Labels: Interviews, Random
¶ 11:04 PM 27 comments links to this post
When he's not playing bass in a popular beat combo, Gordy likes to unwind by trying his hand at music journalism...click here to read Gordy's guest article on The Quietus, waxing lyrical on the Scottish band Simple Minds.
Labels: Other_bands, Random
¶ 12:09 AM 0 comments links to this post
...is Russell Lissack! A current BBC Radio 4 programme features Joan Armatrading, a West Indian-born singer songwriter, famous in the UK during the 1980s, interviewing her favourite guitarists. Listen to her 15 minute interview with Russell here, a "young pioneer whose extensive use of effects is expanding the range of the guitar to a new generation of musicians" (copyright Radio 4's posh announcer man).
Labels: Interviews, Random
¶ 11:43 AM 10 comments links to this post
Brent Hodge, a film maker from Vancouver, Canada, has sent over this video he made of Bloc Party's gig in his home town earlier this year...enjoy!
Brent is a self-confessed Bloc Party addict and has posted various other Bloc-related media on his online videoblog: Hodgee Podgee. Here are BLOG PARTY's favourites...
'I Carry Your Heart'...based on E. E. Cummings' beautiful poem (which also inspired the lyrics of 'Ion Square'), soundtracked by 'SRXT'
'My Scars'...a video poem written by Brent Hodge about 'the hardships of reaching your goals...no matter what path you choose in life, where you end up, what you want, or who you're with, you will always have your memories and your scars'. Soundtracked by the early live version of 'Compliments'.
Labels: Fan_art, Random, Videos
¶ 5:43 PM 2 comments links to this post
The Bloc Party fan community was shocked to hear about the tragic death of Jennifer John, known to many people as Nettie, last week. Nettie/Jen was a vibrant member of the Bloc live scene, always seen at the front row of any gigs near London. She suffered fatal injuries in a car crash en route to watch Kasabian at the Eden Sessions in Cornwall...the band dedicated the gig to her. Bloc Party themselves had grown to know Nettie over the past few years, with Gordy himself posting this tribute...
"We're flying home from our gig at in Montreux this morning and have only just heard about Nettie's death. I think I speak for the whole band when I say we're completely floored by the news. Nettie was an amazing presence at our shows, quietly dedicated to being first in line and first on the barrier. I have lost count of the times I've looked down and seen Nettie's beaming face directly in front of me, Bloc Party t-shirt in place, camera in the air to capture that rare outing of 'Skeleton'. I saw her on the barrier at Glastonbury just last week - at the front of how many tens of thousands of people? You could set your watch by her. I can't even think of a London gig in the last few years that she's not been at. She's been part of the family for such a long time and that's why we're so upset by the news. We're having a think about what would be a fitting tribute for Nettie but beyond this we'd like to say that Nettie and her friends and family, and the whole Bloc community, are very much in our thoughts today as we come to terms with what a loss this will be to our shows from now on."
As well as being a Bloc Party über-fan (and running KeleOkereke.net), Nettie also managed a Coldplay fansite and has been remembered on their website too. Her passion, vitality, and warm-hearted personality will be sorely missed, not to mention her smiling face at the front barrier of many a rock concert.
When Jen found out about that her photo was featured on this billboard outside London's O2 Arena, she said that she'd like her friends to have their picture taken with it when passing by. Some fellow Bloc Party fans went to pay tribute to her a few days ago with letters and flowers at this spot.
Labels: Random
¶ 10:29 PM 13 comments links to this post
In the spirit of Tarrant on TV, here's a random Bloc Party-related advert for French radio station, Oui FM. Thanks to nos amis across the English Channel for the video.
¶ 7:30 PM 3 comments links to this post
Happy Christmas/Hanukkah/Kwanzaa to all BlocParty.net readers...see you in 2009! If you get bored of Christmas TV, click here to watch a Bloc Party video interview dating back to October 2003, unearthed last week by Tom on AND!
On the twelfth day of Bloc-mas, my true love sent to me...
Twelve Tongs a-drumming
Eleven fats a-staying
Ten Gordys glowering
Nine feet a-dancing
Eight Okerekes
Seven Russell Lissacks
Six tongues a-loosening
Five Compliments
Four Modern Loves
Three Uniforms
Two More Years
And a ban on mixes by Jacknife Lee!
Labels: Random
¶ 3:24 PM 6 comments links to this post
BlocParty.net has rather belatedly jumped onto the Facebook bandwagon...join the group here! However, unfortunately, the Always New Depths forum has decided to stop working (you can still post, but the template has gone wrong) so please use the Facebook group for Bloc-related discussion until the forum is back up-and-running again!
Labels: BlocParty.net, Random
¶ 9:59 PM 2 comments links to this post
¶ 10:09 PM 9 comments
links to this post
Gordy took time out of his busy schedule to tell The Quietus how becoming a dad has turned his world upside down. Read his thoughts here.
Proud dad Gordy with baby Scarlet...awww
Labels: Random
¶ 9:38 AM 7 comments links to this post
After the gig, Bloc Party treated a very lucky group of fans to an acoustic rendition of 'This Modern Love' outside the Truskel pub in Paris...quelle chance!
Labels: Random, Setlists, Videos
¶ 10:25 AM 5 comments links to this post
To mark the run-up to the physical release of 'Intimacy' next Monday, Bloc Party have taken over The Guardian's music page for the whole week. Feast your eyes and ears on this lot...(updated!)
- Kele is the resident agony aunt for the week, so send in your life problems (he's specifically asked for sexy questions) to this address for some fine nuggets of worldly wisdom.
- Listen to an exclusive Pin Me Down remix of 'Ares' here, featuring a brand spanking new chorus sung by Milena Mepris.
- Bloc Party's musical map of London...Gordy's guide to the places that made them as a band.
- In pictures: Bloc Party during the filming of 'Intimacy'.
- Watch Bloc Party perform 'Halo' live in the studio.
Here's a video of Bloc Party performing 'Banquet' at MTV's Video Music Brazil yesterday - their first ever South American appearance. This must be what happens when you ask Kele to lip-sync...instead of pretending to sing he leaps around the stage like a hyperactive child hepped up on E-numbers. Even Matt (sporting a natty fake moustache and bow-tie combination) and Gordy join in later on.
Labels: Random
¶ 5:53 PM 1 comments links to this post
From Drowned in Sound:
Bloc Party vocalist Kele Okereke was subjected to a racist attack at the weekend, by former Sex Pistols screamer John 'Johnny Rotten' Lydon and members of the one-time punk hero's entourage.
Okereke was attacked at the Summercase Festival in Barcelona on Saturday night; he was left shaken and with bruising to his face, cuts on his face and body, and a burst lip.
The attack, according to reports, was unprovoked. A witness commented that Lydon and company were at the festival "acting like a gang of racist thugs".
Trouble flared when Okereke asked Lydon backstage at the festival if he'd ever consider reforming Public Image Ltd, as the Bloc Party singer is a big fan of the seminal post-punk outfit fronted by Lydon. The former I'm A Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here contestant grew aggressive, suggesting that Okereke had a "black attitude", and that was a problem in some way.
The story goes that then Okereke was punched and kicked by Lydon's crew, albeit not Lydon himself, while Ricky Wilson of Kaiser Chiefs and Yannis Philippakis of Foals attempted to fend off the attackers. Security broke up the fight and Spanish police were duly informed. Okereke made a statement to UK police once home.
Over 50 people witnessed the Barcelona attack - alongside members of Foals and Kaiser Chiefs were Mystery Jets, Neon Neon and Har Mar Superstar, all of whom saw what unfolded. Of the attack, Okereke has stated:
"It's not an issue of the physical assault, even though it was an unprovoked attack. It is the fact that race was brought into the matter so readily. Someone as respected and as intelligent as Lydon should know better than to bring race into the equation, or socialise with and encourage those who hold such narrow-minded attitudes. I am disappointed that someone I held with such high regard turns out to be such a bigot."
BlocParty.net wishes Kele a speedy recovery from his injuries.
Edit: Gruff Rhys (Super Furry Animals singer) has confirmed that the attack was unprovoked...read more.
Edit #2: Members of Foals were also injured in the fight...click here to read the news article.
Labels: Random
¶ 1:39 PM 14 comments links to this post
Tune in to Zane Lowe's show on BBC Radio 1 tonight after 7pm GMT to find out what this is all about (the premiere of a new single? Album announcement?). You can listen online here.
Labels: Random
¶ 11:07 AM 9 comments links to this post
Labels: Random
¶ 1:21 PM 6 comments links to this post
Labels: Random
¶ 8:56 AM 6 comments links to this post
