King Crimson on tour in the United States for the “last time”
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The Court of the Crimson King is about to close its doors again soon. Singer-guitarist Jakko Jakszyk told UCR that King Crimson’s Music Is Our Friend tour, currently in North America, with Japanese dates later in the year, will be the last of what has been, to date. , the longest incarnation of the group at almost eight years. years.
“The management has said that it is very unlikely that we will be back in America,” reveals Jaksyzk. âI think they thought announcing it as some sort of farewell tour was a cheesy device, and something that you end up potentially regretting if you change your mind. But in essence, as I understand it, this will be the last time we play here. “
King Crimson’s current septet format – now including founder and frontman Robert Fripp, longtime members Tony Levin (bass and Chapman stick) and Mel Collins (saxophone), and drummers Gavin Harrison, Pat Mastelotto and Jeremy Stacey – has been on tour since 2014.
This incarnation of the group did not record any studio albums but is represented on a number of live sets from Toronto, Chicago, Vienna, Mexico City and other locations. Jakszyk, who was part of the Crimson Deputy 21st Century Schizoid Band before joining in 2013, admits he’s surprised at the length of the group.
âWhen we started we were like ‘Oh, maybe a tour’, but Robert seemed to be having fun, so it continued,â he explains. The circumstances surrounding the pandemic, Jakszyk added, are also conspiring against Crimson at this time.
âTouring anywhere next year will be tough,â he says. âAll the bands that haven’t toured last year or this year will be released next, so there aren’t any venues. They’re all already sold out. This means the first chance available will be in the year of after (2023). I think Tony and Robert will be 77. I’m not sure they want to be on a tour bus for hours. Shooting like we do is tiring for a young man, let alone for them. people our age.
Crimson’s North American tour began July 22 in Clearwater, Florida, and ends September 11 in Washington, DC, while the six-date Japan tour kicks off November 27 in Tokyo. While the live life of this lineup is drawing to a close, there will always be music for the fans to consume; Jakszyk says he recently mixed tapes from the group’s Rock in Rio 2019 performance, as well as a theatrical performance, without an audience, filmed and recorded in London for the upcoming documentary directed by Toby Amies. Cosmic FuKc.
The new music is also not beyond the realm of the possible, according to Jakszyk. âThere’s about 40 to 50 minutes of new stuff, a number of songs I co-wrote with Robert and some instrumental stuff he wrote,â the guitarist reports. âDuring the lockdown, Gavin suggested, ‘Why don’t we record these things so that we at least have studio recordings of this material?’ It doesn’t mean we’re going to make a new album or that it will ever be released, but we’ve started this process. “
Jakszyk, meanwhile, released a solo album, Secrets and lies, last year and says his label, InsideOut Music, signed on for two more.
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