Pitchfork: Mclusky Breaks Up, Plans Massive Singles Comp

Mclusky Breaks Up, Plans Massive Singles Comp

The difference between them and you is that your band's still together! Oh-ho, it's a sad motherfucking day. You sons of bitches never appreciated them when they were around and now look what: The mighty Mclusky-- sublimely smart-assed Welsh punkers known for absurd lyrical boasts ("We take more drugs than a touring funk band"), outrageously ludicrous song titles ("The World Loves Us and Is Our Bitch", "Lightsabre Cocksucking Blues"), and fantastical rounds ("Our old singer is a sex criminal")-- has crapped out!

Frontman Andy Falkous made the official announcement yesterday, via the front page of the band's official website: "The three-piece rock band known as Mclusky have disbanded, as of Friday January 7th, 2005. The reason for this parting is private, though probably not as entertaining as you'd imagine. Personally, I would like to thank all the people, places and times that occured on or near us. I'm grateful for the love and to a lesser degree, the hate. There'll be more music soon, from all of us. Regards, Falco."

Reached by Pitchfork for further explication, Falkous hails Mclusky's dissolution as a PR triumph. "I'm slightly amused and bewildered by the fact that we've received more emails from the U.S. today than in the last four years combined," he notes. "Really, I'd recommend it to any band who wanted to boost their sales or sense of self-importance."

Though he declines to elaborate on the not-entertaining breakup story, Falkous and his mates do have exit strategies: "Jack [Egglestone, drums] and I are continuing in a now-named-but-none-of-your-business project, and Jon [Chapple, bass] will be playing in his own band Shooting at Unarmed Men, which has been in existence for the past six years or so. Happily, I have custody of the DOD Buzz Box pedal."

Also happily, look for one more multi-disc Mclusky release in the future. "The compilation idea is still in its embryonic stages," Falkous says. "But the idea is to combine A sides (11 songs), B sides (23 songs), and a rarities/live disc of 20 songs or so, which covers almost the entire life of the band. It'll be cheaper than life itself and I have no idea what it'll be called, although some hilarious variation on 'Greatest Hits' is absolutely out of the fucking question."

For now, you'll have to sate yourself with Mclusky's last two fantastic, Steve Albini-produced discs for Too Pure: 2002's Mclusky Do Dallas and last year's The Difference Between Me and You Is That I'm Not on Fire. And steel yourself for the next unfortunate band breakup. "Les Savy Fav as well, I see on your site," Falkous adds. "Well, fuck me a tear-duct." Save one for us.