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New Model Army won’t be touring the United States this fall. (Press release follows jump.)
NEW MODEL ARMY
NORTH AMERICAN TOUR CANCELLED DUE TO VISA COMPLICATIONS
10th studio album ‘HIGH’ out NOW
(Attack Attack Records/Redeye)
“On any night… they’re the closest thing to The Clash out there: and not even
Joe Strummer has much on Sullivan” – The Big Takeover
New York, NY – Our continent will have to wait longer to see the legendary NEW MODEL ARMY grace the stage. Due to visa complications, the band has been forced to postpone their North American tour, a statement that’s become all too common when our artistic friends from across the pond attempt to transport their music to our shores.
“Today we have been informed that the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services has taken precisely 20 weeks (instead of the usual 8 or 9) to DENY our I-129 Non Immigrant Visa Applications,” declares NMA manager Tommy Tee, both disheartened and in disgust. “I can only apologize on behalf of the band, as I know how much work has gone into all these shows. For our part, having spent the past four years trying to rebuild the fan base and reputation of the band in North America after a long absence, we are bitterly disappointed. ”
With current the state of the music industry, independent acts rely heavily on the touring atmosphere. This loss carries to promoters, venues and, most importantly, the fans. And the frustration is something that is completely out of the artists’ control.
“We’re really puzzled by this refusal to issue visas,” questions singer and guitarist Justin Sullivan. “Over the last few years, we’ve worked a lot in America ,building up to this tour with a well-received album, good press and good ticket sales. And during this time we’ve encountered no problems with the authorities and have been received with courtesy and hospitality throughout the country.”
The live atmosphere is where New Model Army’s explosive power erupts. The LA Weekly was beguiled by a show described as “disarmingly heartfelt and moving,” and The Austin Chronicle hailed their 2005 SXSW performance as, “Enthralling. Perfect in every imaginable way… It’s exactly 25 years on, and the Bradford lads are, amazingly, better than ever.”
High is NMA’s most guitar-driven and melodic album for some time, while the lyrics are the customary mixture of political and personal, timeless and absolutely current, but always with a vivid piece of storytelling at their heart.
NEW MODEL ARMY plan to reapply and rebook the tour in the Spring… We share this sadness with you, the fans, more than you know.
Adds Sullivan, “We’d like to thank all our fans and the promoters in the US for the understanding attitude they have showed and we very much hope we can resolve this impasse and reschedule the tour for Spring.”
The current line up of New Model Army is Justin Sullivan (vocal and guitar), Nelson (bass), Michael Dean (drums), Dean White (keys) and Marshall Gill (guitar) and High is currently available on Attack Attack/Redeye.