DOCTORS OF MADNESS have announced the release of their first new album in 41 years.
Originally existing from 1974 to 1978, the Brixton art-rock band, fronted by the charismatic Richard 'Kid' Strange, released three albums for Polydor and are widely accepted to have formed a direct link between the progressive glam of Bowie and Roxy Music and punk. They even briefly included Dave Vanian in their line-up during The Damned's first hiatus.
Reforming in 2014, the band went on to tour the UK and Japan in support of Cherry Red's 'complete works' box set Perfect Past in 2017.
The new album Dark Times was recorded at Doghouse Studios, Oxfordshire with legendary producer John Leckie, who last worked with the band on 1976's Figments Of Emancipation, and features contributions from Def Leppard's Joe Elliott, Terry Edwards (Gallon Drunk, The NJE), Sarah Jane Morris (The Communards), Steve Bolton (Paul Young, Atomic Rooster), Paul Guerin (The Quireboys) and Dylan Bates (Flea-Pit Orchestra). The sleeve art, meanwhile, is the work of Psychedelic Furs' guitarist Rich Good.
Speaking about the project, Strange states, "This is a wholly self-financed project, and no external record company was involved with the production or creation… hence its uncompromising nature. Damned right it's political!"
Set for release on 13 September, Dark Times is available to pre-order here.
Check out the video for the first single 'Make It Stop'...