The Band: THE CROOKES
The Release: ‘HOWL' / ‘WHEN YOU’RE FRAGILE’
The Formats: DIGITAL SINGLE
The Release Date: NOVEMBER 24TH 2014
The Label: fierce panda records

Lovelorn indie romantics THE CROOKES are touring the US and the UK one last time before the end of 2014. Never knowingly underemployed on the musical front - this is a band whose fearsome work ethic, lest we forget, has seen the release of three full albums and one mini-album in five thunderous years - the quartet hit Las Vegas on October 3rd and cruise across the States until CMJ in Brooklyn on October 21st. They then indulge in a flourish of eight gigs in eight days back in Blighty, many in cities they didn't visit back in the spring, and several of which are a cheery 14+. Full details below.

To tie in with all this touring fun, The Crookes release a new single on November 24th. ‘When You’re Fragile’ is being taken to American radio to tie in with the US dates. The UK shows coincide with the release of 'Howl'’, and in the true spirit of transatlanticism which pervades this here press release the two tracks have been put together to make one whole digital single.

Both tracks are taken from 'Soapbox', The Crookes' third long-playing journey into elegantly scruffy, handsomely scowling indie rocking sound which appeared in the spring. But 'Howl' itself takes a step to the left into the musical shadows and a rarely seen Crookes musical world of melancholic melody and slow motion guitar kisses. Not for nothing does it make an appearance on the compilation ‘endangered: fierce panda 2004 – 2014’, aka The Saddest Album In The World. You could even call it a power ballad, but they might scowl at you. Handsomely.

“’Howl’ was the last song written for ‘Soapbox’ but has since become our favourite,” admits songwriting guitarist Daniel Hopewell. “It was written in the quiet of the Italian mountains and, as well as the obvious Ginsberg nod, refers to the sound of the music echoing around up there in isolation from the rest of the world. The recording method seemed to suit the lyrics of the song. “I’m sorry that I laughed when you told me that your Daddy died” is the opening line of ‘When You’re Fragile’, a fucked up sort of love song. It’s a strange take on love, but it is an honest song about intimacy…”

THE CROOKES consist of George Waite (vocals / bass), Daniel Hopewell (guitar), Tom Dakin (guitar) and Russell Bates (drums). They live in Sheffield. The October shows will be quartets’ third trip to the States this year following a shift at SXSW and on the West Coast in the spring and a trans-continent tour in July. Never. Knowingly. Underemployed.

THE CROOKES: BOURNE LEGACY IN THE USA
OCTOBER 3RD LAS VEGAS Bunkhouse
OCTOBER 5TH SACRAMENTO TBD Festiva
l OCTOBER 7TH SANTA CRUZ The Catalyst Atrium
OCTOBER 9TH SAN FRANSISCO Rickshaw Stop
(Popscene)
OCTOBER 11TH LOS ANGELES The Satellite
OCTOBER 12TH SAN DIEGO Voodoo Room
OCTOBER 14TH SCOTTSDALE Electric Ballroom
OCTOBER 17TH AUSTIN Mohawk
OCTOBER 18TH DALLAS The Foundry
OCTOBER 21ST NEW YORK BROOKLYN Rough Trade
(CMJ Music Marathon)

THE CROOKES: ANNA KOURNIKOVA IN THE UK
NOVEMBER 23RD OXFORD Jericho (18+)
NOVEMBER 24TH PRESTON The Ferret (18+)
NOVEMBER 25TH LIVERPOOL Arts Club (14+)
NOVEMBER 26TH NORWICH Waterfront Studio (14+)
NOVEMBER 27TH MANCHESTER Sound Control (14+)
NOVEMBER 28TH LEEDS Wardrobe (14+)
NOVEMBER 29TH MIDDLESBROUGH Westgarth 2 (14+)
NOVEMBER 30TH DERBY Victoria Inn (16+)

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