Weimar

German Shepherd Records Newsletter 48 – New single from the Moss Brothers, Showcase Events, Forthcoming Releases and Gigs

HalfEdgeMedia

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”

ab HEYGATES

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

July

August

  • 9th –
  • 10th –
    • Weimar play Scarborough Apollo
  • 16th –
    • Keltrix play The Green Man, Granchester
  • 24th –
    • Umbrella Assassins play Rugfest, Haverhill
  • 25th –
    • Toska Wilde plays It Came From The Sea II at The Centre, Margate
  • 29th –
    • Dominic Carlton Jones plays The Peer Hat, Manchester

October

  • 12th –
    • Scissors play The Six Bells, Cambridge
  • 26th  –
    • Toska Wilde plays CULT 13 – Underground Alternative Night at The Venue Southend.
    • Poppycock play the Castle Hotel, Manchester

November

  • 1st
    • Dominic Carlton-Jones plays Foundations Festival at Peer Hat/AATMA, Manchester
  • 2nd
    • Weimar play Foundations Festival at Peer Hat/AATMA, Manchester

FF

2020

February

  • 1st –
    • The Junta will be supporting TRUE ORDER at Sunbird Records, Darwin
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German Shepherd Records Newsletter #35 – Moff Skellington, Weimar Single Launch, Award for Dominic Carlton Jones, New Single from Crab Dance GI’s and Gigs!

HalfEdgeMedia

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

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WEIMAR ENJOY TRIUMPHANT SINGLE LAUNCH

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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

dom win 1

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

German Shepherd Newsletter #33 – Debut Single from Weimar, and gigs!

HalfEdgeMedia

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.

gig poster

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.

single cover 001

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

Weimar

SOCIAL MEDIA

Official Website – http://weimarbanduk.com
Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/weimartheband
Twitter – http://www.twitter.com/WeimarBandUK
Soundcloud – http://www.soundcloud.com/weimartheband

NEW GIGS ANNOUNCED

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

mm2_5revised

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

the get

  • 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

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  • 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

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  • 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

toska 200419 the venue southend

Weimar announce first single and launch

HalfEdgeMedia

Weimar , the band comprising Aidan Cross- vocals, rhythm guitar, Johann Kloos- lead guitar, John Armstrong- bass and Anthony Edwards- drums, have announced the release of their debut single, the double A-side John Doe/Curse the Songs, to be released 1st February 2019, accompanied by a special launch gig at The Eagle Inn in Salford!

Recorded at 6db Studios Salford and produced by the legendary Simon ‘Ding’ Archer (The Fall, Pixies, PJ Harvey, Bobbie Peru), the double A-side will be released in physical format by Weimar’s own label Marlene’s Hat, and digitally by German Shepherd Records.

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

HalfEdgeMedia

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/