Category: Label News

The Weekenders second single and the second release on Blow Up Records (Blow Up 002) was released on this day 1995. Format 7″ single.

“And to have no time for common types like you, like you and me”

Man Of Leisure (A Side) World Of His Own (AA Side).

Recorded in January 1995 at Chiswick Reach Studios by Vic Keary. Band members Paul Tunkin Vocals, James Hender guitar, Chris Remington bass guitar, Steve Smith Drums,

The band had previously recorded both the songs in January 1994 on the 8-track tape machine with Vic Keary at Chiswick Reach Studios, when they recorded their first studio session of eight songs day. Some of the recordings from these sessions were released, All Grown Up, House Husband became the bands first single, Seem’s You Missed Sunday was released on the Fierce Panda Records EP Return To Splendour and In Love With It All a bonus vinyl only release on the compilation That Was Now But This Is Then.

Returning a year later to the same studio with Vic Keary again producing and two of the songs again from the previous session but this time using the 24 track machine to record. Vic actually always prefered the 8-track one inch machine but the band wanted to record new recordings for the single. Steve Diggle from Buzzcocks joined the band in the studio, a musicial talisman preciding over the procedings and lending the band an ace guitar to record with.

Mal Campbell played the studio grand piano for which he placed various cutlery across the strings to get that old music hall sound, also using a Roland SH3A a synth which was on longtime loan to the group from Terry Herbert (The Ladykillers).

Songs written by Paul Tunkin. Arranged by The Weekenders.

Published by Blow Up Songs. Mastered by George Peckham – A Porky Prime Cut Cat Number – BLOWUP002.

This was the first single that Blow Up Records released via a record distributer – SRD (Southern Record Distributors).

The initial pressing had a photo of a pooch with necklace on the centre label, this was left over from an earlier abandoned artwork, the second pressing a black and white silhouette of the characters running for the train from the front sleeve. The single was a limited edition 7″ which sold out on its week of release and was not repressed. The tracks were later compiled onto an export only (for Japan) singles compilation album – ‘That Was Then But This Is Now’ released in January 1996. Very limited stock is left of this release currently only available from the Blow Up shop – https://blowup.greedbag.com/buy/that-was-now-but-this-is-then-4/

We are saddened to hear of the passing of Françoise Cactus the singer and drummer of Stereo Total who died peacefully at her home February 17th, 2021, of cancer. Rest in peace our friend.

Friday 15th January at 10am GMT Nasser Bouzida AKA The Bongolian will takeover as the music selector the Radio Raheem playlist for one whole hour. Playing a selection of favourite music picks that Nasser has loved and been influenced by. This is to coincide with the release of theLatin Soul flavoured Harlem Hipshake album on Blow Up Records. Tune in http://www.radioraheem.it/

Rumore magazine (Italy) has reviewed The Bongolian Harlem Hipshake in the latest issue describing it as “…13 brani incandescenti” (ENG “…13 glowing tracks”). Read all about it…

The Long Blondes ‘Christmas Is Cancelled’ is single of the week for the Leeza London radio show on The Independent FM (Los Angeles) this week. Tonight the interview with Dorian Cox (first broadcast KXFM.107FM on Sunday) will be broadcast again on Leeza’s show tonight around 10pm GMT.

Link to tune into the show:

https://uk.radioking.com/radio/the-independent-fm-1

The Long Blondes ‘Christmas Is Cancelled’ is available on digital music services. Here is a smart link to streaming services: https://ampl.ink/Q0Lnl

Christmas Is Cancelled has been made Single Of The Week for the Leeza London Radio show on theIndependentFm (Los Angeles) broadcasting tonight from 8pm GMT.

El Beardo The Bongolian hits the Craig Charles Funk and Soul Show best of 2020 playlist (BBC Radio 6 Music).

“The Bongolian ‘El Beardo’ I still remember being passed a copy of  The Bongolian’s latest earlier this year I almost fell off my seat when  I heard what they had done, it’s a celebration of that 60’s Latin sound so beloved of the likes of Joe Cuba, Ray Barretto, Hector Rivera and Pete Rodriguez and it’s hardly been off my show since it’s called Harlem Hipshake released on Blow Up Records and it’s banging! Craig Charles

Listen back:

Listen back into the show at 1:14:13

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000qhbm

Thanks to Craig and the shows team for all the support for the Harlem Hipshake album this year.

Dorian Cox of The Long Blondes speaks with Leeza London tonight on TNN RADIO KX FM 104.7 from Laguna Beach, California . Tune in (online) at around 10.30 GMT. Dorian will be talking Christmas Is Cancelled which is released Monday 21st December on Blow Up Records and about the Long Blondes in general.

Independent FM radio host Leeza London is celebrating Blow Up again tonight with a ‘Blow Up Dance Party’. She has picked a handful of Blow Up Records tracks to play on the show whilst she will be talking with David Woodcock his current album Normal Life.

The radio station Independent FM is based in Los Angeles and broadcasts live and can only be listened to live online, there is no catch up facility so make sure you tune in from 8pm GMT to hear it.

Station link: https://uk.radioking.com/radio/the-independent-fm-1

David Woodcock ‘Normal Life’ BU121. Available on vinyl and CD and all digital music services. Blow Up Records US distribution by Red Eye.

“This is El Beardo. The Bongolian. Been getting behind this album for weeks now and the good news is it came out yesterday on Blow Up Records. Its called Harlem Hipshake and it’s fantastic! Come on go out and buy it, support your funk and Soul.” Craig Charles BBC Radio 6 Music 14/11/2020

Listen back: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000pf7k