Although they’ve gone through a number of lineup changes since their initial formation in 1989, The Charlatans (known Stateside as The Charlatans UK) currently comprised of Tim Burgess (vocals), Mark Collins (guitar), Martin Blunt (bass), and Tony Rogers (keys) have been one of the UK’s most successful bands as each of their 12 full-length releases have landed on the Top 40 of the UK Charts, including 17 Top 30 singles and four Top 10 singles. And ironically, they’ve managed that kind of success while being extraordinarily unlucky. Rob Collins, the band’s original keyboardist died in a car accident during the recording sessions of their fifth album; Jon Brookes, the band’s original drummer died after being diagnosed with a brain tumor; Tim Burgess, the band’s frontman battled drug and alcohol addiction throughout most of the band’s history; and while the band had been achieving commercial success, they had discovered that their accountant not only embezzled $500,000 pounds, that they hadn’t paid taxes — so any money from playing large festivals was forfeited. Luckily for music fans, they’ve stubbornly continued onward.
Their twelfth and latest full-length effort, Modern Nature was released to critical praise earlier this year with several singles receiving radio airplay throughout the UK. And in some way, that shouldn’t be terribly surprising as the album features contributions from The Verve‘s Pete Salisbury, New Order‘s Stephen Morris and Factory Floor‘s Gabriel Gurnsey. Continuing on the buzz the album has received, the band recently made an appearance on The Late Late Show with James Corden as the launch of their US tour (dates below). with The Decemberists, Guided by Voices, and Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks.
So while on The Late Late Show with James Corden, the band performed album single “Let the Good Times Be Never Ending,” a danceable bit of shoegaze consisting of a tight motorik-groove led by four-on-the-floor drumming, soaring organ chords and bluesy guitar chords paired with Burgess’ ethereal crooning. And although the song is upbeat, the song possesses a wistful melancholy at its heart.
Tour Dates
Nov 09 Milwaukee, WI @ Turner Ballroom*
Nov 10 New York, NY @ Webster Hall*
Nov 12 Washington DC @ Howard*
Nov 13 Chicago, IL @ House of Blues*
Nov 15 Los Angeles, CA @ The Fonda*
Nov 16 San Francisco, CA @ The Regency*
Nov 18 Sacramento, CA @ Ace of Spades*
Nov 19 Portland, OR @ Crystal Ballroom*
Nov 22 Mexico City, MX @ Corona Capital Festival
Dec 08 Nottingham, UK @ Rock City
Dec 09 Cardiff, UK @ Tramshed
Dec 11 Norwich, UK @ UEA
Dec 12 Birmingham, UK @ Academy
Dec 14 Edinburgh, UK @ Usher Hall
Dec 15 Dundee, UK @ Card Hall
Dec 17 Newcastle, UK @ Academy
Dec 18 Liverpool, UK @ Academy
Dec 19 London, UK @ Brixton Academy
*w/ Eyelids supporting