http://blogparty.blocparty.net/
Monday, October 19, 2009
Going a bit Tong?
"The future of Bloc Party has been called into question by drummer Matt Tong, who hinted that he is not certain of his continued role in the band. Tong said the group is planning a long break, and that he "wouldn't mind trying something else for a while".
The band are in the middle of a month-long UK tour, but "unfortunately that is going to be it for the time being", Tong told the BBC's Subculture show. "We definitely need to have a break and gain a bit of perspective on life outside of the band. Hopefully, if we do reconvene at some point we'll be refreshed with many new ideas."
Frontman Kele Okereke has also mentioned taking a break, telling an Australian interviewer: "We may take a year off, we may take three years off. We may never make a record again or we may head straight back in and do a record." But while Okereke's comments suggest a temporary break – recalling bassist Gordon Moakes's "baby hiatus" – Tong's doubts seem to go deeper.
"I definitely don't think this will be the last you'll hear of the people who make up Bloc Party," he said, suggesting that side-projects or perhaps a rearranged lineup are likely. "Kele is an insatiable workaholic so you'll definitely hear from him again along with [guitarist] Russell [Lissack] and Gordon," Tong said."
Let's hope it's just tour fatigue syndrome kicking in. Either way, it looks like Bloctober will be the last we hear from Bloc Party for a while. UK Bloctober attendees, make the most of these gigs.
Labels: Interviews, Random
¶ 11:04 PM
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WHAT THE??!?!?........NOOOO MATT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
# posted by 
: October 20, 2009 1:03 PM
: October 20, 2009 1:03 PM
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO is the same exact thing i was thinking as well
# posted by : October 20, 2009 7:20 PM
: October 20, 2009 7:20 PM
Please, please, please! DON'T LEAVE US!!! I'll fall on my knees, I'm game for everything.. Are you mad? You're so cool and you always told that you have a hundreds of ideas. Please don't leave us!!!!!!
# posted by : October 20, 2009 8:14 PM
: October 20, 2009 8:14 PM
Chill the beans, all they've said is that they're taking a break & then some dirty journos twisted it a little to make it seem worse.
It could just be the same situation as the New Year's Eve gig that U2 played in 1989, Bono famously said at the gig that the band were going to: 'go away and ... and dream it all up again.' At the time following rumours of tour exhaustion, a lack of artistic ideas and frictions within the band speculation suggested a split...three years later they came back with the classic 'Achtung Baby'...let's hope Bloc Party's tension are just as 'Positive'...
I think it's safe to say that right now they are in a state of flux.
# posted by : October 21, 2009 6:14 PM
: October 21, 2009 6:14 PM
cant say im surprised...
seeing as theyve been surpressing matt tong since silent alarm.
and almost fully replacing him in intimacy with a drum machine.
and i thought we'd already got over the whole "bloc party are taking a break" thing.
you cant expect them to keep doing the same thing over and over again for the rest of their lives.
seeing as theyve been surpressing matt tong since silent alarm.
and almost fully replacing him in intimacy with a drum machine.
and i thought we'd already got over the whole "bloc party are taking a break" thing.
you cant expect them to keep doing the same thing over and over again for the rest of their lives.
# posted by : October 21, 2009 9:20 PM
: October 21, 2009 9:20 PM
please let it just be a break!! matt, i listen to bloc because of you! even super early in the morning, your drum beat has me dancing!!!
# posted by : October 21, 2009 9:30 PM
: October 21, 2009 9:30 PM
This FRICKEN SUCKS!!! They cannot breakup...I love this band more than myself!
# posted by : October 21, 2009 11:36 PM
: October 21, 2009 11:36 PM
OMG!!!
From The first listening of Bloc Party's "banquet" until rest of all the album,I Heard the "sense" of the song is the drum,bloc without Tong will be different.And I hope BP will be back as soon as posible.LOVE U ALL.
From The first listening of Bloc Party's "banquet" until rest of all the album,I Heard the "sense" of the song is the drum,bloc without Tong will be different.And I hope BP will be back as soon as posible.LOVE U ALL.
# posted by : October 22, 2009 1:56 PM
: October 22, 2009 1:56 PM
Well (big sigh), if Matt is going to leave Bloc Party I have to say that I actually feel priviliged to have seen him play live. Matt is the best drummer. There is just nobody like him. Thanx Matt!!! ...........................PLEASE DON'T QUIT!!
# posted by : October 22, 2009 6:15 PM
: October 22, 2009 6:15 PM
"Gain a perspective on life".... fucking hell... go on holiday.... maybe for two weeks or whatever.... get it out your system. I count on you Bloc Party to release something every year! Youre not like Radiohead, who release an album once a century. Fucking hell.
# posted by : October 22, 2009 10:34 PM
: October 22, 2009 10:34 PM
i also feel privileged to see him live. Amazing drummer and i got to see him in action
# posted by : October 23, 2009 12:25 AM
: October 23, 2009 12:25 AM
I agree with Phil & Mark - they need some time off. Bear in mind they havn't had a proper break since silent alarm and they also released intimacy much earlier than expected (about 1 year and a half after AWITC).
As for the talk of side projects etc, most artists crave a more experimental creative outlet which may not necessarily represent the sound of their band; The Postal Service, Thom Yorke, John Frusciante, Gorillaz, Marmaduke Duke, Albert Hammond Jr. etc etc (although very few imo, are better than their original band)
Side projects are a great way to stay sharp during a hiatus.
However, give it a couple of years & bloc will be back.
All credit to Matt though - His exceptional and unparalleled drumming never ceases to amaze me.Every member of that band is unreplaceable.
God bless Bloc Party!
As for the talk of side projects etc, most artists crave a more experimental creative outlet which may not necessarily represent the sound of their band; The Postal Service, Thom Yorke, John Frusciante, Gorillaz, Marmaduke Duke, Albert Hammond Jr. etc etc (although very few imo, are better than their original band)
Side projects are a great way to stay sharp during a hiatus.
However, give it a couple of years & bloc will be back.
All credit to Matt though - His exceptional and unparalleled drumming never ceases to amaze me.Every member of that band is unreplaceable.
God bless Bloc Party!
# posted by : October 23, 2009 5:12 PM
: October 23, 2009 5:12 PM
I really do hope this is Matt just playing with the press about something that is really just about taking a break - our journalists going hell for leather on it.
on the other hand, i do feel slightly worried.
on the other hand, i do feel slightly worried.
for any russell aficiendos:
theres a couple of new videos with the musical genius that is russell, on youtube the now. One of which he's kind of being interviewed whilst playing around with a guitar. the other is an weird audio interview.
the sad thing is, russell so rarely graces us with his viewpoints, and when he finally does, he seems to receive a barrage of ridiculous questions as opposed to a discussion on his input within the band.
worth a look though.
theres a couple of new videos with the musical genius that is russell, on youtube the now. One of which he's kind of being interviewed whilst playing around with a guitar. the other is an weird audio interview.
the sad thing is, russell so rarely graces us with his viewpoints, and when he finally does, he seems to receive a barrage of ridiculous questions as opposed to a discussion on his input within the band.
worth a look though.
# posted by : October 26, 2009 11:06 PM
: October 26, 2009 11:06 PM
I think the most difficult thing in the world is to say who stands higher in Bloc Party and who is lower. These guys were born to play together. Bloc Party isn't just a band, it's a genre and without each member it won't sound as it did. Well, as perfect optimists we'll hope it's just the words or a question of time...
# posted by : October 27, 2009 6:59 PM
: October 27, 2009 6:59 PM
Really dissapointing...Japan November tour is cancelled again!!! Everybody waited for long time since the May dates were cancelled. Really shocking news....
# posted by : October 30, 2009 3:43 PM
: October 30, 2009 3:43 PM
Japan - well I can understand ur concerns but personally I am glad - right now Japan would become 'straw that broke camel's back'.
Great gig in Reading Friday (any news from last show in Bournemouth), Kele said: 'make the most of it only two more shows' then looked embarassed and said: 'sorry that sounded really bad, I can tell you now there will be loads more BP shows, how about it Matt?', Matt then responded: 'Fuck it, why not it's a laugh!'. Don't know how honest Matt was being (he seemed it), but if he still has doubts then it would have been a bit weird Kele putting him on the spot.
I'm hoping I was right in my previous comment and that they just need a long break and a change of direction or re-focus to get back on an even keel and forge ahead with their journey...
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Great gig in Reading Friday (any news from last show in Bournemouth), Kele said: 'make the most of it only two more shows' then looked embarassed and said: 'sorry that sounded really bad, I can tell you now there will be loads more BP shows, how about it Matt?', Matt then responded: 'Fuck it, why not it's a laugh!'. Don't know how honest Matt was being (he seemed it), but if he still has doubts then it would have been a bit weird Kele putting him on the spot.
I'm hoping I was right in my previous comment and that they just need a long break and a change of direction or re-focus to get back on an even keel and forge ahead with their journey...
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