Veteran modern rock act Live has opted to title its forthcoming fifth album “V,” as opposed to “Ecstatic Fanatic,” which was previously announced as the moniker for the Radioactive/MCA set. Co-produced by Alain Johannes (Eleven, Chris Cornell) and touring keyboardist Michael Railo, “V” is due Sept. 18.
The album’s loose-limbed feel is due in part to the band’s decision to enjoy the fame it has achieved rather than to view it as a burden. “[It’s about] being the center of a party every night and sort of embracing that for the first time in that way,” frontman Ed Kowalcyzk tells Billboard for its July 21 issue. “Basically, we’re just going for it on- and offstage.”
Of first single “Simple Creed,” Kowalcyzk says, “[The song] is almost paradoxical: It’s probably our most aggressive song ever, but it’s got this message — it’s all about demonstrating that you can be a bad-ass and inform the world with a positive message and nobody’s going to say you’re wimping out. It doesn’t have to be Up With People.”
The song, which goes to radio July 23, includes a rap by Tricky, whom Kowalcyzk met through their shared management company, Kurfirst/Blackwell. Kowalcyzk returns the favor by singing on “Evolution Revolution Love,” the first single on Tricky’s new Hollywood Records album, “Blowback.” The track is No. 35 on Billboard’s Modern Rock Tracks chart this week.
Live kicks off a European tour in October and will tour the States starting in November. In the meantime, the group will play three one-off dates in Atlantic City, N.J. (July 27); Noblesville, Ind. (July 29); and Cincinnati (Aug. 3), before co-headlining the Aug. 4 Rolling Rock Town Fair with Stone Temple Pilots in Latrobe, Pa.
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