Firstly, a continued thank you to everybody for their amazing support as we get ever closer to releasing the album. A release date is coming soon! There are several massive announcements to come, including a very special one off event in the midlands, a series of dates scattered up and down the UK, festival announcements, single releases, tour dates and loads more stuff! but this, is your first real chance to find out what's going on, and how to be part of things!
As a thanks to the legions of dedicated fans who've stayed with us through thick and thin, who were there at V Festival last year and made our set one of the most memorable, and to those who loyally retweeted our poster idea's and got us trending in minutes on twitter, (by the way we will definitely turn those into posters now thanks to you brilliant people!) - As a thanks - we are going to give away the first single off the album TO YOU - FOR FREE!
The reason we are able to do this, is because of the massive hype that you lot have helped to create. The underground buzz that you've generated all by yourselves. Everybody who likes The Enemy Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/theenemy or who is already on our database, will receive the first single for free automatically. If you haven't already liked it, it's not too late.
IN ADDITION! :
On the 16th February we are going to shoot the video for the first single "Gimmie The Sign" and we want YOU to be there, and be part of it. The video will be a live show, in a tiny club in Coventry, where we will play the new single live, as well as other new material, and all the old Enemy favourites. It's the first chance we've had to play the new stuff off the third forthcoming album, which we are all very excited about playing! The club is S7VEN, those of you who are Coventry natives will know that that's John Dawkins' night, and we think it's only right to film the first video there, just like we filmed our first ever video round the corner in The Hope And Anchor. Because S7VEN isn't very big, there are a limited number of tickets available, and it's first come first served. They're going to go very quickly we know, but we've kept the price low, just a fiver! If you miss out, don't despair, there will be another special announcement and another chance to see us in the heart of Coventry very soon.
You can get your hands on the limited tickets here: http://touch.seetickets.com/Event/THE-ENEMY/S7ven-Coventry/616329
OR - Simply click the poster on the right.
Over the next week there will be more exciting announcements for the rest of the UK, so stay tuned, get clicking, get liking, and once again thank you for your amazing support. For information on the forthcoming album, read the rest of this blog, we'll be in touch very soon with tour dates for the UK. We intend to pay special attention to places people often miss out. The highlands and Ireland in particular. There will be further news regarding release soon too. Thank you all for making this possible!
Let's have it!!
Tom Clarke
@tomclarke_enemy
@theenemyband
www.facebook.com/theenemy
www.tomclarkeofficial.blogspot.com
31 January 2012
13 January 2012
In The Studio. In L.A. In Detail.
This morning we pulled the Chevy up to The Bronx's Los Angeles recording studio as a thick black cloud of human ash from the nearby crematorium wafted across the perfectly blue south Californian sky. An odd sight, even by Hollywoods bizarre standards.
It's not all sun stars and Chevys though. We're here to work hard, our daily routine starts with a fifteen mile commute from our place in the hills, down interstate 101, deep into the heart of the valley.
The studio is small but perfectly formed, and The Bronx's Joby J Ford knows his way around it. We've got more guitars here than I've ever seen in one place. Amps from all corners of the world, and a king kong size drum kit, and that's about it.
We've hardly seen outside the studio in all the time we've been here, we've worked faster and harder than we ever have before.
I'm guessing what you want to know is what the songs are like. What they're about, what they sound like, what their individual vibe is, so you can sketch and idea in your head about what the record is going to be.
Well, I'll tell you. The first few songs are classic Enemy. "Saturday" and "Turn It On" are two forgotten gems from the very first writing sessions. Both guitar led sing along up tempo blasts. They're essentially what the Enemy is all about. Simple hooky melodies over rock guitar and power drums. They remind us of tracks like "Had Enough" and "Be Somebody".
"Make A Man" (Working Title) is in a similar vain too, with a typically British tip to it, a bit of The Kinks DNA and a great drum break in it. "1234" is a new punk anthem which pokes at the coke fuelled consumer youth culture that's consuming the UK.
It's kind of important to stress that the sound of the album is phenomenal. Joby J Ford has created a sound that is spot on, he's made a firecracker of a record. There are techniques that are common place over here in the states that we simply don't use in the UK, thats not to say the record sounds American, because it doesn't, it sounds Cov as anything! But like the Colonel, Joby has a secret blend of herbs and spices.
Some of you might remember "This Is Real", from the demo version we put on our website to download, it's been re-recorded from scratch in the last few days, reworked to showcase Liam's superb drumming skills with additional lyrics, a virtuoso fiddle player and a Grammy award winning Hispanic vocal trio called Mariachi Rayna De Los Angeles. It's got something of "You're Not Alone" in there for sure.
"Gimmie The Sign" stands out as a step forward in the right direction, keeping the classic Enemy sentiments but with a more anthemic vibe. Still guitar led, still rocking. "Bigger Cages Longer Chains" reminds me of early songs like "Pressure". It's got an urgent intent about it.
We're still young and on the cusp of discovering what you can really do with music, we're all stupidly excited about this record, we've made huge strides without forgetting where we come from and belong.
While we've been out here we've had a young photographer called Kevin Donnelly from Coventry take a few snaps, here's some of us working and hanging around L.A. You can check out more of Kevs work here: http://www.kevin-donnelly.com
I'll also tweet some more casual ones later. Enjoy!
Tom Clarke
@tomclarke_enemy
@theenemyband
www.facebook.com/theenemy
www.tomclarkeofficial.blogspot.com
It's not all sun stars and Chevys though. We're here to work hard, our daily routine starts with a fifteen mile commute from our place in the hills, down interstate 101, deep into the heart of the valley.
The studio is small but perfectly formed, and The Bronx's Joby J Ford knows his way around it. We've got more guitars here than I've ever seen in one place. Amps from all corners of the world, and a king kong size drum kit, and that's about it.
We've hardly seen outside the studio in all the time we've been here, we've worked faster and harder than we ever have before.
I'm guessing what you want to know is what the songs are like. What they're about, what they sound like, what their individual vibe is, so you can sketch and idea in your head about what the record is going to be.
Well, I'll tell you. The first few songs are classic Enemy. "Saturday" and "Turn It On" are two forgotten gems from the very first writing sessions. Both guitar led sing along up tempo blasts. They're essentially what the Enemy is all about. Simple hooky melodies over rock guitar and power drums. They remind us of tracks like "Had Enough" and "Be Somebody".
"Make A Man" (Working Title) is in a similar vain too, with a typically British tip to it, a bit of The Kinks DNA and a great drum break in it. "1234" is a new punk anthem which pokes at the coke fuelled consumer youth culture that's consuming the UK.
It's kind of important to stress that the sound of the album is phenomenal. Joby J Ford has created a sound that is spot on, he's made a firecracker of a record. There are techniques that are common place over here in the states that we simply don't use in the UK, thats not to say the record sounds American, because it doesn't, it sounds Cov as anything! But like the Colonel, Joby has a secret blend of herbs and spices.
Some of you might remember "This Is Real", from the demo version we put on our website to download, it's been re-recorded from scratch in the last few days, reworked to showcase Liam's superb drumming skills with additional lyrics, a virtuoso fiddle player and a Grammy award winning Hispanic vocal trio called Mariachi Rayna De Los Angeles. It's got something of "You're Not Alone" in there for sure.
"Gimmie The Sign" stands out as a step forward in the right direction, keeping the classic Enemy sentiments but with a more anthemic vibe. Still guitar led, still rocking. "Bigger Cages Longer Chains" reminds me of early songs like "Pressure". It's got an urgent intent about it.
We're still young and on the cusp of discovering what you can really do with music, we're all stupidly excited about this record, we've made huge strides without forgetting where we come from and belong.
While we've been out here we've had a young photographer called Kevin Donnelly from Coventry take a few snaps, here's some of us working and hanging around L.A. You can check out more of Kevs work here: http://www.kevin-donnelly.com
I'll also tweet some more casual ones later. Enjoy!
Tom Clarke
@tomclarke_enemy
@theenemyband
www.facebook.com/theenemy
www.tomclarkeofficial.blogspot.com
06 January 2012
Keep Calm And Carry On Tweeting
I want to post an impromptu short blog to say, that this morning's response to the proposed poster campaign was nothing short of heroic from all the Enemy and real music fans on twitter.
Your response was so instant and robust that within minutes we were trending in the UK, sixth from top.
It was the middle of the night in LA where we are recording the album, and I was lying in bed in utter amazement. It goes to show the power that music fans have. It was a tantalising glimpse of what is possible when you all pull together.
Above all else, it made me massively proud of all of you. People are starting to get it. People are starting to realise that when we all pool our resources we are capable of great things. We can show the mass produces pop world that they're not untouchable. Let's keep it up.
Big shout out to everybody who mobilised! You made a small difference that was a big step to building up momentum! Excited, and proud.
Thanks for the MANY emails we had immediately afterwards. I'm still working through them. We will almost certainly get the posters printed up and plastered over ever wall and bus stop in every town and city now, thanks to you lot showing the power of people.
Tom Clarke
@tomclarke_enemy
@theenemyband
www.facebook.com/theenemy
www.tomclarkeofficial.blogspot.com
Your response was so instant and robust that within minutes we were trending in the UK, sixth from top.
It was the middle of the night in LA where we are recording the album, and I was lying in bed in utter amazement. It goes to show the power that music fans have. It was a tantalising glimpse of what is possible when you all pull together.
Above all else, it made me massively proud of all of you. People are starting to get it. People are starting to realise that when we all pool our resources we are capable of great things. We can show the mass produces pop world that they're not untouchable. Let's keep it up.
Big shout out to everybody who mobilised! You made a small difference that was a big step to building up momentum! Excited, and proud.
Thanks for the MANY emails we had immediately afterwards. I'm still working through them. We will almost certainly get the posters printed up and plastered over ever wall and bus stop in every town and city now, thanks to you lot showing the power of people.
Tom Clarke
@tomclarke_enemy
@theenemyband
www.facebook.com/theenemy
www.tomclarkeofficial.blogspot.com
05 January 2012
Plans for 2012
As with the recording of the album, we're being unapologetically ambitious with our plans for this year. There is a lot of hard work to be done to make 2012 our year. And we're not work shy.
The first thing we intend to do, is to raise the profile of the band, it's been a while since we were splashed over the tabloids entertainment pages almost every week and there's no point releasing an album unless the whole world knows about it.
When a big X Factor artist releases an album, they can throw millions of pounds at huge billboards up and down the country, expensive television adverts and rely on the huge audiences the show attracts to guarantee everybody knows about them. If we are to compete in a chart, dominated by TV created big budget pop, we're going to have to work VERY hard.
We intend to kick off 2012 by traveling up and down the country making time to speak to every magazine, newspaper, journalist and radio station that wants to talk to us. From the smallest free mags, to student radio, to the national publications, literally anyone who wants to know. What we lack in budget we can make up for in effort, and dedication. I honestly believe that capturing the attention and imagination of fans of real music throughout the country, that we can take the fight to X Factor and the rest of the soulless manufactured pop that monopolises the British charts.
What will make all the difference, is whether the UK gets behind us. Ultimately, we can make a great record, but it is you, the music fan, the public, who have the power to stick it to Simon Cowell's karaoke collective. What I'm saying is, we need you.
We can bring the music, and a bucket load of passion and dedication, but if we're going to take it to them, we need everyone of you, fighting with us to make music great again, telling people about the record, spreading the word, creating a movement from the working men's clubs, university bars and small venues up. Every band that breaks through the monopoly of the charts will pave the way for more, it's a time for bands to stick together, for music fans to unite, and to count every small victory against the rich TV pop kingmakers.
We can do it, but we can't do it without you.
Tom Clarke
@tomclarke_enemy
@theenemyband
www.facebook.com/theenemy
www.tomclarkeofficial.blogspot.com
The first thing we intend to do, is to raise the profile of the band, it's been a while since we were splashed over the tabloids entertainment pages almost every week and there's no point releasing an album unless the whole world knows about it.
When a big X Factor artist releases an album, they can throw millions of pounds at huge billboards up and down the country, expensive television adverts and rely on the huge audiences the show attracts to guarantee everybody knows about them. If we are to compete in a chart, dominated by TV created big budget pop, we're going to have to work VERY hard.
We intend to kick off 2012 by traveling up and down the country making time to speak to every magazine, newspaper, journalist and radio station that wants to talk to us. From the smallest free mags, to student radio, to the national publications, literally anyone who wants to know. What we lack in budget we can make up for in effort, and dedication. I honestly believe that capturing the attention and imagination of fans of real music throughout the country, that we can take the fight to X Factor and the rest of the soulless manufactured pop that monopolises the British charts.
What will make all the difference, is whether the UK gets behind us. Ultimately, we can make a great record, but it is you, the music fan, the public, who have the power to stick it to Simon Cowell's karaoke collective. What I'm saying is, we need you.
We can bring the music, and a bucket load of passion and dedication, but if we're going to take it to them, we need everyone of you, fighting with us to make music great again, telling people about the record, spreading the word, creating a movement from the working men's clubs, university bars and small venues up. Every band that breaks through the monopoly of the charts will pave the way for more, it's a time for bands to stick together, for music fans to unite, and to count every small victory against the rich TV pop kingmakers.
We can do it, but we can't do it without you.
Tom Clarke
@tomclarke_enemy
@theenemyband
www.facebook.com/theenemy
www.tomclarkeofficial.blogspot.com
03 January 2012
The New Enemy Record
There we were, now here we are.
A couple of years ago, we were deep into touring Music For The People. Gigs were bigger and better than ever, the album had hit number two and was selling well. We'd been on the road for about four years at this point, we'd seen the world, from the Welly Club in Hull to humongous baseball stadiums in sweltering Japan with Kasabian. The world was guitar shaped and we were on top of it.
The thing about touring, is as fun as it is, it's hard graft. Gruelling schedules, endless interviews, traveling huge distances, don't get me wrong the pay off at the end of each day, when the lights go down and the music starts is immense and worth all the hard work, but after four years non stop, we'd all had enough and were ready for a break.
Originally we planned a year out, to decorate our houses, spend some quality time with loved ones and get back to a bit of normality. As much as we all love jetting around the world, it's the normal stuff in life that really matters, family, friends, having a place to call home. At about the same time that we took a break, radio stopped playing guitar music all together, a tragedy if you ask me. A year flew by, and about nine months ago we started work on album three.
Album Three.
We began by spending months writing. The most important ingredient for making a great album is songs. We went back to ideas we sketched in the weeks the band first formed. Back then, we were writing so many songs that amazing ideas were being cast aside in order to focus on getting songs finished. What we discovered were some real forgotten gems. Reworked and bought forward, they gave us an exciting glimpse at the beginnings of a record.
Regular rehearsals and writing sessions have led to new anthem size songs such as, Give Me The Sign, and Bigger Cages Longer Chains. In focusing on the songs we've rediscovered the essence of The Enemy, the excitement is back, the intelligent cheek returned. For my money, Music For The People was a great album, sonically it was excellent and we found a new, exciting size, but I think in places it was a bit serious. What we've always done well, is poke fun at the mundane, found light in dark, and ultimately provided a great soundtrack to escape to Ibiza with, or to blast in your car and give you a reason to look forward to driving to work.
Well, the vibe is back. Spirits are high. The songs are in good shape, we just needed to find the right person to capture the magic that happens when we're all in the zone.
The right person showed up about a month or so ago. John Dawkins was the brains behind the band in the early days. He took the rough diamond that was three urchins in a rehearsal room, took our baseball caps off us and pointed us in the right direction. A few years in, and Dawkins went to pursue other projects, developing a knack for turning around failing night clubs amongst other things. Some months ago, Dawkins and The Enemy were reunited.
Immediately, as though it were the most obvious thing in the world, John said we should consider working with a guy called Joby J Ford. Joby plays in a band called The Bronx. They're a punk band from the states, they're guitar heavy, agro vocals, totally different to us sonically, but the essence is the same.
There are no guitars in the charts at the moment. Most people's reaction to that is to throw a load of synths at their tunes and try to sculpt themselves for radio. Not our approach. We're making a no apologies guitar record. Why? Because it's better and braver to lead than to follow.
We've recorded two songs with Joby so far. He's nailed them. He makes guitars sound huge. If you want to know how huge listen to The Bronx.
We're about to go back in the studio and record another five tracks. In two weeks time we will have the album almost finished and will be able to start thinking about which tracks to release as singles. The sound is raw. It's unapologetic. You can hear Liam drumming hard, the guitars are epic and the vocals are snatchy. As you can tell, we're very excited about this one. We think it could be our finest work.
Stay tuned to find out our plans for 2012.
Tom Clarke
@tomclarke_enemy
@theenemyband
www.facebook.com/theenemy
www.tomclarkeofficial.blogspot.com
A couple of years ago, we were deep into touring Music For The People. Gigs were bigger and better than ever, the album had hit number two and was selling well. We'd been on the road for about four years at this point, we'd seen the world, from the Welly Club in Hull to humongous baseball stadiums in sweltering Japan with Kasabian. The world was guitar shaped and we were on top of it.
The thing about touring, is as fun as it is, it's hard graft. Gruelling schedules, endless interviews, traveling huge distances, don't get me wrong the pay off at the end of each day, when the lights go down and the music starts is immense and worth all the hard work, but after four years non stop, we'd all had enough and were ready for a break.
Originally we planned a year out, to decorate our houses, spend some quality time with loved ones and get back to a bit of normality. As much as we all love jetting around the world, it's the normal stuff in life that really matters, family, friends, having a place to call home. At about the same time that we took a break, radio stopped playing guitar music all together, a tragedy if you ask me. A year flew by, and about nine months ago we started work on album three.
Album Three.
We began by spending months writing. The most important ingredient for making a great album is songs. We went back to ideas we sketched in the weeks the band first formed. Back then, we were writing so many songs that amazing ideas were being cast aside in order to focus on getting songs finished. What we discovered were some real forgotten gems. Reworked and bought forward, they gave us an exciting glimpse at the beginnings of a record.
Regular rehearsals and writing sessions have led to new anthem size songs such as, Give Me The Sign, and Bigger Cages Longer Chains. In focusing on the songs we've rediscovered the essence of The Enemy, the excitement is back, the intelligent cheek returned. For my money, Music For The People was a great album, sonically it was excellent and we found a new, exciting size, but I think in places it was a bit serious. What we've always done well, is poke fun at the mundane, found light in dark, and ultimately provided a great soundtrack to escape to Ibiza with, or to blast in your car and give you a reason to look forward to driving to work.
Well, the vibe is back. Spirits are high. The songs are in good shape, we just needed to find the right person to capture the magic that happens when we're all in the zone.
The right person showed up about a month or so ago. John Dawkins was the brains behind the band in the early days. He took the rough diamond that was three urchins in a rehearsal room, took our baseball caps off us and pointed us in the right direction. A few years in, and Dawkins went to pursue other projects, developing a knack for turning around failing night clubs amongst other things. Some months ago, Dawkins and The Enemy were reunited.
Immediately, as though it were the most obvious thing in the world, John said we should consider working with a guy called Joby J Ford. Joby plays in a band called The Bronx. They're a punk band from the states, they're guitar heavy, agro vocals, totally different to us sonically, but the essence is the same.
There are no guitars in the charts at the moment. Most people's reaction to that is to throw a load of synths at their tunes and try to sculpt themselves for radio. Not our approach. We're making a no apologies guitar record. Why? Because it's better and braver to lead than to follow.
We've recorded two songs with Joby so far. He's nailed them. He makes guitars sound huge. If you want to know how huge listen to The Bronx.
We're about to go back in the studio and record another five tracks. In two weeks time we will have the album almost finished and will be able to start thinking about which tracks to release as singles. The sound is raw. It's unapologetic. You can hear Liam drumming hard, the guitars are epic and the vocals are snatchy. As you can tell, we're very excited about this one. We think it could be our finest work.
Stay tuned to find out our plans for 2012.
Tom Clarke
@tomclarke_enemy
@theenemyband
www.facebook.com/theenemy
www.tomclarkeofficial.blogspot.com
Sometimes 140 Characters Is Not Enough
So, I'm taking the start of a new year, and the embarkation of recording a new album, as the perfect excuse to establish what will be a regular(ish) blog.
Over the past few months that I've been on Twitter I've really enjoyed communicating with you all. It reminds me of when we first set out and MySpace was in its infancy. The Arctic Monkeys had just proven the power of online music lovers by creating a massive wave of internet hype, and riding the crest all the way to the top of the charts. Where they stayed. For a long time!
As brilliant as Twitter is, sometimes 140 characters just isn't enough to get across what I want to. Lots of you ask me questions about the forthcoming album everyday, so to avoid repeating myself endlessly, you'll be able to find in depth information and news right here from now on.
There have been lots of quotes taken from my Twitter by the wider media recently, and a blog will also give me the opportunity to elaborate on things that can easily be misunderstood when you've only got a handful of characters to work with. I've always been vocal about my opinions, especially when it comes to music, which I am passionate about. So expect plenty more of that.
Also, while I have the chance, I'd like to thank the thousands of Enemy fans who are always there. We appreciate you lot like no other band appreciates their fans. You guys make our band what it is, and we are eternally grateful for your support. We shall continue to graft our balls off to deliver you better and better albums by way of thanks.
News about the forthcoming album, and details of where we've been will be posted soon. Anything else you'd like to know about or discuss, let me know on Twitter!
Tom Clarke
@tomclarke_enemy
@theenemyband
www.facebook.com/theenemy
www.tomclarkeofficial.blogspot.com
Over the past few months that I've been on Twitter I've really enjoyed communicating with you all. It reminds me of when we first set out and MySpace was in its infancy. The Arctic Monkeys had just proven the power of online music lovers by creating a massive wave of internet hype, and riding the crest all the way to the top of the charts. Where they stayed. For a long time!
As brilliant as Twitter is, sometimes 140 characters just isn't enough to get across what I want to. Lots of you ask me questions about the forthcoming album everyday, so to avoid repeating myself endlessly, you'll be able to find in depth information and news right here from now on.
There have been lots of quotes taken from my Twitter by the wider media recently, and a blog will also give me the opportunity to elaborate on things that can easily be misunderstood when you've only got a handful of characters to work with. I've always been vocal about my opinions, especially when it comes to music, which I am passionate about. So expect plenty more of that.
Also, while I have the chance, I'd like to thank the thousands of Enemy fans who are always there. We appreciate you lot like no other band appreciates their fans. You guys make our band what it is, and we are eternally grateful for your support. We shall continue to graft our balls off to deliver you better and better albums by way of thanks.
News about the forthcoming album, and details of where we've been will be posted soon. Anything else you'd like to know about or discuss, let me know on Twitter!
Tom Clarke
@tomclarke_enemy
@theenemyband
www.facebook.com/theenemy
www.tomclarkeofficial.blogspot.com
Setting The Record Straight
Right because some people seem to have had a sense of humour failure I feel the need to reiterate the right bits of what I said over the last couple of days on twitter.
Firstly let me remind you that twitter is for whats on your mind at any given point and is not a press release, least ways thats how I use it.
Secondly grateful though I genuinely am to both Gordon Smart and the NME for the press, reading the 'Save Music' bit back in print looks horrendous and taken out of context (A Joke on twitter) makes me feel a bit queazy.
So, now I have opened my mouth I guess I had better clarify what I meant.
I genuinely think the British music charts are a disgrace at the minute. I will save having a pop at the dubstep lot as, as much as it isn't my bag I get the creation process behind it, but the wave after fucking wave of insipid TV manufactured pop that has been polluting us all for the better part of a decade needs to be kicked into touch. Its just too fucking easy for everyone, record a pre existing hit with a bunch of no marks and watch it chart.
Look at the charts now and count the British guitar acts, hard isn't it? I concede that this is in part to do with there not being a great deal out there on the surface at the moment and that it is up to the likes of us (The Enemy) to change it by making genuinely good albums.
But it is also down to new music coming through the system which I know is out there, somewhere in this country the new Oasis, Monkeys or Kasabian are rehearsing in a shitehole room and finding them is all of our responsibilities (fans of music, Press, Radio). Zane Lowe started his show on Radio 1 the other week by playing a few seconds of all the heavily tipped artists for next year. After he had finished he said something along the lines of 'Great, but wheres the guitars?' Its a good question isn't it?
Personally, I wish every band the best of luck next year, because there is room for lots of them and it seems like everyone is ready for some great ones again. You get the feeling that radio and the press are getting bored of the same old shit which means there is now a big opportunity. Ultimately, people need to lighten up. It's not that I shouldn't be saying it, it's that we all should, we're all going to have to save music from the X Factor infested drivel.
We as a band are working very hard, to try to make a difference with our next album and from what we have recorded so far its deffo going in the right direction. But as much as I want my music to sell and be well received I respect ALL fans of non manufactured pap music, whether they like The Enemy or not. Because really, at the end of the day, only they have the power to decide what breaks through. Not radio, not the press - and certainly not me.
Judging by the fact that X Factors viewing figures were way down this year and there hasn't really been a 'star' created by that show for years it looks like the people are starting to vote with their feet anyway and not surprising really.
The last time we had shitty government, crap social and economic conditions and the Streets were on fire Punk came along and offered excitement and a vent to a pissed off generation. 2 years later 'opportunity knocks' (the X Factor of the time) ratings fell through the floor and got cancelled (1978). Nothing like a good piece of history repeating itself eh? Lets make it happen…….
In the six years since our first album went to number 1 we have have had some of the most incredible experiences you can imagine, from supporting our idols like Oasis, The Manics and Kasabian to headlining 2 nights at the Coventry Rioch Arena (Our home town) not to mention, from a personal point of view, playing in a band with Mani last year (Stone Roses in 2012!! cmon).
So I hope that next year is a great year for us and that we get to continue doing this, which ultimately is in our hands. I also hope many other guitar bands return with a reinvigorated sense of purpose, and new ones break through. Rubbish as it might sound to you, I do want to save music and I want other bands to too.
So instead of being negative post sound cloud links of your demos on our Facebook http://www.facebook.com/theenemy and we will pick the band we like the most for some supports next year and do our little bit.
Tom Clarke
@tomclarke_enemy
@theenemyband
www.facebook.com/theenemy
www.tomclarkeofficial.blogspot.com
Firstly let me remind you that twitter is for whats on your mind at any given point and is not a press release, least ways thats how I use it.
Secondly grateful though I genuinely am to both Gordon Smart and the NME for the press, reading the 'Save Music' bit back in print looks horrendous and taken out of context (A Joke on twitter) makes me feel a bit queazy.
So, now I have opened my mouth I guess I had better clarify what I meant.
I genuinely think the British music charts are a disgrace at the minute. I will save having a pop at the dubstep lot as, as much as it isn't my bag I get the creation process behind it, but the wave after fucking wave of insipid TV manufactured pop that has been polluting us all for the better part of a decade needs to be kicked into touch. Its just too fucking easy for everyone, record a pre existing hit with a bunch of no marks and watch it chart.
Look at the charts now and count the British guitar acts, hard isn't it? I concede that this is in part to do with there not being a great deal out there on the surface at the moment and that it is up to the likes of us (The Enemy) to change it by making genuinely good albums.
But it is also down to new music coming through the system which I know is out there, somewhere in this country the new Oasis, Monkeys or Kasabian are rehearsing in a shitehole room and finding them is all of our responsibilities (fans of music, Press, Radio). Zane Lowe started his show on Radio 1 the other week by playing a few seconds of all the heavily tipped artists for next year. After he had finished he said something along the lines of 'Great, but wheres the guitars?' Its a good question isn't it?
Personally, I wish every band the best of luck next year, because there is room for lots of them and it seems like everyone is ready for some great ones again. You get the feeling that radio and the press are getting bored of the same old shit which means there is now a big opportunity. Ultimately, people need to lighten up. It's not that I shouldn't be saying it, it's that we all should, we're all going to have to save music from the X Factor infested drivel.
We as a band are working very hard, to try to make a difference with our next album and from what we have recorded so far its deffo going in the right direction. But as much as I want my music to sell and be well received I respect ALL fans of non manufactured pap music, whether they like The Enemy or not. Because really, at the end of the day, only they have the power to decide what breaks through. Not radio, not the press - and certainly not me.
Judging by the fact that X Factors viewing figures were way down this year and there hasn't really been a 'star' created by that show for years it looks like the people are starting to vote with their feet anyway and not surprising really.
The last time we had shitty government, crap social and economic conditions and the Streets were on fire Punk came along and offered excitement and a vent to a pissed off generation. 2 years later 'opportunity knocks' (the X Factor of the time) ratings fell through the floor and got cancelled (1978). Nothing like a good piece of history repeating itself eh? Lets make it happen…….
In the six years since our first album went to number 1 we have have had some of the most incredible experiences you can imagine, from supporting our idols like Oasis, The Manics and Kasabian to headlining 2 nights at the Coventry Rioch Arena (Our home town) not to mention, from a personal point of view, playing in a band with Mani last year (Stone Roses in 2012!! cmon).
So I hope that next year is a great year for us and that we get to continue doing this, which ultimately is in our hands. I also hope many other guitar bands return with a reinvigorated sense of purpose, and new ones break through. Rubbish as it might sound to you, I do want to save music and I want other bands to too.
So instead of being negative post sound cloud links of your demos on our Facebook http://www.facebook.com/theenemy and we will pick the band we like the most for some supports next year and do our little bit.
Tom Clarke
@tomclarke_enemy
@theenemyband
www.facebook.com/theenemy
www.tomclarkeofficial.blogspot.com
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