Poptone have released a new video for Go! and kicked off their West Coast tour ahead of their debut album release. Through this project, Daniel Ash and Kevin Haskins – both founders of Bauhaus, Tones On Tail and Love and Rockets – they continue to carry the torch of these critically acclaimed bands. As Poptone, they are now joined by Kevin’s daughter Diva Dompé on bass. Check out the video via YouTube below.
The three-piece have announced the impending release of the debut ‘Poptone’ album via Cleopatra Records. This double LP consists of 13 songs from their set, originally recorded for a recent Part Time Punks session on KXLU.
Poptone bring their blistering live show up and down the West Coast with their new eight-date tour, including Solana Beach, Pomona, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Santa Cruz, followed by Seattle, Portland and Vancouver.. The band’s set will include numbers they’ve not previously played live.
Poptone was propelled to life by an epiphany that woke Daniel Ash up in February 2017. In the early hours, loudly jolted awake by Motorhead’s ‘Ace of Spades’, Ash had a light bulb moment…”I need to play live again”.
Borrowing their name from 1979 seminal P.I.L track, Poptone is bringing back to life the ground-breaking music of Bauhaus, Love and Rockets and the otherworldly Tones On Tail, playing a diverse repertoire of their own highly original and hugely influential music.
Their set leans heavily on Tones On Tail, the songs of which have not been performed live for over 30 years! With Diva Dompé faithfully recreating original bassist Glenn Campling’s incredible bass lines, Poptone has essentially resurrected the Tones’ archives. Having played only 27 live dates during their existence, this band remains somewhat of an enigma. Poptone also performs a sprinkling of solo Daniel Ash, a healthy dose of classic Love and Rockets, and a dash of Bauhaus with live sets also featuring the odd inspirational cover to stir things up.
“It’s been a real treat to revisit the unique and eclectic Tones catalog,” says Kevin Haskins. “I feel that there are many people who didn’t get a chance to see us back in the day and so I am excited for them to hear these weird and wonderful songs played live again. With the addition of Bauhaus and Love And Rockets material, it’s a veritable feast for the ears!”
Poptone are fulfilling a lifelong dream for much of their audience, most of whom would not have seen Tones On Tail play live during their brief existence. Of course, Bauhaus was resurrected in 1998 (after a 15-year absence) and again during 2005-06 and, save for occasional appearances in 2007 & 2008, Love and Rockets bowed out in 1999. For all three groups, but especially with respect to Tones on Tail, this is your chance to seize the day – Go!
The new ‘Poptone’ record will be available digitally, on CD in a mini jacket, and on white vinyl in a striking 2 LP set and can already be pre-ordered with advance copies of the LP available exclusively at Poptone live shows.
Track list
1. Heartbreak Hotel
2. Ok This Is the Pops
3. Mirror People
4. Movement of Fear
5. Happiness
6. No Big Deal
7. Lions
8. Love Me
9. Performance
10. Christian Says
11. Ball of Confusion
12. Go!
13. Slice of Life
For tour announcements, merchandise and news, visit the Poptone website and Facebook. Also order Daniel Ash’s new solo single ‘Alien Love’ at www.danielashmusic.com and Kevin Haskins’ new book ‘Bauhaus – Undead’ from Cleopatra Records at http://bit.ly/2qk1vzu.
Tour dates
May 10 Solana Beach, CA – Belly Up
May 11 Pomona, CA – The Glass House Concert
May 13 Los Angeles, CA – The Teragram Ballroom
May 15 San Francisco, CA – The Regency Ballroom
May 16 Santa Cruz, CA – The Catalyst Club
May 18 Seattle, WA – Neptune Theatre
May 19 Portland, OR – Wonder Ballroom
May 20 Vancouver, BC – Rickshaw Theatre
