While Swans have recently denied its “reunion” status (TMT News), saying that it’s “not some dumb-ass nostalgia act,” The Pop Group have decided to go the “dumb-ass nostalgia act” route by “blow[ing] the dust off the old songs and pick[ing] up where [they] left off.” According to ATP Concerts, Bristol’s acclaimed post-punkers The Pop Group are reuniting for four club dates in September, with two performances in Italy and a couple more in London.
The reunion features Mark Stewart (vocals), Gareth Sager (guitar, keys, sax), Bruce Smith (drums), and Dan Katsis (bass), the lineup from their second and final album, For How Much Longer Must We Tolerate Mass Murder. We suspect they’ll be playing tunes from that album and their debut release, Y. While only four dates have been announced so far, the band is at the very least planning to bring the “dumb-ass nostalgia act” to some festivals in 2011.
No word if The Pop Group plan on writing or recording new songs, but according to the band: “There was a lot left undone,….we were so young and volatile….Let’s face it, things are probably even MORE fucked now than they were in the early 80’s…..and WE are even more fucked off!” [UPDATE: According to the AV Club, The Pop Group have a new album, The Alternate, tentatively scheduled for release sometime in September.]
09.09.10 - Bologna, Italy - Locomotiv Club 9
09.10.10 - Turin, Italy - Spazio 211
09.11.10 - London, UK - The Garage *
09.12.10 - London, UK - The Garage *
* DJ TBC
Tickets for the London shows are on sale now.
• The Pop Group (Wiki): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Pop_Group
• ATP Concerts: http://www.atpfestival.com
