End of an era at Videosyncratic

It’s not often I like to get all sickly sentimental on the PoP blog (that may or may not be a lie) but Monday night saw the absolute end of an era in Oxford Town when the Cowley Road branch of Videosyncratic, presumably one of the last remaining independent video-rental businesses in the UK, closed its doors for the final time. Now I know it’s probably been on the cards for a while, and a cynic may say ‘who rents DVDs these days’ and they’re probably right… 

But that didn’t stop the hordes of wellwishers, bargain hunters and other randoms who showed up for the final night, along with some of Oxford’s finest musicians, to wave goodbye to the place. Amongst such luminaries as Ute, PoP favourites The Family Machine and the charming Richard Walters (ex BSM) – The Candyskins (or 2 of them at least, performed a tear-jerking acoustic set – whilst everyone fought for the remaining couple of copies of Cool Runnings.

But as the sentiment ebbs away and the dust settles on the memories of a once great institution, I cannot help but be left with some of the comments that I heard while I was in there. “Oh, should have come to this place more often” one fella said, whilst another suggested “used to come here a few years ago before on-demand. Shame it’s shutting down”.

Sure is! But with the passing of Videosyncratic (a shop lest we forget that had branched out into selling toys, tees, comics and investing in films beyond just the renting of movies) comes a timely reminder that bricks and mortar indies do still exist, but are continually under threat as ‘progress’ sweeps our beleagured nation.

Whether it be butchers, DVD establishments or cafes whatever… Lets support the indies! Well – actually, having said that, noone should feel obliged to support the indies – it’s not y/our duty to keep everything alive. But if they care, you care and everything’s good – lets get on it!  Here’s a video of the (very) latter stages of the career of one of my favourite bands ever, fresh from Monday… Viva las Candyskins…

Screaming Maldini up for pre-order today… And the Kookaburra

Apologies any Italians who have got through to this page expecting to find career statistics on their raven-haired former captain Pierluigi – but I’m very glad you did. Because that’ll give me a chance to tell you about the debut EP release by the similarly monikered band from Sheffield, now available in our shop.

Featuring ex-members of local heroes (now sadly departed) The Situationists, Screaming Maldini are nevertheless a very different proposition – somewhere between the likes of Mew and a ‘Muppet Babies Bloc Party’ (God is in the TV zine)… Something like that anyway.

As for the EP itself, the 5 track behemoth hovers somewhere between epic and tumultuous, switching from huge orchestral sonatas to punchier power pop and well, you’ll really have to have a listen to it yourself… As I’m not really sure how to do this one justice.

CD is lovingly artworked and hand crafted with lavish-looking folded cardboard sleeve (with kookaburra present) – and for a very limited period we have mega deal packs to ive away for just a shade over a tenner, which include a magnificent Kookaburra tee (well of course)… But we’ve literally got 20, tops (below), so do order quick.

Oh – and I probably should take this opportunity to tell you that postage rates are fixed in the pop shop however much stuff you buy. 75p to UK for 1 or 1000 discs (although you may struggle to find the latter in our shop J) – so have yourselves a butchers….

Screaming Maldini vs Stars and Sons Feb mini tour

With fresh sparkling eyes, and a myriad of melodic loveliness in all of their hearts, it’s rather nice that Screaming Maldini and Stars & Sons met – and have decided to bring their differing brands of balls-out, joy fuelled power pop to the UK this February, taking in a handful of shows and a whole heap of miles in a mission to start the summer early.

Catch them at the following venues

Feb 21^st Sheffield – The Grapes

Feb 22^nd – London – Old Blue Last (w/ Stagecoach &  Ross MFT Telecaster sessions)

Feb 23^rd – Brighton – The Albert

Feb 24^th – Northampton – The Labour Club

Feb 25^th – Oxford – The Cellar

To download tracks from both bands to try before you buy, visit http://drop.io/listenwithmother – and do feel free to distribute/ post… If you fancy popping alone than absolutely do. It should be a really, rather lovely tour!

How to make an Alcopop

Ah Alcopop, the sugary beverage that launched a million teenagers down the route of a love for the affects of alcohol, and in turn – inspired our label moniker… Of course, the Midget mini-album (and undeniably one of the finest records of a power pop generation) of the same name prompted the whole affair, but as I look back now to that hazy evening… Kev smashing back a bottle of Big Beastie while no doubt some cheap cocktail with out of date ingredients flowed… it strikes me that I’ve always wondered how exactly the drinks companies crafted those perfect, sticky beverages.

Of course, in truth, it was probably all down to the cynical marketing of alcohol to kids – but by god we embraced it. Time immomorium will probably come to call us the Alcopop generation – and good for them! But for now, please delight in this magnificent drawing I found online recently that shows exactly how a delicious Alcopop is crafted. Add a touch of magnificently coloured pony, some alcohol of dubious origin and bang!

An Alcopop is born… Winner….

PS – Screaming Maldini tour announcement tomorrow, and would you believe it – they’re off out with an old Alcopop favourite… Awesome!

Jack PoP out of office:

This weekend will mostly be spent in the Isle of Wight (artists impression). Happily, the good folks at at the rather awesome Ventnor Blog (seriously, if you’re off to the IOW, check em out) have let me know all about this rather marvellous event. Rock and/or pickled onion roll! See you there yeah?

Stagecoach & Elephants rampage out on tour….

Where are my manners! Just realised that somehow some rather important information has completely missed the blog over the last week or two – the rather ace matter of the forthcoming Stagecoach UK tour… F&*K yes!

Now you know what we think of the good ship Stagecoach… She’s a magnificent vessel with perfectly knotted rigging, billowing crisp white sails and cannons so loud that the crisp smack of cannonball to bow could raise the cowboy dead…. Yeah, you know we love them.

But even better news is that they’re going out on tour with the lovely Elephants, who’s raucous brand of indie rock is second only to their handsome faces.

It’s an awesome line up for true – and one that you would be ill-advised to miss, whatever perilous weather February bestows upon us. Look for the ace poster below, and be sure to follow @stagecoachuk on Twitter – for during tour giveaways and a whole lot of delicious banter besides.

See you there yeah?

Helsinki Films bring you Tellison, Stagecoach, My First Tooth and Aspen Sails live!

You saw it on The Line of Best Fit first but here it is, in all its glory a month on from the big day of the 14^th December…! Yup, it’s the video of the Alcopop Xmas party – and my gosh doesn’t it look lovely. No grainy, roaring mobile phone footage from us. This is the real deal, caught so exquisitely on film by the marvellous Andy from Helsinki films, who together with his crew circumnavigated the mass of sweaty bodies on the night to capture some super shots.

Containing one song each from Aspen Sails, My First Tooth, Stagecoach and Tellison – if you weren’t there see what you missed, and if you were – wow! Even better. Hold it to your heart like a locket containing a photo of a loved one that will never go away….

Brings a tear to the eye… *sniff*

Watch below:

The Alcopop Christmas Spectacular from Helsinki Films on Vimeo.

Alter the Press Jan compilation featuring Screaming Maldini…

Alter The Press are generous souls alright. Pure of heart some may call them, others benevolent of spirit. So when they announce ‘oh you know, we’ve just released a carefully put together 16 track compilation featuring the likes of Tiger Please, Flood of Red and The Wonder Years’ one may not be surprised, but sure as hell grateful to download it forthwith. What’s even better is that PoP new boys (and girls) Screaming Maldini are bloody on it too. Which is awesome.

So to hear The Extraordinary by the magnificent Maldini, and 15 other super songs… Pop on over by clicking here – and revel in an evening of something for nothing. Kaboom!

Oh – and just in case anyone’s interested, I noticed on twitter today that Wichita Records are looking for a London-based intern… This would be an awesome thing to do. Drop em’ an email if you want in!

Ya’ll enjoy the Candle Thieves now buddy – U.S.Hooray!

It’s always nice to see the handsome stallions of Alcopop taking a frisky gallop into other countries to spread their love around, so hearty congratulations must go to The Candle Thieves, whose summery brand of sunshine pop has led them to be snapped up by Downtown Records in the U.S of A. Sharing the roster with the likes of Mos Def, Eagles of Death Metal and Gnarls Barkley (I can’t wait to see that label showcase) this is heap good news for our charming duo.

With new single We’re all Gonna Die, Have Fun described by Music Week as having all “the hallmarks of early Eels; simple, quirky and with a strong pop sensibility, this one calls for repeat”. True that, so expect to see the Thieves poppin out Hollywood bowl well, any time soon really. Good news is though poppers, that the single’s not out till early February – so you can still get the Sunshine EP from us to prove you were the very hippest thing since sliced hot dog.

Oh hell yes.

The fucking’ poetry library!

Totally unrelated to anything Alcopop, but sometimes needs must…! Super work from the editors of The Poetry Library who, whilst chatting about Aidan Andrew Dunn’s upcoming theatrical staging of recent poetry, have managed to go with an interesting location… Check out the venue details….  The link is here, but in case they change it to something rather less fun, I’ve put the frankly hilarious release below!

Still – it’s inspired me to write some fucking poetry right! See you up the front on the 23rd!

courtesy of @bagelmouse @emmahogan