goFASTER>> kick out the Flammable Leisurewear jams in Hollyoaks

Bad acting galore may have ensued around them, but the consummate goFASTER>> were, as ever, the height of rock n’ roll professionalism as they smashed the hell out of the students union in Hollyoaks last week – opening, as I’m reliably informed, for a band who ‘sounded like CSS’.

Playing their first single released on Alcopop ‘Flammable Leisurewear’ – the episode was aired on the 1st July, and goes further to ensuring their scouse legendary status. I especially like the line ‘how’s your crotch’…

If you’re reading this today, or in the next few days you can watch the epic appearance over on 4OD around 5 minutes through the July 1st episode, but if you’re years into the future looking back – wondering where number 1 pop sensations goFASTER>> came from , then I’ve taken a really poorly rendered video of the appearance for your delectation and delight…

Enjoy -

Sad news at Alcopop HQ – Cut the Blue Wire split

As if December’s music news couldn’t get much worse, what with Pinnacle dying a sad death, and labels across the UK bombing out of business – the last couple of days has bought super-sad news for all at Alcopop, everyone in Portsmouth and well – all over really, with the devestating word that Cut the Blue Wire are to split up after their final show – in but a week or two’s time…

Here is the official statement from their MySpace: “It is with great sadness to tell you all that our last gig will be on the 30th December at the Wedgewood Rooms in Portsmouth.

We have decided not to continue as a band for no other reason than musical differences and felt it was best to head our separate ways. Everyone remains good friends and be sure to keep your eyes out for new projects involving us!

Thank you so much to everyone that has put us on, come to a show, bought a CD or T-shirt or generally taken the time to listen to us.

DD xxx“

Now we’re absolutely gutted – we loved these guys, and it was but a few days ago that we were watching them play in Southampton, and discussing what they were upto in the coming year. So thanks for a great EP lads, and to DD, Andy, Rhys, Hoey and Mike – cheers for making Alcopop a better place to be over the last 6 months or so.

However, in this ocean of sad news, there is a drop of happiness, as the boys have decided to temporarily reduce the price of the Revert.Restart.Reset EP to just 3 quid (you can pick up a copy here), so that whatever paths they take, you can own a piece of Cut the Blue Wire. Trust Punktastic when they say that “CTBW are like trifle; so many layers every one of them is seven shades of awesome.”

Fare thee well CTBW – it’s been fun!

Excellent Poppers number 4 – Burt Hill!

A return, if you will, to that exciting feature, legendary in its irregularity, that has delighted folk for ooh – ages. It’s time for ‘Exceptional Poppers’ and this month’s hero of the hour – Burt Hill (pictured). Star cellist, magnificent musical all-rounder and generally nice chap, Burt not only plays with Sam Isaac and runs his street team, but also gets involved with a whole host of other musical projects from time to time. Over to the man himself!

1) OK Burt – first things first… We hear rumours your first name isn’t really Burt? Is this the truth, and why the change, or is it merely a fallacy dreamt up by jealous lovers?

Damn, foiled already. But yes, you are right. Burt is actually a long-standing school nickname which has stuck for eleven years now. Headmasters in my school reports would even refer to me a Burt at my parents’ outrage. You don’t find many people named Burt these days so I see it as a bit unique. The Sesame Street references don’t stop though.

2.) How has the recent Sam Isaac tour been – and of the last few months, which has been your very favourite gig?

Yeah it’s been good thanks. I was slightly sceptical of the Club NME shows but they have seemed to have worked out fine. Sam and I managed to play three shows in Sweden a few weeks back which was fantastic. The people out there are too friendly for their own good and the music translated really well. The London Borderline show on the October Tour was loads of fun too but my favourite ever would have to be Latitude. I can see how large acts get a huge buzz from looking out on thousands of people clapping and singing along.

3.) If you were able to go back in time through the annals of rock history, which song do you think would most benefit from a pumping cello solo?

Good question. To be honest I don’t really know the whole back catalogue of rock but maybe something silly like Kiss or Def Leppard. Can you image a classically trained cellist in black metal studded leather spitting out his tongue while crafting horrendous fifths on the C and G string like a massive man? No, me neither.

Part two v. soon….

Stars and Sons In the Ocean 7″ out today! – read what the net says…

Boom!

Tis the 17^th, and with it cometh the new single from the Alcopop stable. This time, the majestic steeds whinnying with impatience to get going in their inaugural race are Stars and Sons (pictured here at Shepherds Bush Empire). Brainchild of Mike Lord, and featuring Paul Steel – you should definitely buy this vinyl (ltd. to just 500 copies)… But why? Well, I thought I’d let the blogosphere explain that for me. Partly because I’m lazy… But also because they are princes of semantics, fine purveyors of taste – and knowers of musical knowledge!

Firstly, Sweeping the Nation, who said “lovely lovely Alcopop Records, previously responsible for singles we’ve openly admired by 4 Or 5 Magicians and This City, are putting out a limited edition 7″ from an outfit that we had a homemade EP from ages ago and have since had quite a bit of specialist radio play and even praise off evil Jonathan Ross. We talk up so many new bands that by the law of averages eventually one of them had to take off. Stars And Sons are Mike Lord, once of the aforementioned 4 Or 5 Magicians and now making delicious hand-crafted optimistic indiepop nuggets. In The Ocean is one of those songs that’s at once naggingly familiar and freshly minted. Good work all round.”

Dirty Sexy Music too seem to love ‘em, stating “Their lyrics are both sweet and tremendously humorous. After a few listens you begin to feel you’ve known these songs your entire life, so quickly and insidiously they permeate your consciousness. Touches of Belle and Sebastian, The Beach Boys and The Beatles lace their music. The sound is multilayered, to the point that each song at some point could be described as a cacophony, yet it works perfectly.”

Puregroove Records have got involved too, saying “This sounds like a band that are shaping up to become pop stars in 2009. Not the cool kind that appear in fashionable mags and get blogged but sell seven records. The proper kind, that write songs that thousands celebrate life and love with at huge events in the country. We love em.” And if anyone’s gonna’ know what’s hot… They should!

… We’ll leave the final word to Music under Fire though… “Pop this rock ’til your limbs fall off. Enjoy.”

We Move out today – This City single available!

Coming to the end of a pretty bangin’ UK tour – with a show at London Barfly tomorrow (congratulations to Niall and Thomas who won pairs of tickets by the way) – it’s good news for us at Alcopop Records, as today sees Brighton rockers This City release limited edition 7” (to 500) single ‘We Move’… Today!

Full of the kind of heavy disco-based rhythms that have made the boys such a favourite with the likes of Kerrang, NME, Radio 1, XFM and all the other hip places that have taken them to heart – we’re lucky enough to be working with them now before they hit unimaginable heights!

You can get the vinyl from the band when they play live (best), direct from us (awesome), or from any good record shop or your favourite digital music retailer (still bloody ace – you have magnificent taste), and add something a bit sexy to your record (or MP3) collection…

Meanwhile, any internet savvy types may have noticed that Sam Isaac has been somewhat dominating the blogosphere this week, with a whole heap of blogs getting involved with the awesome remixes crafted by James Yuell and Rod Thomas. MP3 Hugger, Zombie Attack, Alter the Press, indierocker.net are just some of the gents in the know.

Also, exciting news to come in the next few days as Alcopop have signed one of THE hottest properties right now, to release his [a gender-based clue there] debut single before the end of the year… Oh, and I’m currently in some form of musical infatuation (as if I wasn’t already) with Andrew WK – whose gig on Saturday was magnificent, and saw me pop backstage to talk to great man himself, and be gifted with a number of his beers. What a gent…

This City full page features in NME and Kerrang

Wow – this week has been a bloody good one for us, and the music-press buying public alike, as lovable tattooed Brighton rockers This City have had a big ‘ol full-page spread in not one – but two of the nations top rags. Discussing everything from ‘the band food game’ to how they met, they really are bloody great articles – and prove (if proof was needed) just why all at Alcopop HQ love them quite as much as we do.

The single ‘We Move’ (a fucking tour de force of a tune) can be pre-ordered now on very limited edition 7” vinyl (ltd to 500) – and is released on the 22^nd September. Check out the MySpace, or order from the shop.

Meanwhile – here’s that tasty press…

goFASTER>> seek a new guitarist – can you play

So I’m sure you will have heard by now… But sad news has been hanging around the goFASTER>> camp this summer like a fat kid round the leftovers, as guitarist Chris has bid a fond farewell to the band, leaving the scouse 4-piece a member short.

They have been keen to stress that it’s all happy “He is moving onto pastures new and we wish him all the best, and still remains our bestest of fwends. He plays his last gig (his testimonial) for us on 27th September at the carling academy in Liverpool so come down and give him a good send off!” – and while I can only concur with those sentiments (I miss you Chris *sobs*), this does mean an exciting opportunity is open.

Can you wield an axe, do you reside near Liverpool and are you an all-round awesome chap/ess? Well, if so, probably worth reading this blog and putting your name forward… For goFASTER>> are set to come back stronger than ever, rip-roaring into 2009, and while plans are still in motion – keep an eye on the blog for some potentially exciting happenings with the lads over the next few months.

Long live goFASTER>>!!! and er… their orange shark. Oh, and have you ever noticed how drummer Ian (pictured left) looks like all the members of Supergrass?

New Family Machine single out today – and its free!

They aint half good to you… And those handsome chaps from Alcopop album releasees, the Family Machine, have safely signed, sealed and delivered their new EP to the blog. And it’s free, Free, FREE. Available to download by simply clicking the shiny button below – why not take a moment to grab the 2 track single and slap them on your iTunes. Feel free to send them to pals the length and breadth of the country, nay globe – and make the Family Machine your new pals.

If you’re an Alcopop regular, chances are yo’ve heard the guys before – but if not, then take a look at what gigwise.com had to say – “An album that promotes the dreamer in all and is folk-acoustic pop gold ready to be sieved into the collection of the daring and broad-minded… The acoustic influences are appropriately attached in wide-eyed childlike naivety and create a blend of powerfully emotive songs that walk the side of raucous masculinity and poignant delicacy.”

You see? Alex Zane digs it too!

SIde A: Flowers by the Roadside – Side B: Let yourself know better….

Alcopop unveil new signings – Wakefield’s finest – Pavilion

It’s been a few weeks since Alcopop announced some shimmering new plans (and days since we put up a flashy animated.gif), and while I’ve been promising you the finest summer news for some while – until now, you may have noticed that I have singularly failed to deliver… Ahem…

Well wait no more good poppers, for it is with great pleasure that I can confirm that the newest addition to the Alcopop roster are none other than Wakefield popsters Pavilion! Formed during a ‘period of light drizzle’ in Wakefield around 2006, presumably as an antithesis of all that wet weather brings, these boys are the perfect summer tonic of fresh indie pop.

Creating tunes awash with perfect hooks, bouncing melody and harmonies liable to melt the hearts of stone statues – they will be releasing single ‘Spoils of War’ via Alcopop Records on 11^th August. No doubt liable to be the anthem that sees many sandcastles erected, summer loves sparked into passion and fruity beverages consumed on pub terraces full of promise – the song is the first ever track produced by Cribs frontman Ryan Jarman (being recorded in Edwyn Collin’s studio too doncha know) – and will be accompanied with a tasty looking UK tour.

Having previously toured with aforementioned local boys The Cribs twice and playing with The Hoosiers, Tiny Dancers, Glasvegas and Yeasayer among others – these boys are big news. Go listen on www.myspace.com/pavilionmusic and let them vie for the position of your new favourite band.

Keep an eye out on the blog over the next couple of days for a free download – ‘cos Pavilion are nice like that!

Good radio again – 4 or 5 Magicians are Lamacq’s favourite band

And talking of good radio, super Steve Lamacq has once again shown his impeccable taste by picking up former Alcopop labelites, and 5-a-side-football veterans, 4 or 5 Magicians as his weekly “New Favourite Band”, and has invited singer Dan along to do an interview for his 6music show on Wednesday. “Cool huh?” says aforementioned vocalist… Yes Dan, it sure is!

Apparently the interview goes out live, so there will “probably be a number of pauses for thought and mumbled sentences that tail off. Anything could happen” – so in hope of catching an obnoxious demonic rant, or embarrasing uneditable secrets, you really ought to tune in if you’re about. Oh, and if you haven’t bought the extraordinarily limited edition single released on Alcopop to just 500 copies, shame on you… Make up for it now, and get a free 50 track BSM MP3 sampler into the bargain.

But where can I hear such an extravaganza you may be asking – well, you can listen online at www.bbc.co.uk/6music or on digital radio or TV…. Or by standing on tiptoes outside the BBC offices, and telling everyone to shhhh.

Oh – and in other magician related news, it won’t surprise any followers of the band that Dan is looking for some more new members (or rather a collective of sorcerers)… Check out the MySpace if you wanna sign up.

A final word from Dan “I will be on sometime between 5:30 and 7:00. I can’t really be any more specific than that I’m afraid! It’s a good show anyway, so just listen to it. Sometimes he plays Mansun and Kenickie!”

God – isn’t Lauren Laverne just the perfect woman, and (reffing a totally unrelated story) well worthy of a National Gallery portrait… Here’s a photo of the princess of lovable lo-fi indie pop from the north…*love*