Tom Clarke Answers Fans Questions About Third Album

The Enemy frontman, Tom Clarke spent this week answering fans questions about the new album, the upcoming tour and any other questions they put to him. Tom has always been passionate about fans and loves interacting with them on Twitter, Facebook and face to face. We have spent the past few hours typing up your questions and the following blog posts will answer YOUR questions.

Everyone is getting hyped up about the third album, wondering what it will sound like. This Q and A session will put your mind to rest - we are on course for a great sounding return of The Enemy.....

Taihoon: I heard the new album is similar to your first album, but is this true?

Tom: "The songwriting is similar, the sound is bigger, heavier guitars... Bigger drums..."

Andy Floyd: What sort of sound should we expect from Gimme The Sign?

Tom: "It's a full on assault of guitars and melody. Big singalong chorus and quirky verse lyrics."

Stephen Trotter: Tom the papers are saying this album is make or break for your band, are they for fucking real or something???

Tom: "I think it's a pivotal moment for the band, but only because I know how good it is."

oasisyuki: Is there any singalong song in a new album?

Tom: "Almost every song is very singalong!"

Steve Neal: Does the new album recapture the great raw sound and attitude of the first album?

Tom: "Yes! That's the best bit, the attitude the vibe, it's all back."

George Sergeant: Well looking forward to the new album too!! More of the same? or are you going in a different direction musically?

Tom: "Somewhere between the first and second, closer to the first but with a new heavier sound."

IdlersDream: Are there any tracks that you've recorded that you wish you'd done differently?

Tom: "Nope, we've had plenty of time to get everything right on this one."

Dale Meggitt : You got an official release date? Or an idea? Cant wait to hear sum decent music bk in charts instead of r&b with a wank beat!

Tom: "Yep, but I'm not allowed to say yet. Stay tuned here and my followers will be the first to know."

IdlersDream: Have you written any songs about the London riots?

Tom: "Yep, it's an album contender too."

IdlersDream: Brilliant - were you shocked by them or did you think they were inevitable?

Tom: "Bit of both... Was glad to see authority challenged, but was for all the wrong reasons."

starman1888 Marty: Loved both albums but would you say the new one is more like wladitt or mftp? When you playing the barras?

Tom: "It's inbetween, songs like the first, sounds as big as the second. Barra's gig on the cards."

Bobby D: What's been the band's biggest influences on this record and is it similar to first two albums?

Tom: "Songs from the first with guitar sound from the second roughly. The Bronx were a big influence!"

Sam Hallam: Can't wait for this year, gonna be another vinyl set with this album? PS, hope there's plenty of Midlands dates planned!

Tom: "Epic midlands date planned. Hope we do a 12inch again, not many bands do and I love vinyl."

Paula Perry: Have you designed the album cover?

Tom: "Roger Sergant is working on it now, photographed lots of British bands and just made the Libertines film! Very exciting!"

Lucas Sandhu: When will the new album be released and when will tour dates be released?

Tom: "Single out imminently, then a couple more, so in a few months maybe? Dates released asap. Just awaiting confirmations."

Neil Claxton: What's your favourite song from the new album?

Tom: "Changes every day, today, Bigger Cages Longer Chains."

Neil Claxton: When will it come out?

Tom: "Aiming to start releasing stuff within a month, album will follow a few singles, so hard to say, but not long!"

Cam Mills: Favourite track off new album?

Tom: "Personal fave is one called Bigger Cages Longer Chains, although it differs day to day."

James Kirk: Any special guests on the record like Weller does with his?

Tom: "No, not any famous ones, but a few interesting collaborations."

Natalie Henderson: Who has inspired you on your new album? Can't wait to hear it when can we hear the first track from it?

Tom: "The Who. The Bronx. The nation. Liam, Andy... People I love people I hate... Every guitar band in history one way or another."

Ryan Stanton: What are the bands aspirations in terms of album chart position and single positions?

Tom: "The charts are monopolised. I believe the fans can put us right up there. Music fans own the charts."

BlueNose_Jimbo: What's the new album gonna be called?

Tom: "The album title will be announced in the next few weeks. There are a few cryptic clues dotted around our online stuff."

BlueNose_Jimbo Can I have a copy of the new enemy for free? ;)

Tom: "You can have the new single for free just by liking the Facebook page. Everybody can."

doubledex: Any of the new songs deal with how tough things are and this disgrace of a government?

Tom: "Yep, but without being overtly political. We're more social than political I believe."

C_D_Russell: Would love an album like 12 songs of Away From Here or Your Not Alone.

Tom: "That's what we're trying to deliver, but with a stronger guitar sound basically."

Ben Clarke: How far are you off are you from finishing the album?

Tom: "A couple of weeks we reckon now."

Darren Smith: Compared to WLADITT how are the melodies?

Tom: "Melodies are catchy, it's one of our strengths and we listened to WLAD a lot when writing. The new album is unique though."

Ryan March: Biggest influences on the sound of the new album?

Tom: "The Who, The Bronx, The Enemy first album."

Dan Wilson: When will the first listen of the album or single be out and any chance you playing Derby?

Tom: "The first single will hit Radio any day. Stay tuned here and we'll give you all a heads up."

George Bramley: Will there be more awesome B-side covers? I'm thinking tainted live, father & son and the likes.

Tom: "The acoustic B side covers went down a treat so yes we'll be doing plenty more of that!"

Ross Packer: What's the new stuff sound like then? What rig you using or same as before?

Tom: "Like the first album but with bigger balls. Guitar sounds are a mix of our original fender amp and some special stuff. Sounds like the Bronx with big enemy melodies!"

Lee Pitchford: When can we expect the new album mate? Will you be giving away a few signed copies lol

Tom: "Release date will be announced soon. We'll certainly sign anybody's copy!"

Paul Tempany: Release date yet mate?

Tom: "Soon :)"

Jason Matthews: How would you compare the new album to your first album?

Tom: "The songs and vibe are similar but the sound is a bit heavier. Imagine the first album with a ballsier sound."

Matt Morrall: Gonna do any crazy marketing schemes like kaiser chiefs did, the make your own album thing?

Tom: "Nah, we're going to make an old school 11 or 12 track guitar album full of catchy belters and big singles."

Kirsty Kelly: I'm getting impatient whens the album coming out? It's gonna be amazing!

Tom: "Can't announce yet, it's very nearly finished now though"

Samuel Hodge: Will you play it live or just keep playing the whole of WLADITT with a couple of new tracks? the MFTP shows were a joke...

Tom: "We intend to play a balanced mix of all three albums, longest sets we've ever done, catering for all our fans."

The Indie Swan: When is it going to be ready?

Tom: "We've got two weeks more recording to do, the stuff that's done is already being mixed, and then it'll be ready!"

Next up..... Tom Clarke answers your questions about this year's tour plans.

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Coventry Press Hail The Return Of The Enemy

The Enemy announced the date and location of their intimate gig, here are the local press reports from Coventry covering the story. The picture on the left is the cover of the Coventry Telegraph from Wednesday 2nd February 2012 - The Enemy can be seen on the top right hand side with the headline 'Enemy gig sparks huge internet ticket rush'.

Martin Bagot reported the story saying: Fans of The Enemy were given the chance to be part of the Coventry band’s latest music video this week.

Frontman Tom Clarke announced an intimate gig in their home city – with tickets snapped up in just two minutes.

News of the exclusive gig at S7ven club in Hales Street, near Millennium Place, quickly spread across social networking site Twitter.

Moments later, the website selling tickets – for just £5 – was updated saying the video shoot at the old fire station was sold out.

The announcement came after the band met Coventry City Council and West Midlands Police to discuss the event.

Tom made the unexpected announcement on his blog.


It said: “On the 16th February we are going to shoot the video for the first single Gimmie The Sign and we want YOU to be there, and be part of it.

“The video will be a live show in a tiny club in Coventry where we will play the new single live as well as other new material and all the old Enemy favourites.

“It’s the first chance we’ve had to play the new stuff off the third album, which we are all very excited about playing.”

The three-piece indie band – made up of drummer Liam Watts and bass player Andy Hopkins – will make the first single off the forthcoming album available for free.

Soon after selling out the gig, Tom posted on Twitter: “All those that missed out on tickets, there’s a very special event in Cov in the pipeline.

“Will announce as soon as it’s cleared.”

The proud Coventrians filmed their first ever video for single Had Enough at the former Hope & Anchor pub in the city, now demolished. Their first album, We’ll Live And Die In These Towns, topped the UK charts.

Announcing the eagerly anticipated video shoot, Tom added: “We think it’s only right to film the video there, just like we filmed our first ever video round the corner in The Hope & Anchor. Because S7VEN isn’t very big, there are a limited number of tickets available, and it’s first come first served.

“They’re going to go very quickly we know, but we’ve kept the price low. If you miss out don’t despair, there will be another special announcement and another chance to see us in the heart of Coventry very soon.”

The band has also promised a series of performances across the UK and festival appearances.

The new single will be made available to fans to download who ‘like’ the band’s Facebook page.

Another local newspaper, the Coventry Observer covered the story (written by Chris Smith): 'The Enemy's homecoming gig sells out in minutes'


Tickets for a homecoming gig by The Enemy sold out minutes after details were announced on Tuesday evening.

The band will play at S7ven nightclub in The Old Fire Station on Hales Street on Thursday, February 16. The club is just around the corner from The Hope And Anchor where they filmed their first ever video.

The video for the Gimmie The Sign - first single from their new album - will also be filmed on the night.

Tickets for just £5 were snapped up with minutes of frontman Tom Clarke announcing the gig on his blog, but he said the band would be back in their home city for another gig soon.

Moments before tickets went on sale he wrote: "They're are going to go very quickly we know, but if you miss out don't despair there will be another special announcement and another chance to see us in the heart of Coventry very soon."

In October The Observer reported how Clarke said he, Liam Watts and Andy Hopkins would play their biggest gig to date in Coventry in 2012 as part of a major tour of the UK and Ireland.

Tom's blog can be found at tomclarkeofficial.blogspot.com.

The Coventry Telegraph featured The Enemy on the 'What's On' page on Friday 3rd February 2012 with Alan Poole saying: 'Three is the magic number for Coventry band The Enemy'

THE countdown to The Enemy’s long-awaited third album is gathering pace.

The Coventry band confirmed this week that they will be shooting the video for first single Gimmie The Sign during a one-off show at Coventry’s S7VEN Nightclub – based at The Old Fire Station in Hales Street – on Thursday, February 16.

Tickets for the gig sold out within minutes of being announced on Tom Clarke’s blog (tomclarkeofficial.blogspot.com) on Wednesday night, but he promised “several massive announcements to come” including “another chance to see us in the heart of Coventry very soon”.

Clarke has already revealed that a couple of tracks on the album, Saturday and Turn It On, are “two forgotten gems from the very first writing sessions... simple hooky melodies over rock guitar and power drums”

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PICTURES: The Enemy In Los Angeles

Here are some of The Enemy pictures taken by Kevin Donnelly while the band were in LA recently:

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The Enemy Plan Special Performance For Coventry

Fans of The Enemy will be pleased to hear that they will be returning to their roots by filming the brand new video in their hometown Coventry on Thursday 16th February 2012. Tickets for the special event sold out in seconds as fans snapped up tickets when the venue was announced. Lucky ticket holders will be the first to hear tracks from the forthcoming album, including the new track 'Gimmie The Sign'. The Enemy will be giving the single away for free to fans (check out The Enemy facebook page for more details)

Tom Clarke, Andy Hopkins and Liam Watts are putting on an intimate performance as a thank you for the loyal support fans have shown over the years. Tom said, "It's the first chance we've had to play the new stuff off the third forthcoming album, which we are all very excited about playing! The club is S7VEN, those of you who are Coventry natives will know that that's John Dawkins' night, and we think it's only right to film the first video there, just like we filmed our first ever video round the corner in The Hope And Anchor."

The Coventry trio are making a return with their keenly anticipated third album, which promises to be a crowd pleaser - just like their 2007 number one selling debut album, 'We'll Live And Die In These Towns'. The limited edition '40 Days And 40 Nights' and  'It's Not OK' were both filmed in Coventry and the band hope to recreate the raw vibe emanating from their early material. Now on Cooking Vinyl records, The Enemy have been free from the demands a larger record company often put on artists. This will mean the third album  will be the sound The Enemy have created for their fans.



The video will be filmed at the intimate S7VEN nightclub on Thursday 16th February 2012 with fans becoming stars of the show. The band will be following that up with a single release and a selection of live shows in Coventry, London, Manchester, Leeds, Glasgow and Brighton. The Enemy spoke about performing in Coventry saying, "We are trying to make Coventry show something very special that links up with a special date in the towns history but need to raise a bunch of cash to make this happen!" 




More details can be found on the official websites below and Tom is keeping fans updated via his new blog:

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Interview: Tom Clarke Speaks About Hopes For 2012

Here is the very candid interview with The Enemy frontman Tom Clarke, speaking about the new album, life in Coventry and lessons he has learnt in life. Tom spoke to Fergal Kinney for Louder Than War, and is reproduced below. Please visit Louder Than War for a host of other interviews and media news.

A political band in apolitical musical times The Enemy took their fire and anger of the Jam and the Clash and married it with the band of their generation Oasis. In 2007, They were on top of the British music scene. A number one album, 3 top twenty singles, big venues sold out nightly up and down the country. By their own admission, after this point something went off the boil. Somewhere between the never ending soundchecks and the long haul flights, something in the Enemy was lost. Now, in 2012, The Enemy’s Tom Clarke speaks to Louder Than War about how they’ve reclaimed the original spark and have the British Music Charts next in their sights.........

So Tom, what your the agenda for the Enemy in 2012?

We intend to release our third album, play UK festivals and tour the UK. For now it’s all about getting the album finished on time. We want to release in March or April but there’s a lot still to be done. We’re also planning a special gig in the midlands too but I can’t say too much about that until it’s all confirmed. We’re working around the clock, harder than ever, to get the album sounding great, and the fans and press enthused.

In many ways your debut was of a very similar vein to 'Definitely Maybe' yet your second album jumped straight into 'Be Here Now' territory, what kind of sound are we to expect from album number three?

Album three has a sonic presence that is uncompromised. There’s echos of the first and second album in there. The songs are undeniable, catchy and instant, the sound is full on, guitar driven and to the point. It sounds like The Enemy always should of. Pop sense of the first album, sonic weight of the second. We genuinely believe it’s our best work yet and we know the implications of saying so. We wouldn’t dare say that unless we truly believed it.

How has recording with Joby J Ford from The Bronx impacted the record?

Working with Joby has been an eye opener. There are techniques for recording bands over in the states that are common place, that over in the UK producers and engineers simply don’t apply. Watching Joby work is an experience. He has a wall of guitars and we try every one to find the right sound, a plethora of amps, a multitude of different sounding rooms and a lot, and I mean a lot, of experience.

What has been influencing you with the writing of the new album?

Many years ago we wrote an album [We'll Live & Die In These Towns] which to us made perfect sense. We wrote about the dark cloud hanging above us all. The working class, and particularly the north of England and Scotland knew exactly what we were on about. The middle class and the Hoxton elite in London are only just starting to be affected by what was already tearing the heart out of working class towns all over the rest of the UK. The third album, touches on lots of things, but without being too political. I don’t think Enemy fans really want to get too political. It touches on the Coke culture that is plaguing our youth, it stabs fun a what in Coventry we affectionately refer to as “shit geezers”, “parrot heads” or "try hards". It touches on some bleak moments that every class of person will of experienced in these incredibly testing times. It’s got old school Enemy jest in there too, and anger, and spite, and all the things that made The Enemy great.

You’ve been quite vocal lately about the absence of guitar music in the UK and it is clear that there is a distinct lack of guitar music in the charts, particularly when compared to the boom of 2004-2007. What do you think is the cause of this and how do you think it can be helped? Which bands at the moment do you rate and do you find it reassuring that guitar groups such as the Courteeners and the Vaccines can still gain great success?

I think it is superb to see the Courteeners and the Vaccines going strong. Liam Fray was incredibly vocal about slagging me and my band off when he first came out. I assume it’s because by being at the top of the charts and all over the press and TV we were an easy target. Personally, I no longer view bands as targets. I think all real music, whether guitar driven or not has to come together to destroy the monopoly that the manufactured Cowell trowell dumps on our charts. The British Singles Chart belongs to the British Music Fan. NOT to Simon Cowell. It’s high time that all fans of all bands unite and make themselves heard.

With record sales at an all time low yet live music still experiencing something of a boom, how do you feel this will impact the future of the Enemy? For a band that broke Blur’s record of selling out consecutive nights at London Astoria, do you feel confident that the people will be on your side?

The Enemy has always been a live band. However this time I think we might of made a record to match. Everybody that’s seen us live knows the score. People who have heard us on record but not seen us live still have that experience to look forward to. This time though, the third album does the love show justice. It sounds amazing, the songs are sing along catchy anthems and the spirit of the band is captured. We are more excited about 2012 than we have ever been. We just want to spread that excitement and get the public ready for a superb album, and release it, and tour everywhere to say thanks to all The Enemy fans, and all the genuine music fans for their support.

Do you regret taking the length of time out that you did after the second album and his it shown you what could have been done differently between the first and second albums?

I do regret it. But we needed it. We were exhausted. We needed some space from each other and from the circus. It’s going to be tough to get back in. We wont just waltz into radio and be received with open arms. We have to make a special record, and that’s what we’re doing. Then we have to graft our balls off to make sure everybody knows about it.

You were quite young when you had success with your debut album, when did you first get into playing guitar and gigging?

The thing a lot of people forget is we are still one of the youngest bands out there. Everybody else is creeping closer to radio two age, we’re still trying to grow some stubble. I guess we all started around the age of 18, and we’re still learning our trade. You should never stop learning, especially from your own mistakes. The day you think you’re perfect is the day you’ve lost it. That’s my opinion anyway.

Most songwriters are influenced by where they came from, this was often the case in your work with “You're Not Alone” being written about the closure of Peugoet plant in Coventry. Does Coventry still inspire you to write today and how?

Coventry is always a massive inspiration. I grew up in Birmingham until I was 16. Coventry is much smaller and therefore all the stuff that happens is more focused. I genuinely love Cov. I really adore it.

The Enemy have always endeavoured to be a band with a political conscience and in the time between ‘Music For the People’ and now so much has happened, from the riots to the election of a Conservative led government, what worries you the most about Britain at the moment? And if there was an election tomorrow who would you vote for, and why?

What worries me most about British politics is that we don’t have any politics anymore. There is no choice. No left, no right. They’re all in bed with each other looking out for themselves, nobody cares about the common man in politics anymore. I wouldn’t vote for any of them at the moment.

When your first album shot to Number One and you gained a wider press attention, you could often be quite scathing in the press of people in other bands; what do you think of this now?

As I say, I think it’s a time to stick together. It’s much easier to slag a band off than it is to say something nice about somebody, but when musicians stick together they can achieve greatness. You only have to look at the collaborations in Dub Step and R&B to understand that. I am older and wiser and whilst I still have a fire in my belly I’ve learned to think before I speak. I will never with hold my opinion. If somebody wants to know, I’ll tell em. But there’s an art to getting your point across intelligently. I would hate to come across as unintelligent or arrogant as it is not the case. I take pride in my open mindedness and I care more about other people than anybody realises.

Quickfire Q+A (and where relevant, your reasons for)

Cameron or Clegg? Eton boy or a traitor? Neither give a shit about the common man, they can both rot.

Bitter, lager or cider? Lager. And a kebab. I hate conforming to a stereotype. dammit.

Morrissey or Marr? Tough one. Morrissey was a poet but Marr could make a guitar sing in a way I never will. Marr.

Radio 1 or Radio 2? Radio 1. I have faith that they will see the light.

Fender or Gibson? I’m all about Fender. My snot green tele is my favourite axe ever.

The Clash or the Jam? Very tough one. The Jam speak more to me though. Weller was and is a genius.

Singing or guitar? That’s like saying fish or chips.

Stage or studio? Stage.

Beady Eye or Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds? Love Beady Eye, been to see em loads. Really enjoyed it. Noel is the man when it comes to songs though and I’m a song man at heart. NGHFB album is my favourite album for a long long time.

John, Paul, George or Ringo? John was a legend. Macca drove a merc, I’m more of a Jag man.

*Source: Louder Than War

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The Enemy Return To UK

The Enemy have returned from their recording sessions in Los Angeles (as pictured above with Coventry photographer Kevin Donnelly). With just a few more studio recording sessions to go, The Enemy are beginning to see the formation of their third album. They told fans, "We are back from LA armed with another 4 finished tracks and 2 more very nearly there, back in the studio very soon and BANG ON target for release."

Pictures taken while The Enemy were in the USA by Kevin Donnelly can be seen on Tom Clarke's official blog and we'll post them here during the coming week.

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Liam Watts Joins Twitter

The Enemy drummer, Liam Watts has finally bowed to pressure and joined fellow band mates Tom Clarke and Andy Hopkins on Twitter. The lads have been tweeting during their recording sessions in Los Angeles and Liam had to take a bit of stick for being the only band member not to have a Twitter account.

Liam has been tweeting via The Enemy twitter page, but is normally quite shy - so fans ought not to expect too many tweets from the 23 year old! Keep up to date with Tom, Andy and now Liam on Twitter and hear the latest news from The Enemy on their official accounts :

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The Enemy Reveal Album Tracks

The Enemy are currently in LA recording tracks for the anticipated third album and Tom Clarke took time out from the studio to talk about the new tracks. Tom said, "We've hardly seen outside the studio in all the time we've been here, we've worked faster and harder than we ever have before." The band are working with The Bronx's Joby J Ford, who is helping to create the sound for the new album.

Fans will be delighted to know the Coventry trio are returning to their roots with new songs such as 'Saturday' and 'Turn It On Two' - guitar led up tempo songs written at the start of their career. Tom described them as, "simple hooky melodies over rock guitar and power drums. They remind us of tracks like 'Had Enough' and 'Be Somebody'."

New song 'This Is Real' has been available to fans from The Enemy's Facebook page, but the song has been transformed with more drum playing from Liam Watts, a violin and a Grammy Award winning Hispanic vocal trio - Tom thinks the song has a 'You're Not Alone' feel to it!

Some tracks have not been finalised yet, 'Make A Man' is still being worked on but promises to have great drums and that very British sound. The lads continue to produce songs about everyday life and '1234' will be a punk sounding track about youth culture in the UK.

If you enjoyed album tracks like 'Pressure' then you should enjoy 'Bigger Cages Longer Chains', a track that promises lots of guitar action. Another song that could be making it to the third album is 'Gimmie The Sign',  Tom described it as "a step forward in the right direction, keeping the classic Enemy sentiments but with a more anthemic vibe."

The Enemy can not wait to return with the new album and a UK tour - Tom, Andy and Liam are enjoying the learning experience of working in an LA studio with the crew. The band want to get this album just right, so that fans can be proud. Tom said, "we're still young and on the cusp of discovering what you can really do with music, we're all stupidly excited about this record, we've made huge strides without forgetting where we come from and belong."

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Andy Hopkins Wants YOU!

If you have been missing The Enemy over the past few months, then miss no more because the Coventry band are back in the studio (currently in Los Angeles). Andy Hopkins has been updating his followers on Twitter (the picture can also be seen on Andy's Twitter page).

Get the most up to the minute gossip straight from the horses mouth (so to speak..... I'm not calling Andy a horse or anything!).  Follow Andy Hopkins on Twitter @andyhopkins26 and fellow band mate Tom Clarke @tomclarke_enemy , sadly no-one has managed to persuade drummer Liam Watts to set up an official Twitter account yet!

Andy, Tom and Liam regularly update their official Facebook page with news of the third album developments as 2012 promises to be a great year for The Enemy.

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