Landmines and Pantomimes re-release warning
By Kris | September 17, 2006
Ginger has asked us to pass on a warning about a re-release of Landmines and Pantomimes, a compilation of rarities originally released on Kuro Neko records and which the band had no input to. The new release is in a DVD-sized cardboard sleeve and is on the Mischief Music label (cat no. MM101). It features the artwork of the late Danny Deen and Ginger has asked people not to buy this new release as it is illegal. We are still trying to find further details about Mischief Music – if anyone has any contact details or further information, please let us know. Thanks.
New song on MySpace – Black Windows
By Kris | September 17, 2006
An exclusive new song ‘Black Windows’ from Ginger’s forthcoming album Yoni is now on MySpace. Says Ginger: “It’s unmastered right now, but I couldn’t wait for everyone to hear new drummer Denzel tearing the living shit out of his drum kit. Check this guy out, he’s sick.
Please let the world know, and tell them all to tell someone else!”
Ginger / Sonic Circus Tour Summer 2006
By Kris | May 28, 2006
Touring action beckons in June and July! Ginger and the Sonic Circus play the Download festival on June 9th, and Ginger is touring the UK acoustically, playing a mix of headline shows and a support slot with Hanoi Rocks.
Full dates are as follows:
01/06/06: Norwich Waterfront – Ginger Acoustic (supporting Hanoi Rocks)
02/06/06: Huddersfield, Holmfirth Picture Drome – Ginger Acoustic (supporting Hanoi Rocks)
03/06/06: Newcastle Legends – Ginger Acoustic (supporting Hanoi Rocks)
07/06/06: Dudley JB’s – Ginger and the Sonic Circus (warmup)
08/06/06: Sheffield Corporation – Ginger and the Sonic Circus (warmup)
09/06/06: Donington – Download Festival – Ginger and the Sonic Circus
25/06/06: Liverpool Academy 2 – Ginger Acoustic
26/06/06: Newcastle Academy 2 – Ginger Acoustic
28/06/06: Bristol Academy 2 – Ginger Acoustic
29/06/06: Milton Keynes Woughton Centre – Ginger Acoustic (supporting Hanoi Rocks)
30/06/06: Cleethorpes Winter Gardens – Ginger Acoustic (supporting Hanoi Rocks)
01/07/06: Nuneaton Queens Hall – Ginger Acoustic
02/07/06: Southampton Joiners – Ginger Acoustic
03/07/06: London Bar Academy – Ginger Acoustic
04/07/06: Wolverhampton Civic Bar – Ginger Acoustic
05/07/06: Glasgow Bastille – Ginger Acoustic
Ginger Says – My Old Friend The Clock
By Ginger | February 6, 2006
Just got myself re-domesticated back in glorious Newcastle, right on the Tyne. I can even walk to the match from here, bliss, and in the process got myself back online, after what seems months (actually, it was) of blissfully computer free activity. Try it sometimes. It’s great!
So I decided to visit my ‘myspace’ page (confession, the guys from the web site run it, first time I ever took a peek… fucking hell, some stunning girls on there! Hey, I’m single, get in touch!), along with this very website and got a bit of a shock reading through the intro page that has been up for far, far too long.
Shit! 2005 was certainly one fucked up year.
What a difference time makes in one’s emotional engineering. I’d best illustrate that point further, but first can I just please say that I am not the depressed guy that reading through that entry would paint me as. Don’t get me wrong, that was a pretty accurate portrait of a traumatic period in my life. We’ve all had them, we’ll get more, but the point I’m trying to make is that just as all things must pass (the good and the bad) it’s probably a good idea to let people know.
Going through a bad patch? Get it out of your system. Tell people. Going through a great phase? See above.
Everything moves along. Time is a fidgety fucker with a low boredom threshold, and just as you wish the best party you ever went to would never end, the darkest periods of your entire life will only stick to the very marrow of your soul until it’s time to split. The great thing about being in a slump is that you get out of it a much stronger person, with more appreciation for some of things you may have taken for granted previously. Friends, family, music, your good points, the list is as long as it is personal. So what’s so bad about it then? It’s actually pretty cool to go through a depression (not that I’d recommend it, you understand), just make sure that you actually get through to the other end. You’ll be amazed at the results. Seriously.
So what’s been happening since my last post? Fuck, where to start?
Firstly, I guess thanks are in order. The solo album (‘Valor Del Corazon’… and can I just get one thing out of the way? I have Spanish and Mexican friends and I obviously asked them for the correct way of translating that title literally. They all told me that the proper way to say it is Valor DE Corazon. Thing is, I woke up one morning with the title right in my face, and while I know it isn’t text book Spanish, I was getting tons of spiritual information, divine support and genuine paranormal weirdness around me. So much so that I took it for granted that this was completely natural within the whole ‘fixing yourself’ process. Anyway, I wasn’t going to argue with an album title given to me from sources beyond my surroundings. So, as illiterate as it may read to my Spanish speaking fans I stuck with it! Anyway, this solo album…) was finally finished and released through my own label, with the wonderful help of Sammy Andrews and a fine team of fans tirelessly working its profile on the internet. Yeah, I know I said I don’t like computers (apart from the ones in the studio, which I love with the kind of zest that I normally reserve for breaking guitars) and the internet, but I love other people doing it!
So thank you a million times to those that helped make this album such a shock to some of the retailers who refused to stock it, until the pre-orders started coming in! Would have loved to have seen their face when it appeared as the number one pre-order on their industry lists!
You guys all rock so hard that you make me hard. Does that sound weird? Well, it’s true. Hey, one thing that happens when you quit drugs and heavy drinking is that you get your sex drive well and truly back! Yeah, that’s right. I’ve been clean (apart from fine red wine, which I treat as medicine that even gets you slightly drunk!) for a year, as of December 17th. I know, weird, huh? It was actually much easier than I thought. You get a ton of stuff back that you’d forgotten about (apart from an exaggerated libido), like your memory, a sense of humour, appreciation of friends, the desire to leave the house, a healthy work ethic and drive, the list is currently being completed as I speak. All of which renders you so excited about being alive that the idea of scoring drugs is something akin to wanting sex with Scarlet Johanssen. It crosses your mind, but the effort versus the likelihood of succeeding renders all thoughts null and void. Anyway I wouldn’t even know where to go for that kind of thing. And scoring drugs would be difficult too… (boom, and indeed boom).
So anyway, if you want to congratulate me next time you see me, mine’s a large absinthe and heroin chaser.
So, with the label (Round Records, more details available on the new sister site: Ginger and the Sonic Circus) all set up and running, we decided to keep communication problems to a minimum and set up a management company (Karma Management… more details available, etc etc), to handle the effective distribution of information between departments;
Me:”Hey me, wanna do this?”
Me: “Yes”.
It’s all going great so far. I know, early days ‘n’ all that. But what exciting early days these really are. And we’re going to be getting involved in merchandise too, soon. So watch this space, and check on our sister site regularly too.
There would appear to be tons of people that hate the way the industry is run, and some of them have left their ‘comfy couch’ gig, and have decided to go independent. The feeling I get is one of a Punk ethic/’80’s hedonism hybrid starting to form. Doing things yourself but having big goals. I, for one, am really fucking excited about the future. The potential is there, now if we can insert the balls (aaarrgghh! more sexual references, or am I just obsessed? Answers to www.givesafuck?.com) into the deal, then we’ll really be cooking with gas, electricity and solar power. Hey, if you don’t like the way things are being currently run then get involved. We’d like to hear from you.
Oh, and news of an exciting new charity that we are setting up imminently (Circle Of Friends), will soon be made available. It will deal with mental health issues, concentrating on community help and effective counselling, as opposed to sympathetic but untrained GP’s offering ill-advised treatment such as creating new drug habits thinly disguised as prescription drugs. Much more later.
So, back to album related news. I recently played the dreaded ‘first’ gig (well, I always dread ’em anyway) with the new band, Ginger and the Sonic Circus. It was fucking great! The group played a blinder (what superb musicians, I’m such a fan!), and the audience were typically wonderful (incidentally can the mad American bastard that gave me the IPod please get in touch? I really need to give you something in return. And, incidentally, I’m loving the music!). When playing live, I don’t know if you guys really know how much it means to have you lot singing your overstuffed hearts out to brand new songs. Needless to say it gives me the horn.
For anyone that couldn’t make it, we are touring in late March. For fucks sake get down and make history, willya? Just seeing the bands expression during the show as the whole place erupted into song, I’d love to see that look on their faces at every show on the tour. This is all your doing as much as mine, y’know?
So there we have it.
God closes a door but opens up a window.
I’m a much happier person. I’ve swapped my old addictions for a new one, positivity. Anything is possible if you can imagine yourself doing it.
Wouldn’t it be great if 2006 kicked off something that we can all get our collective gnashers around.
Hey Ho, it’s back off to work I go. Just took some time off from writing the next album (due to begin recording soon), to visit the computer quickly. Still, at least it’s got rid of that Godawful old intro page, eh?
Stay positive
Ginger
Pic: Ginger and the Sonic Circus – Highbury Garage – 27th January 2006 – © Richy Boot (http://www.richyboot.com/) 2006
New Ginger Says / Sonic Circus Spring 2007 Tour
By Kris | February 6, 2006
A new Ginger Says is on the website, taking a glance back at 2005, before a view forward to what the future holds.
Ginger name-checks our new sister-site, the ‘Ginger and the Sonic Circus’, which has recently been launched by Sammy Andrews and Rick (of Wildhearts and many other website’s fame).
After the riotous success of their inaugural show at Highbury garage, Ginger and the Sonic Circus have a tour in the offing, current tour dates are as follows:
24th March – Bradford Rios
25th March – Newcastle Legends
26th March – Wolverhampton Wulfrun
27th March – Nottingham Rock City
28th March – Liverpool Academy
29th March – London Academy
Check out the ‘Live’ page for full details.
For those still wondering, the lineup of Ginger and the Sonic Circus at the Highbury Garage gig was:
Ginger, Jase Edwards, ‘Random’ Jon Poole, Louis Soeiro, Steve Spring, Rachael Jones, Sammy Andrews, guest appearance from Conny Bloom.
Sonic Circus – first gig
By Kris | January 25, 2006
The seminal Sonic Circus gig is almost upon us. The gig kicks off at 7pm on Friday at Highbury Garage. I’d advise not being late, I hear the support is not to be missed, and the early curfew means that Ginger & the Sonic Circus will be hot on the heels, with the show finishing up at the unfeasibly early hour of 10:30.
I’m also pleased to report that there will be a one-off limited edition t-shirt available to celebrate the occasion.
Ginger on the radio
By Kris | January 7, 2006
Ginger will be appearing on the radio next week promoting the new release – Valor Del Corazon, you can hear him on the following shows:
Mon 9th Jan
BBC Radio 6 – Phil Jupitus Breakfast Show Interview – 07:00 – 10:00 – listen online at: 6Music
Tues 10th Jan
Totalrock Radio – Lisa – Metal Lunchbox – 12:00 – 15:00 – listen online at: TotalRock
Valor Del Corazon Reviews
By Kris | January 7, 2006
By the sounds of it, the initial run of Valor Del Corazon has been hitting doormats (closely followed by CD players) all around the world over the last couple of weeks: hope you’re all enjoying it.
Valor Del Corazon has had a great review from UK daily paper The Sun:
That The Wildhearts remain largely unheard of by the masses is one of the great travesties of British rock’n’roll.
Soaring melodies, contagious hooks, outrageous riffs and an annoying tendency to self-destruct are their trademarks, with the main man Ginger responsible for most of it. He’s had more than his fair share of drama, has Ginge. And when his life fell to pieces late in 2004, he could have gone off the rails for good. Instead, he ended up in Willie Nelson’s Texas studio… and sunk to new heights. Valor Del Corazon is a stunning double album providing a rollercoaster ride through the raw emotions of a relationship breakdown.
Easily his most personal work to date, this is an eclectic journey that deserves to be shared. Ballsy rock, soulful ballads, funk, grandiose epics and country all feature, but the one constant is an untouchable talent for writing a great tune and an almighty riff. Nineteen tracks. 19 gems. Pure tortured genius. MS”
Also Darren Stockford (formerly of this website)’s webzine “She Didn’t Like Rock ‘n’ Roll” has an in-depth review
Valor Del Corazon – misprint
By Kris | December 23, 2005
The limited online run of Valor Del Corazon is now a rare limited edition misprinted version!
The copies our distributor got back from the manufacturers have the album name spelt wrong (Vaolr, not Valor) on the sleeve and a mystery v hovering on the back cover!
Everyone that ordered before 21/12/05 will receive this version as they have already been sent out.
You’ll still get the same great album but you will now own a rare version of the CD inlay! The rest have been sent back to the manufacturer to get reprinted and will be ready and in stores from 9th Jan with the artwork as it was originally intended.
Ginger is furious about the cock up and has ensured that anyone that receives the misprint will be provided with a CD Booklet containing the original artwork upon request. Details of how to obtain this will be posted on the site and mailing list in early January, as we are we are still trying to establish whether it was the distributor or manufacturer who made the error.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
From
Sammy and the team
Valor Del Corazon – slight delay
By Kris | December 20, 2005
There’s been a minor delay to the limited pre-release of Valor Del Corazon; we have a message from Sammy Andrews with all the details:
“Hi everyone,
We’re really sorry about the delay with the album.
Unfortunately it’s out of our hands…Our distributor, Cargo, have not managed to turn it around in time to meet the 19th, due to the Christmas madness we were warned about… but they have assured us it will be out in the next few days and all those that have ordered WILL get their copy, Its just going to be a few days late.
No one will be getting it before anyone else as all shipments to the online stores take place at the same time… So as soon as they get it from the manufacturers, it’ll be sent straight out to you guys.
We’ve done all we can to get this out for Christmas and if there was anything we could do to speed this up we would, but right now its out of our control. I promise you will have it as soon as it’s done.
Just to clear up any confusion about when and where its going to be available from …It will be available online in ltd numbers, till Jan 9th when you will be able to get it from all good record stores.
Thanks for being so patient, I assure you it’s worth the wait!
Sammy Andrews
x”
Additionally, we’ve had a great response to the street team; can anyone whose interested that we haven’t had a chance to reply to yet join the ginger street team group so we can coordinate together?
http://groups.myspace.com/gingerstreetteam
You’ll get all the up to date info on stuff we need your help and support. Or mail direct at gingerstreetteam@hotmail.co.uk with your area.