Echo & the Bunnymen frontman Ian McCulloch is planning to release his new solo album, Pro Patria Mori, this March. It's his first new album of original material since 2003's Slideling. He's releasing the album via PledgeMusic, where he's also currently funding it. As of this post, he is 74% of the way to reaching his target and there are 60 days left. You can help Ian out by pledging now.

Of the new album, Ian says:

I'm in the studio and I feel it's the same magic in the air as I felt when recording "The Killing Moon" and "Nothing Lasts Forever", amongst others.

Suffice to say, I'm thrilled about it all again. I just want to say that I can't wait for the people - you people - to hear these songs and share your feelings about (or Heavens to Murgatroyed, your lack of), and thoughts on them. Because you already know what I think.... "Different Trees", "Pro Patria Mori" and "Raindrops On The Sun" are the equi-greatest Holy Trinity of songs ever written.

Sincere thanks and love for your love and belief.

Ian McCulloch XXX

Ian will tour in support of the album this March. That tour includes California shows, two Chicago shows and a NYC show happening on March 31 at Le Poisson Rouge. Tickets for the NYC show are on sale now.

All dates below...

Continue reading "Ian McCulloch of Echo & the Bunnymen releasing solo album, schedules dates"

photos by Matthew Eisman

Echo & the Bunnymen @ Irving Plaza

In the last few months they've been extensively touring, playing their first two albums in their entirety each night: 1980's Crocodiles and 1981's Heaven Up Here. It has been very successful thus far, and in May, they bring the Crocodiles & Heaven Up Here Tour to the U.S. It's a real treat for fans who've been there since the beginning. Or fans like myself who dove into the entire discography and cherished these records years after their release. But does playing two entire albums every night wear them out?

"Well, we'll play both records in their entirety, then go offstage for a few, then come back and play more songs. Songs that aren't on either of those records, just ones we want to play anyway. It's a long show. It doesn't feel exhausting vocally; it's a pleasure really, and we all get a real thrill from it. I don't feel tired on stage. It's all split up; we play slower songs to relax a little then dive into rougher songs. There's an almost physical ebb and flow to it. Honestly, I could have a broken back, but once I'm on stage I don't feel anything else," said Ian McCulloch to the Aquarian Weekly

That tour, with Kelley Stoltz, came to NYC for shows at Irving Plaza on Friday and Saturday night. Pictures from the first night, and both setlists, below...

Continue reading "Echo & the Bunnymen & Kelly Stoltz played 2 nights @ Irving Plaza (night 1 pics, both setlists)"

Echo @ All Points West 2009 (more by Tim Griffin)

NY Magazine: A popular opinion about the Bunnymen is that, big as you are, you could have been as big as U2.

Ian McCulloch: Bands all say they want to be as big as U2, but weirdly no one ever says they're influenced by them. That's because there's nothing there, really. They've got good tunes, and you can see that it works on 14-year-olds. But I can't see mature people or kids who are looking for something, something deep--something that you just know it's art and it's going to change your life--caring. For U2 it's always flag-waving and "Yippee." That's a failing of Springsteen as well. I saw him at Glastonbury and it's like, What are you doing, climbing into the crowd? It's not a football match, it's about making someone see the light--a proper inside light.

As previously mentioned, you've got the chance to see a free performance by Echo and the Bunnymen frontman Ian McCulloch this evening (12/3) at Other Music in NYC. First come, first served. The record store show is part of a short promotional tour Ian is undertaking in NYC this week in lieu of the November Echo tour that was completely cancelled.

Last night (12/2) Ian performed at an invite-only event at the Esquire SoHo Apartment. It was said that he would be "playing acoustic tracks from the band's new album, 'The Fountain' - with guests invited to listen or even join the session."

Tomorrow (12/4) is yet another sort-of-private acoustic show, sponsored by East Village Radio, at the Studio at Webster Hall. I've got 10 pairs of tickets to give away if you want to go. Details below...

Continue reading "Echo & the Bunnymen's Ian McCulloch is here for some shows (win tickets to one of them) "