Hello again and welcome to the German Shepherd Newsletter

This week

– Four Candles invite you to join their Spiritual Rapture
– Gig News
– New video from PrunX
– Manchester Meltdown
– What’s coming soon

Four Candles – Spiritual Rapture

Our release for 22nd June is a bit complicated – we are releasing the new album from Four Candles in CD format via our Bandcamp Page, however those who live in the digital world will get the album in three chunks of two track singles in June, July, and August. Heavily road tested during the bands’ January Manchester Meltdown appearances this new six-track album shows the band moving into new areas with surprising variations in style and content from their debut album “Killing The Image”. Recorded at 6dB studios in Salford the core band of Phil Peak – Drums, Jon Rowlinson – Bass, Mark Taylor – Guitar and Ian Moss – Vocals are joined by Ding on Piano and David Wilkinson on Saxophone.

The variety across the six-track collection is remarkable with the quartet drawing on their collective experience to create a fresh and approachable sound with the trademark Moss vocals providing a perfect counterpoint to the lush textures of Mark’s guitar and Phil and Jon’s tight rhythms.

Well regarded artist Andy Thorley has had a sneak preview of the album as says “Spiritual Rapture is a cracking little silver disc that is great from start to early finish. Not wanting to overstay it’s welcome at under 30 minutes, it’s a perfect bite-size morsel, hunt your own copy down soon.”

With his 40th year on stage now achieved Ian Moss will be extensively interviewed by Stephen Doyle on his Sonic Diary Show on Salford City Radio at 9pm on 13th June. The show which will have an extended Mixcloud version will contain many examples of Ian’s work with bands including Hamsters, The Stepbrothers, Sicknurse, Kill Pretty and of course Four Candles.

The bands next gig is on Saturday 23rd June at the Peer Hat as part of Manchester Meltdown (see below), copies of the CD will be available at the gig for a mere £5.

Here’s a preview of opening track – Strange Things Are Happening

Gig News

Several new gigs have been added to our list, notably with what looks like a cracking gig with Drink and Drive, and The Strays, at the newly refurbished Whittles in Oldham on 14th July.

• 15th June – Keltrix launch their new album at The Corner House, Cambridge,
  21st June – Bouquet of Dead Crows play Bedford Esquires
• 22nd June – Inferior Complex play The Railway, Winchester
• 23rd June – Manchester Meltdown Summer All Day Special
• 30th June – The Scissors play Knackfest, Karma Farm, Isleham Fen
• 6th July – Inferior Complex play The Shooting Star, Southampton
• 7th July – Toska Wilde plays SAKS, Southend on Sea as part of Cult 13
• 14th July – Drink and Drive and The Strays play Whittles, Oldham with Little Avis
• 17th July – Scissors supporting KOLARS at The Portland Arms Cambridge
• 21st July – Mesmer Disciples play Alston Festival
• 27th July – Bouquet of Dead Crows play Mama Liz’s Voodoo Lounge in Stamford
• 28th July – Drink and Drive play Peer Hat, Manchester
• 28th July – Bouquet of Dead Crows play Pim Jam Festival, Haverhill
• 15th September – The Scissors and Charlie Marshall play The Cornerhouse, Cambridge
• 15th September – Mesmer Disciples play Music Lounge, Stockton on Tees
• 15th September – Drink and Drive play Agueda, Portugal
• 16th September – Mesmer Disciples play Museum Vaults Sunderland.
• 21st September – Four Candles, Poppycock and Charlie Marshall play The Peer Hat, Manchester
• 22nd December – Drink and Drive play Strummercamp Fundraiser and Oldham Rugby Club

New video from PrunX

Rockin’ it out big style with new bassist Berny with an old song “Dirty Gods” PrunX are in fine form on this recently released video

check out their previous releases with us

Manchester Meltdown

Tickets are going fast for Manchester Meltdown on June 23rd. A limited number of early bird tickets are available at the reduced price of £7.50, on the day entry will be £9. Doors open at 1:30pm for ticket/wristband collection and the first act will be on stage at 2:45pm. Legendary DJ Stephen Doyle will be providing musical accompaniments throughout the day. Limited edition badges will be on sale at the event will all proceeds going towards fighting the hunger crisis in South Sudan.

Here are the set times:….

2-45 – 3-25 Monkeys in Love
3-45 – 4-25 Flea
4-45 – 5-25 Diagonal Science
5-45 – 6-00 Susan and Matt (Factory Acts)
6-30 – 7-10 Four Candles
7-30 – 8-10. Drink and Drive
8-30 – 9-10 The Empty Page
9-30 -10-10 Bobbie Peru
10-30 – 11-10 The Sandells

The Prick Jaggers will make a short appearance sometime during the day

Early bird tickets can be reserved at this page

What’s coming?

Our next release will be a new collaboration from Ian Moss and Moff Skellington, collective known as the Colourful Disease, with a five track EP called Economics.