“We were gutted when two of us got Covid days before we were due to play the IOW festival…three weeks later our drummer, Rob, was knocked off his bike and broke his arm!”
Legendary 1980’s indie band, The Chesterfields, make their Isle of Wight debut later this month when they play a special free show at Ryde’s Blacksheep Bar Club Lounge in Union Street on Saturday 17th September.
New album on the way
The band, which includes Island guitarist and singer, Andy Strickland, in its ranks, launches its new album, ‘New Modern Homes’, and latest UK tour with the Ryde show.
Having scored a string of hits on the UK indie charts, toured Europe and Japan and headlined shows in recent years in New York, the band was due to play this year’s Isle of Wight Festival, before Covid struck.
Andy explains,
“We were absolutely gutted when two of us tested positive just days before we were due to come and play.
“Then three weeks later, with a festival slot in Somerset two weeks away, our drummer, Rob, was knocked off his bike and broke his arm!”
Support for new singles
The Chesterfields did, however, manage to release two new singles with accompanying videos, ‘Our Songbird Has Gone’ and ‘Mr Wilson Goes To Norway/Year On The Turn’ while recuperating, enjoying support from BBC Radio 6 Music, XFM and Absolute Radio among others.
Andy says,
“We’ve been thrilled that radio has picked up the singles and we’ve had great feedback from fans all over the world who’ve seen the videos and are eager to hear more.
“Our new album is out on 23rd September and we’ve recently been holed up in Seaview rehearsing for the tour. I was really keen to play our first show of the year over here. It just feels right, so we’ve made it free to get in.”
The Ryde gig
The Ryde gig also features local bands, The Geckos and The George Street Kids, with an indie DJ and ‘pop up’ record shop completing the line-up.
Andy explains,
“It’ll be our first gig of 2022 and our first since playing the big ‘Shiiine On’ Festival at the end of last year.
“I’ve told the band that Islanders love their live music, so I’m hoping for lots of friendly faces on the night in Ryde.”
New album available locally
The Chesterfields’ new album, ‘New Modern Homes’, is released on the Mr Mellow’s Music label on 23 September on vinyl, CD and all digital formats and will also be available from AAA Records in Scarrots Lane, Newport.
The band tours the UK in September and October – check social media channels for the latest updates.
Follow the band on socials:
- Instagram: the_chesterfields
- Facebook: The Chesterfields
Watch our latest videos on our YouTube channel:
News shared by Andy in his own words. Ed
