Arab Strap to Split
By: Thomas Hannan
People often use the word 'depressing' like it's a bad thing. It's not. If a band could truly alter your emotional state to the point where you actually felt physically down after listening to them, then they were a really f**king special band. Like Arab Strap.
We're using the word 'were' there. Because Arab Strap are soon to be no longer a band. And that fact's nearly as depressing as their set at All Tomorrow's Parties a few years back which left me completely enthralled, but totally drained.
By way of saying goodbye before concentrating on their respective solo careers, the boys Aidan Moffat and Malcom Middleton are giving it one final bash, releasing the compilation 'Ten Years of Tears' on November 27th on the also recently deceased Delgados' Chemikal Underground records, an album which will feature not only the hits but b-sides, demos, remixes, new recordings, sessions and live tracks. Sounds huge, and apparently it's titled as it is as a dig at journalists who labelled them 'miserable'. Sorry guys, but you killed us.
"There's no animosity, no drama. We simply feel we've run our course,"
explained Aidan. "(Last LP) The Last Romance seems the most obvious and logical finalact of the Arab Strap studio adventure. Everybody likes a happy ending."
So laugh your arses off at the following venues on this upcoming farewell tour, ending at the venue where Arab Strap played their first show together. Sniff...
November:
1st NOTTINGHAM RESCUE ROOMS
3rd NORWICH ARTS CENTRE
5th PORTSMOUTH WEDGEWOOD ROOMS
6th LIVERPOOL THEATRE
7th BRISTOL THEKLA
8th LONDON SCALA
29th MANCHESTER ACADEMY 3
December
1st EDINBURGH CABARET VOLTAIRE
2nd ABERDEEN TUNNELS
3rd GLASGOW KING TUTS
4th GLASGOW KING TUTS
December 4th, then. That's it. No more Arab Strap. The world might be a happier place. But it won't be a better one.