You are browsing the archive for punk.

WEAK13, SONS OF BEACHES, KING RICH, THE MILITANTS – JB’s, Dudley, Friday October 22nd 2010

October 6, 2010 in Networking, News, Tour dates by Mark Badger

WEAK13 / SONS OF BEACHES / KING RICH / THE MILITANTS
Friday October 22nd
8pm start
@ JB’s
Castle Hill
Dudley
DY14QF
£2 DOOR

All proceeds go to the venue. Please can you help us spread awareness and raise money for JB’s?
Contact for press: Nick J.Townsend   MANAGEMENT 07898181574
A photo opportunity time can be arranged by calling 07898181574

Four bands and acts from across the Midlands including Wolverhampton based band The Militants, have come together to support the venue JB’s in Dudley by holding a Friday night show in which all the proceeds will go straight to the venue. The club has recently gone into administration. All the acts have agreed to play for free. Nick J.Townsend of British band WEAK13 approached Sam the JB’s owner and asked if he could help do something. Nick J.Townsend along with solo artist King Rich were the main people behind getting music back to Kidderminster Townhall way back in 2002 after there had been no names play in the historic building for 15 years.

“Although at the time we were young we organised big concerts in Kidderminster and soon after we had done so big names started playing their again such as Robert Plant, we helped spread awareness and it’s time to act again only this time for JB’s in Dudley” Quote: Nick J.Townsend.

Carl Wilkes from Sons Of Beaches said “It’s the venue that has brought music from around the world into the Midlands and it has to keep going” . The frontman who has played there many time encourages all musicians to stick together and come down to support the club. WEAK13 mainman Nick J.Townsend who also writes for Midland music magazine Ryan’s Gig Guide said: “JB’s is the best venue in the Midlands due to it’s 40 years of history and providing us with great bands”

Solo artist King Rich who tours the UK every year said “JB’s is a landmark for music and it has to stay open due to the important role it places in the music scene”

The event takes place on Friday October 22nd at JB’s in Dudley “We are asking everyone who has had a great time because of JB’s to come down and support the club. We also are expecting some of the bigger bands who have played there in the past to take a stand and step in as this is the club that helped their careers”. Nick added

The Militants
With eclectic musical tastes ranging from various genres the band “The Militants” shows no limitations with their writing ability and style. Starting in December 08 with a solid five piece line up “The Militants” have done nothing but focus on their sound. With music influenced by bands such as Oasis, Stereophonics, The Kinks, The Clash and Ryan Adams, the band would describe their sound as Indie Rock with a twist of Roll. The Militants have played a countless number of venues in the last two years across Wolverhampton, Birmingham, Sheffield and Leeds. “The Militants” are currently preparing to start their next chapter and have finished recording their Demo at ‘The Magic Garden Studios’. The band is looking to support and gig with any other local bands while also searching for any possible label interest. Gear up for the journey to begin with this band as they make a name for themselves. Line-up: Wayne Buckley- Vocals / John Turley- Lead Guitar / Lee Waters-Rhythm Guitar / Stuart Buckley-Bass Guitar / Mike Coulter-Drums
http://www.myspace.com/themilitantsband

King Rich (Solo artist)
HONESTY, IMAGINATION, POWER, ARTISTRY, GUTS, CHARISMA, DIVERSITY, ORIGINALITY, ATMOSPHERE and EMOTION are all ingredients that are placed into the song writing, music and performance of KING RICH. He is a bulk of freshness in the acoustic genre, and could very easily become accepted in a vast array of music markets in the music industry. The King is different, but isn’t that what makes all King’s legends? The ever-versatile King is currently making extreme progress in the acoustic genre, shaking the ever-growing dust out of the dull climate acoustic music has currently reached. An exciting breath of fresh air is what King Rich delivers to the new-wave acoustic scene, providing his own stance and slants on music – emotion packed and punching – with much to offer as a fine representative and example of the new-age acoustic pioneer! Songs of vigor, eloquence, style, vivacity, depth and beauty glide out of the King’s entity. He transmits songs from his life experience, and is strong enough to pave a new direction for music as a whole. Crowds are often left thrilled and awoken after a King Rich performance.
http://kingrich.co.uk

Sons Of Beaches
Sons of Beaches are a 4 piece original rock outfit from Kidderminster, in the West Midlands. The band were formed in 2008 and have so far released two self recorded EP’s. The second Ep ‘Plague’, was met with great critical acclaim that spawned a nationwide tour taking in venues in cities such as, Liverpool, London, Birmingham, Leicester, and many more. The band played a sell out show at the world famous Cavern Club in Liverpool in April 09 and also headlined the new acts stage at the 2009 Glastonbudget Festival. Now firmly in 2010 The band have agreed their first recording contract with ‘Limbo Sounds’, and the highly anticipated debut album is nearing completion. In February 2010 the band appeared on the Friday Sessions of BBC Radio, performing four tracks and interviews. The band booked a coach to take their fans to Leicester’s Shed Venue which sold out in under 20 minutes! In May 2010 the band performed to over 1000 people at the Glastonbudget festival. An amazing launch is planned for the album at a 700 capacity venue in the Midlands. Following the launch of the album the band intend to take an 18 month tour of the UK As a live band Sons of Beaches put on an electric show and their lyrics and melodies are the very best in catchy infectious rock. The band put on regular coach trips to ferry fans to and from venues. The bands debut single Turn me on is scheduled for release on September 27th 2010 and a follow up Christmas single ‘Santa i’ve been good this year’ is also set for release during the season. To fully appreciate Sons of Beaches view them in their natural habitat, The live concert stage!  Line-up: Carl Wilkes- Vocals / Daniel Hollowway- Lead Guitar & Rhythm Guitar / Gareth Webster-Bass Guitar / Rich Milton-Drums
http://sonsofbeaches.co.uk/

WEAK13
WEAK13 is a British industrial / metal / grunge act, founded in 1999 by Nick J.Townsend in Kidderminster, United Kingdom. Inspired by 1980′s Video Nasties, Underground music, Comic books, The Grunge and 90′s music scene and real life. Each song is a different story. Lyrics about loved ones who have passed away, songs about the future, death, life, survival, friendship, love, hate and positive thinking. All the guitars on all the recordings are played using strange dark low tunings. WEAK13 is any style Nick J.Townsend wants to be. From Industrial Metal fused with death metal guitars to Dark electro beats entwined with Low tuned acoustic guitars. WEAK13 is every form of music in it’s rawest form. There is a song for everyone. As its main singer, producer, songwriter, and instrumentalist, Townsend is the only official member of WEAK13 and remains solely responsible for its musical and artistic direction. WEAK13′s music is every genre with metal overtones. Townsend recruits a live band to perform with him on stage after recording WEAK13 material. WEAK13 when playing LIVE is ‘Nick J.Townsend’ (Vocals/Guitar), ‘Wesley Smith’ (Bass) and ‘Neel Parmar’ (Drums). Nick J.Townsend breaks as many rules as possible. Wanted feedback, dark subjects, erratic song structure, raw sounds, one take recordings, surreal ideas and hook lines that you will never forget. There is only one WEAK13 but there are many sounds. Nick J.Townsend is a British underground musician, singer and multi-instrumentalist. He operates under the studio name WEAK13. Line-up: Nick J.Townsend- Vocals, Lead Guitar & Rhythm Guitar / Wesley Smith-Bass Guitar / Neel Parmar-Drums

http://www.myspace.com/weak13music

WEAK13, SONS OF BEACHES, KING RICH, THE MILITANTS - JB's, Dudley, Friday October 22nd 2010

Artsfest request Applications from Performing and Digital Artists – Closing date Friday May 28th 2010

May 8, 2010 in Get a gig, Networking, News, Other by Mark Badger

ArtsFest, Birmingham will run from 10th -12th September 2010

We are very pleased to announce that applications for ArtsFest 2010 for performing and digital artists are now open. Applications for visual artists will open next week, week beginning 10th May and close 28th May 2010.

To apply please log onto the website: www.artsfest.org.uk

Mid way down the homepage there is a link to the performing and digital arts applications forms.  Please click on the link for the form you wish to complete.

You will then be directed to guidelines to help you complete your application, and by entering your email address where requested, you will then be directed to your application form.

Once you have entered your email address, you will receive an email containing a unique link to your application form. Using the save buttons at the bottom of each page in the application, you can save your application part way through completion of it.  Then by clicking on the link in the email, you can return to your application at another time. This means that you do not have to complete your application in one sitting, but can complete it in several sittings if you wish, provided you do so by the closing date of 6pm, Friday 28th May.

If you are having difficulty completing your application, please remember to look at the information, hints and tips given when you click on the blue

Information symbols that appear throughout the application form.  If you have a query not answered by this information then please contact us on 0121 464 5678 or by emailing artsfest at birmingham.gov.uk.

ArtsFest receives large numbers of applications from artists each year and to assist the efficiency of our administration processes we ask that wherever possible you complete your application on-line.  If for any reason however you are unable to do this and would like to request an email, hard copy, or large print version of the application form then please do so by telephone or email at the details above.

We look forward to receiving applications from all involved with The Music Network

ArtsFest
Birmingham City Council
Events Section
C/O Manor House
40 Moat Lane
Digbeth
Birmingham
B5 5BD
0121 464 5678
artsfest at birmingham.gov.uk
www.artsfest.org.uk
ArtsFest 10th -12th September 2010

FUZZBOX – Eighties pop punk band ‘We’ve Got A Fuzzbox & We’re Gonna Use It’ are making a return in 2010

April 28, 2010 in Artists, Networking, News, Other, Releases, Tour dates by Mark Badger

You may want to know that it’s Official – FUZZBOX are back. The Eighties pop punk band ‘We’ve Got A Fuzzbox and We’re Gonna Use It’ are making a welcome return in 2010 with the announcement of a UK Tour.

The reunion will see the band take to the stage with their infamous fuzzbox sound, which dominated the charts in the 80s. Hits like ‘Pink Sunshine’, ‘International Rescue’, ‘XX Sex’ and ‘Rules and Regulations’ will feature in what is to be the band’s first European Tour in 20 years.

May 2010 Dates
13    Southampton        Joiners Arms
14    Bristol             Fleece n’ Firkin
15    Manchester         Roadhouse
16    Glasgow         King Tuts
17    York             The Duchess
18     Norwich         Norwich Arts Centre
19     Nottingham         The Social
20     Oxford         Oxford Academy
22     Birmingham         Birmingham Academy
23     Colchester         Colchester Arts Centre
24     Brighton         Audio
25     London         Islington Academy

Fuzzbox will be releasing a new single on Gotham Records, as well as working on a new album. For all enquiries, please contact Barry Tomes: barry at barrytomes.com  or +44 (0)7966 174 319

Yes! They’re back! ?And the fabulous “We’ve got a …FUZZBOX… and we’re gonna use it!!” have specially selected all of YOU to attend their secret exclusive tour launch-party. ?Expect an evening of FUZZTASTIC entertainment…?Prepare yourselves for a taste of tour – See an exclusive live performance. ?Be entertained with much FUZZ and NONSENSE including a splendifierous 80’s disco with DJ Declan.? Be rewarded with a prize for the best 80’s fancy dress.

Tuesday 4th May Starts 7.30pm? DON’T BE LATE!

The Asylum?38-43 Hampton Street, Hockley, Birmingham B19 3LS

All enquiries to Barry at BTMG 07966174319? barry at gotham-records.com

www.fuzzboxfans.com
www.youtube.com/fuzzboxfans

Fuzzbox Pop Muzik Cd front

Fuzzbox print copy

Mark from Iron Man Records interviewed by Katy Jay at Musoplex March 2010

April 3, 2010 in News, Other, Strategy by Mark Badger

Mark from Iron Man Records interviewed by Katy Jay, unsigned music champion from 101.8WCRfm in Wolverhampton.

Musoplex describes Mark Badger as “…..Head of one of Birmingham’s most loved and influential independent record labels…..Iron Man Records have released music from grindcore to punk and anti-folk over the last 15 years. Hear Mark’s views on bands, recording, touring and being the head of a label. The interview features footage of …..punk band Police Bastard, Anti-folk New Yorkers Dufus and Last Under the Sun.”

Mark talks about Police Bastard and Trogg, Tape Trading and life before filesharing and the Internet, touring with a band on a budget you can stick under a glass, the idea of giving bands a small amount of help at a critical time, Robert Lloyd and The Nightingales, how the label got involved with Seth and Dufus and he talks about his own band called Last Under The Sun.

Here’s a direct link: http://blip.tv/file/3407655

MUSIC WORLD RADIO Top 20 Chartshow – Vote & Nominate at http://www.topchoons.com

March 1, 2010 in News, Other, Pitch, Radio by Mark Badger

The Alternative Top20 Chart – February Week 4

MWR Weekly Listener Music Chart – Music by the People, voted for by the people and played for the people.

Music World Radio – Our mission is simple; to bring great music to music fans, no matter the style or genre. We are sometimes eclectic and different but always classy and never ever staid or boring. If you love great music, Music World Radio is the place to be for all your musical tastes and needs and perhaps you’ll hear some stuff you’ve never heard before. So check our schedule, tune in and get involved with one of the hottest cool music stations out there. Remember, it’s your music, your world, your radio! Contact MWR here

http://www.musicworldradio.com

MWR Top 20 Chartshow – Vote & Nominate at http://www.topchoons.com

1. Nice As Pie – Bad Girl

2. Rudy Jr & The Lovepirates – Stupid Chick Opus8

3. Neongrau – Hi Level Slacker

4. Dead Drunk Society – Black Beauty Musclecar

5. Redlight – Whats Going On ?

6. Katrin the Thrill – You Make Me Wanna Die

7. Victims of Bad Television – Questions

8. Johnny Normal – Time

9. Fistfuzz – Tongue Depressor

10. Shag Nasty – Punk Anthem 77

11. Iguana – Undone

12. The Satin Dolls – Walk Away

13. Pop Incorporated – Looking 4 KLF

14. Seven Thorns – Forest Majesty

15. Frauenarzt & Manny Marc – Disco Pogo

16. Sarah June – Cowboy

17. The Rotten Rebels – My D-Day

18. Richard Snow & The Inlaws – Silent Girlfriend

19. Vinyl Fiction – Dont Call For A Revolution

20. Conflict and Kemmikal – The Dancer

MWR Top 20 Chartshow – Vote & Nominate at http://www.topchoons.com

The Alternative chart at Music World Radio is presented live on air every friday night – a guarantee for airplay to every track that makes it to the Top20. A wide selection of nomimations are equally given a spin on air during the chart show – and over the week by all the MWR DJs.

No genre is left out of the MWR Alternative Top20. If the listeners want dance, techno, death metal, punk or indie rock – thats what theyre gonna get – and if they change their mind and jump on the europop train, so does the chart. The listeners have all the power to nominate and vote!

If you have an appetite for more music rants, alternative charts, album reviews, news from Club Impulse Second Life and a wide variety of other music related randomness drop past the gossip blog and leave your comments.

Check out the bands in the charts here, there are plenty of goodies from new and unsigned acts burning through the barriers with fresh ideas, established acts firing up the party with monumentally powefull musical parades and thought-to-be has-beens making their way back to the charts with new interesting material

Musoplex – A collective of music-centric professionals working under one roof in Oldbury

February 16, 2010 in News, Other, Pitch by Mark Badger

Dictionary: -  Musoplex (aka the ‘plex)

Birmingham’s brightest collective of music-centric professionals working under one roof in Oldbury.

Musoplex is home to: -

Framework Studios – headed up by Si Reeves this legendary studio works across the board – in the last 2 months alone we have recorded everything from acoustic songs for a West End show to the new Police Bastard EP for UK and US release soon and everything in between from tribute bands to mayhem metal from Frozen Theory and indie-disco from Discotheque Wreck. Lee Phillips – Corner Studios, Wolverhampton, is also on our Producer roster.

Rehearsal Rooms – we have 4 – they all work, they are much used cos they are only £9 per hour.

Raven: Record Label – housed in the small office at the front Andy works on finding quality bands (usually by sticking his head out the door and listening to whoever is in) and we record them and release them. Only a year old and 5 releases in but it does get easier as it goes along. March 1st sees the release of a 3 version single – Your Silence – from Discotheque Wreck to be followed by the EP later in March. Pre-orders alone have already made the Top 10 for Indiestore downloads and the songs go live on iTunes, Spotify, Amazon etc on March 1st. The band tour the UK to promote the single and EP soon – see www.discothequewreck.co.uk

Photography - The ‘plex has it’s own photo / video studio too – and 3 photographers to choose from. The last few weeks have seen shoots for The Ganders, Butterfly Fan the Inferno, Planet Rock and more. Competitive to completely creative – you choose what you want from us and we deliver.

Promotion – we have just secured a much-needed local venue for live gig promotion – watch this space.

Videography – We work very closely with Pete of Abstract Reaction. His 4 camera live videos are stunning, his visual creativity beyond compare. Pete is just back from a European tour making a band documentary as well as accompanying Dufus on mush of their UK tour. We are now looking forward to making the first of a series of interview videos. Pete is also a superb Wolves Uni grad photographer.

Learning and Development – Katie Southall (radio presenter Katy Jay) helps us to keep on top of learning and development projects – currently running the excellent Sound It Out project. Katie is also a superb photographer.

We have links to management teams, get our bands radio play and generally help in any way we can.

The ‘plex Team.

Si Reeves – Studio, Head Producer
Andy Ward – Studio, Photography, label, business
Katie Southall – Learning and Development, Photography

Affiliates

Pete Rhead – Videography and photography
Lee Phillips – Producer

Musoplex
Junction 2, M5 – Oldbury
mail at musoplex.com

http://www.musoplex.com

How does Iron Man Records choose it’s artists and how does it promote them?

November 28, 2009 in News, Other, Strategy by Mark Badger

An article about Iron Man Records, Birmingham writtten by JANINE LABUSCAGNE BA (HONS) Media & Communication, University of Central England, 2007.

“…..There are two kinds of music – good music and bad music.  Good music is music that I want to hear.  Bad music that I don’t want to hear” Fran Lebowitz, Metropolitan Life, 1978

The objective of this study discusses promotional strategies generated by the independent record label, Iron Man Records.  The research examined the use of the Internet as a free marketing tool and how traditional methods of running a label did not have an affect on Iron Man.  Discussing this, I examined the theoretical areas of music industries, promotion and punk in order to understand and gain a solid background for the development of my research.

Conclusions are then put forward after conducting a participant observation, that social networks play the biggest part in promotion for the label.  Findings throughout the research have been put forward about the different strategies used in the process of online promotion, as well as more general suggestions for further research.

‘De muziek is de geleende creativiteit en motivatie in ons leven’ (translated from Dutch), music is the borrowed creativity and motivation in our lives.  The music industry has had one of the biggest influences in our lives and on our culture.  An example of this would be Wall (2003) and Anderson’s (2006) statements which look at popular music as the: “soundtrack to our lives” (2003; 1) and that “we are consumed by hits – making them, choosing them, talking about them, and following their rise and fall” (2006; 2).  The world of the music industry is one which has been forced to make changes because of the constant development of new technologies.  These changes are in order to keep fans consuming the product that is for sale – music.  Britain is a nation of music lovers and we buy more music than any other country – four units per capita each year (IFPI Recording Industry in Numbers 2002).

The music genre known as punk, has been around since the late 1960s, when unemployment was a prominent social feature in Britain.  It would appear that we are currently witnessing a re-evolution of the music industry and punk’s DIY (do-it-yourself) ethos within independent record labels.  Beyond the development and creation of music, technology has created an impact on the production, distribution, and consumption of ‘Iron Man Records’ music.  “Record companies see the other media as promotional avenues for their music” (Wall 2003; 111).  There are many new and different social networks such as MySpace, MOG and Flickr which will be one of the main areas of focus for the research.  These social networks have evolved on the Internet and the trend displayed by many bands in choosing independent record labels, such as Iron Man Records, above major record labels demonstrates what Barrow and Newby argued about how the music industry:

“Without popular recording artists there would be no music business and without record companies there would be no musical product to be bought in the shops” (1995: 2-3).

The research question, ‘How does the punk music label, Iron Man Records, choose its artists and how does it promote them?’ is a significant topic in the industry to investigate.  The independent label has not been explored in depth before, although academics have looked at similar areas of the music industry.  The study will look at how relationships are being built between a record label, the music industry and bands.  The study also looks at what steps are being taken to promote and market Iron Man Records music. Read more here: Click link for full article on Iron Man Records

Countercultural Capital & the Creative Economy – How do 1990s DiY Music ‘Entrepreneurs’ talk about the contemporary music business?” by Charlotte Bedford 2008

June 4, 2009 in News, Other, Strategy by Mark Badger

Here is a link to “Countercultural Capital & the Creative Economy – How do 1990s DiY Music ‘Entrepreneurs’ talk about the contemporary music business?” written by Charlotte Bedford for her MA Media Enterprise – Birmingham City University (May 2008)

It makes an interesting read…..here is a brief summary:

Placing independent music at the centre of the wider creative industries, this paper captures experiences and perspectives from 1990s DiY Music in order to inform the understanding of the rapidly changing ‘business’ of music.  The research builds on Leadbetter and Oakley’s (1999) description of a ‘new’ model of work derived from cultural entrepreneurs’ characteristic ‘independence’, and Wilson and Stokes’ (2002) subsequent paper on the changing nature of small independent businesses in the music industry.  These ideas are considered in relation to cultural and popular music theory, particularly drawing on Thornton’s (1998) concept of ‘subcultural capital’ where value within a music scene relates to the lines of demarcation differentiating between underground and mainstream.  The role of the cultural entrepreneur is examined through accounts and opinions of independent music practice then and now, exploring the extent to which the current Do-it-Yourself digital music trend is new and ‘independent’.

A NIGHT OF PUNK ROCK ANARCHY – The Wagon and Horses, Digbeth, Birmingham, Saturday 14th march 8pm Door tax: £6

February 23, 2009 in Networking by Mark Badger

A NIGHT OF PUNK ROCK ANARCHY IN BIRMINGHAM
The Wagon and Horses, Digbeth, Birmingham
Saturday 14th march
8pm
Door tax: £6

Saturday March 14th 2009

A NIGHT WORTH ITS WEIGHT IN SALT . BIRMINGHAM WILL HOST 3 OF THE FINEST BANDS ON THE PUNK ROCK CIRCUIT.

FROM IRELAND: PARANOID VISIONS (THE HATE OF THE CITY)
(includes members ex members of : striknien dc / P.A.I.N.and Bad Manners)

LONDON PUNKS :
THE RESTARTS – ANARCHO PUNK AT ITS BEST

FROM DERBY:
POUNDAFLESH – LIKE WATCHING A RIOT KICK OFF

The Music Network Meeting 4pm, 29th January 2009, Birmingham TIC

January 14, 2009 in Networking, News, Other by Mark Badger

The Music Network organises a NETWORKING EVENT

on the last Thursday of each month, 4-6pm

at The BCU Technology and Innovation Centre(TIC), Millennium Point, Curzon Street, Birmingham, B4 7XG. (directions/info tel: 08712 262725)

The next meeting is open to all on Thursday 29th Janauary 2009 4pm til 6pm at The TIC, Birmingham.

The Birmingham branch of Musicians Union will be supplying luxury chocolate biscuits and good coffee for all. There’s food and drink afterwards supplied by the creative networks lot too. Come and talk about music and what you’re up to and meet some new people, you know it makes sense.

The Music Network organises the meeting for the benefit of music related businesses in the West Midlands region. If you have news to report, a presentation to give, an event to promote, any new points for discussion, a pitch to make, a new website or online music business to talk about, business cards or flyers to hand round, an appeal for help, advice or guidance or even if you just want the free tea and biscuits and some quality entertainment…you are all invited.

AU-Squat-Festival Frankfurt, Germany- squatted for 25 years

May 25, 2008 in Artists, Networking, News by Mark Badger

Birmingham based band Police Bastard have been invited to Frankfurt, Germany.

On the 7 and 8th of June 2008 the autonomous cultural and living project and oldest squat in Germany, the AU in Frankfurt/Main, celebrates the 25th aniversary of the squatting.

The AU can look back on 25 years of non-profit DIY concerts, soup/people’s kitchen and many other great cultural and political events. The area offers a self-organized living space for a lot of different people.The AU is a political space which positions itself against each way of racism, nationalism, antisemitism and sexism.

Sat 07.06. Open-Air Festival (AU-Fest)
Bands playing are

LIFE BUT HOW TO LIVE IT! (Norway), 1982 (Germany), POLICE BASTARD (UK), CHARGE 69 (France), NOISE ANNOYS (Germany)

Read the rest of this entry →