Sensoria are pleased to announce the reunion of seminal post-punk band the Comsat Angels and an exclusive live performance in their hometown at the O2 Academy, Sheffield on Sunday 26th April.
Sensoria are pleased to announce the reunion of seminal post-punk band the Comsat Angels and an exclusive live performance in their hometown at the O2 Academy, Sheffield on Sunday 26th April.
Active from 1978 to 1995, Comsat Angels have been credited as an inspiration to current bands such as Editors, Interpol and White Lies and have been lovingly championed by film critic Mark Kermode as “the band Joy Division should have been.”
They will be performing songs from their first three albums only.
View Simon Armitage and Mark Kermode bonding over their love of the Comsat Angels on the Culture Show.
Tracks from the Comsat Angels Peel Sessions will be aired on Gideon Coe’s Radio 6 show 23.02.09.
Thank you Sensoria! Thank you Mark Kermode! Thank you Simon Armitage! And of course, thank you Comsats!
I never got to see the Comsats live and I never thought I’d have the chance – I’m thrilled beyond belief. The event goes beyond the concert. It’s also a chance for all the fans to meet each other. I’m coming from New York and I know of others coming from other countries as far away as Australia. We have found each other online, and this is the only way we could have ever met in person.
I am counting the days until April 26th. I just can’t wait!
Laura
P.S. The clip of Mark and Simon that is linked on this page is only viewable by those in the UK. Somehow the BBC blocks it for the rest of us.
Comment by Laura Mitchell — February 19, 2009 @ 5:57 pm
I was lucky enough to see them a few times, the last time in Manchester where we spoke to Steve & the band after. All nice guys.
I can not wait till the 26th, this will make my year! – I only hope they do more concerts too, as I have a feeling that I will want more after this
See you all there Comsat fans!
Comment by Tony — February 19, 2009 @ 9:26 pm
I Hope there will be more Gigs.Sheffield is a bit to far and i have no time.I want to see them in germany
greetings Olli
Comment by Olli — February 21, 2009 @ 1:37 pm
Looking forward to seeing the guys live again – it’s only been 28 years!
Comment by Simon — February 22, 2009 @ 1:08 am
Wonderful to see the very greatest band of their era back in action again, wish I could be there. I hope Steve Fellows will be inspired to write, record, and tour some more. Maybe the Comsats would even be allowed to use their proper name in the US by now?
Comment by Stephen — February 28, 2009 @ 1:28 pm
Been dreaming of this reunion for so long. I’ve loved this band since 1979 (God, is it really 30 years?) and it’s sad, so sad that they didn’t get the rewards due to them. Maybe this will be the start of telling the real story?
Comment by Mel Durrant — March 2, 2009 @ 5:34 pm
28 years since I saw them support U2 at Liverpool.
Can’t wait for this!
Comment by Ian — March 3, 2009 @ 3:10 pm
Coming down from Glasgow,we have all been missing in action for some time_____: )
Comment by John — March 15, 2009 @ 5:46 am
I remember seeing fly posters for Radio Earth when I was about 16 around Hillsborough& was too young to get into pubs in Sheffield. I was lucky enough to see the comsats a few times in the early 80’s at the Blitz club on Infirmary road & the Ritblat Tube on London road etc., Kevin even mixed the sound for my band at the Leadmill in 1981. I told my wife Barbara about how good they were & should have got far wider recognition. It’s fantastic to see they are back , we will be there to see them live, the waiting for a miracle is over.
Comment by Russell — March 20, 2009 @ 4:18 pm
I wasn’t born until the mid 80’s so unfortunately missed out on the early days. I have only discovered the comsats more (relatively) recently, but I must say that the music stands up so well today – no cheap 80’s songwriting/production cliches, just honest, haunting and inspirational music. I cannot understand why they never received more recognition.
I can’t wait to see them live and am looking forward to heading back to my home city to experience this.
Comment by Tom — March 27, 2009 @ 7:52 pm
This is the best news on the music front so far this century!
Please please please come to Holland soon to do more gigs!
You owe that to the dutch people who always loved your music and we owe a lot to you guys for giving us such great albums, your influence still lives on in the 21th century by such great groups as interpol, editors, white lies e.s.o.
Comment by Peter — March 28, 2009 @ 10:45 pm
[...] Comsat Angels will be re-uniting to play the Sensoria Music Festival on April [...]
Pingback by Favorites: The Comsat Angels “Sleep No More” (1981) « Silence in Architecture — April 6, 2009 @ 4:13 pm
Couldn’t make it to you gig! I tried to listen to fiction last night, but it gave me no relief. So come to Holland! I’ve been to 2 gigs of you (1983 and 1985) and always stayed a fan. Comsat angels forever!!
Comment by Jeroen — April 27, 2009 @ 10:27 am
Thanks for the gig Comsats. Ordinary looking people producing extraordinary music. “We live together on our own” – still one of the best lines ever written. Will there be a Mark Kermode gig review?
Ade
Comment by Ade — April 27, 2009 @ 9:13 pm
Years ago the late great John Peel, who championed the Comsat Angels cause with several demo sessions over the years, said something to the effect; “There are bands who talk a lot, and there are bands who just get on with the job. This is The Comsat Angels”. I’m glad to say that nothing has changed! The Comsats just got on with the job in hand.
On Sunday the 26th of April 2009 I believe Peel would have been well at home in Sheffield at the Sensoria gig. He would have been pleased to see that nothing, when it comes to musical integrity and intensity in The Comsat Angels camp has changed. Peel would have been very proud, as indeed Mark Kermode was very proud, to lead the band out to an appreciative audience. He would have stood and listened intensely and would have been reminded why, after all these years, he was drawn to their music. And he would also have approved of their modesty.
In an age where people are often accredited with “Legendary” status for little more than mediocrity in many cases, it was so pleasant to hear, when a fan shouted out ; “Steve, you’re a legend”, for Steve Fellows to reply; “More like a leg end”. Likewise, when Mark Kermode introduced them, he stated that the band didn’t want compliments rained down on them as they’re not very good at dealing with them. I personally love them for their modesty and humility.
Their music was and is intense and majestic, powerful and moving, thought provoking, angry, reflective and dynamic. No one sounds like The Comsat Angels, with their monsterous bass, cerebral keyboards, jagged, edgy, delicate or frenetic guitar work and soulful vocals from Steve Fellows, paint a dark yet realistic landscape yet always tinged with outright defiance or even optomism. And somehow the brevity of their lyrics and subject matter has the ability to connect, reach to our world, our lives and our times. The Comsat Angels are as relevant now as they ever were, perhaps even more so. And if the world fails to recognise them this time around too, so sad, but so be it. They will continue to be “our secret” for the rest of our lives, I’m sure.
Long may they continue.
Chrissyboy.
Comment by Chrissyboy — April 28, 2009 @ 4:58 pm
I’ve really been a Comsats fan from day one and clearly remember drinking with them on West Street (mainly the Hallamshire). It was a real pleasure to see them again on Sunday night.They sounded just a good as they did 28 years ago. This time I had my son with me who set up the Comsat’s Facebook group. We both hope to see you in Manchester (and maybe London) in October. Many thanks to all concerned. Sheffield is immensely proud of you.
Comment by Peter — April 28, 2009 @ 9:43 pm
Guardian live review http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2009/may/04/comsat-angels-academy-sheffield
Comment by Nigel — May 5, 2009 @ 1:10 pm
Can someone please tell me if the Comsats are playing other gigs later this year? One post above implies that there’s a tour(?) in October?
Here’s hoping…
Comment by Paul — May 7, 2009 @ 3:39 pm
The Comsats are scheduled to play in October. Details are here: http://www.comsatangels.net/
Comment by Laura Mitchell — May 9, 2009 @ 4:48 pm
Chrissyboy, you got it dead right. There’s always that worry when you see a reactivated favourite that it will be mere nostalgia or even vaguely embarrassing, but instead we got a band of musicians playing with focused intensity, no posing, no pomposity or pretension, just real people playing devastating music that connects with your head, heart and gut. Bloody marvellous, can’t wait ’til October.
Comment by Mel Durrant — May 12, 2009 @ 11:13 am
Thanks Laura! Manchester here we come!!
Comment by Paul — May 12, 2009 @ 4:10 pm
Glad to see you Comsats. Sensoria sounded great. Mik Glaisher plays for the song. What it is? thanks.Joey
Comment by joey — June 13, 2009 @ 11:34 pm
Comsat Angels soundcheck at Sensoria…..
http://colorsofthedark.blogspot.com/2009/10/comsat-angels-soundcheck.html
Comment by Nigel — October 23, 2009 @ 3:59 pm