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

The Enemy Sign Indie Record Deal

The Enemy are back on an indie record label for their third album, after updating their Facebook page with the exciting news. Coventry Telegraph reporter and local music lover, Warren Manger writes more in his latest blog update......

COVENTRY stars The Enemy have singed to a new record label to release their third album, which they predict will be their best yet.

The trio have inked a deal with Cooking Vinyl (home to The Prodigy, Primal Scream and Marylin Manson).

No release date or title has been confirmed for the new album, but it is expected early next year.

The band wrote on their Facebook page: "Delighted to say we've all but finished writing our 3rd Album and we'll be recording proper in early December with Joby J. Ford (of U.S. band The Bronx) taking the production chair.

"We're chuffed to be working with Joby, and equally happy that the material he'll be working on with us is our best yet... and very full on.

"We are delighted to still be on an Indie label - as we started life on Stiff Records - and Cooking Vinyl feels like home already."

The Music Abyss brought you news that the band believed Ford would help them create a "balls out of the bath rock and roll" sound on the new album.

Frontman Tom Clarke their goal was to "remind people what rock is, what musicians are, what a great song sounds like and what's missing from radio at the moment."

Clarke also promised The Enemy would stage a huge open air show in Coventry next year and embark on a full world tour.

Could it be that the Enemy plan to return to Godiva Festival on the fifth anniversary of their landmark 2007 show?

The band played the night before it was confirmed their debut album We'll Live And Die In These Towns had shot straight to number one in the UK chart.

It was arguably the best and most fondly remembered set in Godiva's history.

Clarke has also revealed he would love to work with Coventry's Turner Prize nominee George Shaw.

Much of the artist's work is inspired by his childhood in Tile Hill. His exhibition I Woz Ere is at the Herbert Art Gallery until March and he will discover whether he has won the prestigious Turner Prize on Monday (December 5).

Clarke 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."

*Source: Warren Manger/Coventry Telegraph blog
* 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

VIDEO: The Enemy Answer Fans Questions - Part 4

The Enemy answer fans questions in this final video as they talk about the early days playing gigs at the Hope and Anchor pub in Coventry. Andy talks football and the lads discuss band pranks.....

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

VIDEO: The Enemy Answer Fans Questions - Part Three

In the latest video from The Enemy, we get some inside information about the adventures of Andy Hopkins and his accidents - will he need a body cast ahead of the next tour? Why did his head end up in a thorn bush? Why did he have to be strapped down in the tour bus?

Liam Watts explains what happened to his sword collection and the lads talk about darts! For more updates, follow The Enemy on Twitter: www.twitter.com/theenemyband

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

VIDEO: The Enemy Answer Fans Questions - Part Two

The second installment from The Enemy as they answer fans questions about the upcoming album, which celebrity they would most like to hit and the lads discuss their favourite chip shops - with our very own Binley Mega Chippy getting a mention!

The Enemy Fan Questions - Part One can be viewed: HERE

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

VIDEO: The Enemy Answer Fans Questions - Part 1

Back in Coventry - Tom Clarke, Liam Watts and Andy Hopkins from The Enemy recorded this video in response to questions sent in by fans........ Andy even encountered Boris the spider! The Enemy chat about going on tour, favourite bands and pub venues during the first video. Part Two follows soon.......

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

The Enemy: Studio Update

 Coventry legend John Dawkins has been in the studio with The Enemy as they prepare for their third album and he has reported great things about the new tunes. John said the band are 'really on fire' as they write tunes for the new album. The lads look set to return to the anthem style songs similar to 'We'll Live And Die In These Towns', which saw the Coventry trio top the album chart back in July 2007.

To keep fans updated, John posted these pictures of The Enemy while they got down to business in the studio (proving they are not sat on their arse doing nothing!). With nineteen new demo's to choose from, The Enemy look like they will have a few hard choices to make about which songs will make the third album.

Fans will be able to watch The Enemy perform in Belfast on Thursday 22nd September for Guinness Arthur's Day and may even be treated to a few new tunes......

* 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

VIDEO: The Enemy - Misbehaving

The Enemy performed a new track at V Festival over the weekend and mega fan Amy (brownbrummie) was once again on hand to record Tom, Andy and Liam as they performed 'Misbehaving'. As we highlighted in our last post, fans were full of praise for The Enemy as they blew the tent roof off with their latest performance!


The Enemy - This Is Real @ V Festival

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

REVIEW: The Enemy Rock V Festival

The Staffordshire Newsletter summed up The Enemy performance by saying, "hundreds were left outside the Undercover Tent as The Enemy rocked through their biggest hits in a thrilling set which reminded everyone what festivals used to be about."

The Enemy praised fans who supported them at V Festival, "Thanks for making these 2 shows amongst the best we have played in a long time, In fact some of our favourite shows ever to be honest. The sun shone (mostly!), we caught up with old mates, then you lot did what we hoped you would and made the tents one giant sing-a-long. We did what we came to do and tested a couple of new songs including 'This Is Real' which you can still download for free from here which you guys seemed to like, and then we blasted out as many singles as time would allow."

"We have had a few tweets etc asking why we were not playing on main stage as some of you couldn't get in the tent to see us. To be honest we really just wanted to do 2 shows under the radar (ish) in order to blow off some cobwebs and try out new material. Luckily Bob, Simon, Mags and Dennis whom promote us and or run V allowed us to jump aboard at the last minute and become a surprise act for the weekend. I thought it worked rather well but if you didn't get in or couldn't see properly I am sorry and we will try and hurry this album along and get back on the road as soon as possible!"

Other than Arthur's Day in Ireland, am pretty sure they were the last shows before the new album now but I promise that when we return we will play our most comprehensive tour yet and try and hit as many towns and cities as we can."

Festival goers were full of praise for The Enemy saying:

BBC CWR's Tim Boswell - "Awesome, easy 2k people in the tent. Top set inc 'We'll Live and Die In These Towns' & 'You're Not Alone'"

Adam Stirling - "amazing gig! We were 'locked out' as the tent was full, mob mentality ensued & we got in! Well worth it! thanks lads"

Jon Phillips - "Amazing at V festival Weston park. Made my day seeing you . Was by far the best band at the festival , can't wait for you to come on tour :)"

Becky Haley - "absolutely mental at weston, covered in piss and beer but loving every minute, would love to see a video of the preformance....how about it?"

Lucy Ellen Fraser - "You (The Enemy) were amazing at V, please get touring again soon!"

Michael Forema - "made my weekend, fucking smashed it!"

Rory Perry - "quality set at weston park, it was going off in that tent!!! i was soaked in sweat, beer and piss but it was worth it ;) even did a bit of crowd surfing even though i was sun burnt hahaha best performance of V for me, cant wait to c u again lads!!!"

Paul Cooke - "Just what the doctor ordered, a proper tear up at weston park, you absolutely smashed it & looks like you really enjoyed it too, fantastic, without a doubt one of the best acts a V, we needed a lie down after that !!!"

Tom Knox - "Best fucking performance of the weekend! And also andy lad, your DJ set was mega aswell! Megaaa man, do another UK TOUR!"

James AceFace Jenkins - "you got the best crowd by far at V lads! have a word with the people in charge and knock some sense into them and tell them to put you on the line up from the start!"

Alan Haynes - "Amazing at V Chelmsford this weekend. You took that tent apart!"

Clair Clarke - "Guys you smashed Weston yest, absolutely brilliant. Worth getting theere an hour early to get to the front. Really looking forward to the next tour and loved the new tunes. Bring it on!"

Sarah 'Taylor' Goodyer - "Definite highlight of weekend at Weston park! Me and my mate had your lyrics in glow paint on us, and we got sunburnt so now it's imprinted on us! bit of promo for next week man! need another tour sooooon!"

James Mann -  "Brilliant set yesterday at weston one of the highlights of the weekend :)"

Daniel Connolly - "Oh my fucking word. I shall say no more apart from... UnderCover Stage, V fest 2011."

Kristian Hampson - "Weston park gig fuckin insane like I always say your the best band in the world! Tom well and truly gets the crowd Buzzin! Well in lads legends!"

Marc Chuckle Mason - "Highlight of the V Festival, fucking quality!!"

Harry Hennessy - "talk about smashing a tent apart.......you're back"

Rob Dickie - "Guys...you stormed V yesterday..was by the desk and gotta say not only did you have the best crowd of the day but the only sound that passed the quality mark...should have had Kaiser Chiefs slot on mainstage I say!!! have a stormer in Ireland."

Jo Raven - "top performance at V stafford boys! raised the roof! about time you headlined!!"

Brad Johnson - "Absoloutley top performance at V yesterday boys, loved seeing you have it off like that. Got myself a day ticket pretty much to see you boys and you did not disappoint!"

Ronnie Tee - "Quality gig yesterday."

Sophie Harmsworth - "You were absolutely quality yesterday at V!!! deffo highlight!!"

Nick Rowe - "guys you had it fucking big time at V. Already highlight of the weekend!"

John Bartlett - "You just absolutely fucking smashed it fellas!!"

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

PICTURES: The Enemy @ V Festival

 

The Enemy blew thousands of fans away as they performed at V Festival this weekend, the band have uploaded 9 pictures to their Facebook page. The Enemy said, "This is a note to anyone at the shows we performed this weekend at V... you were amazing! Thanks for making them some of our favourite shows ever! The sun shone, we caught up with old mates, then you lot did what we hoped you would and made the tents one giant sing-a-long. We did what we came to do and tested a couple of new songs including 'This Is Real'. It was incredible, and thanks to you all."

 

Liam Watts

The crowds at V Festival

The Enemy performing at V

Tom Clarke chills out

Tom warming up

The Enemy rock V Festival

Crowds go wild for The Enemy @ V

The Enemy setlist for V Festival

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

V Festival Announce The Enemy As Special Guests

Fans have greeted the news that The Enemy will be performing at this year's V Festival with delight. The band announced yesterday that they will be the special guests (along with Hard Fi) at the sell out festival this weekend. The Enemy said, "Yep, we’re proud to announce that we are the Special Surprise Guests for V Festival on both sites this weekend, on the bill with Eminem, Arctic Monkeys and Plan B." Fans of The Enemy will also be in for a treat, as the band confirmed, "We’re gonna play a bunch of singles plus road test a couple of new trax as promised."

The Enemy will be performing on Saturday 20th August at 16:25 to 16:55 at the Undercover by Virgin Media Stage at Chelmsford and then on Sunday at Staffordshire. Andy Hopkins said he was "Looking forward to banging out some tunes at V!"


Pictures of The Enemy at V Festival 2009: HERE




Interview with The Enemy @ V Festival 2009

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

PICTURES: The Enemy In The Studio

The Enemy have posted a selection of pictures from their time in the studio as they work hard on the third album. Fans can keep informed of the latest updates via The Enemy Facebook page and the lads are updating their Twitter page regularly. Fans have a few more days to send in their questions to The Enemy: enemyinterrogation@greenhouseg​roup.co.uk

*PICS: The Enemy Facebook page
* 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

PRESS: The Enemy Guinness Arthur's Day Gig

Tickets go on sale today (04/08/11) for The Enemy's Guinness Arthur's Day gig, here is what Cool.FM had to say about the event:

The Enemy - “It’s an honour to be invited back and bringing Arthur’s Day to the people of Belfast. For us the magic of the day is performing for fans in a local boozer… you just can’t beat the atmosphere, the excitement and the surprise that the day brings. And with all of it being for such a brilliant cause, we can’t wait!”

Arthur Guinness and his remarkable legacy are at the heart of the Arthur’s Day celebrations which once again feature an incredible line up of some the best international and local acts performing in the intimate surroundings of select pubs across Ireland, North and South.

Earlier on Tuesday, Guinness® announced that The Enemy and DJ Fresh will join Ash and Cashier No. 9 as part of the celebrations in Belfast.

The acts will be playing at the Ulster Hall, the city’s studio venue.



Orla Flanagan, Brand Manager, Guinness said, “We are delighted to announce our fantastic additions to the line up for the Arthur’s Day celebrations. Last year, tickets for some studio venues sold out in seconds, so make sure to get onto Ticketmaster early to avoid disappointment. Tickets will be on sale from 9am on Thursday morning and with the line up we have in store we envisage a big demand.”



As well as playing in the studio venues each of the studio artists such as The Enemy and Ash will also turn up in a pub for a surprise, intimate performance on the night.



The Botanic Inn, The Errigle Inn, The Cloth Ear, The Empire and Lavery’s will all be hosting live music on the 22nd September as part of the Arthur’s Day celebrations.



Tickets are priced at just £13.50 for studio venues and £7 for the pub venues plus booking fee and will be made available on www.ticketmaster.ie from 9am on Thursday 4th August.



Due to its phenomenal success, this year there will be ticketed music hubs in four locations in Dublin, Cork, Belfast and Limerick, as well as a host of celebrations in pubs right across the island of island.



Now in its third year, Arthur’s Day has proven a massive hit with people throughout Ireland and around the world. The date will be marked by a series of high profile events and celebrations in over 40 countries around the globe to honour the remarkable life and legacy of Arthur Guinness – the legendary philanthropist and founder of Guinness.



At 17:59 locally on the 22nd September, countries including Italy, Germany, France, Spain, Caribbean nations, Malaysia, Indonesia, Australia, Japan, Singapore and South Korea, will all join in the celebrations to mark the philanthropic legacy of Arthur Guinness.

Source: Cool.FM  Top Pic: Gareth Cattermole


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

The Enemy To Perform In Belfast

The Enemy will be in action on Thursday 22nd September 2011 as they return to Ireland for the Guinness Arthur's Day celebrations. Tom, Liam and Andy performed at the event back in 2009 and are looking forward to performing an intimate gig at Belfast's Ulster Hall.

The Northern Ireland gig promises to be a treat for all music lovers as The Enemy, Ash and Cashier No.9 will all be playing at the Ulster Hall venue. Other gigs will take place in Dublin, Limerick and Cork, helping to raise funds for the Guinness Arthur's Day Fund, which goes towards good causes in the community.

The Enemy have also told fans via their Facebook page that they will also be putting on "a surprise performance in a pub... and we can't wait!" Tickets for the Arthur's Day performance can be purchased via Ticketmaster for £13.50 (plus fees)

The Enemy performing in 2009 at Guinness Arthur's Day

(PIC: Gareth Cattermole)

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