31/05/97 NME online news

Gardener's New World

Mark Gardener, the former Ride lead singer, debuted new material at a secret gig at Oxford Point on May 16, NME can reveal. Gardener played the gig ostensibly solo, with backing vocals and guitar from Supergrass producer Sam Williams. Once he has assembled a full complement of musicians, Gardener told NME he would release a new single on Oxford label Shifty Disco. One member of the audience told NME: "His voice is amazing. I think he's been taking singing lessons. The music's kind of Noel Gallagher stroke Ride, but it definitely sounds like Mark." Song titles included 'What You Get', 'Blah Na Na', 'Magdalen Sky', 'Animal House', 'Gone' and 'Can'. A Shifty Disco spokesman confirmed they hoped their next single would be a Gardener release, and added: "It was good to see him back onstage. He's been gone two years and that's two years too long."

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