Review: The Cambodian Space Project

The Cambodian Space Project – 2011: A Space Odyssey (Metal Postcard)
The band name and album title suggest the CD’s contents should involve some sort of space rock with a far eastern ethnic twist. However, the band’s interest in space doesn’t appear to stretch beyond their chosen monikers.

The cross-cultural outfit was formed in Phnom Penh in 2009 by Australian Julien Poulson, and comprises Australian, French and Cambodian musicians. Lead singer, Srey Thy’s story is truly inspirational and cannot go without mention. She worked and supported her family from the age of 9, then at 18 was kidnapped and all but forced into a sex trafficking ring. Her narrow escape was down to an unknown woman cutting her from the bed she had been tied and giving her a small amount of cash to facilitate her flight. Srey was recently awarded the title of Good Will Ambassador for UN Women’s UNiTE for her work in promoting human rights in Cambodia.

The Cambodian Space Project pay homage to the Khmer rockers of the 1960s and ‘70s, with seven of the nine tracks being originally written or performed by three Cambodian musical legends: Ros Sereysothea, Sin Sisamouth and Pan Ron. Asian Rock ‘n’ Roll with accordion flourishes would best describe their sound, though I doubt comparisons to the similarly Cambodian fronted, Dengue Fever will ever be too far away (similar perhaps, but plagiarists they are not, as until recently the two groups didn’t know of each others existence).

“Kolos Srey Chaom / Love Gold” is the album’s purely postmodernist highlight where Ros Seyersothea’s words are sung over Shocking Blue’s “Venus” and the sole original, “Mean Visa Kmean Bai / Have Visa No Have Rice” is an excellent rocker and hopefully paves the way for their future.
www.myspace.com/thecambodianspaceproject
www.metalpostcard.com
Willsk

Review: Assaf Kehati

Assaf Kehati - Flowers and Other Stories (Akjazz)
This is Kehati’s sophomore release Flowers and Other Stories. He brings to the table a plethora of musical experience that can’t be called into questioned. His background: Masters from New England Conservatory, Boston, and studies at Rimon School of Jazz and Contemporary Music (member of Berklee International Network), Israel. He has been working with drummer Billy Hart and performed at the Blue Note, NYC, the Washington DC Jazz Festivals, the MuzEnergo International Jazz Festival, etc, etc. The list goes on and on.

I always listen to the first piece very, very carefully. It’s what the artists has personally chosen to be the first piece of music to hit your ears. I have to say I was extremely impressed with the opening track "Calling me Home” certainly a dynamic number which possessed my full, unadulterated attention. I expected sing songy jazz that was predictable in nature and easy to follow – compatible for a mass audience. What I discovered was quite the opposite actually. The whole CD is wonderfully simple but full of energy and music that appeals to the senses. It reminds me a little of Grant Green and of course Pat Metheny. There are both fantastic and melancholy moments on Flowers and Other Stories here which gives the sound a much complex yet marketable feel. There were also some entertaining moments throughout but also a few pin drop moments as well. From top to bottom Flowers and Other Stories is an extremely polished sounding production with amazing sound quality, legendary musicianship and top of the line musical compositions.

The most amazing thing about Assaf Kehati Quartet is they appeal to both advanced and novice listeners alike. This is harder to do than it sounds – and shouldn’t be strived for, rather it should come just naturally. Kehati is an amazing talent and he has proven himself worthy of praise with this latest string of songs. There’s nothing more dangerous than an Israeli musical savant armed with a guitar, a gift and a one-way ticket to the United States. Need I say more?
www.assafkehati.com
Adam Taylor

MASTODON TOUR

MASTODON TOUR
Atlanta-based metal outfit Mastodon are set to tour our shores off the hairy, scary back of their recently-released album, 'The Hunter'. The rabid run will wrap with a date at London's Brixton Academy, which with any luck will draw the biggest UK crowd of the band's live calendar thus far.

Dates as follows:

5 Feb: Bristol, Academy
6 Feb: Manchester, Academy
7 Feb: Glasgow, Barrowlands
9 Feb: Norwich, UEA
10 Feb: Birmingham, Institute
11 Feb: London, Brixton Academy

FLORENCE AND THE MACHINE ANNOUNCE HACKNEY EMPIRE SHOW

FLORENCE AND THE MACHINE ANNOUNCE HACKNEY EMPIRE SHOW
Florence And The Machine have announced that they will play their only UK show of 2011 at London's Hackney Empire on 25 Oct. Which is quite soon. Tickets will go on sale at 9am share tomorrow through Flo's website at tickets.florenceandthemachine.net.

The second Florence And The Machine album, 'Ceremonials', is due for release on 31 Oct.

Silver Apples tour:

Silver Apples European Tour October/November 2011

Sunday 23rd October Birmingham - Supersonic Festival
Monday 24th October Bristol - The Fleece
Tuesday 25th October Wrexham - Central Station
Wednesday 26th October Manchester - Night & Day Cafe
Thursday 27th October London - Corsica Studios
Friday 28th October Brighton - Coalition

Ane Brun, new album and dates:

Ane Brun releases her fifth album ‘It All Starts With One’ on October 24th which includes the single ‘Do You Remember’ featuring First Aid Kit with Bjorn (of Peter, Bjorn + John) on bass. Other collaborations include Jose Gonzales.

Latest video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1lI30Qw69AQ

Ane Brun - UK Tour November 2011
08 – Manchester, Deaf Institute
09 -Glasgow, King Tuts
10 - Birmingham HMV Institute, The Library
11 – London, Scala

INDEPENDENT MUSIC AWARD SHORTLISTS ANNOUNCED:

INDEPENDENT MUSIC AWARD SHORTLISTS ANNOUNCED
In a busy day for award nomination announcements, the shortlist for AIM's inaugural Independent Music Awards was announced this morning.

As previously reported, Björk will receive the Outstanding Contribution To Music Award, while Domino Records founder Laurence Bell will be given the Pioneer Award. The rest of the winners will be announced at a ceremony at Floridita in Soho on 10 Nov hosted by Steve Lamacq and Huw Stephens.

Says AIM CEO Alison Wenham: "In its first year, the AIM Awards have already shone a bright light on some of the most talented and hardworking people in the industry. The response to the awards has been incredible, and signals the start of a new era in recognising a whole new measure of talent and success in music".

And the nominees are...

Independent Entrepreneur Of The Year: Rob da Bank (Sunday Best/ Bestival), Ruth Daniel (Fat Northerner Records/unConvention), Martin Goldschmidt (Cooking Vinyl), Julie Weir (Visible Noise/Wiseblood Management)

Best Difficult Second Album: Adele - 21, Bon Iver - Bon Iver, Fleet Foxes - Helplessness Blues, Friendly Fires - Pala, Toddla T - Watch Me Dance

Catalogue Release Of The Year: Various Artists - Ninja Tune XX, The Fall - The Wonderful & Frightening World Of The Fall/This Nation's Saving Grace (Omnibus Edition), Orange Juice - Coals To Newcastle, Various Artists - Matador At 21

Best Small Label: Ambiguous Records, Naim Edge Records, Smalltown America, Stolen Recordings

Hardest Working Band or Artist: Beardyman, Bring Me The Horizon, Frank Turner, Random Hand

Innovative Marketing Campaign of the Year: Amon Tobin - ISAM (Ninja Tune), Ninja Tune XX (Ninja Tune), Frankie & The Heartstrings - Hunger (Radar Maker), Flying Lotus - Cosmogramma (Warp)

Independent Breakthrough Of The Year: Bring Me The Horizon, Caro Emerald, The Horrors, SBTRKT

Indie Champion: Tom Robinson (6music), Nathan Clark (Brudenell Social Club), John Robb (Louder Than War), John Doran & Luke Turner (The Quietus)

Golden Welly Award For Best Independent Festival: Bearded Theory, Belladrum, End Of The Road, Y Not Festival

PPL Award for Most Played Independent Artist: Adele, Arctic Monkeys, Vampire Weekend, The xx

Best Live Act: Bring Me The Horizon, Enter Shikari, Frank Turner, Warpaint

Pioneer Award: Laurence Bell, Domino Recording Company

Funeral For A Friend dates...

Live dates
Sun 23rd Oct Wulfrun Hall Wolverhampton
Mon 24th Oct Queen Margaret Union (QMU) Glasgow
Tue 25th Oct O2 Academy Newcastle
Thu 27th Oct Rock City Nottingham
Fri 28th Oct Academy 1 Manchester
Sat 29th Oct O2 Academy Bristol
Sun 30th Oct Roundhouse London

Review: Peadar King

Peadar King - The Shadowlands (PKM)
Peadar King is a singer-songwriter from the Island of Inishbofin, an isle off the west coast of Connemara, Co. Galway (in Gaelic, Inishbofin means island of the white cow). Over the years the island has built itself a reputation for traditional Irish music, with artists like The Inishbofin Ceili Band and Dessie O'Halloran touring all over the world. Peadar King hasn’t made that sort of breakthrough yet, but then, neither is he a strict traditionalist. Listening to King’s sophomore record “The Shadowlands”, it’s artists like Jackie Leven, Richard Thompson and Van Morrison that comparison is most easily made.

Because of his location, it’s understandable that ships and the sea feature frequently in his songs. His imagery is both romanticized and candid as he can’t resists the beauty of his surroundings but neither does he deny the hardships of the men who earn their livings working the coast. His voice, rich and sincere, is the perfect instrument for his stories, and accompaniment is kept to the basics; guitar, a muted rhythm section and occasional piano. King’s songs are reliably poignant throughout, and it’s a record that grows in stature each time it’s heard. “Dark Days” with its wasted Americana arrangement is a particular favourite, as is “The Lights”, where a restrained piano tinkles and King’s voice takes centre stage.
www.peadarking.com
Rob F.

Review: Stephen Harrison

Stephen Harrison - I Know Everything (Close Up Records)
An English singer-songwriter living in Scotland, Stephen Harrison has been releasing music since the late 70s, and “I Know Everything” was originally released as a 6-track, 12” mini-album back in 1988 on the renowned Belgian indie label Les Disques Du Crépuscule.

The first three tracks were co-produced by Paul Haig (Josef K) and Alan Rankine (The Associates) in 1985, while the second half was recorded a couple of years later with Ewan Burke behind the desk. Harrison’s style changed considerably over the period, with the earlier songs “Let Go”, “Pack On Your Back” and “Sad And Blue” very much rooted in the Velvet Underground / Television influenced Scottish post-punk of the early ‘80s. The latter three tracks, “Never Say Die”, “Winter Sun” and “Love Like This” are much brighter and upbeat, with a little more jangle in the guitars and a decidedly radio friendly pop edge. By that I mean John Peel would have loved it rather than Simon Bates.

For this 2011 reissue, a seventh track has been added. Recorded in 1994, “Glad It’s Over” shows a further change in style, and it’s probably the most accessible track here. It’s animated rhythm and confident vocal isn’t a million miles away from classic Prefab Sprout.
www.stephenharrisonmusic.com
Rob F.

Review: Dan Beaver - The Goods

Dan Beaver - The Goods (Beaver Records)
“The Goods” is Dan Beaver’s fourth album and it’s littered with special guests: guitarist / singers, Eric Foster and Billy King, vocalist Mimi De St. Jean and pianist Waz Fox all get their chance to duel with Beaver’s harmonica, and the variety of sounds and styles gives “The Goods” a satisfying edge. Of course, we’re talking about the blues here, so nothing too extreme, and thanks to Beaver’s playing there’s a link that runs through the record, binding the participants.

Let’s get to the tracks that all self-respecting blues fans need to hear without delay. “The Goods” opens with “Burning Hell” a chunky rocker with heavy distorted guitar and fierce solos supplied by Beaver. Their seven and a half minute version of Slim Harpo’s “Shake Your Hips” is just remarkable. With Mimi De St. Jean distinctive vocals firing sparks, it’s almost impossible to breathe new life into these old blues standards on record, yet this is a tour de force, with all the band shining. I don’t know the name of the keyboard player, but he/she deserves a mention for the break – as does the guitarist, and Beaver’s coda is wonderful. The album finishes with “Oh Susanna”, another oldie, and again the band give a fresh lease of life, and at just over a minute, no-one’s going to complain that it outstays its welcome.
www.danbeaverblues.com
Rob F.

Review: Larry Luvaul

Larry Luvaul - Don’t Look Back (Independent)
Larry Luvaul lives in Washington State, but it’s no surprise to find out he was born, raised and lived in Texas. It’s a state that nurtures and cultivates singer-songwriters and listening to Luvaul’s debut record, it’s John Prine and Townes Van Zandt who come most readily to mind. That’s not bad company to keep, and Luvaul manages it by exposing human frailties and foibles, often his own, and singing his songs with a voice that always feel delicately poised on the brink of redemption.

His music, though predominantly acoustic, is rich and layered, with fiddle, harp and sound-effects adding to the simple guitar / voice setup. His lyrics are story based, though he’s comfortable being cryptic, whether it’s about relationships with people (or animals) or particular characters. He regularly uses a technique where he adds an unexpected syllable, pause or word to a line that can’t help but catch the ear.

“Don’t Look Back” hangs together as an album pretty well, though there are tracks that deserve a special mention. Lead number “Just Us Two” is charming and quite addictive, “Ballou’s Letter” brings a little Guy Clark into the mix, though it’s Townes that Luvaul might be channeling, and “The War In Not Over” is an eternal truth, related by a man who served his time in the US navy during the Vietnam conflict.
www.facebook.com/pages/Larry-Luvaul-Dont-Look-Back
Rob F.

Review: Greenrose Faire

Greenrose Faire - Neverending Journey (Independent)
Greenrose Faire is a six-piece medieval folk-rock band from Finland. I imagine live they’re an absolute blast, and go down a storm at medieval fairs, and suchlike, but “Neverending Journey”, their debut long-player, is worthy of attention in its own right. Their jaunty playing, Tomi Hyttinen’s songs and Salla Rimmi’s classic folk vocals come together to form something that falls between Steeleye Span’s finer moments and the hugely enjoyable Circulus. The fact that their record sleeve brings to mind the minstrels in Ingmar Bergman’s “The Seventh Seal” just adds to the kudos.

Unusually for this sort of project, they neither pander to metal fans or proggers. Instead they stick to their own vision of five hundred year old song and dance music, with the latter desire to get an audience moving, an important factor. It’s rare that I come across so many instruments that I don’t know. These include a dadgad guitar, mandocello, Irish bouzouki and çifteli. If their desire was to worry my spellchecker, they’ve succeeded on several counts.

There are a number of tracks on “Neverending Journey” that I find myself returning to with some frequency. The opening call to arms of “Dance 'Til Morning Light” seems to function in the same way as Fairport’s “Come All Ye” on “Liege And Lief”. “Beggars And Thieves” has all the energy of The Levellers at their most strident (I am, of course referring to the crusty folk-rock band rather than the 17th century English radicals), and not forgetting “Witchdance”, another floorshaker, and not unlike All About Eve – but considerably more fun.
www.greenrosefaire.com
Rob F.

Review: Mahoney & The Moment

Mahoney & The Moment - S/T (Independent)
Mahoney & The Moment are Steve Mahoney and Emily Moment, and my goodness; they’ve got an ear for a tune. Inspired by fresh love, of each other and the cities they live in (New York and London), their take on folk pop is upbeat, buoyant and positively life affirming. I imagine long term exposure to their self-titled debut might actually be good for me, though, as with all alternatives to conventional health guidelines, no-one’s prepared to do the clinical trials. Shame.

Anyway, I digress. Steve and Emily have released themselves a record that exudes gentle optimism, like the first Crosby, Stills and Nash album, or Fleetwood Mac, before the bed hopping. Their vocals mesh beautifully, taking songs like “When She Smiles Back At Me” and “Roadtrip” to new levels, and individually they’re almost as good. Steve’s got a Paul Simon thing going on; check out “The Next Love” and Emily’s New York urbane twang is magnificent on “If You Only Asked Me To”.

It’s an album custom made for driving around in the summertime, with the windows down, sharing those good vibes with whoever’s lucky enough to be listening. Unfortunately, summer’s over, so they’ll be keeping me warm in the winter instead. Them, and a great big oil heater.
www.facebook.com/MahoneyandtheMoment
Simon M.

Review: Ike Moriz - Sunday

Ike Moriz – Sunday (Mosquito Records London)
It would be wonderfully neat and tidy to state that ‘Ike Moriz is South Africa’s answer to…’. Unfortunately, that’s too difficult a sentence to finish. I don’t think there’s another artist in the world that’s so adaptable to different styles and sounds in the way Moriz is. His “Breathing Dreams” album (also released this year) was a pop/rock album that touched on everything from indie pop to Bowie inspired glam. It could’ve (perhaps should’ve) been a mess, but it wasn’t, it was focused and inspired, and always entertaining. “Sunday” (just one of three albums released in 2011) is a completely different sort of record. Here he takes inspiration from the great easy-listening singers of the ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s, and for the most part, the Great American Songbook provides the material.

“Sunday” opens with a Broadway number, written back in 1940 by Nancy Hamilton and Morgan Lewis. “How High The Moon” has been famously covered by Les Paul and Mary Ford, Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughan, and there are countless instrumental versions on offer, but Moriz does the song credit, performing the words with a smile on his lips, and his band keep it upbeat, though instrumentally sparse. Piano is often the lead instrument, and Moriz plays it jazzy and light. It perfectly suits his voice. Other standout tracks on this 16-track collection include Johnny Mercer’s “Satin Doll” and the absolutely charming version of Cole Porter’s “What Is This Thing Called Love?”. Fans of contemporary jazz singers, as well as the old guard, would do well to keep an eye on Moriz. I, for one, am already looking forward to his next record.
www.ikemoriz.com
Rob F.

Review: 6 East

6 East - Living The Dream (Independent)
6 East is Cape Cod duo Todd Nickerson and Jonathan Soucy, and on their debut long-player they’re joined by percussionists Rob Loyot and Sam Holmstock (both from Entrain) and Mike Levesque (drummer for artists such as David Bowie and Susan Tedeschi). The result is an album with tight production and a layered, full band sound, yet it retains certain frayed edges, and the listener is under no illusion that they’re listening to a record with folk song at its core. And like all the best folk songwriters, Nickerson and Soucy have got a message, which sometimes they deliver unambiguously and at other times with lashings of irony. It’s for the listener to decide where the dividing lines are.

“Living The Dream” appears to be a not to distant cousin of Springsteen’s “Born In The USA” insofar that you’ve got to listen beyond the title to hear the song. “Afraid In America” makes a more obvious statement. Both songs are arranged into straight-ahead tunes that it’s difficult not to interact with. In other words, you will sing-a-long. Nickerson and Soucy both sing in big clear voices, and there’s no loss of clarity or meaning, oblique or otherwise.

There’s a lot of information to take in here, an abundance of songs with depth and worth, and it’s a fine collection that works on both an intellectual and, dare I say it, purely superficial level. I’m becoming more enamoured with it each time I hear it. File it at the folk end of your Americana rack, though it may well take up residence in your CD player.
www.6east.net
Rob F.

Review: The Ballad Of AJ Weberman (DVD)

The Ballad Of AJ Weberman – DVD (Ghost Ship Films)
AJ Weberman, the man who famously invented garbology (the art of trawling through a celebrity’s rubbish bins to find out the good stuff). Weberman’s obsession was Bob Dylan who he ruthlessly stalked, and then literally published the dirt. “The Ballad Of AJ Weberman” catches up with the man and his ‘associates’ and he’s still just as fascinated with Dylan and his songs. His claims, about uniquely understanding Dylan and his message, are always compelling, though undoubtedly flawed.

Personally, I envy him a little. Us 21st century types flit from pillar to post, never getting too passionate about anyone or anything. It must be nice to dedicate / waste your life trying to get under the skin of one particular artist, taking them apart and seeing how they tick, though I’m not sure Dylan’s of the same mind. This isn’t the most comfortable viewing, but it is compulsive.
www.balladofajweberman.com
Simon M.

New Reviews

Catch up with our New Reviews on the main Leicester Bangs website:

http://www.leicesterbangs.co.uk/reviews.html

New Reviews (10-10-11)

This Weeks Big New Releases:
Ryan Adams
Evanescence
Radiohead
Peter Gabriel
Bjork
Tom Waits

Reviews:
Mott The Hoople (DVD)
Brittany Lumley
Mekons
One Hand Free
Melia
Rita Hosking
Mark Viator & Susan Maxey
Shimmering Stars
Carrie Rodriguez & Ben Kyle
Sarah MacDougall
Ziggy Played Surf Guitar
Blue Coupe

The Black Keys. New album & dates:

The Black Keys' new album El Camino will be released 5th December on Nonesuch Records. Produced by Danger Mouse and The Black Keys, the 11-track album was recorded at singer/guitarist Dan Auerbach’s Easy Eye Sound studio in the band’s new hometown of Nashville during the spring of 2011.

In advance of the release, the album’s first single, ‘Lonely Boy’, will be released on 26th October. The complete track-listing is below, plus album artwork and new band photo.

El Camino follows the most successful two years in The Black Keys’ career. In May 2010 they released their breakthrough album, Brothers, to widespread critical acclaim. Debuting at #2 in the US, it went on to win three Grammy Awards and an MTV Video Music Award, and figured highly in numerous year-end lists, including Q, MOJO, iTunes and Rolling Stone. Brothers, which included the hit singles ‘Tighten Up’ and ‘Howlin’ for You’, has been certified Gold in the US and UK, and Platinum in Canada. Worldwide sales are now over one million.

Drummer Patrick Carney said of the band’s recent success, “We’ve taken the long road to get where we are. It’s pretty cool to be in your early 30s making music with your best friend. We’ve experienced everything from driving a thousand miles to play for no one to winning Grammys.” Auerbach further describes the band’s dynamic, “We don't talk before we play. We don’t practice before we record, we just fly by the seat of our pants.” He says of El Camino, “I think where this record is going to shine for me is playing the songs live. This record is more straight ahead rock and roll – raw, driving, and back to basics.”

The Black Keys released their debut album, The Big Come Up, in 2002, followed by Thickfreakness (2003) and Rubber Factory (2004). In 2006 the band released their fourth album, Magic Potion, which was followed by the Danger Mouse-produced Attack & Release in 2008. El Camino is the first Black Keys album Nonesuch will release worldwide.

To follow the release of the new album The Black Keys have announced a headline tour of Europe in January & February 2012. The band's Alexandra Palace show on 10th Feb sold out within a week of going on-sale. Due to demand, extra dates have been added in Manchester (7th Feb) and London (9th Feb) and will go on sale this Friday… UK live info below:

Friday 3 February – NOTTINGHAM – Capital FM Arena (£21)
Saturday 4 February – EDINBURGH – Corn Exchange (£21)
Monday 6 February – MANCHESTER – Apollo **(SOLD-OUT!)**
Tuesday 7 February – MANCHESTER – Apollo (£21) *
Thursday 9 February – LONDON – Alexandra Palace (£23) *
Friday 10 February – LONDON – Alexandra Palace **(SOLD-OUT!)**

* Extra dates just added due to demand, on-sale 14th October.

El Camino track-list:
1. Lonely Boy
2. Dead and Gone
3. Gold on the Ceiling
4. Little Black Submarines
5. Money Maker
6. Run Right Back
7. Sister
8. Hell of a Season
9. Stop Stop
10. Nova Baby
11. Mind Eraser

www.leicesterbangs.co.uk

DWEEZIL ZAPPA PLAYS ZAPPA: All dates...

Dweezil Zappa and The Zappa Family Trust present...
The Music of Frank Zappa

DWEEZIL ZAPPA PLAYS ZAPPA
NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2011 UK TOUR
www.zappa.com
www.dweezilzappaworld.com
www.zappaplayszappa.com

"Close your eyes for a second and you could be at a gig at the height of Frank's fame in the Seventies" The Independent

Following the success of last year's Zappa plays Zappa concert as part of the Roundhouse's 70th birthday celebrations for Frank Zappa, Dweezil Zappa and The Zappa Family Trust are delighted to bring the show to the UK in November and December 2011 for a 13 date UK tour (dates below) ...

These spellbinding performances will see Zappa's eldest son Dweezil and his band 'Zappa Plays Zappa' performing the classic 1974 album 'Apostrophe' in sequence and in it's unmitigated entirety, as well as a host of other Zappa favourites; and in a final twist, the performance will also feature a section - from grave to stage - in which Frank himself will perform with the band via synchronized audio/video technology using unreleased video footage.

As Dweezil says,
"Not only will we be performing with Frank once again via the technological wonderment of enhanced video during the live performance, but we will also be performing the works from one of his most well known albums. That's right, 'Apostrophe', played in it's album running order. It's always been one of my favourites and it's certainly a fan favourite as well."
"My very first experience playing to a large audience took place in the UK. I played at the Hammersmith Odeon with my dad when I was 12 years old. All these years later I still feel a connection to the UK because it's part of a touchstone type of memory for me. One day I would love to come full circle and play at that venue again with my band. I know the venue now lives on under a different name but there's a parallel there. My father's music is also living on under a slightly different name, Dweezil Zappa Plays Zappa."
"I'm really looking forward to this upcoming tour especially on the heels of the Roundhouse Zappa festival. That was such a great experience. We'll be playing the entire Apostrophe album on tour and that really is a lot of fun. We'll have some other surprises in the set as well. We always strive to learn new material each time we tour and this time we're going to dig deep." DZ

The dates are as follows:

NOVEMBER 2011
Thurs 17th York, Barbican
0844 8542757 / http://www.yorkbarbican.co.uk £24.50 / £28.50

Fri 18th Gateshead, The Sage
0191 4434661 / http://www.thesagegateshead.org/ £28.50

Sat 19th Edinburgh, Picturehouse
0843 2210100 / http://venues.meanfiddler.com/hmv-picture-house/home £28.50

Mon 21st Liverpool, Philharmonic Hall
0151 7093789 / http://www.liverpoolphil.com/ £10.00 / £18.50 / £23.50 / £28.50 (main price) / £33.50 (boxes)

Tue 22nd Manchester, Bridgewater Hall
0161 9079000 / http://www.bridgewater-hall.co.uk/ £24.50 / £28.50

Wed 23rd Cambridge, Corn Exchange
01223 357851 / http://www.cornex.co.uk/ccm/portal/ £28.50

Thu 24th Basingstoke, Anvil
01256 844244 / http://www.anvilarts.org.uk/ £28.50

Sat 26th Coventry, Warwick Arts Centre
0247 6524524 / http://www.warwickartscentre.co.uk/ £24.50 / £28.50

Sun 27th Leicester, De Montfort Hall
0116 2333111 / http://www.demontforthall.co.uk/?cat_id=1&level=1 £24.50 / £28.50

Mon 28th Oxford, New Theatre
0844 8471585 / http://www.newtheatreoxford.org.uk/index.asp?VenueID=103 £29.50

Tue 29th London, Barbican
0207 6388891 / http://www.barbican.org.uk/ £29.50

Wed 30th Bristol, Colston Hall
0117 9223686 / http://www.colstonhall.org/ £25.00 / £28.50

DECEMBER 2011
Thu 1st Brighton, Dome
01273 709709 / http://www.brightondome.org/ £28.50