Did we all have a good Christmas? Mine was cracking and as usual it was spent with loved ones and too much food was eaten and many presents where shared.
Not to be outdone by the high street sales, us BR boys are having our own January sales. From now through to the end of January our digital download albums will be available for whatever you want to pay? Basically we have adopted a 'Pay What You Want' scheme. If you want to pay £0 then that's fine but if you fancy topping up our band fund to help with future releases then drop in a little cash. Your choice :)
Visit our download store here and fill your boots
Wednesday, 28 December 2011
Thursday, 22 December 2011
Merry Christmas Everybody
Have a look HERE for a tasty Barricades Rise treat
Michael McEntee GCSE, BTEC, HND, BMUS Hons(2.1) and Jonathan Coates Swimming badge Tadpole 2, BMUS Hons (2.2 ie not as good as Michael)
x
***EDIT BY JONATHAN AT 23:11****
I will have you know i was a qualified swimming teacher and that involved me getting all three Tadpole badges and more.
***FURTHER EDIT BY JONATHAN AT 23:12****
I wanted to get a 2.2 for my degree so technically i won
***FINAL EDIT BY JONATHAN AT 23:14****
Merry Christmas
Wednesday, 14 December 2011
A rant about my home town.
This has made me angry. My town, Nuneaton, is in the heart of the country, in Warwickshire no less, home of Shakespeare. George Eliot actually came from this town and there are a few statues of her dotted about, not to mention the local Weatherspoons (Felix Holt) named after one of her novels. You'd think that a place like this is idyllic. WRONG!
We have ONE theatre, thatis so run down and hidden behind a huge (and brand new ) Lidl supermarket, that never attracts ANYONE of notice because Bedworth (town down the road), has it's Civic Hall (another huge monstrosity). That's one problem. It's a joint Borough - Nuneaton & Bedworth. As Bedworth has the Civic Hall that means that Nuneaton has to make do with it's Saturday Matinee Theatre.
A huge building in the heart (practically) of Nuneaton that closed down about 5 years ago is the old Gala Bingo building. Opposite is the old pub the Kingsholme. Opposite the Gala is the massive Co-Op Car Park that is regularly full, especially this time of year, waiting half an hour to find a spot sometimes (luckily I walk in as I live 2 minutes away, hence I guess, the more personal tone of this rant). A few years ago some very close friends had the idea to open a new theatre in the Gala building. The inside is actually listed so it cannot get torn down. They were guided around the pitch black building by the estate agent and came back with a head full of ideas. Plans were drawn up, funding was investigated thoroughly and several emails were sent. Then...Silence. The idea of having another Theatre in Nuneaton went up in a puff of smoke. No replies were received from those in the council. It was sold not long after with rumours of 'new appartments'. This was a while ago now, so what has got me worked up today?
This - http://www.nuneaton-news.co.uk/News/Shoppers-paradise-14122011.htm
For Friggs sake.
In this town we have a very big ASDA, a big SAINSBURY'S, A CO-OP, a brand new LIDL, an ICELAND, and if we drive 2 minutes away we have ANOTHER CO-OP and a FARMFOODS in Horeston Grange. Not to mention several 'express shops' and 'premier shops'. What this town does NOT need, in any sense at all, is another supermarket. The one giant we do not have is a TESCO (apart from the small express stores), but that's ok as 1) Bedworth has just, this week, opened a MASSIVE new store in the centre, 2) The RICOH Arena 10 minutes drive away has the HUGEST store there is and 3) Tesco food is rubbish. So, it's ok to have one, and only one theatre in this identikit town of ours which, again lets stress, has GEORGE ELIOT as it's daughter. You know, the worldwide, Globespanning author of Middlemarch, Mill on the Floss, Silas Marner, Daniel Deronda and more, as Bedoworth has 'our Borough's' Jewel in the crown of live theatre and when asked about it, we are silenced. But when a conglomorate like Morrisons appears, it's smiles all round and get your chequebooks out. We, as a town, have NOTHING to show for our cultural history. A museum in the local park is never advertised or promoted in town, George Eliot might has well have lived in Barnsley.
This is not the first instance either. If you will allow me to go on a little more please. The old Woolworths (another huge space) in town closed and was replaced by...discount store TJ Hughes which subsequantly went bust and left the space open, and that went to...discount store Poundland (even though we already have one). And what will the old Poundland become? This is pure specualation but let me hazard a guess at a charity shop, to add to our large collection of these in the town (I counted 14 so far). Just yesterday it was anounced that the site of the old Graziers Arms is to become...KFC. The old Co-Op building in Queens Road was bulldozed a few years ago to create...Lidl. The area behind Wilkinsons is earmarked for development with a hotel and shops stated. I'm guessing it'll be a Premier Inn with Starbucks, Costa, maybe a Primark (people have been shouting for one of these, as they are 'cheap'. That's what Nuneaton needs isn't it? Cheap clothes shops?) Recently the Marks and Spencer's in town closed. No wonder if the town is full of discount shops, charity shops and phone shops, yet only one bookshop (Waterstones, not exactly independant is it, and freaking expensive too). Why does the council not sit up and realise that, with a little bit of thought, we can make a go at this culture thing.
Recently my wife and I went for a random drive, we do often, just to go somewhere we hadn't before. We ended up in Litchfield half an hour away. I encountered 4 independant bookshops, small boutiques selling handmade crafts, clothes, bags, shoes, paintings, cakes and sweets. It was a revelation. It sparked in me a desire to open my own shop in Nuneaton like this, my idea being a bookshop. Somewhere where the local population had somewhere to meet, chat, have a coffee etc. I'd have reading groups, acoustic nights in the shop, poetry reading, knitting clubs, comedy nights and more. A social hub of the town. The idea is something that will stay with me and might surface again, but in this town the only thing that can survive is the High Street. How can we change this? In this town, we can't. I'd love to get a group of people with the same ideas as me and have a real go at making a cultural, independant area of the town. It'll attract a global population to the town I'm sure, with overweight Americans coming to the 'quaint and idyllic area of George Eliots hometown'. They can then have a drink in the Felix Holt (I'm sure the clientel that frequent that place do not realsie it's an Eliot reference). But it won't happen, we'll get a Morrisons instead.
I apologise for this next bit, but it Fucks me off.
M x
We have ONE theatre, thatis so run down and hidden behind a huge (and brand new ) Lidl supermarket, that never attracts ANYONE of notice because Bedworth (town down the road), has it's Civic Hall (another huge monstrosity). That's one problem. It's a joint Borough - Nuneaton & Bedworth. As Bedworth has the Civic Hall that means that Nuneaton has to make do with it's Saturday Matinee Theatre.
A huge building in the heart (practically) of Nuneaton that closed down about 5 years ago is the old Gala Bingo building. Opposite is the old pub the Kingsholme. Opposite the Gala is the massive Co-Op Car Park that is regularly full, especially this time of year, waiting half an hour to find a spot sometimes (luckily I walk in as I live 2 minutes away, hence I guess, the more personal tone of this rant). A few years ago some very close friends had the idea to open a new theatre in the Gala building. The inside is actually listed so it cannot get torn down. They were guided around the pitch black building by the estate agent and came back with a head full of ideas. Plans were drawn up, funding was investigated thoroughly and several emails were sent. Then...Silence. The idea of having another Theatre in Nuneaton went up in a puff of smoke. No replies were received from those in the council. It was sold not long after with rumours of 'new appartments'. This was a while ago now, so what has got me worked up today?
This - http://www.nuneaton-news.co.uk/News/Shoppers-paradise-14122011.htm
For Friggs sake.
In this town we have a very big ASDA, a big SAINSBURY'S, A CO-OP, a brand new LIDL, an ICELAND, and if we drive 2 minutes away we have ANOTHER CO-OP and a FARMFOODS in Horeston Grange. Not to mention several 'express shops' and 'premier shops'. What this town does NOT need, in any sense at all, is another supermarket. The one giant we do not have is a TESCO (apart from the small express stores), but that's ok as 1) Bedworth has just, this week, opened a MASSIVE new store in the centre, 2) The RICOH Arena 10 minutes drive away has the HUGEST store there is and 3) Tesco food is rubbish. So, it's ok to have one, and only one theatre in this identikit town of ours which, again lets stress, has GEORGE ELIOT as it's daughter. You know, the worldwide, Globespanning author of Middlemarch, Mill on the Floss, Silas Marner, Daniel Deronda and more, as Bedoworth has 'our Borough's' Jewel in the crown of live theatre and when asked about it, we are silenced. But when a conglomorate like Morrisons appears, it's smiles all round and get your chequebooks out. We, as a town, have NOTHING to show for our cultural history. A museum in the local park is never advertised or promoted in town, George Eliot might has well have lived in Barnsley.
This is not the first instance either. If you will allow me to go on a little more please. The old Woolworths (another huge space) in town closed and was replaced by...discount store TJ Hughes which subsequantly went bust and left the space open, and that went to...discount store Poundland (even though we already have one). And what will the old Poundland become? This is pure specualation but let me hazard a guess at a charity shop, to add to our large collection of these in the town (I counted 14 so far). Just yesterday it was anounced that the site of the old Graziers Arms is to become...KFC. The old Co-Op building in Queens Road was bulldozed a few years ago to create...Lidl. The area behind Wilkinsons is earmarked for development with a hotel and shops stated. I'm guessing it'll be a Premier Inn with Starbucks, Costa, maybe a Primark (people have been shouting for one of these, as they are 'cheap'. That's what Nuneaton needs isn't it? Cheap clothes shops?) Recently the Marks and Spencer's in town closed. No wonder if the town is full of discount shops, charity shops and phone shops, yet only one bookshop (Waterstones, not exactly independant is it, and freaking expensive too). Why does the council not sit up and realise that, with a little bit of thought, we can make a go at this culture thing.
Recently my wife and I went for a random drive, we do often, just to go somewhere we hadn't before. We ended up in Litchfield half an hour away. I encountered 4 independant bookshops, small boutiques selling handmade crafts, clothes, bags, shoes, paintings, cakes and sweets. It was a revelation. It sparked in me a desire to open my own shop in Nuneaton like this, my idea being a bookshop. Somewhere where the local population had somewhere to meet, chat, have a coffee etc. I'd have reading groups, acoustic nights in the shop, poetry reading, knitting clubs, comedy nights and more. A social hub of the town. The idea is something that will stay with me and might surface again, but in this town the only thing that can survive is the High Street. How can we change this? In this town, we can't. I'd love to get a group of people with the same ideas as me and have a real go at making a cultural, independant area of the town. It'll attract a global population to the town I'm sure, with overweight Americans coming to the 'quaint and idyllic area of George Eliots hometown'. They can then have a drink in the Felix Holt (I'm sure the clientel that frequent that place do not realsie it's an Eliot reference). But it won't happen, we'll get a Morrisons instead.
I apologise for this next bit, but it Fucks me off.
M x
Monday, 12 December 2011
A few rumblings/ramblings.
There is very little happening at the moment musically. In fact, anything to do with the band is pretty much on the backburner. A few days ago we were handed the second remix by 'Soundtrack' of Penelope. It's dirty, It's gritty, it's fantastic. With no music being written we won't have any releases of new music from us but the remix EP will be out at the beginning of next year, most likely as a download from our bandcamp store.
Jonathan has only gone and booked our first gig of 2012! The crazy Mofo has us pencilled in at The Maudsley (Official Barricades Rise fave venue) on June/July 20/21/22 something like that. I can't be bothered to switch over to the gig page to see when exactly but it's next summer.
The Christmas CD has gone down a storm, so thank you all for requesting one. Over 100 were sent out all over the world from Nuneaton to Rio! Jonathan has recorded a lovely stripped version of Merry Christmas Everyone that will be on our December mail list. With the reworked songs, covers and originals, being a success, we may investigate rerecording a few tunes and have an 'alternative' EP/Album for when we are ready to gig again. Nothing extensive, but a few songs done differently.
One final thing, around April (approx.) we'll have Repertoire Pt II ready for free release from the website. Like Pt I, it'll contain live recordings, demos of songs that didn't make All I Have Is Here and covers. So even though we are both taking abreather from Barricades Rise, we are still very much on the go.
In the next few days I'll be posting my fave tunes from 2011 with the hope to extend my exquisite taste in music.
M x
Jonathan has only gone and booked our first gig of 2012! The crazy Mofo has us pencilled in at The Maudsley (Official Barricades Rise fave venue) on June/July 20/21/22 something like that. I can't be bothered to switch over to the gig page to see when exactly but it's next summer.
The Christmas CD has gone down a storm, so thank you all for requesting one. Over 100 were sent out all over the world from Nuneaton to Rio! Jonathan has recorded a lovely stripped version of Merry Christmas Everyone that will be on our December mail list. With the reworked songs, covers and originals, being a success, we may investigate rerecording a few tunes and have an 'alternative' EP/Album for when we are ready to gig again. Nothing extensive, but a few songs done differently.
One final thing, around April (approx.) we'll have Repertoire Pt II ready for free release from the website. Like Pt I, it'll contain live recordings, demos of songs that didn't make All I Have Is Here and covers. So even though we are both taking abreather from Barricades Rise, we are still very much on the go.
In the next few days I'll be posting my fave tunes from 2011 with the hope to extend my exquisite taste in music.
M x
Thursday, 8 December 2011
I Posted To Soon
I think I may have posted my top albums of 2011 a little bit early as in the last week I have discovered an album by a band called 'The Whip” and then an unsigned band from Manchester called 'The Slow Readers Club” released their debut album on Monday which is a stunner.
The Whip sound very much like a cross between 'The Music' (their last album anyway) and just plain good dance music. It's not to everyone's taste but the 'Wired Together' is currently making my hands shoot to the air in a big fish, little fish, cardboard box style. Check it out on Spotify here
The Slow Readers Club are born from another unsigned band called Omerta. I first heard of them around 4 years ago whilst looking at a Puressence forum and fell for their northern downbeat tunes. Omerta became 'The Slow Readers Club' last year and those tunes I fell for, along with new ones, are all on this album. They have a sound similar to the 'Editors' who I have fell for in a big way lately. Check the album out on Spotify here
Jonathan
The Whip sound very much like a cross between 'The Music' (their last album anyway) and just plain good dance music. It's not to everyone's taste but the 'Wired Together' is currently making my hands shoot to the air in a big fish, little fish, cardboard box style. Check it out on Spotify here
The Slow Readers Club are born from another unsigned band called Omerta. I first heard of them around 4 years ago whilst looking at a Puressence forum and fell for their northern downbeat tunes. Omerta became 'The Slow Readers Club' last year and those tunes I fell for, along with new ones, are all on this album. They have a sound similar to the 'Editors' who I have fell for in a big way lately. Check the album out on Spotify here
Jonathan
Saturday, 3 December 2011
Music to our ears #3 - Stylusboy
Hailing from Coventry, Stylusboy (AKA Steve Jones) supported us at our album launch in June. His tunes have a simplicity to them that I envy. So, so catchy. And he's a great guy too. He very kindly recorded an exclusive video for us here.
SB - I am very good thank you. I am a singer songwriter from Coventry and I play folk songs which are inspired by life and all it's twists and turns.
What are you working on right now?
Right now I am working on a Live album which I have recorded at the house shows I have played this year. I also have an EP coming out early next year of all the songs from my 'Whole Picture EP' which have been remixed by various people. I am very excited about both of these releases. I am also working on a number of new songs which will be released next year.
Which one album would you say made you start writing your own songs?
That is a pretty tricky question. When I was growing up I listened to alot of bands like Nirvana and Pearl Jam and my musical tastes develop broadly from there. I enjoy The Beatles and The Beach Boys. I think people like Damien Rice really influenced me to start writing quieter acoustic songs.
Any favourite gigs spring to mind that you've played?
About a year ago I support a lady called Nell Bryden at the Hare and Hounds in Birmingham which was part of her UK tour. Nell is a from New York and she invited me to play which was ace. It was a sell out show of about 100 people and you could hear a pin drop during songs which was lovely but equally a little bit scary!
The appeal for me is just getting to know people. Musicians, bloggers, artists and all sorts of other places. Sharing thoughts and ideas and sometimes just funny stories. Alot of people have discovered my music from Twitter and not just things I have tweeted. My 'Whole Picture EP' comes as two copies, one to keep and one to pass on. People have run competitions for people to win their 'pass it on copy'!
You play house gigs, tell us about that.
House gigs are amazing because they are so intimate. I asked my mailing list if anyone would like to host a house show back in May and a number of people got in touch. The idea being the hosts would invite people to their houses to watch me play, they would also cook food and during the gig we enjoy this together. House shows are really great because they are very intimate and the audience are able to ask me questions and make requests.
You hand made each EP. Why not go to a mass supplyer?
I have always enjoyed designing and making the CD covers. I did a fine art degree and so the aesthetics of my releases has always been important to me. I like giving all my releases the personal touch so they are a little bit special.
Local I am currently working on a song with Wes Finch and I have talked to lots of different people about working together. I would love to write with someone like Laura Marling just to experience how she writes. I would also love to work with people like Faithless because they are just completely different to anything I would normally do. I have another collaboration which is currently happening via the wonders of the internet but I can't tell you more than that at the mo!
No although it was alot of fun to play with Atlum Schema and to return to playing the bass which I haven't done, particularly in a live band situation for a while. It was great to play Andy's songs and sing with him.
Your EP's have a few different instruments on them, do you play band shows?
I have played a couple of band shows and shows with extra people playing with me. I see the recording of my songs completely differently to playing them live. Live the songs are very stripped back and often just me and my acoustic.
What are your plans for 2012?
2012 is going to be a busy year. I have my live house show album being released and my Whole Picture Remixed EP coming out too. I am also writing a number of new songs and working with some film makers. Some interesting gigs are being booked too. It is all very exciting!
You can pull off the hat, how'd you get your 'look'?
Thanks I am glad you like my hat. I guess I like to think a little about what I am wearing and the image I put across. I don't mean that to sound big headed or anything, so I hope it doesn't. My hat often comes with me to gigs, this is true!
Blur or Oasis
Blur
Michael Jackson or Elton John
Michael Jackson
Beer or Wine
Wine (be a different answer tomorrow!)
Salted or Dry Roasted
Sated
Book or TellyBook
Jeremy Clarkson or Richard Hammond
Richard Hammond
Snes or Mega Drive
Mega Drive
Michael or Jonathan
Michathan
Twitter or Facebook
and finally Marmite or no marmite
No Marmite
We here in Barricades Rise both Love the film High Fidelity. So, taken from that what are your all time top 5 cover tunes of all time?
Smell Like Teen Spirit by Nirvana
You got the Love - Candi Staton
Teenage Dream - Katy Perry
One day like this - Elbow
Made Up Lovesong #43 - Guillemots
Where can people get in touch with you?
www.stylusboy.co.uk
mr.stylusboy@gmail.com
www.facebook.com/stylusboy
www.twitter.com/stylusboy
www.stylusboy.tumblr.com
www.stylusboy.bandcamp.com
Anything else you'd like to add
Just to say thank you for featuring me on your site. Do get in touch and come and see me play. I love meeting people and talking about music!
Thursday, 1 December 2011
Introducing the first Barricades Rise radio show
You may have noticed a new tab at the top of this website that reads 'Radio Show'. Well, there is now something on that page in the form of our very first radio show.
The idea is that every so often we will produce a little radio show thet consists of music we love, some unsigned artists we believe you should listen to and a little Barricades Rise banter.
Take a listen whilst you work or surf here
The idea is that every so often we will produce a little radio show thet consists of music we love, some unsigned artists we believe you should listen to and a little Barricades Rise banter.
Take a listen whilst you work or surf here
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