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..Ex collaborator of Nick Cave & Lydia Lunch and seminal guitarist, Rowland S Howard recorded his second solo album 'Pop Crimes', months before his death from liver cancer. Includes cover versions of 'Life's What You Make It' by Talk Talk and 'Nothin' by Townes Van Zandt
Always respected by his peers, a scan through the catalogue of Rowland S. Howard sees him allied with the likes of Lydia Lunch, Thurston Moore, Wim Wenders, Barry Adamson, The Gun Club, Nikki Sudden, the Beasts Of Bourbon, the Hungry Ghosts and HTRK. Rowland’s own ensemble, These Immortal Souls, gun their engines in the ill-lit background and the legacy of his work with The Birthday Party scores the skin of successive generations of musicians and fans.
But it’s a history Rowland would gleefully put a match to. With or without it, Rowland S. Howard would make tense, beautiful music, would deliver us his personal vision of the world, would create Pop Crimes.
Rowland S Howard started playing in teenage bands in late 70s Melbourne. Whilst still a callow youth he wrote 'Shivers', an undisputed classic, (quietly ignoring the fact that Rowland perhaps doesn't see it that way and approaches the song as if it was written by someone else.)
The song was recorded by his band 'The Boys Next Door' who then mutated into the post punk group 'The Birthday Party' (with Nick Cave), relocated to Europe where they waged a guerrilla campaign against the trivialities of the 80s, only to eventually turn their fire upon themselves and disintegrate mid-decade.
But it's a history Rowland would gleefully put a match to. With or without it 'Rowland S Howard' would
make tense, beautiful music, would deliver us his personal vision of the world, and would create 'Pop
Crimes'.
Long-time faithful friends Mick Harvey (Bad Seeds co-founder who has played with Rowland for over 30 years now), JP Shilo (Hungry Ghosts) and producer Lindsay Gravina make for a formidable backline. Out front the guitar playing couldn't be any one else but Rowland S Howard and his weary, almost journalistic vocal delivery dispassionately sits amidst the often sweaty panic of the music, adding to the ill ease.
Rowland S Howard has carved a deep scar across the landscape of contemporary music. With the release of 'Pop Crimes' that journey continues.
Tracklist:
1. (I Know) A Girl Called Jonny
2. Shut Me Down
3. Life's What You Make It
4. Pop Crimes
5. Nothin'
6. Wayward Man
7. Avé Maria
8. The Golden Age Of Bloodshed
