Jack Pop for England!

It may look like nothing more than the job a keen MS Paint guru could perform, but Umbro has allowed people without said skills all across the country to pretend they can play for England. I’ve had a go too, and well – I’d be a much more likable centre back than Ashley Cole I’m sure

And Fabio Capello could do far worse when trying to work out who to replace Emile Heskey with, than popping down to see some of the Alcopop 5-a-siders on display! Although the BSM Football Tournament is still months away, it’s fresh in my mind, so good news for everyone already thinking of feverishly supporting Alcopop from the sidelines  is that the squad are already in intensive training for this summer’s festivities to make sure that we snatch this years crown from Punktastic. (If you’ve got no idea what I’m talking about, check out this post)

I’ve got them running up sandhills, doing keepy-uppies with medicine balls and eating nothing but pasta and banana milkshakes from now until July. But I’m thinking this year it would be good to get a pal of Alcopop involved in the  finalVIII, as well as the bands and my crack squad of perfect pros.

I’ll be announcing details over the next few weeks, but if you fancy playing for team Alcopop against the likes of the NME, Rolo Tomassi and arch rivals BSM come July’s tournament – keep an eye on the blog. We might just be needing you!

New Family Machine video

It’s Sunday, I feel incredibly tired after a particularly broad weekend which took in the sunnier side of the UK – but all is well at Alcopop Towers, and whilst filtering through a few of the weekends straggling emails I stumbled across this rather lovely homemade snippet of film recorded by old Alcopop favourites ‘The Family Machine’.

By their own admission, “it’s true that during those chilly  post Christmas winter months Family Machine have been spending a fair amount of time living in our burrows below ground” – but they’ve obviously had a game of Mastermind and a sock to hand, because they’ve created this little gem.

You have a look – I’m off to bed…

More confirmed for compilation…

So Kev’s still sunning himself over in the states (check out his pimpin’ ride), but all around him progresses unabated at Alcopop – and as My First Tooth set about heading off to tour the country, we can sensationally (well – not really, but you know) reveal another couple of bands who will be gracing Alcopopular 3, the hottest ‘message in a bottle’ themed compilation since well… I don’t know… Records began!

Look out for it no doubt pleasing Neptune as it graces the oceans, rivers and seas in May (plenty more details to come) – but thanks be to The October Game, and Town Bike – who will be both be putting forward a red hot hit for our (and your) delectation and delight. The former deliver brooding, majestic slices of alt-indie pop and are “Subtle and slow burning, a great chillout with a dark edge” according to Bubblegum Slut Zine – the latter, well…

Imagine a bit of Helen Love, all scoused up and cheeky as a little bopping kitten in headphones with pop-punk sensibilities – and you’re pretty much there. Did anyone use to watch Jem and the Holograms? No, nor did I, but my girlfriend assures me that they wouldn’t look out of place in a grungy episode of said cartoon.

Natch

goFASTER>> EP making the summer start early…!

Now currently landing on digital music platforms galore, on the shiny shelves of your favourite indie store – and of course fresh from the Alcopop shop (with a free 4 track EP if you’re very quick… Literally we’re down to the last 10 or so of these) – goFASTER>>’s magnificent debut EP ‘A Modern Education’ is out today, and already making it feel a lot like summer in Alcopop HQ.

The tracklisting for the EP is:
1. A Modern Education
2. Magazine Addiction
3. Good Times
4. You Better Watch Out
5. When the Last Note Sounds

And I guarantee you will love it! Not Ed described the musical treat thusly as “A delectable indie pop four piece from Liverpool who make music in the same lunch-box as Good Shoes and Look See Proof. The EP also has a Hot Club De Paris aura to it, in how the songs all entwine together like they have a big shoelace tied around them” – and I think he’s just about on the nail…. Take a listen to the scouse champs here, and get yourself a piece….

Oh – and don’t forget this EP is available as part of a ‘binge’ style mega-deal package with the My First Tooth EP and one of our rapidly dwindling red white crocodile on skateboard tees too… Ace! Get yourself truly alcopopped

This City – they move!

Oh how we love the Alcopop family – myself and Kev stood like proud parents, (in matching crocodile T-Shirts no doubt) gazing out at awesome bands we’ve been involved with ripping around the country doing brilliant things, and causing hearts to leap for joy on a nightly basis! A small bubblegum tear – I shan’t lie to you – is shed, with every CD, T-Shirt or positive email dispatched.

But as is the lot of an indie that there are also that lusty bunch who come on by, spend a passionate few months (or more) between the Alcopop sheets, enjoy a lusty rendezvous – and sadly must move on, nevertheless leaving both parties with fond smiles, happy memories and more than an occasional wave over the parapet.

One of these is This City, who although I can say nothing about for fear of pre-empting any announcement or exciting news, have recently flown off to Seattle to record an album (you can bet no budget of Alcopop’s would facilitate that ) and will soon be launching something rather exciting on this lucky public of ours. More details when they’re official, but you should definitely look out for the former Alcopop types in the upcoming months.

Meanwhile, the single ‘We Move’ is being taken off’ve iTunes in the next week or two (so get it quick if you want it), and would you believe – we actually have a few copies of their single on Alcopop still sitting around my bedroom. There’s not a lot – but if you want a piece of the action now, before the eBay hunters get involved, do pop on by our shop.

It’s drink o’ clock – and this is officially my favourite picture of 2009!

Good work Tad 20D… How ace is that!

Incidentally – kudos for Google’s Hungry Caterpilalr theme… Genius!

goFASTER>> Alter the Press and My First Tooth impress the devil’s Tuna

It’s really gratifying when those knowledgeable souls out there in the great wide blogosphere take some of the Alcopop family to heart, and a couple of superb posts have been brought to my attention over the last couple of days which have brought a spark of delight to my otherwise grimly ‘not at SXSW’ soul…

Firstly a review of goFASTER>>s new EP A Modern Education from Alter the Press, who rated the record 4 out of 5, but also this feature on My First Tooth from the Devil Has the Best Tuna – who correctly pointed out the fresh new scene burgeoning from within the sleepy county of Northamptonshire (pictured courtesy of Taz etc).

The former said of the scouse posters that “goFaster>> are definitely on to a good thing. These 5 tracks shows they are a band that enjoy what they do and have so much energy whilst doing it. They certainly have the art of indie pop-punk done precisely as it should be. Don’t be surprised if goFaster>> go places in the future…” While the Devil was definitely into a bit of Ross and that’s the Tooth! (sorry, sorry)..

“My First Tooth craft subtle, beautiful lullabies that locate your heart strings and tug at them gently like a folkie strumming a guitar. You can have your heart melted to a pool of slush later this month when the band’s debut EP is issued via Alcopop Records.”

Awesome… And if any muso blogger types read this and fancy a piece of the Alcopop action – gis a yell and we’ll have a chat.. Handsome!

A Modern Education on the way – and Jack PoP on radio

Man – it’s been an absolute whirl since Alcopop descended upon Cheltenham last Friday – so apologies for lack of blog updates, and hearty congratulations to those of you who won a little something in the Alcopop shop. Obviously I’m gutted there were no big winners (a nose away from a 20/1 shot) to see the Alcopop shop emptying rather rapidly.. But everyone seemed to enjoy it – so all good fun.

Meanwhile, goFASTER>> are just days away from releasing their super hotly anticipated debut ‘A Modern Education’, and there are still a few of the first 100 left with bonus discs in the shop available to purchase… Pretty sure they’ll be gone by Monday though so get in quickly if you want the bonus disc – which includes 3 bonus tracks and two awesome remixes, one of which I may be posting on the blog soon (because it’s really rather epic).

Oh incidentally, as massive advocates of the black stuff (aka vinyl releases) – Stu from a radio station way down south recently did a phone interview with me about releasing records, and has posted it to be heard by all here. Don’t let my contribution put you off though as he talks to people from the likes of the Fly and TANOU too – and it’s really worth a listen. Ace!

Meanwhile Kevs gone to SXSW – lucky bastard – here’s an artists impression of his probable actions so far…

Alcopoppin’ great look for Fred

Fred Toon – a man who’s name is synonomous with the grimy venues of Oxford – who’s heart pumps only MASSIVE beats and who’s band Thin Green Candles dish out uneasy listening and high octane electro rock (their words) that regularly leaves audiences noticably moistening (mine). What’s very ace about them though is the sticker-ware they’re rocking…

Nice!

Free bets at Cheltenham races for all Alcopop shoppers…

Alcopop Records are going to Cheltenham racing festival (physically on Friday and digitally Tue – Thur)… Because in between releasing cracking record after magnificent T-Shirt, we love a bit of low end gambling! And we should very much like to get you all involved.

Therefore, we’ve decided on a brusque new promotion that will mean that anyone purchasing anything in the next week from the Pop shop during the festival will get a free bet on one of the races at Cheltenham, courtesy of us. One pound per ten spent, with prizes paid out in prime pop merch.

So – if you spend anywhere between 1-10 pounds in our shop you’ll get a quid bet, 11-20 = 2 pounds, 21 – 30 = 3 pounds and so on. I’ll be picking the horses, and sticking the money down on Betfair (which should end up with better odds than anywhere else) and updating every bet via the Alcopop Twitter feed pre race – so you’ll know what has gone on for who.

Follow us here if you don’t already, or to find out what Twitter is – this is your link!

Got it? So, when said nag romps home at 30-1 after you’ve purchased our new 16 pound mega deal (for instance) you’ll win a further 60 quids worth of stuff – which will be nice. Similarly, just 3 pounds on an Encyclopedia single could win you a T-Shirt and Family Machine album if Crack away Jack comes in at 16-1 tomorrow. And let’s be fair, he probably will.

Plus – for anyone who doesn’t fancy a flutter, but still has some excellent tips – let us know via comments below or emailing info@ilovealcopop.co.uk. Go horse go!