Today I got out of bed at 6pm…

This is definitely cool, and has led me to feeling pretty smug about the scant few hours I’ve actually spent on my feet. Tomorrow however and it’s back to the grind – mail orders, emails, sorting out bots and bobs for the compilation… For while major labels slumber with a four day weekend. Life seems to go on for indies… Which is kinda cool J

Meanwhile though, I note that the rather acely namely ‘Die Shellsuit Die’ fanzine has nailed a pretty tasty review of the goFASTER>> ‘A Modern Education’ EP… They “paint huge scapes of totally pleasant and immeasurably radio friendly feel good pop in an entirely unapologetic way which is something pretty rare. Admittedly, no boundaries are pushed per sae, but actually; who cares? Combining punchy new wave indie with some genuinely impressive lyric writing; goFASTER >> seems on to a winner.”

Also, for those of you who haven’t seen – I noted, rather nostalgically, that Alcopop’s first ever act – Encyclopedia (ahhh – those old days) have slapped a couple of tracks on their MySpace, including a reworked version of ‘Get a drummer’ – which was one of the B-Sides on their ‘Emily’ single AKA Alcopop001 (which can still be purchased from the shop). Ace! Go and have a listen, cos they’re pretty super-ace power pop you should probably enjoy. Until then have a lovely weekend – and keep an eye on the blog as we’re announcing a very exciting new signing and release next week!

Happy Easter!

Alcopop dig about in the archives – Encyclopedia video!

It was an emotional night last eve, as during another drink-fuelled, Huw Stephens-tastic meeting, we’ve gone digital for the first time (getting the majority of our releases on iTunes/Tunetribe etc.) and, in perhaps the busiest period during inception, looking back to the heady days of September 2006. Indeed, when all fresh-faced and naive – we scrabbled together our first club night (featuring personal heros Midget), and put together the first in our lovely singles club – ‘Emily’ by Encyclopedia – a pop classic that still sounds as fresh as it did all those months ago.. Since then, DSP, 4 or 5 Magicians, goFASTER>> and so many others have given us the great pleasure of releasing with us, and now with The Family Machine, Hush the Many (Heed the Few) and another awesome act soon to be announced… We’re still bloody loving it (and i hope you are too).

But enough with the sentimentalist stuff I hear you cry… What is the point of this short nostalgic trip back through the Alcopop ages?

Well, myself and Kev have been scouring the hard drive, and found this beauty – a stop animation lo-fi video that Kev created nearly two years ago now for the first few seconds of debut Alcopop single by Encyclopedia – check it out, and know that the budget was slim ! You’ll notice that we never got pictures of the handsome Emily, and so a slightly less pretty understudy has been picked… I do look pretty on the underground mind.

Oh, and if you want the full Encyclopedia single – the tracks are now available to buy seperately on iTunes, or the full CD £3 from the shop:

Exceptional poppers part 2: Part 1

Of all those who have stopped into Alcopop Records for a steaming cup of damn fine music, and side-plate of shortbread love, Coxy is a shining hero. Author of two blogs, Coxy’s blog and Gamestyle – he has been an ever present, owner of every Alcopop release and regular – and seemingly pursuer of all things that are brilliant… Here he is, commenting on Wimpy Burger, Carrot Men and Parsley from the herbs.

Oh, and his answers are so informed and long – I’ve decided to put the post into two parts. Here’s the first…

Of all the Alcopop releases that have ever graced your postbox, which is your very favourite?
I feel obliged to say ‘Encyclopedia – Emily’, Alcopop’s first release and the start of the singles club. The Singles Club was probably the first club I’ve ever joined of my own free will and I was quite excited to be receiving some good post for once. Encyclopedia’s Oli makes me feel slightly gay and Bencyclopedia is a lovely, lovely person and first introduced me to Alcopop (the label, not the drink).

I’m also looking forward to upcoming release ‘goFASTER>> – Flammable Leisurewear’ because the band make boss-pop and are really cool people. The artwork looks to be ace, too.

Got any red hot tips for the best bands one might catch on the smaller circuits of 2008?
I have a long list of artists that I’d like to see popular in 2008, including Fourteen Corners, National School, Mr Kamikaze and Manchester’s own Vile Vile Creatures. However, if I had to narrow my choice down to one, The Old Romantic Killer Band from Leeds have been blasting out of my speakers everyday for the past month. I do believe they have a single coming out in Q1 2008 and are currently touring the small venues nationwide before they head off to SXSW later this year.

Coxy – which 80’s/early 90’s cartoon character do you most relate too?
Something tells me you’re looking for me to say ‘Shaggy’ from the hit TV show ‘Scooby Doo’, but alas, physical appearance aside, I’d much prefer to be ‘Parsley the Lion’ from ‘The Herbs’. Parsley is as wise as I am and carries style and debonair – or at least pretends to. When those around him lose their head, he keeps calm, plays it cool and pretends to know what he’s doing.

Encyclopedia for £1!

As a special Christmas present to you all we are currently offering ‘Emily’ by Encyclopedia for just £1! This offer won’t last very long at all so take advantage of it, and why not pick up a copy of the Data.Select.Party CD whilst you’re at it?

Alcopop! tour

Encyclopedia and Data Select Party head out for a few dates together this week. Check em out…

24th- Winchester Student Union
25th- Coventry, Jailhouse
26th- Northampton, Racehorse
28th- Yeovil, Woods Bar
31st- London, Catch

Remember you can pre-order the DSP single from this website now!

Andy Midget rocks naked!

And so the inaugural Alcopop! night has passed… and thanks to all you champs, it was a roaring success. The place sold out, everyone sweated buckets and Andy from Midget dealt with it by stripping almost entirely naked! Photos up in the Club Night section. The next gig will be announced soon so sign up to the mailing list to be the first to know all about it… Meanwhile, only a few days remain to sign up cheap for the singles club. And if you only have £3 to your name, check out the Encyclopedia single which is ltd. to 500, hand numbered and just 3″ big. It’s going fast!

Good news x 3

Well they do say good news always comes in threes! Firstly, we can confirm that Fantastic Plastic’s own The Immediate will be bringing their fine brand of sweet serene Irish indie to the Social for our launch night. (18th Sept – it would be lovely to see you there). Secondly, our boys Encyclopedia have been loved up by Mr. Lamacq who played them on BBC Radio 6… Buy the very limited edition single right now! Thirdly – you still have 26 days to sign up to the singles club and get discount/presents. Do it now before it’s too late…!

Badges!

Sitting proudly and all shiny on the shelves of the Alcopop! shop, we now have new badges for sale. They are quite beautiful (the envy of all your friends etc.) and retail for just a pound a pair (no postage.) Go look. Or join the singles club before September 31st and get them free!
Don’t forget, ‘Emily’ by Encyclopedia, the first single in our series is available to pre-order now. Have a listen to them on Myspace asap!

Alcopop! Launch

Ladies and Gentlemen, Girls and Boys, it’s time to don your ringer Tees, crack open a bottle or seventeen of your finest sugary alcobooze and ring in the new – Alcopop! Records launches on the 18th September with a power-indie single of the highest order from up-and-coming heroes Encyclopedia…. As well as indie legends Midget’s first London gig for over 5 years! Get in! Click here for more info

For a limited period only (until September 31st), you can sign up to our new singles club for the very special price of just £16 – and get a whole load of special Alcopop! ‘early subscriber’ presents too. That’ll see 6 limited edition 3” CDs (in a tasty rainbow colour scheme) hand-delivered to your door, every other month, over the next year. For full details click here