Tom Clarke Sets The Record Straight

Tom Clarke has set the record straight after several media sources took his twitter comments out of context, when he wrote about the plight of the UK music scene at the moment. Here is what Tom first wrote on December 23rd,

"Radio and music in general is fucking appalling at the moment, half these so called artist can't come back with a second single let alone an album of substance. It's all cool for five minutes then on to the next.... there are no career musicians in the charts at the moment."

"The closest thing is Coldplay, and although I do like their latest song, they have been churning out tired middle of the road impressions of themselves for a decade now."

"Why is nobody brave enough to make a great album. A record that can define a time? That can say what we're all thinking? Seriously? I got mildly excited when I heard the first Vaccines song, then they followed it up with a song about scuba diving equipment."

"People are so out of touch it pains me. I've still got the kitchen and bathroom to decorate but looks like we'll have to save music again ;) (the last tweet was half in jest. Only half mind."

Here are the press reports following those comments:
NME wrote: The Enemy's Tom Clarke has said that music is "fucking appalling at the moment" and believes it's up to him and his band to save it.

The singer posted a series of messages on his Twitter account earlier this week (December 23) criticising his peers for failing to be "brave" and making a "great album" to encapsulate the times.

Clarke, who is working on a third album with The Enemy that will be released in 2012, wrote: "Radio and music in general is fucking appalling at the moment.

"Why is nobody brave enough to make a great album? A record that can define a time? That can say what we're all thinking? Seriously?"

He later added:
People are so out of touch it pains me. I've still got the kitchen and bathroom to decorate but looks like we'll have to save music again.
Clarke, who later said he his messages had been "half in jest", told NME earlier this year that the follow-up to 2009's 'Music For The People' would see The Enemy return to the more direct sound of their 2007 debut 'We'll Live And Die In These Towns'.

The frontman also admitted that the LP would be make or break for the Coventry trio, adding: "This album will be the one that defines where that goes – whether it doesn't work and we go 'That's it' or we find the sound that drives us forward."

The Sun wrote: TOM CLARKE is so disgusted with the music in today's charts that he reckons his band need to save the industry.

The Enemy frontman said: "Radio and music in general is fucking appalling at the moment.

"Why is nobody brave enough to make a great album?

"People are so out of touch it pains me.

"I've still got the kitchen and bathroom to decorate but it looks like we'll have to save music again."

Tom later said his messages had been in "half in jest".

What the press failed to report were Tom Clarke's following comments, where he said:

"My 'save music' comment was completely tongue in cheek. Out of context - looks horrendous. I didn't take it out of context, other people did. However, I genuinely think the British music charts are a disgrace. They don't showcase British guitar music, and there is too much talent for radio to ignore. Somebody needs to do something to address it."

"Now what I was saying, is we're going to work our bollocks to try, and I'm sure there are many bands who are going to as well, and who are more than capable of doing so, and who I hope will! We're all in the same game, the same boat - bands can either stick together now and make a difference, and make the charts a more interesting place or they can bicker and divide fans."

"Personally, I wish every band the best of luck next year, because there is room for lots of them. Ultimately, people need to lighten up. It's not that I shouldn't be saying it, it's that every band should, and we should all be saying that together, we're all going to save music from the X Factor infested dribble that bothers the charts now days."

"We are working very hard, to try to make a difference. And I adore my fans, and ALL fans of proper music, whether they like The Enemy or not. Because really, at the end of the day, only they have the power to decide what is massive. Not radio, not the press - certainly not me. All I do, is try to do my job to the best of my ability, and listen to my fans, and my critics, because I care what people think."

"I hope that next year is a great year for us and that many other guitar bands return, and new ones break through. I want to save music and I want other bands to too. We all do! Then we can turn on the radio and dance our heads off all year long!"

Tom went on to say,

"If I knew NME would run a piece on it, I would've been much more careful with my words. I'm not an idiot, I know how it looks out of context. All guitar bands need to step up and save music this year -the UK is full of great bands. I don't think the NME twisted anything. I think the piece was bang on. The mistake was my lack of clarity on what I meant. For the first time in a long time, there are some genuinely good people who love music working at NME."

"Kasabian are the only light in a desolate wasteland of half hearted pish, Kasabian are real." Speaking about The Vaccines 'Wet Suit', Tom said: "Put a wet suit on go on go on....Why??? I live in Coventry? Are we goin' to the swimming baths? Speedos will suffice if so."

"The Subways are another example of a proper band. They put the hard graft in. Amazing to see them doing well. Big love for em."

"I should make clear I'm not having a pop at The Vaccines. It's good to at least hear some guitars on radio, and I haven't heard the album so I'm basing my entire opinion on one song, which is probably not fair. But still... Wet Suit? Really? It's been taken too seriously, when it was intended to be read with a pinch of salt."

"OK, I'm going to release a single about a snorkel. I'm not having a pop at em (The Vaccines), can't wait to sit down and listen to the album, just saying, Wet Suit is weak - and anyway, in context I was making the point that there's nothing on radio that says anything to me. Don't get me wrong, they're better than 99% of stuff on radio, just the Wet Suit thing went over my head. My comment was tongue in cheek."

"The Vaccines are one of the most exciting bands to break through in a long time. Got proper enthused , early (The) Doors when I saw them on Jools Holland. There is no question that they are better than 99% of the drivel out at the moment. The point I made earlier, was that after the ballsy guitar heavy early singles, Wet Suit left me a bit wanting. Now that's just my personal opinion, I meant no offence to the band, I think they're doing a great job in a difficult market and I look forward to having a proper listen to the album.

"I should have known by now that in the public domain people will jump on something you've said and apply unintended gravitas to a personal opinion. In general, I hope they (The Vaccines) do really well! Hope no offence was taken. From what I hear, the album is superb! Lots of Enemy fans think so!"

"Thank fuck for Kerrang Radio - without them I'd of thrown the car radio out the window long ago. Love XFM, just don't get it up here in Cov. I won't (be) apologising for saying I hope, and want to get more guitars in the charts and on mainstream radio."
"There's no denying there are plenty of great young bands about. The crime is that they're not on the radio and a load of shit is. (I've) seen Beady Eye loads now, love their energy, and Noel's stuff proves he's an epic songwriter. Would love another Oasis album."

"I don't want to offend people who are working hard and trying to get guitars bigger. What I've learnt over the years, is to try to avoid offending people with my mouth, and let the music talk. My plan is to work my bollocks off, record a guitar heavy album that is absolutely the best I can make, and hope (The) Enemy fans love it., and that some people who aren't Enemy fans are converted too. I think it's possible to do that, without talking trash and needlessly alienating people. Because ultimately, I care about people - without Enemy fans, we'd be three lads in a room who never got to make a record."

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The Enemy Set To Release New Album In May 2012

Music Week have been eager to share the good news that The Enemy will be releasing their third album in May 2012, alongside a UK tour. Read Tim Ingham's story below and pop over to Music Week for lots more news from the music industry......

Cooking Vinyl has scored a coup by signing Coventry-based three-piece The Enemy, with a new album set for release in May next year.

They join the UK indie label on a royalty deal for the world release of the LP, which they begin work on at Kore studios in Acton this month - with The Bronx’s Joby J. Ford in the producer’s chair. They will be announcing live dates to coincide with the album’s release.

The Enemy were previously signed to Warner for Platinum-selling debut album We’ll Live and Die In These Towns (No.1, 2007), and Gold-selling follow-up Music For The People (No.2, 2009).

Lead singer Tom Clarke was outspoken about the signing - and his former label: “My experience of record labels is as follows: the big ones have got big lawyers who want to pull your pants down and fuck you for fun while telling you they're doing you a favour. And they are all about one thing – money.

“The smaller ones are about two things – people and music. Success is possible because, when a small team of enthusiastic people care, they are capable of creating something that no big label or their lawyers can buy, passion. You can't take 25% of net passion.

“Cooking Vinyl have got bags of passion, and look where it’s got them; The Prodigy put out some of their finest work on Cooking Vinyl, The Subways tugging at the Radio One A list, that's a guitar band on the A list in 2011. That is where passion gets you, and right now it's gotten us into the studio, excited, enthused and passionate about being a band again. Something which our previous label miserably failed to achieve.

“Long live Cooking Vinyl and all the proud people who make it what it is.”

The Enemy are managed by Nick Ember and David Bianchi for Various Artists Management, whose roster includes Reverend & The Makers, The Libertines, Carl Barat, Charli Xcx and Killing Joke.

*Source: Music Week / Tim Ingham

* OFFICIAL Enemy website: http://theenemy.com

Interview: The Enemy Open Up To Grace

Here is the latest interview with Tom Clarke from The Enemy, as featured on thejitty.com - a website for young people in Leicestershire (with great taste in music!). The interview below is featured on their website, check them out for other great interviews......
Along with bands like Kasabian, midland rock outfit "The Enemy" (or if you're American, "The Enemy UK") have proven themselves capable of packing out venues such as Coventry's Ricoh Arena two nights in a row. They've supported legends The Rolling Stones, as well as Oasis and the Kaiser Chiefs, and there's a good chance that even if you haven't purchased any albums by The Enemy, you're likely to know some of their epic songs already, such as "Be Somebody". Grace, being a resourceful Jitty editor, and fan of The Enemy, tracks down Tom and asks him what the band have been up to lately:

You've been away for a while, what's been happening with The Enemy?

We took a little time out at the end of the last tour. We were all burned out after five years of touring and we needed some time to do normal stuff again.

We got back in the rehearsal room after about nine months and started writing for Album three. Since then we've written a lot of songs, narrowed it down to about thirty and we're now in the process of narrowing it down further to fifteen, which we will record and select the best ten/eleven for the album. Recording started this week and is sounding brilliant.

So in the press you've said to expect big things from The Enemy next year, what can we expect?

There will be a massive press tour in the early part of 2012 when we explain what the intricate plans are, but for now it's safe to say we'll be releasing singles in early 2012 and an album will follow shortly afterwards, within the first half of the year. There will be a massive open air gig in the midlands, and lots of festival appearances throughout the UK. We're looking to play in Scotland and Northern Ireland as well as the open air show, and we want to pay particular attention to London as I feel most areas of London are ignored by big bands. Then after the festivals, there will be an all out Enemy UK Tour. There will doubtless be shows in Europe, Japan and the states too towards the end of the year, but for now that's all I can really say.

You're working on a third album, what makes it different from 'We'll Live And Die In These Towns' and 'Music For The People?' Have you gone about writing and recording it in a different way from the previous two albums?

We've spent an unprecedented time writing. That's meant we've got a huge wealth of songs to choose from. We've never been in such a good position on album one or two where that's concerned. We're also working with a guy called Joby J Ford, who's from the American band "The Bronx" they're a proper guitar band, and the fusion of our uber Britishness and Joby's passion for big loud guitars and well recorded drums is a winning combination.

Obviously the enemy have been around for quite a while now, and you've said in an interview with the Coventry telegraph that it's really good that there's a new rehearsal studio opened in Coventry, what was it like when you were first starting out as a band? Where would you go to first start rehearsing?

When we first started we rehearsed in Leamington, under a railway bridge. A local Coventry band "Russian Girlfriend" owned a little rehearsal space there. It was £8 an hour, which we scraped together every Tuesday and spent all night there. Was brilliant fun. That said, there is a huge lack of rehearsal spaces, and creative forums in general for young people to express themselves. The new rehearsal rooms in Coventry marks the beginning of a council committed to caring for the creative people in our society. I think it's absolutely brilliant.

Do yourself, Liam or Andy have any side projects going on along side the band?

No not really...our focus has been Enemy Album Three. We want this album to be huge, we're working very hard to try and make an album that all the fans will love, that radio will play, and that will translate live since that's what the enemy is all about.

Finally being a local band yourselves and having a lot of experience, what tips would you give to bands that are just starting out, and if you could change anything about what you did while starting out what would it be?

Never give up. Lots of people will tell you it's impossible. We're proof that it's not. You get out what you put in, it's like any career, work hard and you will prosper. Take any opportunity, we played some right dives, because we were grateful for a gig... You have to have the right attitude, if you act like Bono before you've even sold a CD you're not going to go very far. We've sold a lot of CD's now! And I'm still grateful for every offer we get. Stay grounded, be nice.

To find out more about The Enemy you can visit their Facebook page here: http://www.facebook.com/theenemy

Source: Interview by Grace, as seen on thejitty.com

Twitter: TheJitty

* OFFICIAL Enemy website: http://theenemy.com

The Enemy Set For Biggest Coventry Gig Ever

Coventry Observer reporter Steve Carpenter said that The Enemy will be returning to the city for a massive future gig, here is his story......

ROCKERS The Enemy have revealed they will play their "biggest gig to date" when they visit Coventry as part of their 2012 tour.

The local band shot to fame back in 2007 with their debut album We'll Live and Die in These Towns and have since gone on to become one of the most recognised rock bands within the past ten years.

Tom Clarke, Liam Watts and Andy Hopkins, who were all back in the city on Tuesday to give their seal of approval to a new music venue in the Canal Basin, have kept a fairly low profile after releasing their second album, Music for the People, in 2009.

And Clarke revealed in a tweet that their new album will be launched early next year, which will include a UK tour across UK, which will include them playing in Coventry for the first time in two years.

"There will be a large open air gig in Coventry and it will be the biggest how we'll have put on to date," confirmed Clarke on the social networking site Twitter.

He added: "The album will be similar to the first but with everything we've learned over the last five or six years applies."

The band are planning "Major" gigs in Scotland, Northern Ireland and in the south and are set to appear at the majority of summer festivals next year.

*Source: Coventry Observer
* OFFICIAL Enemy website: http://theenemy.com

Tom Clarke Wants To Work With Coventry Artist George Shaw

Another Coventry Telegraph story focuses on Tom Clarke and Coventry artist George Shaw.....

THE Enemy’s Tom Clarke has said he would love the chance to work with Turner Prize-nominated Coventry artist George Shaw.

The Coventry band are about to record their third album after achieving mainstream success with their first two offerings We’ll Live And Die In These Towns and Music For The People.

Lead singer and guitarist Tom said the new album uses similar influences as before, writing about “what makes The Enemy tick” and “singing what we see”.

He added he sees similarities between what the band does and what artist George Shaw does in his paintings.

*PIC: George Shaw from The Guardian

Shaw, who will find out on Monday whether he has been awarded the prestigious Turner Prize, uses his childhood in Tile Hill, Coventry, as a major influence in his work.

Tom, who along with his bandmates Liam and Andy, still live in the Coventry area, said: “We paint pictures of what we see in music while George Shaw does the same in his art work.

“I’d love the opportunity to work with him in any capacity.”

Shaw currently has an exhibition at the Herbert Art Gallery called I Woz Ere, featuring a series of paintings of scenes around the Tile Hill estate where he grew up.

And while The Enemy have not been in the public eye much over the last year they are looking forward to releasing their next album next year.

The trio, all now 25, are about to go into the studio to record their third album after spending the last year writing it.

They have been working with producer Joby, from Californian band The Bronx.

Tom said: “We’ve worked hard on it over the last year. Musically it’s closer to the first album than the second but it’s unique in its own right.”

Bassist Andy Hopkins and drummer Liam Watts said they were both excited about releasing more of their music.

“So many songs have come together. The difficulty is picking which ones we want on the album,” Andy said.

Shaw’s I Woz Ere exhibition runs until March.

*Source: Coventry Telegraph

* OFFICIAL Enemy website: http://theenemy.com

The Enemy Rehearse For Third Album

The Enemy are back in Coventry and rehearsing for the new album, the Coventry Telegraph printed this story:

COVENTRY band The Enemy have given their backing to a rehearsal space in the city which hopes to inspire a new generation of musicians.

Tom Clarke, Liam Watts and Andy Hopkins, all aged 25, were at Taylor John’s Music Venue, in the Canal Basin, along with Roddy Byers from The Specials.

As well as hosting regular live performances the venue has expanded into additional units to provide rehearsal space for up-and-coming artists.

It is part of a joint project between Taylor John’s, the city council and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, UK Music, and the Music Industry Association.

The Enemy’s Tom Clarke said: “A place like this can really raise the profile of Coventry but in my view more still needs to be done. This is the beginning.

“Coventry is way behind when it comes to providing world class rehearsal space. Manchester has them and there’s no reason why Coventry shouldn’t. It’s a much more central city.

"I just hope people don’t take it for granted and don’t wreck it. I want them to appreciate the chance they’ve got because it’s something we didn’t have.”

Bassist Andy said: “When we started out we had to go and rent a space in Leamington because there was nowhere suitable or affordable here. It would have been amazing to have somewhere like this. When we started out the biggest factor was cost.

“A lot of people just can’t get started and not everyone’s mums and dads are up for having drums played for hours in their homes.”

The band is about to go into the studio to record their third album after spending a year writing.

They are working with Californian producer Joby and said they were “ridiculously excited” about releasing the record, hopefully as soon as early next year.

Roddy Byers said he was pleased to see something positive to encourage more creativity and music for people in the city. “When I first started we used to push the gear from place to place in a wheelbarrow.

"This is a great way of getting the kids off the streets. Drumming is a great way of taking out the aggression, that’s what I used to do!” he said.

Councillor Tony Skipper, Cabinet Member for Leisure and Culture, said: “These music rehearsal spaces provide access to a larger selection of instruments and equipment and mean Coventry people will have an opportunity to use affordable city centre facilities that I’m sure will prove to be very popular.

"We’re committed to providing quality facilities for young people to develop their passion and experience in creative industries.”

*Source: Coventry Telegraph
* OFFICIAL Enemy website: http://theenemy.com

VIDEO: Tom Clarke Talks F1 Racing

The Enemy's Tom Clarke recently spoke to The Sun while at the Silverstone BTCC season finale, in the video above Tom talks motors and music during this light-hearted interview. Tom also revealed that it was the first time he had ever flown in an helicopter!

Here is The Sun article by Chris Hockley in full......

ROCK star Tom Clarke says he knows just the man to replace struggling Felipe Massa in Ferrari's Formula One team — himself!
The lead singer of The Enemy is a passionate petrolhead.

And although he has little racing experience — well, none at all actually — he reckons he could do a better job than flop Felipe.

Tom, 25, follows the FI scene avidly, finding it a lot less boring than Coventry — The Enemy's home city regularly derided by the band.

He runs a classic Jaguar E-Type on the road and has dabbled on the track at The Sun's Bizarre celebrity race day, hosted at Silverstone earlier this year by our Showbiz Editor Gordon Smart.

It gave him a taste for bombing flat out around circuits.

And he said: "Racing is something I'd like to get into. It would be a huge adrenalin rush."

SunSport caught up with the speed-loving star at Silverstone, where he was a guest of our columnist Jason Plato at the final round of the British Touring Car Championship.

*Source: The Sun

* OFFICIAL Enemy website: http://theenemy.com

The Enemy Talks To NME About Third Album

The NME reports that The Enemy have admitted that they will face an uncertain future if their third studio album doesn't succeed in the latest edition of the weekly music magazine.
The Coventry trio endured a disappointing response to their 2009 second album 'Music For The People' and have revealed that they have returned to the more direct sound of their 2007 debut 'We'll Live And Die In These Towns' for their new LP, which is due to be released next summer.

Speaking to NME, the band's frontman Tom Clarke said of where he believes the group are in their career: "A lot of bands experience the pivot point in their career where it's make or break on their second album, but I don't think we did that. This album will be the one that defines where that goes – whether it doesn't work and we go 'That's it' or we find the sound that drives us forward."

The band also revealed that they have 30 songs written for the album and hope to get it out next year. They have yet to decide on a producer.
To read the full interview with The Enemy, pick up the new issue of NME, which is on UK newsstands now or available digitally.

*PICTURE: NME/Tom Oxley

* OFFICIAL Enemy website: http://theenemy.com

"I had to push my way in to the undercover tent to catch a glimpse of late additions to the line-up The Enemy, and hundreds were left outside as The Coventry trio rocked through their biggest hits in a thrilling set."

- James Brindle, Burton Mail, writing about The Enemy at V Festival

* OFFICIAL Enemy website: http://theenemy.com

PRESS: Your Chance To Question The Enemy

MUSIC fans could get the chance to question Coventry band The Enemy this month.

The indie three-piece are calling on people to send questions about their upcoming third album which should be released next year.

The best questions will then be selected and a video of someone putting them to the band will be posted on their website.

Frontman Tom Clarke said: “We would rather hear what you wanted from us rather than what we thought you wanted.”

A demo of their third album – called This Is Real – has been made available to download on the band’s page on social networking website Facebook.

It comes after the city’s best-known group from recent years performed in Ayia Napa last month alongside Brit Pop act The Charlatans and electro music duo Chase and Status.

Email questions to enemyinterrogation@greenhousegroup.co.uk and visit http://www.theenemy.com/ to see the winning questions put to the band.

Sorce: Coventry Telegraph

* OFFICIAL Enemy website: http://theenemy.com