Has IndyRef 2 already passed? According to the heavy metal world that might just be the case.
It’s not unusual for a band to misprint Glasgow as ‘Glascow, England’ on a tour t-shirt but legendary metal act Anthrax have skipped the referendum and voted Scotland out of the UK altogether on a poster to advertise their latest live dates.
As observed by one Courier reader on Twitter, @NeilQuinney, the New York thrash kings have listed their Glasgow date as being part of a Scottish rather than UK leg of their forthcoming European tour.
Interestingly, @Anthrax seem to believe Scotland has already left the UK ?? pic.twitter.com/OdQjfSEFX7
— Beaker ❄️ (@neilbeakerq) January 12, 2017
“It makes a change from all those ‘UK’ tours that are a few dates in England,” said Mr Quinney.
Whether it’s geographical clumsiness, a cheeky remark on Scotland’s current dilemma or just a rogue typo by a graphic designer, the influential band has never shied away from political agitation, having famously joined forces with incendiary rap group Public Enemy to record the immortal Bring the Noise back in 1987.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=So0p8tTiCLk
“As far as I know, this was a typo,” said guitarist Scott Ian. “I am most aware of the passion of our Scottish fans, whatever their politics. From our first show there thirty years ago, our Scottish gigs are always a tour highlight. I’m also very aware of your whisky.”
The quintet – considered one of the ‘big four’ alongside fellow 80s shredders Metallica, Megadeth and Slayer – recently celebrated its 35th anniversary and released new album For All Kings to widespread critical acclaim in the metal press.
The tour marks their first full UK headlining tour in over a decade, where they will perform 1987 album Among The Living in its entirety.
Mr Ian continued: “We’ve been looking forward to headlining in the U.K. for so long. We have a killer set planned, new stuff, old faves, deep tracks and Among the Living front to back. You’d better start getting in shape now for the epic wardance. The Barrowlands show is going to be insane. I can’t wait.”
Anthrax play Glasgow’s Barrowlands on February 15.
