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From nme.com...
Leftfield are to release a best of compilation to coincide with the tenth anniversary of their debut album.
'A Final Hit' is out on October 3, and comes ten years after the release of their debut album 'Leftism'. It will feature their early hard-to-find 12" releases 'Not Forgotten' and 'More Than I Know' alongside their hits, including 'Open Up' which features John Lydon.
A limited edition version of the album comes with a bonus DVD and includes videos for 'Open Up, 'Original', 'Afro Left', 'Release The Pressure', 'Afrika Shox', 'Dusted' and 'Swords'.
Bandmember Neil Barnes said: "I had never sat down and listened to the music that spanned our career in this way before. The essence of Leftfield was to simply make exciting music, push back some boundaries, and to take creative steps forward. We had some great fun on the way."
From Seven magazine...
"I did think about it for quite a long time before I took it on," admits Neil Barnes of the remix, "but in the end I just thought 'why not?' When things are sacrosanct to people, it holds things up. That's a good reason for doing it. John asked me. It wasn't a record company thing. That also affected my attitude."
Barnes, currently working on a solo album, admits that many won't like the mix, and that it isn't the club track some would expect. "It's a bit tongue-in-cheek. It's different. Everything always comes from a defensive viewpoint - they're always gonna prefer the original so you can't really win because people are going to be dubious about it.
"'God Save The Queen' is a Jubilee record. It's being released to tie in with the Jubilee. The lyrics are the thing that's so relevant and now there's a new generation to hear those lyrics. People saw it as a record against the monarchy but it was written by people who care about this country.
"I don't think much has changed, what with young people and inner city problems. The government have still got nothing in common with the youth. The song politicised it to a whole generation that simply aren't interested in politics, so it's still very relevant, just like 25 years ago. It's great if John can get young people thinking about issues again. That's what the song's about - the state of the country, what the Queen represents, rather than her."
So what you were doing on Jubilee Day in 1977, Neil? "I can't remember I was 17. I think I was at a party... no, I was in bed doing nothing. Totally anarchist!"
The Sex Pistols' "God Save The Queen" is re-released next monday :)
Leftfield may be gone, but the solo releases are still coming...
The Sex Pistols are re-issuing their single "God Save the Queen" on 27 May. It's backed with remixes by Neil Barnes. Neil has also had his first solo release "Playing With Fire" included on the soundtrack to Long Time Dead.
Well, it's official...
Leftfield have split up! The band issued the following statement today :
"After 12 years of sonic experimentation, Paul Daley and Neil Barnes have decided to pull the plug on Leftfield. Both parties will be pursuing solo projects so Leftfield fans should not be down hearted. This should be seen as a new beginning in an ongoing process."
Paul Daley has said: "Thanks to everyone from fans to promoters to DJ's and to listeners who have supported us over the years. THIS IS NOT THE END!"
Neil Barnes added: "Leftfield was always about pushing the boundaries of sound as far as we could. I'm proud to be a part of this. Thanks to all the people we have worked with over the years and to everyone that promoted and bought our records. THE END IS JUST THE BEGINNING."
The official Leftfield site hasn't been updated since Summer 2001 - we were promised a monthly video complete with exclusive footage but all we got was a bad quality streaming file of "Open Up" (with no extra footage whatsoever). This isn't even on the site anymore as the News page no longer seems to work - and neither does the Forum which ceased working later in the year...
Rest assured that we here at "Not Forgotten" will attempt to keep the Leftfield info coming and will follow Neil and Paul's solo careers...
Leftfield have announced a special final date for the year - a gig with Orbital at the London Docklands Arena on New Year's Eve (31 December 2000). Tickets are 50 pounds (ouch!)
Leftfield are rounding off the year with some more UK dates:
Cardiff University (Tel: 02920 230130)
Thursday 26 October (7pm - 12am)
Exeter University (Tel: 01392 425309)
Monday 30 October (8pm - 12am)
Brighton Centre (Tel: 01273 709709)
Tuesday 31 October (8pm - 12am)
Southend Cliffs Pavillion (Tel: 01702 351135)
Wednesday 1 November (7pm - 12am)
Bournemouth International Centre (Tel: 01202 456456)
Thursday 2 November (8pm - 12am)
Newcastle University of Northumbria (Tel: 0191 261 4386)
Saturday 4 November (9pm - 1am)
Blackpool Empress Ballroom (Tel: 01253 292029)
Sunday 5 November (8pm - 12am)
All tickets are £16 in advance except for the Cardiff gig which is £15...
Leftfield lost out once again on the Mercury Music Prize last night. The winner of the award this year was Badly Drawn Boy.
(....Who?)
Leftfield played an Essential Mix on Saturday 15 April - it was brilliant!!
the set list was as follows...
all above info nicked from the unofficial Essential Mix site - thanks!
