Thanks to all who turned up for our tour! We enjoyed it – especially the last two shows in Moscow and St. Petersburg. Strange to think that we’ve now visited Russia five times since the year 2000 when it would have been virtually impossible in the not so distant past.

Anyhow, time to look ahead and some special events are on the horizon. First is the Nijmegen Underground Festival at The Lux theatre on May 18. For this show The Dots will perform the psychedelic audio plays “Katrina” (as can be found on the ’30 Year Itch’ release) and a new work, ‘The Creature that tasted sound”. Also on the bill are long term Dots’ friends and favourites, The Use of Ashes and Beequeen. It really is worth traveling for.

On June 10, The Dots play at Queen Elizabeth Hall on The South Bank in London on the first day of The Meltdown Festival, curated by Ray Davies. On a spectacular night, the mighty Crazy World of Arthur Brown also appear. Continue reading May/June 2011 Newsletter →

The day after our last show of the USA tour and I’m sitting at the computer reflecting on what one hell of an adventure the whole thing was. (Note I updated this on 8 January).

Fittingly, we finished here in Portland where the reception is especially wild, even on a snowy Monday night with alarmists on the radio urging everyone to stay in. Thanks to those brave souls who chose differently.

Now we head for home after a vegetarian Thanksgiving in a couple of days. Time for a rest I guess, but it probably won’t work out that way.

Thanks for everybody’s patience regarding pre-orders. We’re ready to send everything except that darned DVD (Paris in the Fall) and those Crushed velvet bags which are on the way from India. Still, both are very much in the works now. Time for some hot chai… Continue reading Last 2010 Newsletter →

The Legendary Pink Dots US/Canada 2010 Tour is underway (and – note from Editor – word on the street is that the shows are great!). Note that there is now a SECOND show in New York as guests for the Dresden Dolls in their Halloween special.

Copies of Seconds Late for the Brighton Line arrived weeks ago (well… half arrived as the greedy Dutch customs held up a box of 25). We think we’ve sent all pre-orders at this point. If you didn’t receive your package, please email l_khata at yahoo dot com.

Other releases slowly appear over the next 2 weeks although we have encountered longer delays for the special edition of the “Crushed Velvet Apocalypse” remaster and “Paris in the Fall”.

There will be a string of shows in Poland in April (probably). Originally these dates were slated for this September but it was felt that it was best to wait for a few more months as we were so recently in that country. Shows in St. Petersburg and Moscow are also on the cards for Spring 2011.

The Dots are also set to play at the Wave Gotik Treffen Festival in Leipzig, Germany next June. Continue reading Autumn 2010 Newsletter →

Many apologies for the long silence from LPDs headquarters as sad personal events overshadowed everything else in early 2010.

Now we’re making plans for the future. New releases are in the pipeline and be prepared for a torrent of activity from The Dots in the coming months.

The 30th Anniversary Tour continues in October in North America and, following cancellations earlier in 2010, will be resume in Europe next Spring.

There will be a string of shows in Poland in April (probably). Originally these dates were slated for this September but it was felt that it was best to wait for a few more months as we were so recently in that country. Shows in St.Petersburg and Moscow are also on the cards for Spring 2011. Continue reading Summer 2010 Newsletter →

Here is the list of shows for LPDs 30th Anniversary Tour (Part 2). In fact, as I write we’re actually fresh from our Brussels show – the first with the new line-up. Perhaps our biggest challenge for many years, but we’re feeling very encouraged by that opening night in La Botanique.

A full USA/Canada Tour is scheduled to begin in Vancouver BC on October 15.

NEW RELEASES

EDWARD KA-SPEL / Devascapes (CASSETTE ONLY RELEASE)
150 copies only of this dark beauty and the first cassette release for many years thanks to the persuasion of Frans at Korm Plastics. 10 Euros plus postage.

NADJA / Under The Jaguar Sun (2 x LP)
We have a box of this glorious double album (actually now out of print at source) where Edward Ka-Spel re-interprets the fourth side. Highly recommended. 30 Euros plus postage.

THE LEGENDARY PINK DOTS /ANY DAY NOW – THE SECRETS (TOQ CDR)
From 1987 and the last recordings made by the band on British soil. A real find in a box of dusty cassettes. Unheard sessions, ideas, miniatures and a colossal demo of “True love”. Sound has been lovingly enhanced as we want it to be more than a document. Price: 13.50 Euros plus postage.

THE SILVERMAN / ELEMENTAL (TOQ CDR)
Floating in a pool that stretches far beyond that wistful horizon where the orange sun spreads instead of simply setting. And the memories stand to attention and blow tender kisses. One of those places you do not want to leave, and why should you anyhow? 13.50 Euros plus postage

EDWARD KA-SPEL & ALENA BOYKOVA / RED SKY AT NIGHT (TOQ CDR)
An hour in the company of Edward and Alena in a landscape that begins with desolation and finishes in, well, paradise. Five lovingly recorded, meticulously finished pieces from the last 2 years. 13.50 Euros plus postage.

THE LEGENDARY PINK DOTS – Live 1991 DVD-R
Filmed with one camera in LPDs home town of Nijmegen. Hugely nostalgic (one of Martijn’s first shows) and very wild and intimidating at a time when “Maria Dimension” was new. Consider this as a companion release to “The Maria Sessions”. 15 Euros plus postage.

THE TEAR GARDEN – Have a Nice Trip (CD)
Now finished and primed for production in the near future. Songs composed and recorded in Los Angeles early in 2008. A sumptuous audio rollercoaster. 20 Euros plus postage.

EDWARD KA-SPEL – Trapped in Amber (LP)
Limited Vinyl only release from EK on the Dutch Plinkity Plonk label. Colourful and precious, a natural follow-up to “Painted River of Regrets”. 20 Euros plus postage.

EDWARD KA-SPEL – Dream Loops (CD)
Originally planned as a CDR release on TEKA, it was decided to make it a silver disc on Beta-Lactam Ring Records after a chat between Edward and Chris at the label. All proceeds go towards a a good cause (go to www.blrrecords.com for full details). 15 euros plus postage and packing.

Ordering Instructions (scroll to bottom of page)

COMPILATIONS FEATURING LPD AND MEMBERS OF THE BAND

TWISTED CABARET
Absolutely delightful collection featuring The Dots, Dresden Dolls, The Residents, Baby Dee and a brilliant side-splitting song from Tiger Lillies.

Available from : www.volvoxmusic.com. The Dots’ song “Man or Mouse” is exclusive to this compilation.

We have just a few copies so please contact us first if you wish to order. It costs 15 Euros plus postage and packing and comes with a promotional video featuring The Dots and live version of “The Wedding” with Edward Ka-Spel, The Silverman, and Amanda Palmer.

KORM PLASTICS 25th ANNIVERSARY CASSETTE

A cassette release from long term LPDs friend Frans de Waard which features exclusive pieces from Edward Ka-Spel and The The Silverman. Also features Z’ev, Illusion of Safety, Idea Fire Company and a host of others.

Order from Korm Plastics directly at: www.kormplastics.nl

VARIOUS ARTISTS – MOM
An excellent compilation from Beta Lactam Ring Records featuring an exclusive track from LPDs, as well as contributions from Nurse With Wound, Nadja, Andrew Liles, Troum and many others. All proceeds go to a very good cause… For more information contact: www.blrrecords.com. – From us it costs 15 Euros plus postage.

Ordering Instructions (scroll to bottom of page)

BACK IN STOCK!!

THE TEAR GARDEN – The Secret Experiment (CD)
A handful in the cupboard. 20 Euros plus postage.

Sometimes change creeps up on you while sometimes it explodes inches away from your eyes. The Dots experienced the latter in this, the 30th year, when first Martijn opted to step out, and then Niels followed suit.

The good news is that Erik Drost has rejoined the Dots on guitar, and for the first time since 1989, the band will be playing as a trio onstage with Raymond remaining behind the controls at the mixing board.

In fairness Martijn had been indicating for some time that he needed to find a more stable income, as nobody can argue that times have become much tougher for every small band in the last few years.

However Niels’ decision was surprising, but it can be that the occasionally rough circumstances the Dots encountered on the last tour represented a step too far. It was hard – EUROPE as a whole is very hard now.

Attempts to play in even the cities which have always guaranteed large crowds have come to nothing (Stockholm? Strasbourg?), and it may be the point when we will call time on longer tours of this continent.

Happily the shows slated for April ARE going ahead, although there remains a disturbing gap where Greek shows should be, and we do hope for some positive news sometime in March.

Beyond April, The Dots have a one-off in Amsterdam planned for 14th May, while a Polish festival appearance (July) and a concert in Moscow (September) should also go ahead.

It goes without saying that we wish Martijn and Niels success and joy in all their projects in the future. Meanwhile some serious sessions are taking place in this new line-up and after the shock there is a feeling of real excitement once more. Continue reading March 2010 Newsletter →