PLANK - 'HIVEMIND' - aA2w/066 - LP RELEASE & TOUR DATES for Summer 2014

 

aA2w/066

 PLANK . Hivemind . June 30th

It’s in the haze of a cloud of chirruping insects that Plank return, following their mammal-concerning debut LP Animalism two years ago, the instrumental trio and have thematically splintered the number of beings on new album Hivemind, paying homage to the millions of arthropods without which our global eco-system could not survive. It’s apt enough, really, because Plank themselves have opened up a whole new sub-species of sounds, elements and textures beyond their previous environment too, each track giving the feel of an overall movement through differing habitual undergrowth.

The album is dedicated to our friend and comrade Charlie Bayley aka Softpriest, who came up with the album title before his passing. Dave from Plank initially wanted to call it Insecticide before Charlie intervened. “He pointed out it seemed like a contradiction to have an album that was meant to be celebrating our insect brethren to then name it after the destroyer of all insects,” Dave says. “Hivemind worked on an entomological level and also suggested the collective mind set you need to you play in a band like Plank. It was perfect.”

Definitely an album designed for vinyl (it will be on 180 gram) with side A more song structures and side B should be listened to as one complete piece. Check out the opening track 'Grasshoppers From Mars' here: 

Grasshoppers from Mars by PLANK

The record will be out 30th June on CD, download and heavyweight vinyl and you can preorder it here and get a Grasshoppers mp3 right away - pre-order here via Bandcamp

PLANK

The album launch will be Friday 27th June at at Klondyke Club, Levenshulme - click here to purchase advance tickets at £6 - we'll have full details very soon...

 It's going to be a busy summer for the lads, who have a ton of festivals and their first European jaunt:

01st June - Hull Matinee - Hull, UK
05th June - Deaf Institute (with The Phantom Band) - Mcr, UK
13th June - Ramsgate Music Hall - Ramsgate, UK

14th June - Festival De Bestuiving - Utrecht, The Netherlands
15th June - Music City - Antwerp, Belgium
18th June - Kuze - Potsdam, Germany
19th June - Urban Spree - Berlin, Germany

21st June - The Water Rats - London, UK
27th June - Klondyke Club (album launch - tickets here), Levenshulme, Mcr, UK

Festivals
01st-03rd August - Cloudspotting Festival
07th -10th August - Beacons Festival
14th-17th August - Greenman Festival
5th-7th September - Festival Number 6
26th-27th September - Liverpool Psych Fest 

UPCOMING : THE PHANTOM BAND w/ PLANK : June 05th @DeafInstitue

We're well chuffed that Plank will be supporting one of our favourite bands ever The Phantom Band at The Deaf Institute on 5th June. The  Phantom Band have a new record out 'Strange Friend' that week on Chemikal Underground, we've heard it and it's a cracker. So get that and your tickets for this doubleheader of massive proportions here, quickly before it sells out...

TONIGHT : PLANK w/ VEI for FAT OUT at The Bay Horse, Thomas Street, Mcr

FAT OUT

After blowing minds at Sounds From The Other City last Sunday PLANK are back in Manchester tonight for a gig alongside long time cohort Vei, for ace promoters Fat Out.

The show's at The Bay Horse, is £3 in and starts at 8pm. What more do you want? The Facebook event page? Okay, it's here.

It's a PLANK HOLIDAY WEEKEND....!

 Not so fresh after last weekend's exploits in Hebden Bridge (thanks Waka!),  PLANK have 2 shows in the next week. First they're playing the always excellent Sounds From The Other City  playing Islington Mill at 6.30pm. 

There is loads of  other good stuff on as well of course, we highly recommend you catch Golden Teacher for the best party of your life.:


Golden Teacher - Dante And Pilgrim by Optimo Music
 

PLANK will then dust themselves down and come again for a Fat Out  night on May 8th at the Bay Horse with Vei. - click here for more info...
 

And we promise to have news of their second album very shortly and festival appearances. Hold those front pages... for now here's some videos they've done for their recent single, probably whilst on the good stuff by the looks of things:

White Rabbit presents...MUGSTAR, PLANK & FORMES in HEBDEN BRIDGE, FRI APRIL 25TH

WHITE RABBIT

On Friday 25th April PLANK are playing at Trades Club in Hebden Bridge for White Rabbit, alongside MUGSTAR and FORMES. Will's DJing and there's a few of us heading up there for pre-gig ales & food so it should be a good one.  It's easy to do the last train back to Manchester post-gig though if you want to stay on, there will be DJs til 2am

HEBDEN BRIDGE

Facebook info is here and see below for an overview on the acts from White Rabbit:

MUGSTAR

Liverpool’s Mugstar are one of the most respected psychedelic bands in the UK. They have been playing, performing and recording since 2003, and are adored for their heavy psychedelic Krautrock sound and intense live gigs.Mugstar’s first single ‘Spotlight over Memphis’ caught the ears of broadcaster John Peel and the band have never looked back, releasing a string of singles, EP’s and albums.Mugstar have show a tireless work ethic when it comes to playing live and earnt themselves a much deserved status as cult heroes. Mugstar were once again, one of the highlights of last year’s Liverpool International Festival of Psychedelia.

The band have also provided soundtracks to films including Ho Tzu Nyen’s ‘Earth’, the Singapore director’s imagining of a future post-disaster.

Most recent LP’s Axis and Centralia need to be heard to appreciated the dark psychedelic sound of MUGSTAR.

PLANK

PLANK are a three piece from Manchester. Refreshingly separate from their surroundings, they instead focus on an electronically expressive sound bourne out of a respect for the likes of 70’s Krautrock pioneers, Neu!, Cluster and Harmonia, alongside more wilfully expansive rock and mind bending electronics, as seen on the sprawling designs of 2012’s debut LP ‘Animalism’.

More recently PLANK have fully taken the plunge into gloriously off-kilter pop instrumentals and limb-seducing oscillations, with brilliant new single ‘Aphidelity’, taken from their forthcoming and ever more expansive second album due in May on Manchester label Akoustik Anarkhy Recordings.

FORMES

Formed in February 2012, Formes are a new up and coming 4 piece Psych/Prog act from Leeds, with recent support slots for the Cult of Dom Keller and The Telescopes.

“It’s a dark journey with a deep meaning and a vocal delivery well suited to the message. With fellow Yorkshire men Hookworms embarked on the Psych ship, Yorkshire looks set to inspire a revival up and down the country”….(Artrocker Magazine).

TRADES CLUB

PLANK! Update - TONIGHT in Liverpool then Hebden Bridge on April 25th

We'll have more PLANK! news very soon but until then, here's a heads up on some upcoming gigs:

LIVERPOOL

This evening they head over to Liverpool to play for our good friends Harvest Sun, supporting TRANS.

They say "Bernard Butler and Jackie McKeown's TRANS bring the groove to The Shipping Forecast (Liverpool) on Thursday. Support from Manchester's experimental Krautrock trio PLANK!.

Tickets £6 adv available online from http://bit.ly/18ZCR6b and in Probe Records on School Ln and from The Brink Liverpool on Parr St"

HEBDEN

Then next month they head up the Calder Valley to support MUGSTAR at Hebden Bridge's Trades Club.

Click here for full details and check out the biogs below:

25 April at 19:30–02:00

Hebden Bridge Trades Club

Holme street, HX7 8EE Hebden, West Yorkshire, United Kingdom

MUGSTAR

Liverpool’s Mugstar are one of the most respected psychedelic bands in the UK. They have been playing, performing and recording since 2003, and are adored for their heavy psychedelic Krautrock sound and intense live gigs. Mugstar’s first single ‘Spotlight over Memphis’ caught the ears of broadcaster John Peel and the band have never looked back, releasing a string of singles, EP’s and albums. Mugstar have shown a tireless work ethic when it comes to playing live and earnt themselves a much deserved status as cult heroes. They were once again, one of the highlights of last year’s Liverpool International Festival of Psychedelia.

The band have also provided soundtracks to films including Ho Tzu Nyen’s ‘Earth’, the Singapore director’s imagining of a future post-disaster.

Most recent LP’s Axis and Centralia need to be heard to appreciate the dark psychedelic sound of MUGSTAR.

Musgstar have recently provided support for Mogwai.

PLANK!

Plank are a three piece from Manchester. Refreshingly separate from their surroundings, they instead focus on an electronically expressive sound bourne out of a respect for the likes of 70’s Krautrock pioneers, Neu!, Cluster and Harmonia, alongside more wilfully expansive rock and mind bending electronics, as seen on the sprawling designs of 2012’s debut LP ‘Animalism’.

More recently Plank have fully taken the plunge into gloriously off-kilter pop instrumentals and limb-seducing oscillations, with brilliant new single ‘Aphidelity’, taken from their forthcoming and ever more expansive second album due in May on Manchester label Akoustik Anarkhy Recordings.

FORMES

Formed in February 2012, Formes are a new up and coming 4 piece Psych/Prog act from Leeds, with recent support slots for the Cult of Dom Keller and The Telescopes.

Formes release there first single in April, mixed by Mark Gardner from cult band Ride.

“It’s a dark journey with a deep meaning and a vocal delivery well suited to the message. With fellow Yorkshire men Hookworms embarked on the Psych ship, Yorkshire looks set to inspire a revival up and down the country”….(Artrocker Magazine).

+ White Rabbit Psychedelic Lightshow

+ DJ's Dave Ives (White Rabbit/Perfumed Garden), Will (Akoustik Anarkhy), Ned Netherwood (WasIst Das)

Planned stage times:

Formes - 8.30 til 9

Plank - 9.15 til 9.45

Mugstar - 10.00 til 11.00

DJ''s - 11.00 til 1.30

Last train friendly for folk travelling from Leeds and Manchester.

Tickets - £7/£9 direct from Hebden Bridge Trades Club and www.wegottickets.com or www.jumborecords.co.uk

& until then, how about an animation featuring last single 'Aphidelity' ?

Scott Lockhart Animation Showreel from Scott Lockhart on Vimeo.

THIS FRIDAY: Not aA but 'SAUSAGE FEST' @ The Eagle Inn, Salford

Sssssauages

This Friday at The Eagle Inn in Salford marks the inaugural running of 'Sausage Fest' - a night dedicated to prog rock, curated by PLANK!. 

Here's what they say...

Friday 31st January

8pm til late, free entry.

The Eagle Inn
18 Collier Street, Salford, Manchester, M3 7DW 

Salford's premier Prog Rock night.

"Unashamedly self-indulgent."

Playing some choice slices of Progressive Rock from the 60s, 70s and 80s.

As well as a bit of Kraut Rock, Jazz Fusion, Math Rock, Avant Garde, Space Rock, Italo Prog, French Synth Rock etc.

Come down, have a few pints, listen to Prog. Ace.

Raffle and Chilli (veggie option too).

Guest DJs:

Liam 'Platinum' Stewart & James Christopher Lawrence

More info can be found here & see below for a few 'tasters'...

In further PLANK!-related news you can now order the 7" vinyl of 'Aphidelity' - please see below, full blog post to follow:

Softpriest / Charlie Bayley 1967 - 2013

 Softpriest / Charlie Bayley 

Just before Christmas, our dear friend Charlie lost his long battle with cancer. 
As most of you know, Charlie (known to many as the Softpriest) had been a 
massive part of Akoustik Anarkhy right from the early days. He first appeared behind the decks with us at La Bodega (formerly the Cypress Tavern/Granby) in September 2000 before making his live debut as Rupert Thee Transformer at The Star & Garter in August 2001. 

His passion for new music and the obscure held no bounds and came to the fore during his iconic DJ sets from behind the Soft Priest Mobile Confessional at The Gardens Hotel and beyond. Charlie constantly surprised & delighted us with his total enthusiasm for new sounds & was the driving force in signing and looking after many of the acts on the aA label. 

Later releasing his own fantastically unique music on aA via cuts on the Class aA LP, the Soft Priest 'Done It' EP & his debut LP 'Enjoying Moths', Charlie was planning new releases before his truly sad passing.

We miss him dearly already and our thoughts are with his family. Through this tough time we take hope from all the wonderful memories he gave us. The travels and adventures, the long nights & early mornings, the music and the laughter he gave to us all. He was a true one off, the likes of which we won't see again and he will be with us always.

For those wanting to pay their respects, the funeral will be on Friday 10th January at midday at St Josephs R C Churchmore, Gorton Road, Stockport, Cheshire SK5 6AZ,  (Google map here) followed by the burial at 1.45pm at Mill Lane Cemetery, Stockport. 

Venue for The Wake after is Heaton Sports Club, Green Lane, Heaton Moor, SK4 2NF

Love & Mercy

aA x

PLANK! 'APHIDELITY' SINGLE LAUNCH, @ THE EAGLE, SALFORD

PLANK! will be marking the release of their new double aA sided single 'Aphidelity' / 'Babia Majora' this Saturday 21st December (FB event here) at the very fine The Eagle Inn in Salford...

 

  Plank - Aphidelity by PLANK

Plank - Babia Majora by PLANK

Doors will be 8pm, entry is £6 but be warned the live room at the back is very small so it's going to be tight. Advance tickets can be purchased from here. We'd advise getting down early to guarantee entry. It's a great little boozer anyway with a good selection of ales so perfect for to while away a winter afternoon. 

Click here for location on Google Maps - it's about 50 yards from Blueprint Studios..

Also we've Melodic Records' latest young prodigy HOWES providing the warm up, his EP was one of our favourite records of the year.. so search that out as well. aA DJs will be playing records throughout the night as well and into the early hours...

 
  Howes - TD-W700 / Leazes by Melodic Records

Talking of records, looks like we'll have a handful of hand numbered white label Plank! 7"s to sell on the night (you can also  pre-order it here)... looks like it will be a white Christmas after all then.

PLANK! - D/L new single 'APHIDELITY' TODAY, vinyl SOON COME

APHIDELITY!

PLANK! have fully taken the plunge into gloriously off-kilter pop instrumentals and limb-seducing oscillations on their BRAND NEW single ‘Aphidelity’. Check it out below.. we dare you to try and not dance to it... awkwardly.

It will be available on 7" and can pre order it here - you'll get the digital version of it right away.

We'll be holding somesort of party to mark the release, more on that soon...

THE TEA STREET BAND - FRIDAY NOV 22ND - GULLIVERS MCR

Facebook event thing here, advance tickets from here.

SEE YOU AT THE FRONT

aA NOV 22ND - THE TEA STREET BAND @ GULLIVERS, MANCHESTER

THE TEA STREET BAND

To say we're a bit excited about the next aA would be something of an understatement - we welcome undoubtedly Liverpool's most boss, THE TEA STREET BAND, to play live at the newly refurbished Gullivers on Oldham Street, Manchester. 

They're making their way across the M62 to celebrate the release of their forthcoming single 'Lost For Words' on Baltic Records. This will be a party. 

If you've not seen them before, think ecstasy, basslines, 10 minute trance-outs and it going right off. All night. Check out the embeds below for more audio. Their blog is worth a read too. 

Tickets for the party are only a fiver and can be picked up from here. Capacity is only 100 so if you wanna get in, get one ASAP. Facebook event thing here too. 

aA has previous with most of the band, in their former incarnation as The Maybes?, back when we put them on at the Piccadilly Gardens Hotel. Good times.

We'll confirm the rest of the support as soon as poss. Joining aA resident DJ Lego will be Jeffo from Eighty Six, hopefully knocking out some Quadrant Park classics to get it nicely warmed up. 

What else to say? Not much at all. The video has it all. 

We'll post more info as we get it. 

SUPER HYPED.

NEW SINGLE ON BALTIC RECORDS

TEA STREET LIVE

@LpoolPsychFest : LOST FOR WORDS SO HERE'S SOME PICTURES...

So we've made it back from Liverpool Psych Fest & wow, what a weekend...

From pitching up at 6pm Friday until we left 4am Sunday there was just too much good stuff on across the Camp, Furnace & Blade Factory spaces so for now, rather then try to recap every band we saw here's a selection of random photos & video taken at various psyched points....

THE BLADE FACTORY VISUALS

THE FURNACE FOR PSYCHIC ILLS

SONICBOOM HAD AN ART GALLERY THERE...

SCARY HOODS AHEAD OF CLINIC

 

BEHIND THE DECKS IN THE FURNACE

Massive congrats / props to Tom, Craig, Nicko & everyone else involved in the Festival, was amazing. We loved DJ-ing on Saturday night & even better, checking out about 12 months of bands in just over 2 days. Bring on next year....

BLADE FACTORY PANORAMA

A FEW OF THE RECORDS I PLAYED...

 & THAT WAS OUR PSYCH FEST, APART FROM A COUPLE OF HOURS SPENT HERE:

AFTER PARTY LOCATION

THIS WEEKEND - @LpoolPsychFest 2013, Camp and Furnace, L1 0BY

After all the fun of it's hugely successful 2012 debut, Liverpool Psych Festival returns this weekend for a two day programme of pretty much psych-perfection. 

Here's what they say...

"The Liverpool International Festival Of Psychedelia returns this September for two days of worship. This is the UK's largest celebration of psychedelic sub-culture.

Liverpool Psych Fest celebrates artists operating at the cutting edge of today's global psychedelic renaissance, alongside visual art, film, performance and mind expanding visual delights"

"A 150 microgram hit" The Quietus

Which is pretty bang on. 

The line up of live acts is listed below & we're DJ-ing from about 11.30 in the Furnace on Saturday night, just before Peaking Lights - pop by & say hi...if it's ready in time we hope to debut a certain aA act's new material...

For last minute ticket purchases and more info, check out the Psych site here.