The Loft, Creation Records recording artistes who famously split up mid-song, onstage at the Hammersmith Palais in June 1985, are back.
A new compilation album Magpie Eyes, was released on Revola Records through Cherry Red Records in Sep 2005. Now there's a new single available as a download and limited edition seven inch vinyl.
A handful of gigs to celebrate that album release lead to the band going into the studio to record their first new material in 20 years. Two of those songs (previewed above) make up the single, released through Static Caravan Records in the UK in June 2006.
The Loft began playing at Alan McGees nascent Living Room club in 1983 and quickly won plaudits for their classic two guitars, bass and drums approach to the scene. Their first Creation single, Why Does The Rain was voted second best single of 1984 on Radio One behind Echo & The Bunnymens Killing Moon.
The release of Up The Hill And Down The Slope put the Loft on TV in 1985 where they were spotted by Terry Halls Colourfield and signed up immediately for a national tour. With their star rising fast, tensions within the band boiled over on these dates, leading to the famous mid-song walkout by singer Pete Astor and the band was no more. The whole sorry episode was detailed in Dave Cavanaghs epic Creation Records history, My Magpie Eyes are Hungry for the Prize, the title of which was taken from a Loft lyric.
Now, 20 years later The Loft are playing and recording again.
The Loft opened my mind up and broadened my horizons as a guitarist. Brilliant." - James Dean Bradfield, Manic Street Preachers
'Up The Hill and Down The Slope'number 25 in the indie top 50. Great tune from a still hugely underated amazing band.Hope you're well Andy, and well done boys.
Thank you for being my friends! How come "Over The Hill And Down The Slope" sounds every bit as good as in 1985? Loved The Caretaker Race, too, Andy (especially "I Wish I'd Said That"). Will there be more new songs? Love from Michael
