Sydney, AU. (SONY BMG MUSIC Entertainment) - Formed in 1984 and winners of the first ever Mercury
Music Prize for 1991's 'Screamadelica', the freakin' genius
Primal Scream have influenced a generation of fans over their 20 year career. This summer they return with a series of live dates and their eagerly anticipated ninth studio LP, 'Riot City Blues' featuring Warren Ellis (Dirty Three), Will Sergeant (Echo and The Bunnymen) and Alison Mosshart (The Kills) on June 5. Fronted by former Jesus & Mary Chain's
Bobby Gillespie with Andrew Innes (guitar), Robert Young (guitar), ex-Felt keyboardist
Martin Duffy (keyboards) and
Stone Roses bass guitarist Robert 'Mani' Mounfield,
Primal Scream signed to Alan McGee's Creation Records in 1985 and the rest is history.
Beginning a career that has spanned eighteen hit singles, the band's 1987 debut LP 'Sonic Flower Groove' was influenced by The Byrds, Velvet Underground and the C86 scene. Not only did it publicly introduce the band, but it also set the tone for a musical style that would define the following decade and pave the way for bands like The Stone Roses and The Happy Mondays.
Their follow-up album 'Primal Scream' witnessed a musical progression for the band, but it was 1991's Mercury Music Prize winning 'Screamadelica' which became their landmark release, changing the face of British pop music with its kaleidoscopic fusion of dance, dub, techno, acid house and rock.
They returned in 1994 with 'Give Out but Don't Give Up' which was recorded in Nashville and featured the hit single 'Rocks', but with 1997's 'Vanishing Point' they created a more complex dynamic of the indie allure which characterised their debut release, re-establishing the group as a major force in British rock.
Two Top Ten albums followed - 'XTRMNTR' and 'Evil Heat' in 2000 and 2002 respectively - boasting a greater electronic feel and new musical direction for the band. In 2003 they released their 'Dirty Hits' collection, a retrospective of their career to date.
This year they return with 'Riot City Blues' and the new single 'Country Girl'. Laid down live on the studio floor at London?s Olympic Studios, it was produced by Youth and features and impressive supporting cast - Will Sergeant from Echo & The Bunnymen, Warren Ellis of Nick cave & The Bad Seeds and Alison Mosshart from The Kills.
Containing ten songs written by Primal Scream, the album will be previewed at the band's live dates next month, which include a date at London's Astoria on April 6th, plus UK festivals this summer.
