I've just caught up with the news. It's pretty major given that Gerry is my favourite songwriter in TFC. It does appear that Gerry still intends to play on the forthcoming series of three night residencies which is a pretty good way to make your exit. I have tickets for night two at Manchester so at least I'll get to hear Gerry play his masterpieces from the Grand Prix/SFNB era.
No, statement says that he'll be leaving after the dates later this year but the planned tour next year will go ahead without him.
Crap news. Teenage Fanclub have always been one of my favourite bands, to the point of obsession at times! It's going to be a big loss for them. I thought the three songwriters in Teenage Fanclub would never split and just have extended breaks and side projects Still, Gerry's wrote many superb songs which I'll play forever and we still have Norman and Raymond. Raymond has wrote some of my favourite songs on the last three albums.
He already released an album and EP as "Lightships". Very nice and mellow dream pop. Maybe more to come from that project?
it's all a bit weird like he didn't want to do the australasian tour so they booted him, or he thinks the band should break up and the others vehemently disagree it's not really the fannies without all three songwriters tho
Is it possible that he has another project that is active in February and didn't want to give up his time to play TF shows overseas? Whatever the case this is a huge bummer.
I agree, it’s not the same band without the three of them. This sounds eerily similar to what just happened in Fleetwood Mac. They booted out Lindsey Buckingham, ostensibly because he did not want to tour. So now he’s going on his own tour at the same time as his former band. What is going on with these people?!
Taken at face value it would seem there’s a reason he doesn’t want to do those shows, but this seems a bit of an extreme solution!
Does anybody know if the Amazon UK pressings would be different than the ones on Amazon US? All pressed at the same place?
Gerard wrote Fear of Flying. My current theory has to do with that fact. Perhaps a long shot, but the thought they're really not friends anymore?
I last saw Fanclub about a year and a half ago and Gerard seemed particularly disengaged. I mean, it's not like TFC is the most high energy live act in the first place, but I don't think I even saw him look at the other guys. It was very noticeable and kind of weird. That said, it won't be the same without him.
He also wrote "I Have Nothing More To Say" on Here, which if taken as autobiography it definitely foreshadows his departure. Clear me a space I'm in need of isolation A warm dark bed to ease my strain Been away too long My head is overloaded Rust in my bones, I have doubts in my veins
Super bummed about Gerry Love. Its a sad end for things. Points to Gerry for doing the dates though. That's classy as hell.
Just got my (unsigned) copies from Sandbag. What a bittersweet day... the news about Gerry leaving balanced by the 5 gorgeous LPs. *sigh*
Received mine in New York today. All the covers autographed on the front (was kind of hoping it would be the back). All of the covers have bent or bruised corners. I don’t expect perfection with these types of reissue programs though. Listening first to Songs From Northern Britain now. I had an original at one point but sold it so can’t compare the two. In isolation this sounds good. Bass seems more prominent than I remember. Also, seems like there is less space between the tracks. The vinyl is flat and very quiet (despite some visual blemishes). Inner sleeve states that these were remastered from original tapes. Do we have any idea if these are AAA? (my apologies if this has already been answered). Still own U.K. Creation originals of Bandwagonesque and Thirteen so will compare those with these new releases. Very excited to have this set though and pumped to hear the 7”s.
