Loop - RFD

I might try to make a Detroit show again

And where is my free plane ticket or something

https://www.atpfestival.com/events/loopgodflesh2014/tickets.php

In this article:

http://thequietus.com/articles/14633-loop-godflesh-tour

...some other news, also just confirmed via the band's FB page:

Heads and Kandodo member Wayne Maskell will be filling in on drums for Loop for the remainder of the 2014 dates following the departure of original drummer John Wills to concentrate on his Pumajaw project.

A bummer, I really did want to see the proper lineup that recorded the last releases. Three out of four remain, at least.

a bummer, but a heckuva replacement drummer.

Loop were SO good tonight, and extremely loud.

Looks like there might be a little more in store from this reunion than anticipated?

At the end of the set, after paying homage to a predecessor with “Mother Sky” by the German band Can, Mr. Hampson made an unexpected vow: “We’ll be back soon,” he said.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/19/arts/music/reunited-loop-performs-at-le-poisson-rouge.html?_r=0

the German band

He indeed did say that. Would be thrilled to see them again.

They were the best band at Roadburn. And that's saying something, the fest's lineup was the most stacked in its history.

OK I def have to go to this next week

Two weeks from today they close out Austin Psych Fest. Incredibly excited.

^^^^^ on this.

they were great, sounded really tight and played all the tracks i wanted to hear. encored with mother sky.

After experiencing all that right in the front row, gf & I were struck by just much they reminded us of Wire. "Arc-Lite" could fit right in to Pink Flag only it's just at, well, Loop power levels. New drummer way more than capable.

Hey, there's a reason Main covered "Used To" on the Whore tribute album! (I do think it's VERY telling just how much a slew of performers of a certain age/generation who are all about sonic extremity admit to a major Wire obsession and who appeared on that album -- Hampson, Justin Broadrick, Kevin Shields...)

And the comparison actually came to my mind as well a couple of times at the LA show, which was great beyond words.

Great interview with Dave Segal:

http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/sunburst-finish/Content?oid=19461266

found the LA show boring, so polite and tame. i imagined them to be a bit more worship the drone/shamanistic or rock n roll or *something* other than perfectly plodding through their songs all prim and propper. y'know it's all well and good playing the same thing over and over at high volumes but for me the beauty in doing that is (cliche i know) transcending the simplicity of the idea and reaching some other place. kept thinking of the last few times i've seen the telescopes who still completely destroy when they play live, stephen seems like he's possessed by the sound, the one unique signal guys too, something magical seems to happen when they play.

i'd skimmed this thread earlier that day and the pop group guy thing, kinda, err made sense. right, anyway, i'll run away now, ha :)

I thought SF show was very good, but I can get the complaint that it seemed very... well professional. That kind of live experience not a bad thing at all imo (heck a lot of great bands build their live career off of just that without even trying for an "IMMERSE YOURSELF IN THE SPECTACLE OF" type of thing) but I can see how if you were looking for or had built up Loop live as something more transcendental it could seem a bit ho hum.

Actually, their LA show was stupendous and transcendental. They played the exact same way 25 years ago, but they had way more hair (maybe that would have helped xpost). The best bands back then didn't move at all - that was actually really important (and should still be).

Yeah LA was one of those experiences where what happened on stage itself was fairly simple but the net effect = holy god. Those guitar tones from Hampson!

Robert just posted on FB confirming that the reunion is now wrapped up. So glad to catch it.

Huh, weird. Aren't they playing ATP Iceland?

Not anymore. Crossposted a little earlier to the official FB Loop page:

Once again, Loop has just fuzzed to a stop.
But it was fucking huge and burned the brightest ever.
It could have got even brighter, but it wasn’t to be.
Thank you to all the fans old and new, far and wide for some amazingly wonderful nights of noise.
If you missed it, that’s a damn shame, as it’ll never happen again.
Twice bitten, thrice shy.
No thank you to the people that systematically erode with bitterness, poisonous cynicism and lack of respect - you know who you are.
Never shall we meet again and for that I am thankful for small mercies.
As Always…
Always Forward.
With Love
RH (June 2014)

So some internal drama halted it I figure? I'm also glad to have caught them!

Well Scott Dowson's apparently also posted this:

And a special fuck you to the lack of respect shown by certain people employed by Loop, who took advantage of us to further their own career. For the love of money is the root of all evil. You know who you are.

Such a shame.

Loop seems an unlikely vehicle to choose for those things.

it seems unlikely there would be much money there to rip off too. glad i got to see them. i preferred them this time around to the first time around although last time i saw them (87/88?) they played unplugged as their PA never showed up.

ha, was that at the QMU? i went to that, seem to remember it was snowing and the PA van broke down in the borders somewhere.

it was and yes, i think you are right about the snow. hazy memories!

Haha, I was at that too. Godflesh were supposed to play as well?

maybe! all i can remember really was that it was bloody cold.
saw Loop later on at the Tech with World Dom supporting. Loop were astoundingly loud, World Dom by that point had guitar tuners which seemed to defeat the purpose of them really.

Ha-Ha. Role call. I was at that gig too. Probably the best show of theirs that I saw.

Got some photos of that show somewhere actually. I should dig those out.

I figured World Dom would only be defeated when THAT guitar fell apart (I'm assuming it did, eventually). Who knew a lowly guitar tuner would be their undoing?

It appears the FB post announcing the end of the reunion has been removed from the Loop page. Perhaps it's not over after all? I hope not; I'd love to catch them.

Loop is back on

Yeah, I'm now seeing cryptic hints about a wholly new lineup coming together.

And Robert's posted to FB earlier, it turns out. Immediately upcoming shows are off but there will be a new lineup. Hm!

why do dowson n hampson hate each other

Here's the formal FB post on the Loop page:

"A change of heart, a change of plans...

Tho' I am very saddened that the last line-up of LOOP cannot continue in it's current form, after much soul searching and with incredible support of people who are very close and dear to me, I have decided to continue LOOP in another form.

Too much time and great effort on behalf of many got it back on it's legs after such a long time away. The response to the recent reactivation has been more than incredible. So much goodwill and heartfelt love has been thrown this way and without wishing to spoil the broth, it seems just too damn sad to curl up and die when possibilites are presented to me (ever the one to take on a challenge and challenge back) that deep deep deep in my heart, I have to at least make a play and see what transpires.

Before anyone sneers, let me say this.

Yes, it might be shit. I agree on that.
But let it breathe and see first before casting stones.
I'll be the first to swiftly turn around and walk away if it stinks.

There have be various line-ups before and nobody has seemed to have taken offence.
After all, it has to be said... I'm the founder of this project and the only original member anyhow.
(Hate saying that, but really... it's the simple truth)
My thanks still remain with James Endeacott, Beki Stewart, Ian 'Glen' Glenister, John Wills, Neil Mackay and Scott Dowson for making LOOP happen over the past years.
I so very much wanted Scott to stay, but sadly, life simply gets in the way of things at times and it isn't possible for him to do so.
I love that man and he knows that I would do all I could to make things change, but I'm just not in that position at this time.

I have written two new songs that I had planned for LOOP before we finished last week, and I was hoping to move forward into the studio at some point and at least, try something new.

I have no idea what this all may bring.

Give it a chance at least.

There are plans for more concerts around the world and sadly, some have had to be cancelled due to the latest developments.

The shows in Iceland (ATP Takeover) and Poland (OFF Festival) are now, with deep regret, not within reach.

But other offers are coming in thick and fast and there is much ground to be covered.

Yesterday, I was the saddest I had ever been for a very long time. But people rallied around and got me to at least admit that it doesn't have to be over until I say it's over.
So... with that in mind and actually taking it in, I'm going to give it a shot.

For fuck's sake, be patient with me.
You waited 24 fucking years so another few months won't hurt.

Let's see what happens, eh?

Let it breathe.

If it stinks, then do not doubt me, I'll be the first to say so and will sink that boat immediately.

Always Forward!

With love and total respect to you all who have stuck by thru thick and thin"
RH

I don't know- Scott's guitar parts are pretty damn easy to play. It can't be that hard to have a fill-in?

"OK see this chord? Here's how you play one bar of the song it goes with. OK now repeat that until we're done with the song. On to the next song. OK see this chord?..."

I am callowly nominating myself as a fill-in guitarist.

I had the pleasure of photographing Loop & Godflesh at the Glasgow gig last week. A few shots here, for interested parties... http://www.thesleepingshaman.com/reviews/gig-reviews/loop-godflesh-swg3-glasgow-02-06-2014/

still lolling at the idea of loop & godflesh unplugged

their san diego show was so freakin loud

my ears are still ringing - last time i go to a show without earplugs i think

xpost - it wasn't "unplugged". Just no p.a system. It was instrumental. No mics or mic stands - just them jamming their tunes as loud as ever but without vocals. That is why it was so good. The stage was nice and clear so a good band/audience connection, and the words get lost live anyway.

Also, Godflesh were not the opening band. Don't think there was one.