SPINAL TAP Q&A

Event information

FILTER MAGAZINE USA PRESENTS
In association with Cancer Research UK and IMIW presents:
ALL PROFITS GO TO CANCER RESEARCH UK CAMPAIGN

SPINAL TAP Q&A FOR THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THEIR FILM
PLUS LIVE: THE CHAPMAN FAMILY, THE OFFICIAL SECRETS ACT, DIRTY HARRY, GIRL PECULIAR, LIKE A THIEF
DJ SETS FROM JOE LEAN JING JANG JONG & GOLDIELOCKS
COMPERED BY JEFF LEACH (TV PRESENTER (C4,BBC2) AND COMEDY WRITER)

In aid of Cancer Research, all gig profits go to the charity as well as the auction of The Fender® Stratocaster has been on a national tour of music hot spots around Britain including Liverpool Sound City, to be signed by names like Status Quo, The Wombats, White Lies, Little Boots and Hollywood actress Juliette Lewis.
BUSKING CANCER
Musicians across the UK from Belfast to Brighton are signing up for Busking Cancer Week 2009! How you plan your busking event is completely up to you (that's part of the challenge) and anyone can sign up! JUNE 20TH-27TH
www.buskingcancer.co.uk

Filter Magazine
Good music will prevail. These are the words that we here at Filter live by. In an ever-evolving musical landscape, we're here to help. Through Filter's various outlets - our informative website, our irreverent blog, the good music guide, our local events and the jewel in our music-loving crown, the magazine - we want to help you discover your new favorite band.
Visit us at www.GoodMusicWillPrevail.com
www.filter-mag.com

JOE LEAN AND JING JANG JONG DJ SET
www.myspace.com/jingjangjong

GOLDIELOCKS DJ SET
People always ask me what style my music is. I don't know really, a bit of Electro, a bit of Grime, a bit of Dub, a bit of Garage, and a bit of Pop.
www.myspace.com/goldielocksmusic

THE OFFICIAL SECRETS ACT (CANNOT BE ANNOUNCED TILL JUNE 16TH
Straight from the launch of the NME Festival launch part at the O2 academy. Variously described by Steve Lamacq as “the most lyrically erudite band I’ve heard in a while,” by The Guardian as “thunderously exciting” and by themselves simply as a “heart and soul” band, the immediately apparent truth regarding Official Secrets Act is the collective passion that seeps from them; informing every aspect of their sound, their prowess in a live setting and the very nature in which they exist – outside of any particular scene and befitting of the myriad influences that combine in forming their sweetly textured, dramatic and unashamedly ambitious indie-rock.
www.myspace.com/officialsecretsact

THE CHAPMAN FAMILY
picked to be one of NME magazines Top Ten Tips of 2009. They are as much inspired by folk music as hardcore punk and their occasionally chaotic gigs can change from euphoric to apocalyptic in an instant.
www.myspace.com/thechapmanfamily

DIRTY HARRY
Glam/electro/ grunge rocker Dirty Harry is back in England from LA and has teamed up with ex Prodigy and Towers of London axe man The Rev, Adam Hammond on bass and Steve McQueen on synths to form the latest Dirty Harry line up. The band are supporting Gary Numan across the UK this summer.
Dirty Harry are set to release a white label single "God Shaped Hole" in time for their next run of dates with Gary Numan.
www.myspace.com/dirtyharryrocks

SPINAL TAP Q&A:
INgrooves' Robb McDaniels presents a special guest interview with the men behind Spinal Tap - Christopher Guest, Michael McKean and Harry Shearer
25 June - 8.30 p.m at the ICA Theatre
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the cult classic film ‘‘This is Spinal Tap” and now England’s Loudest Heavy Metal Band, SPINAL TAP, is celebrating with the release of their first new album in almost two decades, Back From The Dead (The Label Industry Records/Artist2Market/INgrooves).

GIRL PECULIAR
She has also taken her act to America and danced and sang her songs on Hollywood Boulevard, Venice Beach and the on stage at the ‘Burning Man’ festival - Nevada dessert.
http://www.myspace.com/GIRLPECULIAR

LIKE A THIEF – Double ‘A’ Side
An eccentric take on dread and loss, growing up and falling in love…Like A Thief could steal your affection – The Guardian
“Over a Jilting rhythm Holly Lowe’s husky voice evokes the ever changing nature of the world, ..as a confident assertive woman, she knows what she wants and how” Q MAGAZINE
www.myspace.com/likeathief

About International Music Industry Week
IMIW is the UK’s most distinguished music industry trade event and will take place at London’s prestigious Institute of Contemporary Arts at the end of June. Located on the Mall, between Buckingham Palace and Trafalgar Square, music professionals from around the world will gather for two days of conference, business, showcasing and networking opportunities.
www.imiw.biz





FORGET AIR GUITAR! OWN A UNIQUE FENDER STRATOCASTER – AND HELP CURE CANCER

MUSIC fans are being offered the chance to own a unique guitar autographed by a host of rock and movie stars – and help cure cancer at the same time. The Fender® Stratocaster has been on a national tour of music hot spots around Britain including Liverpool Sound City, to be signed by names like Status Quo, The Wombats, White Lies, Little Boots and Hollywood actress Juliette Lewis.
The tour is part of a musical fundraising initiative called Busking Cancer, which raises money for Cancer Research UK.
Legendary rocker Rod Stewart and Madness frontman Suggs are joint patrons of Busking Cancer and will be adding their names to the guitar at the launch event on HMS Belfast on the Thames this Saturday (Jun 20). Busking Cancer is a nationwide “gig” of bands, musicians and entertainers who take to the streets for a week-long musical fundraising drive to raise money for Cancer Research UK.
The initiative is supported by Fender - the creator of the iconic Stratocaster – and has taken the music community by storm since it began in 2006. This year Busking Cancer has joined forces with International Music Industry Week who have taken the Olympic white Strat to events up and down the country to be signed.

The guitar will be auctioned through Cancer Research UK’s Bay page from June 16-23. See: http://stores.shop.ebay.co.uk/Cancer-Research-UK-Charity-Auctions__W0QQ_sidZ651905945?_nkw=guitar

Jamie Latty, from Fender, said: “This is a great opportunity to own something completely unique – a superb guitar signed by some of the hottest names in the industry today. All you have to do is put in your bid. “And of course, the money raised will go to Cancer Research UK and could just help save someone’s life.”
The successful bidder will win the guitar plus two tickets to International Music Industry Week 09, to be held at the ICA, The Mall, London. The lucky winner will be presented with the guitar on Thursday June 25.
For more information about Busking Cancer visit: www.buskingcancer.co.uk
For more information about International Music Industry Week visit
www.imiw.biz


ENDS



About Cancer Research UK
* Together with its partners and supporters, Cancer Research UK's vision is to beat cancer. * Cancer Research UK carries out world-class research to improve understanding of the disease and find out how to prevent, diagnose and treat different kinds of cancer. * Cancer Research UK ensures that its findings are used to improve the lives of all cancer patients. * Cancer Research UK helps people to understand cancer, the progress that is being made and the choices each person can make. * Cancer Research UK works in partnership with others to achieve the greatest impact in the global fight against cancer.
For further information about Cancer Research UK's work or to find out how to support the charity, please call 020 7009 8820 or visit www.cancerresearchuk.org
For media inquiries, please contact:
Lynn Daly
Cancer Research UK
07766 070705 or 0207 061 8414
or email: Lynn.Daly@cancer.org.uk

INgrooves' Robb McDaniels presents a special guest interview with the men behind Spinal Tap - Christopher Guest, Michael McKean and Harry Shearer
25 June - 8.30 p.m at the ICA Theatre
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the cult classic film ‘‘This is Spinal Tap” and now England’s Loudest Heavy Metal Band, SPINAL TAP, is celebrating with the release of their first new album in almost two decades, Back From The Dead (The Label Industry Records/Artist2Market/INgrooves).
Street date is Monday, June 22,2009. SPINAL TAP’s last album was 1992’s Break Like The Wind.
On Back From the Dead, Tap members David St. Hubbins, Nigel Tufnel and Derek Smalls unearth their long-self-suppressed studio versions of the classic songs from the movie "This is Spinal Tap," as well as six new additional songs, and an exclusive hour long accompanying DVD featuring a track-by-track video commentary by the band. Back From The Dead also features guest appearances by Phil Collen, Keith Emerson, John Mayer and Steve Vai.
"This album title says it all. We're back from the dead. But we weren't dead. But we definitely are back," proclaimed Hubbins.
About Spinal Tap
SPINAL TAP formed in 1964 when good friends David St. Hubbins and Nigel Tufnel joined forces and formed The Originals. After finding out that there was already a group with that title, they would go through a series of name changes until finally joining up with bassist Ronnie Pudding and drummer John "Stumpy" Pepys, becoming The Thamesmen. After releasing two minor hit singles, ‘Gimme Some Money’ and ‘Cups and Cakes,’ Pudding left to form Pudding People and was replaced by Derek Smalls. With this line-up, the band recorded ‘(Listen to the) Flower People.’ A surprise hit, the single went gold in the United Kingdom and the band toured worldwide.
SPINAL TAP’s 1982 tour in support of the album ‘Smell The Glove’ was captured on film by director Marty Di Bergi resulting in the documentary “This Is Spinal Tap,” which the band immediately labeled a "hatchet job" and "character assassination."
In 1992, when SPINAL TAP seemed almost forgotten, they re-formed and returned to the spotlight along with a new album Break Like The Wind. In 2007, the band reunited to play the Live Earth Concert at Wembley Stadium in London to show their support for Global Warming.
On June 30, 2009, SPINAL TAP will reunite once again for their ‘One Night Only World Tour’ at London’s Wembley Arena.

THE OFFICIAL SECRETS ACT
Variously described by Steve Lamacq as “the most lyrically erudite band I’ve heard in a while,” by The Guardian as “thunderously exciting” and by themselves simply as a “heart and soul” band, the immediately apparent truth regarding Official Secrets Act is the collective passion that seeps from them; informing every aspect of their sound, their prowess in a live setting and the very nature in which they exist – outside of any particular scene and befitting of the myriad influences that combine in forming their sweetly textured, dramatic and unashamedly ambitious indie-rock.
Initially formed in Leeds (where they studied), Thomas Charge Burke (vocals, guitar), Lawrence James Diamond (bass, vocals) and Alexander Dunlop MacKenzie (drums, vocals) bonded over an old Marquee Moon cassette, ‘The Last Waltz’ and a desire to create a band musically both passionate and intelligent. It’s fair to say, however, that Official Secrets Act only became complete once Michael Andrew Evans (guitar, harmonium, Roland, drums) came on board after seeing the band play a characteristically exuberant early show in Edinburgh (“he transformed everything,” says Burke). The show took place in the caves beneath the city – a triumphant underground party that saw the band disseminate invitations far and wide across the Fringe-struck capital.
With Evans onboard and strong impetus to write and nothing but (“we felt like a whole new band”), they decided to take the plunge, quitting their jobs and decamping from London to Manchester in July of last year, where Diamond had secured the use of a flat for a month through friends who worked in the bar downstairs. This period (which soon swelled to two and a half months) proved an astonishingly productive – and in retrospect, hugely important – one for the group. Living out of each others’ pockets in squalid and isolated surroundings they played for hours a day high above the centre of Manchester, pushing their sound in ever-adventurous new directions.
With not enough beds to go ‘round and a temperamental gas supply resulting in meals being finished in nearby restaurant kitchens (“we had to beg them, and the kitchen’s in full view of the restaurant,” MacKenzie remembers) – it wasn’t the most comfortable of livings, but it had its perks for a young band shaping their sound. “The pub would be pumping Clash songs through our floor ‘til about three in the morning and we’d be playing along to them,” Diamond fondly recalls, while Charge’s abiding memories are of watching countless Beatles and Clash documentaries at night and buying dusty vinyls from the Northern Quarter by day. Indeed, it’s no stretch to suggest the classic British pop sensibilities of both acts impacted on the raft of material the band came up with during their stay.
Discussion of the band’s varying musical preferences yields – on top of the aforementioned – references to Talking Heads through Bright Eyes, Vampire Weekend through Neutral Milk Hotel. And while Official Secrets Act may not share a great deal with these bands on the surface, it is in the fervour and joy they incite with their music where the similarities are found. Having said that, the deep, brooding swirl of ‘A Head For Herod’ recalls to some degree the rich soundscapes of Talking Heads, while the choppy, angular pop of anthemic forthcoming single ‘So Tomorrow’ marries the young and sprightly tendencies of a band like Vampire Weekend to the keen lyrical observation and melodic sparkle of a top-of-his-game Jarvis Cocker. A stamp very much their own is placed on these tunes, which see Burke’s pristine, distinctive lead vocals bolstered by the band making a joyous rules free racket in the background.
Their eventual arrival at the staunchly independent One Little Indian label follows the fine ‘Victoria’ single release on Weekender Records (a shining example of their pop leanings and boisterous energy) and their humble beginnings in Diamond’s Leeds basement. Glowing notices have surrounded live appearances in the capital of late (publications such as NME, Artrocker and Time Out quick to heap praise on the quartet), where they’ve shared stages with the likes of Thomas Tantrum and Pete And The Pirates, gradually furthering their cause as one of the country’s tightest live bands. The recent Offset Festival also found the band making their festival main stage debut, in a superb showing preceding the legendary Gang Of Four who headlined later that night.
The forthcoming debut album from this young band is shaping up to be something very special indeed – as they build on and elaborate their unique, strident sound; distancing themselves from the reams of faceless indie bands Britain produces and reaching for the sky. Up their sleeves Official Secrets Act hold a brave, urgent and infectious opening gambit; shaped as much by the minutiae of everyday life and the decisive wordplay of great poets past as what it means to be young, quizzical and coming of age in 21st Century Britain. It’s sure to gain them the audience they so richly deserve.
www.myspace.com/officialsecretsact

THE CHAPMAN FAMILY
'Destined for greatness.' NME, April 07

The Chapman Family played their first gig on May 5th 2006 and have been preaching their own particular brand of family values up and down the country ever since. They've played over 250 gigs and supported the likes of We Are Scientists, 80s Matchbox B-Line Disaster and Future of the Left on the way. Also in this time they have appeared on compilation CDs for Dance To The Radio, Artrocker Unsigned, NARC Magazine and Firestation Records in Germany as well as getting played on local, national, international and British Armed Forces radio including Radio One and XFM and getting featured in Artrocker and the NME, and chatting to Tom Robinson and living legend Steve Lamacq live on air on BBC6 Music (with whom they have won demo of the week twice). They also recorded a session for Radio One at Maida Vale studios in London, which was aired in September 2008 and were picked to be one of NME magazines Top Ten Tips of 2009. They are as much inspired by folk music as hardcore punk and their occasionally chaotic gigs can change from euphoric to apocalyptic in an instant. Equipment is often left damaged in a heap onstage, dripping with sweat and blood from being beaten to within an inch of its life long after the final note has been struck. They also sometimes write nice songs.
The Chapman Family released a limited edition single on 27th April 2009. "Kids" is available on &" orange vinyl from all good independent record stores or via iTunes. It received its first airplay from Jon Kennedy on XFM on 18/03/09 and from Zane Lowe on Radio One on 23/03/09. It has also since been played by Tom Robinson and Steve Lamacq on BBC6 as well as being playlisted by XFM and NME Radio. It was also listed as Number One in the Top Ten Tracks to Listen to This Week in the NME, 04/04/09
In Spring 2009 The Chapman Family were chosen to be one of the four bands to go on NME Magazine's annual "new music" tour. The tour, running from April to May, calls into Nottingham, Bristol, Wrexham, Oxford, Manchester, Leeds, Preston, Glasgow, Birmingham, Portsmouth, Stoke, Norwich and London. Also on the bill are electro popste La Rouz, italo disco's Heartbreak and the indie funky Magistrates.
In June 2008 The Chapman Family were picked to play on the BBC Introducing Stage at the Glastonbury Festival. Despite Paul getting his entire tent and all his belongings stolen, the rain falling down, unhelpful stewards who looked like Rutger Hauer giving out incorrect information and having to borrow a tiny amp at the last minute before going onstage, the band had a brilliant time and played to one of the biggest crowds on the BBC Stage over the whole weekend.
This was all done without any management*, agents* or promotional team*. It was done with a Citeron Estate, a Nissan Primera (now deceased), a Renault Clio, an infinite number of broken guitar strings, numerous broken distortion pedals, six damaged or destroyed electric guitars, three destroyed bass guitars, four damaged or destroyed bass players, two battered drum kits, three bass amps damaged beyond repair, four damaged guitar amps that undergone repair (one with its frequency settings permanently destroyed), one glittery dress, two desroyed relationships, fifteen black shirts, five black ties, some Doc Martins and a stereotypical northern working class work ethic.
www.myspace.com/thechapmanfamily

DIRTY HARRY
Glam/electro/ grunge rocker Dirty Harry is back in England from LA and has teamed up with ex Prodigy and Towers of London axe man The Rev, Adam Hammond on bass and Steve McQueen on synths to form the latest Dirty Harry line up. The band are supporting Gary Numan across the UK this summer as well as hitting the London circuit at venues such as The Monarch, Hoxton bar and Kitchen and Proud Gallery.
The band have a new album in the pipe line and having recently recorded tracks with FreeLance hell raiser have secured some high profile support slots.
Brit born Dirty Harry recorded her debut album in L.A with mulit-platinum Grammy nomintated rock producer Luke Ebbin (Rival Schools). ,. Since starting young and having a hit single in Europe when she was 15 she has been in the Johnny Lee Miller film “Plunkett and Macleane”; had her own imprint Dirty World Records through Telstar Records at 19; had a single called Imagination enter the top 40 in the UK charts; appeared in the infamous episode of Faking It where she taught a reluctant choir girl to be a rock star; moved to LA and been shot by Mick Rock for Babe of the Month in Playboy clothed; recorded a duet on Tommy Lee's album and collaborated with Cradle of Filth. Add to that a supporting Razorlight in LA to her friendship with her friend and supported Courtney Love and she has certainly cemented her rock credentials.
Now she's back in her own words with her intergalactic hybrid of RockNRoll/electro/Glam/80's shizz and not too be missed!!
By her side is Lead Guitarist The Rev formally of Towers of London and The Prodigy. Rev recorded and released debut album "blood Sweat and Towers"with the TOL in 2004-2005 releasing 5 singles in the UK and USA enjoying chart success with all.During years of touring the UK, Europe, USA and Japan he met Harry at Towers of London's sold out show at the Troubadour in Hollywood they stayed in touch and after leaving Towers in 2007 and enjoying a successful 2 year stint as The Prodigy's guitarist they got together to form the new Dirty Harry.
Dirty Harry are set to release a white label single "God Shaped Hole" in time for their next run of dates with Gary Numan.
www.myspace.com/dirtyharryrocks

JEFF LEACH
Jeff Leach is a presenter, DJ, comedian and actor with no fear and plenty of purpose. A cheeky north London lad who has trodden the boards since he was old enough to speak over the rest of the family, Jeff never sleeps and has crammed a lifetime into his 25 years on this planet.
Starting out working in commercial radio at Mercia FM, Kerrang and Xfm and running clubs and live events at the Camden Barfly whilst putting on huge groundbreaking shows at the Coronet, Jeff is no stranger to the music industry. Under his DJ moniker Men In Masks, Jeff has played at every major UK festival and played extensively throughout Europe with immense live performances and numerous remix requests flooding through the door.
After playing at Bestival in 2007, Jeff met a producer back of main stage and managed to arrange a screen test in early 2008. What led from this was a career in tv presenting on BBC Switch’s The Surgery and Scene Stealers. In the past year he has stormed into focus as exciting new comedy presenting talent with shows such as T in the Park Festival, Big Brother’s Big Mouth, V Festival for Virgin On Demand, Celebrity Scissorhands and Comic Relief Naughty Bits. Not content with pushing his presenter profile alone, Jeff does regular stand up gigs, live sketch comedy gigs with his group The Story Pirates and is writing both radio and tv comedy pilots.
Jeff wants world domination, and he is determined to take every single one of the Great British public with him. Packed lunches will be provided.
www.myspace.com/jeffleach

JOE LEAN AND JING JANG JONG
www.myspace.com/jingjangjong

GOLDIELOCKS
Alright? I'm Goldie, I live in Croydon. I'm 75% English and 25% Swedish.
I'm a producer and 'rapper' / singer. I'm not very techy, I don't like wires or being a computer boff, it takes me a while to work things out but when I work it out it sounds amazing. To me anyway.
I'd rather have respect than money, and I am ALWAYS original. There is nothing more I hate than copy cats or fakers. I hate people who chat bullshit, drop names or buy champagne. Music means more to me than a new car, fresh garms or a chain.
So far I've had 2 singles and an EP released through Locked On, I have a publishing deal with Puregroove, songs featured in the film 'Adulthood', played at some amazing places around the world and been in some cool magazines. Not bad for a girl from Croydon who left school at 16 to go and work in JD Sports, but I'm still only just starting.
I always have and always will be independent. I run my own empire. I have the last say. I don't rely on other people to do anything, because they always fxxx it up. I don't care if you hate what I do, because there's a small percentage of people who love it.
People always ask me what style my music is. I don't know really, a bit of Electro, a bit of Grime, a bit of Dub, a bit of Garage, and a bit of Pop. I more look up to guys than girls, I've never been a girly girl and most females in the music industry are used, abused, and rubbish (or groupies).
www.myspace.com/goldielocksmusic

Girl Peculiar is originally from Bolton, She began writing then performing her songs around Bolton, Manchester and Salford. This resulted in the building of a followIng in her local area as well as grabbing the attention of several local radio stations. In recent times Girl Peculiar has extended her musical wings, travelling as far a field as Australia and Tokyo. Gigging regularly also performing alternative burlesque. She took her ‘Neon Tokyo geisha girl act’ and performed at the notorious Ruby Room Tokyo. She has also taken her act to America and danced and sang her songs on Hollywood Boulevard, Venice Beach and the on stage at the ‘Burning Man’ festival - Nevada dessert.
http://www.myspace.com/GIRLPECULIAR