INDIE rock icons The Jesus & Mary Chain will be releasing their first album for nearly two decades in 2017. To help celebrate the arrival of Damage & Joy, due out next March, the Reid brothers have announced a tour which includes a live date in Belfast – quite possibly their first return to the city since 1984's legendary Ulster Hall gig with Motorcycle Boy, almost a year prior to the release of their celebrated debut LP Psychocandy.
Damage & Joy has been co-produced by Killing Joke's Youth, who also plays bass on the album along with Lush man Phil King – though not simultaneously, one presumes.
Last week, fans go their first taste of the new record in the form of the drum machine-propelled, shaker-augmented rock and roll number Amputation, which finds Jim and William operating well within their pleasingly scuzzy, guitar-powered sonic comfort zone.
In fact, the seminal Glasgow band's first 'new' tune since All Things Must Pass, their contribution to the soundtrack of TV's Heroes in 2008 (also included on the new album), is actually a reworking of one of Jim's cracking old solo cuts, Dead End Kids.
Given the Reids' infamously fractious relationship, they could well split up before they get to Belfast, or indeed before the album even comes out – but at least they have the famously level-headed indie rock mogul Alan McGee back managing them again.
Just like old times, eh?
:: Tickets on sale now via Limelightbelfast.com and Ticketmaster outlets.
