Tom Clarke Becomes XFM New Music Award Judge

Tom Clarke is certainly keeping himself busy as it has been announced he has become a judge on the XFM panel to decide which artist will win the XFM New Music Award this year. The Enemy and Glasvegas have previously won the award.

You can pick your favourites for the shortlist and then Tom Clarke and the other judges will choose the best debut of 2009.

Voting continues until January 15, and one lucky voter will win the opportunity to sit on the same panel as Tom Clarke and become an official judge - so head over to XFM and vote now!


Panel of judges:

Ben Cardew, Music Week
Carl Barat, Dirty Pretty Things/The Libertines
Clint Boon, Xfm
David Morgendorff, MTV Digital Media Director
Dave Berry, Xfm
Gordon Smart, The Sun
John Kennedy, Xfm
John Leckie, Radiohead/Stone Roses producer
Peter Hook, Joy Division/New Order
Tim Burgess, The Charlatans
Tom Clarke, The Enemy
Tom Smith, Editors

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

VIDEO: The Enemy Shockhound Interview 2008

Here is an interview from summer 2008 when The Enemy were in America promoting 'We'll Live And Die In These Towns'. Recorded by Shockhound - Tom, Liam and Andy discuss music and life in this special interview.

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

Happy New Year

Another year over and what a year it's been for The Enemy, Coventry's finest export since The Specials. They started the year with some secret pub gigs around the country, returning to small upfront and personal performances - and all of them were for free, as a thank you to fans.

Then the Coventry trio embarked on a massive UK tour with their new single 'No Time For Tears', becoming their fastest selling to date and featuring the stunning backing vocals of Emma Skipp. The press went into overload as they reviewed the much anticipated second album, 'Music For The People'. It entered the UK charts at #2, just 7,000 copies behind the legendary Bob Dylan.

Advert for 'Music For The People'

The Enemy continued to have a busy 2009 with various festivals back in Japan and Europe along with T4 on the Beach, iTunes and the BBC Big Weekend. Tom, Liam and Andy spent the summer touring with Oasis and all the rock 'n' roll headlines that followed. Tom Clarke and Tom Boddy then travelled across America in a Jaguar for the Gumball Rally.

Two more singles from 'Music For The People' were released - 'Sing When You're In Love', with a video featuring lots of scooters and a 60's vibe. 'Be Somebody' featured on Fifa 10 in a new kind of marketing to promote The Enemy. The lads then finally began their first break in three years as Tom Clarke got busy down on his farm, Liam relaxing more at home in Coventry and Andy living life to the full as always.

Yet 2010 will by no means see the end of The Enemy, having performed for the Hogmany celebrations in Edinburgh for New Year, the lads have much more ahead of them. The third album will hopefully see a return to the tunes we all love - gritty lyrics about everyday life. The music industry can be a fickle business, but if The Enemy stay focused they will continue to entertain their fans.

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

Edinburgh Hogmanay Set To Rock New Year With The Enemy

The Enemy will be celebrating New Year in style as they perform in front around 80,000 revellers in Edinburgh. The annual hogmanay celebrations will go ahead tonight despite Inverness having to cancel their celebrations due to appalling weather conditions. Edinburgh is expected to be a chilly -2C but that won't stop the party or the impressive firework display as the clock strikes twelve.

Tom Clarke, Andy Hopkins and Liam Watts will rock the New Year in with hits from their We'll Live And Die In The Towns and Music For The People albums and fans will be able to watch the performance because BBC Scotland's annual Hogmanay Live show is being streamed live on the internet . The programme runs from 2345 GMT to 0045 GMT on BBC One Scotland.

BBC Alba's Bliadhna Mhath Ur, which is being screened between 2330 GMT and 0100 GMT, is also being streamed live on the same website.

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

Tom Clarke Kept Busy With Farm

THE ENEMY frontman TOM CLARKE is dog tired, reports The Sun - not from too much rock 'n' roll partying but from working on his farm.
The singer, who treated himself to a plot in the Midlands a few months ago, is finding it more work than play.

Tom said: "I've bought a farm and have been renovating it while the band have been on wind-down. But it's so much work! Honestly, I'm having second thoughts now.

"I bought it then realised I'd bitten off more than I can chew.

"It needs loads and loads of work, it's taking up all my time."

Tom admits: "I haven't got any animals yet. I don't really know anything about animals, having grown up in the city. I'm just trying to grow grass at the moment.

"I don't know if I can be responsible to look after animals.

"Pigs smell of their own s***. I reckon cows are going to get trendy soon so I might get some of them - Highland cows, the ones which look like sofas."

Quick tip, Tom: Sitting on Highland cattle is not advisable, especially on the end with the horns.

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

The Enemy Off To The Pub At Christmas

The Sun report that THE ENEMY frontman TOM CLARKE can't keep away from bandmate ANDY HOPKINS - even at Christmas.
The duo are hooking up for a big day bender in home town Coventry.

Tom said: "Me and Andy meet up in the local at midday, it's tradition. Have a few beers, then I'm going to watch Top Gear at my mum's.

"It's the first time the band have had off in four years so I'm going to enjoy it."

Remaining bandmate, drummer LIAM WATTS, won't be joining in. Tom said: "Liam used to be a madhead, on the KEITH MOON track.

"He won't come to the pub. He's practically married now. I don't want to call him boring but he's very settled."

*Read the story HERE
* OFFICIAL Enemy website: http://theenemy.com

The Enemy In XFM Song of the Decade Countdown

*pic: Norman Records

The Enemy were voted 70th in XFM's 'Song of the Decade' with the smash  hit, 'Away From Here'. The band's second single appeared on their debut album 'We'll Live And Die In These Towns', which won Xfm's New Music Award in 2008 as the best debut album of the year.

The single entered the UK charts at #8 in April 2007 and became a firm favourite with the fans.

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

The Enemy Manchester Apollo Review

The Enemy's Apollo, Manchester review by Rick Martin in the News of the World gave the Coventry band the thumbs up with four out of five stars saying,

They received lukewarm reviews for second album Music For The People, but tonight(29/11) proves The Enemy are still in fighting form.

The crowd bellow back tunes such as Aggro and No Time For Tears like national anthems, while frontman Tom Clarke and co deliver hits such as Away From Here with anger and energy.


There's a gap in the rock 'n' roll landscape, and The Enemy could fill it.

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

Emma Skipp Update

Emma Skipp *Pic by Nicky Haines

Emma Skipp provided the unforgettable backing vocals on The Enemy's 'No Time For Tears' and became known as the woman with the red hair and red dress as she was seen by thousands of fans during the 2009 gigs. We have good news for all those who loved Emma's voice (and her on stage performances!) - she has a string of acoustic performances lined up.

We have not one, but SIX chances to hear Emma Skipp perform over the coming weeks as she teams up with Mark Webb on guitar for several of the gigs. The charasmatic singer will also be taking part in a Christmas sing-a-long in Birmingham on Friday 18th December 2009.

Exciting news for 2010 continues as Emma looks set to florish with her musical talents - Ms Skipp has been providing backing vocals on the brand new Ocean Colour Scene album 'Saturday', which is due for release on 1st Feb 2010. You can also view a stunning selection of Emma Skipp pictures on her website: http://www.emmaskipp.co.uk/

Emma Skipp Gigs:

Wednesday 16th December 2009 @ Steps Bar, Headless Cross, Redditch from 8.30pm


Thursday 17th December 2009 @ The Golden Cross, Ardens Graften (near Stratford-upon Avon) 8.30pm


Friday 18th December 2009 @ The Loft Lounge, Bromsgrove Street, Birmingham 6.30pm (x mas sing a long!)


Monday 28th December @ The Jam House, St Pauls Square, Birmingham (several acoustic performers, lineup to be announced) 8.30pm



Thurday 31st New Yars Eve with "Perfect Strangers" pop covers band @ The Bell @ (Tickets only direct from venue)


www.perfect-strangers.co.uk or call the venue direct on 0121 3477408



Friday 22nd January 2010 @ The Three Tuns, Fazeley, Tamworth 9pm
 
 
* OFFICIAL Enemy website: http://theenemy.com

The Enemy Win Over Birmingham Audience

Here is a review by James Watkins for the Shropshire Star from their recent gig at Birmingham's O2 Academy.

Indie/punk rockers The Enemy, returned to Birmingham for the third time this year on their latest stop from the Music For The People tour.

Coventry’s finest had previously played the old Academy in Dale End on two sold out dates back in April, but returned to raise the roof on the shiny new Academy in Bristol Street.

Opening with Aggro and Had Enough, frontman Tom Clarke lifted the predominantly young crowd into a mass of moshing and crowd-surfing that only the Enemy seem to capable of inspiring.

Whether it was the thought of playing a home soil gig or the realisation that the fans were in a boundlessly energetic mood, the Enemy produced a classic set list that endeared them to the partisan crowd.

Playing all their hits including Away From Here and This Song Is About You, the crowd were lifted into full song throughout the night.

Offering a much more punky sound with It’s Not OK and Elephant Song, Clarke and co. descended into a rip-snorting cover of the Jam’s classic song In The City.

After an hour of showcasing their ability to thrash out tunes ten times harder than on record, Happy Birthday Jane and Not Alone ended the set to audacious applause. No doubt the Enemy will be back with a third album next year and another sold out date in the Midlands.

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

The Enemy Signed T-Shirt Up For Grabs

The Enemy have signed a special t-shirt for the Music Beats Mines online auction, which ends on December 6th, so hurry and bid for this extra special piece of memrobilia. The Enemy t-shirt is signed by Tom Clarke, Andy Hopkins and Liam Watts and will also help a worthwhile cause.
MAG is one of the world's leading landmine clearance organisations, currently working in 17 countries worldwide including Sudan, Angola, Lebanon, Iraq and Vietnam. They recruit and train local staff, create multi-skilled teams, provide emergency response, promote mine risk education and are one of the few mine action organisations in the world to recruit women and mine survivors as deminers.

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

The Enemy Sign Guitar For CALM

The Enemy have added their signatures on a electric guitar to raise money  for the Campaign Against Living Miserably.

To enter, head on over to the CALM website and buy as many tickets as you like via the secure PayPal "Buy Now" option, closes Monday 7th December. Prize draw takes place on Friday 11th December 2009:

1st Prize

A beautiful electric guitar signed by Kasabian, Reverend & the Makers, The Enemy and the Holloways, made by independently owned UK-based guitar company Hutchins, worth over £250!!!

2nd Prize


A TOPMAN giftcard worth £150 - get styled up for Christmas!
3rd Prize

A Voodou giftcard worth £100 - haircuts, styling, waxing, hot shaves, massage - get yourself looking good and feeling great @ Voodou...

Tickets cost £1 each and need to be bought by Monday December 7th. The draw takes place on Friday 11th December so you'll get your prize before Christmas!

The Campaign Against Living Miserably (C.A.L.M) was launched as a charity in March 2006. CALM is aimed at men aged between 15 and 35. They offer young men a website, with information about a range of issues including drugs, relationships and debt. CALM also offers information and advice via a phone and web chat where you can talk confidentially and anonymously to an adviser. Anyone, regardless of age, gender or geographic location can call the line and visit the website. They are happy to help anyone and do not turn people away. Their website can be seen at http://www.thecalmzone.net/
 

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

The Enemy Portsmouth Review

The Enemy @ Portsmouth by Andy Scaysbrook

Here is the review of  The Enemy's Portsmouth gig, as seen in the Southern Daily Echo:

FRESH from supporting Oasis this summer, The Enemy swaggered onto the stage of a packed Portsmouth Guildhall with the atmosphere more akin to that of a football match.

The Coventry three-piece made up of Tom Clarke, Andy Hopkins and Liam Watts, kicked off with high energy tracks Aggro and Had Enough, which had the crowd dancing and singing.

Fans may be surprised to learn that the setlist is heavily weighted with songs from their platinum-selling first album, We’ll Live And Die In These Towns, although they belted out the latest tunes Be Somebody, No Time For Tears and Sing When You’re In Love.

After just 35 minutes the boys left the stage but returned for an encore almost as long as their set, performing tracks including It’s Not Ok and Happy Birthday Jane.

And it looked like they were enjoying the gig as much as the crowd when Andy Hopkins returned to his crowd-surfing ways before their final song of You’re Not Alone.

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

VIDEO: The Enemy - O2 Academy Birmingham

Here are a selection of videos featuring The Enemy live at Birmingham's O2 Academy. Recorded on Thursday 26th November 2009 from the balcony area, the videos capture the crowds as they enjoy the performance.

The Enemy also covered The Jam's 'In The City' and a brand new song, as seen in the collection below.


The Enemy - In The City


The Enemy - La la la la! (new song)


The Enemy - You're Not Alone


The Enemy - We'll Live And Die In These Towns


The Enemy - Away From Here


The Enemy - Sing When You're In Love


The Enemy - Be Somebody

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

The Enemy - O2 Birmingham Review

The Enemy were back on stage in Birmingham as their Music For The People Tour almost draws to a close and they performed for the first time at the O2 Academy. While Tom Clarke, Andy Hopkins and Liam Watts played their hearts out in the packed venue, it seems the most determined people at the O2 were the staff/security - who were determined those seated in the balcony should not enjoy themselves!

Maybe they thought this was a gig that required people to be seated all evening, well I'm sorry to disappoint them but tonight The Enemy were playing and seating is not required! Most people up in  the balcony would have loved to stand up and enjoy the gig, just like the previous gigs at the Carling Academy, but over zealous security prohibited such enjoyment. I was already on my final warning and I knew it was either be kicked out or sit still - I opted to watch the band I love, glued to my seat until the final track.

The Enemy never fail to deliver the goods and I was pleased to see the crowds below getting well and truly into the music as the lads delivered a combination of songs from We'll Live And Die In These Towns and Music For The People as well as a new track (it might have been two new tracks but I must admit I'm not 100% sober yet!).

I've always believed that The Enemy should be proud of their second album, but somehow I've felt they were afraid to play more tracks from Music For The People. Just because the second album didn't have the same effect as the first doesn't mean we the fans don't want to hear it. How many times have we been to a gig and heard a live track and then gone home appreciating the song more than before?

Nevertheless, it was good to see The Enemy and this gig was made all the more special by seeing familiar faces at the venue. It was a tour I didn't think I would get to partake in, as I'd been taking part in strikes as a postman trying to defend jobs and the service. Thankfully it all worked out in the end and it was a joy to once again watch the lads perform.

Watch the video below of The Enemy as they played their final track of the night, we rebelled and all stood up on the balcony and finally got to really enjoy ourselves...............

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

VIDEO: The Enemy Soundcheck

Tom Clarke spoke to Pepsi Maxcast as The Enemy continued their UK Tour and even performed The Verve's 'Drugs Don't Work' during the soundcheck. You can watch the video below and read what Tom had to say about the tour on the Pepsi Maxcast website, HERE.

The Enemy cover The Verve 'The Drugs Don't Work'

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

The Enemy Back National Free Music Lessons

The Enemy have joined others in supporting the launch of a national free music lesson scheme. The programme sees Yamaha's national network of  Music Schools offering free music lessons aimed at introducing people of all ages to music making for the first time. Participants will be asked for a voluntary donation of a few pounds for each lesson session and it's expected substantial funds will be raised for ChildLine, the free helpline for children provided by the NSPCC.

The ambitious programme is open to people of all ages and the tuition will be provided by fully trained music teachers via the 90 strong national network of Yamaha Music Schools which already teaches over 9000 pupils every week, reports LSI Online.

The campaign will have an underlying theme aimed at raising awareness of ChildLine, which is currently able to answer just two thirds of the 2m calls it receives every year from children and young people in distress. A point Yamaha's Ricci Hodgson is keen to reinforce: "Yamaha are really proud to be involved with ChildLine Rocks, recognising the hugely valuable work that ChildLine undertakes. Yamaha is founded on a culture of enriching people's lives through music making, whilst ChildLine offers a lifeline to the most vulnerable children in our community. We'd like to think that this partnership will help the more fortunate to help the less fortunate in our community. "

To supercharge participation and fund raising, this year's programme will culminate at the 2010 ChildLine Rocks Gig at the O2 Indigo, where a band formed from Yamaha Music School pupils will be invited to open the show following a public vote. The band will then become Young ChildLine Rocks ambassadors touring schools to raise funds and awareness following the concert.



*Read full story HERE
* OFFICIAL Enemy website: http://theenemy.com

The Enemy Visit Jacket Factory

The Enemy might be busy on tour but they took time out to visit a jacket factory, as reported in The Shields Gazette, and reprinted below:

ROCK band The Enemy made a whistlestop visit to a South Tyneside factory after a sell-out gig.

Frontman Tom Clarke, bassist Andy Hopkins and drummer Liam Watts were given a tour of the Barbour factory in South Shields yesterday.

They met the workforce and saw how Barbour's classic wax jackets are made before going into the store at Simonside, where they tried on a selection of jackets from the latest winter collection.

The Coventry-based band, who are touring to promote their second album, Music For The People, dropped in after playing at the 02 Academy in Newcastle on Sunday night.

They were heading to Leeds, where they were playing last night(16/11/09).

Barbour PR manager Sue Newton said "The Enemy are big fans of our brand, and as they were in the area, they asked if they could call in.

"We were delighted to see them, and to show them around the factory and the store."

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

VIDEO: The Enemy @ Sheffield

The Enemy continue their UK tour and rocked Sheffield on Thursday 12th November, our man behind the scenes (Malkit), recorded some videos from his prime location. The video below features Andy Hopkins crowd surfing (4 mins 30 seconds).



Check out Malkit's other videos of The Enemy and Akeal HERE
* OFFICIAL Enemy website: http://theenemy.com

The Enemy @ Music Week In Liverpool

The Enemy were in Liverpool performing as part of the cities Music Week and Anthony Mooney took some excellent pictures. The picture above captures Andy Hopkins in full flow as he stage dived into the waiting crowd, just like the old days!

To see more pictures by Anthony Mooney, click HERE or visit his website http://www.anthonymooney.com/

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