THE WHO TALK ABOUT WHO 2, A NEW ALBUM

(VIDEO) The who talk about the impetus behind their new album, Who 2.rn

On the heels of their tour announcement, The Who are scheduled to release their first album of all new material since 1982’s It’s Hard. The band also returns with a new mini-opera, in true Who style, titled Wire & Glass.

After Townshend said he would never write again for The Who, he gave it new thought after Who bassist John Entwistle passed away a few years ago.

“When John died, as Roger said, it polarized, and also he’s greatly, greatly missed. We haven’t tried to replace him at all. We never would at all, but it made the relationship between Roger and I much clearer. It just meant I’m the writer, Roger’s the singer, whatever you call it — whether it’s the Who or not. We’ve always had that. It made it very clear for us to work…as ever, I’ve been really surprised at the songs that I’ve written that Roger likes. Those are the ones where I thought, ‘Well he’s not going to like that that one. I’m safe there. I’ll get to sing that,” those are the ones he often really goes crazy for. So we’re really doing some pretty wild material on this record. I hope Who fands, I hope you get it. We get it. I hope you get it.”

Daltrey also commented favorably on the batch of songs that Townshend, the main songwriter of The Who.

“It all really depends on having the material to record in the first place. It’s appeared. It’s fantastic that it appeared when it did because we’re still able to do it really well. Pete’s music for me is still a driving force in my life and the rest I’ll leave Pete to tell you because I’m very pleased with what was written. I think it’s valid for today. He doesn’t just write in a pop sense, although he can. There’s a depth to his writing that I feel has something to say today. It doesn’t matter that it’s taken 25 years as long as it’s good, and it is good.”

The Who kicked off a world tour in support of the tentatively titled Who 2 starting September 12 at Philadelphia’s Wachovia Center. Daltrey and Townshend will be joined by bassist Pino Palladino, John ‘Rabbit’ Bundrick on keyboards, and Ringo Star’s son Zak Starkey behind the kit.