TIME FOR CHANGE: An exclusive feature on The Theme's 2012 debut album! Check it out!

 

The Theme's debut album "Time For Change", released in 2012, was a real call to arms for guitar-driven rock and roll bands up and down the country. In 12 tracks it manages to recapture the imagination of the Britpop psyche and it provided a brilliant introduction to what this band stands for.

 

Check out our exclusive feature on this sensational album below. It features exclusive interviews with frontman Gary Davis and main songwriter/guitarist Paul Bassom. We also decided to conclude the feature with our own little review of the album.

 

Feel free to have a read and be sure to spread the word!

 

To stay up to date with future interviews and reviews you can like our Facebook page at the following link - https://www.facebook.com/aldorabritainrecords

 

Enjoy!

 

 

PART 1 - THE INTERVIEW

 

Hi Gary, how are you? I’ve just received a copy of your debut album and it is a really strong set of tunes; slightly more ‘rocky’ than the follow up EP “Hits the Sky”. What were the influences for The Theme when recording the album?

 

Gary: "The influences of 'Time for Change' was made up of the individual influences of all the band members as it was our debut album; from mod revival to 90s britpop. Songwriter Paul Bassom is influenced by bands such as the Small Faces, The Who, Ocean Colour Scene, The Jam and Oasis. Martin Gamby is a massive Moon fan and you can tell that in his drumming; he is also a lover of the mod revival period. Me, I loved the 90s britpop scene; that's what got me into music in the first place."

 

The title of the album is “Time for Change”. Where did this title come from? Is it a reference to the current music scene and the state of the charts?

 

Gary: "Yeah, I'd say that's a fair point. Two years ago I think there wasn't any energetic guitar bands; think the indie scene was a bit tarty, with Two Door Cinema Club, the Foals etc! Not to mention the manufactured TV rubbish like X Factor which is terrible and is killing music."

 

“First Time I Saw You” is a highlight for me; a song that you co-wrote with Paul. Love the tune and love the harmonica parts as well! What is this song and what influenced it?

 

Gary: "Think Paul came up with the gist of the story. It's about finally finding that one special person only to find that because of circumstances beyond your control it ends. Basically based on my bad luck with woman!"

 

You are currently working on the follow up to your recent EP “Hits the Sky”. How is this going? Any planned released date as of yet?

 

Gary: "Well 'Hits the Sky' is doing better then anyone expected (believe me though it's fantastic, if you ain't got it, get it!) We're buzzing from the attention we're now getting and wanna keep the momentum going, the new songs have been there for some time and the best thing is we can take our time as 'Hits the Sky' is still relatively new. We're hoping early next year for a release date."

 

What can the fans be expecting from the new EP?

 

Gary: "Expect the unexpected, really does take you on a rollercoaster ride. Again shows how the band has evolved."

 

What will The Theme be up to for the rest of 2014?

 

Gary: "Busy second half of 2014, obviously the new EP is now started but we also plan to keep plugging 'Hits the Sky' with some amazing gigs coming up, notably the O2 Islington at the end of this month with The Swiines."

 

 

PART 2 - THE QUICKFIRE ROUND

 

Favourite Beatle?

 

Paul: "George Harrison."

 

Favourite band?

 

Paul: "Small Faces."

 

Favourite new band?

 

Paul: "Temples."

 

Favourite song?

 

Paul: "All Or Nothing."

 

Favourite album?

 

Paul: "Moseley Shoals."

 

Vinyl, CD or download?"

 

Paul: "Vinyl."

 

When you press shuffle on your iPod, what is the first track that comes on?

 

Paul: "See Emily Play, Pink Floyd."

 

Style icon?

 

Paul: "60s fashion."

 

Favourite film?

 

Paul: "Goodfellas."

 

Favourite TV show?

 

Paul: "Only Fools And Horses."

 

Who would play you in a film of your life?

 

Paul: "Michael Caine."

 

Favourite food?

 

Paul: "Indian."

 

Football team?

 

Paul: "Crystal Palace."

 

 

PART 3 - THE REVIEW

 

The Theme's debut album "Time For Change", released in 2012, was a real call to arms for guitar-driven rock and roll bands up and down the country. In 12 tracks it manages to recapture the imagination of the britpop psyche and it provided a brilliant introduction to what this band stands for.

 

They hit the ground running with the britpop anthem of "Change of the Times" and send a clear message that they are the band to bring British rock 'n' roll back to the top. This message is solidified by "In This Town", which hints at influence from The Jam, and "Shake Up the Youth", which sounds as if it could have been written and performed by The Enemy.

 

Away from the full throttle rock 'n' roll there are tracks which are slower but equally as well designed to fill the stadiums. For example, "So Alive" and "Out of Control". And of course, the brilliant acoustic wonder of the album closer, "Opened My Eyes".

 

However, the strongest tracks on the album are without a doubt the harmonica infused "First Time I Saw You" and "Face in the Crowd". These tracks manage to fuse multiple styles together to create classic Theme tracks - rock 'n' roll, britpop, British blues, indie and ska.

 

This album, all in all, is a must have for any lover of guitar driven indie rock and roll. Get your copy now!

 

 

All photographs are taken from the official Facebook page of The Theme.

 

Be sure to get yourself a copy of The Theme's sensational debut album "Time for Change". Their follow-up EP "Hits the Sky" is also available now!

 

 

Hope you enjoyed this feature on The Theme!

 

Be sure to check out our previous feature on Groovy Uncle and Suzi Chunk!

 

To keep up to date with The Theme follow this link - http://thethemeuk.com/

 

To keep up to date with Aldora Britain Records follow this link - https://www.facebook.com/aldorabritainrecords

 

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CIRCLES: Our review of the brand new single from The Broxton Hundred!

 

Below is our review of The Broxton Hundred's brand new single, 'Circles'! Enjoy!

 

To stay up to date with future interviews like our facebook page at the following link - https://www.facebook.com/aldorabritainrecords

 

 

PART 1 - THE REVIEW

 

"The Broxton Hundred are gathering quite a dedicated following throughout the UK and their brand new single demonstrates the reason for this. The single features two tracks; the a-side, 'Circles', and the equally good b-side, 'Time'. Both tracks retain the band's funk undertone that was at the forefront of last year's 'Higher Surroundings' EP but are even more catchy and you can easily see that The Broxton Hundred have developed as a unit in between the two releases. 'Circles' demonstrates a fine songwriting prowess and blends the psychedelic guitar with a funky rhythm section. 'Time' again features these qualities and is equally as catchy and danceable. These rhythms will definitely satisfy fans of the eighties madchester scene and specifically will be enjoyable for fans of the Happy Mondays and the Stone Roses. All in all, if the London trio carry on in this direction and carry on developing in between releases then there is no doubt that their time will come very soon!"

 

 

PART 2 - THE LIVE DATES

 

29th March - Cooking Soup Boat Party @ Bar & Co At Temple Pier, London

 

13th June - BWM Rally @ Santa Pod Raceway, Main Stage Supporting Stone Foundation and The Beat!

 

 

All pictures in this feature are taken from The Broxton Hundred official facebook page!

Thanks to Ben Adlam and all at The Broxton Hundred!

 

 

Hope you enjoyed this feature on The Broxton Hundred! Check out our previous feature on The Mono Polys!

Check out The Broxton Hundred and their brand new single here - http://thebroxtonhundred.com/

You can also like our facebook page to keep up to date with all future interviews at the following link - https://www.facebook.com/aldorabritainrecords

 

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DO NOT HAVE THE TIME: The boys from Likely Lads talk about their career so far and their new album 'The Maximator'!

Part one of Likely Lads' interview can be listened to here - https://soundcloud.com/aldorabritainrecords/likely-lads-part-1-the

Part two of Likely Lads' interview can be listened to here - https://soundcloud.com/aldorabritainrecords/likely-lads-part-2-the

 

Hope you enjoyed this feature on Likely Lads! Check out our previous feature on Ali Ingle!

 

Check out Likely Lads here - http://likelylads.co.uk/

 

You can also like our Facebook page to keep up to date with all future interviews at the following link - https://www.facebook.com/aldorabritainrecords

 

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OUR TIME WILL COME: Our interview with Little Liam from last week!

 

PART 1 - "THE INTERVIEW"

 

1 - What was your earliest musical memory and what pushed you towards pursuing a career in the music industry?

 

"Well to be honest I was never into music, I met Ocean Colour Scene very early on as Moseley Shoals studio was two minutes from my house and it was the band who really made me want to do music, Steve Cradock in particular. He gave me a guitar, a lead and a tiny Marshall amp and was politely told "now fuck off and practice"!"
2 - Had you been involved in any other band prior to Little Liam?

 

"I was in a band before Little Liam which was at first called The Priory and later The Absolute Beginners. I was in this band with Oscar Harrison's (Ocean Colour Scene) son Leon who was our drummer and also Dan and Dave on guitar and bass."
3 - How did Little Liam begin?

 

"Little Liam began years after my previous band ended. I was recording all my music at home and learning all the instruments to be able to make it sound like a band rather than on my own, we had problems with the last band and people left so it pushed me back a little bit, I went home and over the next couple of years went on to write most of the songs which we now play at our gigs!"

 

4 - Where did the name Little Liam come from?

 

"Well to be honest, this stuck from Moseley Shoals studio, the band used to call me Little Liam and it just stuck and was easier than thinking of a new name!"
5 - How would you describe the sound of Little Liam?

 

"We have tried to figure this one out ourselves because it's kind of unique but again we go with smooth rock."

6 - Your debut EP is an acoustic affair, featuring only Liam on guitar and vocals. Why did you decide to go down this route and not have the rest of the band playing on the EP?

 

"It wasn't something I had too much time to think about as I got an offer from the label in London and they was going to pay for it all to be mixed and mastered but didn't have time to write and create anything else, I stayed in STUDIO16 in Ladywood for seven days 24/7 and wrote eight new songs on piano, four of which ended up on the EP, if we had more time then it would have been a band EP for sure but there is more to come!

 

7 - The closing track of the EP - "Our Time Will Come" - is one of my personal favourites. What is the song itself about and what influenced it?
"Again I wrote "Our Time Will Come" and it's kind of something you wish for! I Love music and also my family and friends immensely and I believe if we all stick together the way we are and keep the passion then "our time will come"."

 

8 - Earlier this year you were joined on stage by Simon Fowler of Ocean Colour Scene. How did this come about and how did it feel to be playing alongside a true legend?
"AMAZING! Absolutely amazing! It's a weird one, Ocean Colour Scene were supposed to be playing in Scotland but unfortunately got cancelled and Simon seen us listed in the line up for Welfest so he contacted the organiser to ask me if he could join for a couple of songs! WOW! Ideally again, it would have been him joining the band onstage but it was all so quick we didn't prepare for it and if you have someone like Simon Fowler joining you, you HAVE to be on form!"

 

9 - Do you have any rituals before you go on stage?
"I like to sample some grass!"

 

10 - Any live dates coming up?

"Yes, we are playing at The Adam & Eve in Digbeth TONIGHT!"

11 - Any new songs in the pipeline?

"We have loads of songs we are currently working through to add to the set."

 

12 - When can fans be expecting the next release?

"Well we are going to either do another EP but this time with the band or an album, we are in the studio later in the year."

13 - Who would be your dream collaboration?

 

"Ocean Colour Scene and Paul Weller!"

14 - Who would be in your dream supergroup?

"That's a hard one, I dunno!"

PART 2 - "THE QUICKFIRE ROUND"
1. Favourite Beatle?

 

"Love them all."

2 - Favourite band?

 

"OCS."

3. Favourite new band? 

 

"Beady Eye maybe."

4. Favourite song? 

 

"Got too many!"

5. Favourite album? 

 

"Moseley Shoals and Marchin' Already."

6. Vinyl, CD or download?

 

"Vinyl & CD."

7. Style icon? 

 

"All the mods."

8. Favourite clothing brand? 

 

"I like Pretty Green."

9. Favourite film?

 

 "Wizard of Oz."

10. Favourite TV show? 

 

"Documentaries."

11. Who would play you in a film of your life? 

 

"Maybe Tom Hardy"

12. Favourite food? 

 

"Italian."

13. Football team? 

 

"Aston Villa."

 

Hope you enjoyed this feature on Little Liam! Check out our previous feature on The Impendium!

 

Buy Little Liam's EP here - http://www.griffiths-clothing.com/music/little-liam-the-beginning-detail

 

You can also like our Facebook page to keep up to date with all future interviews at the following link - https://www.facebook.com/aldorabritainrecords

 

AB Records

NO TIME FOR TEARS: Our chat with Scottish band Enemies Of The State!

PART 1 - THE 'INTERVIEW'

 

1 - Had you been involved with any other bands prior to Enemies Of The State?

Garry - "A few. Innocents Civilian, Social Schism, Genuine Fake Watches."

Kris - "I had been doing a solo thing with Garry and a couple of the other lads."

2 - How did Enemies Of The State begin?

 

Kris - "It started with my solo thing. I took a long break from writing and playing and during that break I decided I couldn't be arsed singing the same songs every other band was singing. "My burd broke up with me", "I'm skint", that kinda thing. I wanted the music to have an identity and a positive message and thought it'd be easier to do that as a band rather than just a singer and his band. Bit like Bruce Wayne turning into Batman."

 

Garry - "I annoyed Kris to play drums and he said "aye". Joe joined after he was in Innocents Civilian, and Sean was to join after our last guitarist, Jamie, had to leave 'cause he was at Uni down South."

 

3 - Where did the name Enemies Of The State come from? 

 

Kris - "It pretty much came from the film to be honest. I thought it was a fitting name for us. If you listen to the lyrics of our songs you'll understand why."

 

4 - How would you describe the sound of Enemies Of The State?

 

Garry - "Positive, warming, energetic, anthemic."

 

Kris - "An orgasm in your ears. Followed by a cuddle and a fag." 

5 - You've played live in many venues so far in your career and one of these was King Tuts in Glasgow. This is a legendary venue and something that Scottish bands dream about doing. How did it feel playing a set there?

 

Garry - "Very hot and sweaty but a great experience. The crowd were amazing that night."

 

Kris - "There's a bit of magic in the air at Tuts. It's strange. It's one of those ones that you want to cross off your list if you're in a band."

 

6 - The latest song to be released on your soundcloud page is 'No Time For Tears' - a catchy pop song. What is the song itself about and what influenced it?

 

Kris - "It came from a Dr. Bruce Lipton talk about the evolution of the butterfly. Basically, the way to look at Earth is as a living entity, much like the human body. When the cells in the human body stop working we become sick or die. We are the cells in the body of Earth and if all we can do is fuck each other over, fight each other and kill each other, then we're making the planet unwell. There's some other references there but that's basically it." 

7 - Who would be your dream collaboration?

Kris - "Liv Tyler, for non musical reasons."

8 - Any new songs in the pipeline?

Kris - "I always try and write songs. Its hard to keep the momentum going sometimes but aye, there's one or two in the pipeline right now."

9 - When can fans be expecting a new single, EP or album?

Garry - "Probably round October. It's going to be called Open Your Eyes."

Kris - "We could probably release it now but we'd rather have a handful of songs to choose from."

10 - Any live dates coming up?

Garry - "Just a few set in stone. O2 Academy - 21st September
Broadcast (supporting Coasts) - 18th October."

Kris - "We've two in pipeline the now which will be November and then a big one in December to finish a good year for us. Nothing we can confirm yet though."

11 - Who would be in your dream super group?

Garry - "Freddie Mercury - vocals, Slash - lead guitar, Flea - bass guitar and Kurt Cobain - rhythm guitar."

Kris - "Enemies of the State."

 

PART 2 - THE QUICKFIRE ROUND

1 - Favourite Beatle?

Garry - "Lennon."

Kris - "Yoko Ono."

2 - Favourite band? 

Garry - "Nirvana."

Kris - "Right now, Queens of the Stone Age."

3 - Favourite new band? 

Garry - "Hurts."

Kris - "Tempt Fate."

4 - Favourite song? 

Garry - "Those Were The Days of Our Lives by Queen."

Kris - "Dylan, Forever Young."

5 - Favourite album?

Kris - "Actung Baby" 

6 - Vinyl, CD or download?

Kris - "Download. Don't have much of a choice nowadays."

7 - Style icon?

Kris - "Bill Cosby."

8 - Favourite clothing brand? 

Garry - "Vans."

Kris - "If it keeps me warm, that'll do for me."

9 - Favourite film?

Garry - "Liar Liar."

Kris - "Pans Labyrinth."

10 - Favourite TV show? 

Garry - "Breaking Bad."

Kris - "Game of Thrones."

11 - Who would play you in a film of your life? 

Kris - "Danny Glover."

12 - Favourite food? 

Garry - "Steak. Medium rare."

Kris - "Same. Any man food actually."

13 - Football team? 

Garry - "Glasgow Celtic."

Kris - "The Hurricanes. Remember them?"

 

 

Hope you enjoyed this feature on Enemies Of The State! Check out our previous feature on Blackjack!

 

Listen to Enemies Of The State here - https://soundcloud.com/enemiesofthestate

 

You can also like our Facebook page to keep up to date with all future interviews at the following link - https://www.facebook.com/aldorabritainrecords

 

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