December 19, 2005

New Nikki Sudden 7" Single : HANOI JANE

Here's the cover of the new 7" single - the first in a series of limited edition Nikki Sudden singles.



Hanoi Jane will be available for sale online at the Big Store very very soon, stay tuned...

NS Tour Schedule

First NS UK show in two years has been confirmed at the 12 Bar Club in London. Also new show in Barcelona Spain has been added. Check out the Gigs page for further info.

New Links Added

Added links to the official websites of Einar Stenseng's (plays hammond and harmonium on Nikki's new album and Nikki played and contributed songs on Einar's solo album),Darrell Bath's Bob Dylan Tribute outfit To Bob and cool singer/songwriter Alicia Levy's one.

December 5, 2005

Nikki Sudden & Mercury Rev

On Friday the 2nd of December, Nikki appeared as a special guest and opened up for Mercury Rev's show in Thessaloniki at the Mylos Club.

Lates Link Additions

Check out the Links page to visit the personal website of John C. Barry and The Tunes official homepage.

Hanoi Jane / Pretty Little Pretty 7" - Press Release

Double A-sided 45, Hanoi Jane / Pretty Little Pretty, is the first in a series of regular 7” releases by Munster Records in conjunction with Nikki Sudden.

Hanoi Jane is a T.Rex styled rocker from the ever unpredictable pen of Mr. Nikki Sudden. Written and first recorded in the late nineties the song should have come out far sooner but one thing didn’t lead to another and time delayed the groove.

Pretty Little Pretty is a Jimmy Reed patterned r & b shaker of a sort that while reflecting Reed’s Shame, Shame, Shame and the Stones’ Little By Little, takes things up another notch.

Both tracks feature Nikki Sudden backed by Darrell Bath and Justin Farrow on guitars, John Clifford Barry on bass and Stephane Doucerain on the drums. Hanoi Jane also features saxophone by sometime Waterboy, Anthony Thistlethwaite, and backing vocals by Marie-Therese McCormack. Terry Miles plays the Hammond organ. Both numbers were recorded at the sessions for Sudden’s best too date album, Treasure Island.

The cover and label artwork were executed devastatingly by John Clifford Barry from an idea by Tudor Vernon

November 26, 2005

Hanoi Jane / Pretty Little Pretty 7" - Press Release

Double A-sided 45, Hanoi Jane / Pretty Little Pretty, is the first in a series of regular 7” releases by Munster Records in conjunction with Nikki Sudden.

Hanoi Jane is a T.Rex styled rocker from the ever unpredictable pen of Mr. Nikki Sudden. Written and first recorded in the late nineties the song should have come out far sooner but one thing didn’t lead to another and time delayed the groove.

Pretty Little Pretty is a Jimmy Reed patterned r & b shaker of a sort that while reflecting Reed’s Shame, Shame, Shame and the Stones’ Little By Little, takes things up another notch.

Both tracks feature Nikki Sudden backed by Darrell Bath and Justin Farrow on guitars, John Clifford Barry on bass and Stephane Doucerain on the drums. Hanoi Jane also features saxophone by sometime Waterboy, Anthony Thistlethwaite, and backing vocals by Marie-Therese McCormack. Terry Miles plays the Hammond organ. Both numbers were recorded at the sessions for Sudden’s best too date album, Treasure Island.

The cover and label artwork were executed devastatingly by John Clifford Barry from an idea by Tudor Vernon

NS Tour Schedule

One more show added to Nikki's current Greek Tour. Check out the Gigs page for further info.

November 13, 2005

NS Greek Tour

Nikki will be in Greece during November for a few acoustic shows. Check out the Gigs page for more details - more shows will be confirmed within the next few days.

November 9, 2005

Urgent Update: New Nikki Sudden Gig

Sorry for the really late notice but Nikki Sudden will be playing a solo acoustic show on Thursday 10 November at Artliner, Gärtnerstrasse 23, Berlin-Friedrichshain - show starts at 21:00

October 24, 2005

Honey Baby - German Release/Screening Date Confirmerd

The Mika Kaurismäki film, Honey Baby, which features nine Nikki Sudden songs on the soundtrack is scheduled for release in Germany in January 2006.

Nikki is in discussion with Cinex, the German distributor, with regards to putting together the soundtrack album. Nikki has discussed this with Mika Kaurismäki and actors Henry Thomas and Irina Björklund and is keen to start work on the project. Cinex are sorting out the rights to the music at present.

Below are two screenshots from the movie (click on pictures to enlarge)

Related Honey Baby Links:

Cinex Films Official Website - http://www.cinex-films.com
Honey Baby Official Website - http://www.honeybaby.de
Mika Kaurismaki's Official Website - http://www.mikakaurismaki.com

New NS Album - Recording The Final Tracks

Next Saturday Nikki Sudden, drummer Danny Hole (ex-Warlocks), guitarist Darrell Bath, bassist John Clifford Barry and pianist / Hammond player Einar Stenseng will go into Phil Freeborn’s Claustrophobia Studio in Berlin to record the rest of the tracks for Nikki’s new album. The album’s working title has changed again but Nikki can’t remember what it is at the moment.

More NS Shows Confirmed

New Nikki Sudden shos have been confirmed for November, January and February.

Check out the Gigs page for more info.

Swell Maps Review

By visiting the Pitchfork Media website you can read a cool review of the Maps' International Rescue by Chris Ott.

"Next up an absolutely essential must have release for any would be cool record collection..." that's how Losing Today - The Indie Music Magazine - prologues the review the Swell Maps' 7" Box Set released by Munster Records Of Spain. You can read the whole review here.

More Swell Maps Reviews coming your way soon...keep your eyes open!!!


October 16, 2005

New NS Album Working Title:

Working title for the new NS album: Wyrd Bið Ful Aræd, In modern day English - translated from Anglo-Saxon this means: Fate remains wholly inexorable.

Nikki is currently in the progress of recording his new album which is going to be an electric
one. The original plan was to record a solo acoustic release but after Nikki had done the first five songs his next session was a full band one.

However he has been recording acoustic demos of various new songs and these, plus some other songs will probably make up an upcoming acoustic record.

Jacobites To Record New Album

Dave Kusworth and Nikki Sudden, otherwise known as the Jacobites, will be recording their sixth studio album in Berlin this December.

Gallery Wallywoods Presents: Bob Dylan Aftershow Party Hosted by Nikki Sudden

On 25 October Wallywoods presents: A Bob Dylan aftershow party hosted by Nikki Sudden at Arcanoa, Am Tempelhofer Berg 8, 10965 Kreuzberg, Berlin

The session will start just before midnight and will be a Bob Dylan aftershow party. Bob plays the Arena in Berlin the same evening. After Bob's finished we'll drive across town and play Bob Dylan songs until the bar closes.

Musicians who wish to jam with Nikki on stage before a paying audience should arrive early and get on the list!

Nikki Sudden Tour Schedule

New shows added to Nikki's tour schedule, check out the Gigs page.

Press Review - The Last Bandit

Rocker blood in his veins - a veteran of the war you have to fight to shove, pull and carry yourself
around the world, making music for friendly strangers in dark places. The songs on this album soothe and rock. The songwriting is solid, it has quality, it makes you think and understand a new place, Nikki’s place. It’s beautiful, deeply. I love this album. — SALEM (website)

October 9, 2005

Nikki Sudden On Tour

Check out the Gigs page for more Nikki Sudden (solo and with The Last Bandits) tour dates recently confirmed.

New Links

Latest links additions: WSRS Leamington Spa and Claustrophobia Studios, Jeremy Thirlby's Matmosphere - check out the Links page to visit the websites.

September 25, 2005

Jacobites & NS shows @ Gallery Wallywoods

The Jacobites will play their first show in Germany since 2003 on the 26th of October in Nikki's favourite Gallery Wallywoods in Berlin.

Check out the Gigs page for further info, as well as to view listings for more NS gigs in Berlin.

Dave K & The Tenderhooks - Like "Wonderland Avenue" In A Cold CLimate - ORDER ONLINE

Dave K's latest album with the Tenderhooks; Like "Wonderland Avenue" In A Cold Climate is available to order directly from The Big Store.

New Links Added

New links added under the Related Artists section: Tim Chaplin, Phil Shoenfelt's The Fatal Shore and DM Bob & The Deficits.

September 11, 2005

NS & The Last Bandits w/ Kevin Junior: Italian Tour Photos

Some photos from the Last Bandits' Italian tour with Kevin Junior early this year can be found here

September 4, 2005

New Nikki Sudden Album - Release Date: MARCH 2006

The new Nikki Sudden album (title as yet unknown) will be released in March 2006. Songs on the album will include: Jet Star Groove; Death Warrant; Burgundy; Black Tar; Pirate Girls; The Last Flash Of The Cavalier Nation.

Musicians include drummers Danny Hole (ex Warlocks) and Stephane Doucerain. Bass by John Clifford Barry. Guitars and keyboards by Einar Stenseng and Nikki Sudden.

Nikki has recorded over fifty tracks since the release of Treasure Island. He plans to put down another twelve songs and then choose the tracks for the new LP.

Nikki Working On New Rather Records (Maps' Label) Swell Maps Singles Compilation

Nikki is working on a Rather Records (Swell Maps' label) singles compilation featuring the four Maps singles, two Cult Figures releases. The Phones Sportsman Band EP; Steve Treatment's 5-A-Sided-EP; Soundtracks & Head's 12" single and the first Nikki Sudden release.

Stay tuned for more info coming soon.

The Pacific And Eddy & The Favor Update

Nikki recently finished the song, Johnny's Blues, for Eva Aridjis' new film, The Favor. Incidental music for The Favor is by Danny Hole, the drummer who has been playing on sessions for Nikki's new album.

The film stars Ryan Donowho who also stars in The Pacific And Eddy, the film which will feature Nikki's acting debut. Editing on The Favor was finished in New York this week. Film
director, Matt Nourse, is working on editing The Pacific And Eddy in San Diego.

Soundtrack for the movie is by Nikki and Kelli Scarr

Also, visit the recently launched official website for The Pacific And Eddy

Einar Stenseng Interview & Epic Soundtracks 'Good Things' Review

Check out a new Einar Stenseng interview done for the the Dorfdisco website here, Nikki is mentioned in the interview.

A review of Epic's new album "Good Things" can be found at the Stomp And Stammer website.

The No-Men - Phones Sportsman EP

Topplers Records band The No Men who are making a career of paying tribute to Swell Maps and friends. Their latest release is: The No-Men re-discovered and re-recorded the tracks from THE PHONES SPORTSMAN EP from1980. Available to download soon along with the rest of the NoMen's catalogue from http://www.topplers.co.uk.

From The Topplers Records homepage:

Phones Sportsman (David Barrington) is often overlooked in Swell Maps retrospectives but his contributions to the Maps, and early solo albums by both Nikki Sudden and Jowe Head, should not be underestimated! He also plays along with Epic and Golden on 'Big Store' (orig) off the first Jacobites record

What can be said about his 1980 solo disc on Rather records? It's a five track single that definately went against the grain of what his contemporaries, and even the Maps themselves, were doing at the time!

Side one, 'I really love you', is an over-the-top fifties doo-wop parody full of blubbering vocals and twangy guitars. In some way it feels like a companion to the Cult Figures 'In Love' also released on Rather Records around the same time (The other membersof Swell Maps had played on the Cult Figures classic 'Zip Nolan' single the year before). The track itself had been an old song of Nikki Sudden's which Phones ad-libbed vocals to.

The other tracks on Phones' single defy description... there is a stomping version of 'Get Down and Get With It!' that sounds like a wild party! 'Woke up this Morning' is a free-form rant with Jowe Head screaming away in the background, 'Wah Wah' shifts between being a song and being a cry for help! Phones list the things he like to do... "I like to beat up little boys, I like to beat up little girls!". Very didturbing! "The Olton" is a super-funky bass riff which is over way to soon. (Olton is the part of Solihull that Phones lived in).

Jowe Head - "I intervened in his solo session at WMRS to pass him more instruments to hit but he was so hyped up that he took this as an insult perhaps! He was very helpful to me in the arrangements on the final session for my Pincer Movement LP. He was the truly avant garde member of the scene....he was into Stockhausen, Cage, and the dada sound-poems of Kurt Schwitters, I recall! He made some astonishing home recordings (I got copies of some of them) which I would like to see released on CD with the single tracks sometime!"

It's an interesting record with hilarious artwork. The two main tracks can be heard on the Swell Maps compilation 'International Rescue'. To hear it in it's full glory you'll have to try e.bay or the charity shops!

As part of their long running project to re-interpret the songs of the DIY punk era, the NoMen got together to record the five songs on the original single. In true NoMen fashion they didn't do slavish reproductions, they just listened to the original then played it their own way! A little boy, who happened to be passing, was forced into drawing the cover art!

Download all five tracks and burn your own "Phones NoMan CD".

September 2 , 2005

Bruno Adams B-Day - Nikki to guest on stage

Tonight is the birthday of Nikki's good friend Bruno Adams and a party will be held at the Red Rooster in Berlin tonight to celebrate this special event. Nikki is set to guest appear on stage tonight along with many others friends of Bruno.

Check out the Gigs page for further info.

August 27, 2005

New Nikki Sudden Gig

New NS gig confirmed for the 1st of September. Check out the Gigs page for further info

August 21, 2005

Gallery Wallywoods 2-CD Compilation Out Now!!!

On the 11th of August, the first Wallywoods Double Compilation CD (32 songs, 155 mins) was officialy released.

Nikki appears with Stay Bruised and other artist featured in the compilation include Phil Shoenfelt, The Ugly Americans and Bruno Adams amongst others.

The 2CD Compilation set costs 12 Euros and for ordering info as well as free sample mp3's visit the Gallery Wallywoods website.

New Link: Nikki's Favourite Authors

A new author has been added under Nikki's favourite authors link section, Conn Iggulden.

August 15, 2005

Einar Stenseng's Mew Album Preview

Visit Einar Stenseng's homepage to listen excerpts from his debut album which was co-produced by Nikki and Einar.

Nikki Sudden, Darrel Bath and John Barry also feature as guest musicians mostly on all of the album.

Nikki also contributed an unreleased track of his entitled "The Last Flash Of The Cavalier Nation" and co-wrote another with Einar called "Constance".

Epic Soundtracks "Good Things" Review

A great review of Epic's new album "Good Things" can be found at Stomp And Stammer

August 5, 2005

Frequenze Disturbate Festival IMPORTANT UPDATE

There has been a change in the schedule of the Frequenze Disturbate Festival in Urbino, Italy and Nikki Sudden & The Last Bandits will play on Sunday the 7th of August at 18:00 instead of Saturday the 16th.

August 1, 2005

Nikki Sudden & The Last Bandits to play on Frequenze Disturbate Festival in Italy

Nikki Sudden & The Last Bandits have been confirmed to appear on Frequenze Disturbate Festival in Urbino, Italy on August the 6th. The Bandits will be headlining the Velvet Stage which starts at 16:00. Other artists set to appear the same day include Sons And Daughters and Echo And The Bunnymen among others.

More details can be found at the Frequenze Disturbate Festival official website.

Nikki to Guest DJ - Lovedrug @ The Derby (Los Angeles, California)

Nikki Sudden will guest disc jockey with Tami Reingewirtz on Tuesday - 2 August 2005 at:

LoveDrug @ The Derby !

The address is 4500 Los Feliz Blvd. cross street with Hillhurst, Los Angeles, California

Nikki and Tami be in the dance room spinning only the finest tunes we've ever heard.

NO COVER!

Lovedrug - Bliss out.

Beers $2, Specialty shots $2

See ya there

Nikki On The Road - New Shows Confirmed

New European shows have been confirmed for August/September.

Check out the Gigs page for further info.

Nikki In The Studio Recording New Songs - Updates

On Tuesday 12 July Nikki went back into Andy Baker's studio in Athens, GA and finished off the two songs he'd recorded the previous Friday. I Can't Stand Up now features David and Buddy Blackmon on fiddle and banjo.

Nikki last played with David Blackmon during the sessions for the Jewel Thief back in 1990/1991. The song which was called Southern Sound got changed and is now entitled Little Venice Affair.

On Wednesday 13 July Nikki went into Chase Park Transduction studio and recorded two new songs.Dave Barbe engineered and Nikki was back by Pete Alvanos on drums and Chuck and Adam from Southern Bitch on bass and guitar. Adam also played piano and
pedal steel on the country number,

Adam Musick and Nikki wrote the two songs in Southern Bitch's rehearsal room the previous day. The first track they put down was a country tearjerker, sitting On This Barstool while the second, Family Bible, is more in Neil Young / Crazy Horse territory. Both numbers are Sudden / Musick compositions.

More pedal steel by Athens' finest, John Neff, was added to two of the tracks Nikki and The Last Bandits recorded in Berlin last month. Pirate Girls and The Last Flash Of The Cavalier Nation will be finished when Nikki returns to Germany.

Nikki In The Studio To Record Songs For Forthcoming 7" Single

Nikki went into Andy Baker's House studio in Athens and recorded two new tracks for a forthcoming 7" single.

Musicians involved include:

Brant Keyley - drums
Tom Ashton - bass
Phillip McArdle - guitar
Robert Carruthers - guitar
John Neff - pedal steel

One of the songs is a country inspired track called I Can't Stand Up. The track got a bit changed along the way and was taken from Hank Williams towards New York. The other is a T.Rex / Sex Pistols / Jeff Beck mixture entitled Southern Sound.

Robert Carruthers is a member of Boulevard and Tom Ashton is ex-March Violets and ex-Clan Of Xymox.

July 20, 2005

Urgent: New LA Show Announced

On Friday the 22nd of July Nikki will play at Club Spaceland in Los Angeles.

Apologies for the late announcement and any incovenience it might cause.

July 19, 2005

Nikki Live @ the Echo - Part Time Punks UPDATE

There has been a chamne and Nikki will go onstage at 21:00 instead of 22:30 on Sunday July 24 at the Echo in LA..

July 17, 2005

Nikki In The Studio Recording New Songs - Updates

On Tuesday 12 July Nikki went back into Andy Baker's studio in Athens, GA and finished off the two songs he'd recorded the previous Friday. I Can't Stand Up now features David and Buddy Blackmon on fiddle and banjo.

Nikki last played with David Blackmon during the sessions for the Jewel Thief back in 1990/1991. The song which was called Southern Sound got changed and is now entitled Little Venice Affair.

On Wednesday 13 July Nikki went into Chase Park Transduction studio and recorded two new songs.Dave Barbe engineered and Nikki was back by Pete Alvanos on drums and Chuck and Adam from Southern Bitch on bass and guitar. Adam also played piano and
pedal steel on the country number,

Adam Musick and Nikki wrote the two songs in Southern Bitch's rehearsal room the previous day. The first track they put down was a country tearjerker, sitting On This Barstool while the second, Family Bible, is more in Neil Young / Crazy Horse territory. Both numbers are Sudden / Musick compositions.

More pedal steel by Athens' finest, John Neff, was added to two of the tracks Nikki and The Last Bandits recorded in Berlin last month. Pirate Girls and The Last Flash Of The Cavalier Nation will be finished when Nikki returns to Germany.

Nikki Sudden US Tour - LA Show Announced

Nikki will play on Sunday they 24th of July at the Echo Club in Los Angele. Nikki's live appearance will be part of the Part Time Punks Night hosted by the club. Nikki will hit the stage at around 10:30 pm.

Visit the Gigs page for further info.

July 10, 2005

Epic Soundtracks - Good Things OUT NOW!!!

The much anticipated new Epic Soundtracks album "Good Things" is out now, an dcan be ordered online directly from the online ordering facility of nikkisudden.com, the Big Store.

Good Things by Epic Soundtracks costs € 15

Visit the Epic Soundtracks section for further info concerning the new album.

Swell Maps Reissue Double Vinyl Albums OUT NOW!!!

A Trip To Marineville and Jane From Occupied Europe have just been seperately reissued by Spanish label Munster Records in a special Double Vinyl edition form.

Prices for the Swell Maps Double Vinyl reissues are as follows:

a) EU Customers - € 26
b) UK Customers - € 23
c) US / Rest Of World Customers - € 31

Both albums can be purchased online from nikkisudden.com at the Big Store.

Nikki In The Studio To Record Songs For Forthcoming 7" Single

This Friday Nikki went into Andy Baker's House studio in Athens and recorded two new tracks for a forthcoming 7" single.

Musicians involved include:

Brant Keyley - drums
Tom Ashton - bass
Phillip McArdle - guitar
Robert Carruthers - guitar
John Neff - pedal steel

One of the songs is a country inspired track called I Can't Stand Up. The track got a bit changed along the way and was taken from Hank Williams towards New York. The other is a T.Rex / Sex Pistols / Jeff Beck mixture entitled Southern Sound.

Robert Carruthers is a member of Boulevard and Tom Ashton is ex-March Violets and ex-Clan Of Xymox.

July 3, 2005

Nikki Sudden US Tour - More Shows Announced

Two more shows have been added to Nikki's Summer 2005 US Tour

July 11 - The Basement, Nashville, Tennessee
July 14 - The Soul Bar, Augusta, Georgia

Check out the Gigs page for further info (venue address, contact tel. number, website)

July 2, 2005

Nikki Sudden US Tour - NEW SHOWS ADDED

Latest US Tour Updates (New Shows):

July 4 - 40 Watt, Athens, GA
July 15 - Flicker Theatre & Bar, Athens, GA

Check out the Gigs page for further info

Egoshooter - The Pacific And Eddy

Visit the official website of the film Egoshooter, in which Nikki plays himself/a busker/an angel.

Here's a shot from the Egoshooter premiere party.



Nikki poses with one of the film's two directors Oliver Schwabe.

You can also visit the official website of The Pacific And Eddy, a film which Nikki will be acting and also appear in the film's soundtrack.

New Nikki Sudden Interview + Athfest 2005 Review

You can read a new NS interview with Gordon Lamb from Flagpole here, you can also read a review of the AthFest 2005 gig (with photos).

In addition, visit the following links to read reviews of Nikki's Cologne gig last December:

Klubber 40 Review and Report-K Review.

June 17, 2005

New Nikki Sudden Album Update

Nikki, John Barry, Stephane Doucerain and Norwegian, Einar Stenseng were in Phil Freeborn's Claustrophobia Studio in Berlin this week.

The band recorded some more new songs for the next Nikki Sudden album. Titles include:

The Last Flash Of The Cavalier Nation
Black Tar
Pirate Girls

In addition they recorded a song for the film, The Favor.

New Nikki Sudden Interview

Check out the Press page to read a new NS interview for Atlanta, GA’s weekly newspaper, Creative Loafing. The interview will form part of a greater piece of a story about The
Earl’s 6th Anniversary party, which Nikki will be playing, on Thursday, July 7 with Pylon and Tenement Halls.

June 13, 2005

AthFest 2005 - Athens, GA Music And Arts Festival

Nikki will appear at the annual Athens, GA AthFest 2005 on Friday June 24.

Nikki will appear on the Hull Street Stafe, arrive on stage aroung 7:40 pm and perform from 8:40 to 9:00pm.

Visit the official AthFest website for further info

June 9, 2005

New Picture Galleries

Check out pictures from Nikki's solo acoustic show (with Lola as a guest) at Gallery Wallywoods on May 1, 2005 as well as from the Last Bandits gig with Kevin Junior in Magdeburg in December 17, 2004.

May 28, 2005

Nikki Sudden US and European Shows Announced

Nikki will hit the US for a few shows this summer, check out the Gigs page for all the details concerning US summer shows as well as a few more confirmed June European dates.

Nikki in the Studio: Recordings Update

In addition, last Tuesday Nikki was in Mai Tai studio in Milano, Italy (see Nikki's Journal entry for more details).

Also, Nikki was in Claustrophobia studio in Berlin towards the end of last week recording
tracks for his new album.

Together with drummer Danny Hole, bassist John Clifford Barry and guitarist Einar Stenseng Nikki put down three versions of a new song called Burgundy. The song came together as it was being played. Nikki played the chords and sang while the band followed.

Then six takes of a Marc Bolan inspired number called Jet Star Groove went down.

Danny's Mexican girlfriend, Eva, is in Berlin to edit her movie, The Favor. Danny has been working on the soundtrack and Nikki has also been asked to write a song for the film. The band jammed on two versions of an idea called Favour / Flavour. Instrumentals by Swell Maps (Collision With A Frogman) and a Jacobites (The Old Church Steps) will also appear in the picture.

They also did a brief attempt at a song Nikki wrote back in 1974. The tune is called Clancy Padre. The original version was recorded by Nikki and David 'Phones' Barrington in the downstairs cloakroom at his parents' house in Solihull. David used the inside of Nikki's mother's coffee perculator as a hi-hat!

Yesterday's session ended with Impure Thoughts guitarist Mark Mulholland replacing Einar and the band putting down a version of the Iggy Pop / James Williamson number, Kill City, for the forthcoming Greg Shaw tribute album which Bomp Records will be releasing.

Today Nikki worked on the vocal tracks for Jet Star Groove and Kill City. Nikki's old friend, Captain Sensible from The Damned, will come to the studio in the next hour and will hopefully make a guest appearance on one of the tracks!

May 10, 2005

Nikki Sudden: New Solo Acoustic Album

Last week Nikki went into Phil Freedorn's Claustrophobia Studio in Berlin and began work on his yet untitled new solo album. Nikki recorded six solo acoustic tracks including two old English folk ballads. Nikki had been thinking of recording Remarks On The Times and The Banks Of The Nile for the last twenty years. Rough home versions exist on tape but Nikki had never done them in the studio before - the remaining four songs are new.

In addition, last week Nikki together with John Barry, Einar Stensberg and drummer Danny Hole recorded tree more NS songs three tracks for Lola to sing.

The songs for Miss Lola were Sing Me A Song (Marc Bolan). Stay Bruised (Nikki Sudden) and a new number, Big City Berlin (Nikki Sudden).

The other songs include what John Barry thinks will be Nikki's big hit single...

As Nikki said..."All I have to do is finish the words"

May 5, 2005

Television Personalities Tribute Album OUT



The first edition of the Television Personalities Tribute Album "If I Could Write Poetry" should be ready to ship May 2005 - serial number Beauty 005. The first 100 copies will come with at least 10 additional TVP covers in their raw, unmastered glory.

Nikki Sudden appears in the compilation with the song If I Could Write Poetry - a reworking of an old recording Nikki and Epic did back in 1986 during the recording sessions of "Texas".

Nikki will also feature in the second edition of the TVP Tribute which is also scheduled for release with an alternate mix to If I Could Write Poetry.

For further info on the TVP Tribute as well as tracklisting visit Beautiful Music.

Nikki's Acoustic New Album

As Nikki revealed in his Journal - his new album will most likely be a solo acoustic effort.

Nikki Sudden & The Last Bandits - Spanish Tour May 2005

Check out the Gigs page for info on the venues where NS & The LBs will be playing.

Nikki In WSRS Studios to Remix Swell Maps Albums

John Rivers and Nikki were in the WSRS studios late March and finished remastering the Swell Maps new double vinyl editions (w/ bonus tracks) for the soon come Munster Records editions. The pair also did a quick remix on Pretty Little Pretty - an outtake from Treasure Island, which will be the b-side of the upcoming Hanoi Jane 7" single. They also mixed Going Down To The Otherworld - a track Nikki originally recorded for the Honey Baby soundtrack but wasn't finally used but it might be used instead for the soundtrack of The Pacific And Eddy.

Nikki In The Studio with Evan Dando

In early March Nikki went in the studio with Evan Dando (Lemonheads), John Kastner and Darrell Bath to record a version of I Wanna Destory You, an old Soft Boys / Robyn Hitchcock number. Nikki and Evan had talked about recording a song for a future B-Side and Nikki came with the idea of recording that song.

Also another song was recorded during the session called Glam Rock Socks - a working title as of yet.

According to Nikki "The song is a groover, that's for sure. Evan has his own label and plans to release the two tracks as a 7" single."

April 26, 2005

Nikki Sudden to hit the US + East Coast Tour

Nikki will go to the States on the 8th of July for a short solo East Coast Tour. From NYC down to Athens, GA. During that period Nikki will fly to San Diego to do his acting bit in the film The Pacific And Eddy, then go to LA to play in a festival.

More details concerning Nikki's visit to the US will be made available soon.

Epic Soundtracks' - Good Things Album Article on Billboard.com

Nikki's late brother, Epic Soundtracks, left more than a few boxes of unreleased tapes behind when he died.

The first trawl through them ended up in the compilation album, Everything Is Temporary.

Some years passed then Nikki met up with Epic's old friend and musical partner, Kevin Junior, in Seattle. Kevin had the tapes of the demos fror Epic's planned fourth album, Good Things. The tapes were remastered by Nikki and John Rivers at WSRS in Leamington Spa last year and will soon be re-released.

Go to billboard.com to read the full article concerning Epic's new album.

Gig Cancelled

Nikki's scheduled show in Toulouse on the 17th of May has been cancelled.

April 23, 2005

Nikki Sudden "In The Bag" CD Release Party at Gallery Wallywoods

On the 16th of April Nikki did an informal recording at Wallywoods, the result is "In The Bag" CD. On Sunday, May 1, Nikki will appear at Gallery Wallywoods for the release party of the new unofficial limited edition album.

Details: ‘In The Bag ’ is Nikki, relaxed, unplugged, occasionally fucking funny - 23 tracks, including the first song Nikki ever wrote, recorded at the gallery on April 6 – guest appearances by Lola (including her wonderful ‘Wild Horses’) and Wally (pressing the wrong knobs on Ken’s organ). This is going to be a Limited Edition CD.

Also Nikki Sudden shopping bags will be available for sale at the Gig.

For further info check out the Gallery Wallywoods website.

Nikki Sudden & The Last Bandits Spanish Tour - May 2005

There has been a few changes in the Spanish Tour, a few more dates have been announced and also there has been a slight change to the whole tour schedule.

Check out the Gigs page for further info.

April 14, 2005

Stiv Bators Tribute Album

Nikki and The Last Bandits recently went in the studio with Elisabeth Wood (vocals); Bruno Adams (guitar); Derek Shirley (cello) and Einar Stenseng (piano) to record a version of the Stiv Bators song, Not That way Any More for an upcoming tribute album. Stiv Bators and Nikki were friends in London during the 1980's.

Jacobites Pictures

Pictures from the Jacobites' shows in Athens, Greece on March 25th and 26th have been posted.

April 3, 2005

Mother And Me Poster Exibition at Gallery Wallywoods

On Wednesday the 6th of April, Nikki will play live at the "Mother And Me" Poster Exibition taking place at Gallery Wallywoods. Be there or be square...

New Links Section

Since Nikki is a big fan of literature and books in general, a new link category has been added, this of Nikki's favorite authors. So, if you feel like indulging into the books of Nikki's favourite authors the links should prove pretty useful. The list shall expand over time.

April 1, 2005

New Jacobites Recorded Material

During the Jacobites Greek tour, Nikki and Dave spent time in Thessaloniki's Attic Studio to record some acoustic demos of new songs for the forthcoming Jacobites album.

The songs recorded during the Attic Studios' session are:

Ashtray Blues
Friend Of Mine
So Far So Good
Only Girl In The World

This is what Nikki wrote about the songs in his Journal

Ashtray Blues has lyrics written in Berlin a few weeks back and rewritten today tied up to a variation on Red House / Robert Johnson by Dave. The song is about someone who used to be a friend of ours before they fell off the pavement and into the gutter.

Friend Of Mine is a Nikki / Dave scarf waver which we wrote up last Sunday in our hotel in Alexandroupoli and played the same night. The number went through a few changes the other day and a few more today and ended up very groovy.

So Far So Good - Written in Trondheim during our brief Norwegian tour this has been played at every Jacobites' gig since. This is the first time we've been in a studio together since writing the song.

Only Girl In The World (working title). Dave apparently played this one to me in Moscow last year - or so he claims... but I don't recall ever hearing it before today. He did a solo version and I didn't like it much but then he did it again and I listened to the words and loved it... apart from the chorus. I suggested a slight lyrical change and the song changed to be really magic.

March 23, 2005

New Nikki Sudden Interview

A new Nikki Sudden interview can be found at Avopolis Music Network. The interview is in Greek but an english version complete with more in-depth answers will be available from this site shortly.

March 16, 2005

New Treasure Island and Swell Maps Reviews

Read a review by E-Bay for Treasure Island (scroll at the bottom of the page).

The Swell Maps Deluxe box set has a received a 4/5 rating from Lowcut #22:

You know you're listening to British postpunk when the music keeps playing while you change sides, and you realize it's the neighbours drilling down a wall without you having noticed. Arty, sweater wearing fucks (postpunks, not my neighbours).

Swell Maps, formed in the mid-70's by brothers Nikki Sudden and Epic Soundtracks, released two albums in '79 and '80 before doing each others' dope or girlfriends, or whatever lies behind that standard "personal differences" disclaimer, and splitting, Epic to join Crime & the City Solution and various other postpunk groups, Sudden to embark on an everwaning solo career modeled initially on Neil Young and gypsy tradition (brrr...) and lately presenting himself as a pirate on an album featuring Rolling Stones and Faces-members (even more brrr...).

But before things turned sour, there was Swell Maps, and their 4 singles released between '77 and '79, long out of print, have now been reprinted and repackaged with a previously unreleased 7" in a snazzy black box by Munster Records, ltd to 1000 cps.

For a first listen to these 10 sides, there's not much to set them apart from contemporaries like Wire, except for the interspersed avantgarde bits by Epic Soundtracks and the overall noisiness and snottiness, in great part thanks to Sudden's apathetic and tuneless vocal delivery. However, in songs like the 2-tone "Read About Seymour", the brutal if arty "Let's Build a Car", or the straight out punkrock "Real Shocks", Swell Maps justify some of the awe surrounding them. The more experimental parts lend a lot from krautrockers Neu!, and progressing chronologically through the singles become ever more interesting.

This is not the Holy Grail of punkrock by far, but it's a fine gem, and the packaging alone is cool enough to merit an extra razorblade.

Jacobites Greek Tour Update

The Jacobites are set to play a secret low-key gig in Athens on the 25th of March as a warm-up before their co-headlining show on the 26th with Dave's new band.

Also, an after show party has been arranged on the 26th of March after the AN Club gig at
Mo Better club to celebrate Dave Kusworth's birthday and Nikki Sudden will play a Guest DJ slot.

March 3, 2005

Nikki Sudden Lyrics & Chords

The Lyrics page is up and running finally, more albums will be added with complete lyrics and a chords section.

February 28, 2005

Nikki Sudden Tour Updates

Darrell Bath will be joining Nikki Sudden & The Last Bandits intheir forthcoming German and Austrian tour dates.

A new show has been confirmed for the Jacobites short Greek Acoustic Tour.

Check out the Gigs page, for full info on gig and venue contact details.

New Picture Gallery

You can view pictures from Nikki's recent gig (February 25) at Cafe Restaurant Kronski at the Pictures page

February 26, 2005

Nikki Sudden & The Last Bandits Photos at Backdoor

Photos from the recent Last Bandits gig at the Backdoor in Gent can be seen at: http://www.backdoorgent.be/FOTOS.htm

Click on the 10/02/05 panel and you can open a cool mini album.

February 25, 2005

Epic Soundtracks - Good Things

Check out the cover to Epic Soundtrack's new album "Good Things" at the ES subpage

Nikki Sudden Tour Updates

New NS shows have been confirmed and others have been cancelled. Check out the Gigs page for a detailed gig listing, as well as fuller info on the clubs for the upcoming gigs.

February 24, 2005

Egoshooter Premiere



On Tuesday, the 22nd of February, Nikki Sudden & The Last Bandits played at the premiere of the new German film, Egoshooter. The picture was produced by Christian Becker and Oliver Schwabe of Field Recordings and the executive producer was Wim Wenders.

The film features an appearance from Mr. Sudden as an angel / busker. Nikki plays and sings his song, Angels In My Arms and a bit of Back To the Coast. This is Nikki's third film appearance.

You can read more about it at the official Egoshooter website.

If you go to: http://www.egoshooter-der-film.de/bilder.htm you will also find a photo of Nikki.

New Posters/Flyers added to the Pictures Page

New posters and flyers have been added to the Pictures Page.

New Link: Rock N' Roll Photography

Check out the website of Nikki's photographer friend Wolfgang Guerster - Rock Shot

February 21, 2005

Jacobites on Tour plus more live shows

Another show has been added to the Jacobites short Greek Acousctic/Electric tour in March - more shows are to be confirmed in the next few days.

Nikki Sudden will play with Max Decharne on Wednesday the 23rd at Gallery Wallywoods.

More information on upcoming Nikki Sudden shows can be found at the Gigs page.

February 12, 2005

Swell Maps Review on Head Heritage

An interesting review of the Maps' "A Trip To Marrineville" can be found at Head Heritage's ' Unsung' section "...for lost and unchampioned rock n' roll".

The Latest issue of KulturSPIEGEL has a comment on Nikki:

"Some day, when this tireless Rock'n'Roll bard has told us good-bye, we shall all moan what an overlooked talent he was. As for now, he is luckily still active."

February 10, 2005

Cancelled Gig: De Zolder, Brugge, Belgium

Tomorrow's gig (February 11) at De Zolder in Brugge, Belgium has been cancelled.

February 8, 2005

The Big Store Update - Swell Maps Box-Set Available For Sale

The much anticipated Swell Maps Box-Set is now available for sale through The Big Store.

Pricing for the Box Set has been divided into three categories due to differing shipping costs:

UK Customers - € 27.50
EU Customers - € 27.50
USA / Rest Of World - € 32.67

Please remember to place your order according to your geographic location.

In the next few days more items will be made available for sale through the Big Store, including:

- New Nikki Sudden T-Shirts for both boys and girls
- New Nikki Sudden and Swell Maps badge designs
- Framed signed pictures of the Jacobites

February 3, 2005

Deluxe Swell Maps 5x7" Box-Set



A Deluxe 5x7” Vinyl Box-Set compiling all Swell Maps' singles plus a fifth previously unreleased one have been released by Munster Records.

These original Swell Maps 7" singles are presented in an elegant box set which also includes a rare poster re-production. This is a limited edition of 1000 copies only release and the first 200 copies feature five different Coloured Vinyls.

Munster Records has plans in reissuing the rest of the original Swell Maps albums in Vinyl.

Single 1 - Read About Seymour (1977) - Read About Seymour / Ripped And Torn / Black Velvet
Single 2 - Dresden Style (1978) - Dresden Style / Ammunition Train / Full Moon (Dub)
Single 3 - Real Shocks (1979) - Real Shocks / English Verse / Monologues
Single 4 - Let's Build a Car (1979) - Let's Build a Car / Big Maz In The Country / Then Poland
Single 5 - Secret Island (1979 – PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED) - Secret Island / Texas / Sheep Dip (edit)

More information on the Maps' box set as well as on the Double Vinyl edition of Treasure Island which is also released by the same label can be found on the Munster Records website.

Within the next couple of days the Box-Set will be available for sale at The Big Store

Nikki Sudden Tour Schedule

New dates have been added to Nikki's tour schedule. Check out the Gigs page for more info.

New NS Article

A new Nikki Sudden article (in German) can be found here

January 25, 2005

Swell Maps Box Set



The much anticipated Swell Maps Box Set, is now in stock and will made available through the Big Store shortly.

The Box Set, released by Munster Records (7184-1-2-3-4-5—SP) contains five 7" singles:

Read About Seymour // Ripped & Torn : Black Velvet
Dresden Style / Mystery Track // Ammunition Train / Full Moon (dub)
Real Shocks // New York / Avalanche
Let’s Build A Car // Big Maz In The Country / ...Then Poland
Secret Island // Sheep Dip / Texas

The Secret Island single was scheduled for release in the US but never released. Each box set contains a full colour poster of the band! The singles covers are cool reprints of the originals with some of the labels different. Original covers were laminated. These are printed on matt card.

Watch out for the Swell Maps subpage coming soon on nikkisudden.com!!!

Television Personalities Tribute

The forthcoming Television Personalities Tribute Album which features Nikki covering If I Could Write Poetry will be out in a few months.

The version that appears in the compilation is a re-working of the version Nikki and Epic recorded back in 1986 - during the sessions for "Texas" - which was left unfinished, until recently when the vocals and mellotron was added. Nikki accordingly reveals,

"My brother, Epic Soundtracks and I recorded our version of my favourite Television Personalities song during the sessions for the "Texas" album. but I wasn't able to sing it. When I tried a vocal track it seemed to be in the wrong key for me - so we left it unfinished. I always liked the backing track and always planned to complete it one day. When I saw Wally Salem was putting together a TVPs tribute set I thought that I should be able to sing it fine now, eighteen years on."

Tribute To The Television Personalities ~ Volume 1:

Lovejoy - Someone To Share My Life With
Nikki Sudden - If I Could Write Poetry
The Higher Elevations - Engine Driver
The Baskervilles - La Grande Illusion
The Thanes - World Of Pauline Lewis
Bartlebees - And Then Suddenly
Mandervilles - Where's Bill Grundy Now (Middle Mix)
Armitage Shanks - 14th Floor (Slight Return)
Sixtynine & The Continuous People - The Girl Who Had Everything
Miniskirt - A Good & Faithful Servant
The Paisley Shirts - Sad Mona Lisa
Spiggott v Zane - Salvadore Dali's Garden Party
The Container Drivers - A Picture Of Dorian Gray
Woog Riots - Television Personalities
No Men - Part Time Punks
Darrell Whitbeck - Stop & Smell The Roses
Nick Danger - Diary Of A Young Man
The Happy Couple - The Dream Inspires
Biff Bang Pow - Someone To Share My Life With

Nikki Sudden Interview @ Freak-Out Online

A new Nikki interview for Freak-Out.com can be found here (the interview is in Italian)

Nikki Sudden Tour Schedule

New dates added to Nikki's tour schedule - check out the Gigs Page

January 13, 2005

Happy New Year - Goodies

Nikkisudden.com would like to wish you all a happy new year and to celebrate 2005 here's two more rare Nikki Sudden tracks available for download:

High & Lonesome (Acoustic Version)
Pockets Full Of Silver (Acoustic Version)

Check out the Downloads section for two more rare Nikki Sudden songs (Christmas presents)

Treasure Island on Rolling Stones' top 10 albums of 2004

German Rolling Stone's top writer, Wolfgang Doebbeling, voted Treasure Island at No.9 of his 10 favourite albums of the year 2004 (Rolling Stone - January Edition).

Nikki on the studio to record Fuzztones' cover

On Monday, January 3, Nikki went into Claustrophobia Sound Studio and recorded Just Once, his song for the Fuzztones’ tribute set. Engineer, Phil Freeborn, recorded Nikki on acoustic and electric guitar. Backing was by Charlie Smyth on electric guitar; John Clifford Barry on bass and Epic Soundtracks on drums.

Drummer Chris Hughes was supposed to be playing on the session but after Charlie’s birthday party the previous night he overslept and couldn’t be woken. Nikki asked Stephane Doucerain but he wasn’t free and the other drummers in town weren’t available either. So Nikki used an old drum track of his brothers which he sped up slightly and played along to it. He’d thought about doing this in the past but never tried the idea out before.

The song sounds a thousand miles away from the Fuzztones’ original recording. New lyrics, different chords. We have no idea when the track will be released. Watch this space.

January 4 , 2005

Nikki Sudden Tour Schedule

New dates added to Nikki's tour schedule - check out the Gigs Page