The Jesus and Mary Chain, whose brand of psychedelic noise rock remains hugely influential, are to perform their classic album Psychocandy in its entirety on tour this November.
Next year marks the 30th anniversary of the album, and this tour will signify the beginning of "a host of live onslaughts, festival dates and other special plans from the band", according to a press release.
"Psychocandy was meant to be a kick in the teeth to all of those who stood in our way at the time, which was practically the whole music industry," said Jim Reid in a statement. "In 1985 there were a great many people who predicted no more than a six month life span for the Mary Chain. To celebrate the approaching 30th anniversary of the album, we would like to perform it in it's entirety. We will also perform key songs from that period that did not feature on the album."
The Jesus And Mary Chain - Never Understand (Video) on MUZU.TV.
The title of the album itself sums up the band's sonic style: the group blended sugary girl-group sweetness and insane power on songs, where chugging guitars get swamped by feedback, leaving Reid's rather pretty voice surfing on top. Their sound helped carve the shoegaze sound of the late 80s and early 90s, and their influence can clearly be heard in contemporary bands like Tame Impala and The Horrors (who also borrowed their leather wardrobe).
Alan McGee, the boss of their label Creation Records, said: "When they released this album in 1985 they were the best band in world – this is just a fact. A truly seminal rock n roll band, without them so many other bands after them would have never found there [sic] way forwards in a musical sense. The first band I ever worked with that I loved and 30 years later still love."
The band will play London's Troxy on 19 November, Manchester Academy on 20 November, and Glasgow Barrowlands on 21 November.
