You'll find lots of stuff here; music, popular culture, politics…and of course what us at Candy have been doing.

SEPTEMBER 2006 EDITION

AUGUST 2006 EDITION

JULY 2006 EDITION

JUNE 2006 EDITION

MAY 2006 EDITION

APRIL 2006 EDITION

MARCH 2006 EDITION

FEBRUARY 2006 EDITION

JANUARY 2006 EDITION

DECEMBER 2005 EDITION HERE

NOVEMBER 2005 EDITION HERE

SEPTEMBER 2006 EDITION

Thanks and double thanks to everyone who emailed, texted etc me when I was doing my radio show on 7Waves during August - your great comments were really appreciated!

There might be talk that music industry trade rag Music Week is dying on its arse these days but there's a great FREE guide to promoting your music on its website at the moment.
The Music Week DIY Special includes:
Getting your music online
Going mobile
Podcasting.
You can access this really useful guide here: www.musicweek.com/features/features_list.asp

DEMO REVIEWS

51 Breaks
Blueprints
Birmingham rock band 51 Breaks reference Kasabian, Steoreophonics Yeah Yeah Yeahs and The Killers as their influences which is pretty unfortunate from this end really seeing as I can't stand any of these bands. Having said that, their keyboard and rock combo could well work, the vocals are good too although they could do with being whacked up a bit in the mix.
It's only my opinion, of course.
Wesite: www.51breaks.com

They Came From The Stars I Saw Them
Demo
Ha! I quite like these. Now this is what I call a good time.
Chaotic lo-fi with a Joe Meek quirkiness to them. I get the feeling that live, 'The Stars' (as their mates call them, apparently) would either blow your socks off or would be shockingly bad.
The tracks are a bit on the liong side, mind - the shortest being 6 mins the longest 15.
I'd cut down on the prog-like elements, Joe wouldn't have liked that.
Keep to the point and don't wander around the houses.
Their really confusing website: www.isawthem.com

Adam S Leslie
Demo
Now I remember this young man ringing up Candy Productions a couple of months back.
Before you say 'God Cath you patronising get what his age got to do with it'.
Well I'll tell you.
He called me 'my dear'. Honestly.
Anyhow I'm not one to bear a grudge.
And me being the cynic that I am I thought it was going to be a load of middle class hooley and moaning to be honest.
But actually it's bloody good, the lyrics are really inciteful and interesting (for a chance because most of the time let's face it bands write rubbish lyrics).
Can I detect some Syd Barrett and/or Ray Davies infleunces there vocally too?
MySpace site: www.myspace.com/adamsleslie

Chrystina Tomlin
Bitter Twisted Wrong (album)
This is by a 19 year old singer songwriter who is classically trained.
And I'm afraid the classically trained element is screamingly obvious. It's usually the case (this is the opinion of Candy of course, which let's face it, isn't the view of the majority of sane thinkers) that stage school 'types' when they attempt to 'do' rock it doesn't work. It just sounds unauthentic and contrived.
Don't try and being what you see as contemporary if you're really not into it.
Do what YOU want to do and sod everyone else.
It all just sounds a bit 'too LIPA' for my tatse. Readers and music fans froms Liverpool and surrounding areas will understand what I mean by that.
Still under construction website: www.chrystinatomlin.com

RADIO CLANGER OF THE YEAR, SURELY?
Go ahead, jump!
Evey radio presenter/playlister's worst nightmare here: www.holymoly.co.uk/oops.mp3

AUGUST 2006 EDITION

The big news this month is that Andy's working on new Kelso material, it's a real shift from the Eat The Evidence album, and we can't wait to get it out there to ya'll!
We'll be setting a MySpace site up shortly.

Also you can listen to Cath's radio show on 7 Waves Community radio(Mon-Fri 9-11am until 7th Sept) at:live-across-the-wirral.7waves.co.uk/listen.htm

Thanks to everyone who's been ringing/emailing/texting in with ideas and requests for music to be played.
Keep them coming!
I give the contact details out during the show.

On Bank Holiday Monday we're having a Merseyside special at the station - we'll only be playing music & bands from the area.
Any ideas about what I should play?

Let me know!

JULY 2006 EDITION

Special Notice:
Thanks to everybody who has sent their condolences to Andy and myself over the last few weeks, it's been really appreciated and a great source of comfort.
Normal service at Candy will resume as normal as from, well, now.
On a lighter note, we've had lorryloads of demos in over the last 3 months and I'll be tackling them and getting them reviewed and responded to as soon as.
Keep them coming, though!!!

Is Bert from Sesame Street mates with Bin Laden??!!

Is it really true that kiddies fave Bert has gone over to the dark side?
Have a look here to make your own mind up: www.snopes.com/rumors/bert.htm#add

Cath's Radio Show
Yup I've got my own radio show again at 7 Waves Community Radio 87.7FM based in Wallasey, Merseyside.
It kicks off on 11th August and finishes on 7th September.
Each weekday morning Monday -Friday 9am-11am.
The very best in music, classic album of the day, entertainment news and much more.
Details in the August edition of the 'zine how to listen online.

Morrisey's feud with Richard Madeley
Richard (of & Judy fame of course) called the pale and interesting one a "insufferable puffed-up prat".

Never a truer word was said, Richard old fruit!
And this comes from a life-long Smiths fan.

La Moz retorted a wit-free reply here:
http://true-to-you.net/morrissey_news_060721_02

Judy Finnegan is a fine woman, there will be no more talk of insulting her thank you very much.

JUNE 2006 EDITION

Noel Edmonds making a fool of himself on Deal or No Deal:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6IBC5udIBoA&search=deal%20or%20no%20deal%20noel%20foot%20in%20it

MAY 2006 EDITION

Bloke (pictured, right) interviewed on the BBC news about Apple who doesn't understand what the hooley's going on: INTERVIEW HERE

After seeing this, who says the Beeb ain't value for money???????

Thomas Lang
Parr Street Recording Studios.
Liverpool
L1 4JN

07801 433 256
tom@3345parrst.com

Tuesday 23rd May 2006

It is with heavy heart that I am writing to ask that you air this letter in your paper/ website/ radio station.
I represent the tenants and the business consortium that put together a plan to save the famous Parr Street Studios in Liverpool, a Grammy Award winning studio for its work with Coldplay. Other artists that have worked here include, Doves, Embrace, Elbow, Badly Drawn Boy, and so many more.

We have all worked in this studio since it opened 12 years ago.

The tenants, who include Oxygen Music Management, for Ken Nelson (Coldplay producer), Porcupine Music who manage Echo and the Bunnymen, Sense of Sound (vocal training), Plastic (graphic design) working with Aintree Racecourse, and 3345, creative industries members club (8500 members and awarded 3rd best members’ club in the country by Arena magazine).

In November 2005, the tenants and the free-lance engineers at the studio found out that the owners - The Genesis pension fund (Phil Collins, Mike Rutherford, Tony Banks and Tony Smith) had decided to cash in on Liverpool’s Capital of Culture 2008 status, by submitting a planning application to turn our studio and work place into “luxury apartments”. However, they don’t intend to develop the site themselves but use this as an opportunity to increase the value of the property with planning consent attached.

We met with the managing director of Hit and Run Music, Robin Moore on 13th January, 2006 at Parr Street and, at that meeting, the tenants were promised that if we raised £1.3 Million that would save the studio.

A consortium was formed, Gary Millar, Steve Macfarlane and myself, whereupon Heads of Terms and a contract were issued, and all the tenants relaxed a little.

Mr Michael Hole of Miles Commercial, the agent for the disposal then got involved and
pushed the price up another £50,000. With great difficulty we managed to raise the extra funds, were told that we had a deal, and a second contract was issued.

We have been waiting to exchange contracts for 12 weeks. Yesterday we were told that, based on a purported slanderous rumour, Michael Hole had advised the trustees of the Genesis Pension Fund that our intention was to resell the building for £2million and therefore they should not to sell to us. THIS OF COURSE IS A
LIE.
I have to add that this is not about us - its about the Studio. The bigger picture is about Music, Culture, Awards, Pedigree, Employment, Growth, Regional and International Excellence, Morals and being an absolutely fantastic facility - possibly being lost and overshadowed by Greed, Self Interest, Unsavory Tactics, Profits and Bully Boy Business Ethics.

Not only are we upset at what has become a farce, the waste of all of our significant time, but more so we are all upset that our characters appear to have been openly besmirched and that their apparent greed has run roughshod over business ethics. We have to add that this has serious implications for the tenants, since they own successful businesses at Parr Street and many may now lose their livelihood! We don’t intend to purchase the building to sell on, to knock down or to build flats. Our intention is to save a cultural icon and to also maintain the studios the creative cluster of companies that the studios house and create employment and businesses.

Mr Hole is now putting the property back on the open market however, he has verbally agreed that if we cough up £1.6 Million the studios are ours! This of course totally contradicts his previous advice to the trustees.

We cannot possibly afford it nor justify that price, based on the fact that we had been ‘promised’ that our offer of £1.35 would save the studios.

We feel that Messrs Collins, Banks, and Rutherford can’t possibly know how ‘their’ agent is operating, given the fact that they are all musicians they would never want to close a recording studio, and our place of work, losing jobs and opportunities for young musicians.

We believe that they are closing the studio next week, 31st May, and intend to have us all out by end of June 2006.

We would really appreciate it if you would publish this letter, which we hope may help get the attention of any member of Genesis and elicit their help, as we are confident that they have no idea what their agents are up to.

Please help.
Respectfully
Thomas Lang. Musician

APRIL 2006 Edition

The BEST April Fools day scam for along time - The Guardian Newspaper's revelation that Coldplay are backing David Cameron by penning and recording a song about him entitled Talk to David.
The lyrics for Talk To David:

Oh brother, I can't, I can't get through,
I've been trying hard to reach you, cause I like the stuff you do,
Oh brother, I can't believe its true,
I'm turning Tory Dave, and my dad says talk to you,
Oh I wanna talk to you.
It was the Converse trainers that did it for me,
I got them in orange, wait till you see,
That's what smashed my illusions about Tony Blair,
His shoes, his suits, his terrible hair,
Gwynnie says his views are very unfair.

Are you looking for a star?
Could you use a caring vegan who knows all about fair trade?
Tell me what you think?
Well I can offer something you will not get from St Bob,
In terms of free publicity.
It was your lack of emissions that did if for me,
Though you need a bike helmet, I think you'll agree,
I know that Sherborne's not Eton, the fees aren't that high,
But it's better than Fettes, we'll see eye to eye,
With my help, you will be Britain's head boy
With me, you will be Britain's head boy.

I got all these good intentions, I want to talk,
But I can't get close to Tony cause he took us to war,
I'm turning Tory Dave, don't wanna be ignored,
Do they sell fair trade bananas in Notting Hill?
Let's talk ...

You can hear the 'song' here

More here:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,,1744447,00.html

http://arts.guardian.co.uk/news/story/0,,1745646,00.html

DEMO REVIEWS

Whisky Cats - demo
A jazz-swing hybrid - from Manc-land?
And what's more there actually bloody good...
What's going on in the world!
Cool laid back vocals and fine hip swinging instrumentation - absolutely fab and the best demo we've had in for ages, if not ever, by a mile.
And also the best press pack, too.
Website: www.whiskycats.co.uk

Whiskycats are playing with Mistys Big Adventure at Jabez Clegg in Manchester on Thursday April 27.
Their last Manc gig for 3 months, apparently.

Tokyo - demo
I'm always suspicious about bands who don't admit to having surnames - Tokyo only admit to being called James, Ben and Nathan.
I reckon it's because they either don't want people to know its them or they're avoiding what used to be called in these here parts as the 'dole police'. Honestly - once I know a bloke in a band who threw a wobbler when his photo was used in a poster in case the DSS found out and stopped his income support. As if playing an unsigned band night at the Dog & Bollocks in Heswall or wherever it was would mean your benefits stopped.
What a tosser he was. He had a mullet, too.

However, I digress. Tokyo are an indie rock band, leaning towards the rock - I suggest this band go in the direction they really want to go in. Rock out, lads. You know you want to. And the demo's really well recorded. I make this point as most aren't.
The songs are really good too, loads of energy and attitude. Which is what it's all about.
Tokyo's last singer was Scandanavian doctor, apparently and he's no longer in the band. Presumably he's gone back to Norway or wherever, hence the band looking for a new singer to replace him.
If you're into their music then you can email them auditions@tokyomusic.co.uk
Oh, and they're from Leicester so I suppose it woul dhelp if you lived round there.
Website: www.tokyomusic.co.uk

Janorak - Midnight Mass Hysteria (3 track demo)
I was originally a bit sniffy about this. For one thing, the CD's got the lads from Janorak dressed in orange boiler suits, washing a car. I thought, god they're not making much of an effort are they?
THEN the penny dropped. They are protesting, using post modernist irony, about the inhumanity of those imprisoned in Guantanamo Bay!
Well, maybe not...
Georrdie humour, mayhap? (They're from Tyne & Wear, see).
Anyway, they're an indie four piece who like Bill Wyman.
Don't hold that against them, though - on the good side ( I REALLY don't like Bill Wyman - that Mandie Smith incident was gross) they've got a real urban rock 'stick it to 'em' edge, plus singer Andy McGrevy has a really distictive vocal style. I prefer it when he 'sings' (rather than the Nigel Blackwell shouting style - works for Half Man Half Buscuit but not for others), though - it puts me in mind of Mark Burgess of The Chameleons.
So there you go then.
But the boiler suit thing does need to be explained.
If anyone understands why they're wearing them please email cath@candyproductions.co.uk with an explanation.
I thank you.
Janorak website: www.myspace.com/janorak

Jamie Wright - demo
The bloke looks a bit like he should be an extra in Home And Away, Neighbours or a similar Aussie soap.
In my opinion, anyway - we don't get many 'proper' tans here in Birkenhead; it's all either a shocking orange Tango hue that people sport (proudly, would you believe) or the 'pale and interesting' look which all here at Candy Towers model.
I read in Jamie's biog that he's from Bristol.
Which may explain it.
This is a really good demo.
Which as I've said earlier in this edition of the CandyEzine, it's not usually the case, the amount of sheer crap we get in.
Alternative rock is really hard to make when it's a one man band sort of caper but Jamie carries it off - I'd whack up the vocal on your recordings though as the guitars drown you out a lot. There's good tunes here as well - which again is hard to do if you're doing summat a bit alternative without giving out to cheese.
Nice one - although you need a website.
Would like to hear more stuff.

The Demise - demo
I'm really not sure why we're been sent this.
We work with alternative music, off the beaten track, with backbone and true grit (stop, I'm getting emotional now).
This is bloody prog.
A gang (or should I say 'collective') of London based postgrad students fiddling around with god knows what.
If we wanted to work with a bunch of middle class students who aren't Scousers we'd go the LIPA (even though we wouldn't dream of it - if we were into boring crappy shite there's plenty of that made by local people, who are actually living in Liverpool permanently, as it is without considering flipping LIPA students).
God, don't get me going about LIPA.
Anyway, this demo isn't our bag.
It might be yours, though - so check out their website www.thedemise.net

Once again, I need a photo of The Clash to look at to calm me down.

Oh yes.
I am feeling MUCH better now.

GEORGE GALLOWAY & THE FAKE SHEIKH
Now I'm not the biggest fan of George Galloway (he's self serving and should not call himself a socialist) but a big up goes out to Gorgeous George this month for going to court to get permission to put the photos of the news of the world's alleged 'journalist' Mahzer Mahmood aka the Fake Sheikh on the Respect website.
You can access them here: http://www.respectcoalition.org/?ite=1030

Halton FM is back on the air!
Our friends at Halton FM are back on the air until 28th April.You can listen to them at: www.haltonfm879.com

Broadcast from sunny Runcorn, if you live around there you can pick it up on your wireless on 87.9FM

Spot the deliberate (NOT!!) mistake in THE INDEPENDENT newspaper's recent feature on weary music hack Stuart Maconie.
Growing up in Wigan, a "pivotal moment" in Maconie's life was in 1976 when he heard Radio 1's John Peel play "Meat Meat Meat" by The Damned. "It was a genuine life-changing moment. Overnight I became a punk rocker..."
Puts a the lyrics of The Damned in a whole new perspective!

March 2006 Edition

NESTLE BUYING BODY SHOP HAS NEGATIVE EFFECT
The Body Shop's reputation is already starting to suffer as a result of its sale to French cosmetics giant L'Oreal, according to BrandIndex ratings measured by YouGov.
The £652m deal, announced on 16th March, promised to leave the ethical cosmetics brand and its business intact - but public perception of the company has not taken long to change.
The Body Shop's acquisition by one of the world's biggest cosmetics companies was always going to stick in the throat of consumers, who valued the overtly ethical stance it has maintained for 30 years.
To make things worse, L'Oreal is 26.4% owned by Nestle, one of the most boycotted companies in the world - us at Candy as individuals have boycotted Nestle products for over fifteen years, and collectively as a business support the ongoing boycott.
Campaigning group Baby Milk Action is now lobbying consumers to boycott The Body Shop because of its new parentage.
BMA protests against Nestle's marketing of baby foods and powdered baby milk in the developing world, where Nestle is particularly reviled by protestors.

ARCTIC MONKEY SPOOF - WE LOVE IT!!!!!
Someone has set up an affectionately spoofy website promoting 'Artex Monkey', whose tracks, available to download (or, rather, darnload), include 'A Bet Tha Luks Gud On A Pushbike' and 'Fake Tans of Barnsley Disco'.
Go to: www.artexmonkey.co.uk



DEMO REVIEW

LIES E.P. - THE SKIES
From Reading, this four piece have their roots firmly in rock 'n'roll and blues for sure. Nothing original, but in these times of 'hey ain't it great British music's back on top 'cos there's load sof white boys with guitars selling records again', The Skies should fit in nicely for the likes of Zane Lowe et al. Although it's all been done before - they win no prizes there; infleunces of course include the Rolling Stones and the standard white blues rock brigade, it's good enough standard rock fayre.
Should be signed up by a major record label for lots of money very soon.
www.theskiesband.com

At Candy Productions we don't like people being cruel to animals.
It's not cool in any way shape of form.
And we never thought we'd be saying this, but much love goes out to Queen's Brian May (see pictured, right, his hair a-flowing) of all people nowadays. Our fave man of the month has called for an end to hedgehog culling on the hebridean island of Uist. You may not be aware of this, but Scottish Natural Heritage has killed more than 500 hedgehogs because they are said to pose a threat to ground nesting birds and their eggs, but animal rights campaigners say that the hedgehogs are being killed inhumanely.

The Queen guitarist has written to John Markland, Scottish Natural Heritage chairman, to express his concerns. The letter says: "For some time I have been aware that hedgehogs on the Uists are being killed for 'conservation' purposes. As someone who believes that all animals are worthy of respect, this is of great concern to me. I understand that scientific evidence shows that hedgehogs can be translocated successfully. I therefore cannot understand why SNH is continuing with the policy of unnecessarily killing these animals. I urge SNH to reconsider any plans it has to continue slaughtering these healthy wild animals. Instead, please work with the Uist Hedgehog Rescue experts to relocate these animals to the mainland where
they can live out their lives."

Other wanting to save the hedgehogs include Joanna Lumley, Sting, Tim Rice, and Paul McCartney.
So lots of love goes out to them too.

Baddies on the celeb front this month include Pink Floyd's Roger Waters and Nick Mason, Roger Taylor, Roger Daltrey and Eric 'Enoch was right' Clapton. They presumably all have country homes and love foxhunting, as they are all lining up to play a benefit concert for the Countryside Alliance.
Never liked any of this crew anyway, immense thumbs down to them, farts in their faces and so on.

Musician jokes! Oh yes!

A guy gets a bass guitar for Xmas, and gets lessons from a tutor.
The first week, the tutor says "thats the "E" string, pluck it four to the bar I will see you next week."
Week two, the teacher says"thats the A string, pluck it eight to the bar and I will see you next week".
Week three, and the bassist doesn't appear. The teacher is furious, and rings him the next day.
The bassist apoligised, and said "Sorry sir , I had a gig."

Q What do you call a bassplayer/drummer without a girlfirend?
A Homeless.

Q What do you call a bass player/drummer who's had an argument with his girlfirend?
A Homeless.

A man arrives at his dream holiday destination somewhere in Africa.
After three days of pleasantly listening to the constant drumming, on day four he had a headache and had finally plucked up the courage to ask the tour guide if the drums could be stopped for a day, due to his hangover.
Tourist; Can the drums stop for a bit please.
Guide; No the drums must never stop!
Tourist: Why not for heavens sake?
Guide; After the drums comes bass solo...

February 2006 Edition

SINGERS WANTED
To join the Candy revolution; you can be male or female, just need good strong vocals.
We'll be picking singers for the new Candy signing soon.
If you have a distinctive vocal and live in the north west of England (preferably Merseyside) then contact eith Cath or Andy on 0151 652 4495 or 078844 71771.
Email addresses: cath@candyproductions or andy@candyproductions.co.uk

HOAX ABOUT PETE DOHERTY BEING A HOAX....OR IS IT?
The Samaritans have today recruited 600 extra staff to deal with an expected surge in calls as troubled fans come to terms with today's revelations about rocker and teen icon Pete Doherty. In a surprise press conference today, the men behind Doherty's career reveled themselves - and admitted that the Libertines, Babyshambles, the tales of drug use, the armed robberies and the affair with supermodel Kate Moss have all been part of one of the largest hoaxes in British history.

The men behind the scandal - Bill Drummond and Jimmy Cauty, who were themselves infamous popstars under the name The KLF - admitted how they plucked a young Buddy Holly impersonator Doherty from obscurity and made him a media darling. "It was a meant to be a quick stunt to show the frailties of our celbrity-obsessed culture," said Cauty, adding, "there are too many people who are famous despite their lack of talent, usefulness and basic intelligence. We wanted to do something that held a mirror up to that." Mr Drummond called Britain's pop-culture "sick" and said that although he regretted the hurt caused to Doherty's many fans, he hoped "this incident taught us all some important things".

In a prepared statement, the two men - famous for many other pop pranks, including the famous burning of GBP1million on a remote Scottish island - detailed how they manipulated the British Press into making Doherty an icon. Doherty - whose real name has now been revealed to be Trevor McDermott - was making a living as a part-time Buddy Holly impersonator in the Cornwall holiday circuit. He began a short-lived affair with the singer of a well known 80's rock band, and was introduced to Drummond and Cauty at a backstage party in London's West End. The men described how a drunken McDermott amused them with his slurred singing and frenetic dance movements, and how they then realised that this would be the perfect "dupe" for a plan they had been hatching for some time.

"The plan involved proving three theories we have about current British society," reads the statement. "The first is that in the so-called "alternative" scene, everybody is too scared of missing The Next Big Thing to worry about anything else." To prove this, some session musicians were provided to compose the rest of the "band", The Libertines, and rumours of exposive gigs were leaked to the media. "The gigs in question never actually took place, but we didn't have to worry about that. Soon the buzz around The Libertines was so frenetic, journalists were falling over themselves to claim to have been at the front of every single fictional gig." Within weeks, The Libertines were appearing on magazines and receiving record offers. Gigs sold out in minutes, while their first album "Up The Bracket" flew off shelves.

Feeling that their first point had been proved, Drummond and Cauty moved to their second theory: "We feel that our culture has become an enormous soap opera. We don't care what a person thinks, or creates, or contributes. We just care about what they do in their normal lives. Especially when it's something they shouldn't be doing."

To demonstrate this, the men co-ordinated a number of scandals. First was a robbery staged in the house of one of the band members. When this took place, McDermott (aka Doherty) was unknown outside of the alternative music scene. An incident of this calibre was sufficient, however, to catapult McDermott onto the front page of every major national tabloid. "One day we has just another singer, the next day he was 'Disgraced Celebrity Rocker', and he hasn't been out of the papers since". Further revelations about drug abuse and violence kept McDermott and The Libertines on the front pages for months.

One thing that took even Drummond and Cauty by surprise was the affair with model Kate Moss. "That was not something that we planned or had any involvement. Whether she knew about the hoax is something we are not party to. We have never had any contact with Miss Moss." However, this was the boost their project needed - where the drugs and crime had made McDermott a media sensation, the relationship with one of fashion's most famous women catapulted him into the world of true celebrity. "While we had not planned this, it certainly proved our point. There are many superior artists in the country today, but they never appear in Heat or The Sun, because they don't have the words 'boyfriend of Kate Moss' after their name."

Despite this boost, the project began running into a major setback for Drummond and Cauty. Just as they were preparing to enter the final phase of their scheme, Doherty decided that he wanted to part company with them, the fake band, and begin seriously recording music. He stopped all contact with the men, and threatened legal actions if any details were leaked to the press. "We were upset at the apparent failure of our grand project, and also at the monster we had created in Pete Doherty. Our third theorem - that 'If enough people say that a piece of s*** is a bar of gold, we'll believe it's a bar of gold' - seemed to have been beyond salvation. Fortunately, at that point Pete released the first Babyshambles album."

In the time since then, Drummond and Cauty have been locked in a vicious legal battle, which was eventually settled out of court by the discovery of a videotape showing McDermott singing "Peggy Sue" at a Butlin's in Devon. Publicly, McDermott still strongly denies all charges. How this affects the future career of Pete Doherty remains to be seen.

January 2006 Edition


FEMALE VOCALIST WANTED

For forthcoming release on the Candy Productions Label.
Must have strong, distinctive vocal style and be based in the North West.
No agencies please!
For more information and informal chat contact Andy or Cath on 0151 652 4495/ 0788 4471 771.
Or email cath@candyproductions.co.uk to arrange a meeting.

Courtney Love does the math!

Hole's singer & songwriter takes on major record label profits here

A bloke walks into HMV and asks an assistant: "Have you got anything by The Doors?".

"Yep", replies the shopworker. "Two security guards."

Message Secret Code:

After numerous rounds of "We don't know if Osama is still alive,"
Osama himself decided to send George Bush a letter in his own handwriting to let
him know he was still in the game.

Bush opened the letter and it appeared to contain a single line of coded
message:

370HSSV-0773H

Bush was baffled, so he emailed it to Condi Rice. Condi and her aides had no
clue either, so they sent it to the FBI. No one could solve it at the FBI so it
went to the CIA, then to the NSA.
With no clue as to its meaning, they eventually asked Britain's MI-6 for help.
Within a minute MI-6 cabled the White House with this reply:

"Tell the President he's holding the message upside down."

December 2005 Edition

Going to prison soon? Wondering what it will be like? Or perhaps it's just time for a new nickname?
Then go to www.prisonbitchname.com, and find out what you name'd be if you were in the slammer - and were someone's, er, 'wife'.
If you know what I mean.

Soviet Underdog's bitch names are as follows:

Mikey's is Dildo Head
Danny's is Dirtbox Demon
Tom's is Soap Jockey
Chris's is Honey Hole

I quite like the last one.
Its good, that.

What do you fancy for Xmas?
A new Soviet Underdog live CD, perhaps?
Then worry no more, your festive wish shall be granted!
Email me at cath@candyproductions.co.uk with your name & address and I'll post a CD or two out to you.
If you want something a bit more complex, like Orlando Bloom or Kirsten Dunst as a pressie tho then that might be a little out of our reach. You can email Santa, though! Get in touch with him via this website as you never know!
It probably won't work, but hey it's Xmas.

November 2005 EDITION
Also Suit For Sins is featured on Dave Monks' BBC Liverpool Show The Pool this month.
You can hear the 30 minute show here
A big 'ta, very glad' goes out to Dave for giving the song an airing!

Soviet Underdog are back in live action now, eveybody who went to their Liverpool Music Week gig it was a kinda strage one, with our hard rock foursome sandwiched between indie bands, but it was agreed all round that they won all and sundry over.

Love and harmony across the genre divide!

Thanks to all who came down to the Las Vegas venue to see the band and also to the rock dudes and dudettes who signed up to the band's mailing list, collected by the lovely Holly who's helping us out with some promotion at the moment.

Come up and say hello at any of the gigs, we're pleased to have folks join us. And if you do we'll give you a free - yup, that's right, free - live CD of Soviet Underdog's performance at Las Vegas.

Andy, the Candy King, is about 6 foot tall and usually is seen to be dancing wildly and waving his limbs around sparodically, whilst hollering 'Up the Dogs!'
I, Cath, Candy Queen, can be indentified by the camera I hold in one hand and the pint of Guinness in the other.

This is the band:



So now there's no excuse to come along & say hi.

We're pleased to report that newbie members Tom & Chris are settling in champion, like.



Check out Soviet Underdog's new & improved website which includes new tracks that they're recording with Andy in our studio. Note these are demos only!

Website domain names that should have been looked at closer...
1) Who Represents?, a database for agencies to the rich and famous:
www.whorepresents.com

2) Experts Exchange, a knowledge base where programmers can exchange
advice and views:
www.expertsexchange.com

3) Looking for a pen? Look no further than Pen Island:
www.penisland.net

4) Need a therapist?
www.therapistfinder.com

5) Mole Station Native Nursery, based in New South Wales:
www.molestationnursery.com

6) Gas central heating anyone?
www.gasheating.co.uk

7) New to Milan and you need electric light? Why not sign up on-line with Power-Gen? www.powergenitalia.com/

(I acknowledge these have been nicked from the Tipsheet messageboard, but were so funny they had to be lifted and included)


What's IN and OUT at Candy

IN

Kanye West slapping Dubya down

Click on photo above to view West's blistering attack on George W Bush's slow response to the needs of those in New Orleans + the hip hop star's comments about racist media reports. More here + here.

War Child Music's Amnesty Chiefs
War Child Music, the website that supports the work of the War Child charity, have come up with a novelty fundraiser. They are asking for those who get sent loads of promotional tat to donate stuff they don't want to War Child Music. They will then sell itoff via a special War Child eBay auction.
To kick off, they are looking for individuals at different music and media companies to put themselves forward as a War Child Tat Amnesty Chief.
Their job will then be to let as many people in their company know about the scheme, and to go around their offices recruiting tat for the auction. The company who generates the most tat will even win a cup!

Anyone interested in becoming their company's Tat Amnesty Chief should email katieb@warchild.org.uk

Bash The Frog



Major Record labels having to admit they pay radio station to play their records
LOOSE LIPS HELP SPITZ SINK BMG By TIM ARANGO (New York Post)

How's this for unlucky in love?
A Sony Music promo exec unknowingly sparked Attorney General Eliot Spitzer's major payola investigation when he started hitting on a woman at a poolside bar at a Miami hotel last year.
The exec bragged about some of the excesses in his line of business, according to chatter in music industry circles.
The executive must have felt pretty good, as the attentive woman probably hung on his every word. He must have thought he was spinning a Gold Record.

But not so fast.
It turns out the woman who was the object of his affection worked in Spitzer's office.

Ouch!

Nearly a year — and many subpoenas later — SonyBMG was forced last week to cough up $10 million after Spitzer found evidence that promotion executives routinely bribed radio programmers to play their music, a violation of so-called payola laws.
The poolside encounter explains why the payola probe zeroed in on Sony first, say sources.
With SonyBMG having settled, the three other major music companies — Universal Music, Warner Music Group and EMI — are waiting for their turn to write multimillion dollar checks to Spitzer.

Don't know whether the unnamed exec got her number, but one thing is for sure: She got his.

Make Doherty History
Does exactly what it says on the tin. Well, almost.

The BPI shooting itself in the foot
Ah yes it's always good to hear the indie label's friend the BPI (British Phonographic Industry) making a fool of itself - this time, they're fining the mother of teenage girl no less than £2,500 for downloading music from t'internet. Apparently it's quite clear that the woman has no computer knowledge whatsoever and lives in a modest house in the Midlands and is obviously a decent sort.
It hasn't stopped the good ol' BPI from prosecuting her, however. I've said it once and I'll say it again - it's only the music industry that would dream of suing their own customers.

OUT!!!!!
Charity wristbands
Look at me, everybody! I give to charity!

MacDonalds.
We don't care if you serve salads and Quorn products now. We still aren't going to eat at your, er, 'restaurant'.
Have a look here to find out why.







Whoever bombed the Mosque in Birkenhead after the London bombings
Don't be so bloody stupid.
If it was one of those far-right groups who pathetically keep trying to get elected and stir up racial hatred in the area, fuck off.
You've been told before.
If it's 'misguided locals', for God's sake grow up.

Adults who ride their push-bikes on the pavement How old are you?

Middle of the road unsigned bands who bang on about being alternative (just 'cos they're unsigned) but would give it up like a cheap date if a major wafted a record contract and wad of moolah/wonga/greens under their noses.

Tracksuits tucked into socks. So when scallies fart they can keep it to themselves?

Trainers with flashing lights in the heel. Seriously not cool.

The f**king BNP. No explanation necessary.

Big Macs, Subway and Domino Pizza. Constipation food for sure. Make your own butties. Your bowels wil be grateful in later years.

Recent crop of singer songwriter s bothering the charts and always seem to be plugged during ad breaks on the TV. These include: James Blunt (Rhyming slang. I am convinced) + Damien Rice (boring, boring and there was no way Renee Zellweger would have gone out with him, btw) + Jack Johnson (fat bloke) + Stephen Fretwell (endorsed by Snow Patrol. I ask you) + Rufus Wainwright (whinge, whinge. His sister's album is much better).

OTHER STUFF

Anyone watch the X Factor recently? Note the Coors-style band The Conways? Louis Walsh didn't crack on he knew them…well he's been rumbled!

The Conways have had 3 singles and an album on sale in Ireland, and supported the Walsh-managed Westlife on their arena gigs in Ireland.
They also not attended Westlife's Shane Filan's wedding in 2003 but sang at it as well and were photographed with Louis Walsh at the event!

Sloppy work, Walshy!




SHARON OSBOURNE VS IRON MAIDEN UPDATE!!
Sharon Osbourne issued the following "open letter" to IRON MAIDEN manager Rod Smallwood:

"Rod,

"I found your statement to be completely void of the facts that led up to Saturday's show. Your press release was written like an old-time '80s manager, trying to use every opportunity to try and sell the record and the upcoming shows instead of just dealing with the truth.

"These are the facts:

"You claim to have been in the business for 30 years and have been to hundreds of gigs, but can you tell me how many times you have heard of an opening band talking sh*t about the headliner during their set and getting away with it? Not only is Ozzy the headliner, but he is also the man who is paying your band $185,000 a night. We gave IRON MAIDEN a chance to play to the biggest audiences they have ever played to in the U.S.A. We accommodated them with their stage set and at the band's request we even scoured the audience for people wearing IRON MAIDEN t-shirts and brought them down front during their set to make them feel more comfortable. Tell me, what other headliner would do that? Unfortunately those gestures were completely lost on Bruce Dickinson who for over 20 shows continually berated Ozzy and Ozzfest during his set.

"Over the last 10 years of Ozzfest, we have worked with over 200 bands. None of them were ever disrespectful to Ozzy or any of the other bands on the tour. But for 20 shows we were forced to hear Dickinson's nightly outbursts from the stage: 'When we come back to America, we'll be back with a proper sound system,' or "We won't be playing the same old songs every night (like SABBATH),' 'We don't need a teleprompter (like Ozzy)' and 'We don't need a reality show to be legit (again, like Ozzy).' Night after night we heard his complaints from the stage about how 'corporate' the venues were and how 'outrageous' the ticket prices were. Strangely enough, if you want to get a general admission ticket to stand in a field to see IRON MAIDEN at Reading this weekend it's going to cost you over $120. I would say that's very pricey, wouldn't you?

"When an artist comes on stage and says he's not playing the 55 minutes that he was allotted and that he is going to play for as long as he wants (cutting into SABBATH's set), I'm not going to let that happen. Dickinson was under the delusion that the 46,000 people in San Bernardino had come only to see IRON MAIDEN. He even proclaimed 'This is not the Ozzfest, This is Maidenfest.' I guess no one told him that we have an audience of 45,000 to 53,000 people every year in San Bernardino.

"Here's another fact for you. Bruce Dickinson's own band was embarrassed by him. IRON MAIDEN leader, Steve Harris, even came to Ozzy's dressing room to apologize to Ozzy for Bruce's behavior before MAIDEN took the stage in San Bernardino.

"It's shameful that Dickinson felt he had the right to air his issues publicly onstage every night as a way to boost his own ego. Dickinson never once came up to Ozzy and me to voice any concerns. He certainly had the opportunity to do so every night. If he wasn't able to show us that courtesy then why should I give him the respect to air my grievances with him in private? Ozzy's only interaction with Dickinson was on the first night of the tour. Ozzy, being the true gentleman that he is, passed Bruce in the hall and said 'Good luck and have a great show.' Unfortunately Dickinson felt the need to turn his back to Ozzy and walked away. Frankly, Dickinson got what he deserved. We had to listen to his bullsh*t for five straight weeks. He only had to suffer a couple of eggs on the head.

"On closing, yes, I did cut IRON MAIDEN's sound. This is the way I look at it: Ozzfest is our tour. We built it into something that's lasted 10 years now. We've been responsible for breaking many new bands and resurrecting the careers of former superstars. Part of our success stems from the fact that when a band is on Ozzfest we treat them with nothing but kindness and respect just as if we had invited them into our home. You can ask all of the bands who have been on the tour. They all describe it as the 'ultimate summer camp.' It's like one big family. Unfortunately Dickinson doesn't have the manners to realize that when you are invited into someone's home, are seated at their dinner table, are eating their food and drinking their wine, you shouldn't talk disrespectfully about them (Ozzy, BLACK SABBATH and Ozzfest), otherwise you just might get your ass handed to you. Every action has a reaction. Was Dickinson so naïve to think that I was going to let him get away with talking sh*t about my family night after night? I don't think he realizes who he's dealing with. I will not endure behavior like this from anyone.

"I know you would love to keep talking about this because this is the most press that IRON MAIDEN has had in the U.S. in twenty years, but let's move on, shall we?

"Sincerely,

"The 'Real' Iron Maiden

"Sharon Osbourne"

Maiden fans have hit back, though, coming up with the inspired 'fuck Sharon' website.
It says more or less what is says on the tin.
Click on logo to access

FREE MUSIC BUSINESS BEGINNERS GUIDE
Entertainment and media lawERS Davenport Lyons have produced a beginners guide to all the legal situations that can happen within the music industry; it includes aspects of artist management,
labels, publishers, copyright and much more.
It's all available in a free 33 page booklet which can be accessed, whilst stocks last, at this website

PAXMAN AND GALLOWAY CLASH
Respect party leader and pro-life supporter George Galloway clashed with the BBC's Jeremy Paxman after winning the Bethnal Green and Bow seat in the recent British general election on May 5th.
Galloway, whose supporters were accused of anti-semistism during in his campaign, took exception to questions focusing on his ousting of one of the few black female MPs in Parliament, Labour candidate Oona King. Watch it here



NME SPOOF WEBSITE
We're not ones to poke fun unecessarily (oh no) but this NME spoof piss-taking website is the best we've seen yet: LINK

MICHAEL JACKSON SPOOF
A little light relief (if you'll scuse the pun) here

DR WHO / THE LAST DALEK GAME
Discover what it's like to be a force of ultimate evil. You are the last Dalek. You must escape from VanStatten's base - but without Rose/Billie Piper's help, you'll have to use the alien artefacts to build up your power. Can you escape?
Click on logo (right) to play.

DEMO REVIEWS

FLAMING APES HEAD - DEMO
When we got this demo in, those in the Candy office got right excited, we did. So excited in fact that we went to their gig at the Zanzibar earlier this month. The three piece Liverpool/Leeds alternative punk three piece did a blistering set, energy abound it was. Watch this space for more developments.
Website: www.flamingapeshead.co.uk



THE LIKES - DEMO
The Likes are surely influenced by Merseyside's Half Man Half Biscuit, but with their loose garage sound having a more punk approach than their heroes. Oddly for a Manchester band you can hear Nigel Blackwell's fellow scousers Echo & The Bunnymen in there too.
Not sure what any of the three songs on this demo are called, but the first one has an impressive psychobilly bass which packs a fine punch.
Good to hear something a little different from our comrades up the motorway, I'd like to hear more.

WHAT'S GOOD ABOUT IT: Bass + attitude + they 'like' (sorry 'bout that, guys; couldn't resist) Liverpool bands.
WHAT COULD BE IMPROVED: Work on your melodies more

website: www.thelikes.co.uk

THREADNEEDLE STREET- DEMO
From Scotland, Threadneedle has a distinctive sound - clever synthesised backing, with a ska feel, the vocals I like as well -and almost baritone. Scotland produces some fine singers, this is more in the vein of Paul Haig (what's he up to now?).

WHAT'S GOOD ABOUT IT: Vocals
WHAT COULD BE IMPROVED: Work on the choruses

ALAN BURGE - 'FUNKY ENGLISH JUNK SATURDAY' ALBUM
Describing his music as '(loosely) rock genre', Scarborough-based Alan Burge ain't half bad. His voice is distinctive and engaging, and his lyrics are intelligent and quirky. Additionally, it might be an idea to cut down on the amount of instrumentation, some of the songs get a little claustrophobic and cluttered in places.
Also, I would suggest Alan breaks out of the studio and break his tradition of not doing gigs. Good sleeve on the CD, as well.

WHAT'S GOOD ABOUT IT: Lyrics + vocals
WHAT COULD BE IMPROVED: Excess instrumentation + do some gigs!!!

Website: www.alanburge.co.uk




WormwooD - '7 SONGS'
I don't usually like Belle and Sebastian type bands, as they usually give me stomach ache. But WordWooD, from Daventry and Rugby of all places, aren't half bad. Nice pretty tunes which could do with a bit more oomph, and the singing is in need of more welly too. Having said that, they can sing, which is a blessing.

WHAT'S GOOD ABOUT IT: Pretty tunes, vocal harmonies are quite lovely.
WHAT COULD BE IMPROVED: More passion, please.

L4T - 'THERE'S ONE FOR THE VIBE'
A Merseyside punk band who err on the side of caution is probably the best way to appraoch reviewing (in my admittedly lightweight manner) this five track demo. This band need to work on their choruses more, as at the moment they just don't stand out enough to sustain interest. Having said that, there's lots of energy there and although they tip their caps to Busted rather than The Clash they're still worth a listen.

WHAT'S GOOD ABOUT IT: Energy + really good CD cover.
WHAT COUL DBE IMPROVED: work on your choruses more + play gigs in Liverpool instead of the sticks (and that includes Birkenhead, btw)

Website: www.lookin4treasure.tk

MODERN WORKS - DEMO
Liverpool bands are often accused of being retro, living in the past...but that's probably people who haven;t heard Middlesorough's Modern Works, who sound more like a 1960s pop bands than the real thing. I'd put a fiver on it.
This retro thing could work for them, though.

WHAT'S GOOD ABOUT IT: Good melodic tunes + not afriad to pull on influences
WHAT COULD BE IMPROVED: Leave your Oasis leanings behind, they can't get arrested at the moment.

WARD-C - DEMO
Energetic punk is right, lads; this demo has loads of energy, a little lightweight for the Candy palate maybe but very commercial and sellable by the right label, we suspect.

WHAT'S GOOD ABOUT IT: Energy, energy, energy!
WHAT COULD BE IMPROVED: Don't send standard letters out with demos!

Website: www.wardc.co.uk






MATAPATAZI BOB - YOU LOOK SO MUCH BETTER (WHEN I'M PISSED) DEMO

I'm not sure why this band have sent us this demo. It's really sexist and I don't like it.
Also I love the Clash but not Clash copyists. Might go down well in a pub full of fat blokes but not at Candy Towers, thank you very much.

Website: www.gotham-records.com

In fact I'm pissed off now and to cheer myself up and you as well our dear reader, here's a picture of The Clash:

Ah, yes; I'm sure we all feel better now.




Candy Productions
Merseyside, England UK
Copyright 2004