Californian alt-rock hero Chuck Prophet (formerly of Green on Red) makes a welcome return to the UK in 2012 with the release of his new LP Temple Beautiful (Yep Roc) on March 5, 2012.  In support of the album, Prophet will play the Barbican - supporting the Jayhawks - on March 8.  Headline shows are to be announced shortly.   Himself a longstanding San Franciscan, in Temple Beautiful Prophet has penned an unflinchingly visceral love letter to his adopted hometown of over three decades. Named after the city’s now defunct notorious punk rock club (located within the ill-fated Jim Jones People’s Temple) where a young Prophet himself cut his teeth watching the likes of the Flamin’ Groovies supported by Black Flag, both the title track and album resonate with tales from America’s most vibrant outpost city.   Across the album, Prophet animates his city’s most notorious moments with his characteristic candour and guitar intricacies. He turns over lyrical matter including a Halloween homicide in his colourful home district of Castro, the assassination of Harvey Milk, and the seismic effect of the AIDS epidemic upon the laissez faire ethos which had hitherto characterised the sanctuary of the Beats and the Summer of Love.  

Monday 16th April Doors Open 7.30p.m.

£14.00 per ticket

(subject to booking fee)

Akin in parts to a compelling late night cab ride across the wrong side of town, if Temple Beautiful is a love letter to San Fran then it is one written by an artist equally as dependent as he is enamoured. Speaking about the album Chuck says, ‘San Francisco. It’s a great place to come and wave your freak flag or whatever you’re flying instead. It can suck you under. That first hit. It really does a whammy to you. And if you're like me you can find yourself chasing theSan Francisco dragon for the rest of your life. That's what the record is about." 

Inspired by currentSan Franciscoartists,  Prophet felt compelled to pay tribute to the history and weirdness that brought him to the city nearly 30 years ago. "There's a kind of rock and roll psych renaissance going on in this town at the moment with bands like Thee Oh Sees, Girls, The Fresh and Onlys, and Sonny and the Sunset's. I'm very encouraged by all this stuff here."

In addition to Chuck’s strong catalogue and visceral live shows, Chuck's music has recently been heard in hit television series True Blood and Sons of Anarchy. Prophet also co-wrote all the songs on Alejandro Escovedo's recent critically-acclaimed album Real Animal.