White Denim
US psych rockers White Denim are set to play a string of live shows this May, ahead of the release of second album ‘Fits on the 22nd June.
These warm-up appearances showcasing material from both ‘Fits ‘and 2008’s highly acclaimed debut ‘Workout Holiday’ start off with a headline show at The Great Escape this Saturday and also includes an intimate headline show at London’s Old Blue Last on Monday 18th May.
After an incredible breakthrough year that was 2008, White Denim celebrate the first year anniversary of ‘Workout Holiday’ (Albums of the Year from Observer Music Monthly, Uncut, The Sun and Clash) by releasing the eagerly anticipated follow up ‘Fits’. 2009 promises to be as incendiary.
The band’s live dates this week follow on from classic UK shows that stopped at Bloomsbury Bowling, Borderline, Cargo and culminated in the you-really-should-have-been-there Dingwalls show in November 2008 which was one of The Independent’s Gigs of the Year (“the kind of group that becomes one’s favourite band. If they carry on at this rate, they should be one of next year’s big crossover successes”)
‘Fits’- the title is both a knowingly bad pun and a reference to the odd tantrum endured in its creation- manages just that. Anyone familiar with the ferocious drive of the Texan trio’s renowned live shows, where songs merge into each other and the playing guides the direction of the performance, will recognise their approach.
Recorded and produced by the band in their own infamous studio/trailer, ‘Fits’ is more coherent than debut Workout Holiday, yet sacrifices none of its imagination. Though there’s barely a pause between tracks the set ebbs and flows, ranging from the softhearted to the ferocious.
The band describe it, with only light sarcasm, as ‘The Friendship Record’ ‘We were congratulating each other for having good ideas,” says singer/guitarist James Petralli of the sessions, “We went through a lot of positive and negative things and came out of it a lot closer.”
Full live dates in May:
16th Brighton, The Pavilion, The Great Escape Festival (Full Time Hobby / Uncut stage 10.15pm)
18th London, Ill Fit @ Old Blue Last plus support from The Gay Blades and Air France DJs
20th Liverpool, Academy 2, Liverpool Sound City
21st London, Hoxton Bar & Kitchen, Stag And Dagger Festival
22nd Leeds, The Faversham, Stag And Dagger Festival
23rd Glasgow, Stereo, Stag And Dagger Festival