Rowland became a solo singer with the release of 1988's poorly received album, The Wanderer. [7] Rowland suffered from financial problems, drug addiction and depression. [29] Rowland said: "I'd been too confident, too arrogant. I thought everyone would hear our new music and go: 'Wow.'" [19] When he went to sign on for a jobseeker's allowance, another unemployed person recognised him and sang "Come On Eileen". [19]

Dexys play the following UK and Ireland dates with a fan presale going on-sale April 12th and general sale from April 14th here. The final word should go to Big Jim Paterson, the only other member of Dexys to play on every album. How has he stayed the course with Kevin’s intensity and passion since 1978? “Love,” he replies simply. “Love for music, love for Dexys, love for Kevin.”

# 9 – Nowhere is Home

Building on the unexpected success of "Dance Stance" (aka "Burn It Down"), Dexys' next single, " Geno" – about Geno Washington – became a British Number One in 1980. [6] It featured the band's "Late Night Feelings" imprint on the single, which became a trademark of the band's records on EMI. [7] Rowland wrote about Washington as he had seen one of his performances aged 11 with his brother. [9] The success of the song prompted Washington to make a return to live performance, but it also prompted the departure of Leek, who said he didn't want to be famous. [10] Pete Saunders returned to the band temporarily, replacing Leek, to record their debut album. [7] Note: The Feminine Divine set was presented in three acts: I: ‘Getting Honest’, II: ‘Attitude to Women’, III: ‘The Relationship’ There’s one further surprise for Dexys fans: the possibility of a new album. That gorgeous view from Kevin’s balcony really has been inspiring. “A few months ago, I thought to myself, ‘I wouldn’t mind writing a few things,’” says Kevin. “I’ve surprised myself, working on new songs. I won’t say how it’s shaping up, but it’s different from last time.”

He pauses. “Actually, there was a company dance when I lived in Brighton 15 years ago. I’d just started dating a woman who worked at American Express, who were having their works do at a hotel on the seafront. Nobody knew I was there and… I didn’t really dance, but I watched everyone else dance to it and that was good.” At the height of his fame he used to hide under a hat and dark glasses, but says he would always sign autographs if he was spotted. But he hated it. “I was getting to the stage where I just didn't want to be seen. I felt so conscious about people looking at me all the time, it just did me (sic) head in because I wasn’t feeling good about myself. When people are looking at you and staring at you, you think; what are you staring at, and it was doing my head in. But you ARE a star and have earned that title with what you have achieved with your music, haven’t you? “It’s just that word, a star. It’s not good for the ego. On the one hand I felt like that deep down and on the other hand I was very egotistical at the time. It’s two sides of the same coin really. I know I am somewhat well known and I get recognised a fair amount. Most don’t know who I am, but a fair few who do. It’s kind of a comfortable place now really, and I do quite enjoy it. I feel alright really, generally."

# 5 – Tell Me When My Light Turns Green

a b c d e f Simpson, Dave (18 September 2003). " 'I was nuts' ". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 28 January 2016 . Retrieved 31 January 2016. The first single from the album was "She Got a Wiggle", released 28 May 2012. [38] They performed the song on Later... with Jools Holland in May 2012. The group toured in September 2012 in the UK, performing their new album. [39] Talbot left the group following this tour. a b c d e f g h i j k l Wilde, Jon (9 November 2012). "Kevin Rowland: Classic Interview (from 1999)". Sabotage Times. Archived from the original on 1 February 2016 . Retrieved 24 January 2016. Michaels, Sean (13 February 2012). "Dexys Midnight Runners to release first new album in 27 years". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 23 April 2019 . Retrieved 17 April 2014. So it is all about today, not yesterday then? “Totally mate, totally. Even if we do the old songs, and we do some of them, we change them to make them relevant to us now and our audience gets it. They get it. Not just because we are bored and think, let’s just change it and play this. Everyone has a scripted part. They improvise, but we have carefully thought it all out. Add a new section, change the tempo…. Keep it fresh. It’s all about today really. Even the lyrics; In ‘Too-Rye-Ay,’ there’s a lyric about old people and we change it and talk about ourselves getting old in that song now.” So was the name change to Dexys to show you are not wishing to bask in past glories? “Definitely. That was us saying its’ us, but we are different now. We are not like we were and not trying to trade on our past. We are us and we can’t deny who we are. We are Dexys, but it’s different now."

a b c d Kinney, Fergal (26 October 2014). "Dexy's: Nowhere is Home – Kevin Rowland and Jim Paterson in depth interview". Louder Than War. Archived from the original on 15 April 2016 . Retrieved 1 April 2016. a b c d e f g h i j Reynolds, Simon (2005) Rip It Up and Start Again: Postpunk 1978–1984, Faber & Faber, ISBN 0-571-21570-X, p. 293–296 Kevin Rowland had been threatening a new Dexys album since their brief reformation for a tour in 2003. It never materialised. Fast forward to 2010, and he is sat in a tranquil Ayurvedic garden in India supping herbal tree bark drinks which are meant to heal all your ills. a b Paphides, Pete (17 May 2012). "Dexys Midnight Runners: Don't Stand Me Down". BBC. Archived from the original on 8 March 2021 . Retrieved 4 July 2018. Jim says Kevin has asked him to go through the pile of songs he’s written since getting sober. They might revisit unreleased Dexys demos, too. Helen will play in the band if Kevin asks.a b Cashmere, Paul (11 February 2012). "Dexy's Midnight Runners Return After 27 Years". noise11.com . Retrieved 30 January 2020. [ permanent dead link] Dexys News. "New Dexys Album out in June". dexys.org. Archived from the original on 6 May 2016 . Retrieved 9 April 2016. I’d already been advised he was “not keen” on talking about the past and wanted to focus on the current day band and the latest album. Not being one to be told what I can and cannot ask in interviews, after 36 years of doing ‘em, my view is if anyone does not wish to talk about something I ask, they have a right to tell me that. But no topic is off limits for me to ask about. It’s my job and I have no wish to be churning out advertising copy and writing stuff already out there from a press release.