Richard Ashcroft's 'Redemption' available June 7, are you ready?

"The truth is, Ashcroft had been thinking of retiring as a recording artist"

The latest Q Magazine offers an exclusive interview with the former The Verve frontman Richard Ashcroft. Equipped with his new band, United Nations of Sound, and a new hip hop influenced direction, he talks about The Verve, the split, his new band mates, being a frontman, and more.

A Storm in Heaven

• Bogart’s, November 3, 1993, Cincinatti, OH, US
• The Howlin' Wolf, November 7, 1993, New Orleans, LA, US
• The Cattle Club, November 23, 1993, Sacramento, CA, USA
• Deer Creek Music Center, July 22, 1994, Indianapolis, IN, US

A Northern Soul

• The Metro, July 23, 1995, Chicago, IL, US
• 9:30 Club, July 28, 1995, Washington D.C, US

Urban Hymns

• The Roxy, November 1, 1997, Atlanta, GA, US (1) (2)
• 9:30 Club, November 3, 1997, Washington D.C, US
• The Vic, November 13, 1997, Chicago, IL, US 
• The Snowbox, November 15, 1997, Seattle, Washington, US
• The Warfield Theater, November 20, 1997, San Francisco, CA, US
• Aragon Ballroom, July 28, 1998, Chicago, IL, US 
• Aerial Theater, August 9, 1998, Houston, TX, US 
• Jon's Story

More reviews can be found here: Verve-Tribute: A tribute to what was

A look at the career of Richard Ashcroft

If you need a brief refresher, this isn't bad. Link here.

"The Drugs Don't Work" in Katy Perry's top-10

Katy Perry, American singer-songwriter of "Waking Up in Vegas," "I Kissed a Girl," and "Hot N Cold," listens to The Verve.

On her Twitter page today she wrote, "The Drugs Don't Work- The Verve... in my top 10 best songs ever. Oh. my. this song is so beauty." There's a lot to like about Katy Perry, plus she writes her own music and listens to The Verve.

The Drugs Don't Work- The Verve... in my top 10 best songs ever. Oh. my. this song is so beauty.

— KATY PERRY (@katyperry) April 15, 2010

Richard Ashcroft reveals new band

RPA and the United Nations of Sound

From left to right: Steve Wyreman (guitar), Dwayne "DW" Wright (bass), Richard Ashcroft (vocals and acoustic guitar), Benjamin Wright (string arrangements), Derrick Wright (drums)

Album release date

RPA & the United Nations of Sound debut album will be released on June 7th on Parlophone. The album was recorded in New York, Los Angeles and London, and produced by Chicago hip-hop pioneer No I.D.

New release: Third Eye (Columbus Circle)

Richard Ashcroft tour update

Four dates have been announced this summer for Richard Ashcroft & the United Nations of Sound. As more become available, they'll be posted in the tour section of the site.

United Nations of Sound update

As some may have guessed, Richard Ashcroft's upcoming album has been pushed back. Originally listed for release at the tail end of March, the date is now "to be confirmed." More information as it becomes available.

In spite of this, the wheels are still turning. This week, Parlophone announced the creation of the RPA Club. Some of the perks include:

• exclusive access to Richard Ashcroft & United Nations of Sound content
• limited edition RPA t-shirt only available to fan club members
• access to exclusive pre-sales on gig tickets (subject to availability)
• exclusive fan club only shows
• access to exclusive track titled "Third Eye (Columbus Circle)" upon sign up
• a further 3 tracks throughout the 12 months of membership

Overall, I don't think its a bad deal. T-shirts at gigs normally go for $20 so that's nearly half the price right there.

Crowned Producer of the Year for 2009 by Hip Hop DX, Chicago-born No I.D. has basically circumnavigated the Hip Hop ocean with his unique musical interpretations and soundscapes. "Third Eye," the second tune released from this collaboration, is a departure from Richard Ashcroft's previous work. The vibe and vocal style of "Third Eye" are unlike anything we've heard from Richard before and gets major praise in my book.

More information on the fan club at Richard Ashcroft's website.

Alan Wilder discusses The Black Ships' "Strange Hours '10" remix

Check out The Black Ships remix "Strange Hours '10" from Recoil's forthcoming Selected album. Alan Wilder (former Depeche Mode) explains:

"a remix of Strange Hours that involves a live band, the Black Ships. I sent the stems from Strange Hours orginal version and they did some jamming to it and sent the files back to me. And then I chopped it up and made a remix of it."

Watch Wilder explain the Black Ships involvement on "Strange Hours" below. Fast forward to 1:50 for the Black Ships mention.

US Tour footage of The Verve circa 1997

In May 2009, a link was posted to several personal videos that had surfaced from Verve's 1997 U.S. Tour, presumably from Simon Tong's video camera. For the note, the official Verve video (96-98) showed Simon Tong holding a video camera filming a cityscape upon an overlook, so the footage is probably his.

Furrylewis1 on YouTube has posted those videos and others on his/her personal channel. Check it out here. If you read this site Furrylewis1, thanks for posting.