to cancel several gigs and it was the first summer in ages when the rest of us found ourselves not doing anything. So it’s great to be touring again as it keeps us busy and out of trouble.
“We haven’t played in Newcastle since the Screamadelica 20th anniversary tour back in 2011, where we played at the 02 Academy, so it will be great to play outdoors in the city. We’re also really pleased to be have the opportunity to play in the North East, especially after Down to the Woods was cancelled. It’s a real shame when festivals get cancelled, but not everyone can afford to go them.
“We know it will be a good gig as Newcastle has such a great atmosphere and I have fond memories of nights out in the city back in the day. I love the Trent House pub. It has such a brilliant jukebox with northern soul.” Riding high after the release of their 11th studio album, Chaosmosis, earlier this year, Primal Scream are grateful to still be touring and recording as their career spans over three decades. “It’s great to still be playing live and touring after all this time and making music that we like. We’ve often thought we should have split up and reformed, but we’re still going after 11 albums and enjoying it. There has been a good reaction to Chaosmosis.” Asked about the band’s choices of tracks for their live performances, Andrew said: “Back in 2000 when we released XTRMNTR, which is probably our heaviest record to date, we decided not to play any of Screamadelica on tour as we had played it so much. Not playing hits such as Movin’ On Up, Come Together and Loaded didn’t go down very well with some fans, but then some were not bothered as they felt we had sold out when we released Screamadelica. “So it’s really hard to get the right balance. It’s like a juggling act as if we play the same songs over and over it can get really repetitive for us but fans expect certain tracks, although the one song I never get tired of playing is Rocks. I love it as it is our most glam rock song. But we will play a really good mix in Newcastle, so there’ll be something for our old and new fans.” Primal Scream play Times Square tonight, with support. Tickets cost £35 from www.seetickets.com/ event/primal-scream/times-square/998125.