Mogwai are to release an album of recordings made for BBC radio - it will be released on 25 Oct.
The sessions were recorded for Radio One DJs' John Peel and Steve Lamacq. Talking about the album, Mogwai's Stuart Braithwaite told reporters: "The reason we're putting out this collection is simple, the recordings here are worth hearing. Some are definitely better than the official recordings. Since we put our first record out in 1996 John Peel has been a huge supporter of Mogwai. We were more than a little excited when he asked us to record a session for his show at the end of 1996. Maida Vale was getting painted or something and we recorded in a massive room in the Hippodrome probably usually reserved for orchestras.
When the session came out we all listened to it and had a wee party. Asides from making good music we've never been the most ambitious people and getting a Peel session was one of our earliest (and soonest achieved) ambitions."
"After a lousy start to our relationship with Steve Lamacq (he said you wouldn't spend your last fiver coming to see us, we abused him in the press, he gave us a pound each as an apology) we were honestly surprised when he asked us to do a session for his show. He was probably amazed that anyone had fallen for our shambolic miserable music, who knows, you'd have to ask him. We returned the favour by recording a 19+ minute song. When we finished it the producer Simon wound us up by saying that he hadn't taped it. Lying scoundrel!"
Mogwai have just returned from America where they were supporting the Cure on the travelling circus that was The Curiosa tour. In Oct they head over to Japan for a string of dates. Their new studio album is due out Spring 2005.
Track listing for the album is:
1. Hunted by A Freak (recorded at Maida Vale 21 May 2003)
2. R U Still in 2 It (recorded at the Hippodrome 22 December 1996)
3. New Paths to Helicon Part II (recorded at Maida Vale 20 January 1998)
4. Kappa (recorded at Maida Vale 23 August 1998)
5. Cody (recorded Maida Vale 23 August 1998)
6. Like Herod (recorded Maida Vale 28 October 1997)
7. Secret Pint (recorded at Maida Vale 10 April 2001)
8. Superheroes of BMX (recorded at the Hippodrome 22 December 1996)
9. New Paths to Helicon Part I (recorded at Maida Vale 20 January 1998)
10. Stop Coming to My House (recorded at Maida Vale 21 May 2003)