September 8, 2006 11:00

Arab Strap to split

'No drama, we've run our course' say band

Scottish indie band Arab Strap have split up after ten years together.

At midnight on September 8 the band announced through their official website [url=http://www.arabstrap.co.uk/content/eng/news.php ]Arabstrap.co.uk[/url] that they would be calling it a day as soon as they had completed a farewell tour.

“After ten years, six studio albums, three live albums and all manner of everything else, we’ve decided the story should come to a close," they explained via a statement. "There’s no animosity, no drama, we simply feel we’ve run our course... everybody likes a happy ending!”

The band will release the compilation 'Ten Years Of Tears' to commemorate the tenth anniversary of their first single release 'The First Big Weekend' in September 1996. The compilation will feature, B-sides, live recordings and rarities.

"The idea of the compilation is to capture the essence of the band over our ten year career," explained band member Malcolm Middleton.
"Sometimes the albums were a bit stifled because we were worrying too much about making a good album. I think that live versions of songs and b-sides etc show a truer, more relaxed side to the band. 'Ten Years Of Tears' can serve both as an introduction to Arab Strap and also a fitting finale to those people who have followed us along the way."

Meanwhile the band will play the following dates on their farewell tour, concluding with two nights at the venue of their first ever gig:

Nottingham Rescue Rooms (November 1)
Norwich Arts Centre (3)
Portsmouth Wedgewood Rooms (5)
Liverpool Theatre (6)
Bristol Thekla (7)
London Scala (8)
Manchester Academy 3 (29)
Edinburgh Cabaret Voltaire (December 1)
Aberdeen Tunnels (2)
Glasgow King Tuts (3,4)

For ticket availability go to NME.COM/Gigs.

The band was formed ten years ago by vocalist Aidan Moffat and multi-instrumentalist Middleton. David Gow and Adele Bethel of Sons & Daughters were also members before leaving to form their own group.