New single

And here it is: with a timely review from Louder Than War:

Manchester’s The Speed of Sound have been crafting their genre-melting underground alternative sound (New Wave post-punk blood powered by the heartbeat of 60’s influences) for nearly thirty years now, a time-frame which may have seen progression for women but, as they themselves seek to address with this latest release, we have a long way to go. Their new double A-side single “I’m Real/I Don’t Want Your Attention,” has been created to mark the 100^th anniversary of suffrage for women, whilst addressing the issues facing women in the modern world. Recorded at the VoltaLab in Rochdale (previously The Cargo, a legendary

studio with an impressive post-punk history), the video was filmed in the parlour of Emmeline Pankhurst’s old home, now the Pankhurst Centre (all profits from this release also go to the Pankhurst Centre and Manchester Womens’ Aid, and have drawn heavy influence from sources like Charlotte Newson’s “Women Like You,” exhibition (pictured).) As ever, John Armstrong has also shown that he really knows how to craft an ear-grabbing melody with both of these songs. “I Don’t Want Your Attention,” sees vocalist Anne-Marie Crowley singing in a fashion both despondent and defiant about sexual harassment in the workplace, whereas “I’m Real” deals with the brutal subject of a possessive relationship. The language used as Crowley tries to articulate all the doll-like things that she isn’t reinforces the problems of the traditionally feminine whilst kicking against them. Both songs have a jangly indie feel which to a casual listener has a sense of optimism: the perfect hook to grab attention before pulling in the listener with the hard-hitting issues at hand. Speed of Sound clearly want us to reconsider the wider representations of women – in history, in social politics, in modern homes and workplaces, and yes, with the music industry – in a fashion that is accessible and far-reaching. Their

long-term DIY spirit is full of anti-conventions and the way industry women should be portrayed is another part of that. The objectification of women in popular music, they claim, is part of the problem. “I Don’t Want Your Attention” and “I’m Real,” are both excellent, melodic indie records. But it is the bold and defiant way that they tackle what the band see as a lack of social progression which means everyone really ought to sit up and take notice of what The Speed of Sound have to say.
The full piece is here (thanks Amy)
Go on, be inspired and get one

Another Record Shop (and a Barber)

And, the double-A-side singe Girl On The Roof / Maid Of The Grey is also on sale at Piccadilly Records, the stock is there now and... it is a limited edition...  

Piccadilly Records,
53 Oldham St,
Manchester M1 1JR

I've bought music from Piccadilly Records since 1985 so it is pretty damn cool to have it in there. 
http://www.piccadillyrecords.com/prod/SpeedOfSound-GirlOnTheRoof-BERecords-98560.html
And
You can also get the single in:

Thomson & Co 
63 Deardengate, 
Haslingden, 
Rossendale, 
Lancashire 
BB4 5SN
Where, unlike Piccadilly Records (or Vinyl Revival, 5 Hilton Street, Manchester, M4 1LP - see previous post) you will be able to get a haircut at the same time in fairly unique surroundings:

Thanks to Colin at Vinyl Revival, Mark at Thomson & Co and Laura at Piccadilly Records.
Independents that support independents. 
Much appreciated.

If you don't do physical music, the single is also on iTunes

and everywhere else you would normally use. 
including Bandcamp Give it a bash.

Record Shop

As well as via Bandcamp the physical single is now available at Vinyl Revival in Manchester:
Try it because record shops are there all year round not just one day a year.

Vinyl Revival
5 Hilton Street
Manchester
M4 1LP

live radio session

A good way to spend a Tuesday evening

Warm and snug, but that didn't spoil the fun - thanks to Caroline Boyd and All FM for having us.
The single got a spin on the radio which is cool.
Checkered Land and Love were the live ones given an acoustic treatment plus we had a good chat about music and beyond.

the 7 inch single artwork by mybrokenart.co.uk  

you can order it here thespeedofsound.bandcamp.com

Kevin & Pete

 AllFM's Caroline Boyd, animated and slightly out of focus;      
 pleased because we've left her a couple of 'jingles' for her show.                                                                    Good fun good chat good music good radio.

Girl On The Roof / Maid Of The Grey 45rpm

The single has landed and is on pre-order at bandcamp here
Release is on 28 July, there are only 100 of them...

45 rpm

Here comes a seven-inch 45rpm double-A-side single; its a special limited edition issue. This a first look at the sleeve art.
This is a cd-sized paper pre-production mock-up, to test the layout, the full size one is being printed now... 
The main image is made up from the lyrics by the remarkable
mybrokenart.co.uk . 

It will be available for pre-order via bandcamp in a few weeks.