Coldplay Bassist Takes Break From Coldplay To Create Coldplay-like Music

Coldplay may be on a “break, “but justlikethat the band’s bassist, Guy Berryman, has emerged with a side project: Apparatjik (which we’ll probably pronounce incorrectly every single time), which plans to move swiftly—the band has already e-mailed its first song to select fans and is aiming to release its debut album next week. Some break.

With a-ha’s Magne Furuholmen on guitar, Mew’s Jonas Bjerre on vocals and Berryman on bass, Apparatjik will release its song “Electric Eye”, along with their debut album, on November 30 via their website. The band has also contributed a very Coldplay-esque song, “Ferreting,” to the soundtrack for the BBC’s “Amazon” documentary.

As Spinner noted, Chris Martin—not Berryman—seemed to be the Coldplay member with the a-ha fixation. But either way, it will be fun to see the Norwegian influence (and the Danish influence!) on the Coldplay template. We hear a little “The Sun Always Shines On T.V.” in that track — but it’s still not a far cry in tone from Coldplay’s typical mid-tempo pop. (Makes us kind of wonder what Berryman’s getting out of this collaboration—but hey, stick to what you’re good at, right?)

As for the other members of the mellow British band’s plans during their hiatus? They’re apparently using their time off to actually relax as opposed to gunning on their own side projects. Sort of. Chris Martin will be visiting Springfield and possibly the courthouse, while drummer Will Champion is reportedly “experimenting with electronic rhythms.” And Jonny Buckland just got hitched to his longtime partner. Sounds like a fun break to us, especially after a grueling world tour.

But back to a-ha. Just because: