by Bill Pearis

In other not-till-October news, Echo & the Bunnymen's Ocean Rain show at Radio City Music Hall is coming up sooner than it seems -- October 1 -- and tickets are still available. As much as I LOVE that album, I must admit I haven't pulled the trigger on tickets just yet, though I'm sure I will. Just the idea of hearing "The Killing Moon" and "Silver" with a full orchestra is exciting.

Opening for that show are one of the UK's most-talked (praise and derision) bands of the year, Glasvegas, who former Creation records honcho Alan McGee called "the sound of young Scotland, and the most exciting thing I've heard since the Jesus and Mary Chain in the 80s." Of course he said the same thing about Heavy Stereo and other bands we don't remember, but the Glasvegas hype train hasn't derailed yet. McGee's hyperbolic statement notwithstanding, his comparison to the Mary Chain makes sense. They take a '50s greaser rock n' roll (including doo-wop-y ballads) and covering it in a layer of guitar effects and white noise that's nearly as thick as singer James Allen's nearly impenetrable Glasgow accent. (They've also got a standup drummer, just like Bobby Gilespie, except theirs is a girl.) I have to admit I like them, though the name makes me cringe.

In addition to the Bunnymen show, Glasvegas are doing a short East Coast tour, including a stop at Mercury Lounge on October 4. (Tickets are on sale). All dates and a video below...

Continue reading "Glasvegas - 2008 Tour Dates (Echo & The Bunnymen, Merc)"