Duran Duran preps new album, sets shows
October 05, 2006 01:29 PM
by Jon Zahlaway
liveDaily Senior Writer
Reunited MTV standard-bearers Duran Duran will hit the US theater circuit this fall as they take time out from work on a follow-up to 2004's "Astronaut."
The '80s fashion-rockers have lined up eight shows so far, beginning with an Oct. 26 performance in Chicago. The itinerary currently stretches into mid-November, and includes an appearance at this month's Voodoo Music Experience festival in New Orleans.
Meanwhile, work continues on the group's next album for Epic/Sony Records. The collection, for which no release date has been announced, will be Duran Duran's second studio set since the quintet's original lineup--John Taylor (bass), Nick Rhodes (keyboards), Simon LeBon (vocals), Andy Taylor (guitar) and Roger Taylor (drums)--reunited in 2003 for a 25th anniversary tour. "Astronaut" marked the group's first new studio album in more than two decades.
Duran Duran was recording in New York last month, and has confirmed reports that Justin Timberlake, as well as production guru Timbaland, will have a hand in some of the new material.
"Since there has been some speculation about Justin Timberlake working with Duran Duran in the media, we can confirm that ever since Justin presented the band with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Brits in 2004 they have all expressed an interest in working together," reads a message posted at Duran Duran's website. "To that end, they recently met up with Justin and producer Timbaland to start work on new music ... This association is still in the early stages and nothing is finished yet."
The message goes on to say that the band hopes to schedule more time with Timberlake and Timbaland during the brief downtime between its current round of European shows and the upcoming US run. Info about the in-progress Euro outing is available at the group's website.
Last year, Duran Duran offered up the concert DVD "Live from London," which captures the band's 2004 gigs at London's Wembley Arena.
Courtesy Livedaily.com