Citizens of Boomtown - Out 13th March 2020

Rats Fan · Never In A Million Years

Citizens of Boomtown - Out 13th March 2020

Mark L · Loudmouth

RE: Bob Geldof: New Album Update

daggerrat · Never In A Million Years

Thats a great bit of news, 2017 is flying by its been all doom and gloom, lets hope that these offerings change all that, it certainly sounds promising

Noel · Dave

Probably best to post about new album under this thread rather than' event cancellations' just to avoid duplication.

Anyway great news. Hope what Geldof says is true about the band being happy with the songs. I presume most of the good songs will be held back for the album proper, with the ep's testing the water with fairly decent songs(he said hopefully!) Who knows they may have struck a seam of gold and most of the songs will be up to scratch.

I said a few times on this forum that Geldof doesn't do things in half measures.If he puts his mind to a project and remember music is his lifelong passion then he or the band won't be found wanting.That's just my instinct. The Rats are way to good to just churn out any old rubbish (Ratlife excepted!)

Someone on the Rats Facebook page asked Pete a while back will the album be like the first one, Tonic, Surfacing or Long Grass and Pete Briqutte curtly replied 'all of them!' Wasn't sure what to make of this comment at the time but now maybe there is some substance to Briquttes reply. The Mirror states that the music will be classic Rats rather than trying do deal with contemporary problems. Interesting too to see the item picked up by so many newspapers, music sites etc

So it's something to really look forward to. Fantastic too to see the return of Peter Perrett of the Only Ones who also has just released a new album.

Mark L · Loudmouth

https://www.hotpress.com/The-Boomtown-Rats/news/Bob-Geldof-reveals-a-new-Boomtown-Rats-album-is-on-the-way/20380808.html

Mega WILL be with us before 2018 arrives.

I think ArrGee particularly has been posting on Event Cancellations re the new album because that's what he thought it would be!

Derek The Dane · V Deep

I have one problem with this.Itunes (Danish version) is crap,they still do not have the Ratlife EP released.But seriously this is great news.Wonder if we will see any vinyl?.

Mark L · Loudmouth

https://www.artiestennieuws.nl/70836/the-boomtown-rats-nieuw-album

The release is receiving significant coverage abroad, including this piece in the Netherlands. Translation reveals Mondays only got to no. 2 there. I wonder if a list has ever been done of the 32 countries Mondays is alleged to have got to number 1 in?

Mark L · Loudmouth

http://www.fyimusicnews.ca/articles/2017/07/07/music-news-digest-july-7-2017

Canada heralds the album announcement above, with a reference to Georgia Straight. No firm release date.

Mark L · Loudmouth

http://tonedeaf.com.au/bob-geldof-making-another-boomtown-rats-album/

Australia, where IDLM was number one for 2 weeks in late '79, trailblazes the new album Mega. Some of the comments are none too friendly from the usual anti-Geldof keyboard warriors but then this is a country where sympathies for Hutchence are likely to affect things.

Noel · Dave

Mark L wrote:
http://www.fyimusicnews.ca/articles/2017/07/07/music-news-digest-july-7-2017
Canada heralds the album announcement above, with a reference to Georgia Straight. No firm release date.

Re new album some parallels with Pixies. Pixies released comeback album Indie Cindy in 2013 as 3 ep's. The 3 ep's made up the eventual album with no songs not already on ep's. I'm listening to this a lot these days and think it's more or less as good as anything the did in the past.

First Pixies lp in 23 years. I think it's pretty good, hardly any bad songs though some online Pixies fans disagree. General well received though some doubters. Maybe the Rats will hold back some songs from the ep's and eventually release an album with some 'new' songs and some on those ep's.Still seems a good way to test the water.

Pixies go the ep route and maybe that's the best thing to do. I think the album as work of art and statement etc is no longer what it used to be but maybe the Rats will overturn than cultural trend. smile

Mark L · Loudmouth

http://bismarcktribune.com/entertainment/music/boomtown-rats-to-release-a-new-album-for-the-first/article_b186f460-d369-5ffc-9cdf-1708427cdf5d.html

In Dakota USA, the press talk of a 'whopping' 26 tracks. This would surely have to be a double album if issued on CD or vinyl and migrated to Mega?

Really hope this will be as good as the 77 to 80 stuff or as good as the best of the last 3 albums.

Rats Fan · Never In A Million Years

I agree that albums perhaps lack the same resonance that they used to have. But I'm elated by the over-whelming national and music press interest a new Rats album has got. It must have pleasantly surprised the band and management.

I agree that 3 EP's would stretch out the possibilities for promotion and contribute to 3 separate pockets of interest with each release. As oppose to one big swell and then within a month the album promotion and release is done.

My only concern is that by the time the 3rd new EP comes. it's less interesting the notion of new Rats music because people are accustomed to it again. And maybe the surprise buzz a new Rats album has generated is sensible to exploit.

Having said that, I'm so delighted at the prospect of new Rats music being released. And hopefully some small showcase gigs with the new tracks.

Mark L · Loudmouth

Lets hope we get clever, dark (but not humourless) pop songs featuring the narrative enthusiasm of Bob's singing, great piano/synth playing in the style of Johnny Fingers, superb guitar work, the consistently outstanding drumming of Simon Crowe, brattily fun backup vocals, and the best rock production we've heard since Surfacing or Tonic.

Noel · Dave

So far Geldof has only spoken briefly to the Mirror about new album and it's just the rest of them copying and pasting the story. I suspect in the next few weeks we will hear a bit more, maybe some full music press interviews etc.

Maybe the gig in Cortona, Italy on 20 July might be a good time to unleash some of the new songs on the unsuspecting locals? smile

Noel · Dave

Mark L wrote:
http://bismarcktribune.com/entertainment/music/boomtown-rats-to-release-a-new-album-for-the-first/article_b186f460-d369-5ffc-9cdf-1708427cdf5d.html
In Dakota USA, the press talk of a 'whopping' 26 tracks. This would surely have to be a double album if issued on CD or vinyl and migrated to Mega?
Really hope this will be as good as the 77 to 80 stuff or as good as the best of the last 3 albums.

Geldof spoke before about a good album only needing ten tracks. For me going any higher than twelve tracks on an album just dilutes the overall effect. A good example of this is some of the Libertines and Babyshambles albums- too many dud tracks that need culling so the really good ones can stand out. Less is sometimes more in the case of music.

Anyway am slightly amused at the notion of 'releasing' an album as there are hardly any places to sell them nowadays. Only one HMV branch in Dublin now. Used to have about four and a large Virgin 'Megastore' too, gone the way of the dinasour.

Albums are probably 'released' onto Spotify and Deezer and YouTube though there are still quite a few vinyl outlets bucking the trend. I'm pretty sure the new Rats ep's will come out on vinyl and let's hope the can sell a few at any upcoming concert dates too.

Mike menzies · V Deep

New Album Update

Mark L · Loudmouth

I quite agree. I keep scouring the internet but nothing. Whilst doing this, I came across the Evening Standard 6th July announcement, (where the increasingly unhinged and out-for-revenge George Osborne works) stating that Mega will be the Rats first album since their first album In the long grass.

Well George did say an emergency budget would have to be passed in the event of a Leave vote due to an economic tsunami.

He'll be at home at the ES getting it spectacularly wrong then.

suss · House on Fire

Still being mixed I understand, so no firm release dates being touted at all.

Mark L · Loudmouth

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=9_KiTGr3JCU

Still no firm release date from official sources.

Portuguese media reports at 4:45 that Mega is set to be released in November.

Mike menzies · V Deep

Anyone heard anything regarding the new album as all,gone very quiet hope it still goes ahead we need some new rats tunes,!

Mark L · Loudmouth

I can't find any updates on the internet. November is my best guess.

suss · House on Fire

I know the market has changed alot down the years but I'd still be surprised to see anything that coincides with Christmas rush of greatest hits etc. I'd guess early next year even if it's ready as soon as November.

Derek The Dane · V Deep

Releasing an album in January makes no sense to me.I am going for mid November.

manatthetop · In the Long Grass

Can't see this coming out in Jan. Sure that's what happened to ITLG LP and that failed to set the charts alight

Mike menzies · V Deep

Itlg came out in november1984 As I bought it from the shop I worked at ( john menzies) in November (late November) just after Dave came out

Derek The Dane · V Deep

I do not remember getting ITLG until Jan 1985(but I could be wrong).

Mike menzies · V Deep

Definitely 1984 as I got engagedon17\11\84 and it was my engagement present from my wife bought just after this date

diffbrook · House on Fire

Cant imagine this new album anytime soon? Bands usually do some kind of promotional tour to highlight the album - and sell it at gigs and these tours are usually announced months in advance.

If it comes out, then a tour will be announced in February (when people have got over xmas expense), with dates being in October 2018. So, expect it then.....

Noel · Dave

diffbrook wrote:
Cant imagine this new album anytime soon? Bands usually do some kind of promotional tour to highlight the album - and sell it at gigs and these tours are usually announced months in advance.

If it comes out, then a tour will be announced in February (when people have got over xmas expense), with dates being in October 2018. So, expect it then.....

Last tantalizing update I read was on the Rats Facebook page back around 3 October. Someone ie a fan(not me) asked when the new album would be out and the official Rats response was 'the countdown has started'. That was the full reply.

Since then absolutely nothing. Either no news is good news or no news is the band being unsure about the new songs and the entire idea of releasing an album. Hope it's the former.

It would be nice to even see a few song titles or Geldof talking about the new songs. God be with the days when releasing an album was a bands raison d'etre. Anyway I still hold out for something pretty decent to emerge, even though it's like drawing blood from a stone all this waiting and lack of real news. Yeah were only the fans after all.

Wonder what happened to all the talk of releasing a few ep's over the months. Or even one ep to start with?

Derek The Dane · V Deep

I must admite it bugs me how quiet it has all gone.I am suprised that the fb homepage does not come with some sort of news.Even if the album is delayed just tell us something.

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

diffbrook wrote:
If it comes out, then a tour will be announced in February (when people have got over xmas expense), with dates being in October 2018. So, expect it then.....

I don't expect a UK tour. It has been three years since the last one which had patchy sales (some good London & Cambridge, some not so good). Most likely be some festival dates next summer. Hopefully ones that don't get cancelled. There was only one UK date in 2017. There are some German dates scheduled for early 2018, but not 100% certain these will go ahead; two were postponed from March this year.

19 Jan 2018

Pier 2, Bremen, Germany

20 Jan 2018

Sporthalle Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany

22 Jan 2018

Batschkapp, Frankfurt, Germany

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

Noel wrote:
Last tantalizing update I read was on the Rats Facebook page back around 3 October. Someone ie a fan(not me) asked when the new album would be out and the official Rats response was 'the countdown has started'. That was the full reply.
Since then absolutely nothing. Either no news is good news or no news is the band being unsure about the new songs and the entire idea of releasing an album. Hope it's the former.
It would be nice to even see a few song titles or Geldof talking about the new songs. God be with the days when releasing an album was a bands raison d'etre. Anyway I still hold out for something pretty decent to emerge, even though it's like drawing blood from a stone all this waiting and lack of real news. Yeah were only the fans after all.
Wonder what happened to all the talk of releasing a few ep's over the months. Or even one ep to start with?

I guess the harsh reality is there aren't that many people interested, so unlikely to be much press about it. Needs to find another festival crowd to insult before anyone will take notice.

Noel · Dave

ArrGee wrote:
Noel wrote:
Last tantalizing update I read was on the Rats Facebook page back around 3 October. Someone ie a fan(not me) asked when the new album would be out and the official Rats response was 'the countdown has started'. That was the full reply.
Since then absolutely nothing. Either no news is good news or no news is the band being unsure about the new songs and the entire idea of releasing an album. Hope it's the former.
It would be nice to even see a few song titles or Geldof talking about the new songs. God be with the days when releasing an album was a bands raison d'etre. Anyway I still hold out for something pretty decent to emerge, even though it's like drawing blood from a stone all this waiting and lack of real news. Yeah were only the fans after all.
Wonder what happened to all the talk of releasing a few ep's over the months. Or even one ep to start with?
I guess the harsh reality is there aren't that many people interested, so unlikely to be much press about it. Needs to find another festival crowd to insult before anyone will take notice.

There weren't that many people clamouring for them to reform in the first place, yet when they did they generally attracted an audience. Same with the new album. Release a few good singles than might earn some radio play and tv apearances and seee what happens.

I can think of so many artists who just write and release albums and they are not particularly interested in whether they have an audience or not.The Rats have a high enough profile compared to some of the indie acts I follow to be able to make an album and get some publicity. It's just a pity that wait is so long and drawn out, with almost no info from management or the band themselves.

-- Edited by Noel on Tuesday 31st of October 2017 02:36:33 PM

Mark L · Loudmouth

ArrGee wrote:
Noel wrote:
Last tantalizing update I read was on the Rats Facebook page back around 3 October. Someone ie a fan(not me) asked when the new album would be out and the official Rats response was 'the countdown has started'. That was the full reply.
Since then absolutely nothing. Either no news is good news or no news is the band being unsure about the new songs and the entire idea of releasing an album. Hope it's the former.
It would be nice to even see a few song titles or Geldof talking about the new songs. God be with the days when releasing an album was a bands raison d'etre. Anyway I still hold out for something pretty decent to emerge, even though it's like drawing blood from a stone all this waiting and lack of real news. Yeah were only the fans after all.
Wonder what happened to all the talk of releasing a few ep's over the months. Or even one ep to start with?
I guess the harsh reality is there aren't that many people interested, so unlikely to be much press about it. Needs to find another festival crowd to insult before anyone will take notice.

Or maybe a little Court case in the Spring of 2018 will generate interest?

Am I being too cynical?

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

Mark L wrote:
Or maybe a little Court case in the Spring of 2018 will generate interest?
Am I being too cynical?

Whatever. Only bad publicity is no publicity.

That said it is unlikely Fingers will go to court; probably all get settled quietly.

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

Noel wrote:
I can think of so many artists who just write and release albums and they are not particularly interested in whether they have an audience or not.The Rats have a high enough profile compared to some of the indie acts I follow to be able to make an album and get some publicity. It's just a pity that wait is so long and drawn out, with almost no info from management or the band themselves.

Me too. Paul Weller still knocks out an LP every two or three years. But given they all go top ten (4 #1, 6 #2 plus three others), he does have an audience as well.

Mark L · Loudmouth

ArrGee wrote:
Mark L wrote:
Or maybe a little Court case in the Spring of 2018 will generate interest?
Am I being too cynical?
Whatever. Only bad publicity is no publicity.
That said it is unlikely Fingers will go to court; probably all get settled quietly.

Yes exactly.

Derek The Dane · V Deep

Just got of facebook and a person within the band has said next year and the band are working hard on the new album biggrin .

Mark L · Loudmouth

Thanks Derek....just have to be patient then?

Let's hope for a Spring release.

Mike menzies · V Deep

Hopefully its earlier rather than later still worth waiting for though

Noel · Dave

Yes it's really happening. Snippet about new album from new interview with the Belfast Telegraph:

Performing is what I like doing, he explained. I do lots of things but the things in my life that I like are playing live thats it. Weve just made a new album and done a big deal with BMG, which is cool. The album is a work of genius, obviously smile smile smile

Noel · Dave

With regards to his new 26-track album, Mega, their first since 1984s In The Long Grass, he said it would have a different sound.

Its an articulation of whats going on inside of my life, he added. Weve done 26 songs and I made a solo record in the middle of the year. I go into a different headspace when I do stuff with the Rats.

Just another snippet from Belfast Telegraph. Interesting that he says he has made a solo album in the middle of last year. Anyway it should be a busy summer and Geldof sounds as enthusiastic as ever.

Mark L · Loudmouth

Definitely going to be a busy year. No mention of the Rats yet on the BMG site though and in an interview with the Irish Times, there is an indication Mega will not see the light of day until September 2018. This might mean they will go with the solo album first and then in line with the 40th anniversary of Rat Trap, possibly go with an autumn tour and Rats album release?

Derek The Dane · V Deep

I am with Mark L on this one.Think we will see a lot of stuff going on from about September.Lets hope MEGA is really Mega.

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

Derek The Dane wrote:
Lets hope MEGA is really Mega.

More like Chinese Democracy given how long it is taking.

I still bet it isn't called Mega.

Though this is http://www.argos.co.uk/product/7307500

7307500_R_Z001A?$Web$&$DefaultPDP570$

Mark L · Loudmouth

I just spoke with BMG in Paddington. They say it is Mega but 'there is no certified release date yet. Keep checking social media'

Derek The Dane · V Deep

Just looked at BMGs homepage and the Boomtown Rats are not to be found.

Mike menzies · V Deep

Let's hope its not ain the long grass scenario with release date moved abut lots of times

Mark L · Loudmouth

Bob on Graham Norton now (Radio 2). Interview follows This is the World Calling (now playing). Whether there will an album update remains to be heard. Will update. Catch Up will also have this. No point listening until two and a half hours in. Unless you're otherwise interested.

Mark L · Loudmouth

Not much about the album. He confirmed 'the big deal' with BMG and that the album will not only be called Mega but it will be mega!

Rat Trap was also played on the show.

Poetry, Band Aid and Bobby Boomtown were discussed as was the initial '86 split, which he described as creatively difficult but intellectually he understood people had moved on, as the likes of Spandau, U2 and Duran moved in.

harryhooper2 · She's So Modern

Bob has just been on the Dave Fanning Radio show, saying the new album will be held until January to avoid the album getting lost in the Christmas launches.

He is also talks about the Yeats DVD/CD launch and Pete's music thereon. Marley Park gig mentioned too.

Listen back here 2fm.rte.ie/2fm-shows/dave-fanning/

Mark L · Loudmouth

harryhooper2 wrote:
Bob has just been on the Dave Fanning Radio show, saying the new album will be held until January to avoid the album getting lost in the Christmas launches.

He is also talks about the Yeats DVD/CD launch and Pete's music thereon. Marley Park gig mentioned too.

Listen back here 2fm.rte.ie/2fm-shows/dave-fanning/

Thanks for the heads up. Tempted to ask whether we have already waited long enough for the album but he does seem definite about the January 2019 release date. Interestingly he does say that he wants it to be called Mega which again suggests that mystic ArrGee of this parish will be proved correct when he predicts it will not be so titled.

Noel · Dave

Mark L wrote:
harryhooper2 wrote:
Bob has just been on the Dave Fanning Radio show, saying the new album will be held until January to avoid the album getting lost in the Christmas launches.

He is also talks about the Yeats DVD/CD launch and Pete's music thereon. Marley Park gig mentioned too.

Listen back here 2fm.rte.ie/2fm-shows/dave-fanning/
Thanks for the heads up. Tempted to ask whether we have already waited long enough for the album but he does seem definite about the January 2019 release date. Interestingly he does say that he wants it to be called Mega which again suggests that mystic ArrGee of this parish will be proved correct when he predicts it will not be so titled.

Re 'album getting lost in Christmas launches' this seems a lame excuse. Isn't it more likely that fans may buy a few copies to give to friends as a Christmas gift. After Christmas people generally are broke. Anyway the trend is for more and more people to listen to music on streaming services like Spotify and Deezer etc. Distribution and availability will not be an issue for the majority of people around the world that want to hear the album.

The good side of this, however, is that if the album is released in 2019 then we will have another year of the Rats being back together, something that a few short years ago we could only have dreamed of. If the album was up and ready to go now then surely it would sell at the gigs planned for this summer. Surely there is enough goodwill generated by the band at their live gigs over the last few years for people to pay around a tenner, be it euros or pounds, for the new album. It's sort of a captive market in that at a live gig the fans are there and 'up for it'.

Anyway what ever happened to Geldof's idea about putting out some of the songs on an ep or two? Maybe the songs aren't really that good. I suspect that if the were then why a delay for another nine months. Perhaps it's easier to plan a tour for after Christmas/into the new year as the latter part of the year is usually a busy time for live music with a lot of venues being booked out before Christmas.

At this stage I'd just like to hear the bloody thing, one way or another, rather than this endless stringalong. Why not put a demo or two up on Facebook and at least give us some clue as to the new songs?

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

Noel wrote:
Mark L wrote:
harryhooper2 wrote:
Bob has just been on the Dave Fanning Radio show, saying the new album will be held until January to avoid the album getting lost in the Christmas launches.
Interestingly he does say that he wants it to be called Mega which again suggests that mystic ArrGee of this parish will be proved correct when he predicts it will not be so titled.
Re 'album getting lost in Christmas launches' this seems a lame excuse. Isn't it more likely that fans may buy a few copies to give to friends as a Christmas gift.
The good side of this, however, is that if the album is released in 2019 then we will have another year of the Rats being back together, something that a few short years ago we could only have dreamed of. If the album was up and ready to go now then surely it would sell at the gigs planned for this summer. Surely there is enough goodwill generated by the band at their live gigs over the last few years for people to pay around a tenner, be it euros or pounds, for the new album. It's sort of a captive market in that at a live gig the fans are there and 'up for it'.
Anyway what ever happened to Geldof's idea about putting out some of the songs on an ep or two? Maybe the songs aren't really that good. I suspect that if the were then why a delay for another nine months. Perhaps it's easier to plan a tour for after Christmas/into the new year as the latter part of the year is usually a busy time for live music with a lot of venues being booked out before Christmas.
At this stage I'd just like to hear the bloody thing, one way or another, rather than this endless stringalong. Why not put a demo or two up on Facebook and at least give us some clue as to the new songs?

A bit surprised it is pushed out to 2019 when the original talk was of Autumn 2017.

Can't see the album being called MEGA. Smacks of arrogance and you can bet a pound to a penny every review will just say it's not MEGA and not bother to give it a proper review.

Totally agree about the pre-Yule release. It is the best time to release an LP. I got Fine Art of Surfacing as a present in 1979. Mondo Bongo didn't benefit from its January release. Maybe another RATSH!TS album is in the pipeline.

I suspect a few dates in early 2019 IF (a big IF) it is actually released in January. Personally I would have thought it would make more sense to release it ahead of festival season and then follow up with an Autumn tour, so I suspect it will be more like April 2019.

I would love to hear an LP by the re-formed Rats, but I think the time to do that was in the after Isle of Wight and ahead of the 2014 tour. Since then they have been a festival band mostly at piss poor 1980s revivals with one off gigs like Dublin in late 2015, which was the last time I saw them. I suspect the 2018 summer dates won't be much different from what has gone before. All the excitement of 2013 has dissipated for me.

Mark L · Loudmouth

Some of the excitement has evaporated for me but not all of it. It's just so drawn out. At this rate, the second incarnation of the Boomtown Rats will last as long as the first which for most people was 9 years (few would have encountered them in the summer of 76).

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

Mark L wrote:
...the second incarnation of the Boomtown Rats will last as long as the first which for most people was 9 years

If you include The Barton Rats and The Bradbury Rats it is almost as long.

The first Rats - 31 Oct 1975 (Bolton Street) - 17 May 1986 (RDS)

The new Rats - 25 July 2008 (Pig Nose Inn) - present

Mark L · Loudmouth

ArrGee wrote:
Mark L wrote:
...the second incarnation of the Boomtown Rats will last as long as the first which for most people was 9 years
If you include The Barton Rats and The Bradbury Rats it is almost as long.
The first Rats - 31 Oct 1975 (Bolton Street) - 17 May 1986 (RDS)
The new Rats - 25 July 2008 (Pig Nose Inn) - present

I wonder which might happen first, Brexit or the release of 'Mega'?

Mike menzies · V Deep

Let's hope it happens pity they couldn't release something in the meantime (besides compilation perhaps). Still just got to be patient we lost them n 1986 so when they came back in2013 it was a bonus for us fans

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

I am a bit puzzled why they ain't releasing the album. It appears to have been recorded. According to the interview with The Irish News they don't expect anyone but the current fan base to listen to it or buy it. They are doing 11 festival dates or so this summer. They have people turning up, most in their 50s who probably would think nothing of spending £20-£30 on an LP or £10-£15 on a CD. Even the Ratsh!t ep sold out at the gigs. If there are 26 songs they could do a U2 and release one LP this year and another next year. Maybe they want to test the songs on an audience, but their latest gig had no new songs. If they think it is good and there are three or four singles on it then why not air them?

None of it makes any sense.

Noel · Dave

ArrGee wrote:
I am a bit puzzled why they ain't releasing the album. It appears to have been recorded. According to the interview with The Irish News they don't expect anyone but the current fan base to listen to it or buy it. They are doing 11 festival dates or so this summer. They have people turning up, most in their 50s who probably would think nothing of spending £20-£30 on an LP or £10-£15 on a CD. Even the Ratsh!t ep sold out at the gigs. If there are 26 songs they could do a U2 and release one LP this year and another next year. Maybe they want to test the songs on an audience, but their latest gig had no new songs. If they think it is good and there are three or four singles on it then why not air them?

None of it makes any sense.

Maybe they're doing a semi official 40th Anniversary of Tonic this summer, climaxing in autumn anniversary of Rat Trap first number one and leaving the new album until early 2019. Then summer 2019 is 40th anniversary of Surfacing/Mondays number one.

Geldricks cunning plan is to sandwich the new album between two sure fire hit anniversary dates.

PS My brain may be affected adversely by very hot weather these last few days in Dublin smile

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

Noel wrote:
ArrGee wrote:
I am a bit puzzled why they ain't releasing the album. It appears to have been recorded. According to the interview with The Irish News they don't expect anyone but the current fan base to listen to it or buy it. They are doing 11 festival dates or so this summer. They have people turning up, most in their 50s who probably would think nothing of spending £20-£30 on an LP or £10-£15 on a CD. Even the Ratsh!t ep sold out at the gigs. If there are 26 songs they could do a U2 and release one LP this year and another next year. Maybe they want to test the songs on an audience, but their latest gig had no new songs. If they think it is good and there are three or four singles on it then why not air them?

None of it makes any sense.
Maybe they're doing a semi official 40th Anniversary of Tonic this summer, climaxing in autumn anniversary of Rat Trap first number one and leaving the new album until early 2019. Then summer 2019 is 40th anniversary of Surfacing/Mondays number one.
Geldricks cunning plan is to sandwich the new album between two sure fire hit anniversary dates.
PS My brain may be affected adversely by very hot weather these last few days in Dublin

Must be very hot in Dublin Anyway looks like wall to wall rain this weekend for my trip to Thurles. Tipping down in Tipp!

The Rats just about did something for 40 years since forming so don't think there will be too much tonic this summer.

I did note The Damned had their first top ten LP ever with Evil Spirits back in April, which was preceded by a 17 date tour in January/February. Maybe there is a similar plan in place for the Rats. [I doubt it]

Noel · Dave

ArrGee wrote:
Noel wrote:
ArrGee wrote:
I am a bit puzzled why they ain't releasing the album. It appears to have been recorded. According to the interview with The Irish News they don't expect anyone but the current fan base to listen to it or buy it. They are doing 11 festival dates or so this summer. They have people turning up, most in their 50s who probably would think nothing of spending £20-£30 on an LP or £10-£15 on a CD. Even the Ratsh!t ep sold out at the gigs. If there are 26 songs they could do a U2 and release one LP this year and another next year. Maybe they want to test the songs on an audience, but their latest gig had no new songs. If they think it is good and there are three or four singles on it then why not air them?

None of it makes any sense.
Maybe they're doing a semi official 40th Anniversary of Tonic this summer, climaxing in autumn anniversary of Rat Trap first number one and leaving the new album until early 2019. Then summer 2019 is 40th anniversary of Surfacing/Mondays number one.
Geldricks cunning plan is to sandwich the new album between two sure fire hit anniversary dates.
PS My brain may be affected adversely by very hot weather these last few days in Dublin
Must be very hot in Dublin Anyway looks like wall to wall rain this weekend for my trip to Thurles. Tipping down in Tipp!
The Rats just about did something for 40 years since forming so don't think there will be too much tonic this summer.
I did note The Damned had their first top ten LP ever with Evil Spirits back in April, which was preceded by a 17 date tour in January/February. Maybe there is a similar plan in place for the Rats. [I doubt it]

Hey it's still hot in Dublin today Wednesday and the south-east/midlands generally are hotter than on the coast so bring yer sun lotlion (and brolly) and wear a nice black and amber striped shirt like this one... smile

Derek The Dane · V Deep

Still nothing listed on BMGs webpage about the Boomtown Rats.Nothing Happened Today is all the rage.

manatthetop · In the Long Grass

If this album is just for the fans Then I see no reason for the delay

Derek The Dane · V Deep

According to a certain person on social media it is getting released in Feb 2019.

Mike menzies · V Deep

Oh derek I hope you're right as am having rats withdrawal symptoms but listening to lots of live performances on cd

Mark L · Loudmouth

https://www.thesun.ie/tvandshowbiz/music/3242219/bob-geldof-pimps-attacked-hooker-in-front-of-him-aged-15/

An interview with the Irish Sun continues to whet our appetites but still no firm release date from BMG.

Never knew Bob was hoping to do what he does now (part Rats, part solo work) in 1986 after Self Aid. An interesting and informative interview.

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

Mark L wrote:
https://www.thesun.ie/tvandshowbiz/music/3242219/bob-geldof-pimps-attacked-hooker-in-front-of-him-aged-15/
An interview with the Irish Sun continues to whet our appetites but still no firm release date from BMG.
Never knew Bob was hoping to do what he does now (part Rats, part solo work) in 1986 after Self Aid. An interesting and informative interview.

I found this odd

Bob claims the Boomtown Rats never hit the big time because each of their singles was so different than the last.

Mainly because The Beatles who were kinda successful in their day had this run of hit singles...

Help!
Day Tripper / We Can Work It Out
Paperback Writer
Yellow Submarine / Eleanor Rigby
Penny Lane / Strawberry Fields Forever
All You Need Is Love
Hello Goodbye
Magical Mystery Tour
Lady Madonna
Hey Jude
Get Back
Ballad Of John And Yoko
Something / Come Together
Let It Be

They couldn't manage two similar songs in 6 years. They seemed to work it out.... (I'll get my coat)

PS - Geldof is refering to Rat Trap as a "Springsteen epic like". He used to deny that...

Bruce Springsteen couldnt write a song as good as this, even if he tried. - Bob Geldof

-- Edited by ArrGee on Friday 12th of October 2018 09:20:49 PM

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/bob-geldof-lord-of-the-rats-17043.html

When I ask if there's any truth in the story that "Rat Trap" was Geldof's "Bruce Springsteen tribute", his lengthy rebuttal riffs on the fact that the song owed more to "Van Morrison filtered through Phil Lynott of Thin Lizzy. Now I know Bruce, of course, and I think he' a great guy and a genius," Geldof adds, "but back then I thought he was a tawt with a ridiculous name doing romantic nonsense."

Mark L · Loudmouth

Without any doubt, Geldof occasionally self-contradicts. But that doesn't mean that interviews he gives aren't interesting.

If it's red, it's blue.

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

Mark L wrote:
Without any doubt, Geldof occasionally self-contradicts. But that doesn't mean that interviews he gives aren't interesting.
If it's red, it's blue.

I agree it does make the interviews more interesting. I was just making the observation that it was odd to mention it was Springsteen like given what he said before.

"Consistency is the last refuge of the unimaginative" - Oscar Wilde

-- PS - I am pretty self contradicting myself Plenty of evidence of that is in this forum.

Mark L · Loudmouth

ArrGee wrote:
Mark L wrote:
Without any doubt, Geldof occasionally self-contradicts. But that doesn't mean that interviews he gives aren't interesting.
If it's red, it's blue.
I agree it does make the interviews more interesting. I was just making the observation that it was odd to mention it was Springsteen like given what he said before.
"Consistency is the last refuge of the unimaginative" - Oscar Wilde

-- PS - I am pretty self contradicting myself Plenty of evidence of that is in this forum.

and almost bang on cue, comes more evidence of the inconsistencies regarding Geldofs location when the Mondays-provoking incident happened........UK or Atlanta?

https://www.irishcentral.com/culture/entertainment/dont-like-mondays-killer-inspired-bob-geldof

Its more imaginative to think of telex machine chattering away next to him in a radio studio in the USA?

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

When the legend becomes fact, print the legend.

Derek The Dane · V Deep

Mr BG himself said on the the radio Feb/March next year.I am now calling the new album March 28th.

Mark L · Loudmouth

Which show /station did he say this on Derek? The delay between initial announcement and release is mega in itself.

Noel · Dave

Mark L wrote:
Which show /station did he say this on Derek? The delay between initial announcement and release is mega in itself.

There is an interview with Alan Mcgee on Bogaloo Radio here:

https://www.mixcloud.com/BoogalooRadio/riots-raves-running-a-label-bob-geldof-special-guest-221018/

Bob says the new album will be out in February or March 2019. He says that the band was influenced by the sound of the first album and went about it as if they were following up that debut lp. Good interview with some interesting stuff about fight with Swedish Hells Angels at a gig in Scandinavia back in the day. Bob was not into all the fighting at gigs in the seventies and casts a cynical eye on those that seek to romanticism the punk era

The Geldof interview is on towards the end of the show. He just touches on the new album but still I think they will tour it properly when it comes out.

ps not sure if link is working but you should be able to find it on Jules Geldof page or just googe above info.

-- Edited by Noel on Thursday 25th of October 2018 12:50:02 PM

Derek The Dane · V Deep

At the start of every month I look at BMGs webpage and still nothing about The Boomtown Rats.

Mark L · Loudmouth

I do the same Derek. I even rang them a couple of times but the bloke dealing with it is permanently out to lunch (he's doing it right! ) and they don't get back to me

Derek The Dane · V Deep

Still nothing on BMGs website or any website about a release date for the new album.Nothing Happened Today is All The Rage at the moment.

Mark L · Loudmouth

https://lovinmalta.com/lifestyle/music/we-spoke-to-bob-geldof-ahead-of-his-concert-in-malta-tonight

Release month confirmed as April on BMG.

EPs precede?

Mark L · Loudmouth

I may have used 'confirmed' unwisely.

Reading it again, I see 'around' April '19

Noel · Dave

Mark L wrote:
https://lovinmalta.com/lifestyle/music/we-spoke-to-bob-geldof-ahead-of-his-concert-in-malta-tonight
Release month confirmed as April on BMG.
EPs precede?

Thanks for that. Pity we always just get the bare bones about new album. Maybe Bob is waiting to see what happens after Brexit (29 March) According to him the British music industry will implode, which to me seems another of his bonkers ideas.Project Fear applied to music and the music industry.

Derek The Dane · V Deep

What link do you have to BMG, I cannot find anything.

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

Noel wrote:
Mark L wrote:
https://lovinmalta.com/lifestyle/music/we-spoke-to-bob-geldof-ahead-of-his-concert-in-malta-tonight
Release month confirmed as April on BMG.
EPs precede?
Thanks for that. Pity we always just get the bare bones about new album. Maybe Bob is waiting to see what happens after Brexit (29 March) According to him the British music industry will implode, which to me seems another of his bonkers ideas.Project Fear applied to music and the music industry.

I fancy a wager on neither occurring.

Rats LP - April 2019 - No

Brexit - 29 March 2019 - No (such a shame it ain't scheduled for a day earlier, eh!)

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

From the article...

LM: Youre coming to Malta wearing your musician hat, but youre obviously known worldwide for your philanthropic work. What do you identify with the most: musician or activist? And if you had to choose only one, which would it be?

BG: Musician and musician.

In response to Roger Daltrey?

https://www.nme.com/news/music/roger-daltrey-brexit-touring-bands-2390845

BBC news presenter: So Roger, youre unusual in that you back Brexit while other musicians such as Bob Geldof are very much against. What do you think about that?
Roger Daltrey (The Who): Bob Geldof is a musician?

Mark L · Loudmouth

Derek The Dane wrote:
What link do you have to BMG, I cannot find anything.

https://www.bmg.com/de/search.html?filter=all&q=Boomtown%20Rats

No results found for Boomtown Rats

Odd

Mark L · Loudmouth

ArrGee wrote:
Noel wrote:
Mark L wrote:
https://lovinmalta.com/lifestyle/music/we-spoke-to-bob-geldof-ahead-of-his-concert-in-malta-tonight
Release month confirmed as April on BMG.
EPs precede?
Thanks for that. Pity we always just get the bare bones about new album. Maybe Bob is waiting to see what happens after Brexit (29 March) According to him the British music industry will implode, which to me seems another of his bonkers ideas.Project Fear applied to music and the music industry.
I fancy a wager on neither occurring.
Rats LP - April 2019 - No
Brexit - 29 March 2019 - No (such a shame it ain't scheduled for a day earlier, eh!)

Mega means mega, no?

May said no deal is better than a bad deal. Hers is a bad deal .... it's no deal then?

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

Mark L wrote:
ArrGee wrote:
Noel wrote:
Mark L wrote:
https://lovinmalta.com/lifestyle/music/we-spoke-to-bob-geldof-ahead-of-his-concert-in-malta-tonight
Release month confirmed as April on BMG.
EPs precede?
Thanks for that. Pity we always just get the bare bones about new album. Maybe Bob is waiting to see what happens after Brexit (29 March) According to him the British music industry will implode, which to me seems another of his bonkers ideas.Project Fear applied to music and the music industry.
I fancy a wager on neither occurring.
Rats LP - April 2019 - No
Brexit - 29 March 2019 - No (such a shame it ain't scheduled for a day earlier, eh!)

Mega means mega, no?
May said no deal is better than a bad deal. Hers is a bad deal .... it's no deal then?

If the LP ever sees the light of day, it may end up being called MEGA, but hopefully someone will advise that it would be a sh!te title on many levels and change it prior to the release

I did a search for albums called MEGA on amazon and there are 100s called MEGA DANCE, MEGA FUNK, MEGA RAVE, MEGA KAROKE, MEGA PARTY, MEGA MIX, MEGA DISCO, MEGA MOVIES etc. Having an album called MEGA would consign it to the middle of a list of compilations.

Now if you search Surfacing, it is 2nd in the list. Tonic is about 5th, Long grass is 1st.

So common sense would say find a word that is unique.

That said I did find this. "Terribly Sorry Bob" by MEGA CITY FOUR - seems apt

Image result for Terribly Sorry Bob Mega City 4

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

Forum exclusive album cover! With a homage to Abbey Road on the back.

-- Edited by ArrGee on Friday 7th of December 2018 02:37:46 PM

-- Edited by ArrGee on Friday 7th of December 2018 02:38:47 PM

Noel · Dave

This geezer was photographed in Westmoreland St Dublin back in the late 70's by photographer Eric Luke. Might make a good album cover for Mega? smile

Tuned In....a photograph taken in Westmoreland Street, Dublin late 1970s. Photograph: Eric Luke

Noel · Dave

ArrGee wrote:

From the article...

LM: Youre coming to Malta wearing your musician hat, but youre obviously known worldwide for your philanthropic work. What do you identify with the most: musician or activist? And if you had to choose only one, which would it be?
BG: Musician and musician.

In response to Roger Daltrey?
https://www.nme.com/news/music/roger-daltrey-brexit-touring-bands-2390845
BBC news presenter: So Roger, youre unusual in that you back Brexit while other musicians such as Bob Geldof are very much against. What do you think about that?
Roger Daltrey (The Who): Bob Geldof is a musician?

I spotted this review of the new Razorlight album which shows how the Rats are viewed in some quarters. I doubt the writer has ever bothered to listen to a Rats b side to even have an opinion.

https://www.gigwise.com/news/3276249/uh-oh--razorlight-are-back-with-new-album-olympus-sleeping

Elsewhere, Borrell cites his early influences as a triangle between The Buzz****s, Patti Smith and The Velvet Underground, yet as evidenced by Japanrock, one can only surmise that the primary influences here were heavy drinking and Boomtown Rats b-sides.

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

Noel wrote:
This geezer was photographed in Westmoreland St Dublin back in the late 70's by photographer Eric Luke. Might make a good album cover for Mega?

Oh come on! Have that on the cover and there will be "Geldof is a tramp" references all over the shop.

If this album is going to sell more than a dozen copies (You, Mark, Mike and Derek's 9) ; here are some simple rules.

Don't call it MEGA
Don't put a picture of a hobo on it
Don't mention Brexit
Don't mention Primark
Don't mention 1916
Don't promote it with a cruise down the Thames

Probably a few more rules could be added to that.

Derek The Dane · V Deep

I am actualy going to buy 10 copies (but you were close).

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

Noel wrote:

https://www.gigwise.com/news/3276249/uh-oh--razorlight-are-back-with-new-album-olympus-sleeping
... the primary influences here were heavy drinking and Boomtown Rats b-sides.

Sounds like it must be the album of 2018! Did like the first two Razorlight albums. Must have a listen.

Noel · Dave

Geldof in Australia back in late November at Aria Awards-

And apparently, Geldof had some unfinished business to discuss. When Urban asked what brought the Irish musician to Sydney, Geldof mused, "I was in town to do some stuff. I have a new record I was playing to the record company...."

https://metro.co.uk/2018/11/28/bob-geldof-and-keith-urban-share-super-salty-exchange-as-boomtown-rat-shades-country-r

Not sure if this is a reference to actual new solo album or Rats album. Anyway antics on stage with Keith Urban were amusing if anyone has read/seen the story/vids.

Mark L · Loudmouth

I saw this and didn't think it was 'super salty' at all. Talk about press prattle. I thought it was quite amusing, they obviously know one another and it was just amusing banter.

Noel · Dave

Mark L wrote:
I saw this and didn't think it was 'super salty' at all. Talk about press prattle. I thought it was quite amusing, they obviously know one another and it was just amusing banter.

I was more interested in Geldof saying he was in Oz to play new album to record company. Maybe it was the Rats album and he was sussing out if it would be a hit or not? i doubt his solo stuff sells much in Australia curious nevertheless.

Derek The Dane · V Deep

Well its 2019 and Nothing Happened Today seems to be the way ahead.I cannot find anything on BMG music website about The Boomtown Rats and nothing on iTunes,Spotify etc about a release date for the new album.I am now going late April for a release date.

Mark L · Loudmouth

Be optimistic Derek.

Derek The Dane · V Deep

Now pushed back to the last week of May. No more delays according to a person on fb.