Gordon Moakes leaves Bloc Party

Bloc Party were formed in 1999 by Kele and Russel, who met at Reading Festival a few years before that. Then came Gordon and Matt. But now Gordon has announced via twitter that he will not be a part of Bloc Party's future plans, and will be concentrating on Young Legionnaire instead.

You can listen to a new Bloc Party track by clicking HERE.  

Update for fans: I'm not involved in the latest incarnation of Bloc Party. I'm now focussing on Young Legionnaire. Gordy #rhythmsection4hire
— Young Legionnaire (@YNGLegionnaire) March 20, 2015

I'm based in Austin, TX now - as well as the new YL album in the works, I've got a couple of projects on the go here, news of which soon! Gx

— Young Legionnaire (@YNGLegionnaire) March 20, 2015

NEWS: Bloc Party to return in 2011?

Bloc Party have started working on new material and will reconvene in September, guitarist Russell Lissack has said. The guitarist recently finished his stint playing live with Ash. Now he has confirmed to NME that he has met up with Bloc Party front-man again and that they have further plans to meet as a band this autumn.

"Kele and I started working on Bloc Party stuff together and separately," he said .He added: "We're having a bit of a break until the festivals are over, because people have commitments during the summer, but we're going to get back properly in September and sit in a rehearsal studio to work on new band material."

What have they been up to?

Kele Okereke:
- Kele released his first solo album, titled The Boxer, produced by XXXChange, on 21 June through Wichita.
-He has also appeared in two songs with 'Hurcules & Love Affair' and 'Martin Solveig'
- Numerous features in magazines

Russell Lissack:
- Russell first of all released the 'Pin Me Down' album just under a year ago.
- Pllaying Live with Ash
- DJing around London
- Getting biten by Lions



Gordon Moakes:
- Having his second child
- Releasing a A/A single with his other band 'Young Legionnaire'
- Touring with 'Young Legionnaire'
- Writing and recording the album

Matthew Tong:
- Playing computer games (according to the others)
- Recording cover versions, such as Fleetwood Macs - Big Love
- Putting together a split 7" vinyl release with his good friend Bakak due for Record Store Day 2011



With Russell originally saying they will be back in late 2010 this seemed to be put on hold, but they have had meetings with one another, such as the (now famous) photo they put on twitter on Christmas Day 2010. Kele moved out to New York for a bit to finish off his book, but sceptics suggest he is going out there to meet Matt with Russell so they can lay down ideas for the next album. Gordon is going to be touring with 'Young Legionnaire' in November for the album release they have got. In an interview as part of Wichita's "Can We Get Much Higher" podcast released on February 4th 2011, Gordon Moakes revealed that they had started discussing routes that the band's fourth album could take.

So in the months between I am sure something will come of this.

We shall see...!

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Young Legionnaire - Chapter, Verse

By - Fred Bambridge

Track of the day... Young Legionnaire - Iron Dream

Young Legionnaire are properly a band now, they have a official release Colossus/Iron Dream!

The release will be on Holy Roar Records and the 7" will cost £3.99 in either yellow or brown. Or if you are a little bit crazy (like me) you will buy 3 of them for £10, it comes with the download of the songs as soon as you have bought it.



Right... the track. Starts off similar to Colossus a instrumental opening with a sudden burst of vocals, the production really good and brings the song to life. You can easily hear each member of the band playing their respected instrument, Paul's vocals are really good on this song and it does feel a bit more radio friendly than the last offering (the free download). Towards the end it picks up speed after the chorus has a drop. The guitar around the 1.50min mark somehow reminds me of Little Thoughts by Bloc Party, maybe a influence Gordon has put upon them? Or just a coincidence.

With a common love of riffs/noise, it seems only natural that after paving the indie/electro wave for Gordon, and Paul honing his pop sensibilities in The Automatic, they would both enjoy a chance to rock out at ultra-volume. The band, completed by drummer William Bowerman (Brontide/ex-Iwasacubscout/La Roux), will be releasing their first 7inch on Holy Roar

This has constantly been around my ears since I have had it on my PC. Seriously, buy it, download it, don't steal music.

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[BUY] - Young Legionnaire - Colossus/Iron Dream

Track of the day... Young Legionnaire - Colossus

Remember Bloc Party? Well, here is their Bassist (and a few more instrumets (Drums, Glockenspiel, Keyboard)) with his side project. I mean I just love how all Bloc Party side projects all sound differant! So...

Young Legionnaire, they played their first, and to my knowledge first gig way back in January. This song is called Colossus, its a free stream track from their facebook site and their soundcloud account.



Seems pretty similar to the type of stuff they played at the gig. Not really keen on the first minute or so but it is fantastic towards the end. Listened to it three times and I'm completely in love with it. It's pretty close to what I was expecting, and if a later recording of this gets a bit beefed up it could be even better.



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Track of the day... Young Legionnaire - Fiver

Now I don't actually have a MP3 of this song to review but rather I'd review a upcoming side-project. Fiver was played at the debut gig in Shoreditch a few weeks ago.



Members are:
William Bowerman: Also in - Brontide, La Roux & I Was A Cub Scout
Gordon Moakes: Also in - Bloc Party & Yourcodenameis:Milo
Paul Mullen: Also in - The Automatic & Yourcodenameis:Milo

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