Shhhh – It’s the Secret Garden Festival and BSM 5-a-side draw!

Taken from The Candle Thieves MySpace page, an announcement that will no doubt please those who plan to enjoy a secret garden of a festival over the next few weeks – “Just a quick one to say we’re playing Secret Garden Party Festival in Cambridgeshire on July 25th, we’d love to see you there, we’re on at 8.50pm. Jarvis Cocker, Emmy The Great, The Holloways and a load more are playing too so we’re looking forward to it! More info and full line up here…

They’re also playing the Riverside Festival in Stamford this Saturday, stage time is 8.30pm. I saw Midget there a couple of years ago along with Enter Shikari and it was bloody great… You should definitely go if you live anywhere near Peterborough. Oh and in other news, the groups have been drawn for the BSM 5-a-side football tournament, and Alcopop have been drawn in Group C alongside Banquet Records, Get Cape Wear Cape Fly and Blakfish/Shapes – who are now all mortal enemies (for the next few days at least)…

Anyone who fancies coming along to cheer us on/ drink heavily is more than welcome… All details are on Kev’s page here, and you can even bet on the eventual winners to win a CD – go Alcopop and you can’t (probably) lose! Hurrah

Wolf Am I single delayed momentarily…

Hey all… Just a quick note to muster all Alcopop apologies to those of you who pre-ordered the Wolf Am I ‘Glasgow 7’ single and are wondering why the devil it hasn’t arrived. I always hate letting our customers down like this but due to elements beyond our control they are due to be a little late. Not massively late, they will be with you before the week is out, but after a horror show from our usual chums at The Post Office – late nonetheless.

The envelope, which should of container all of our hand printed, tasty looking sleeves, has arrived – but sadly for us, rather than containing a whole heap of awesome looking artwork – was totally empty, wrapped in a bag from Royal Mail apologising for any ‘inconvenience in losing our mail’ – geesh. Therefore they’ve all had to be produced again… But we’re pretty much good to go as of tomorrow. So many apologies, but they will be with you later this week – and looking like a dream!

Cheers all – and keep it DIY  xx

RIP Michael Jackson: Pop genius!

Jesus Christ! Popped onto the computer to finish my interview for punktastic, took a quick check of facebook and there it was – literally the entire front page awash with status updates suggesting Jacko might be/ is/ maybe dead – and then… He was! Like that, in an instant – the king of pop is no more, and it’s all left me feeling rather numb.

I’m not one to normally post up quick tribute posts, and fight to be the first at the top of the condolences queue – but this time I feel that, as all the crass jokes are starting and the tweets are flying around with your bog-standard gags – I wanted to say, that the world has lost something truly special.

Personal life aside, I’m not going to go into that, it’s been a while since a true megastar has walked the earth – one who literally transcends musical barriers and has sold so many records that one can barely imagine. When I think about how many musicians must have been inspired by tunes like Beat It or Bad, it’s just unbelievable… Whether there will ever be anyone like him again is also questionable – as with the changing face of the music scene, I’m not sure that such superstars will ever exist in quite the same way.

But I’m not going to witter on – everyone will have their own mind made up… Myself I remember the one and only time I saw him in the flesh right after the second ever Alcopop night, when he was leaving TopMan – I was genuinely excited/ a bit pissed and literally threw myself at the car – revelling in the fact the last image he saw as he was leaving London was my face pressed against the back window … 

So from someone who was respected MJ as an artist ever since I first heard Man in the Mirror way, way back – RIP the King of PoP….

Alcopopular 3 on Popjustice –

I’ve always had PopJustic down as more pop than Alco – Girls Aloud, Britney, Calvin Harris – but during a recent foray to a Unicorn Kid concert (as any sane popper is liable to do on occasion – I myself took one in last week at The Borderline) they happened upon a copy of Alcopopular 3 on his merch table – and promptly snapped it up.

What followed is this rather hilarious, if tongue in cheek, write up of our hard labours – questioning the value they got for their five pound purchase. 14 tracks popjustice! – on iTunes that’d cost you bloody eleven quid, never mind the hand-burnt/ tea-bagged map and bottle.

Still – their irreverent words including “The piece of paper will be instantly familiar to anyone who has studied history at Year 7 or above as ‘a teabag job’” and “Don’t ever give us your cow to sell at the market – we’ll come back with magic beans” did delight us so. Cheers for featuring chaps! Take a look over here.

Alcopop 5-a-side squad announced for the BSM football tournament (2)

Yesterday saw the announcement of the Alcopop 5-a-side football tournament squad, profiling the spine aiming to keep out the rampaging strike forces of the likes of Punktastic, Team BSM and NME at bay. Today we profile the fleeting feet aiming to dink em’ in at the other end.

1.)    ‘Pikey’ Darren Gillick – Despite recently announcing his retirement from the game, Luton fanatic Darren has heroically put himself up for selection for his third Alcopop tournament. A midfielder of undying heart and tenacity – he comes from fine footballing stock, his grandfather (pictured) playing regularly for Glasgow Rangers, Everton and Scotland back in the 30s.

2.)    Leigh – Once selected from thousands of young hopefuls to join an international Shoot Magazine football tour – Leigh’s pace and flair set alight any football pitch. A major stumbling block in that he is a big Aston Villa fan, but loyalty to Team Alcopop has led to such difficulties being able to be swept under the carpet. Much better than Julian Joachim ever was!  

3.)    Si – Called in at the last minute to perform heroically in last season’s Alcopop side – former Hong Kong League player Si is not only skilful, but particularly passionate. Finishes like a charm, and once known to hospitalise opposition in the past, although it was an accident (honestly).   

4.)    DD – Due to lead the line for Team Pop last year, but a gig with former band Cut the Blue Wire meant that he had to pull out last minute. Band has since split (connections between the two incidents unconfirmed at the present time) so all Irish DD is out to prove himself as player of the tournament. Current feud with Team BSM newbie Pennington amidst claims their majestic footballing talents were equally matched until DD was distracted by girls.  

Come on……..!

Alcopop 5-a-side squad announced for the BSM football tournament

July is a coming, and like a magpie drawn to the shimmering beads of sweat cascading down the head of a once promising footballer, now ravaged by years of booze and late nights spent in filthy tour busses – otherwise respectable folk from across the music industry have caught the eye of the BSM 5-a-side football tournament. Not least at Alcopop Records!

After taking two strong squads to second place in first round groups in the last two years, we’re determined that this is our time – and from trials of 1000s have selected a fine squad from across the country. Front Magazine and their cheerleaders are going to be present, so handsome looks are of course assured – along with football talent in spades. Below is the squad – and introductions to the first of the intrepid four. 5 – 8 will come tomorrow.

1.)    Thom ‘Cat’ – as agile as he is facially magnificent, Thom has represented Team PoP at both of the last 2 tournaments, conceding just 3 in 3 last year – as Alcopop bundled in 10 at the other end. Standing somewhere between Bruce Grobbelar and Dimitri Kharine in flair and style, his compact form is ideal for 5-a-side. Currently banned by the Oxfordshire FA from all competitive matches in the county.

2.)    Matt ‘Coach’ – Drummer in good friends of Alcopop, and Alcopopular 3 hero’s, Stagecoach – Matt may not have played for a year or two – but has fine pedigree in his formative years. Regularly stepping out for Horsham U16’s, he gave up the dream of premiership football for his love of music (and booze perhaps), and has the touch of a professional… As well as being facially magnificent.

3.)    Jack PoP – Me, and despite plenty better options I’ve named myself in the squad again (how arrogant). Former Allesley Ace U14 top scorer in the 95-96 season, and Cub Scout Football winner ’94, I went on to ply my trade for University Inter-Mural championship contending team ‘Little Donkey’ as an ever present centre back. Never, ever, even CLOSE to professional trials.

4.)    Manus – Skipper, boss, champ and Team PoP legend, Manus is the fire that never stops burning. Now entering his third year of captaining the side, his fitness, finishing and passion is quite phenomenal and has led to a hatful of goals in the Alcopop shirt. One to watch!

Wolf Am I Glasgow 7 single out today!

Eh up all – hope you’ve all had a good father’s day, and apologies if your old man is a postman – for there’s panic at Royal Mail that arms are going to be heaving what with the fine news is that today, June 22^nd, sees the release of Wolf Am I’s particularly limited edition debut single ‘Glasgow 7’ on Alcopop Records. 

Backed by instant classic Lex Talionis on the B-Side and pressed on fine hand-made vinyl effect CD… The single is an ideal taster of what’s to come – the summer of Wolf Am I! With full length debut album Lead the Way set for release come early August, and an 8 date taster tour already booked for late July – I fear for sheep.

Tour dates are below, and while copies remain the single can be purchased from the Alcopop shop for just 3 quid, and digitally from next Monday 29^th with B-side Bon Voyage. They won’t be hanging around for long though – and I can pretty much guarantee they’ll be long gone by the time the tour comes around.

hoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooowl

Arrows of Love release free download EP gift for poppers

Former Alcopop favourites and darlings of the press, Hush the Many were a cracking bunch. Committing a magnificent single, Revolve, to vinyl and releasing it with us – they tore open hearts across the country, were splashed across almost every magazine and website worth reading, and remain good chums to this day.

Hush the Many have sadly now long expired, but charismatic frontman Nima is rarely static, and has recently formed a new musical collective called Arrows of Love – who delight in tumultuous brash sound with echoes of the capital edging their sound in brooding punky overtones.   

Their first gig, where they were supported by Ed Harcourt, pretty much sold out The Scala – and they’ve recently finished off a rather spectacular digital EP which comes out on 20^th July. However, because they’re pretty lovely – and Nima knows what good taste you have – they want to give the EP as a downloadable gift to you all.

So have a listen over here, download and if you like – pass it onto your friends. Cheers Arrows!

The Guardian – a wonderful rag!

The Guardian clearly knows its music… Tis true, tis true – and while I was busy sunning myself in bonny London on a magnificent eve of gigs which included catching the Candle Thieves at London’s Fly Bar at a rather secret show (shhhh) and Unicorn Kids bumping dance classics at The Borderline – this was busily being dropped into my inbox.

You can see the full article of Guardian reader’s un-put-downable tracks, which includes Christy Moore and Little Boots, here – but I’ve carved up the most alcorelevant section below. Jude Rogers and Chris Salmon, consider yourselves hearty friends of Alcopop Records!

The AA however can consider themselves mortal enemies (well, whoever writes their procedures anyway) – just found out i’ve spent £180 in renewal costs over the last few years, becuase they were sending letters to my old address. Refund for this year maybe… No, because i didn’t spot it within 14 days.  Stupid AA!

Another reggae album – it must be summer

What a hectic week it’s been… Delightful few days in Ireland admiring GAA Fotball (Cork vs. Kerry was a storming match), desolated islands and plenty of cool, sharp Harp, all the while seeing the fruits of some of Alcopop’s labour over the last few months coming to fruition.

You’ve read it all over the last couple of weeks, so I won’t bang on – but with the Wolf Am I single up for pre-order, signing of the magnificent Candle Thieves announced – it’s all exciting stuff, and plenty more to come too. And then, just to top it off England score 10 goals (admittedly against very weak opposition) – and I notice that Essential Reggae is out! It’s a lot (track listing wise) like my much-loved Massive Reggae, but you can probably never have enough reggae compilations.

I had all the mail-orders done before I went too, and now there’s plenty more again which – I won’t lie – always leaves me bloody delighted! I’m off to Europe for a few days on Friday but I’ll work my hardest to despatch everything by tomorrow – mixing it up with an infamous late-night Alcopop promo pressing party in the meantime. Let the midnight oil burn….

Meanwhile, fresh from being ‘introduced’ by Tom Robinson and loved by Alter the Press and the genial online Toad – My First Tooth have announced a few more dates … See you in Oxford for QUITE the show with Stagecoach and William – awesome!