Alcopop need you… Reviewers wanted for the new compilation!

I can feel it in my follicles that May is going to be a spectacular month. Mos Def, for as the sun gets ever bolder, the festival season really begins in earnest (hello Great Escape) – we’re also releasing a bostin’ compilation – featuring circa 13 tracks of indie loveliness.

We’ve got Tellison; we got Unicorn Kid, fancy a bit of Paul Steel? Apples, David Gibb, Stagecoach, Stars and Sons – the list goes on… And it’s all coming out via a treasure map in a bottle (which contains a secret URL and password to enable you to get downloading).

More details over the next couple of weeks as to exactly what’s going on – but to kick off we’re looking for a limited number of people based on Twitter, who fancy getting their reviewer hats on and tweeting reviews of each song (in 140 characters or less) each day in run up to the release. We’ll send you access to the compilation, feature the best Tweets on the website everyday – and what the hell, we’ll even send you a free CD with new stuff/ back catalogue cos y’know, we love you like that.

If you’re interested, just @ilovealcopop on Twitter, or email us at info@ilovealcopop.co.uk – and we’ll be in touch.

Kev and I made a playlist…

Anyone use Spotify? Well if you have, you’ll probably be needing a playlist to have a listen to now and then – maybe one with all of your favourite indie classics from the mid/late 90s, dance tracks that make you killer killer killer killer dance like a mothertrucker (Stakka Bo for instance) – and pop hits so pomegranate fresh that Persephone just couldn’t help herself.

Well try this badboy out, and enjoy it time and time again. Capiche?

PS – it was my misfortune to catch Al Murray on TV tonight – I think he’s about as funny as a forest fire… When you’re in a low lying treehouse… Guarding barrels of petrol… In a matchbook coat.

Alcopop Records show at RoTa, Notting Hill on 9th May – FREE ENTRY!

As you may know good poppers, Alcopop Records are releasing a lovely new compilation –in the next couple of weeks all detailed on an ancient looking scroll crafted by Captain Kev and charred in Alcopop Ovens – containing a URL and password shipped out in a hearty bottle. But more of that in the next few days…

Therefore – we decided to have a party to celebrate, and after speaking to the fine chaps at RoTa in London Town, Notting Hill Arts Club, Saturday May 9^th (put it in your diary) – we decided to hold it there, not just because we can let everyone in for free, but also because they have their gigs between 4 and 8pm – and Alcopop is ALL about afternoon boozing… Two of the bands are on the compilation, one you’ll know all about and the other may hint at animal cruelty – but are in fact a darkly joyous bunch from Oxford you really should see.

The poster is below, come join the facebook event here – and well – we’ll see you there… Band details b’yere…

The October Game: “Magnificent – A Joy From Start To Finish” – Cool Noise Fanzine

Stagecoach: “Smart songwriting and memorable hooks. Like the lighter, classic side of emo meets Teenage Fanclub” – Rocksound

Cat Matador: – “weave together mightily fine, intricate guitar-work draped in a Joy-Divisionesque kind of darkness” – BBC Oxford

My First Tooth: – “EP makes you wish for a front porch, a sunset and a song of your own to sing, that could match Honesty Honestly for it’s beauty.” – Artrocker

Alcopop DJs and wheels of steel troubador – Nath T Pyle

Pavilion sell out 7″, and snare a tour with The Thermals

So…it seems like forever since we at Alcopop HQ entertained a hearty blogpost about those handsome lads Pavilion – but believe me when I say it’s all go in Wakefield. Firstly, they have themselves a shiny new bass player – Mr Tom Butler – and what’s even more exciting is that they’ve booked a main support UK/Ireland tour in June with… Get this – The fu**in’ Thermals…. Awesome!

This is of course fantastic news – not least because the summer is very much the season for Pavilion and this update proves to me that it’s just weeks away. Remember last year and Spoils of War. What a glorious song… I would say buy it immediately on vinyl form, but unfortunately it’s sold out. Still available on iTunes though so if you fancy a listen, head over there or stream it from the MySpace page.

Now – where did I put those sunglasses….?

Can you kickers? – yes I can!

Ah… Kickers! As I mentioned before, champion boot of my youth (good for stomping along with indie classics too) have been in touch again, sending me a rather bad-ass pair of red leather Kick Hi’s, as featured in their recent film with Modern Toss – an online comic which is pretty ace, but not quite as undeniably hilarious as Cyanide and Happiness to be honest…

Still, this is heap good news as I go through shoes like a Blue Whale hammers through plankton, and allows me to mix em up a bit with my last pair, leaving me with a far more adaptable shoe wardrobe (as it were). They’re dead comfy too actually, and are already rivalling my magnificent Monopoly Reebok’s Reverse Jam for top rack space.

Look here they are – expect me to be Alcopoppin’ about in these till ‘de morning come. Oh, it’s already arrived? Shit…

Excellent Poppers part 5 – Sean Reid of Alter the Press

Today has been a pretty good day poppers… Not only have the majestic lad(s) at Cougar Microbes posted a lovely article about Alcopop, My First Tooth and goFASTER>> all at once, myself and Kev have had a magical time at our latest CD burning party (ahem) – but ‘Excellent Poppers’, the feature celebrating some of the finest gentlefolk involved (however remotely) in Alcopop has a part 5.

This time it’s Sean Reid, hero of the alternative scene and one of the Alter the Press writers (pictured), a website so up to date I’m pretty sure it has announced stuff before the bands themselves know what’s going on… Put simply, it’s a vital resource for anyone who wants to keep totally up to date with the alternative scene – and one that has supported Alcopop stirlingly over recent times.

Here’s his interview… Enjoy!

1.) Tell us a bit about Alter the Press – why should it be top of everyone’s RSS feeds?
Alter The Press! is a music webzine that mainly covers rock, punk, hardcore, pop-punk, indie and also a bit of hip-hop, electro and anything else we think is suitable for our site. It should be on RSS feeds because we try and keep up-to-date as possible, so it’s likely there is always something new to read on your feed. In addition to this, we’re always thinking of new ideas to add more depth to our site.

2.) Which bands do you feature on ATP that people get their clammy hands on immediately before they’re the biggest thing this side of all time?
Bayonets, The Auteur, MiMi Soya, The Motorcycle Industry and mewithoutYou. I also think Manchester Orchestra may grow in popularity this year.

3.) Who are your favourite Alcopop related band of all?
I really like goFaster>>. ‘A Modern Education’ is one of my favorite records I’ve heard this year. I also liked Cut The Blue Wire but unfortunatly they’re no more.

4.) Is Kenan a better role model than Kel – or does the orange soda swilling misfit have it sussed?
Kel because he loves orange soda and orange soda is simply awesome.

5.) How’s the compilation going? Have many downloaded it thus far?
The compilation has been great. I’m happy with the response it’s got and how well it’s came together. I think it’s had bout 300 plus downloads so far. I think we may do another one later this year.

6.) And finally, what’s your favourite other music blog out there?
I read a few music blogs, obviously I read Alcopop’s blog as well Big Scary Monster Records blog, Punktastic, Walnut Tree records, Sun On the Sand.net and Are You Fourlorn.com. I don’t really have a favourite, sorry.

Alcopop announce new signing: Wolf Am I

I’ve been hanging this post back all week, but as Saturday dawns it seems as good-a time as any to tell you all that Alcopop have made quite one of the biggest additions to our roster in our short, but delectable, history recently – and it is with great pleasure that I can inform you that Wolf Am I are now the newest additions to the Pop family.

Formerly known as Kill the Arcade, this ridiculously exciting 5-piece have been gathering serious momentum over the last year or so, and they will be releasing their debut album ‘Lead the Way’ with us in July. Recently swapping in and out a member and embarking on a successful tour of the UK (I caught them at the sold out show at London Barfly), they have

Go and take a look at them over on their MySpace – or take a look at the freshly shot promo video for Glasgow Seven below…. We’re VERY excited! Roll on summer…

Salute your Independent Record Shops!

As a 20-something with my roots firmly planted in my boyhood days of Britpop, alt indie and proper balls-out power pop – I’m so fuckin’ delighted that now, despite numbers of other commitments, life issues and such – that I’m running Alcopop Records.. And as such I wanted to have a quick reminisce… Solely down to independent record shop day…

As a lad I was Coventry born and bred, a city with little musical heritage so to speak of (other than of course the wonderful Specials) – and I still remember those heady afternoons, sneaking into pubs we knew we could get away with being served in, before spending literally hours flicking through CDs and vinyl in Hits N Misses (sorry if these names mean nothing to you) and the attic of Freakbeat – picking up every Fungus single going, Candyskins stuff on 7” and low-price EPs from bands we’d read about in the NME and never actually heard…

There was a little bit of casual sticker price swapping here and there and plenty of rubbish purchased – but those days characterised the person I am today (I have no doubt) and led a segment of a generation so far down the route of musical knowledge, love and lust – that, to be frank there’s to be no saving us…. Ever! And I’m pretty stoked with that outcome to be honest.

So – if your city allows it… Let’s bloody get out there and support the indies – both record label and shop (Oxford doesn’t have an indie record shop anymore so I’m going to frequent the local music section of local indie DVD purveyor Videosyncratic and drop some sheets)! As the credit crunch continues to tighten everyone’s belts and restrict purchasing power – let’s make sure that the community of record buying, gig going public – continue to plug away and keep our values tight… Here’s to the underground!

Lv Jack PoP

NB – As an addendum to this post, after just completing it, I received this message and photo from Alcopop stalwart, and all round indie hero, Coxy…. “Today is Independent Record Shop Day. I’m on my way into town to buy some records from my local independent.” Awesome!

‘Tooth tip of the Day’ number 3 – your lovely horse!

I should collate these into a book… Admittedly a small book, but one that would no doubt help everyone out no end.

Here’s tooth tip of the day number 3 – actually phoned in by Ross of My First Tooth today because he’s away from his email – there’s dedication for you…

“Horses! Don’t rise your house on the road. Ride it in a field! Surely the horse will have more fun and you won’t have to sit there nodding & smiling awkwardly at slowing drivers?“

Disclaimer: Don’t take offence. Ross is always horsing around! xx

My First ‘Tooth Tip of the Day 2’ – Cyclists

Happy Thursday folks… Make it a better day by enjoying Ross from My First Tooth’s tip of the day… Here it is!

“So you’re on your bicycle, and you see one of those ‘really professionally dressed cyclists’ ahead…pedal as hard as you can, overtake them, feel like a winner, then take the next exit off the road. Stop, turn around and watch them ride by with that ‘i could’ve taken them but i’ll never get to prove it look upon their face’. Priceless.“

Boris salutes you Ross!