Babyshambles Side Project To Record With Venezuelan President

Mongrel, the side project of Babyshambles bassist Drew McConnell and Reverend and the Makers' Jon McClure, plan to record their second album with the president of Venezuela.

McClure said Mongrel, who also feature former Arctic Monkeys bassist Andy Nicholson, had been inspired by Hugo Chavez's vision for the country.

"The Mongrel thing is just going to roll and roll, we've got plans to go and do a second record out in Venezuela with Hugo Chavez,” McClure told BBC 6Music.

“Their culture's kind of exploded and Chavez has put a lot of his wealth into restoring the indigenous culture and stuff.

"We're going to do a kind of Buena Vista Social Club style thing out there with some of their drummers, and hip hop people and horn sections and stuff. It should be fun man.

“Venezuela is like the new Jamaica, or Brazil, or Cuba, it's kicking off."

Mongrel release their debut album, 'Better than Heavy', next month. The band are due to begin a 12-date tour on February 1st.

Tickets for the tour are on sale now and available through Gigwise here. Alternatively, you can call our ticket hotline on 0871 230 1098 for more details.