Primal Scream’s frontman Bobby Gillespie has spoken about his newfound respect for the 1987 album ‘Sonic Flower Groove’ and has discussed releasing a reissued new version of the band’s debut album.
Whilst writing his memoir entitled ‘Treatment Kid’ Gillespie has disclosed that he has reconnected with Primal Scream’s debut album, the singer revealed that there are certain aspects of the release in which he would want to change. He also confirmed that the band have had discussions relating to the possible reissue of the original album.
Gillespie has spoken with Uncut magazine concerning this notion, within the interview he was asked if his opinion about the album has been altered due to his recent work on his upcoming biography, to which he answered, “Yes, definitely, definitely. I wrote a lot about that record and the experience of recording it – we recorded it twice – and our inexperience. I re-listened to the record a lot and had a new respect for it. We’re maybe going to reissue it. We’ll add two songs – there’s ‘Black Star Carnival’, which was a B-side, and also this unreleased track called ‘Tomorrow Ends Today’. It sounds like it could have been on the first Stone Roses record. I’m going to re-sequence the album and do a new record sleeve.”
Gillespie continues to discuss the musicality of the album and the effect in which the era had on music. “At that point, everyone had the ‘80s drum sound – the Bunnymen, The Smiths, everybody. So, it would be good if we take the 80s drum sound off it and maybe we could add some harmonies, because when I listen to it now, I think, ‘Why didn’t we do harmonies there?’ So we might tinker with it, maybe we won’t. But ‘Tomorrow Ends Today’ sounds like a single. Why did we leave it off the album? It’s so good! The first side just runs like a dream – bang, bang, bang, bang. For some reason, we f***** it up.”
When asked what he believed fans would expect from a Primal Scream release he stated, “I actually don’t know any more… We’ve made 11 studio albums but I think we’re known for the 90s stuff, from ‘Screamadelica’ to ‘Vanishing Point’ and ‘XTRMNTR’. It’s hard because we’ve been going for so long. Maybe we’re overfamiliar?”
As state prior, ‘Sonic Flower Groove’ was the band’s debut album and was released on 5th October 1987 and peaked at number 62 within the UK Albums charts with the album’ first single ‘Gentle Tuesday‘ released in the same year. the single was also the top of the release’s tracklist. The album was released during a time when the radio was dominated by the trademark 80’s synth sound. During its original release, the album was received with a mixed critical reception and the album’s content was seemingly deemed difficult to classify by critics but in these modern times, the record is considered to be one of the greats and remains a favourite for many music fans.
In other news, Gillespie has collaborated with Jehnny Beth, front singer of English band Savages. The duo’s new album entitled ‘Utopian Ashes’ will be available from 2nd July 2021 through Jack White’s label Third Man. The release will tell the story of a dysfunctional marriage through a concept album, the album features a band made up of Primal Scream members Andrew Innes on guitar, Martin Duffy on piano, Darrin Mooney on drums and Beth’s partner Johnny Hostile playing bass.
Click here to pre-order ‘Utopian Ashes‘.
Gillespie’s memoir will be released to purchase from 28th October 2021 and will be available in two special collector’s editions.
Click here to pre-order the book.
Primal Scream UK Tour dates
18/06-20/06 2021 – Bigfoot Festival 2021 – Alcester
22/07 – 25/07 – Standon Calling 2021 – Standon
06/08 – 08/08 – Bingley Weekender 2021 – Bingley
10/09 – 12/09 – TRNSMT Festival 2021 – Glasgow
16/09 – 19/09 – Isle Of Wright Festival 2021 – Newport (Isle Of Wright)
09/08 – Kelvingrove Bandstand And Amphitheatre – Glasgow
10/08 – Kelvingrove Bandstand And Amphitheatre – Glasgow
