Media

The Enemy spoke to NME magazine about the new album 'Music For The People' and in this video from NME.COM, Tom Clarke goes through track by track and explains where the songs came from.

WATCH THE VIDEO: HERE

Visit NME.COM for more videos

The Enemy have posted a video on the official website which answers questions sent in to them by their fans. Tom, Liam and Andy answer those burning questions in the video.

What influenced the new album?
Which animals they’d like to make extinct?
Who takes the longest to get ready for a gig?

Those and more are answered in this EXCLUSIVE video -

WATCH THE VIDEO NOW»

There is an exclusive download available from Play.com when you pre-order The Enemy's 'Music For The People' album. 'It's Not OK' (Live At The Union Chapel) will be given to everyone who orders the album from the website. Better still, at £8.95 with free delivery Play.com is one of the cheapest places in the UK to buy the album!

Here is the review of 'Music For The People' from Play.com:

Coventry's finest indie rockers, The Enemy return in fighting form with their second studio album, Music For The People. Keeping their working class roots firmly in tact, the feisty trio have pushed the boundaries to the limit and produced an ambitious, grandiose album that takes the talented youngsters out of the gritty streets and into the stadium.

When The Enemy released their debut album, We'll Live And Die In These Towns, the tenacious threesome took the nation by storm with their raw blend of good old fashioned British rock'n'roll and frank statements. Combining Oasis-style chords with The Jam-influenced cultural references, the band constructed contagious anthems such as the top 10 smashes 'Away From Here' and 'Had Enough', that hit with venom and struck a chord with the masses. So, now that the rough-edged revellers have grown out of their teens and original surroundings, will they lose some of the grit and power that made their debut so appealing? 'Elephant Song', the opening track from Music For The People, would have you believe not. It's a coarse stomper of a song that builds from a symphonic introduction into a glorious riff-heavy anthem of epic proportions. The force and scale of the impressive opener continues on the album's first single, 'No Time For Tears'. Hitting hard with social declarations, lead singer Tom Clarke dabbles with a higher vocal range to get his message of hope across with permeating effect. The momentum continues on the thumping tracks 'Nation Of Checkout Girls' and 'Don't Break The Red Tape' where the band with organic beats and chanting choruses showcase a punk-fuelled side reminiscent of The Clash. The tempo is only broken down with slow-burners 'Sing When You're In Love' and 'Be Somebody'. Executed with passion and power, the songs bristle with sensitivity and declare that The Enemy are able to shift out of their comfort zone and experiment with subtle and stripped-down styles. Bringing the album to a close in extravagant fashion and offering an appealing contradiction to the organic rock numbers are layered tracks 'Keep Losing' and 'Silver Spoon'. Splicing piano balladry, gospel stylistics and orchestral crescendos, the tracks spiral into vast and textured epics that are certain to fill arenas.

Whilst The Enemy's debut album punched out robust messages over brutal beats, Music For The People offers experimental and intriguing musical twists to the band's social declarations. Bringing to life their relatable statements with flourishing techniques and shifting structures, this eclectically styled release is a confident and well-executed album that delights with glorious musical progression and keeps it real with the Coventry lads' inherent rawness and strength.

Music For The People is also available in a CD & DVD Edition.

The Enemy were on Radio 2 with Dermot O'Leary on Saturday giving an interview and performing a live session.

Tom Clarke plays a surprise set for Xfm Manchester legend Clint Boon. Blur and Oasis get the cover treatment and two big Enemy tunes are wheeled out.

Clint Boon and wife Charlie’s weekly Saturday soiree at Manchester venue TV21 was graced by the presence of Enemy frontman Tom Clarke last Saturday (March 21). The singer played a short four song set in between Clint’s DJ set on a Gramophone and the serving of Charlie’s baked goodies.

‘We’ll Live And Die In These Towns’
‘Tender’
‘You’re Not Alone’
‘Half The World Away/This Is How It Feels’

There has also been coverage of the gig posted on Youtube. Here’s a version of Tom playing Half The World Away:

The OFFICIAL website just gets better and better each day - as a member you get access to exclusive footage of the band and right now you can watch a round up of the small towns tour, including an interview with the band talking about how much they enjoyed it.

05/03/09: XFM.COM - New Enemy Album Is "Totally Different Way Of Production"

Tom Clarke from The Enemy has told Xfm their new album has been recorded in a different way to their debut. The Coventry band were in talking to Xfm London's Dave Berry on Drivetime yesterday (March 2) ahead of the release of their new album - ‘Music For The People’ - which is out in April 13.

"Where possible, we just played everything live and put stuff on after, instead of people going in and putting down a drum track first," Tom said. "It's a totally different way of production - and it's all recorded onto tape rather than digital."

Clarke also told Dave about their potential festival plans for this summer: "I know what we wanna do, I wanna do Rock Ness if we can, because we've never done it. And I love playing in Scotland, because it's good up there."

The Enemy were on the Dave Berry Does Drivetime radio show on XFM Radio, talking about the new album and having fun while on the show.

If you want to listen to the programme, click the XFM link or try listening here.

The Enemy have released a one minute teaser for 'No Time For Tears'. The video shows Tom, Andy and Liam in the studio and is recorded in black and white. The video was posted on The Enemy's MySpace page today.

The Enemy travelled up to Dundee on Sunday night, enjoying a tasty curry, ahead of the Monday night secret Dundee gig.

The Enemy kicked off their free gigs in York tonight and 100 lucky fans got to enjoy the show, but thanks to The Enemy On Tour website and QIK.COM, the rest of the worlds could watch the performance. Register at the official website and watch the remaining four live streaming gigs - Dundee 23/02, Wakefield 24/02, Tunbridge Wells 27/02 and Corby 28/02.

For those that missed the gig or want to re-live the moment, here are the videos:

The Enemy are playing five tiny venues ahead of their mammoth March/April UK tour. XFM are giving you the chance to win a pair of tickets for your chosen show! Can you guess the connection between the pictures...

The Enemy are embarking on a super-exclusive, warm-up tour of intimate venues. It’s ahead of their eagerly awaited second album ‘Music For The People’ and the mammoth UK tour that follows in March and April.

20 – York
23 – Dundee
24 – Wakefield
27 – Tunbridge Wells
28 – Corby

XFM have got two pairs of tickets for each of the five gigs. All you’ve got to do is tell XFM the connection between the artists in the gallery, tell XFM which gig you’d like to attend and then keep it all crossed.

30/01/09: The Enemy OFFICIAL Website - Limited Edition Signed Back Catalogue

The Enemy have very kindly signed a limited number of back catalogue vinyl/CD releases for fans to get hold of. Seven different items are available to order from the OFFICIAL website and you'll find them reasonably priced. Each limited edition is signed by Tom Clarke, Andy Hopkins and Liam Watts and will become a collectors piece in years to come.

Coventry's The Enemy back in 2009

While all may seem quiet on The Enemy front, Tom Clarke, Andy Hopkins and Liam Watts have all been busy in a Welsh recording studio working on the second album. After a hectic two years the Coventry trio should have been on a well earned holiday yet the reality couldn't be further from the truth.

Bands come and go so quickly and the music industry is facing difficult times, with that in mind some might question whether The Enemy will still matter in 2009.............

Britain is in the grip of a recession, the likes of which we haven't seen since the Thatcher years. Unemployment, repossessions, crime and bankruptcy have become the negative buzz words in the media. Flash back to the end of the 70's, when Britain was in a similar situation but there was hope in the form of a Coventry band called The Specials. The Two Tone SKA band spoke out lyrically against racism, Thatcher's policies and the grim future facing young people.

The Specials in the late 70's

This is why The Enemy matter in 2009 - we are facing the same problems as a generation ago and we need a band who will speak out lyrically - giving a voice to the young and hope for a generation through the dark days ahead.

The second album is due out in the Spring and we can expect more gritty reality, more hard hitting tunes about life in suburbia and more foot stomping anthems that will capture the spirit of 2009 in Britain. It is fitting that fellow Coventry band The Specials are back for the reunion tour - two generations of iconic stature giving the down-trodden a voice in the crisis.

29/11/08: NME.COM - Interview With The Enemy Talking About New Album/NME Awards

Just a short video from ITN where they ask Tom at the NME Awards Launch, who he thinks will win the New Band Award in 2009.

Here is the NME video highlights from The Enemy's performance in Brixton where the NME Awards were launched at The Prince pub.

This Thursday Neil Cole is speaking to The Enemy about their new record and plans for next year from 10am, and Dinosaur Pile-Up are the stars of the afternoon's New Music Session from 4pm.

To tune in, head to 87.7FM in Manchester or via Sky Channel 0184, Virgin Media 975, Freesat 727 or via NME.COM/Radio.

If you live outside England, you might not be familiar with The Enemy UK. But the Coventry three-piece rock outfit have quickly taken off in their homeland, as their debut album We'll Live and Die in These Towns immediately shot to number 1 in the UK album charts upon its 2007 release.

Now these Brit punks are hoping to have the same effect stateside with their latest video for "It's Not Ok." Backdropped by propulsive guitars, driving bassline, and a thick English brogue, the video finds the trio at the height of their game (literally) atop a building filmed in vintage-looking black and white. But aside from the pure energy of the song, these wise-beyond-their-years lads possess some serious lyrical angst, making a stalwart statement to all those willing to listen.

Visit the BBC website to watch the whole performance of The Enemy at this year's Glastonbury Festival. Also on the BBC website are pictures from the Friday night set. Click HERE.

Music magazine NME were at Glastonbury and managed to grab a quick word with Tom Clarke, watch the video below to find out why The Enemy were in such a rush. For all the NME videos/pictures and news on Glastonbury visit www.nme.com or buy this weeks copy of the magazine now!

Speaking ahead of their summer of festivals, The Enemy's Tom Clarke spoke to Xfm about playing Glastonbury with Jay-Z.

Tom Clarke from The Enemy joined our sister station Xfm Manchester for a Breakfast Show chat this morning.

And as per usual, Mr. Clarke was in no way short of an opinion on everything from hay bale throwing, the Glastonbury line-up and, despite claiming not to know where and when he was on at the festival, he was certain he'd be down the front for Jay-Z's performance.

But turning first to his performance for Beach Break Live this summer, "There's not many gig venues down that way... so to be able to go to Cornwall in the summer... it's going to be sunnier than Glastonbury isn't it?" [Listen] And with the band playing loads of events from smaller niche events to the big-hitters, Tom explained why he enjoys playing the more intimate gigs, "We did Jersey Live last year which comparitively small... and I enjoy it, you can walk around a bit afterwards...it's nice to have it all contained in a little area..." [Listen]

Despite the fact the official line-up is yet to be announced, Tom confirmed the band will be at Glastonbury this year and - if the Kaiser Chiefs are playing - Tom's up for a bit of Kaiser action, "I caught a bit of them at the NME Awards and... they're just one of the best live bands going..." [Listen]

And finally, on the topic de jour - the appearance of one Mr Jay-Z at the festival, Tom told Xfm, "I definitely will [be watching Jay-Z at Glastonbury]. He's top of the must-see list If someone's got the balls to put Jay-Z on then he better good hadn't he...?" [Listen]

In the fourth and penultimate part of his exclusive interview with Xfm, Paul Weller has blasted former colleagues Bruce Foxton and Rick Buckler for the current Jam reunion and praised The Enemy's songwriting efforts.

"I don't think it's right really," says Paul Weller ruefully. "I know everyone thinks of them as Jam songs and they're the soundtrack to people's lives but at the end of the day they're my songs and I wrote them."

He continued: "But I'm not into any of this nostalgia bollocks or people reforming; I don't see it at all and I'm not having it - I like what's happening now. I've never been into looking back and all that shite.

"It doesn't please me and I don't think it helps [The Jam's] legacy in any way."

Switching his attentions to what's currently floating his boat, Weller focussed his attentions of Coventry trio The Enemy.

He said: "I think it's harder for a young man to be angry but then you look at The Enemy and they write some really good lyrics; whether they're political or whatever you want to call them, they are about their surroundings."

Listen to Part 4 of Xfm's Paul Weller interview now.

The whole 43 minute set from the Radio 1 Big Weekend in Maidstone, Kent is now available to watch for free on the BBC website, click HERE to watch.

The Enemy were not only headlining the Ballroom Blitz Ball on April 30th, they also got involved in a practical way by planting trees while down in London, as reported previously in the media. Now thanks to Vinspired.com we now have video proof Tom, Andy and Liam were doing their bit to raise awareness for Vinvolved in it's aim to attract young volenteers.

The Enemy dropped in to see Chris Moyles on Radio 1 as they warm up for their appearance at Radio 1's Big Weekend in Maidstone for a special Live Lounge on 'The Chris Moyles Show'. With 9 million listeners- Tom, Liam and Andy join in the fun with Chris as they discuss music, strings, The Last Shadow Puppets and haircuts.

Tom then performed "We'll Live And Die In These Towns" and "Away From Here" acoustic - Will Chris Moyles join in?

Listen to the whole broadcast: HERE. Pictures from the visit can be seen HERE

The Enemy got involved with the charity record to help single homeless people, now you can watch the video or better still - download the single from iTunes etc as the money raised will go to charity.

The Enemy performed "This Song" and a rendition of the classic Queen track, "We Will Rock You" on ITV's "Al Murray's Happy Hour" Here are the two videos, although the quality of the videos are not perfect, it gives non-UK fans a chance to view the TV performance.

Hop over to the #1 Enemy forum and get your dancing shoes on, as the forum have the recent XFM Night & Day birthday bash for you to download. The Enemy were on top form, whipping up the crowds as they ploughed through their chart hits and other album tracks. Tom Clarke even got the audience to sing along to "We'll Live And Die In These Towns", but it wasn't hard as they were already singing to each track.

Tom Clarke is featured in this weeks edition of NME, the magazine has a fantastic interview with The Enemy front man. To celebrate, the NME are giving away signed copies of the debut album "We'll Live And Die In These Towns". Rush over to NME.COM now and join up for your chance to bag a goodie from Coventry's #1 band.

Having just embarked on their mammoth UK tour The Enemy are touching base in London for six dates - of which four sold out sharpish - and we have a whopping 30 pairs of tickets to give away.

The Coventry trio will be hitting up the legendary Astoria - which to much dismay is closing down in place for Crossrail and a much larger live music venue (sniff sniff) - on Wednesday April 1 and 2.

Winners of the inaugural Xfm New Music Award 2007, The Enemy have had a meteoric rise to fame with their Number One album, 'We'll Live And Die In These Towns'.

Doors to see the lads - who've supported the likes of Kasabian, Manic Street Preachers and The Rolling Stones - will open at 7pm.

The event will be for anyone over the age of 14 but photo ID/proof of age will be required for those aged between 14-17 yrs.

The competition will close at 12pm on March 31.

All you have to do to blag a pair of tickets is answer the question below:

What film shares the name of their first single?

Step Up

40 Days And 40 Nights

The Girl Next Door

Music And Lyrics

Here is a blast from the past.......... Liam Watts and Tom Clarke in a video interview.

FaceCulture conducted a video interview with Tom Clarke and Liam Watts last year, just after "Away From Here went Top 10. Tom and Liam talked about life before the band, the rise of The Enemy and the influences on their music. Now you can watch all four videos by clicking the links below. Fans of Liam Watts will be in for a treat as the normally quiet drummer does quite a bit of talking in this Dutch interview. Tom Clarke in one of the most down to earth interviews so far, giving a real insight into the mind behind The Enemy.

You can now pre-order the single "This Song Is About You", on CD and two 7" singles, all three will cost just £3, so bag yourself a bargain and click the link at the top of the page or HERE. The single is available in the shops from Monday 17th March 2008.

CD Single Tracklisting

1. This Song is About You (Album version)
2. This Song is About You (Cat Burglar Remix)

7" Single 1 Tracklisting:

A. This Song Is About You (Album version)
B. This Song Is About You (Hugo Nicolson Remix)

7" Single 2 Tracklisting:

A. This Song Is About You (Album version)
B. This Song Is About You (Superfrank Remix)

At the Nike Supersonic finals, Xfm's Cheeky Pete spoke exclusively to Coventry's finest. Listen to the interview right HERE.

'It's Not Okay' [Listen]
'Away From Here' [Listen]
'40 Days And 40 Nights' [Listen]
'You're Not Alone' [Listen]
Video:

'Away From Here' promo video [Watch]
'We'll Live And Die in These Towns' studio session video [Watch]
'Away From Here' studio session video [Watch]

New Music Award Interview

Listen again as the band find out they've made the final ten [Listen]

Vote for The Enemy at the "XFM New Music Awards" . The lads are up against 31 other bands so each vote is important, only 10 bands will make it to the final. Vote: HERE (only one vote allowed). The 10 bands that make the list will be revealed on Wednesday 21st November 2007.

BBC Electric Proms, Barfly, Thursday 25 October:

Coventry three-piece The Enemy were hailed by the NME as "the sound of British rock n’ roll", with their debut album 'We’ll live and die in these towns' claiming the number 1 spot on the UK charts this year. They brought their intelligent song writing and infectious hooks to Camden's Barfly.

Coventry band The Enemy (UK) - featuring Tom Clarke, Andy Hopkins and Liam Watts, inspired robmacca to create this fan site.