Post by cammy on Jun 24, 2009 13:46:37 GMT 1
The legendary Coldstream Guards are to launch a new offensive - this time on the record charts.
The regiment have signed a £1m deal with Decca
The regiment hopes to march its way to the top of the hit parade after signing a £1m record deal with the same label that looks after the likes of Amy Winehouse and Eminem.
It's a major step for the country's oldest serving military band, who have toured the world in a a musical capacity as well as serving in Iraq, Bosnia and Afghanistan.
"I think the division prides itself in excellency in what we do" says Lieutenant Colonel Jeremy Bagshaw.
"None more so than the musicians. It's fantastic to see that recognized by the contract, we're delighted."
There is a lot of money to be made releasing albums from quirky acts at the moment - over the last few years we've had The Salvation Army, singing monks, singing priests, and of course the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards who won the Classical Brit Award this year for Best Album.
There are millions to be made in this genre, but the suits snapping up the acts insist it's not simply a case of looking for the next gimmick.
"I think we're looking for things that appeal to the public that maybe are a bit left-field" says Dickon Stainer, the man in charge at Decca Records.
"They're not maybe the usual thing you'd expect to see in the charts every day of the week. They have something special about them."
The signing of the deal is timely, coming just ahead of the first Armed Forces Day to remember our troops around the world.
The band has a history of recording tunes spanning back more than a century.
Their best-known musical feat to date is probably having recorded the theme tune to Dad's Army.
The musicians will release an album this autumn called Heroes, which will include music from Where Eagles Dare and The Dam Busters.
For the guards involved though, they are promising to keep their feet firmly on the ground, even with the perks of the pop star lifestyle. Are they sure they won't get so big-headed, they might actually fill their famous hats?
"No, no!" ;D laughs musical director Lieutenant Colonel Graham Jones, the regiment's Director of Music, "you could try the Amy Winehouse beehive one as well, but we won't go there!"
The regiment have signed a £1m deal with Decca
The regiment hopes to march its way to the top of the hit parade after signing a £1m record deal with the same label that looks after the likes of Amy Winehouse and Eminem.
It's a major step for the country's oldest serving military band, who have toured the world in a a musical capacity as well as serving in Iraq, Bosnia and Afghanistan.
"I think the division prides itself in excellency in what we do" says Lieutenant Colonel Jeremy Bagshaw.
"None more so than the musicians. It's fantastic to see that recognized by the contract, we're delighted."
There is a lot of money to be made releasing albums from quirky acts at the moment - over the last few years we've had The Salvation Army, singing monks, singing priests, and of course the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards who won the Classical Brit Award this year for Best Album.
There are millions to be made in this genre, but the suits snapping up the acts insist it's not simply a case of looking for the next gimmick.
"I think we're looking for things that appeal to the public that maybe are a bit left-field" says Dickon Stainer, the man in charge at Decca Records.
"They're not maybe the usual thing you'd expect to see in the charts every day of the week. They have something special about them."
The signing of the deal is timely, coming just ahead of the first Armed Forces Day to remember our troops around the world.
The band has a history of recording tunes spanning back more than a century.
Their best-known musical feat to date is probably having recorded the theme tune to Dad's Army.
The musicians will release an album this autumn called Heroes, which will include music from Where Eagles Dare and The Dam Busters.
For the guards involved though, they are promising to keep their feet firmly on the ground, even with the perks of the pop star lifestyle. Are they sure they won't get so big-headed, they might actually fill their famous hats?
"No, no!" ;D laughs musical director Lieutenant Colonel Graham Jones, the regiment's Director of Music, "you could try the Amy Winehouse beehive one as well, but we won't go there!"