Introducing Merchandise

Every week we plough the mountain of demos which invade Chiswick daily - in the hope of unearthing a new and true gem.

And guess what? Occasionally we do!

This week we turn the spotlight on the latest CD to catch our ear.

The keyboard player who dresses as Princess Diana, a disaster in the Czech Republic and a hatred of Alex Ferguson. We give you Merchandise . . .

Current line-up with ages? Brad B. Wood (vocals, guitar, bass) Conrad Astley (keyboards, piano, programming) both 27

Where from? Bolton based

When and how did you form? We met at university on a drunken night and
woke up to realise we’d agreed to form a goth band. Immediately decided that
was a bad idea and things have been getting steadily better ever since.

Where did the name come from? Merchandise is the title of a Fugazi song,
a band we’re both into, and was suggested by our mate Roger who writes a lot
of the words to our songs.

How would you describe your music? We always find it difficult but a radio
DJ recently said it was as if someone got hold of Kings of Convenience and
made them cut up a Rae and Christian album - we liked that one.

What’s your ultimate selling point? Our music is good for the soul and
will make your world a better place.

First gig… We don’t play live, all our music is written just for that
one recording you hear on the disk. Things can be a lot more free that way.

Who are your heroes/inspirations/guiding lights/role models: Belle and
Sebastian, Nick Drake, Pixies, Death Cab for Cutie, The Sea and Cake,
Flaming Lips, Miles Davis, David Bowie, Keith Jarrett, Aphex Twin, Pavement,
New Order . . .

What’s the most exciting think that’s happened to you as a band? Hearing yourself on national radio is always a buzz.

Worst setback: Our last 7″ being delayed after the delivery truck crashed on its way back from the pressing plant in the Czech Republic.

Which established act would you most like to be? We’d like to have
something of the independence and longevity of The Fall but without the liver troubles.

Have you sent the demo to record companies? The disk you have is a sampler for the full album which will be out in May on Cityscape Records.

Ambitions: To save the dolphins, bring the people of the world together
and to win Miss World. Or make an album which folk will come back to for years to come.

Best gig you ever saw… Fugazi whenever they get up north

Best album ever made… Kind of Blue - Miles Davis (Brad), Deserters’ Songs - Mercury Rev (Con)

Favourite radio show/presenter/DJ - The Shipping Forecast

Current favourite musicThe Postal Service, Belle and Sebastian, The White Stripes, Hot Hot Heat, Franz Ferdinand, Bright Eyes . . .

Any vices? Life in Merchandise is one long whirl of vices.

Do you have masterplan for world domination? If so, what is it? Today get interviewed on teletext; tomorrow - the world!

Public Enemy No 1: George Bush, with Alex Ferguson and Russell Watson coming close seconds.

An unusual fact about someone in the band: Con met his current girlfriend at a fancy dress party while dressed as Princess Diana post-crash. Brad, on the other hand, is still receiving physio after falling over in fancy dress before Christmas.