2 Lost Souls aka Ian Fourcandles and Paul Rosenfeld hit their 13th release with the new album “Yarn Bombs” – they are ably assisted with the bass skills of Paul O’Sullivan. Their third album this year is packed with loads of great new tunes.
Ian says “Bombs away! Yarn Bombs that is , here is another chapter in the ongoing 2 Lost Souls saga, Paul in London has served up more guitar based composition over which Ian at the base of the Pennines spins his yarns , Paul in South Manchester has added his exemplary bass guitar patterns to complete the process and we have pleasure in presenting for your edification this collection of shaggy dog stories, ladies and gentlemen we give you Yarn Bombs”
Identity – an issue that has plagued scholars for centuries. Never more so than in the world of rock and roll where the persona of the star can be markedly different from the person behind the image. Tom Waits, a case in point, how did a smooth voiced singer-songwriter morph into a lounge bar lothario fueled on bad bourbon, and then a gravel voiced outsider artist…..2 Lost Souls examine this transition……will the real Tom Waits please stand up?
We released the second single from Elastikbande last year but the wider digital distribution was lost so we have relaunched it. With stunning cover art and three great tracks this release finds the trio on their best form with songs about work, politics, and vampires!
We continue our programme of relaunching Moff Skellington’s back catalogue with the reissue of the 2015 album The Corkscrew Tongue. This album was the third in our Moff Skellington catalogue and his 27th release overall. The subject matters vary between Secret Jelly, strange projects, Clown Threat, Keith with his random hormones, Clog dancing, and other strange and elusive matters.
12th February sees the new album and third in the recent trilogy “Another’s Insomniac Dreams” from 2 Lost Souls released plus the reissue of the “Liquorice Flavour” single from 2020
We are also reissuing Pearl Divers EP “The Past Ain’t Made To Last”
And we continue the release of Moff Skellington’s back catalogue with “Sherbert Is The Culture of the Void”.
We hope you are all well and coping in these strange times.
Firstly, many thanks to those DJs, Bloggers and websites who have featured us recently. We really appreciate the support and time you are giving to the label and its artists.
This news is for releases on June 26th plus details of a new signing to the label and progress on some of our fundraising activities….
DOMINIC CARLTON JONES
Eccles based singer, songwriter, and troubadour Dominic Carlton Jones returns with a new double A side – Reach Out To Your Far Horizon/German Bombers
Dominic Carlton Jones won the Salford Star Best Band/Act 2018 Award for his debut album Salford Punk Poetry Sadness Death New Life, which judges hailed as “inspired and original”. and his work has been rightly praised. The new single sees the seven minute plus “Reach Out To Your Far Horizon” exploring ambient soundscapes with an evocative and emotional spoken word delivery from Dominic. The guitar focused “German Bombers” provides another side of Dominic’s work with layers of picking and riffs building to create an atmospheric bed for more spoken word developing an epic soundscape where vocals kick in with a heartfelt song.
2 LOST SOULS
The ever productive 2 Lost Souls duo of Ian Moss and Paul Rosenfeld are back with another charity focused single. The harrowing “Don’t You Call It Love”, which Ian premiered at his virtual Stonehenge festival performance, is a direct attack on child sex abuse and the evil people who perpetrate it. All proceeds from the sale of this single will be donated to Childline.
LONGSIGHT
We are pleased to announce we will be working with Stockport, GreaterManchester band Longsight starting with a single.
Longsight are a new indie guitar band from Stockport, North West England. Started in August 2019 their first few gigs have caught the imagination of their peers and music journalists alike.
Si Wolstencroft (The Fall/ Ian Brown’s band) “Absolutely love Longsight. They sound like a cross between The Buzzcocks and New Order”. The Big issue: “Beg, borrow or steal the entrance fee. Longsight are about to go stellar”. Cassie Delta KBYD radio California: “The songs have a hurting, haunting, heart-breaking echo to them.” Manchester Evening News, “No wonder current music sounds banal, Longsight have taken all the best songs”. Chester Chronicle: “Top new band. Every track sounds like a hit single.” Glasgow Herald. “Beautifully crafted songs delivered in an unnerving style”.
The band comprises of:
Keo (Guitar/vox) formerly in Jez Kerr from A Certain Ratio’s solo band, The Family Bizarre and The Treatment Organisation.
Adam Halford (Drums/vox) formerly in The Trainset.
Johnny Stringer (Bass/vox) Formerly in The Stipe band.
Longsight’s first single ‘These Chains’ is out now on limited edition 7″ vinyl through Discogs. Produced by Jez Kerr from A Certain Ratio. Their first album is due out early next year through German Shepherd Records pending that a new single is coming soon.
Moff Skellington has made available the original artwork for three of his albums plus the poster designed for his gig at The Peer Hat, Manchester. There are four prizes so four chances to win. All punters need to do is purchase one or more tickets for the chance to enter the prize draw. Entrants get a free copy of Moff’s EP Uncle Roy’s Utopian Vision #1
The closing date for the raffle is Monday 22nd June and winners will be notified by e-mail by Friday 26th June when arrangements will be made for Moff to mail the artwork to the winners.
All proceeds will be donate to The Peer Hat Fundraiser. Tickets can be purchased from this link.
….AND MORE FUNDRAISING
Our recent releases from Four Candles, 2 Lost Souls and Crab Dance GIs are all dedicated to raising money to support The Peer Hat, Manchester a much loved place by everyone at the label and where we hold our annual Meltdown events. We have already raised £265 through these releases but more would help if you are able to support us.
Our recent releases by Moongoose also have a charitable aim with homelessness charity Shelter being the recipient on any income from sales of the EPs.
Hi Folks, no doubt you will have been bombarded by messages via Bandcamp today, we know, as we have woken up to an in-box full of them, so we will keep this message short and sweet.
It’s a busy day for German Shepherd Records with lots of new releases most of which are for charity and community causes so, if you are able to do so, we would love your support on the following:
2 Lost Souls – Rules : all income from this release is being used to support the Peer Hat in Manchester. The Peer Hat is a vital part of the the gig/music community in the Greater Manchester conurbation and needs some bridging finance to allow them to survive the lock down. It is the venue we mostly use for German Shepherd events and the team there offer a risk free, value for money space to support grass roots music.
Four Candles – Alternative Golf : also supporting The Peer Hat
Moongoose – The Yellow and Black EPs : all proceeds from the sales of these two great EPs will be directed to homelessness charity Shelter.
and finally,
We are running a raffle with a chance to win exclusive artwork by the very talented Moff Skellington – for a ticket and a free download of a Moff EP please go to our Merchandise page on Bandcamp – again proceeds from this draw will be directed towards The Peer Hat.
The added bonus today is that Bandcamp are waving their usual 10% fees so we can maximise income for these worthy causes.
Thanks to those of you who have already generously supported the above causes – we are blown away by your kindness.
We live in strange and interesting times which means that our usual plans can often be changed at the last minute to accommodate the circumstances.
We had planned on telling you about just one release this week but events and their impact and consequences has lead us to a slightly different state of affairs.
So, we have four announcements in total this week.
Lets start with the one we were planning to announce……
WEST COAST SICK LINE
Dusty Moonan returns with West Coast Sick Line after a more than two year wait – the last release was 2018’s album “Flat of Engels” – with a brand new five track EP called “Colour Climax”.
Trademark Sick Line biting wit and slightly dangerous humour are in play for a great set of new tunes. The best description is alternative rock with a pop edge, Pounding beats, great guitars and riffs, and catchy melodies are to the fore for this set. Perhaps the overall sound is a little heavier and a touch more in your face than previous releases.
It’s mostly Dusty on his own this time with the main man providing vocals, guitars, bass & keyboards. Main support is from Dragan Rolivic who adds Mandolin on track 3, Backing vocals on track 5 and drums throughout, as well as mixing the release. Further support comes from Mark Shrieves who plays Bass on track 4.
The whole affair was recorded at recorded at Tucky Park Studios,in Colwyn Bay, North Wales.
It will be released to the world as a download only on June 12th.
FOUR CANDLES
One of the great things about owning your own record label is that you can make fairly quick decisions about when and what you can release.
A new four track from Four Candles was recorded with Simon “Ding” Archer at 6dB Studios in Salford just before lockdown.
With the ongoing impact of the lockdown materially affecting some of the important players in the live music business in Manchester the band took the view that their latest recordings ought to try and assist the financial impact on the venue that has been both the label and our musicians main provider of somewhere to play and present what we do. That venue is The Peer Hat, in Manchester City Centre, and all the proceeds from the Bandcamp sales of the new release “Alternative Golf” will be dedicated to that wonderful place with the hope that when the current situation has been resolved we can see Nick, Dom and co. up and running again as soon as possible.
There are four tracks on the EP, one of which, Loose Lips, was previously released as a live recording from the Yerrrr bar in Manchester.
Opener Doughnuts, with a video already up on You Tube, saw it’s live debut at The Eagle in Salford around a year ago with a memorable impromptu set of backing vocals from Julia and Anne from Matthew Hopkins performed from the audience. Basket Case is a typical punk infused rant and closer Requiem is a stunning attack on failings in the Care system for vulnerable people. All in all a great set of tunes.
Release date: June 5th – download only.
PLEASE NOTE THIS IS ANOTHER FREE FEE DAY ON BANDCAMP SO PURCHASE ON THIS DATE MAXIMISES OUR INCOME TO SUPPORT THE PEER HAT.
2 LOST SOULS
If the decision on the Four Candles release was quick then we approached warp speed on the new release from 2 Lost Souls.
The behaviour of a certain individual and his boss sparked a flurry of activity on Sunday May 24th. The two Paul’s laid down guitars and bass and Ian added his trademark vocals to a pointed attack on the self-styled elite that “run” the country at the moment. Within two hours the finished track was sent to Bandcamp for release and sharing with the world. A few hours later Ged Babey had penned a review for Louder Than War.
The release is offered for free on Bandcamp with a pay what you want option. Any money raised will as with the Four Candles release be dedicated to supporting The Peer Hat.
OUT NOW!!
and finally…..
COSMIC PANTHERS
NYC and Manchester have proud and distinct musical heritages , think of The Velvet Underground and the Fall , The Ramones and Buzzcocks , Suicide and Joy Division all different in location and output and yet there is something similar in terms of attitude that links them.
Fuzzy Warbles and German Shepherd as labels existing on separate sides of the Atlantic Ocean still share an ethos of releasing and promoting music of true quality by artists who exist outside the mainstream making music out of love and emotional necessity rather as a career choice , both champion the underdog.
And so what does a musical collision between these two cities , these music capitals sound like ? With the world in lockdown they decided , with the aid of smart phones and laptops, to find out.
Ben from Fuzzy Warbles and Ian from German Shepherd swapped ideas and wrote four songs long distance. Happy with what they had created, they were recorded and, for our fourth release this week, we give you rumbling synths, guitars that sting, and acid tongued vocals. We welcome you to the cross pollinated world of Cosmic Panthers and the EP Ball The Wall.
Fuzzy Warbles will release the EP in Cassette Format and provide digital download via Bandcamp. German Shepherd will facilitate wider distribution via A1 Music to all the major digital download and streaming sites. Release date is June 5th.
Ian & Neil Moss and 2 Lost Souls celebrate the release of their new singles on German Shepherd Records with a podcast.
Featuring the new singles and selections from Ian, Neil and Paul this is an eclectic and enjoyable mix of music old and new. As well as the new singles there is music from:
Bryan Ferry, The Kinks, JJ Cale, Madonna, Moff Skellington, Bob Dylan, Modern Lovers, The Sonics, Hank Williams, John Lee Hooker, Jimmy Cliff, Lonnie Liston Smith, Love, Simon & Garfunkel, Traffic and Prince
Thanks to everyone who took part in our competition to win a 2 Lost Souls T-Shirt
T- Shirts have been mailed out today to the lucky winners. Download links for the single will be e-mailed on Friday after the single has been released apart from subscribers who will get them automatically.
Here are the answers to the questions – please note that there was a typo in the original set of questions and that Question 7 should have said Dr Filth rather than Dr Freaks Padded Cell.
No
QUESTION
ANSWER(S)
1
Which 70s band was Neil Moss a member of? Which group did the singer of that band go on to form?
The Frantic Elevators
Simply Red
2
Eddie Fenn was a member of The Stepbrothers with Ian Moss. Which ex member of The Fall’s band was Eddie a member of and name that band?
Marc Riley
The Creepers
3
Name the two support bands playing at the gig at The Kings Arms when DJ Dave Hammond met Bob & Ian at The Distractions gig.
Factory Star
The June Brides
4
What is the name of the imaginary location that appears in much of Moff Skellington’s work
Abstercot
5
How many ex-members of The Fall have released music with German Shepherd Records?
Four – Una Baines, Simon “Ding” Archer, Mike Leigh, Kate Themen
6
What is the name of the metal covers band that Jon Rowlinson and Mark Taylor of Four Candles play in.
Pierrepoint
7
Which band on German Shepherd includes an ex-member of Dr Filth?
2 Lost Souls
8
German Shepherd release music by a band from Leeds – what are they called?
Mesmer Disciples
9
Who are Michael T. Scott and Paul Ridley better known as?
Staggs
10
Name Aidan Cross’s band before Weimar (his band – not one he was in lead by another person)
The Bacillus
11
Who sang backing vocals on the first German Shepherd release?
Steve and Laura Simms Luddington
12
Who hosts a famous supper club on the Prick Jaggers album?
Lou Reed
13
Which two musicians link the bands Weimar and Poppycock and what is the name of the band they are in.
John Armstrong, Anne Marie Crowley – The Speed of Sound
14
Who sings guest vocals on EP2 by the Unseasonal Beasts – what is the name of their current bands
Tamsin Middleton – Vice Vera
Susan O’Shea – Factory Acts
15
Which song links The Junta and Adventures of Salvador?
Welcome to My Village
16
Bob Osborne wrote the lyrics to the song “Panic in The Elevator” by Northampton Band Essential Personnel – which more (sort of) famous band did the guitarist from Essential Personnel go on to form? Bonus Points if you can name him.
Where’s Lisse?
Patrick Egan
17
Which 1968 Vincent Price film has a link to a German Shepherd artist?
The Witchfinder General (i.e.Matthew Hopkins)
18
Who are Bert Vile and Rat better known as?
Flea
19
Which German Shepherd band writes and records their music in a shed?
Umbrella Assassins
20
Which German Shepherd artists first music project was called Shirokuma?
Hope you are all well and coping with this strange state of affairs
We continue unabated to share new music with you – being mostly digital does have its advantages.
On April 17th we have two new releases featuring Ian Moss.
First up he is back with brother Neil with a new single called “Blowing Smoke Up My Hole” – While Neil goes ultra minimal his big brother dissects the shallowness of celebrity and the mutual need of worshippers and the worshipped. Probably their most avant- garde single to date!
The other release involving Ian is through his partnership with Paul Rosenfeld in 2 Lost Souls. Their new single is called “Liquorice Flavour” and comes with a “B” side called “Scrape It Off”. German Shepherd subscribers will also receive a bonus track called “Soho”. As a polar opposite to the Ian and Neil release this is a pure rock song with Ian demanding he hear some proper Rock and Roll from Jerry Lee Lewis rather than being fed the watered down pop of Fabian. Paul provides all the music with the sterling assistance of Paul O’Sullivan on bass.
We’ve just launched a competition with a fiendishly hard quiz to win a limited edition 2 Lost Souls T Shirt or a digital copy of their album “Cords and Digits”. Everyone who enters will get a free copy of the new single – check out the ultra hard quiz here
In addition to the above Ian, Neil and Paul have curated a podcast to support the release of the singles which will be available from Bob’s Mixcloud page on the week of release.
And in other news…..
Leeds based Mesmer Disciples are back with a brand new single – we are currently sorting out a release date – here’s a preview….
For a chance to win a limited edition 2 Lost Souls T Shirt or a free copy of the bands album “Cords and Digits” why not enter the fiendishly hard German Shepherd quiz set by our fiendish quizmaster Mr Osborne.
Some of the answers to the questions will require a bit of studying on the German Shepherd website, on others you will need to do a bit of Google-ing.
If you can’t answer all the questions it doesn’t matter just send in what you can and you will get a free copy of the new 2 Lost Souls single “Liquorice Flavour”!
When you have completed the quiz (or answered as many of the questions as you can) e-mail it them to :
PLEASE LET US KNOW WHICH SIZE YOU WOULD LIKE IF YOU WIN
CLOSING DATE AND TIME FOR ENTRIES IS SATURDAY 11th APRIL AT 12 NOON
THE QUESTIONS
1
Which 70s band was Neil Moss a member of? Which group did the singer of that band go on to form?
2
Eddie Fenn was a member of The Stepbrothers with Ian Moss. Which ex member of The Fall’s band was Eddie a member of and name that band?
3
Name the two support bands playing at the gig at The Kings Arms when DJ Dave Hammond met Bob & Ian at The Distractions gig.
4
What is the name of the imaginary location that appears in much of Moff Skellington’s work
5
How many ex-members of The Fall have released music with German Shepherd Records?
6
What is the name of the metal covers band that Jon Rowlinson and Mark Taylor of Four Candles play in.
7
Which band on German Shepherd includes an ex-member of Dr Filth.
8
German Shepherd release music by a band from Leeds – what are they called?
9
Who are Michael T. Scott and Paul Ridley better known as?
10
Name Aidan Cross’s band before Weimar (his band – not one he was in lead by another person)
11
Who sang backing vocals on the first German Shepherd release?
12
Who hosts a famous supper club on the Prick Jaggers album?
13
Which two musicians link the bands Weimar and Poppycock and what is the name of the band they are in.
14
Who sings guest vocals on EP2 by the Unseasonal Beasts – what is the name of their current bands
15
Which song links The Junta and Adventures of Salvador?
16
Bob Osborne wrote the lyrics to the song “Panic in The Elevator” by Northampton Band Essential Personnel – which more (sort of) famous band did the guitarist from Essential Personnel go on to form? Bonus Points if you can name him.
17
Which 1968 Vincent Price film has a link to a German Shepherd artist?
18
Who are Bert Vile and Rat better known as?
19
Which German Shepherd band writes and records their music in a shed?
20
Which German Shepherd artists first music project was called Shirokuma?
