Lanegan Looses BitterBubblegum - With A Little HelpFrom His Friends

Wed 23rd Jun, 2004 in International News

Gravel-throated-shivers-down-the-spine songwriter Mark Lanegan will release his new album Bubblegum this coming August. The singer, known for his dark takes on life ever since he first shot to prominence with Screaming Trees, recorded the 15-track album over a period of 18 months in Texas.

The title of the record shouldn’t be read as an admission of joyful musical excursion on the part of the singer, however. Speaking with mtv.com, Lanegan said “”I think that kind of darkness will always be one aspect of my personality, but not the whole thing. In real life, I’m far more lighthearted than I come across on the records. I like to stand in the light and enjoy myself, but I do frequently, unconsciously, go back to [dark] places when it comes to writing songs.” 

The forthcoming disc is set to include songs from last year’s EP Here Comes That Weird Chill, and featured musical input from ex-bandmates Josh Homme and Nick Oliveri, the Afghan Whigs’ Greg Dulli and Velvet Revolver’s Izzy Stradlin and Duff McKagan. Songstress PJ Harvey also appears on the album (Lanegan recently added vocals to her Uh Huh Her disc) and appears to be a fave of the musician:

“She sings a saucy duet with me on Come To Me, and on a more straight ahead song called Hit The City,” he said. “I like it when she does the scary quiet stuff and the balls-out stuff too. It was really nerve-wracking for me. I’m really a big fan of hers – she’s a great singer and I’m a bricklayer.”

Referring to the Velvet Revolver crew’s additions to the album, Lanegan was enthused. “It was like having Keith Richards and Johnny Thunders both singing on your song,” he said of Izzy and Duff’s contribution. “They looked at the words once and did it, and it was perfect. Then they spent a couple hours telling stories.” 

Lanegan recently departed from the Queens Of The Stone Age fold in order to give his solo career the attention he believes it needs, and also passed up touring opportunities – albeit regretfully, his website reports – with the MC5. It’s hoped that a tour in support of the new record will include Australia.