goFASTER>> soundtrack Hollyoak’s The Morning After the Night Before

Mentioned last week that goFASTER>> are now darlings of screen as well as stage, but I didn’t realise that they’re basically running the new Hollyoaks spin-off ‘The Morning After the Night Before’ (below)… and as Rich put it, ‘basically they’ve used the whole modern education EP to soundtrack the series!!’

Goodtimes is the theme tune, which is particularly ace – and the band themselves feature really heavily in a couple of the episodes… Their handsome faces shimmering on student union stages from beginning to end.

Apart from the fact they failed to get anyone from Alcopop a cameo (poor form boys) it’s all good – Josh (aka Sonny Flood) from the show says in an interview with lastbroadcast.co.uk “There’s lots of live gigs, Josh has a bit of a run in with a roadie. There are actual bands – Go Faster are very good, they’re a local Liverpool band, I think they have an EP, they’re definitely worth checking out.”

I concur Josh… I concur. Indeed it’s available in the Alcopop shop, or on iTunes next time you’re browsing. The only question now remains as to which member of goFASTER>> will be stripping off for the 2010 ‘Hollyoaks Hunks’ calendar. My money’s on Murphy!

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 -

goFASTER>> EP making the summer start early…!

Now currently landing on digital music platforms galore, on the shiny shelves of your favourite indie store – and of course fresh from the Alcopop shop (with a free 4 track EP if you’re very quick… Literally we’re down to the last 10 or so of these) – goFASTER>>’s magnificent debut EP ‘A Modern Education’ is out today, and already making it feel a lot like summer in Alcopop HQ.

The tracklisting for the EP is:
1. A Modern Education
2. Magazine Addiction
3. Good Times
4. You Better Watch Out
5. When the Last Note Sounds

And I guarantee you will love it! Not Ed described the musical treat thusly as “A delectable indie pop four piece from Liverpool who make music in the same lunch-box as Good Shoes and Look See Proof. The EP also has a Hot Club De Paris aura to it, in how the songs all entwine together like they have a big shoelace tied around them” – and I think he’s just about on the nail…. Take a listen to the scouse champs here, and get yourself a piece….

Oh – and don’t forget this EP is available as part of a ‘binge’ style mega-deal package with the My First Tooth EP and one of our rapidly dwindling red white crocodile on skateboard tees too… Ace! Get yourself truly alcopopped

NEW goFASTER>> EP to be released in Alcopop: March 16th

It’s been a few months in coming, what with Alcopop taking some time out to celebrate Christmas, plan where we’re headed – and speak to some MOST exciting acts about their plans for this year… But it’s pretty much time to officially announce the very first release of ’09, and by gum it’s a good one. Ladies and gentleman, boys and scousers – it gives me a whole heap of Liverpool-based pleasure to announce that Alcopop’s first release of the year comes from Alcopop favourites (and sometime Wombat tour buddies) goFASTER>> – it’s an EP, it’s called A Modern Education – and it’s about time you sit down, tuck your shirt in, face the front and listen!

Back with two new members and their trademark pop-punk sound that have had rags across the country salivating with glee, the boys are bound to do it all again with this their debut EP – before probably heading off to some intergalactic based bastion of stardom… The signs are good, Gigwise suggesting gF>> are “the most exciting band to come out of Liverpool in the last year“, NME branding them “brilliant new wave punk” and Artrocker gushing “as long as bands are willing to experiment in this way we’ll all have a rosy future”.

So – the date to ink with genuine excitment in your diary is the 16th March… When all the new goFASTER>> discs will be dropping onto doormats across the country. Keep a keen eye on the blog though, as we’re set to be releasing a really awesome, very limited edition extra that’s only going to be available through Alcopop and the band (no HMV – not for you!) – which will no doubt have you salivating. I won’t say much more just now as we’re putting the finishing touches to our plan…. But I promise it will be awesome.

Now – to celebrate, go and listen to goFASTER>> with all your might on MySpace, or watch the video for their last single, Flammable Leisurewear (on Alcopop), below:

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…

Scottish Wombats fans rejoice – and why June is great for gigs!

“Och aye” sighed the stereotypically Scottish girl from Inverness (probably named Elspeth or Nessie) “I have a wee pair of tickets to see popular scouse popstars The Wombats the night, but if only I could see Alcopop’s favourite Liverpool pop troubadours goFASTER>> at the same time”.

Well fear not bonnie lass, for fresh from the sad news that the original support ‘The Teenagers’ appear to have misplaced their drummer, comes a whole heap of happiness for you, namely that goFASTER>> have been added to further Wombats dates! Hurrah for those of you with tickets in Inverness and Sheffield (and Edinburgh – last night) – just make sure you get there close ‘to doors’ to catch them… Not only because they’re brilliant, but it will make your gig experience all the more succulent for it!

Oh – and in other news those hard working lads at data.select.party have just confirmed another tour… Yes it seems that wending their way inexorably around the country with IWACS just isn’t enough, and now they’ve only gone and booked a load of dates with Furthest Drive Home too. You’ll be spoiled for choice in June I tells ya – just have a look at this enticing set of dates too – Sam Isaac, My First Tooth and Luke Leighfield… By gum!

From Barry Island to Paris.. and an Alcopop update

What a lovely week it’s been, and although my absence from the country has left www.ilovealcopop.co.uk sadly bereft of any blogposts since Saturday (that’s really bad isn’t it?) it has meat that I have been able to do my own little bit for the Welsh tourist board by proving exactly why Barry Island is the best place in the world, just check out that fine tropical beach and azure-blue waves (palm trees just out of shot), but also for the Welsh penny arcades industry by continually betting a seemingly unlimited supply of coppers on the Green horse – that one that’s barely made it out of the blocks in the picture below.

Oh I also swung by Paris, which was gorgeous, sunny and had a more than ample side of free drinks – but can you eat dank sausage roll and chips on a desolate beach before dumping a handful of sand into a pals Apple Tango? Can you f**k, so it is of little interest.

In other, far more important – and Alcopop related news, the awesome Cut the Blue Wire are not only releasing their debut digital single ‘Everest’ via Alcopop on Monday, but have also been featured on the latest Punktastic podcast – which you should listen to anyway, even if CTBW weren’t on it.. The fact that they are means, it would just be frankly mental not too.

Also, the recent goFASTER>> tour with The Wombats has gone super swimmingly, and I was lucky enough to catch up the boys on Monday night@ the Bristol Academy. The kids went mental (not surprising with a line up that also included IWACS), and everyone’s favourite souse indie-pop champs put on a blazing performance!

Finally, there are still some copies of the 50 track free BSM samplers free with every shop order… Get on it now… Oh and if you have a few minutes to spare – read the following piece from Song, by Toad – who posted a cracking article on lovely Lucy and the Caterpillar xx

Oi Wombats! Let’s dance to Joy Division…

And celebrate the irony; raise our glass to the ceiling yada yada… But most importantly get so happy! Well, for anyone off to see The Wombats over bank holiday weekend anyway, because good news for you all, is that not only are the quite frankly magnificent I Was a Cub Scout anchored firmly half-way up the bill, but Alcopop’s very own lovable scouse rogues goFASTER>> are opening the Leeds, Nottingham, Oxford and Bristol shows – meaning that if you hurry down in time for doors you’ll have a sparkling show on your hands!

But fear not if you’re ticketless and can’t beg, guestlist or steal entry to this one without resorting to the greedy touts – fear not, because Rich, Chris, Ian and Murphy have a van named Eggy, and they’re not afraid to use him – thus booking a host of gigs throughout the next few months.

In other news (sponsored by Cool Runnings and the rather excellent Jamaican Bobsleigh Chant by Worl-a-Girl that’s playing on my iTunes right now), myself and a couple of chums managed to pop down to the HTM(HTF) gig down in Laaandon last night, and what a show it was! The venue was Bush Hall (apparently an ex-dancing hall bought by a rich gent for his daughter and opulently decked out), and the bands were superb. A special mention ought to go to support ‘Madam’ whose effortlessly gorgeous voice belied her dark tunes, – but Hush the Many stole the show, bleeding profusely everywhere and generally rockin’ like beasts unleashed.

Oh, and if you’re considering going to Glastonbudget, get your ass down with the Family Machine – and anyone near Portsmouth… Cut the Blue Wire are putting on a release show at the Wedgewood Rooms in but a week, which promises to be about the best ever night.. EVER!

Now I’m off to get some sleep, contemplate a weekend in Wales with some of my leek-munching chums from uni, and calculate the full ins and outs, and possible finishing positions of the Championship table. I’m sure most of you don’t care – but as a helpless Coventry City fan needing some people to share my terror with, relegation is still possible! Now it’s kinda unlikely we’re going to go down, but far stranger things have happened (finding a jug of mouldy cocktail in Kev BSM’s room being one – I never thought he’d let booze go to waste) – but either way, please join me in praying for fair footballing fortune – my entire summer depends on it !

Alcopop Records 5-a-side team to feature Peter Beardsley?

Oh what a night or twain – I’m suffering for it now a touch, but after Fridays sojourn to a strange reggae meets trip hop night in Oxford (where they gleefully played Chaka Demus + Pliers as well as Red Dragon feat. Brian and Tony Gold, yet decided to baulk at my request for Sweat by The Inner Circle), and Thursdays trip to London to see goFASTER>> – it’s certainly been a cracking couple of days.

For not only did we meet up with some seriously ace management types and all but put pen to paper on a really exciting new release that’s liable to get summery hearts singing across the Alcopop nation, but it seems that a whole lot of the label family have fingers firmly placed in the footballing pie (at the same time as having all their other appendages firmly stuck into music of course).

For in deep, drunken discussion with all and sundry about the very serious issue of the BSM 5-a-side tournament (which will be taking place late July), we discovered that not only did Chris goFASTER>> go to the same school as Jamie Carragher, but Ian GF knew ex-Liverpool keeper Mike Hooper (now a bouncer in Liverpool incidentally) and our new pal Nick has played 5-a-side with Peter Beardsley!

So look out fellow teams – Get Cape may have won the first BSM footy shindig – but Alcopop are piling on the pressure for the next one, with a team that now represents more a team of all time Premiership heroes than Alcopop records. Ah well, I’m all about the glory – and there’s just a slight suspicion that our Peter, Mike and even Jamie might have more important things to do than turn up at the Linford Christie Sports Centre to ply their trade amongst hungover bands and fat magazine freelancers (we’re saying nothing Rocksound – NB we beat them 5-2 last year J) come the summer months.

In case they don’t though – here’s the proposed Alcopop side for this year….

GK – Mike Hooper

DF – Jamie Carragher

Jack (me)

MF – Ian from goFASTER>>

ST – Peter Beardsley

More squad options to be announced later – with Carragher possibly dropped from the starting line up in place of Nima Hush the Many or one of CTBW – I’m yet to ask them J

Have a great weekend!

Seems everyone is considering Beardo coming out of retirement!

goFASTER>> turning Japanese…

I really think so! You should have seen what was going on in the van (ahem…), and amidst a big cardboard cut-out of Lenny Henry (holding a duck), an odd metal dog with some balls, scouse stage invasions and mental dancers – the Boss Pop tour (with Elle S’apelle) has drawn to a close after leaving a trail of power-pop destruction across the country. But fear not, because not only are the boys continuing on their unremitting tour schedule around the country, they’ve secured 5 dates with close pals The Wombats and will be gracing massive venues in Birmingham, Newcastle, Edinburgh, Inverness and Sheffield with them on their upcoming tour.

What’s more – it seems that the boys have already made a pretty big impact overseas, and just a week after releasing ‘Flammable Leisurewear’ on strictly ltd (to 500) 7” on Alcopop – have gone on to sign a deal to release their debut album ‘Magazine Addictions’ in Japan – which is, quite frankly, awesome. Sadly, as this issue is Japanese only, it will set you back 20 sheets on Amazon preorder, but is likely to be cheaper for all our chums based over in the orient.

Meanwhile, although all the very special tracksuit-sleeved 7”s (first 100 of 500 copies) are long gone, some of the single still remain available from the boys on tour, or through the Alcopop shop. Buy now – or weep later.