We started all this in a mill in Stockport in 2014 – as we enter our seventh year we celebrate by releasing something by the two co-owners of the label. It’s free but if you want to give us some money it will help us keep the label running. Subscribers get a copy automatically!
Many thanks to everyone who has supported the label since we started especially DJs, Bloggers and Journalists who have featured what we do. Also thanks to the venues who have allowed us to share our music/artists on a live stage. Special thanks to all the artists who contribute to the label – we couldn’t do it without you!
We’ve a lot more new music coming your way so stay tuned!
Here’s what we have planned for February 28th and also some gig news
CRAB DANCE GIs
The Crab Dancers return with another quality slice of Manchester Music. A two track single double A side entitled – Cover Aversion/I’m Sorry (But You’ve Got To Go)
Crab Dance GIs is the side project for KIT B’s Danny Cusick which also features Craig Bodell and Paul Smith, all three of whom were in the excellent band The Hidden Gem.
Packed with Cusick’s sardonic wit and great melodies this is a welcome addition to a collection of great tunes produced by the band
MOFF SKELLINGTON
The bard of Abstercot is never far from our minds and in anticipation of a new EP in around a months time we are re-issuing Moff Skellington’s excellent album The Pukes of A Hot Cloister.
The dark days of January 2012 were brightened somewhat by the arrival of The Pukes Of A Hot Cloister album. As usual there was a feast of lyrical athleticism, Moff plucks words out of the ether and re-arranges them in a completely unique and totally compelling way. This album is particularly full of memorable “Moffism’s”, too many to mention and all rather special, there is some degree of continuity from prior releases in parts, with several references to molecules, and the usual bovine references that are scattered across the albums, and the opening instrumental “House of New Bricks” is quoted in the words/music of the penultimate track “Four Peg Wooden Unit”. Two of the tracks “Time for Nervous Questions In The Pub” and “Confident of Pending Treats” formed part of the six song set Moff recorded for the “Reformation” radio show (Salford City Radio), the other four appearing on the previous years Embers from the Rapid Eye album, so there is some specific continuity between those two albums. As is usual with Moff you know what you are going to get – the difference with each album though is how he has progressed his art and which particular parts of his “dreamscape” he is addressing in this instance.
The opening “House of New Bricks” sets the scene with a stately waltz around the accordion with bluesy harp wailing – this soon transforms into the strange and somehow beautiful “Crap and Ugly Toys” which is Eddodi in its purest sense. From there on we are gently led through a journey of fascinating words and unique music. A contemporary “manifesto” of Moff’s work, whether it be his art or his music, described a reality comprising three interacting factors – octoberness, perfection and slapstick. Simply put these three elements , anticipation, entropy, and the essentially comedic nature of existence, intertwine to allow innovation, expression and interpretation. We are resisting the urge to release spoilers about the content of this album as we believe that the listener should absorb this marvellous work and draw their own conclusions from the text/sound. All we will say is that the other-worldliness of Moff’s output is never more apparent as it is here. He has always been unique. no one else is doing music like this – it just seems he has built on his work to date to create something rather special. Variety is the watchword here and it is all good. Comparisons, bench-marks, yardsticks etc are impossible so the listener needs to approach it from his/her perspective.
It is with great pleasure that we re-release this album for wider consumption.
RE-INTRODUCING THE SCISSORS
We thought it was timely to bring the oft neglected and rather marvellous band The Scissors back to forefront.
The Cambridge based band offer a unique sound encompassing carnival freakshow organ, primitive synths, and rock’n’roll guitar powered psych-punk-pop. Their influences are varied, but their sound has been likened to The Teardrop Explodes, The Doors, The Chameleons, Wire, The Damned, and XTC.
The current line-up of the band is: Stewart Harris – vocals/bass, Toby Lefever – guitars, Simon Powell – keys/tronica, Huw Wallace – drums
The Scissors started in 2006 in Cambridge as a trio; adding organ and primitive analogue synths a year later to mould their sound into a mix of psychpop and post-punk that they continue to develop. They have played alongside great acts including Glasvegas, Hey Sholay, Raglans, ex-Kook Max Rafferty, James McCartney (son of Sir Paul), Make Model and Jakil. In terms of venues they have delivered well-received sets in London (Dublin Castle, Camden Enterprise, Hope and Anchor), and in the East of England (The John Peel Centre in Stowmarket, Epic Studios in Norwich). In their home town they’ve played at the Portland Arms, Cambridge Junction, the Corn Exchange, Mill Road Winter Fair and comic/sci-fi convention CamCon. They have even ventured north to play the Salford Music Festival They’re no strangers to local radio, especially Cambridge 105’s ‘Stagger Indie’ show and Dave Hammond’s Smelly Flowerpot on Cambridge 105.
We re-release their two latest offerings to a wider audience from the 28th.
FILED FANGS
As trailed last week the debut release (it’s not a single!) from Filed Fangs is officially released on 28th February – here’s a link to a review from Louder Than War.
GIGS
Gigs for the remainder of February and March
Umbrella Assassins
21 Feb 2020
Haverhill Art Centre, High St, Haverhill CB9 8AR, UK
Electric Cheese
22 Feb 2020
The Whip & Kitten, 8, 12 Burnley Rd, Rawtenstall, Rossendale BB4 8EW, UK
Adventures of Salvador, Loop-Aznavour
28 Feb 2020
Shangri-La at the Carlton Club, 279 Bury Old Rd, Prestwich, Manchester M25 1JA, UK
Elastikbande
28 Feb 2020
The Whip & Kitten, 8, 12 Burnley Rd, Rawtenstall, Rossendale BB4 8EW, UK
Bouquet of Dead Crows
29 Feb 2020
The Blue Moon, 2 Norfolk St, Cambridge CB1 2LF, UK
The Junta with Section 25 Industrial Unit
29 Feb 2020
Aatma, 1st Floor, 14-16 Faraday St, Manchester M1 1BE, UK
Poppycock
8 Mar 2020
The Spinning Top 20 Wellington Road South, SK4 1AA Stockport
Inferior Complex
13 Mar 2020
HOLROYD ARMS, 36 Aldershot Rd, Guildford GU2 8AF, UK
Weimar
13 Mar 2020
Railway Inn (Didsbury), 3 Lapwing Ln, Manchester M20 2NT, UK
The Mind Sweepers with The Red Propellers
14 Mar 2020
The Peer Hat, 14-16 Faraday St, Manchester M1 1BE, UK
Inferior Complex
14 Mar 2020
The Acoustic Couch, 11 Market St, Bracknell RG12 1JG, UK
Inferior Complex
20 Mar 2020
Winchester Football Club Hillier Way, Winchester SO23 0JD, UK
Four Candles and Adventures of Salvador
20 Mar 2020
The Salty Dog, 23 High St, Northwich CW9 5BZ, UK
The English Disease
23 Mar 2020
The Hatch Sheffield
Kit B and Inferior Complex
26 Mar 2020
The Dublin Castle, 94 Parkway, Camden Town, London NW1 7AN, UK
Inferior Complex and Bouquet of Dead Crows
29 Mar 2020
The Smokehouse, South Street Studios 6 South Street, Ipswich IP1 3NU, UK
The English Disease is a new bass free trio featuring
Bang Bang Maxwell -drums
Maximus Volume – guitar
Max Factor – voice
You can catch them live at the following events
Monday 23rd March , the Hatch , Sheffield
Sunday 26th April , Oldham, Strummercamp Shangri-La stage
Thursday 4th June , Salford , The Eagle with The Sandells and JD Meatyard
Saturday 6th June – Stockport , Pressure Drop studios as part of Shockportia 2 (afternoon gig)
Riff heavy with funky rock beats and a touch of math-prog breaks they are well worth checking out – imagine Buddy Holly on steroids plus King Crimson in a blender with The Butthole Surfers and Don Van Vliet and you are somewhere adjacent sound wise.
Here we are again with some more new music for you….we have one new release for February 14th plus one pre-release……. and some other news
INFERIOR COMPLEX – LIVE ON SHEPPEY FM
Southampton’s post punk trio are back with another release.
This time a recording from a radio session for Phil Crowder’s End of the Week Show on Sheppey FM. Phil has been steadfast supporter of our label and has had sessions with our more southern based acts.
This six track mini-album, recorded in October 2019, covers music from all of the band’s releases and the stripped back feel of these recordings is a fine example of their live sound. The release was engineered by Jamie Ryan at Sheppey FM an edited & mastered by Matt at Untapped Talent in Southampton.
The band have gigs coming up in Southampton (7th February) Guildford (13th March) London – Dublin Castle (26th March) Ipswich (29th March) and Southampton (10th April). Please see the gig list page right for more details.
FILED FANGS – WHEN IS A SINGLE NOT A SINGLE?
As trailed last week on 14th February we pre-release the first offering from new Manchester based duo Filed Fangs.
To remind you what we said last week.
Time for something new? It is “Calcify” – a track NOT a single.
A hint. An introduction. The first of many tracks from a staggered album – a collection of songs that will track by track / drip by drip / bite by bite reveal a body of work
Distressed sounds, walls of guitars (bass and lead), layers of keyboards
Snatches of vocals, needle hitting red, music from a broken radio just off the dial through a splintered culture, motes of sound breaking through.
Calcification – hardening, insoluble deposits, disruption of systems and functions
They are Filed Fangs – Paul (Slum Turkeys) and Boz (Flea) collaborating – echoes of sound from Manchester 30 years back brought up to date. Time flowing back and forward, echoes and future memories.
Grunge, dub, electronica, noise. Hypnotic. Epic and enigmatic.
When everything else these days sounds like somebody else’s stuff (recycled post punk brit pop blah blah blah) this sounds unique, special. compelling. Something to get your teeth into?
Hyperbole? You decide……full release will be on February 28th and CD versions will be available. The track has already been featured on “Standing In The Shadows of Lev” show on ALL FM, Manchester
SUBSCRIBER SPECIAL – IAN MOSS AND SPACE MUSEUM
We are releasing today the second volume of Ian Moss’s Spoken Word series to our subscribers – with 14 brand new pieces, supplemented by the sonic tinkerings of Space Museum, Moss covers a wide range of topics close to his heart including aging, the climate crisis, politics, relationships and tribute bands. This release is exclusively for our subscribers and will not be available anywhere else.
Subscriptions to the label are £40 a year. With that you get everything we release in the next twelve months, a series of subscriber only specials, 10% of all merch and over 230 previously released albums, singles and EPs which you can stream or download. To subscribe please follow this LINK
MORE MELTDOWN – CRAVATS TICKETS SELLING FAST
The next edition of Manchester Meltdown has been expanded to a two night affair. Good Friday (April 10th) sees Four Candles and Adventures of Salvador (currently back in the studio) plus ex Notsensible Stephen John Hartley (Sage) at The Peer Hat, Faraday Street – there a no pre-tickets for this event and the entrance fee is a mere £5.
The following day sees a bumper bill of bands from across the north west – Unseasonal Beasts, Factory Acts, Matthew Hopkins, Andy T Band and Horsemeat – plus headliners The Cravats back in Manchester after a two year absence with a new album to promote.
Tickets are £8.50 in advance and are selling fast so we recommend people get on board as soon as possible. Tickets are available HERE. Entry will be £10 on the day early purchase saves you loads!
This time around we are looking forward to what’s happening during February with German Shepherd Records…..
FEBRUARY RELEASES
7th -Positronik – Work
We kick off the month with a new four track EP from Manchester soul-pop trio Positronik. With songs from both instrumentalist Jeff “Captain” Black and singer Nathalie Haley there’s a certainly a lot of variety in the mix. Kicking off with Jeff Black’s Aretha inspired soul stomper, and EP lead track, W-O-R-K the stage is set for a set of dance floor classics. Nathalie’s dream-pop epic “Good So Bad” follows changing the mood, and next the soulful “Easy Money” again shifts gears highlighting her strong vocals. The set is completed with the hyper active pop drenched “When You Call Me ‘Sweetheart'”.
14th – Inferior Complex – Live on Sheppey FM
The ever busy Inferior Complex bring their post-punk sounds to the fore again with a live radio session album recorded live with Phil Crowder at Sheppey FM on his End of the Week show. This great collection reveals the trio’s great live sound. More information on this release next week. The band have a new single ready for release in May.
21st – Auster Boys – Lost In The Former East
The Austers are back with a new album of music from a flâneur perspective which this time focuses on a trip to Berlin and three jazz concerts in London. Iain Sinclair’s “The Last London” provides a literary back-drop to a psycho-geographical journey which slips between dreams and waking and where time and meaning/intent are blurred.
28th – Moff Skellington The Pukes of a Hot Cloister
We begin the monumental task of redistributing the bulk of Moff Skellington’s back catalogue this month. Moff will be providing brand new cover art for some editions. We begin with the memorable “Pukes of a Hot Cloister” a large portion of which was originally launched as a session of Bob’s Reformation Show on Salford City Radio some years back. New material from Moff is due in a few months time.
Manchester pop terrorists Crab Dance GIs return with a brand new single. Featuring KIT Bs Danny Cusick and former Hidden Gem Band Mates Craig Bodell and Paul Smith. This is their third single with us
28th – The Scissors – Look Good In Cheap Clothes, and Smokehouse and Mirrors
We redistribute the last two releases from Cambridge freakbeat/punkpop/new wave quartet – they return to Spotify/Apple/Google/Amazon etc
28th – Filed Fangs – Calcify (pre-released 14th)
Time for something new?
It is “Calcify” – a track NOT a single.
A hint. An introduction. The first of many tracks from a staggered album – a collection of songs that will track by track / drip by drip / bite by bite reveal a body of work
Distressed sounds, walls of guitars (bass and lead), layers of keyboards
Snatches of vocals, needle hitting red, music from a broken radio just off the dial through a splintered culture, motes of sound breaking through.
Calcification – hardening, insoluble deposits, disruption of systems and functions
They are Filed Fangs – Paul (Slum Turkeys) and Boz (Flea) collaborating – echoes of sound from Manchester 30 years back brought up to date. Time flowing back and forward, echoes and future memories.
Grunge, dub, electronica, noise.
Hypnotic.
Epic and enigmatic.
When everything else these days sounds like somebody else’s stuff (recycled post punk brit pop black blah blah) this sounds unique, special. compelling. Something to get your teeth into?
A preview….
FEBRUARY GIGS
A busy month ahead ……
1st –
The Harveys – Jimmy’s, Liverpool L7 6HE, UK
The Mind Sweepers – Big Burns Supper, Eskdale House, Crichton Business Park, Dumfries DG1 4UQ, UK
2nd
Bouquet of Dead Crows – The Fiddler’s Elbow – Music Venue, 1 Malden Rd, Belsize Park, London NW5 3HS, UK
7th
Inferior Complex – The Alexandra, 6 Bellevue Rd, Southampton SO15 2AY, UK
8th
Four Candles & The Ombudsmen – Fuel Cafe Bar, 448 Wilmslow Rd, Manchester M20 3BW, UK
Weimar – Hoylake Social Club, 11 Trinity Rd, Hoylake, Wirral CH47 2BR, UK
15th
The Mind Sweepers – The Vaults Arts Centre, Newton Stewart
21st
Umbrella Assassins – Bury Sound, Bury St Edmonds
28th
Elastikbande – The Whip & Kitten, 8, 12 Burnley Rd, Rawtenstall, Rossendale BB4 8EW, UK
29th
Bouquet of Dead Crows – The Blue Moon, 2 Norfolk St, Cambridge CB1 2LF, UK
The Junta with Section 25 Industrial Unit – Aatma, 1st Floor, 14-16 Faraday St, Manchester M1 1BE, UK
