02/06/01
 Arab Strap —
All of their songs are love songs. Sort of.
“Love Detective,” the new single (in the UK at least) from the forthcoming Arab Strap album ‘The Red Thread,’ is available for download starting Tuesday, February 6th. The band are about to begin a brief UK tour, and with any luck, we’ll have North American dates to announce before long.

12/06/00
Arab Strap — Welcome back
Thanks to a lovely licensing arrangement we’ve made with the smart & talented crew at Chemikal Underground Recordings of Glasgow, Arab Strap will once again be releasing new records on the Matador label in North America. The 4th Arab Strap album, not counting the ‘Mad For Sadness’ live thing that someone else put out, ‘The Red Thread’ on February 27. When we call this album the most intense, soul-stirring work of the band’s career, we in no way wish to disparage their previous albums or the men and women whose lives are discussed on them. When we have full track listings, samples of the art work and news about US dates... well, that probably means we’ll have read them somewhere else. But we are not above cutting and pasting, oh no.

06/06/00
Ex-Matador band in multiple label switcheroo shocker
In addition to releasing the (old) new Arab Strap record (‘Elephant Shoe’) in North America on June 6th, Jetset is also releasing the live record that proceeded it, ‘Mad For Sadness,’ on July 4th. If that wasn’t thrilling enough, Arab Strap have returned to the label that brought them to worldwide prominence, Chemikal Underground, which is very happy news. That’s what they call “dancing with who brung ya,” though chances are no one was dancing.

04/18/98 — The new Arab Strap album, Philophobia is has heads turning. Our source at Chemikal Underground (Arab Strap's UK label) informs us that the record is #26 is the UK charts and getting massive press... not to mention stuff like this:

 

Daily Record, 4/20/98
 BAND RAPPED FOR SLAGGING TOWN

SCOTLAND'S newest cult pop stars have been disowned by their home town after branding it rundown and boring.

Falkirk folk are also angry that Aidan Moffat and Malcolm Middleton - alias the group Arab Strap - depict them as violent alcoholics and drug addicts.

Both were born in the town, attended Falkirk High and supported the local football club.

Their lyrics portray the town as lifeless and dull and its townspeople as alcoholics and drug takers whose main pastimes are fighting and casual sex.

Their attacks on their home town have provoked outrage.

Provost Alex Fowler said, "These people are a disgrace to Falkirk and everything they say about our town is wrong."

The remarks have also sparked a backlash against their music among local youngsters.

Avril Denholm, 16, said: "Falkirk is a good place. The nightlife is good and there is no problem with drugs or fighting."