The score for the new film West of Memphis has been created by Nick Cave and Warren Ellis, members of Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds and Grinderman.
This documentary film premiered this week at the Sundance film festival in Utah, exploring the case of the ‘West Memphis Three’. Last year, three men were released from prison after spending 18 years incarcerated for the murder of three children, a crime that many believe they did not perpetrate. The focus of the film is on the supporters of these men and it suggests that one of the victim’s stepfathers may have been responsible for the crime.
Cave and Ellis have a history of collaboration on film soundtracks, having previously worked together on 2005’s ‘The Proposition’ and 2009’s ‘The Road’.
Speculation surrounds the possibility that Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds might release a follow-up album to 2008’s ‘Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!!’ this year. Jim Sclavunos, who is involved with both the Bad Seeds and Grinderman, mentioned that they had ‘neglected’ the Bad Seeds, but emphasized that it was ‘high time’ to begin creating music together again.
He further stated: “We have kind of neglected Bad Seeds of late… It’s been about four years since we have done anything and I think it’s high time we made some beautiful music together, again.”
These remarks came on the heels of Nick Cave’s announcement onstage that Grinderman has come to an end.
While concluding their performance at the Meredith Music Festival in Victoria, Cave remarked: “That’s it for Grinderman. It’s over… See you all in another 10 years when we’ll be even older and uglier.”
by Wallace McTavish
