Andy Croft's Mixtape

2011 is going to be the year of the Moons! Have no doubt about that, their hugely anticipated album 'tales of the unexpected' is out this summer and the band are touring through out April, May and June - catch them at a small venue now before they go huge!

When I went to see Paul Weller last may at the Royal Albert Hall in between the support acts and before the main man himself was music chosen by Weller's keyboard player Andy Crofts. One of the best things about going to a Jam, TSC or Weller gig was always the build up music, this was no exception.

I asked Andy to contribute a mixtape for this blog  and he doesn't disappoint, some tracks may be considered predictable given Andy's known music taste but other's, well i'll let you see for yourself, this is a mixtape par excellence! Well chosen and a good mix!

hopefully nearer the album release date I can get Andy and the rest of The Moon's to submit to an interview, in the mean time enjoy..........

SIDE A

Doctor Robert - The Beatles

When growing up, listening to The Beatles was like going to church and i just couldn't get enough,infect i still cant! This was one of my favourite songs from Revolver, my favourite beatles Album

Needle in a haystack (Instrumental) - The Velvettes

Having always been a big soul fan, coming across these instrumentals on youtube made my day! I just love listening to the music going down live and im still fascinated. by the amazing sounds of these records

This will be our year _ The Zombies

Odessey and Oracle could be the best album ever written. It just blows my mind. The Moons are very happy to be supporting The Zombies on the 50th anniversary tour in May. This will be The Moons year!

The Windmills of your mind - Noel Harrison

One of my favourite songs with a perfect vocal melody that keeps you so hooked in suspense. Beautiful song and i may just cover it with The Moons


I get the sweetest feeling - Jackie Wilson

Quite possibly the best song ever in my eyes. An amazing bass line by the godfather of the bass James Jamerson. This song is perfect and Jackie couldn't sing it any better

The Message - The Vampires' Sound Incorporation

Lets go away for a while. Just sit back and drift off. Loving the heavy reverb on the ghostly organ

Femme Fatale - The Velvet Underground

What can i say?? This is a beautiful live version of one of my favourite songs.
I love her voice and i cant take my eyes from her. Very intense yet colourful

SIDE B

Maybe the madman - The Troggs

FIlthy and freaky…I dig this B side from The Troggs. The sounds on this record were and still are a big influence on me

Peace of mind - The Count Five

Another big favourite of mine. I used to love djing this one out. Sounds amazing loud and intoxicated

Here today - The Beach Boys

From my favourite album ever "Pet Sounds" I can not get enough of this album. The Beatles Revolver and Pet Sounds have given me so much knowledge and im still buzzing from this. Musically genius!

Night of the vampire - The Moontrekkers

This song is the song that started The Moons. I couldn't get enough of this record and with amazing Joe Meek production and it just goes hand in hand. The Moons used to have this as the intro music at live shows. 

Rainbow Women - Lee Hazelwood

It was Miles Kane who told me about this song. I already had a few tracks by Lee Hazelwood but i thought this songs was amazing when i first heard it.Miles also does a great version of this track, Cheers Miles ;)

The Initials BB - Serge Gainsbourg

Magnifique!! Im a big Gainsbourg fan. Recently i got around to finally watching the Gainsbourg film that was released and thought it was amazing and surreal. Get your hands on it

Village Green - The Kinks

The Kinks have been a huge influence on my songwriting though my life and this os one of the songs that do it for me. 

OUT NOW!

Q Magazine, April issue, 2010

"Stylishly eclectic take on the past... Life on Earth fizzes with ideas, pinballing from bristling mod pop ('Don't Go Changin') and paranoic freakbeat ('Nightmare Day') to intoxicating wafts of Mersey psychedelia ('Torn Between Two') with a glee worthy of Tommy" 4****

CD Description

Featuring powerful vocal and guitar work from Paul Weller'skeyboard player Andy Crofts, 'Life On Earth' is the debut album by The Moons. Taking influence from the likes of The Jam, The Who and Small Faces, The Moons are able to blend heavy, toe-tapping guitar riffs - also provided by ex-The Rakes guitarist Chris Ketley - with soulful melodies and pop hooks. This is an old-fashioned mod rock record that includes thesingle 'Torn Between Two' and 'Wondering', which features Paul Weller.

OUT SOON!

moons official myspace

tour dates:

THURS 7TH APRIL: GIBSON LOUNGE, LONDON (TICKET WINNERS ONLY)
SAT 9TH APRIL: THE QUEEN OF HOXTON, LONDON (THIS FEELING CLUB NIGHT)
THURS 21ST APRIL: 229 THE VENUE, LONDON (SUPPORTING ELI PAPERBOY REED)
FRI 22ND APRIL: THE GARAGE, LONDON (SUPPORTING STEVE CRADOCK)
SAT 1ST MAY: HOOCHIE COOCHIE CLUB, CANTERBURY (PAY ON DOOR)
THURS 12TH MAY: BAND ON THE WALL, MANCHESTER
FRI 20TH MAY: ASSEMBLY ROOMS, LEAMINGTON SPA (SUPPORTING THE ZOMBIES)
WEDS 25TH MAY: CELLARS OF EASTNEY, SOUTHSEA
TUES 31ST MAY: MILO, LEEDS
FRI 3RD JUNE: THE SHIPPING FORECAST, LIVERPOOL
SAT 4TH JUNE: THE LANES, BRISTOL (DEPARTMENT S CLUB NIGHT)
WEDS 8TH JUNE: THE STORE, EDINBURGH
THURS 9TH JUNE: MONDO, PERTH
FRI 1OTH JUNE: IVORY BLACKS, GLASGOW (AND AFTERSHOW)
FRI 10TH JUNE: MOONS PRETTY GREEN INSTORE, TIMES TBC
SAT 11TH JUNE: THE RED ROOM, LINCOLN (TICKET DETAILS COMING SOON)
TUES 14TH JUNE: THE CLUNY, NEWCASTLE
WEDS 15TH JUNE: HARE AND HOUNDS, BIRMINGHAM
THURS 16TH JUNE: THE RUBY LOUNGE, MANCHESTER
THURS 16TH JUNE: MOONS PRETTY GREEN INSTORE, TIMES TBC
FRI 17TH JUNE: THE BORDERLINE, LONDON (END OF TOUR ALBUM PARTY)
SAT 25TH JUNE: ROADMENDER, NORTHAMPTON (THE BUZZ DJS AFTERSHOW)