Evan Dando confirms solo shows

The Lemonheads frontman Evan Dando has confirmed a low-key solo show and two festival appearances in May. The Lemonheads will also release a single 'I Just Can't Take It Anymore' through Cooking Vinyl on 8th June. Taken from their long-awaited covers collection VARSHONS (out 15th June) the single will be available as a 7" and download.

Dates are:

May
Weds 13th London The Macbeth
Thurs 14th Brighton The Great Escape, Digital
Thurs 21st London Stag & Dagger Festival, Cargo

7" single (FRY395) A. 'I just Can't Take It Anymore' B. 'Special To Me'
Digital single (FRYDL395) 1.'I Just Can't Take It Anymore' 2. 'Green Fuz Fast'

It makes sense that the new album from The Lemonheads sounds like a mix tape slipped to you by a music-obsessed friend anxious to turn you on to something new. In fact, the idea for the band's new covers record was inspired by Gibby Haynes, ringmaster of the Butthole Surfers, who for years has made mixes for his longtime friend Evan Dando. "Making a good mix is an art, and Gibby has it down," says Dando. "I thought it would be fun to share these songs with other people like he shared them with me. So I picked the 'greatest hits' from his mixes and covered them, along with a few other songs I always wanted to play."

VARSHONS was produced by Haynes, mixed by ex-Cornershop guru Anthony Saffrey, and features Dando along with Vess Ruhtenburg (bass) and Devon Ashley (drums). The collection is filled with strange bedfellows - from G.G. Allin to Texas troubadour Townes Van Zandt and garage rockers The Green Fuz. The Lemonheads make each track their own, with help from actress Liv Tyler, singing back up on Leonard Cohen's "Hey, That's No Way To Say Goodbye," and Kate Moss, who sings over the dance groove of Arling & Cameron's "Dirty Robot," Also featured on lead guitar and backing vocals throughout most of the album is John Perry, on loan from The Only Ones. Filled with obscure nuggets, the tracks on VARSHONS cut a wide swath, jumping from early British psychedelia to Dutch electronica and like all good mix tapes, you never know what is coming next.