Over at Robert Fripp’s diary at DGMLive comes the official word that Gavin Harrison, (of Porcupine Tree fame), is the mystery drummer who will be joining Robert Fripp, Adrian Belew, Tony Levin, and Pat Mastelotto in the next formation of King Crimson. In addition we also see word that this new formation of King Crimson has been set for a August 2008 debut!
No word on possible venues, but my guess is the traditional pocket gigs in Nashville will be set in due time.
*** Update : Chicago’s Park West is listed as the currently planned location for the return of King Crimson in August 2008. They will be playing a 4 day residency! ***
More info is quite likely forthcoming…
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I may as well mention, although PT was tight lipped about Gavin when I saw them in Oct in Houston, a lot of info can be obtained by talking to the opening band
Of course, Pat pretty much gave it away in the video interviews.
With Gavin Harrison joining KC, can we kindly ask Pat (Mister Mister) Mastelotto to step aside; with Levin and Harrison we will have a swinging rhythm section, which has been lacking in KC since Bruford and Levin left. And while we’re at it, let’s incorporate some of the classic songs into the set list (The Night Watch, Easy Money, One More Red Nightmare, et al). Most of the stuff on ConstruKction of Light was terrible.
I of course don’t know Mr. Gavron, but I gotta say that all sounds like a fairly unreal and misguided opinion to have. I’d think there’s almost no way that a new Crimson would be playing music of 30 years ago, nor would it probably be pulled off particularly well.
Personally I just don’t hear Adrian Belew’s singing style fitting those old songs at all. Plus though Mr. Gavron thinks Pat can’t swing, its fairly apparent that Mr. Fripp (from reading articles and interviews), didn’t particularly feel that Bill Bruford could keep a solid metronomic tight beat…
I say let them do as they want (which of course is exactly what they WILL do) and let’s hear what happens. Personally though I liked and respected a great deal of the last 3 or so main KC albums, I think in retrospect that Adrian is always going to sound more at home in a slightly more groove oriented modern alternative sound, than trying to sing over music more inspired by 70’s Crimso metal….
To me this line up sounds intriguing and I get a feeling it will be very groove based music with Levin and a 2 drummer rhythm section….
Can’t wait to hear it!
I’m not sure Pat should step aside (or back?) as Don suggested, either. Pat Mastelotto is–to me–the single most interesting member in King Crimson right now. That’s not supposed to detract from the other players’ contributions, but Pat’s non-KC ventures weigh much more heavily in my music collection than any other band member’s. Whether it’s drums/percussion, electronic tinkery or transforming existing sounds into new arrangements, his style has a unique signature, and I love it. His progression from drummer to drum wizard over the course of “THRAK” to “The Power to Believe” was the most audible transformation of any King Crimson members over that time span.
I can’t say much about Gavin Harrison’s skills aside from Procupine Tree’s “Deadwing”, but he’s fine with me. If Pat and Gavin will divide drumming and percussion tasks, alternate or duel, I can’t tell how that will play out, especially with Trey Gunn out and Tony Levin back in–we’ll hear in due time, I guess.
While I’ve enjoyed and love the Double Duo’s two albums, the year-long “TPTB” tour featured such straight-ahead recreations of studio pieces that–as much as I was somewhat cold about the announced lineup changes since 2003–I believe fresh blood will bring new power for the band and reinvigorate all members’ contributions. And, if done well, two drummers are definitely not one too many.
As for placing older material back into circulation, I’m not sure. One half of me would die to hear some contemporary interpretations of older material. After all, the Double Trio played its own material quite well in concert but also served as a pretty damn good KC cover band. My other half would love to hear the current KC line-up perfect their own material and potentially put a heavy emphasis on improvs/live R&D again, something that hasn’t happened during the last tour.
I can’t wait to hear it, either. Just, please, let the thrush rest in peace, now that Trey’s gone (yes, it’s morphed from an interesting improv into one of the most beautiful pieces KC ever played, but I’ve heard enough of it by now).
The thing that is always interesting about the creativity of king crimson is the unknown. I’m looking forward to the unknown, bring it on……
With Levin, Harrison and Mastelotto, all the rhythm-section bases are covered. Let us all be happy that there is still a King Crimson to “source” the music that nobody else can, or dares to.
THIS NEW CRIMSON LINE-UP IS GONNA ROCK THE FRIGGIN EARTH OFF IT’S AXIS!!!!! GAVIN KICKS SOME SERIOUS ___, AND I AM SO GLAD THAT TLEV IS BACK IN TOWN!!! I CANNOT WAIT TO HEAR WHAT THESE MONSTERS ARE BREWING UP THIS TIME.
-JERSEY DEVIL
Old stuff is old stuff.
p@ is for me (as well) a very exciting member of KC. I think that his addition to the band gave them a much more modern sound (ditto Trey Gunn). If the TCoL hater didn’t understand TPTB, well I rest my case. Easy Money?! Joking right? Hey- why not start a KC tribute band and play all *your* old faves!?
Not sure why GH is needed but… I’m not Fripp and if’n I were I’d be playing with my bunny right now.
A second percussionist sounds like the right move; the Double Duo was rather heavy on heavy guitar, which is hardly groundbreaking these days. I’ll miss Trey Gunn’s contributions, but I noticed my appreciation for the Double Trio increased greatly when I listened from the drummers’ perspective; I then wondered how it would sound with one less guitarist. Seems like we’ll soon find out ….
One remembers the Wetton-era band, which began with two percussionists, and hopes for similar creativity in 2008. Should this band choose to resuscitate old material, there’s no reason it should be anything Belew & Levin haven’t performed before — except, possibly, Larks’ Tongues part 1; that would make a nice nod to the previous quintet.
Better yet: let us hope this new edition (like that earlier band) finds itself doing entirely new material, exciting them and us in unforeseen ways. ProjeKct Four sounded awfully promising ….
I’d agree that it’s pointless pontificating about who should be in the band and who shouldn’t, and what they should play or shouldn’t. Just figure; if KC took advice from management and fans about all this, they would never have been the innovative groundbreaking band they’ve been since 1969, Fripp - in particular - was always about bucking expectations, conformity, and going his own way. Leave them be, and sit back and enjoy!
O contraire Monsieur Gaviscon! p@ shan’t step aside! p@ will be the lead sled dog!
TCOL was great! TPTB even greater and like Alex says, bring on the unknown.
KC practice starts in just two months from no!
Bruford used to subvert the conventional backbeat beautifully but Pat took it to extremes - I adore the fact I have absolutely NO IDEA what he’s doing - it’s simply hypnotic - more Konfusion please…
Wow, what incredible news this is. I hope Gavin still finds time for PT’s endeavors. But I do agree the axis will be shook to the mutherbone! Just saw PT in Brussels and was inspired by everything. Can someone please teleport me to the Park West in Auust????
What about a triple drum attack with Neil Peart on the kit, as well?
With all the talk about Gavin what about Tony….welcome back! Although I was getting used to Trey and will miss his white outfits. But no matter the music, when it comes to the shows please, someone tell Mr. Fripp “WE WANT TO SEE YOU PLAY.”
For years now only a select few in the audience (extream stage right) have had the joy of seeing his fingers actually touch the strings. I understand Mr. Fripp wants to see his fellow musicians but there is an audience out there as well. I don’t know if this is an act of shyness or a ploy to promote DVD sales but many of us old timers are there to see Fripp. Not being able to see him play takes something away from the whole point of “seeing” live music.
I don’t care what Mr. Fripp does on stage, as long as he keeps generating music - especially, but not exclusively, King Crimson music. He can site behind a paper screen for all I care - I just want to HEAR it.
Harrison is great. Mastelotto is great. I think they’re going to complement each other wonderfully.
When PT filmed the two shows for the DVD at the Park West, I was at both shows, and I plan on attending all 4 KC shows as well.
Gavin Harrison joins KC!? Absolutely fantastic! He is one the most exciting and technically gifted drummers in todays prog scene. Even the man Bill B himself commented a few years back when I interviewed him about how great a drummer Gavin is. (I think Bill knew of Gavin back then as Bill had invited Gavin to tour with him to perform a few drum clinics.) So watch out gang, this is going to me one incredibly fantastic tour! I just bought my Philly concert tickets tonight. Can’t wait!
It’s all very exciting!! Seeing the pictures of the guys in rehearsal somehow makes it a little more real, I’m so looking forward to hearing what noise they generate. I’m just a little upset that we wont get to see them here in England, such a shame. During the last tour I travelled to Holland to see them but the US may be pushing it a little for me this time, but I’m very tempted. Any of you guys in the States fancy putting up a very enthusiastic, commited, Irish Crimson fan for a couple of nights?? I’m very sociable, easy to feed and toilet trained………..hahahaha, you know you want to!!
I am quite fortunate having spent my life in New York City. I have attended over 65 King Crimson concert performances. Sometimes twice in an evening, in the old days. My first experience was with the tour before the release of Islands. I am very blessed to have seen the 73-74 tours about ten times. All that being said, I will be at all 3 NYC performances in August and have begun to fantasize my dream concert. This being a 40th Anniversary commemoration, I am dreaming of a little of this and that. In the order of concert performance order, here goes:
1)Vroom
2)Discipline
3)Dinosaur
4)Elektrik
5)Frame By Frame
6)Power Circle
7)Dangerous Curves
8)Easy Money
9)One Time
10)Sheltering Sky
11)Facts of Life
12)Fracture or Fracktured (take your pick)
13)Starless (Robert said he wanted to play it once more)
14)The Talking Drum
15)Lark’s Tongues In Aspic Part 2
16)Thela Hun Ginjeet
17)21st Century Schizoid Man
One can only dream. Why not?????
Whatever it may be will be wonderful regardless. 4 Months to get excited with anticipation is a glorious thing. Since 1974 I have learned that every last performance may be the final one forever.
Gavin Harrison is one of the most exciting drummers around today. Hopefully this new band will create and release some interesting music for us all to hear.
MIGHT AS WELL GET A DOZEN MOP BUCKETS READY FOR THE CHICAGO SHOWS, CUZ THERE IS GOING TO BE FACES MELTED ALL OVER THE GROUND OF PARK WEST…. GOOD LUCK TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT MR. HARRISON IS DOING UP ONSTAGE….
BEST DRUMMER I HAVE EVER SEEN….KING CRIMSON PLEASE DOSE ME AND AND LET’S MAKE IT AN UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCE…. THIS IS MY FIRST CHANCE TO SEE THE UNBELIEVABLE CRIMSON LINE-UP.
GOOD LUCK
I just came back from their opening night show at the Belcourt in Nashville and it was freaking amazing! Harrison adds so much to the band that they all seem rejuvinated. They were having fun on stage, which is quite different than the last time I saw them in Chicago for the 2004 tour.
The set list is almost the same as the “double trio” tour. No Trey Gunn songs and most of it centered around the early 90’s stuff. Nothing off their latest releases.
Outstanding show and performances, top flight all the way! It’s a newly revized incarnation that I think works tremendously well. SEE THIS BAND!!!!!!!!
^^oops, what I meant to say was “pre-double trio” tour. Discipline and Beat were feature elements.
Nashville Opening night setlist–
It was outstanding!
1 Drum Duet I
2 Dangerous Curves
3 Level 5
4 Neurotica
5 Three of a Perfect Pair
6 Indiscipline
7 Frame by Frame
8 Dinosaur
9 One Time
10 Sex, Sleep, Eat Drink, Dream
11 Drum Duet II
12 Elephant Talk
13 Red
14 Drum Duet III
15 Thela Hun Ginjeet
16 The Talking Drum
17 Larks Tongue in Aspic Part II
Encores
18 Sleepless
19 Thrak
20 Soundscapes for exit music