Former stablemates, ever brothers, Ute were a classy bunch. Oxfordian gents by day, wretched drunkards by night – they co-existed in a magnificent haze, half melody, half tumultuous swathes of dark post rock terror… All fucking handsome! So it’s rather nice that 2/3 of the band (Ollie and Michael) have whipped us O-Towners into something of a frenzy by getting something new on. Old Grinding Young is the project name, and a track for free is their only output.
It’s definitely worth a listen… You can check it out over here – and the good news is that amongst deliciously crafted melodic ditties about incest, crumbling boats and tyranny – there’s a big, Innocent Tailor style murder ballad in the offing right now.
The loveliest and, lets be frank, bloody best things out of O-Town – ute are all back and pretty, with this gorgeously concepted single, split A side Brother/Brother (Oxford Hearts featuring the Oxfordshire music scene) on August 15th….
The original track (which you may have heard previously on the critically acclaimed The Gambler EP) is damn awesome enough, “Weaving melodies and syncopated harmonies, with both drumming and cymbal crashes taking on a leading role, and taking the song into new territories with every passing minute” – said The 405… And ute have recreated the magic with over 30 of the Oxford music scene too!
See (and I sound like a storybook now) one early Saturday morning, members of the Oxford Blessing Force, Spring Offensive, Gunning For Tamar and a 10 year old trumpeter (amongst others) lifted their instruments, played as one – and created a gorgeous mixed up version of Brother – all fused with the passion of dozens of hearts, voices and melodies – a completely different version that demands to be heard! So we coupled the two… and released it in a photo album, strictly limited – each coming with 3 track CD and all containing different photos of the day… Available in the shop now!!!
Also – a nice little touch, but search for the track on Amazon and you’ll note that everyone who took part is reffed up there too! Nice innit! You can hear the mixed up and lovely Brother EP below, and honestly, it’s so hot! The Oxford community coming together!
Oh, and anyone going to Green Man Festival this weekend – go to all of these places and listen to these things?
Friday 19:00 – 19:15 - Rough Trade “in tent”
Saturday 16:00 – 17:00 *Festival Radio ute takeover
Sunday 13:00 – 13:30 Festival Radio ute live session, 2 – 3 tracks (filmed)
Sunday 18:15 – 18:45 PUB STAGE
*Green FM 87.7fm
Twitter @greenmanradio
#gms11
The sound recording for the radio live session will go up on Mixcloud, and the filming will be on Vimeo. Boom!
Hmmm – so it seems I haven’t even mentioned The Great Escape on this blog yet – which is fairly dumb, as as far as strong moments in Alcopop history go, this one was a fair old cracker to be true! Presumably most of you saw the line up which we were punting all about in the run up to it, and together with the lovely kids at DIY Records – we truly had a rather funtime Alcopop showcase at the Pav Tav. It all started non-official, but by the time the thing came round, we’d been ratcheted onto the bill – with all acts spread liberally across the programme – much to our delight.
From a personal point of view the whole thing was rad. We were 1 in, 1 out from 4.30pm, and by the time midnight was approaching, bouncers became crowd barriers – as various hip kids flung themselves at Stagecoach and The Xcerts – ripping down chandeliers from the ceiling and variously being thrown out, shouted at, sneaking back in and so it went on…. Basically – Team Pop rocked it!
So basically – thanks for coming down, and eternal love to you all for (in the words of Ben Folds) rocking that bitch! Next show kicking will be Alcopopalooza on 9th July at the Windmill, and hopefully that will be just as fun!
So the strong-faced Alcopop and lustily handsome DIY have teamed up with some super friends (BSM, Idle Hands Club, Ray Gun, Rock Sound’s Ben Patashinak and the like) and put together quite the best free show line up, perhaps ever…
The Xcerts
Stagecoach
Freeze the Atlantic (ex Reuben/Hundred Reasons)
The Victorian English Gentlemens Club
My Firs Tooth
We Are the Physics
Jumping Ships
LightGuides
Special Guests (TBC)
Ute
The Social Club
You Animals
Cat Matador
Dad Rocks
Nicholas Stevenson
Elliot Morris
Lining up on the Alternative Great Escape bill in Brighton town, we’re free entry all day and night to provide you THE best thing in B-town on Friday 13th, except for perhaps the Dolphin Derby on the pier. LOOK AT THIS LINE UP, and say you’re coming on Facebook!!!
Do come along, all day – and rock hard with us yes! we’re running from 12.30pm till about 1.30/2ish – featuring this quite jaw-dropping line up of awesome acts… Free for wrist band holders, and non-wrist band holders alike (we’re just like that you know )
Do say you’ll come… Free pint for anyone dressed in a dolphin suit!
Welcome to the online home of Alcopop! Records, a UK based independent label born from - and dedicated to - the finest indie pop the world has to offer! Have a look around the site, buy some CDs, come to our gigs, send us emails and make friends with us on Facebook.
What’s in store
Johnny Foreigner
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Former stablemates, ever brothers, Ute were a classy bunch. Oxfordian gents by day, wretched drunkards by night – they co-existed in a magnificent haze, half melody, half tumultuous swathes of dark post rock terror… All fucking handsome! So it’s rather nice that 2/3 of the band (Ollie and Michael) have whipped us O-Towners into something of a frenzy by getting something new on. Old Grinding Young is the project name, and a track for free is their only output.
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