What a year it has been, I have just arrived home after the most frantic time of my life......

Since last December, so much has happened - The Poppy Fields, 45 R.P.M., The Film, The Electric tours, Solo Dates, Status Quo, Dead Men Walking, U.K., Europe, USA and most importantly, the birth of my little boy Dylan. Throughout it all, your presence has been constant and reassuring, be it at the shows or just keeping us in your thoughts during the difficulties Jules and I experienced during Dylan's birth. Thankfully he made it through and I have now come home to a wonderful smiley little boy who lights up the room wherever he goes. I'm sure every parent out there will understand when I say he is the best thing that has ever happened to me.

Mike Peters and The Alarm 2004 have been wowing the Status Quo crowds. MPO members at the shows have been leafleting the audiences and as a consequence, particularly at the NEC in Birmingham, Status Quo fans were clambering over seats in their quest for an MPO postcard! Currently, MPO HQ is inundated with emails, postcards and phone calls from Quo fans wanting to know more about The Alarm. Many of the Quo fans saw The Alarm back in 1986 at Wembley with Queen.

Here is a video clip/pictures of The Alarm 2004 coming on stage and performing Declaration / Marching On at
http://www.the-gathering.org.uk/video/alarm_NEC_low.MOV

Mike Peters at Jammin' - Radio 2... A short walk from Goodge Street Tube the recording venue was located, which looked more like a techical college than a recording venue.

At a few minutes before 8pm, we were let into the recording studio. A row of tiered seats face a stage area with a drum kit in the middle and 4 other positions with an array of guitars placed ready for use. The producer comes to the stage to introduce the recording and what we must and must not do as the audience - as a radio recording we are asked to show our amusement verbally.

Rowland Rivron comes out to the stage. He is taller and leaner looking than he seems on TV and looks remarkably like David Blunkett - to which he and his guests refer to several times with a range of suitable (and not so suitable jokes) jokes! He introduces his guests of which Mike is one of them along with Kevin Eldon of Big Train and Smack the Pony comedy shows.

Mike is the first guest to perform, leading the musicians through Rock this Town by the Stray Cats. He then does a sample of Office Job whilst talking about his early days in a band. Rowland then asks his guests to perform a song in the theme of another person. For the East Anglia's contingency present, there is both shock and delight, as Mike did an unbelievable version of Pretty Vacant in the style of Bob Dylan. Not only did Mike sound just like Bob Dylan he even did all the facial expressions. It was absolutly hilarious. Kevin Eldon's impression of Prince Charles doing Steve Harley's Make me Smile was equally very, very, very funny.

Mike then went on to sing I'm Just a Love Machine - yes you did read this! You had to be there to believe it. I never thought I would see that! He finished up playing 68 Guns straight, followed by a new version with references to famous songs with numbers in the title. Someone in the audience got the 15 different titles referred to right, during the song.

The show closed with audience members invited to shout out a word and the musicians would attempt to play a song with the word in. They managed most although got stuck with the word "ice skating",to which someone attempted to play Bolero unsuccessfully. The show will be broadcast on Feb 2005 and lasts 1/2 hour. The recording was just over an hour so some of the above maybe edited out. It took Rowland several attempts to record some of his lines, so I suspect these will be edited out and hopefully get all the music played.

It was a fun experience and everyone certainly had a good time. Make sure you catch it in Feb 2005, it will be a treat.

Sam Greenley
----------

After a brief few days back from the USA, Mike, the hardest working man in rock, was back on the road again in the UK with the Mighty Quo! Mike wins over many people with his acoustic performance and this tour has proved again how many Alarm fans there are out there who have still not switched on to alarm.com. As a result of all the fliers from the MPO Army out there (thanks people!) the MPO office is being inundated with emails, calls and postcard applications to join up for all things Mike Peters and The Alarm. Most of the Quo shows are sold out!

It was not an easy start for Mike however. The pick up in Mike's J200 broke down as Mike tried to sound check and so Status Quo kindly lent him a Washburn Acoustic. The next night, long time Alarm fan, Bev Nichols came to the rescue by bringing along a Takamine 6 string acoustic from home!! Here's a taste of the setlist which is winning the Quo fans over:

Coming Home
Where WYH
Breathe
Rain
Strength
D and D
68 Guns
45 RPM


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: Back In The USA

The Alarm marched into New York Town once again to kick off their
"Back In The USA" tour. To the delight of Alarm fanatics everywhere,
they've been making frequent visits to America of late. Riding high on the
strength of their brilliant new album "In The Poppy Fields", the dazzling
culmination of five self-produced independent releases over a five-month period. Having allowed their faithful fans to cast their own votes as to which songs would
be included on the record. Easily one of the most important bands to emerge on
the early Eighties New Wave scene, along with the likes of Big Country and U2,
The Alarm prospered. Unleashing a string of emotionally powerful and
commercially successful albums like "Declaration", "Strength" and "Eye
Of The Hurricane". A band of childhood friends first and foremost, their impact and
integrity was evident in such classics as "The Stand", "Sixty-Eight
Guns", "Spirit Of '76" and "Rain In The Summertime". Opening for giants such as
U2, Bob Dylan and even Pat Benatar, they were Alternative Rock years before the
phrase was ever coined. But with success came tragedy, leading up to singer Mike
Peters' surprise departure from the band. Incidentally, this announcement was
made onstage. As years passed, Mike resurfaced, first with the short-lived
Poets Of Justice, which featured his lovely wife Jules on the keyboard, then
as a solo performer. After almost a decade on his own, Peters resurrected The
Alarm. Enlisting some of the United Kingdom's most notorious musicians. To
read their credentials is to realize that The Alarm is nothing short of a
European super-group: Craig Adams on the bass guitar, hailing from such
legends as Sisters Of Mercy and The Mission U.K. James Stevenson of Generation
X, Gene Loves Jezebel and The Cult, on lead guitar, and rock-solid Steve Grantley
of Stiff Little Fingers on the drums. (Steve even spent a brief period with
The Clash right around the time of "Combat Rock"). With an absolute
bulldozer of a line-up intact, The Alarm has stormed into the new millennium
stronger than ever.

In fact, any bad blood between Mike and the original Alarm members
(Dave, Eddie and Twist) was recently set aside as they rocked the
house on VH1's Bands Reunited. But enough about the past! Let's get back
to the here and now. The Downtown in Farmingdale was the first stop on their
three-day trek through the big apple. It's become their Long Island stomping
ground. A fine room with excellent sound, The Downtown is always treated to a
special show. And this night was no disappointment. This was a leaner,
edgier Alarm set than usual. Showcasing many of the more recent tracks. Drawing from
the glam-heavy "Edward Henry Street" collection (Available on
Alarm.com) as well as their anthem-stocked back catalogue and the new album, this was a
band so tight that if you'd had placed a lump of coal on the stage it would have
turned into a diamond. A pleasant acoustic interlude made for a welcome
breather from the pulse-pounding set. A packed house of familiar faces sang along
loudly and proudly. After the show, the boys in the band returned to chat
with old friends, sign autographs and pose for pictures. Ever the gentlemen,
Mike, Craig, James and Steve, joined by indestructible tour manager Liam, invited
everybody to come down to the Knitting Factory for two more nights with the pride of
Wales. Nobody needed convincing. Talking to some of the regulars,you'd find
that people had flown in from as far as London, Scotland and beyond.
The first of two Knitting Factory nights was looser than The Downtown
set. A few technical difficulties made for some good laughs between band-mates.
This is a band that enjoys playing together so much that their energy
overflows onto the crowd. And you want to talk about energy? Let's move onto the next night. Whenever The Alarm does multiple nights in New York, the last one is
always spectacular. As a fan, you always know they're going to hit you
with something great. And this night was no different. After a spirited opening set
by Alarm friends Flu Shot Lottery (Great name!) which included a guest
appearance by Mike Peters on the Elvis Costello classic "Peace, Love And
Understanding" The Alarm hit the stage like a band possessed. Tearing through ninety
minutes of great rock 'n' roll, Mike seemed to knock the rest of the boys
for a loop with the spontaneous inclusion of "Up For Murder" a gem from the
band's earliest days. The cry of "Now let's go get drunk" signaled the
end of a brilliant three-day blast from a band whose story is so miraculous
that a movie is currently in the making based on their story.

Steven J. Messina

John Peel Tribute
The three-hour tribute which will be airing nationally at 9am - noon (pst)
on Saturday, and again on Monday (Nov 1st) from noon until 3p.m. (pst). You
can also hear it on-line at www.sirius.com, on channel 22, First Wave.

Guests include members of:

The Sex Pistols
Spandau Ballet
Duran Duran
Adam & The Ants
Bow Wow Wow
The Smiths
Kajagoogoo
The Alarm
A Flock Of Seagulls
Squeeze
The (English) Beat
ABC
Howard Jones
John Waite

Mike Peters will be interviewed by Steve Jones from The Sex Pistols on Friday Nov. 19th at 1:00 PM PST on Indie 103.1 in Lps Angeles. You can listen live here www.indie1031.fm.

Here are some of the comments from the beginning if the USA Tour...

I can't even begin to talk about the magic of tonight's gig....In my 21 years ~one of the best Alarm shows I have EVER seen.... I'll leave it at 3 words..."Up for Murder" It all went ballistic after that.............I am truly floored............Thanks to all of the NY fans for making this show what it was,,,,,,,I'm never at a loss for words but this was unreal.....Lily

Ditto Lily! I have no words.. one of the best shows of my life.. ever. Bruises and all!!! -Michele Vamp

One word for Saturday's show: Wowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww

The energy just kept building throughout the set and it didn't seem to matter what song was played. The early stuff was great, the new stuff was great. Up For Murder, freaking brilliant. And just when I started thinking "Are they not going to play 68 Guns?" they just absolutely crushed it with 600 or so delirious people singing their asses off along with Mike. I have never been more disappointed about a show ending. The feeling was "No, it can't be over yet. We have to have some more of this."

Anybody who was there will remember this show for a long, long time. Anyone who missed it, you can always hope that it gets sold as a CD. Just an absolute classic. Also, a great start to the tour. Each of the three shows was better than the last, though I can't imagine them doing a better show than Saturday. As much as I will always remember Nov. 10, 2003 as the show where I rediscovered The Alarm, I will also remember Nov. 13, 2004 as the best show I have ever seen. -NYC Tim

Great 3 gigs in NY. The knitting factory was treated to 2 different sets. Mike seemed to testing the band on the 2nd night by scrapping the set list that was written down and also by playing Up for Murder which the band didn't know. None the less they joined in admirably.-Andy Greenley

Jammin is a show built on a premise; a lot of comedians are frustrated musicians and a lot of musicians are frustrated comedians. Former jazz drummer and colourful bon viveur Rowland Rivron and his band attempt to prove that rock n roll is the new comedy. Each week Rowland, the host assembles a different five piece band, reaching new heights of pointless virtuosity in an attempt to prove said premise. Rowland drums & presents the show simultaneously ( thus explaining his panting & breathy presenting technique) joined by his backline, on keyboards Comedy Store regular Richard Vranch or the composer of "wonky donkey" Steve Brown & on bass Bootleg Beatle Dave Catlin Birch or stand up comic Mitch Benn.

To complete the band, we then add our two special guests, a comedian who can play and a musician who is comical. In this series we are delighted that John Otway, Tim Vine, Justin Hayward, Glenn Tilbrook and Rich Hall have all agreed to jam with the band.

The band rehearse for an afternoon a day before the show where they agree which familiar songs to take and turn into…something else. In this series Ethel Murman will re-interpret Beyonce's "Crazy in Love", the Krankies will appear to perform The White Stripes "Seven Nation Army" and John Otway will say "Tonight Rowland I'm going to be Bob Dylan, but a camp Dylan singing the gay anthem "I Will Survive".

The recording will take place at The Drill Hall, just off Tottenham Court Road on the 10th Dec. @ 8pm (doors open 7.45pm).

For free tickets please call now on 020 8576 1227.

Please note, the programme will be broadcast at a later date which we will notify you as soon as we hear via www.thealarm.com

Check out this story about the "Poppyfields Movie" here:
Read It!
See it!

The Alarm 2004 will be appearing at Tower Records on South Street, Philly at 7pm on Nov 16. You can catch Mike perform and then head over to the North Star for the full concert!

Billboard.com

A single/video stunt staged by the Alarm last year will serve as the premise of a forthcoming film to be made by the producer of "Shrek." The story is based around the veteran Welsh act's success with the single "45 RPM,"
released in February under the fictional name the Poppyfields and supported by a video featuring teenagers as the band.

The single netted a top 30 entry on the U.K. singles chart as well as worldwide media coverage when it was revealed
9767> it was the Alarm, which scored its biggest hits in the 1980s.

Alarm singer/guitarist Mike Peters tells Billboard.com that American writer Jim Cooper, a longtime fan of the band, followed the story and decided it would make a great film. After discussing his idea with Peters, Cooper took his pitch to John H. Williams, hooking the producer of "Shrek" and "Shrek 2"
with "45 RPM" in much the same way the Alarm did U.K. music fans with the Poppyfields.

"The film is going to be a fictionalized account of what went off," Peters says of the project, which is still in the early stages of development.
"It's got quite a good start. At the moment it starts off with the singer, who is sort of based on me, [who] lives in L.A. The glory days are long gone and he owns a bar."

At present, Peters says the story utilizes the death of the Clash's Joe Strummer as the impetus to reunite the band, "and instead of doing the old songs from the band, they say, 'Let's write a new one in tribute to Joe,'
and they write '45 RPM,' and off the story goes into mayhem and chaos."

With all of the principals involved wanting to base the film in the United Kingdom, "the idea is to make it a cross between 'Tootsie' and 'The Full Monty,'" Peters says with a hearty laugh.

Cooper will co-write the script with the film's director, Sara Sugarman, who was at the helm of last year's Lindsay Lohan hit "Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen." Coincidentally, the filmmaker and the musician grew up together in Rhyl, Wales, where they had competing punk bands -- Peters'
pre-Alarm act the Toilets and Sugarman's the Fractures, which was to be known as the Alarm until their singer suffered a broken arm.

"I only discovered that the other week," admits Peters, who was reminded of it while going through an old scrapbook with Sugarman. That collection of memories also inspired the pair to collaborate on another script based on their youthful pursuits.

Peters has no intention of starring in the film but "might have a walk-on part as the manager of the band or something like that. But we'd definitely like to be involved in the [soundtrack]. I think we'll either create an original soundtrack for the film or we'll use existing songs but pretend that they're by the band in the film."

Peters and the current lineup of the Alarm -- guitarist James Stevenson, bassist Craig Adams, drummer Steve Grantly and keyboardist Mark Taylor -- are currently on a brief U.S. tour that plays Farmingdale, N.Y., tonight (Nov. 11).

Here are the Alarm's tour dates:

Nov. 11: Farmingdale, N.Y. (Downtown)
Nov. 12-13: New York (Knitting Factory)
Nov. 15: Boston (Middle East)
Nov. 16: Philadelphia (Northstar)
Nov. 17: Baltimore (Ottobar)
Nov. 18: Chicago (Abbey Pub)
Nov. 19: Santa Ana, Calif. (Galaxy Theatre) Nov. 20: Los Angeles (Spaceland)
-- Barry A. Jeckell, N.Y.

November 9th, London, England, UK

The Alarm 2004 blitzed London with their stunning performance at the new Marquee in Leicester Square. Chasos ensued as scores of people turned out for the concert. Even the Queen of England was spotted outside! Mike and the band thrilled the crowd with the inclusion of a host of new song additions to the set as well as all the favourites.

The winner of the VH1 competition and his 5 guests enjoyed an incredible evening. The most unbelieveable thing about the competition is that the winner of the comp was.... you'll never guess.... David Sharp!!! We kid you not and he is no relation! Funny old world....!!!!

Right now, the guys are on a plane to New York City. The news of the Poppyfields movie story has caught fire across the world's media and Mike has a stream of interviews awaiting his arrival. More of this to follow later. In the meantime, feast your eyes on the following photographs, taken by Cowboymod... Check out Mike's jacket! Rock'n roll!!!

Setlist
FEDERAL MOTOR VOTER
DEESIDE
MERCENARY SKANK
RESCUE ME
RIGHT BACK WHERE I STARTED FROM
FEW AND FAR BETWEEN
TRAFFICKING
COMING HOME

ACOUSTIC SECTION
THE STAND
KNIFE EDGE
ABSOLUTE REALITY
BLAZE OF GLORY

THE UNEXPLAINED
DECLARATION/MARCHING ON
EDWARD HENRY STREET
WHEREAREWEGOINGANDWHATAREWEGOINGTODOWHENWEGETTHERE...........
WHERE WERE YOU HIDING.....?
UP DOWNTOWN
DRUNK AND DISORDERLY
CLOSE
68 GUNS
45RPM

ENCORE
ONE STEP CLOSER
SOLD ME DOWN THE RIVER
SPIRIT OF 76
IN THE POPPY

Daily Variety
11/10/04

Duo sounding Alarm for prank movie

Band prank produces pic

By Phil Gallo

A true life rock 'n' roll ruse in which a veteran punk band proved it could compete with the youngsters is heading for the bigscreen.
The Alarm, a Welsh punk outfit that was described as "the acoustic Clash"
when they emerged in 1983 with "68 Guns," found an intriguing way to return to the teen-dominated pop charts earlier this year. Billing themselves as the Poppyfields, they released a single, "45 RPM," and tapped Welsh band the Wayriders to lip-synch the song in a video. It debuted No. 28, becoming the Alarm's first top 30 hit since 1989.
Story caught the eye and ear of "Shrek" producer John H. Williams, who came up with the idea of adapting their story to portray the Alarm as a band that had split in the 1980s and reunited for a tribute gig to the late leader of the Clash, Joe Strummer. He has brought in Wales-born Sara Sugarman ("Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen") to direct and co-write. Low-budget pic will be shot in Wales.
"We are definitely filming in Rhyl (Wales)," Sugarman told the Welsh press.
"We got two offers to change it to an American story, and the whole team said we want to keep it as it is."
The Alarm's prank was quickly exposed after the song charted and media attention came in from around the globe, spurring further interest in the act. Even "CBS Evening News With Dan Rather" aired a segment on the ruse.
Band, which played "45 RPM" on "The Late Late Show With Craig Kilborn" in early summer, performed a sold-out show at London's Marquee Club on Monday and begins an eight-city tour of the U.S. in Farmingdale, N.Y., on Thursday.

The Alarm intend to provide music for the film, and the band is hoping for a cameo. Alarm leader Mike Peters, 44, who expects to be taking meetings around the time the band plays L.A. (Nov. 20 at Spaceland), has said he hopes fellow Welshman Rhys Ifans will be interested in the lead role.
London-based Snapper Music Group released the Alarm's "In the Poppyfields"
album in late April.

For Immediate Release
November 9th, 2004

Riding a Wave Of Resurgence With New Hit Singles, A National VH1 Contest, And A True-To-Life Motion Picture Developing

THE ALARM 2004 Return To America For Fall Tour Dates

As Reported Today In Wales, Producer John H. Williams (Shrek/Shrek 2) & Director Sara Sugarman (Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen) To Helm Film Telling Story Of How Mike Peters & His Band The Alarm Fooled The British Music Industry And Scored A Top Chart Hit

“deserves a place in the history books - as a caustic commentary on the youth-worshiping state of current rock-and-roll.” -Tom Moon, Philadelphia Inquirer

“Twenty years after [their first hit], group is back on the charts . . .
but nobody knew it” -Rolling Stone

It has certainly been an astounding year for Mike Peters, band leader of Welsh rockers THE ALARM 2004. The year began with Peters creating a ruse that trumped the music industry’s pre-occupation with youthful imaging and pulling off an amazing chart comeback by entering the UK top 30 for the first time since 1989 with the single “45RPM”. With an industry growing obsessed with young retro-punk outfits revisiting the sound that gave rise to The Alarm’s formation, the band took the unusual step of releasing their new hit single under the assumed band name The Poppyfields - complete with a video of 18-year old stand in musicians.
As impressive as the single’s initial radio and video reception was, that was quickly dwarfed by the broader media reaction to the Alarm’s subsequent unmasking. The story was quickly picked up by media outlets across the U.K., and then around the world.

Now, after a summer when Peters had to temporarily suspend touring due to the early arrival of his first child, THE ALARM 2004 are once again back in the news, with both a national VH1 contest that is flying winners to London to see the band, and even more impressive, with word breaking in Wales today that the story of the “45RPM” ruse will be used for a major motion picture - helmed by producer John H. Williams (Shrek/Shrek 2) and director Sara Sugarman (Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen). (see story links below).

In the midst of this news, THE ALARM 2004 are preparing to depart for America, for a string of Fall tour dates:
Date City Venue
11/11/04 FARMINGDALE, NY DOWNTOWN
11/12 & 11/13/04 NEW YORK, NY
THEKNITTINGFACTORY
11/15/04 BOSTON, MA THE
MIDDLE EAST
11/16/04 PHILADELPHIA, PA
NORTHSTAR
11/17/04 BALTIMORE, MD THE OTTOBAR
11/18/04 CHICAGO, IL THE ABBY
11/19/04 SANTA ANA, CA GALAXYTHEATRE
11/20/04 LOS ANGELES, CA SPACELAND

For more information on THE ALARM 2004, please contact John Reilly at 212.445.8440 / jreilly@rogersandcowan.com or Robert Sasso at 212.445.8424 rsasso@rogersandcowan.com Alarm Movie Reports From Wales:

http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/0200wales/tm_objectid=14851339&m

http://icnorthwales.icnetwork.co.uk/news/regionalnews/tm_objectid=148377

Please find to follow the 2 latest radio interviews to take place once Mike arrives in the USA. Thought it prudent to point out that a lot of these radio interviews have come about due to Alarm fans creating the possibility so keep the pressure on all of you out there! It is possible to make a difference! Happy Listening!

November 10th
WDHA
105.5
Jersey's Own Rock Station
8:00am (est)
Mike will be interviewed for one hour with competition winners in attendance.

Monday, November 15th, 7pm - 8pm
WFMU 91.1-( New York & New Jersey)
Mike Peters of The Alarm on the Glen Jones Show
Monday, November 15th, 7pm - 8pm
on Jonesville Station
Mike Peters of The Alarm joins Jonesey for conversation and an in-studio musical performance.

For worldwide live audio stream go to: http://www.wfmu.org/ssaudionet.shtml
Also thought you may find this interesting about the radio station itself. Very high accolades..

WFMU was named best radio station in the Country by Rolling Stone magazine four years in a row. It's also been called the best radio station in NYC or the U.S. by The Village Voice, New York Press, CMJ, and more. WFMU has been showcased in a New York Time Magazine feature article, and got high praise from The Wire, John Peel and Simpsons' creator Matt Groening.The station is non-commercial,independent & funded directly by the listeners.

Check out these links for stories about The Alarm MMIV's 45 RPM "scam" and the possible movie based on it.

NME
IC North Wales
Only Punjab

TINSELTOWN COMES TO RHYL
EXCLUSIVE JOANN RAE
Picture KERRY ROBERTS
HOLLYWOOD film director Sara Sugarman is planning to shoot a movie in her hometown of Rhyl.


In an exclusive interview, Los Angeles-based Sara, who is also a writer, revealed the plot of the film will be based on a real life event involving Rhyl´s most famous musical export, Mike Peters and The Alarm.

Sara broke the news to the Journal even before it make the pages of the world renowned Hollywood Reporter which is the film industry´s trade paper.
Sara said although work on The Poppyfields is in its early stages she is determined it will be shot on location in the town where she was brought up.
An independent film, it will be produced by John H Williams, who produced both of the animated blockbusters Shrek and Shrek 2.

It was Williams who first told Sara about the project in a bizarre twist of fate, not knowing that as a teenager she had played in a band that supported one of Peter´S early groups, The Toilets, on the local punk circuit.

Sara, whose previous film credits include Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen for Disney and Very Annie Mary which and starred Holywell born Jonathan Pryce, said: "It was such a big coincidence.
"When I was 14, I was in a band called The Fractures and we supported The Toilets, Mike´s first punk band, a couple of times.
"So there I was in Hollywood when the producer of Shrek, John Williams, rings up because he wants to talk to me about an idea for a film.
"He tells me that an American guy has written a story about a band, based on a true story and it all turns out it based on Mike Peters and The Alarm."

The Poppyfields was the assumed name Mike Peters and The Alarm went under when they released a new single, 45RPM, earlier in the year complete with a pop video featuring a group of teenagers.
The band wanted to make sure the single was judged fairly and it was only when it went into Top 30 that Peters came clean.

Not only did this story of quality in music trumping the industry´s obsession with image make headlines in the UK media, it was also picked up by American TV, newspapers and magazines.

Sara, who was in Rhyl visiting family last week, will direct The Poppyfields and co-write the script, with John Williams on board as producer.

Although the other writer and the producer are from the USA, Sara is keen to emphasis that it won´t be a typical American production.
"It is still a Brit film and they´ll want to do it on low budget. But it will be shot on location in Rhyl, I´m adamant about it. It´s going to be a proper film within the industry, it´s not going to be something that gets lost somewhere.

"I´ve had meetings about in London and things are just kicking off with it really. Hopefully this will kind of bring something different to the town.
"We are definitely filming in Rhyl. We got two offers to change it to an American story and all of us, the whole team - the other writer and the producer - said no, we want to keep it as it is.

*Read next week´s Journal for the rest of our exclusive interview with Sara.

This Sunday night at 9 PM on New York City's #1 Rock station, Q1043 (104.3 FM in NYC), it's "Out Of The Box", New York's #1 New Music Show, featuring the best in new music and local undiscovered artists, hosted by Jonathan Clarke. The complete playlist is always posted at q1043.com. To go directly to the "Out Of The Box" page, go to http://www.q1043.com/outofbox/

This Sunday, Mike Peters from The Alarm will join Jonathan on the show with your shots at winning the band’s latest CD and tickets to their shows at The Knitting Factory on 11/12 and 11/13.


The Complete 11/7/04 "Out Of The Box" Playlist:


Green Day-“Boulevard Of Broken Dreams”-Reprise


Matt Rocker-“’Ol Yeller”-Undiscovered NYC artist


Lonehawk-“You Always Do That”-Undiscovered NYC band


Talldays-“Be Somebody”-Undiscovered band from Cedar Grove


The Exies-“Ugly”-Virgin


The Killers-“Smile Like You Mean It”-from Music From The OC-WB


The Alarm-“Close”-Snapper Music


The Derek Trucks Band-“Joyful Noise”-Columbia


David Lindley-“When A Guy Gets Boobs”-davidlindley.com

MIKE PETERS ACOUSTIC CHRISTMAS TOUR

MPO is very proud to announce a special 3 day Acoustic Tour in the company of Mike Peters. As many of you will know, due to the extensive recent electric touring of the last few years, the solo Mike Peters' shows have been few and far between. Mike is very much looking forward to these 3 special shows which will give him the chance to revisit a huge wealth of songs acoustically in a relaxed Christmas environment. It is Mike's intention to perform a show of two halves with a break at half time where Mike will catch up with his audience for a chat and signing session.

E Mail Suggestion Box
Mike invites you, upon ordering your ticket, to make a suggestion of a Mike Peters/Alarm song that you would particularly like to be performed. Mike will then do his best to accommodate your selection within the framework of the evening's set list

FRI 17/12/04 THE POP FACTORY PORTH, RHONDDA
www.thepopfactory.com
THE POP FACTORY
Welsh Hills Works
Jenkin Street
Porth
Rhondda
CF39 9PP
Tel: 02920 230130/01443 688500

Tickets
UK £11.00 + £1 booking/ p and p
Europe £11 + £2 booking /p and p
USA/Rest of World $19 + $3 booking/ p and p
https://thealarm.safeserver.com/ec/store.asp?func=viewproduct&id=293
Buy Now!



MON 20/12/04 KING TUTS GLASGOW

www.kingtuts.co.uk
KING TUTS
272a St Vincent Street
Glasgow
Lanarkshire
G2 5RL
Enquiries: 0141 221 5279 221 5279
Tickets
UK £11.00 + £1 booking/ p and p
Europe £11 + £2 booking /p and p
USA/Rest of World $19 + $3 booking/ p and p
https://thealarm.safeserver.com/ec/store.asp?func=viewproduct&id=294
Buy Now!


TUES 21/12/04 BOARDWALK SHEFFIELD

www.theboardwalklive.co.uk
BOARDWALK
Snig Hill
Sheffield
S3 8NA
Tel: 0114 2799090
Tickets
UK £10.00 + £1 booking/ p and p
Europe £10 + £2 booking /p and p
USA/Rest of World $18 + $3 booking/ p and p
https://thealarm.safeserver.com/ec/store.asp?func=viewproduct&id=295
Buy Now!

Dave will actually be appearing on the station between 10pm & Midnight BST on Tuesday (26th), not 11pm to 1am as previously posted.
He'll be interviewed by The Midnight Ramblers, Ian Warburton and Steven Ross.

The station website is www.haltonfm.net (old site haltonfm.com is out of date).

Calls to speak to Dave live are still welcome on 0845 450 7879.

Full details are at www.davesharp.org and www.soulco.org
Apologies for the mess up.

Have you experienced The Power Of Soul?
www.soulco.org
www.davesharp.org

Uber Alarm Fan Andy Greenley sent in this news:

"From a new Monthly Music Magazine, Rip and Burn . A complimentary mention of 68 Guns and Spirit of 76 in their list of 'The 500 Greatest Brit Rock tracks '!

Mike Peters Support Tour: Status Quo Nov/Dec 2004
* The Alarm MMIV
(Please note that The Alarm MMIV will perform at Wembley Arena and Birmingham NEC Arena)

Following on from Mike's successful appearance with Status Quo in Delamere Forest this Summer, Mike has now been invited back to appear as Special Guest throughout the November and December UK Tour (see dates below)

href=http://www.statusquo.co.uk/wintertour04.htm

November
Saturday 27th Brighton Centre 0870 900 9100
Sunday 28th Norwich Uea 01603 508 050
Monday 29th Cambridge Corn Exchange 01223 357 851

December
Wednesday 1st Llandudno Theatre 01492 872 000
Thursday 2nd Llandudno Theatre 01492 872 000
Saturday 4th Wembley Arena 0870 739 0739 *
Sunday 5th Folkestone Leas Cliff Hall 01303 253 193
Tuesday 7th Plymouth Pavilions 01752 229 922
Wednesday 8th Bristol Colston Hall 0117 922 3686
Thursday 9th Bristol Colston Hall 0117 922 3686
Saturday 11th Liv Philharmonic Hall 01517093789
Sunday 12th Manchester Apollo 08704018000
Tuesday 14th Harrogate Int. Centre 01423 537 230
Wednesday 15th Scarborough Futurist Theatre 01723374500
Thursday 16th Blackpool Opera House 01253 292 029
Saturday 18th Birmingham NEC 08709094133 *
Sunday 19th Newcastle City Hall 0191 261 2606
Monday 20th Glasgow Clyde Auditorium 08700404000
Wednesday 22nd Aberdeen Exhibition Centre 01224620
Thursday 23rd Edinburgh Usher Hall 01312 281 155

Credit Cards Tel: 0870 400 0688
Online from: www.ticketmaster.co.uk
www.bigmouth.co.uk

The Alarm 2004 at the Galaxy in California

Please note that The Alarm 2004 appear at the Galaxy Theatre as follows
and not the Coach House as previously advertised.

Information as follows:

Friday November 19, 2004
Galaxy Theatre
3503 S Harbour Blvd
Santa Ana, CA 92704
714.957.0600
All ages
Door time: TBA
$20.00 adv and DOS
www.galaxytheatre.com


London Calling!
Thanks to everyone for continuing to be patient with the Marquee
tickets. Please be aware that MPO HQ are still awaiting the arrival
of the tickets and upon receipt of tickets, all orders will be
authorised and posted out to you (This will most likely be in
approximately 2 weeks time).

The information for the location of the Marquee is as follows:

It's going to be a great night!

Best wishes,

MPO team

8 November 2004
Marquee Club
1 Leicester Square
London
WC2H 7NA
Enquiries 0207 909 0000

Due to the volume of calls this week to the MPO office, please be
patient as your emails and calls will be returned. The phone lines are
red hot and it is very difficult for people to get through. We are
working around the clock to answer individual requests, process orders
and take orders for Marquee tickets. Over 300 tickets have been sold in
the first few days.

Thanks for your incredible support as always.

MPO Team

THE ALARM MMIV - MARQUEE CLUB - NOV 8TH - OVER 200 TICKETS SOLD ALREADY
Over 200 tickets have already been sold over the MPO phonelines since
going on sale this week. The Alarm MMIV play iin London at the Marquee
Club on November 8th . Tickets are £12.50 plus £1 booking fee. VH1 are
pleased to report that over 20,000 American Alarm fans have already
entered the competition to win 6 flights and tickets to travel to
London especially for the concert.

IN THE POPPY FIELDS LIVE - ON SALE NOW
In the Poppy Fields Live - new double Cds are available to order now
priced £20 plus £1 or £60 (inc pa nd p) for all 4 concerts...
Wolverhampton,. Liverpool, Pontypridd and Glasgow from the Spring tour
earlier this year.. please visit The Alarm Store for all further
pricing etc.
Read a great review of the DVD here.

DEAD MEN WALKING KICKS OFF
The Dead Men Walking tour has kicked off to a great start already.
The tour takes in many British towns including a quick trip to Italy
and finishes in Norwich on Sunday 24th October. All ticket and venue
info can be found at alarm.com

ALARMSTOCK 2 - THE COLLECTION
Alarmstock 2 - available to order now - please visit The Alarm Store
The 8 CD Alarmstock 2 Collection is Now Available
Priced £50 + £2 p and p
All Cds are in individual jewel cases with full colour artwork)

THE ALARM MMIV - BACK IN THE USA
The Alarm MMIV Back in the USA
Touring from November 11th to 20th 2004 from New York to Los Angeles
11th Nov 04 Downtown Farmingdale NY
12th Nov 04 Knitting Factory NYC NY
13th Nov 04 Knitting Factory NYC NY
15th Nov 04 Middle East Boston MA
16th Nov 04 North Star Philadelphia PA
17th Nov 04 Club Otto Baltimore MD
18th Nov 04 The Abbey Chicago IL
19th Nov 04 Coach House Capistrano CA
20th Nov 04 Spaceland LA CA

THE GATHERING
Please remember for all those still making enquiriies that The
Gathering is completely sold out. The waiting list is already over 200
so unfortunately, we cannot add any more to the list.

THE SCALA DVD/CD SET - THE ALARM MMIV
The new DVD and CD set The Alarm MMIV Live at the Scala, London on St
Davids Day March 1st 2004 is available to order now direct from The
Alarm store

MPO OFFICE
The MPO office is open for personal calls between 11am and 4pm Mon to
Thursdayday. Sometimes due to the volume of work behind the scenes the
MPO phone will switch to an answer service only. In this instance
please leave your name and daytime number, preferably a mobile, after
the tone and a member of MPO staff will return your call. Alternatively
you can always make contact via email mpo@alarmpo.demon,co,uk

The Alarm MMIV DVD -
Live in the Poppy Fields Recorded live
La Scala, London
St. David's Day, March 1st 2004
Out now

This fantastic CD and DVD set is out now and available in stores nationwide. For all those lucky people who attended the show on March 1st of this year, you also have the added bonus of name checking yourself on the rolling credits! The footage is amazing and really captures the magic of the St.David's celebration.
To order direct from MPO please visit The Alarm Store or call 01745
571571 (between 11am and 4pm Mon to Thurs)
UK £14.99 + £1 p and p
UK £14.99 + £2 p and p
USA $25 + $5 p and p
Buy Now!

Snapper will be releasing the "In The Poppyfields Live" DVD around the world within the next few weeks, and we at thealarm.com received a test-pressing disc this week and we are more than happy to tell you all about it!

The DVD was filmed at The Scala venue in London on March 1st 2004 in the midst of the "45 RM" news story that swept the UK and the world in late February. The band (Mike Peters, Steve Grantly, James Stevenson and Craig Adams) play like a band determined to prove they are one of the best bands in the world…and they succeed, several times over.

The film here is just about the best video of "The Alarm" ever released. The angles, color, and sharpness of the picture are simply astounding. A 5.1 surround-sound mix is included as well, making this the best SOUNDING Alarm DVD available as well.

If you are fan of The Alarm in 2004, and love to see the band live, this is just about the best DVD you could possibly get.

Watch here for more details in the coming weeks.

New Live Poppy Fields Tour CDs available to order now. Double CDs in
brand new double jewel case packaging:

Wolverhampton WULFRUN HALL 07.0 : Buy Now!
Liverpool A CADEY Buy Now! 08.02.04
PontyprIdd MUNI ARTS CENTRE 26. Buy Now!
Glasgow GARAGE Buy Now!

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

FULL SET : Buy Now!
UK price £60 + £0 p and p
Europe £60 + £2 p and p
USA/Rest of World $100 + $0 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

VH1 are excited to report that over 20,000 American Alarm fans have already entered the competition to attend a live concert by The Alarm MMIV in London at the Marquee Club on November 8th!

MPO have now secured tickets for the UK and European fanbase to be able to attend.

Tickets are £12.50 plus £1 booking fee and are available direct from the Alarm Store from Monday 20th September and via the MPO phone line from Monday 27th September.
Buy Now!

Don't miss this opportunity to attend this exciting moment in the ongoing history of Mike Peters and The Alarm MMIV


How to order
November 8th - The Marquee Club
The Alarm MMIV
UK £12.50 + £1 booking
Europe £12.50 + £2 booking
USA/Rest of World $23 + $3 booking

Just a note to let you know that the Alarmstock collections are being shipped this week. The 8 CD jewel case collection looks very inviting and will keep you more than occupied as the Autumn draws in!

Mike is looking forward to meeting up with you all over the next 6 weeks on the Dead Men Walking tour.

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

After some production delays, the debut album from The Soul Company is now available. The album is scheduled for an official release in November, however pre-release copies are available to Alarm fans via Townsend Records. 'The Power Of Soul' is Dave Sharp's first major release since 'Downtown America' and is already recieving great reviews. Dave & the Soul Co thank all Alarm fans who bought the album at 'Alarmstock 2' and says 'I'm very proud of The Power of Soul, I've given it all I've got on this one, give it a listen you will not be disappointed!!'

The Alarm on WFMU and how you can all make a difference…

Just a note to let you all know out there in the Alarm world that all your emailing and calling of radio stations/newspapers...does make a difference. Long time Alarm fan, Lily Elsayed, who originates from New Jersey has made contact with station WFMU to great effect... See below..


Great plug on the Glenn Jones show on WFMU today! I had sent him the album a while back & today he played (after a major intro.about the band & the album ) before & after playing his fave track on ITPF "The Rock n' Roll" and making it the shows official anthem after years of "Sandy" by Bruce Springsteen! If anyone is in the NY Metro area you know how cool Jonesie's Sunday show is. This is a great attention grabber for the potential of new fans!

Since they archive all the shows you can listen to it about 1 hour & 15 minutes into todays broadcast see www.wfmu.org. for downloads/real player.

Lily

So please keep on updating your local station, paper... in this interactive world we can all make a difference.

Watch out for any TV/radio coverage on Wednesday 8th September as Mike Peters will be stepping onto the pitch to perform prior to the Wales v N. Ireland Football match. Mike is no stranger to playing alongside the welsh squad as last September, Mike and wife, Jules accompanied the Welsh squad to Milan where Mike entertained the Welsh fans abroad and a few months ago, Mike performed at the Racecourse Ground in Wrexham for the Wales v Canada match. Mike will be performing acoustically in front of a sellout 70,000 capacity crowd!

8 CD set of All Sets From Alarmstock II (2004)

'Bands Reunited' Sweepstakes To London Launched By British Airways & VH1
Winner & Five Guests to 'Rock' in London
A sensational one-of-a-kind tour of London's musical landmarks and attending a live concert by 80s band The Alarm at the renown Marquee Club in London is the awesome grand prize for one lucky winner and five guests.

This "Bands Reunited" sweepstakes to top all is being launched today by British Airways and VH1 to celebrate the reuniting of many great UK bands of the past, such as The Alarm, that have been featured as part of the VH1 series, "Bands United." The sweepstakes, beginning September 1, will be promoted all across three VH1 screens: VH1, VH1 Classic and VH1.com.

One grand prize winner and five guests will receive roundtrip business class transportation aboard British Airways between the USA and London, five nights' accommodation for all at a centrally located four star London hotel, tickets to a special live concert by The Alarm at The Marquee Club and a VIP tour of London's historical music landmarks.

"Bands Reunited is VH1's top-rated dramatic reality series that tracks down favourite 80's bands that broke up and left us wanting more," said Elizabeth Weisser, Vice President Sales and Marketing, British Airways. "And since London is the mecca for rock musical classics and no one knows London better than British Airways, our BA/VH1 synergy will feature London at its musical best.

In the "Bands Reunited" series, VH1 host Aamer Haleem, based in Los Angeles, has been given the challenge of tracking down, corralling and convincing numerous 80's bands to give the world one more encore - actually a series of encores that will attract large numbers of viewers to the second season of "Bands Reunited" premiering throughout the week of September 6 featuring such bands as Haircut 100, New Kids On The Block, English Beat, ABC and The Motels.

Registration for the sweepstakes will be available on-line from Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2004, through Thursday, Sept. 30. One winner will be selected by mid-October, and the winner's six-day musical grand prize tour will be Nov. 6 through Nov. 13.

Registering to win the Bands Reunited sweepstakes is as easy as logging on to British Airways' website, http://www.ba.com or http://www.vh1.com/reunited

Enter Here!

All music lovers may also take advantage of British Airways' Rock 'n' Roll holiday tour which features a similar music tour of London, a ticket to either Mama Mia, the Lion King or We Will Rock, three nights accommodation and roundtrip air transportation - all for an incredibly low price starting at $499 from New York. Comparable prices are available from 18 other British Airways gateways in the USA. This holiday package is available for sale through Oct. 15 and valid for travel through Dec. 15, 2004


Additional information on registering for the Musical "Bands United" sweepstakes, the Rock 'n' Roll tour of London or British Airways flight schedules also is available by visiting ba.com. Travel agents may access additional information via www.batraveltrade.com

Dead Men Walking Tour UK and Europe starting this month.
DMW Includes:

Bruce Watson - Big Country
Slim Jim Phantom - Stray Cats
Kirk Brandon - Spear of Destiny
Mike Peters - The Alarm
Glen Matlock - Sex Pistols

DATE TOWN VENUE TIX / INFO NUMBERS
wed 22nd BRISTOL ACADAMY 0870 771 2000
thu 23 sep BASINGSTOKE THE ANVIL 01256 844244
fri 24 sep FELIXSTOWE THE SPA PAVIILON 01394 282126
sat 25 sep OFF OFF
sun 26 sep WOLVERHAMPTON ROBIN 2 01902 401211
mon 27 sep OFF OFF
tue 28 sep NOTTINGHAM RESCUE ROOMS 01159 588484
wed 29 sep DERBY THE ASSEMBLY ROOMS 01332 255800
thu 30h sep HUDDESFIELD TOWN HALL 01484 223200
fri 1 oct LIVERPOOL UNIVERSITY 0151 256 5555
sat 2 oct MANCHESTER UNIVERSITY 0161 832 1111
sun 3 oct OFF OFF
mon 4 oct LEEDS IRISH CENTRE 0113 2480887
tue 5 oct GRIMSBY AUDITORIUM 01472 311311
wed 6 oct MANSFIELD TOWN MILL** 01623 632451
thu 7 oct ITALY TBC
fri 8 oct ITALY TBC
sat 9 oct ITALY TBC
sun 10 oct ITALY TBC
mon 11 oct OFF OFF
tue 12 oct STOKE SUGARMILL 01782 206000
wed 13 oct EDINBURGH THE VENUE 0131 226 7010
thu 14 oct GLASGOW KING TUTS 0870 1690100
fri 15 oct BOLTON ALBERT HALLS 01204 334 400
sat 16 oct DARWIN LIBRARY 01254 706006
sun 17 oct HULL WELLY CLUB 01482 221113
mon 18 oct WARRINGTON PARR HALL 01925 442345
tue 19 oct OFF OFF
wed 20 oct HASTINGS WHITE ROCK 01424 462288
thu 21 oct FOLKESTONE LEAS CLIFF 01303 228600
fri 22 oct LONDON MEAN FIDDLER 0870 534 4444
sat 23 oct BURGESS HILL THE MARTLETTS 01444 242888
sun 24 oct NORWICH WATERFRONT 01603 508050
**with out Glen Matlock

Craig Adams interviewed by Uber Alarm Fanatic, Steve "The Waistcoat" Woodhouse:
Click Here

Alarmstock 2 was a resounding success! Alarm fans were treated to an incredible weekend of music from the extensive archives of Mike Peters as well as sterling performances from Bruce Watson, Dave Sharp and a surprise guest appearance from Billy Duffy and Craig Adams which resulted in an impromptu Coloursound set!

A full report of all the details to follow very soon!

Alarmstock is proving to be a unique ticket to Alarmworld. Don't miss Alarmstock 3!

Alarmstock : The Weekend Unveiled...

Alarmstock will be made up from the following sets punctuated by a
great selection of Mike Peters/Alarm movies - most of which have
never been seen before!

Once again, Alarm fans are travelling from all over the world for what
is becoming another intimate music marathon date in the Alarm calendar
- with Mike Peters and friends - not to be missed!

Expect the unexpected and a few surprises along the way!!!

The Alarm Bands Reunited [European Premiere]
The Alarm Make a Stand In The USA
The Story Of Coloursound
The Making Of Breathe
And more........

Set One: Love Is A Revolution
Set Two: Is A Working Man Born To Live And Then Die?
Set Three: A Door Opens As Another One Closes
Set Four: Rock And Roll International Part II
Set Five: Yesterday As If It Was Today
Set Six: From The Source Of The River To The Cities Start
Set Seven: Out Come The Flags And Banners Again
Set Eight: The Peace Train

The full Alarmstock weekend will be digitally recorded by Martin
Wilding and will be available as an 8 CD Collection to order from next
week.

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 ITINERARY
28th and 29th August 2004
SAT
Arrival 12 noon – 2pm @ NEWI Foyer
2 – 5.30pm Performances in Lecture Theatre (with intervals)
5.30- 7.30pm Dinner (in foyer)
7.30 pm Doors
8pm-11pm Performances in Foyer
Special Guest Bruce Watson

SUN
Arrival 12 noon – 2pm @ NEWI Foyer
2 – 5.30pm Performances in Lecture Theatre (with intervals)
5.30- 7.30pm Dinner (in foyer)
7.30 pm Doors
8pm-11pm Performances in Foyer
Special Guest Dave Sharp

Please note that the bar on Fri will not be open.

Food will be available on site (in foyer) during the day and evening. Menus will be available upon arrival.

Mike Peters and the MPO Team are very much looking forward to welcoming you to Wales. The Alarmstock Weekend is sold out (approx 175 people) and provides a very intimate audience with Mike Peters. This weekend is deliberately organized in stark contrast to the Gathering Electric weekend (which is already sold out for next year ) and we look forward to the Alarmstock Weekend continuing for years to come in the same tradition as it’s Sister Event, The Gathering which is now in its 13th year! (approx 1400 people).

Alarmstock 2 will be recorded in its entirety, (in the same way as last year) and the 8 CD collection will be available to pre-order at the Alarmstock weekend at a special one off discounted price. The Collections will be posted to Alarmstock attendees within 14 days.

If you have any questions before the weekend please call 01745 571571 between 11am and 4pm.

Safe trip and see you soon!

MPO team

Please note that the above information is approximate and may be subject to change

The Alarm On "Dream Ticket:Listen In The Archive

A recording of "68 Guns" was played Jane Gazzo's Dream Ticket BBC Radio 6 Music (Wed 18th) 22:00 (10:00pm) 'til midnight.
www.bbc.co.uk/6music .. Find your way to the Dream Ticket show page, and click on Wednesday 18th show, then you can listen to it for the next 7 days. The track 68 Guns was played about 15/20 minutes in to the programme.

Tonight the Dream Ticket are playing one track from the very fist session The Alarm did for the BBC, in the 'Do You Remember The First Time' feature.

The session was recorded on 13th Feb 1983 in Maida Vale Studio 4 for Kid
Jensen, and the show will be playing 68 Guns. They also recorded Unsafe Building, Up For Murder and We Are The Light that day. The producers will hope to play these tracks on another show.

href=http://www.bbc.co.uk/6music

Dave Sharp's Original Alarm Guitar On Ebay

Here is a unique opportunity to own an authentic piece of Alarm history -
one of Dave Sharp's original Alarm guitars has just been put up for sale on
E-bay.

The guitar was used by Dave from the formation of The Alarm through 'til
1986. It was used to record the bands first five singles, including "Unsafe
Building / Up For Murder," "Marching On, " "The Stand," "Where Were You
Hiding When the Storm Broke," and "The Chant." It was also used extensively
on the band's first album, "Declaration" and to record the tracks "Across
the Border," "Reason 41," and "Reason 36."

The guitar is a 1970s Epiphone Kalamazoo Custom Dreadnaught. The table has
been replaced with 1in matched flamed maple. This was done to improve its
sound qualities when used as an electric guitar. The original pine reverse
side has been replaced with a single-pieced mahogany back. Internal bracing
has also been replaced and strengthened. Ornate binding has been used
throughout. A new rosewood bridge was installed with a brass tail piece and
saddle to improve the ringing quality of the strings. Onboard electrics
consist of a 1980s PAF pick-up with spaces for personalised electronics. The
onboard electronics are not at this time wired up--some personalised
customisation will be required. There is a 1.5in surface crack at the jack
socket which has been repaired and restored by Dave Sharp's luthier at the
time, Mark Wilmott. The original machine heads were replaced with Schaller
machine heads. The original frets were replaced with Gibson "fat" frets.
Otherwise the headstock and neck are original.

www.davesharp.org can confirm that the guitar is authentic.

You can view the listing here:
eBay Listing

The auction ends on Saturday 28th August

Best of luck in the bidding.

Dave Sharp @ Alarmstock Sunday Night!!

See below, a set of great photos taken by Jersey Girl at the Alarm's show at The Coach House, San Juan Capstrano, June 29th, 2004.

Sat and Sun tickets available at £12 + £1 booking fee

Buy Saturday Night Ticket
Buy Sunday Night Ticket

Alarmstock is coming. The weekend ticket has now sold out. Special guest for the weekend is soon to be announced and we are sure you will find the news very exciting. Limited tickets for Saturday night and Sunday night on the 28th and 29th August 2004 are now available priced at £12.

The Alarm and Mike Peters Information Service Office is answered personally from Mon to Thurs for the month of August between 11am and 4pm.

Mike Peters played a fantatsic acoustic set at last weekend's Status Quo Concert at Delamere Forest. The Quo fans were extremely receptive and the office has been buzzing with calls and emails from Quo fans resdiscovering The Alarm.

If you require any further information or would like to become a member of the MPO, Alarm Information Service then please leave your name and daytime tel number slowly and clearly after the tone or you can email us at mpo@alarmpo.demon.co.uk

Thanks for being in touch.

Best wishes,


MPO team

New Photos Added from the past couple weeks. See Below. More coming the next few days.

A great time was had by all at the Guildford Festival. Young Dylan Peters experienced his first rock and roll show and charmed Janice Long as Mike performed Spirit of 76 acoustically!

The band played a great set of old faves and new PoppyFields songs and received a fantastic reception from the Guildford crowd. Down the front, a large assembly of Alarm fans did the MPO proud. Well done to Damian and Linda on bringing their superb Alarm flag!

Bob Harris featured 2 Alarm songs on his Radio 2 shows and introduced The Alarm MMIV on stage. Mike was also interviewed by Janice Long for Radio 2.

After the show, Mike signed countless autographs and caught up with Alarm fans old and new in the queue. Jules also brought Dylan along and introduced him to everyone. A great way to kickstart the tour... the Cardiff show was fast, packed and furious so have a great night in London tonight!

All the best,


MPO team

Dear All,

Hope you are all keeping well and looking forward to next week's Poppy Fields Tour in the UK. Just as a reminder, dates are as follows:

THE ALARM MMIV JUNE/JULY 2004
SAT 17 GUILDFORD FESTIVAL [With Simple Minds]
SUN 18 CARDIFF CLWB IFOR BACH Tel: 02920 232 199
MON 19LONDON UNDERWORLD Tel: 0207 482 1932
WED 21 BIRMINGHAM ACADEMY2 Tel: 0870 771 2000
THU 22 MANCHESTER LIFE CAFÉ Tel: 0161 833 3100
FRI 23 SHEFFIELD BOARDWALK Tel: 0114 279 9090
SAT 24 EDINBURGH THE VENUE
SUN 25 NEWCASTLE THE ARCHER
SAT 31 DELAMERE FOREST, CHESHIRE [Mike Peters Acoustic Special Guest to Status Quo]

GUILDFORD FESTIVAL
Mike and the boys will be taking the stage in Guildford on Saturday at 1.50pm. After the set, Mike will be signing records in the MVC Tent so please go over and give Mike your support.

EARLY SHOWS and the Wayriders
Please remember that the shows are early shows with TheWayriders supporting (from 45 RPM video) so don't leave it too late to arrive at the venue or you will miss out!

Any questions, queries, you know where to find us, working hard in Wales, serving Alarm fans from all over the world! :)

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

German Fan, Martin Flemming, who has attended many Gatherings in Wales
(next year returning with 10 German friends!) is organising an informal
mini German Gathering for like minded Alarm fans who are unable to
attend this year's Alarmstock. Please see details below. Please note
that Mike Peters will not be at the event in Germany - this is a
celebration of the music of Mike and The Alarm. Martin and the MPO hope
this will sow the seed for a future German 'Gathering'...

Date: August 21st 2004 in Bad Nauheim / Germany.
Bad Nauheim is very close to Frankfurt 40km to the Frankfurt Rhein-Main
Airport.

Foreign fans can contact Martin via eMail: alarm@thealarm.de!

BBQ and a celebration of the Music from Mike and The Alarm!

More Informations about the event:

Martin Flemming
Phone: 0049 - 177 - 711 05 96
Mail: alarm@thealarm.de

Tons of great new stuff today!

Photographer and Alarm fan, Steven J. Messina documented the recent New York visit. The photographs say it all... thanks to all you Americans for your brilliant support at the concerts. Mike and the band have had a fantastic time! Thanks too for all the amazing presents for Dylan - he is a very lucky boy to have all these Uncle and Aunties! Hopefully, the band will be back in America before too long!

Stage time for Soul Company at the H2004:Beached festival has been announced as 4.30pm (Saturday 17th July).

Following the recording the Power of Soul album, Mo Witham will be temporarily on assignment for the summer and guitar player Jim Holmes will be stepping in to play The Beach Party with Soul Co on the 17th.

Jim, who has already guested on the Power of Soul sessions with the band on Wigan Pier during the month of April, has been invited to fill in for Mo on all up-coming shows during his absence. Dave says 'Whilst Sir Mo is out of town we really could not be in better shape than to have Jim with us, he is new blood and one of the most talented guitar players I've worked with. He fell right in with us during the Power sessions and we all consider him to be an extremely valuable asset to the Co.'

A bio for Jim Holmes can be found here

Details of the H2004:Beached Festival can be found here.

For Soul Company & Dave Sharp news, visit www.soulco.org

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To see a video of The Alarm performing Absolute Reality at the Cornerstone 2004 Christian Music Festival, click here: http://easylink.playstream.com/g1network/2004/03theAlarm.rm

Steven Segal an Alarm fan…

American movie star, Steven Segal, was spotted buying his Alarm CD's at
the Merchandise Desk at this week's Capistrano show!

Here is a photo of Mike Peters, Jules Jones, and Dylan Peters: