Opaque Album Launch London

Friday 24th February a coach load of us went to The Café de Paris (off Leicester Square) for Opaque official Album launch.
James Chadwick joined the boys on stage for a couple of songs.

Moony gave it large...


In the montage below you can see Elgin trying out the VIP lounge.

It's been a long night and I'm tired so enough with the words. Enjoy the pictures.

Rock on Dudes

Thursday 23rd February

What larks and japes we have. First off at Unity "Lindas Nephew" from Huntingdon.

Lindas Nephew are: Jaime Randall lead vocal and guitar, James Cuthbert keyboards, Wilkes Drums and Tom Allerton on Bass. Followed by Steve Gonzales, a Unity comedy 1st, playing comic songs. About football mainly what else?

So then we had the Camden leisure Pirates or was it Camden leisure Pirate as only one of them could make it. That will be Tom on Keyboards then.
Tom likes Peterborough, the people are friendly, he is very relaxed here, or it could be the drink that made him so very relaxed.
..anyway before long he'd recruited a new band all playing percussion. We only hope that next time he comes to Unity he brings the rest of the band, because even relaxed the boy rocks. He's such a gentleman, well they are from Cambridge, waited for an ashtray rather than put his fag butt on the floor. This is manners for yer.The legend that will be, James Chadwick he gets up off the drum kit after playing with The Camden Pirate picks up his guitar and starts playing. This is a guy who continually makes me sick by demonstrating yet again how versatile and talented he is. It's not enough that he plays guitar and sings, tonight he played drums as well, the other week it was bass, next week he'll be on bagpipes and still make it look easy.
Oh well for those of you who thought you were missing out on stuff happening elsewhere tonight. Check this out.
Here are the "Playful Rays" winners of this weeks heat of the Battle Of the Bands at the Solstice. Words fail me.

Unity: One For All And All For....

Discussions have been held. Decisions have been made. Unity is not just Thursday night at the Fidds. Unity is an idea, a concept. We are not in competition with other groups, we never have been, all the time we have been working with our friends Muddy Promotions, System Abuse, Playskool et al, to give you the best in live entertainment. Talking of the best here's "Rock Star" Andy at Genevas Open "mike" tonight...
Meanwhile down at The Solstice Pixy Skin held another Art and music night featuring, all the way from Sheffield, the fabulous Letters and Colours OK they're young but they have such potential.

As a warm up gig before their Album launch party in London on Friday, Opaque yet again impressed us with a short set. Spaces are still available, but not many so get in contact with Moony pretty damned quick if you want to come along. It's £18. That covers your travel from The Brewery Tap to the gig and Entrance fee. You may even get a free CD thrown in for being loyal, but don't quote me on that. The coach leaves at 6:30pm. We get back to Peterborough approximately 03:00am.

So being as the Unity concept is expanding. We are inviting you to send in Photos for publication (Mike Da Hat can't be everywhere) Reviews of gigs. Anything you think might be interesting to the cause. Send copy to Mike Da Hat at his link on the right.
That said The Unity Club itself is continuing as normal at the Fidds with a great line up for Thursday night. Check Shaggys previous post for details.

Unity newsletter

Greetings busybods and lazybums

This list began life as the Unity newsletter but as things have developed in our city it has become more and more a general what's on guide for like-minded events locally and further afield......so, this newsletter is going to remain the same but will come to you via the Muddy Promotions mailing list, removing it from being so event specific and making it a more neutral guide to quality stuff to do.
Wednesday
The second outing for Pixie Skin is at the Solstice on Wednesday. The night aims to provide an open mic session with DJ's focused on jazz and world music with bits of hip-hop and chillout thrown in for fun. There will also be artwork by a number of artists on display and for sale. Entrance is by voluntary donation to Age Concern. Live music will include an acoustic outing for Opaque.

Thursday

Unity returns to the Fidds with a huge line-up on Thursday. James Chadwick, arguably the finest acoustic artist in the city, returns to the Unity stage. It's two Unity debuts for our two bands - The Camden Leisure Pirates (who are from Cambridge) and the wonderful Linda's Nephew. There's also a first for Unity in the guise of comic Steve Gonzalez, who will play a short set of comedic musical parodies. Playing random stuff in between from the decks will be Playskool's Kendo, and the end of night will be provided by full on drum and bass from System Abuse's Urb (the world record holder for the longest DJ mix). If you want to go a bit further afield Wake are playing in Camden at The Dublin Castle. Doors open at 8:30 and tickets are £6 (or £5 with a flyer).

Friday
On Friday System Abuse are returning to the Vibes Bar beginning a string of events showcasing young and fresh up-and-coming talent amongst the DJ's and MC's of the city. Alongside the new boys will be Urb, Scar Red, G-Rolla (Speed of Sound), Kodo (Sensoo Alliance), KDC (Concentrix). Entrance is £3.
A new event is also beginning at Lisboa on Lincoln Road. The Audio Collective are presenting a night of deep and dirty breaks - encompassing drum & bass, breaks and hip-hop. London's Leicester Square Club is host to the launch party of Opaque's new album The Last Moustache. A bus to and from is available from the Opaque boys for a cost of £18 which will get you transport to and from the event by coach, entrance to the venue and a copy of the album. Finally in a very busy night of partying, Jaz is at Fidds. The line-up includes Point Seven Pistol and a reduced line-up version of Point of Origin. There will also be a DJ outing for Sk9, who you may have seen playing his phreaky techno at the city's Contact promotions.

Saturday
On Saturday Wake are playing their full band acoustic set in Bogarts along with an acoustic support act. Music will be 9-11 and entrance is free. Also on Saturday the Fidds is hosting Boss Reggae sound system for a night of dub and reggae. Entrance is £2 before 10 and £4 after.SundayOn Sunday there is a day of open deck opportunity for budding DJ's at Lisboa. Check the Muddy Promotions forum

Peace, love and be out there.

Unity

THIS WEEK'S STUDENT RADIO CHART

1. [7] We Are Scientists - It's A Hit (EMI/Virgin)
2. [2] The Go! Team - Ladyflash (Memphis Industries)
3. [1] The Strokes - Heart In Cage (Rough Trade)
4. [8] Fallout Boy - Sugar We're Going Down (Universal/Mercury)
5. [4] Maximo Park - I Want You To Stay (Warp)
6. [6] Corinne Bailey Rae - Put Your Records On (EMI)
7. [23] Madonna - Sorry (Warner/Maverick)
8. [3] Arctic Monkeys - When the Sun Goes Down (Domino)
9. [11] Goldfrapp - Ride a White Horse (EMI/Mute)
10. [15] Mystery Jets - The Boy Who Ran Away (679)
11. [5] Clap Your Hands Say Yeah - In This Home On Ice (Wichita)
12. [RE] Ashlee Simpson - Boyfriend (Universal/Geffen)
13. [9] The Feeling - Sewn (Universal/Island)
14. [13] Graham Coxon - Standing On My Own Again (EMI/Parlophone)
15. [26] Hot Chip - Over and Over (EMI)
16. [25] Delays - Valentine (Rough Trade)
17. [NE] Orson - No Tomorrow (Universal/Mercury)
18. [NE] Panic! At The Disco - I Write Sins Not Tragedies(Warner/Atlantic)
19. [14] The Darkness - Is It Just Me (Warner/Atlantic)
20. [20] Kubb - Grow (Universal/Mercury)
21. [12] El Presidente - Turn This Thing Around (SonyBMG)
22. [RE] Morning Runner - Burning Benches (EMI/Parlophone)
23. [24] The Concretes - Chosen One (Licking Fingers)
24. [22] Editors - Munich (SonyBMG/Kitchenware)
25. [NE] All American Rejects - Move Along (Universal/Polydor)
26. [10] Jose Gonzales - Heartbeats (Peacefrog)
27. [30] Saucy Monkey - I Touch Myself (Measured Records)
28. [21]Bell X1 - Flame (Universal/Island)
29. [NE] Sean Paul - Temperature (Warner/Atlantic)
30. [NE] The Storys - Me By Your Side (Korova)

Thursday 16th February 2006

What a night for music last night. Here at Unity we had a lot of competition in the entertainment stakes. At the Solstice The Battle of the bands featuring The Gangsters, Charlie Alexander and the new band from the guys who used to be Stingray, then at Genevas, Julian Stone and friends with Opaque, at Bogarts the Battle of the DJ's competition.Yo yeti on stage accompanied by Stacey on drums and a new backing vocalist. Followed by the very excellent Moosejaw.
Those present would have to agree Moosejaw played a brilliant and lively set. Tonight acompanied by Cat on electric violin.

Other news: Opaque are appearing in The café de Paris in Leicester Square 25th February check on the link on the right for more details it's going to be great fun, there's a coach going, so there's no excuse. If you didn't know it's the launch party for their new Album. The Last Moustache.

Meanwhile:we thought you'd like to know that The Magic Numbers' new single "I See You, You See Me" is now out and available to download. Get it ->HERE<-
Also here's a video you may like to see, it's the new single from OK GO "A Million Ways" which you can view ->HERE<-

That's about it for now Rock on Dudes.
Peace.

Opportunities Abound

Here at Unity Towers we like to think that not only do we give you nice pictures to look at but useful information too. So here's yet another opportunity for the aspiring musician to further their career... read on ...

VERIZON AND MYSPACE LAUNCH UNSIGNED BANDS COMPETITION
US mobile firm Verizon Wireless has teamed up with MySpace to give one unsigned band the chance to distribute their music via the mobile company's content platform VCast. Any band with a MySpace page can enter. MySpace editors will pick their favourite fifteen, who will then be voted down to a final five through a public vote. MySpace and Verizon chiefs will then pick an overall winner, who will then get the chance to make a video and ringtones for their track, which will be made available via VCast. I'm not sure whether the promotion is restricted to US bands or not - but given that any band can have a MySpace page, I suspect UK bands can enter too.

I know some of you already have a Myspace account. For those that haven't it might be worth mocking up a website just to enter the competition. You've nothing to lose and it's free.

Rock on Dudes

TALENT HUNT

News just in people. Here's another opportunity to get noticed, increase your profile, who knows? Get famous. Read on....

CITY SHOWCASE LAUNCHES 2006 TALENT HUNT
The City Showcase people have launched their annual hunt for aspiring musicians and designers to take part in this year's event, which has moved to June (5-9 Jun to be precise). Various music showcases will take place during the mini-festival - in trendy West End fashion stores and several music venues. Amy Winehouse, Rishi Rich, Sway, Razorlight, Rooster and Keane are among those who have played at past City Showcase events, so they've got quite a good record so far. For details of how to apply to take part check their website: http://www.cityshowcase.co.uk/

OR

You may like to consider this...


Play Greenbelt 2006
Green belt 2006 is a Christian Music and Arts festival held at Cheltenham towards the end of August. At the moment they're looking for acts to play and perform live on stage so send your demos in now.
In due course, they'll be announcing some of their first headline names for Greenbelt this summer. But also welcome submissions to play and perform at the festival and would love to hear from you.
I don't suppose Satanic Rock will go down very well. So consider that when you send in your demo.
So here's where you send it -->HERE<--

THIS WEEK'S STUDENT RADIO CHART

1. [19] The Strokes - Heart in a Cage (Rough Trade)
2. [5] The Go! Team - Ladyflash (Memphis Industries)
3. [1] Arctic Monkeys - When the Sun Goes Down (Domino)
4. [3] Maximo Park - I Want You to Stay (Warp)
5. [14] Clap Your Hands Say Yeah - In this Home on Ice (Wichita)
6. [12] Corinne Bailey Rae - Put Your Records On (EMI)
7. [28] We Are Scientists - It's A Hit (EMI/Virgin)
8. [6] Fall Out Boy - Sugar We're Going Down (Universal/Mercury)
9. [NE] The Feeling - Sewn (Universal/Island)
10. [RE] Jose Gonzales - Heartbeats (Peacefrog)
11. [2] Goldfrapp - Ride a White Horse (EMI/Mute)
12. [17] El Presidente - Turn This Thing Around (SonyBMG)
13. [18] Graham Coxon - Standing on my Own Again (EMI/Parlophone)
14. [NE] The Darkness - Is It Just Me (Warner/Atlantic)
15. [11] Mystery Jets - The Boy Who Ran Away (679)
16. [NE] Alkaline Trio - Burn (Vagrant)
17. [15] Belle & Sebastian - Funny Little Frog (Rough Trade)
18. [NE] The Rakes - All Too Human (V2)
19. [6] The Kooks - You Don't Love Me (EMI/Virgin)
20. [8] Kubb - Grow (Universal/Mercury)
21. [30] Bell X1 - Flame (Universal/Island)
22. [7] Editors - Munich (SonyBMG/Kitchenware)
23. [NE] Madonna - Sorry (Warner/Maverick)
24. [24] The Concretes - Chosen One (Licking Fingers)
25. [NE] Delays - Valentine (Rough Trade)
26. [NE] Hot Chip - Over And Over (EMI)
27. [NE] Placebo - Because I Want You (EMI/Elevator)
28. [NE] Kanye West - Touch the Sky (Universal/Roc A Fella)
29. [NE] Death Cab For Cutie - Crooked Teeth (Warner/Atlantic)
30. [20] Saucy Monkey - I Touch Myself (Measured Records

Thursday 9th February 2006

First up tonight was our good friend, and impossibly tall, John lichfield. After lowering the microphone stand by two foot, Sidearm took the stage for their second Unity gig, following gigs in Islington (Hope and Anchor) Nottingham, Sleaford (where?) and Leeds.
As usual the Sidearm guys gave it maximum effort, held together by incredibly tight drumming, despite Simons problems with a broken bass string. They claimed that tonight was the first time they'd been asked to do an encore. Yeah! Hard to believe.They can be seen again at..
The Pleasure unit: Bethnal Green 14th February
The Glass house: Derby 20th February
The loft:Cambridge 24th February
...and they played here for free...
I don't know how we do it. All these great acts begging us to play for nothing. Have we got it or have we got it?

For your final delight Zia took to the desk, giving you the tunes you want to hear.

Well as there was a total of zero votes on the "Little Finger game" no one actually won. So no hands were dipped in pockets to buy drinks for the winners. It makes me wonder if you guys can't figure stuff out or you just can't be bothered. Look it isn't rocket science to click on the comments button below this. Surely you've figured it out by now?

We've been running this site for three months now. We've had over 2600 hits in that time which isn't shabby. But a total of less than 10 comments. A few more in the shout box. We need more comments. We aint doing this for our health you know. We're doing this for you. So tell us what you like, What you don't like. What you'd like to see. Who you'd like to see. Anything.

We are planning a proper Unity website to take over from this one. We need to know what you want to see on it. What information you want. What format. We need feedback. We can only give you what you want if you tell us. You can Email Tasha Shaggy Richard or Mike Da Hat if you don't want to be public

Unityrocks blogspot will continue as a photo gallery. But it has it's limitations. The comments button is below this. It says "Click here to comment" now that's not hard is it? (if someone has already commented it says something different - now that's getting tricky for you)

Peace and love

The Unity team

Muddy Promotions Announcement

Dear Brothers, Sisters and embarrassing half cousins.



I am writing to you in this month of February to finally invite you all to the launch of our debut album, “The Last Moustache”. I have written details below of all our up and coming gigs and have also attached a flyer for you to print for more info and discounted entry.

February Gigs

Thur 16th Feb – Opaque headline gig -Geneva Bar – Peterborough

Wed 22nd Feb – Opaque Acoustic - Pixie Skin Charity Event – The Solstice – P’boro

Fri 24th Feb–Album Launch – Café de Paris – Coventry St, Leicester Sq, London.

£8 entry with flyer (inc free cd), £10 return coach.

Check out the venue at www.cafedeparis.com

Sat 25th Feb – Opaque matinee performance 4pm – Number 10, Golborne Rd,

Westbourne Pk, London

Sat 25th Feb – Opaque support gig - The Loft – Cambridge


Muddy Promotions News

As some of you by now know Muddy Promotions is a community group that has been set up to.... (please read attached mission statement if interested). We are putting on a 3 day alternative music and arts festival just outside of Stamford in Lincs on June 23rd-25th. If any of you would like to join as members or associates or performers or volunteers then please visit www.muddypromotions.org.uk. The forum is now open.



Open Meetings:

Sunday 12th Feb - Arts Group meeting (inc discussions/delegation on the Decor and layout, Graffiti Wall, Poetrty, performance, cinema/film etc)

Tuesday 14th Feb - General Festival progress and updates for those of you who are single?



Please also let me know if you would like to be put on the Muddy Mailing list to keep informed on future events (next event being an all day bands/dj’s til 4am on 25th March at Lisboa in Peterborough).



Much too much, much too young.



Moony

This week

Greetings divinities!

Hope you all had a fantastic week last week, we had lots of fun at various bashes and boshes. Soulflower kicked anal-orifice at Unity on Thursdaay and System Abuse shook the Limit to it's foundations on Saturday!

And if you have an event that you would like to be included in this mailout just reply to this mail. Thanks.

So to the week ahead:

Thursday

Unity @ Fidds this week has the pleasure of hosting the wonderful Sidearm. They are arty rockers with a full visuals show and interesting tunes. We also have the brilliant John Litchfield (ex Fox Force Five) in acoustic guise, and will have Zia out of Magic Lamp playing random stuff from the decks for the night. Our second band has unfortunately had to make a last minute cancellation but watch this space. Entrance is free before 9:15 and there'll even be a Unity Jam at the start of the night.

Friday

The Fidds is hosting a huge and diverse line-up of live music on Firday. Weeble (Nottingham's 8 piece ska-punk wonders) are returning to the city for it, alongside Tauracine, Yello Snow and local pop-punk act State of Freedom in a special acoustic set. The event is open to anyone aged 16 or over (with Id) will cost £4 out of your wallet and will start at 7:30.

Saturday

Wake are playing The Shed in Leicester at 9pm on Saturday. If you fancy getting out of the city give them some well deserved support.

Playskool are returning to the Fidds for another mash-up of cutting edge electronic mayhem on Saturday as well. The line-up this time around is:

9:00 - 9:45 Dan (tech-house)
9:45 - 10:45 Bidbod (funky and full on psy-trance)
10:45 - 11:45 Shaggy (filthy psychedelic breaks)
11:45 - 12:45 MAGIC LAMP (live PA - techno-trance)
12:45 - finish Kendo (Nu-energy hardcore)

Playskool are proud to be hosting Magic Lamp who play their techno-trance bangers 100% live straight from synths and samplers and without a safety net - and who have played up and down the country at venues and festivals with the like of the Ozric Tentacles, Eat Static and Horace X.

Entrance is £2 before 10pm and £4 after.

Till next time.....

Have a wicked one wherever you go and whatever you.....always take the weather with you.

Peace love unity and maximum respect.

Unity 2nd February 2006

You can't get much better than tonights line up. The lovely the gorgeous, the talented, I've run out of superlatives, Irene RaeShe'd just finished as I arrived so she did another encore, just for me (so I could take photos and give her some publicity) I can dream can't I?
Next up the very wonderful Soulflower who's vocalist was off on holiday somewhere. We couldn't get enough. Brilliant.

How do you follow a band as good as Soulflower? Easy, you are Nick Thompson...
I would have taken photos of Richard playing harmonica but to be honest he's had far too much publicity on this site for his own good.
Meanwhile Shaggy is now in posession of a triple DVD detailing "How to make it in the Music bizz" don't be surprised if in the near future you aren't all invited to watch it. Unless
of course he decides to watch it himself, get famous, and leave the rest of you behind. (His words not mine)
But we're not content with just having a good time enjoying the music. Scroll down a tad and see what else we've been up to tonight...

The Girls Little Finger Game

What a night great music and a game to top it all off with. This game was inspired by Mel who, lets face it, gives it large in the posing department. The idea is to look as sexy and provocative as you can, using your little finger, or any other finger you care to choose. So lets see how the girls did... I think you'll agree it's a difficult choice to choose the winner, whos prize will be an all expenses paid night out. The fact that the night out is in a field somewhere north of Stamford in the freezing cold shouldn't deter you from voting, we'll supply the tent and a sleeping bag. Actually the Unity team will personally buy the winner a drink at the bar, so that'll be a quintuple vodka and red bull I guess.
So vote us up. Click on the comments button below and cast your vote. 

Guys Little Finger Game

Well just as you thought it couldn't get worse. The boys had to play the game too. So place your votes the winner gets a personal full body rub from Jordan (who is visiting Peterborough this week) with Extra baby oil and Drambuie on the side. The only trouble is we haven't told Jordan this yet.
So click on the comments button below and vote us up. The runner up will get Jordans implants she's having taken out.