Kaiju Hijinks

The third full length album from Cambridge based alternative rock band Bouquet of Dead Crows welcomes new bassist Karen Gadd, which balances out the yin and yang within the quartet, and which also brings a fresh and revitalised feel to the bands sound.

BODC New Line-up

The complete collection is called Hemispheres – the title of which describes an album of two parts – Celestial and Cerebral.

We released a first track from the album “Left to Rot” in October last year.

The second release from the album is a single “Kaiju Hijinks” which will be available via Bandcamp and all the main digital outlets from April 4th.

The recording of the second half of the album has been delayed so on May 22nd we will be releasing the first half of the album – Celestial. More details to follow!

This latest chapter in the Bouquet of Dead Crows story finds the quartet adopting a more progressive sound with their trademark riffs with big melodies approach being enhanced to incorporate more layered and nuanced elements, different time signatures, and more reflective and sometimes ambient sections. The duality of the album title is carried through to the music. Intense hard rocking sections contrast with quieter moments.

Artwork for the single has as usual been created by the highly talented Stewart Harris.

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New music from The Parasite and a Bouquet of Dead Crows Subscriber Special plus Gigs In March…..

THE PARASITE

Our next release, on March 13th, is a digital only album by The Parasite called “Keep The Future Safe”. It will be available from Bandcamp, Spotify, Apple Music, Google Play and many more digital outlets.

The Parasite is a project involving Ian Moss (Four Candles, The English Disease, 2 Lost Souls), and, Bob Osborne (Space Museum, Auster Boys, Passage of Time).

The latest release from the duo comprises eight new tunes which combines Moss’s spoken word/vocal delivery and lyrical dexterity, with Osborne’s unique take on sound design.

With subjects ranging from that boy in the Tank Top behind David Bowie, performing Star Man, on Top of The Pops (a seminal cultural moment), via urban decay, a tribute to Pete Shelley, and downside of being a Good Samaritan. This is another collection of music which we like to describe as Different Noises For Your Ears.

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As a studio only band there is no plan for any live performances of this album.

BOUQUET OF DEAD CROWS SUBSCRIBER SPECIAL

Our subscriber special for March is a selection of early mixes of tracks from the new album by Bouquet of Dead Crows. Six tracks from part 1 the new album “Hemispheres”, a collection called “Celestial”, are presented alongside a four way commentary from Neil, Toni, Andy and Karen from the band giving some insight into the creation of the music and its subject matter.

This music will not be available anywhere else and only subscribers to the label will be able to access this unique collection.

If you want to subscribe to our label – it’s only £40 a year for a minimum of 40 releases over 12 months, plus the majority of our back catalogue absolutely free; there’s also 10% off merch and subscriber specials like this one – then follow this LINK.

We will releasing an exclusive Bandcamp only collection of part 1 of the new album next month so non-subscribers will have to wait that little bit longer for the new music. The band will launch “Celestial” at a gig at The Blue Moon, Cambridge on April 4th. Here are a couple of live examples of what to expect from the new album …..

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MARCH GIGS

We have a busy month ahead for gigs

Poppycock
8 Mar 2020 – The Spinning Top 20 Wellington Road South, SK4 1AA Stockport

Weimar
13 Mar 2020 – Railway Inn (Didsbury), 3 Lapwing Ln, Manchester M20 2NT, UK

Inferior Complex
14 Mar 2020 – The Acoustic Couch, 11 Market St, Bracknell RG12 1JG, UK

The Mind Sweepers with The Red Propellers
14 Mar 2020 – The Peer Hat, 14-16 Faraday St, Manchester M1 1BE, UK

Rose and the Diamond Hand
20 Mar 2020 – The Kings Arms, 11 Bloom St, Salford M3 6AN, 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

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New video from Bouquet of Dead Crows

BODC New Line-up

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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Newsletter 42 : The return of The Parish Church Fire, Live Scissors, New Dead Crows Video and gigs!!

Hello and welcome to the weekly newsletter from German Shepherd Records.

This week

– The Parish Church Fire return with a stunning single
– The Scissors live album from Ipswich
– New video from Bouquet of Dead Crows
– Forthcoming gigs

THE PARISH CHURCH FIRE

Released on May 10th 2019, the single “Hunger” represents the rebirth of Manchester alternative rock band The Parish Church Fire. Coupled with b-side “Adam Raised a Cain” this is the first release by the band since Sam Smith (guitar, vocals, keyboards) & Joe Roberts (drums) combined to release Locamente via German Shepherd in 2016.

Joined by new members John Bardsley (bass) and Timothy Hughes (guitar) for the first time, the full on attack and disquieting quality of Hunger is underpinned by its b-side: a hard rock version of Bruce Springsteen’s Adam Raised a Cain from the 1978 album “Darkness on the Edge of Town”. Marking the start of a new era for Sam Smith, “Hunger” is the crystallisation of 6 and half years of work of trying to get The Parish Church Fire established as a live band as opposed to its previous role as a solo studio project.

On “Hunger” you hear the band in its new guise for the first time. The single will be followed by keynote gigs to launch and celebrate the band as a live entity. Recorded in April 2019 by founder of the band Sam Smith in his studio and produced by both Smith & drummer Joe Roberts, the release is as direct as its title and lyrics suggest: The Parish Church Fire are “hungry for more” following years of inactivity.

The b-side Adam Raised a Cain was carefully chosen to be a part of this release as its lyrical content is somewhat paired with Hunger and it will be an integral part of the bands upcoming shows in 2019.

An interview with Sam Smith about the renaissance of the band can be found here

FORTHCOMING GIGS
26th May – Strummercamp, Oldham Rugby Club
7th June – The Eagle, Salford

THE SCISSORS

May 10th also sees the release of a mini live album from Cambridge band The Scissors. Captured at The Smokehouse Ipswich with a selection of music from all three of their studio albums this is the band at their very best – vital, unrestrained and packed with energy.

Here’s a teaser…..

BOUQUET OF DEAD CROWS RELEASE NEW VIDEO

Bouquet of Dead Crows have a new video out today! Warning, It’s not for the faint-hearted – but if you’re brave enough then check out ‘Fragments (Black Hole Eyes) from their new album ‘Motus Octo’ now! Plans for a subscriber special version of the album are being assembled, watch this space for news!

GIGS

Forthcoming gigs featuring German Shepherd Artists:

May
1st to 31st – Moff Skellington has an art exhibition at Canwood Gallery and Sculpture Park, Checkley, Hertfordshire
3rd – The Scissors play The Blue Moon, Cambridge
3rd – Electric Cheese play The Ferret, Preston
4th – Adventures of Salvador, Positronik and Pearl Divers play Music on the Market Place Festival , Buxton
4th – The Mind Sweepers play The Frunge Festival, The Elmerglen Hotel, Thornhill
5th – Keltrix play The Green Man Brew Ballyhoo, Granchester
7th – Ian Moss performs in Unseasonal Beasts project with Simon “Ding” Archer at the Castle Hotel, Manchester as part of the MASS assembly event.
10th – Adventures of Salvador play Ramsbottom Cricket Club
11th – Keltrix play The Haymakers, Cambridge (Acoustic Set)
18th -Weimar play the Eagle, Salford supporting St Lucifer
18th – Pearl Divers and Dominic Carlton Jones play Malaga Drift, Church Street, Eccles
18th – Poppycock play Whalley Range Pride event at The Carlton Club
20th – Stewart Harris from Scissors on Dave Hammonds Smellypot Show on Cambridge 105 talking about the new live album
23rd – Inferior Complex play King Charles, Poole
24th – Inferior Complex play Royal Oak, Basingstoke
24th – Four Candles play Strummercamp at Oldham Rugby Club
25th – Sam Smith plays Strummercamp at Oldham Rugby Club
25th – Four Candles play PsyCo Circus Allday Extravaganza at The Peer Hat
26th – Adventures of Salvador plays Strummercamp at Oldham Rugby Club
June
1st – Bouquet of Dead Crows (Portland Ballroom Stage) and Keltrix play Strawberry Fair, Midsummer Common, Cambridge
2nd – Inferior Complex play Bandstand, Eastleigh
5th – The Junta plays West Street Live, Sheffield
6th – Adventures of Salvador and Matthew Hopkins play Liverpool Fringe Festival
7th – The Parish Church Fire and Four Candles are playing The Eagle, Salford
7th – Inferior Complex play The Alexandra, Southampton
8th – Keltrix play Pride!, Jesus Green, Cambridge
8th – Inferior Complex play The Red House, Yeovil
15th – Paul Winter from The Mind Sweepers is supporting JD Meatyard at Leith Depot Edinburgh tickets are £5 with £1 going to local homeless charity.
20th – Inferior Complex play The King Charles, Poole
21st – Weimar play The Eagle, Salford
22nd – Inferior Complex play King Charles, Poole
24th – The Junta plays The Peer Hat, Manchester with Lucky + Love.
26th – Dominic Carlton Jones plays Cuckoo Calling (Featured Artist) Bury New Road, Prestwich
28th – Adventures of Salvador play The Castle, Oldham Street, Manchester – ALBUM RELEASE SHOW
28th – Inferior Complex play The Alexandra, Southampton
July
5th – Mark Corrin’s Elastikbande play The Railway, Didsbury
5th – Inferior Complex play The Shooting Star, Southampton
6th – The Mind Sweepers play Electric Fields Festival, SWG3, Glasgow
13th – Umbrella Assassins play The Smokehouse, Ipswich
13th – Electric Cheese play Indiefest 2019 at The Boulevard, Wigan
19th – The Scissors with Moonstrips at Blue Moon Cambridge
20th – Keltrix play Whoosh Festival, The Missing Sock, Sto-Cum-Quy
28th – Monkeys In Love celebrate the 50th anniversary of the moon landing at The Klondyke Club, Levenshulme – afternoon show between 1pm and 5pm
31st – The Junta plays The Peer Hat, Manchester
August
9th – Mark Corrin’s Elastikbande play The Railway, Didsbury
10th – Weimar play Scarborough Apollo
16th – Keltrix play The Green Man, Granchester
25th – Toska Wilde plays It Came From The Sea II at The Centre, Margate
October
12th October – Scissors play The Six Bells, Cambridge
26th October – Toska Wilde plays CULT 13 – Underground Alternative Night at The Venue Southend.