Pere Ubu reuniting with '70s/'80s bassist Tony Maimone for shows

Art punk legends Pere Ubu are going on a short Italy tour later this year, but first they’ve got two US shows: a club show at NYC’s Le Poisson Rouge (8/17) and Providence’s AS220 Foo Fest the next day. Current bassist Michele Temple is unable to make it to the Italy tour, so, excitingly, the band is welcoming back Tony Maimone, who was their bassist from 1976 to 1993 and played on all of their classic ’70s and ’80s records. Tony, who lives in Brooklyn, will play the NYC show too.

Frontman (and only remaining original member) David Thomas said, “Michele had some scheduling difficulties with the Italy dates so it was perfect that Tony was available and wanted in. It’s a band protocol that if you play for us, you fall into the ‘Once Ubu, Always Ubu’ category – Tom Herman made a comeback in 2016 for some live dates and now we have Tony returning. Everyone loves Tony – and he’s one of the few that could fill Michele’s shoes.” Tony added, “Someone asked me what I think would be different from then and now. I expect the volume on stage will be not as loud as it used to be at the Pirates Cove! But aside from that, there’s no real difference – breathe deeply and enjoy being with old and new friends.”

Pere Ubu are promising songs from last year’s 20 Years In A Montana Missile Silo album, as well as classics. Local bands Stuyedeyed and A Deer A Horse are opening the show. Tickets are on sale.

All dates are listed, with a stream of Pere Ubu’s Tony Maimone-era classic “The Modern Dance,” below.

Pere Ubu — 2018 Tour Dates
8/17 Le Poisson Rouge New York, NY
8/18 AS220 Foo Fest Providence, RI (not with Tony Maimone)
9/9 LiveRock Festival Acquaviva, Italy
9/10 Centro Pasetti Monteprandone, Italy
9/11 FreakOut Bologna, Italy
9/12 Monk Rome, Italy
9/13 Santeria Social Club Milan, Italy