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Jonathan Richman for 2012 UK tour - tickets on sale Friday 25th November

Posted: 12 years ago

After chasing his dream and trying to make it as a musician in New York, Jonathan Richman returned home to Boston with his tail between his legs and promptly found his dream. He founded the Modern Lovers, an initially short-lived proto-punk outfit of considerable influence who nudged the door of America's punk revolution open just a little further.

Released from the oppressive expectations of the Gotham that was NYC, it had been Boston's distinct yet loose accents that helped Richman create the Modern Lovers. With one of his heroes, John Cale (formerly of The Velvet Underground) producing, the Modern Lovers laid down a series of demos which formed a large part of their self-titled debut record, released after the band's break-up.

The record is still talked about and revered. Yet Richman eschewed the punk scene he'd help inform, moving west to Los Angeles and focusing on a more low-key, acoustic sound. His name etched into the 'b' of punk rock's bang, Jonathan Richman - although frequently revisiting the Modern Lovers with new line-ups, material and compilations - moved into a new phase of his career as a rock singer-songwriter. His influence rolls before him, maintaining a cult following and keeping him in the consciousness of an industry that owes him a debt.

Richman hasn't released a single in 20 years but the albums keep coming, most recently in 2010 with 'O Moon, Queen of Night on Earth'. He continues to tour and is often joined by frequent collaborator, drummer Tommy Larkins, as he will be for the forthcoming UK dates.

Jonathan Richman begins his UK tour in Leeds on 25th February, followed by dates in Liverpool and Cardiff, before three gigs in London. The first is at Bush Hall on 29th February (!), followed by the Tabernacle in Notting Hill and finally the Union Chapel in Islington on 2nd March 2012.

We will have tickets for all dates when they go on sale at 9AM on Friday 25th November, priced £20 for the London gigs and £15 for Leeds, Liverpool and Cardiff shows.

Stewart Darkin