When I set up my myspace about 7 months ago and listed my favourite bands I actually wrote Dexy's (instead of DMR) - proving it's you call it - it will come  . Seriously though it's because you never sat back and got lazy and each album from DMR did move on was a key reason to me to a huge fan.(Your style too)  In all these years I never got bored with sticking an album on and it would change often to what I loved the best (I get bored so easily and never could with DRM) - even playing PPR and knowing the tracks it still felt good, and I thank you for that! I am really excited that you are back - no matter what you call yourself because I know we are in for something precious!!

You have to do what  is right for YOU!

I have to say that most of the musicians who contributed to Dexys over the years each had their own genius which clearly shone through. As long as there's passion, you cannot go wrong.

I look forward to hearing the next project...

an historic moment

the end of a 27 year period within my life

i salute you Kevin ..... this cant of been easy.

the king is dead

long live the king

Vincent

Kev..

I always thought that was how it was, but was never really sure?...Therefore, I can't tell you how REFRESHING it is to finally hear this confirmation coming from you..from the "horse's mouth" sort of say-Who can argue it NOW??  I have chewed on that thought for as long as I have been an admirer of your music.  You put it quite plainly and very to  the point about it..and you  know how I can appreciate a person like that.

Thanks so much for the clarification!

M x

This is interesting news and I can understand the idea underpinning the decision. For me though Dexys Midnight Runners was/is a classic name for a group. Far too many bands (old and new) have, as I see it anyway, rather lazy monosyllabic names that don't really mean anything. On the surface they don't appear to have thought much about the name of the band; that's another reason why Dexys Midnight Runners had more meaning to me. The Manic Street Preachers is another great name in my view and, like Dexys, is easily truncated (to the Manics). I still prefer the old name, but respect the need to move on. In any case, I'm certain we all used the title Dexys. Oh and a more pedantic point, it still irks me that people mis-use the aprostrophe - it's Dexys and not Dexy's. Correct Kevin?

Philip

as always Dr Phil - from the heart, the same place as dexys midnight runners will remain for me.

and i agree about a music industry full of duff/mundane titled bands.

however - in this instance we both know what the new name 'dexys' means.

it means a rich tapestry of whats gone before, but moreso it means i'm here, i'm now and i mean buisness. i embrace the new soul vision mate as i know we all do. the soul rebels were found by all of us and nobody will take that away.

if i can reminisce

i was thinking of dexys moreso than usual today, and also thinking of one of these new bands with 1 of those duff band names

the guy sang something which transported me back to the 1st time i saw those dungarees in 1982. It was a fine song that made me think 'whats in a band name' if the content is this fine.

the words made me feel dirty - grubby - yet free. by the view.

'i've had the same jeans on for 3 days now, and i'm goin to a disco in the middle of town- everybodys dressing up - i'm dressing down. to rye aye.

vinni

I remember when I was a teenager, I went to see my brother who was in Halls [well, it's married quarters anyway] at Reading University. I was extremely low at the time, and compared to my brother's organised life I was scared and floating. He had loads of LP's on his bookcase bought cheap from boot-sales. I tried playing a few to cheer me up, and my choices were good, but then I played 'Too-Rye-Ay'. I wasn't expecting anything... but it floored me. 'If you see a man crying hold his hand, he's my friend. If these words sound corny switch it off, I don't care'. Two hours later you were on Channel4's The Last Resort with Johnathon Ross. I knew that was kinda meant to happen...

You sounded different on TV that night, and you looked different. Just has you did in 1980 when I danced to Gino aged nine, on top of a wooden table outside in my junior school playground hoping to impress a girl - but she was looking the other way at all the fit footballers ...aged nine.

My own car-boot outing years later brought me to a 'Don't Stand Me Down' LP nestling in a car-board box [I know, I know, the seller must have been mad] and yet again, you Kevin, were totally different. 'The Waltz'... simply beautiful. I played it all on a crappy-mono player and I'll be honest, at first I didn't get it. But this is kinda what I'm writting for. None of this may seem relevant to the blog, but for me it is. Because Dexy's Minight Runner's would always trip me up, pissed on my chips even - just at the moment I thought I could finally define them. 

And that's why you must follow your heart. Sorry but you are Dexys Midnight Runners to me still, but evidently, you are 'definately' Dexys now all the more! :) ...and in time as with all the other times I will except with open arms. Because no matter what I will hear, I know you will make me think and be glad to be alive. Many people didn't understand 'My Beauty' because they never got past the cover or were expecting from you what they thought 'you' owned 'us'.

You owe us nothing Kevin. You owe yourself everything.

And that's what I think those that didn't 'get it' were so quick to ridicule. They needed to pigeon-hole this outfit but they couldn't. And it bugged them too. And as each journey had it's own strong team, it could be argued that they were simply too exhausted by the end of their leg. Billy and Jim will always be Dexys Midnight Runners to me, because I have seen them with play with you long since their own individual outfit had 'moved on', and it has made me smile inside much like Peter Williams and Mick Talbot of late :).

But you Kevin are the engine. You may need feight, cargo, carriages and tracks to make the journey ...but 'you' are the engine

God Bless. And if it's not too corny, God bless all the player's who were ever part of Dexys Midnight Runners; whether they stayed friends, drifted or parted with bitterness. We were turely grateful.

Current mood; Slightly wistful but incredibly excited...

Gio my good friend...That is quite a story and commitment to Dexys Midnight Runners!!!!...I did enjoy that read...and why not?  They desevere such admiration!! and truly comitted fans do not hold onto past but move with the genius to the present and future!...BUT what really hit right at home for me was when you said that Kevin was the ENGINE!.....Yes!  now with proper thought...That is it!  Kevin Rowland is the ENGINE!...The mastermind behind it all, whether it be Dexys Midnight Runners or Dexys..it doesn't matter...what matters most is the person who orchestrates it all...Kevin was never the one to stick to a formula "that works"...he's not afraid to take a risk, be different and try a new formula.....he keeps changing it up..new, fresh, different...in sound, look, and style..He is the true innovator....The Conductor.."THE ENGINE"

Marla

Thanks Marla, and God Bless. x

Ahhh, I'm sorry Pete Williams ...I don't know where the 'Peter' came from!!!?

Old age and nerves perhaps? :(

he does answer to Peter Gio

and its names like pete and micky and seb and lucy and lil kev and helen and 'billiy' that just compound the beauty n power that went previous .... and im sure the change in Monicker doesnt put a carte blanche full stop on seeing previous midnight runners possibly working with mr Rowland again.

im happy with this - it clarifies future intent, and i applaud it.

vincent

I'd like to think that we've all learned to trust you Kevin.  

Forever searching, forever passionate...

Kevin,

I very rarely go to lengths to post on here, but having read your blog about your decision to change the name and to draw a line under the past, I feel I must agree with this Quote from DRpB....

 "For me though Dexys Midnight Runners was/is a classic name for a group. Far too many bands (old and new) have, as I see it anyway, rather lazy monosyllabic names that don't really mean anything. On the surface they don't appear to have thought much about the name of the band; that's another reason why Dexys Midnight Runners had more meaning to me. The Manic Street Preachers is another great name in my view and, like Dexys, is easily truncated (to the Manics). I still prefer the old name, but respect the need to move on."

Whatever you choose, I wish you the best and believe in your talent and you brilliant voice....few people will ever better the old name, DEXYS MIDNIGHT RUNNERS, it's just one of the best names ever & testament to your vision.....you need to remember it's allways been yours-& allways more of a project than a band...I don't think you should get sooooo hung up on changing the name to be honest (or perhaps release Dexys stuff & DMNR stuff (perhaps alternate versions, JB style?) i've liked you since I was a kid and didn't bat an eyelid thru your more "challenging" times....your version of Whitneys "The Greatest Love of All" is in my all time top 10...  whatever happens next, I'm eager to hear what comes next and am allways available to contribute....bass a speciality with horn sections to hand...

I f'ing love you - it's so great, and important, to have you around.

That is all.

I don't see why the name has to be changed. The reason you give applies to all great artists. People change, develop, move on and stay linked with their past. If Kevin Rowland where to make a solo album would he change his name to Kev Row to indicate he had moved on? Did he with My Beauty? Those people who have contributed to this blog, I guess, would buy and likely love anything you release. The change of name would make no difference. Pete Wylie changed his name a hundred times and I still bought the records but I file them all together and they're all Wah Heat as far as I'm concerned. All my 'Dexys' and Kevin Rowland records are filed under Dexys Midnight Runners and always will be.

If you want to move on, move on. That's why we love the music you've made over the years. It's full of integrity and beauty. The name is yours. Do what you want with it. The only person in the world who has the right to tinker with this name is Kevin Rowland. What's in a name? A legacy, a history, a cultural identification, identity, dignity and pride. An ever changing individuality doesn't need a name change every time it varies. If you think there's continuity to what you do and who you are keep your name and be proud of it. Call yourself Dexys Midnight Runners or Kevin Rowland for they are your names. If theres no continuity, no link with the legacy, call yourself something completely different.

Kevin

Yes!...We cannot be UNGRATFUL to the wonderful talents that helped contribute to the greatness of who Dexys Midnight Runners were..for me personally-it all started with "Too Rye Ay" and that line up-They are the ones that had such a major impact on me!  It was this line up and this "sound" that made me fall in love with DMR.  So let me take this moment to THANK them for stealing my heart along with Kevin..particuarly Billy (Kevin) Adams, Steve Brennan (Shaw), Helen O' Hara (Bevington), Seb Shelton and Mickey Billingham.  I am not sure where you are or what you are doing today, but wanted you to know, you will never be forgotten..not by me.  I miss YOU ALL Terribly!

So regarding the name change...if Kevin wants to change his name to indicate the passing of an old sound and the development of a new...ok..why not...Yes I agree with Eddie Cooney in that it doesn't really matter to true DMR fans...he will STILL be DMR to us in our hearts...but if Kevin needs to do this as an outward confirmation to indicate a "change", then by all means, let him do so.  It creates a divider to show that, That was then, but this is now.  Perhaps he wants people to know that this sound is different and not to expect the sound of DMR that you are so use to hearing..and sometimes a name change helps to confirm that for some people.  Not really sure...

But all in all, we have the free will to either continue to support Kevin in his new venture and sound, or we say..I don't like what you are doing, don't like the new sound and leave...

I am SURE Kevin is sitting there reading all this and getting a right ole' kick out of all this fuss we are making over a simple name change..!!   I know I am...Silly us! HA HA HA

Anyway, time to move forth.. as Adam said, "let's turn the page and start the next chapter.."

Well, if you do need a band / musicians, you know where to find us.

That song by Chris Farlowe " Out of time " constantly plays in my head...flying in the face of  fashion and all that.

I'm really looking forward to hearing more stuff, inspirational as always,

Best wishes,

Neil.S ( Stone Foundation )

Crannie,

Did you miss the 'w' from the word 'now' to distant it from the past or was it a mistake?

Eddie

Massive Attack have a similar approach - the name does not represent a single band, more a collective working in the same groove. 

There are two mainstays in Massive (Del Naja and Marshall) but they are not the whole thing - they draft in collaborators from all fields and genres.

Perry - im all for Kevs wishes going forward.

Whithout going to 'deep' ... the fuss is because a long time ago a goup of impressionable kids - (probably kids who felt like outsiders) - found something that they could relate to. In truth it probably meant too much to too many.

Im not sure of you age or location .... but i was one of those kids - and Dexys was and always will be a very special 'thing'

 At that time and long after Dexys Midnigfht Runners had chased away all the other 'fans' who didnt quiet 'get it' - these DMR fans remained.

 It wasnt a band - (and god knows real bands were few and far between circa 1980)

It was more than  band - it was a way of life, an attitude, a porpose - a reason. We listened to Kevs thoughts/lyrics/music/ reasoning ..... never sheepishly, but always knowing Kevin spoke for this generation.

The more everybody else didnt understand the band - the more we did.

I found it hard to express how i felt at Dexys at all times - like trying to explain how one of your organs is working. It felt part of me.

Iv said before - being a dexys midnight runners fan seemed a hard thing to be a lot of the time.

Going forward im looking forward to the 1st DEXYS project and i plan to relax & enjoy every single minute of it.

pleased to meet u perry

Vincent

all the best to you too Perry

DEXYS or DMR - thanks to Kevin and the site controller/s for another opportunity to speak with so many like minded folk.

ps .. 'Perry Common'

i grew up in a strange town called 'Sally Fields' -

12 mile due east of 'Julie Waters'.

Vincent

myspace.com/one_summer  ...... & ...... myspace.com/respondrecords

Hmmm  yes. At the end of the day, it’s just a name. Does this indicate, to some degree, a sense of wanting dissociation from your musical past as far as Dexys Midnight Runners are concerned, whilst not wanting to alienate and lose any of the DMR faithful from your fan base? Is it just about you, your ego, and wanting to be in control, yet not wanting to upset the fan base apple cart too much with too radical a change? Is this just a case of trying to manipulate people and the situation for you own needs? Is that what’s going on here? Or are you actually thinking of your fan base as well, and giving yourself the opportunity to give your followers what we want, something new, fresh, and from the heart, whilst still keeping some link with what we’ve grown with… Dexys Midnight Runners?

Sorry, but the older I get, the more sceptical I become of people and there reasoning. Well time reveals all. Good luck for the future and whatever projects you enter in to.

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I do hope that no one views this has some sort of attack; it’s not. I say this because it gets tiresome to have people take the opinions and questions of others so personally; like one of there own family members had been insulted. So if anybody feels the need to respond to this, please make it your own opinion without setting yourself up as some self-styled defender of the realm, believing they need to protect Kevin Rowland from what are just the questions and opinions of another person.

Wherever you want to go Kevin... It's your singularity of vision and your chutzpah (along with the beautiful music) that has kept all you have done so ageless. You are in the truest sense of the word a 'modernist' Kevin. Keep moving.

Ted

The Music Lovers

SF, CA, USA

Agree Projected Passion as I mentioned a while back about the name change. We're having the same sort of negitivity now that Bruce Foxton has joined Rick Buckler in The Gift and will be calling themselves The Jam (albeit from The Jam...... ) - Two thirds of my other favourite band back together and about to tour and people on forums are acting like they have chopped Weller up and fed him to small children because they dare to use the name of the band they were in 

Wattsie's only my myspace/forum name but I'm still the same loveable person with impeccible taste in music when I use my real name  It's Kevin Rowland FFS - he's moved on and he wants to make a distinction between then and now - simple

in a nutshell

vinni

Hi Kevin !

Your explanations about the way everything went during the DMR area confirm my own idea : you were (and are) the big chief (even if all the DMR musicians were great) !

I like very much your new song "it's ok Johanna" and hope to hear some more new songs, and maybe to see you on stage in France within the next few months !?

Best regards from a great fan (from the very first beginning : I was on holiday in uk when "Searching for the young soul rebels" went out and since then your music became a part of my life !!!)

Gilles