Hello and welcome to the regular e-news from German Shepherd Records. This week we have the exciting details of the first single from Weimar plus gig news featuring our artists…..

Weimar debut single – John Doe/Curse The Songs

Weimar, a four-piece Art Rock band based in Manchester, release their debut single, the double A-side “John Doe/Curse the Songs” on Friday 1st February. Both songs have been produced and mixed by Simon ‘Ding’ Archer of The Fall, Pixies and PJ Harvey fame. The single will be released digitally by German Shepherd Records and physically by Weimar’s own label Marlene’s Hat. Its release will be accompanied by a special launch gig at The Eagle Inn, Salford, at 7.30pm on Friday 1st February with support from Sticky Pearls, Dominic Carlton Jones and Geneviève Walsh.

Weimar have played regular gigs on Manchester’s underground circuit since 2017 and have been included in Louder Than War’s 50 New Bands for 2019. Their music incorporates elements of Post-Punk, Indie and Experimental Rock together with touches of Cabaret, Chanson, Alt Folk and Dark Circus. Aesthetically and lyrically they take influence from historical and cultural sources, basing their image and outlook around the German Weimar Republic of the 1920s. Their songs are preoccupied with the seedier side of culture and the darker elements of humanity, and the need for cultural and artistic rebellion in the face of political oppression.

Following this single release, Weimar will be going into the studio in February to begin the recording of their debut album, and are currently planning further live shows throughout 2019.

Positive reaction to the release so far……

“The skill and uniqueness of Weimar… lies in their ability to express personal observation and tune into the undercurrents and untold stories of society, wielded through unabashed art pop which unfolds in layers, often linking to the past.

‘John Doe’ is a track which opens with beautiful plucked guitar, mood building with the slide of bass before those signature glistening guitar hooks come in – a feature of Weimar’s music I have come to love and crave. Weimar are a band which celebrate the storytelling capabilities of music, interweaving intelligent lyricism with resounding rhythms as we become acquainted with the character of ‘John Doe’.. the embodiment of a concept many of us know all-too-well. The track creates catchiness without the cliché, energetic builds and bursts of beat and guitar, topped with undulating vocals for a tale which enchants and evokes.

‘Curse The Songs’ is a stand-out track of lush atmospheric build and gripping vocals immersed in echo and emotion. A wholly refreshing change from the variety of songs out there which seek to parody high-profile individuals and fall short of the mark, ‘Curse The Songs’ is excellently executed, navigating a whole narrative and impactful instrumentation to deliver an intelligent kind of outcry against those musicians who seem to swing far to the right in their older age. Building in energy, bringing together bolstering bass with a deft jangle of guitars and glistening edges to the sound, when combined with Aidan Cross’ expressive delivery, this makes for a track you will want to listen to, time-over. A band clearly capable of creating intelligent upbeat with topical and artful depths.” Emily Oldfield, Louder Than War.

“You know when you get that chill up your back when you hear music that is genuinely different and exciting…..? The most important band to come out of Manchester since Magazine” – Aural Delights Blog

For the listener, the weight of anticipation can sometimes tip the balance of appreciation the wrong way, leaving he/she underwhelmed by what’s been presented after a long wait. Fortunately for this listener, that wasn’t the case with the debut single from Weimar which has just arrived fully a year after I was first told about the new venture by singer Aidan Cross. ‘John Doe’ has a great pounding bass line wrapped around scratchy guitar and a vocal with real presence. Better still, ‘Curse the Songs’ builds over four phases from a relatively quiet opening to a galloping second section, a thrilling third and an epic finale with a vocal that matches each passage with relish. Highly recommended.” – Dave Hammond, The Smelly Flowerpot on Cambridge 105 Radio

“An early contender for single of the year – brilliant stuff!” Stephen Doyle, Salford City Radio

WEIMAR ARE:

Aidan Cross- vocals, rhythm guitar
Johann Kloos- lead guitar
John Armstrong- bass
Anthony Edwards- drums

SOCIAL MEDIA

Official Website – http://weimarbanduk.com
Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/weimartheband
Twitter – http://www.twitter.com/WeimarBandUK
Soundcloud – http://www.soundcloud.com/weimartheband

NEW GIGS ANNOUNCED

The gig list for German Shepherd Artists for 2019 is already filling in with some key announcements recently made. The Mind Sweepers have announced two new dates in March, and Toska Wilde has a gig supporting TV Smith in April…..details below

January

• 23rd – Manchester Meltdown Series 2 at the Peer Hat. Only £3 featuring Rose and the Diamond Hand, Matthew Hopkins, Bang Up The Elephant and Four Candles
• 25th – The Mind Sweepers play the Big Burns Supper at The Hub, Dumfries
• 25th – Inferior Complex play The Alexandra, Southampton
• 30th – Manchester Meltdown Series 2 at the Peer Hat. Only £3 featuring Springfield Elementary, Bobbie Peru, Mark Corrin and Four Candles

February

• 1st – Weimar launch their debut single at The Eagle, Salford with support from Dominic Carlton Jones
• 2nd – Electric Cheese play The Ferret, Preston
• 2nd – The Get play a Storehouse Fundraiser at The Railway, Southend on Sea

• 9th – Scissors play NCI Club Cambridge (Cambridge Central Aid charity fundraiser, Scissors headlining, other acts TBC)
• 15th – Bouquet of Dead Crows play Bury Sound at Hunter Club, Bury St Edmunds
• 23rd – Electric Cheese and Four Candles play The Railway, Chorley

March

• 2nd – Four Candles, Johann Kloos and Rose Niland play the Peer Hat, Manchester, a benefit for Macmillan nurses as a memorial for Modal Roberts
• 2nd – Electric Cheese play The Village Inn, Skelmersdale
• 3rd – The Mind Sweepers play as part of a Charity Band Day at The Normandy, Dumfries

• 13th – Bouquet of Dead Crows play West Street Live Sheffield
• 16th – Bouquet of Dead Crows, The Scissors and Umbrella Assassins play The Smokehouse Ipswich.
• 16th – The Mind Sweepers play The Midnight Club, Bathgate

• 23rd – Electric Cheese play The Ferret, Preston
• 29th – Bouquet of Dead Crows play The Blue Moon Cambridge + Burning Codes, Basement Strippers & Matt Hammond

April

20th  – Toska Wilde accompanied by Brucie Bitch is in fine company at The Venue, Southend