The Enemy Childline Gig

Here is the latest news on The Enemy, from the official website:

On Thursday April 1st ChildLine Rocks returns with an incredible one off line up of The Enemy, Carl Barat and Reverend and the Makers playing live to raise money for ChildLine on behalf of ChildLine Rocks.
This is the bands only London date till Autumn and they'll be premiering new songs on the night so don't miss out on your chance to be there. Tickets are on sale now here.

'ChildLine do such important work and need lots of support so we are really excited to be involved and on such a great bill' - Tom

All bands will play a 45 minute set with one more special live band to be confirmed together with an extra special host to be announced over the next few weeks.

Reverend are on a national tour in February and March with this being the only London date and this show will also be Carl Barat's national debut with his new band and new songs.

Tickets have almost sold out so if you want to be there get your tickets quick...

BUY TICKETS »

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

Tom Clarke In Charity Car Race

Tom Clarke will be in Milton Keynes next Saturday (February 27) car racing for chairty as the Milton Keynes Today newspaper reports:

Fancy rubbing shoulders with Boyzone's Shane Lynch, getting close to karting action AND supporting a charity at the same time?

Milton Keynes has been selected for the first Race for Heroes and you can be a part of the day.

Stars from British motorsport will gather at the Daytona centre on Dansteed Way next Saturday, February 27, to raise money and awareness for the Help For Heroes charity.

They will be joined by Boyzone's Shane Lynch, Tom Clarke from The Enemy, the lads from TV's Dirty Sanchez and a soldiers team fronted by George Cross and Pride of Britain winner Matt Croucher.

Taking on all of these will be a team of top Girl racers, compromising 2009 Ginetta Junior Champion Sarah Moore, 2009 Formula Renault Star Alice Powell, Dunlop Sport Maxx class B Champion Abbie Eaton, VW cup driver Anna Walewska and top karter Sophie Fisher.

As well as the fast-paced action there will be other entertainment during the six-hour endurance race, prize giving, auction and dinner.

Just 300 general public tickets will be available for sale at £30 each.

The all-day event opens to the public at 10am; parking on site is extremely limited and will have to be reserved in advance on a first come first served basis.

There will be other parking available nearby for people who can't be accommodated at Daytona itself.

Companies interested in sponsoring via branding at the event or on the karts are also urged to get in touch.

>> For public ticket availability please contact Jenny Hurford on 01722 329226.

>> And for general information about Race4Heroes please email Angie Taylor or Carolyn Mooney at race4heroes@live.co.uk, while more information is available by visiting www.race4heroes.co.uk

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

Tom Clarke @ Brits Award Party

Tom Clarke showed up for an after party following this weeks Brit Awards in London. Warner Music held a party in central London and Tom was spotted enjoying the free bar, according to BBC Newsbeat.

Also making the music bash were Jay-Z, Foals, Friendly Fires' Ed MacFarlane and Mike Bailey (Sid from Skins).

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

Tom Clarke XFM New Music Award Interview

The XFM New Music Award winner was revealed this week and Tom Clarke was one of the judges who selected the winner. Check out the XFM interview with Tom and find out who won the Award.

Tom Clarke told XFM, "I came down here to go all out for Florence, because she owned 2009. But I think the right decision was probably reached. It's not the obvious one.

That was the bit that swung it for me, the moment that John Leckie mentioned the record had soul. Because most people in the room and most people that buy music would want their record to be real. Florence is amazing and has had so many big tunes this year, but she'll probably win absolutely everything else anyway."

More on the XFM website: HERE

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

The Enemy Set For Childline Gig

The Enemy will be performing a rare gig as the band are enjoying a well deserved rest. Tom, Andy and Liam are always happy to offer their support when it comes to good causes and as NME reports......

The Enemy, Carl Barat and Reverend And The Makers are set to play a gig in London for the Childline charity on Thursday April 1.

The acts will play at the O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire venue.

Tickets are on sale now and available from SeeTickets.com

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

Old School Enemy Planned

The BBC have reported The Enemy are taking time out, but for fans of the Coventry band the news is still good. While the lads enjoy their first break in years, they will be returning with 'old school' tunes that made The Enemy famous.

Here is the BBC website article in full:

The Enemy's lead singer Tom Clarke has said the band are taking some time off from recording and touring.

The Coventry band released their second album Music For The People last year but are taking a break for the first time since their releasing their debut LP in July 2007.

Speaking to Newsbeat he said: "We're just taking it easy, taking our time. I've bought this ridiculous farm and I'm trying to decorate it so I can move in."

But he's still writing new material: "We've not got a tour for a few months and you go, 'Oh, I'll put my feet up'. But instead of that you get home and you write more songs than you've ever written in your life."

He added: "We're being a bit prolific at the moment but there's a lot of really exciting stuff happening.

"We're going back to rehearsing how we used to because we can't not rehearse, we'd miss it too much.

"A lot of the tunes we're writing are pretty old-school Enemy and it's pretty exciting."

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

Tom Clarke Discusses XFM New Music Award Nominations

The Enemy man has his say on the Xfm New Music Award nominees and here is the XFM article, click the link below and listen to Tom Clarke talking to Dave Berry on XFM radio.

The shortlist for the Xfm New Music Award was announced on January 18 and Tom Clarke of 2008 winners The Enemy - who is one of this year's celebrity judges - came to Xfm to discuss the nominees.

Speaking to Xfm London's Dave Berry, Clarke gave a thumbs up to Band Of Skulls, who were nominated for their album 'Baby Darling Doll Face Honey', saying they were "Mint - They're White Stripes meets Franz Ferdinand. While I don't particularly like Franz, The White Stripes are one of the best bands ever. I can't wait to see Band Of Skulls live."

He also gave backing to Florence And The Machine, claiming: "I love Florence, quite literally, Everything's a tune, everything's been amazing, they've not slipped up once."

However, Clarke was less than enthusiastic for Mumford And Sons' 'Sigh No More', saying the folk-rockers were a "poor man's Elbow. Is there room in the world for Mumford, when you've got Elbow? The vibe is pretty similar."

Listen to the full interview: HERE

The judging for the New Music Award take place on Monday February 1 and the result is announced on Xfm the following day. For more on the nominees, see www.xfm.co.uk/nma

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

British Indie Music Dead?

A gloomy short-term forecast ahead then after a challenging year for British indie guitar music, reports the BBC Newsbeat website.

Kaiser Chiefs admitted after their final gig of the year, "I think all the bands that were all our period of bands need to take a little break," said drummer Nick Hodgson to NME. "All the kids can come around to us again."

That's exactly what Coventry band The Enemy are planning on doing.

They released their second album Music For The People last year. After an initial charting at number two their presence in the charts dried up with sales not replicating that of their debut two years before.

"Anyone in guitar bands has to accept that last year was tough," says lead singer Tom Clarke. "You look at the charts and there just isn't the plethora of guitar bands that should be there.

"The cycle is there to weed out the rubbish bands. Last year the weak were weeded out."

Kasabian were one of a handful of British guitar bands to buck that trend and have an enduring commercial hit.

"Whilst radio stations were chickening out of playing guitar music - Kasabian just came out and said, 'Hang on a sec, guitar is great and always will be and here's a record to prove it'," says Clarke.

"Picking when you release a record is key to how the record does - we were really lucky that the timing on the first record was beautiful.

"The timing on the second record, I think we just got it in there before guitar music died a death in 2009.

"As with the Kaiser Chiefs and as with a lot of guitar bands, we'll sit out releasing a record until the time is right again."

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

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/