Bloc Party singer Kele Okereke has published a new blog dissecting his band’s treatment by the NME.
Despite reports to the contrary, ,Bloc Party are still a band. The four piece might be on hiatus, they might be preparing a number of side projects (one of which may well involve a new singer) but the band remain a band.
Reports suggesting otherwise in the NME have been widely circulated, with fans growing weary and confused by the continual updates. Bloc Party published a blog yesterday (September 29th) which appeared to solve the matter, but still the reports of a Kele Okereke being replaced by his own band come flooding in.
Clearly frustrated by the media attention surrounding the band, the frontman decided to post a lengthy blog dissecting the week’s events. Published on his official website, Kele Okereke uses the message to suggest that the situation is not personal – merely symptomatic of the magazine’s wider approach.
Addressed directly to NME editor Krissi Murrison, Kele Okereke claimed that the reports this week have come from the magazine – not Bloc Party.
“i don’t really have much faith in the interview process so i say absurd things to call the journalists out and they know this. its been that way with me for a very long time, its not a surprise to anyone. all the hype and bluster that you might have read this week has come from the pages of the NME not from bloc party. the NME love this attention as it means people are clicking on their website. whatever. after 7 years of dealing with the NME i know this is how they operate and to be honest i don’t have a problem with it. but suggesting that we are trying to deliberately mislead our fans is a step too far.”
Continuing, Kele Okereke is surprisingly magnaminious, admitting that Bloc Party owe a debt to the NME for vital early exposure. “i hope this doesn’t read badly (other than my atrocious grammar) i really don’t have a problem with the NME. i don’t read it and i dont visit its blog. i understand that it has been supportive and critical of my band in the past and i am thankful for the fact that they have brought us to the attention of so many people.”
The full posting is well worth reading – put the kettle on and click HERE.
