German Shepherd Records Newsletter #24 – Matthew Hopkins, Mistletoe, Sam Smith, Lizard Brain, Bouquet of Dead Crows, m.t.scott subscriber offer and gigs!

Hello and welcome to this weeks edition of the German Shepherd Newsletter.

In this issue:

Matthew Hopkins release first single – with a special deal for subscribers
Ian Moss teams up with Mark Corrin for a new Mistletoe Release
Sam Smith launches new single on Sunday
Cambridge band Lizard Brain join German Shepherd for their new album
Bouquet Dead release a new video from forthcoming album
Special subscriber offer for new m.t.scott single
Some new gig announcements!

MATTHEW HOPKINS

As trailed last week North West Trio of Julia Nelson and Anne & Max Calderbank release their first single on German Shepherd Records on November 2nd. General distribution via the usual digital outlets will be provided for lead track “Something” – two additional tracks “Hey Joe” and “Lachrymose” will be subscriber only releases via Bandcamp.

MISTLETOE RELEASE NEW EP

Ian Moss is back with a brand new EP called “Made To Break” this time in partnership with famed Manchester area musician and DJ Mark Corrin. Ian says “Accidents will happen and plans go awry , a Moss/Corrin live summit had been bubbling and then evaporated but from the plume of steam signifying the end of that project the idea of a recorded project was trapped in a bottle and given a shake.
Unscrew the top carefully and see what is released back into the air”.

Corrin backing tracks and Moss vocals were glued together by the Auster Boys to produce three pieces where Moss’s intriguing spoken word is coupled with atmospheric sounds.

The EP is released on November 2nd.

Moss and Corrin’s previous collaboration “Ali Baba” was a bit special….

SAM SMITH LAUNCHES NEW SINGLE ON SUNDAY

The much trailed new single from Sam Smith – formerly of the Parish Church Fire and alter ego of Franco Bandini – gets released on Sunday 29th October complete with video. A special newsletter will be released on the day to celebrate this event.

LIZARD BRAIN JOIN GERMAN SHEPHERD

Increasing our Cambridge band count to five we are pleased to announce we will be releasing the new album from Lizard Brain in the new year. The melodic quartet have had two album releases to date and are recognised as one of the most exciting bands coming out of Cambridge. The band appeared on Cambridge Calling Volume 1.

Watch this space for more news.

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DEAD CROWS LAUNCH ANOTHER VIDEO

In preparation for the release of new album “Motus Octo” Bouquet of Dead Crows have launched another video from the album with track 2 “The Devil’s in the Detail” – also featuring guest miming from Stewart of The Scissors and Garry from Umbrella Assassins it’s a strong indicator of the quality of the forthcoming album.

SUBSCRIBER SPECIAL

The new single “Don’t Mention The War” from m.t. scott is released on 9th November. In a one-off special gift our first ten subscribers will receive a unique signed print of one of ten images created by Michael. With subscription places going fast signing up to the service is strongly recommended if fans want to claim their free gift. Here is an example of one of the prints.

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GIGS

A number of new gigs have been announced since our last newsletter and these are highlighted in bold in the list below

2018

October
24th – Umbrella Assassins play Pim Jam Festival Fundraiser at the Haverhill Arts Centre
25th – Bouquet of Dead Crows play The Pepys, Huntingdon – acoustic gig
27th – Pearl Divers play Red Wall, New Victoria Mills, Bury

November
1st – Bouquet of Dead Crows play The Dublin Castle, London
2nd – The Strays play Zombie Shack, Manchester
5th – Weimar are playing The Peer Hat supporting Madmoizel.
14th – The Junta is invading Lock 91, Deansgate Locks, Manchester
15th – Bouquet of Dead Crows play Esquires, Bedford
17th – Drink and Drive and Four Candles play The Railway, Greenfield
17th – The Mindsweepers play The Riverside, Dumfries
18th – Four Candles and Matthew Hopkins play The Eagle, Salford
22nd – Inferior Complex play The King Charles, Poole
24th – Bouquet of Dead Crows launch new album Motus Octo at The Blue Moon, Cambridge
24th- Keltrix play The Crown & Pipes, Fenstanton.
29th – Bouquet of Dead Crows play Gringos, Norwich
29th – Four Candles play “Free Rock & Roll” at Sound, Duke Street, Liverpool
December
1st – Toska Wilde plays Saks Southend on Sea as part of Cult 13 Showcase
1st – Bouquet of Dead Crows and Umbrella Assassins play Smokehouse, Ipswich
1st – Moet the Poet is back on the Independents Tour with JD Meatyard and others as MC at Bar 39 in Darwen.
2nd – Moet the Poet is back on the Independents Tour with JD Meatyard and others as MC at Sound, Liverpool
6th – Bouquet of Dead Crows play Mama Liz’s Voodoo Lounge, Stamford
6th – The Scissors (plus Ember Rev and Goddammit Jeremiah) at Cambridge Cornerhouse.
8th – Bouquet of Dead Crows play The Horn at the Half Moon, Bishops Stortford
8th – Boz Hayward and Keltrix with Misharlo play The Peer Hat, Manchester
8th – Poppycock support Vic Godard at Yes (The Basement) on Charles Street, Manchester with ASBO Derek
8th – Øre will be playing their debut gig at the TA in Dumfries
22nd – Drink and Drive play Strummercamp Fundraiser and Oldham Rugby Club
28th – Drink and Drive play Whittles, Oldham

2019

March
2nd – Four Candles play the Peer Hat, Manchester, a benefit for Macmillan nurses as a memorial for Modal Roberts

AND FINALLY WE HAVE JUST HIT 750 LIKES ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE – THANKS FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT. CHECK US OUT HERE

German Shepherd Records Newsletter #23 – Sam Smith, Matthew Hopkins, Mistletoe, and Gig News

Hello

Welcome to the latest German Shepherd Records Newsletter. This week:

Sam Smith returns
Mistletoe Charity Single supports NSPCC
An introduction to Matthew Hopkins
Gig News

SAM SMITH RETURNS

Ex Sam Smith & Company, and, The Parish Church Fire front man, Sam Smith returns on October 29th just after the equinox. Watch this space for exciting news.

Sam’s last single was the memorable “Bad Water”

MISTLETOE SUPPORTS NSPCC WITH NEW SINGLE

Ian Moss returns as Mistletoe with a new single called “Children’s Home” on 26th October. On this release he is accompanied by Foghorn Leghorn.

A harrowing spoken word performance attacks the institutions who are complicit in allowing children to be abused and in that context all proceeds from the sale of this single will donated to the NSPCC.

This a deliberately lo-fi and stripped back recording in which Ian paints a vivid picture. A further EP featuring three new pieces in partnership with Marc Corrin follows next week

CHILDRENS HOME

INTRODUCING MATTHEW HOPKINS

In 1974, two Catholic schoolgirls met at the age of 5 over a scabby knee and sang together in praise of the lord, ‘til they discovered Salvation in the form of Hex Enduction Hour. An explosion of hair spray, eyeliner and ideas ensued.

Julia moved to Blackpool and joined the band The Tingletones as singer before moving to Manchester, when she became singer for the short lived Arthur Badfrown Band. A move to London at the turn of the century saw her finally pick up a guitar. Upon returning to Manchester, she joined Government Death Epidemic as guitarist. She has recorded with Craig Scanlon and Steve & Paul Hanley (ex The Fall).

Anne has sang, go-go danced and played tambourine in 60’s- garage outfit The Stags since 2001. They are stalwarts of the garage scene playing around the UK and Europe and worked closely with Frank Sidebottom.

Max, Anne’s son, has been playing drums and guitar with bands since the age of 13. He is currently playing his own material in punk outfit Bang Up To The Elephant.

A hiatus in both womens’ musical projects gave them the chance to get together and get creative – Matthew Hopkins was born in 2016. Max completes the team, bringing exceptional musicality and skill to the band.

Their debut single “Something” will be released on November 2nd. Two further tracks “Lachrymose” and “Hey Joe” will be released at the same time but as Subscriber Only specials via our Bandcamp page. More information next week – pending that here is the link to the video of “Something”.

GIG NEWS

Weimar are playing The Peer Hat, Manchester on Monday 5th November, supporting Madmoizel. Jan Doyle Band are also supporting.
Keltrix play The Crown & Pipes, Fenstanton on Saturday 24th November
The Mind Sweepers The Riverside Dumfries on Saturday 17th November

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For our full gig list please visit : – https://germanshepherdrecords.com/forthcoming-events/

German Shepherd Records Newsletter #17 – New Mistletoe, New Bouquet of Dead Crows, Salford Music Festival, New Poppycock, Charlie Marshall dates

Hello and welcome to the German Shepherd Records Newsletter…..

This week

A new EP from Misletoe
A new album from Bouquet of Dead Crows
The return of the Salford Music Festival
A new single from Poppycock
Charle Marshall Tour
Updated gig guide

MISTLETOE

The current alter ego of Ian “Moet” Moss (Hamsters, Four Candles, The Parasite) for his solo projects, is Mistletoe. On the latest release “….there is no rock and roll on the radio” Ian works with Foghorn Leghorn, The Boom Da Da Booms and Loop-aznavour on three new tracks. With his usual acerbic wit he attacks radio programming, patronage, and fan obsession. With music ranging from electro punk, wonky rock and post punk guitar layerings and a slight nod towards Monty Norman this is Moss at his most inventive. The music follows on from his collaborations on the highly regarded Music and Words and Words and Music releases.

The lead track can be accessed on Soundcloud

The EP is released digitally on September 14th

BOUQUET OF DEAD CROWS RETURN WITH THEIR SECOND ALBUM

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To celebrate the release of their new album ‘Motus Octo’ on the 23rd of November. Bouquet Of Dead Crows will playing a special launch show the day after release day (the 24th of November). The band will playing the new album in its entirety. The venue is The Blue Room in Cambridge and support comes from War Waves (Obsessional Anxiety rock from Ipswich) and Shyer (Catchy, Upbeat hook-laden pop rock). The new album, their second full length release, features eight stunning new tracks and sees the band developing a heavier riff laden approach. The is now available to pre-order on limited edition coloured vinyl and CD. with exclusive bundle deals which includes a limited edition T-shirt.

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German Shepherd will host a digital version of the album via Bandcamp and a range of other digital download platforms.

The band have a run of dates upcoming to support the new release.

-September 29th – Deepdale Festival- Norwich
-October 25th – Huntington – The Pepys (acoustic gig)
-November 1st – London – Dublin Castle
-November 15th – Bedford – Esquires
-November 24th – Cambridge – Blue Moon (Album Launch)
-November 29th – Norwich -Gringos
-December 1st – Ipswich – Smokehouse
-December 6th – Stamford – Mama Liz’s Voodoo Lounge
-December 8th – Bishops Stortford – The Horn at the Half Moon

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/deadcrows/

SALFORD MUSIC FESTIVAL

Salford Music legend Ed Blaney has announced the return of the Salford Music Festival with a two night one venue run at Walk The Plank, Cobden Street, Brindle Heath in the heart of the city. The dates for your diary are 28th and 29th September and Four Candles will be appearing on the Saturday. The line-ups are strong on both nights and at £10 for ticket covering the whole event (£6 for individual nights) Ed has once again put Salford on the map with a grass roots musical extravanganza.

Book online HERE

POPPYCOCK RETURN WITH A NEW SINGLE

Poppycock will launch their new single “Iggy Pop” on 21st September as part of the Peer Hat gig with Charlie Marshall and Four Candles (see below). A catchy call and response rocker the song has long been a live fan favourite. With artwork from Suzanne Smith, responsible for many of the covers for Fall releases, the song celebrates the legend of Iggy Stooge! More details next week.

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CHARLIE MARSHALL TOUR

As previously announced we are assisting Australian musician Charlie Marshall with a short UK tour. The confirmed dates for the September tour are:

15th – The Cornerhouse, Cambridge with Scissors
21th Peer Hat, Manchester with Four Candles and Poppycock and DJ set from Stephen Doyle
23th Grayston Unity, Halifax
28th Betsy Trotwood, Clerkenwell, London with Doomed Bird of Paradise and Michael Plater

Promotion for these dates would be much appreciated and we have prepared, with Charlie’s approval, a selection of his music that will be played on the tour including – Not a Cruel machine, & Almighty Carousel (from the Sublime album), and Won’t Give Up & Weightless (from the Won’t Give Up album). copies of these tracks and interviews are available on request for DJs, Bloggers and Music Press.

Charlie is a well respected Melbourne musician and has played with likes of Warren Ellis (The Dirty Three, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds) and Clare Moore (The Moodists, The Coral Snakes, The MistLy). His melodic rock tinged songs are stunning and last years album “Sublime” was a triumph.

GIG GUIDE

Forthcoming live appearances by our artists

6th September – The Strays play The Jolly Collliers, Heanor
13th September – The Strays play Chameleon Arts Cafe Nottingham
15th September – The Scissors and Charlie Marshall play The Cornerhouse, Cambridge
15th September – Mesmer Disciples play Music Lounge, Stockton on Tees
16th September – Mesmer Disciples play Museum Vaults Sunderland.
16th September – The Strays play West Street Live, Sheffield
21st September – Four Candles, Poppycock and Charlie Marshall play The Peer Hat, Manchester
21st September – Drink and Drive play The Old Pint Pot, Salford
25th September – Inferior Complex play The Joiners, Southampton
29th September – The Strays play The Jolly Collier, Heanor
27th September – Inferior Complex play Ferndown RBL
27th September – Electric Cheese support Tom Hingley at Preston Guildhall
28th September – Inferior Complex play The Shooting Star, Southampton
28th September – The Strays play Park Hotel, Wigan – Musicians Against Homelessness gig
29th September – Four Candles play Salford Music Festival at Walk The Plank, Cobden Street, Salford
29th September – Bouquet of Dead Crows Play Deepdale Festival, Norwich
5th October – The Scissors are at Oxford Wheatsheaf (Klub Kakofanney).
5th October – Shaun Maxwell of Taser Puppets plays a solo acoustic set at Chorley Live
6th October – Toska Wilde plays Saks Southend on Sea as part of Cult 13 Showcase
6th October – Inferior Complex play Liberties, Southampton
11th October – An Evening with Moff Skellington at The Peer Hat, Manchester
14th October – Taser Puppets play TNT Punk Fest at The Peer Hat, Manchester
17th October – The Strays play West Street Live, Sheffield
19th October – Taser Puppets play Old Courts, Wigan
25th October – Bouquet of Dead Crows play The Pepys, Huntingdon – acoustic gig
1st November – Bouquet of Dead Crows play The Dublin Castle, London
2nd November – German Shepherd Records Fundraiser at The Peer Hat, Manchester – with Drink and Drive, Taser Puppets, The Strays and Flea
15th November – Bouquet of Dead Crows play Esquires, Bedford
17th November – Drink and Drive and Four Candles play The Railway, Greenfield
22nd November – Inferior Complex play The King Charles, Poole
24th November – Bouquet of Dead Crows launch new album Motus Octo at The Blue Moon, Cambridge
29th November – Bouquet of Dead Crows play Gringos, Norwich
29th November – Four Candles play “Free Rock & Roll” at Sound, Duke Street, Liverpool
1st December – Toska Wilde plays Saks Southend on Sea as part of Cult 13 Showcase
1st December – Bouquet of Dead Crows and Umbrella Assassins play Smokehouse, Cambridge
6th December – Bouquet of Dead Crows play Mama Liz’s Voodoo Lounge, Stamford
8th December – Bouquet of Dead Crows play The Horn at the Half Moon, Bishops Stortford
8th December – Boz Hayward and Keltrix play The Peer Hat, Manchester
8th December – Poppycock support Vic Godard at Yes (The Basement) on Charles Street, Manchester with ASBO Derek – it’s next to the Lass O’ Gowrie.
22nd December – Drink and Drive play Strummercamp Fundraiser and Oldham Rugby Club

German Shepherd Records Newsletter #16 – The Screaming Love Collective, Moff Skellington, Charlie Marshall, and Mistletoe – plus gig guide

Hello and welcome to our weekly newsletter….in this edition

The Screaming Love Collective return with new album “Imola”
Moff Skellington announces Manchester date
Charlie Marshall UK tour dates finalised
Mistletoe to release new three track
Gig Guide

THE SCREAMING LOVE COLLECTIVE – IMOLA

The Screaming Love Collective return with their infectious “Psychedelic Punk Rock Groove Sensation” with the album “Imola” which comprises 13 tracks of dance orientated hypnotic grooves. Including former single “Laika/Cosmonaut No 1.” the album takes found sound/clips and mingles them with electronic explorations to create 42 minutes of prime aural entertainment. Led by the ever busy Bryn Thorburn the Collectives’ latest release is due on 7th September via Bandcamp, Spotify, I Tunes, Apple, Amazon and a wide selection of other digital download options. Lovers of dance oriented electronica will enjoy the wide open sound on this excellent collection.

MOFF IN MANCHESTER

Poet of the surreal, musician extraordinaire, and exceptional artist Moff Skellington returns to Manchester on Thursday October 11th for a mixed media show. Dubbed “An Evening with Moff Skellington” the show features one or two songs and a lantern show based upon Moff’s celebrated art pictures. The show will be held at The Peer Hat on Faraday Street, Northern Quarter, Manchester and commences at 7:30pm. The show is £3.50 and there will be no ticketing so pay on the door. We hope to see you there for what will be a fascinating evening.

Moff Manc October

CHARLIE MARSHALL DATES FINALISED

Longstanding German Shepherd watchers will know that for the last four years we have hosted visits from visiting Australian musicians – two visits by Dave Graney and Clare Moore (The Moodists, The Coral Snakes, MistLy), and one by Harry Howard and the NDE (Birthday Party, Crime and City Solution). This year it’s the turn of Charlie Marshall. Charlie is over for a short solo tour of the UK during September- here are the dates

15th The Cornerhouse, Cambridge with Scissors
21st The Peer Hat, Manchester with Four Candles and Poppycock
23rd Grayston Unity, Halifax
28th Betsy Trotwood, Clerkenwell, London with Doomed Bird of Paradise and Michael Plater

Charlie’s most recent album “Sublime” was rightly heralded a pop masterpiece with some exquisite melodies and thought provoking lyrics.

Charlie Marshall is an acclaimed singer-songwriter from Melbourne, Australia who has been an important part of the scene in that great music city since the 1980s. As a performer and songwriter, he comes from a similar place, and stands comparison, with better known Australian exports like Nick Cave, Ed Kuepper, Robert Forster, Dirty Three, Kim Salmon and Dave Graney.

Charlie has been the guitar-slinging backbone for many of Melbourne’s finest bands, starting with the legendary Harem Scarem who were a dynamite force in the key of punk blues, followed by the soulful intensity of The Body Electric whose stellar lineup included members of Dirty Three, Beasts of Bourbon and the Avalanches. Lately, he’s been backed by The Curious Minds featuring Clare Moore (Dave Graney ‘n the Coral Snakes), Bryan Colechin (Hugo Race True Spirit) and Tim Deane (Ron Peno & the Superstitions).

His songs are poetic, romantic meditations on life, love, philosophy and the universe, combining colourful chords with incisive lyrics and plenty of soul. In solo mode he’s a passionate, foot stomping, electric guitar slinging force, ranging from gentle, intimate moments to raging, beguiling intensity when in full flight. The latest album ‘Sublime’ is a unique blend of music, politics and science – try imagining Brian Wilson from the Beach Boys collaborating with the BBC’s rock star scientist Brian Cox. A new recording due out September 2018 promises lots of late 60s/early 70s soul-inspired grooves.

“My musical adventures have taken me on many paths since the 90’s but still some of my fondest musical memories are of playing with Charlie in The Body Electric and recording our first album, which I still regard as a great piece of work. A stone cold classic.” Warren Ellis, Paris, 2016

MISTLETOE RETURN WITH THREE TRACK EP

Ian Moss’s solo project “Mistletoe” returns with a new three track in EP. The September release will include collaborations with Loop-aznavour, The Boom Da Da Booms and Foghorn Leghorn. Watch this space for more details.

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GIG GUIDE

6th September – The Strays play Tap ‘N’ Tumbler, Nottingham
15th September – The Scissors and Charlie Marshall play The Cornerhouse, Cambridge
15th September – Mesmer Disciples play Music Lounge, Stockton on Tees
16th September – Mesmer Disciples play Museum Vaults Sunderland.
21st September – Four Candles, Poppycock and Charlie Marshall play The Peer Hat, Manchester
27th September – Inferior Complex play Ferndown RBL
27th September – Electric Cheese support Tom Hingley at Preston Guildhall
28th September – Inferior Complex play The Shooting Star, Southampton
5th October – The Scissors are at Oxford Wheatsheaf (Klub Kakofanney).
5th October – Shaun Maxwell of Taser Puppets plays a solo acoustic set at Chorley Live
6th October – Toska Wilde plays Saks Southend on Sea as part of Cult 13 Showcase
6th October – Inferior Complex play Liberties, Southampton
11th October – An Evening with Moff Skellington at The Peer Hat, Manchester
14th October – Taser Puppets play TNT Punk Fest at The Peer Hat, Manchester
17th October – The Strays play West Street Live, Sheffield
19th October – Taser Puppets play Old Courts, Wigan
2nd November – German Shepherd Records Fundraiser at The Peer Hat, Manchester – with Drink and Drive, Taser Puppets, The Strays and Flea
22nd November – Inferior Complex play The King Charles, Poole
29th November – Four Candles play “Free Rock & Roll” at Sound, Duke Street, Liverpool
1st December – Toska Wilde plays Saks Southend on Sea as part of Cult 13 Showcase
8th December – Boz Hayward and Ketrix play The Peer Hat, Manchester
8th December – Poppycock support Vic Godard at Yes (The Basement) on Charles Street, Manchester with ASBO Derek – it’s next to the Lass O’ Gowrie.
22nd December – Drink and Drive play Strummercamp Fundraiser and Oldham Rugby Club