BORIS + IAN ASTBURY = BXI

You ought to know the name Ian Astbury. I shouldn’t have to explain that he’s the frontman for The Cult, but perhaps I must for those of you who think that Avenged Sevenfold are the be-all end-all of hard rock. The Cult–not to be confused with Blue Oyster Cult–have been kicking ass for decades (with a couple hiatuses here and there), producing undisputed rock classics like “She Sells Sanctuary”, “Wild Flower” and “Rain” to name a few. Their 1999 album Beyond Good And Evil is a hugely underrated gem, dark and hard and infectious. (On-again-off-again member Matt Sorum played on the damn thing too!)

And while lineup changes have occurred throughout the years, Astbury’s incredible voice has arguably been the band’s central focus–and for good reason. So recent news that he’s collaborating with Japanese rock auteurs Boris is beyond exciting. Their new project, simply named BXI, have recorded a four-song EP which will come out in September in CD, vinyl, and digital formats on Southern Lord. Fortunately, we don’t have to wait to hear what this will sound like, as Astbury made an unannounced onstage appearance with Boris at the Sydney Opera House in late May. Video footage has made its way online and in the clip above you can check out a medley that combines original track “Magickal Child” with The Doors’ “The End”. It’s creepy and psychedelic and fucking boss.

I’ve heard no indication that Astbury will join Boris for any of their upcoming U.S. tour dates, but that’s no reason not to attend. Those dates–featuring Russian Circles and/or Red Sparrowes–are below.

07.24(SAT) The Casbah (San Diego, CA)
07.25(SUN) Plush (Tucson, AZ)
07.27(TUE) The Loft @ Palladium Ballroom (Dallas, TX) w/ Russian Circles
07.28(WED) The Mohawk (Austin, TX) w/ Russian Circles
07.30(FRI) Spanish Moon (Baton Rouge, LA) w/ Russian Circles
07.31(SAT) The Engine Room (Tallahassee, FL) w/ Russian Circles
08.01(SUN) The Masquerade (Atlanta, GA) w/ Russian Circles
08.02(MON) Cat’s Cradle (Carrboro, NC) w/ Russian Circles
08.03(TUE) 930 Club (Washington DC) w/ Russian Circles
08.04(WED) Starlight Ballroom (Philadelphia, PA) w/ Russian Circles
08.07(SAT) The Middle East (Cambridge, MA) w/ Russian Circles, Cave In
08.08(SUN) Le Tulipe (Montreal, QC) w/ Russian Circles
08.09(MON) Lee’s Place (Toronto, ON) w/ Russian Circles
08.10(TUE) Magic Stick (Detroit, MI) w/ Russian Circles
08.11(WED) Southgate House (Newport, KY) w/ Russian Circles
08.13(FRI) Metro (Chicago, IL) w/ Russian Circles
08.14(SAT) Firebird (St. Louis, MO) w/ Russian Circles
08.15(SUN) Granada Theatre (Lawrence, KS) w/ Russian Circles
08.16(MON) Marquis Theater (Denver, CO) w/ Red Sparrowes
08.17(TUE) *TBA (Salt Lake City, UT) w/ Red Sparowes
08.19(THU) Republik (Calgary, AB) w/ Red Sparrowes
08.20(FRI) The Starlite (Edmonton, AB) w/ Red Sparrowes
08.22(SUN) Rickshaw Theater (Vancouver, BC) w/ Red Sparrowes
08.23(MON) Neumo’s (Seattle, WA) w/ Red Sparrowes
08.24(TUE) Hawthorne Theatre (Portland, OR) w/ Red Sparrowes
08.26(THU) Great American Music Hall (San Francisco, CA) w/ Red Sparrowes
08.27(FRI) El Rey (Los Angeles, CA) w/ Red Sparrowes
08.28(SAT) The Glass House (Pomona, CA) w/ Red Sparrowes

-GS