War Stories

Unkle are back! After a 3 year hiatus, the James Lavelle-helmed collective return with a new label, new home, new collaborators and a new sound.

Originally a side-project engineered by Mo Wax boss James, teaming turntablist extraordinaire DJ Shadow with a legion of guest vocalists, Unkle scored a minor hit in the late '90s with "Rabbit in Your Headlights", featuring Thom Yorke (Radiohead) fresh from 'OK Computer', and a stunning video. DJ Shadow has since dropped out of the project, leaving James and flatmate Richard File to continue together.

Unkle's third album follows the worldwide success of 'Psyence Fiction' (1998) & 'Never, Never, Land' (2003) - once again finding the collective drawing on rock, electronic and beat-driven music in different ways.

The Unkle collective - which also once featured Tim Goldsworthy (DFA) and Ant Genn (Pulp & Elastica) - now continues under the creative core of James & Richard, alongside Chris Goss' (Queens of the Stone Age) production.

'War Stories' features vocals & narration from Josh Homme (QOTSA); Ian Astbury (The Cult); 3D (Massive Attack); Liela Moss (The Duke Spirit); Autolux & Gavin Clark (Clayhill); Alice Temple and many, many more.

The album marries Unkle's trademark sound with traditional rock influences to stunning effect. 'War Stories' was recorded in the Joshua Tree desert outside Los Angeles, CA at the Rancho de la Luna studio (home to 'The Desert Sessions' recordings from the likes of PJ Harvey, Nick Oliveri, Josh Freese and many others) and in London at James' new Surrender Sounds studio. 'War Stories' comprises of 14 tracks of epic proportions.

Often criticized for relying on famous guests to complete his records, alongside the list above, James also called on the talents of many to form the in-house Unkle band - as much of the instrumentation here is live - including Jeordie White A.K.A. Twiggy Ramirez on bass; Pablo Clements (Psychonauts) on synths; Matthew Caws (Nada Surf) + David Catching (Eagles of Death Metal) on guitar. Producer Chris adds his various musical talents across the length of 'War Stories' too, plus there are also full band collaborations from Autolux and The Duke Spirit.

'War Stories' is released on James' new label, Surrender All, part of the all encompassing stable that connects his famously broad range of interests in music, fashion and art through one independently run axis. Surrender All is the record label, which will be a home for exciting new talent, whatever its musical persuasion, with the aim to push boundaries in the same way that Mo Wax did during James' heyday.

The artwork & packaging (a 32-page booklet!) for 'War Stories' is certainly eye-catching - even by Unkle's high standards - thanks to longtime collaborators Will Bankhead & Bill Drury, with photography from 3D + others.

This Australasian version of 'War Stories' also features TWO bonus tracks AND another (not-so) secret (anymore) track…

"I wanted to combine the depth of an electronic record with the dynamics of a rock record. It was a totally organic, free experience. Every Unkle record has had its amazing moments but this was the record I felt most in tune with - the most rewarding experience. We recorded about 35 songs. Every other time, we've had, like, 10!"
- JAMES LAVELLE, UNKLE

"Say what you like about Unkle main man James Lavelle but his ambition is impossible to fault."
-OBSERVER