This week’s new releases include a pair of 2CD reissues from Big Country (‘The Seer,’ ‘Peace In Our Time’) as well as a reissue of late Birthday Party guitarist Rowland S. Howard’s second solo album (2009’s ‘Pop Crimes’) and a vinyl reissue of Elvis Costello & The Attractions’ ‘All This Useless Beauty.’
Mike Peters last week addressed his departure from Big Country, thanking both the band and its fans “for a wonderful four years” without offering any reason for his split with the reunited group — which itself only has revealed to fans that “Big Country and Mike will now be parting ways” as it continues on as a four-piece.
In the fall of 2010, the surviving members of Big Country regrouped, tapped Mike Peters of The Alarm to fill in for late frontman Stuart Adamson and proceeded to tour the world, and record and release a new album called The Journey. Three years later, though, Peters is out of the band.
This week’s new releases include the new ‘At the BBC’ 3CD/1DVD box set and 2CD highlights collection from Big Country, plus the vinyl reissue of The Birthday Party’s ‘Live 1981-82,’ a new collection of 12-inch mixes from Icehouse and the U.K. release of The Cult’s ‘Electric Peace’ 2CD set.
The reconfigured Big Country — with The Alarm’s Mike Peters filling in for late frontman Stuart Adamson — already has been on tour in the U.S. and Canada since early June, and has now extended that summer-long North American trek with dates that run through the month of August.
The reconfigured Big Country — with The Alarm’s Mike Peters filling in for the late frontman Stuart Adamson — has fleshed out its North American tour schedule, with at least 24 concerts now scheduled in the U.S. and Canada, beginning tonight in New Jersey and running through late July.
Big Country this summer will release a four-disc box set that compiles the Scottish rockers’ BBC studio sessions, live concert appearances and performances on TV shows such as “Top of the Pops,” a collection Universal Music says “charts the spectacular rise” of the band through the ’80s.
Q&A: Daniel Ash on Love and Rockets’ reunion, his new band — and figuring out how to play “So Alive” 
Q&A: Chris Frantz talks Talking Heads, Tom Tom Club and new book ‘Remain in Love’ 
Q&A: Steve Wynn on The Dream Syndicate’s first new album in nearly 30 years 
Q&A: Bauhaus’ David J on his ‘accidental’ concept album ‘Not Long For This World’ 
Q&A: Peter Murphy on ‘Ninth,’ Bauhaus’ break-up, reuniting Dalis Car 
Q&A: Joey Santiago on Pixies’ ‘Doolittle’ tour, possible ‘Surfer Rosa’ shows, new album talk 
Q&A: Prefab Sprout’s Paddy McAloon on new album, changing the world with music 
Q&A: Peter Hook talks ‘Unknown Pleasures’ tour, re-recording Joy Division 