Weimar follow up their critically acclaimed debut single “John Doe/Curse the Songs” with a new double A-side single, “Marvel to the State/Undesirable Master”, released on Friday 22nd November. Both the new songs feature the guest vocals of Rose Niland, singer with Rose & the Diamond Hand as well as Poppycock.
As well as being released digitally on German Shepherd Records, you can pre-order a CD version from the bands website.
Both songs are accompanied by promo videos directed by Nikos Pavlou. Stunning cover art is from Brian Gorman.
Stylistically, both new songs are significantly different from Weimar’s previous single. “Marvel To The State” – written as a celebration of female figures throughout history who have stood up in the face of oppressive politics – is a duet between Weimar’s frontman Aidan Cross and Rose Niland, set to a jazz-funk inspired backing. Rose co-stars in the video.
“Undesirable Master”, meanwhile, is a romantic torch song with an ethereal backing vocal from Niland. The video guest stars screen thespian Indigo Azidahaka, also vocalist with Granola Suicide.
The group play The Globe, Glossop on November 30th with Adventures of Salvador.
As we near the end of a very busy 2019 we up the stakes with three great releases for November 22nd
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WEIMAR – MARVEL TO THE STATE/ UNDESIRABLE MASTER
Manchester band Weimar, a four-piece Art Rock outfit, follow up their critically acclaimed debut single “John Doe/Curse the Songs” (released back in February 2019) with a new double A-side single, “Marvel to the State/Undesirable Master”. Both the new songs feature the guest vocals of Rose Niland, singer with Rose & the Diamond Hand as well as Poppycock. The single will be released digitally on German Shepherd Records, and on CD via Weimar’s own label Marlene’s Hat. MORE DETAILS NEXT WEEK.
NEXT GIG
Adventures of Salvador and Weimar
30 November 2019
The Globe, 144 High St W,
After a long break and several line-up changes Chorley’s finest purveyors of cheesy comestible rock return with a four track self-titled EP.
The trio deliver sleazy rock n roll from the southern swamps of central Lancashire.
Formed in March 2014 originally with bassist Tom and drummer Matt. Since their departure in 2016 new members Al Superstar Green and Allan ‘Cheddar’ Tanner joined Jason Gorgonzola Hurley to form the new Electric Cheese. Since Al Green’s departure his spot has been filled by Mike ‘Mozarella’ Carling.
A tight power trio with killer riffs banging out some swampy rock n roll tunes with a wry sense of humour this release is a remarkabke follow up their excellent debut Lactose Intolerant.
Here’s a recent set from the band including tracks from the new EP
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TWO LOST SOULS – CORDS AND DIGITS
Two Lost Souls and Ian Moss and Paul Rosenfeld. Originally working together as part of Moss’s Music and Words Project , with Rosenfeld under his Foghorn Leghorn pseudonym, the pair have more recently appeared as Mistletoe with the single “Borderline Racist” . This newly christened project combines Rosenfeld’s memorable guitar playing with Moss’s bitter sweet observations. A real departure from Moss’s more punk orientated style this set of songs sets a whole new musical canvass. With some of Moss’s more memorable lyrics captured in a different context we have a refreshing and thought provoking new listening experience. Rosenfeld is a consummate writer deriving tones and structures from the rich history of guitar music. Support on bass is provided by Andy Drysdale, Renato Larossi, and Paul O’Sullivan. Long time Moss fans will be intrigued by this new direction.
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OTHER NEWS
Ian Moss’s book “100 Unhip Albums” can be ordered now from Empire Publications
Last week we released a one off Bandcamp only release from Staggs called “The Eton Mess”
FORTHCOMING GIGS IN NOVEMBER
The Harveys and Four Candles 14 Nov 2019 Castle Hotel, 66 Oldham St, Manchester M4 1LE, UK
Inferior Complex 14 Nov 2019 The Joiners, 141 St Mary St, Southampton SO14 1NS, 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
La Capsula (Mark and Luisa from Elastikbande) 21 Nov 2019 The Peer Hat, 14-16 Faraday St, Manchester M1 1BE, UK
Angry 21 Nov 2019 The Edge Bar & Kitchen, 6-8 High Pavement, 1EA, Town Square, Basildon SS14 1EA, UK
The Junta 22 Nov 2019 Barrow Underground Music Society
The Junta 23 Nov 2019 Lions Den Manchester, 253 Deansgate, Mews, Manchester M3 4EN, UK
Inferior Complex 24 Nov 2019 Lord Nelson Poole, Poole BH15 1BQ, UK
Manchester Meltdown 2019 – Four Candles, The E-Fits and Matthew Hopkins 30 Nov 2019 The Peer Hat, 14-16 Faraday St, Manchester M1 1BE, UK
Hello and welcome to the weekly newsletter from German Shepherd Records
This week we have a new single to announce plus lots of gig news and a sneak peak at what’s coming from the label in the rest of 2019
IAN AND NEIL MOSS
Ian and Neil return with the second in a run of a new singles with “A Story” a psychedelic sound melange tinged with progressive tropes and layers of voices and instruments. Released digitally on June 28th the single will be followed by at least one more in this productive run of material from the Moss siblings
WEIMAR, THE OMBUDSMEN AND SOME OF THE PARISH CHURCH FIRE
For the hometown gig of the week we are back at The Eagle in Salford this Friday for a band curated evening from Weimar, currently in the studio recording their debut album, who have brought in exciting new German Shepherd roster members The Ombudsmen. This three piece from the Greater Manchester area produce amazing instrumental music which is breathtaking to watch live – the band will have a special guest vocalist on show on the night. Bassist John is also in The Parish Church Fire and three of his band mates Sam, Dewi and Tim will also be playing as “Smith, Hughes, and Williams”. That trio can also be seen at The Castle in Manchester on July 4th as part of another MASS Assembly event. We will have an announcement about a Parish Church Fire gig, with some very special guests, very soon. To complete the circle Weimar, together with Dominic Carlton Jones, will be representing German Shepherd Records at this years Foundations Festival at The Peer Hat/AATMA in Manchester on 1st (Dominic) and 2nd (Weimar) November.
SALVADORIAN ADVENTURES
With the release of the sophomore album, “Welcome To Our Village” from Adventures of Salvador this Friday we would like to remind of the launch event at The Castle Hotel, Manchester on 28th June, where the band will be joined by Electric Cheese (who have a new EP in the pipeline) and Umbrella Assassins who bring their Shed Punk sound all the way from Haverhill in Suffolk, their new single “Sweat It Out” was released last Friday. Tickets are selling fast!
WHAT’S IN THE PIPELINE
A quick preview of what is coming in Summer/Autumn….
The first of four EPs from the pairing of Simon “Ding” Archer and Ian Moss called Unseasonal Beasts…..special guests on the EP include Dan Woolfie, Susan O’Shea, Seth Leppard and Eoghan Clifford
The new album from Four Candles called “Nettle Rash” – German Shepherd subscribers will get a bonus track
A new one from The Screaming Love Collective called “Do What You Love”
A remix single from Lizard Brain called “Don’t Even Blink”
The excellent debut EP from Ember Rev “Premonition and Ruin” will be distributed with a new release coming later in the year
Another Ian and Neil Moss single “Fall Out Of Love With Me”
A remix from Inferior Complex of “I Dream”
A collection of Crab Dance GIs tracks to date plus a brand new single “The Latest Record/Trash Talk”
A new EP from Auster Boys “Reversing Into The Holoscene”
A Kit B compilation “Seven Singles & Four Obscure B Sides”
GIGS
2019
June
19th –
Ember Rev play Johnny Wright’s Wednesday Sessions at The Brook, Mill Road Cambridge
21st –
Weimar play The Eagle, Salford with The Ombudsman and Smith, Hughes & Williams from The Parish Church Fire
22nd –
Ember Rev and The Scissors play Knackfest in Isleham, Ely
Electric Cheese play The Doghouse Cellar Jazz Bar, Bury
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 with Umbrella Assassins and Electric Cheese
Inferior Complex play The Alexandra, Southampton
Mark Corrin’s Elastikbande play The Old Abbey Taphouse, Manchester
30th –
Electric Cheese play Night and Day Cafe, Manchester
The Scissors and Adventures of Salvador with Moonstrips at Blue Moon Cambridge
20th –
Keltrix play Whoosh Festival, The Missing Sock, Sto-Cum-Quy
Adventures of Salvador with Umbrella Assassins and The Get play Dublin Castle, London
27th –
Umbrella Assassins and Bouquet of Dead Crows play Pimjam festival at the Rose and Crown, Haverhill
28th –
Monkeys In Love celebrate the 50th anniversary of the moon landing at The Klondyke Club, Levenshulme, Mark Corrin’s Elastikbande also play – afternoon show between 1pm and 5pm
31st –
The Junta plays The Peer Hat
August
9th –
Mark Corrin’s Elastikbande play The Railway, Didsbury
Hello and welcome to the regular newsletter from German Shepherd Records, this week:
We reissue Moff Skellington’s “The Corduroy Bridge” album
We report on the successful single launch from Weimar
We celebrate an award for Dominic Carlton Jones
We tell you about a new single from Crab Dance GI’s
We let you know about some gigs
MOFF SKELLINGTON – THE CORDUROY BRIDGE
If you have not heard the work of Moff Skellington before then you are in for a fascinating experience.
Moff, whose given name is Andy Quayle, is an iconoclast blessed with a unique talent with words and music that defies convention and operates in a separate and quite distinct time continuum to the rest of the world of entertainment. His prolific and prodigious output, over twenty five albums/EP’s and one DVD since 1999, offers some of the most exciting and challenging work you are ever likely to hear. Aside from his musical endeavours he is also a gifted and talented visual artist who has exhibited his unique painting and drawings in many different locations. He has recently moved into the world of video to create a fascinating marriage of his paintings and music.
The music is described as Eddodi – a kind of mutant folk music which incorporates elements of post-punk, rock and blues. Imagine Pere Ubu, Tom Waits, Captain Beefheart and Harry Partch thrown into a blender and mixed with the English Folk Tradition and you are getting somewhere near the sound.
The album “The Corduroy Tongue” was originally released in 2015 and we are reissuing it on 15th February in digital format as part of our plan to eventually release all of Moff’s back catalogue.
Moff is a “Marmite” artist you either are 1000% committed to his work or you are left scratching your head and wondering what you have just listened to. We understand if you don’t “get it” we are used to the mixed reaction.
As a taster of his work here is Moff defining entertainment
WEIMAR ENJOY TRIUMPHANT SINGLE LAUNCH
Photo courtesy Victoria Egan
Weimar packed out The Eagle Inn in Salford on February 1st for the launch of their single “John Doe/Curse The Songs”. With an hour long set and a rapturous audience the band played both sides of the new single, were joined on stage by a very soulful Rose Niland for a couple of songs, featured new material, and, blew the roof off with a stunning version of “Nights In Spanish Harlem”. The set concluded with a couple of old tunes from Aidan Cross’s previous band The Bacillus (album still available on the German Shepherd bandcamp page). Press reports were effusive in their praise of the evening with Louder Than War and the Salford Star writing positive articles,. The single has gained airplay throughout the UK and the States and a series of very positive blogs have reviewed it also. Aidan will be appearing on Dave Hammond’s Smelly Flowerpot show on Cambridge 105 on Monday 11th February from 9pm where he will be chatting about the band and the plans for the forthcoming album.
DOMINIC CARLTON JONES
As well as receiving praise for his opening set at the Weimar gig mentioned above Dominic Carlton Jones has won the Salford Star Best Band/Act 2018 Award for his album “Salford Punk Poetry Sadness Death New Life”, which judges hailed as “inspired and original”. Salford Star Live Editor Ian Leslie presented the award to Dominic at the end of his set last Friday. A full report from the Salford Star can be found here. Many congratulations to Dominic from everyone in The Kennel. Thanks to Michelle Leslie for the photograph.
CRAB DANCE GI’S INTRODUCE DAYGLO DAVE
Danny Cusick (KIT B, The Hidden Gem) side project Crab Dance GI’s have a new single out on March 15th called “Dayglo Dave”. The first of two forthcoming singles from this project the song is the tale of a regressive music fan who “only listens to New Wave” and will countenance any other forms of music. Watch this space for more details!
GIGS
Details of forthcoming gigs featuring German Shepherd Artists:
February
9th – Scissors play NCI Club Cambridge (Cambridge Central Aid charity fundraiser, Scissors headlining, other acts TBC)
10th – Pearl Divers play Fab Cafe, Manchester
15th – Bouquet of Dead Crows play Bury Sound at Hunter Club, Bury St Edmunds
23rd – Electric Cheese and Four Candles play The Railway, Chorley
24th – Positronik play Fab Cafe, Manchester
March
2nd – Four Candles, Johann Kloos and Rose Niland play the Peer Hat, Manchester, a benefit for Macmillan nurses as a memorial for Modal Roberts
2nd – Pearl Divers play Malaga Drift, Eccles Town Centre (Near the station and not far from German Shepherd HQ!)
2nd – Electric Cheese play The Village Inn, Skelmersdale
2nd – The Mind Sweepers play The Normandy, Dumfries
13th – Bouquet of Dead Crows play West Street Live Sheffield
15th – Adventures of Salvador play The Deaf Centre, Chester
16th – Bouquet of Dead Crows, The Scissors and Umbrella Assassins play The Smokehouse Ipswich.
16th – The Mind Sweepers play Midnight Breakfast Club at Bathgate.
23rd – Electric Cheese play The Ferret, Preston
29th – Bouquet of Dead Crows play The Blue Moon Cambridge + Burning Codes, Basement Strippers & Matt Hammond
April
20th – Toska Wilde plays The Venue, Southend On Sea
Hello and welcome to the regular e-news from German Shepherd Records. This week we have the exciting details of the first single from Weimar plus gig news featuring our artists…..
Weimar debut single – John Doe/Curse The Songs
Weimar, a four-piece Art Rock band based in Manchester, release their debut single, the double A-side “John Doe/Curse the Songs” on Friday 1st February. Both songs have been produced and mixed by Simon ‘Ding’ Archer of The Fall, Pixies and PJ Harvey fame. The single will be released digitally by German Shepherd Records and physically by Weimar’s own label Marlene’s Hat. Its release will be accompanied by a special launch gig at The Eagle Inn, Salford, at 7.30pm on Friday 1st February with support from Sticky Pearls, Dominic Carlton Jones and Geneviève Walsh.
Weimar have played regular gigs on Manchester’s underground circuit since 2017 and have been included in Louder Than War’s 50 New Bands for 2019. Their music incorporates elements of Post-Punk, Indie and Experimental Rock together with touches of Cabaret, Chanson, Alt Folk and Dark Circus. Aesthetically and lyrically they take influence from historical and cultural sources, basing their image and outlook around the German Weimar Republic of the 1920s. Their songs are preoccupied with the seedier side of culture and the darker elements of humanity, and the need for cultural and artistic rebellion in the face of political oppression.
Following this single release, Weimar will be going into the studio in February to begin the recording of their debut album, and are currently planning further live shows throughout 2019.
Positive reaction to the release so far……
“The skill and uniqueness of Weimar… lies in their ability to express personal observation and tune into the undercurrents and untold stories of society, wielded through unabashed art pop which unfolds in layers, often linking to the past.
‘John Doe’ is a track which opens with beautiful plucked guitar, mood building with the slide of bass before those signature glistening guitar hooks come in – a feature of Weimar’s music I have come to love and crave. Weimar are a band which celebrate the storytelling capabilities of music, interweaving intelligent lyricism with resounding rhythms as we become acquainted with the character of ‘John Doe’.. the embodiment of a concept many of us know all-too-well. The track creates catchiness without the cliché, energetic builds and bursts of beat and guitar, topped with undulating vocals for a tale which enchants and evokes.
‘Curse The Songs’ is a stand-out track of lush atmospheric build and gripping vocals immersed in echo and emotion. A wholly refreshing change from the variety of songs out there which seek to parody high-profile individuals and fall short of the mark, ‘Curse The Songs’ is excellently executed, navigating a whole narrative and impactful instrumentation to deliver an intelligent kind of outcry against those musicians who seem to swing far to the right in their older age. Building in energy, bringing together bolstering bass with a deft jangle of guitars and glistening edges to the sound, when combined with Aidan Cross’ expressive delivery, this makes for a track you will want to listen to, time-over. A band clearly capable of creating intelligent upbeat with topical and artful depths.”Emily Oldfield, Louder Than War.
“You know when you get that chill up your back when you hear music that is genuinely different and exciting…..? The most important band to come out of Manchester since Magazine” – Aural Delights Blog
For the listener, the weight of anticipation can sometimes tip the balance of appreciation the wrong way, leaving he/she underwhelmed by what’s been presented after a long wait. Fortunately for this listener, that wasn’t the case with the debut single from Weimar which has just arrived fully a year after I was first told about the new venture by singer Aidan Cross. ‘John Doe’ has a great pounding bass line wrapped around scratchy guitar and a vocal with real presence. Better still, ‘Curse the Songs’ builds over four phases from a relatively quiet opening to a galloping second section, a thrilling third and an epic finale with a vocal that matches each passage with relish. Highly recommended.” – Dave Hammond, The Smelly Flowerpot on Cambridge 105 Radio
“An early contender for single of the year – brilliant stuff!”Stephen Doyle, Salford City Radio
WEIMAR ARE:
Aidan Cross- vocals, rhythm guitar
Johann Kloos- lead guitar
John Armstrong- bass
Anthony Edwards- drums
The gig list for German Shepherd Artists for 2019 is already filling in with some key announcements recently made. The Mind Sweepers have announced two new dates in March, and Toska Wilde has a gig supporting TV Smith in April…..details below
January
23rd – Manchester Meltdown Series 2 at the Peer Hat. Only £3 featuring Rose and the Diamond Hand, Matthew Hopkins, Bang Up The Elephant and Four Candles
25th – The Mind Sweepers play the Big Burns Supper at The Hub, Dumfries
25th – Inferior Complex play The Alexandra, Southampton
30th – Manchester Meltdown Series 2 at the Peer Hat. Only £3 featuring Springfield Elementary, Bobbie Peru, Mark Corrin and Four Candles
February
1st – Weimar launch their debut single at The Eagle, Salford with support from Dominic Carlton Jones
2nd – Electric Cheese play The Ferret, Preston
2nd – The Get play a Storehouse Fundraiser at The Railway, Southend on Sea
9th – Scissors play NCI Club Cambridge (Cambridge Central Aid charity fundraiser, Scissors headlining, other acts TBC)
15th – Bouquet of Dead Crows play Bury Sound at Hunter Club, Bury St Edmunds
23rd – Electric Cheese and Four Candles play The Railway, Chorley
March
2nd – Four Candles, Johann Kloos and Rose Niland play the Peer Hat, Manchester, a benefit for Macmillan nurses as a memorial for Modal Roberts
2nd – Electric Cheese play The Village Inn, Skelmersdale
3rd – The Mind Sweepers play as part of a Charity Band Day at The Normandy, Dumfries
13th – Bouquet of Dead Crows play West Street Live Sheffield
16th – Bouquet of Dead Crows, The Scissors and Umbrella Assassins play The Smokehouse Ipswich.
16th – The Mind Sweepers play The Midnight Club, Bathgate
23rd – Electric Cheese play The Ferret, Preston
29th – Bouquet of Dead Crows play The Blue Moon Cambridge + Burning Codes, Basement Strippers & Matt Hammond
April
20th – Toska Wilde accompanied by Brucie Bitch is in fine company at The Venue, Southend
