Newsletter 60 – End of the Year Releases

We finish a very busy year with four releases …..

Umbrella Assassins Dad’s Song – 6th December Release – Digital Download

Responding to a post from Rebel Arts Radio, asking for radio stings the band knocked up a riff and used lyrics that drummer Garry’s dad gave to them. They liked it so much, they adopted it into a song.

The new single ‘Dad’s Song’ recorded in Tiny Eyes Studios concludes a busy year for the Haverhill Shed-Punk trio. Andy’s words describe a meeting with Carol at a party in Wood Green 1970. A love story that continues fifty years later.

3 years ago Umbrella Assassins were reborn in Steve’s shed. Escaping everyday lifes’ boredoms and unpleasantness, making a haven for creativity and the appreciation of beer at the bottom of the garden. The punk trio would go on to create something special, that would change their lives forever, Shed Punk!!!

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Various Artists – Off The Leash (Charity Album) – 13th December Release – Digital Download

We continue our annual routine of compiling rarities, oddities, remixes and new tracks by our artists to deliver an album dedicated to raising money for charity – this year it’s Manchester Mind.

Manchester Mind is an independent local charity dedicated to supporting people in the Manchester area with Mental Health issues. They have been delivering services in the city since 1989 (previously as HARP), initially focusing on people living in Hulme, but over the years they have extended their services to meet the needs of people citywide. In 2011, they became one of 137 Local Mind Associations, as they affiliated to national Mind.

Our artists have generously donated tracks and all profits from sales/streams will go to the charity.

Featured on the album…..

New Tracks from Space Museum, Two Lost Souls, Positronik, Issac Navaro, Auster Boys, Angry!, The Parasite, La Capsula (Mark and Luisa from Elastikbande), The Mind Sweepers, Jed, Moff Skellington, Dominic Carlton Jones
A live recording from The Junta featuring Ian Moss
A sneak preview of next years releases from The Get and The Screaming Love Collective
A guest remix from Kammahav (featuring Tony Jenkins of Lizard Brain)
A KIT B tune remixed by The Junta
A classic rock track from PrunX
Remixes from sycloner, Lizard Brain and Inferior Complex

Ian and Neil Moss – Pickpockets Fingers – 13th December release – Digital Download

The Moss Brothers have been extremely busy in the second half of 2019 and this latest single, the seventh in the run, returns to their glitchy neo-jazz off kilter sound from Neil, and menacing lyrics from Ian.

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Cambridge Calling Volume 4 – – 13th December release – Digital Download

CAMBRIDGE CALLING is a series of compilations of emerging artists from Cambridge which has been curated by Dave Hammond whose fortnightly show on Cambridge 105 Radio, The Smelly Flowerpot, is a mainstay of the cities music scene. The first compilation was released in March 2017 and the second in the summer of 2017. The third compilation was released in August 2018.

This fourth compilation is released on 13th December 2019 in digital format via Bandcamp, Spotify, Apple, Amazon , Deezer, Google, and many other streaming outlets.

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What started out as a vague idea to pull a few tracks together soon snowballed into the current series of multi genre epics, fired by the enthusiasm of the artists involved. The more Dave scratched at the surface of the local scene, the more it became apparent how much excellent music was out there.

Aside from putting some superb music out there, the aim is also to raise money for deserving charities. In this case the charity is Emmaus Cambridge – a service which aims to reduce homelessness.

The unique artwork for the series was created by Stewart Harris Designs.

THE SMELLY FLOWERPOT

Dave Hammond’s fortnightly Monday evening show on Cambridge 105 “The Smelly Flowerpot” brings the best of local music to the airwaves as well as championing grass roots music from the city of his birth, Hull, and other places around the UK and the rest of the world. With regular sessions and interviews with both upcoming and established artists creating a fascinating mix of music Dave is true ambassador. Dave’s shows have directly lead to German Shepherd Records working with artists from the Cambridge area including Bouquet of Dead Crows, The Scissors, Keltrix, Umbrella Assassins and Lizard Brain, all of who appeared on earlier volumes in this series.

THE CHARITY

Emmaus Cambridge is a homelessness charity providing more than just a bed for the night to people who have experienced homelessness and social exclusion and was the first Emmaus community to be established in the UK.

For many people who have experienced homelessness, losing their self-esteem can be the most damaging part of their experience. Being on your own, with no support around you can be soul destroying, leaving you feeling worthless.

Finding your way out of that situation isn’t easy, particularly when the only options available are temporary fixes, offering a bed for the night but little to occupy your days.

Emmaus is different because it provides a home for as long as someone needs it in an Emmaus community. This gives people the opportunity to take stock of their lives, deal with any issues they might have, and often re-establish relationships with loved ones.

THE ARTISTS

The artists featured on this volume are featured on this page.

We will be back in the New Year with new releases from The Get, The Screaming Love Collective and Issac Navaro.

GIGS

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Manchester Meltdown 2019 – featuring Ian Moss and Piledriver, The E-Fits and Matthew Hopkins 30 Nov 2019
The Peer Hat, 14-16 Faraday St, Manchester M1 1BE, UK

Adventures of Salvador and Weimar – 30 Nov 2019
The Globe, 144 High St W, Glossop SK13 8HJ, UK

Elastikbande and Four Candles – 7 Dec 2019
Fuel Cafe Bar, 448 Wilmslow Rd, Manchester M20 3BW, UK

The Get, Angry! – 13 Dec 2019
The Railway Hotel, Clifftown Rd, Southend-on-Sea SS1 1AJ, UK

The Harveys & Matthew Hopkins plus TV Smith -14 Dec 2019
The Peer Hat, 14-16 Faraday St, Manchester M1 1BE, UK

KIT B and Inferior Complex – 15 Dec 2019
West Street Live, 128 West St, Sheffield S1 4ES, UK

Black Limousine and The Ombudsmen plus The Inflated Tear (a “supergroup” featuring Unseasonal Beasts, Factory Acts, and Gentle Jon) – 18 Dec 2019
The Peer Hat, 14-16 Faraday St, Manchester M1 1BE, UK

The Scissors – 20 Dec 2019
The Portland Arms, 129 Chesterton Rd, Cambridge CB4 3BA, UK

Inferior Complex -20 Dec 2019
Clockwork Bar, 323 Shirley Rd, Southampton SO15 3HW, UK

Ember Rev – 20 Dec 2019
The Blue Moon, 2 Norfolk St, Cambridge CB1 2LF, UK

Electric Cheese, Inferior Complex and Dominic Carlton Jones – 28 Dec 2019
The Peer Hat, 14-16 Faraday St, Manchester M1 1BE, UK

Thank You

That’s all of our news for 2019 now wrapped up. We’ll be back at the end of December with news about next years releases.

Many thanks for all your support during 2019 to our subscribers, followers, gig attenders, bloggers and radio show hosts who have helped us spread the German Shepherd story.

Newsletter 58 – The Get, Auster Boys and Positronik

We have three releases scheduled for the 15th November….

THE GET – LET’S RAISE A GLASS FOR CHRISTMAS

The Get are back with an antidote to the usual Christmas tunes with a sardonic and perceptive take on the festivities.Wrapped in a parcel of pop punk sound the quartet deliver a pungent message for those who want an alternative to Noddy and his granny.

The band are playing The Riviera in Bournemouth on 16th November along with our very own Toska Wilde.

The Get will follow this single with a new EP in January 2020 called “Genre Reassignment”.

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AUSTER BOYS – LET’S GET LOST

The two Bob’s are back with a lengthy single comprising three parts. Describing, in their usual flâneur fashion, current food obsessions, pricey beer, and strange geological formations, all taking place in Sheringham. Clerkenwell and Amsterdam – the ghost of Chet Baker hovers around and the eternal question as to who invented smashed avocado on sourdough is put to the listener. Wry observations on trends, outsider music and other perplexing 21st century behaviour. Time slips between the past and present.

Let's Get Lost

POSITRONIK – DON’T COME CRYING TO ME

A new seven track remix mini-album from Manchester’s soul-pop sensations.

Songwriter Jeff “Captain” Black creates a new version of their classic track “Don’t Come Crying” and also does a remix
Electro wizard Jed provides two dancefloor friendly mixes
Cambridge pop masters Lizard Brain apply a deft touch
The Junta embargoes the tune with techno beats
Space Museum turns the song inside out to create something totally new

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In addition to the above we have a packed schedule of activities over the next two weeks…..

The Parish Church Fire – 6 Nov 2019 – Retro Bar, 78 Sackville St, Manchester M1 3NJ, UK
The Harveys Release Frank Got Married/Shadow of the Wind – 8 Nov 2019
The Harveys and Four Candles – 14 Nov 2019 – Castle Hotel, 66 Oldham St, Manchester M4 1LE, UK
Ian Moss Book Launch – 14 Nov 2019 – The Peer Hat, 14-16 Faraday St, Manchester M1 1BE, UK
Ember Rev – 15 Nov 2019 – The Fiddler’s Elbow – Music Venue, 1 Malden Rd, Belsize Park, London NW5 3HS, UK
Inferior Complex – 16 Nov 2019 – The Railway Inn, 3 St Paul’s Hill, Winchester SO22 5AE, UK
The Get and Toska Wilde – 16 Nov 2019 – The Riviera Hotel & Holiday Apartments, 14-16 Burnaby Rd, Bournemouth BH4 8JF, UK
Angry – 21 Nov 2019 – The Edge Bar & Kitchen, 6-8 High Pavement, 1EA, Town Square, Basildon SS14 1EA, UK
La Capsula (Mark and Luisa from Elastikbande) – 21 Nov 2019 – The Peer Hat, 14-16 Faraday St, Manchester M1 1BE, UK

Our charity album for 2019 will be launched on 13th December and features a bunch of new tunes, new mixes and other variants from our artists….all proceeds will be going to Manchester Mind Charity.

Off The Leash Cover

Newsletter 57 – Lots of new releases and a big gig or two!

Hi Folks

We have a busy last week of October with four new releases planned for October 25th and a couple of high profile gigs for that weekend.

All releases are digital except where indicated and will be available from our Bandcamp Page and via Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon and all of the other usual digital platforms

ELASTIKBANDE – VACUUM CLEANER EP

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Elastikbande are a brand new Manchester UK based three piece (post punk / grunge / garage rock) outfit featuring ex members of The Fall / Polythene, (Una Baines’) Poppycock and Rose & The Diamond Hand. Featuring Kate Themen on drums, Luisa Maraffino on guitar / backing vocals and Mark Corrin on bass / vocals.

The band’s sound is dynamic, melodic, catchy and often witty. Previously band member’s other work has featured on The John Peel Show, BBC Radio 1, 6 Music and BBC 3’s Late Junction, plus covered in blogs such as The Quietus and Louder Than War.

Their debut EP Vacuum Cleaner was recorded entirely live in the studio in Salford in August 2019 to capture the energy of the group’s stage show.

Musically Elastikbande have been compared to a blend of The Fall, Pavement, The Pixies and more. These early songs are about everything from household appliances to stage diving etiquette.

The band will be appearing at our showcase gig on October 25th at Gullivers, Manchester (see below)
Mark’s solo album from this year “Pub Bin” is also still available

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BOUQUET OF DEAD CROWS – LEFT TO ROT

Following the success of their album “Motus Octo” and a line-up change Cambridge alternative rock band “Bouquet of Dead Crows” is back with a brand new single “Left to Rot”. With new bassist Karen Gadd the band embark on the next phase in their career with a heavier sound …. they will be playing Manchester Gullivers on October 25th – and the Blue Moon Cambridge on 1st November as part of a gig swap with Manchester rockers The Parish Church Fire.
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MOFF SKELLINGTON – THE INFRASOUND GUEST

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Moff follows up his “Strange Acrylic Night Custard” album with another journey into the mysterious realm of Abstercot in the company of The Infrasound Guest – tales of Pardonian customs, squirrels and Seraphs, and pillows for your Spasms amongst other strangeness add to the over 20 + albums he has released to date. Moff is the natural successor to Ivor Cutler and Viv Stanshall if those two had been fed on a diet of Pere Ubu, Cabaret Voltaire, Tom Waits and The Fall. Moff defies description so we won’t bother, you either get it or you don’t – we understand that to – but if you do get it please trumpet it from the highest pinnacles in your neighbourhood so he get the attention he rightly deserves.

Moff will be back next months with a fascinating new album via The Sleeping Ducks.

If you want to have a further taste of Strange Acrylic Night Custard …….

THE JUNTA – JE SUIS

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Salford’s premier electrohead is back with a new six track EP The Junta is the alter-ego of Salford musician John “Monty” Montague. Monty, aside from delivering electronica via The Junta also plays bass in Kit B and Positronik and is a DJ on Salford City Radio and can be seen DJing at Wangies in Eccles on a Friday Night.

His new EP follows on from the highly regarded “Network” album and is packed with dance friendly beats inspired by the likes of Jean Michel Jarre, and Chemical Brothers.
The EP is launched on October 26th at The London Road Inn, Buxton with support from 243 Ida and Neural Dance

A limited edition CD version will be available at gigs and via our Bandcamp page.

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SHOW CASE GIG

We end October with a showcase gig (as mentioned above) at Gullivers, Oldham Street, Manchester with a great line up of

THE PARISH CHURCH FIRE
BOUQUET OF DEAD CROWS
ELASTIKBANDE

With the more rock/punk elements of our releases in play this promises to be a great evening of music with some special surprises promised by the headliners.

Tickets are available at SEETICKET.COM and the whole thing kicks off at 7pm

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German Shepherd Newsletter 56

Here are the details for our releases for September 13th

THE HARVEYS

As trailed last week 90s Peel favourites Harvey’s Rabbit are back with a new name and new line-up.

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With the first of two singles this year the band return with a run of live dates starting with a single launch gig at the Peer Hat Manchester on 20th September with support from Dislocation Dance and Matthew Hopkins

The single Skeleton Dance/Laugh at the Stars has been released for pre-order today with the option of purchasing a limited edition CD copy.

An audio interview with Tim and Mick from the band, conducted by Bob Osborne, will be included in Bob’s Aural Delights Radio show on 13th October on taintradio.

Tim and Mick have also curated a one hour podcast featuring their own music plus of a selection of tunes from artists that have influenced them including the likes of David Bowie, Jacques Brel and The Go-Betweens. This will be released on our Mixcloud Select channel next week.

Other gigs coming up…..

14th November – Castle Hotel, Manchester with Four Candles and Vee VV
14th December – Peer Hat, Manchester with TV Smith
1st February – Jimmy’s, Liverpool with The Monochrome Set

m.t. scott

The North East’s master of sardonic wit is back with a new EP (although he likes to call them mini-albums). m.t. scott of Staggs returns with one his regular journeys into the dark side of the human condition. “And This Is Why Clowns Are Sad”. The overall feeling is one of Pathos – not an obscure Greek island,but a quality that invokes pity or sadness. m.t. scott’s aural cinema returns with four tracks, each a vignette soaked in said pathos in the style of Brecht/Weill who have had a tussle in an abandoned art-house cinema with John Barry and any number of post-rockers you care to mention. Trade mark glitches pervade the piano led explorations leading to rich orchestral textures. The voice is always close to the microphone seeping into your unconscious. The subject matter appears fairly conventional but the usual scott tropes are in play a mix of the drama of the kitchen sink and some other deeper existential, possibly metaphorical messages, somewhere in the layers…..Tick Tock…Tock….Tick

AND IN OTHER NEWS…..

Black Limousine’s new single “Dressed In Black” which is released this Friday gets airplay on the Radio 2 rock show this Sunday from 8pm. They have also been added to a very strong line-up at Gulliver’s Manchester on October 25th with The Parish Church Fire, Bouquet of Dead Crows and Elastikbande.
The Junta is embarking on a series of gigs across the north-west with dates in Manchester, Lancaster, St Annes, Barrow and Darwen – check out our forthcoming events list on the right hand side of this page.
Ember Rev appear on Dave Hammond’s Smelly Flowerpot Show on Monday 9th September from 9pm – you can listen on-line via the Cambridge 105 website.

German Shepherd Newsletter 55

Another fun packed week for kennel followers out there….

FOUR CANDLES

30th August sees the release of a new single from Manchester post-punk trouble causers Four Candles. Recorded live by Big Clive the band deliver “Volcano Burning Blue” from the Nettle Rash album plus a brand new track “Loose Lips” – the release is FREE and is only available from the German Shepherd Records Bandcamp Page. German Shepherd Records Bandcamp subscribers will get the entire set (including the two single tracks) as part of their subscription package. This lively set includes a selection of songs from across the bands’ three releases to date including the memorable “Strange Things Are Happening” set closer where the audience joined the band on stage. Recorded at YERRRR bar in Manchester this is Four Candles at their best – Live and Loud!

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The recent Record Collector review of the bands latest album Nettle Rash by Mick Middles is rather fulsome in it’s praise although we should point out that the band are not from Salford.

Record Collector Review

If you have not grabbed it yet the Nettle Rash album is still available digitally and we have a limited number of CDs available also

The band play the alternative part of the Colne Blues Festival on Sunday August 25th

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THE HARVEYS

Formerly known as Harveys Rabbit the Peel favourites are back with a debut single under a new name The Harveys. “Skeleton Dance/Laugh At The Stars” pre-releases on September 3rd with the option to purchase a CD single of the release. The single releases proper on 13th September and is launched at The Peer Hat, Manchester on 20th September where the band are supported by Matthew Hopkins and Manchester legends Dislocation Dance. Often described as the English Go-Betweens the band have a unique melodic pop sound with elements of klezmer and other european folk oriented genres folding into the mix.

An up to date biography of the band can be found here.

Harveys Peer Hat

BLACK LIMOUSINE

Three piece Alternative Rockers Black Limousine release their debut single “Dressed In Black” on 6th September – with lots of media interest already generated we expect Rock and Metal stations to pick up on this excellent track. Lead by Four Candles guitarist Mark Taylor ably supported by bassist John Pew and drummer Damien Hughes (Peter Hook, Monaco, Hamsters) the band played a stunning headline set at The Peer Hat on 16th August launching the new single. They were supported by Sam and Tim from The Parish Church who delivered a great set which was also much appreciated by the lively crowd.

FORTHCOMING RELEASES

Other than the above we have packed programme of releases in the Autumn/Winter with new material from

m.t. scott
Ember Rev
sycloner
Moff Skellington
Elastikbande
Ian and Keith Moss
Angry!
The Parasite
The Parish Church Fire
Bouquet of Dead Crows
The Get
The Harveys
Auster Boys
Weimar

We are also aiming to release the fourth in our series of Cambridge Calling compilations curated by the inestimable Dave Hammond.

WEBSITE MAKEOVER

Our website has had a refresh with a new layout….as you can see on the left hand side of the page a wealth of information about what we do and the bands/artists on the label, in the middle the latest news, and on the right our forthcoming release and gig schedule. Please remember to check the schedule regularly for new events.

CHEESE!

And taking of events we are pleased to announce the launch of a new (and first) book by label co-owner Ian Moss. October 23rd at The Peer Hat (we’re never out of the place) sees a fun-packed mixed media event to support the release. Here is the bill of fayre….bring your own cheese!

Ian has his book Cheese ( 100 unhip albums to love) published by Empire publishers in October to mark the event you are invited to this evening
- 7-30 -8-30 Disco , Ian will spin discs from his collection released between 1970 and 1980 , the sounds that warped his mind and formulated his taste
- 8-30 -9-00 Nick Alexander will interpret songs discussed in the book in his own inimitable style , this is seriously not to be missed
- 9-00 – 9-30 – Poet, Journalist and erudite speaker Emily Oldfield will join in conversation with the author about his aims , motivation and passion ,
- 9-30 10-00 Books available to be signed etc
- 10-00 – 11-00 more Disco