Article By: Pat ‘Riot’ Whitaker ‡ Edited By: Leanne Ridgeway
So, just how long is “long, long”? That probably depends on exactly what it is you’re attempting to measure in the overall span of time, along with who you may be asking, I suppose.
I can answer the first portion of that equation, the “what” is Swedish fuzz-rock titans TRUCKFIGHTERS and their February 2018 announcement of their going on a “long, long hiatus”. Granted, the band did hint that they might possibly return at some point, possibly even stronger than before, and without elaborating on much else further, that was it.
Yes, it was a disheartening move to untold countless denizens of the stoner rock realm that related to the band so well. After all, when it came to the most deliciously intoxicating, heavily fuzz enriched desert rock on this planet or any other, this was the band that made it all worthwhile. Now here we are, less than two years out from that cataclysmic memo to the masses and it seems that we can rejoice!
“The truck of fuzz is refueled and ready to hit the road…
You can’t escape from what you are.
The answer could be as simple as that.”
…is the recent tagline that introduced readers to the euphoria-inducing news from TRUCKFIGHTERS. They go on to reveal that yes, they have returned, but in a manner that has no strings attached. Instead, they are going to celebrate the 15th anniversary of their début album release, ‘Gravity X‘, released in Europe back in 2005 (2006 in the U.S.). This will begin when they kick things into gear this August with a pair of Canadian shows, followed by some select North American gigs, including a set at the Psycho Las Vegas festival.
A European tour will ensue from that point, with the rest of the world to follow in 2020 – 2021. Dubbed the “Gravity X – From Finish To Start World Tour“, the band is rather upfront about the possibility that these live actions might just be it from them. Another excerpt from their recent news update states:
“This time the plans don’t go further, what happens happens. There’s only so much you can control in life.
If ever there was any doubt, this time off has shown the band members who they really are. With the ambition to play enough shows to satisfy their inner urge without losing the motivation, it is safe to say the touring will be less frequent than the most intense years of the band. Just as safe as is it to say that the shows will be better than ever and as always with a hell of a fuzzy sound!“
The first leg of this trek is revealed below, along with a stream of the ‘Gravity X‘ album, while more dates are expected to be announced.
– TRUCKFIGHTERS “Gravity X – From Finish To Start World Tour” –
EVENTS INFO
Jun. 27 – Trondheim, NOR – Trondheim Rocks
Aug. 15 – Montreal, QC, CAN – Bar le Ritz PDB
Aug. 16 – Toronto, ON, CAN – Lee’s Palace
Aug. 17 – Las Vegas, NV – Psycho Las Vegas [info]
Aug. 20 – San Diego, CA – Brick By Brick
Aug. 21 – Los Angeles, CA – Catch One
Aug. 22 – Mexico City, MEX – Sala Puebla
Aug. 23 – Vancouver, BC, CAN – Rickshaw Theatre
Aug. 24 – Edmonton, AB, CAN – The Starlite Room
Aug. 25 – Calgary, AB, CAN – Dickens
Oct. 03 – Pratteln, SWI – Up In Smoke Festival [info]
Oct. 04 – Linz, AUT – Night Of Fuzz
Oct. 05 – Wien, AUT – Night Of Fuzz
Oct. 06 – Dresden, GER – Beatpol
Oct. 08 – Warszawa, POL – Hydrozagadka
Oct. 09 – Berlin, GER – Festsaal Kreuzberg
Oct. 10 – Hamburg, GER – Knust
Oct. 11 – Stuttgart, GER – Universum
Oct. 12 – Munchen, GER – Keep It Low Festival [info]
Oct. 13 – Koln, GER – Helios 37
Oct. 14 – London, UK – The Garage
Oct. 16 – Paris, FRA – Le Petit Bain
Oct. 17 – Nantes, FRA – Le Ferrailleur
Oct. 18 – Antwerpen, BEL – Desertfest [info]
Oct. 19 – Leeuwarden, NET – Into The Void Festival [info]
Nov. 06 – Barcelona, SPA – Razz 3
Nov. 07 – Bilbao, SPA – Kafe Antzokia
Nov. 08 – Madrid, SPA – Gruta ’77
Nov. 09 – Oslo, NOR – Bla
Dec. 07 – Stockholm, SWE – Fuzz Festival [info]
