Birthday tribute to Kev BSM/PoP

We may all be busily celebrating Konnie Huq’s (former Blue Peter presenter and red hot fox – no, she really is) thirty-fourth birthday today – busily topping of the icing on Tom Fletcher from McFly’s secret 24th celebration cake and wishing fervently that Ismail I, Shah of Persia was still alive to see in his 512th in style, but spare a thought for the smaller (physically at least) music-based celebrities of Oxfordshire – namely Kev, co owner of Alcopop and lord of all BSM – who turns 26 today…

Happy birthday dear Kev – and may the year be as wretchedly drunken as the majority of the last 25! Short of presents, I instead decided to jet over today to Walt Disney World (it’s been a long one), to Florida to approach some mooks in stupid hats to bring you this, from all the Alcopoppers…

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.

Pinnacle distribution goes under – what now for the indie record labels?

It’s been a long day, night and onwards over the last 24 hours or so – ever since the announcement reached me that independent distributors Pinnacle have succumbed to the slavering Credit Crunch – their video games arm allegedly taking down the music ‘bit’ and everything else with it.

Now from an indie music perspective in general this is terrible news. Not just because Pinnacle deal with around 1/3 of all such distribution in the UK (and 94 jobs have been lost in a very competitive industry), but also because it nudges me towards the belief that across the country, that maybe it’s not just the majors that are going to be hit! A well needed shot in the arm perhaps, but one that is really scary as far as Alcopop and all in our ilk are concerned.

Now don’t get me wrong – it’s not all bad news, and up till now I personally feel that 2008 has been a most enjoyable year for Alcopop. I hope you agree – and barring any massive problems chucked our way by this, will be considered quite a raring success. Indeed – I’m pretty convinced that with your continued support (which we’re so grateful for), we’ll be able to continue working with incredible up and coming acts and continue working with them, providing real music – for real people – who really care!

Of course – more immediate concerns abound, not least because our (very ace) distribution company goes through Pinnacle, and as is the way of the record sales world, perennially owe us cash (that we owe to others) from shop sales from the last few months – which, as any Alcopopper will know has borne a pretty hectic schedule.

Now, we’ve received assurances that everything should be OK, so that’s something… But one is never 100% certain until the money is folding in your hands, and whatsmore – what will become of our distribution company when all this fallout clears? Apparently they’re still strong, and a fiercely independent company, so hopefully they’ll simply about turn and waltz onward with someone else – but we’ll have to wait and see.

I wasn’t going to drag you all down with this kind of news (after all – this blog is primarily a happy place), but after all, I think it’s important that everyone knows what’s going on. This whole indie culture, in my eyes at least, should be a disparate community of everyone who plays, releases, writes about – or just loves music with heart! Making its way from the dingy clubs around the UK, nay the world – we know the majors have had it wrong for years – dictating to us…. Now we need to rally together and prove that we all are the way forward, whatever the economy throws at us.

Pinnacle may be gone, but indie will not be forgotten!

Ace photo courtesy of Olly Farrell

Incidentally…..

I couldn’t help noticing that Rod Thomas, the handsome hero who remixed Sam Isaac’s Sticker Star and Tape last week (see blog post for full details) looks uncommonly like the Alcopop and BSM dynasty’s very own founder Kevin Douch…. And I’ve never seen them at play together… Hmmmm

Alcopop dominate London in football(nearly) and all-day gigs – a majestic weekend!

So the blog has been rather barren over the last couple of days (I’ve been moving house.. Sorry guv) – and anyone stumbling across it, as well as downloading the excellent new free Family machine single, could be forgiven for angrily kicking tumbleweed as they make their way through old posts, wondering where the hell the updates are. Well – here they are!

Firstly – thanks loads to everyone who popped down to Alcopopalooza on Saturday and indulged in a day of booze, bands and burgers. A great time seemed to be had by all, and amongst the piles of BBQ meat, flowing booze and bustling crowd, a fantastic line up of acts rocked us from 4.30pm till very late, with This City, Pavilion, Cut the Blue Wire, Paul Steel and Stars and Sons amongst the many highlights. Look out for Alcopopalooza 2 in, oooh, about a year.

However, It is with sad news that I must bring you news that, unbelievably, Alcopop Records did not (as boldly predicted on these here pages) triumph in Sundays BSM 5-a-side tournament, despite a series of epic performances. Making our way through the tropical heat of Wormwood Scrubs, London, Alcopop’s brave and hardy soldiers – myself, Thom, Manus, Si, Leigh and grandson of legendary Scotland and Rangers forward Torry Gillick Darren (pictured doing his best Gattuso impression amongst the hands-on-the-hips gang below) – took to the field in a tough looking Group D.

Battering Banquet Records 5-0 in what can best be described as total football, we went on to draw 2-2 with the very energetic Rolo Tomassi, and topped it all off with a morale-boosting 2-1 victory against Gold Artists (featuring many of Pavilion) coping with wave after wave of attack as our savaged feet blistered in the midday(ish) sun. 7 points and a goal difference of plus 6 was surely enough… But no! And as the now very tired Banquet shower capitulated 9-1 to Rolo Tomassi, the hopes and dreams of Team Pop were shattered, leaving us missing out on making it through by the odd goal.

Congratulations to Punktastic who triumphed…. For more info, head over here to Kev’s BSM blog – or here for the vitriolic Punktastic thread toasting their own victory.

Other than that, my time has been pretty much spent between shifting beds up many stairs, and listening to the new Cut the Blue Wire EP (coming out September time – it’s truly stunning!) So any band wanting to sign their lives away to Alcopop and garner rock star fame and riches (or send us a demo at least), please note the change of address.

Oh – and did anyone notice that Sam Isaac was the ‘Hottest record in the world’ on Zane’s show… Awesome

Free gambling without fear – BSM style…

Just a quick one, but everybody likes a guaranteed winner – and the latest BSM promo is just that. Without a legal licence to accept your hard earned cash on foolish bets, Kev (pictured below) has kindly offered a shiny disc from the extremely hearty BSM back catalogue to any punter who can succesfully predict the winner of the upcoming 5-a-side tournament.

Easy – pop over here, type in the word ‘Alcopop’ and your email address and press send. Win!

This is balls-out football the way your granddad would have liked it!

At last! After the tepid support act of Euro 2008, the build up and banter of this season’s REAL football tournament has begun…! That’s right, as the BSM bigwigs (AKA Kev and Ivano), ably supported by last years winning captain Sam Duckworth have made the draw for this year’s fabled BSM 5-A-SIDE EXTRAVAGANZA! And Alcopop look to be the golden outsiders for the crown*…

After a team made up largely of 4 or 5 Magicians members spluttered to a respectable 2nd place in the group stages (smashing up Rocksound 6-3 on the way) last year, sadly failing to make the semi-finals – we retired, burned but not beaten, licking our wounds and ready to return in 2008 to take our rightful place at the top of the indie music industries footballing tree. Luckily, our dominators of last year, The Fly, have withdrawn (along with any 4 or 5 Magicians involvement due to their summer tour) – so this year, the usually oh-so-pleasant Alcopop team have new enemies.

Therefore, it is with a wry footballing smile that I shall lead a specially selected squad comprising of Alcopop staff, friends, Cut the Blue Wire, goFASTER>> and James Grant Management, who will hopefully bring Peter Beardsley, into pitched footballing battle in the Group (of) D(esperate challenges). “Death to Rolo Tomassi, Banquet Records and Gold Management!” shall be firmly pressed upon our lips.

The tournament, featuring 16 teams of varying ability – and plenty of hungover souls praying that a concoction of relentless, greasy food and former school football team glories will see them through, will take place the day after Alcopopalooza (27th July) at the Linford Christie Sports Centre in Laaaaaaandon. More info here. Anyone who fancies popping along to pitch in some well needed support alongside (possibly) Coxy, will be more than welcome.

Sol Davies (ex Luton and Swindon) is especially invited – see wonderful tackle below…

* According to those at www.paddypopper.com

Put it in your diary – 26th July! Alcopopalooza summer party/gig at the Brixton Windmill

Two stages, mega-boozing and around 8 hours of awesome live music, DJs and to herald the summer in true Alcopop style, this ones going to be big! Alcopop would like to cordially invite you to our big ol’ summer bash – ALCOPOPALOOZA – Just as good as its American namesake (ahem), and a whole shed-load cheaper to put together, just take a look at this magnificently rendered poster (featuring alcocroc), and buy tickets here for just £6!

Just in case you hate pictures, you’ll be pleased to know that it features 12 bands and solo artists – including The Xcerts, The Computers, This City, Secondsmile (with their first EVER acoustic set) Pavilion, Cut the Blue Wire, Attika State, Flash Flash Photography, Decades, House of Brothers, Russell Joslin and Sean Clothier. There’s a free BBQ as doors open at 4, and special guest DJs and Alcopop regulars playing an eclectic mix of retro pop, classic 90s indie, electro beats and modern anthems (not forgetting Kev’s ill-advised Nu-Metal hits machine).

Whatsmore, Alcopop will be taking part in the BSM 6-a-side tournament the next day, so anyone who fancies sticking around and watching one of the best footie tournaments to take place… EVER.. is more than welcome.

goFASTER>> rock Bristol till it crumbles + win signed vinyl!

Another day, another gig – and sandwiched tastily inbetween watching Rival Schools at some university in London, and Darren Hayman kick out Hefner hits in the 100 CLub, Alcopop’s very own (and greatest pals) goFASTER>> turned up to The Louisiana in Bristol – and ripped out a set that none of the 50-odd strong crowd will forget in a hurry!

Starring Geoff (Bristol folk will know who i mean) as stirling rock of er.. rock at the front of the stage throughout, single Flammable Leisurewear (available now on 7″ from our shop for just £3 with free CD) prompted a mssive stage invasion that went on for 3 songs, and involved pretty much everyone there. Unable to make out the band in amongst the mass of excited onlookers (see if you can find em in this pic) they continued to rock the now heaving stage – and have made some new fans for life in Brizzel methinks.

Then it was onto the Thekla, Alcopop HQ – shots from the Drambuie bottle… and well, god knows what else!

However, in amongst the drunken haze, i did think to get Liverpool’s hottest indie-pop property (fresh from selling several 1000 albums in Japan by the by) to stick some signatures onto copies of ‘Flammable Leisurewear’ – of which are now ready to fly…

So to celebrate all things scouse, for a (very) limited time only – like, really limited as there’s only 5 signed ones here – we’re offering the vinyl for it’s 3 quid cover price, not only with the tracks on CD – but also penned and fully signed. Top eh… Also, in the spirit of summer, we’re offering one fully signed 7″ (and free BSM 50 not out album) to the person who can most accurately describe goFASTERS>> charming faces in 9 words or less.

Just scribe your answer in the comment box below – and we’ll announce the winner next Wednesday 25th June. Top do$$ar…

And for those who have already bought the viny, if you fancy buying a new one signed, let me know and we’ll include a gift too cos we don’t want you to be sad…

Rival schools were amazing!! As is Kev’s cameo

Hail, thunder nor football could get in the way of last night’s shenanigans as I witnessed what has to be the best gig I’ve seen in 2008, at least half of 2007 – and will long live on in the memory!

Alcopop’s magnificent This City, who came saw and battered an initially frosty crowd with their achingly ace brand of perfect punk pop, the spiky The Computers, who metaphorically punched me in the face with their Mclusky-stylings and elegant white apparel – and then, none other than fuckin’ Rival Schools. Oh yes! As good as I’d hope they’d be, the set was only heightened by being introduced to the very small (surprisingly) Zane Lowe, and seeing Sam Get Cape sing along with quite some vocal ferocity that belied his cheeky face.

Already a massive fan of Walter Schreifels, having played one of our Alcopop nights in London a while back (for more tales of his heroic late arrival and incredible set see the BSM blog over b’yere) it is with interest that I noted this video yesterday, taken at that very Alcopop show almost a year ago – which has only now surfaced.

Take a look at the rather odd appearance of our very own Kev – looking every inch that idiot who appears, gurning in all your photos… If this was facebook he’d be tagged ‘random guy’. But it isn’t – so he isn’t. Taken from BSM again “This is the power of Alcopop. It unites fans and their heroes, it creates life-long memories, and it gives me wonderful and unknown cameo opportunities.”