Loop - RFD

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.

I think they were supposed to be though, but didn't play because of the lack of PA.

Loop can now confirm their appearance at Levitation Festival, Angers in France 20th September.

The band now will consist of members Robert Hampson (Gtr./Voc), Wayne Maskell (Drums), Hugo Morgan (Bass) and a new second guitarist to be finalised in the coming weeks.

Sadly, due to circumstances of logistics and personal lives outside of the band, it is with regret that Neil McKay and Scott Dowson can no longer be involved in the Loop project. Our best wishes go with them both.

Future festival and concert appearances are now being organised for later of this year 2014 and well into next year 2015.

New recordings in the shape of a 3 track EP called ‘Array’ will be released later this year.

Oh hey...

New song.

http://www.stereogum.com/1796516/loop-precession-stereogum-premiere/mp3s/

!!!

Is it good? I haven't had a chance to listen yet.

Never sure what to expect with all these reunited acts.

GBV was mixed. Swervedriver was incredible. Medicine was ok. Polvo was fantastic.

The song, sound and arrangement are perfect, the vocals are very different - less intense, less processed.

Yeah the vocal difference is the part that intrigues me the most, and makes it not simply Loop redux.

Further word from the band:

"Array 1" will be released on ATP Recordings on 22nd June 2105 (June 24th in the US)

It's more "Brittle Head Girl" than "Thief of Fire". That said, I hope the other tracks feature at least some of the more traditional Loop vocals.

Reminds me of Main's Hydra-Calm stuff, actually.

Yeah, definitely connection there.

Just now experienced Array 1. My first Loop, so will do comparative study later, but although,like a a lot of new stuff involving drones, this immediately began to wrap me up for cosmic naptime, it was also rock & roll enough that I grabbed a coffee and got back on the sphere patrol. Round and round, better and better, especially when we got to "Coma, " where all the patients are in black leather, and prepped for "Radial," where bone saws and B-47s (mostly) turn to fuzz guitars, welder's torches, a few diaphanous elements, discreetly hovering, as in the first two tracks---everybody's here now. "Embrace your/New home." So far so good.
1. Precession 4:57
2. Aphelion 5:14
3. Coma 7:14
4. Radial 17:03

Press sheet info:
Towards the end of 2013 saw the reformation of one of the most revered and respected late 80’s UK alternative bands, LOOP. The group, founded by Robert Hampson, hadn’t played together since the early 90’s but got together to curate a night at the legendary All Tomorrow’s Parties at Camber Sands. US dates followed in 2014 and they then got back in the studio to start recording. The result is three brand new releases coming over the next year which see the band return to their hugely unique and era defining sound whilst sounding fresh and exciting.

The first release is ‘Array 1’, four tracks and 32 mins of haunting, aggressive, beautiful noise. ‘Precession’, ‘Aphelion’, ‘Coma’ and ‘Radial’ are the first songs to be heard from their recording session done in Sub Station Studios in Rosyth in Scotland with the current line up of Robert Hampson (vocals/guitar), Hugo Morgan (bass), Wayne Maskell (drums) and Dan Boyd (guitar). With only an early version of ‘Precession’ having had any previous outing (at a show at the Garage in London at the end of 2014), this is the very first new music from the band since their third album, 1990’s lost classic ‘A Gilded Eternity’.

The next tracks will be released in the Autumn in keeping with Loop’s previous habit of putting out music in batches, Hampson describes it as “one project, with the same concept, delivered in bulletins”.

With the music out on 22nd June 2015, this ties in with a show at the Roundhouse in London on 28th June where they are part of the line-up of ATP's Season at the Roundhouse. The event, curated by post rock band Mogwai to celebrate their 20th Anniversary, will be spread over six nights and see performances from the likes of Public Enemy, GZA, Godspeed You! Black Emperor and The Jesus and Mary Chain.

More shows listed in that xpost April Stereogum link, but dunno how much of that is still on. I hereby request more US shows, with a light show and room to dance ("Radial" 's got a nice Can or canned beat).

anywhere to preview the other tracks?

Not yet, far as I can tell, but they'll be out fairly soon.

you cant go wrong with a mix of Loop and The Heads!

The whole EP is now on Spotify and Apple Music.

Just catching up to Array I and it's pretty great. Are these guys still going or did it fizzle after this EP? Seems like the whole endeavor was a precarious undertaking.

http://soundheads.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Unknown-2.jpeg

Swans, Loop, yeah all prime vaporwave acts there.

https://www.musicweek.com/talent/read/cooking-vinyl-sign-trance-rock-stars-loop-group-confirm-first-album-since-1990/081181

A fine thing!

coincidentally I am wearing a (badly washed out - and it's not even an old shirt just a shit printing job) Loop t-shirt today

just saw a notice from the band on FB. Haven't heard recent stuff so not sure if originals sound like a continuation of the turn of the 90s stuff.

very excited

What the what now?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrViQDlYxdE

'Halo' is taken from the new album 'Sonancy' which releases on March 11th 2022, the first studio album since 'A Gilded Eternity' (1990). Stream 'Halo' and pre-order the album at https://loopband.lnk.to/sonancy

gonna stick my neck out and say it sounds a bit like loop?

Just came to post that!

Yes, sounds as expected.

https://www.brooklynvegan.com/loop-announce-sonancy-first-album-in-32-years-share-halo/

something about it reminds me a bit of chrome too, that shiny, brittle, dopesick android thing

Very much Arc-Lite Pt2, but I'm fine with that.

!!!

Vinyl comes to $78.24 with shipping so I think I'll pass on that.

So! Had a great interview with Mr. Hampson himself for Bandcamp today. The piece will serve as an overall introduction to his work across the decades but also got some great thoughts about the new album. Will run in a few weeks.

Looking forward to it!

New single sounds like Read & Burn-era Wire to me. (Warning: strobe light-y video.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_vt59YEQiAE

okay that's a good song! but tbh i'd rather have something else than the sound just wubbing about the stereo field in the spaces where there once would have been guitar solos or whatever

when i were a lad all this were wah pedals round 'ere

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBmjOBwczXk

^^^ wish i hadn't missed that

listening to the new one, kind of reminds me of early Main but weirdly upbeat (so far)

Went to listen to the new album after midnight last night and it wasn't available. Some places say the "release" is set for 3/25. Guess the physical got pushed back so they delayed putting it up on streaming outlets until then?

Yeah something like that. My interview will yet be along, it's in the editorial pipeline.

!!

Excited to see that interview.

xxp huh

well it's on certain music sharing sites already. only even thought to check because the original release date was today iirc.

also looking forward to the interview, Ned!

I'm seeing 3/25 as the release date most places, 4/22 according to Amazon.

The vocal on “Fermion” sounds like Ian Curtis, in a really good way.

Listening now and enjoying it. Pre-ordered the deluxe 2CD version; don't know how radical the bonus remix disc will be.