Sunday 25th July 2010 - SA Promotions and SFT present Pandamonium...

Pandamonium! - A tribute gig for Chris Dart - Thursday 26th August - Doors 7.15 sharp!

I am pleased to announce a charity gig in honour of Chris Dart. For those that didn't know Chris, I should mention his love of Pandas, he visited Pandas at zoos, he had pictures of them in his room, he wore Panda t-shirts all the time and remarkably he went to China to look after them as well.

Tickets on sale now! Click here!

With this in mind some of his closest friends in the music industry are getting together to play a very special gig at Manchester Academy 3 in his honour to raise money for needy Pandas around the world. The line up is quite amazing as the poster below will show. Tickets go on sale very soon so check back for updates this week to make sure you don't miss out!

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Thursday 27th May 2010 - RIP Edd Billig - Another tragedy just a few weeks after the death of Chris Dart

The Hidden Messages member Edd Billig passed away yesterday on his 28th birthday

It's with a heavy heart we pay respect to another member of the SFT family, Edd Billig; followers of the label will know that in our early days we released 3 records with Pop Will Prevail records, one was a double a-side by The Hidden Messages. Edd was one of four very talented young men who created very beautiful music (you can hear 'Over' in the SFT Player above).

When you release a new record you hope that you can get on with the band in question, sometimes they disappear and you never hear from them again but often you forge a friendship that stands the test of time. 52 Teenagers, Stations and Headlines (Dutch Uncles) are just some of the bands we've worked with that we will know forever. Kenny and Edd from The Hidden Messages can be added to that list. I was lucky enough to spend a lot of time with these guys and I always knew we could count on each other for a hug, a smile and fun times. Whether it was simply meeting up for a gig or one of the many times I kipped on their couch in London (shared with Jed and Tom) I knew I was always welcome and they were always welcome at mine in return. Edd was a big part of what made those trips and visits so enjoyable - he was such a smart guy, I mean, who else could claim to be World Champion at anything let alone something so brain teasing as Sudoku?

I remember our single launch in London so well, I had had a bad day but that night was so special, it became one of my favourite memories with the label. When I was given the chance to go on a trip to Vegas and Coachella music festival with Edd, Kenny, Tom and Jed, myself and our mutual friend Adam jumped at it. I remember sitting by our pool very late one night while Edd enthused about the new Hidden Messages tracks, 'listen to this!' I didn't hesitate, and it was fantastic, just as I had come to expect.

So here we are, another update I never wanted to write. Another life taken too soon. Our love goes out to Jed, Tom, Kenny, Edds band mates and his family and friends who's lives were made better by this lovely young man.
RIP Edd, I'm gonna miss you a lot.

Michael SFT

Thursday 27th May 2010 - UPDATE: please click here to view a virtual service including video and speeches from the Celebration of Chris' life held at St Marys Church on Thursday 10th June 2010

We should be celebrating our latest EP release but instead SFT is in mourning for the loss of one of it owners, ladies and gentlemen, raise your glasses to Mr MCR, Chris Dart

When Tony Wilson (aka Mr Manchester) passed away in 2007, the Manchester media went into overdrive to write fitting tributes to a local legend who touched the lives of all those around him and led a musical revolution in the city. Today I write about a young man who in similar fashion helped quite literally hundreds of young local musicians, he promoted gigs, was a stage manager, a band manager and all round nice guy who was always on hand to offer advice to up and coming talent in the area.

Chris Dart was just 30 years old when he sadly passed away last week, but in his short time with us the difference he made to the local music scene should not be underestimated. He worked for mcr:music in the city centre for many years, a company with the sole purpose of promoting and encouraging raw talent. Chris organised and stage managed between 2 and 3 gigs every week, making it impossible to quantify just how many people who’s lives he was a part of but one thing we are all absolutely certain of is that he was adored by them all.

A loveable character, his ability to make those around him laugh was absolutely second to none and in just a few short days since his death the number of tributes to him have been astounding; as the huge posters announcing his passing at all Hungry Pigeon venues this weekend will show. Local heroes in Manchester music Liam Frost and Dutch Uncles were quick to dedicate a song to this unsung hero (at Hungry Pigeon and The Deaf Institute respectively). Chris was a huge part of Dutch Uncles lives and they especially were quick to point out that the advice and encouragement from Chris Dart helped them get where they are today.

Chris was also a huge part of a local independent record label and not only were the majority of bands released on the label down to his judgement but it’s no word of a lie to say that the now 5 year old label would never had existed if it weren’t for his input.

An absolute legend amongst the vast majority of the Manchester music scene, his loss will be felt for a very long time and he will be remembered in this city as long as anyone could be.

Here’s to Mr MCR, we’re gonna miss you.

Michael Coates - SFT Records

Monday 5th April 2010 - UPDATE - THIS NIGHT RAISED OVER $800 FOR THE CHARITY - THANKS TO ALL THAT CAME!

SFT presents Back to the Future - a benefit gig in aid of the Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinsons Research - Night n Day cafe - Saturday 17th April 2010 - Doors 7pm

In honour of the legendary Michael J Fox (a constant source of inspiration for me!) I am putting on a very special show at Manchesters Night n Day cafe this 17th April 2010. The night is called Back to the Future after my most favourite film (SFT is a direct quote from that film!) and features 3 acts that have all been a part of SFT in the past but have since split up. The full line up is:

Christopher Eatough
Stations
Jo Rose
52 Teenagers

Plus The Answering Machine and Dutch Uncles DJs and if all goes to plan, a screening of BTTF on the big screen and a Delorean outside the venue courtesy of Scott Miller - bring you cameras!

The night is only £5 in and all proceeds go directly to the foundation. We have SFT would like to express our thanks to all the acts involved for playing and i'd like to urge anyone reading this to come down and support us.

Sunday 4th April 2010

The Deceived release new EP to itunes!

SFT is proud to announce it's first digital only release through itunes featuring the new EP by rock favourites 'The Deceived' - head to www.myspace.com/thedeceived to hear the new tracks in full!The tracks can be purchased around the world on itunes from May 10th 2010.