Nineties UK Rock Band Gene to Make First US Live Appearances in Nearly a Quarter Century This Winter

photo: Jim Mitcham

Since I interviewed the band during its heyday, I'm hoping to catch the SoCal appearance...

Veteran Britpop band Gene will do its first North American shows in 24 years, after reuniting last year to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the band’s debut album, Olympian.

Original members Martin Rossiter (vocals), Matt James (drums), Steve Mason (guitars) and Kevin Miles (bass) shared the stage together again for the first time since a farewell show in London in 2004.

After a run of sold-out UK shows earlier this year, and the release of the live album, ‘Apollo’, recorded at the band’s return in London last October, Gene will play select dates in North America this November, which include the Darker Waves festival on November 14. Ensuring what will be a very welcome return to these shores after an absence of over two decades, Martin Rossiter says, “In this increasingly bleak world, come and throw your arms in the air, and your legs if you must, for an evening of vim and vigour.”

After being approached at the end of 2024 about the possibility of playing again as Gene by Creation Records founder Alan McGee and Toura Toura’s Kevin Fitzgerald, the four band members met for the first time in many years, and the speed at which things have progressed since is testament to the group’s enduring passion and immediate reconnection.

“All four of us met up, probably for the first time since our last gig (in 2004), and it immediately felt just like it had always been,” explains Matt James. “We were always very self-depreciating as a group and the banter quickly kicked back in. After a few quips barked across the pub table we relaxed and we all laughed a lot. Straightaway it felt like we were a band again.”
“We all put our energy into making this musically spectacular,” explains Martin. “Within five minutes, the conversations between the four of us had reached the point of, 'how do we make this brilliant?' So that drive is still there, the dynamic was still there and so I started daydreaming about what it would be like to waggle my – slightly larger – ass on the stage one more time.”

Gene formed in 1993 and made their debut with the single For The Dead the following year on the indie label Costermonger, which was founded especially for the release by the journalists and authors Keith Cameron and Roy Wilkinson. Limited to 1,994 copies, the seven-inch sold out in two days.

The band’s debut album, Olympian, arrived in 1995, with singles Sleep Well Tonight, Haunted By You, and the title track – and would reach the UK Top 10. Olympian was followed in 1996 by rarities and b-side collection To See The Lights, before second full album, Drawn To The Deep End, also went straight into the UK Top 10 in 1997, with hits Fighting Fit, We Could Be Kings, Where Are They Now? and Speak To Me Someone. 1999’s Revelations and 2002's Libertine came next. 

Reflecting the live reputation the band enjoyed throughout their career – both for their shows and as festival favorites – Gene’s then final gig took place at the London Astoria on December 16th, 2004.

In their absence, Gene’s influence has still been keenly felt, not only earning continued plays on UK radio stations including BBC 6 Music and Absolute, while enjoying growing streaming numbers, but the group’s entire back catalogue was re-pressed on vinyl in 2020, alongside the release of new best of collection, Yours For The Taking. 

While Olympian’s 30th birthday year added a great sense of occasion for the band and fans alike, the four-piece was keen to ensure the London show (and all future shows) was a celebration of everything Gene stood for. “Olympian’s anniversary was a good reason for doing it, but we looked forward to playing songs from all of our career,” says Matt. “It’s a lot of fun playing as Gene again.”

In celebration of the band’s return, a live album, ‘Apollo’, has just been released. More than 5,000 fans packed the sold-out Hammersmith Apollo in London last October.

The LP showcases some of the band’s best-known songs — including Olympian, We Could Be Kings, Speak to Me Someone, Fighting Fit, and For the Dead — alongside deeper cuts, B-sides, and rarities specially rehearsed for the show. 

Track listing:

1. London, Can You Wait?
2. Be My Light, Be My Guide
3. We Could Be Kings
4. Where Are They Now?
5. Truth Rest Your Head
6. Your Love It Lies
7. Longsleeves For The Summer
8. Sleep Well Tonight
9. Save Me I’m Yours
10. O Lover
11. Speak To Me Someone
12. A Car That Sped
13. Walking In The Shallows
14. Haunted By You
15. Olympian
16. For The Dead
17. Sick, Sober & Sorry
18. Fighting Fit
19. I Can’t Help Myself
20. Who Said This Was The End?

Live shows:

Jun 26 - Southampton, UK - The Brook
Jun 27 - Newport, UK - Corn Exchange
Jun 28 - Lancaster, UK - Kanteena
Sep 25 - Valencia, ES - Visorfest
Oct 9 - London, UK - The Roundhouse
Oct 10 - London, UK - The Roundhouse
Nov 12 - San Francisco, CA - The Fillmore
Nov 14 - Huntingdon Beach, CA - Darker Waves Festival
Nov 16 - Chicago, IL - Bottom Lounge
Nov 17 - Toronto, ON - Danforth Music Hall
Nov 19 - Washington, D.C - Howard Theatre
Nov 20 - New York, NY - Sony Hall

Tickets available from all venues and www.geneofficial.com

Little Big Town To Unveil New Album in August

Little Big Town – Karen Fairchild, Kimberly Schlapman, Phillip Sweet, and Jimi Westbrook – have announced their 12th studio album, It’s A Dying Art, arriving August 28 via MCA. Co-produced by Gena Johnson and Fairchild, the release features collaborations with Ashley Monroe, Jason Isbell, and Kelsea Ballerini.

The album is available for pre-order now in multiple physical and digital configurations, including CD, vinyl and retailer-exclusive variants. LittleBigTown.com will feature limited runs of exclusive signed and special color vinyl editions. Pre-order/pre-save HERE.

Latest single “Over and Over” was co-written by Fairchild, Ashley Ray, Jonnie Simpson and Madi Yanofsky. The group debuted it live at this year’s Stagecoach. Listen HERE. Earlier this month, the group debuted the first offering from the upcoming album, “Hey There Sunshine” at the 61st Academy of Country Music Awards. Watch the video HERE.

Track listing:

1. Intro
2. Sucker For A Sad Song (with Ashley Monroe)
3. The Door (with Jason Isbell)
4. Dying Art
5. Hey There Sunshine
6. Over And Over
7. The Idea
8. We Could Have It All
9. Crickets
10. Closing Time (with Kelsea Ballerini)
11. Long Way To Your Heart
12. It's Coming Around
13. Jet Plane

The Long-Awaited Return of The Durutti Column

More than forty years after their debut, The Durutti Column - guitarist Vini Reilly, drummer and percussionist Bruce Mitchell and producer and instrumentalist Keir Stewart - return with new album 'Renascent' on July 31.

It marks the group’s first collection of new material since 2010’s A Paean to Wilson and carries a Factory Too catalogue number in collaboration with Oliver Wilson, continuing the legacy of Manchester, UK's famed Factory Records. Visually, Renascent reunites the band with original Factory design collaborators, Mark Holt and Hamish Muir of 8vo. 

Musically, “Every single piece of music writes itself,” Reilly notes. Longtime collaborator Mitchell recalls the instinctive nature of ideas captured quickly, often in a single take. Stewart expands on this philosophy, emphasizing freedom and presence. 

The album was assembled over several years in an organic fashion. Recording sessions often took place informally, sometimes in Reilly’s own kitchen, with minimal equipment and an emphasis on immediacy. “For Friends Everywhere” revisits “For Belgian Friends” (from 1980’s A Factory Quartet). Rearranged as an orchestral octet, it transforms a long-standing live favorite. 

For Reilly, “empathy is the essence of humanity, if you lose that ability to empathize, it’s the deadening of your own soul.” Renascent's pieces were often shaped by personal connections and human stories. 

“Vin’s songs are constantly surprising,” says Mitchell, “you want to keep on listening to them over and over again.” On hearing the completed Renascent Mitchell says: “it’s like a child that leaves home for a long time and then they return and you love them all the more all over again.”

First track “Liars” (listen/watch here) consists of Reilly repeating “I am sorry, I love you.” It’s also evident in Renascent being among the most collaborative albums Durutti have made – and not just because of the increased input of Mitchell and particularly of Stewart. Reilly’s Manchester neighbor, folktronica artist Caoilfhionn Rose sings on “Agonistes” and sings and plays piano on “Sargasso Sea.”

Few people are more unpredictable than Reilly, who says, “From the moment we’re born we’re never ever instigative, only ever reactive. It’s like Newton’s law of motion, if you’re not pushing against anything, you lose momentum.” 

The album will be available across a number of formats including digital, CD (both with the bonus track “All They See is Fire”) and transparent yellow vinyl. There will also be a limited edition vinyl LP featuring alternative artwork, pressed on bottle green vinyl and featuring an oversized booklet. The official Durutti Column store will host some very limited editions including a cassette, and a very special edition slipcase version of the album (limited to 1,000 copies worldwide) with alternative artwork, heavyweight black vinyl, a DVD with visualizers for every track, 4 art prints and a folded poster. Rough Trade have their own exclusive edition of the album (limited to 500 copies), a split purple / green vinyl version, with a bonus flexi disc of “All They See is Fire.”

In recent years, songs by The Durutti Column have surfaced across television, gaming soundtracks and high fashion runways. 

About The Durutti Column:

From their arrival in 1980 with The Return of the Durutti Column, released on Tony Wilson’s Factory Records, The Durutti Column stood apart from the post punk making waves in the UK. In recent years, artists like Frank Ocean, The Avalanches, Yung Lean, Youth Lagoon and Mark William Lewis have declared or demonstrated Durutti’s influence. In the past year Blood Orange sampled “Sing to Me” for 2025’s single “The Field,” and the band was hymned by Harry Styles as a key influence on 2026’s Kiss All the Time. Disco Occasionally.

Styles has involved the band in his curation of this year's Meltdown Festival, where they will be celebrated with a special concert For Vini: A Tribute to The Durutti Column on June 17 in London. Renascent producer Keir Stewart (guitar, bass, samples, keys) will be joined by Durutti Column collaborators Liz Rossi (violin, piano), Caolfhionn Rose (vocals, piano) and Sam Morris (French horn) as they interpret key moments across the band’s six decade career.

LISTEN | WATCH“LIARS”

PRE-ORDER/SAVE

Track Listing:

Echoes In The Memory
Your Shadow At Morning
Time Present And Time Past
Agonistes
Liars
Vapour In A Matchbox
Your Shadow At Evening
Sargasso Sea
Scammer
For Friends Everywhere
All They See Is Fire (CD / digital bonus track)

Album Reviews: Social Distortion, Red Rockers - Live, Romeo Void - Live

Social Distortion

Born to Kill

(Epitaph)

Led by singer/guitarist Mike Ness, Social Distortion was a vital part of the OC punk scene during the ‘80s and saw commercial success in the ‘90s via such modern rock radio hits as “Ball & Chain,” “Bad Luck,” “Cold Feelings,” “Let it Be Me” and “I Was Wrong.” 

Now, Social D is back with a vengeance on Born to Kill, its first studio album in 15 years. The creative fire still burns deep for Ness, who recently battled cancer. He co-produced this one with Dave Sardy (Oasis, Bush) and the powerful songs contain various hallmarks that made Social D the pride of Fullerton: pile-driving guitars and lyrics reflecting a battle-scarred survivor’s experience. 

Lucinda Williams duets with Ness on terrific old school country-tinged bar room tune “Crazy Dreamer”; the winsome roots rock-leaning “Tonight” sports a subtle Johnny Cash vibe, and “Partners in Crime” boasts psychedelic guitar bits and name checks David Bowie (Ness also pays subtle tribute to other idols like Lou Reed and Iggy & the Stooges on the fiery title track). Elsewhere, the band surprises with an edgy, compelling cover of Chris Isaak’s “Wicked Game” (Ness’ falsetto is impressive), and Benmont Tench (Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers) adds welcome piano work here and there. Information: epitaph.com

Red Rockers

It’s in Our Blood

Romeo Void

Live ’81-‘85

(Liberation Hall)

Alt-rock bands Red Rockers and Romeo Void both formed in 1979 and released debut albums with like-minded titles (Condition Red; It’s a Condition) two years later on seminal San Francisco indie label 415 Records that were overseen by producer David Kahne. New Orleans’ Red Rockers, fronted by singer/guitarist John Thomas Griffith, found inspiration in The Clash’s punk ethos. Northern California’s Romeo Void and no-holds-barred vocalist Debora Iyall (a Patti Smith acolyte), leaned more toward new wave with jazz touches.

It’s in Our Blood documents a powerful ’23 hometown reunion show, where Red Rockers sound raucous as ever while playing the entire album plus Who and Clash covers. Live ’81-‘85 comprises engaging performances over that span from America and the UK/Europe. Standouts include the college/modern rock radio/dance club hits “Never Say Never” and “A Girl in Trouble (Is a Temporary Thing),” where Iyall’s sassiness and Benjamin Bossi’s wild sax work show why they were in a league all their own during the ‘80s. Each live title is available on LP, CD, digital; additionally, Red Rockers have a Blu-ray with two bonus tracks including its pop hit “China.” Romeo Void’s liner notes include lyrics and rare photos, while Red Rockers’ contain an essay. Information: liberationhall.com

Wang Chung Preps Deluxe Anniversary Edition of 'To Live and Die in L.A.,' Summer Tour with Howard Jones in July

Wang Chung have announced the 40th anniversary deluxe edition of their To Live and Die in L.A. soundtrack, arriving July 31 via Interscope Records. It was originally created at the personal request of director William Friedkin.

Pressed on Opaque Orange “L.A. Sunset” vinyl, the deluxe 2LP edition features newly remastered audio, rare bonus material, extended mixes, and two previously unreleased 1985 demos, “Joy” and “So Cold.” Fans can also look forward to an expanded digital edition of the soundtrack, expected to arrive soon and featuring additional tracks and more to be revealed.

The expanded collection also includes “Dance Hall Days” and “Wait” — both featured in the film — with “Dance Hall Days” appearing on the soundtrack for the very first time, alongside the commercial debut of the instrumental “This One’s for You, White Boy.”

“After a number of years searching for the right partner for this project, we are very proud to announce the release of a deluxe, remastered double vinyl 40th anniversary edition of the soundtrack to To Live and Die in L.A. on Interscope Records,” said Jack Hues and Nick Feldman of Wang Chung. “We’re sure the long wait has been worth it and that fans will appreciate this beautifully packaged release.”

Best known worldwide for hits including “Everybody Have Fun Tonight,” “Dance Hall Days,” and “Let’s Go,” Wang Chung continue to tour globally. This summer, the duo will also hit the road across North America as part of Howard Jones’ “Things Can Only Get Better Tour” alongside Howard Jones, The English Beat, Modern English, and host Richard Blade.

Track Listing

DISC 1: DELUXE SOUNDTRACK

SIDE A

1. To Live and Die in L.A. 4:54
2. City of the Angels 9:17
3. Lullaby 4:43
4. The Red Stare 3:11
5. Black – Blue – White 2:22

SIDE B

1. Every Big City 5:12
2. Dance Hall Days 4:01
3. This One's for You, White Boy 3:42
4. Wake Up Stop Dreaming 4:35
5. Wait 4:25

DISC 2: BONUS TRACKS

SIDE C

1. To Live and Die in L.A. (Extended Mix) 5:57
2. Wake Up, Stop Dreaming (Extended Version) 5:43
3. City of the Angels (Radio Version Edit) 4:00
4. City of the Angels - Nervous Mix (B-Side) 2:26

SIDE D

1. Wait (Extended Dance Remix) 8:06
2. Joy (TLADILA Demo) 3:18
3. So Cold (TLADILA Demo) 4:27
4. To Live and Die in L.A. (Instrumental) 4:49

Tour Dates:

July 19 – Napa, CA – Blue Note Summer Sessions at Meritage Resort
July 20 – Saratoga, CA – The Mountain Winery
July 21 – Paso Robles, CA – Paso Robles Event Center
July 23 – Los Angeles, CA – Greek Theatre
July 24 – San Diego, CA – Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre
July 26 – Las Vegas, NV – Resorts World Theatre
July 29 – West Valley City, UT – Maverik Center
July 30 – Greenwood Village, CO – Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre
August 1 – Council Bluffs, IA – Harrah’s Stir Cove
August 4 – Austin, TX – ACL Live at Moody Theater
August 5 – Grand Prairie, TX – Texas Trust CU Theatre
August 7 – Indianapolis, IN – Everwise Amphitheater at White River State Park
August 8 – Rochester Hills, MI – Meadow Brook Amphitheatre
August 11 – Kettering, OH – Fraze Pavilion
August 12 – Lewiston, NY – Artpark Amphitheater
August 14 – Atlantic City, NJ – Borgata Resort Spa & Casino
August 15 – Washington, DC – The Anthem
August 19 – Boston, MA – Citizens House of Blues
August 20 – Wantagh, NY – Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater
August 21 – Holmdel, NJ – PNC Bank Arts Center
August 23 – Toronto, ON – The Bowl at Sobeys Stadium

Dexys Midnight Runners' new album arrives in September

Recently signed to Heavenly Recordings, Dexys Midnight Runners have announced their forthcoming album, LOVE, out on September 4. LOVE may mark the final chapter in Dexys Midnight Runners' journey. 

Their first release under the Dexys Midnight Runners name since 1985’s Don’t Stand Me Down after other albums under the shortened Dexys moniker, LOVE gathers stories spanning Kevin Rowland’s life - from his 2nd generation Irish childhood and family relationships to late-life romance, loss and reconciliation.

It was produced by Belfast musician/DJ David Holmes with Peter Schweir, long-time collaborators Sean Read, Mike Timothy, Jim Paterson and string arranger Brian Irving.

Pre-order LOVE HERE

Dexys Midnight Runners have also shared a video for "My Life In England Pt.1," the first single. Talking about the track, Kevin Rowland said:

"We put out a version of this song on a compilation album in 2003, but I felt we could improve on it. I wrote it a long time ago with Jim [Patterson], along with ‘My Life in England Pt. 2’. It’s all memories of my own experiences. Pete, that’s my brother. In my book [Bless Me Father], I changed his name to Pat. There’s quite a lot of overlap with the book in this one. We were in England dreaming of America: it was pre-Beatles, so it was Elvis, it was Sonny Liston, Cassius Clay, clothes, all of it was America. In the second verse, I’m remembering being in a social club listening to everyone singing Kevin Barry [a song about 18 year-old medical student and IRA soldier Kevin Barry, executed by the British government on 1st November, 1920] and my mum telling me ‘This song’s not allowed in England’. It was daytime, and all the curtains were drawn, everyone drinking, singing an illegal song. I remember thinking, Wow, yes, exciting! My childhood memories, I just wrote them down. You can’t really write on behalf of anybody else. Though I realised later that when I was growing up in north-west London, loads of the kids around there were second generation Irish. All obsessed with being up the front with the best clothes, with dancing to the new records."

Track Listing:

My Life In England Pt. 1
You’ve Got The Love
Once A Man, Twice a Child
You’re Alright
I Want To Be Holding You Next Christmas
I’ll Always Love You
Strange Feelin’
It’s Over Now
Old Love
My Life In England Pt. 2

Clairo Guests on Former Vampire Weekend Member Rostam's New Album 'American Stories' (Out Now)

photo: Matthew Weinberger

Grammy-winning recording artist, songwriter, producer, and composer Rostam has shared the latest single for his new album American Stories out now via his own label, Matsor Projects.

“Back of a Truck” was co-written by Rostam and Tobias Jesso Jr. The track pulls together elements of Americana and the traditional Persian music of his upbringing with Amir Yaghmai on electric saz and Daniel Aged playing pedal steel throughout the instrumental.

The music video for “Back of a Truck” tells a queer love story set on a road trip from New York City to Provincetown, MA. The video stars Milo Cassidy and Offering Rain and was directed by Antony Muse. 

Rostam says of the track:

““Back of a Truck” is about that feeling of being reminded of someone you used to know; hearing that song on the radio—or maybe it’s the smell of laundry that brings you back, then smiling to yourself and wishing them well, choosing to remember it in a way that lets go of the bad and holds on to the good.

Musically I wanted to make a song that captures the feeling of driving through America with your windows down. Putting elements next to each other that I had not heard together before. Country pedal steel next to Middle Eastern microtonal melodies. It feels like the America I know, and for that reason, it’s the centerpiece of the new record.”

CLICK TO WATCH “BACK OF A TRUCK” MUSIC VIDEO

Rostam recently hosted advance screenings of American Stories: A Concert Film in Los Angeles and New York City. The film sees Rostam teaming with his six piece band and director Antony Muse for an 8-song live performance shot at the legendary Sound City Studio A where Nirvana, Fleetwood Mac, Tom Petty and countless others have recorded.

He brought in fellow Iranian-American Amir Yaghmai (The Voidz) on the album. 

“At some point in making this record I realized the album I wanted to make was one that reflected my identity as both Iranian and American. Pushing the most Iranian elements right up against the most American ones brought me a certain kind of joy. The first time I put microtonal saz melodies over Western guitar chords, I was thrown off by the way the two rubbed together. But the more I listened the more I became drawn to that rub. I became addicted to it.”

He was joined by Clairo on vocals (for “Hardy”), Yaghmai on saz, violin and guitar, Daniel Aged on upright bass and pedal steel, Paul Cartwright on violin, Gabe Noel on cello and upright bass, Hamilton Berry on cello, Henry Solomon on flute and clarinet and Andrew Tachine and Joey Messina-Doerning on drums. 

While it’s been five years since his last solo album, Rostam has been working consistently with other artists in that time frame, including earning GRAMMY nominations for his production work with Haim and producing for Georgia, Carly Rae Jepson, Santigold and Vagabon.

The album’s cover is the American flag presented upside down. Rostam discusses the intentionality behind this choice:

“The presentation of the flag upside down is something that the Left, the Right, and the Native American Land Back movement have all made use of. It’s a symbology that’s shared by all these groups and yet could mean different things to each of us. I’m interested in that conversation; that conversation is fundamentally American.”

Track listing:

Like a Spark
Back of a Truck
Different Light
Hardy (feat. Clairo)
Forgive Is To Know
To Feel No Way
The Road to Death
Come Apart
The Weight

North American Tour Dates:

May 27 San Diego, CA @ Music Box*
May 30 Los Angeles, CA @ The Ford#*
June 3 San Francisco, CA @ The Chapel*
June 5 Vancouver, BC @ Fortune Sound Club!
June 6 Portland, OR @ Aladdin Theater!
June 7 Seattle, WA @ The Crocodile!
June 9 Boise, ID @ Neurolux*
June 10 SLC, UT @ The State Room*
June 11 Denver, CO @ The Gothic Theater *
June 13 Minneapolis, MN @ Fine Line KCMP/Electric Fetus*
June 14 Chicago, IL @ Thalia Hall*
June 15 Toronto, ON @ The Opera House*
June 17 Cambridge, MA @ The Sinclair*
June18 New York, NY @ Webster Hall#*
June 19 Philadelphia, PA @ Brooklyn Bowl*
June 20 Washington DC @ 9:30 Club!
June 22 Saxapahaw, NC @ Haw River Ballroom*
June 23 Atlanta, GA @ Terminal West*
June 24 Nashville, TN @ Basement East *
June 26 Austin, TX @ Mohawk*

# Zsela
* Henry Solomon
! Henry Solomon + Elori Saxl
^ Bad Actor