Californian brothers Ron and Russell Mael are well known for their theatrical stage presence with hyperactive keyboardist and songwriter Ron's stacatto falsetto vocals performed alongside Ron's deadpan scowling.

Their music is often accompanied by sophisticated and acerbic lyrics - often about women, and sometimes containing literary or cinematic references.

But while most other musicians, when they've been working for over half a century, are resting on their laurels, accepting the odd Lifetime Achievement Award and concentrating on shifting their back catalogue, Sparks are going back on tour.

Their frequently changing styles and visual presentations have kept the band at the forefront of modern pop music.

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Having previously announced dates at London’s Royal Albert Hall and Primavera Sound Festival in Spain and Portugal, Sparks are touring Europe, North America and Japan and coming to Oxford's New Theatre on May 23. 

Ron and Russell Mael said:  “We are thrilled to be back on tour again and to be able to share our joy with so many Sparks fans around the world. 

"It’s a Sparks show, a Sparks show, a Sparks show tonight!” 

Oxford Mail:

The brothers were both students at UCLA when they began making music together in the late 1960s, originally under the name Halfnelson.

They made their Top Of The Pops debut with This Town Ain't Big Enough For Both Of Us which was nearly a UK No 1.

Since then they have moved through many phases, including art rock, glam, big band swing, electro-disco, new wave and synthpop, collaborating with Todd Rundgren, Les Rita Mitsouko, Tony Visconti, Franz Ferdinand and Giorgio Moroder. 

Their popularity has spiked unpredictably in different territories at different times.

They have been much more successful in Europe than in their native US though they maintain a loyal cult following in the States.

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However, the influence of “your favourite band's favourite band”, has been recognised by a range of artists including Joy Division, Duran Duran, Depeche Mode, Bjork, Beck and The Darkness.

Super-producer Jack Antonoff recently declared “All pop music is re-arranged Sparks”. 

And levels of interest in their work are at heights unsurpassed in their 50+ year career.   

Their studio album Hippopotamus (2017) and A Steady Drip, Drip, Drip (2020) both reached No 7 in the UK and received critical acclaim.

At the same time a documentary film The Sparks Brothers, directed by Edgar Wright (Shaun Of The Dead, Hot Fuzz, Baby Driver) which was released in 2021, brought an awareness of Sparks to parts they previously hadn't reached.  

Sparks also brought out a film musical Annette, starring Adam Driver and Marion Cotillard, in 2021 for which they wrote all songs, winning the César Award for Best Original Music.

It also won a Golden Globes nomination for Ms Cotillard, and ‘So May We Start’ was shortlisted for Best Original Song at the Oscars.

The tour announcement follows the recent news that the band have re-signed to Island Records, the label that released their breakthrough record Kimono My House in 1974. 

They have a new album, ‘The Girl Is Crying In Her Latte’, out on May 26. 

The band said it is “as bold and uncompromising as anything we did back then, or for that matter, anytime throughout our career”.

Tickets go on general sale Friday, February 3 at 10am. All ticket links allsparks.com/#tour 

 

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This story was written by Miranda Norris, she joined the team in 2021 and covers news across Oxfordshire as well as news from Witney.

Get in touch with her by emailing: Miranda.Norris@newsquest.co.uk. Or find her on Twitter: @Mirandajnorris

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