MUSIC: Black Rebels roar into the Academy

BLACK Rebel Motorcycle Club have announced a much-anticipated Irish return with a headline show at The Academy on October 23.

The band recently marked a return to European shores with a comprehensive live itinerary earlier this year.

They are currently working on a new as-yet-untitled studio album, which is expected to be released later this year.

The band was formed in 1998 and was originally called The Elements. After discovering that another band had the same name, the members changed the name to Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, after Marlon Brando’s motorcycle gang in the 1953 film ‘The Wild One’.

The group consists of Peter Hayes (vocal, guitar, harmonica), Robert Levon Been (vocal, bass, guitar), and Leah Shapiro (drums). Former drummer Nick Jago left the band in 2008 to focus on his solo project.

They have released seven studio albums: ‘BRMC’ (2001), ‘Take Them On, On Your Own’ (2003), ‘Howl’ (2005), ‘Baby 81’ (2007), ‘The Effects of 333’ (2008), ‘Beat the Devil’s Tattoo’ (2010), and ‘Specter at the Feast’ (2013), as well as several Eps and live albums.

They are influenced by artists such as Lou Reed, The Verve, The Rolling Stones, T Rex, The Velvet Underground, The Call, Love and Rockets, Daniel Ash, and The Jesus and Mary Chain.

Fans at the Dublin show can get their hands on a very limited number of VIP packages that will include a meet and greet with all members of the band, sound check attendance, early venue entry, an exclusive merchandise item and a collectible laminate.

For full details see www.blackrebelmotorcycleclub.com