Greg EIS:

Hello

¨ "Nightbird" And "Breathe" Release Dates Delayed

The release dates of both Nightbird and Breathe have unfortunately been pushed back to January 2005.

If the original release date of October 2004 was adhered to, it was felt that the band would not be able to give the album and single the promotion it deserves. This it due to the unavailability of Vince during the next couple of months as well as Andy recuperating from a recent hip operation.

By pushing back the release date, it enables both Mute and the band to give Nightbird and Breathe the full promotional support that these new releases deserve, as well as enabling it to be backed up by a tour shortly afterwards. (Further tour details to be announced at a later date).

However there will still be an exciting release to look forward to this year - again further details to be announced shortly.

For those attending the EIS '04 album launch party on the 7th August, this event remains completely unaffected by todays announcement.

Greg

PS. Last day of EIS merchandise sale is 30th June 2004:

https://secure.erasureinfo.co.uk/oldshop/merch.html

Erasure Information Service

¨ "On Public Display" - Review

Now we have a review of the recent "On Public Display" project performance that took place in London during this week. EIS member Gareth Pugh has kindly agreed to write his imressions. So, here they are:

"I went to the afternoon performance today (Saturday) - I've got to say, it was really good, proper ballet but with some modern twists (especially with the costumes - kind of futuristic in places and reminiscent of some of those Kylie videos c. Fever).

There were five sections, and the second 'On Public Display' featured the Vince/Martyn music and Andy's vocals.

The dancers were sort-of dressed as rather creepy, futuristic clowns (imagine Pierrot crossed with Blade Runner! Lots of black, white and red, with vaguely punk-y overtones) - the piece was about a love affair between two puppets, I think!

The music was really good - the early and later parts of it (it had some 'grand piano' sounding stuff in the middle, which might be the stuff Vince and Martyn adapted from Shostakovich, dead Russian guy!) were very remiscent IMHO of the sounds from 'In the Hall of the Mountain King' - particularly the more spooky and atmospheric 'New Version' - which kind of reminds me of a victorian fairground or something (hey, it's my imagination goin' wild and too fast!).

Andy's vocals were heard in the final two minutes, and sounded great - full of range and fully powered-up. I *think* they were recorded in the end, as he didn't personally appear, despite what was mentioned earlier. I guess he's still recuperating from his hip op - fair play to the guy, and get well soon! The singing? Well there were no lyrics (what do you call it when you just sing harmonies but no actual words? Dunno) but it sounded a bit like the intro to 'Lay all your love on me' a bit - lots of choral sweeping and soaring.

No CD or anything available but a really entertaining afternoon - a real treat for the eyes and ears!

cheers
Gareth"

Also Gareth provide us some additional info about an event:

"Unfortunately, it was a strictly no cameras, no filming kind of venue (with lots of staff, if any one tried it). There is a fold-out programme with a picture of Diaghilev on the front, although it has no reference to 'Erasure' inside, just "Music: Martyn Ware and Vince Clark - The Illustrious Company Ltd (Music and Three-dimensional soundscape)" - yeah, they spelt his surname wrong - and "Vocals: Andy Bell" - otherwise, that's it. No pics of them or anything."

Big thanks to Gareth for this review!

¨ Added New Pics

Added details of: "Superstars In Concert" triple cd, "Loveboat" south african cd (thanks to Mike DePaz), "Rain" belgian cd (thanks to Mike DePaz), "Wonderland" german cassette (thanks to Patrick Aldag), "A Little Respect" german vinyl (thanks to Patrick Aldag).

¨ "Nightbird" Release Date

According to Labels (Erasure's french label), new Erasure album "Nightbird" will be released in France on CD and LP on the 19th October. So we can expect a UK release one day earlier - on the 18th October.

¨ "Private Ear" Is Back!

Erasure's fan club magazine is going back! Greg EIS: "Yes I'd thought I'd bring back this publication for a one off edition this year. If it does okay then who knows? There may be several more editions next year...

I realise that a print based magazine wouldn't be suitable for featuring the latest news etc (that's what this kick-ass website is for!), but I thought an articles / interviews based full colour magazine with loads of glossy pics etc might be cool.

More details in a few weeks."

Greg EIS:

Hello!

June is upon us as well as decent weather - hurrah!

Anyway...

¨ Ask Mute - Daniel Miller Interview

Thank you to everyone who sent in questions for the Ask Mute feature that I mentioned a while back. I conducted an interview with Daniel Miller last week where he answered a selection of your questions.

¨ Piney Gir - Interview

Another interview I recently (well 3 days ago in fact!) did was with Piney Gir (formally of Vic Twenty) where we discussed her fabulous debut album (Peakahokahoo), touring with Andy and Vince last year on 'The Other Tour', and working with Erasure's backing singers Val and Ann Marie.

Her album is definitely worth checking out - more details can be found at:

http://www.pineygir.com

Both interviews will be published shortly in the forthcoming EIS Private Ear magazine (Issue 31) with excerpts published on the EIS web site later.

¨ EIS Competition Time - Win Signed Copies Of Hits!

I have 5 CDs of "Hits! The Very Best Of Erasure" (CDMUTEL10) to give away and each has been signed by Andy and Vince!

[Check your EIS email update for entry details]

¨ EIS Merchandise - Major Price Cuts

For the * next two weeks only * there is a major summer sale on at the EIS!

Many of the items have had major price cuts - for example the Hits! T-shirts have been reduced in price by £5.00.

This sale will last until the end of this month (June).

In addition stock levels of some items are extremely low, in particular the Loveboat t-shirts, Cowboy Accessories t-shirts and the Tiny Tour programmes.

The EIS shop can be reached here:

https://secure.erasureinfo.co.uk/oldshop/merch.html

* Please ensure that you refresh the page *

¨ EIS '04 - Disco Requests

Message from Rod Kemble (DJ at EIS '04):

If you want to request a record for EIS '04, send me the name of the track, the band, your name and any particular reason why you want it.

Bear in mind:

a) It's a disco, so it helps if it's danceable - i.e. as much as we all love the piano mix of 91 steps, it isn't likely to get played!

b) It's "Erasure related", so it's more likely to get played if it fits this description - although I'm open to all suggestions.

c) I'm guessing there's going to be a lot of requests, so I can't guarantee I'll get to play them all. But I will try to be representative of what most people want.

Send the requests to

requests@erasureinfo.com

Thanks Rod!

¨ EIS '04 - Food Tickets

I've had a few people email me asking if its possible to still get a food pass for EIS '04 - that's no problem - just email me and let me know.

¨ EIS Update Emails

If you know of anyone who is having trouble receiving these email updates, please ask them to check their spam filters - a lot of ISPs are now introducing them.

There will be some major announcements over the coming months and it would be a shame for people to miss out on them.

By the same token - if you are receiving duplicate e-mails then let me know which email addresses you would like removed.

Until next time!

Greg
Erasure Information Service

¨ "Breathe" Release Date Is Still Unconfirmed

Although Labels (Erasure's french label) have "Breathe" release date on 5th October, it is still unconfirmed.

Greg EIS: "The release dates of both "Breathe" and "Nightbird" are still to be determined - hence no announcement as of yet. This isn't a case of Mute saying "don't say anything until a certain time" but the dates *really* are still to be decided."

¨ Extra! Extra! "Breathe" Release Date!

According to Labels (Erasure's french label), new single "Breathe" will be released in France on maxi cd and maxi 12" on the 5th October. So we can expect a UK release one day earlier - on the 4th October.

¨ Added New Audio Files

Two new Eu-Jinn's remixes has been added to the audio page. As usual, you can find them in "Media" section. The tracks are "Everybody's Got To Learn Sometime" and "Star".

¨ Interesting Ebay Lot

An interesting Erasure related lot currently listed on eBay auction. It's an invitation to the Andy Bell's 40th birthday party. The invitation itself is a card with photo of young children on the front and invite details on the back. The card is packed into black envelope with coordinated label. You can see this lot here.

¨ Added New Pics

Added details of: "Supernature" french cd, "Fingers & Thumbs (Cold Summer's Day)" us vinyl (thanks to Christian Ondrak), "Chorus" australian single cd (thanks to Mike DePaz), "Chains Of Love" german vinyl (thanks to Patrick Aldag), "Don't Say Your Love Is Killing Me" german cd (thanks to Patrick Aldag).

¨ "Breathe" And "Nightbird" Fan Covers

Here are two beautiful covers of forthcoming Erasure single "Breathe" and album "Nightbird" made by EIS member sugarfree.

¨ "Coneheads" Will Be Shown On TV

On Sunday, June 13th, Russian TV channel STS will be showing the fantastic comedy "Coneheads" (starring: Dan Aykroyd, Jane Curtin, Michael McKean, Jason Alexander, Adam Sandler and others). Soundtrack of this movie features "No More Tears (Enough Is Enough)" which is performed by Andy Bell and K. D. Lang. The song was recorded in 1993 and also was performed live at Brit Awards. The showing will start at 21:00 (Moscow time). More details here.

¨ "The Other Tour" On DVD

Greg EIS:

"There are no plans at present to release 'The Other Tour' on DVD."

¨ Andy's Hip Replacement

British tabloid "News Of The World" have published a very small article about Andy Bell recently. Here it is:

"Erasure frontman Andy Bell has had a hip replacement op at the relatively tender age of 40. What have you been up to, Andy?"

(thanks to EIS member Garryd for the info)

In a last year interviews Andy mentioned that during "The Other Tour" he had been in bad pain on stage every night. And then, on the next day after the show he even could not walk. In Erasure's Studio Diary Vince have mentioned that Andy "bought leg massager" and "goes to physio for his legs - his hip dissention is very narrow after wearing high heeled shoes for so many years and doing the can-can. His girth is getting broader. Is learning how to walk again - but should be fine by November."

According to another EIS member, jimmymac, Andy "had the op on 21/5, he is doing ok, but unfortunately still has another week in hospital."

Get well soon, Andy!