As everyone in the world should know, JiM, axeman extraordinaire with Spearmint and Shirley Lee, has his own super band.  They’re called tELLEY.  We all love them to pieces and are delighted to announce that the debut album is shorlty to be unleashed into our ears… here’s further details:

“Now I’m The Big Sister” is the debut album from tELLEY it will put you in mind of classic xtc, sparks, The flaming Lips. In some ways it is the solo project of Jim from Spearmint as a showcase for his song-writing talent it also features the idiosyncratic drum style of longtime collaborator James Agnew. The album includes live favourite, a cover of sparks, “get in the swing”  it is testament to the quality of song writing that the other tracks rub shoulders so happily with it.

After the first single Rene and Silvi left and James and Jim nearly gave up, that was half the band gone. Jim carried on making the album at times feeling like a solo artist but then gradually by the end of recording the second line-up was complete, one band falling apart and becoming another as Sharon and eventually, Thom from the Gresham Flyers joined the line up. The band wanted to keep Rene on the cover, In many ways his role in the band remains the same. He never showed his face live because of his incredible stage fright yet he was ever present on a backing track. During the recording many tracks were built up around those backing tracks so he’s there yet not there at all.

“In my head this is what albums should sound like, It’s the album I should have made ten years ago but couldn’t have done without the last ten years of my life. I’ve worked towards this vision being in bands with prolific songwriters staying in the comfort of their ability all the time writing and planning. Now the time is right and I’m not giving myself a hard time or comparing myself to anyone else. I’m standing along side them and I’m giving you the tELLEY debut album, I hope you enjoy it” Jim

album tracklisting:

1.     Bad Boy, Good Girl
2.    All of the girls want to love you
3.     Red is my key
4.     Get in the swing
5.     Good at what you do
6.     Settle Down
7.     This is what you can’t have
8.     We are not like you
9.     The external fixator
10.   Over the Sea

www.telley.co.uk www.myspace.com/telleyuk
tELLEY will be promoting the new album starting Friday 24 July at The Water Rats Kings Cross

Looking forward to seeing you all there… seriously, they’re ace!!!  Neil

A reminder of the excursions for some live shows over the next few weeks… surprises are promised!
Saturday 16 May – Leytonstone, London What’s Cookin Upstairs At The Sheep Walk, 692 High Road, Leytonstone, London, E11 Admission free (a hat goes round!) Doors 8.30pm www.whatscookin.co.uk
Thursday 21 May – Leeds Milo, 10-12 Call Lane  Leeds LS1 6DN Admission – £5 Doors – 8pm Hopefully Paul from The Scaramanga Six will also do an acoustic set plusindiepop disco with DJs from With Whom to Dance between the bands and after the show.
Friday 22 May – Liverpool The International Pop Overthrow Festival The Cavern Pub at 5.30 pm & The Cavern Club Front Stage at 10:15pm Admission free !!ALSO FEATURES ANDY LEWIS PLAYING 2 SETS!!! www.internationalpopoverthrow.com www.myspace.com/internationalpopoverthrow
Saturday 30 May – Scunthorpe With Mark Morris and The Red Stops The Priory, Ashby Road, Scunthorpe Admission £5 advance or £7 on the door Tickets Venue 01724 270077 or Daz 07828440478 Doors 7 pm www.myspace.com/tachelesspromotions
Then a 3 track download will be available from 15th June featuring “Dissolving Time”, “Spiralina Girl” and “Restless Soul” (unreleased live fave)!!
And, after a little delay, “This Is A Souvenir” the Spearmint/Shirley Lee songbook is being released by Image Comics Inc. It will be available from 20th May, can’t wait for that one!!!

See you all Saturday,  Neil

Some rare regional gigs have now been finalised, here are the full details:

Saturday 16 May
What’s Cookin, upstairs @ The Sheep Walk
692 High Road
Leytonstone, London, E11
Admission: free (a hat goes round!) Doors: 8.30pm www.whatscookin.co.uk

Thursday 21 May
Milo
10-12 Call Lane 
Leeds LS1 6DN
Admission: £5 Doors: 8pm
Hopefully Paul from The Scaramanga Six will also do an acoustic set, plus indiepop disco with DJs from With Whom to Dance

Friday 22 May
Liverpool: The International Pop Overthrow Festival
The Cavern Pub at 5.30 pm & The Cavern Club Front Stage at 10:15pm
Admission: free
www.internationalpopoverthrow.com
www.myspace.com/internationalpopoverthrow

Saturday 30 May
The Priory
Ashby Road
Scunthorpe
Admission £5 advance or £7 on the door
Tickets Venue 01724 270077 or Daz 07828440478
Doors 7 pm www.myspace.com/tachelesspromotions

Possibility of a second single from the album to tie in with the gigs… watch this space, Neil