Primal Scream - Manchester Apollo (From Warrington Guardian)

Primal Scream - Manchester Apollo

Bobby Gillespie, the moodiest rocker in town and lead singer for Primal Scream, is bringing his band to Manchester in January.

Primal Scream has announced their first major tour since December 2002 off the back of their acclaimed compilation album, Dirty Hits.

The album covers tracks from their landmark Screamadelica album through to their recent Xtrmntr and Evil Heat singles.

Early Primal Scream singles were a template for the Stone Roses, while the band's more recent material is cited as an influence by a whole crop of current acts.

Radiohead, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and the Dandy Warhols all cite the band as a major influence. While punk legend John Lydon, rock god Robert Plant, and current kings of cool Queens Of The Stone Age, are big fans too.

And there is something undeniably dark about the band and their front man, Gillespie.

You can tell he plays the rock star every second of the day and he wears a constant scowl that only a teenager could rival.

He is perhaps one of the main reasons why people are turned off by the band but he is also the reason why thousands love them - and there are sure to be plenty screaming his name in Manchester later this month.

The band plays the Manchester Apollo on Sunday January 18.

Tickets cost £18.50 and are on sale now. For availability visit www.wayahead.com

Paul Keaveny