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skip navigationJapanese Rocker Kiyoshiro Imawano Dies
The sad news that Kiyoshiro, who The Blockheads collaborated with in Japan on a few occasions, has just reached us at Blockhead HQ.
By Rob Schwartz, Tokyo
Japanese rocker Kiyoshiro Imawano, leader of the groundbreaking band RC Succession and later a solo act, has died in Tokyo at 58.
RC Succession started as a Ventures cover band in 1966 but moved on to be one of the leading rock bands in Japan with their 1972 hit record "Shoki no RC Succession." From that time the act was a staple of the Japanese rock scene and they also received international attention. In 1982 RC Succession took part in the high-profile "The Day of R&B" festival at which Chuck Berry headlined.
Unusual for Japan, Imawano was active politically and recorded anti-nuclear tracks as well as spoke out against war and for Tibetan freedom.
He was scheduled to appear in 2006 but was diagnosed with throat cancer and was forced to cancel.
Imawano succumbed to lymphatic cancer early Saturday morning.
The reviews are in!
Staring Down The Barrel is now released worldwide through EMI records. Some choice quotes from our favourite publications are below!
"Given the times those ancient Blockheads sound more here-and-now than anyone..." Uncut
"Dury would be proud." Mojo
"This is a record which will thrill Blockheads fans of all ages and demonstrates this ensemble have lost none of their passion and spirit." Subba-Cultcha
"The trademark funk/rock/music hall/ska fusion of old mucker Derek The Draw has...got the great man [Ian Dury]'s knack for vivid social commentary nailed too." Big Cheese
"...unexpectedly thoughtful and engaging." Daily Telegraph Review
"It sounds like a vintage Blockheads album..." Record Collector
"Ian Dury owed his brilliance to no one. But he owed his stardom to The Blockheads…Musically Jankel and his men keep it as tight and funky as before." The Word
"Staring Down The Barrel is a great, adult album full of good tunes, witty lyrics and steaming great grooves." bbc.co.uk
Pop over to iTunes to download the album.
Greed - New Video exclusive
The video for 'Greed' - a song that Derek 'The Draw' Hussey wrote two years ago with Chaz Jankel - has been released ahead of
"Staring Down The Barrel".
The song has especially prescient lyrics fiercely
critical of bankers and speculators, resonating strongly with the credit-crunched times ("Money doesn't talk it swears").
Derek's conversational London voice singing lyrics rich in wordplay, cheek and aphorism are complimented by The Blockheads'
distinctive funk and grooves.
The accompanying video features cameos from actor and well-known music fan Martin Freeman (The Office, Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy,
The Good Night); Toby Jones (Truman Capote in "Infamous", agent Irving 'Swifty' Lazar in"Frost/Nixon" and Karl Rove in OIiver Stone's "W");
and musician, comedian, actor and TV presenter Rowland Rivron.
Stuart Harris, who has worked as a cinematographer with directors as diverse as Ridley Scott, Julien Temple, Tim Pope and Storm Thorgerson,
directed and photographed the video.
Press Release - February 10th
For immediate release, London, England -
On April 6th The Blockheads; one of the punk and new wave era's best loved bands,
are set to return to the forefront of the British music scene with a brand new studio album "Staring Down The Barrel" via
EMI Records, and will also embark on a nationwide UK tour.
Pop over to iTunes to download the album.
Originally known as Ian Dury & The Blockheads, the current line-up, consisting of four of the original members; Chaz Jankel (piano, guitar),
Mick Gallagher (keyboards), Norman Watt-Roy (bass) and John Turnbull (guitar), are joined by Derek Hussey (Vocals), Dylan Howe (drums) and Gilad Atzmon (sax).
"Barrel" is the second studio album the Blockheads have released since their original lead singer, Ian Dury,
passed away in 2000.
Comprised of new music written by Jankel, the lyrics are penned by new Blockheads vocalist Derek Hussey
(aka Derek The Draw), Dury's personal minder from 1990-2000.
The front CD inlay artwork has been illustrated by Sir Peter Blake who has been a friend to the band since their formation (he was Ian Dury's art tutor).
It has just been officially confirmed that an unconventional film biopic about the iconic musician
Ian Dury entitled 'Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll', will star Andy Serkis (Lord of the Rings) in the title role.
Produced by Damian Jones (Kidulthood, Adulthood), the film will be released in 2010.
Jankel has been appointed as Music Producer, The Blockheads have already recorded tracks for the film soundtrack.
For all interview opportunities regarding The Blockheads "Staring Down The Barrel" album please contact scott.steele@emimusic.com
New Live album released exclusively on iTunes
" cover of "30 - The Blockheads Live at The Electric Ballroom April 17th 2008"
On April 17th 2008 we played a special show that reunited us with Davey Payne our original Saxophone man and the one and only Phill Jupitus also came along. This show was captured on 24 track digital and the resulting album "30" is now released worldwide on iTunes. Part One features a brand new song No Go Central (which will feature on next years studio album) along with Reasons To Be Cheerful Part 3, I Want to Be Straight, Itinerant Child, and others. Part 2 includes New Boots And Panties (which features a riproaring version of Clevor Trever), Rhythm Stick and F**cking Ada.
Pop over to iTunes to download the show in its entirety.
New Ian Dury & The Blockheads Box Set
Edsel is proud to present a box set of Ian Dury's seven Stiff Records singles, in CD-sized replicas of their original classic 7" sleeves, as well as a four song disc featuring Ian & The Blockheads one and only session for John Peel (or for any BBC Radio show), which is released for the first time in any format!
The box also includes a bonus DVD of Ian and the band?s six promo videos for the singles, which have never been commercially released in any format, and have remained unseen since they were broadcast on a handful of occasions in the late 70s / early 80s.
The illustrated booklet is extensively annotated by Chaz Jankel and Mick Gallagher.
1. Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll / Razzle In My Pocket / Two Steep Hills / England's Glory
2. Sweet Gene Vincent / You're More Than Fair
3. What A Waste / Wake Up And Make Love With Me
4. Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick / There Ain't Half Been Some Clever Bastards
5. Reasons To Be Cheerful, Part 3 / Common As Muck / Reasons To Be Cheerful, Part 3 [12" version]
6. I Want To Be Straight / That's Not All
7. Sueperman's Big Sister / You'll See Glimpses
8. THE PEEL SESSION: Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll / Clevor Trever / Sweet Gene Vincent / Blockheads
BONUS DVD: THE PROMO VIDEOS
Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll / What A Waste / Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick / Reasons To Be Cheerful, Part 3 / I Want To Be Straight / Sueperman's Big Sister
Release date: 20th October 2008
Catalogue no: EDSB 4003
The Stiff years re-released!!
Surprisingly, for three such treasured albums, New Boots And Panties!! (1977); Do It Yourself (1979) and Laughter (1980) have never been given the full Deluxe 2 CD Edition re-issue treatment.
Demon Music Group has finally put this right at long last! With the full co-operation of both the Dury estate and The Blockheads, 2 CD sets include bonus discs with all the non-album singles sides, as well as previously unreleased demo versions, outtakes, and live versions, all retrieved from the untouched Dury tape archive.
The booklets feature full annotation, all the lyrics, and Dury ephemera. We would like to thank Val Jennings at Demon for putting together what we consider to be the ultimate versions of these albums.
To purchase from Amazon please click on an album cover below.
The sad news that Kiyoshiro, who The Blockheads collaborated with in Japan on a few occasions, has just reached us at Blockhead HQ.
By Rob Schwartz, Tokyo
Japanese rocker Kiyoshiro Imawano, leader of the groundbreaking band RC Succession and later a solo act, has died in Tokyo at 58.
RC Succession started as a Ventures cover band in 1966 but moved on to be one of the leading rock bands in Japan with their 1972 hit record "Shoki no RC Succession." From that time the act was a staple of the Japanese rock scene and they also received international attention. In 1982 RC Succession took part in the high-profile "The Day of R&B" festival at which Chuck Berry headlined.
Unusual for Japan, Imawano was active politically and recorded anti-nuclear tracks as well as spoke out against war and for Tibetan freedom.
He was scheduled to appear in 2006 but was diagnosed with throat cancer and was forced to cancel.
Imawano succumbed to lymphatic cancer early Saturday morning.
The reviews are in!
Staring Down The Barrel is now released worldwide through EMI records. Some choice quotes from our favourite publications are below!
"Given the times those ancient Blockheads sound more here-and-now than anyone..." Uncut
"Dury would be proud." Mojo
"This is a record which will thrill Blockheads fans of all ages and demonstrates this ensemble have lost none of their passion and spirit." Subba-Cultcha
"The trademark funk/rock/music hall/ska fusion of old mucker Derek The Draw has...got the great man [Ian Dury]'s knack for vivid social commentary nailed too." Big Cheese
"...unexpectedly thoughtful and engaging." Daily Telegraph Review
"It sounds like a vintage Blockheads album..." Record Collector
"Ian Dury owed his brilliance to no one. But he owed his stardom to The Blockheads…Musically Jankel and his men keep it as tight and funky as before." The Word
"Staring Down The Barrel is a great, adult album full of good tunes, witty lyrics and steaming great grooves." bbc.co.uk
Pop over to iTunes to download the album.
Greed - New Video exclusive
The video for 'Greed' - a song that Derek 'The Draw' Hussey wrote two years ago with Chaz Jankel - has been released ahead of
"Staring Down The Barrel".
The song has especially prescient lyrics fiercely
critical of bankers and speculators, resonating strongly with the credit-crunched times ("Money doesn't talk it swears").
Derek's conversational London voice singing lyrics rich in wordplay, cheek and aphorism are complimented by The Blockheads'
distinctive funk and grooves.
The accompanying video features cameos from actor and well-known music fan Martin Freeman (The Office, Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy,
The Good Night); Toby Jones (Truman Capote in "Infamous", agent Irving 'Swifty' Lazar in"Frost/Nixon" and Karl Rove in OIiver Stone's "W");
and musician, comedian, actor and TV presenter Rowland Rivron.
Stuart Harris, who has worked as a cinematographer with directors as diverse as Ridley Scott, Julien Temple, Tim Pope and Storm Thorgerson,
directed and photographed the video.
Press Release - February 10th
For immediate release, London, England -
On April 6th The Blockheads; one of the punk and new wave era's best loved bands,
are set to return to the forefront of the British music scene with a brand new studio album "Staring Down The Barrel" via
EMI Records, and will also embark on a nationwide UK tour.
Pop over to iTunes to download the album.
Originally known as Ian Dury & The Blockheads, the current line-up, consisting of four of the original members; Chaz Jankel (piano, guitar),
Mick Gallagher (keyboards), Norman Watt-Roy (bass) and John Turnbull (guitar), are joined by Derek Hussey (Vocals), Dylan Howe (drums) and Gilad Atzmon (sax).
"Barrel" is the second studio album the Blockheads have released since their original lead singer, Ian Dury,
passed away in 2000.
Comprised of new music written by Jankel, the lyrics are penned by new Blockheads vocalist Derek Hussey
(aka Derek The Draw), Dury's personal minder from 1990-2000.
The front CD inlay artwork has been illustrated by Sir Peter Blake who has been a friend to the band since their formation (he was Ian Dury's art tutor).
It has just been officially confirmed that an unconventional film biopic about the iconic musician
Ian Dury entitled 'Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll', will star Andy Serkis (Lord of the Rings) in the title role.
Produced by Damian Jones (Kidulthood, Adulthood), the film will be released in 2010.
Jankel has been appointed as Music Producer, The Blockheads have already recorded tracks for the film soundtrack.
For all interview opportunities regarding The Blockheads "Staring Down The Barrel" album please contact scott.steele@emimusic.com
New Live album released exclusively on iTunes
" cover of "30 - The Blockheads Live at The Electric Ballroom April 17th 2008"
On April 17th 2008 we played a special show that reunited us with Davey Payne our original Saxophone man and the one and only Phill Jupitus also came along. This show was captured on 24 track digital and the resulting album "30" is now released worldwide on iTunes. Part One features a brand new song No Go Central (which will feature on next years studio album) along with Reasons To Be Cheerful Part 3, I Want to Be Straight, Itinerant Child, and others. Part 2 includes New Boots And Panties (which features a riproaring version of Clevor Trever), Rhythm Stick and F**cking Ada.
Pop over to iTunes to download the show in its entirety.
New Ian Dury & The Blockheads Box Set
Edsel is proud to present a box set of Ian Dury's seven Stiff Records singles, in CD-sized replicas of their original classic 7" sleeves, as well as a four song disc featuring Ian & The Blockheads one and only session for John Peel (or for any BBC Radio show), which is released for the first time in any format!
The box also includes a bonus DVD of Ian and the band?s six promo videos for the singles, which have never been commercially released in any format, and have remained unseen since they were broadcast on a handful of occasions in the late 70s / early 80s.
The illustrated booklet is extensively annotated by Chaz Jankel and Mick Gallagher.
1. Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll / Razzle In My Pocket / Two Steep Hills / England's Glory
2. Sweet Gene Vincent / You're More Than Fair
3. What A Waste / Wake Up And Make Love With Me
4. Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick / There Ain't Half Been Some Clever Bastards
5. Reasons To Be Cheerful, Part 3 / Common As Muck / Reasons To Be Cheerful, Part 3 [12" version]
6. I Want To Be Straight / That's Not All
7. Sueperman's Big Sister / You'll See Glimpses
8. THE PEEL SESSION: Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll / Clevor Trever / Sweet Gene Vincent / Blockheads
BONUS DVD: THE PROMO VIDEOS
Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll / What A Waste / Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick / Reasons To Be Cheerful, Part 3 / I Want To Be Straight / Sueperman's Big Sister
Release date: 20th October 2008
Catalogue no: EDSB 4003
The Stiff years re-released!!
Surprisingly, for three such treasured albums, New Boots And Panties!! (1977); Do It Yourself (1979) and Laughter (1980) have never been given the full Deluxe 2 CD Edition re-issue treatment.
Demon Music Group has finally put this right at long last! With the full co-operation of both the Dury estate and The Blockheads, 2 CD sets include bonus discs with all the non-album singles sides, as well as previously unreleased demo versions, outtakes, and live versions, all retrieved from the untouched Dury tape archive.
The booklets feature full annotation, all the lyrics, and Dury ephemera. We would like to thank Val Jennings at Demon for putting together what we consider to be the ultimate versions of these albums.
To purchase from Amazon please click on an album cover below.
Japanese rocker Kiyoshiro Imawano, leader of the groundbreaking band RC Succession and later a solo act, has died in Tokyo at 58.
RC Succession started as a Ventures cover band in 1966 but moved on to be one of the leading rock bands in Japan with their 1972 hit record "Shoki no RC Succession." From that time the act was a staple of the Japanese rock scene and they also received international attention. In 1982 RC Succession took part in the high-profile "The Day of R&B" festival at which Chuck Berry headlined. Unusual for Japan, Imawano was active politically and recorded anti-nuclear tracks as well as spoke out against war and for Tibetan freedom.
Imawano succumbed to lymphatic cancer early Saturday morning.
The reviews are in!
Staring Down The Barrel is now released worldwide through EMI records. Some choice quotes from our favourite publications are below!"Given the times those ancient Blockheads sound more here-and-now than anyone..." Uncut
"Dury would be proud." Mojo
"This is a record which will thrill Blockheads fans of all ages and demonstrates this ensemble have lost none of their passion and spirit." Subba-Cultcha
"The trademark funk/rock/music hall/ska fusion of old mucker Derek The Draw has...got the great man [Ian Dury]'s knack for vivid social commentary nailed too." Big Cheese
"...unexpectedly thoughtful and engaging." Daily Telegraph Review
"It sounds like a vintage Blockheads album..." Record Collector
"Ian Dury owed his brilliance to no one. But he owed his stardom to The Blockheads…Musically Jankel and his men keep it as tight and funky as before." The Word
"Staring Down The Barrel is a great, adult album full of good tunes, witty lyrics and steaming great grooves." bbc.co.uk
Pop over to iTunes to download the album.
Greed - New Video exclusive
The video for 'Greed' - a song that Derek 'The Draw' Hussey wrote two years ago with Chaz Jankel - has been released ahead of "Staring Down The Barrel".
The song has especially prescient lyrics fiercely critical of bankers and speculators, resonating strongly with the credit-crunched times ("Money doesn't talk it swears"). Derek's conversational London voice singing lyrics rich in wordplay, cheek and aphorism are complimented by The Blockheads' distinctive funk and grooves.
The accompanying video features cameos from actor and well-known music fan Martin Freeman (The Office, Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy, The Good Night); Toby Jones (Truman Capote in "Infamous", agent Irving 'Swifty' Lazar in"Frost/Nixon" and Karl Rove in OIiver Stone's "W"); and musician, comedian, actor and TV presenter Rowland Rivron.
Stuart Harris, who has worked as a cinematographer with directors as diverse as Ridley Scott, Julien Temple, Tim Pope and Storm Thorgerson, directed and photographed the video.
Press Release - February 10th
For immediate release, London, England -On April 6th The Blockheads; one of the punk and new wave era's best loved bands, are set to return to the forefront of the British music scene with a brand new studio album "Staring Down The Barrel" via EMI Records, and will also embark on a nationwide UK tour. Pop over to iTunes to download the album.
"Barrel" is the second studio album the Blockheads have released since their original lead singer, Ian Dury, passed away in 2000.
Comprised of new music written by Jankel, the lyrics are penned by new Blockheads vocalist Derek Hussey (aka Derek The Draw), Dury's personal minder from 1990-2000.
The front CD inlay artwork has been illustrated by Sir Peter Blake who has been a friend to the band since their formation (he was Ian Dury's art tutor).
It has just been officially confirmed that an unconventional film biopic about the iconic musician Ian Dury entitled 'Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll', will star Andy Serkis (Lord of the Rings) in the title role. Produced by Damian Jones (Kidulthood, Adulthood), the film will be released in 2010. Jankel has been appointed as Music Producer, The Blockheads have already recorded tracks for the film soundtrack.
For all interview opportunities regarding The Blockheads "Staring Down The Barrel" album please contact scott.steele@emimusic.com
New Live album released exclusively on iTunes
" cover of "30 - The Blockheads Live at The Electric Ballroom April 17th 2008"
New Ian Dury & The Blockheads Box Set
Edsel is proud to present a box set of Ian Dury's seven Stiff Records singles, in CD-sized replicas of their original classic 7" sleeves, as well as a four song disc featuring Ian & The Blockheads one and only session for John Peel (or for any BBC Radio show), which is released for the first time in any format! The box also includes a bonus DVD of Ian and the band?s six promo videos for the singles, which have never been commercially released in any format, and have remained unseen since they were broadcast on a handful of occasions in the late 70s / early 80s. The illustrated booklet is extensively annotated by Chaz Jankel and Mick Gallagher. 1. Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll / Razzle In My Pocket / Two Steep Hills / England's Glory 2. Sweet Gene Vincent / You're More Than Fair 3. What A Waste / Wake Up And Make Love With Me 4. Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick / There Ain't Half Been Some Clever Bastards 5. Reasons To Be Cheerful, Part 3 / Common As Muck / Reasons To Be Cheerful, Part 3 [12" version] 6. I Want To Be Straight / That's Not All 7. Sueperman's Big Sister / You'll See Glimpses 8. THE PEEL SESSION: Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll / Clevor Trever / Sweet Gene Vincent / Blockheads BONUS DVD: THE PROMO VIDEOS Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll / What A Waste / Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick / Reasons To Be Cheerful, Part 3 / I Want To Be Straight / Sueperman's Big Sister Release date: 20th October 2008 Catalogue no: EDSB 4003The Stiff years re-released!!
Surprisingly, for three such treasured albums, New Boots And Panties!! (1977); Do It Yourself (1979) and Laughter (1980) have never been given the full Deluxe 2 CD Edition re-issue treatment.
Demon Music Group has finally put this right at long last! With the full co-operation of both the Dury estate and The Blockheads, 2 CD sets include bonus discs with all the non-album singles sides, as well as previously unreleased demo versions, outtakes, and live versions, all retrieved from the untouched Dury tape archive.
The booklets feature full annotation, all the lyrics, and Dury ephemera. We would like to thank Val Jennings at Demon for putting together what we consider to be the ultimate versions of these albums.
To purchase from Amazon please click on an album cover below.