ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons Remixes New Depeche Mode Single

Generally speaking, ZZ Top isn’t a band we tend to look to for innovation and change; they do one thing, and they do it very, very well. But the Texas trio can still surprise us sometimes, as evidenced by their recent collaboration with the British synth-pop veterans in Depeche Mode.


The Top/Mode teamup comes in the form of a remixed version of ‘Soothe My Soul,’ the most recent single from Depeche Mode’s latest album, ‘Delta Machine.’ Released last month, ‘Soul’ received the remix treatment from a number of artists; in fact, the CD maxi-single includes no fewer than six rejiggered versions of the track — one of which was put together by ZZ Top guitarist Billy Gibbons with producer Joe Hardy. It’s an unexpected pairing to say the least, but one that makes perfect sense in Gibbons’ eyes.

During his recent album-by-album look at the first 10 ZZ Top records, Gibbons reflected on the synthesizer-assisted sound of 1983′s ‘Eliminator’ by saying, “Bands like Depeche Mode were leading the synthesizer charge at this time. What’s interesting is, Joe Hardy and I received an invitation from them recently to remix one of their new songs, ‘Soothe My Soul.’ [Vocalist] Dave Gahan told me they were looking for a little ‘Texas mud’ to go with the electronica. Funny how things go around in circles sometimes.”

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source: ultimateclassicrock.com

ZZ Top To Play London

And Billy Gibbons turns down $1,000,000 to shave his beard.

ZZ Top have announced plans to play two UK tour dates later this year, in celebration of their 42nd anniversary.

The band will play at the London Hammersmith Apollo on June 24, and the Manchester O2 Apollo on June 25.

The veteran rockers will be playing tracks from their 2012 album 'La Futura'. Mainman Billy Gibbons recently revealed that he and bandmate Dusty Hill once turned down an offer of $1 million (£638,000) to shave off their beards.

Recently Billy Gibbons, also revelaed that he and bandmate Dusty Hill down down a $1 million offer to shave their beards.

"No dice. Even adjusted for inflation, this isn't going to fly. The prospect of seeing oneself in the mirror clean-shaven is too close to a Vincent Price film ... a prospect not to be contemplated, no matter the compensation" said Gibbons on the offer.

(NME)

source: planetrock.com