Dave Ball has been forced out of Soft Cell’s promo plans for their first album in 20 years after suffering a fractured vertebrae.
‘*Happiness Not Included’, the musician’s new album with Marc Almond, is due for release on May 6, but after becoming injured Marc will be riding solo for the next few weeks.
“We’re sorry to report that @daveballelectro is currently receiving hospital treatment for a fractured vertebrae in his lower back,” announced the group on social media.
“While expected to make a full recovery, the immobility caused by his injury means he is expected to be out of action for four weeks on the strict instructions of his medical team.”
They added: “Although currently in considerable discomfort, Dave is receiving excellent hospital attention and pain management and sends everyone his best wishes.
“While the timing of this injury isn’t ideal, fortunately Dave has already fulfilled the majority of his promo commitments ahead of album release, and will be back to work as soon as he is able.
“In the meantime it’s very much business as usual as we approach album release, and we have some more exciting news to bring you in the next few weeks.
“We will update with further news on Dave when we have it, but we’re sure you will join us in wishing him a speedy recovery.”
‘*Happiness Not Included’ features 10 new tracks and, according to Dave, “reflects the dreadful government we have at the moment and the levels of hypocrisy and incompetence”.
Marc adds: “In this album, I wanted to look at us as a society, a place where we have chosen to put profits before people, money before morality and decency, food before the rights of animals, fanaticism before fairness and our own trivial comforts before the unspeakable agonies of others.”
“I think it’s very much reflective of what’s going on in the world,” Dave continues. “The fact we had someone like [Donald] Trump in power. We’re not in a very good place globally.
“Whatever your political beliefs are, the state [of the world] isn’t too good. And obviously, with all the global warming and all that sort of stuff going on, it’s not fantastically happy times.”
‘*Happiness Not Included’ is available to pre-order on CD, vinyl and cassette, along with physical editions of Purple Zone.
Read the full interview in the Retro Pop 2022 Preview Special, out now. Get yours here: Retro Pop Store.
