Simon Jones

The Verve On Tour With Comeback

The Verve return to the stage tonight for the first time in a decade.

Wigan's greatest ever band surprised even their most staunch fan by reforming at the end of June.
And at around 9pm this evening, singer Richard Ashcroft, bassist Simon Jones, drummer Pete Salisbury and guitarist Nick McCabe will grace the stage at Glasgow's Academy, and excited fans say they just can't wait to see their heroes together at last.
Bass player Simon said the band was preparing a set full of new stuff, as well as old, old favourites.

He said: "We started rehearsing with Life's An Ocean and I've got to say, it made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. We've got a shortlist of 20 tunes to pick from for these first gigs."
And the list is sure to set the mouths of the staunchest Verve-lovers watering. Simon said the tunes included songs from first album A Storm in Heaven, such as Gravity Grave, She's A Superstar and All In The Mind.

He also revealed some of The Verve's new song titles; Sit And Wonder, Appalachian Springs, Judas, Mona Lisa and Rather Be, and hinted the band may well be playing them live. A new album is expected in January.
The Verve formed in 1989 at Winstanley College. The

first album – 1991's A Storm in Heaven – was a huge underground hit. Songs such as Blue and Slide Away reached the top of the indie charts. The follow up, A Northern Soul in 1995, is now regarded as The Verve's finest work, with such tunes as On Your Own, History and the title track remaining firm favourites among fans.

New Song Titles Revealed

Si Jones has posted a new blog on his MySpace about what he and The Verve have been up-to in the past few months, to read it click here. He has also revealed song titles for the new songs The Verve have wrote:

Sit And Wonder
Judas
Appalachian Springs
Mona Lisa
Rather Be

Possible Support Acts For Verve Comeback Gigs

Nick McCabe as posted info on his MySpace page on who he and Si Jones would like as support acts on the Verve's comeback gigs:

"As of 8th October we're in the thick of it. Will have the moby but probably no net access for the foreseeable future. Apols for the backlog. Must. Try. Harder. xxxx

Here's an idea... Hot water possibly... fuck it... Some highly inappropriate supports have been suggested for the December gigs. We've had a good think and Si and myself fancy: Modest Mouse, Guillemots, Jose Gonzales, Midlake, Arcade Fire, obviously some of these might consider it beneath them, you never know though. Of course I'd love Nova Saints and Exit Calm in there- what do you reckon? I'd personally love to see Afghan Whigs/Twilight Singers every night, don't know if Greg loves us as much though, ha... Your gigs innit ;-) make sure you don't have to endure this weeks indie flavour on yr big ticket, lets all have a good night. Direct your angst at http://verveunofficial.forum5.com, and not at myself thanks (sorry Trish), and we can take notes. We love to help out new bands but we have certain criteria with this arena shit so the answer is 'no' before you flood me with requests. Cheers, see you in November.... "

Simon Jones's Black Affair

Simon Jones will be on stage later tonight at 8.00pm playing with Steve Mason (ex Beta Band, King Biscuit Time) and the Black Affair at the Wickerman Festival in Scotland. Click Here to check out Black Affair's MySpace.

Verve On MySpace

The official Verve myspace has just gone up as well as Nick McCabe's, and Simon Jones myspace aswell, where you can listen to stuff they recorded after the Verve split.

Nick McCabe -
http://www.myspace.com/nickmccabeuk
Simon Jones -
http://www.myspace.com/simonjonesuk
The Verve -
http://www.myspace.com/thevervetv