red lines

NEWS

22nd December 2005
http://forums.massiveattack.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=8713&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0
Robert Del Naja
Posted: Thu Dec 22, 2005 5:28 pm Post subject: CAREERING ON ICY ROADS AND OVER BOUNDARIES
OK HERE IT IS-WE'VE BEEN SQUEEZED BY THE SECRET HANDSHAKE-SUCKED THE SACRED COCK-TAKEN RECIEPT OF THE BRASSY CLOCK.
'MASSIVE ATTACK COLLECTED' AKA THE SELL OUT BEST OF WILL BE RELEASED IN MARCH 07.IS THERE EVER A GOOD TIME FOR A BEST OF?
AFTER A PLANE CRASH OR BETWEEN DIFFUCULT 4TH ND 5TH ALBUMS?
NEIL AND I HAVE THOUGHTFULLY WRITTEN NEW MATERIAL FOR THE PROJECT [IT'S KINDER DESCRIPTION] INCLUDING A 2 SIDED SINGLE WITH
A BLUESY EMOTIVE TRACK CO -WRITTEN WITH TERRY CALLIER CALLED
'LIVE WITH ME' AND A PIECE CALLED 'CLUELESS BLUES' OR 'FALSE FLAGS'…CAN'T MAKE OUR MINDS UP-THAT ONE FEATURING MYSELF TAKING MYSELF WAY TOO SERIOUSLY AGAIN.
WE ARE ALSO GOING TO INCLUDE A SECOND DVD/AUDIO DISC WITH AN HOUR OF NEW/UNRELEASED/RARE MATERIAL-INCLUDING AN UNHEARD TRACK WE DID WITH ELIZABETH BACK IN THE MEZZANINE DAYS.
THE DVD WILL HAVE ALL THE VIDEOS TO DATE-INCLUDING THE 'LIVE WITH ME' PIECE TO BE DIRECTED AND SHOT BY JONATHAN GLAZER IN JANUARY AND LIVE FOOTAGE FROM FRANCE FROM THE 100TH WINDOW TOUR FROM 2003
ALL THE NEW ARTWORK IS UNDERWAY ME AND TOM HINGSTON GOING HEAVY METAL-SHOT BY NICK KNIGHT SORT OF THING.
WRITING FOR LP5..CURRENTLY TITLED'WEATHER UNDERGROUND' IS GOING STRONG WITH 12-15 TRACKS IN A COOL SPACE AND ROUGH VOCALS ON ABOUT 8/9.PLANNING TO FINISH IT BY AUGUST NEXT YEAR.
WILL BE HITTING THE ROAD AGAIN IN SUMMER/AUTUMN-FESTIVALS-EUROPE AND THE STATES AND FREE SHOWS IN AFRICA,THE MIDDLE EAST AND EASTERN EUROPE WITH THE CO-OPERATION OF CHARITY ORGANISATIONS.THANKS TO EVERONE FOR THEIR SUPPORT THIS YEAR,PLEASE TAKE CARE .
AND KEEP CHRISTMAS REAL . {SIC]

http://forums.massiveattack.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=8711
Robert Del Naja
Posted: Thu Dec 22, 2005 3:41 pm Post subject: SNOWMAN NEXT DOOR
THANKS TO P FOR YOUR INTERESTING BREAKDOWN OF THE BAND MEMBERS AND THEIR ROLLS.COULD DO WITH A BIT OF A REWRITE THOUGH MY FRIEND.

ROBERT DEL NAJA AKA 3D-MEGLOMANIAC ANARCHIST SEX AND DRUG PEST-CLUELESS POET/SONGWRITER/PRODUCER-EX GRAFITTI ARTIST-NOW DESPERATE TO BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY AS A SERIOUS ARTIST.

GRANT MARSHALL AKA DADDY G-MAN OF LEISURE AND TASTE-PERPETUAL DJ-VERY OCCASIONAL PRODUCER AND NODDER OF HEAD IF HE LIKES WHAT YOU'VE WRITTEN-VERY VERY OCCASIONAL VOCALIST-LAST HEARD ON 5 MAN ARMY-1990-MEZ AND R.SON-97

NEIL DAVROS DAVIDGE-PART MAN PART PRO TOOLS TWISTED AND EVIL BEAR
RECENTLY FILTERED HIS BEARD DOWN TO LOW HUMMING STUBBLE

ANGELO BRUSCHINI-JOBSWORTH GIUTARIST-PLAYS LIKE HE DRINKS-CURRENTLY DOING THE ROUNDS AS A JIMMY SAVILLE DOUBLE FOR OPENINGS AND LOCAL MEDIA EVENTS

I COULD GO ON BUT THE OTHERS ON THE LIST ARE TRUE FRIENDS I DON'T WANT TO OFFEND.HAPPY XXXMAS

ANY CLEARER?

5th December 2005
http://forums.massiveattack.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=8640
Robert Del Naja
PostPosted: Mon Dec 05, 2005 10:23 am Post subject: HERE COMES CHRISTMAS
DECEMBER HAS BEEN HARD.
MY FATHER IS STILL IN HOSPITAL AND MY MUM, MY SISTER AND I HAVE BEEN LOOKING AFTER HIS/OUR COLLECTIVE LIVES,SPIRITS AND WELL BEINGS.
IN THE BACKGROUND, NEIL AND I HAVE BEEN RECORDING LOADS OF SONGS/VOCALS AND I DID SOME NEW GRAPHIC/PAINTED WORK FOR SANTA'S GHETTO IN SOHO. IN TRUE ESCAPIST NEED,MAYBE FOR THE FIRST TIME IN A LONG WHILE,WITHOUT ANY SENSE OF HEDONISM.
I'LL BE ABLE TO DELIVER SOME BIG NEWS ABOUT NEXT YEAR AND ALL OUR PLANS VERY SOON.
P AND L
D

17th November 2005
http://forums.massiveattack.co.uk/viewtopic.php?p=143885&highlight=#143885
Robert Del Naja
PostPosted: Thu Nov 17, 2005 12:07 pm Post subject: the new democracy/days of rage Reply with quote
'us military admits use of phosphorus/weaponized/chemicals/firestorm/landmines/daisycutters/blitz/napalm/bunkerbusters/banned/substances/abuse/torture/humiliation/agents orange-white and blue in fact do what the fuck you want and arrange an enquiry later/sometime/possiblymaybe/whatever/fogotten by our round the clock extrememakeover intelligentdesign lifestyleteam
....sorry/wrong side of bed scenario

Sunday November 14th
http://forums.massiveattack.co.uk/viewtopic.php?p=143719&highlight=#143719
Robert Del Naja
PostPosted: Mon Nov 14, 2005 11:59 am Post subject: THE WEATHER UNDERGROUND? Reply with quote
HAS ON ONE LOOKED UP THE HISTORY,IT'S INTERESTING
P$L
D

Sunday Nov 13th 2005
http://forums.massiveattack.co.uk/viewtopic.php?p=143672&highlight=#143672
Robert Del Naja
PostPosted: Sun Nov 13, 2005 9:55 am Post subject: the other history through the words of absolute strangers Reply with quote
now then now then.i don't normally post replies but the post back there is becoming slightly too typical on the forum recently.the two people currently putting all of their love into this new album are the same two people who held together the band during the mezzanine recordings and followed with 100th window in the face of total adversity and the nearly-end of the band .in the last 6 years we have recorded/used/discarded hundreds of tracks and songs-some absolute dub hip hop soul dirty guitar big beats and funky basslines.the choices we made on 100th after mez were based absolutely and simply on the principles that we have tried to stick with from blue lines-not to repeat ourselves-after mez we recorded hours of basslines and guitars and drums and discarded them for intricate layers of strings synths and electronic patterns because we wanted to do something different.from blue lines to protection and from protection to mezzanine and from mezzanine to 100th we have dissapointed and delighted people and have taken the rightious criticisms and would not have it any other way.i do not expect the response to the next album to be any different-bring it on-
we have got pile of dub tracks and hip hop grooves and classic samples and we may just stick em in the bottom drawer and lose the key and replace em with horns and blues coverd in fucked up guitar it will be new and interesting to us at least even if the rest of the world cares less-fucking love that always,
respect and peace,
D and N

11th November 2005
http://forums.massiveattack.co.uk/viewtopic.php?p=143532&highlight=#143532
Robert Del Naja
Posted: Fri Nov 11, 2005 9:58 am Post subject: THE WEATHER UNDRGROUND Reply with quote
GOOD MORNING,KIND OF DARK BUT THAT CENTRALLY HEATED BRITISH WINTER ATMOSPHEAR HAS SUNK IN AND IS ALMOST COSY. SORRY ABOUT MY LACK OF PROMISED POSTS,THINGS HAVE GOTTEN VERY HECTIC OF LATE.
WE HAVE CHANGED OUR PLANS FOR NEXT YEAR AND I WILL BE ABLE TO DISCUSS IT WITH EVERYBODY VERY SOON.MEANWHILE THE STUDIO HAS BEEN FULL-AND LIZ FRAZER HAS MOVED IN-WE ARE RECORDING VOCALS WITH 2 LOCAL SINGERS NEXT WEEK AND RECORDING HORNS AND STRINGS ON A LOVELY SONG WE DID WITH TERRY CALLIER.HAVE A DAY NEXT WEEKEND WITH DAVE SITEK AND TUNDE FROM TV ON THE RADIO AT A LOCATION IN LONDON AND I HAVE SOME WIERD NEW SHIT TO THROW DOWN.GOT 2 WEEKS TO PAINT A COUPLE OF CANVASES FOR THE SANTA'S GHETTO SHOW-GONNA TRY A MINI 100TH WINDOW LED PIECE TO COMPLIMENT.WILL HAVE SOME MORE NEWS NEXT WEEK-I TAKE ON BOARD ALL SUGGESTIONS BUT CANNOT RESPOND TO SINGER COLLAB IDEAS-AS THEY ARE MANY AND WOULD ONLY SERVE TO CONFUSE THE HELL OUT OF MY ALREADY ADDLED BRAIN...
X R... POSSIBLE WORKING TITLE FOR LP5..WHAT DO YOU THINK...[SEE ABOVE]

1st November 2005

31st October 2005
Check out the official Dot Allison site for Aftersun a Massive Attack track featuring Dot Allison. This song appears at the end of the 'Unleashed' aka 'Danny the Dog' movie, that Massive Attack did the soundtrack for. Sadly it wasn't on the soundtrack CD but Dot and 3D from Massive Attack have allowed it to be put on Dot's site.

24th October 2005
Craig Armstrong: Film Works 1995-2005 - Family Released Today
Craig Armstrong Film Works Podcast

19th October 2005
http://forums.massiveattack.co.uk/viewtopic.php?p=142585&highlight=#142585
PostPosted: Wed Oct 19, 2005 11:07 am Post subject: a hundred suns Reply with quote
MAD DAY-WILL POST END OF WEEK -NOT GONNA BE ABLE TO RESPOND/AGREE/BULLSHIT/ ON ALL SUGGESTED VOCALISTS-BUT WILL LET U KNOW WHO WE ARE WORKING WITH AND WHERE AND WHEN AND HOW AND MAYBE A BIT OF WHY..

17th October 2005
http://forums.massiveattack.co.uk/viewtopic.php?p=142490&highlight=#142490
PostPosted: Mon Oct 17, 2005 12:14 pm Post subject: GOOGLE Reply with quote
PLEASE-GO TO GOOGLE.COM AND TYPE IN FAILURE-THEN HIT 'I'M FEELING LUCKY'

12th October 2005
http://forums.massiveattack.co.uk/viewtopic.php?p=142317&highlight=#142317
Robert Del Naja
PostPosted: Wed Oct 12, 2005 4:29 pm Post subject: the silent spring
HI,WILL POST IN DETAIL WHEN I GET OFF THE OTHERSIDE AND GET SOME SLEEP-BEEN READING AND THINKING-LETS HAVE IT!

9th October 2005
http://forums.massiveattack.co.uk/viewtopic.php?p=142185&highlight=#142185
Robert Del Naja
PostPosted: Sun Oct 09, 2005 5:55 pm Post subject: the nocturne club
HELLO-I'LL USE A FEW PUNCTUATIONMARKSTODAY.
HAS ANY ONE GOT ANY POINTS THEY WOULD LIKE TO MAKE?
APART FROM WHERE IS GEE! ONLY HE CAN ANSWER THAT.
GONNA BE SPENDING SOME MORE TIME IN NYC-SOME LOVELY VOICES THAT MR SITEK HAS BEEN FINDING. I HAVE ALMOST TRANSCRIBED ALL MY WORDS FROM HOTEL STATIONARY AND CLASS A WRAPS ONTO WORD-IT'S GREAT IN DIGITAL YOU CAN DUMP YEARS OF PRETENTIOUS SCRIBBLE IN ONE DIRTY MOVE-THE TRASH CAN IS THE WORLDS FINEST BEST EDITOR-I HAVE ALMOST TRANSCRIBED ALL MY WORDS FROM HOTEL STATIONARY AND CLASS A WRAPS ONTO WORD-ANY QUESTIONS ON THE VOICES I MENTIONED HAPPY TO FILL IN THE GAPS..NEXT YEAR RELEASE IS LOOKING REALLY GOOD-BUT ME AND MAC DAVIDGE ALSO ARE GONNA BE HOOKING UP ON A COUPLE OF FLIX-ONE DUB STYLE OST WE'VE HALF WRITTEN TBA---GETTING READY FOR THIS YEARS SANTAS GHETTO WITH SOME NEW PIX-AND DOING A FEW CHEEKY T SHIRTS FOR SOME JAPANESE AND LONDINIUM PALS-------------------------
EX-MATE WHEN DO YOU WANNA COME,HOW LONG DO YOU WANNA STAY,WHAT DO YOU WANNA DO??? ------ - ---WAS NEIL'S INSANE DESIRE TO DO A STUDIO PIECE IN A MAGAZINE OF ALL PLACES -WHY THE FUCK I AGREED I'LL NEVER KNOW.
PLEASE COME CORRECT WITH THE QUESTIONS

12th September 2005
Massive Attack’s Daddy G will be amongst 30 celebs and Bristol VIPs stripping down to the bare essentials for the charity, Make-a-Wish. The foundation has organised the exhibition of stars - all posing by city landmarks - to raise £50,000 for its work in granting wishes to children aged 3 to 18 with life-threatening illnesses. The charity started in 1986, and has since granted more than 3,700 wishes ranging from swimming with dolphins in Florida to being a princess for the day in a castle. James Baker, 15, asked the team for a course of art lessons and to stay in a "big hotel". Following his lessons he has had a major exhibition: "The best thing about my wish is the friends I have made. I don't go to school so I don't see many people. "Before I had my wish I just used to go to hospital all the time and I never went anywhere else," he said. Katherine Sparkes, the volunteer behind the 'Bristol Uncovered' project, added: "The number of wish applications received this year is 37% higher than last year. We urgently need to raise money to grant them all. Bristolians are very passionate about this amazing city so we thought this would be a perfect way to showcase the city's beauty and the richness of our local characters." Volunteer model Ben Sturnham, who coaches at Bristol Rugby club, said: "I'm happy to be part of Bristol Uncovered, it's a really innovative project raising money and awareness for such a fantastic charity." "The shoot was hilarious! I live on Royal York Crescent but never imagined I'd be up on the rooftops being photographed naked!"
The photos will be unveiled at the Thistle Hotel on Saturday 22 October and then on show and on sale at Castle Galleries in Bristol and Bath.

10th September 2005
Native, Small Street, Bristol:10pm - 2am. It's finally arrived - the Saturday night boasting the best regular line-up in the city. Find Daddy G, Boca 45, Ben Dubuisson and Dave Smeaton mixing funk and party beats Bristol style every week.

2nd September 2005
http://forums.massiveattack.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=8330
Robert Del Naja
Posted: Fri Sep 02, 2005 2:21 pm Post subject: THE EVERLASTING SEA
FELLOW CITIZENS HELLO
BEEN A FERTILE YEAR LOTS OF NEW RECORDINGS AND TALENTED PEOPLE BEEN IN AND OUT OF OUR STUDIO WHICH HAS BECOME HOME NOW
NEIL AND I HAVE BEEN TRYING OUT NEW AND OLD TECHNIQUES AND HAVE COME UP WITH A NEW GOTHIC SOUL DIRECTION WE HAVE RECORDED VOCALS ON ABOUT 5 TRACKS AND HAVE VOCALS TO PUT DOWN ON AT LEAST 15 BEFORE XMAS WHICH IS DRAWING HORRIFICALLY CLOSE GONNA BE WORKING WITH A GIRL FROM OURHOMETOWN GOT H COMING IN 2 WEEKS ANOTHER SESSION WITH THE TVOTR POSSE MORE SESSIONS WITH THE DRAGONZ OF ZINTH A NEW FRIEND FREDO VIOLA MIKE PATTON I GOT 7 NEW 3D NEW AND OLD SCHOOL THINGS TO THROW DOWN AND WE WE WILL BE HOOKING UP ONCE MORE WITH THE AMAZING TERRY CALLIER WHO WAS HERE IN JUNE.
JUST NEED MORE TIME IN THE DAY AS DAV AND I ARE QUIETLY WORKING ON A DUB STYLE SCORE FOR AN INDI BRITISH FEATURE FOR NEXT YEAR DOING A BIT OF COMPOSITION FOR THE WACHOWSKIS AND JAMES MC TEAGUE
BETH ORTON CAME IN AND LIZ HAS GOT SOME TRAX WE LIVE AND HOPE
WE SET UP A PRODUCTION COMPANY CALLED A HUNDRED SUNS TO DO FILM WORK BUT GETTING THE ALBUM OUT NEXT YEAR IS OUR LOVE AND PRIORITY
OUR CONTROL ROOM IS GOING TO BE GREAT TO MIX IN SPIKE WILL HAVE TO COME OVER WEST WITH US THINKING AHEAD TO THE TOUR WILL MAKE CHANGES AS EVERY OTHER SUPER GROUP HAS BITTEN THE HELL OUT OF THE 100TH WINDOW EXPERIENCE TALKING TO GEOFF AND ADE ABOUT ANOTHER COLLABSHOW NEXT YEAR WILL BE PUBLISHING A BOOK DOCUMENTING THAT INTERESTING YEAR ON THE 100TH ROAD GONNA BE IN THE COLD ART STUDIO PAINTING IN A COUPLE OF WEEKS GONNA TRY AND PUBLISH A NEW UPDATED TRASHIER VERSION OF FITTING IN NICE AND CHEAP FUCK THATS ME DONE FOR NOW PLEASE ASK QUESTIONS MAKE SUGGESTIONS AND LETS GET INTO A MORE REGULAR AND PERSONAL DIALOGUE HAD TO GET INTO THE SPIRIT OF THE NEW RECORD BEFORE I FELT READY TO TALK KINDA GETTING THERE BY THE WAY THOSE BANKSY POSTER PAINTINGS ON THE WEST BANK WHOS GREAT IDEA LETS ALSO DISCUSS HOW TO MAKE THE WORLD A SAFER PLACE AGAIN

31st August 2005

In Bristol, news is slowly seeping out about new uber-cool venue Native and this week it's all about the weekly line-up and some smashing guests. Scott 'Boca45' Hendy says he already has Andy Smith, Daddy G, John Stapleton, Fuzzface and 7Stu7 confirmed for his Saturday nighters called 45 Kings. The music policy is anything as long as it's on a 7"/45 format.

25th July 2005

Ini Kamoze & Damian 'Jr Gong' Marley - World A Jamrock (Daddy G rmx)
Can you guess what the latest Punchline seven does? Oh yes, a club friendly mix of Jamrock and the Ini Kamoze original! Massive Attacks Daddy G mixes together the biggest reggae cut of the minute with the original Ini Kamoze cut that it samples on this DJ friendly club tool - you know this will smash up the dance! Flipside sees Spragga Benz, Lady Saw, Pitbull and Lil Jon go head to head on the crunk / dancehall tip.This a sublime blend of an 80s reggae classic from Ini Kamoze with the youngest Marley son's recent Welcome To Jamrock; a huge anthem for 2005. The mix was put together by Daddy G of Massive Attack fame, and Damian Marley's tough reality perspective fits perfectly with Kamoze's meditative lyric for double the dancehall pressure.
http://www.punchlinerecords.co.uk/

29th May 2005
The Mark Stewart revival continues, with an interview in this month Wire magazine and the forthcoming release of a retrospective on Soul Jazz records. Here's an excerpt from the Wire interview:
What were your connections to Massive Attack? You were close to Tricky.
Everybody. The Wild Bunch was Miles [Johnson], Nellee Hooper, they were the main DJs. Claude [Williams] was a rapper, Dels was a rapper, and Grantly [Robert Del Nvaja and Grant Marshall, later of Massive Attack] was the reggae selecter and a rapper. They were a DJ crew. They'd play at people's parties had a residency at the Dug Out [in Bristol]. We'd budge in and try and choose records. We all grew up together and went to the same house parties. The same gang that developed in the Fosters funk club when we were 13 or 14, younger brothers and sisters, elongated across the town of our mates. And then Tricks came down from another part of Bristol, Knowle, and he started rapping. We're still mates. If I was any good to any of that lot, it was just as an example of someone who could actually get things together.

The end of the month (31st May) sees the release of Mark Stewart – Kiss The Future. Mark Stewart, the man behind the legendary Pop Group, The Maffia and much more has compiled this album of his material. Ranging from the start of his career in The Pop Group (aged 16!) with tracks such as “We Are All Prostitutes”, “She Is Beyond Good And Evil” through the 1980s with the epic “Jerusalem” and classic cuts such as “Hypnotized” right through to his current material with new tracks such as “Radio Freedom”, a collaboration with The Bug the CD and LP both come with a limited edition set of postcard graphics, designed by the man himself.“Kiss The Future” coincides with Mark Stewart headlining both All Tomorrows Parties at SEI, London on Thurs June 2nd and the VENN festival in Bristol on Fri June 3rd.

27th May 2005

About to return to Bristol for Venn Festival, Mark Stewart is the man who fronted post-punk band The Pop Group.
Tom Phillips from Venue magazine asked Robert Del Naja to comment on Mark Stewart • "My experiences with Mark include going on an early Tackhead tour to Holland - it was fucking hilarious. I was meant to go there and do some rapping but I bottled out. Every night I just got to the gig and went 'fuck this'. I remember Mark must have destroyed every system we played on. He played with a 'faders up` policy. The amount of fights, of sound engineers having to be fended off by the posse to stop them trying to attack Mark or vice versa. It was mayhem... My first memory of Mark, though, was when we did the Wild Bunch against the Rapologists in London in 1983. It was real serious. We had a soundclash on two different stages so you'd take it in turns to try and kick ass. For some reason, everything went wrong for us. Then Mark got on the mic and started screaming, just fucking Screaming. I loved it but their rappers were going 'Get off the mix, man, you can't fucking do that, man', in a fake American accent. They couldn't take it at all. Marks, out there, isn't he? He's the man."
Read more here at On-U Sound In The Area - an excellent unofficial tribute to Adrian Sherwoods label. There is a free track, THE LUNATICS ARE TAKING OVER THE ASYLUM avaliable here at the official On U Sound site.
Mark Stewart plays the Malcolm X Centre, Bristol, as part of the Venn Festival on Friday 3rd June.

2nd May 2005

To be recommended is Edit Music for a Film, the latest mix from UNKLESounds. It's an Original Motion Picture Soundtrack Reconstruction, which includes Wire and I Against I by Massive Attack from Welcome To Sarajevo and Blade 2 respectively.

28th Aprl 2005

Knitted MOS DEF. Well actually it's a Knitted Plush Ford Prefect - a sample of the merchandising from The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy - the film starring amongst others, the I Against I rapper. Watch the trailer here.

27th April 2005

Robert Del Naja's Bullet Boy film score is now available on iTunes.

22nd April 2005
Robert Del Naja’s film score to Bullet Boy will be available exclusively as a download-only EP via iTunes and Napster from May 2nd, we'll send out links next week so you can access the music directly.
The Bullet Boy Soundtrack EP comprises two pieces of music; ‘Brave New World And Score’ and ‘Bullet Boy (Vox)’. The former, a brooding and reflective 28-minute instrumental provides an atmospheric accompaniment to this powerful and moving independent film. ‘Bullet Boy (Vox)’ is the main end title track and features Robert Del Naja on vocals. Both tracks were written and produced by Robert Del Naja and Neil Davidge (co-producer of Mezzanine and 100th Window) and recorded over a three week period last summer in Bristol.
Bullet Boy is a gripping drama and one of the first British films to deal with the issue of escalating gun crime. It tells the story of two brothers growing up in one of London's most volatile neighbourhoods, where a minor street clash escalates into a cycle of violence that has tragic repercussions. A compelling and emotional tale of young men on the edge, it reflects an emerging modern reality within Britain's inner cities. The film explores themes of friendship, rivalry and revenge amid a generation of boys to whom guns have become a fact of life. Starring Ashley Walters (Ex-So Solid Crew’s Asher D) and directed by Saul Dibb, Bullet Boy has attracted huge critical acclaim.

8th April 2005

Check out the video for "Atta Boy" by Massive Attack from Unleashed here.

31st March 2005
Bullet Boy:The Score
The composed score was written by Robert Del Naja (from Massive Attack) and producer Neil Davidge (who produced Massive Attack's last two albums) - the first score they've ever done for a British film and obviously a real coup for the production. Having been shown a copy of a rough cut edit they were immediately interested and set to work straight away.
Dibb says of the choice of musicians, "Approaching Neil and Robert from Massive Attack was actually an inspired suggestion from Marc Boothe. In retrospect it seems an incredibly obvious one - their music is and has always been incredibly cinematic and creates a really interesting, particular sound. It simply draws you in to the mood they are trying to create and at the same time is always trying to do something different either in what they sample and/or the way they layer these sounds together. This has also made them very difficult to pigeonhole. I felt the film needed music that would contrast with the source material (hip hop, reggae, soul etc) but also feel contemporary and fresh without imposing itself too heavily on the film. We all believed they would be able to do this. Marc Boothe and I met with them and knew straight away that they had 'got' the film. They wanted to do something that was atmospheric, intriguing and ultimately moving but not in a way that dominated and dictated the overall feel. Working flat out for six weeks I think they achieved that and much, much more, adding an extra 20% to the overall effect of the film."

March 2005

Tsunami - Crisis In Asia Webcast
Robert Plant - Portishead - Massive Attack - The Coral + more
This benefit concert is being webcast in its entirety live and is available for one month after until 21st March. Besides getting to see the whole gig there will also be films and interviews with the performing artists. For details visit www.crisisinasia.com. It costs just £4.50 payable via credit card or sms.
Click here to watch.

3rd February 2005
Geoff Barrow: The vibes man
Excitement is building as Bristol prepares for two enormous evenings of entertainment at the Bristol Academy. Pioneering Bristol acts, Portishead and Massive Attack, will be sharing centre stage with a number of top draw acts, including Robert Plant, for two evenings of acoustic performances set to raise cash for the Tsunami Relief Appeal. The first gig sold out in just 90 minutes as people frantically bought up the £30 tickets; eager to catch a rare glimpse of the artists in action and on home turf. We were fortunate enough to have the opportunity to talk to Portishead’s Geoff Barrow about the gigs and the ways that you can avoid missing the event even if you didn’t manage to get a ticket. But not about any forthcoming albums or anything remotely like that...
We’re here to talk about the Tsunami gig you and Portishead are involved in, alongside Massive Attack, Robert Plant and The Choral. How did the whole thing come about and how did Robert Plant end up getting involved with it?
Well, basically, I was talking to Beth over Christmas about the disaster and we decided that we should do something about it. So I got on the phone to our agent, then to Massive Attack and The Coral, and since the guys in Robert Plant’s band are the same guys that play in our band, and he’s locally based at the moment – or has been for a while now - we got in contact with him and he said he’d love to do it. He’s been very generous with his time.
Are you prepared for the gig as a band?
No – not at all – but we will be!
Has it been a while since you’ve all played together then?
Ade went on Beth’s tour so they’ve kind of played together but I haven’t actually been on stage for seven years. But then I don’t know how much stuff I’m actually going to do; ‘cos it’s quite acoustic, there’s not a lot of need for my electronic talents.
So you’re going to be the ‘vibes’ man then?
Ha ha! They’ll most probably give me a maraca and tell me to sit at the back of the stage!
Will we hear any new material at the gig?
No you won’t - we’ll just be playing familiar tracks.
How will the evening pan out then?
The way that the gig is actually lined up is: ourselves, Massive Attack, The Coral, Robert Plant, and one or two special guests as well. It starts about 8 o’clock and finishes about 12 or 1 o’clock. There’s a lot of bands to get in, in that space of time so the sets have been broken down a bit. It’s not the big production thing going on here – it’s just us doing our thing.
Do we get any clues about the special guests?
No! That would spoil the element of surprise!
The performance is also going to be available online I hear – tell us about that.
Tickets for the gig sold out in 90 minutes but you can watch the performance online for £4.50; it means you can also directly contribute towards Oxfam. Even if you’re out that night, down the pub or whatever, you can still watch it the day after and settle your hangover.
How long will the download be available for?
I think it will be available for up to a month afterwards. If you go to www.crisisinasia.com, it will tell you all the ways that you can watch it, how you can donate and what is happening with the gig – who’s been added to the bill – all that stuff.
by Rob Ellis
http://www.bbc.co.uk/bristol/content/articles/2005/02/03/geoffbarrow_feature.shtml

2nd February 2005
Elizabeth Fraser will be appearing with Massive Attack, during their Crisis In Asia show in Bristol Feb 19th. This will be ahead of her presumed participation of the Cocteau Twins reforming, to play the Coachella Festival this May.

31st January 2005
BULLET BOY SCORE DETAILS
The composed score was written by Robert Del Naja (from Massive Attack) and producer Neil Davidge (who produced Massive Attack’s last two albums) – the first score they’ve ever done for a British film and obviously a real coup for the production. Having been shown a copy of a rough cut edit they were immediately interested and set to work straight away.
Dibb says of the choice of musicians, “Approaching Neil and Robert from Massive Attack was actually an inspired suggestion from Marc Boothe. In retrospect it seems an incredibly obvious one - their music is and has always been incredibly cinematic and creates a really interesting, particular sound. It simply draws you in to the mood they are trying to create and at the same time is always trying to do something different either in what they sample and/or the way they layer these sounds together. This has also made them very difficult to pigeonhole.
I felt the film needed music that would contrast with the source material (hip hop, reggae, soul etc) but also feel contemporary and fresh without imposing itself too heavily on the film. We all believed they would be able to do this. Marc Boothe and I met with them and knew straight away that they had 'got' the film.
They wanted to do something that was atmospheric, intriguing and ultimately moving but not in a way that dominated and dictated the overall feel. Working flat out for six weeks I think they achieved that and much, much more, adding an extra 20% to the overall effect of the film.”

“End Titles”
Written and produced by Robert Del Naja and Neil Davidge
Lead Vocals by Robert Del Naja
Backing Vocals and Guitars by Neil Davidge
Mixed by Lee Shephard
Robert Del Naja appears courtesy of Virgin Records Limited
Published by BMG Music Publishing Limited
(thanks to Richard-PC)

26th January 2005

Tsunami Benefit: Second date confirmed
If you were one of the people disappointed that you couldn't get your hands on the Tsumani gig at the Academy, then don't despair. There will be a second night with the same band line-up, on the day after the first gig. Organiser Adrian Utley told BBC Radio Bristol's Keith Warmington programme that the response left them little choice but to plan for the second date.
"I kinda thought we'd do okay - we thought we'd sell out, but it has been ridiculous. It's brilliant, in the same way that everyone has got involved and helped us out has been amazing. There's been a deluge of willing people."
He added that there may also be some surprises in store for fans who make it to the second date.
"We are going to do a second night of playing at the Academy, with the same line-up. There will be a few tiny changes. We are trying to raise £100,000, but I think we are going to go over that because now we are doing two nights."
Adrian added that the webcast, which will be available for a month after on-demand, will also be important.
"The most important thing we're doing is the live webcast, which for £4.50 you can watch live. I think we could make a lot of money because that's worldwide, and we're getting our record companies in America to do as much promotion on that as we can."
The gig will also feature t-shirts for sale designed by Bristolian artist Banksy.
Sale details for the tickets have yet to be announced - watch this space for more information.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/bristol/content/articles/2005/01/26/tsunami_seconddate_feature.shtml

19th January 2005

Robert Del Naja has revealed the forthcoming collaboration gig with Portishead to raise money for victims of the Indian Ocean tsunami was the result of friends acting together. The collaboration in aid of tsunami victims will not be a one-off show. Massive Attack and Portishead will be performing together on stage for the first time in a charity show set to take place at the Carling Academy next month. Speaking about how it came about Robert Del Naja, also known as 3D, said: "John Stapleton was talking to Oxfam about fund-raising and he mentioned something to Geoff Barrow of Portishead, and Geoff called me. We are doing this by our own choice, on our own initiative. We got together as friends and decided to do this together. It has been a matter of pulling people in from all directions to help out with things like sound, lighting, production, promotion and organisation. We have been working on it for a few weeks and already the response we have had is great. Before the tsunami happened, we were looking closely at supporting work in Africa with all the political instability and humanitarian issues involved there. It is just so distressing to see what happens in impoverished countries when natural or political disasters strike. The region hit by the tsunami is the area which needs a lot of attention at the moment, which is why we have chosen to support it."
The musician also says the unique concert will be one of several events that the friends are hoping to organise during the year to raise money. He said: "A webcast is also due to go out on the night, which people will pay to view and get access to coverage of events beyond the night, and we are hoping that will raise a lot of revenue. A lot of special guests do not want it to be announced because they want it to be a surprise on the night. We are aiming to be working with Oxfam throughout this year and are thinking about a second show, particularly towards the end of the year, as a follow-up to this one. We have done this sort of thing in the past with Red Cross and Greenpeace and if you do just one event the cause fades in people's minds. So rather than making it a one-off show, we are going to do, different things throughout the year to keep it going. With the DJ event, webcast, auction and merchandise we are hoping to raise about £100,000 by the end of the year. That amount would be really great."
Other artists who could be playing alongside the two bands are Led Zeppelin lead singer Robert Plant, The Coral and other special guests. All proceeds from the tickets, which will cost £30 each, are going directly to Oxfam which is providing essential water and sanitation relief to the region affected by the disaster. The Academy is donating the venue free of charge and the door staff and club workers are also forfeiting their wages for the night. All sound and electrical equipment will also be loaned for free.
Talking about the night, Robert said: "It won't be the same sort of production that any of us have done during the last few years. It will be a semi-unplugged session with a mix and match of musicians. It will be experimental, fairly ramshackle and rough-and-ready."
The performance will take place on February 19. Tickets go on general sale next Monday and will cost £30 each. They can be purchased by calling the Bristol Ticket Shop on 0870 4444400. Alternatively, visit www.ticketshop.co.uk.

16th January 2005

Massive Attack and Portishead In Concert for Tsunami Crisis
On Saturday February 19th a fund-raising concert in support of Oxfam’s work to help people affected by the Tsunami Crisis in Asia featuring Massive Attack and Portishead will take place at the Bristol Academy.
This unplugged concert will be unique, not only because it is the first time that Massive Attack and Portishead have ever shared a stage, but many of the artists, which include Robert Plant and The Coral, will perform together. More special guests will be added to the line up in the coming days.
All proceeds from this event will go to support Oxfam’s life-saving humanitarian response in Asia. Tickets are priced at £30 and will be available through the Bristol Ticket Shop on 0870 4444 400 or www.bristolticketshop.co.uk from Monday January 24th. The event will be web-cast live and can be viewed, along with more information on the whole event at www.crisisinasia.com
The gig is part of a series of events starting on Saturday February 12th with a DJ night at the Bristol Academy featuring Aspects (live), Babyhead (live) Boca 45 (Grand Central) Daddy G (Massive Attack), Geoff Barrow (Portishead) John Stapleton (BlowPop) Stereo 8 (Fingerlickin’)
On Saturday February 19th there will also be other fundraising events across Bristol including an alternative live concert at The Thekla featuring local bands The Blue Aeroplanes, The Heads and Gonga as well as an acoustic night at The Louisiana with acts to be confirmed shortly.
Oxfam is helping to reach more than 600,000 people affected by the tsunami crisis with water, sanitation, food, shelter and other essential relief items. The £30 ticket price could buy an emergency shelter for people who have lost their homes or 5 hygiene kits which will help prevent the spread of disease.
The concert will also support the Make Poverty History campaign, which calls for action by world leaders on the wider issues of poverty, highlighted by the tsunami. Poor people are often the most vulnerable in this kind of catastrophe. And while the tsunami came without warning, we already know that 30,000 people will continue to die every day from the effects of poverty unless we take action now

15th January 2005

MASSIVE ATTACK and PORTISHEAD are teaming up for a charity gig in BRISTOL.
The two bands will appear live at the Bristol Academy (February 19) at a fund raising concert in aid of the Tsunami crisis.
Organisers say that the concert will be a "unique performance", and will feature collaborations on the night. This is also the first time the two bands have shared a stage, and a very rare performance from Portishead, who haven’t released a studio album since 1997.
More very special guests are to be announced shortly.
All proceeds from will go to Oxfam, who are organising water and sanitation relief in the crisis area.
Ticket details will be announced next week, although NME.COM understands discussions are underway to webcast the gig. A website has been set up at crisisinasia.com

14th January 2005

I must recommend The String Quartet Tribute to Massive Attack, which intensely portrays their existential vitality demonstrated in a trancelike, harmonious sound. The cinematic flavorings of the violin, viola and cello constructs powerful and hypnotic versions of such stand-out classics “Teardrop”, “Karmacoma”, and “Protection” and more.I was surprised - there are some interesting interpretations here - hooked on classics this ain't!
massiveattack.thetributeto.com