Weekender Records - 2007

Bored, unable to sleep, I hate the period between xmas and new year when most sane people want to relax and recharge their batteries a lack of gigs meant I hit upon the idea of doing my 5 top highlights of the year for Weekender, the fact that it got me more excited than xmas and I could have done a top 50 says more for the quality of the preceeding months than anything else.

In a year that saw so much going on and so much ground work laid for 2008 it's borderline impossible to narrow it down. Particular highlights include seeing The Lines at The Borderline supporting The Crimea thanks to their drummer Owen and being totally blown away, then seeing the band's first foreign gigs in Austria and unfortunately seeing them wrestling naked to boot. Sure to provide many highlights for 2008, as are a revitalised Butterfly Bangs, with a new line-up and some cracking tunes to boot.

Austrian gigs showed a glimpse of the future for other bands with Kingsize picking up a whole new fanbase there from sharing the stage with The Pigeon Detectives and Ash and more than holding their own. Across the border in Germany The Indelicates proved that taste is in good order in that part of the world with none other than Eddie Argos sharing vocal duties when the band supported Art Brut. Celebrity love-in's weren't limited to Germany though with a People's Revolutionary Choir and Lea Shores gig at Hoxton Bar and Grill attracting Andy Bell (who'd go on to laud the latter to the moon), Gem Archer, Brett Anderson and blowing them away to a person. The People's Revolutionary Choir's gentle hell-raising and celebrity affiliations would even stretch to EastEnders Minty providing bongo's for them at the Proud Galleries.

It wasn't all a bed of roses, winning the equivalent of the Austrian track of the year Naked Lunch's Military Of The Heart failed to set the UK ablaze when arguably it's one of the best tracks in any country this year. The lows were few though and came with silver linings, The Rocks resurfaced with their best material yet and, whilst the UK didn't lap it up, fevered shows in New York, Budapest and Berlin proved the game is far from up for them. Other bands stood shoulder to shoulder with their touring partners as a matter of course it would seem, with The Disciplines shining supporting Snow Patrol at the O2 Arena, The Hussy's bettering Scouting For Girls and The Puzzle's sounds (complete with Rolan Bolan on record) matching a returning Kula Shaker.

Honourable mentions for the year go to the craziest fan, spotted dancing along to The Dash at The Good Ship in Kilburn, for Subliminal Girls tongue in cheek indie anthem Burn Koko coinciding with the demise of Gatecrasher and being picked up by the likes of Chris Moyles as a result. Five Fast Hits constant drinking showed the party never stopped and playing The Maccabee's a cover version of their material by Franklin, Tennessee's NiTasha Jackson for their approval and receiving a genuinely over awed response proved the music still took centre stage.

Without further dalliance though my personal top 5 Weekender act moments were as follows;

The Runners winning the Red Stripe unsigned music award. Having come onboard Weekender primarily to run an offshoot singles club as a result of a conversation post their gig at the club in Innsbruck this band have a lot of big moments this year for me. The band were also there the day I agreed to a full time role with the company but this isn't about me, it's about the boys. I happened to go to their gig at The Horn in St Albans and experience first hand the local buzz. I think the band themselves would admit to not really knowing this gig was of much importance at the time but seeing them several months later collect the award it was symbolic of how well they can convert a crowd. I didn't listen to any other bands that night as I'd punctured an eardrum the previous day but the night definitely belonged to them, as I'm sure 2008 will bear more than a sense of belonging to them also.

Look See Proof opening the John Peel stage at Glastonbury. Introduced to me by The Runners, Look See Proof also carry many big moments this year. From The Great Escape festival to London Calling in Amsterdam's Paradiso taking in Austrian gigs, Truck Festival, multiple MTV2 video plays, Twang dates including prestigious slots at Brixton Academy and Glasgow's Barrowlands. Glastonbury to me slightly edged it. It was here that the band went from being indie also-rans to future stars on one of the most revered stages in live music. With the album done early 2008 and the first North American dates slated just after the ascendancy continues.

Dogs at the 1234 Festival in Shoreditch. Dogs year saw the band release their second album, tour with The Twang and on their own headline tour, headline British Music Week across Germany and put in stellar performances at Reading, Leeds, T In The Park and Oxegen and it was live they were at their most devastating. The 1234 Festival was ambitious on the part of a label barely half a year old to have 13 of our acts playing and having to omit some others, the fact that many felt it was the most cohesive and consistently impressive of the stages was even more impressive. Dogs have a lot to thank for this. Never lacking in ability to get a crowd pumped up the eventual stopping of a free festival by the police proved just how riotously good they are live.

Eight Legs in Japan. Eight Legs releases had always been heavily imported into Japan so it was no real surprise for a Japanese licensing deal to occur, what did surprise though was just how well they would go down over there. Selling 3,000 custom made t-shirts and pulling in a similar audience all blown away for a performance in Tokyo is a sure sign that a band has got something right, that and the fact people had to pay to get into an autograph session and did so willingly. The afore-mentioned album is released in the UK early 2008 and anything like a similar response here would be another revelation.

The Lea Shores at the Royal Albert Hall. Another band first seen by myself at the club in Innsbruck, despite them being fellow Londoners, top the list of magic moments for me on quite selfish grounds. The band joined a very small and elite list of acts who I have welled up at whilst watching. In a year that saw The Lea Shores tour Europe with The Brian Jonestown Massacre, play Glastonbury, Latitude, Wireless and also support the likes of The Dandy Warhols and Kasabian it was a gig at The Royal Albert Hall supporting Kasabian that it really hit home the calibre of this act. The gig was for the horrifically worthy Teenage Cancer Trust and played host to numerous moments of greatness and pride, none less so than the soaring Velvet Lies, which induced the tearful emotions. Truly a special moment.

2008 promises many more memorable moments and music and we haven't even got to the debut record releases for Strasbourg's 1984, NiTasha Jackson, The Lines, The Author and Official Secrets Act yet!

James

The Indelicates album finished

The final touches have been made to The Indelicates debut album. Entitled 'American Demo' it has been produced by Brian O'Shaughnessy and is set for a March release. It will be preceded by the single 'America'.

Weekender invades Texas

March sees the annual musical carnival that is South By South West take over every conceivable part of Austin, Texas. Weekender acts will be in attendance, watch this space for dates and locations.

Weekender sign Official Secrets Act

We are proud to announce the signing of Official Secrets Act. Their debut single with us is set for March and is sure to be a stunner. Check out what all the hype is about when they play the first Club NME of the year at Koko on January 4th.

NiTasha Jackson's flying visit

To co-incide with her single release on February 11th of her version of The Maccabee's 'First Love' NiTasha will be flying over from Franklin, Tennessee. One date for your diary is Valentine's Day, February 14th, where she will be performing at 93ft East Club, be braced for some very special guests.

Eight Legs in Japan

December sees Eight Legs continue their bid for world domination with dates in Tokyo, Japan. December 7th sees them play Quattro Club and then British Anthems Festival on December 9th.

Dogs digital download

December 10th sees the digital download release of Dogs 'Chained To No One'. Exclusive to this release is a live version of the track and new track 'England's In The Wars'. The Scala gig on December 12th is now sold out through some outlets.

The Runners off to Cornwall

The Runners are Cornwall bound to record their next single at Sawmills Studios, the record is set for a March release. Next year see's the band playing gigs in Germany, Austria and Switzerland and some prestigious UK support slots. Check the gigs listings for more info.

Weekender night in Paris

February 7th will see Weekender acts performing at La Fleche D'Or in Paris. Strasbourg's own 1984 will be playing alongside Kingsize and The Indelicates. With the new high speed train connections from London there are no excuses!

Subliminal Girls back in Austria

Subliminal Girls are flying back to Austria in February for 2 shows. They will be playing the Flatline 2008 Festival and the Weekender Club in Innsbruck.

The Lines single launch

The Lines debut single 'Domino Effect' is out on February 25th on limited edition 7" and February 24th on digital download. The single launch is to take place at the prestigious Wulfrun Hall on Saturday February 23rd, get your tickets now!

Finance & Administration Manager

Weekender Records are looking for a new full-time member of the team to oversee the financial side of our operation. As part of our new and expanding company you will be in charge of credit and debit control, payroll payments, accounts administration, bank reconcilliations and be experienced in accounting royalties and PRS. Knowledge is required of SageLine50, MS Office and internet banking.

The job would also entail acting as office manager for our office based in North West London. Tasks to include overseeing staff welfare, office maintenance and general adminstrative roles. Applicants should be well organized, have strong communication and people skills with faultless attention to detail and be dedicated to quality in everything they do. You will also be liasing with our German sister label.

A love for music across genres and generations will help you to become part of one of the most exciting record companys in Europe.

Please email CV and covering letter to James Amner at Weekender Records via e-mail provided. No agencies or sales calls please.

Contact : james@weekenderrecords.com

Indelicates play Bar Monsta

Marking the release of their new single 'Sixteen' the Indelicates are playing Bar Monsta in Camden on the 24th October.

Dogs Announce Scala Gig

Dogs have announced a gig at the London Scala on 12th December to coincide with the digital release of their forthcoming single on Weekender Records, 'Chained To No One' (released 10th Dec). The single is the fourth track to be taken from the album 'Tall Stories From Under The Table' and a date at the prestigious Kings Cross venue celebrates this in style.

Eight Legs to support The Pigeon Dectectives in London

Eight Legs are to support The Pigeon Detectives at their sold out London Forum show by request of the band, having sucessfully supported The PDs across Germany and Austria this summer.

The Lines/The Runners in Austria!

The Runners and The Lines will play two dates in Austria after Look See Proof and Kingsize recently played there supporting The Pigeon Detectives and Ash. Catch both The Runners and Lines at a great double bill on the 8th November @ Kufa in Kuffstein and at Weekender Club in Innsbruck on the 9th.

The Rocks new single Out Now!

The Rocks release their AA side 7" single today on Weekender! A 'The Game is Up' AA 'Too Much Too Soon' Buy it now!!

Look See Proof Tour

In an attempt at UK domination Look See Proof hit the road this week and won’t return until the middle of November. Initial dates are supporting The Twang on their mostly sold out tour including such prestigious venues as Brixton Academy and Glasgow Barrowlands before headlining their own shows for the final eleven gigs.

The tour also takes in appearances at the London Calling Festival at the legendary Paradiso in Amsterdam and Manchester’s In The City. The official Local Hero single launch party takes place at the 229 by Great Portland Street station in London on the singles release date, November 12th.