There are a few bands worthy of your attention wandering around the UK in the winter...

Okay, so perhaps I haven't exactly been very prolific when it comes to updating this here corner of the interweb. I know, I know... it's always the same story. One day, I decide it will be a thoroughly spiffing idea to do something, commit myself to said project for the foreseeable future, resolve to dedicate at least 75% of my (admittedly fleeting) spare time to its maintenance and then, lo and behold, I manage to abandon it for the better part of a month. Screenaged Kicks subscribers (um... who are they exactly?), I am truly, truly sorry. These are the sincerest apologies I can offer. From here on out, things will be different. I'm gonna go update crazy on your asses. In fact, I will make so many posts every day that you'll need to quit your day jobs to keep on top of it all. Well, maybe. But the posting bonanza starts here, guys and gals. Hold onto your hats, it's gonna be a rollercoaster of a ride...

We begin with... UK tour news. Which you may have guessed from the not-so-subtle title there. In the past few days, we've had a few new soirées around good old Great Britain announced by a selection of top quality acts. First, there's The Futureheads, whose third album 'This Is Not The World' is, you know, a bit good actually and certainly an improvement on the slightly lacklustre 'News and Tributes'. Anymahow, they play the following:

London Astoria (November 29)
Whitehaven Civic Hall (30)
Glasgow ABC 2 (December 2, 3)
Cardiff Point (5)
Norwich Waterfront (7)
Sheffield Academy (12)
Gateshead Sage (19)
York Duchess (20)

Although the Duchess is a damn fine venue, nice and compact for heightened sweatiness and increased proximity to band, the 20th is a Saturday and we all know where I'll be on that day. ;-p Thus, the Sage date is the best option. Nice culmination to a fantastic year's worth of giggage, methinks.

Next up, personal favourites Bloc Party. I've been pleasantly surprised by the interweb-released 'Intimacy' (especially after the car crash that was lead single 'Mercury') and will post separately on this matter at a later date. They hit the road for a minuscule tour in January, and then play the Olympia in London in April:

Glasgow Academy (January 25, 26)
Manchester Apollo (28, 29)
Wolverhampton Civic Hall (31, February 1)
London Olympia (April 11)

I already have my £23 (EACH!) tickets for both Apollo dates. Cost me £60.50 in total with the booking fees, transaction fees, arse-picking fees and all. Bleeding disgrace.

And finally.. to Rise Against. To quote Seetickets:

RISE AGAINST		Portsmouth Pyramid Centre	Portsmouth	SAT	21/02/2009	19:30	buy tickets
RISE AGAINST		Carling Academy Bristol	Bristol	SUN	22/02/2009	19:30	buy tickets
RISE AGAINST		Carling Academy Liverpool	Liverpool	MON	23/02/2009	19:30	buy tickets
RISE AGAINST		Leeds Metropolitan University	Leeds	TUE	24/02/2009	19:30	buy tickets
RISE AGAINST		Carling Academy Birmingham	Birmingham	THU	26/02/2009	19:30	buy tickets
RISE AGAINST		Manchester University	Manchester	FRI	27/02/2009	20:00	buy tickets
RISE AGAINST		Carling Academy Sheffield	Sheffield	SAT	28/02/2009	19:30	buy tickets
RISE AGAINST		Newcastle University	Newcastle	MON	02/03/2009	19:30	event cancelled
RISE AGAINST		Norwich U.E.A.	Norwich	WED	04/03/2009	19:30	buy tickets
RISE AGAINST		Carling Academy Oxford	Oxford	THU	05/03/2009	19:00	buy tickets
RISE AGAINST		Astoria	London	FRI	06/03/2009	18:30	buy tickets
RISE AGAINST		Astoria	London	FRI	06/03/2009	19:30	buy tickets

WTF??? Within the space of four days of the tour being announced (initially sans Newcastle, interestingly), the Uni date on the 2nd has been cancelled? Ya boo sucks. Still, there's always Leeds, Sheffield or Manchester I suppose. Or perhaps I'll just pick one of the places I've never ventured to before... like Portsmouth. Just for the hell of it. Oh, did I mention? Anti-Flag and FROBOTS are the support. Just a small bonus there.

If you haven't heard the four songs from the band's forthcoming album ('Appeal To Reason') that are kicking around the 'net, I suggest you get on the lookout. Mighty impressive. Here's the video for the single, just in case you're too lazy:

Re-Education (Through Labor)

More updates soon. Promise.