Dear Everyone,

Thanks for all your support during 2003. It's been a momentous year. Now, with the launch of 'In the Poppy Fields' in sight, Mike sends his best wishes and promises that it's going to be a great year ahead so 'get ready for the ride'!

Mike and the band have just finished for a few days for Christmas, having re-recorded the single, 45RPM with Producer, Steve Brown (sounds fantastic!!!). The band were snowed in over the weekend and had to be towed out by a local farmer in order to make it in time for the video shoot which took place last Monday. The footage looks amazing and will hopefully have its first showing at the Gathering!

Mike Peters and the MPO would like to wish you all the very best for the holiday season. Take care and see you very soon.

Love and life,

MPO Team
Alarm Information Service
Tel: 011 44 (0)1745 571571
Fax: 011 44 (0)1745 571577
Email mpo@alarmpo.demon.co.uk
www.thealarm.com
PO Box 709, Prestatyn, Denbighshire, LL19 9YR, Wales, UK

ALARMSTOCK 2

MPO is pleased to announce that Dave Sharp and The Soul Company will be appearing at the Gathering at The North Wales Conference Centre, Llandudno. It looks likely that Dave will perform acoustic on the Friday night and with his band, The Soul Company on the Saturday evening.

Unfortunately the Gathering is sold out and there is already a lengthy
waiting list. For those who have been disappointed at not obtaining a Gathering ticket for Gathering 12 please be ready to book your ticket early next year (tickets will go on sale in February) for Gathering 13 !!!!! as tickets sold out by June of this year.

Best wishes,

MPO Team
Alarm Information Service
Tel: 011 44 (0)1745 571571
Fax: 011 44 (0)1745 571577
Email mpo@alarmpo.demon.co.uk
www.thealarm.com
PO Box 709, Prestatyn, Denbighshire, LL19 9YR, Wales, UK

Dead Men Walking - Live - New CD - available now


Recorded Live at Leeds, July 2003::
Slim Jim Phantom - Stray Cats
Billy Duffy - The Cult
Kirk Brandon - Spear of Destiny
Mike Peters - The Alarm
Glen Matlock - Sex Pistols

Buy now in our store!

TRACKLISTING
Intro
Rock This Town
Wild Flower
Burning Sounds
Never Take Me Alive
Propaganda
On Something
Rescue Me
Young Men
Sixty Eight Guns
Fire Woman
Rumble in Brighton
Stepping Stone
I Can See
Edie [Ciao Baby]
Westworld
Spirit of '76
Runaway Boys
Pretty Vacant
She Sells Sanctuary

UK £14.99 + £1 p and p
Europe £14.99 + £2 p and p
USA/Rest of World $20 + $5 p and p

The Alarm Make A Stand in the USA Tour T shirts

Available in Medium, Large, X Large

Classic white T shirt featuring Alarm USA November dates.

Buy them in our store (scroll down to the Shirts section)


UK £15 + £1 p and p
Europe £15 + £2 p and p
USA/Rest of World $22 + $5 p and p


MPO Team
Alarm Information Service
Tel: 011 44 (0)1745 571571
Fax: 011 44 (0)1745 571577
Email mpo@alarmpo.demon.co.uk
www.thealarm.com
PO Box 709, Prestatyn, Denbighshire, LL19 9YR, Wales, UK

BBC 6

Monday 15th December 10pm - Midnight...uk time...

BBC 6 Music - Dream Ticket features a set from The Alarm...

6 music is a uk digital station only, but u can tune in via the web also & if u have sky satellite tv, u can find it also, click on the above link 4 more info…

The Alarm Make a Stand in the USA :
NY.Boston.Chicago.Los Angeles:
Live CD Collection

Double CD sets from the groundbreaking USA Tour. Featuring live recordings of many of the new songs plus all the classics and more. A superb cross section of highlights from all four cities.

3rd November 2003 Knitting factory [East] NEW YORK
5th November 2003 Middle East BOSTON
10th November 2003 Knitting factory [East] NEW YORK
12th November 2003 Middle East BOSTON
14th November 2003 Knitting factory [West] LOS ANGELES
17th November 2003 Knitting factory [East] NEW YORK
19th November 2003 Middle East BOSTON
20th November 2003 Elbo Room CHICAGO
21st November 2003 Knitting factory [West] LOS ANGELES

Buy them in our store (scroll down to the Live Albums, Sessions, Bootlegs section)

* Special Offer: Buy any 4 shows* :
UK £50 + £2.50 p and p
Europe £50 + £4 p and p
USA/Rest of World $75 + $10 p and p

UK £20 each + £1 p and p
Europe £20 each + £2 p and p
USA/Rest of World $30 + $5 p and p

Mike Peters and The Alarm have just returned from what can only be described as a triumphant US Tour. The band will be in the studio for the rest of the year putting the finishing touches to the 'In the Poppy Fields' album. The votes for the best songs have been flooding in and make for some very interesting reading. The final tracklisting will be announced at The Gathering and officially released on March 1st 2004 in the UK and soon after in the rest of the world.

A single 45 R.P.M. is being released on 2 CD formats and limited edition collectors vinyl on February 8th 2004 and features a host of unreleased recordings including 'Statue of Liberty', a cover of 'It's not Unusual' and some brand new recordings of 'Spirit of 76' and '68 Guns' - all cut in the studio in New York City during a break in the US Tour.

After the Gathering the UK tour kicks off almost immediately and features some very special one-off shows. The concert at the spectacular Caerphilly Castle is being recorded for a BBC radio in-concert. St David's Day March 1st 2004 will be the official release day of 'In the Poppy Fields' and to coincide, Mike Peters and The Alarm will perform at The Scala which will be filmed for future DVD release. Everyone who attends will have their names featured in the final credits.

It has been an amazing year with Mike featuring in the BBC Top Ten list at www.100welshheroes.com, (voting to resume on Jan 5th), the reunion for 'One Night Only' of the original Alarm line-up which we are reliably informed will air on VH1 in the US in Jan and soon after in Europe. We have also just announced ticket details of Alarmstock Two and Dave Sharp has promised to visit The Gathering again and bring his new electric band with him... and you never know who else might turn up...

Stay tuned for all the latest news.

Love and life.....MPO

BBC Wales wants to know the top 25 songs from the past 25 years, and it's our chance to get The Alarm in the list. Out of thin air, we have chosen "Spirit Of '76" as the song to vote for. Please click the link below, and vote for "Spirit Of '76" and get The Alarm noticed on BBC Radio Wales!!

Vote Here!

Thanks to all of you who helped to keep Mike Peters in the Top Five of the 100 Welsh Heroes Chart. This means that a special profile of Mike is now being commissioned in preparation for the voting which begins again on 5th Jan. If we can keep the momentum going, the mission is to keep Mike in the Top Ten when a special announcement will be made next March 1st next year. Mike's position in the Top Five has already caused much excitement with the Welsh press and Mike was interviewed by the Daily Posy yesterday on his return from the USA. Special thanks also to Misti Mitchell from Texas, USA who has worked tirelessly to motivate people to vote. We'll be in touch in January with a reminder. If you could all cast your final vote for the year before December 1st that would be much appreciated.

The final vote starts on January the 5th 2004

When nominations close on 1st December the people of Wales will have nominated 100 men and women as Welsh Heroes. We will then commission an original profile of each of the top 100 nominees, which will be unveiled on this site on 5th January 2004. People will then have until 22nd February to study the achievements of the 100 and cast their vote for their ultimate hero. The final top ten will then by announced and celebrated on St David's Day 2004.

Latest results as of : Monday 24 November
Next update : Thursday 27 November, 1:30pm
Tom Jones
3552 Nominations
Aneurin Bevan
1747 Nominations
Owain Glyndwˆr
1305 Nominations
David Lloyd George
1235 Nominations
Mike Peters
1071 Nominations
Dylan Thomas
1009 Nominations
Gareth Edwards
950 Nominations
Robert Owen
866 Nominations
James Dean Bradfield
863 Nominations
Phil Campbell
857 Nominations
Gwynfor Evans
622 Nominations
Richey Edwards
501 Nominations
R. S. Thomas
451 Nominations
Iolo Morganwg
435 Nominations
Bertrand Russell
359 Nominations
Ioan Gruffudd
318 Nominations
Saint David
281 Nominations
Saunders Lewis
277 Nominations
Bishop William Morgan
274 Nominations
Dafydd ap Gwilym
251 Nominations

What the hell just happened? The Alarm, the new Alarm, with Mike Peters and his band of wildly talented cohorts, just ripped through the USA, leaving rock and roll devestation in their wake. They spent three weeks circling the USA, blasting into New York, Boston, Chicago, LA (plus one-night stands in The O.C. and Malibu), proving to all in attendence that The Alarm is definately back, and primed to take everything to the next level.

Steve Grantly is probably the best rock drummer I have ever witnessed. He's Keith Moon, with a sly smile that transparently hides what can only be descibed as controlled, wreckless abandon. Craig Adams is a monster on the bass, and his sense of humor and stage presence add volumes to what must be one of the most formidable rhythmn sections on tour today. What to say of James Stevenson, except to say nothing and bow to his greatness. His job is the hardest of all the new guys. He must fill the shoes of one of the most beloved guitarists from the 80's. He succeeds and then some, and he looks damned-good doing it. And finally, onto Mike Peters. The rock and roll hero. The survivor. A statesmen for the power of rock and roll as life-changing catalyst. With the energy of 10 ordinary frontmen (maybe 20), he puts everything he has into every song, then does it again, and again and again. He amazes everytime. He sweeps people up into his passion, and from there, anything is possible.

Was this tour a success? Hell yes! But don't take my word for it. Ask the promoters and bookers clamoring for more tours. Ask the festival organizers who can't stop ringining the phone. Ask the venues who enjoyed sold-out shows, where none were expected. Ask the bartenders, doormen, bouncers, and waitresses who hadn't seen anything like it in a long, long time. Ask the radio people, who jumped and rode the East Coast shows like it was 1985. Ask the A&R men, who think there just might something to this. Ask the film crews, from VH1, and the BBC. Ask the fans, who were freaking BLOWN AWAY. Ask their friends, the ones they brought along so they could see what the fuss was about, who now can't stop talking about this little rock outfit from Wales, the one that was counted-out just a few years ago, that has proved that true rock and roll is much more than the latest haircut, a "me-to" repertoire, and empty posturing.

Is this the beginning of a new era for The Alarm? It sure feels like it. With a new albums, tours, and TV specials in 2004, who knows where they could be taken? Will you be there? Will you be there? Cause, I'm goning be there, www.thealarm.com is gonna be there. Our dedicated forum members are gonna be there. The Alarm made their Stand in 2003, and the people responded. Resoundingly. Now only the sky is the limit.

-Steve Fulton

Attention all Alarm fans attending the Knitting Factory Show tonight!

All Season ticket holders and individual ticket holders have been emailed direct but just in case some of you don't collect you mail today, please read on...

Just a note to thank you for your support on this month's The Alarm Make A Stand Tour.
We wanted to remind you that tonight's show starts at 7pm.

Have a wonderful night tonight. Please stay in touch with us and hopefully the boys will be back in town in April next year!

Love and life,

MPO Team
Alarm Information Service
Tel: 011 44 (0)1745 571571
Fax: 011 44 (0)1745 571577
Email mpo@alarmpo.demon.co.uk
www.thealarm.com
PO Box 709, Prestatyn, Denbighshire, LL19 9YR, Wales, UK

The Alarm Make A Stand Tour has been a phenomenal success with sold out shows across America in NYC, Boston, LA and Chicago. Please read on for what the fans themselves say...

The show at Chicago's Elbo room on 11/13/03 was amazing. The band was so tight and didn't miss a single note. The enthusiasm of the crowd helped to fuel the band's energy. "Drunk & Disorderly" was unbelieveable. Thank you to Mike Peters for a great night. (I e-mailed WXRT radio to tell them to play more Alarm music, just like Mike asked us to do!)
Rajiv

Saw the band out in Farmingdale a couple of weeks ago and although I have seen Mike perform enough times to know how passionate and exhilarating his shows are I always find myself blown away by just how fantastic it is to hear him live...I also was lucky enough that I got a few minutes with Mike prior to the show and as always there is nobody more generous to his fans than this man...no crew on hand, a show to do, no doubt jet lagged and there he is answering all my questions about the reunion show and signing my vintage Eye of The Hurricane promo poster...talk of the reunion show and the History of the Alarm DVD dominated our conversation, so I felt really bad that I completely neglected to congratulate Mike on the new music...I made my way to him as the show ended to tell him I thought that the new music was brilliant, and hearing it live only cemented that opinion...the Poppy Fields discs have not left my cd player since the show... I have no idea how all that great music is going to be whittled down to a single disc. Sorry for the long winded testimony but just wanted to say thanks to Mike, James, Craig & Steve for a great tour. I'm totally on board for the next phase of the Alarm, and hope the new music gets all the attention that it so richly deserves. Wishing everyone at MPO all the best on the upcoming endeavors...
See you at the Knitting Factory, Joe

I went to the Knitting Factory show in Hollywood last Friday and it was brilliant. My friend and I went to the show at UCLA back in 1986 and it was great that both of us were there on Friday. Thanks, K
I just got back from the show. Mike and the boys outdid themselves tonight. They played a bunch of the oldies with alot of the new nuggets. Although, they did not play Breathe. It's a new favorite of mine after the Knitting Factory show on the7th. The Slim Jim Phantom Trio also rocked the stage. The crowd loved them. Mike came out on their last song and the broke into Rock This Town. It was brilliant. That left the crowd waiting for The Alarm. And nobody was disappointed when all was said and done. I enjoyed watching people who are reserved at first, come out of their comfort zone after a while. Everyone had their hands held high after a while. Great night. They had an extended encore set that included Deeside and the Stray Cats' Runaway Boys with Slim Jim among others. The encore set must have been 20-30 minutes. And after all that, Mike stuck around to sign autographs for the fans. Well, I'm rambling. I need to go to bed. -Kevin

2:30 am -- just got back from the House of Blues in Anaheim -- it was the most incredible show -- I told Mike it was my favorite since the 80's -- They started with Coming Home again and I felt like I was --- It was a packed audience - K

It was simply an AMAZING show! First off, I don't think they could have legally squeezed another person into this rather large venue. Mike and the boys were on FIRE! From numerous Stray Cats songs (with Slim Jim and Steve G. going mad on the skins at the same time), to Alarm classics and new barn burners like 45 RPM and Drunk and disorderly, this was one of the best shows I have seen in a LOOOONG time! -Jeff

(from Bruce Springsteen message board) I just got back a little while ago from The Alarm show at the Knitting Factory in NYC. Remember them, the U2-sounding band from Wales, from the mid-80's? I was a little disappointed that the show was billed as "The Alarm", when the only original member was lead singer Mike Peters, but the "new" musicians filled the old shoes well. Mike is one of the best live performers I've ever seen, period. They did 2 sets with a break in between where Mike & the band came out into the audience (of only a couple hundred I'd say - it's a very small club) to sign & talk. Mike rotated between a Gibson acoustic and a Fender electric. The leadguitar player had been in many other bands back in the day - GenX (ex- Billy Idol) to name one. The bass player was from The Sisters of Mercy, and The Cult. The drummer was from Stiff Little Fingers.I've seen The Alarm a few times over the years, including Mike Peters solo, but tonight I really noticed the influences: The Clash, punk, and The Who. It was a very high-energy show, with a few slow acoustic numbers, and plenty of audience sing-alongs. The band played the past 2 Monday nights also at the club, and the 11/3 show was recorded; tonight the CD was available to buy (but I didn't - not at $25). By the time they came out for the 2nd encore, everyone (in the audience...and the band) was so loose, that it didn't matter that it was past 11 PM on a Monday night. Mike mentioned that it was the last of the 3 shows in NY, and he was in a very happy & partying mood, wanting to go out "in a blaze of glory". They did a few covers in the 2nd encore: Jean Genie (Bowie), a New York Dolls song, and the song "Big Country" (Mike solo acoustic) by the band of the same name. And "45 RPM" by Rancid. Mike commented on how he saw Rancid just last night at Roseland Ballroom in NY and how the audience "was going mental". I They also covered a Clash song earlier in the set, "Complete Control".
The best part of the night was how the music made me feel. It's that same feeling you get at a Bruce show. No matter how shitty things are in your life or how you're feeling, or what you're going through, the redemptive power of rock and roll is the ONE thing you can always count on. ("she depends on her music like a husband" - S. Nicks). And tonight, the music carried me........and rocked the core of my soul, my existence, and gave me just a little bit of hope to KEEP hoping, wishing, and dreaming.
(Posted on a Bruce Springsteen website)

Smokin' show at the Elbo Room here in Chicago last night. Mike's voice is in great shape. The boys blew the doors off the joint. They are in mid-tour form already! I'm still trying to find all the pieces of my shattered ear drums. Absolutely loved it! My 9th Alarm gig (3rd this century). Jason Ernst



MPO Team
Alarm Information Service
Tel: 011 44 (0)1745 571571
Fax: 011 44 (0)1745 571577
Email mpo@alarmpo.demon.co.uk
www.thealarm.com
PO Box 709, Prestatyn, Denbighshire, LL19 9YR, Wales, UK

First off, next time Mike plans a show in California, he ALWAYS needs to play at the House Of Blues. Great venue, great sound, a perfect showcase.

The place had to have sold out the, people on the floor were packed in like sardines and could hardly move.

Slim Jim’s band was fantastic. There is just not enough blues-rockabilly bands left out there.

And then the guys came out and played the longest frickin’ set I’ve ever had the prividledge to watch:

~ Electric guitars

Coming Home

Unsafe Building

Absolute Reality

Right Back Where I started From

Sold Me Down The River

~ Acoustic Guitars

Drunk & Disorderly

Marching On

Where Were You Hiding

(James broke a string and Mike threw cards at the audience. :-) )

The Stand

Knife Edge

(At this point Mike said they were going to play Rain, but something happened to the drums. It looked like the snare and a couple of cymbals were about to slide off the drum riser. Yes, Steve played that hard, and so the drums need to be adjusted.)

One Step Closer
(Mike said this was his favorite Alarm song)

Rain In The Summertime

Close

68 Guns

Rescue Me/Keep On Rockin’ In The Free World/Rescue Me

Blaze of Glory

~ Encore 1

Deeside
(Why aren’t cards ever thrown in this song?)

45 RPM

(Mike talked about the numerous cool bands that the guys had been in and ended by saying that James had played with Kim Wilde. He then did a short impression of her hit "Kids In America" … AND Tom Jones. At that point – just for jenny’s benefit, I’m sure, Mike did a lovely Tom Jones impression "Not unusual … " and did a short impromptu Tom Jones swinging hip dance. The audience was roaring with laughter.)

Spirit Of ’76

~ Encore 2

(Mike then brought out and introduced Slim Jim – who wheeled his kit on stage and we all got a taste of a Slim Jim / Steve Grantly extravaganza – which was an awe inspiring event!)

Runaway Boys

Get Down, Get With It.

One of the best shows I've ever seen.

Oh and by the way ... The whole thing was filmed for a BBC Documentary.
Hopefully everyone will see this show on television for a first or second time!

-Mari Nolte

Mike Peters of The Alarm will be appearing at the
Newbury Comics Government Center, Boston location at
noon (12:00) on Wednesday, November 19th, 2003. The
address is as follows:

Newbury Comics Government Center
1 Washington Mall
Boston MA 02108
617 248 9992

Mike will be playing an intimate acoustic performance,
as well as being available to sign memorabilia and
chat with fans.

Map

ANTHEMIC: the Alarm had as much Beatles as Clash and
U2 in them, with a strong dash of Mighty Mighty
Bosstones camaraderie.

Even in their '80s heyday, the Alarm used to get
knocked for writing too many anthems - as if coming up
with rock anthems that worked were an easy thing to
do. But the Welsh quartet wrote virtually nothing
else: they took "The Stand," they made the
"Declaration," they confronted the "Eye of the
Hurricane," they went out in a "Blaze of Glory." And
they proved that good, rocking songs could be wrapped
around such lofty titles.

Maybe they weren't the most sophisticated band that
punk ever produced, but the Alarm - who broke up in
1992, have lately re-formed under original frontman
Mike Peters, and are in the midst of a November
Wednesday-night residency at the Middle East - had
enough hooks and heart to turn their idealism into a
virtue. At their best, they evinced the same kind of
camaraderie that would become a trademark for the
Mighty Mighty Bosstones. Although they got compared
(and not always favorably) to U2 and the Clash, they
had at least as much Beatles in them, in part at least
because of Peters's classically Brit-pop voice. The
best song on their 1983 debut album, Declaration
(IRS), was "We Are the Light," a wide-eyed ballad that
owed a few chords to "You've Got To Hide Your Love
Away." And it's no coincidence that Peters is now
playing in the side-project band Dead Men Walking with
bassist Glen Matlock, who's alleged to have got kicked
out of the Sex Pistols for saying something nice about
Paul McCartney.

These days, Peters is testament to all those clichés
about lives getting saved by rock and roll. Diagnosed
with lymphoma in the mid '90s, he told his doctors
that treatment would have to wait until he wrapped up
a scheduled American tour. He now has a clean bill of
health, and he says that's partly because he never
stopped working. "I started getting books about
self-healing and came to think that negativity was
part of the disease," he explained after getting off
stage at the Middle East last week. "I realized that I
needed to take back my life, and my life is the
Alarm." The other original members declined to come
along (though they did tape a one-shot reunion for VH1
this month), so he's formed a new Alarm with guitarist
James Stevenson (ex-Gene Loves Jezebel), bassist Craig
Adams, and drummer Steve Grantley.

Apparently still running on adrenaline, Peters has
worked a blue streak in recent years. Mission of Burma
billed their reunion tour as "inexplicable," but the
current Alarm tour is just plain impossible: they're
playing four cities - Boston, New York, Chicago, and
Los Angeles - on a weekly basis through November,
using four sets of rented gear and racking up loads of
frequent-flyer miles. "It's our little commando raid
on the country," is how Peters describes it. "We're
trying to do all those things that bands always say
they want to do - to have artistic control and
creative freedom. But I don't want to sound
self-aggrandizing here. This is what I do; it's what I
live for,"

On disc, the new Alarm have been equally prolific.
Last year they announced a subscription deal through
their Web site; fans would get a few singles with
exclusive B-sides followed by a new album, In the
Poppy Fields. The project grew into five separate
albums, all recorded and released within a year. It
was also a participatory experience for fans, who got
on-line updates as work progressed and heard the songs
within weeks of their recording; they also voted for
the numbers that will make up next year's single,
commercially released disc.

Best of the lot is the disc that sounds the least like
the old Alarm and the most like the Who. The fourth in
the series, the 33-minute rock opera called Edward
Henry Street throws no end of Tommy and Quadrophenia
references into 14 linked songs that deal with a young
band's first year of existence. The autobiographical
story makes a handy frame for Peters's trademark
optimism and melodic sense. Elsewhere, the best songs
find him loosening up on the optimism. "Swansong"
(which closes the first, most old-Alarm-sounding disc)
deals with the fallout from a broken friendship; disc
three's "The Drunk & the Disorderly" is a big guitar
epic in the vein of the old band's "Spirit of '76,"
but without the sense that anyone's necessarily bound
for glory. And "Rain Down" proves he's got a lot of
Brill Building songwriter in him, latching onto
another band's trademark sound - in this case,
Coldplay's pianos and angst - and writing something
that band would be proud of.

The Alarm played surprisingly little of the new
material at the first Wednesday show, preferring to
stick with the familiar hits and fist-waving rousers -
including a Slade cover, "Get Down & Get with It."
They quieted down on only one of the new songs, "The
Rock and Roll," where Peters ponders the loss of
friends and bandmates and concludes, "The rock and
roll still burns in me." But here's where he got off
the U2 train, because he didn't deliver that line as
an anthemic sing-along or a world-saving gesture, just
as a simple statement of fact.

The Alarm play their final Middle East residency show
this Wednesday, November 19, at 472 Massachusetts
Avenue in Central Square; call (617) 864-EAST

Original line-up. New line-up. Last night I witnessed one, if not the best Alarm performance I have ever seen.
It was so good that I dreamed about it in my sleep!
Mike and the boys put forth a show with absolute muscle!
Were we at CBGB’s back in the day or the Knitting Factory in 2003?
“The Drunk and Disorderly” was the highlight of the show for me. Steve had a short but killer solo and well… Well you just had to be there! Unbelievable! Blistering! Afterward, Mike asked if that song was good enough to make it on the new record. Hell Yeah!
Thanks to Mike, Steve, Craig & James for an incredible show!
-Greg Jira

WELL I HAVE FINALY SEEN MY FIRST ALARM SHOW.. AND IT WAS WAY MORE THAN I EVER EXSPECTED.. I WAS LEAVING AND MIKE SIGHNED ALL 35 CD OF MINE AND WE HAD ABOUT 25 MIN VISIT.. THEN I WAS LEAVING THE WAY THE PARKING WAS YOU HAD TO GO DOWN A BIG RAMP.. REMEMBER I AM A WHEEL CHAIR. SO (MIKE) TOOK ME DOWN BACKWRDS DOWN THIS BIG HILL INTO THE PARKING.. A NIGHT I WILL NEVER FORGET THANKS TO ALL THAT I MET.. IT WAS WONDERFUL.. THE MAN IS A TRUE PERSON..


Knitting Factory - LA (11/7/03)
Overall - Excellent
Highlights - Sold Me Down The River. I never cared much for this song, but they just shredded it. Awesome. A much faster version. Very impressed with James' gutair work on this one. 68 Guns was equally impressive.
Band - Very tight. I could really see a difference this time around versus their last trip through here in 2000. They seem very comfortable playing together now.
Best Moment - I took three friends to the show tonight. One hadn't seen the Alarm since the UCLA show in 86. At the end of the set, my friend shook my hand and thanked me for bringing him. He had forgotten how much he loved the Alarm's music and how many good songs were on Declaration.
I am really looking forward to the remaining two shows. See ya there.
-Steve

Great show in NYC last night!!!! Can't wait for next week.
Thanks!!
-Phil in NJ, USA

Hey Thanks,
I made it to the show. It was a refreshing change from the angry noise that we hear on our radios around here. The band ROCKED. I have never owned an album/CD by The Alarm, but I am from third generation and was surprised how many of the songs I knew. Once again, they ROCKED!
Cheers,
-Scott

The show last night was incredible. There was so much energy on stage that if you could have put it in a bottle it would have lit all of NYC.
It was great to hear Third Light as a solo number with just Mike and then go into a full band version of the Deceiver.
One step Closer to Home was a nice treat. The new songs sounded just as good as the old 45rpm should definitely be played more.
Sprit of 76 with the Clash's White riot in the middle was beyond belief.
Steve, James, Craig along with Mike are one of the tightest bands you will ever hear.
I picked up the 11/3/03 New York show on CD at the show and I am dying to get this 2nd show on CD. Please offer it and all the shows on the web.


Hello and thanks for making sure we could get into the show Friday. We really enjoyed the show, it brought back some good memories of their first show at the LA Sports Arena way back when.
We are looking forward to the next couple of weeks.
Thanks,
-Beth


the show was awesome -- i finally got to hear some of the bond live. musically i was very happy with the band also, great on their respective instruments.
i hope Mike will vary the setlist alot next week so I can hear more of the new stuff live. Drunk and Disorderly is still my favorite, the unexplained was fantastic live. he played the rock and roll with acoustic guitar which gave it a much different flavor than the cd.
He also played "right back where I started from" which my guess is how Mike's been feeling, in a good way.
-Kevin

Knitting Factory,LA, 11/7/03
After an eternity Mike and the guys came out on stage. What struck me first was they all just looked so cool. There is that certain stage presence that can not be bought or manufactured, you have it or you don’t. These guys walked out on the stage and took over the room, before playing a note. They’d had to huff their own gear, fight with the sound, etc. But none of it showed. The presence craned every eye to the stage. The crowd had swelled to at least 200.

I like to watch the reaction of the club staff at these shows, these are the jaded bouncers, bartenders and security who’ve seen it all. If the band grabs their attention it means something. All eyes were glued to the stage.

Mike came out looked at the crowd and smiled that smile that only he can do. You know the one I’m talking about. Happy and enthusiastic with just a hint of devilish fun. It’s the one where you feel like your best friend just stepped on the stage and is smiling at that inside joke you and he talked about only moments before? That one.

As I said earlier, they opened with Breathe. A full band energy filled rendition, that had the crowd moving in seconds.

The first set was tight filled with enthusiasm, some of the slower, quieter songs were played. The second set was longer and had a harder edge, as they played some of the crowd favorites. And the band was tight. Really tight. I can only remember one booboo that Craig made, where he was so into what he was doing with playing and singing and jumping around that I think he was a whole fret off going into a chorus. He made a frazzled expression and look down at the base as if it had betrayed him – and got right back on track.

Mike used an acoustic for part of the set and had to ask to get it turned up in the monitors. And it went up a teeny bit. Shesh. I bet they all had a hard time hearing themselves from the stage. But the acoustic just … rocked, adding that special something.

Can I start a cult for Steve Grantly? I swear, I could just watch him for days on end. The accuracy and power with which he plays is a sight to behold. Methodical, a very precise machine never missing a beat … and at the same time he flips the sticks, has a blast and sings at the top of his lungs, without benefit of a vocal mic. He knows all the words to all the songs, I watched him sing along all night. Mmmm.

Craig … they all looked like they had fun, but Craig showed it very visually. He looked like he was having a great time. He jumped, danced, moved to the crowd and generally was a joy to watch. His happiness belied his classic punkish look, T-shirt with no sleeves, pale skin and shaved head. The happiest, little angry base player in the world.

James was, in a word? Brilliant. He hit every note, playing even the most intricate riffs with ease. Like Steve, he has a power and a presence in his playing that others only dream of. He compliments Mike in a way that no one has since Dave. And he’s just so damn cool. He has this approachable rock god way about him …

And Mike … Like always, Mike enveloped the fans with his genuineness and charm. The man does not age. When he walked out I was struck with a pang of nostalgia because he was wearing this very fab black shirt with white piping in a cowboy-esqe pattern. Ahh, the good ol’ bolo tie days, I remember those.

Yeah Mike looked great, but his guitar/harmonica work was nothing short of amazing. Not many people can pull it off well – but Mike does it every time, with ease as if the instruments were extra appendages he was born with. Solid, tight, consistent instrument work.

Mike talked several times between songs. He spoke of his awe at being able to do the Scala gig and how everyone would be able to see it next year on VH1. He talked about how the poor road crew got screwed by a postal strike and thanked everyone for coming to the gig.

At one point, Mike had just finished a between the song chat and just as he was about to go into another song, Craig rushed up and shoved a harmonica in his face. Without a missing a beat, Mike continued to talk as he slipped the harmonica into the holder, nodding at Craig. Even without a road crew, the guys looked after each other.

All the guys looked like they were having an amazing time playing and I think the crowds energy rubbed off on Steve who was intently watching the audience whenever Mike would stick the mic out into the crowd. This was a singing crowd, a loud drunk singing crowd. Very amusing diverse fans.

I loved the way the songs were performed. Sold Me was so fast. Just great.

But one of the biggest thrills for me was Drunk and Disorderly. I always liked the song, but there were other songs I liked better.

I am such a fool.

Drunk and Disorderly is THE next classic, post Alarm, Alarm song. It’s the next big anthem. I love the way the song is done on the cd, but nothing stands up to it live, the way they did it last night. Mike even ventured to thrust the mic into the audience during the chorus and much to the amazement of all – the fans knew the words and the melody (shock) and belted it out as if they were singing to Spirit of ’76. Mike had a kind of satisfied, "I knew you could do it" look on his face. Just awesome.

-Mari Nolte

New York, Boston, Chicago

First, great to see you again, especially with a full R&R band. Wow, the man who wrote "There's a boy who's been told there's no future, he's been fed by the blind" encoring with Pretty Vacant. Very intense. Loved the new material and glad to see you playing and writing on the electric guitar again. Steve is an inspired choice on drums. I have seen him many times with SLF and enjoyed hearing him roar behind you. I hope Boston, Chicago and LA are good to you and the guys and that your road crew makes it here. See you in two weeks.
-David Zensky

There is a lot of exposure and positive press. look at all the new members here. Also. Joe public is finally fired up, and i gotta say, the new music he did last nite on the radio show sounds awesome. i think mike may finally get a long deserved break over here. i can certainly hear coming home or close on the edge radio station here.
-jen

I am sure you are getting a lot of these today, but that show last night was by far the best concert I ever saw. Jamming in a room which said Capacity 194, the sound was perfect. I can't wait for the next two weeks.
-J Castonguay

Hi, I attended the Alarm show in NYC last night and simply wanted to express what a terrific time it was! Hearing all the Alarm classics as well as so many of the selections off of the Poppy Fields Bond made for a great night of music. There were of course many serious Alarm/MP fans who sang aloud to every song, but there were also people who weren't very familiar with the material who seemed to have equally been swept away within the passion and synergy of the performance. It's a great thing to have The Alarm back in America! Best wishes,
-Francis

Great show, ! What energy!
Looking forward to next week, of course.
-Brad

Great shows in NY!
Please play more new material from the “Poppy Fields” next week.
Hoping to hear:
Your Only Young
Be Still
Contenders
Terms and Conditions
45rpm
Thanks
- Greg

Just a note to say how incredible last night’s show was. What a passionate
and wonderful musician Mike Peters is. I haven’t enjoyed myself at a show
like that in quite some time. Please convey our excitement at getting to see
two more shows like that in the coming weeks. We can’t wait.

Best regards,
-Mindy, Chicago

For all Boston Alarm fans, over the next 2 weeks you can make contact with Julie Kramer at WFNX. This premier Boston station has been promoting the 3 Boston shows madly all week and for the next 2 weeks. So, if you want your request played or just want to report back in about your experiences at the shows, this is the info you need:


Our frequencies are 101.7 inBostonand 92.1Portsmouth&Manchester. We do not stream at this time. Julie's e-mail is jkramer@fnxradio.com and phone number is 877-FNXRADIO (877-369-7234).


Reviews are just starting to come in here at the office in Wales. We haven;t been able to speak with the Mike and the boys as yet but according to rumours, the show was sold out and Boston was most defintiely rocked!!! Here's a quick review from the forums....

Gotta get some sleep!!! Show was bloody brilliant, though! I'll post more later today. Sound check was blistering, 45rpm just about melts the paint off of the wall, and the band sounds really, really tight! I may have missed the Scala show, but I sure am glad I was at the Middle East tonight...The feel of the show was intense! Pogoing, jackets peeled off, booze flowing and awesome music. Priceless!!!

Alarm Gold Member
United States

Win 2 tickets to see Mike Peters and The Alarm Live in Los Angeles this
month with Radio Wales!
To celebrate Radio Wales's 25th anniversary we're giving you the chance
to win a trip for two to Los Angeles to meet Mike Peters. It's a prize
money just can't buy - find out how you can take part in our 25 Years
in 25 Days competition
"http://www.bbc.co.uk/radiowales

BBC Radio Wales will be phoning Mike Peters in New York today live from
the Owen Money show to discuss the competition.
14:00  The Afternoon Show
Owen Money hosts an afternoon of music, competitions and special
guests. Phone 08700 100 110 [national rates]

MPO Team
Alarm Information Service
Tel: 011 44 (0)1745 571571
Fax: 011 44 (0)1745 571577
Email mpo@alarmpo.demon.co.uk
www.thealarm.com
PO Box 709, Prestatyn, Denbighshire, LL19 9YR, Wales, UK

The show on Long island really was a stormer esp considering the circumstances. I had several friends and family with me who basically came to see what the fuss was regarding the bloke whom i have trooped around the world for over the years and they were blown away with the intensity of the performance and the fans. The set list was excellent and though anyone could say 'what about XYZ song i.m.o it was a great combo of old and new.

Counting the hours to Knitting Factory#1 tonight. Look forward to hanging out with the loveliest people in rock again though I think the red bull may be required but i can't wait - doubt i will be able to even talk tomorrow

Simmo
An Englishman married to an American happy in NY.
"Selling Out Is The Cardinal Sin" - Mike Peters

Forgive my brief account here but posted more details on the digest re: 1st "Make the Stand" gig @ the Knitting Factory, but I'll give you the song list:

Set 1:

Breathe
Rain
Knife Edge
Coming Home
Unsafe
Drunk & Disorderly
Sold Me
The Rock n' Roll

Intermission- Half Hour Meet & Greet

Set 2:

Trafficking
Absolute
The Unexplained
Marching On
W.W.Y.H.
68
Close
Spirit of 76'
Rescue Me

Encore:

The Stand
Pretty Vacant with Pat Dinuzio of the Smithereens-(great version)

Blaze

It was a great turn-out, we'll definitely need a larger venue if these shows continue this way... Andy G. (who travelled from the UK) took some great shots the past 2 nights & I'm sure will put up for your viewing pleasure,as soon as they return to the UK. Sorry for the vagueness, I swear I haven't slept more than 20 hours in this past week, & am really starting to feel it. For all those traveling to the next shows, safe journeys to you all, get prepared to be blown away! I know it will be as wonderful for all of you! xoxo Lily
NYC Alarm gal
P.S. Jay Aston from Gene Loves Jezebel was there as well visiting the guys. He's looking much better & healthier & is doing more writing.

The Alarm on Sirius Satellite Radio

We have just been informed that you can tune in to a live studio recording of Mike, Steve, James and Craig. Here at MPO, we are listening in right now and it sounds amazing!!!!!! The session will be broadcast again at 8pm EST.

Click on to

www.sirius.com

and then click on "what's on" and then "variety". It will be on Channel 100.

We will keep you informed of how else you can tune into this fantastic session!!!

Next stop - Mike Peters flies to Boston early morning tomorrow to perform a lunchtime acoustic session at Boston's premier rock radio station WFNX. Mike will be performing for FNX listeners' winners - the prize - an acoustic lunchtime session with Mike Peters!

This morning, Mike was interviewed over the phone by BBC Wales in conjunction with the BBC's competition to win 2 tickets to fly out and see Mike and the band perform in Los Angeles this month!! Stay tuned with BBC Radio Wales and compete for this fantastic prize!!!


MPO Team
Alarm Information Service
Tel: 011 44 (0)1745 571571
Fax: 011 44 (0)1745 571577
Email mpo@alarmpo.demon.co.uk
www.thealarm.com
PO Box 709, Prestatyn, Denbighshire, LL19 9YR, Wales, UK

"My wife and I gave the show a 10 out of 10" - Larry Hollman

View Photo

Hot off the Press: First Night USA Review!

From: NYC Alarm gal
Location: United States

Hi all, just got back from dropping off Mike & the Guys safe & sound in NYC. The Long Island Gig tonight was brilliant. Despite jet lag & exhaustion from the past weeks events, the guys were on fire. After plane arriving really late & having no time to soundcheck, the band did an impromptu check in front of the audience, with Bowie's "Heroes" and The Cult's "Wildflower", sounded great indeed. The set was a great mix of old classics balanced with just the right amount of new material.See as follows:

Coming Home
Unsafe Building
Beauty of my Surroundings
Absolute Reality
Right Back where started from
Knife Edge
The Normal rules do not apply
Rain in the Summertime
Drunk & Disorderly-(dedicated to Stuart Adamson)
Marching On
Where were you hiding?
68 Guns
Close
Spirit of 76
Rescue Me
The Stand
Blaze of Glory

Sorry if any mispells. It's 3:15 a.m. & I have work in 4 hours.

Brilliant gig overall, Mike & the band in great spirits, despite the road crew situation, and the guys having to set up & haul & tune their own gear, they took it in stride as always. Nothing can stop them! Shout out's to Andy & Sam,Heather & John over from England, and our little NY contingent. Great crowd, Simmo, Marshall, Tim, Andy Doyle, Chrissy, our English friends travelling. I thought after tuesday night, I might have to be a little mellow at this gig, but no chance, just as the music started, crowd going wild in the front... the whole feeling just came back over me...... On to tomorrow night @ the Knitting Factory.

Visas and the London Postal Strike hits USA Tour

Due to a combination of visa problems and the London Postal Strike, The
Alarm Make A Stand Tour hits NY tonight with the band travelling to
America minus their road crew. Accompanied just by their Road Manager,
Liam Feekery, Mike, Craig, James and Steve have a challenge ahead to
travel around New York, Boston, Chicago and LA minus their crew!!!!
The guys are determined and upbeat however and looking forward to their
U.S. quest.

For those of your attending The Alarm Make A Stand Tour, have fun and
enjoy hanging out with the guys in person at the shows.

For those of you living outside the USA remember to tune into BBC Radio
Wales this week as a very exciting Alarm-related prize will be
announced any day!


MPO Team
Alarm Information Service
Tel: 011 44 (0)1745 571571
Fax: 011 44 (0)1745 571577
Email mpo@alarmpo.demon.co.uk
www.thealarm.com
PO Box 709, Prestatyn, Denbighshire, LL19 9YR, Wales, UK

TRAIN INFORMATION

For up to date train information and timetables please see this website: National Rail or for UK national train enquiries telephone: 0845 7484950.

TRAIN INFORMATION FOR AIRPORT LINKS
London Heathrow Airport
Airport to/from Central London
Heathrow Express operates a direct rail service from the airport to London Paddington. Stations are located at Terminal 4 and in the central terminal area, serving Terminals 1, 2 and 3. Journey time is 15 minutes between Paddington and Terminals 1, 2 and 3, 23 minutes to Terminal 4. Trains run every 15 minutes from 0510 to 2340 hours every day. Through tickets can be purchased from many mainland stations to the airport via Heathrow Express.
The London Underground Piccadilly Line connects central London with all four terminals (Terminal 1/2/3 and Terminal 4). Through single and return tickets can be issued to customers travelling via a Rail terminus in Zone 1.

Sample journey time from Piccadilly Circus to the Airport is 50 mins. There are also bus links to Rail Stations/Airport: A2 to/from Kings Cross, St Pancras (British Library) and Euston.

Other direct services to/from Airport
A coach service, Green Line 724, runs throughout the day between Heathrow, West Drayton, Uxbridge, Rickmansworth, Watford, St. Albans, Hatfield, Welwyn Garden City, Hertford and Harlow. Tickets can only be purchased on the coach. A frequent bus service (route 140) runs 24 hours between Hayes & Harlington and Heathrow Airport (Central Bus Station). For further information telephone 0870 608 7261 (Green Line Travel Information)
London Gatwick Airport
Gatwick has its own railway station underneath the South Terminal. Access to the North Terminal is via a free transit. Direct train services also serve many parts of the country.

Airport to/from London

Gatwick Express operate a dedicated non-stop service every 15 minutes throughout the day to/from London (Victoria) and Gatwick Airport.
South Central operates frequent trains throughout the day and hourly throughout the night to/from London Victoria and Gatwick Airport.
Thameslink operate direct services throughout the day between Kings Cross Thameslink, Farringdon, City Thameslink, London Blackfriars, London Bridge and Gatwick Airport (generally every 15 mins). A reduced frequency between London and Gatwick operates through the night.

London Stansted Airport

Stansted Airport has its own railway station right in the heart of the airport terminal building. The Stansted Express is a dedicated rail service operating between London Liverpool Street and Stansted Airport station. Fastest journey time is 41 minutes, with an intermediate stop at Tottenham Hale to enable transfer onto the Victoria Line (London Underground) for the West End. Occasionally services may be diverted via Seven Sisters at weekends.

Central Trains operates an hourly express service seven days a week between Birmingham and Stansted Airport calling at Leicester, Peterborough and Cambridge offering connections with services to Yorkshire and the North East. For further information telephone 08457 48 49 50.

The airport is also served by an hourly service from London Victoria, Airbus A6 calling at Victoria Coach Station, Victoria Station, Hyde Park Corner, Marble Arch, Marylebone Station, Finchley Road/Hendon Underground Stations and then non-stop to the airport and Airbus A7 calling at Victoria Coach Station, Westminster/Embankment/Bank/Aldgate/Mile End Underground Stations, Stratford Station, Redbridge Underground Station and then non-stop to Stansted Airport.

London Luton Airport

A frequent dedicated shuttle bus links Luton Airport with Luton Airport Parkway station - journey time 5 minutes. Luton Airport Parkway is served by frequent Thameslink services direct to Bedford, Central London, South London, Gatwick Airport and Brighton. Midland Mainline services link Luton Airport Parkway with St Pancras and Leicester, Derby, Nottingham and Sheffield. In addition Virgin Trains provide an hourly-dedicated coach link between the Airport, Luton railway station and Milton Keynes Central railway station and town centre. Also WAGN operates a frequent daily coach link service between Hitchin and Luton Airport.

Manchester Airport

The airport station is right in the heart of the airport complex, linked by a covered escalator. The station is served by up to 6 trains per hour from Manchester Piccadilly and direct services operate between Sunderland, Middlesborough, Nottingham, Derby, Stoke-on-Trent, Newcastle, York, Leeds, Huddersfield, Cleethorpes, Doncaster, Hull, Meadowhall, Sheffield and the Airport. Additional regular services operate during the day, to/from many stations.

LONDON UNDERGROUND TRAVEL INFORMATION

The quickest way is usually by the Underground system with frequent services operating from approximately 0530 to 0015 (0700 to 2330 on Sundays) - regularly updated recorded information on how services are running can be obtained by phoning 020 7222 1234 (24 hours). The Tube
ROAD TRAVEL INFORMATON

Latest road travel information is available on:
Road Info

OTHER TRAVEL INFORMATION

Other travel information is available on: http://www.infotransport.co.uk

For route planning please see:
Multimap

Attention all Alarm Fans!

To celebrate 25 years in 25 Days the BBC are running a very special competition and giving an incredible prize away which is Alarm related. We urge all Alarm fans to tune in to BBC Wales on Monday morning at 08.25 when details of the competition will be slowly revealed. There will also be a special interview on Tues 4th November (travel itinerary permitting) with Mike Peters live from New York City (somewhere between 3 and 3.30pm UK time)

The first announcement will be on Monday morning at 08:25

25 years in 25 Days

The link you should point to is:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/radiowales


To celebrate its silver anniversary BBC Radio Wales is offering its listeners some fantastic prizes throughout November in its big competition, 25 Years in 25 days.

At 8.25am every Monday in November, Good Morning Wales will announce the prize to be given away that week across BBC Radio Wales. You'll get three chances to win every weekday. All you have to do is correctly answer a question based around a year between 1978 and 2003 which will be announced daily on Good Morning Wales.

Your first chance will be with Roy Noble just after 10am, when he'll play a track from a certain year. All you have to do is guess the artist. There'll be a clue to help you out on Good Morning Wales. Then listen to Jamie Owen just after 11am, when you'll be asked to identify someone famous from that year.

The final chance to win is with Nicola Heywood Thomas before 1.30pm, when you'll have to identify a news story from the featured year. The three programme winners will playoff against each other at 3.15 on The Afternoon Show for a place in Saturday morning's grand final on Money for Nothing and Alan Thompson's Late Lie In.

The first announcement will be on Monday morning at 08:25

DDI - 029 203 23540
Fax - 029 203 23724

Listen live to Radio Wales: http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/live/rwg2.ram
(You'll need Real Player installed)

93.96 - 104 FM
882 - 657 MW
867 Digital Satellite
870 Digital Cable
DAB Digital Radio



MPO Team
Alarm Information Service
Tel: 011 44 (0)1745 571571
Fax: 011 44 (0)1745 571577
Email mpo@alarmpo.demon.co.uk
www.thealarm.com
PO Box 709, Prestatyn, Denbighshire, LL19 9YR, Wales, UK

On Tuesday 28th October, the original members of The Alarm: Mike
Peters, Eddie Macdonald, Nigel Twist and Dave Sharp joined together for
'One Night Only' courtesy of VH1 at the Scala Cinema, Kings Cross,
London. The concert was filmed by VH1 together with individual and
group interviews of the band to create a one hour special on The Alarm
which will be screened on VH1 in January 2004. More details will
follow once they are confirmed by VH1.

Setlist as follows:

Marching On
Where Were Your Hiding
Strength
Sold Me Down The River
68 Guns
Rescue Me

Blaze of Glory

This report was put together from fans who saw the show. Official word will come through soon.

(Photo by Andy Greenly)

The Dead Men Walking took London by stormOct. 19,2003 with a special guest joining the guys on stage, the one and only Mick Jones from The Clash!

All the winners have now been selected and contacted by MPO on behalf of the TV Company. For those of you who have not been contacted please email

xxxxxxx

MPO would like all Alarm fans to be at this event so please email Brenda direct if you have not received an email so far. Please note, the MPO Office is now closed so please do not attempt to call/email MPO as the list is now out of our control.

Love and Life,


MPO Team
Alarm Information Service
Tel: 011 44 (0)1745 571571
Fax: 011 44 (0)1745 571577
Email mpo@alarmpo.demon.co.uk
www.thealarm.com
PO Box 709, Prestatyn, Denbighshire, LL19 9YR, Wales, UK

ARTIST: The Alarm
ALBUM TITLE: The Sound And The Fury
CONCEPT: 3 Album Box Sets : 2 Audio Discs : 1 DVD Interview Disc
LABEL: Shakedown Records
Real Music - Sound The Alarm!

Is there a band today as committed, as passionate and as musically adept as
The Alarm? Is there a band whose music will still sound as fresh, driven and
rebellious as this in 20 years time? It's doubtful. We live in a new musical century where pop's prime demands are prettiness, an ability to mime and strict obedience to your choreographer. Well, not these guys. The Alarm come from different stock.

When Mike Peters, Eddie MacDonald and Nigel Twist got together in 1981 in Rhyl, Wales, they'd been riding the fiery tail-end of punk with a band called The Toilets. (Ah, great days…). The Toilets eventually morphed into a mod quartet called, simply, 17. What punk had given the early 80s scene was a lingering undercurrent of rage. It was that kind of time, socially and politically - there was a lot to be angry about. In those terms, little has changed over the years, which makes Mike Peters and The Alarm as relevant as ever.

However, there's an added dimension to the Alarm's success and popularity Wales. They were the first band to sing in Welsh and English, would soon be replicated by others such as the Super Furry Animals. The Alarm stood up to be counted for their culture more than most. From Wales to the world - the Alarm are now a global act with a huge following.

The tracks on these discs come from a variety of exciting sources, from tours in UK, Finland and the States.

The career of Mike Peters and The Alarm has been one which represents the tradition in pop music - not only possessing a creative sense of melody and chord structures, but offering us lyrics about our life and times which possess real, uncompromising meaning. If you need to know what this means, in an interview recently with a U.S. journalist, concerning one of his latest works, 'The Life You Seek Does Not Exist' Mike said "Everywhere I go these days I see people rushing around chasing a life that does not exist. Every magazine I read, every TV show portrays a life that the normal person cannot possibly aspire to… sometimes, I feel that the only place I can hide is within music. Music is still the only art from that truly liberates, excites and uplifts me." The fans agreed. Wales has a lot to be proud of.

TRACKLISTING: CD 1
1. Where Were You Hiding (When The Storm Broke)
2. Sixty Eight Guns
3. Rockin' In The Free World
4. Absolute Reality
5. Lead Me Through The Darkness
6. Knife Edge
7. Wind Blows Away My Words
8. Howling Wind
9. Spirit of '76
10. The Road
11. Knockin' On Heaven's Door
12. Rain In The Summertime
13. Rescue Me
14. Moments In Time
15. The Chant Has Just Begun

CD2
1. Marching On
2. Shout To The Devil
3. Lie Of The Land
4. 2nd Generation
5. Unsafe Building
6. Tell Me
7. Unbreak The Promise
8. Majority
9. Father To Son
10. Strength
11. Third Light
12. What Kind Of Hell
13. Medley
14. Blaze Of Glory
15. We Are The Light

DVD INTERVIEW
RELEASE DATE: 20th October 2003
Recorded over 1981-1991. All performances from the bands own live archives from tours through America, Finland & the UK.

How to order:
online
UK £16.99 + £1 p and p
Europe £16.99 + £2 p and p
USA/Rest of World $27 + $5 p and p
The Sound and the Fury CD's are currently in stock and available for immediate dispatch


For further help and assistance please contact:
MPO Team
Alarm Information Service
Tel: 011 44 (0)1745 571571
Fax: 011 44 (0)1745 571577
Email mpo@alarmpo.demon.co.uk
www.thealarm.com
PO Box 709, Prestatyn, Denbighshire, LL19 9YR, Wales, UK

Dead Men Walking - all apart from the poorly one!
The sign on the door says it all, "due to illness, Glen Matlock will not be taking part in tonight's show. We are sorry and hope this will not affect your enjoyment of the show". Nooooo! I wanted to see a real life Sex Pistol! Call me shallow, but although I appreciate that this is the amalgamation of some of the best underground successes of the late 70's and 80's, I STILL wanted to see a real life Sex Pistol!

Disappointment aside, Dead Men Walking is a strange concept, but actually makes perfect sense. Made up of Mike Peters from the Alarm, Billy Duffy from the Cult, Kirk Brandon from Spear of Destiny, Slim Jim Phantom from the Stray Cats and Glen Matlock from the Sex Pistols, its a bit of a school reunion for the musicians involved. Speaking before the show, Slim Jim and Mike told me it was down to the fact that they'd all known each other for years, done the same circuits, cut their musical teeth in the same era so, well, why not?
LINKS
Dead Men Walking
The Alarm
The Cult
Spear of Destiny
The Stray Cats
The Sex Pistols
Whitehaven Civic Hall
UK Subs
Dead Kennedys
Sham 69
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external websites.

The Dead Men Walking show is a medley of a generation, and judging by the the shirts worn by the west Cumbrian punters, its one that certainly hasn't been forgotten. In fact, walk into any branch of Top Shop these days and you can see exactly what this lot were rebelling against - leg warmers, batwings and most other representations of Thatcher's Britain. T shirts bearing the emblems of UK Subs, Dead Kennedys, Sham 69, all stretched over mid 30's beer bellies but here tonight to catch a whiff of bygone youth.

Whitehaven Civic Hall was packed and Dead Men Walking did more than justice to each of their respective back catalogues. Belting out hits such as the Cult's 'She Sells Sanctuary' and the Pistols 'Pretty Vacant', the band were tight as a Tory minister in 1983. They dealt with bassist Glen Matlock's absence like the seasoned professionals they are and gave weight to each track played, regardless of which member of the band it once belonged to. Yes, its a bit odd having Mike Peters from the Alarm sing where Ian Astbury or Johnny Rotten once did, but bloody hell, he's got a great voice so who cares?

It is a spectacle to see them all on stage, particularly when you take into account their careers. Between them, they've clocked up 40 top 40 singles, 30 million album sales and more than 20 top 20 albums! Respect! But even more interesting is the lack of egos onstage. Watching the soundcheck, I couldn't help but notice how they all worked so well together, no 'I was on Top of the Pops more than you so I get this guitar solo' tantrums, no huge bodyguards standing around, no bowls of M and M's with the brown ones taken out. This lot really are together because they want to air their finest moments - and while they might not be the height of cool anymore, these songs really do stand the test of time. I still get chills when I hear the opening chord to the Cult's 'Rain'! With their tongues planted in their cheeks, Mike Peters says the 'Dead Men Walkng' name is a reference to the fact that the music industry probably thinks they have all kicked the rock n roll bucket . Radio 1 might not have them on the A list anymore. But let's face it, they don't exactly need that, do they?


LB

European dates are now being added to the UK tour for 2004. For starters, a welcome return to Holland!

The Alarm
Plato - helmond
Feb 14 - 2004
Holland
www.plato.helmondweb.nl

More Dutch dates to follow....





MPO Team
Alarm Information Service
Tel: 011 44 (0)1745 571571
Fax: 011 44 (0)1745 571577
Email mpo@alarmpo.demon.co.uk
www.thealarm.com
PO Box 709, Prestatyn, Denbighshire, LL19 9YR, Wales, UK

As you can see due to your amazing support, Mike has fended off serious opposition to hold on to Number 3 position in the 100 Welsh Heroes Chart, Mike has been interviewed about his own Welsh heroes so read on for some interesting nominations. Please keep the pressure on with your votes as the organisers believe that at this pace, Mike will definitely become one of the featured Welsh Heroes for next year. The announcement will be made on March 1st - an important date for all Alarm fans... with the release of 'In the Poppy Fields' and a special London show at the Scala to celebrate. Thanks to you all for voting - it is really appreciated. Keep it up if you can until December!

Love and life,

MPO Team


Read on for Mike's special nominations....

For a small country Wales has produced more than its fair share of great men and women. In fields such as politics, sports, the arts, and science we have produced people who have broken the mould and made a huge impact on the lives of millions. 100 Welsh Heroes gives everyone the chance to celebrate and promote the achievements of these people.

You have until December 1st to nominate a hero in each of 5 categories. Your choices can be drawn from any walk of life and be past or present, famous or unsung. This is your chance to settle for once and for all the question of, who are the greatest Welsh men and women?


Site sponsored by: Culturenet Cymru


You are invited to nominate a 'hero'; in each of these five categories:

LEADERS
THINKERS
PERFORMERS
CREATIVE
GROUNDBREAKERS



Latest results as of : 2nd October
Next update : Monday 6th October at 1.30pm
Tom Jones
1899 Nominations
Owain Glyndwˆr
608 Nominations
Mike Peters
590 Nominations
Aneurin Bevan
434 Nominations
Phil Campbell
341 Nominations
Dylan Thomas
285 Nominations
James Dean Bradfield
267 Nominations
Gareth Edwards
129 Nominations
Richie Edwards
123 Nominations
David Lloyd George
117 Nominations



The final vote starts on January the 5th 2004
When nominations close on 1st December the people of Wales will have nominated 100 men and women as Welsh Heroes. We will then commission an original profile of each of the top 100 nominees, which will be unveiled on this site on 5th January 2004. People will then have until 22nd February to study the achievements of the 100 and cast their vote for their ultimate hero. The final top ten will then by announced and celebrated on St David's Day 2004.


Mike Peters on Dafydd Iwan

Mike Peters is the front man of The Alarm - the band from Rhyl whose passion and commitment won many devoted fans around the world in the 'eighties. Their continuing loyalty has made him one of the most popular nominations so far in 100 Welsh Heroes.

Mike has nominated some Welsh Heroes of his own, including the singer and Plaid Cymru President Dafydd Iwan, who he describes as "the man of action" among all the musicians he's met. "The Welsh Culture itself owes a huge debt to the sacrifices that Dafydd Iwan has made as a man of protest, politics and music, all carried out with his unique sense of humour and understanding."
Mike also names Wales soccer manager (and Alarm fan!) Mark Hughes who "epitomises the very essence I admire the most in a man", along with Vale of Clwyd M.P. Chris Ruane. The pair collaborated early in their careers when they "swept the floor of Woolworths in Rhyl after school in the 'seventies."
MORE INFO >

Check out this review of Dead Men Walking here: http://www.shakenstir.co.uk/feature.php?a=83>

As well, here is another great revew:

Dead Men Walking
The Newport Centre
28th September 2003

Despite the absence of Billy Duffy, the Aura of the Cult hangs heavy over
Newport tonight.

Dead Men Walking, collectively Mike Peters (the Alarm), Kirk Brandon (Spear
of Destiny), Glenn Matlock (Sex Pistols), Slim Jim Phantom (Stray Cats) and
Duffy's replacement Big Country's Bruce Watson play each others songs
together like some kind of mutual appreciation society. Surprisingly,
considering the large Alarm contingency, Peters almost plays down his role
in the band, playing several truncated versions of some classic Alarm
material like 68 Guns and Rescue Me but seeming more happy playing a side
role to his band mates and belting out songs by The Cult (dedicating Edie
Ciao Baby to "Billy Duffy of the Cult and Ian Astbury of the Doors !!!"
Naughty Naughty). With the presence of Bruce Watson's electric guitar, the
band have a more dynamic sound and his playing really shines on Big
Country's "Chance" and "The Road to Damascus". Glen Matlock's contribution
consists of a new solo piece which lags slightly but his Sex Pistols numbers
"God Save the Queen" and "Pretty Vacant" cause an eruption of pogoing !!!
Slim Jim Phantom is a new member to DMW and the band plays some low down and
dirty Rock n' Roll crowd pleasers with "Stray Cat Strut" and "Runaway Boys".
The real star of the show though is Kirk Brandon, who in this environment
excels in his singing and playing of some old Spear of Destiny and Theatre
of Hate songs. I'm not really familiar with Brandon's material but on the
evidence, I'm definitely gonna check it out. The Cult's "She sells
Sanctuary" brings the show to a euphoric high with whole crowd screaming out
the words and almost drowning out the band. If DMW are coming to a town
near you and you can get past the idea that it's just simply a bunch of old
mates playing the songs for each other, then get yer arse out and watch them
n' have a thoroughly enjoyable night.



More Band Info:
Dead Men Walking

Law 4 Tourdates

WWW.Nu-Retro.Co.UK Where The Classic Guitar Sound Is KING !!!

If you get chance tune in to BBC Radio Wales (Tuesday 30 September 1.30
pm (UK time) approx) as Mike will be interviewed about his fast rise to
Number 2 in the 100 Welsh Hero Charts! The voting by Alarm fans
worldwide has caused quite a stir within Wales. Mike will be
interviewed en route to his Midlands Dead Men Walking show.

The open phone line to the live studio is as follows:
02920 322489

You can tune in to BBC Radio Wales from all over the world as follows:
93.96 - 104 FM
882 - 657 MW
867 Digital Satellite
870 Digital Cable
DAB Digital Radio
www.bbc.co.uk/radiowales

Mike Peters and The Alarm will hit the road again in 2004 as the second wave of the 'In The Poppy Fields Tour' hits the UK throughout January, February and March 2004. (See dates below).

The tour will coincide with the release of the 'In The Poppy Fields' [Best Of'.....as voted for by Alarm fans from the 54 song In The Poppy Fields Collection].

The album release date has been set for March 1st and Mike and the band will announce the final track sequence at the already 'sold out' Gathering 12 which takes place in Llandudno, N.Wales on January 23 / 24 of 2004.

A series of special events will to be happening in support of the album launch, including a special London date which is being held to mark the official album release day of March 1st 2004 (St. David's Day in Wales). Mike Peters and The Alarm will be performing at The Scala, Kings Cross, London and the show is being filmed for a future DVD release. Everyone who buys a ticket for the show will have their name included on the final credits of the DVD.....

Tickets for all shows are priced at £11.00/$$17 plus booking fee everywhere except the London Scala show which is priced at £12.50/$20 plus booking fee. Tickets are available now via www.thealarm.com or by telephoning The Alarm National Ticket Line on 01745 571571.

European tour dates will follow very soon.....

THE ALARM - IN THE POPPY FIELDS UK TOUR
JANUARY FEBRUARY & MARCH 2004

JANUARY 2004
Fri 23.01.2004 LLANDUDNO - THE GATHERING - 'SOLD OUT'
Sat 24.01.2004 LLANDUDNO - THE GATHERING - 'SOLD OUT'
Wed 28.01.2004 BRISTOL - CARLING ACADEMY
Thu 29.01.2004 NORWICH - WATERFRONT
Fri 30.01.2004 PORTSMOUTH - WEDGEWOOD ROOMS
Sat 31.01.2004 MILTON KEYNES - WOUGHTON CENTRE
FEBRUARY 2004
Sun 01.02.2004 NOTTINGHAM - RESCUE ROOMS
Wed 04.02.2004 BLACKWOOD (SOUTH WALES) - INSTITUTE
Thu 05.02.2003 LEEDS - COCKPIT
Fri 06.02.2004 SCARBOROUGH - KAZBAH
Sat 07.02.2004 WOLVERHAMPTON - WULFRUN HALL
Sun 08.02.2004 LIVERPOOL - ACADEMY
Wed 25.02.2004 NEWTOWN (MID WALES) - THEATRE HAFREN
Thu 26.02.2004 PONTYPRIDD (SOUTH WALES) - MUNI ARTS CENTRE
Fri 27.02.2004 NARBERTH (WEST WALES) - QUEENS HALL
Sat 28.02.2004 STOKE - SUGARMILL
MARCH 2004
Mon 01.03.2004 LONDON - SCALA, Kings Cross (Special Event Concert Being Filmed.....)
Thu 04.03.2004 CLEETHORPES - WINTER GARDENS
Fri 05.03.2004 BLACKBURN - KINGS GEORGES HALL
Sat 06.03.2004 MIDDLESBOROUGH - TOWN HALL
Sun 07.03.2004 GLASGOW - GARAGE

From the moment they hit the stage they sounded crisp and fresh rotating through classics from each of their respective back catalogues. This included a few Cult songs for absent member Billy Duffy, who is due to rejoin the tour once he has recovered from a football injury, having hurt a wrist on the eve of the tour.

Bruce Watson stepped in at the last moment and made a huge impression. Anyone who has seen him play knows he has a unique guitar playing style - truly a Scottish feel. His presence brought a number of Big County songs including Fragile Thing, In a Big Country and Chance. Mike Peters provided most of the singing support especially as they paid tribute to the loss of Stuart Adamson through his songs.

Even though Billy Duffy was not present Dead Men Walking played a number of Cult classics to the delight of the crowd, including She Sells Sanctuary, Edie (Ciao Baby) and a rousing version of Wildflower.

Slim Jim Phantom added both humour and his unique standing up style of drumming. Stray Cats songs played included Runaway Boys, Rumble in Brighton and Stray Cat Strut.

Glen Matlock has clearly benefited from his recent stint in the US with the Sex Pistols. He looked full of energy, delivering many one liners and played Pretty Vacant and God Save the Queen. He was wearing white jeans with a union jack motif covering his rear. He went on to explain that he had worn them throughout the Sex Pistols tour and as a result they were really starting to hum.

Kirk Brandon as always provides depth to Dead Men Walking with songs that carry extra intensity, like Westworld, Young Man and Never Take Me Alive.

And last but by no means least, Mike Peters is the common bond for all those on stage together. He contributed Sprit of 76, Rescue Me and 68 Guns, remarking on the TOTP 2 performance which had been shown the previous night on BBC2. This become a became a running joke all evening, with all 5 of them arguing about who appeared on the TOTP first. They are much more than a bunch of musicians onstage with their friendship showing through in their performances and also the passion they have for what they are doing.

If there is one thing you should do during Sept/ Oct, go and see DMW or better still go and go again . . .


Andy & Sam Greenley, Cambridge, UK


MPO Team
Alarm Information Service
PO Box 709, Prestatyn, Denbighshire, LL19 9YR, Wales, UK
Tel 011 44 (0)1745 571571
Fax 011 44 (0)1745 571577
Email mpo@alarmpo.demon.co.uk
www.thealarm.com

Vote for Mike Peters now!

Thanks to all of you wonderful Alarm fans, your dedication in making your vote this week has worked to real effect! Following on from our earlier story this week, explaining about Misti Mitchell's (from Dallas, USA) fantastic efforts, you have all now contributed to moving Mike up the chart to Number 2!!! As you can see the next result will be announced on Monday. This vote continues throughout the next few months so we need to keep the pressure on! The results will be announced on St David's Day next year, March 1st, which happens to be the release day for 'In the Poppy Fields'! 100Welshheroes.com is attracting a lot of media interest in Wales so please keep casting your vote.

For a small country Wales has produced more than its fair share of great men and women. In fields such as politics, sports, the arts, and science we have produced people who have broken the mould and made a huge impact on the lives of millions. 100 Welsh Heroes gives everyone the chance to celebrate and promote the achievements of these people.

You have until December 1st to nominate a hero in each of 5 categories. Your choices can be drawn from any walk of life and be past or present, famous or unsung. This is your chance to settle for once and for all the question of, who are the greatest Welsh men and women?


Site sponsored by: Culturenet Cymru

You are invited to nominate a 'hero'; in each of these five categories:

LEADERS
THINKERS
PERFORMERS
CREATIVE
GROUNDBREAKERS

Latest results as of : 18th September
Next update : Monday 22nd September at 3pm
Tom Jones
589 Nominations
Mike Peters
415 Nominations
Owain Glyndwˆr
344 Nominations
Aneurin Bevan
258 Nominations
Phil Campbell
242 Nominations
Dylan Thomas
189 Nominations
James Dean Bradfield
154 Nominations
David Lloyd George
94 Nominations
Mark Hughes
89 Nominations
Bertrand Russell
78 Nominations

The final vote starts on January the 5th 2004
When nominations close on 1st December the people of Wales will have nominated 100 men and women as Welsh Heroes. We will then commission an original profile of each of the top 100 nominees, which will be unveiled on this site on 5th January 2004. People will then have until 22nd February to study the achievements of the 100 and cast their vote for their ultimate hero. The final top ten will then by announced and celebrated on St David's Day 2004.

http://www.100welshheroes.com

MPO Team
Alarm Information Service
PO Box 709, Prestatyn, Denbighshire, LL19 9YR, Wales, UK
Tel 011 44 (0)1745 571571
Fax 011 44 (0)1745 571577
Email mpo@alarmpo.demon.co.uk
www.thealarm.com

Ian Francis, MPO Member... Watching last nights Mastermind .... reported in to us here at MPO HQ...

A contestant's specialist subject was 'Manic Street Preachers' ....

When asked why.. the contestant replied, "well they are the best Welsh artiste since Tom Jones and The Alarm!

Right who is up for getting on Mastermind to answer Q's on The Alarm
next
series?

Winchester 16th September 2003

After last night's sold out show in Swindon, a repeat performance
tonight delivered a brilliant Dead Men Walking show. Following on from
an early evening appearance on TOTP 2, Peters and co. were in jocular
mood, exchanging memories of TOTP appearances... Mike marvelled that
'it was nearly 20 years ago today' August 1983 at which point Glen
Matlock chirped in that at least it wasn't as far back as 1977! It has
to down in history that tonight for the first time ever, Dead Men
Walking performed the Sex Pistols' 'God Save the Queen'!!!!

Don't leave it too late - get your DMW ticket now - please note that we
have sadly had to turn people away at the door. Just ask Roxxy Curtis,
Alarm fan, all the way from Florida! Happily, Roxxy was at the show
tonight! You have been warned :)

MPO Team
Alarm Information Service
PO Box 709, Prestatyn, Denbighshire, LL19 9YR, Wales, UK
Tel 011 44 (0)1745 571571
Fax 011 44 (0)1745 571577
Email mpo@alarmpo.demon.co.uk
www.thealarm.com

N.E.W.I., Wrexham
23/24 August, 2003

http://www.shakenstir.co.uk/feature.php?a=25

A Road Less Travelled…

It's unusual, and in my experience unique, for an artist to expose
himself and his songs to weekend-long scrutiny by an audience. But this
is precisely what happened here in Wrexham last weekend. Mike Peters
(The Alarm) performed 132 of his own compositions during no less than
eight separate acoustic sessions. Between each performance there were
Alarm video shows, and special guest appearances by Californian
singer/songwriter Brian Travers, and Scottish singer/songwriter JJ
Gilmour from The Silencers. Peters' final, dynamic performance on
Sunday night was in the company of Bruce Watson from Big Country. Alarm
fans from around the world attended the sell-out, twelve-hour marathon
- some show, some artist!

Saturday 23 August. The Start Of The Beginning…

I sensed a tangible buzz in the N.E.W.I. campus foyer where a live
performance stage had been set up. The bar was packed with fans from
the USA, Europe, Scandinavia, UK, and I even noticed two Japanese
ladies who looked a little dazed and confused. The Alarm shop at the
end of the foyer was filled with casual clothing, CDs, Videos and DVDs,
and business was brisk.

It became pretty clear to me that any knowledge gaps I had about Mike
Peters and The Alarm were about to be filled. On scanning the day's
menu I found a variety of vintage 1980's live performance footage
including landmark shows in London, Hamburg, Munich, Nurburgring and
Roskilde. The videos and some of the live performances took place in a
lecture theatre adjacent to the foyer, with Peters introducing each
show and adding footnotes where necessary. For me, the videos were an
eye-opener. I was never an avid Alarm fan because during this period I
was engrossed in career progression 10,000 miles away in Australia, but
the taped performances in front of enthusiastic, sell-out audiences
were inspiring and exciting. I could understand why Peters had
collected and protected these memories of past glories.

On the day, Peters gave four heartfelt and skilful performances
covering varying periods of his song writing life with The Alarm. Each
set had been formulated with mathematical precision and accompanied by
sheet music that he seldom appeared to use, accept for song title
reference. They were passionate performances by a musician with few
peers in today's disposable, manufactured pop culture. Students at
BBC's Fame Academy were performing live on TV to 'stay in' that night.
Their time would have been better spent watching how it should be done.
They should have been in Wrexham at ALARMSTOCK.

Later in the day, I caught a wonderful performance by special guest JJ
Gilmour. Performing some melodic and moving songs from his SUNNYSIDE
album, he caught the imagination of the audience, and I was so
impressed I bought the album!

Sunday 24 August. Pouring Petrol On Fire…

The day opened with a video of the notorious Alarm Brixton Academy
performance in 1991 when Mike Peters announced to his fellow musicians,
the audience, and the world at large that he was leaving the band. The
announcement came towards the end of a show that Peters claimed was the
band's best. After another live session, Peters introduced a video of
his return to the Brixton Academy in 1994, as a solo artist supporting
the Sawdoctors. His brief introduction and the video were the most
moving moments of the weekend; the painful decision to leave the band
was etched in his face as he explained his reasons for leaving, and the
manner of his shock announcement.

A young Californian singer/songwriter called Brian Travis followed and
provided thirty minutes of pleasant folk-pop before Peters returned for
his sixth live acoustic session.

Then the best Peters session of the weekend, entitled Pouring Petrol On
Fire, when he performed many new Poppy Fields songs. It was during this
session at the foyer stage that some of my personal favourites from the
Poppy Fields series were played, including The Normal Rules Do Not
Apply and the incredible anthem for our times, The Unexplained. Peters
explained to the audience that the Poppy Fields series of five albums
would shortly be distilled into one new album for general release later
in 2003, and that the views of fans would be considered in selecting
the songs.

The final acoustic set of the day proved to be the most explosive when
Bruce Watson from Scotland's Big Country joined Peters. With acoustic
guitars blazing and Peters giving his all in belting out Alarm and Big
Country songs, the crowd visibly enjoyed a major highlight of this
twelve-hour extravaganza.

When it was all over, everybody went home with memories of the great
event. Wrong! All the sets were recorded and transferred to CD before
being copied feverishly in a backroom. Another major innovation of this
incredible event meant that punters could also go home with CD
recordings of their favourite live sets from the ALARMSTOCK weekend.

I was not a Mike Peters or Alarm fan, but after this weekend of
incredible music and performances, I was sold. Peters proved to be a
prolific and superb songwriter with a distinctive voice, and great
guitar skills. The event proved to be a major success and there's talk
of another one in the not-too-distant future. If you like your music
served acoustically, with heavy doses of drama, inspiration and
passion, then don't miss out on the next ALARMSTOCK - whether you're a
fan or not…

MIKE PETERS SET LISTS

Set 1: The Start Of The Beginning And The Point Of No Return
The Crescent, Edward Henry Street, Where Are We Going, Up Downtown,
Mercenary Skank, In You I See The World, It's Going Be A Good Year,
House Of Commons, Flesh And Blood, Life Can Be Beautiful Sometimes, On
St David's day, Lucky Numbers, Bank Holiday Weekend, Nothing Lasts
Forever, Hear Me Out, It's Not Unusual.

Set 2: From New Destruction Comes New Creation
Ground Zero, Feel Free, What Happened To The Love We Made, In Circles,
You Are To Me, Transcendental, First Light, My Calling, Rip, White
Noise, Broken Silence, The Wasting Land, Regeneration, Burnout
Syndrome, High On The Hill, Rise.

Set 3: Walking With The Demons And The Devils
Unsafe Building, How The Mighty Fall, Love Don't Come Easy, The Drunk
And The Disorderly, Devolution Working Man Blues, Right Back Where I
Started From, In The Beauty Of My Surroundings, Hardland, Change II, A
New South Wales, No Frontiers, Permanence In Change, Father To Son,
Walk Forever By My Side, Spirit Of '76, The Rock And Roll.

Set 4: The New Wave Songs Are Rising
Marching On, Where Were You Hiding?, Absolute Reality, Breathe,
Deeside, Third Light, The Stand, Strength, Knife Edge, Close, We Are
The Light, 21st Century, One Step Closer To Home, Coming Home, Sixty
Eight Guns, Rescue Me, Everyday, Blaze Of Glory.


Set 5: The Dirt And The Glory
Moments In Time, Poetic Justice, The Wind Blows Away My Words,
Spiritual, Save All Your Crying 'Til Later, Swansong, Raw, Lead me
Through The Darkness, Levi's And Bibles, Train A Comin', The Road, Down
The Road, All Is Forgiven, The Message, Back Into The System, A New
Chapter.



Set 6: A Road Less Travelled
Change 1, Safe Houses, Reason 41, Rose Beyond The Wall, Lie Of The
Land, For Freedom, Time To believe, Elders And Folklore, Unbreak The
promise, You're Only Young And Innocent Once, Second Generation,
Thoughts Of A Young Man, Pavilion Steps, What Kind Of Hell, Bells Of
Rhymnney, Shine On, Gone Elvis.

Set 7: Pouring Petrol On Fire
Under The Sun, The Innocent party, The Candle That Burns The Brightest
Is The First To Go Out, The Life You Seek Does Not Exist, New Home New
Life, Alone Together, Raindown, True Life, The Normal Rules Do Not
Apply, Alive, Everafter, The Unexplained, In The Poppy Fields, When
Everything Was Perfect, Fade In Fade Out Fade Away.

Set 8: Rock And Roll International. The Alarm Versus Big Country
Driving To Damascus, Rain In The Summertime, Never Take Your Place,
Sold me Down The River, Long Way Home, How Long And How Much Longer,
Peace In Our Time, The Stand, Fragile Thing, 68 Guns (Long Version), In
A Big Country, Spirit of '76 (Long Version), Chance, Blaze Of Glory,
Rockin' In The Freeworld.

MPO Team
Alarm Information Service
PO Box 709, Prestatyn, Denbighshire, LL19 9YR, Wales, UK
Tel 011 44 (0)1745 571571
Fax 011 44 (0)1745 571577
Email mpo@alarmpo.demon.co.uk
www.thealarm.com

Bruce Watson from Big Country has stepped in to cover for Billy Duffy from The Cult on the current Dead Men Walking British Tour. Duffy who has picked up a football injury (sprained wrist) is hoping to join the UK tour as soon as he is passed fit. Bruce proved to be a welcome addition to the already impressive line up... Glen Matlock (Sex Pistols), Mike Peters (The Alarm), Slim Jim Phantom (Stray Cats) and Kirk Brandon (Spear of Destiny). Cult songs were still included in the set with the extra bonus of Big Country classics (Driving to Damascus/Fragile Thing/Chance/ In A Big Country). Last night's sold out show in Swindon left no-one in doubt that this is a tour not to be missed!


Tues 16 Winchester Theatre Royal 01962 840440 £13.50
Weds 17 Milton Keynes The Stables 01908 280 800 £14.50
Mon 22 Buxton Opera House 0845 127 2190 £14.00
Tues 23 Wrexham Newi 01978 292 015 £12.50
Thus 25 Norwich Waterfront 01603 508050 £14.50
Fri 26 Lowestoft Marina 01502 533200 £14.50
Sat 27 Aylesbury Civic Centre 01296 486009 £13.50
Sun 28 Newport Centre 01633 259661 £13.00
Mon 29 Bolton Albert Halls 01204 334400 £12.50
Tues 30 Birmingham Carling Academy 0870 771 2000 £12.00
October 2003
Weds 1 Wolves Round Robin 2 01384 637747 £12.50
Thurs 2 Colne Municipal Hall 01282 661234 £14.50
Fri 3 Blackburn Darwin Theatre 01254 706006 £15.00
Sat 4 Warrington Parr Hall 01925 442345 £14.50
Sun 5 Billingham Forum 01642 552663 £12.50
Tues 7 Hull Welly Club 01482 221113 £12.50
Weds 8 Stoke Sugarmill 01782 206000 £10.00
Thurs 9 Aldershot Princes Theatre 01252 329155 £12.50
Fri 10 Manchester Academy 0161 832 1111 £12.50
Sat 11 Liverpool University 0151 256 5555 £12.50
Sun 12 Whitehaven Civic Centre 01946 852 821 £12.50
Tues 14 Aberdeen Larva 01224 642662 £12.00
Weds 15 Glasgow Carling Academy 0870 771 2000 £12.00
Thurs 16 Bradford Pennington's 01274 224488 £12.50
Fri 17 Huddersfield Town Hall 01484 223200 £14.00
Sat 18 Brecon Theatr Brycheiniog 01874 611622 £12.50
Sun 19 London Shepherd's Bush Empire 0870 771 2000 £15.00
Mon 20 Burgess Hill Martletts Hall 01444 242888 £14.50
Tues 21 Bristol Carling Academy 0870 771 2000 £12.00
Thurs 23 Portsmouth Wedgewood Rooms 023 92863911£13.00




MPO Team
Alarm Information Service
PO Box 709, Prestatyn, Denbighshire, LL19 9YR, Wales, UK
Tel 011 44 (0)1745 571571
Fax 011 44 (0)1745 571577
Email mpo@alarmpo.demon.co.uk
www.thealarm.com

September 16th 2003

The Alarm on Top of The Pops 2

68 Guns Sept 1983

The BBC by-line read as follows:

"The most alarming member of the band ... singer Mike Peters.....flew to Milan with the Welsh football team a couple of weeks ago.... to cheer the team on and perform before the game. Tonight he is in Winchester as part of the DMW tour ... alongside Kirk Brandon, Glen Matlock , Billy Duffy .... and that bloke out of Stray Cats who married Britt Eckland... Lets hope that goes a bit better.


For further information please visit

Here is your chance to vote Mr. Michael Peters to top of the charts.
Wales has created a 100 Welsh Heroes list and due to the enthusiastic
endeavours of Alarm Fan, Misti Mitchell, Mike has already been voted to
Number 9, alongside amongst others...James Dean Bradfield, Tom Jones
and Dylan Thomas!

Misti from Dallas, Texas has been encouraging Alarm fans in her circle
to vote so if you could all take the time to visit
http://www.100welshheroes.com and vote for Michael Peters, who knows what
position we could achieve!

This is what Misti emailed us today:
"Just to update you---we have gotten mike ninth on the list overall,
with him fourth in the performers category. Hopefully, he will be even
higher by the time the nominations are complete. No-one deserves this
more than Mike.
thanks
misti

Thanks for your support!
www.100welshheroes.com

Love and life,

MPO Team
Alarm Information Service
PO Box 709, Prestatyn, Denbighshire, LL19 9YR, Wales, UK
Tel 011 44 (0)1745 571571
Fax 011 44 (0)1745 571577
Email mpo@alarmpo.demon.co.uk
www.thealarm.com

Dead Men Walking begin their extensive UK Tour with a SOLD OUT show in Swindon, Arts Centre on Mon 15th September. Tickets are selling very well for all venues. Please either call the venues direct or otherwise MPO/Tour Tickets are always happy to help with your order.

Mon 15 Swindon Arts Centre 01793 614837 £15.00/$24
Tues 16 Winchester Theatre Royal 01962 840440 £13.50/$21
Weds 17 Milton Keynes The Stables 01908 280 800 £14.50/$23
Mon 22 Buxton Opera House 0845 127 2190 £14.00/$22
Tues 23 Wrexham Newi 01978 292 015 £12.50/$19
Thus 25 Norwich Waterfront 01603 508050 £14.50/$23
Fri 26 Lowestoft Marina 01502 533200 £14.50/$23
Sat 27 Aylesbury Civic Centre 01296 486009 £13.50/$21
Sun 28 Newport Centre 01633 259661 £13.00/$20
Mon 29 Bolton Albert Halls 01204 334400 £12.50/$19
Tues 30 Birmingham Carling Academy 0870 771 2000 £12.00/$18
October 2003
Weds 1 Wolves Round Robin 2 01384 637747 £12.50/$19
Thurs 2 Colne Municipal Hall 01282 661234 £14.50/$23
Fri 3 Blackburn Darwin Theatre 01254 706006 £15.00/$24
Sat 4 Warrington Parr Hall 01925 442345 £14.50/$23
Sun 5 Billingham Forum 01642 552663 £12.50/$19
Tues 7 Hull Welly Club 01482 221113 £12.50/$19
Weds 8 Stoke Sugarmill 01782 206000 £10.00/$16
Thurs 9 Aldershot Princes Theatre 01252 329155 £12.50/$19
Fri 10 Manchester Academy 0161 832 1111 £12.50/$19
Sat 11 Liverpool University 0151 256 5555 £12.50/$19
Sun 12 Whitehaven Civic Centre 01946 852 821 £12.50/$19
Tues 14 Aberdeen Larva 01224 642662 £12.00/$18
Weds 15 Glasgow Carling Academy 0870 771 2000 £12.00/$18
Thurs 16 Bradford Pennington's 01274 224488 £12.50/$19
Fri 17 Huddersfield Town Hall 01484 223200 £14.00/$22
Sat 18 Brecon Theatr Brycheiniog 01874 611622 £12.50/$19
Sun 19 London Shepherd's Bush Empire 0870 771 2000 £15.00/$24
Mon 20 Burgess Hill Martletts Hall 01444 242888 £14.50/$23
Tues 21 Bristol Carling Academy 0870 771 2000 £12.00/$18
Thurs 23 Portsmouth Wedgewood Rooms 023 92863911 £13.00/$20

Booking fee/Postage £1.50/ $2.50 per ticket

MPO Team
Alarm Information Service
PO Box 709, Prestatyn, Denbighshire, LL19 9YR, Wales, UK
Tel 011 44 (0)1745 571571 (Phoneline open 11am to 4pm Mon to Fri)
Fax 011 44 (0)1745 571577
Email mpo@alarmpo.demon.co.uk
www.thealarm.com

Mike Peters has just returned from his Italian trip. Shame about the football result but Mike received a wonderful response from Italian and Welsh Alarm fans in Milan as Mike performed 2 sets at the Galleria. Mike was interviewed for BBC Radio Wales, the Daily Post and also appeared on the National news.

" A record 10,000 Welsh fans were expected in the Italian city for the match which could virtually seal Wales' place in the European Championships in Portugal next Summer.

Among the fans in the San Siro stadium will be North Wales Rock Star Mike Peters who will be doing his best to foster good relations with the host nation.

The Alarm frontman from Rhyl played two 80,000 sell-out concerts at the San Siro last July and will be performing an open-air gig in Milan's city centre today before heading to the big match.

A one song soundcheck in the Galleria off the main Piazza del Duomo yesterday attracted a crowd of more than 2000.

Looking ahead to what he hopes will be a successful weekend both for him and Wales, Peters said: "I'm doing a show, some of which is going out live on BBC Wales , between 10am and 11am, as part of the build-up to the game.

"I played two concerts here last Summer so we know what the atmosphere is like in the San Siro and I couldn't turn down the opportunity to come back for a sporting occasion."

Daily Post

Tonight, Mike will be supporting the Welsh team at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. Wales will be playing against Finland.

Our hosting company, Interland royally *#@! Screwed up today, and we lost nearly 1 months worth of data.

We are planning to move the to the much better hostmysite.com, but in the mean time, there are a couple things you can do.

1. If you ordered anything between the dates of 8/22/03 and 9/08/03, please email mpo@alarmpo.demon.co.uk to make sure your order was processed. Most likely it was, but it's good to check anyway.

2. Repopulate the forums. We had some good discussions going, and now they are lost. Please help us get started again.

Thanks,

Steve Fulton

Mike Peters flies out with the Welsh Football team this week to Milan
to perform a one hour acoustic show at Galleria Vittorio Emanuelle II,
Duomo, Milan. For those of you outside Italy, you can listen to
selected highlights via BBC Radio Wales and Radio Cymru (see details
below) www.bbc.co.uk/radiowales

Mike Peters returns to Wales with the Welsh Squad straight after the
match on Saturday. Mike will obviously be taking his boots as well as
his acoustic guitar in the hope that Welsh Team Manager and fellow
North Walian/Alarm fan, Mark Hughes makes a last minute selection!

MIKE PETERS ACOUSTIC
Saturday, 6th September 10am-12pm (Italian Time).
Location: Galleria Vittorio Emanuelle II,
Duomo
Milan

Radio Cymru will be broadcasting one song on Saturday morning 6th
September
Radio Wales will be broadcasting 3/4 songs on Saturday morning6th
September
between 10-11 UK Time (11-12 Italian time).
The rest of Mike's one hour set will be performed to the audience at
the Galleria in Milan.

Radio Cymru 92-105fm. Digital satellite 904/NTL 897/Freeview 90
www.bbc.co.uk/radiowales

Radio Wales 93-96FM & 104FM/882 & 657 mw .Digital Satellite 867
www.bbc.co.uk/radiowales




MPO Team
Alarm Information Service
PO Box 709, Prestatyn, Denbighshire, LL19 9YR, Wales, UK
Tel 011 44 (0)1745 571571
Fax 011 44 (0)1745 571577
Email mpo@alarmpo.demon.co.uk
www.thealarm.com

THE ALARMSTOCK COLLECTION LIVE
(8 CD COLLECTION)
23/24 AUGUST 2003
NEWI, WREXHAM, NORTH WALES, UK.

You Can buy the whole collection or each one individually.


Set One: The Start Of The Beginning And The Point Of No Return

(Intro Tape-1959)
The Crescent
Edward Henry Street
Where Are We Going
Up Downtown
Mercenary Skank
In You I See The World
It's Going To Be A Good Year
House Of Commons
Flesh And Blood
Life Can Be Beautiful Sometimes
On St. David's Day
Lucky Numbers
Bank Holiday Weekend
Don't Let Go
Street Of 1000 Faces
Talking About The Weekend
Nothing Last's Forever
Hear Me Out
It's Not Unusual

Set Two: From New Destruction Comes New Creation

Ground Zero
Feel Free
What Happened To The Love We Made?
In Circles
You Are To Me
Transcendental
First Light
My Calling
Rip
White Noise
Broken Silence
The Wasting Land
Regeneration
Burnout Syndrome
High On The Hill
Rise

Set Three: Walking With The Demons And The Devils

Unsafe Building
How the Mighty Fall
Love Don't Come Easy
The Drunk And The Disorderly
Devolution Working Man Blues
Right Back Where I Started From
In The Beauty Of My Surroundings
Hardland
Change II
A New Wales
No Frontiers
Permanence In Change
Father To Son
Walk Forever By My Side
Spirit Of '76
The Rock And Roll

Set Four: The New Wave Songs Are Rising

Marching On
Where Were You Hiding?
Absolute Reality
Breathe
Deeside
The Deceiver
Third Light
The Stand
Strength
Knife Edge
Close
We Are The Light
21st Century
One Step Closer To Home
Coming Home
Sixty Eight Guns
Rescue Me
Everyday
Blaze Of Glory


Set Five: The Dirt And the Glory

Moments In Time
Poetic Justice
The Wind Blows Away My Words
Spiritual
Save All Your Crying 'Til Later
Swansong
Raw
Lead Me Through The Darkness
Levi's And Bibles
Train a Comin'
The Road
Down the Road
All Is Forgiven
The Message
Back Into The System
A New Chapter

Set Six: A Road Less Travelled

Change 1
Safe Houses
Reason 41
Rose Beyond The Wall
Lie Of The Land
For Freedom
Time To Believe
Elders And Folklore
Unbreak The Promise
You're Only Young And Innocent Once
Second Generation
Thoughts Of A Young Man
Pavilion Steps
What Kind Of Hell
Bells Of Rhymney
Shine On
Gone Elvis

Set Seven: Pouring Petrol On A Fire

Under The Sun
The Innocent Party
The Candle That Burns The Brightest Is The First To Go Out
The Life You Seek Does Not Exist
New Home, New Life
Alone Together
Raindown
True Life
The Normal Rules Do Not Apply
Alive
Everafter
The Unexplained
In The Poppy Fields
When Everything Was Perfect
Fade In Fade Out Fade Away

Set Eight: Rock And Roll International - The Alarm Versus Big Country

Driving To Damascus
Rain In the Summertime
Never Take Your Place
Sold Me Down The River
Long Way Home
How Long And How Much Longer
Peace in Our Time
The Stand
Fragile Thing
68 Guns (LONG VERSION)
In A Big Country
Spirit Of ' 76 (LONG VERSION)
Chance
Blaze Of Glory
Rockin' In The Freeworld


ALARMSTOCK: 132 SONGS!!!

The SOLD OUT Alarmstock weekend in Wrexham, North Wales was a fantastic success - thanks to all of you who helped to make the bank holiday Alarmstock weekend such an enjoyable event. Alarm fans once again travelled from far and wide... Japan, Florida, California, New Jersey, USA, Sweden, Holland, Germany and all across the UK.

Mike Peters became the marathon singer-songwriter as he sang his way through an unbelieveable 132 songs!!!! 8 sets of classic and new songs across 2 days! Full setlisting can be read below. The challenge was on to record all 8 sets and release on CD for Alarmstock fans to take away with them on the finishing Sunday night. The MPO team worked tirelessly and achieved the impossible with fans walking away with a full Alarmstock Live Collection on CD!!!

The last set entitled the 'Rock'n Roll International' featured Bruce Watson from Big Country and involved Bruce and Mike trading Alarm songs and Big Country songs against eachother, As you can imagine this brought the house down! If you would like to receive information about the AlarmStock Live Collection which is available to order and dispatch now please contact MPO via mpo@alarmpo.demon.co.uk or call 011 44 (0)1745 571571
The Alarmstock weekend featured special guests, JJ Gilmour from the Silencers and Brian Travis from California, both whom were treated to a rousing reception by Alarm fans. Please stay in touch for details of Alarmstock 2 – coming soon!

To Order:
AlarmStock Live Collection: 8 Sets
Uk £50 + £2.50
Europe £50 + £5.00
USA $70 + $10

Individual Alarmstock CD: Set 1 to Set 8
UK £10 + £1
Europe £10 + £2
USA $15 + $3




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------





MPO Team
Alarm Information Service
PO Box 709, Prestatyn, Denbighshire, LL19 9YR, Wales, UK
Tel 011 44 (0)1745 571571
Fax 011 44 (0)1745 571577
Email mpo@alarmpo.demon.co.uk
www.thealarm.com

The SOLD OUT Alarmstock weekend in Wrexham, North Wales was a fantastic success - thanks to all of you who helped to make the bank holiday Alarmstock weekend such an enjoyable event. Alarm fans once again travelled from far and wide... Japan, Florida, California, New Jersey, USA, Sweden, Holland, Germany and all across the UK.

Mike Peters became the marathon singer-songwriter as he sang his way through an unbelieveable 132 songs!!!! 8 sets of classic and new songs across 2 days! Full setlisting can be read below. The challenge was on to record all 8 sets and release on CD for Alarmstock fans to take away with them on the finishing Sunday night. The MPO team worked tirelessly and achieved the impossible with fans walking away with a full Alarmstock Live Collection on CD!!!




The last set entitled the 'Rock'n Roll International' featured Bruce Watson from Big Country and involved Bruce and Mike trading Alarm songs and Big Country songs against eachother, As you can imagine this brought the house down! If you would like to receive information about the AlarmStock Live Collection which is available to order and dispatch now please contact MPO via mpo@alarmpo.demon.co.uk or call 011 44 (0)1745 571571 (The Alarmstock Live Collection will be available to order direct from the Alarm store in the next few days).

To Order:
AlarmStock Live Collection: 8 Sets
Uk £50 + £2.50
Europe £50 + £5.00
USA $70 + $10

Individual Alarmstock CD: Set 1 to Set 8
UK £10 + £1
Europe £10 + £2
USA $15 + $3

The Alarmstock weekend featured special guests, JJ Gilmour from the Silencers and Brian Travis from California, both whom were treated to a rousing reception by Alarm fans. Please stay in touch for details of Alarmstock 2 – coming soon!


ALARMSTOCK 23/24 AUGUST 2003
NEWI, WREXHAM, NORTH WALES, UK.

Set One: The Start Of The Beginning And The Point Of No Return

(Intro Tape-1959)
The Crescent
Edward Henry Street
Where Are We Going
Up Downtown
Mercenary Skank
In You I See The World
It's Going To Be A Good Year
House Of Commons
Flesh And Blood
Life Can Be Beautiful Sometimes
On St. David's Day
Lucky Numbers
Bank Holiday Weekend
Don't Let Go
Street Of 1000 Faces
Talking About The Weekend
Nothing Last's Forever
Hear Me Out
It's Not Unusual

Set Two: From New Destruction Comes New Creation

Ground Zero
Feel Free
What Happened To The Love We Made?
In Circles
You Are To Me
Transcendental
First Light
My Calling
Rip
White Noise
Broken Silence
The Wasting Land
Regeneration
Burnout Syndrome
High On The Hill
Rise

Set Three: Walking With The Demons And The Devils

Unsafe Building
How the Mighty Fall
Love Don't Come Easy
The Drunk And The Disorderly
Devolution Working Man Blues
Right Back Where I Started From
In The Beauty Of My Surroundings
Hardland
Change II
A New Wales
No Frontiers
Permanence In Change
Father To Son
Walk Forever By My Side
Spirit Of '76
The Rock And Roll

Set Four: The New Wave Songs Are Rising

Marching On
Where Were You Hiding?
Absolute Reality
Breathe
Deeside
The Deceiver
Third Light
The Stand
Strength
Knife Edge
Close
We Are The Light
21st Century
One Step Closer To Home
Coming Home
Sixty Eight Guns
Rescue Me
Everyday
Blaze Of Glory


Set Five: The Dirt And the Glory

Moments In Time
Poetic Justice
The Wind Blows Away My Words
Spiritual
Save All Your Crying 'Til Later
Swansong
Raw
Lead Me Through The Darkness
Levi's And Bibles
Train a Comin'
The Road
Down the Road
All Is Forgiven
The Message
Back Into The System
A New Chapter

Set Six: A Road Less Travelled

Change 1
Safe Houses
Reason 41
Rose Beyond The Wall
Lie Of The Land
For Freedom
Time To Believe
Elders And Folklore
Unbreak The Promise
You're Only Young And Innocent Once
Second Generation
Thoughts Of A Young Man
Pavilion Steps
What Kind Of Hell
Bells Of Rhymney
Shine On
Gone Elvis

Set Seven: Pouring Petrol On A Fire

Under The Sun
The Innocent Party
The Candle That Burns The Brightest Is The First To Go Out
The Life You Seek Does Not Exist
New Home, New Life
Alone Together
Raindown
True Life
The Normal Rules Do Not Apply
Alive
Everafter
The Unexplained
In The Poppy Fields
When Everything Was Perfect
Fade In Fade Out Fade Away

Set Eight: Rock And Roll International - The Alarm Versus Big Country

Driving To Damascus
Rain In the Summertime
Never Take Your Place
Sold Me Down The River
Long Way Home
How Long And How Much Longer
Peace in Our Time
The Stand
Fragile Thing
68 Guns (LONG VERSION)
In A Big Country
Spirit Of ' 76 (LONG VERSION)
Chance
Blaze Of Glory
Rockin' In The Freeworld

To Order:
AlarmStock Live Collection: 8 Sets
Uk £50 + £2.50
Europe £50 + £5.00
USA $70 + $10

Individual Alarmstock CD: Set 1 to Set 8
UK £10 + £1
Europe £10 + £2
USA $15 + $3

The Alarmstock weekend is up on and all being well, it is envisaged that each of the eight performances will be made available on separate CD's throughout the weekend containing each 'live' Mike Peters set and titled according to each performance. The recordings will be overseen by Martin Wilding who was responsible for the recording of the 'In The Poppy Fields Collection'.

For all those travelling to Alarmstock, a special price will apply:

£ 9 per CD
£45 for the full 8 CD Live Alarmstock Collection (saving of £27!)

Alarm fans are once again showing amazing support, travelling from all over the UK as well as Japan, California, USA, New Jersey, USA, Florida, USA, Germany, Holland and Sweden...

Just to give you a taster of things to come... here are the titles of each set directly from Mike Peters who is currently in rehearsals... It is an almighty challenge so wish Mike luck!

Set One: The Start Of The Beginning And The Point Of No Return

Set Two: From New Destruction Comes New Creation

Set Three: Walking With The Demons And The Devils

Set Four: The New Wave Songs Are Rising

Set Five: The Dirt And the Glory

Set Six: A Road Less Travelled

Set Seven: Pouring Petrol On A Fire

Set Eight: Rock And Roll International





MPO Team
Alarm Information Service
PO Box 709, Prestatyn, Denbighshire, LL19 9YR, Wales, UK
Tel 011 44 (0)1745 571571
Fax 011 44 (0)1745 571577
Email mpo@alarmpo.demon.co.uk
www.thealarm.com

Once again, Mike, James, Steve and Ado received a wonderful welcome at this weekend's festival in Belgium. The guys are looking forward to returning to Belgium and Holland next year for a full tour.

Here's some quick email feedback already!

Second concert in a month's time. Completely awesome.
This time we could get close to the stage.Really loved the concert. Again it was great to hear the band and now see them from close up. Pretty cool to get in contact with some German fans who are going to send some pictures. Met a Dutch fan who caught the waterbottle and was showing this off. The five cd's In the poppyfields are great, hard to choose the best songs for he CD.
See the next time somewhere in Europe
With kind regards.
Albert Nagel

We are just back from the gig in Belgium.Great show !!!
We arrive in Wrexham on FRIDAY afternoon Looking forward to meet you next week.
All the best,
Petra and Tanja


Saw you at Bospop (NL) and yesterday in Neerpelt (B). It was again a great show! Hope you will be back soon in The Netherlands!

Best of luck,

Rolf Moers

Alarmstock 23-23th August 2003 [Sold Out]

For fans travelling to the inaugural Alarmstock weekend [Sold Out], MPO is pleased to post a detailed itinerary of events.

Mike Peters will perform eight different acoustic sets during the course of the weekend and each one will be titled in such a way as to represent the content of the songs that will make up each particular performance (See below for further details).

MPO/21st Century are also be attempting another 'first' at 'Alarmstock' by recording and releasing each separate Mike Peters performance on CD on the day.

All being well, it is envisaged that each of the eight performances will be made available on separate CD's throughout the weekend containing each 'live' Mike Peters set and titled according to each performance. The recordings will be overseen by Martin Wilding who was responsible for the recording of the 'In The Poppy Fields Collection'.

Some very special guests are also coming to 'Alarmstock'. Bruce Watson of Big Country will be attending on Sunday 24th and will perform a closing set with Mike Peters based on a collection of both Big Country and Alarm songs also, J.J. Gilmour of The Silencers (Who toured with The Alarm in 1988) will perform on Saturday 23rd.

Alongside all the 'live' music will be 'Cinemaalarm' which will feature a host of rarely seen and classic Alarm, Seventeen and Mike Peters films. 'Cinemaalarm' will be curated by Karl Parsons (Alarm fan of many years standing and creator of many recent Alarm / MP images and CD sleeves). Alongside screenings of the UCLA / Brixton films will be a much requested re-run of the Seventeen film from 1980 plus a home movie documentary of the writing and recording of 1987's 'Eye Of The Hurricane' album as well as another showing of the extremely humorous film - "The Alarm 'Tap' Into America" - a spoof home movie documentary shot during the band's 1987 winter tour of the USA that pays homeage to 'Spinal Tap' and shows the band as they travel across the USA on trains, planes and automobiles.....

There will also be a showing of the revealing Mike Peters documentary 'Return To Brixton' and concert footage from around the world represented by a rarely seen film of The Alarm live in France during the 'Strength' tour of 1986 (including a fascinating interview with The Alarm in 'french'), and a showing of the German 'Rockpalast' films including footage of the Alarm playing to the biggest crowd of their career when they faced 125,000 people at Nurburgring in 1985. Fans will get to see, for the first time ever, The Alarm's performance at the Stuart Adamson Tribute Concert, as well as never before seen footage of the last song Big Country ever performed together, when they were joined on stage by Mike Peters for 'Rockin' In The Freeworld' at Barrowlands during the last night of the 'Final Fling' tour (The footage was not used in the official DVD release).

Due to the intimate nature of the event, attendees will have plenty of opportunities to catch up with Mr. Peters himself as he will be onsite all weekend and he may even take to the decks for a D.J. spot as 'Alarmstock' enters the small hours. We are all very confident that 'Alarmstock' is going to be a very special weekend indeed.

Although 'Alarmstock' is now officially 'sold out', a small number of tickets have been made available for both Saturday and Sunday evening sessions. Call 01745 571571 for further details.


Alarmstock Itinerary

Day One

Saturday 23rd August 2003

1200 Doors - Welcome Reception
1230 The Alarm- Spirit Of '86 Concert (90 Min.)
1400 Mike Peters Performance One- The Start Of The Beginning And The Point Of No Return
1500 Seventeen - Dingwalls, London 26.10.1980 (45 Min.)
1545 Special guest - J.J. Gilmour (The Silencers)
1615
1630 Mike Peters Performance Two - From New Destruction Comes New Creation

1730 The Alarm - Hurricane (120 Min.)

1930 Doors / D.J. The Alarm - Standards
2000 Special guest - J.J. Gilmour (The Silencers)
2030 Mike Peters & The Alarm - Video Mix
2100 Mike Peters Performance Three - Walking With The Demons And The Devils
2200 The Alarm - Roskilde 30.06.1984 (30 Min.)
2230 Mike Peters Performance Four - The New Wave Songs Are Rising
2330 The Alarm - Live In Germany - Hamburg, Munich, Nurburgring 1984-1985 (85 Min.)

Day Two

Sunday 24th August 2003

1200 Doors - Welcome Reception
1250 The Alarm - Brixton Academy 30.06.1991 (1'.10")
1400 Mike Peters Performance Five - The Dirt And The Glory
1500 Mike Peters - Return To Brixton 10.12.1994 (45")
1545 Special guest - Brian Travis (U.S.A.)
1615
1630 Mike Peters Performance Six - A Road Less Travelled

1730 The Alarm - 'Tap' Into America (100 Min.)

1930 Doors / D.J. / The Alarm - Standards
2000 Mike Peters Performance Seven - Pouring Petrol On Fire
2200 The Alarm / Big Country - Stuart Adamson Tribute Concert Appearance (35 Min.)
2230 Mike Peters / Bruce Watson Performance Eight - Rock And Roll International - The Alarm Versus Big Country
2330 The Alarm - Live In Marseille, France 5.02.1986


Please note: Schedule subject to change.


MPO Team
Alarm Information Service
PO Box 709, Prestatyn, Denbighshire, LL19 9YR, Wales, UK
Tel 011 44 (0)1745 571571
Fax 011 44 (0)1745 571577
Email mpo@alarmpo.demon.co.uk
www.thealarm.com

Buy single day tickets for Alarmstock here:

Saturday August 23rd


Sunday August 24th

MPO is very proud to announce that guitarist, Bruce Watson from Big
Country will be joining Alarmstock Festivities as Special Guest on
Sunday night, 24th August 2003 in Wrexham. As most of you know, Mike
Peters performed regularly with Big Country during 2000/01 and most
recently joined Bruce at the Big Country convention in Holland last
December, in memory of Big Country singer, Stuart Adamson. As some of
you will know, Bruce played guitar on 'How long and how much longer?'
from 'In the Poppy Fields' Collection (see photograph attached). It
will be a great pleasure to welcome Bruce to Alarmstock! Mike and Bruce
plan to perform a set of Alarm and Big Country songs! A night not to be
missed!

In response to the fact that the Alarmstock Weekend is SOLD out we are
now releasing 100 Sunday night only tickets at £10 plus £1 booking fee.

UK £10 plus £1 booking fee
Europe £10 plus £2 booking fee
USA/Rest of World $16 plus $4 booking fee

Alarm Information Service : M.P.O.
P.O. Box 709, Prestatyn, Denbighshire, LL19 9YR, Wales, UK
Tel ++ 44 (0)1745 571571
Fax ++ 44 (0)1745 571577
www.thealarm.com
Email mpo@alarmpo.demon.co.uk

The Alarm in Belgium
Belgium Festival - August 15th 2003
www.neerpeltopenair.be
City; Neerpelt
Location; Kerkplein, Town Centre

Pre sales are 4,00 euro, Tickets on the night will be 6,00 euro.

Alarm Information Service : M.P.O.
P.O. Box 709, Prestatyn, Denbighshire, LL19 9YR, Wales, UK
Tel ++ 44 (0)1745 571571
Fax ++ 44 (0)1745 571577
www.thealarm.com
Email mpo@alarmpo.demon.co.uk

MPO is pleased to announce that the Gathering weekend, taking place on January 23/24 2004 is completely SOLD OUT.

MPO is pleased to announce that the Alarmstock weekend, taking place on August 23/24 2003 is completely SOLD OUT

SECOND GENERATION SERIES TWO NEW RELEASE! NEW RELEASE!

Bospop Festival, Weert Holland 12 July 2003

Following a successful tour in February/March, The Alarm appeared again
onstage in Holland this year.

This time, Mike and the band showed up on the last day of the two-day
open air festival alongside, Simple Minds, INXS, Anouk and others in the
south of Holland.

Scheduled just before INXS and Simple Minds on the second stage in a
large tent, The Alarm started off at 7.45 PM. The audience turned up massively
although Dutch favourite Anouk had not finished her set yet.

The concert organizer introduced the band by commenting that "now the
festival really started with The Alarm" and "The Alarm being one of his
favourites of the festival".

Well in short, The Alarm gave an incredible 60 minutes performance,
with an surprisingly enthusiastic and loud participation of the audience. The
setlist included a "Best Of" selection with "Close" being the only
ITPF-songout of 11 songs.

Mike started off with a crystal clear version of "Breathe" followed by
the full version of "Rain in the Summertime", including the water-act. This
didn't cool down the audience as they fully participated on "Knife
Edge".

The massive feedback on the show was somewhat surprisingly for me,
apparently their is still a large potential audience in Holland, partly
reactivated during the successful tour earlier this year.

After "Close", "Sold Me Down The River" was played with a fantastic
solo by James Stevenson, followed by "Absolute Reality". In stead of the medley
version played earlier this year, "Where Were You Hiding When The Storm
Broke?" was played entirely as well as "68 Guns" which made the crowd on
fire. "Rescue Me" could have been song by the audience only. Halfway the
song Mike let the audience take the main vocals. The set was finished
with an extended version of "Spirit of '76".

Immediately when the band left the stage, the crowd started to roar and
sang "We Want More". Mike and the band returned, where Mike thanked the
audience for being made so welcome. There couldn't have been a better ending to
the show as "Blaze of Glory". Thanks to the crowd and a very motivated band
the song became one of largest versions I ever heard before.

Mike, James, Steve, Craig and the MPO many thanks for this great show
!!!

Jan-Paul Hendricks


Set list:

Breathe
Rain in the Summertime
Knife Edge
Close
Sold Me Down the River
Absolute Reality
Where Were You Hiding?
68 Guns
Rescue Me
Spirit of 76

Encore
Blaze Of Glory


What the Dutch fans say?

hi there!
what a great show at Bospop!!!!!!!!!!!
your set was awesome!!!

cheers,

Edwin van Wylick

Hi,

Thanks for the stunning performence at Bospop. This was definately one of the highlights of my festival. Great to hear all the nice songs from the past.

Great soundcheck (Wild flower, the Cult) is that available on CD or something like that ?????

Thanks again and hope to see you again in the Netherlands.

Regards,

Marko


Great concert. It has given me chickenskin, this hasn't happen for the last years during a concert.
It's been an emotional concert for us. This concert gave us both chickenskin ad tears in the eyes.
We'll see you again in Neerpelt!!!!!!
Don't wait too long for the next concerts in Europe.
Now I'm off to gather some money for the Poppy fields cd's

See you soon

At Nagel & M. Meeuws



Mike (and the rest of the band),

Great performance from you and the other band members yesterday at Bospop!!! Come back but next time on the main stage!

It was in 1985 (when you played in Brussels together with U2) that we saw you the last time...but the "spirit" is still there!!!!

Congratulations and see you in Neerpelt in August

Ronny Van Moorsel - Sandra Theunissen - Stijn Corstjens - Linda Hendrickx



Hello,

just want to say that we enjoy The Alarm show at Bospop.
By far it was the best thing on the Festival!!
GREAT!!!!!!

Many greetings from The Netherlands,
Ard.

The Alarm at Bospop
Saturday July 12th 2003
The Alarm, Simple Minds, Inxs
Bospop - festival - Weert, Holland
www.bospop.nl
Tickets through; www.ticketservice.nl

To mark the twentieth anniversary of the release of the original ‘The Alarm EP'. 21st Century is reissuing 'The Alarm EP' in a special 20th Anniversary collectors’ edition with replica 'vinyl' style packaging.

The Alarm EP 20th Anniversary Collectors Edition, features the original 5 track running order - 'The Stand', 'Across The Border', 'Marching On', 'Lie Of The Land' & 'For Freedom' with remastered audio by Mike Peters. The replica 'vinyl' style retro packaging, also features restored original artwork plus some previously unseen Alarm photos. There is also an enhanced CD-Rom section containing ‘The Stand’ video, an original 1983 Alarm TV advert that was only shown on American TV plus the first ever televised 'Alarm' interview, also conducted for US TV during which the band perform acoustic versions of ‘Blaze Of Glory’ and ‘Knocking On Heaven’s Door’. The CD-rom section also contains full credits and original lyrics.

'The Alarm EP' - 20th Anniversary Collectors Edition is in stock now:

UK £9.99 plus £1 p&p.
EC £9.99 plus £2 p&p
US $15 plus $5 p&p

Order your copy today by calling 011 44 1745 571571 or buy online at www.thealarm.com

This is what Rolling Stone Magazine said of The Alarm EP upon it's original release back in 1983.

Rolling Stone
July 10th, 1983

The Alarm E.P. ***1/2
This is the kind of record that could only come from a young band. Determined, committed and naive, the five songs on this EP have all the hallmarks of idealistic youth: simple, forceful music, rambling strings of earnestly poetic images and the conviction that speaking out just might change a few things. And like Bob Dylan, U2 or the Clash, these four young Welshmen pull it off. The Alarm don't take any well-defined political stands here, despite plenty of early-Clash trappings. As their name implies, they simply ring the warning bell as loudly as they can while the world around them begins to collapse. It's an apocalypse, though, as likely to be Biblical as it is nuclear; "The Alarm" is equal parts "Sandinista!" and the Book of Revelation. Though some lines are self-consciously poetic, the Alarm wisely stick to basic, rousing singalong lines in the choruses, where it counts: "Come on down and make the stand," or "Our hearts must have the courage to keep on marching on." Even more important is the Alarm's bracing acoustic-guitar-based sound and their anthemic melodies. The choruses of such tunes as "The Stand" and "For Freedom" are stirring, uplifting and charged with all the infectious fervor youth can muster. Listen to the Alarm now, before they grow up.

On the occasion of the twentieth anniversary since the release of The
Alarm's debut American single, 'The Stand', and first tour of North America
as guests of U2 during 1983's 'War Tour'. The Alarm will host a three night
'stand'/ residency in New York, Boston, Chicago and Los Angeles this
November 2003.

'The Alarm Make A Stand In the USA'

Mondays 3/10/17 of November at The Knitting Factory (East), New York, NY.

Wednesdays 5/12/19 of November at The Middle East, Boston, MA.

Thursdays 6/13/20 of November at The Elbo Room, Chicago, IL.

Fridays 7/14/21 of November at The Knitting Factory (West), Hollywood, Los Angeles, CA.

At each venue, Mike Peters and The Alarm will perform two sets a night,
playing all the Alarm classics like ' 68 Guns', 'Spirit Of '76', 'Strength',
'Rain In The Summertime' and of course 'The Stand' plus on different nights,
some of the more rare Alarm tracks like 'For Freedom' and 'Third Light'.
U.S. fans will also have their first chance to hear live, some of the new
songs from the inspirational 'In The Poppy Fields Collection' - the first
recorded music in over ten years to carry the hallmark of The Alarm.

Mike and the band will also be inviting some very special guests to play
support and/or to join them onstage during the course of the three week
event. In doing so Mike Peters and The Alarm hope to bring the spirit of The
Gathering to the USA.

Tickets are for all shows are priced $15 advance.
'Season Tickets' are also available that get you into 3 shows in one city for
the special price of $35 (A savings of $10).
Season ticket holders also qualify for aftershow party passes.

Tickets for all shows and / or season tickets are available via
www.thealarm.com or direct from the venue¹s website / box office / ticket
agency.

Please note: Season tickets are only available via www.thealarm.com

New York Knitting Factory: For directions / info / tickets visit:
www.knittingfactory.com or Call 212 219 3006

Boston Middle East: For
directions / info visit: www.mideastclub.com or 617 864 EAST ext.221.
For tickets visit www.ticketmaster.com or 619 931 2000

Chicago Elbo Room: For directions / info / tickets visit:
www.elboroomchicago.com

Los Angeles
Knitting Factory: For directions / info / tickets visit:
www.knittingfactory.com or 323 463 0204


Doors open at 7:30 p.m in all the venues and each event will run through to
11.00 p.m. Fans are advised to turn up early so as not to miss a thing.

MPO is happy to report that Mike's Bedrock show has become a huge
success, so much so that the BBC have commissioned 14 extra shows! You
can continue to hear Mike spinning his favourite tunes right through
the Summer. The BBC have been particularly impressed by the volume of
emails from Alarm listeners around the world so please keep your emails
coming.

You can email Mike and his producer Gary Price direct:
bedrock@bbc.co.uk

BBC Wales at 1900 - 2000 GMT every Tuesday

You can also listen to Mike Peters Bedrock live outside Wales on
Satellite TV, Internet or digital radio:

93.96 - 104 FM
882 - 657 MW
867 Digital Satellite
870 Digital Cable
DAB Digital Radio
www.bbc.co.uk/radiowales

Mike Peters performed a secret concert for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at Wrexham University, North Wales on June 4th! Mike performed 'Rain in the Summertime', 'Walk Forever' and 'A New Wales' to a special audience of the Queen and His Royal Highness The Prince Phillip, Duke of Edinburgh. Mike was joined by Alarm pianist, Steve Allen Jones. This is the second time Mike has performed for the Queen - he last performed 'A New Wales' at the opening of the Welsh Assembly in Cardiff with the Morriston Orpheus Choir and Welsh Symphony Orchestra.



Alarm Information Service : M.P.O.
P.O. Box 709, Prestatyn, Denbighshire, LL19 9YR, Wales, UK
Tel ++ 44 (0)1745 571571
Fax ++ 44 (0)1745 571577
www.thealarm.com
Email mpo@alarmpo.demon.co.uk

Dead Men Walking will take to the road again this summer with not one, but two very special new members.

Billy Duffy of The Cult and Slim Jim Phantom of The Stray Cats will join existing members Mike Peters (The Alarm), Glen Matlock (Sex Pistols) and Kirk Brandon of Spear Of Destiny.

This July, Dead Men Walking will play a set of 5 low-key warm-up shows including a Saturday evening appearance on July 19th at The Wicker Man Festival, Scotland (See dates below), prior to the first Dead Men Walking concerts in the USA which will be followed by a massive 30 date British tour throughout September and October 2003.

Full tour dates will be announced as soon as they are available. For now here are the July dates:

July
Wed 16th Bristol Fleece £10 in advance 01179 450996
Thu 17th London Underworld £12.50 in advance 020 7482 1932
Fri 18th Coventry Jailhouse £10 in advance 02476 221274
Sat 19th Wicker Man Festival, East Kirkcarswell Farm, NR Dundrennan, Scotland. 0870 220 1116
Sun 20th Leeds New Roscoe £10 in advance 01132 460778

Tickets are also available now by calling the National Ticket Line 01745 571571. [Subject to £1 booking fee]
Tickets for Wickerman festival are available from Tickets Scotland 0870 220 1116 or via www.thewickermanfestival.co.uk


DEAD MEN WALKING


Dead Men Walking will be taking to the road again throughout September / October
of 2003. Live and dangerous and presenting what for many will be the
soundtrack of a generation. Dead Men Walking began out of a loose bond
between friends and musicians whose aim is to perform familiar songs in a
new and dramatic setting. Stripping the songs back to basics is what this
tour is all about. Lyrics and melodies, voice and guitars.

The latest members to join Dead Men Walking are Billy Duffy who, as well as
being co-writer of all The Cult's massive world wide hits such as 'She Sells
Sanctuary', 'Rain', 'Love Removal Machine' and last year's US hit 'Rise' to
name but four, is still regarded as one of the finest and most influential
guitarists of modern times. The Cult are currently taking a sabbatical from
touring, while vocalist Ian Astbury continues his work with reconstituted
60's legends 'The Doors', enabling Billy to join Dead Men Walking and resume
a musical relationship with Kirk Brandon which began in the legendary
original line-up of 'Theatre Of Hate'.

Billy Duffy will also be resuming a musical partnership with Mike Peters
that began with 'Coloursound' - a band formed by Peters and Duffy that made
one critically acclaimed album back in 1999 before the demands of The Cult
and The Alarm intervened.

Slim Jim Phantom who is currently on tour in the US with The Stray Cats, will bring his unique
stand-up style of drumming to Dead Men Walking. Phantom, who co-wrote some
of the Stray Cats best known tracks like 'Runaway Boys' and 'Rumble In
Brighton' with guitarist Brian Setzer, has recently made records with r'n'r
legend Jerry Lee Lewis and Motorhead's Lemmy.

Slim Jim's connection with the
various members of Dead Men Walking began when The Stray Cats came to London
during the early1980's. In fact, Mike Peters' first met Slim Jim when
Seventeen supported The Stray Cats on their first ever 'Runaway Boys UK
Tour'. All five have remained friends ever since.

The first transmission of 'Mike Peters Bedrock' has been a huge success on BBC Radio Wales and for any of you who may have missed the first transmission, you can hear it again by visiting this address:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/radiowales/shows/bedrock.shtml


The first show of 'Mike Peters Bedrock' can be replayed here until it is replaced by 'Mike Peters Bedrock' programme number two after it has been broadcast this Tuesday on BBC Wales at 1900 - 2000 GMT.

You can also listen to Mike Peters Bedrock live on Satellite TV, Internet or digital radio... on...

93.96 - 104 FM
882 - 657 MW
867 Digital Satellite
870 Digital Cable
DAB Digital Radio
www.bbc.co.uk/radiowales

BBC Wales have been inundated with email from people all over the world and Mike and the producers would love to hear what you think of the show so far, they would also be pleased to hear suggestions for tracks to be played on the forthcoming shows......so please send your email request to bedrock@bbc.co.uk

Happy Listening

MPO

Alarm Information Service : M.P.O.
P.O. Box 709, Prestatyn, Denbighshire, LL19 9YR, Wales, UK
Tel ++ 44 (0)1745 571571
Fax ++ 44 (0)1745 571577
www.thealarm.com
Email mpo@alarmpo.demon.co.uk

Mike Peters of legendary 80s rockers The Alarm is to become a DJ for a
month thanks to BBC Radio Wales. The Prestatyn-born front man of the
most internationally successful rock group to come out of Wales
presents Mike Peters’ Bedrock from Tuesday, May 20 at 7pm.

"This is the first time I’ve had a show of my own," says Peters. "I’ve
done the odd hour here and there in America. But now I’ve got four
weeks to control the Radio Wales airwaves!" In the series Peters will
be highlighting the music that influenced both himself and his
generation of music fans. "My generation is still young enough to be
affected by new music, plus see all the influences in it from the
classic rock," he says. "Really I want to explore the links between
today’s music scene and yesterday’s great music."

Peters says he is not going to give away details of the records he will
be playing on his show as he wants to ‘let the tracks speak for
themselves.’ "I’m looking forward to it immensely and it will be great
to be able to dig out some classics from my collection," he says. "It’s
a great chance to hopefully turn some people on to things that have
been forgotten in the headlong rush to the future."

One artist, who is sure to feature in the series, is rock legend Bob
Dylan who Peters worked with in the mid-80s. When The Alarm supported
Dylan on a US tour, the legendary singer/songwriter insisted that the
band sing with him on the encores to his shows. "It was an incredible
experience to sing with him," says Peters. "I still have to pause for
thought when I talk about it as it was so momentous. It awes you just
to think about it really. In the end I decided to just go out there and
do what I do and I think Dylan appreciated that."

Peters believes the time is right for a trawl through the rock
archives: "From our generation I think a lot of people have come to a
certain plateau in their lives," he says. "They’ve brought up a family
and have now got to a point where they can get back to their stereos
and can get out their albums again and really have the time to
appreciate music once more."

Mike Peters' Bedrock: BBC Radio Wales

You can listen to Mike Peters on....
Tuesday May 20th 2003 7pm UK
Tuesday May 27th 2003 7pm UK
Tuesday June 3rd 2003 7pm UK
Tuesday June 10th 2003 7pm UK

... on...
93.96 - 104 FM
882 - 657 MW
867 Digital Satellite
870 Digital Cable
DAB Digital Radio
www.bbc.co.uk/radiowales


To email Mike Peters' Bedrock show
bedrock@bbc.co.uk

Mike Peters and the production team at BBC Wales would love to hear
from you




Issued by BBC Wales Press & Publicity

'ALARMSTOCK'

Buy Tickets

An acoustic explosion with Mike Peters in the William Aston Hall, NEWI (North East Wales Institute), Wrexham, North Wales on bank holiday weekend Saturday and Sunday 23rd and 24th of August 2003.

Due to increasing public demand and the fact that next years Gathering has almost sold out, MPO is pleased to announce: 'Alarmstock' - 2 Days of Peace, Tolerance and Acoustic Rock and Roll with Mike Peters'.

Designed as a 'Sister' event to The Gathering, 'Alarmstock' promises to be an intimate two day affair in the company of Mike Peters - The Voice Of The Alarm. Mike Peters will perform eight separate sets featuring songs from all four decades of his musical career - a festival of 'The Alarm', 'Seventeen', 'Coloursound' and 'In The Poppy Fields'.

'Alarmstock' will also feature some very special 'Friends of The Alarm' who will make guest appearances throughout both day and evening concerts. (More details will be announced closer to the date of 'Alarmstock').

'Alarmstock' wll have an all day bar with late license. Food will also be available on site plus D.J.'s and in-house 'Cinemalarm'. For those travelling to 'Alarmstock', MPO has a limited amount of 'on site' accomodation packages available via 01745 571571 or hotels and B&B's can be booked through Wrexham Tourist Board on 01978 292015 or visit www.borderlands.co.uk

Anyone arriving at 'Alarmstock' early on the Friday evening will be welcome to visit the 'Alarmstock' bar free of charge. There will be music and videos and a chance to settle in before the main proceedings begin on Saturday.

Alarmstock location:

Aston Hall, NEWI
(North East Wales Institute), Wrexham,
The venue is easily accesible direct from the motorway (See maps), has
plenty of parking and is within walking distance of the train (Wrexham
General) and bus station in Wrexham.




A weekend ticket for 'Alarmstock' is £30 in advance [Subject to £1 Booking Fee] and can be booked now via the 'Alarmstock' ticketline 01745 571571

Buy Tickets

Update

Evie Won!!!!!
Here is a photo of her and her dad Great job!


Here is the message her dad sent me:

We heard last night that we had won the competition and have just been back
to the studio to do an interview and a live transmission of 'Spirit of 76',
and Evie sang even better this time...

We have won a trophy, some CD's and tee shirts etc and the honour of being
the Ryedale Idol 2003. I have some photos of us doing the live transmission
in the studio which I will send you when I have downloaded onto my PC. (next
couple of days).

Once again for all you help.

Jeremy and Evie

--------

Little 7 year-old Evie (accompanied by her father Jeremy) has entered a contest on Palace FM Ryedale (102.1 FM), singing their own version of The Alarm's "Spirit Of '76". They need all the help you can muster to win the contest:

Listen to their version of Spirit Of '76 then email
palacefm@ryepal.freeuk.com with your message "'Vote For Evie and Jeremy". You can also text message your vote to this number: 07792 112591

Voting ends Aprils 26th, so do it now!

1.The Alarm/Simple Minds!
MPO is proud to announce that The Alarm and Simple Minds will perform together at a Summer Festival in Holland on July 12 ! More information to follow soon!

2. The Alarm in Belgium
The Alarm to appear in Belgian Festival in August! More information to follow...

3. Dead Men Walking
Brand new member to join Dead Men Walking - very exciting addition! Dead Men Walking Tour News and Festival appearance. Stay tuned to www.thealarm.com

4. The Gathering - Jan 23/24 2004
The tickets to the hottest rock'n roll party weekend are selling out fast! Over 900 tickets now sold!!!!!! Without any advertising!!!! DOn't leave it too late!

5. Alarm Weekend
A 2 day special event - Not to be missed! Coming soon!

Check out a great review of the "In The Poppy Fields Bond" on the Logo Magazine Website.

The Gathering SOLD over 700 tickets already without any advertising!
The Gathering 12 is on sale now priced £32.50 plus £1 booking fee. All
tickets will be posted out in approx 2 weeks complete with Aftershow
Party ticket. Extra party tickets have been made available this year so
please don't leave it too late. At the moment, tickets have sold
purely by word of mouth. Very soon, a mass MPO Gathering mailout will
be sent out worldwide to advertise the Gathering so please be warned
that tickets have sold faster than ever before in Gathering history.
To order please click on store and book online or call MPO on 011 44
1745 571571 or email mpo@alarmpo.demon.co.uk

At the end of March, Mike and the band fly to Dubai for a one-off
Alarm concert. Alarm fans in Dubai have been emailing MPO after hearing
The Alarm on Dubai radio stations!

Mike landed back in the UK and headed straight to the South Coast of
England where he appeared as Special Guest to Sir Bob Geldof. Mike has
been receiving a fantastic reception from the Geldof fans. Mike played
for just over half an hour and has been performing songs mainly from
the Poppy Fields Collection. For those people attending next week's
shows in Norwich, Tunbridge Wells and Jersey, please note that Mike
takes the stage at approximately 7.30pm

Mike Peters has just returned from a whirlwind trip to the USA where he
attended the Rock'n Roll Hall of Fame Dinner for the induction of The
Clash in NY, visited Bon Jovi in Washington DC, met up with the
alarm.com webmaster, Steve Fulton in Hollywood and finished off at the
famous SXSW Festival in Austin, Texas.

On Mike's return from the USA, he appears as Special Guest to Sir Bob Geldof. Dates as follows:

SATURDAY 15 MARCH
TORQUAY PRINCESS THEATRE
01803 290 290

ST. PATRICKS NIGHT SPECIAL
SUNDAY 16 MARCH
POOLE LIGHTHOUSE
01202 670 016

WEDNESDAY 26 MARCH
KINGS LYNNE CORN EXCHANGE
01553 764 864

THURSDAY 27 MARCH
TUNBRIDGE WELLS ASSEMBLY HALL
01892 530 613

SUNDAY 30 MARCH
JERSEY OPERA HOUSE
01534 511115

The Gathering has now sold over 500 tickets, taking place on 23/24 January 2004. Weekend ticket price £32.50 plus £1 booking fee. Tickets will be authorised and posted out in approximately 2 weeks time.

Mike Peters is currently enjoying a break after his 'In the Poppy Fields' Tour in the UK, Germany and Holland... in NY, LA and Austin, Texas at the SXSW Festival... Mike has been invited to the 'Rock'n Roll Hall of Fame' Dinner in NY for the induction of one of his favourite bands, The Clash. The Clash will be inducted by Bono and U2

Mike enjoyed a fantastic birthday in Hamburg with a sold out show. Presented with a cake on stage, Mike was serenaded by the German crowd. The tour now moves on to Holland..

Mike Peters appears as Special Guest to Sir Bob Geldof...

SATURDAY 15 MARCH
TORQUAY PRINCESS THEATRE
01803 290 290

ST. PATRICKS NIGHT SPECIAL
SUNDAY 16 MARCH
POOLE LIGHTHOUSE
01202 670 016

WEDNESDAY 26 MARCH
KINGS LYNNE CORN EXCHANGE
01553 764 864

THURSDAY 27 MARCH
TUNBRIDGE WELLS ASSEMBLY HALL
01892 530 613

SUNDAY 30 MARCH
JERSEY OPERA HOUSE
01534 511115

Just a bit of feed-back on last nights gig at the Cockpit...

What a fantastic gig.

The new songs and the old songs all came together superbly, I don't suppose
you can say better than that.

The band seemed to enjoy the show as much as we did, certainly the smiles on
everyones faces suggested this was the case.

Best of luck for the rest of the tour.


James Thompson, UK

What a night !! - Great to see Mike and the boys back - They mixed new and
old stuff expertly and I think that the greatest compliment I can pay is
that the stuff from the poppy fields bond are already firm favourites with
us fans in the same way that the 'old' stuff is.

Mike didn't stop smiling all night and he looks like he is really enjoying
performing for us again. This is the first time I've seen the Alarm since
the 'old days' and I'd almost forgotten what a show they can put on. Please
pass on my congratulations to all involved for providing me with yet
another memorable 'alarm moment'.

Stuart Coles, UK

Dear Mike/MPO

Stormin' night. Perhaps the best electric/band session that I've seen Mike

play since I first saw The Alarm in 1990. The old stuff is still brilliant

of course (Absolute Reality last night was a gem), but it's great to hear

the new stuff live. Having played little else on the car CD player since

ITPF1 was issued, most of the tracks are already classics in my head, but

The Normal Rules Do Not Apply and The Drunk and the Disorderly in particular

were played from the heart, starting slow and then kicking with superb

guitar and drums from the rest of the band. The encores were well chosen.

Great to hear Deeside again, one of my favourite Alarm songs ever (I think

I've only heard it live once before, at the charity gig The Alarm did in

Prestatyn after the floods in the early '90s). And 45 rpm, not a track I'd

really taken to on CD, is great when played live. I realised that (a) I

should stop looking for any greater meaning than 'love music, love life',

and (b) I need to turn up the car stereo VERY LOUD!


I got the impression that lots of fans there last night were not Bond

holders and so were only hearing the new tracks for the first time. Let's

hope they've (re)found The Alarm and start buying albums.


By the way, how the hell are we supposed to select 10 tracks from 50+ for

the new album. They (nearly!) all deserve to be there. Can it get any

better than this? Thanks for a great night.


Julian Hughes, UK

you were the best in 82. again in 84. also pretty good in 85..
but last night in glasgow you proved you were still the best in 2003.
best night in years..
hope to see you live in another 20 yrs
yours in much thanks
mr alex findlay
(scottish fan)

hi folks

saw the show at Wolverhampton with my wife on Friday evening
and was really chuffed, a new set of songs (new to me who last saw the alarm at Birmingham odean 15/04/84) with the cult or new model army as support I think (memory is not so good, gonna be 40 this year). was brought up listening to songs like white riot, anarchy ect so to hear a song like" 45rpm" was fantastic,
it was also great to hear "spirit of 76" my third favourite record of all time (sorry not number1) "stay free" -the clash has that honour followed by "pretty vacant" -sex pistols.

the poppy fields project looks a great idea, 5 cd's over 5 months a real result for fans & then be able to choose tracks for a new album from those tracks, good work fella!!

some of the tracks that you played Friday must make it on to that album if its not already decided, my own choices from the songs played Friday would be:- "closer" "rock & roll still burns" and the brilliant "45rpm" I'm not sure if those are the correct titles but I'm sure you'll know the tracks I'm talking about!!!

once again- a great night out in Wolverhampton and with so much p*p id*l , boy/girl band manufactured shit flooding the TV, satellite, papers ect and then going miming at Wembley/nec its really refreshing to see bands stil writing, playing, and looking out for fans

many thanks

Andy & sally southall UK

Unbloody beleivable.You were awsome and just reminded me why I have followed
you for all these years.
I had four mates with me,one knows the score the other three were all work
associates and all three bought the Bond at 50 smackeroonies at the end of
the gig!
Keep up the good work , oh and Normal Rules was fantastic but Iv'e a new
fav -Drunk and D
RESPECT BRIAN McIntyre, Scotland

Everything you ever wanted to know about life on the road from the King of Rock, bassist Craig 'Ado' Adams...coming soon... direct from German-Dutch In the Poppy Fields Tour...

The Gathering 12
23rd and 24th January 2004
North Wales Conference Centre, Llandudno, North Wales.
Tickets On Sale Now
Weekend ticket price £32.50 plus £1 booking fee
Don't leave it too late! Last year's Gathering sold out months in advance!
Aftershow party ticket included for all early birds!
For hotel accommodation details please call the Tourist Board on 011 44 (0)1492 574005 or email bed.bookings@conwy.gov.uk
(Please call the Tourist Board and NOT hotels direct as this helps to protect the future of The Gathering in Llandudno. Thank you)
Please see review of this year's Gathering below - read why The Gathering should not be missed!!!!!!
* Please note that your credit card will not be authorised until March - at which point your tickets will be sent out.


Review: The Gathering XI 24.01.2003
An incredible night at The Gathering XI was made all the more special for Alarm fans when Mike Peters introduced original Alarm guitarist - Dave Sharp - to the stage. Dave Sharp, who opened his solo set with a reworking of 'Change II', growled his way through through a fine set of proto-blues before closing with a poignant rendition of his Alarm classic 'One Step Closer To Home'. It was then Dave's turn to introduce Mike Peters to the stage. A very public showing of unity, friendship and maturity that highlights the unique way in which the rebirth of The Alarm has been conducted by all concerned.
If Dave Sharp's heart is in the blues and the music culture of the past, Mike Peters spirit is all about the now. Beginning with '21st Century', the entire audience immediately took up the refrain. Then, a new song - 'The Innocent Party' - a brutal onslaught of acoustic and lyrical power. 'Rise' followed, a beautiful piece of hope and optimism highlighted by another new song from 'In The Poppy Fields' 'It's Going To Be A Good Year'.
Mike then took a moment to express his fears over the potential conflict against Iraq before performing 'The Deceiver' which was beautifully sequed into the rarely played 'Third Light'. The First World War references further emphasising the confusion and mistrust that has people divided over the reasons for war in the Gulf.
Another new song 'Raindown' was followed by 'Father To Son' and 'The Day The Ravens Left The Tower'. Mike then dedicated 'When Everything Was Perfect', to the late 'Clash' frontman Joe Strummer. It was a spine tingling moment, especially when Mike spontaneously changed the lyrics to "I have stared into the eyes of Joe Strummer who stuck the safety pins inside my soul", he even worked in a mention of Dave Sharp. Superb stuff.
'Unbreak The Promise' and a rousing 'We Are The Light' were followed by the introduction of pianist and long time Alarm collaborator Mark Taylor. The two peformed an amazing version of 'A New South Wales'. With Mark at the piano and Mike enjoying the freedom to move around the stage without his guitar, singing to all sides of the jam-packed venue. Mike Peters dedicated 'Walk Forever By My Side' to his wife Jules and spoke of the time when Mark Taylor had played the piano at their wedding in 1988. With that in mind, the audience sang every line of the hymn like song.
Mike Peters then introduced the new members of the Alarm to the stage; Craig Adams, James Stevenson and Steve Grantley, who were all given a huge reception. It was quite a sight to see all the band on stage together all dressed in black suits (they looked like they had just stepped off the 'Reservoire Dogs' film set). The band were also joined by trumpet player Ian Davies (also wearing black suit, white shirt, black tie).
Mike lead the band into a series of songs from the 'Edward Henry Street'. Fast, furious, melodic, anthemic and stirring all at the same time. '1959', 'The Crescent', a blistering 'Edward Henry Street',
'Wherearewegoingandwhatarewegoingtodowhenwegetthere?' all prompted a huge singalong from the audience, and considering this was the first time these songs had ever been played live, it was amazing. Mike then spoke of meeting Nigel Twist in a Rhyl night club, 'The Downtown' on New Years Eve 1975 and had used that meeting as the source of the lyric for the next song 'Up Downtown'. Mike stabbed out the Kinks/Clash style riff on his Fender Telecaster and the band roared in behind him. 'In You I see The World' was instantly catchy and Ian Davies performed an scorching trumpet solo. Mike then sang a short version of Seventeen's 'Bank Holiday Weekend' before hurtling into 'Mercenary Skank'. It was Dexy's, The Clash, The Kinks, The Jam, Punk Rock, Northern Soul, Beat and Power Pop all rolled into one. It was all of these but most importanly, it was - The Alarm at their best.
Steve Grantley then took up the rhythm of 'Swansong' with Mike dedicating the song to "absent friends". The Gathering fans knew the lyrics better than Mike who stumbled over a few of the lines but that still did not detract from what is obviously a very powerful piece of music destined to become a live classic. James Stevenson played a superb guitar solo and the audience even started to sing the chorus unprompted. Then came another new one 'When You Can't Have What Everybody Else Has?, I was caught by surprise by this one as it had not grabbed my attention on the CD's but live it became a tour de force. I get the feeling that a lot of people (me included) are going to be going back to their 'In the Poppy fields' CD's after this weekend and hear them in a whole new light.
'Deeside', 'Majority' and 'The Stand' took us back to more familiar material and closed the set in frantic style. An encore was demanded and we got 'Gone Elvis' and 'Bound For Glory'. What a night. What a band.
Dave Jones


The Alarm - 'THE' Rock And Roll GXI 25.01.2003
At precisely 21.00 Hours on the 25th January 2003, Mike Peters and The Alarm took to the stage and delivered a 2 hour and 50 minute rock and roll extravaganza of brilliant new songs and and the best that their illustrious past has to offer.

On entering the venue, which was decked out in huge swathes of poppy fields projected onto walls, back drops and matching white amplification and drums, we were walking into an evening of total immersion in the spirit of 'In the Poppy Fields', honouring the past and celebrating the future. Recorded and released over five frantic months 'In The Poppy Fields' is surely destined to become The Alarm's modern masterpiece.

The tone for the evening was set with 'Coming Home'. An explosive piece of new Alarm music that had the audience gripped from the opening twin guitar onslaught of Mike Peters and James Stevenson, who were superbly complimented by the powerhouse drumming of Steve Grantley and the welcome return of Craig Adams on bass. With Mark Taylor back on the keyboards there was even more colour to the sound than ever before. Mike Peters who was in fine voice right from the get go, finished the song as he does on the record with the immortal lines - "It's been a long time coming but it's good to be back". The old meets the new. Straight into 'Unsafe Building' still sounding as fresh and vibrant as ever.

Mike Peters introduced 'In The Beauty Of My Surroundings' and although the song is only a few months old you would swear - by the reaction of the audience - it had been around as long as 'Unsafe'. The audience took up the vocals of the outro, and it was as if the song had been in the set for ever. 'Absolute Reality' was greeted like an old friend. Mike said the next song was inspired by being 'The Alarm' again when he was recording 'In the Poppy Fields' and what a song it was - 'Right back Where I Started From'. Brilliant lyrically, the song strikes a chord with everyone who hears it. Everyone has been where Mike Peters has been and vice versa. Once again I was struck by the audience reaction to what is still essentially a new song. Mike was conducting proceedings from the stage, band and audience working together as choir and orchestra, a connection that only the truly great performers can achieve.

The lone voice of Mike Peters filled the room during the intro to 'Breathe' and the band brought all they could to the driving rhythm. Another new song 'The Normal Rules Do Not Apply' was beautifully delivered. The audience rose to it's feet as the atmospheric intro was shattered by the band crashing in and Mike Peters singing his heart out - the passion all too evident in his 'X-Ray eyes". 'Rain In The Summertime' resplendent with the addition of Mark Taylor's counter point keyboard lines sounded fresher than it has done in a long while.

Then came 'The Unexplained' a monumental song that seeped into the venue before exploding into life with some brilliant slide guitar playing from James Stevenson. Once again the audience took up the refrain. The heat inside the venue was intensifying by the second as James Stevenson's e-bow flooded the P.A.. 'How Long And How Much Longer' was brilliant. Impassioned vocals, scything chopped rock guitar riffs and a pulsating groove. Another track destined to be live classic of the future. The quick - slow - quick - slow dynamics of both 'Knife Edge' and 'Regeneration' explored familiar territory and then came 'Federal Motor Voter'. I don't know what an F.M.V. is, but I do know a serious slice of R.N.R. when I see it. It starts it stops, it starts again with a chorus that rocks like a modern 'My Generation' - classic - and it's even better live than on record as all great rock songs should be.

Mike took a few moments to describe the intense procedures that surrounded the recording of 'In the Poppy Fields' and brought on the first guest of the evening, his I.T.P.F. co-producer Martin Wilding who set up 'The Rock And Roll' with some beautiful 'infinite' guitar. One of Mike Peters best lyrics - 'The Rock And Roll', with it's reference points to Alarm songs past and present was a defining moment in the concert. Something has happened to Mike Peters since he became The Alarm again, his writing has become more personal than ever yet at the same time it seems to say just as much about other peoples lives as it does his own.

'Resurrection' and the psychedlic glam rock heavy metal of 'Trafficking' both explored new ground for both the band and the fans, and although still a little unfamiliar at this stage these two could prove to be real faves in gigs to come. I remember being in the audience at an Alarm show of 1985, at the Marquee club in London during the beginning of the 'Strength' tour and hearing 'Knife Edge' and 'Sprirt Of 76' for the first time. I'd listened to the songs on the record and liked them, but It was when I 'heard' them live that I fell in love with them. I sensed a lot of people falling in love with the 'In the Poppy Fields' collection this weekend.

'High On the Hill' was beautiful. 'Contenders' was excellent and then out of the blue came 'The Drunk And The Disorderly'. This is surely going to grow into one of the greatest Alarm songs of all time. Hooligan rock and roll with a lyric that, like 'The RockAnd Roll' will be seen as one of Peters' best. Amazing. A frantic ( a bit too frantic actually), medley of 'Marching On' and 'Where Were You Hiding?' was segued into '68 Guns'. The band followed '68' with 'Close' and although it is a 'new' song you wouldn't have known it. 1500 pairs of hands reached for the air, every voice sang the chorus. Any normal band would have finished there, but this is not a normal band and these are extraordinary times for all concerned. 'Spirit Of '76' and the instant classic '45 RPM' drained every last ounce of energy from the audience.

By now everybody in the hall knew what was going to happen next. The band came back for the first encore and without further ado Mike Peters introduced his old friend and guitarist Dave Sharp to the stage. These days, Sharp looks and acts like a long lost blues legend returning from the past. It was appropriate then that he should strike up the blues rock of 'Sold Me Down The River'. It was a great sight to see Sharp and Peters together again on a big stage. 'Devolution Working Man Blues' from 1989's 'Change' continued the bluesy theme. Then, while Sharp swapped his Telecaster for a Strat, Mike Peters held his arms aloft in the trade mark stance that is the signal for the beginning of 'Strength', Sharp dug into the guitar riff, the band played with a respect and a deference to what was obviously an emotional moment for both Mike, Dave and many of us 'older' Alarm fans alike. 1-2-3-4. 'Rescue Me' brought the house down with a mass celebratory sing-along. As the band discreetly left the stage Mike and Dave found themselves alone together in front of an audience who spontaneously serenaded them with 'Going Out In A Blaze Of Glory'.

Mike Peters and Dave Sharp both seem incredibly happy men, both seem free from the constraints of 'having' to work with each other. Both are being incredibly public in their support of each others musical endeavours. Dave supports Mike in his quest to take The Alarm forward and Mike supports Dave in his quest to recast himself as an earthy singer songwriter. Both obviously have immense respect for each other and it is a good thing that everyone, themselves included can now move forward without being tied down to the past exclusively. What a decade we have in store as Alarm fans.

Mike Peters led the band back on to the stage for a second encore and began by telling a story of seeing The Clash for the first time in 1977 and how much it had changed his life, he went on to tell of the various meetings / run-ins he had had with the late Joe Strummer including an hilarious tale of standing next to all four members of The Clash in a toilet prior to a Clash show in Birmingham. He spoke of a fan who had written to him when Strummer died in December telling how Joe Strummer had had to admit to the fan that "although he felt he was not supposed to 'like' The Alarm every time he heard one of their songs on the radio he had to admit to a a certain amount of respect for the band". Dedicated to Joe Strummer, the band burst into 'Complete Control', with a huge picture of Joe Strummer's face projected onto the venue walls. Mike then introduced one of his 'Dead Men Walking;' collaborators Kirk Brandon to the stage who joined the band for a hurtling 'White Riot'. Then, a full band version of 'Blaze of Glory' and it was all over for another year.

When you get home whatever do don't throw away your ticket stub, keep it safe so that one day you can say 'I was There'...... and prove it.

GXI 25.01.2003

Coming Home
Unsafe Building
In The Beauty Of My Surroundings
Absolute Reality
Right Back Where I started From
Breathe
The Normal Rules Do Not Apply
Rain In The Summertime
The Unexplained
How Long And How Much Longer
Knife Edge
Regeneration
Federal Motor Voter
The Rock And Roll
Resurrection
Trafficking
High On The Hill
Contenders
The Drunk And The Disorderly
Marching On
Where Were You Hiding
68 Guns
Close
Spirit Of 76'
45 RPM

Sold Me Down the River
Devolution Working Man Blues
Strength
Rescue Me

Complete Control
White Riot
Blaze Of Glory

Dave Jones

Thanks to all of you who are voting for their favourite tracks from In
the Poppy Fields Collection... keep those voting forms coming as Mike
is thoroughly enjoying reading all your suggestions so far!

Remember:
If you are an "In The Poppy Fields" bond holder, you can now vote for your favorite 10 tracks at www.inthepoppyfields.com. Any of the bond passwords should work to let you in.

Regards, MPO

If you are an "In The Poppy Fields" bond holder, you can now vote for your favorite 10 tracks at www.inthepoppyfields.com. Any of the bond passwords should work to let you in.

21.02.03 - Aschaffenburg / Colossaal, Germany (www.colos-saal.de)
22.02.03 - Leipzig / Moritzbastei, Germany (www.moritzbastei.de)
23.02.03 - Berlin / Knaack Klub, Germany (www.knaack-berlin.de)
25.02.03 - Hamburg / Logo, Germany (www.logohamburg.de)

27.02.03 - NL-Hardenberg / Podium, Holland, Podium hardenberg B.V., J. Weitkamplaan 14, 7772 SE Hardenberg, 0031-523-262242
28.02.03 - NL-Zoetermeer / De Boerderij, Holland, Boerderij de, Amerikaweg 145, 2717 AV Zoetermeer, 0031-79-3211012
01.03.03 - NL-Helmond / Plato, Holland, Plato Poppodium, Molenstraat 123, 5701 KB Helmond, 0031-492-599.293
02.03.03 - NL-Hoorn / Manifesto, Holland, Manifesto St Netwerk, Holenweg 14c, Hoorn 1620 sc, 0031-229-249-839

Poppy Fields In Italian Web Chart
in The Poppy Fields n.1 in the website chart!!!!
http://www.rockol.it/Classifiche.asp
>

The Alarm in Cardiff

I admit defeat, I've sold out to my heart, The Alarm is DEAD,......BUT
LONGLIVE THE ALARM.… After Listening to Bond 5 and Last Nights gig in Cardiff, It hit me faster than 45rpm, as Much as I loved the original Alarm, for me we always had
after the split, MP and his Bands, under various names. Now again as
clear as day we are faced with THE ALARM, No Numbers, No Letters, and No
Suffix...
Just THE ALARM. Controversial for some I accept, but there are tracks on 5 that ask us to cross that burning bridge, leave the past where it belongs, take a deep breath and move on, its coming home...and I believe I finally had the awakening I needed last night The Coal Exchange witnessed what must be one of the tightest, loudest,
perfect performances that Mike and these musicians have put out in ALL
their years. The sizeable crowd could have had no more than a dozen die hards
in attendance, the vast majority had come to see "the Alarm," and for them
that is just what they saw.............
Following a excellent 40 minute performance from Kirk Brandon, in which
he more than admirably dealt with the usual pissed up heckler, The Alarm
hit the stage with an opening combo of Coming Home and Unsafe Building, and
from there it was only upwards, a set mixed with classics and bond hits had
the audience hooked, the aura spreading through the crowd itself was
captivating, it was hard to tell from their reaction what was old what
was new, such was the way they accepted each song...I'm not a betting man,
but I reckon its worth a few quid on bond sales going up considerably
following this tour......
A Customary New South Wales with a "real" Welsh choir, was a extra
highlight along with a masterful stroke of The Stand>Majority>Stand in the 1st
encore, which meant to end with a climax required something special, for this
the band dropped Rock and Roll, and hit the stage with a dedication to the
late Joe Strummer, and a storming Complete Control, (Joe Strummer spent a
lot of time at Cardiff University and lived for a while in Newport so it was
most appropriate.) I also Loved the Fire service Take on Dee side...thanks
Mike... we'll keep fighting!!!!!!
Recent talk of JS not having a stage presence is utter tripe; he's never
been as animated as he was last night, milking the crowd effortlessly
during the big solos. Steve Grantley, Mark Taylor and Craig Adams played with a
passion beyond that which would prove they really believe in what they
are doing...simply awesome guys.... thank you...
As good as the Gathering someone asked me, better! My reply this wasn't
a controlled audience, this was Joe punter witnessing the return of
something big… The night was summed up perfectly for my by two quotes,
One from a lad that said "Cor I never remember them this good, but
hasn't the bass player lost his hair quickly" The other from a pissed up 50+yr old in the Gents, I asked if he was enjoying it. He replied..."Dew boyo I aint a clue who is out there, but they sure is some damn fine quality musicians, now lets get back to the
middle!!!"

Set list
COMING HOME
UNSAFE BUILDING
IN THE BEAUTY OFMY SURROUNDINGS
ABSOLUTE REALITY
RIGHT BACK WHERE I STARTED FROM
HOW LONG AND HOW MUCH LONGER
RAIN IN THE SUMMER TIME
THE NORMAL RULES
KNIFEEDGE
RESCUE ME
FEDERAL MOTOR VOTER
NEW SOUTH WALES (SOLO WITH PIANO)
DRUNK AND DISORDERLY
MARCHING ON/WHERE WERE YOU/68 GUNS MEDLEY
CLOSE
SPIRIT OF 76
45 RPM

THE UNEXPLAINED
DEESIDE
STAND>MAJORITY>STAND

COMPLETE CONTROL
BLAZE OF GLORY


whatever you do,catch this tour,
this has got to be the start of something big again in our little
world....

Welshandproud, MPO member

Milton Keynes, The Pitz @ The Woughton Centre 29.1.2003

Well, opening night and what a superb venue. Our first visit to this
particular venue and thought it was great. Nice and cozy. I would say
there was about 300 there last night, maybe another 100 or so and it
would have been neatly packed.

Kirk Brandon started the evenings entertainment, and although Jim & I
have never been fans, I enjoyed his slot more than I did Dave's at the
weekend, maybe because I have just got used to seeing him.

The setlist was a watered down Gathering set from Saturday, starting
with Coming Home (which is fantastic live) and ending with Blaze. The
Stand which was played on Friday at the G11 was also played.

A real good mixture of old and new and the new stuff is sounding
superb. I hated ITPF1 and listened to it again the other night and
those songs that I heard live on Saturday in particular sounded totally
different. Hearing them live has certainly helped me to appreciate them.

It took a little while for the atmosphere to build up last night, and
as Peter Jones says, Milton Keynes is hardly the centre of the world
for music is it. But once the atmosphere picked up, it was a good gig.
It's the only one I am going to on this tour, and I am sure there will
be better ones, but I really enjoyed it. Mike was very animated from
the off too.

Highlights??? Coming Home, How Long, Right Back Where I started From,
Absolute Reality, The Stand, The Unexplained, Marching/WWYHWTSB/68
threesome and the ever impressive 45rpm.

Also loved Mike's comments about the press when he said 'when we wrote
this song in 1985, the press didn't get it. Maybe with the firestrike
now, they will this time. This is Deeside Town.'

Overall, the sound quality was excellent and it was a great surprise to
see the band on a proper stage with a full lighting rig which was used
to great effect and the sight of a proper mixing desk!

Also, nice tour bus! We are not used to seeing flash new buses, what
happened with the mini buses?

To those going elsewhere, enjoy, Mr P is in great form.

Wayne Kisbee, MPO UK Member


Coming Home
Unsafe Building
The Beauty Of My Surroundings
Absolute Reality
Right Back Where We Started From
Rain In The Summertime
The Normal Rules Do Not Apply
Knife Edge
How Long And How Much Longer
Rescue Me
Federal Motor Voter
The Drunk And The Disorderley ( dedicated to Stauart Adamson )
Declaration / Marching On / Where Were You Hiding When The Storm Broke ?
68 Guns
Close
Spirit Of 76
45 R.P.M.

The Unexplained
Deeside
The Stand

The Rock ' n' Roll Still Burns In Me
Blaze Of Glory

Read a review of the Gathering @ /www.shakenstir.co.uk

Following on from Mike's excellent radio appearance last week on Radio Wales prior to the Cardiff Coal Exchange show, Mike is on the air tonight - please see details attached from Mike's publicist:


105.4 century fm

you can go to the website at: www.centuryfm.co.uk

then click onto century for liverpool/manchester.

direct link is: www.1054centuryfm.com

i dont think they do internet broadcast..or sat..you got to tune in...

M.P.O. (Alarm Information Service) are very proud to announce that the
legendary Kirk Brandon, lead singer of Spear of Destiny will be
appearing as Special Guest on the full UK In the Poppy Fields Tour.
Kirk Brandon will take the stage at approx 8pm. Please also be aware
that Glasgow, London and Leeds are all EARLY shows with curfews at
10.30pm. Please make sure you arrive early to enjoy the whole show as
Mike and the band have been playing for over 2 hours in Milton Keynes
and Cardiff!!!

21.02.03 - Aschaffenburg / Colossaal, Germany
22.02.03 - Leipzig / Moritzbastei, Germany
23.02.03 - Berlin / Knaack Klub, Germany
25.02.03 - Hamburg / Logo, Germany

27.02.03 - NL-Hardenberg / Podium, Holland
28.02.03 - NL-Zoetermeer / De Boerderij, Holland
01.03.03 - NL-Helmond / Plato, Holland
02.03.03 - NL-Hoorn / Manifesto, Holland

Read another glowing review of "In The Poppy Fields" vol. 1 here at
About The Music.

At precisely 21.00 Hours on the 25th January 2003, Mike Peters and The Alarm took to the stage and delivered a 2 hour and 50 minute rock and roll extravaganza of brilliant new songs and and the best that their illustrious past has to offer.

On entering the venue, which was decked out in huge swathes of poppy fields projected onto walls, back drops and matching white amplification and drums, we were walking into an evening of total immersion in the spirit of 'In the Poppy Fields', honouring the past and celebrating the future. Recorded and released over five frantic months 'In The Poppy Fields' is surely destined to become The Alarm's modern masterpiece.

The tone for the evening was set with 'Coming Home'. An explosive piece of new Alarm music that had the audience gripped from the opening twin guitar onslaught of Mike Peters and James Stevenson, who were superbly complimented by the powerhouse drumming of Steve Grantley and the welcome return of Craig Adams on bass. With Mark Taylor back on the keyboards there was even more colour to the sound than ever before. Mike Peters who was in fine voice right from the get go, finished the song as he does on the record with the immortal lines - "It's been a long time coming but it's good to be back". The old meets the new. Straight into 'Unsafe Building' still sounding as fresh and vibrant as ever.

Mike Peters introduced 'In The Beauty Of My Surroundings' and although the song is only a few months old you would swear - by the reaction of the audience - it had been around as long as 'Unsafe'. The audience took up the vocals of the outro, and it was as if the song had been in the set for ever. 'Absolute Reality' was greeted like an old friend. Mike said the next song was inspired by being 'The Alarm' again when he was recording 'In the Poppy Fields' and what a song it was - 'Right back Where I Started From'. Brilliant lyrically, the song strikes a chord with everyone who hears it. Everyone has been where Mike Peters has been and vice versa. Once again I was struck by the audience reaction to what is still essentially a new song. Mike was conducting proceedings from the stage, band and audience working together as choir and orchestra, a connection that only the truly great performers can achieve.

The lone voice of Mike Peters filled the room during the intro to 'Breathe' and the band brought all they could to the driving rhythm. Another new song 'The Normal Rules Do Not Apply' was beautifully delivered. The audience rose to it's feet as the atmospheric intro was shattered by the band crashing in and Mike Peters singing his heart out - the passion all too evident in his 'X-Ray eyes". 'Rain In The Summertime' resplendent with the addition of Mark Taylor's counter point keyboard lines sounded fresher than it has done in a long while.

Then came 'The Unexplained' a monumental song that seeped into the venue before exploding into life with some brilliant slide guitar playing from James Stevenson. Once again the audience took up the refrain. The heat inside the venue was intensifying by the second as James Stevenson's e-bow flooded the P.A.. 'How Long And How Much Longer' was brilliant. Impassioned vocals, scything chopped rock guitar riffs and a pulsating groove. Another track destined to be live classic of the future. The quick - slow - quick - slow dynamics of both 'Knife Edge' and 'Regeneration' explored familiar territory and then came 'Federal Motor Voter'. I don't know what an F.M.V. is, but I do know a serious slice of R.N.R. when I see it. It starts it stops, it starts again with a chorus that rocks like a modern 'My Generation' - classic - and it's even better live than on record as all great rock songs should be.

Mike took a few moments to describe the intense procedures that surrounded the recording of 'In the Poppy Fields' and brought on the first guest of the evening, his I.T.P.F. co-producer Martin Wilding who set up 'The Rock And Roll' with some beautiful 'infinite' guitar. One of Mike Peters best lyrics - 'The Rock And Roll', with it's reference points to Alarm songs past and present was a defining moment in the concert. Something has happened to Mike Peters since he became The Alarm again, his writing has become more personal than ever yet at the same time it seems to say just as much about other peoples lives as it does his own.

'Resurrection' and the psychedlic glam rock heavy metal of 'Trafficking' both explored new ground for both the band and the fans, and although still a little unfamiliar at this stage these two could prove to be real faves in gigs to come. I remember being in the audience at an Alarm show of 1985, at the Marquee club in London during the beginning of the 'Strength' tour and hearing 'Knife Edge' and 'Sprirt Of 76' for the first time. I'd listened to the songs on the record and liked them, but It was when I 'heard' them live that I fell in love with them. I sensed a lot of people falling in love with the 'In the Poppy Fields' collection this weekend.

'High On the Hill' was beautiful. 'Contenders' was excellent and then out of the blue came 'The Drunk And The Disorderly'. This is surely going to grow into one of the greatest Alarm songs of all time. Hooligan rock and roll with a lyric that, like 'The RockAnd Roll' will be seen as one of Peters' best. Amazing. A frantic ( a bit too frantic actually), medley of 'Marching On' and 'Where Were You Hiding?' was segued into '68 Guns'. The band followed '68' with 'Close' and although it is a 'new' song you wouldn't have known it. 1500 pairs of hands reached for the air, every voice sang the chorus. Any normal band would have finished there, but this is not a normal band and these are extraordinary times for all concerned. 'Spirit Of '76' and the instant classic '45 RPM' drained every last ounce of energy from the audience.

By now everybody in the hall knew what was going to happen next. The band came back for the first encore and without further ado Mike Peters introduced his old friend and guitarist Dave Sharp to the stage. These days, Sharp looks and acts like a long lost blues legend returning from the past. It was appropriate then that he should strike up the blues rock of 'Sold Me Down The River'. It was a great sight to see Sharp and Peters together again on a big stage. 'Devolution Working Man Blues' from 1989's 'Change' continued the bluesy theme. Then, while Sharp swapped his Telecaster for a Strat, Mike Peters held his arms aloft in the trade mark stance that is the signal for the beginning of 'Strength', Sharp dug into the guitar riff, the band played with a respect and a deference to what was obviously an emotional moment for both Mike, Dave and many of us 'older' Alarm fans alike. 1-2-3-4. 'Rescue Me' brought the house down with a mass celebratory sing-along. As the band discreetly left the stage Mike and Dave found themselves alone together in front of an audience who spontaneously serenaded them with 'Going Out In A Blaze Of Glory'.

Mike Peters and Dave Sharp both seem incredibly happy men, both seem free from the constraints of 'having' to work with each other. Both are being incredibly public in their support of each others musical endeavours. Dave supports Mike in his quest to take The Alarm forward and Mike supports Dave in his quest to recast himself as an earthy singer songwriter. Both obviously have immense respect for each other and it is a good thing that everyone, themselves included can now move forward without being tied down to the past exclusively. What a decade we have in store as Alarm fans.

Mike Peters led the band back on to the stage for a second encore and began by telling a story of seeing The Clash for the first time in 1977 and how much it had changed his life, he went on to tell of the various meetings / run-ins he had had with the late Joe Strummer including an hilarious tale of standing next to all four members of The Clash in a toilet prior to a Clash show in Birmingham. He spoke of a fan who had written to him when Strummer died in December telling how Joe Strummer had had to admit to the fan that "although he felt he was not supposed to 'like' The Alarm every time he heard one of their songs on the radio he had to admit to a a certain amount of respect for the band". Dedicated to Joe Strummer, the band burst into 'Complete Control', with a huge picture of Joe Strummer's face projected onto the venue walls. Mike then introduced one of his 'Dead Men Walking;' collaborators Kirk Brandon to the stage who joined the band for a hurtling 'White Riot'. Then, a full band version of 'Blaze of Glory' and it was all over for another year.

When you get home whatever do don't throw away your ticket stub, keep it safe so that one day you can say 'I was There'...... and prove it.

GXI 25.01.2003

Coming Home
Unsafe Building
In The Beauty Of My Surroundings
Absolute Reality
Right Back Where I started From
Breathe
The Normal Rules Do Not Apply
Rain In The Summertime
The Unexplained
How Long And How Much Longer
Knife Edge
Regeneration
Federal Motor Voter
The Rock And Roll
Resurrection
Trafficking
High On The Hill
Contenders
The Drunk And The Disorderly
Marching On
Where Were You Hiding
68 Guns
Close
Spirit Of 76'
45 RPM

Sold Me Down the River
Devolution Working Man Blues
Strength
Rescue Me

Complete Control
White Riot
Blaze Of Glory

Dave Jones

An incredible night at The Gathering XI was made all the more special for Alarm fans when Mike Peters introduced original Alarm guitarist - Dave Sharp - to the stage. Dave Sharp, who opened his solo set with a reworking of 'Change II', growled his way through through a fine set of proto-blues before closing with a poignant rendition of his Alarm classic 'One Step Closer To Home'. It was then Dave's turn to introduce Mike Peters to the stage. A very public showing of unity, friendship and maturity that highlights the unique way in which the rebirth of The Alarm has been conducted by all concerned.

If Dave Sharp's heart is in the blues and the music culture of the past, Mike Peters spirit is all about the now. Beginning with '21st Century', the entire audience immediately took up the refrain. Then, a new song - 'The Innocent Party' - a brutal onslaught of acoustic and lyrical power. 'Rise' followed, a beautiful piece of hope and optimism highlighted by another new song from 'In The Poppy Fields' 'It's Going To Be A Good Year'.

Mike then took a moment to express his fears over the potential conflict against Iraq before performing 'The Deceiver' which was beautifully sequed into the rarely played 'Third Light'. The First World War references further emphasising the confusion and mistrust that has people divided over the reasons for war in the Gulf.

Another new song 'Raindown' was followed by 'Father To Son' and 'The Day The Ravens Left The Tower'. Mike then dedicated 'When Everything Was Perfect', to the late 'Clash' frontman Joe Strummer. It was a spine tingling moment, especially when Mike spontaneously changed the lyrics to "I have stared into the eyes of Joe Strummer who stuck the safety pins inside my soul", he even worked in a mention of Dave Sharp. Superb stuff.

'Unbreak The Promise' and a rousing 'We Are The Light' were followed by the introduction of pianist and long time Alarm collaborator Mark Taylor. The two peformed an amazing version of 'A New South Wales'. With Mark at the piano and Mike enjoying the freedom to move around the stage without his guitar, singing to all sides of the jam-packed venue. Mike Peters dedicated 'Walk Forever By My Side' to his wife Jules and spoke of the time when Mark Taylor had played the piano at their wedding in 1988. With that in mind, the audience sang every line of the hymn like song.

Mike Peters then introduced the new members of the Alarm to the stage; Craig Adams, James Stevenson and Steve Grantley, who were all given a huge reception. It was quite a sight to see all the band on stage together all dressed in black suits (they looked like they had just stepped off the 'Reservoire Dogs' film set). The band were also joined by trumpet player Ian Davies (also wearing black suit, white shirt, black tie).

Mike lead the band into a series of songs from the 'Edward Henry Street'. Fast, furious, melodic, anthemic and stirring all at the same time. '1959', 'The Crescent', a blistering 'Edward Henry Street',
'Wherearewegoingandwhatarewegoingtodowhenwegetthere?' all prompted a huge singalong from the audience, and considering this was the first time these songs had ever been played live, it was amazing. Mike then spoke of meeting Nigel Twist in a Rhyl night club, 'The Downtown' on New Years Eve 1975 and had used that meeting as the source of the lyric for the next song 'Up Downtown'. Mike stabbed out the Kinks/Clash style riff on his Fender Telecaster and the band roared in behind him. 'In You I see The World' was instantly catchy and Ian Davies performed an scorching trumpet solo. Mike then sang a short version of Seventeen's 'Bank Holiday Weekend' before hurtling into 'Mercenary Skank'. It was Dexy's, The Clash, The Kinks, The Jam, Punk Rock, Northern Soul, Beat and Power Pop all rolled into one. It was all of these but most importanly, it was - The Alarm at their best.

Steve Grantley then took up the rhythm of 'Swansong' with Mike dedicating the song to "absent friends". The Gathering fans knew the lyrics better than Mike who stumbled over a few of the lines but that still did not detract from what is obviously a very powerful piece of music destined to become a live classic. James Stevenson played a superb guitar solo and the audience even started to sing the chorus unprompted. Then came another new one 'When You Can't Have What Everybody Else Has?, I was caught by surprise by this one as it had not grabbed my attention on the CD's but live it became a tour de force. I get the feeling that a lot of people (me included) are going to be going back to their 'In the Poppy fields' CD's after this weekend and hear them in a whole new light.

'Deeside', 'Majority' and 'The Stand' took us back to more familiar material and closed the set in frantic style. An encore was demanded and we got 'Gone Elvis' and 'Bound For Glory'. What a night. What a band.


Dave Jones

Dave Sharp says about G11: "It's a beautiful weekend of love and peace".

The Cast
Vocals Mike Peters
Guitar James Stevenson
Bass Craig Adams
Drums Steve Grantley
Keyboards Mark Taylor
Trumpet Ian Davies
Special Guest Dave Sharp

More to follow over the next few days....

21st Century
The Innocent Party
Rise
It's Gonna Be a Good Year
The Deceiver
Third Light
Rain Down
Father to Son
Day the Ravens Left the Tower
When Everything was Perfect
Unbreak the Promise
We Are the Light

A New South Wales
Walk Forever By My Side

1959
The Crescent
Edward Henry St
Wherearewegoing
Up Downtown
In You I see the World
Mercenary Skank
Swansong
When you Can't Have What Everybody Else Has
Deeside
Majority
The Stand

Gone Elvis
Bound for Glory

Fri Doors 7.30 pm
Special Preview of 'Close' video
In the Round
Special Guest Dave Sharp 8pm
Mike Peters and Friends 9pm
Finish 11/11.30pm
(Please note times are approximate and subject to change)
PLEASE ARRIVE EARLY TO GIVE DAVE YOUR SUPPORT

Sat Daytime
Doors 11am - 2pm
The Alarm Mastermind Challenge and Pub Quiz
Please don't forget this legendary special part of the Gathering weekend. Also, please note that the Signing Session with Mike Peters will take place after the Quiz on Saturday afternoon instead of the Football Competition on Sunday morning which due to unforseen circumstances has been cancelled. Apologies to those who were planning to take part. Unfortunately, the football venue is closing and so a new location is being sought after for future Gatherings.

Sat Doors 7.30 pm
DJ 8pm
Mainstage The Alarm plus Special Guests 8.30pm
Finish 11/11.30pm
(Please note times are approximate and subject to change)
PLEASE ARRIVE EARLY in order that you don't miss out on last minute additions!

AFTERSHOW PARTY - please note an aftershow party pass is required to gain access to the Aftershow Party. This year, very special guests will be performing at the party so be prepared! To qualify for an aftershow party ticket, Gathering tickets had to be purchased by June 2002

The MPO Office will be closed until Tuesday 28th January 2003. Mike Peters and the band are immersed in rehearsals and are very much looking forward to welcoming you all to the ultimate rock'n roll weekend, The Gathering.

Safe trip and see you all very soon in Llandudno!

Best wishes,

M.P.O.
Alarm Information Service
011 44 1745 571571
email mpo@alarmpo.demon.co.uk




PRESS RELEASE
The Gathering January 2003



The Gathering Facts



The Ultimate North Wales Rock and Roll Party Weekend


The Alarm & Friends!


Friday January 24th/ Saturday January 25th

N.W.C.C., Llandudno, N Wales

SOLD OUT

The legendary annual audiovisual celebration of the works of Mike Peters and The Alarm.

Set in stunning surroundings and featuring both Acoustic / Electric concerts, after show parties, surprise guest appearances and much more.... This will be the eleventh time that such a gathering has taken place, it has been sold out for over six months & each night has a waiting list of 500 people wanting to go should you not be able to make it.



Fans travelling from all over the U.K. alongside others from Japan, Australia, Italy, Germany, Scandinavia,Canada, USA, Ireland, & Spain

The Gathering strikes a chord in the heart of every Alarm fan, This event inspires fans to travel hundreds and thousands of miles to share an experience, many have never left their own country before this trip, they have been inspired and touched by the music and words of one of Wales best songwriters. B4 The Preachers, The‘Phonics, The Super Furry, There was only one band that rocked for Wales! Guess who’s back!

Two new songs from "In The Poppy Fields Bond" #5 have been added to 21stcenturyradio.tv. Come on over to hear "Coming Home" and "Kaleidosope".

There have also been two new reviews of "The Bond" posted on the web:

www.shakenstir.co.uk

honk

Dave Sharp
There are some really interesting things going on in the Dave Sharp camp (including the announement of two cds of new material) . Head on over to http://www.thesummeroflovetour.com/ to check it out

Album: ARCC #2: The Alarm Live At The Hammersmith Palais
Release Date: Dec. '02
Where to Buy:MPO, online

This Live album captures the original The Alarm lineup at what was most likely the best "live" moment in their history. Originally a BBC Radio Show, it was recorded at The Hammersmith Palais Feb 14th, 1984 (and subsequentlybootlegged as "First Rebel Carriage" and "Live In London"). Mike Peters has painstakingly remastered recreated this show by taking the BBC source, and his personal live tapes to create one of The Alarm's most commanding performances ever recorded. While the previously released "King Biscuit Flower Hour" caught The Alarm as a young, brash, and exciting band, this concert, recorded about a year later, shows so much amazing growth in the band's performance abilities, you might even wonder if the same guys are playing the songs!

Sonically, this *IS* The Alarm for the history books. On this record we hear the band that pioneered the use of acoustic guitars for 80's rock. We hear the songs and sounds that would inspire others bands to take and run with through the 80's. One listen to "Howling Wind" on this disc will have you wondering just where U2 got the idea for "BAD" and if maybe all those the comparisions should have ran in the opposite direction. We hear the "shake your bones" electro-acoustic guitar that caught the imagination of some many young fans in those halcyon of the early 80's. We hear the fire, the passion, and the unstoppable force that was The Alarm in 1984.

The tracklisting for the disc is as follows:

The Peace Train (classic concert intro)
Declaration
Marching On
For Freedom
Shout To The Devil
The Deceiver
Tell Me
Third Light
Across The Border
Where Were You hiding?
One Step Closer To Home
Unbreak The Promise
Howling Wind
Sixty Eight Guns
Blaze Of Glory
The Stand
The Chant Has Just Begun

I'm hard-pressed to find any "favorites" on this record, because every track is magnificant. "The Chant" is surprising here because it shows just how much the original song was brother to "The Stand", and shows just how much a band can get twiusted-up when they enter the recording studio. I would suppsoe though, that the finale of this album, "Unsafe Building" is the ultimate hightlight. Finally, once and for all, this song has been captured on CD at its best.

Listening to this album reminds me of the reissue of "The Who: Live At Leeds" where every track is fascinating in its historical context. The Alarm were the most exciting live band since The Who, so it is only fitting that a quintessential album like this one echoes one of the greatest live records ever recorded.

For Alarm fans though, this is an essential record. This is what the album "Declaration" should have sounded like. This is the tracklisting that should have been on it. This is The Alarm at their classic best. Don't miss it.

Read a really great review of Mike Peters @ Dyserth Community Centre, 23/12/2002 @
shakenstir.com

Read a guitar collecting magazine article feasturing new Alarm guitarist James Stevenson. Download the 3MB .pdf file now!