What da...? Arab Strap broke up!

Aural Fixation · **Posted:** Fri Sep 08, 2006 11:34 am

From NME:

Quote:

Arab Strap to split
'No drama, we've run our course' say band

Scottish indie band Arab Strap have split up after ten years together.

At midnight on September 8 the band announced through their official website Arabstrap.co.uk that they would be calling it a day as soon as they had completed a farewell tour.

"After ten years, six studio albums, three live albums and all manner of everything else, we've decided the story should come to a close," they explained via a statement. "There's no animosity, no drama, we simply feel we've run our course... everybody likes a happy ending!"

The band will release the compilation 'Ten Years Of Tears' to commemorate the tenth anniversary of their first single release 'The First Big Weekend' in September 1996. The compilation will feature, B-sides, live recordings and rarities.

"The idea of the compilation is to capture the essence of the band over our ten year career," explained band member Malcolm Middleton.
"Sometimes the albums were a bit stifled because we were worrying too much about making a good album. I think that live versions of songs and b-sides etc show a truer, more relaxed side to the band. 'Ten Years Of Tears' can serve both as an introduction to Arab Strap and also a fitting finale to those people who have followed us along the way."

Meanwhile the band will play the following dates on their farewell tour, concluding with two nights at the venue of their first ever gig:

Nottingham Rescue Rooms (November 1)
Norwich Arts Centre (3)
Portsmouth Wedgewood Rooms (5)
Liverpool Theatre (6)
Bristol Thekla (7)
London Scala (8 )
Manchester Academy 3 (29)
Edinburgh Cabaret Voltaire (December 1)
Aberdeen Tunnels (2)
Glasgow King Tuts (3,4)

For ticket availability go to NME.COM/Gigs.

The band was formed ten years ago by vocalist Aidan Moffat and multi-instrumentalist Middleton. David Gow and Adele Bethel of Sons & Daughters were also members before leaving to form their own group.

red · **Joined:** Fri Jun 17, 2005 5:34 am **Posts:** 5009

NOOOOOOOOOO! this is terrible news. i'm very grateful that i was able to see them for the first (and now, only) time this year, though. i can't wait to see what they do next...

Cotton · **Joined:** Mon Oct 25, 2004 6:12 pm **Posts:** 17155

I'd be heartbroken if I didn't like that Middleton solo album so damned much. It's not like Aidan can't do the same shit on his own, either. 2 artists I like spawned out of 1? BEWARE THE GLOOM ROCK HYDRA.

red · **Joined:** Fri Jun 17, 2005 5:34 am **Posts:** 5009

do you like reindeer section, redworm? aidan makes a few appearances on those albums and he's pretty awesome. if you don't have them, let me know, and i'll put them on sendspace or something for you.

e-stone · **Posted:** Fri Sep 08, 2006 2:41 pm

sad news indeed, but i agree with the redworm. malcolm's solo work is as good as arab strap.

arab strap have incredible b-sides, so i'm looking forward to this compilation.

Sex, Drugs, and Dave · **Posted:** Fri Sep 08, 2006 3:41 pm

tell me motown sickness will be on this...I've been trying to get that song on record for years.

Cotton · **Joined:** Mon Oct 25, 2004 6:12 pm **Posts:** 17155

red Wrote:

do you like reindeer section, redworm? aidan makes a few appearances on those albums and he's pretty awesome. if you don't have them, let me know, and i'll put them on sendspace or something for you.

you know, I think i own their second one (son of...), but I've never given it a proper listen due to my aversion to Gary Lightbody. Perhaps I'll give it a solid listen this weekend.

man, I really gotta change my username.

red · **Joined:** Fri Jun 17, 2005 5:34 am **Posts:** 5009

the redworm Wrote:

red Wrote:

do you like reindeer section, redworm? aidan makes a few appearances on those albums and he's pretty awesome. if you don't have them, let me know, and i'll put them on sendspace or something for you.

you know, I think i own their second one (son of...), but I've never given it a proper listen due to my aversion to Gary Lightbody. Perhaps I'll give it a solid listen this weekend.

man, I really gotta change my username.

i never know if i'm using the correct real life names for people, so i usually stick with usernames until i'm sure.

i like gary just fine, but i think he really shines on rs material versus sp material. although, songs for polar bears is a great f'ing album.

Timis · **Posted:** Fri Sep 08, 2006 6:03 pm

glad i saw them months ago!!!!!

Cotton · **Joined:** Mon Oct 25, 2004 6:12 pm **Posts:** 17155

red Wrote:

i never know if i'm using the correct real life names for people, so i usually stick with usernames until i'm sure.

i like gary just fine, but i think he really shines on rs material versus sp material. although, songs for polar bears is a great f'ing album.

no, i don't blame you, it's just that I forget until I see it and I think "man, who would want to be thought of as that?"

well, I'm definitely gonna chack that out this weekend. Is the first one better than the second one?

red · **Joined:** Fri Jun 17, 2005 5:34 am **Posts:** 5009

i think it is. it's a little less polished in my opinion. lots of different sounds.

MontyTheMongoose · **Posted:** Fri Sep 08, 2006 6:11 pm

red Wrote:

the redworm Wrote:

red Wrote:

do you like reindeer section, redworm? aidan makes a few appearances on those albums and he's pretty awesome. if you don't have them, let me know, and i'll put them on sendspace or something for you.

you know, I think i own their second one (son of...), but I've never given it a proper listen due to my aversion to Gary Lightbody. Perhaps I'll give it a solid listen this weekend.

man, I really gotta change my username.

i never know if i'm using the correct real life names for people, so i usually stick with usernames until i'm sure.

Senator Buttplug LooGAR Wrote:

Today's reading comprehension winner...

What da...? Arab Strap broke up!

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