February 10, 2009 9:00

The Blockheads announce new album, tour and biopic - exclusive

Ian Dury's old band ready 'Staring Down The Barrel'

The Blockheads have revealed details of a new album to be released this April.

The band - who have carried on without leader Ian Dury since his death in 2000 - will release 'Staring Down The Barrel' on April 6. The album is the second the band have released since Dury's death.

'Staring Down The Barrel' features music written by original Blockhead Chaz Jankel, with lyrics penned by new Blockheads vocalist Derek Hussey (aka Derek The Draw), Dury's personal minder from 1990 to 2000.

Artwork on the album has been put together by Sir Peter Blake.

The Blockheads are also set to tour the UK and France, playing the following dates:

Cambridge The Junction (April 1)
Monte Carlo Le Moods (2)
Paris New Morning (3)
Cleon (Rouen) Le Traverse (4)
Tewkesbury Roses Theatre (8)
Brighton The Old Market (11)
Basildon Towngate Theatre (15)
Harrogate Ripley Blue (18)
Gateshead The Sage (19)
Swindon Wyvern Theatre (22)
Stevenage Gordon Craig Theatre (24)
Southampton The Brook (25)
Sheffield The Boardwalk (26)
London Electric Ballroom (30)
Southend Palace Theatre (May 2)

As NME.COM previously reported, a biopic of Ian Dury's life is set to star Andy Serkis - the actor most famous for playing Gollum in the Lord Of The Rings films.

To check the availability of [url=http://www.seetickets.com/nme/event.asp?artist=the blockheads&filler1=see&filler3=id1nme]The Blockheads tickets[/url] and get all the latest listings, go to NME.COM/GIGS now, or call 0871 230 1094.