Tom Clarke has set the record straight, quashing rumours the band weren't up to it. Speaking to Radio 1 and reported by Damian Jones:
The Enemy's frontman Tom Clarke has hit back over claims the band pulled out of supporting Oasis at Wembley Stadium because they couldn't be bothered.
The Coventry trio said that they were forced to pull out of their performance on July 11 because their singer Tom fell ill.
"The fact of the matter is we smashed a hole in Wembley for two nights and we couldn't do one because I had a reaction to some lillies," he told Radio 1.
"It's pathetic that in 2009 a man can't walk past a lily without getting a sore throat but what can you do?"
This is the second time The Enemy have pulled out of a support slot during Oasis' UK tour.
Last month, Clarke's band were forced to cancel a performance at Heaton Park because he was struck down with food poisoning.
Reports at the time suggested that the singer believed Oasis were "past it", prompting Liam Gallagher to criticise the band on his Twitter page.
But Clarke was quick to point out that he was misunderstood.
Now, Clarke has hit back and launched a scathing attack on music journalists.
"There's not that many interesting bands around at the minute," he said.
"There's us, Kasabian, Oasis, maybe Muse but to be honest they've been quiet for a bit, Reverened And The Makers and that's pretty much it.
"So all these petty little music journalists have to sit in a room and decide what they're going to write about and normally they pick on the exciting bands and then try and make it more exciting.
"Why don’t they just write Oasis, Kasabian and The Enemy smashed a hole in Wembley and if you go down there just off the A40 you'll find it?"
The Enemy are due to perform at this year's Ibiza Rocks line-up on 4 August.
The Enemy performed in front of 3,000 volunteers in Manchester on July 13, each of whom had given at least four hours of their time to help local communities . Tom Clarke spoke about the bands involvement with the charity gig for Orange RockCorp explaining why they liked the concept, "When we first heard of it, the whole gist of it, that you have to earn your way into the gig you can't just buy a ticket. It puts everyone on a completely level playing field, regardless of how easy it is for you normally to go too gigs or how hard it is for you to go too gigs. It puts everyone right back down at the bottom and says 'right, you've got to contribute to go there', I think that's a really good way of approaching it. It's a really worthwhile thing."
Tom remained true to his roots, whether performing at Wembley or Apollo saying, "It's an honour to be able to play to any audience, fact of the matter is - we are three normal lads from Cov, every time you step out on stage it's an honour to be able to do what you love doing."
The Enemy were truly the rock band of the night as this Female First review highlights, "After[N-Dubz] came the obligatory rock band - it was called Orange RockCorps after all - in the form of the hottest new rock band on the scene, The Enemy. I was quite shocked to see that many of the fans that were crammed into the Apollo knew a few of The Enemy’s songs, considering the line-up was mainly pop music and the band have only recently been getting loads of radio overage.
Acting very much like their new celeb best mates in Oasis, the Enemy has unrivalled stage presence, despite there only being three of them on stage."
The Enemy - one of the artists at Orange RockCorps, Manchester
Here is a video of The Enemy performing 'We'll Live And Die In These Towns' as part of their support set with Oasis at Wembley on July 12th, 2009 (as filmed by gnomekje)
The video below is a high quality version of 'You're Not Alone', also at the Wembley gig - this time filmed by djs1f1
Here is what NME magazine had to say about The Enemy's performance at the Orange Rockcorps event (and not even the slightest feud between Alex Zane!) :
The Enemy and Lady GaGa were among the acts who played a charity gig at the Manchester Apollo yesterday (July 13) to say thank you to 3,000 of the city's volunteer workers.
The show, staged by Orange Rockcorps, was only open to fans who had given up four hours to work in community projects across Manchester.
Mainly playing songs from their 2007 debut album 'We’ll Live And Die In These Towns', Tom Clarke and co got the crowd going with tracks including 'Had Enough' and 'Away From Here'.
Fresh from supporting Oasis, Clarke even found time to dedicate their final song 'You're Not Alone' to the evening's headliner Lady GaGa, declaring: "I think she's a bit rock 'n' roll, fair play to her - this one's for her!"
Talking to NME.COM after his set, Clarke praised the volunteers, explaining: "Orange RockCorps is right up our street. As a band, we passionately believe in helping people to put a bit back into their community. The way you have to earn your ticket makes young people realise you've got to earn things in life. Plus, we love Manchester and love playing the Apollo."
He added: "Its always an honour to step on stage and play for your fans, after all we're just there normal lads from Coventry, but tonight’s going to be extra special, because everyone here's had to earn their ticket."
The Enemy played:
'Had Enough' 'Aggro' 'Away From Here' 'No Time For Tears' 'You're Not Alone'
As pictured for NME magazine by Andy Whitton, here are two pictures featuring Tom Clarke and Andy Hopkins during their performance at Wembley On July 9, as they support Oasis on their UK tour. Sadly Liam Watts escapes the camera once again.............
Fresh from their support slot with Oasis and Kasabian in front of 50,000 people at Wembley, The Enemy return to Manchester today (13 July) for a charity gig in front of 3,000.
This is a gig with a difference as no-one could buy a ticket or win a ticket to this gig at Manchester's Apollo. All those in attendance will have earned a place at the Orange Rockcorps gig by giving at least four hours of their time to local projects that will help transform local areas.
The Enemy will be joining Lady Gaga and N-Dubz for this very special gig, providing proof that helping others brings rewards.
The Enemy returned to Wembley in triumph as fans soaked up the atmosphere and the flying beer. Tom told fans, "A massive fookin thanks to all of you's and a massive fookin thanks to Oasis."
Oasis fans at the gig tonight (Sunday 12 July) responded by saying, "the enemy were amazing!!! To think a year ago we went home just before they were on at Godiva festival!" - lisacov19 .
mstifosi - "The Enemy is also amazing. I don't know the lead singer's name but hell...he does look like Richard Hammond."
oasis_news - "The Enemy have finished their fantastic set. Had Enough, Away From Here and Aggro were the highlights of The Enemy's set."
David_Singleton - "The Enemy are on now, supporting Oasis at Wembley. Lead singer looks a like a rock n' roll version of James Purnell."
The Enemy performed at Somerset House as part of the 'Summer Series' on July 10, 2009. Tom Clarke told fans it was his favourite gig ever and here is a video below from the event as The Enemy perform 'Happy Birthday Jane'.
The Enemy have been forced to cancel their Wembley Oasis support slot following an 'illness'. The Coventry band had played a gig at Somerset House last night and Tom Clarke went on to tell fans it was his favourite gig he'd ever played. After the gig, The Enemy joined the after party but are feeling unwell today and have pulled the plug on the latest Oasis gig at Wembley (Sat 11 July)
The Coventry trio are expected to perform today (Sun 12 July) along with Kasabian.
Here are some high quality pictures of The Enemy performing their set at Coventry's Ricoh Arena as they supported Oasis on tour. Tom Clarke, Andy Hopkins and Liam Watts entertained almost 40,000 on Tuesday July 7, 2009 at their biggest Coventry gig to date.
Here are a few pictures from The Enemy gig at Coventry's Ricoh Arena as Tom, Liam and Andy supported Oasis. Watched by 38,000 people The Enemy finally performed a homecoming gig in the main Ricoh Arena - the rain may have been falling but everyone's spirit were lifted by the set.
As The Enemy prepare for their first homecoming gig of 2009, supporting rock 'n' roll legends Oasis, the local newspaper reports that the Jaguar Exhibition Hall at the Ricoh Arena will be transformed into the city’s biggest bar ahead of the Oasis gig on Tuesday.
Doors will open at noon and the indoor hall can accommodate up to 8,000 people.
Organisers are hoping fans will arrive early and beat the traffic to the band’s only Midlands gig this summer.
Anthony Mundy, facilities director at the Ricoh Arena, said the hall had been opened to ease traffic congestion as 38,000 people headed to the venue.
“We can comfortably hold up to 8,000 in the Jaguar Exhibition which we will be turning into a bar for the afternoon,” he said.
The concert will start with band Free Peace, who are due to play at 5pm, followed by Twisted Wheel at 5.45pm.
Coventry’s The Enemy will be on stage from 6.45pm with Oasis due to start playing their set at 8.15pm.
THEY have already headlined the place once this year, but now The Enemy are set for a second likely sell-out show at the O2 Leeds Academy.
The Coventry band must have liked what they saw in March because they have announced a return on Monday, November 16, with tickets on sale now from 0844 4772000, online at www.ticketweb.co.uk or from Jumbo and Crash Records in Leeds.
Fans will have to move fast after the first Academy appearance sold out and the band has since gone from strength to strength following the release of their ambitious second album, Music For The People, which has reached number two in the UK charts.
A highly-infectious second single from it, Sing When You're In Love, was released last week and with its terrace-friendly singalong nature looks certain to be a real lad rock anthem for the summer at festivals and the like.
First single No Time For Tears was more of a departure with its bigger, more grown-up sound and became The Enemy's fifth top 30 hit following in the footsteps of Away From Here, Had Enough, You're Not Alone and We'll Live and Die in These Towns from 2007.
Following in the hallowed footsteps of the Small Faces, the Jam, the Clash and Oasis, to name just a few, the Enemy UK are the latest in a long line of British bands made up of equal parts plangent guitar rock and bloody-knuckled working class pride. We’ll Live And Die In These Towns, the trio’s debut album, is a remarkably mature rumination on life in an urban landscape of diminishing prospects; though passionate, angry songs like “It’s Not Ok,” “Fear Killed the Youth of Our Nation” and the title track were inspired by the economic travails of the trio’s hometown of Coventry, England — and though charismatic frontman Tom Clarke delivers them in a defiant West Midlands accent — they should certainly ring a bell with any American rock fan who’s felt the increasing pinch and encroaching gloom of life under the Bush administration.
There’s no question that the band’s songs have already connected deeply with with British record buyers: When it was released in the UK in the summer of 2007, We’ll Live And Die In These Towns went straight to the top of the charts, an impressive feat for any debut record, but especially for one that’s entirely devoid of candy-coated pop. When ShockHound caught up with Clarke and his rather quiet mates (bassist Andy Hopkins and drummer Liam Watts) before a recent gig at LA’s Troubadour nightclub, he gave us an earful about the genesis of that album, as well as his utter disdain for pop trends, his love for loud guitars, and his belief that working class kids make the best rock n’ roll. Though they are already major stars in their homeland, the band seemed refreshingly psyched about the prospect of returning to small clubs after a year of selling out British arenas.
“I love gigs like this,” said Clarke, gesturing excitedly towards the Troubadour stage. “You can see people and you can smell them and you can fuckin’ hear them, and they’re going as mad as you are. I always think they’re the best shows. They’re the ones that you remember.”
SHOCKHOUND: So you’re the Enemy, eh? Nice to meet you.
TOM CLARKE: We’re the Enemy. In fact, we’re not the Enemy; we’re the Enemy UK, for fear of gettin’ sued.
SHOCKHOUND: Who did you think was going to sue you?
CLARKE: Some band whose last release was in 1984 on 7” vinyl, but this is America and you can sue anyone for anything. So we thought we’d best be the Enemy UK.
SHOCKHOUND: Was that really your idea, or was it your record company’s?
CLARKE: That was the record company’s. My idea was let’s just go over and get sued, but somebody pointed out it can be quite expensive getting sued.
SHOCKHOUND: Your debut album, We’ll Live And Die In These Towns, has already been out for over a year in the UK, but only recently came out over here. What’s the story behind its creation?
CLARKE: It acts as sort of a document for the year that we wrote it. Me and Andy used to sell TVs in a shop, and Liam was doing temp work with an agency. We just found ourselves in this vicious cycle of going to work and then coming home, gettin’ changed, going to the pub, spendin’ more money in the pub than you just earned that day, waking up with a hangover, goin’ back to work, and then comin’ home, goin’ to the pub. It’s just fuckin’ rubbish; there’s more to life. So to cut a long story short, I just said to Andy, “Let’s take one night a week and play some music and just make some sounds, and we’ll have Liam play drums.” We set aside one night a week, I think it was a Thursday. I mean, that takes quite a lot when you earn five pounds an hour and a rehearsal room costs eight. It’s quite a decision. We did it, went in, wrote a few tunes, came out and said, “Yeah that’s pretty good. We should come back next week.” And that’s sort of how it all started.
SHOCKHOUND: We’ll Live And Die In These Towns went straight in at number one in the UK. Why do you think it connected with so many people?
CLARKE: It took a while to work out. “It’s Not Ok,” the second single we released, we wrote that song when Peugeot closed down a couple of factories and there were thousands of people in Coventry who were left without jobs. We were just singing about that, and shit that affected us in our everyday life and affected our mates. We thought no one else is going to fuckin’ understand that; and then you go to different towns around the UK, and the more places you go to, the more you realize it’s the same picture everywhere — it’s not just two factories in Coventry that closed down. There’s towns that used to be steel towns and used to be ship building towns and all sorts. The UK used to be rife with industry and we used to make everything ourselves — we hardly imported anything — and then you go around the whole place and it’s like a fucking ghost town. A lot of people connect to that and just got on [what we were doing] straight away. There’s a serious lack of bands in England that are actually saying anything…you look at how much shit’s going on, and the fact that no one’s singing about it is ridiculous.
SHOCKHOUND: It’s almost like people are looking to pop music for escape, as opposed to a reflection of their everyday reality.
CLARKE: Yeah, but I mean for us it still was about escaping. It was about venting out frustrations — and if you don’t vent your frustrations with a guitar in a rehearsal room or on a stage, that’s when things go wrong and you start venting them elsewhere. I think for us that was our form of escapism. It was also escaping the pop and this sort of shit fucking cycle we ended up in. I think a lot of people are just in bands so they can wear trendy fucking clothes and try and pull shit girls. It’s fucking bollocks. That’s not why you start a band. You start a band because you want it to mean something and you want to say something… you want to go somewhere. Those fucking trendy bands, they’re going in and out of fashion as fast as their fucking jeans. They’re the best thing since sliced bread one week, and then the next week no one gives a shit about them. They’re forgotten. We’re not one of those bands. We’re here to leave a lasting footprint and actually fucking say something.
SHOCKHOUND: So where do you guys see yourselves 10 years from now?
CLARKE: I don’t know I mean, where did we see ourselves two years ago? [Laughs] Didn’t see myself sitting in LA talking to a guy with a camera! No, I saw myself playing in a pub in Coventry. I think it’s always very foolish to speculate where you may or may not be in ten years. I could play a gig tonight and walk out and get hit by a truck. Who knows?
SHOCKHOUND: Where would you like to be, then?
CLARKE: I would like to be in a position where more people are listening to what we’ve got to say. The more successful you are as a band, the more people you can reach and hopefully the more people you can have a bit of an influence on and a bit of an impact and change some minds as you go. I think we’re very lucky to be where we are now. I think any band is, and that’s why I fucking hate bands. You’ll meet a band in LA and they’ll complain about something and you’ll think, “What the fuck are you on? You’re halfway across the world getting paid to play music to people that love music, don’t fucking complain to me there.” I think if we’re in exactly the same place we are now in ten years, we’re still in a good fucking place. But, I would like to think with ten years’ hard work we could have made a pretty big difference and have met a lot of people and hopefully changed a lot of minds.
SHOCKHOUND: What’s a record that totally changed your lives, and made you want to do what you’re doing now?
CLARKE: I can tell you a song that, the first time I heard it, just instantly made me want to pick up a guitar and make some very loud fucking noise — “Won’t Get Fooled Again” by the Who. I think when most people hear that song, it’s a pretty inspirational moment. The scream in the middle of it…even if you don’t care what he’s singing about, even if you’re not a fucking musician and you can’t appreciate the genius musicianship and the fact that Moon is just the most mental drummer ever, you can appreciate the scream in the middle. It’s just one of them songs that makes you want to get up and fuckin’ shout, and just fuckin’ destroy everything around you and just go absolutely mental. It’s one of the most inspiring pieces of music that I’ve heard. I don’t play guitar because I want to be the best fucking guitarist in the world; I’ll leave that to a series of ’80s throwbacks. I play guitar because it’s fucking loud. That’s why I like guitar. If you’re saying something, you’ve got a point to make, there’s no better way to get people’s attention than with a rig of fucking Hiwatt amps and a Telecaster with it turned up full. It’s a pretty big attention grabber.
SHOCKHOUND: Do working-class bands make the best rock 'n’ roll?
CLARKE: Probably, yeah. Posh boys in bands don’t really float, do they? If you grow up in middle class England, and your mom buys you a car when you get to 17 and you go to a great school, and you come out and you can afford to go to college, you probably haven’t got much to be frustrated about. I think all the best music’s born out of frustration. Certainly all our best songs are born out of frustrated moments when there’s no other outlet but turning the guitar up and going fucking mad. Punk was an entire genre that was born out of frustration. Posh bands, I just don’t think it really works. Unless their goal is to be technically fucking brilliant and the best in the world, then that can work, fair enough. You know, you can be a great musician, but there’s only so far that will actually take you in my record collection.
The Enemy's Tom Clarke has revealed that his well-publicised spat with Oasis is well and truly over after the band joined the Mancunian legends on tour. Last month, the singer was quoted as saying the Gallaghers were "past it", prompting Liam to call Clarke a "little fucker", but Tom has told Xfm it's all been smoothed over.
Speaking to Xfm's Steve Harris, Tom explained that the current Oasis/Kasabian/Enemy tour featured "probably the best line-up that's ever existed."
"Liam came up straight away," he explained. "As soon as I got there and got over my little illness, he made sure I knew the score. He's a proper gent and Noel is the most normal bloke in the world, who happens to have written some of the best songs ever."
Tom also told Steve that being onstage while Oasis did their thing wasn't necessarily the best vantage point. "I've watched them from the side of the stage, but to be honest it's better watching them out the front. The fans have the best seats. You've got to be out there, steaming, singing the songs."
On Sunday The Enemy's Tom Clarke joined T4 presenter Steve Jones in a cooking lesson with a difference. Tom is well known for his love of all things kebabish and even joked about writing a book about kebab's. So with the help of Steve Jones, the pair set about making a kebab.
Watch the T4 video below to see how the pair got on.........
Here is an article from live4ever where The Enemy's Tom Clarke speaks to XFM radio about the supposed 'feud' between himself and Oasis...........
After interpreting a comment from Clarke as saying that the Mancunians were “past it”, Liam was quick to return fire on May 19th via his Twitter account. The misunderstanding prompted the question “Do you want to go on 1st or what you little fucker?” regarding The Enemy’s support slot for Oasis’ UK stadium tour.
On May 20th, however, Clarke was only too eager to subdue the storm, labelling the interpretation as “complete and utter bollocks” and offered a reminder that Oasis are one of his “favourite bands ever”.
Despite this, further panic arose when Clarke withdrew his band from the power-cut plagued Heaton Park show on June 4th due to food poisoning. But there was no time for tears as the Coventry-born singer recovered for the follow up gig on the Saturday and “Liam came up straight away” and swept the misunderstandings under the carpet.
Speaking of the tour itself, Clarke referred to it as the “best tour we’ve ever been on” after previously saying that it was “an absolute honour for them to invite us onto their tour”.
On the subject of the tour lineup itself, consisting of Oasis, Kasabian, The Enemy and Twisted Wheel, Clarke didn’t spare a moment before resolving that it is “probably the best bill that’s ever existed”. Although he did concede that his view of Oasis’ headline slot from the side of the stage was sub-standard compared to the fans perspective. “You’ve got to be out there, steaming, singing the songs.”
Oasisteria are giving you the chance to get your hands on some very nice prizes courtesy of The Enemy and Warner Music.
One lucky winner will receive an exclusive limited edition CD & Vinyl boxset of “Music For The People,” the latest album from The Enemy and an Intempo iPod docking station (see image below). Five Runners up will receive a copy of the album.
For a chance at winning all you have to do is leave a comment below telling us what The Enemy mean to you. Please make sure when leaving your comment you include your full name and email address you would like to be emailed on in the required fields. The competition will close on Monday 29th June. We will draw winners randomly and will notify by email within 48 hours after the closing date.
To download a free Enemy track exclusive to Oasis fans click HERE
To view the video for the new single ‘Sing When Your In Love’ OUT NOW click HERE
The Enemy continue their Oasis support shows at Ricoh Arena, Coventry on 7th July and Wembley Stadium on 9th, 11th and 12th July. The band will also embark on their own headline tour in November. You can buy tickets from www.theenemy.com/gigs.htm
To read Oasisteria’s exclusive interview with Tom Clarke please click HERE
Used by kind permission from the #1 Oasis fan website.
Here at Oasisteria we were very excited when we heard we had the chance to interview Tom from The Enemy. The band are currently supporting Oasis on their stadium tour and with their second album “Music For The People” reaching number 2 in the UK charts back in May, our chief writer Scruff spoke to Tom about life on the road, touring with Oasis and the bands future plans.
Oasisteria: Your recent album “Music For The People” has a much broader sound than the debut, is this natural progression or a deliberate attempt to change the sound?
Tom: Both. There were things about the first album that we wanted to improve on, but there was a big natural growth that happened over the course of being on tour for years. It was a fairly easy record to make.
Oasisteria: Who are the people in the albums title? Are we talking politically here or metaphorically?
Tom: Neither. The “people” are the people who buy our music. They’re the only people that matter. The ones who come to the gigs, stand at the front and sing their hearts out. They mean as much to us as we do to them.
Oasisteria: Your songs are inspirational to many; with other bands are currently doing the same thing as you. If there was a revolution in this country who’d be leading the charge?
Tom: I honestly couldn’t give a shit. It’s a pointless question because there will be no revolution. It’s impossible to demonstrate in this country. You can’t even come home from a holiday without having your retina scanned so how the fuck is this said revolution going to take place?
Oasisteria: The summer gigs are going to be massive, how are you looking forward to playing in front of Oasis fans? These are your kind of people surely?
Tom: Oasis fans and Enemy fans are the same people. It is simply going to be the best tour ever. And don’t forget that Kasabian, the most underrated live band in the world are main support, and proper Manchester punk rockers Twisted Wheel who are fucking amazing are opening a lot of the shows.
Oasisteria: If you’re offered the ultimate Oasis accolade of getting up on stage with the boys, what songs would you want to play? One Oasis song and one cover only please.
Tom: Songbird. Genius song, wish I’d written it. And God save the queen with Liam on vocals.
Oasisteria: How does it compare being the main act on your last tour instead of supporting other acts? Are there any bands that supported you which you can recommend?
Tom: Twisted Wheel. Lowline. Both great Manc bands. And frankly loading the truck on an Oasis tour would be an honour.
Oasisteria: What do Oasis mean to you and do they mean as much to you now as they did when you first got into them?
Tom: They are, and always will be, the soundtrack to my generation. Simple as.
Oasisteria: You must have been gutted when Liam took your recent comments the wrong way. Liam himself is no stranger to controversy so who would you like to tag team against on the current music scene?
Tom: I have no interest in slagging bands off, it’s pointless and life’s too short. I was a bit gutted when I heard Liam had taken what I said the wrong way. He’s basically a geezer, came straight over when I got to Heaton Park and was dead sound. I’m still a massive fan.
Oasisteria: Do you see your music as us vs. them in the class system grand scheme of things? Could an Eton going, fox hunting champagne swilling Tory get the same from your record as say a factory worker in Bolton or any other satellite town? We are all people after all?
Tom: I make music about what I see in my life. There is no limit to who can enjoy music regardless of class, age or anything else.
Oasisteria: The title 51st State has been used before as song title, but is it anymore relevant now? Is the UK more Americanized now that it was in the Reagan/Thatcher years?
Tom: Of course. But 51st was a response to our first trip to the states when the elections were about to happen.
Oasisteria: You will be performing at a number of Summer Festivals this year including Ibiza Rocks, Somerset House and V Festival. How do these compare to your own gigs and do you find it harder to perform in front of people that may not be considered “die-hard” fans of The Enemy?
Tom: I love playing to people who haven’t got a clue who we are. It’s a challenge and a chance to step up and prove what we’re about.
Oasisteria: And not to stir the hornets nest, but fast forward ten years, Could The Enemy be as big as Oasis are now?
Tom: Will there ever be a boy born who can swim faster than a Shark?
Oasisteria: Finally, what are your plans after this summer? A well needed break? Will there be any more singles released from the album or any more gigs to be announced?
Tom: I think we all deserve some quality time with Jeremy Kyle. Probably take at least a weekend off!
Thanks to Tom and Morad Khokar at Warner Music for the oppurtunity
