I was sitting in my home, thinking of how I wanted to introduce a new record and tour from the Liverpool-based, perpetually masked band Clinic when their best number, “Distortions”, came on to my stereo. Though not really a good representation of their work as far as overall sound, the song always served more as a high water-mark of a potential group that they nearly reached numerous times, but have never quite fully developed into.
So it is with great excitement and hope that I inform you that Clinic will be back this fall, surgical masks and all, with their sixth full-length recording titled Bubblegum. The album was recorded by John Congleton (Bill Callahan, St. Vincent) in the band’s hometown of Liverpool. As far as sound, the band had this to offer: “ ”In place of churning riffs and wired vocals is a dream state of harpsichords, dulcimers and strings. Melody and softness combine with the band’s unique internal logic to produce a record of pop beauty” (via P4k).
The band will continue their tradition of costumed performances when they support Bubblegum on tour. They have a couple dates booked in August, but launch a full-length leg in November — though the dates still seem kind of limited. This follows the Bubblegum album release, which will be October 4th on Domino. Check out the dates below:
Clinic 2010 Tour Dates:
08/16 – Brooklyn, NY @ Bell House
08/19 – New York City, NY @ Joe’s Pub
08/21 – Hoboken, NY @ Maxwell’s
11/05 – Washington, DC @ Rock And Roll Hotel
11/06 – Philiadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brendas
11/08 – Boston, MA @ Paradise
11/09 – Montreal, QC @ La Sala Rossa
11/10 – Toronto, ON @ Lee’s Palace
11/11 - Chicago, IL @ Lincoln Hall
11/12 – Minneapolis, MN @ 7th Street Entry
11/15 – Seattle, WA @ Neumos
11/16 – Vancouver, BC @ Biltmore Cabaret
11/17 – Portland, OR @ Doug Fir Lounge
11/19 – San Francisco, CA @ The Independent
11/20 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Troubadour
