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

Interrogate The Enemy

Have you ever wanted to interrogate The Enemy? Now is your chance, because the lads are asking fans to email questions over the next two weeks or so. Tom, Andy and Liam will then pick out the best questions and post the answers (along with the names of who asked the questions) on their official websites: www.theenemy.com/ and www.facebook.com/theenemy. The Enemy will be recording a video answering YOUR questions, so this is YOUR chance to ask anything you like!

Click the box below to send your question (s) to The Enemy

 

The Enemy thanked fans who downloaded the free track 'This Is Real', in their latest update The Enemy said, "the reaction to the track was astonishing and truly took all three of us by surprise! You lot downloaded by the tens of thousand and let us know what you think across our Facebook and on Twitter. The vast majority of it was very positive and flattering... thanks so much for taking the time to not only download it, but also to respond."

Got a question for Tom, Liam and Andy? Email them:  enemyinterrogation@greenhousegroup.co.uk 

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

Blast From The Past: The Enemy @ Godiva 2008

Andy Hopkins @ Godiva Festival 2008

Liam Watts @ Godiva Festival 2008

Tom Clarke @ Godiva Festival 2008

Three years ago, The Enemy returned to Coventry once more and appeared for free in front of 10,000 people. Although the rain was relentless, fans braved the downpour and sang along with The Enemy. The Coventry Telegraph reported on 07/07/08:

THE ENEMY were welcomed back to Coventry by thousands of cheering fans on Saturday.

After a sunny day at the Godiva Festival, early-evening downpours meant numbers were well short of the 30,000 originally expected on the main night of the three-day event.

(To see our Godiva Festival pics click here)

But more than 10,000 fans braved the weather for their heroes' homecoming gig by the time they took to the stage at 9.30pm.

The trio kicked off with Away From Here, which had the audience screaming and singing along.

Their performance completed a successful second day of the festival, which had earlier included a set from Shadowplay, the winners of G Factor, and up and coming band The Ripps.

As well as the music, throughout the day thousands of people enjoyed everything else the festival had to offer.

At its peak, the number of people at the festival reached 15,000

* Pictures of The Enemy @ Godiva 2008 can be seen: HERE

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

Interview With The Enemy In Ayia Napa

Top British rockers swarmed to Ayia Napa for this year’s Napa Live music festival, NAOMI LEACH goes backstage and met The Enemy (as reported in Cyprus Mail)

Rays of green neon light splay across the crowd. The bass guitar groans and the raucous mob pound their feet, stomping the ground rhythmically and jerking back and forwards to the pulsing heavy rift. Twisted Wheel close their deafening set and platinum selling rockers The Enemy saunter on stage. Lead singer Tom Clarke swaggers to the microphone with a guitar in one hand. He points appreciatively at the crowd and their top ten hit ‘Away From Here’ erupts. The crowd dance feverishly, chanting along. A plastic cup of beer is flung into the mosh pit at the front and splashes on the topless torsos of men, busily slamming into each other. Further back a blonde is hoisted on to her boyfriend’s shoulders. She sways enthusiastically to the music, arms outstretched to the stage. As hit tune ‘We’ll Live and Die in These Towns’ swells through the venue in Tom’s thick Coventry drawl it’s easy to forget exactly where we are.

This scene was not at this week’s Glastonbury rock festival in the UK, it was in fact at last weekend’s indie music festival in Ayia Napa. The Enemy performed live alongside Twisted Wheel on the second night of the three day Napa Live festival. Then acclaimed Birmingham indie band The Twang and northern rock legends The Charlatans completed the line up by performing at the festival the following night.

For a dose of garage, house and reggae people flock to the island’s clubbing mecca, Ayia Napa but now indie rock is an unexpected and welcome addition to the music scene. Tourists and super fans alike are embracing the burgeoning scene as the Napa Live festival flourishes in its second year. It was set up by Chris Topliss, the man behind Napa hangout the Live Lounge.

During their sound check, I grabbed a few minutes with The Enemy to find out what brought them to Ayia Napa. The first thing that strikes me about the three piece act is how young and diminutive they look, not what you’d expect when listening to their raw, contagious anthems, riling against working class oppression with humour and pathos.

Front man and songwriter Tom Clarke has a confident, self possessed interviewing style full of pithy, dry asides. Bassist Andy Hopkins is friendly and open, while drummer Liam Watts is polite but the group fall into the natural patter of allowing Tom to be the band’s voice piece.

Andy is wearing a sling, which I notice he ditches later for the gig. The injury happened at the recent Download Festival.

“I fell over drunk. It happens a lot. I fell on my face, broke a finger before a gig, in Ibiza. And broke my heel before V festival,” he admits nonchalantly. It never stops him playing though, he declares proudly.

They say they have matured since their explosive entry on to the music scene in 2007, hailed as the saviours of rock, by the music press. “Everyone’s grown up. Become a better band,” explains Tom. They are currently working on their third album which will be a return to the ‘smack you in the face’ immediacy of the first album.

Although The Enemy has had a successful whirlwind few years performing and recording, they claim to lead very normal lives. Andy says “Life isn’t the band. We still have lives in and outside of the band,” Doing what? I ask. “We still nip to Sainsbury’s to get the milk. Pay the mortgage,” replies Tom.

Much as the band try to maintain normality by still living in Coventry they lead a lifestyle many would envy.

“Yeah if you say touring the world playing gigs in beautiful places is a dream, then you could consider it a dream. There’s perks, playing live shows, gigs here, stuff like this. I was lying in the pool earlier and thinking it’s not a bad life,” Tom admits.

The boys looked pretty relaxed hours before their headlining gig but confess they do still feel the nerves sometimes.

Liam confides “My biggest worry is to go on stage and I don’t know where I’m walking. I don’t want to go on stage and get lost in front of so many people.”

“I get a bit more nervous when not gigging.” Andy confesses,

“I’m more nervous now. But it’s healthy nerves, an adrenaline rush, in the run up I’m thinking ‘where are the pedals?’ I used to turn up have a beer and just stroll on stage,” reveals Tom.

“There’s more pedals now,” smirks Andy.

“We’ve got a loyal following because of our live gigs. We always play our hearts out, we always say ‘Let’s play like it could be the last version played!’” declares Tom.

The band jumped at the opportunity to play in the new indie hot spot of the Mediterranean. “There’s a massive expat community here and in that way Cyprus is a bit of a one off. They’re trying to build a huge indie movement. There are also a lot of Scandinavians in Cyprus and they don’t know indie, it’s totally foreign to them. That should be exciting, it’s what music is about, discovering stuff you didn’t know about already”.

Source: Cyprus Mail

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

Andy Hopkins Arm In Sling Ahead Of Ayia Napa Gig

As The Enemy headed off to Ayia Napa for their gig at the Napa Live Festival (The Chameleon Club, 10pm on June 16th 2011), Andy Hopkins had his arm in a sling. According to the bands Facebook page, Andy had been having a good time at the Download Festival but The Enemy would still be performing their planned gig tonight.

Andy Hopkins has experienced a few injuries since the band made it big in 2007, yet this has never deterred him from diving into the crowds from the stage during various gigs (as seen in these pictures.) Tom Clarke also injured himself in March 2009 while riding his new motorbike but rang fans personally in Tunbridge Wells after the band were unable to perform at an intimate free gig. The Enemy are looking forward to their gig in Cyprus today and fans can expect to see the Coventry lads more and more as they prepare for the third album - due out in early 2012.

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

The Enemy Reward Fans With Free Download

The Enemy are giving fans a free copy of 'This Is Real', the brand new demo track that should be on the new album early next year.

This is what Tom, Liam and Andy wrote to fans of The Enemy:


Just to prove we are writing and recording the new album we are giving all you lot on the mailing list / Facebook a demo of a new song from the third album. The song is called 'This Is Real', and I'll spare you long winded explanations, but I guess the lyrics are self explanatory and reflective of where we are all at right now.

To get the new track, head over to our Facebook page and give us a "like" to unlock it. Our Facebook, which is now being updated and looked after properly, will be a real meeting place for us and you lot.
We're now dipping our toes in the murky waters of social media for the first time properly. Our official Twitter will be here and all three of us, with help from the road crew, will be updating when and where we feel it. I will, however, not be updating you on what I'm having for breakfast or what pants Liam is wearing...because that stuff winds me up.

We also head to Ayia Napa on Wednesday to play a set made up of the last two albums, and road testing a few new uns too. The Charlatans and Chase & Status are playing the same festival as us, so definitely worth checking out if you're planning on heading over. There's more info over at: http://www.napalivefestival.com/.

Looks like the album will come out early next year (we are thinking Feb) and we can't wait to get back out properly on the road. We have around 18 new tracks at the min, working titles include, 'Melody', 'This Is Real', 'Its Automatic', 'All Or Nothing', 'Come Into My World', etc, etc…

We are still writing, and in fact are recording four more demos next week and enjoying being three lads in a small room banging out tunes again. I hope you enjoy 'This is Real' as much as we have thinking about banging it live and watching the room go off!

As much as I have loved watching Kasabian, Beady Eye and The Antics smash it live over the last few months, time off is for pussy's!!! So see ya soon unless you're in Ayia Napa, in which case see you over the next few days.

Tom Clarke, Andy Hopkins, Liam Watts

…BTW people on Facebook keep asking our favorite venues to play in the UK ever, so here they are in no particular order: The Astoria London (gone to make way for a fucking train station; we did seven nights in a row there a few years back... a record I think). Glasgow Barrowlands (The people!!!!). Leamington Assembly Rooms (A Solid Silver wall in club in Leamington Spa????). Dundee Caird Hall (Insane and brilliant). Manchester Apollo (If you don't know you should)…and Coventry anywhere!

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