SPICE GIRL Mel C, just announced for the bill for the V99 Festivals at Hylands Park, Chelmsford (August 21) and Weston Park, Staffordshire (22), will preview material from her debut solo album, which was recorded in Los Angeles with rock producer Rick Rubin.
Industry rumours say the album is in a modern rock vein, similar to Garbage. The line-up of Mel‘s band for the festival was unknown as NME went to press.
The first single from the album, ‘Goin’ Down’, will be released in September through Virgin. Mel‘s previous extracurricular efforts have seen her team up with Bryan Adams on February’s ‘When You’re Gone’ single and, more bizarrely, a live performance with former Sex Pistol Steve Jones.
Mel joined Jones‘ band The Neurotic Outsiders at Johnny Depp‘s LA club The Viper Room in May. She sang along with the band as they played a selection of Sex Pistols classics. It is reported that during her rendition of ‘Anarchy In The UK’, Mel sang: “I am an Antichrist/I am a Sporty Spice”.
Sometimes known as ‘Indie Spice’, Mel has previously professed a liking for Radiohead, Blur, Oasis and Supergrass. In a 1997 interview she claimed she would love to have Skunk Anansie‘s Skin in the Spice Girls. She said: “She could be Very Scary Spice.”
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