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

To receive Soul Company news by e-mail, just send mail to subscribe@soulco.org

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:

Dear All,

It's been an interesting and exciting few weeks in Alarm World. Since Mike flew back prematurely from America, he has been enjoying his role as a father to baby Dylan (see pic attached). Dylan is already involved in the world of MPO and it looks likely that he will be taking control of the Junior Department of MPO before too long!

Alarm fans all over the country have been buying New Home New Life and enjoying the strong collection of songs that Mike put together especially for the occasion ...including Chance, The Cross and Get Down and Get With It. Lets just hope that the problems reported with the single do not damage our chances... Tomorrow, Saturday, is your last chance to buy the singles and help towards a chart position.

Tonight, Mike sets off for Glastonbury. Mike will be joined by Mick Jones (!) Glen Matlock and Hugh Cornwell so it should be an incredible night!

Tomorrow, Mike and the boys set off for USA to play 7 shows including an appearance on the Craig Kilborn show giving The Alarm name massive exposure.

Back from the USA and it's the Guildford Festival, alongside Simple Minds where The Alarm MMIV set will be recorded and aired on Radio 2's Bob Harris show! Guildford tips the guys into a short UK tour which will provide an excellent chance to have those 45 rpm and New Home New Life singles signed at the half time break!

Alarmstock beckons and Mike has already begun working on his themes for the weekend... it seems that new songs have already begun to sow their seeds for 2005...

Thanks for enjoying the journey with us. Exciting times beckon. As Mike himself said at the Gathering
"It's going to be a good year"...

Best wishes,

MPO Team

THE ALARM - NEW HOME NEW LIFE
Single Review by Mark Bayross

A resurgent Alarm have a not-half-bad new album in the shops (IN THE POPPYFIELDS) and this, the first single from it (not using an alias, crafty sods). And it's the the perfect choice for a single, comeback or not - epic U2 style stadium rock, a self-referencing optimistic theme, even some Hooky-style bass near the end.

The only disappointment is that it seems to be over too quickly, which is a compliment if ever I've heard one.

Hello Everyone,

Just to keep you all updated... the single has been selling really well in the first 2 days... we are reliably informed that we have a strong chance of another Top 40 position if sales continue in this manner for the rest of the week. Basically, every sale counts!

Here's a chance at a quick peek of the New Home New Life video...
view it here .

So, if you are planning to buy the record, please make sure you do so this week as some people who have phoned in to the office were planning to collect their cds next week. This won't help towards a chart position.

Another report has come in to suggest that some stores were experiencing difficulties processing the barcodes. Please check with the shop assistant when you make your purchase to check that the barcodes are being registered.

On a separate note, Mike, Jules and Dylan Peters would like to send their love and best wishes and thank everyone for the amazing cards, gifts, flowers and wonderful messages from all over the world. Dylan ap Michael has already been taken out by his grandparents to buy his first Alarm single and hence another Alarm collection has begun... :)

For those of you who have already collected your CDs and listened to the b sides, Mike is interested to know what you think and asks for you to email your reviews to mpo@alarmpo.demon.co.uk

Keep up the good work out there on the terraces!

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
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

Let's do it!!!

Our chance has finally come. It's been 13 years since fans of The Alarm have had the chance to see the name of their favorite band in the top-40 (15 years since it has actually happened), and to hear them played on Radio 1 on the Sunday countdown. "45 RPM" was just the set-up, but "New Home New Life" is the real thing.

ONLY YOU can make it happen!

"New Home New Life" is a soaring song about rebirth. The song itself, and the b-sides of all 3 singles tell a story of where the Alarm has been, and where it can go in the 21st Century. The b-sides are all covers: "Chance" by Big Country, "The Cross" by Prince, "Get Down And Get With It" by Slade, and "Better Scream" by Wah Heat. Each was chosen for specific reasons to accompany this single. You might have to read between the lines to get the full meaning, but that’s something you've always had to do with The Alarm (and one of many things that useless critics always miss).

This IS a new beginning, and you can show the world that The Alarm are back. Go out and buy all 3 singles in your local store. If you have to travel a few miles to find the records, then so be it! It will be worth it. Buy them tomorrow, then buy them Wednesday, and just for good measure, but them on Saturday! Buy one for your friends and tell them that this is the new track, from the hot new band, that will soon be crashing up the charts. Give one to your m(u)om, and show her what you've been obsessing about all these years. Heck, give one to the policeman down the street. He might like a gift just about now.

You've probably been an Alarm fan for a long time. You've endured the ups and downs, and you've always fought, in your mind, at the concerts, and maybe even on the street, to get some respect, whatever you could muster, for your favorite band. Now you have the chance to do something that will shock the carts, and maybe the world. Get The Alarm, our Alarm, into the charts once again.

If you live in the UK, go buy the single in the shops. The rest of the world can buy it here:

MPO Store

You webmaster, As Always,

Steve Fulton
stevefulton@thealarm.com

Dear MPO Member,

Thanks for all your recent support in making 45RPM a Top UK 30 hit. I
think you'll agree that a Number 28 was beyond all of our wildest
dreams! All of us have been able to challenge the status quo and make a
difference and prove that the music of Mike Peters and The Alarm really
does count in 2004!

We are now hoping that all of you who helped make this happen by
purchasing the 3 formats of 45 rpm will now head out to the shops next
Monday and purchase all 3 formats of New Home New Life. If you all (and
more of you) do this again, you will be able to achieve another Top 30
hit! The records are stocked in the stores in preparation for next
Monday so now the outcome is totally in your hands!

Many of you have already emailed us with your intention to purchase all
3 formats. If you haven't already contacted us, then please could you
take the trouble to email mpo@alarmpo.demon.co.uk letting us know of
your intention.

You have already proved what amazing fans you are so a big thank you
from Mike and the band and oursleves, the MPO Team. We look forward to
an exciting time for the rest of 2004... July dates in the UK and USA
including Glastonbury and Guildford, Alarmstock, Dead Men Walking and
more!

NEW HOME NEW LIFE – THE NEW SINGLE FROM THE ALARM MMIV
RELEASED IN THE UK ON JUNE 21ST

The second single taken from In the Poppy Fields album is released on
Monday June 21st with an amazing collection of unreleased b-sides…

CD1 contains an edited version of ‘New Home New Life’ plus a live
version of the Big Country classic, ‘Chance’. Recorded live at this
year’s Gathering, ‘Chance’ features Big Country’s very own Bruce Watson
on lead guitar and is a very emotional tribute to the late Stuart
Adamson. CD1 also contains a studio recording of the Prince song, ‘The
Cross’. Once performed live by The Alarm back in 1991 this new studio
recording of The Cross is the first time an ‘Alarm’ version of this song
has ever been released.

CD 2 comes with a studio recording of the Pete Wylie classic ‘Better
Scream’, one of Mike Peters favourite songs of all time and very
influential in the making of `1981’s ‘Unsafe Building’. Often performed
be Mike Peters during the acoustic section of early 80’s Alarm shows and
more recently with the Dead Men Walking. This is the first time an Alarm
version of this song has ever been released.

The Collector’s edition 7” Vinyl is coupled with a version of ‘Get Down
and Get With It’ recorded live at The Gathering 2004. Originally
performed by Slade in the seventies, ‘Get Down and Get With It’ has
featured during the encores of many recent shows throughout Europe, UK
and America and has been released in this form by popular demand.

To order your copies in advance please quote the following Snapper Music
Catalogue:

SMASCD061 The Alarm CD1 636551706124

SMASCD062 The Alarm CD2 636551706223

SMAS7063 The Alarm 7" single 636551706315

Alarm Information Service
MPO 21st Century Recording Label
P.O. Box 709, Prestatyn, Denbighshire,
LL19 9YR, Wales, UK
Tel 011 44 (0) 1745 571571
Fax 011 44 (0) 1745 571577
E Mail mpo@alarmpo.demon.co.uk
www.thealarm.com

Your chance to get 'New Home New Life' video on Kerrang TV!
To Vote for New Home New Life please text the following

KVIDEO2

to the number below

07940 320320

(From the USA try: +447940320320 )

New Home New Life is up against 2 other videos so every text counts. The
winning video will be added to K! TV playlist on June 9th

Texts are charged at your normal operator costs.

Many thanks for your assistance!
MPO Team
Alarm Information Service
MPO 21st Century Recording Label
P.O. Box 709, Prestatyn, Denbighshire,
LL19 9YR, Wales, UK
Tel 011 44 (0) 1745 571571
Fax 011 44 (0) 1745 571577
E Mail mpo@alarmpo.demon.co.uk
www.thealarm.com

MPO is pleased to announce the following USA electric band
dates:(Booking info etc to follow).

JUNE SUN 27 KEY CLUB, HOLLYWOOD, LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
JUNE MON 28 CRAIG KILBORN TV SHOW, HOLLYWOOD, LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
JUNE TUES 29 THE COACH HOUSE, SAN JUAN, CAPISTRANO, CALIFORNIA
JUNE WEDS 30 THE ABBEY, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS
JULY THURS 1 DOWNTOWN, FARMINGDALE, LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK
JULY FRI 2 THE KNITTING FACTORY, NEW YORK
JULY SAT 3 CORNERSTONE FESTIVAL, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS

2 more UK dates added in July!

24 July 2004The Archer Archbold Terrace Jesmond Newcastle upon Tyne
NE2 1DB, Telephone: 0191 281 3010
Venue Location:
http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?client=public&db=pc&addr1=&client
=pub lic&addr2=&advanced=&addr3=&pc=NE21DB&quicksearch=NE2+1DB&cidr_client=no
ne

25 July 2004 The Venue 15-21 Calton Road Edinburgh,
EH8 8DL, Enquiries: 0131 557 3073, Box Office: 0131 557 3073
Venue Location:
http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?client=public&db=pc&addr1=&client
=pub



Alarm Information Service
MPO 21st Century Recording Label
P.O. Box 709, Prestatyn, Denbighshire,
LL19 9YR, Wales, UK
Tel 011 44 (0) 1745 571571
Fax 011 44 (0) 1745 571577
E Mail mpo@alarmpo.demon.co.uk
www.thealarm.com

The Alarm – In the Poppyfields (Snapper Music)

Fresh from their amusingly successful exploits humiliating and exposing the prejudicial arrogance of the high and mighty music press with their recent Top 30 single posing as the Poppyfields, The Alarm return with a new album that seems to owe more than a little influentially to U2.

I’m proud to say that we weren’t fooled by the band’s recent spoof outing. In fact, take a look back in our archives, and you’ll see that we even said in the first paragraph something along the lines of “This sounds like The Alarm”!
I’m even more gratified to say that we showed little pomposity over this fact, and opted to give the single 9/10.
Anyway this is quite a “stadium filler” of an album, such is the grandeur of many of the tracks upon it. If you can get past the fact that the album’s opener, “Coming Home” features some guitar work that vaguely resembles Genesis’ “Invisible Touch”, you will be richly rewarded by some ultra fine melodies such as the fantastically dirty sounding “Trafficking”, the warmth of “Close”, the unashamedly ballsy single you already know “45RPM” and the standout tune – the record’s finale and title track “In the Poppyfields”, full of histrionic radiance.

The Alarm are back with a bang, and you’d be foolish to ignore them this time around. 8/10

45 RPM ringtone

According to feedback from various MPO members, 45 RPM can be located
at www.play.com for 99p for either the monophonic or polyphonic version
.....
MPO Team

Mike Peters appears as Special Guest to Status Quo on 31st July in
Delamere Forest, Cheshire ; renewing a connection with Status Quo that
was made when The Alarm and Status Quo played at Wembley Stadium with
Queen in 1986.

The premiere of the New Home New Life video shot by MTV2's Alex Coletti on Brooklyn Bridge, New York will be shown in the UK exclusively on GMTV in their morning Showbiz Wrap section.

New Home New Life is the new single by The Alarm MMIV and is released on June 21st in the UK with a vast array brilliant B-sides including an amazing version of Big Country's 'Chance' which was recorded at this years Gathering. Dedicated to the late Stuart Adamson 'Chance' also features Big Country's very own Bruce Watson on guitar.

The Alarm MMIV appear on the BBC Radio 2 Stage on Saturday 17 July at GuilFest 2004. Tickets are now on sale on 01483 454159 and www.guilfest.co.uk.

The second single taken from the In The Poppy Fields album is released
on Monday June 21st with an amazing collection of b-sides.

CD1 contains an edited version of 'New Home New Life' plus a live
version of the Big Country song 'Chance'. Recorded live at this years
Gathering 'Chance' features Big Country's very own Bruce Watson on lead
guitar and is a very emotional tribute to the late Stuart Adamson. CD1
also contains a studio recording of the Prince song 'The Cross'. Once
performed live by The Alarm back in 1991 this new studio recording of
'The Cross' is the first time an 'Alarm' version of this song has ever
been released.

CD2 comes with a studio recording of the Pete Wylie classic 'Better
Scream'. One of Mike Peters favourite songs of all time and so
influential in the making of 1981's 'Unsafe Building'. Often performed
by Mike Peters during the acoustic section of early 80's Alarm shows and
more recently with the Dead Men Walking, this is the first time an
'Alarm' version of this song has ever been released.

The Collectors Edition 7" Vinyl is coupled with a version of 'Get Down
And Get With It' recorded live at The Gathering 2004. Originally
performed by Slade in the seventies, 'Get Down And Get With It' has
featured during the encores of many recent shows throughout Europe, UK
and America and has been released in this form by popular demand.

SMASCD061 The Alarm CD1 636551706124

SMASCD062 The Alarm CD2 636551706223

SMAS7063 The Alarm 7” single 636551706315

Baby Dylan ap Michael Peters' arrival makes Peters a first time father
at 45.

Mike was on tour in the US promoting the band's latest album when his
wife Jules rang to say she was going into labour, 8 weeks early !!!

Doctors at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd in Bodelwyddan managed to stabilise Jules'
condition and she eventually gave birth to the 5lb 8oz boy on 1 May.

It has been a good year so far for Peters - one of UK's top figures in
the music industry.

In February The Alarm MMIV celebrated a return to the singles charts
after a 15 year absence with the hit 45RPM, taken from the new album
produced by Steve Brown (The Cult, Manic Street Preachers, George
Michael etc..).

In February too the star was honoured with a lifetime achievement award
at the Welsh Music Awards.

In March Mike came eleventh in a Welsh Assembly Government-backed poll
of the top 100 Welsh heroes.

In April "in the poppy fields" the new studio album stormed the UK
independent chart's top 10.

On June 21st the band are releasing their latest single - aptly titled
New Home New Life (which tied in with a fan poll on www.thealarm.com) -
accompanied by a video shot on the Brooklyn Bridge in New York by MTV
Vice President Alex Coletti:

SMASCD061 The Alarm CD1 636551706124

SMASCD062 The Alarm CD2 636551706223

SMAS7063 The Alarm 7" single 636551706315

June 25th will see Mike play an acoustic performance at the Glastonbury
Festival.

The Alarm MMIV fly back out the USA on June 28th for a live performance
on the massive Coast to coast hit talk show "THE CRAIG KILBORN SHOW"
which airs the same night, as well as playing a number of live shows to
support the new album in LA, NYC, CHICAGO and the Cornerstone Festival.

On 31st JulyMike Peters appears as Special Guest to Status Quo in
Delamere Forest, Cheshire ; renewing a connection with Status Quo that
was made when The Alarm and Status Quo played at Wembley Stadium with
Queen in 1986.

The Alarm's UK tour dates, cancelled because of the arrival of baby
Dylan, have now been rescheduled for July and include a performance at
the Guildford Festival:

THE ALARMMMIV
JULY 2004
SAT 17 GUILDFORD FESTIVAL
SUN 18 CARDIFF CLWB IFOR BACH**
MON 19LONDON UNDERWORLD**
WED 21BIRMINGHAM ACADEMY 2**
THU 22MANCHESTER LIFE CAFÉ**
FRI 23 SHEFFIELD BOARDWALK**
SAT 24 EDINBURGH THE VENUE*
SUN 25NEWCASTLE THE ARCHER*
SAT 31 DELAMERE FOREST, CHESHIRE: Mike Peters Acoustic/ Special Guest to
Status Quo

* NEW DATES
**RESCHEDULED FROM APRIL

The MPO office is open Mon to Fri and available to receive calls between
11am and 3pm on +44 (0) 1745 571571. You can also email
mpo@alarmpo.demon.co.uk Due to the ever increasing flow of phonecalls
and emails, you will always receive a reply but this may take up to 5
days so please be patient.



Alarm Information Service
MPO 21st Century Recording Label
P.O. Box 709, Prestatyn, Denbighshire,
LL19 9YR, Wales, UK
Tel 011 44 (0) 1745 571571
Fax 011 44 (0) 1745 571577
E Mail mpo@alarmpo.demon.co.uk
www.thealarm.com

Please note that due to the incredible demand for Gatheirng tickets, the
processing and posting of tickets is taking longer than expected. Many
tickets have already been posted - the second batch of tickets are being
posted out steadily every day and should all be out with you by the end
of May. So please don't worry if you ordered some time ago and still
have not received anything to date. There are now very few tickets
available and again, MPO is delighted at the speed at which tickets have
sold for next year's event. The Gathering ticket is the hottest ticket
of the year for Alarm fans worldwide so please if you are intending upon
making the trip to beautiful North Wales, don't leave it too late.
Remember, if you are travelling from abroad or comimn to the Gathering
for the first time, we are always happy to help. We have a travel
co-ordinator who can help you with your travel arrangements.

Last but not least, your Gathering Aftershow passes are not included
with your tickets. These will be sent out closer to the event in January
as last year many people mislaid their aftershow tickets.

Best wishes,

MPO Team



Alarm Information Service
MPO 21st Century Recording Label
P.O. Box 709, Prestatyn, Denbighshire,
LL19 9YR, Wales, UK
Tel 011 44 (0) 1745 571571
Fax 011 44 (0) 1745 571577
E Mail mpo@alarmpo.demon.co.uk
www.thealarm.com

Here is a great story about Mike, Jules, and Dylan Peters:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/3696573.stm

Dylan ap Michael Peters was born on Saturday May 1st at 2:11 am wighing
5lb 8oz at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd, Bodelwyddan, North Wales. Dylan arrived
4.5 weeks early and mother and son are both healthy and well. Jules and
Dylan will remain in hospital for at least another week, under special
care. Thanks for all your support over the last 2 difficult weeks.

Mike Peters At Glastonbury

It is with great pleasure that we announce the appearance of Mike
Peters at this year's Glastonbury Festival! Mike will be performing a
rare acoustic slot on the Friday night of the Festival in the Left WIng
Tent. Rumour suggests that there will be 2 other acoustic performers
appearing alongside Mike, one possibly being Hugh Cornwell. The evening
is presented as the Virtual Festival Strummerville Sessions.

Baby News

Mike Peters has called and told me that his wife Jules and the baby are fine. The baby has not decided to "arrive" yet, but all signals poit towards a birth early next week.

MORE ALARM AIRPLAY

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, 5/2/04, Joe Satriani will join me live in the studio, and
play too! Joe's got a new album Is There Love In Space? He'll play
some songs from the new album and give away autographed copies too.

The Complete 5/2/04 "Out Of The Box" Playlist:
Jesse Malin-"Swingin Man"-Artemis
Gene Simmons-"Firestarter"-Sanctuary
Morrissey-"Irish Blood English Heart"-Attack/Sanctuary
Ryan Adams-"Wonderwall"-Lost Highway
The Alarm-"Close"-Snapper
Seeking Homer-"Anam Cara"-Undiscovered local band from Hoboken
Fiz-"Right Where You Are"-Undiscovered local band from L.I. And NYC
Chomsky-"Animal"-Aezra
Joe Satriani-"Up In Flames", "Hands In The Air", and "Lifestyle"-Epic
>

In his most extensive interview for many years, Soul Co lead singer and
guitarist Dave Sharp recently spoke to www.soulco.org.

In a lengthy and extremely frank interview, we spoke about the Soul Company
project, it's beginnings in New Orleans in the mid 90s through the
relocation to the UK and the compilation of the final band line up. We also
spoke about Dave's brief membership of Stiff Little Fingers, his time as
resident artist at the Kerry Irish Pub and the setting up of Evenfield
Studios, finishing with the re-union of the Alarm for VH-1 Bands Re-united.

You can read the interview at http://www.soulco.org/interview.asp

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

Those of you who follow Dave's former band mate Mike Peters will have read
that this is currently an extremely difficult time for Mike and his wife
Jules.

Dave and the Soul Co have sent this message:
Best wishes to Jules and Mike from the Soul Company - We're holdin' on for
you both.

All of us at www.soulco.org would like to re-iterate this, our thoughts are
with Mike, Jules and the baby.

-

The Alarm 2004 tour continues with news of the rescheduled 'UK Album Launch' dates and also 'hot off the press', a special guest appearance with Simple Minds at 'Guilfest 2004', Guildford, England on Saturday July 17th.

Tour tickets can be purchased via www.thealarm.com or by calling 01745 571571 (Nb. Original tickets are valid for all the new dates).

More details and ticket information about 'Guilfest 2004' will be posted as soon as we have it.

The new album 'In The Poppy Fields' has been receiving rave reviews and is selling extremely well throughout record stores in the United Kingdom.

On a more personal note, Mike and Jules would like to thank everyone for their kind thoughts and messages of support during what is proving to be a very trying time for both of them. Baby Peters has still not arrived although all is so far, safe and well. Jules is currently under 'special care' at the hospital and Mike is staying close by her side throughout.

Love and life

MPO Team

JULY 2004

SAT 17 GUILDFORD GUILDFORD FESTIVAL
SUN 18 CARDIFF CLWB IFOR BACH Tickets £14 + £1.50 booking fee On sale now
MON 19 LONDON UNDERWORLD Tickets £12 + £1.50 booking fee On sale now
WED 21 BIRMINGHAM ACADEMY 2 Awaiting tickets
THU 22 MANCHESTER LIFE CAFÉ Tickets £13 + £1.50 booking fee On sale now
FRI 23 SHEFFIELD BOARDWALK Tickets £12.50 + £1.50 booking fee On sale now

Manchester Music	"a vibrant collection of rock songs, possessing an energy, that's missing from many new records"
MusicOMH.com	"Twelve anthemic rock songs, a good nine of which most bands would struggle to beat with a lifetime of trying."

Check ou this new Mike Peters Video Interview recorded during the recent USA tour.

Leeds Music Scene	"In its way, The Poppy Fields is a triumph"
Manchester Online	: "...Whatever reservations you may have about them are often blown away by their ability to, erm, kick ass."
Get Ready To Rock	"Good to see another band back on form"
BBC Wales	"The Alarm are back on form, harking back to their golden days yet feeling fresher than ever"
Designer Magazine	"The Alarm may have produced the best album of their long and illustrious career"
Rock-City-UK.com	"There’s passion on the record that was present when they were top of their game in the 80’s"
thisisull.com	"In The Poppyfields is my favourite album of all time"
Logo Magazine	"45 R.P.M.’. That single made us listen properly, and it was worth it."

After a few weeks of confusion, we have discovered that the USA release of the new "In The Poppy Fields" album by The Alarm will be today, April 20th. Get out there and buy it!!!

Album
The "In The Poppy Fields" album is out today in the UK and Europe! Go buy it.

A Message From The MPO

Thanks for everybody's message of support for Jules and Mike. There is still no news except to say that Jules has been admitted into hospital under special observation with the expected premature arrival of baby Peters possible at anytime. Mike is having to keep round the clock vigil and consequently all the British shows planned for this week have had to be cancelled.

It is a momentous week all round and who would have thought this would have happened in the same week the album is released tomorrow. All the tour dates will be rescheduled and we thank you for your patience and understanding in this matter. Details will be posted as soon as we have them.

We will continue to keep you informed as soon as news becomes available.

In the meantime we all hope you enjoy the album.

Love and life,

MPO Team

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

It looks like the management of the Psychedelic Furs simply did not
get into the "spirit" of the "Alarm Karaoke" idea of James, Craig,
and Steve, and they have nixed their idea and performances for all
thre Texas shows. For all those who planned to go, we're sorry
about this. We have no control over it.

In what was one of the most eventful days I can recall in The Alarm world, Mike Peters called this morning with news that his wife was going into labor, and he would be returning to Wales to be by her side. He told me the shows would be cancelled, and asked for all Alarm fans to keep his wife and the baby in their thoughts ans prayers because the baby's actual due-date in 7 weeks away. After that, word came in that the rest of the band; Craig, James, and Steve, would still play the last 3 Texas shows, and invite fans and friends alike to come onstage and sing along.

You will be able to read all about these events below, but one thing must be said first. This site, and news from the MPO will be slow over the next few days because of these events. Please be patient with us as we will get as much information to you as possible.

Now, the news:

There is a very good chance The Alarm will be on the "Malibu Sue" show on Island 94.3 FM toay bewteen the hours of 12:00 and 2:00 PM EST. You can listen online here:
http://www.island943.com/home.php.

MPO is delighted to announce the following news - thanks to everyone for emailing VH1 with their thoughts. We believe that VH1 were always intending to show The Alarm episode - the delay was more to do with clearances. As soon as we hear more, we'll let you know asap!

Bands Reunited - The Alarm - A Message from VH1/MTV in the UK/Europe:

"Good news! We are planning on showing Bands Reunited - The Alarm in the near future.

We'll keep you posted as soon as we get a time and date through."

Billboard.com has just run a story about the upcoming "In The Poppy Fields" album. You can read it here: http://www.billboard.com/bb/daily/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000479767

Buffalo and Boston
The cancelled Buffalo show has been rescheduled for April 4th and
Boston has been rescheduled for April 11th. All wristbands from
previous shows qualify for free entrance. There is no confirmation of a
rescheduled Baltimore show at this time due to availability and
scheduling.

Mike Peters fit and well
Mike Peters has completely recovered his voice and he, James, Steve and
Ado are on top form. Thanks again for all the excellent emails and
reports from you all which really helps to keep us up to date with the
tour here in Wales.

Vote For The Next Single
Let your voice be heard! Vote for the next single from the In The Poppy Fields album by going to http://www.inthepoppyfields.com

MPO very busy
MPO is extremely busy so please persevere if you are experiencing
difficulties getting through on the phoneline.

Gathering tickets
Gathering tickets are being authorised and posted out at the moment.
You will receive a letter explaining that for safety reasons your Sat
night after show 'meet and greet' pass will be posted to you in
December. This is because last year, there were a large amount of
people who had mislaid or lost their tickets. Over 900 tickets have now
been sold.

April UK Tour tickets
All tickets are now on sale for Cardiff, Manchester, London and
Sheffield. We are still awaiting tickets for Birmingham. Please note
that both Birmingham and London are early shows.
Buy tickets I nthe MPO store: Here

In the Poppy Fields - out on April 19th
The eagerly awaited new album is out on April 19th. A postcard will be
posted to all MPO members shortly detailing the catalogue numbers and
formats available.

Thanks for all your great phone calls and e mails. Great to see the
Alarm community thriving so well!

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

Buffalo: Sunday April 4
Bostom: Sunday April 11

This just arrived from Brian Geiger, producer of Fox-8 Morning News In Celeveland, Ohio:

" I am a producer for Fox8 News In the Morning in Cleveland, OH. After some work, we were able to book The Alarm to come and perform on our morning show on Monday, April 5th. Liam, their road manager just called us this morning to confirm, and says the band is excited to do it. They will play during the 7-9am hours (which will include a brief interview before a final number). Obviously we are not a national show, but we are the number one local newscast in Cleveland. Our show is carried on some satellite companies, so if you have a dish, you may be able to get it! It's a great opportunity for the guys to get some promotion before the Cleveland show that evening. As a long time Alarm fan, I am stoked!!!! All these years in TV have finally paid off!!!"

Good work Brian!!

MPO Is happy to report that Mike's voice is almost back to normal after
making a fantastic recovery over the weekend. Only one show had to be
cancelled in Buffalo and apologies to all concerned who turned up at
the show. The Buffalo and Boston shows will be rescheduled and we will
announce the new dates asap.

Thanks to all of you who have sent amazing emails of support to Mike.
This has been very much appreciated and has definitely helped Mike's
recovery.

There have also been a couple of changes to the USA Tourdates recently
so please check the itinerary carefully.

Happy Touring!

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 Soul Company would like to thank everybody who pre-ordered the "Live 1"
album for their patience and would like to bring you all up to date with
what's been happening with this much delayed project.

Originally Soul Co were planning on releasing Live 1 as a limited edition
CDR for fans alone, to be followed by a four track studio EP for fans and
promotional use. However on beginning mixing of Live 1, they realised that
the recording was of better quality than they had ever imagined. They
therefore decided to combine 'Live 1' and the proposed EP into a single
project.

The live recording from The Gathering in Llandudno has been enhanced with
the addition of new studio recordings. The base of the recording is still the Gathering
show, but the album will now feature added keyboards and additional backing
vocals.

The recording and mixing has now been completed. Mastering of the recordings
is scheduled for next Tuesday so the discs should be in manufacture by the
end of next week. We'll let you know as soon as we have a date when they'll be back and ready for dispatch.

Thanks again for your patience.

If you haven't already done so, you can order the album by from the Store
link at http://www.soulco.org for immediate dispatch on release.

Are you ready for The Power Of Soul?

www.soulco.org

3/26/2004

It was, pardon the pun, a rather alarming publicity stunt. But it worked.
Mike Peters, founder of Welsh heart-on-sleeve rockers the Alarm, thought it'd be a hoot to release a new Alarm single under a different band name. Peters shipped "45
RPM," a classic rocker in that band's patented style, all chiming guitars and populist sing-along choruses, to British radio stations in a plain white wrapper, with the moniker of a fictitious band of youngsters, "the Poppyfields," scrawled on it. A few British DJs bit; they started spinning the "hot new group," and soon, listener demand urged "45 RPM" into regular rotation. Peters then gathered a group of barely post-teens to lip-synch to the song for a video; it too became a hit.

By the time the tune hit No. 28 on the British charts, Peters had revealed the ruse, much to the embarrassment of British rock radio.

The success of Peters' stunt is telling, for it's no secret that "modern rock" radio - in this country, and most others - will not play a new track from an old band. In fact, "classic rock" radio won't play new songs from old bands either; they simply spin said
band's hits ad infinitum, whether that band has new material or not. In effect, groups that stick around for a long time, weather trends, and produce new material, have little chance of getting it played on the radio at all.

Peters knew this all too well.

"We knew if we'd taken ("45 RPM') to rock radio as an Alarm record, they wouldn't have played it," he told the Philadelphia Inquirer last week. "But what mattered the
most to us was that, before people figured it out, before the story became how we'd duped the British record industry, people got behind the song on its merits."

Though it's certainly nice to see the industry get duped once in a while - and even nicer to see its prejudices so clearly pointed out - Peters makes the proper point;
what has always sold the Alarm is the rabble-rousing strength of its anthemic songs. From 1983's "The Stand," through later hits like "Strength," "Rain in the Summertime," "A New South Wales" and "Sold Me Down the River," and over the course of world tours with the likes of U2 and Bob Dylan, Peters and the Alarm brought an idealist's worldview and a romantic's unfettered optimism to an audience stuck in the
wastelands of the "me decade." The band's name has become synonymous
with fire, passion and intensity in performance.

When the band plays the Continental on Saturday at 8 p.m., expect to hear punk-informed classics like "68 Guns" and "Where Were You Hiding When the Storm Broke?," butted up against material from the forthcoming "In the Poppyfields" collection - including, of course, the now-infamous "45 RPM."

Don't expect a staid and steady oldies act, though; according to a review of a March 1 gig in London, this version of the band - which features, in addition to Peters, former members of the Cult, Sisters of Mercy and Stiff Little Fingers - gave older material
"a new lease on life, as theguitars came out in full force and Peters bounded around the stage like a man half his age."

http://www.buffalonews.com/editorial/20040326/2050703.asp

It is with sadness that we have to report that Mike Peters has been
taken ill on the USA tour. Unfortunately, this means that the show in
Buffalo tonight has been cancelled. As most of you know, Mike has
hardly ever cancelled a show in his life but after taking to the stage
last night in Boston and bravely attempting to perform, after 6 songs
it was apparent that he was unable to continue. The Boston fans were
incredibly supportive and very moved at Mike and the band's attempts to
make sure that the show went on. We are happy to report that the show
has already been rescheduled for April 11th.

We would like to thank you for the very moving messages of support
emailed to Mike already which are spurring on Mike's recovery. With
some rest and recuperation today and tomorrow, we all hope and pray
that Mike will be back on his feet again soon. For those of you
planning to attend the tour over the next few days, please stay in
touch with the website for latest updates.

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

03/23/04 WASHINGTON, D.C. HARD ROCK

03/24/04 PHILADELPHIA, PA HARD ROCK

3/25/04 BALTIMORE, MD HARD ROCK

03/26/04 BOSTON, MA HARD ROCK

03/27/04 EAST AMHERST, NY THE CONTINENTAL

03/28/04 ATLANTIC CITY, NJ HARD ROCK

03/30/04 MT. CLEMENS, MI EMERALD THEATRE*

04/01/04 GIRARD. OHIO THE DOME CONCERT CLUB

04-02 CAMP HILL, GULLIFTYS

04/03/04 SPRINGFIELD, VA JAXX

04/05/04 CLEVELAND, OHIO PIRATES COVE

04/07/04 ORANGE, CT CORNER POCKET CAFÉ

04/08/04 NEW YORK, NY SPIRIT*

04/09/04 FARMINGDALE, NY THE DOWNTOWN*

4/10/04 SARYVILLE, NEW JERSEY STARLAND BALLROOM

4-12 NASHVILLE, TN ORANGE PEEL*

4-13 ATLANTA, GA THE ROXY *

4-14 NEW ORLEANS, HOUSE OF BLUES *

4-15 DALLAS, TEXAS GYPSY TEA ROOM *

4-16 AUSTIN, TEXAS LA ZONA ROSA *

4-17 HOUSTON, TEXAS VIRIZON WIRELESS THEATRE *


*WITH THE PSYCHEDELIC FURS

Dave is playing the show in support of The Deportees Club, which is new
monthly club night set up to bring the best in American, Folk, Acoustic
blues and Country and Roots music to Wellingborough. It will be the ONLY
solo show Dave plays for a while, as he is currently concentrating on the
Soul Company.

The Deportees Club is held at Wellingborough's Castle Theatre, a 100 seater
converted market hall. Check out the website for further info:
target='_blank'>www.thedeporteesclub.co.uk

Support for the evening will be Dan Britton, a Leicester based musician
whose new album 'Journey to Love' was recently released on A New Day
Records.

Further details at target='_blank'>www.davesharp.org

To receive Dave Sharp & Soul Company news by e-mail, send blank mail to href='mailto:subscribe@soulco.org'>subscribe@soulco.org

Mike and the band return from Dallas for a cluster of UK Tour dates...

IN THE POPPY FIELDS UK TOUR MAY 2004

MON 19 CARDIFF CLWB IFOR BACH
WED 21 LONDON UNDERWORLD
THU 22 MANCHESTER LIFE CAFÉ
SAT 24 BIRMINGHAM ACADEMY 2
SUN 25 SHEFFIELD BOARDWALK

At present, MPO can accept ticket orders for Cardiff £14 + booking fee and Manchester £13 + booking fee. Please call the MPO Office in Wales on 011 44 1745 571571 between 11am and 4pm (Mon to Friday) or order via the store at www.thealarm.com

Dear amazing Alarm fans,

Sorry I haven't written sooner but I've been very busy overseas.......apologies

I've been in this business a fair few years but have never witnessed such fan loyalty and dedication as I saw during the 45 RPM campaign. This, together with the huge throng that enjoyed an amazing gig at the Scala London recently, proves to me that you are a force to be reckoned with and there are people that recognise true talent and music outside the shallow pop wallpaper that we are exposed to today. You have inspired me to battle on.

My main concern now is, as the newest member of your organisation, that you approve of my input to these new recordings. As a producer it's very difficult to please all of the people all of the time but you original fans were in my mind every time the record button was pressed. However working with such a talented band I thought it prudent to cover areas that would bring in new fans particularly the young. My sons of 15 and 17 are now fans and this grew from the first time they heard the 45 RPM demo.

Working with Mike and the band is the first project of this calibre I've been involved with since the early days with the Manics and more than exciting. I look forward to answering your questions and reading your critique through my website www.stevebrown.info

Thanks again, keep up the good work.

Regards, Steve Brown
www.stevebrown.info


In the Poppy Fields

1. Coming Home
2. Close
3. 45 RPM
4. The Drunk And The Disorderly
5. Federal Motor Voter
6. Trafficking

7. New Home New Life
8. The Rock'n Roll
9. The Unexplained
10. Right Back Where I Started From
11. True Life
12. In the Poppy Fields

Thanks to everyone who took part in the vote to help make the tracklisting above happen. Remember we couldn't do it without you. All going to plan, the new album will be released in the UK on April 19th and in the USA on April 20th. The album will be released in 2 formats:

1.A special limited edition digi pack which will contain 2 CD's (Side 1 and Side 2/ as the album is meant to be heard).

2. A Single jewel cased CD with enhanced section which will include the 45 rpm video...

The record label are planning to send a mailout to you all with further information. If you are not already a member of MPO/Alarm Information Service, please email your name and address to mpo@alarmpo.demon.co.uk

Please find to follow details of the first leg of the USA Tour. Please note that more dates are to be added shortly. UK dates to follow also to coincide with the release of the album in April. Please be patient as we need to collate all the necessary information before releasing the dates.

For information on following dates please visit www.hardrockcafe.com and www.ticketmaster.com


Tue, 03/23/04
The Alarm Hard Rock Cafe
Washington, DC

Weds, 03/24/04
The Alarm Hard Rock Cafe
Philadelphia, PA

Thu, 03/25/04
The Alarm Hard Rock Cafe
Baltimore, MD

Fri, 03/26/04
The Alarm Hard Rock Cafe
Boston, MA

Sat, 03/27/04
The Alarm The Continental
Buffalo, NY

Sun, 03/28/04
The Alarm Hard Rock Cafe
Atlantic City, NJ

(taken from http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/entertainment/music/)

Even if it never sells a million copies, "45 RPM," the debut single from a band called the Poppyfields, deserves a place in the history books - as a caustic commentary on the youth-worshiping state of current rock-and-roll.

The song, which last week reached No. 28 on a U.K. singles chart, was written and sung by Mike Peters, guitarist and lead singer of veteran Welsh rockers the Alarm. But in the accompanying video, 45-year-old Peters and his band mates, who have been making records since 1983, are nowhere to be seen. In their place are four strapping teenage post-punks with a talent for lip-syncing.

The Alarm hired the stand-ins, Peters explains, to circumvent a problem that has plagued them and other "heritage" rock artists.

Though they never stopped recording new music and have toured steadily, "we kept hearing we're too old, that the Alarm isn't doing the rock-and-roll that's happening now," Peters said the other day, barely able to contain his glee over the band's first radio success in 15 years. "Guess this proves otherwise."

The ruse started in the fall, shortly after Peters wrote "45 RPM," while the Alarm was on a U.S. concert tour.

"We knew it was good when we finished it," said Peters, on the road with the band in England. (They'll play Philadelphia's Hard Rock Cafe on March 24.) "And we knew if we'd taken it to [rock] radio as an Alarm record, it wouldn't have a chance... .

"So we sent the record out with no identifying marks, just a white label, as the Poppyfields. We felt we had nothing to lose; it seemed to be the only way we could get a fair hearing."

Several influential British radio DJs began spinning "45 RPM," which has a ringing chorus and a driving, anthemic pulse reminiscent of such fervent, idealistic '80s Alarm singles as "Sixty Eight Guns" and "Strength." As interest grew, it became clear that the song could make it into regular rotation. But that meant the Alarm would need to assemble the other pieces of the promotional puzzle, including a video.

That's when the subterfuge began. The Alarm invented the fictitious Poppyfields and wrote a faux bio for what they envisioned as a "young, credible punk band."

The young men miming on the "45 RPM" video are an unknown English act called the Wayriders. Still, Peters says, the Alarm made no great attempt to hide the fact that they were the Poppyfields' puppetmasters. Fans of the Alarm were alerted to the single on the band's Web site. The band even took out a Poppyfields ad in the British music weekly NME and placed the Alarm logo near the title "45 RPM."

Within a few weeks of the video's debut, a DJ confirmed the source of the Poppyfields' music.

"To be honest, I can't believe we got away with it for that long," Peters marvels. "We've been doing a series of Internet-only albums called In the Poppy Fields for the last few years, so that was a tip-off. Then there were the adverts. Really, most of the hard-core Alarm fans knew... .

"What mattered most to us was that, before people figured it out, before the story became how we'd duped the British music industry, people got behind the song on its merits."

Mike Bacon, modern-rock director for the radio-industry publication FMQB, based in Cherry Hill, says the Alarm was clever to repackage itself, because many young bands, such as British phenoms the Darkness, are currently appropriating elements of '80s rock. "It's more fashionable to be a young band that sounds like an older band than to be an older band coming back from the grave."

Peters characterizes himself as a disciple of rock-and-roll who loved American radio as a young musician because it offered so much diversity. He's deeply disillusioned by how corporate broadcasting has become worldwide, and how hard it is for a veteran band to overcome the assumption that it's over the hill. It's harder for a rock act than a pop band to stay viable, he believes.

"In today's climate, U2 would have been dropped on the second record," Peters laments. "It's like everyone's obsessed with new music, and they assume it has to come from new artists," particularly in Britain, where the charts seem to be populated by different acts every week.

"The audience is starting to see through that; I think people instinctively know that the music they're hearing... isn't as honestly presented as it once was. Gone are the days when a DJ can play a single, turn it over and play the B-side, and discover a song like 'Maggie May.' It's all analyzed by focus groups and determined by dealmakers. It's not about discoveries anymore - that's why people who would be buying music are walking away."

As for the Alarm, the band has been soliciting input from fans who have heard the In the Poppy Fields CDs, and soon plans to self-release a disc of the most popular selections. More tours are in the works, and whether or not "45 RPM" becomes a worldwide smash, Peters is determined to keep making music.

"I don't subscribe to the prevalent view that you get worse as you get older," he says. "Look at the great novelists: Some people don't find a voice until they've been doing this for a long time... . I feel like we're just starting to get to the best songs that have ever been made in the name of the Alarm."


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contact music critic Tom Moon at 215-854-4965 or tmoon@phillynews.com.

Red the review here.

It has come to our attention that VH1 UK will not be showing The Alarm of the VH1 Show, "Band's Reunite". This has not been totally confirmed, but the situation does not look good. If you feel angry right now, stop cursing at your computer, and do something about it. Go to this link http://www.vh1.co.uk/vh1.co.uk/contact.jhtml and tell the delightful people at VH1 UK just what you think about The Alarm being left out of the series I nthe UK.

You can now download/listen to Mike Peters' March 1, 2004 interview on Los Angeles radio station KROQ here .

This week the success of 45 RPM sees a sold out show in London on March
1st and 2nd at the Scala, Kings Cross. A fitting tribute to St. David's
Day and also the day when the winners of the 100 Welsh Heroes
Competition will be announced.

Due to the phenomenal success of 45 RPM and the resulting international
news story, the album 'In the Poppy Fields' will be released in the
latter half of April. This is good news for all concerned as it means
there will be four special sshows announced to tie in with this new
release.

Due to the London shows, the MPO Office is now closed and will reopen
on Weds 3rd March at 11am.

If you would like to book tickets for the remaining Poppy Fields dates
please call venues direct. All numbers can be found listed at the
www.thealarm.com

Best wishes,

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

Mike Peters appears live on KROQ on the Kevin & Bean Morning Show, at 7am Californian time, Monday 1st March. Mike will be interviewed about 45 rpm by Kevin and Bean over the telephone direct from the SOLD OUT Scala show in London.

For people who don't live in LA, KROQ is one of the biggest USA Radio Stations with a listenership of 1.6 million.

THE ALARM THE SOUND AND THE FURY LIVE 1981 TO 1991
2 CD SET PLUS INTERVIEW DISC
DVD DISC MIKE PETERS INTERVIEW DURATION: 68 MINS
UK £16.99 + £1 p & p
Europe £16.99 + £2 p & p
USA $30 + £5 p & p

Buy now!

Disc one
Where Were You Hiding?
68 Guns
Rockin' in the Free World
Absolute Reality
Lead Me Through the Darkness
Knife Edge
The Wind Blows Away My Words
Howling Wind
Spirit of 76
The Road
Knockin' on Heaven's Door
Rain in the Summertime
Rescue Me
Moments in Time
The Chant Has Just Begun

Disc two
Marching On
Shout to the Devil
Lie of the Land
Second Generation
Unsafe Building
Tell Me
Unbreak the Promise
Majority
Father to Son
Strength
Third Light
What Kind of Hell
Medley: Intro: Stairway to Heaven, Pinball Wizard, My Generation, The Stand
Blaze of Glory
We are the Light

DVD DISC MIKE PETERS INTERVIEW DURATION: 68 MINS


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 most of you probably know the news of 45 rpm at Number 28 in the charts has caused an immense amount of media interest, so much so that the news is spreading further afield day by day.

The story began to break last Thursday when the MPO office received a call from the BBC website wanting to interview Mike. From there, Mike was interviewed by phone from Germany for Matthew Banisters' 5 Live show. By Friday all hell broke loose and as Mike landed at Manchester Airport, fresh from mid-German tour he spent all day en route to Cardiff (where he was due to collect The Music Academy Wales Award for Outstanding Contribution to Welsh Music) on the phone being interviewed for Sky News, Channel 4 news, Radio 4's Frontline and Broadcasting House, National Syndicated Radio, the Rolling Stone, BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Scotland and even after the Welsh Music Awards that night for Talk Sport (much to Mike's delight!)

Just arriving in time, Mike was given a fitting standing Ovation at the Welsh Music Awards in Cardiff. A special video of congratulations had been sent by Radio 1 DJ's Mark and Lard and a 3 minute film charting 20 years of Mike Peters music history was shown on a huge screen.

The next day, the 45RPM story was all over the national UK Newspapers with fantastic features and column space afforded to the 45 rpm story in The Guardian, Daily Mail, Sun, Mirror, Telegraph, Independent etc. By Sunday, news had spread to America and even the LA Times and CBS were now keen to cover the story. By Sunday Mike was back on a plane and playing to a sell out crowd in Cologne. CBS sent a special crew to interview Mike and film the show. CBS aired a 2+ minute segment on the CBS Evening News With Dan Rather across USA 23rd Feb.

It aint over til it's over as Mike flies back in to the UK this week to pre-record Never Mind The Buzzcocks as one of the panellists and on the morning of Mike's birthday (Feb 25th) will appear on BBC Breakfast TV nationwide at approx 8.55am (in the UK).

All of this exciting 45 rpm whirlwind couldn't have happened without your help so a big thank you to all. Hope you are enjoying The Alarm being the subject of a national debate.

The Alarm Information Service office is open between 11am and 4pm to take personal calls.

Best wishes, MPO Alarm Information Service

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 Sun
Teenage hit is a false Alarm

I WOULD like to take my hat off to mulleted Welsh rockers THE ALARM.

They’ve cheekily managed to sabotage this week’s singles charts without anyone noticing.

The Eighties post-punk four-piece got to No28 by masquerading as young hopefuls.

Calling themselves THE POPPYFIELDS they released a single called 45RPM and filmed a video featuring a teenage band from Chester called The Wayriders.

Original singer MIKE PETERS pulled the stunt to expose the singles charts as image over substance. He says: “If it had been released as The Alarm it would have been dismissed as the work of a bunch of has-beens.

“Radio stations wouldn’t have played it if they had known it was us.”

Mike reckons record companies and broadcasters are insulting teenage music fans by writing off musicians over 35 years of age.

He says: “I’ve seen teenagers buying the latest records by THE STROKES and THE WHITE STRIPES as well as records by LED ZEPPELIN and the ROLLING STONES. Sadly everything in the UK has to fit into neat little boxes.”

The amzing new story of The Alarm disguising themselves asa young band from Chester spread around the world yesterday and today as new agencies found the story compelling for our times. Here is a sampling of the worldwide interest the story has generated!

Help. Mike Peters has slipped to #9 in the 100 Welsh Heroes Vote, but he's only about 60 votes from 5th and 400 votes from first place! If all aite site visitorst take a few minutes to vote once this weekend (the vote ENDS on Monday), Mike can place very high!

Please go to this link, and vote:
http://www.100welshheroes.com/biography.aspx?lang=en&bio=73

(Registration required)

Thanks,

MPO

The Poppy Fields
’45 RPM’

What the Reviews Say...

Tiscali – Debut single '45rpm' is a three minute killer pop song that is destined to crash the punk party, drink all the beer and cop off with the cutest girls. Sparky, punchy and excitable, The Poppyfields are the newest, snottiest and best kids on the block.’

Dripfed – ‘The Poppy Fields are a young punk band from Chester, with an ear for a hook. They're evidently not afraid to wear their influences on their sleeves - The Sex Pistols, The Clash, and The Buzzcocks amongst others have obviously had a huge effect of these guys' musical direction. Less obvious is the PR company's claim that Rancid and Less Than Jake are also big factors - the sound here is far from contemporary US Buck-Punk, '45 RPM' is strictly old-school. Which is ace as far as I'm concerned. 7/10.’

Indielondon – ‘It’s fast, furious and suitably geared towards joining the post-punk party, and could well set the band on the road to success.

Indigoflow – ‘It is a catchy little song that I can imagine drunkenly throwing myself around to with gay abandon, while shouting "FOUR-TEE-FIVE ARR-PEE-EMM, FOUR-TEE-FIVE ARR-PEE-EMM".’

Manchestermusic – ‘The Poppy Fields wear their influences on their sleeves, which involves stitching on the very best of 1977 London's brash and gutsy punk pop. Ultimately it’s pretty authentic in that The Poppy Fields manage to capture the spirit of bands like Generation X. In fact “45 RPM” was a Gen X catch phrase and “The Poppy Fields” evokes the same spirit of sneering, but almost poppy skittering punk rock. Full of the right moves and although it’s wearing retro goggles, its honed in on music that was already forward thinking.’

Music-News – ‘Reading the blurb, your led to believe that this single is delivered by a youthful punk four-piece from Chester but once it started I got that tingling sensation on the back of my neck and distant memories started flooding back. Now I know most people don’t know or care who The Alarm where/are/will be etc, but I’ll stake my life and reputation (yeah, alright I don’t have either) that this little ditty is The Alarm fronted by Mike Peters, my childhood hero. The name says it all.’

MusicOMH – ‘Since retro rock is this year's "black", 45 RPM neatly hitches a lift with the zeitgeist and then dashes ahead. Old farts can bask in the good ole days while young squirts can open themselves up to some real music. Still doesn't feel right listening to it on CD though!’

Refresh – ‘45RPM is a very accessible and competent debut single that does certainly have the slight feel of late 1970’s while still sounding up to date. It fast furious and over before you know it.’

‘Oh, the music business has been fooled by 45rpm - they are actually The Alarm - an 80's group who had a great smash way back with 68 Guns. They cameback with a false name so they weren't pre-judged. It seems to have worked as this has gone in the Top 40 this week.’

Unbarred – 45 RPM is actually very good. Whether you’re the sort of person who bounces around the room to music or not, you sort of feel you should. Less Sex Pistols than The Clash or The Buzzcocks. Worth a listen. 7.5/10.’ Go here:

From: www.bbc.co.uk/news

Post-punk band The Alarm have scored a top 30 UK chart hit - with a stunt disguising themselves as an unknown younger group.

Recording under the pseudonym The Poppyfields, they are at number 28 after selling more than 4,000 copies of their 1970s-style punk single 45RPM.

In its accompanying video The Alarm are replaced by teenage Chester rockers The Wayriders who mime along to the song.

Singer Mike Peters said it was done to prove how much image affected sales.


We wanted the song to be judged on its merits and stir up the water a little bit



Mike Peters, The Alarm


"We decided we would do something where it was judged purely on its own musical value," Peters, 44, told BBC News Online.

He said The Alarm, most famous for their 1983 hit 68 Guns, were not always taken seriously by DJs because of their age and an image perceived to be outdated.

"The Alarm as an entity have been going for 20-odd years and history can go against you - we wanted to break the barrier down.

"We wanted the song to be judged on its merits and stir up the water a little bit, break the mould."


Peters said the image had become more important than the music

Peters and fellow band members James Stevenson (guitar), Craig Adams (bass) and Steve Grantly (drums) have a strong fanbase in Europe and the US.

Peters said they worked largely "underground", often avoiding the music business and using the internet to reach their loyal following.

The band, whose current line-up includes former members of Stiff Little Fingers, Generation X, The Cult and The Mission, recently recorded 12 fans' favourites for a new album.

Peters is something of a folk hero in his native Wales where he is receiving a lifetime achievement award at the Welsh Music Awards in Cardiff on Friday.

In a list of 100 Welsh heroes, he is currently number seven behind Tom Jones, Richard Burton and Welsh revolutionary Owain Glyndwr.

The band have just added a further date to their UK tour at London Scala on 2 March after selling out their show in the capital the previous night.

Tonight, Mike Peters will be interviewed about 45 RPM on BBC Radio 5
with Matthew Bannister. Mike will be interviewed by the BBC over the phone after his show in
Germany.

BBC 4 Video Showing
Channel 4 this lunchtime.
It should be on 'NEWS AT NOON' which is 12:00-12:35. The videop will be on at c.12:20.

Today, Mike Peters flies back to Wales from his German Tour to attend the Welsh Music Awards in Cardiff where Mike will be awarded an Outstanding Contribution Award to Welsh music For more information please visit www.thewelshmusicawards.com

Please find to follow details of the German TV :

"Offener Kanal Offenbach Frankfurt"
http://www.lpr-hessen.de/ok/off-ffm/

The company "Energy Music" was founded in 1997 and has since then produced a lot off bands at the Colos-Saal.
They are on screen for 60 min. every two weeks.
Fans can write an E-mail to energy.music@gmx.net to ask for more detailed information.

Feb 10 2004

IT MIGHT be more than a decade since he scored his last top 10 hit, but if his loyal fan base has anything to do with it Mike Peters will be on Top of the Pops before the month is out.

The former frontman of the seminal Welsh rock band The Alarm has a new single out this week.

Called 45 RPM, it's a razor-sharp, punk pop song which retells the joy of buying your first single and hurrying home to play it.

And the song's theme is also aimed at replicating the a similar sense of excitement felt by Peters' loyal fans.

They rushed out yesterday to buy the single which was released in three different formats, two CDs and a 7in single under the moniker The Poppy Fields.

Fans from around the world were urged to place their orders en mass via the singer's website, www.thealarm.com

The internet campaign was set up to encourage fans to buy the single on Monday, wherever they were in the world, in order to give the release a fighting chance of becoming a big hit.

Music lovers from around the globe who were unable to buy the single from their local retailer were also given the opportunity to buy the song online through the singer's North Wales-based Mike Peters Organisation.

Yesterday staff at MPO went out to buy the singles for foreign fans at chart return shops in Prestatyn in order to secure that all important chart position on Sunday when the singles chart is announced.

Steve Fulton, a spokesman for Peters, said, "The idea was that due to the amount of people in our fanbase, we have a serious chance of a chart position if all fans purchase the three formats of the single.

"We have been humbled by the response so far and the incredible amount of pre-orders that have been made all over the country and from around the world.

"Now we have our fingers crossed we can score a hit."

In South Wales the single, in all formats, was pre-ordered in large quantities.

A spokesman for HMV in Cardiff said, "We've been inundated with orders.

"We made sure we got in plenty of stock to cope with the demand."

If Peters does score a hit it will mark a memorable start to a year that has already seen him excel in the search to find the greatest Welsh hero.

In the latest update of the 100 Welsh Heroes poll he lies hot on the trail of Owain Glyndwr, Aneurin Bevan and Tom Jones.

POPPYFIELDS RAISE THE ALARM

Welsh rockers The Alarm have pulled off an amazing chart comeback by
entering the top 40 for the first time since 1990 with their new single
'45RPM'.

However, The Alarm, who can lay claim to 14 Top 50 singles, and album
sales of over 5 million worldwide, took the unusual step of releasing
their new hit single as The Poppyfields.

Many might have considered the move to be commercial suicide, but the
reason behind the decision to release the '45RPM' single under a
pseudonym came about while the band were recording demos for the band's
forthcoming new album, titled 'In The Poppyfields'.

The Alarm's lead singer, Mike Peters, explains, "We thought we'd send
the demo for '45RPM' to a few radio stations, but made out it was a new
band so we could get some honest feedback. The reaction was so good that we
were blown away! However, we were sure the reaction wouldn't have been
so positive if they knew it was The Alarm.

We noticed that a lot of bands suffered when they attempt comebacks
because people generally don't believe they can ever be as good as they
once were. We wanted to make sure that we are judged purely on the
strength of the music, and not by our old hairstyles!"

With '45RPM' entering the Top 40 on Sunday, Mike has decided to come
clean, "We've proved a point to ourselves more than anything, and in
doing so we're back in the charts. It's amazing really and I'd really
like to thank all the people who have supported '45RPM' at radio and
press across the country, and all the people who have bought it. "

The Alarm will release another single - this time as The Alarm - and
will play more live dates across the UK before releasing a new album,
'In The Poppyfields', in April on the Snapper Music label.
--
Jessica Bailey
Anglo Regional Promotions
For more information go to http://www.angloplugging.co.uk
email: jessica@angloplugging.co.uk
Anglo Plugging, Fulham Palace, Bishops Avenue, London, SW6 6EA
Tel: 020 7384 7373 Fax: 020 7371 9490 Mob: 07788 922 960

Along with the amazing #28 entry for 45 RPM on the UK top-40 chart, it also landed at #6 on the UK Indie Single charts and #10 o nthe UK Rock chart!! Great job guys!

CHART COMMENTARY From UK.Launch.Yahoo.com by JAMES MASTERTON
The Stands break into the Top 30 for the first time at Number 25 following two smaller hits in 2003, but the big story of the lower end of the chart arrives at Number 28. Step forward The Poppyfields who are an old name with a new name so to speak. The group are best known as 80s welsh rockers The Alarm who, understandably nervous about being labelled as has-beens when attempting to make a comeback, promoed the lead track from their forthcoming new album under a pseudonym. Hence '45rpm' made it to radio credited to 'Poppyfields' - actually part of the title of the new album due out in April. Reaction to it was overwhelmingly positive but whereas acts who have attempted the same stunt in the past have found it backfire on them when they finally 'come clean', the Alarm have elected to release the single under its alternative credit, and thus in a way allowing us all to share in the joke.

In a way it is a shame they felt they had to resort to such tactics in the first place. Back in the 1980s if you wanted fists in the air singalong stadium rock then the Alarm were your men. Tracks such as '68 Guns' and 'Rain In The Summertime' have a deserved place on retro rock compilations and it was only a few months ago that I dug out '87 flop 'Rescue Me' and almost cried at how good it sounded. Strange to relate then that they never had a Top 10 hit, the aforementioned '68 Guns' being their biggest at Number 17. The boys promise that this will be their only Poppyfields single, the next one seeing them revert back to being The Alarm. Oh yes, and Mike Peters has indeed shaved the mullet off, I thought it was important to point that out.

45 rpm - Number 28 in the UK Official Top 40
45 rpm. Congratulations to all concerned. 45 RPM is now Number 28 in the Official Top 40 Chart. It was very exciting listening to the chart countdown and many thanks for all the wonderful emails of congratulations. Mike and the band were able to tune in from the soundcheck in Belgium and so there was much celebrating after the excellent Belgian show! Mike was interviewed by BBC Radio Wales early this morning for the Breakfast Show and is now on his way to Germany for the German leg of the tour. The Aschaffenburg show will be filmed and shown on German national TV.

45 rpm - more stock
Calls and emails were received by MPO right up until Fri evening regarding the issue that a lot of fans were still unable to collect their single due to the fact that many stores had sold out. Snapper, the record label have confirmed that a restock has taken place today, especially the vinyl. Any sales this week could help maintain the chart position so please follow up on any outstanding orders.

100 Welsh Heroes
There is still more work for everyone. 100 Welsh Heroes. Due to your fantastic support, Mike has been voted to Number 7. You now only have until Feb 23rd to place your vote. You can email your vote via 100 Welsh Heroes link at www.thealarm.com :
http://www.100welshheroes.com/biography.aspx?lang=en&bio=73
or send a postal vote to the following address free of charge. Just include your name and address and the fact that you would like to vote for Mike Peters:

100 Welsh Heroes<
Culturenet Cymru
FREEPOST NAT6262
Aberystwyth
SY23 3ZA

British Tour - Second Leg
The band return from Germany just in time to kick off the second leg of the British tour in time for Mike's birthday on the 25th Feb at Theatre Hafren In Newtown. Please note that tickets have sold out for Pontypridd and the first London Scala Show on March 1st. To book tickets for the PoppyFields Tour, please call between 11am and 4pm. Alternatively you can order via www.thealarm.com and all venue information can be found on the Alarm website.

The Gathering
The Gathering - an incredible 700 tickets have now been sold for next Jan 28/29th 2005. Weekend ticket £35 plus £1 booking fee.

Alarmstock
Following on from last year's successful Alarmstock weekend, Alarmstock 2 takes place on Aug 28/29 2005 in Wrexham. A 2 day event in the company of Mike Peters. Tickets £30 plus £ 1 booking fee.

If you wish to speak with someone personally please call the MPO office direct. The office is open for personal calls Mon to Fri between 11am and 4pm.

Best wishes, and a big thank you once again for being such wonderful supporters!

MPO/Alarm Information Service

A major achievment!! 45 RPM just played on BBC Radio 1 on the weekly top-40 show, It was #28 for weekly sales figures. This is the first time an Alarm-related song has been in the top-40 for nearly 15 years! The song was played in it's entirety and the DJ read a short blurb about the song actually being by "The Alarm" and how they changed their name for the single to get a "fair shake" from the music industry. It looks like it worked!!! The song sounded great too, and it stood-out among the mostly sythesized/over-produced crap on the rest of the countdown.

More later, from the MPO.

-Steve Fulton

It's time for your weekly vote for Mike Peters at http://www.100welshheroes.com/biography.aspx?lang=en&bio=73 !!

We need ALL your votes to count and get Mike to the coveted top slot within the Performers category.

We have now until 23 February 2004 to make all votes count and the final Top 10 results will be announced and celebrated on St Davids Day, 1 March 2004.

To cast your vote, simply go to the website http://www.100welshheroes.com/biography.aspx?lang=en&bio=73 and register by email address and you will be sent a password. This password can be used to vote ONCE a week without having to re-register. Voters can only vote for one person per week on each email address. However, you can register more than one email address, so please register any additional email addresses you may have and make your votes count and together we will RISE!

b>45 RPM Review: Manchester Online http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/
The Poppy Fields - 45 RPM (Snapper)

Iain Hepburn
***

THE debut single from what is claimed to be 'youthful Chester four-piece punk wannabies The Poppy Fields' wears its influences like a badly-stitched badge safety-pinned haphazardly to a torn denim jacket.

Brief, bright and decidedly Sex Pistols-flavoured, on closer inspection it seems to be the work of The Alarm going under a pseudonym.

It certainly harks back to the golden era of punk - a barely comprehensible 2 minutes and 45 seconds of rushing guitars and shouting in which you can almost hear them pogoing wildly.

The Alarm (sorry, The Poppy Fields) look set for a return to the charts with this single - let's hope they don't suffer from tall poppy syndrome and get scythed down too early.

A great review of the In The PoppyFields Bond can be read at Score Rocks

Read a great review of the "In The Poppyfields" Bond here.

It's time for your weekly vote for Mike Peters at http://www.100welshheroes.com/biography.aspx?lang=en&bio=73/a> !!

We need ALL your votes to count and get Mike to the coveted top slot within the Performers category.

We have now until 23 February 2004 to make all votes count and the final Top 10 results will be announced and celebrated on St Davids Day, 1 March 2004.

To cast your vote, simply go to the website http://www.100welshheroes.com/biography.aspx?lang=en&bio=73 and register by email address and you will be sent a password. This password can be used to vote ONCE a week without having to re-register. Voters can only vote for one person per week on each email address. However, you can register more than one email address, so please register any additional email addresses you may have and make your votes count and together we will RISE!

Transmission date for 'I Love Wales' - Weird Wales' - 4th Feb at 20.30

MYSTERIOUS GOINGS ON IN WALES
‘I LOVE WALES – WEIRD PLACES’ PRESS INFORMATION

As part of the new ‘I love Wales’ series for BBC 2W, Iolo Williams investigates some of the strange and mysterious places in Wales. The paranormally packed programme will be broadcast at 8.30pm on February 4th and features:

Carningli in Pembrokeshire is known as a ‘holly hill’. It is said that, in the 6th century,
St Brynach fell asleep on its peak and communicated with angels. Following in
his footsteps, earth mysteries Investigator Laurence Main has spent 1000 nights
sleeping on top of Carningli in the hope of making contact with another
world. Tonight, he’s invited Welsh rock legend Mike Peters to join him on his
angelic travels. Will Mike communicate with angels, like St Brynach did - or will
he just be counting sheep?

The March 1, 2004 London Scala gig is Sold out!!
Because of demand, a second Scala gig has been added March 2, 2004.
You can order tickets here.

MPO is excited to announced that James Drummer, Dave Baynton-Power has joined the Poppy Fields Tour as Special Guest, replacing Drummer Steve Grantley who unfortunately due to his SLF touring committments is unable to play on the tour. Dave and Mike are old friends from North Wales, so watch out, you never know as there may be some James songs entering the set!

Janauay 2004! What a month.
First, the bad news: Our news databse corrupted last night, so we lost 1 weeks worth of great stuff (including everything about the VH1 Alarm show). We'll try to recover it later. For now, this Wrap-up will have to do:

VH1 Reunion:Bands Reunited
The VH1 Show was amazing. All accorss America, people were suddenly enthralled with The Alarm and their music. This website received 100's of email messages from fans who had just discovered, or had rediscovered the band. The Amazon.com sales ranking for "Standards" reached 80 (up from about 60,000 the week before). It's now at 110 which you can see here here. All those sales are great, but unfortunately the band will see little of the money since Amazon is such a deep discounter. When discounts are deep, the first thing to go is the arist's cut.

For anyone who has come here trying to learn about The Alarm, please have a good look around, or dive-in. There is enough information and photos here to last you weeks

Gathering 12
Gathering 12 was a huge success. Dave Sharp opened both nights, Friday acoustic, and Saturday with his new band Soul Company. The main show Friday was all Mike Peters solo material, while on Saturday the new Alarm took the stage and blasted through a set of new material from the forthcoming "In The Poppy Fields" album, and classic Alarm songs. Bruce Watson from Big Country, and Dave Sharp came-on for the encores.


Welsh Heroes
Mike Peters Is #4! Vote Him To #1 here

It's time for your weekly vote for Mike Peters at http://www.100welshheroes.com/biography.aspx?lang=en&bio=73 !!

We need ALL your votes to count and get Mike to the coveted top slot within the Performers category.

We have now until 23 February 2004 to make all votes count and the final Top 10 results will be announced and celebrated on St Davids Day, 1 March 2004.

To cast your vote, simply go to the website http://www.100welshheroes.com/biography.aspx?lang=en&bio=73/a> and register by email address and you will be sent a password. This password can be used to vote ONCE a week without having to re-register. Voters can only vote for one person per week on each email address. However, you can register more than one email address, so please register any additional email addresses you may have and make your votes count and together we will RISE!

It's time for your weekly vote for Mike Peters at http://www.100welshheroes.com/biography.aspx?lang=en&bio=73 !!

We need ALL your votes to count and get Mike to the coveted top slot within the Performers category.

We have now until 23 February 2004 to make all votes count and the final Top 10 results will be announced and celebrated on St Davids Day, 1 March 2004.

To cast your vote, simply go to the website http://www.100welshheroes.com/biography.aspx?lang=en&bio=73 and register by email address and you will be sent a password. This password can be used to vote ONCE a week without having to re-register. Voters can only vote for one person per week on each email address. However, you can register more than one email address, so please register any additional email addresses you may have and make your votes count and together we will RISE!

SOLD OUT GATHERING
Due to the sold out Gathering weekend, the MPO office is now closed and will reopen on Monday 26th January.

GATHERING 13
Tickets for the Gathering 13 taking place on January 28th and 29th will be on sale next week.

POSTCARD OUT THIS WEEKEND
A postcard explaining about 45 RPM has been posted out to al MPO members this weekend. Due to the size of the fanbase there is a serious chance of qualifying for the UK chart if all MPO members purchase the 3 formats of the single, all for just under £8. The 3 single collection includes brand new track, Conscientious Objector, never before released, the autobiographical Statue of Liberty, the Seventeen influenced It's Not Unusual and 2 special tracks recorded in the studios in NYC last Nov. The single is out on Feb 9th so please help the cause and place your order at your local record store now.

GATHERING FORMAT
FRI: DOORS 7.30PM - 11.30PM
SAT DAY: SPONSORED SWIM 10AM ORGANISED BY PAULINE WOODS AND RUE (SEE DETAILS BELOW)
SAT DAY: DOORS 11.OOAM - 2PM - GATHERING MASTERMIND QUIZ AND SIGNING SESSION WITH MIKE PETERS *
SAT: DOORS 7.30PM-11.30PM
SAT: AFTERSHOW PARTY: TICKETS ALREADY POSTED GIVEN TO FIRST 500 APPLICANTS. PLEASE NOTE THERE ARE NO MORE AFTERSHOW TICKETS AVAILABLE.

GATHERING FOOTBALL
Please note, scheduled Charity Celebrity Football Match featuring the Mike Peters XI has been cancelled by Rhyl Football Club due to waterlogged pitch conditions.

RECORDINGS
21st Century Films will be filming the Gathering for a future DVD Boxset release. 21st Century Audio will be recording both Dave and Mike's sets.

Thanks very much for your support. We look forward to speaking with you next weekend.

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


GATHERING CHARITY SWIM

* A Letter from Gol & Rue....
GOL & RUE’S CHARITY DIP Saturday 24th January The Beach
opposite the St George Hotel, Promenade, Llandudno

At 10.00 am sharp a few foolhardy folk will be taking to the sea to raise money for Cheshire Homes. The Gathering event is a long time supporter of this charity.

There will be a collection taken during the ‘dip’, so please come along, cheer us on and contribute generously! If you aren’t attending the Gathering but would like to make a donation, please email with your details and we will be in touch! batspice@fsmail.net

It’s still not too late to take part in the dip yourself! This will consist of getting at least some of your body wet in the Irish Sea, how much depends on you! We don’t want to discourage those of you who would just like a paddle, but would also like to encourage a few people to go for the full immersion experience! Either let us know in advance by contacting the above email address or turn up before 10.00 am, suitably attired!

Caerphilly Castle sold out - for those who are disappointed please buy tickets for the nearby Pontypridd gig on 26.02.2004 at the MUNI ARTS CENTRE instead.

Thanks for your support - Best wishes, MPO

The Alarm on VH1 Bands Reunited will air for the first time on January 29th. Here is a list of the confirmed show times:

Thursday, January 29, 2004 10/9c PM
Friday, January 30, 2004 12/11c AM
Friday, January 30, 2004 11/10c AM
Saturday, January 31, 2004 6/5c PM

To stay informed, keep checking VH1's web site:

Alarm Bands Reunited

It's time for your weekly vote for Mike Peters at http://www.100welshheroes.com/biography.aspx?lang=en&bio=73/ !!
Mike is currently at #5 in the voting.

We need ALL your votes to count and get Mike to the coveted top slot within the Performers category.

We have now until 23 February 2004 to make all votes count and the final Top 10 results will be announced and celebrated on St Davids Day, 1 March 2004.

To cast your vote, simply go to the website http://www.100welshheroes.com/biography.aspx?lang=en&bio=73 and register by email address and you will be sent a password. This password can be used to vote ONCE a week without having to re-register. Voters can only vote for one person per week on each email address. However, you can register more than one email address, so please register any additional email addresses you may have and make your votes count and together we will RISE!

Due to unforseen circumstances, a double booking has meant that the show in Milton Keynes on 31.01.03 has been cancelled. Many apologies to all concerned.

All other shows remain as advertised.

The London show on March 1st has almost sold out, just care of MPO/Tour Tickets and without any advertising so thanks to you all for your amazing support. For those still planning to attend please don't leave it too late!

Voting has now begun on the 100 Welsh Heroes website http://www.100welshheroes.com/ and Mike Peters has been nominated within the Performers category. At the previous nominations stage Mike came second in this category and was
narrowly beaten by Mr Tom Jones. This poll has attracted large media interest being the biggest poll of its type undertaken in Wales.

A big thank you to all MPO members - you have already voted Mike Peters to Number 6 in the 100 Welsh Heroes charts. Please stick with your weekly vote because as you can see there is some serious competition. Your hard work and dedication to this cause is very much appreciated.

However we need ALL your votes to count and get Mike to the coveted top slot within the Performers category.

We have now until 23 February 2004 to make all votes count and the final Top 10 results will be announced and celebrated on St Davids Day, 1 March 2004.

To cast your vote, simply go to the website http://www.100welshheroes.com/ and register by email address and you will be sent a password. This password can be used to vote ONCE a week without having to re-register. Voters can only vote for one person per week on each email address. However, you can register more than one email address, so please register any additional email addresses you may have and make your votes count and together we will RISE!

For the attention of all people who have purchased tickets via www.thealarm.com/ Tour Tickets for the upcoming UK 'In the Poppy Fields Tour' please note that all tickets are being posted out from next week onwards. It is at this point that your credit card will be debited.


Kind Regards,


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

Straight from Dave Sharp HQ....

"We announced earlier in the week that The Soul Company would be launching on
Saturday 17th January 2004.

Well here's the details:

The venue will be The Roadhouse, right in the heart of Manchester city
centre and which in its time has been the starting point for a number of
massive Manchester based acts (you know who they are).

Sharing the bill with Soul Company are three other new bands who are already
making a name for themselves and for whom stardom also beckons.

Doors will open at 9pm.

The line up will be:

9.30pm Mason
10.20pm Dovestone
11.10pm Reverend Coyotte
12.00am The Soul Company

Entry will be £5 for an entire evening of the future of rock music - pay on
entry.

The Roadhouse gig will be recorded for a live album. Soul Company hope to
get the album turned around quickly so make it available at their next
gig........

......which we can now confirm will be at The North Wales Conference Centre,
Llandudno on Saturday 24th January. The Soul Company will be opening up on
the Saturday evening of Mike Peter's "Gathering 12"

In addition, Dave Sharp will play a solo set opening for Mike Peters on the
Friday evening of Gathering 12.

Full details of The Roadhouse:

The Roadhouse
8 Newton Street
Manchester
M1 2AN

Enquires: 0161 237 9789

www.theroadhouse.u-net.com

Venue is easy to find, situated on the corner of Manchester's Piccadilly
Gardens on the route between Piccadilly Bus Station & Piccadilly train
station.

"The Soul Company are sounding better than I ever imagined a band could
sound" - Dave Sharp, 11th December 2003.

Full Details at http://www.davesharp..org

The Alarm on tour in Europe.

Please make note of the European dates 'In the Poppy Field' Tour. All addresses and website info is attached. Please contact MPO (Alarm Information Service on mpo@alarmpo.demon.co.uk ) if you have any queries.

Best wishes,

MPO Alarm Information Service



Feb 11-2004 Haarlem Patronaat Holland
Feb 12-2004 Hilversum Tagrijn Holland
Feb 13-2004 Sneek Bolwerk Holland
Feb 14-2004 Helmond Plato Holland
Feb 15-2004 Verviers Spirit of '66 Belgium
17.02.2004 Aschaffenburg (Colos-Saal) Germany,
18.02.2004 -Bielefeld (Elfenbein) Germany,
19.02.2004 -Hildesheim (Vier Linden) Germany,
20.02.2004 -to be announced Germany
22.02.2004 -Bochum ( Matrix) Germany,
23.02.2004 -Stuttgart ( Röhre ) Germany,
24.02.2004 -Hamburg ( Logo ) Germany,