It's been news for a few months now, told a coupla people on here through PM.
the John Power Cast Acoustic tour was meant to be a Cast re-united low series of gigs, but fell through, and that's the reason John is doing it, as Cast/Power had signed contracts to do the gigs as Cast material only.
John doesn't do, or says he won't do Cast songs as he is John Power and Cast are a four piece, but again, contractual, a Cast acoustic tour.
I've been told some time ago, the drummer isn't involved as he is a successful tour manager or something, so unless he takes time of for the tour, which he might as the tour has been put back [until November].. then he'll be short lived in the band unless it's successful and he leaves his good solid reliable job income from tour managing. Or he might drum and tour manage the tour!

When I saw the thread title, my first question was "The cast of what...?"

By the way, Keith has confirmed the November tour on his Twitter and his involvement - but reckons an album isn't planned.
Just noticed on JP's MySpace on one of the gig descriptions

"New songs with old classic cast tracks. Tryin out some new Cast tracks been writing all year.Who knows?"

Saw John outside and he was happy to have a chat and feature in a photo, as you can see.

What a thoroughly decent guy.

He played a few old Cast tunes: Finetime, Guiding Star, Free Me, Walkaway etc.

Played some new songs and as mentioned above one of these was See That Girl, a very chart friendly tune but not lacking in Power's aching, bluesy voice or fine writing. Could be a future hit.

After announcing his last song he responded to heckles of "When's the next La's album John?" with "I don't know La, and that's the truth."

A response that, to me didn't seem very negative at all, as if there was some behind the scenes development. Maybe I'm just wishfully thinking though.

We had a chat with him about general stuff, the summary of which is basically:

• he is in touch with Lee and "spoke to him on the phone only the other day"
• he will pick up his bass whenever Lee wants to do anything
• Cast will play London, Manchester, Glasgow and Liverpool for a few shows in November
• Cast will be a full reform - with all original members, including Skin
• A possibility that the new songs will form a Cast album

Cast will reform, announces John Power

Cast frontman John Power has announced he is planning to reform the band.

The star, who was also bassist in The La's, told NME that he has been in contact with guitarist Liam ‘Skin’ Tyson, bassist Peter Wilkinson and drummer Keith O’Neill for the first time since they split in August 2001.

“I know it’s been nearly a decade but everything feels alright,” he explained of his decision. “I’m in a good place at the minute so I rang the lads each individually and told them I feel like going out again with the band.”

He continued: “For me to have rang the lads and for the lads to have come and sat in the same room as me is unbelievable because a few years ago I would have laughed. But now something musical is rising inside of me.”

The singer revealed that he made the decision to reunite his old band mates after he started working on a body of new material which he felt would be right for the Liverpool four-piece.

“Something’s brewing in my mind and it’s ready to pop,” he enthused. “I’ve been writing a body of work that has made me feel at peace with the stuff I’ve done in the past and I don’t want to think too far ahead, but I thought it would probably work for Cast. So I thought, ‘Why don’t we get together?’”

Power, who has recorded three solo albums – ‘Happening For Love’, ’Willow She Weeps’ and ‘Stormbreaker’ - since the band split, also said that’s he fallen in love with Cast’s songs again, and it felt right to play them with the 15th anniversary of their debut album ‘All Change’ coming up.

“Five years ago I couldn’t bring myself to play them songs, it would have made me vomit,” he admitted. “I just couldn’t go near them, I felt like I’d lost the connection and wrote this other stuff, and that was where I was at. But something’s changed now, I feel fond of them again, and I’d forgotten how anthemic they were.

“The timing feels good now too,” he continued. “There seems to be a lot of goodwill out there for it, it’s been 15 years.”

‘All Change’ sold over one million records and spawned four Top 20 hit singles – ‘Fine Time’, ‘Alright’, ‘Sandstorm’ and ‘Walkaway’.

The band enjoyed further chart success with 1997 follow-up ‘Mother Nature Calls’, and 1999's ‘Magic Hour’. However, their fourth album ‘Beetroot’ struggled, and they split shortly after its 2001 release.

The star also hinted that his former band The La's may also resurface at some point in the future.

“I was with [singer] Lee [Mavers] the other night,” he revealed. “I’ll always be in The La's, regardless of whether that’s a physical thing, because these things have touched me and they are there for life just like the Cast songs are. I’m neither one nor the other. I’m all these things and the idea is for all these things to come to fruition.”

Cast announce first live dates for 15-year anniversary tour

Cast have announced details of their first gigs since 2001.

The announcement follows frontman John Power telling NME that the band are to reform for a 15-year anniversary tour.

The Liverpool four-piece will hit the road in November and December.

They play the following dates:

Manchester Academy 2 (November 26)
Glasgow 02 ABC (27)
Liverpool 02 Academy (29)
London 02 Shepherds Bush Empire (December 3)

Cast Interview

Cast are returning from their 90’s heyday for a 15 year anniversary tour of their ground breaking debut album All Change. In the build up to this, their lead singer, John Power, was very kind to take the time in answering a few questions for us.

Hi John, thanks for your time in answering some questions for us. How are you finding the tour? Enjoying it as much as first time around?
Well we ain't kicked off as of yet, but I got a feeling were gonna enjoy standing on stage and playing all those songs, together again after all these years. It’s been a long time and I’d quite forgot how many anthemic tunes we had. so yeah it should be a blast

What made you decide to reform for this tour?
Well to be honest. It all came about because I’ve been writing, and the songs felt like they belong to a band and not as a solo piece of work. Also time changes your view. I wasn’t interested in doing any more cast tunes for a long time but it just feels like the right thing to do. Anyway someone suggested to do a few shows and see how it feels again, it being 15 years since All Change.

How has this reunion been received by critics and fans?
Well there’s a lot of good will so far, and I’m blown away by the way the fans have shown that they want to come to the shows, so that means a lot to me.

What reception have you had from your gigs?
Well, it’s all about to happen. So I’ll have to let you know later on.

What’s your opinion of the music scene now for bands like yourselves?
There definitely is one, and it’s very popular, but it just seems 'underground'. Guitar based music will always find a way thru, kids in bands picking up guitars and getting rid of all those emotions, in a gentle way or a more manic style. Whichever suits them best. As for scenes, they tend to define themselves by catching the wind and then creating their own momentum. Little pockets of people sympathetic to each others' call.

Do you wish for the scene to be booming again like in the 90's?
I wouldn’t want to turn the clock back ever. There is loads of cool and relevant music. It just depends on where you’re at in your life when listening.

Are you satisfied with the level of success you achieved during your initial time together? You were very popular.
Yes and no. I don’t think I’ve ever felt satisfied as a musician, but I’m working on it.

Are you nervous for this tour? How will you relax before gigs?
No, not nervous, but excited in a new way because I feel like I may just enjoy this without losing my marbles. I want to sing and listen and feel it flowing right on out of me. How will I relax, shit I haven’t thought of that.

Are you still writing? If so are you planning to record new material/a new album together as Cast?
That’s the idea. I have the songs to make a Cast album. I’m still working on them and pulling them into shape but I certainly feel like I’m closing in on them and that it won’t be too long before the album is ready to begin recording.

Finally All Change was a great album (like your others) for us who remember you first time around. Are there any surprises we can expect from these gigs?
The band will be blasting All Change and other favourites. I was thinking of trying some new songs but I think that will have to wait till next time...!

I’m seeing them in Liverpool at the end of November, so this will be extra special because home-comings always are, to bands and fans a-like. I'm not surprised there are extra dates here due to popular demand. I am old enough to remember Cast from first time around, contributing to the Britpop scene that swept the nation (whether they liked this or not). This album definitely stamped their footprint into people’s minds with fresh guitar sounds, melodies, and great energy, not least Power’s lyrics expressed by his great inimitable distinctively Scouse voice. Me and my mate can’t wait yet again to re-live our care free teenage days.

Interview: Cast

As one of the founders of nineties Britpop, Cast went on to cement themselves as one of the true indie greats within the genre for almost 20 years. With the deluxe release of the bands most successful record, All Change, which will be released later this month, EF's Brandon caught up with Cast front man John Power to find out all about the release, plans for a new record and his thoughts on the past 20 years as one of Britain's most influential indie outfits:

How are you doing?

I'm doin ok, feelin' just dandy.

Your iconic 1995 record 'All Change' has its 15th anniversary this year. Reflecting back on the creation of the record, what fond or not so fond memories do you have?

I’d say some what of a roller coaster ride. Recording the album was a mixture of, stretched emotions and blind belief and of course moments of self doubt and a little magic. As the band that was pretty tight from touring the songs pretty much non stop,we just needed John Leckie to capture the sessions and keep us all playing together but I think we all had a feeling that were on to something and we just had to reveal it.

Will there be any extras on the re-release that fans should look out for?

There is some crackin' early demos. One of Sandstorm that is very candid although a bit worse for wear, shows the song in all its innocence. Also a song called All my days , which never made it on to the album, I didn’t like the arrangement, too much goin on. In hindsight it should just have been an acoustic shanty, maybe it will? But it was part of the session and so I thought it apt to be included on the re-release.

Of all the Cast songs that have been written over the years, do you have a personal favourite?

No , I don't want to get too nostalgic, I do have songs that are very close to me and some I cant stand. But don't worry, 'All Change' is a friend of mine. It knows me well.

Cast are considered one of the founders of the Britpop movement, quite an achievement. How does it feel to know Cast have made such an impact on music?

Nah I don't give it a second thought really. It's nice to have mattered. Because when you're in a band there is some sort of need, a need to matter to the times that your livin in.

The band had quite a lengthy hiatus after parted ways in 2001. How did the reformation come about?

Well it still is reforming. I have some new songs that seem to be calling out for a Cast album, so I called up the other members and we decided to do some shows and take it from there. There will be a Cast album but everyone is free to come and go as they please. People have different lives now and that's all fine, but me I just gotta keep on keepin on, or so they say.

How has the reception been so far to the reformation?

Nothing but good will...

There has been talk that you are in the process of writing new material. Is this true and what can we expect from a new record?

Yeah, that is true. You’ll just have to wait and see.. I’m excited about the feel of the new songs being written and from that excitement stems the whole reason I’m going back to stand on stage with Cast again.

You have had an impressive career spanning almost 20 years. What has been the biggest highlight for you and Cast in that time?

I really dont know,. somedays it really does’nt matter at all what you’ve acheived, its all rellative. Top of the pops, Glastonbury ,sold out gigs and platinum discs, Well the latter are just lying under the bed and the others are just good memories that i sometimes allow myself to bask in. Look the band had some great times ,but I can only now allow myself to see that, because i kind of fell out with the whole idea of what it was. Although live we did rock...we were a great live band on our night.

So many new indie bands cite Cast as a major influence to their music. Who inspired you?

Well it all started with Rock’n Roll and Chuck, The Beatles and The Who, but there’s been so many great bands and artists throughout the decades which have all left a mark in time.

You are touring in November. How does it feel to have the band back together and on the road again?

I’ll let you know soon as....

What can we expect from a Cast concert these days?

Well I’ve got this theory that we’re goin to really allow ourselves to celebrate being on stage together, singing and playing all them tunes again for the first time in a decade.

So what's next for Cast?

I’m lookin to make a great sounding record. Hopefully in the new year and to be doing some more shows with the band. Let's see how we are after the tours finished.

Cast ask fans to help fund new album



Cast have announced they will record a new album - but they need fans to help them pay for it.

The band, who have reformed to play a series of gigs which kick off later this month, plan to release a new record next year.

However to fund the record the band are appealing to fans via the http://www.pledgemusic.com system, which rewards fans depending on their level of investment.

The band will also be donating some of the money raised to homeless charity Shelter.

Meanwhile Cast playing the following dates:

Newcastle O2 Academy (November 24)
Birmingham O2 Academy (25)
Manchester Academy (26)
Glasgow O2 ABC (27)
Liverpool O2 Academy (29, 30)
Leeds O2 Academy (December 1)
London O2 Shepherds Bush Empire (3, 4)
Oxford O2 Academy (5)
Leamington Spa Assembly (7)
Bristol O2 Academy (8)
Liverpool O2 Academy (9)

Cast play greatest hits set at London comeback show

Cast played in London last night (December 3) for the first time since 2001 for a comeback show celebrating the 15th anniversary of their debut album 'All Change'.

The original line up - frontman John Power, guitarist Liam 'Skin' Tyson, bassist Peter Wilkinson and drummer Keith O'Neill - played a greatest hits set at Shepherds Bush Empire.

Power told NME that he originally had reservations about reforming the band because he didn't want to ruin their legacy.

"That's what I was always scared of doing, becoming a parody of myself, I refused to go down that avenue," he said.

He added: "I don't know whether it's the amount of time that's passed, it being 15 years since our first album, but I was talking to people about it and there just seemed to be a lot of goodwill out there so I thought 'Why not'?"

The singer said the band were enjoying being back on the road again after nine years apart, and he was looking forward to playing a homecoming show in Liverpool next Thursday (December 9).

"I'm really excited about it all," he enthused. "I'm on top of my game and my voice is fucking miles better than it was. I feel like I can really do those songs justice now. It can only be a good thing for us to stand close together onstage and play them songs.

"I'm looking forward to playing back home too because I have steered clear of Liverpool for a while."

Cast played virtually the whole of their 1995 debut, including hit singles 'Alright', 'Sandstorm', 'Walkaway' and 'Finetime', during the show.

The four-piece also threw in a cover of The Who's 'The Seeker' which Power dedicated to the band, who are originally from the area.

Cast played:

'Back Of My Mind'
'Reflections'
'Sandstorm'
'Promised Land'
'Tell It Like It Is'
'Finetime'
'Four Walls'
'Magic Hour'
'Guiding Star'
'Alright'
'Live The Dream'
'Walkaway'
'Flying'
'History'
'The Seeker'
'Free Me'
'Two Of A Kind'

Cast complete recording sessions for comeback album

Cast have completed recording sessions for their first album in 10 years.

The Liverpool four-piece, who reformed for a series of live gigs including a live date in London for the 15th anniversary of their debut album 'All Change' last year, have layed down 12 tracks for their fifth studio album. "So it's all recorded, 12 tracks, from the first take of the first song to the last breath blown down the microphone on the last track," singer John Power wrote on the band's official Twitter page Twitter.com/castofficial. "Should begin mixing in the next few days, then mastered and then ready for release."

The singer revealed that he wrote a "body" of new material last year which inspired him to reform the band. At the time he told NME:

Cast announce release date for first album in 10 years

Cast will officially release 'Troubled Times', their first new album in 10 years, on February 20, 2012.

The 12 track album will be released in the band’s 20th anniversary year, two decades after they formed in 1992. The album will be preceded by a single, 'See That Girl', on December 19 and followed by a full UK tour.

The band’s original line-up; John Power, Liam ‘Skin’ Tyson, Pete Wilkinson and Keith O’Neill and producer John Leckie are behind 'Troubled Times'. The band split in 2001 after the release of their fourth album 'Beetroot'.

John Power has spoken about the band reuniting, saying:


The 'Troubled Times' tracklisting is:

'Bow Down'
'Troubled Thoughts'
'The Sky’s Got A Gaping Hole'
'See That Girl'
'Not Afraid Of The World'
'Silver And Gold'
'Bad Waters'
'Hold On Tight'
'About A Girl'
'Brother Fighting Brother'
'Time Bomb'
'Tear It Apart (All Over Again)'

Cast play Middlesbrough Empire (December 15), Dunfermline Glen Pavillion (16) and Coventry Kasbah (17).