In the mid 80s, punk fans and school mates Tim Gane, Malcolm Eden and John Williamson formed a band with drummer Gary Baker  that found favour with notable fans such as John Peel. Before going their separate ways in 1990, McCarthy were a major early influence on the Manic Street Preachers who covered three of their songs: 'We Are All Bourgeois Now', 'Charles Windsor' and 'Red Sleeping Beauty'.

Manic's bass guitarist Nicky Wire said of the band: 'McCarthy - the great lost band of the '80s they redesigned my idea of politics and pop, it could be intelligent, it could be beautiful. They were frail, tragic, romantic idealists. The songs soothed your body but exercised your brain. They were my education, my information and they are partly to blame for the realisation of the Manic Street Preachers . I still fall in love with this album every six months, it makes me feel guilty because it's so good'.

So with that recommendation it seems impossible not to delve into their catalogue now being looked after by Domino Publishing. Get better familiarised with McCarthy with a collection of works 'That's All Very Well But' and this here video 'Keep an Open Mind or Else' from 1989.

Lætitia Sadier who later joined vocals in McCarthy went on with Tim Gane to form Stereolab, also published by Domino Publishing.

We have been delighted at the number of new films being made within the fashion industry by creative directors brave enough to use some of the most cutting edge music. Not only is it about people wearing nice clothes but the films are becoming hugely visually pleasing like Metamorphosis by The North Circular.

I've finally got round to grabbing the embed code for this film that I want to share with you. It was a product of the fantastic, new, hugely relevant course being offered by the London College of Fashion - MA Fashion Media Production, which this month enjoyed its first class graduation with all students passing including three with distinction. Whilst it may seem unfair to single out one student from an entire year - recent MA_12 graduate Saskia Reis had her music request from Domino rejected last year but we kept in touch. And we're so happy she's still talking to us as we are now able to look upon her film output like a proud parent. This film, entirely created by her, is one of several in her pioneering street-style blog THE LOVESTREET that proves that fashion - on the street anyways - can still have soul. 

We look forward to the output of MA_13 and congratulations to LCF for taking the brave step in creating this course and good luck to all the students participating. If you want to find out more about Saskia, LCF or have a chat about this - email me. 

'Shotgun', backed with 'Trigger The Alarm' out 26th March 2012 (Domino Records). The second single from Eugene McGuinness’ forthcoming much anticipated LP, due in June. The accompanying video was directed by the Grammy-nominated, Sundance-shortlisted Will Lovelace and Dylan Southern (thirtytwo).

Watch LION

The Magnetic Fields’ new single ‘Andrew In Drag’ will be released by Domino on 27th February 2012.  The video, shot on the new RED Epix-XCamera, was created by New York-based Valins & Co. for the catchy first single from new album ‘Love At The Bottom Of The Sea’ (out 5th March 2012 in Domino Records). The film which YouTube have gone to the trouble of putting an age limit on is available to view HERE.

'This piece was allabout maintaining a constant balance and ambiguity'.

'Engelhardt’s Arizona' from the Trailer Trash Tracys album Ester directed by Rebecca Salvadori.

On Monday (06.02.2012) Renault aired their new UK TVC featuring Trailer Trash Tracys 'You Wish You Were Red' (Domino Publishing/Domino Records) from their Twin Peaks style album Ester.

Dan's been busy compiling killer playlists of our music on Spotify over the past while and you can catch up here:

February 2012 = Songs of the Month: (Domino Records & Publishing): February 2012

January 2012 = sorry, Dan was on a Spotify  detox session this month

December 2011 =Songs of the Month: (Domino Records & Publishing): December 2011

November 2011 = Songs of the Month (Domino Records & Publishing): November 2011 

October 2011 = Songs of the Month: (Domino Records & Publishing): October 2011

September 2011= Songs of the Month: (Domino Records & Publishing): September 2011

August 2011= Songs of the Month: (Domino Records & Publishing Co): August 2011

July 2011 = Songs of the Month: (Domino Records & Publishing Co): July 2011

June 2011 = Songs of the Month (Domino Records & Publishing Co): June 2011

May 2011 = Songs of the Month (Domino Records & Publishing Co): May 2011

April 2011 = Songs of the Month (Domino Records & Publishing Co): April 2011

Domino Remixes Sampler = Domino Remixes Sampler

Sharwoods today (03.02.2012) unveiled their new TVC featuring Bill Wells & Maher Shalal Hash Baz 'Banned Announcement' (Domino Publishing/Domino Records) from their extraordinary album Gok.