Elvis Costello's current UK tour suffered a major setback last week when Attractions' bassist Bruce Thomas had to have 18 stitches in his right hand after gashing his hand in the dressing room at Manchester Rafters club. Nick Lowe deputised for Thomas at Hemel Hempstead on Sunday night and Penzance on Tuesday.
But it was not certain if Lowe could deputise for other dates due to European committments and so some of the remaining dates look to be in jeopardy and others may be of "an experimental nature." At the time of going to press there was a danger of Thursday and Friday's gigs at Birmingham being cancelled. Ticket holders in the area are advised to see the local press for announcements.
The London Roundhouse dates WILL go ahead but perhaps not the "orthodox" show with the possibility of Costello doing several acoustic solo numbers and then a set with a band if a deputy bassist can be found.
The Roundhouse are willing to make refunds (£2 for tickets, for travelling expenses), to those not wishing to risk this "experiment." Any tickets returned through this scheme would go on sale at the venue at 1pm on the day. Meanwhile the search is on for a deputy bass player for the UK dates and also the US dates that start just 48 hours after the Roundhouse shows.
It is stressed that there is a question of Thomas leaving the band. It is not known how long he will be out of action until after a specialist has examined his damaged hand.
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