Sunday, September 30, 2007

The Enemy: "Former Coventry Miner is Enemy Single Cover" Interview

Here is the interview with The Enemy that appeared in the Coventry Times this week:

A former miners' union rep who worked at Keresley Colliery is the face on The Enemy's new single, we can reveal.


Mick O'Gara was the uncle of the Coventry band's front man Tom Clarke,and sadly died this year. He is pictured on the new singles front sleeve at a rally alongside National Union of Mineworkers' leader Arthur Scargill during the Miners' Strike of 1984-85.



The photograph is on all posters and websites promoting the single released last week- "You're Not Alone" - a song about industrial decline and workers thrown on the scrapheap.


Tom spoke with the Coventry Times about his uncle - who lived in Tamworth - when we caught up with the band last week, before they performed and signed records at Chalky's music store in Banbury.


He said: "My uncle Mick was a transport manager and worked at Keresley pit. He did so much work for the union so we dedicated this song to him which is about the disappearance of industry. We don't know where the photograph was taken unfortunately, but it's clearly from the 1980s. Of course our families have been an influence on us. We grew up around them."


You're Not Alone is an unambiguous political statement. It hits out at big business and government who "sold us down the river like rats" and was inspired by the band seeing other British post-industrial cities on tour reduced to a "wasteland".


It is also well-documented as a gesture of solidarity with the thousands of workers who lost their jobs when Peugeot pulled the plug on its Ryton factory last year. Tom said: "Maybe Peugeot's closure couldn't have been stopped but if a strong union was there we would have heard about it more and it could have made a difference. We used to be so proud of our skilled workers and now they're working in call centres"


Since shooting to fame this summer, The Enemy have brought transparent youth protest and impassioned anger back into the popular music mainstream - so often ignored by other bands or disguised in a veil of ironic humour and pastiche.


The Enemy's direct lyrics are about the emptiness and nihilism of life on the minimum wage in soulless jobs, with binge-drinking and brawling and only "crappy" escape. The band believes collectively people have power to change things.


But they are canny enough to stop short of falling into the trap of some of their musical predecessors such as the young Paul Weller. He acknowledges he had difficulties in his Jam days when being heralded as the "spokesman for a generation", and later when he nailed his leftist colours to the mast with the highly-publicised Red Wedge tour.


Tom, outspoken but also genial, shrewd and thoughtful, told us: "We're not a political band. We're young lads, not politicians, and we wouldn't want to be. We give a social commentary. Our songs are about modern society and the problems are glaringly obvious."


"For instance ASBOs are a ridiculous piece of legislation. They're not a deterrent and they're not a punishment. Many of the problems exist in schools. People aren't always educated in ways that encourage you to get yourself out there. You end up in an office in a factory or a shop. A careers adviser looks at you and sends you to a sh** job."


With a gruelling summer schedule which included Japanese shows, a London gig with the Rolling Stones and the Coventry Godiva Festival - still the band's favourite gig - these three striplings could be forgiven for thinking life on the road has become just another job.


They admit it's difficult to see family and friends and love coming home for occasional weekends. Another major tour kicks off today in Oxford (27/09) - and they expect a large Coventry following throughout.


"Coventry people have been behind us from the start and even at gigs in other countries we always see Coventry flags", says Tom.


But the boys are living their dream - first discussed when they were working in Fedex offices in Foleshill or selling TV's and when they met each other through mutual friends in pubs after work.


Bassist Andy Hopkins and drummer Liam Watts - who still lives with his family in Holbrooks - attended Heart of England and Cardinal Wiseman schools respectively. Tom, brought up in Birmingham before moving to Coventry in his early teens, again speaks on behalf of his quieter band mates: "This is not a job. It's still the dream. We're all just loving it. I hate it when bands start complaining."


Interviewed by: Les Reid (les_reid@mrn.co.uk)


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  • Friday, September 28, 2007

    The Enemy Tour Begins: Oxford

    Tom Clarke, as pictured by Andy Willsher/NME

    Coventry's very own - The Enemy, kicked off their tour last night in Oxford at the newly opened Carling Academy. The gig was a sell out as crowds squeezed into the venue to watch The Enemy perform tracks from their number one album "We'll Live And Die In These Towns".


    The evening's line up started with The Wombats getting the crowd warmed up, such songs as "Kill The Director" and "Let's Dance To Joy Division" have attracted quite a following for the Liverpudlian band.


    Next up on the NME Rock 'n' Roll Tour was Lethal Bizzle, who got the crowd going with his song "Police On My Back" and everything was then set for The Enemy to come on stage and carry on the good work.


    The Enemy launched straight into their catchy "Away From Here" and the Oxford crowd were soon hooked as they sang along to other well known tunes "Had Enough" and the closing song "You're Not Alone" during the set.


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  • Thursday, September 27, 2007

    The Enemy Invite Lord Mayor For A Curry!

    The Enemy
    The Coventry Telegraph has reported this week how The Enemy have turned down the pomp of a civic reception in favour of a poppadom at a local curry house. Below is the full article from the Coventry Telegraph:

    CITY indie rock band The Enemy have sent an invitation to the Lord Mayor of Coventry asking him out for a curry.
    The chart-topping group fired off an e-mail to Councillor Dave Batten suggesting he joins them for an Indian meal.
    The offer came amid calls for a civic reception to be held for the group.


    Cllr Batten wants to honour the Holbrooks-based band for putting Coventry on the map with number one album We'll Live and Die in These Towns, the first band from the city to achieve such a feat.
    Following a ceremony held by the city council for street dancing group Kombat Breakers, Cllr Batten agreed with fellow councillors that it would be a good idea to do something similar for The Enemy.

    Liam Watts, Tom Clarke and Andy Hopkins (Stung Photography)

    Invitations were dispatched but, ironically, at the same time, band members Tom Clarke, Liam Watts and Andy Hopkins demonstrated their more informal tastes by e-mailing the Lord Mayor and suggesting he join them for a curry.
    A spokesman for Coventry City Council said: "We sent a formal invitation to The Enemy inviting them to a civic reception.


    "At the same time the Lord Mayor received an e-mail from The Enemy offering to take him for a curry!
    "We haven't heard back about the reception yet but it would be great if we could arrange both."
    The Lord Mayor said: "Hopefully I will get to meet them soon, although they are very busy, which is very good news."


    Cllr Tony Skipper, shadow cabinet member for culture, sport and libraries, believes a civic reception for The Enemy, currently at number 18 in the charts with the single You're Not Alone, would be a great idea.
    He said: "The lads' achievement certainly deserves civic recognition.
    "It will be a good opportunity to thank the families and backstage staff who have supported the lads in achieving success.
    "


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  • The Enemy and Lethal Bizzle NME Video Interview








    Tom Clarke from The Enemy and Lethal Bizzle take about the upcoming "NME Rock 'n' Roll Tour", which kicks off this week and heads up and down the UK during October. Could we be seeing a collaboration between The Enemy and Lethal Bizzle live on stage?


    Check out the NME website for more updates.





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  • Wednesday, September 26, 2007

    Coventry City Beat Manchester United

    *picture from BBC website.

    Coventry City have gone through to the final sixteen of the Carling Cup after a sensational 0-2 victory in front of a 74,000 crowd at Old Trafford. Michael Mifsud scored in the 27th and 70th minute, causing the 11,000 travelling Coventry City football fans to celebrate in style.

    After two league defeats, Coventry came out attacking and gave everything to Alex Ferguson's Manchester United. Although it was mostly the youth team, it still featured six international players, who seemed to have under estimated a determined Iain Dowie side. The supporters were 100% behind Coventry and in turn, the players and manager acknowledged this by delivering a result for Coventry that was reminiscent of the 1987 FA Cup final victory against Tottenham.

    Well done Sky Blues!



  • Tuesday, September 25, 2007

    The Enemy : Zoo Session (Virgin Radio)



    The Enemy went along to Virgin Radio recently and recorded a live acoustic set as part of the "Zoo Session" for the station. They played "You're Not Alone", "Away From Here" and "We'll Live And Die In These Towns". Virgin Radio recorded the event, so not only do you get a fantastic acoustic collection but you get to watch Tom Clarke, Andy Hopkins and Liam Watts in action. With crystal clarity and moving lyrics the Virgin Zoo Session proves to be one of the greatest live sets The Enemy have done to date.


    It is available to download, so check out Virgin Radio for more details about buying the songs.

  • Monday, September 24, 2007

    The Enemy: Father and Son

    The Enemy have recorded "Father and Son" for the Radio 1 40th birthday celebrations. The song was covered by Ronan Keating and Yusuf Islam (Cat Stevens) in recent years but the Coventry trio go back to the roots for the Cat Steven's version rather than Boyzone.

    The song will be released on October 1st as part of the BBC collection album and can be heard on Radio 1 over the next few days. Just in case you have forgotten what the original sounds like, watch the video below.


    Cat Stevens: Father and Son


    Tom Clarke, Liam Watts and Andy Hopkins took time out to explain why they selected "Father and Son". You can catch the Radio 1 short interview: HERE


  • Sunday, September 23, 2007

    The Enemy: Guardian Interview


    The Enemy have been as busy as ever recently as they promoted their single "You're Not Alone" and Iain Aitch from The Guardian newspaper interviewed Tom Clarke, Andy Hopkins and Liam Watts.

    'We are not politicians, we are a band," says Tom
    Clarke
    , the singer-guitarist with The Enemy, denying
    any position as a spokesman for disaffected teens. "
    I don't want to be a
    part of pointless politics. So many of the problems in England could be easily
    resolved. All these blokes in suits with their degrees and God knows what, but
    they can't see simple solutions
    .
    "
    It's like Asbos - that is the
    most useless bit of legislation. It is not solving a problem, it is just
    labelling someone
    ."

    Though Clarke doesn't see himself as a spokesman, his band has a taste for
    uncomfortable social issues, which has prompted comparisons to the likes of The Jam and The Specials (a Coventry band,
    like The Enemy).
    The Enemy's No 1 debut album,
    We'll
    Live and Die in These Towns
    , deals with unemployment, Friday-night brawls
    and social exclusion. Clarke also says that "
    one of the first songs we wrote
    was It's Not Okay, which was the week that Peugeot closed two factories in
    Coventry. That is a society thing. What you see at the end of the day is a table
    with your mates sitting around it who have got no money because they have no
    jobs.
    "

    Clarke is talking to me just after the Enemy have played a gig for
    inmates at the chapel of Pentonville prison in north London, in support of the Wasted Youth campaign, which raises awareness of the high
    suicide rate among young British men. This is a particular problem in prisons
    (67 inmates took their lives last year; 59 had already done so this year by the
    time the Enemy came to Pentonville).

    "The statistics are shocking," says Clarke. "
    For every
    person who dies from taking an E, there are 88 young men who commit suicide, and
    suicide is at its highest in prison."
    "You can't really appreciate what it's
    like until you've been in the cells
    ," says the Enemy's drummer, Liam Watts, who has taken a tour of the prison, which included
    being banged up, albeit briefly, with a burly, shaven-headed man - the band's
    manager. "That was dead weird," he says.

    So how did The Enemy get to the point where they are
    considered suitably big names to play awareness-raising gigs for charities (even
    if Dirty Pretty Things are headlining)? After all, all three members are still
    only 19.

    "I think we expected success," says Clarke, who speaks from
    the heart rather than from a manifesto. He's like an off-message Billy Bragg or
    a Paul Weller less pernickety about his clothes.

    "
    There are a lot of ways of going about success. You can start
    wearing trendy clothes and getting yourself in magazines or things like that,
    which I would never do. Or you can just go and gig your arse off, which is the
    old-fashioned way of doing it. We have pretty much been on tour since October 26
    last year. You can prove your worth on the tour circuit.
    "

    The tour circuit, this year alone, has taken The Enemy
    from the toilet venues, via the summer festivals, to supporting the Rolling Stones the night before they visit Pentonville. The
    band have grown in profile to the point where they will be headlining the
    5,000-capacity Brixton Academy next month.

    Today's gig at Pentonville, however, is rather different. Security is
    understandably tight; guests have to present their passports as ID, and mobile
    phones are confiscated. As we pass through a series of sliding doors, Clarke
    jokes that the security is nearly as extreme as it was backstage at the previous
    night's Rolling Stones show.

    Walking into the high-ceilinged chapel, we are greeted by rows of
    seated prisoners, with prison officers strategically placed around the room.
    Media and guests aside, the audience numbers around 100, favouring a mix of
    green-and-yellow overalls, prison-issue shirts and box-white Reeboks over skinny
    jeans and Converse. A good 40% of the audience is black, and most of the white
    inmates sport a number-one crop.

    After a brief introduction from the prison's governor, Nick
    Leader, The Enemy begin their set with
    40 Days and 40
    Nights,
    to a muted response. Given that most of the audience were inside
    before the band was formed, it's hardly surprising they don't know the words.
    But by halfway through the second chorus, heads are bobbing and feet are
    tapping, and at the end of the hit single Away from Here, there are
    whoops, yells and applause.
    That song was written on the shop floor of the Co-op where Clarke worked as a TV salesman, and its wantaway
    sentiments strike a chord. By the end of a breakneck rendition of
    Had
    Enough
    , the inmates are on their feet.

    Backstage, the band are all smiles while
    Dirty Pretty
    Things
    set up their equipment. "
    That was easily one of the most
    rewarding gigs we have done
    ," says Clarke.
    Later, as the band sit and
    talk about music, it's not surprising to hear the names that get referenced.

    "
    I discovered the Jam and the Clash through my mum listening to the
    same tape over and over when driving me to school
    ," says bassist Andy Hopkins (another former TV salesman). "
    I have the tape
    in my car now. It has The Specials on it, which I didn't
    realise I was listening to at the time
    ."


    Clarke reckons a key moment for him was finding a box of his parents'
    old vinyl in the loft, among which nestled a copy of Led Zeppelin II. There was
    something else up there, as well. "
    I found this old thing that looked like a
    big tape player
    ," he says. "
    I plugged some speakers in and turned it
    on. The reel-to-reel tape on there was Sgt Pepper's
    ."

    That link to the music of the band's parents' generation means a fair
    few forty somethings can be seen standing and nodding at the back of
    The
    Enemy's
    gigs, including some rather unlikely fans.
    "
    We turned
    up to an HMV signing ,and we walked in and the manager goes, 'There's a
    policeman in the dressing room waiting to see you,
    '" says Clarke.

    "
    I thought, 'What the fuck have we done?' So we walk in and
    there is this copper there and he takes his hat off and says: 'I was at the
    Leicester gig last night, I was crowd surfing.'"
    "He's got a few lads at
    work wearing the Enemy badges,
    " adds Hopkins. "
    They're wearing them
    underneath their police badges."


    In the event that The Enemy find themselves back in
    Pentonville for all the wrong reasons, at least they'll have a
    get-out-of-jail-free card.


    The Enemy's single You're Not Alone is out now. For more on Wasted Youth, see wastedyouthlive.co.uk . Interview from The Guardian.




  • Friday, September 21, 2007

    The Cougars @ Kapow, Coventry

    It's normally at this point I should be busy writing a review about the bands who performed at Kapow (Phoenix) in Coventry this week, but the truth is I got a bit bladdered! The Cougars were up from Cambridge, even though they had van problems, they still made the effort to come and entertain the Coventry crowd. The Promenade Stories and the Bootleg Poets did the business of warming the venue up ready for the final act, The Cougars.

    Ashley Read on lead vocals, Ross Castle on lead guitar, George Coupland on bass and new man Tom Harding on drums make up The Cougars line up and what a line up it is. The lads were up for a drink or two before getting on stage and as the pictures show below, know how to have a good time. At one point during the set, Ashley invited the crowd up on stage - which turned out to be good fun. All in all, it was another great night out with live music at it's best. It was a pity I had to get up for work several hours later.........

    Check out The Cougars MySpace for more details of upcoming gigs.


    The Cougars and a tipsy robmacca.


    Ashley pouts, Ross dreams and Tom licks - perfect!

    Sam joins The Cougars.








    The Cougars in action @ Kapow, Coventry.






    The Cougars - Chapter 2 @ Kapow! Coventry




    The Cougars live at Kapow, Phoenix, Coventry


  • More pictures and mobile video can be found: HERE.
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  • The Enemy: Pictures From Chalky's, Banbury

    The crowd at Chalky's, "Banbury has never been so busy" commented a passer by.

    Tom Clarke, after signing a million singles this week.


    Liam Watts has really cute eyes!


    Andy is still happy at the end of yet another signing session.


    Liam and Andy must be thinking: "who's the stalker" "oh it must be that robmacca".

    The Enemy are tempted out with bottled water.

    Tom Clarke in a "ohhhh, suits you sir" face expression.


    Tom ponders...... "Right lets get this show started".


    "Hang on, let me get my jacket off", thinks Liam Watts.


    "Oi, get off my bum!", protests Andy Hopkins as The Enemy depart the stage.



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  • Thursday, September 20, 2007

    The Enemy: Chalky's Banbury - Acoustic Set

    The Enemy performed in front of an lively young crowd at Chalky's record shop in Banbury on 20th September 2007. This was the first time I'd seen The Enemy perform at an independent record shop and it was also their best yet. Having done Manchester on Monday and London today, it was time for a town like Banbury to have a chance to see The Enemy, devoid of tight security.

    Everyone at Chalky's, including management, did an excellent job of making the whole event a success and a pleasure to attend. Giving up my afternoon sleep and driving over to Banbury was worth it, I came away from the performance and record signing feeling very special.

    Tom Clarke, Liam Watts and Andy Hopkins treated Banbury's teenage crowd to a very intimate acoustic set (as the videos below clearly show. As Tom Clarke sang "You're Not Alone", you could see the real passion on his face. This is a song that is personal to him and that was reflected clearly.
    I felt goose pimples and a shiver down my spine because this song has come to mean so much to me as well. Having seen Peugeot rip the heart out of Coventry, I'm now seeing Royal Mail do the same and life as a postie has become tough. So it's comforting to know "You're Not Alone" and others are supporting you in your struggle for a decent way of life.

    It was unusual not to see Liam Watts drumming with his usual vigor, all three lads were seated for this acoustic set and Liam was gently tapping away on his snare drum. But all of this helped in making the event even more personal, you could feel the pride in the lyrics to "We'll Live And Die In These Towns".

    I'm not sure the middle class people of Banbury would fully grasp the true meaning of The Enemy's songs from the heart but the crowds lapped it all up. Many getting body parts signed as well as the latest single out this week. You might think I'm a tad too old for record signings, but the whole experience keeps the connection between the fans and musicians a tighter fitting link which I feel part of. I didn't have the privilege of seeing bands perform until I was about 24 years old and it is only this year that Coventry's music scene has come alive in my life.


    The Enemy - "Away From Here" (acoustic)



    The Enemy - "We'll Live And Die In These Towns" (acoustic)


    The Enemy - "You're Not Alone" (acoustic)

    Vodaphone Music Awards 2007


    Here are the full results from the Vodafone Awards held in London last night. Mika and Amy Winehouse were the real winners of the night, proving that the British music scene is alive and well and full of a diversity.

    Best Live Male: Mika


    Best Live Female: Amy Winehouse


    Live Impact 2007: Gossip


    Best Show Production:Kylie Minogue


    Best Live Return: The Police


    Best Live Music DVD: Oasis: Morning Glory - A Classic Album Under Review


    Best Live Music Venue: Wembley Stadium


    XFM Live Breakthrough Act: Klaxons


    Channel 4 Festival of the Year: Glastonbury


    Kerrang! Live Unsigned Act: The Flaming Monkeys


    Best International Live Act: The Killers


    Sony Ericsson Tour of the Year: Muse


    Best Roadie: Geoff Buckley [roadie for James]


    Freddie Mercury Lifetime Achievement Award in Live Music: Iggy Pop


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  • Mobo Awards 2007



    Here is the full list of winners at the Music of Black Origin (Mobo) Awards 2007, which have been held in London this week.
    The winner of each award is in bold, followed by the other nominees in their category.

    Best UK male: Dizzee Rascal



    Kano, Lethal Bizzle, Sway Wiley




    Best UK female: Amy Winehouse



    Beverley Knight, Corinne Bailey Rae, Jamelia, Joss Stone




    Best song: Ne-Yo - Because of You



    Amerie - Take Control Amy Winehouse - Rehab Dizzee Rascal - Sirens Robin Thicke - Lost Without You

    Best video: Kanye West - Stronger



    Amy Winehouse - Back to BlackDizzee Rascal - Sirens Pussycat Dolls - Wait a Minute Rihanna - Umbrella




    Best international act: Rihanna



    Akon, P Diddy, Kanye West, TI




    Best UK newcomer: N Dubz



    Mutya Buena, Sadie, Ama Tinchy, Stryder, UnkleJam




    Best hip-hop act: Kanye West



    50 Cent, Common, Dizzee Rascal, Kano

    Best reggae act: Sean Kingston



    Collie Buddz, Shaggy, Stephen Marley, Tony Matterhorn



    Best R&B act: Ne-Yo



    Akon, Amy Winehouse, Lemar, Nathan




    Best gospel act: G-Force



    4 Kornerz, Blush UK, Jahaziel, Priscilla Jones




    Best jazz act: Soweto Kinch



    Abram Wilson, Byron Wallen, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Wynton Marsalis

    Best DJ: Tim Westwood



    George Kay, Jigs, Rampage, Ras Kwame, Ronnie, Herel Semtex, Shortee Blitz, Steve Sutherland, Trevor Nelson




    Best African act: 2face Idibia (Nigeria)



    DBanj (Nigeria), Nameless (Kenya), Wambali Mkandawire (Malawi), Bebe Cool (Uganda), Kabelo (South Africa)

    *Source:BBC News



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  • Tuesday, September 18, 2007

    The Enemy: Behind The Enemy Lines - Video

    The Enemy talk about how it all got started for them as a band and what playing in front of the Coventry crowd at the Colosseum means to them. Tom Clarke, Andy Hopkins and Liam Watts share their thoughts on being in the biggest Coventry band and where they draw their inspirations.





  • Monday, September 17, 2007

    The Enemy: Coventry Telegraph Interview





    COVENTRY band The Enemy are set for another big hit with a new single inspired by the city's declining car industry.



    The single - You're Not Alone - is in the shops from Monday and industry experts are tipping the band to again hit the top 10, or even the top the charts.



    The track is taken from the number one album We'll Live and Die in These Towns.



    Speaking during a break in filming for Channel 4 show Transmission, singer Tom Clarke told the Telegraph how the end of car manufacturing in Coventry had played a part in the writing of the single.
    He said the song was inspired by touring the country and seeing first-hand how grassroots industry was dying in major cities.



    The firebrand singer instantly saw the parallels with Coventry's dying car industry and the song was born.
    He said: "When we went on our first ever tour with The Paddingtons we'd be going to all these places like Manchester, Sheffield and Leeds and saw all these similar situations to Coventry - the remnants of industry, what used to be people's jobs."



    Although the song could hit number one, Tom says there are more important things than chart placings.
    He said: "It's nice to know that people care enough to buy it but it's never about chart positions for me. I get more out of e-mails from people saying how much the songs mean to them."



    It's been a sensational year so far for the band, scoring a number one album, playing all of the major festivals, including Glastonbury and V, and even supporting the legendary Rolling Stones at London's 02 Arena.



    But Tom says the highlight was the band's homecoming performance at Coventry's Godiva Festival.
    He said: "I think just walking out on to the stage at Godiva, to thousands of people, was the highlight. The hairs were standing up on the back of my neck for the whole gig."



    You're Not Alone is released on Monday. Interview from the Coventry Telegraph.



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  • Sunday, September 16, 2007

    The Enemy: Album Review (Malaysia)

    As Coventry's number one band -The Enemy are spending a tenth week inside the UK Top 40 album chart, the new single "You're Not Alone" is A-listed on Radio 1 and the band are about to do their bit to fight rascism on a free NME CD in a few weeks.
    Now it seems their fame is spreading far and wide, a review of "We'll Live And Die In These Towns" has appeared today in The Star Online (Malaysia), and what a good review it is.


    Here is the review by Jacobus Raj:

    "THE Enemy – Coventry (Britain)-born, and proud of it – scores
    some major points with We’ll Live and Die in These Towns. The album
    hints at a rebirth of socio-political punk and, to me, is reminiscent of some of
    the stuff first visited by bands like The Clash.


    The album opens up with Aggro, which is an
    appropriate intro, starting off on a quiet note before hammering it full-on
    punk-style but in a melodious way. Next up is an interesting take on modern work
    culture in Away from Here, with lyrics like “I’m so sick and tired of
    working just to be retired.”


    The title track is one of several outstanding numbers on the album and
    it starts up with some brass sounds before moving into an acoustic guitar-driven
    riff. A laid-back rocker, this song seems to tell the story of an ordinary life
    and echoes back to the days when punk actually had a message. You’re Not
    Alone
    , which follows, is another track in the same vein.

    The album closes on a more sombre, melancholy note with Happy
    Birthday Jane
    , a slow, melodic number that rounds off the album well.

    The Enemy has certainly risen from the ranks of
    obscurity, and if it can keep on producing work as good as this, I feel it’ll be
    a force to be reckoned with for some time to come. For ageing punk fans who
    complain about the lack of social commentary in what is called punk these days,
    this album is certainly a breath of fresh air. Definitely a
    keeper."


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  • Saturday, September 15, 2007

    Pint Shot Riot: Hope and Anchor Coventry Gig


    Pint Shot Riot read the riot act!






    Pint Shot Riot took to the stage tonight at the Hope and Anchor pub in Coventry and the sell out gig went down a storm with the home crowd. Outside the gates looking in were a crowd of teenagers who never tired of joining in the riotous night, at one point a lad had climbed a nearby wall to appear over the roof! Pint Shot Riot were launching this as their single release gig and it certainly did not disappoint.


    The crowds were totally up for it, I've never been to such a happy riot in my life. The rioters had beaming faces as they danced and moshed and pushed each other around. All of this gave pleasure to the band who performed and gazed in approval. The mosh pit was a hive of energy, no one was being aggressive in a violent way, this was something pretty unique - this was lads and lasses using energy in a positive way. Sadly, the poor security team at the Hope and Anchor didn't know what to make of it all. They are used to Cov folk getting into fights and causing trouble, so came down to the stage and tried to curtail the rioters from being too energetic. It was amusing to view as security probably believed the crowd were getting out of control, yet this is what SHOULD happen at a Pint Shot Riot gig. At no point did I see anyone pushing another person out of malice, the only people with sad faces were the security team who had misunderstood how this all works!


    Pint Shot Riot gave the crowd a solid performance and were totally in their element playing for the Coventry crowd, making the night a total success for everyone in attendance. The Ldyls and Delta Rush were the bands lending support and in the crowds stood Andy Hopkins from The Enemy and John Dawkins from Grand Union Management. Hopefully this is the start of bigger things for Pint Shot Riot and the vibe from Coventry remains completely upbeat and exciting. The Enemy and The Ripps have already proved Coventry is an exciting place to be and Pint Shot Riot back this up with their own brand of music and lyrics that reflect life in modern England. Many have already been inspired by these bands and this is causing a wave of new bands to emerge and ride the crest of those who have gone before them.
    The Ldyls instantly get the crowd in the mood with their no messing attitude and swagger.


    Delta Rush provided lyrics and sounds worthy of a listen.







    Pint Shot Riot videos from the Hope and Anchor:



    PSR - Riot Act



    PSR - Holes (clip showing the crowds going wild)

    Pint Shot Riot put on a free show at Hannigans clothes store in Coventry's Hale Street. A crowd of about 70 people filled the store as others listened outside while Pint Shot Riot belted out their familiar tunes "Holes", "Treacle Town" and the new single "Punches, Kicks, Trenches and Swords" (released October 1st).

    Check out the Pint Shot Riot MySpace where you can download a free tune "Riot Act", recorded live at the BBC.



    Check out more videos and pictures from the gig: HERE



    Kate Nash "Get Your Muff Out!"

    Kate Nash was asked told to "get your muff out" by a drunken heckler at an intimate gig earlier this week reports NME magazine.

    The drunken man shouted out during a quiet solo moment of "Little Red" and almost ruined the intimate set for the fans that were in attendance at London's Barfly.

    He may have had more than a sore head by the end of the event as Kate Nash responded with a "Boo" and surrounding fans began to heckle the drunk.

    Ryan Jarman (The Cribs) threw a pint glass in the direction of the heckler at the end of the gig, but luckily it missed the poor drunk who had probably wanted to see more than just a performance on a piano.


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  • The Enemy: Nokia Pictures

    Earlier this summer The Enemy took part in a "Question and Answer" event for Nokia, here are a selection of pictures from the day, as seen on NME. Next week "You're Not Alone" is released in the UK and the Coventry lads will be busy promoting the single as well as preparing for the NME Rock n Roll Riot Tour.

    Andy Hopkins.

    The Enemy entertain.

    The Enemy prepare for questions.

    Tom Clarke and Andy Hopkins tune up.




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  • Friday, September 14, 2007

    The Enemy: "You're Not Alone" - video and lyrics

    Here is the video and lyrics for The Enemy "You're Not Alone" featuring Tom Clarke, Andy Hopkins and Liam Watts from Coventry. The single is released in the UK on September 17th and is the third single from the #1 debut album "We'll Live And Die In These Towns".




    Don't let the sun go down
    on our empire
    it's too much to waste
    and don't let the walls
    come down round our empire
    it's too much to wave goodbye
    we've been working for a long time
    we've been fighting for a way
    now in the streets men stand in lines
    they're all wasted anyway
    you live in an incestuous world
    where your conscience holds no weight
    you sold us down the river like rats
    then you drowned and beat the brave

    you're not alone, you know
    you're not alone, you know
    you're not alone at all
    you're not alone, you know
    you're not alone, you know
    you're not alone at all

    don't let the sun go down
    on our empire
    it's too much to waste
    don't let the rains come down,
    on our empire
    it's too much to wash away
    we've been working for a long time
    we've been fighting for a way
    now in the streets men stand in lines
    they're all wasted anyway
    you live in an incestuous world
    where your conscience holds no weight
    you sold us down the river like rats
    then you drowned and beat the brave

    you're not alone, you know
    you're not alone, you know
    you're not alone at all
    you're not alone, you know
    you're not alone, you know
    you're not alone at all

    yeah...

    not alone not alone

    there's just too many dreams
    in this wasteland
    for you to leave us all behind


    there's just too many dreams in this wasteland
    for you to leave us all behind you're not alone,
    you know you're not alone,
    you know you're not alone at all
    you're not alone,
    you know you're not alone,
    you know you're not alone at all

    Wednesday, September 12, 2007

    The Enemy Apple iTunes Exclusive Session


    Train tickets, iTunes pass, The Enemy badge and a viscount buiscuit!


    Crowds remain seated until The Enemy come on stage just after 9pm.

    The Enemy performed an exclusive live session for iTunes last night in London and robmacca was there to see how it all went. Here are three exclusive live videos from the night on my brand new digital camera. The sound and picture quality is far superior to anything I have previously recorded on my mobile phone.



    There were a few Coventry people among the 140 guests at the Apple store in Regent Street, London and I felt honoured to be one of those guests after previously missing the AOL session because of a motorway pile up.

    Tom Clarke seemed to be on his best behaviour tonight, encouraging the crowd to stand and later to show some hands. This was a session after all and not a full blown gig - so crowd surfing would have been out of place. It didn't stop one guy semi-crowd surfing, admittedly he looked more like he was climbing over the seats but at least he tried. Another lad was standing on his seat loving every minute of The Enemy and waving his arms in the air in union with his hero's.



    Being pretty close up gave me an opportunity to watch Liam Watts do his stuff on drums, and my goodness he don't half give them a good bashing. You can see just how much effort he puts into the session on the videos. Liam's hair goes everywhere as he gives 100% into putting on a cracking performance for The Enemy fans among the iTunes crowd.

    Andy Hopkins, as always, gave solid backing support to Tom - both on vocals and bass guitar. Making sure he didn't crowd surf must have been hard, but then this wasn't Coventry and I'm not sure some of the posher ones in the crowd would have caught him!

    It was a tight set with "Had Enough" as the opening track and "We'll Live And Die In These Towns" as the closing number and most of the album sandwiched in between. The iTunes session left you wanting more, much more of The Enemy.



    The Enemy - Had Enough - Live@ iTunes




    The Enemy - Away From Here - Live@ iTunes



    The Enemy - We'll Live And Die In These Towns - Live@ iTunes








    robmacca inside Cov train station with the giant Enemy album advert.

    Max gives it the big 'un back in Coventry!


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