Sleeve
it out
20 Jun 2000
As 400 copies of The Regulars' debut single Lie down and fight eased their way through the presses of Prague's GZ Digital Media, Pete and Chopper voyaged to a rather less exotic destination last week to finalise the sleeve design.
Using a carefully plotted short cut through Smethwick, Handsworth and Hamstead, the two arrived at the home of designer Al Stewart on Thursday night - passing the setting of the sleeve photographs along the way.
Al not only designed the sleeve but also shot the two images used on it. The photograph chosen by the band for the front of the sleeve - by a 3-2 split decision - depicts buses in a depot at night; while the long-exposure shot of rush-hour traffic that will adorn the back was taken on Bloxwich Road, Walsall - just round the corner from Al's house.
After first witnessing a truly dreadful game of football between Sweden and Turkey, the three worked hard on the design into the small hours of the morning, fuelled by miscellaneous beverages of considerable quality. The results were as pleasing as the Swedish attack was ineffectual; and you can now see them for yourself (right).
Meanwhile, the records themselves are due back at the end of this week from the Czech Republic (who were unlucky to go out in the first round), meaning they will almost certainly be on sale at the Jug of Ale gig on 1 July.
The appearance of creamy, dreamy headliners Saloon will also be marking their first Bearos Records release - described by the label's Alan Farmer as 'the most beautiful record I will ever release'. With The Regulars likely to be euphoric as their single release ends two years of procrastination and hospitalisation, it promises to be rather a special night.
So come along if you can. For more information, mail us or join the Regulist - pop's answer to the Blue Peter totaliser.
news
This
is the sleeve:
We tried
to keep
to the timetable
click
this image to view it in big