Buxton based electro-punk duo Cassette Apes have announced a name change – they used to be called The Strays. The pair are currently re-recording their existing material and annoucements are due in March on the release of old and new material. As a result all existing Strays material has been taken down from our Ditto distribution and Bandcamp page. The boys continue to gig relentlessly under the new name so check our Gig Page for details of upcoming shows.
Hello and welcome to the weekly newsletter from German Shepherd Records
This week
We are pleased to announce the release of a brand new single from Manchester based collective Poppycock. Led by Una Baines (The Fall, Blue Orchids, The Fates) the band went through a significant line-up change last year, has been gigging often and has recorded two new singles since then. The first of those singles is a celebration of the Godfather of Punk Rock the seemingly ageless “Iggy Pop”. Using the groups trademark twin vocal approach.the band power through a jaunty homage which has proved to be a live favourite. Una’s trademark organ sound makes a welcome return also.
Poppycock was formed by legendary Manchester musician and community activist Una Baines who was a founder member of the seminal post-punk groups The Fall and Blue Orchids, The band has been active on the Manchester scene for over five years and played at several key events in the Mancunian musical calendar.
The single releases on September 21, 2018 as a digital download only,
Poppycock on this recording were:
Lucy Nyland – Vox
Christine Johnson – Vox
Heather Greenbank – Guitar
Matt Crawford – Bass
Stuart Quinn-Harvie – Drums
Una Baines – Keys
Poppycock also includes
Lucy Power – Flute and Percussion
Paula Darwish – Vox and Guitar
The single was engineered Manos Sarantidis and produced by Una Baines and Manos Sarantidis. Keeping The Fall connection current the artwork for the single was created by Mark E. Smiths sister Suzanne. It was recorded in July 2018 at the fabulous community resource Seed Studios in Old Trafford.
Poppycock will launch the single on 21st September at The Peer Hat, Manchester which will also feature visiting Australian Musician Charlie Marshall and Four Candles.
A second single “Magic Mothers” will be released later in the year.
The band support Australian band Terry on 12th September at Gullivers, Manchester.
Berlin based rockers PrunX have released a video for “Can’t Take It” from last years “Mind Trajectory” EP. This heavy blues rocker features a twin vocal attack from Mikado and FrankOz, the latter delivering a searing guitar break. Catching them live the video shows this excellent band at their best
Check out the full EP
The gig calendar is filling up rapidly and can be found in full at this page
Some recent announcements include
Hello and welcome to the latest edition of the German Shepherd Records newsletter.
This week
SECOND FOUR CANDLES SINGLE
Following on from the “Strange Things (Are Happening” single of last month Four Candles return with two more tracks from the critically acclaimed “Spiritual Rapture” album with the effortlessly funky “You Can’t Be What You Pretend” and the blues-drenched “Basket Weaving”.
The band return to live action in August with a private party for Pressure Drop and supporting Australian visitor Charlie Marshall in September (see list below).
This digital-only release compliments the CD only full album which can be acquired at gigs and of which there is a limited number still for sale from our Bandcamp Page. The single releases on July via Bandcamp, Spotify, Apple Music, Google Play, Amazon and many more digital outlets
FACEBOOK – @FourCandlesManchester
STRAYS LIVE FOR CHARITY
Dynamic Punk duo The Strays return with a live album which captures them playing the best of their releases to date at The Globe in Glossop. Working through standout tracks like “Don’t Mither Me”, “Death In The Viper Room” and recent single “Richard Dreyfuss” the pair demonstrate why they are a must-see live act. All proceeds from the sale of the album will be donated to Mary’s Meals to help support famine relief in South Sudan.
The band continue to play live on a regular basis and have upcoming shows in Rotherham, Chesterfield and Manchester (see list below)
Here is opening track “Don’t Mither Me”
FACEBOOK – @thestraysofficial
GIGS
Forthcoming gigs featuring our artists:
20th July – The Strays play The Cutlers Arms, Rotherham supporting System of Hate
21st July – Mesmer Disciples play Alston Festival
25th July – Mesmer Disciples play Santiago Bar, Leeds
26th July – Pearl Divers play Jimmy’s, Manchester
27th July – Bouquet of Dead Crows play Mama Liz’s Voodoo Lounge in Stamford
28th July – Drink and Drive and Poppycock play Peer Hat, Manchester
28th July – The Strays play Fuel, Manchester
28th July – Bouquet of Dead Crows and Umbrella Assassins play Pim Jam Festival, Haverhill
29th July – The Strays play Red Lion, Chesterfield
17th August – The Junta and Special Friends Live At The Peer Hat, Manchester – album launch
27th August – Four Candles play The 2nd annual Pressure Drop summer gig (private by invite only)
27th August – Taser Puppets play Glaston-Bury, Bury
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
14th October – Taser Puppets play TNT Punk Fest at The Peer Hat
19th October – Taser Puppets play Old Courts, Wigan
2nd November – German Shepherd Records Fundraiser at The Peer Hat, Manchester – line-up to be announced shortly
8th December – Boz Hayward, Poppycock and Ketrix play The Peer Hat, Manchester
22nd December – Drink and Drive play Strummercamp Fundraiser and Oldham Rugby Club
IN THE PIPELINE
We have busy few months ahead with the following releases planned
03/08/2018 Moff Skellington – Uncle Roys Utopian Vision #1
10/08/2018 The Junta – Network
17/08/2018 Toska Wilde – Oscar In Earnest
17/08/2018 Poppycock – Iggy Pop/Magic Mothers
24/08/2018 Four Candles- Chastity BeltDipping A Toe
24/08/2018 Inferior Complex – Reflections
31/08/2018 Various Artists – Cambridge Calling Vol 3
07/09/2018 The Screaming Love Collective- Imola
14/09/2018 The Strays – new EP
21/09/2018 Moff Skellington – Uncle Roys Utopian Vision #2
Hello and welcome to the latest edition of the German Shepherd Records newsletter.
This week
– NEW SINGLE FROM MESMER DISCIPLES
– JUNTA NETWORK ALBUM LAUNCH
– STRAYS ANNOUNCE LIVE ALBUM FOR CHARITY
– FORTHCOMING GIGS
Leeds based psychedelic blues-rock band Mesmer Disciples return with a new single “Real Loud” on 20th July. Coupled with the track “Freaking Out There” this new digital release further cements the growing critical praise that this unique band has been gathering. With two tasty cuts of the bands’ intense music, you have a perfect example of why this is the must-hear band of the moment…..
“Leaps out at you as an unctuous mix of Arthur Brown and Tex-Mex imbibing something mind-expanding in an opium den in a Bill Burroughs tract. Moody, brooding and sensuous” – Aural Delights Blog
” creating an all-enveloping throbbing and entrancing psychedelic rock experience of two guitars, vocals, drums, and the occasional tamboura. Like a stoned early Cramps jamming with the Buffalo Springfield. Indeed – menacing, experimental and at times unhinged. Gorgeous, subversive, and completely mesmeric!” Micheal Canning, Music research UK
“Musically they are moody, psychedelic, and gritty with tracks building in layers creating a truly menacing atmosphere” – Counterfeit magazine
“Their double guitar attack was brilliantly executed creating a blues-infused wall of sound, , the guitars and drums were rhythmically very tight and they all played brilliantly, one of the guitarists at hyper-speed. Mesmer Disciples are definitely a band to watch out for “- Leeds Music Scene
Lead by Stewart Kinloch’s unique vocal stylings, the band has another EP in the pipeline for release in the autumn. The single will be released as download-only via the following:
Bandcamp, I Tunes, Spotify, Amazon, Play Music, Napster, Medianet, 7 digital, Rdio, Deezer, zvook, Slacker Radio, Nokia, eMusic, 24/7, Shazam, akazoo, asprio, kkbox, and saavn.
The band has two gigs coming up tying in with the release of the single
21st July – Alston Festival
25th July – Santiago Bar, Leeds
Both tracks can be previewed via You Tube
The Junta is back with a brand new album in August and has already announced the launch date. With support from Loop-aznavour and Poet & The Loops (Martin Christie) and guest appearances from Ian “Moet” Moss (Four Candles) Aidan Cross (Weimar, The Bacillus) and Loop-aznavour this will be a fun packed night of cutting edge electronica. The album is launched on August 10th and the gig will be on August 17th from 7:30pm to 10:30pm at The Peer Hat in Manchester. It’s free entry.
The punk polemic of The Strays was captured in full effect at a gig in Glossop earlier in the year. The dynamic duo was so impressed with the results that they have decided to share it with the rest of the world. All proceeds from the sale of the 12 track album will be donated to the charity Mary’s Meals to aid the fight against the terrible famine in South Sudan. It is called “Live and Unwell” and is released on July 27th
The boys have a busy schedule of gigs coming up (see below) and are one of the hardest working bands on our roster.
Here’s a timely reminder with the video of recent release “Richard Dreyfuss” –
Future gigs featuring bands on the label are listed below, including a new fundraising gig to support the continued existence of this label and maintain its “not for profit” status
14th July – Drink and Drive and The Strays play Whittles, Oldham with Little Avis
14th July – The Mind Sweepers and The Screaming Love Collective play the QOS bar, Dumfries
14th July – Electric Cheese play The Golden Ball of Longton · Longton as part of Longton Live
17th July – Scissors supporting KOLARS at The Portland Arms Cambridge
20th July – The Strays play The Cutlers Arms, Rotherham
21st July – Mesmer Disciples play Alston Festival
25th July – Mesmer Disciples play Santiago Bar, Leeds
26th July – Pearl Divers play Jimmy’s, Manchester
27th July – Bouquet of Dead Crows play Mama Liz’s Voodoo Lounge in Stamford
28th July – Drink and Drive and Poppycock play Peer Hat, Manchester
28th July – The Strays play Fuel, Manchester
28th July – Bouquet of Dead Crows and Umbrella Assassins play Pim Jam Festival, Haverhill
29th July – The Strays play Red Lion, Chesterfield
27th August – Four Candles play The 2nd annual Pressure Drop summer gig (private by invite only).
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
28th September – Inferior Complex play The Shooting Star, Southampton
5th October – The Scissors are at Oxford Wheatsheaf (Klub Kakofanney).
2nd November – German Shepherd Records Fundraiser at The Peer Hat, Manchester – line-up to be announced shortly
8th December – Boz Hayward, Poppycock and Ketrix play The Peer Hat, Manchester
22nd December – Drink and Drive play Strummercamp Fundraiser and Oldham Rugby Club
Hello again and welcome to our weekly newsletter. In this edition
The Strays have announced a lengthy list of gigs for the latter end of June and July. Taking in Manchester, Sheffield, Nottingham, Chesterfield, Oldham, and Glossop the dynamic duo are also working on a new EP which will be available in a few months and are also planning a live album, the proceeds of which will be donated to charity, which we hope to release in July. Watch this space for details
The third release by the masters of electro-punk is released today – The Strays are back.
The Double-A single covers the superhuman efforts of Richard Dreyfuss to save us and explains exactly what is Problematic about life today.
The single is available from Bandcamp and all the usual digital outlets
We have now released the two EPs by The Strays to date. The first EP Explicit Content includes a previously unreleased track “Be Seen Not Heard”. There is also a chance to purchase a CD version of the original version of that EP.
The two EPs are available via all the usual digital outlets as well as our Bandcamp page.
The duo have a number of dates planned to support these releases…..
26th January sees our release and distribution of two EPs by Buxton based electronic punk duo The Strays.
With a lo-fi DIY beat driven attack the duo of Johnny (beats, guitars) and Georgie (vocals) Stray take no prisoners, with a venomous attack on the establishment, politics and the darker nooks and crannies of the music and entertainment industry. The sound is raw, the love child of Suicide and The Ramones if said child had been brought up in the industrial North West of the UK. There is punk, there is pop, there is electronica and there is a mutant form of dance/disco all in play at various times.
With positive reviews flying out of the internet already we predict that these guys are destined for something special with their heavy touring schedule and growing fan bases in the East Midlands and North West.
We release their first two eps “Explicit Content” and “Never Tweet Your Heroes”.
Both have been previously self released on Bandcamp but we are taking on the distribution chores for the band with releases via Spotify, I Tunes, Amazon, Apple Music and many more digital platforms, plus inclusion in the German Shepherd Bandcamp pages.
Videos are in production at the moment and should be released next month.
Because the band can use some rather anglo saxon language at times we have provided safe radio edits of a selection of songs from both eps for our chums in DJ land.
Here is a soundcloud clip for Gone In The Head
There is a bonus track on Explicit Content – the previously unreleased “Be Seen Not Heard” which is exclusive to the German Shepherd release.
FACEBOOK – www.facebook.com/thestraysofficial/
GIGS
The boys have a number of gigs coming up…..
26th January – The Mulberry Tavern, Sheffield
3rd February – The Globe, Glossop
4th February – Fab Cafe, Manchester
11th February –The Bunny Hop, Heanor
16th February – The Mulberry Tavern, Sheffield
24th March – The Crown Inn, Heanor
15th April – Dublin Castle, London
19th April – The Peer Hat Manchester
2nd June – The Station Hotel, Ashton U Lyne
REVIEWS
Mind Noise Network
unique, upbeat and downright weird songs.
Double EP Review: The Strays – Never Tweet Your Heroes & Explicit Content
Aural Delights
The Strays are well worth less than 20 minutes of your time and the price of a pint to give them some support and to encourage them to continue their attack on the sort of targets that need calling out.
……..five songs in 14 minutes demonstrates the Ramones like efficiency of the bands output and their joyful application of their craft which marries clever and often politically astute lyrics with crisp punk-electronica.
