Brad B. Wood - Vocals, guitars
Conrad Astley - Piano, keyboards
Chris Evans - Bass
Ian Findlay - Drums
Roger Williams - Lyrics
Other musicians on For The Masses: Rob Turner - Drums, Matt Maher - Percussion, John A Stewart - Bass, Natalie Barlow - Backing Vocals.
Influences
Sounds Like
Belle and Sebastian, Kings of Convenience, Badly Drawn Boy, Magic Numbers, Postal Service, Death Cab for Cutie
Merchandise are returning with another slice of pure pop gold.
Hot on the heels of last year’s much praised single Sometimes, and offering another tantalising taste of their forthcoming album For the Masses, Listen Up! is so life affirming the band had no choice but to stick an exclamation mark after the title.
While Listen Up! may be a tale of heartbreak and emotional torment, it is told against a sparkling musical backdrop – a tune more infectious than a winter flu pandemic and a pounding beat which sounds like it’s just punched its way out of a Wigan Casino all-nighter.
This acoustic guitar driven two and a half minute gem showcases the electronic production techniques and pop songwriting that have become Brad B Wood and Conrad Astley’s trademark, while pointing to the energy of the band’s live shows which include John A Stewart on bass and Matt Maher on drums.
At its heart is the irresistible refrain: “All I’ve ever really wanted is a girl to make me shout, Hey lads now listen up – this is what life’s about!”
B-side Lonesome Beauty, meanwhile, shows yet another side to the band’s musical vision, with gentle bossa nova and worn velvet vocals giving way to a blistering chorus, sly drum samples, and a bassline more groovy than anything heard since Chic were last in the house.
With both tunes, Merchandise have produced the perfect antidote to winter’s greys and blues, and have once again produced a familiar, yet unique cocktail of charming, disarming and seductive music.
So go on, treat yourself to a taste of Merchandise.
Press: Paddy @ Paddy Forwood PR on 01258 830 014 or pad.forwood@virgin.net
Radio/ TV: Liam Walsh @ Ask Me PR on 0161 832 9443 or liam@askmepr.com
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"Uplifting piano led pop with a summery tint to it…" Subba Cultcha.com
"This Breath of fresh air is the perfect introduction to Merchandise’s uplifting pop sound. A story told through stirring optimistic lyrics with a simple, catchy musical accompaniment, this radio-friendly treat has the potential to put Merchandise on the Map." Music Week
"This isn’t a record for the cynics or noisemongers amongst you, but there must be some pop fans left out there?" Diskant
"Almost guaranteed to have the listener skipping down a sun kissed Summer avenue."
Clash
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Just checking in to let you know The Shambolic will be playing at the N.E.C. Birmingham at Music Live - The UK's Biggest and Best Music Making Event 7-8th November.
Join us in The Surface Unsigned Bar on 8th November when we will will be playing acoustic.
THE VIOLET MAY @ Night & Day - Sheffields most talked about band at the mo - you may recognise fronman Chris McClure as the face of The Arctic Monkeys and Toddla T's debut
Support from The Causeway The Ambush The Minx No Flash
Hi there) Thanks for being our friend! Download for free our new EP "Starring" - 1 song from it will be on FREAK drama soundtrack Welcome to our page!)) Cheers from Ukraine
La Folie are back in town again and we playing at the O2 Academy on Friday 11th of Septmeber! It's £4 a ticket and you get in to Transmission afterwards for free! Entry to that is usually £5 so it makes blatent sense to come see us first and you save a quid as well! get in touch if you fancy coming down
Hi Brad, how are you? It's been a while! I came across an interview of yourself in the Salford Advertiser about a budget video shot in a local take away. when can we see it? I would like to send you a copy of my E.P for you to have a listen. Where should I send it? Thanks, All the best! Max
STRANGER THINGS HAVE HAPPENED - A PROMOTER LETTING PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT THEIR GIGS........WELL WE DO THINGS DIFFERENTLY AROUND HERE!!!!!
COME ON DOWN AND SUPPORT YOUR FELLOW MANCHESTER BANDS AND THE MANC MUSIC SCENE
ADVANCE TICKETS Sept 11th - Nice Peter @ Sub61 - American musical comedy genius follows hugely successful tours with a new Manchester date - £5 tickets from - http://www.wegottickets.com/event/53088
Sept 18th - The Violet May @ Night & Day - Sheffields most talked about band at the mo - you may recognise fronman Chris McClure as the face of The Arctic Monkeys and Toddla T's debut - £5 from - http://www.wegottickets.com/event/53191
Sept 25th - Doll & The Kicks @ Sub61 - As seen on 2 sold out dates with Morrissey @ Manchester Apollo - £6 tickets from http://www.wegottickets.com/event/50385
PAY ON THE DOOR GIGS August 1st @ Roadhouse - Sander Kommander, Der Die Das plus special guests - 7.30pm doors
August 7th @ Sub 61 - Sandbox, Daddys Milk, Elmer Thug and more TBC - 7.30pm doors
August 8th @ Roadhouse - Red Or Black, The Soul, Bonfires, Special K - 7pm
Sept 25th - Doll & The Kicks @ Sub61 - fresh from 2 sold out Apollo dates with Morrissey, D&TK returun for a headline show in Manchester - £6 from http://www.wegottickets.com/event/50385
LOTS LOTS MORE GIGS ON THE MYSPACE SO CHECK THE FULL LISTINGS......... IF YOU WANT TO PLAY A GIG FOR US MESSAGE US VIA THE MYSPACE
La Folie are having a launch party on the 8th of June at The Forum in Sheffield! £2 advance tickets/£3 on the door! Plus the added bonus of if you film some stuff from the night of us, you or anything else connected and send it us, we will send you a free copy of 'Risus Sardonicus'
Our latest all ages (16+) show has just been announced so make it down if you can cos this band will be massive
Let us know what you think of them
ADVANCE TICKETS
June 19th - The Ruling Class @ Manchester Roadhouse - Just been on tour with The Charlatans and The Twang - £5 tickets from http://www.wegottickets.com/event/47829
June 20th - The Sand Band @ Roadhouse - one time Coral guitarist and just played Manchester gig with Nick McCabe / The Black Marquee - £5 tickets from http://www.wegottickets.com/event/48101
Hey hey hey it's Jimmy The Fingers! If you haven't seen this video please take a peek... This is me singing my song "Grace." If you buy one mp3 this year make it a jimmy! BUY NOW – CLICK HERE!!!!!
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