We’re sure you’re getting tired of seeing announcements like this. When we planned our 2022 tour 7 months ago we hoped we would be in a more ideal place to carry it out by now. pic.twitter.com/E5kpTWwAUV

— EELS (@THE_EELS) February 17, 2022

In a full statement from the band, they say, “We’re sure you’re getting tired of seeing announcements like this. When we planned our 2022 tour 7 months ago we hoped we would be in a more ideal place to carry it out by now. Hopefully, things are improving but unfortunately, because of the current state of the pandemic and travel & local restrictions, we’re not quite at a point where we can pull off a tour. Our spring ’22 tour of Europe and the U.S. will have to be postponed to spring ’23. We’d come sooner but the rest of this year has been reserved by artists who previously had to cancel. We’re extremely disappointed we won’t get to see you this year, it was going to be doubly rocktastic after not being able to tour in 2020, so we will rock you triply in 2023.” The band go on to add, “Hold on to your tickets, they’ll be valid for the new dates (except Colorado, see below) and if the new date doesn’t work for you you’ll be given a full refund at the point of purchase. All of the cities and venues remain the same except the Boulder, CO show will be refunded and moved to Denver’s Gothic Theatre, the venues in Vienna and Milan have changed but your tickets will be honoured, and we’ve added a new show in Nimes, France.”

The band’s highly anticipated fourteenth studio album Extreme Witchcraft is out now via PIAS and the band’s own E Works Records here. EELS frontman and songwriter, Mark Oliver Everett, co-produced Extreme Witchcraft with PJ Harvey producer and guitarist John Parish, marking the first time the two have recorded together since 2001’s Souljacker album. As of yet, the album has, as of yet, gathered a pretty solid critical response after The New York Times described it is, “A fuzz-toned guitar riff and a snappy beat carry ‘Good Night on Earth,’ a quintessential Eels song: hoarse, succinct, dry-eyed and well aware of life’s ironies.”

Aside from the new album, if you’re a fan of the band and are after a quick fix of new content then you can find a full rundown of tour dates and information here. See the full dates listed below.

26/3/22 – Rock City – Notthingham
27/3 – Roundhouse – London
30/3 – Telegraph Building – Belfast
31/3 – Olympia Theatre – Dublin
2/4 – Barrowland – Glasgow
3/4 – Albert Hall – Manchester
4/4 – O2 Guildhall – Southampton

The album sees EELS collaborating once again with English producer and guitarist John Parish, who originally worked with the group on their 2001 album Souljacker, a record defined by fuzzed out tones and bluesy riffs. From the release of the very first single from this new album, Parish’s presence and influence is absolutely felt, as we see a reintroduction of the heavy blues influence present on Souljacker. Parish has previously worked with Tracy Chapman, PJ Harvey and Aldous Harding.

EELS’ Mark Oliver Everett (aka E) said of Parrish in a press release: “John Parish is one of the most even-tempered, polite people I’ve ever met. A true gentleman. Actually, he’s probably THE most polite person I’ve ever met. But when he gets into the studio he becomes a mad scientist. If you make music with John Parish, you get stuff no one else does. He has a really unique toolbox and musical outlook. Perhaps his politeness is a coping mechanism to keep Mr. Hyde under control when he’s out of his laboratory.”

Whilst Parrish’s rock ‘n’ roll influence is definitely an ever-present force on the album, the group dials it back on certain tunes, such as the sombre, crawling tune “So Anyway”, which harkens back to the mood and feel of songs from early EELS records such as Electro Shock Blues and Beautiful Freak.

The track list for Extreme Witchcraft can be viewed below.

1). Amateur Hour
2). Good Night On Earth
3). Strawberries And Popcorn
4). Steam Engine
5). Grandfather Clock Strikes Twelve
6). Stumbling Bee
7). The Magic
8). Better Living Through Desperation
9). So Anyway
10). What It Isn’t
11). Learning While I Lose
12). I Know You’re Right

EELS will be embarking on a North American and UK/EU tour in Spring of this year. The UK leg of their tour will commence in Belfast, Ireland on the 11^th of March. You can purchase tickets here, and the band’s UK dates can be viewed below.

11/03/2022- Telegraph Building- Belfast
12/03- Olympia Theatre- Dublin
14/03- Roundhouse- London
15/03- Albert Hall- Manchester
16/03- Barrowland- Glasgow
17/03- Rock City- Nottingham
18/03- O2 Guildhall- Southampton

The new single follows on from previously released singles “The Magic”, “Steam Engine” and “Good Night On Earth”. All the singles will feature on their latest album Extreme Witchcraft which the band announced details of last year which is due to be released on January 28 via PIAS and their own E Works Records. You can listen to the track below.

The CGI video depicts EELS singer Mark-Oliver Everett (otherwise known as “E”) descending into the depths of the ocean in a submarine, coming face to face with various deep-sea critters until he finds himself entering a man-made structure on the ocean floor.

The tune fits into a similar sonic vein to the previous two singles that the band has released, “Steam Engine” and “Good Night on Earth”, featuring a fuzzy, blues-tinged guitar riff that sits over a swaggering drum-beat and husky, laid-back vocals. The sound harkens back to the group’s 2001 album Souljacker, and for good reason, as the band finds themselves once again joined by PJ Harvey producer and guitarist John Parrish, who worked with the band on Souljacker.

Parrish’s involvement in the record is evident, and singer E had this to say of the producer, according to a press release: “John Parish is one of the most even-tempered, polite people I’ve ever met. A true gentleman. Actually, he’s probably THE most polite person I’ve ever met. But when he gets into the studio he becomes a mad scientist. If you make music with John Parish, you get stuff no one else does. He has a really unique toolbox and musical outlook. Perhaps his politeness is a coping mechanism to keep Mr. Hyde under control when he’s out of his laboratory.”

Again according to a press release, DIY Magazine, who previewed Extreme Witchcraft, called the forthcoming record “honest to god rock ‘n’ roll, and Uncut offered a great deal of praise, speaking favourably of its “wit, tunes and third degree self-awareness”.

To re-iterate, the album will be available worldwide on January 14th, and can be pre-ordered here. The track list can be viewed below.

1). Amateur Hour
2). Good Night On Earth
3). Strawberries And Popcorn
4). Steam Engine
5). Grandfather Clock Strikes Twelve
6). Stumbling Bee
7). The Magic
8). Better Living Through Desperation
9). So Anyway
10). What It Isn’t
11). Learning While I Lose
12). I Know You’re Right

EELS will be embarking on a North American and UK/EU tour in Spring of 2022, entitled Lockdown Hurricane. The tour will commence in Belfast, Ireland on the 11^th of March. Tickets can be found here, and the UK dates are listed down below.

11/03/2022- Telegraph Building- Belfast
12/03- Olympia Theatre- Dublin
14/03- Roundhouse- London
15/03- Albert Hall- Manchester
16/03- Barrowland- Glasgow
17/03- Rock City- Nottingham
18/03- O2 Guildhall- Southampton

Photo Credit: Gus Black/Press Release

“Steam Engine” from the upcoming EELS EXTREME WITCHCRAFT album. Pre-save, pre-order and listen on your streamer of choice here: https://t.co/Cv3rfdLMBzhttps://t.co/f4NYkLydLg

— EELS (@THE_EELS) October 27, 2021

“Steam Engine” is the second single from the upcoming record, with the first being “Good Night On Earth”, released back in September. The track has been well-received by both fans and critics, with the New York Times saying; “a fuzz-toned guitar riff and a snappy beat carry ‘Good Night on Earth,’ a quintessential Eels song: hoarse, succinct, dry-eyed and well aware of life’s ironies” according to a recent press release.
The track has also received praised from publications such as Brooklyn Vegan, Stereogum and Consequence of Sound, with Brooklyn Vegan saying that the song is; “a fuzzed-out, bluesy/punky/dancey number with E trying to put a positive spin on our shitshow world.”

“Steam Engine” is a tune that carries a little more swagger to it than the jagged riffage of “Good Night On Earth”, featuring a bluesy lead guitar line that accompanies singer E’s gritty vocals and the grooving bassline. As the song sways towards its fade-out conclusion, the lead guitar takes centre stage for a short but undoubtedly attitude-laced solo.

Extreme Witchcraft is a milestone record for the band, as it will mark their first collaboration with PJ Harvey producer and guitarist John Parish since the band’s 2001 album Souljacker. From the release of “Good Night On Earth”, Parish’s touch on the upcoming album was already quite evident, given that Souljacker shares many of the same bluesy, fuzzed-out qualities of these two new singles.

According to a press release, Singer E said of John Parish: “John Parish is one of the most even-tempered, polite people I’ve ever met. A true gentleman. Actually he’s probably THE most polite person I’ve ever met. But when he gets into the studio he becomes a mad scientist. If you make music with John Parish, you get stuff no one else does. He has a really unique toolbox and musical outlook. Perhaps his politeness is a coping mechanism to keep Mr. Hyde under control when he’s out of his laboratory.”  

You can find the track list for Extreme Witchcraft down below.

1). Amateur Hour
2). Good Night On Earth
3). Strawberries And Popcorn
4). Steam Engine
5). Grandfather Clock Strikes Twelve
6). Stumbling Bee
7). The Magic
8). Better Living Through Desperation
9). So Anyway
10). What It Isn’t
11). Learning While I Lose
12). I Know You’re Right

EELS will also be setting out on a tour of Europe and America in Spring of 2022. Tickets can be bought here, and the UK dates are listed below.

11/03/2022- Telegraph Building- Belfast
12/03- Olympia Theatre- Dublin
14/03- Roundhouse- London
15/03- Albert Hall- Manchester
16/03- Barrowland- Glasgow
17/03- Rock City- Nottingham
18/03- O2 Guildhall- Southampton

New video for “Good Night On Earth” from EXTREME WITCHCRAFT, out January 28th, 2022. Pre-order it in CD, standard LP or deluxe double LP boxset with or without T-shirt or hoodie at https://t.co/c6UcdzLLM8 and have a good night on Earth!https://t.co/VlGqm3LY3H

— EELS (@THE_EELS) October 12, 2021

The beautifully styled music video for “Good Night On Earth” was directed by Steven Mertens, who has previously directed music videos for the likes of Sheryl Crow and Regina Spektor. According to a recent press release, EELS frontman Mark Oliver Everett (aka E) quipped regarding the music video’s content; “Just another newscaster Godzilla fighting a lobster from space video.”
Everett’s description of the comical and delightfully absurd music video is more than fitting, as the viewer is treated to frame after frame of what appears indeed to be an intergalactic lobster facing off against a behemoth with a television for a head; all whilst the surreal, animated world around them falls into chaos.

The subdued vocals and fuzzed-out, garage guitar sound of “Good Night On Earth” harkens back to EELS 2001 album Souljacker, which marked the bands’ first collaboration with PJ Harvey guitarist and producer John Parish. Extreme Witchcraft sees Parish and EELS once again collaborating, with Everett co-producing the album alongside Parish. Everett speaks highly of Parish’s input, stating in a recent press release; “John Parish is one of the most even-tempered, polite people I’ve ever met. A true gentleman. Actually he’s probably THE most polite person I’ve ever met. But when he gets into the studio he becomes a mad scientist. If you make music with John Parish, you get stuff no one else does. He has a really unique toolbox and musical outlook. Perhaps his politeness is a coping mechanism to keep Mr. Hyde under control when he’s out of his laboratory.”  

Without a shadow of a doubt, EELS’ musical output has been met with very consistent critical acclaim throughout the years, releasing their first full-length album Beautiful Freak in 1996, following the release of the lead single “Novocaine for The Soul” and being signed to the then newly formed record label DreamWorks Records. The album saw international success, peaking at number five on the UK albums chart. EELS would then go on to release twelve more full-length albums over the years, varying their sound and often changing personnel.

As previously stated, Extreme Witchcraft is set for release on January 28th, 2022. You can find the track list down below.

1). Amateur Hour
2). Good Night On Earth
3). Strawberries And Popcorn
4). Steam Engine
5). Grandfather Clock Strikes Twelve
6). Stumbling Bee
7). The Magic
8). Better Living Through Desperation
9). So Anyway
10). What It Isn’t
11). Learning While I Lose
12). I Know You’re Right

EELS will be embarking on a Spring 2022 tour of Europe and America entitled “Lockdown Hurricane”. Tickets can be bought here, and the UK dates are listed below.

11/03/2022- Telegraph Building- Belfast
12/03- Olympia Theatre- Dublin
14/03- Roundhouse- London
15/03- Albert Hall- Manchester
16/03- Barrowland- Glasgow
17/03- Rock City- Nottingham
18/03- O2 Guildhall- Southampton

Photo Credit: Gus Black/Press Release

Extreme Witchcraft sees a collaboration between EELS’ own Mark Oliver Everett and John Parish, best known for his work as a guitarist and producer for PJ Harvey. This new album is their second collaboration, and marks twenty years since they recorded EELS’ 2001 album Souljacker together. According to a press release, Everett said of Parish’s role as co-producer and influence on the new album: “…when he gets into the studio he’s a mad scientist. If you make music with John Parish, you get stuff no one else does. He has a really unique toolbox and musical outlook.”

EXTREME WITCHCRAFT coming Jan. 28, 2022! Co-written & produced by E and John Parish, their first collaboration since 01’s SOULJACKER. Stream “Good Night On Earth”, pre-order the album in CD, 33rpm 180gm yellow vinyl, or double 12” 45rpm 180gm pink vinyl at https://t.co/c6UcdzLLM8 pic.twitter.com/jwPMUSuBpO

— EELS (@THE_EELS) September 21, 2021

EELS released their debut album Beautiful Freak in 1996, and have found consistent critical acclaim since their inception, with seven of their albums charting in the Billboard 200. Prior to the release of Beautiful Freak, Everett was releasing music under the name E, producing two albums: A Man Called E (1992), and Broken Toy Shop (1993). When EELS were officially founded, they became one of the first groups to sign to DreamWorks Records, alongside the likes of rising star Elliott Smith. The group’s sound has varied over the years, ranging from the melancholy pop sound of 1998’s Electro-Shock Blues to the fuzzed-out riffs of 2001’s Souljacker.

The group has recently released a single ahead of their new album, entitled ‘Good Night On Earth’. Co-producer John Parish’s sonic influence on the song is very apparent, manifesting particularly in the biting distortion that harkens back to Souljacker. The song is presently available on all streaming services.

The tracklist for Extreme Witchcraft is listed down below. The album can be pre-ordered and pre-saved here.

1). Amateur Hour
2). Good Night On Earth
3). Strawberries And Popcorn
4). Steam Engine
5). Grandfather Clock Strikes Twelve
6). Stumbling Bee
7). The Magic
8). Better Living Through Desperation
9). So Anyway
10). What It Isn’t
11). Learning While I Lose
12). I Know You’re Right

EELS are set to embark on the UK/EU leg of their 2022 tour in early March. Listed down below are the UK dates. Tickets can be bought here. 

11/03/2022- Telegraph Building- Belfast
12/03- Olympia Theatre- Dublin
14/03- Roundhouse- London
15/03- Albert Hall- Manchester
16/03- Barrowland- Glasgow
17/03- Rock City- Nottingham
18/03- O2 Guildhall- Southampton

Photo Credit: Gus Black/Press Release