email: wilberforce@wilberweb.org
PHONE: +44 (0)7985 362 990




This is where to find out all the very latest
Wilberforce activity and other stuff.....

31st DECEMBER 2004
NEW TRACK FINALLY RELEASED!

Wilberforce finally released the much delayed "I Wish I Knew You Well" in the dying hours of 2004. This was due to the fact Wilberforce hadn't released any new material throughout 2004, and wanted something to represent the year, hence it's rush release in rough mix form. Who said Wilberforce were slick?

The new EP is now being delayed until further notice. Additional production and a large intake of mince pies have been blamed for missing the deadline! However a new EP and album mean Wilberforce will enjoy a highly creative and busy 2005 with more plans to be announced.

Happy New Year!




NEWS UPDATE: 20th DECEMBER 2004
NEW EP DETAILS EMERGE.

More information has emerged about the brand new 3 track EP from Wilberforce. Tracks will include the acoustic "Moment With You" and the jazz-influenced "Bar". The EP also marks the one-off return of former Wilber bassist Nat on one track, her first contribution since 1999.

However the online release has been put back to 30th December due to additional production. Check back soon for more info...

It just leaves us to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!




24th NOVEMBER 2004
BRAND NEW EP ANNOUNCED.

Wilberforce have announced plans to release a brand new EP next month, just in time for Christmas. The EP will be Wilberforce' only release in 2004 and contain 3 tracks exclusive to wilberweb. The new material will be pulled from initial sessions for the next album, scheduled for a Spring 2005 release.

The band have recently been turning their attention away from live performance and concentrating on writing and recording in sessions expected to last long into the Wilber winter months.

Presently the sessions are mostly at the demo stages, where a years worth of ideas are being picked over and developed into fully-formed songs before production proper begins.

The EP won't contain "I Wish I Knew You Well", the long mooted track meant to feature last month and left off 2002's "Madame Fruitbowl" at the last minute. After further overdubs and mixing, it's hoped for a final release in the near future.




27th OCTOBER 2004
JOHN PEEL 1939-2004.

John Peel really was one of the good guys who championed the cause of British pop music over 4 decades, uncovering some wonderful, inventive bands that have influenced Wilberforce. He was a funny, gifted broadcaster with a natural dry wit, a genuine and warm human being, as interesting as the music he promoted.

It's sometimes too easy to take for granted such gifted individuals and I always thought John Peel would live forever and his show would always remain.

Wilberforce always hoped for a Peel session and invited him to the Fruitbowl Launch Party where we were ready to prepare him a special curry! We always hoped to meet him one day. Thanks for all the great inspirational music and teenage kicks you gave us and countless others."

Mark




4th OCTOBER 2004
SAVE THE CHICKENS!

Wilberforce have appeared at the Brighton Bedsit, a benefit in aid of ex-battery hens. The 2nd October gig was their most consistent performance so far. "We tattoed ourselves with hen emblems", said Helen. And Mark, who's no Spring Chicken himself, was delighted with the evening. More info can be found at Gigs.

Work now turns towards the recording of the next album, which has been rescheduled for a Spring 2005 release.

OTHER NEWS!

* Futile Gestures November gig has been cancelled. Plans are afoot to rearrange another for next year.




27th SEPTEMBER 2004
NEW DRUMMER TO PLAY AT BRIGHTON!

Wilberforce will be ably assisted by a new drummer for their 2nd October appearance. James will make his debut marking the first time Wilberforce have performed other than a duo. To find out more, go to Gigs.

The band's new official dancer Jack Burt is expected to rest his dancing shoes, but will be lending his charismatic stage presence from the sidelines.

OTHER NEWS!

* Meantime the new track "I Wish I Knew You Well" has been delayed due to extensive rehearsals for the upcoming show. It should be with us in October.




5th AUGUST 2004
NEW TO WILBERWEB

* Gig update.
* Gallery update.

BACK TO BRIGHTON'S BASEMENT BEDSIT!

After 4 months of laying low, Wilberforce return to Brighton for their first gig since April, to the Basement Bedsit. The band are expected to be joined on stage by their new official dancer Jack Burt for what insiders have dubbed "visual enhancement"! They'll also be boasting a new live sound, and are hoping to include some fresh numbers in their set. For more info go to gigs.

OTHER NEWS!

* Meantime the band are putting the finishing touches to a new track. The song, "I Wish I Knew You Well", will be premiered on wilberweb at the end of the month.

* Mark has been asked to join reformed punksters Futile Gestures on bass this Autumn and back up the obtuse duo for another one-off performance in London.

* It's official, Wilberforce are now No.1! A search of "Wilberforce" reveals them in top spot on BBCi, No.2 on MSN and Yahoo respectively, and No.7 on Google.

* Final upgrading begins on Newlove Studios (formerly Manorside) in preparation for the recording of Wilberforce's as-yet untitled second album.




5th APRIL 2004
WILBERFORCE PLAY SURPRISE GIG!

Wilberforce returned to live performance at the end of March with a surprise gig at the Basement in Abbey Wood. London.

Mark and Helen played a 22 minute set comprising 5 numbers, including a mangled version of "This Is The Song They Tried To Ban". But the band were very happy having not played together for over 3 months.

OTHER NEWS!

* Fruitbowl artist Guy Tarrant has finished a successful stint of his exhibition "God save the pupils" at the Dean Clough Gallery in Halifax, Yorkshire, UK. Check out his brand new website!

* Wilberforce technical advisor and general fixer Nigel Marvin played his first gig ever with the reformed Futile Gestures at Islington's Red Rose on the same day as Wilberforce.
The band were filmed and then recorded for a 15 minute spot on London's Resonance FM which appeared 3 days later. Mark failed to show at all after being involved in a car accident in Stamford Hill.




20th FEBRUARY 2004
"RESERVICED"!

Mark has been ruminating on the band's downtime...

"Wilberforce are doing separate things at the moment, exploring ideas, buying equipment and learning new stuff. Inevitably people start thinking we've split up, but we're really just rebooting ourselves for the next project, a bit like having a car reserviced!.

"We're still upgrading the studio too. Meanwhile Helen has gone off to do her own thing playing in the Keith Lazarus Jazz Trio and writing her own stuff.

"I think those that know us will realise how we operate. We're just trying to make the next album as good as "Madame Fruitbowl". We're very proud of what we've achieved so far and hope the people will stick it out on this one.

"The reason for the studio upgrade and other stuff is to avoid the big wait for another product. The new system should mean we'll be able to work more efficiently and get our releases out on time."

Watch this space for further news...

"VOLUNTEERS".

Because Newlove Records remains a small independent operation, there's only one pair of hands to handle the roster of projects Wilberforce wish to pursue, namely films, gigs, promos and releases.

Newlove Records are currently on the lookout for highly organised volunteers who can co-ordinate the band's schedule, arrange gigs, build up contacts, and get much needed radio play, among other things. The rewards will be adventure, loyalty, fun, and the occasional meal!

If you or anyone you know would be interested, please contact us. Details above.




14th JANUARY 2004
NEW TO WILBERWEB

* More comments added to the Madame Fruitbowl review section, where listeners give their verdict on the band's latest CD.
* The link to the end of year article that tips Wilberforce for big things in 2004. Click here!
* Wilberword Archive containing old news updates from 2001 to 2003.
* A loop of the instrumental "Theme from Wilberforce", which can now be heard when you visit the wilberweb home page.

NEW ALBUM IN THE PIPELINE!

Wilberforce are currently planning the long-awaited follow-up to "Madame Fruitbowl".

Recording sessions for the as-yet untitled album, scheduled for release at the end of the year, are due to take place in the spring. The band are currently writing new songs while work continues on the upgrade to Manorside Studios. Watch this space for all the latest developments!

2003 AND ALL THAT.

While Wilberforce prepare for 2004, 2003 was a year that witnessed consistent activity...

* In March, Wilberforce got their first press coverage with a review of "Madame Fruitbowl" in the Newsshopper newspaper.
* April saw the online release of "Different Story", the first new Wilberforce track since 2002's "Madame Fruitbowl".
* In July, a stripped down Wilberforce played their first live gigs.
* This was followed by their first foray abroad, with September's Holland Mini-Tour.
* That same month, Wilberweb got a new address and a relaunch after celebrating 2 years of being online!

What will happen in 2004?

WILBERWORD 2001-2003

WILBERWORD LATEST

Order a copy of "Madame Fruitbowl" by clicking here.