Echo and the Bunnymen frontman Ian McCulloch will release his third solo album, and first in more than a decade, in March. Recorded at Doghouse Studios in Henley-on-Thames, England, the LP will feature guest spots from Coldplay singer Chris Martin and guitarist Jonny Buckland.

McCulloch and Cenzo Townsend, who served as engineer for the Bunnymen's 1997 reunion album Evergreen, are co-producing, and according to McCulloch's management, the album is "dark, but with great pop songs."

Martin and McCulloch became friends during the Liverpool recording sessions for Coldplay's A Rush of Blood to the Head. "We played him a few things and he was just fun to have around," Martin told Rolling Stone. "We took loads and loads from the Bunnymen certainly in terms of being inspired, so, you know, we'd already stolen all his ideas."

That inspiration was honored at this week's Q Awards, with Beth Orton presenting Echo and the Bunnymen with the Inspiration Award, an accolade bestowed on bands whose influence is apparent on new generations of bands and fans.

In other Bunnymen news, guitarist Will Sergeant is working on the second album from his ambient side project, Glide. "I have recorded about seventy tracks/ideas and I have picked out what I think are the best or most complete twelve," he posts on Echo's official site. "I certainly have added some new ingredients in my 'Glide Psyche Soup.' I think a lot of people will find it very tasty."

COLIN DEVENISH
(October 23, 2002)