Pop-A-Top Records Homepage & Main Menu

NEW NEWS: 

30th Dec 2018 

New SUBJECT A album WRITERS EYES coming January 2019 (their 2nd) - PATCD023 (on CD, Live Stream & Download) 

 

 

plus....

2019 gigs - Erin Bardwell Collective

16th Mar - Cardigan New World Theatre 

5th April - Swindon Castle

18th April - Swindon Beehive

19th April - London Islington 02 Academy (LONDON INTERNATIONAL SKA FESTIVAL) - supporting Keith & Tex, Rudy 'John Jones' Mills, Chris Murray, and The Steady 45s

27th April - Great Yarmouth Skamouth Festival (Vauxhall Holiday Park, Parkdean)

6th July - Devizes Scooter Rally (New Inn, Coate)

Latest song 'Best News Of The Year' played on BBC 6 Music Jan 2018 by Steve Lamacq

Pop-A-Top mainpage & menu

 

OLDER NEWS:

22nd July 2018 

2018 gigs - EBC

24th Aug - Bristol No.1 Harbourside

2nd Nov - Swindon Beehive

11th Nov - Poole, Sandford Parkdean (Specialized 7 with Dennis Bovell

 

12th Feb 2018

Announcement - Latest Erin Bardwell Collective CDs SOLD OUT!!

The GREAT WESTERN REGGAE SOUNDCLASH!! - but still on download & live streaming (i-Tunes / Spotify etc)

 

2018 gigs - EBC

May 5th - Reading Facebar

May 27th - Newton Abbot Jolly Farmer

June 23rd - Swindon Victoria with Roddy Radiation & Skabilly Rebels

 

SUBJECT A live

Feb 25th - Swindon Victoria

Pop-A-Top mainpage & menu

16th Sept 2017

Announcement - Erin Bardwell Collective Album Launch Party 2017

Fri 1st December - Uffington (Oxfordshire) Thomas Hughes Memorial Hall, SN7 7RA

This is The GREAT WESTERN REGGAE SOUNDCLASH!!

 

Pop-A-Top mainpage & menu

 

 

3rd May 2017

Erin Bardwell Collective live dates 2017

Fri 16th June - Camden Dingwalls, London

Sat 15th July - Swindon Victoria

Also...........

Latest EP out now - 5 tracks - see bandcamp page (download only)

 

16th June 2016

Erin Bardwell Collective live dates 2016

Sat 18th June - Swindon Victoria supporting Black Slate TICKETS

Sat 2nd July - Hastings Albion with DJ set by Dennis Bovell (NEW DATE ADDED)

Sat 17th Sept - Skabour Folkstone supporting Dave Wakeling's English bEAT TICKETS

Also...........

New SUBJECT A / SLEEPWALKERS 14 track vinyl LP / CD  (PAT017 / PATCD017) - OUT NOW.......

 

5th June 2016

Erin Bardwell Collective live dates 2016

Sat 18th June - Swindon Victoria supporting Black Slate TICKETS

Sat 17th Sept - Skabour Folkstone supporting Dave Wakeling's English bEAT TICKETS

Also...... 

New SUBJECT A / SLEEPWALKERS 14 track vinyl LP / CD  (PAT017 / PATCD017) - OUT NOW.......

 

23rd April 2016

Erin Bardwell Collective live dates 2016

Sat 30th April - Reading Facebar TICKETS

Sat 18th June - Swindon Victoria supporting Black Slate TICKETS

Sat 17th Sept - Skabour Folkstone supporting Dave Wakeling's English bEAT TICKETS

New SUBJECT A / SLEEPWALKERS 14 track vinyl LP / CD coming VERY soon (PAT017 / PATCD017) - more details to follow.......

 

6th Dec 2015 

NEW PROJECT - SUBJECT A

New single available SUBJECT A / HIDING PLACE (PAT016) - Coming Dec 14th 2015 (bandcamp download)

New Pop-A-Top single (PAT016) from studio production duo SUBJECT A (who are one time Skanxters bass player 1996-98 Dean Sartain & Erin Bardwell). Dean was also involved in Pop-A-Top and The EB Collective back during it's inception in 2003/2004. Two songs 'Subject A' & 'Hiding Place' that feature the voices of Ken Dal, Heather O'Neill, and Nevil Banton. Along with studio session players Matty Bane (drums), Jase Hill (guitars), and the Rachael Birkin Strings. These tunes will be featured on the forthcoming SLEEPWALKERS LP (PAT017) - due in 2016 - which will see contributions from Sonya Beale, Neil Sartain, Sophia Bovell, Rowena Cameron-Tew (flute), and Luke Winton (Swindon Samba) amongst others. Watch this space......

 

Download only at the mo (booo!) but good news is that the album will be on Vinyl (yay!) and CD (almost a by gone format?!) - and we heard tapes (cassettes) are coming back - they never went away for us here at Pop-A-Top!!

 

26th Nov 2015

Updated ERIN BARDWELL COLLECTIVE gig list for 2016

 

16th Aug 2015 

Updated gig list for 2015 

 

19th July 2015 

Updated gig list for 2015 

 

5th June 2015 

Updated gig list for 2015 

15th March 2015 - Well The Erin Bardwell Collective played 'An exclusive line-up' gig on March 14th!! Due to illness the show went ahead anyway at The Castle in Swindon - With Luke Winton on drums (our main dep) and Harki Popli on Tablas (who features on latest album) - so thanks guys! We played the 'alternative set' (which basically means digging out a few older tunes from our back catalogue which we don't play much anymore!) - chucked in a few more extended 'instrumental breaks'! And concocted up (in places) an experimental reggae jam! - and threw in a few current tunes too. This has been done before as some of you may have witnessed in the past. What we played - Set 1 - Big Bad Boom (new), This Is My Time, The Doctor Said, Stole Your Mind, Time Hard (Pioneers cover), PANAMA (from our 2003 debut), Mambo Time, Scratch, I'LL BE GOOD TO YOU (from Bringing The Hope LP), and Moody Man. Then Set 2 - Worn Out Shoes, Red Hot Reggae Girl, Freedom Train, JACKPOT (another Pioneers cover!), Time On Our Side, Wings Of A Dove, FRY UP (from our Volume 3 CD), Skylarking, CRIMINAL (from Kingston Experience CD), Sister Joe, and then an encore of Bringing The Hope. Then the curfew arrived so we couldn't play Breathe!!!

8th Mar 2015 - Our 2nd Edition T-Shirts are here!! In Navy Blue & Khaki - in sizes S, M, L & XL. On sale at gigs for £10. Or UK mail order for £13.50 through PAY PAL to erin@popatop.freeserve.co.uk / or email erinbardwell@hotmail.com if you want to order by cheque/Postal Order . Or if in Europe £15 GBP. And £17 Rest Of World - Thanks!

Updated gig list for 2015 

ALSO - The latest ERIN BARDWELL COLLECTIVE album OUR TIME has just received a rave review in the new edition of VIVE LE ROCK magazine - Page 88 - on sale in WHSmiths and other great newsagents. 7/10 from Lee Cotterell 

 

13th Feb 2015 - ANNOUNCEMENT!! -  ERIN BARDWELL COLLECTIVE will be playing the UK's No.1 Outdoor Reggae Festival - ONE LOVE on Sun 6th Sept - Nr. Winchester, Hants. 6pm Madiba Stage. Popham Airport, Coxford Down, SO21 3BD. Day Tickets £35   http://www.onelovefestival.co.uk Festival runs from Sept 4th-6th

Updated gig list for 2015 

ALSO - The latest ERIN BARDWELL COLLECTIVE album OUR TIME has just received a rave review in the new edition of VIVE LE ROCK magazine - Page 88 - on sale in WHSmiths and other great newsagents. 

 

21st Jan 2015 - We have had slight technical problems here! So that is why our web site hasn't been updated for a while - so now putting that right! Won't bore you with the details but the main reason was here at our headquarters we were still on a 'dial up' connection on a Windows 98 computer! (proper retro!!) - so we had to upgrade / update etc etc - which took a couple of months - so hopefully sorted now!! 

So basically in Dec 2014 our main guitarist Ed Frankis took a trip to the jungle in Thailand (he hasn't returned yet) - but is return home coming gig will be Feb 6th! (see below) So part time live / studio Collective contributor Jase Hill stood in for him at the gigs. One in Swindon where we played a storming version of SILENT NIGHT complete with hym sheets!! (well it was Christmas!) - and another in Wantage at The Swan (Oxfordshire). 

The Vinyl is here! It arrived early Dec. So anyone who wants a copy of latest LP 'OUR TIME' get in touch!

Got some cracking gigs coming up for 2015 (more to come) - but so far we have 

 

12th Oct 2014 - There is a slight delay in the vinyl arriving for the new album 'Our Time' due to there being a lot of bands and labels pressing up vinyl at the moment. So there is a backlog / waiting list. We have had the test pressings through (white labels) and we have sold a couple of those but if anyone wants one get in touch - there are a couple left! Our appearance on Sun 16th Nov at Specialized (The Big One 3) at Sandford (Nr. Poole) is on the same day as Lee 'Kix' Thompson (Madness), Winston Francis, The Pressure Tennants (Laurel Aitken's old band) and The Aces (Desmond Dekker's old band) - so technically supporting all those artists! So should be great! Looking forward to it. And our Glastonbury date has been confirmed - Fri 28th Nov at The King Arthur.

 

 

4th Sept 2014 - Our trip to Bordeaux to play with ACKEE & SALTFISH has been postponed until 2015 (watch this space) - so updated gig list is as follows 

 

 

29th Aug 2014

New Erin Bardwell Collective album 'OUR TIME' available on Amazon (CD). To be launched on Aug 30th at our Swindon Vic gig. Cat. No. PATCD015. The Vinyl will be launched on Oct 17th at our Royal Oak gig (Swindon) Cat. No. PAT015 

   

 

 

10th July 2014

New Erin Bardwell Collective album OUR TIME coming soon on CD & vinyl LP. Being mixed as we speak.

Erin Bardwell Collective gig list update

 

5th April 2014

Erin Bardwell Collective gig list update

 

20th February 2014

Erin Bardwell Collective gig list update

 

28th January 2014

Erin Bardwell Collective gig list update

4th January 2014
Happy New Year!! 

Erin Bardwell Collective gig list update

Erin Bardwell Collective T-Shirts in black available in sizes M, L & XL at gigs for £10. Or UK mail order for £13.50 - send payments through PAY PAL to erin@popatop.freeserve.co.uk / or email erinbardwell@hotmail.com if you want to order by cheque/Postal Order - Or if in Europe £15 GBP. - Thanks!

15th Dec 2013
Erin Bardwell Collective gig list update

Erin Bardwell Collective T-Shirts in black available in sizes M, L & XL at gigs for £10. Or UK mail order for £13.50 - send payments through PAY PAL to erin@popatop.freeserve.co.uk / or email erinbardwell@hotmail.com if you want to order by cheque/Postal Order - Or if in Europe £15 GBP. - Thanks!

28th Nov 2013
Erin Bardwell Collective gig list update

There are some new Erin Bardwell Collective T-Shirts in black available in sizes M, L & XL at gigs for £10. Or UK mail order for £13.50 - send payments through PAY PAL to erin@popatop.freeserve.co.uk / or email erinbardwell@hotmail.com if you want to order by cheque/Postal Order - Or if in Europe £15 GBP. - Thanks!

 

14th Oct 2013
Erin Bardwell Collective gig list update

8th Oct 2013
The Erin Bardwell Collective have just returned from Belgium where they played a very successful gig with Roy Ellis from Symarip in Brussels. Roy Ellis was backed by French band 65 Mines Street. Now the EB Collective are preparing for their Swindon Vic gig on Oct 19th. 

There are some new Erin Bardwell Collective T-Shirts in black available in sizes M, L & XL at gigs for £10. Or UK mail order for £13.50 - send payments through PAY PAL to erin@popatop.freeserve.co.uk / or email erinbardwell@hotmail.com if you want to order by cheque/Postal Order - Or if in Europe £15 GBP. - Thanks!

3rd Oct 2013
Erin Bardwell Collective gig list update

 

14th Sept 2013
Erin Bardwell Collective gig list update (note: Nov 16th now Wantage instead of Swindon due to the Royal Oak in Old Town sadly closing down)

19th Aug 2013
The Erin Bardwell Collective announce a gig in Belgium (Brussels) to take place on Sat 5th Oct 2013 at Atelier 210 supporting Roy Ellis from Symarip and French band 65 Mines Street. So the gigs are as follows - 

10th July 2013
Next EBC gig is a 'Special Guest' night with Recoldo Fleming - Sat 3rd Aug at Swindon Royal Oak - 

  

Please note that Sandra Bell will not be appearing at above show, so the set list will be slightly different to normal (some old favourites and some Recoldo Fleming tunes from the 'Kingston Experience' album will be included). Sandra Bell will be back for THE REGGAE GARDEN appearance on Sept 7th (Old Town Bowl). 

18th June 2013
The new Erin Bardwell Collective recording "Which Side Of The Bed?" is OUT NOW on the Specialized 2 - Beat Teenage Cancer album. In aid of The Teenage Cancer Trust. It is an album of bEAT cover versions & songs by many different bands and artists. Includes new tracks featuring Dave Wakeling, Ranking Roger, Neol Davies, Rhoda Dakar, etc etc. To order a copy follow this link - www.specializedproject.co.uk  - 44 Tracks on a double CD!

The band will be in the studio over the summer recording some new original material for their forthcoming album due early 2014. These are mainly the new songs from the live set not yet recorded or released - Scratch, Red Hot Reggae Girl, Worn Out Shoes, Breathe, This Is My Time, etc etc. Plus some other new songs in the pipeline. 

20th March 2013
The Erin Bardwell Collective are contributing a song to the Specialized 2 - Beat Teenage Cancer album. In aid of The Teenage Cancer Trust. An album of bEAT cover versions & songs by many different bands and artists. Our contribution is the song 'Which Side Of The Bed' which was written by The bEAT and originally came out in 1981. It was the b-side of the HIT IT single which got to No.70 in the charts!! We were asked by the compilers to record our own interpretation of the tune to include it on the album. We spent Jan-Feb recording the song in our own distinct style, it has been mixed and it has been submitted. They like it! Pete Fitzsimmons on bass, percussion, production, engineering and mixing duties, Pete OD on Drums, Sandra Bell on vocals, Ed Frankis on guitar, and Erin on piano, vox organ, vocals and accordion. The album will be out in 2013 - more news on that when we get it.

Which Side Of The Bed is already in the live set!!

The current Erin Bardwell Collective Album Bringing The Hope has been receiving airplay on BBC Radio 6 Music. Steve Lamacq has spun the tunes 'Time On Our Side' & 'The Doctor Said' (actually back in Nov). Other radio shows featuring tracks from the album include Selector D-Bo's 'Ring The Alarm' and Dublins 'Ska Patrol'.

Another shop is now stocking this vinyl LP - 

UK, Swindon - IDL Records, Unit 22, Tented Market. Open 11.30am (Mon-Fri) & 10.30am (Saturdays)

 

30th Oct 2012
The Vinyl LPs of the new Erin Bardwell Collective Album Bringing The Hope are available from the following record shops

UK, Bristol - Payback Records, St Nicholas Market, Corn Street 

UK, Swindon - Blood On The Tracks (Swindon's Premier Record Shop), Tented Market, Tel: Derek on 07841 378042 

AND FROM THESE MAIL ORDER PLACES: - 

Germany - Copasetic Mail Order  

UK - Do The Dog Music (CDs only), 65 Blackdown Way, Thatcham, Berkshire, RG19 3FY. Send an SAE for current list.

 

30th Oct 2012
The Vinyl LPs of the new Erin Bardwell Collective Album have finally arrived! Officially OUT NOW! 

So for those of you who have already ordered the LP - they are all packaged up, and they will be in the post tomorrow!

To order a copy of BRINGING THE HOPE send GBP payments through PAY PAL to erin@popatop.freeserve.co.uk (or email us for a postal address for cheque payments etc)

For LP send £12 (UK), £14 (Europe), £16 (Rest Of World) 

For CD send £8 (UK), £10 (Europe), £12 (Rest Of World) 

For Downloads visit our Bandcamp page http://erinbardwellcollective.bandcamp.com  

 

 

3rd Oct 2012
New Erin Bardwell Collective Album OUT NOW! The CD & Download of 'Bringing The Hope' available now (PATCD14) - the vinyl LP (PAT014) coming very soon. 10 new tracks from current live set. To order send GBP payments through PAY PAL to erin@popatop.freeserve.co.uk (or email us for a postal address for cheque payments etc)

For CD send £8 (UK), £10 (Europe), £12 (Rest Of World) - available now

For Downloads visit our Bandcamp page http://erinbardwellcollective.bandcamp.com - available now

For LP send £12 (UK), £14 (Europe), £16 (Rest Of World) - coming soon

 

 

11th Sept 2012
New Erin Bardwell Collective LP & CD 'Bringing The Hope' coming very soon!! Cat. no. PATCD014(CD) & PAT014 (LP), and it is to feature 10 new songs from the current live set:

Album launch party Sat 20th October at The Victoria in Swindon. 

16th July 2012
Plans for the new Erin Bardwell Collective LP/CD are underway. Recording & mixing nearly finished. To be entitled "Bringing The Hope" cat. no. PATCD14(CD) & PAT014 (LP), and to feature 10 new songs from the current live set. Album launch party Sat 20th October at The Victoria in Swindon. 

13th June 2012
Please can you vote for 'The Erin Bardwell Collective' in the Facebook WOMAD Band Competition. Thanks. The links to it are here -  www.facbook.com/erinbardwellcollective - when you get to it you can find us in the reggae section. And you might have to download the app. to vote! Takes about 2 minutes to do the whole thing! Cheers! If we win we get to play at the Womad festival. 

29th May 2012
Re-scheduled OXFORD date for The Erin Bardwell Collective - was to be Sat 9th June now it is FRI 29TH JUNE - same venue (Cricketers Arms on the Iffley Road). We had to change the date due to a band member being in hospital. So the updated gig list for the live band with stage times is as follows. 

10th May 2012
New Erin Bardwell Collective gigs announced. Oxford on Sat 9th June at The Cricketers Arms on the Iffley Road, Swindon Band Stand in the Old Town Gardens on Sun 24th June, and also a brief slot at Swindon Big Arts Day on Sat 14th July. So the updated gig list for the live band with stage times is as follows. 

So we are really looking forward to our Bristol gig tomorrow - should be a good one! 

17th April 2012
Our Erin Bardwell Collective gig at Arlington Arts in Newbury is now CANCELLED through no fault of our own. It was to be on Fri 20th April. We have just found out from the venue. Sorry to anyone who was planning on going along. 

1st April 2012
Thought we'd better update our news page! So why not do it on April Fools Day! Well over the last few months The Erin Bardwell Collective have been busy gigging all over the UK - from London to Plymouth. And many towns in between. Our latest Pop-A-Top single Moody Man has been getting plenty of airplay. Also the band are currently working on a Volume 4 album. 

EB Collective gigs booked so far for 2012:

Plus two things going on on Sat 28th April 

The Raydiators are not gigging at the moment. Many of their members are currently spread all over the world, including Canada & Australia! Maybe a new project from Johnny Rench & Co is on the horizon. More on that when we know. 

22nd Aug 2011
Brand new Pop-A-Top single OUT NOW! - PAT013 - 7" vinyl - 'The Erin Bardwell Collective- Moody Man' Vs 'The Smokestack Shakers - Fear Is A Worry' - available now through PAY PAL - just send £4 through to erin@popatop.freeserve.co.uk - also available from Bristol record shops Payback Records in the St. Nicholas Market (Tel: 0796 6347412) & the 'Idle Hands' record store on Stokes Croft (07765 275173). Most other Pop-A-Top vinyl also available from these two stores. See our distribution page for more details. 

8th May 2011
Swindon doesn't have a record shop now! 'Love Vinyl' which was in the Tented Market, Market Street, SN1 has shut down - and on April 17th too!! On Record Store Day! Oh well.........................

**DATE CHANGE** - AGAIN! for our London gig! - It is now on Fri 13th May (not Sat 14th) - London Worlds End, Finsbury Park, 21-23 Stroud Green Rd, N4 3EF. With 'By The Rivers' from Leicester. THE VENUE DOUBLE BOOKED. SO NOT THE PROMOTERS' FAULT. 

 

9th April 2011
Swindon has a new record shop! That sells only vinyl! And all the Pop-A-Top vinyl is available there. It is called 'Love Vinyl' and can be found in the Tented Market, Market Street, SN1. We have a new 7" coming out soon (PAT013). 

Date & venue change for London do's starring The Erin Bardwell Collective. The new venue is the Worlds End, Finsbury Park (July 16th and new date May 14th) - See our 'Events' page for more details. 

26th Feb 2011
The Swindon Rolleston have cancelled the 'Erin Bardwell Collective' gig on Fri 29th April. Next date there is Fri 23rd September. 

New 'Erin Bardwell Collective' live date added at Bristol Mr Wolfs (May 6th). See our 'Events' page for more details. 

 

30th Jan 2011
DJ Johnny Rench from The Raydiators has a radio show on Somer Valley FM - Sundays 6-7pm GMT, and Wednesdays 7-8pm GMT playing a fine mix of reggae, funk, hip-hop and anything else that takes his fancy! Known to air a few Pop-A-Top recordings too! Listen live on the net www.somervalleyfm.co.uk

New 'Erin Bardwell Collective' live dates have been added. See our 'Events' page for more details. 

20th Dec 2010 
Please note - the Erin Bardwell Collective live gig at Notting Hill Arts Club in London tomorrow night (Dec 21st) has been postponed until the new year due to the ice & snow. 

The Smokestack Shakers appearance at the Shocks Of Mighty gig last Sat (Dec 18th at the Vic, Swindon) had to be postponed also, due to the weather. So the night still continued on with DJs Erin Bardwell and Asa White (kindly standing in at the last minute). A slightly quieter night to start with for obvious reasons, but the crowd soon picked up later with a good turn out considering the zero temperatures outside! The Smokestack Shakers will hopefully be back next year for a re-scheduled gig. 

25th Nov 2010 
Please note - date change for Erin Bardwell Collective at Notting Hill Arts Club in London. It is actually the following week - Tues 21st Dec (not the 14th). All other details are the same. 

22nd Nov 2010 
Brand new Pop-A-Top 12" single released today by The Raydiators - all brand new tracks/rhythms - No versions! Grab it now on vinyl only - features the tracks Captains Cargo & Make You Smile (both featured in their BBC session - although these are new recordings). And the B side consists of the tunes Uno Fida & The Ballad Of Delma Goom.

Don't forget our PO Box is now closed so PAY PAL is the best way to purchase this release. 

See Mail Order page and 'Releases' page for more details. 

Also we are proud to announce our latest addition to our Shocks of Mighty guests for 2011. The Estimators will be coming down to sunny Swindon on Sat 16th April 2011 to play at the Victoria. They play authentic 60s style ska & rocksteady. Also on Oct 15th 2011 we have the fantastic DJ Amma! See our 'Events' page for more details on the above gigs. 

10th Nov 2010 
New gig announced. In London. For The Erin Bardwell Collective. Tuesday 14th December 2010 - Notting Hill Arts Club, 19-21 Notting Hill Gate, London, W11 3JQ. Band on stage 10pm. As part of the 'Count On Earl' club night with Earl Gateshead (Trojan Sound System) & Count Skylarkin'. Doors 7pm. Free before 8pm/£5 after. Open till 2am. Plus more TBC. 

Don't forget our PO Box is now closed. PAY PAL is the best way to purchase our releases. 

6th Oct 2010 - IMPORTANT!
Please note our Special Guest at the 'Erin Bardwell Collective Shocks of Mighty night' at The Victoria, Swindon on Sat 16th Oct is now Neol Davies of The Selecter. The original guest Recoldo Fleming has had to pull out of the gig due to family commitments in the Caribbean. He is due to reschedule another UK Swindon date hopefully next year. And we wish him all the best for now. Watch this space....

18th Sept 2010 - IMPORTANT!
Please note our PO Box (which was 2404) will be out of action from October 2010 onwards. For any postal correspondence please e-mail erin@popatop.freeserve.co.uk or erinbardwell@hotmail.com (including anyone wanting to purchase a CD or record with a cheque or postal order), and a postal address will be passed on.

8th Sept 2010
New band of ex-Skanxters members announced! The Nomarks will be supporting 'The Erin Bardwell Collective' on Fri 11th Feb 2011 at Riffs Bar, 26 Greatfield, Nr. Hook, Swindon, SN4 8EQ. Tel: 01793 778304. 8pm. Tickets £3. This will be their debut gig!! Featuring Carl Humphreys, Rowena Cameron, Mark McLaughlin and Mark Henley

25th July 2010
More airplay for our latest EP! - The One Rhythm EP - PAT011 - Last night (July 24th) on Radio 2 Steve Lamacq spun Sandra Bell's I Always Knew at around 11.20pm!

 

See Mail Order page and 'Releases' page for more details. 

18th July 2010
The late great John Peel's son Tom Ravenscroft recently spun a Pop-A-Top track! On Friday 16th July 2010 he played Tears Of Haiti by Jon Brooks (from our recent One Rhythm EP - PAT011) on his BBC 6 Music show. 

 

See Mail Order page and 'Releases' page for more details. 

5th July 2010
NEW RELEASE - The One Rhythm EP (PAT011) - 12" vinyl 331/3 R.P.M. - 4 songs, 4 artists, one rhythm!

 

See Mail Order page and 'Releases' page for more details. 

24th May 2010
All Pop-A-Top releases are now available to purchase through PAY PAL. Just send payments through to Erin Bardwell / erin@popatop.freeserve.co.uk - see Mail Order page for prices and deals - just remember to tell us which records/CDs you want along with your name and address!

The Erin Bardwell Collective are due to team up with Small Axe for a concert at Bath Pavillion on 24th September 2010. 

The Shocks of Mighty present The Smokestack Shakers at their Christmas Party at The Vic in Swindon on Sat 18th Dec

Smokestack Shakers Myspace 

See 'Events' page for more details on above gigs. 

11th May 2010
Boss Tunes Records in Swindon has sadly closed down. This brings to an end our online ordering facility for our customers (a service Boss Tunes were running for us). They also had all the Pop-A-Top releases on the shelf in the store. So it is a real shame. We must thank them for helping us and other small labels get their product out there to the masses! They were with us from the beginning (2003), so that's a 7 year run! But we are trying to find a new way for people who want to order our stuff online. Watch this space. 

2nd May 2010
The Erin Bardwell Collective announce another Bristol date. Friday 30th July at Mr Wolfs in the City Centre. Supporting The Smoke Stack Shakers. £3/£3.50 on door. Live music runs between 9pm-11.45pm. 

See 'Events' page for more details on above gig and all other gigs. 

10th April 2010
A Raydiators gig finally added - The Stones Cross in Midsomer Norton Friday 18th June. More dates to come. They have played The Wunderbar and other gigs this year (March/April) but we have been lazy and haven't put them on here!

Some great pics here from photographer Jason Moore (also added to 'Links' page)

See 'Events' page for more details on above gig and all other gigs. 

20th February 2010
'The Erin Bardwell Collective" are due to do a BBC Wiltshire Introducing live radio session on Thurs 1st April. On air just after 7pm through to 8pm. Two songs and a chat. On digital, on 103.6FM, and online at www.bbc.co.uk/wiltshire - Also up to 7 days afterwards on the 'Listen Again' facility. 

And the live guests at The Vic gig on June 19th are reggae band 'REBEL SOULS' from Newbury. They are an extension of the 'Jah Works UK' project. Tickets are £4 from The Vic on 01793 535713. 

See 'Events' page for more details on this gig and all other gigs. 

9th February 2010
'The Erin Bardwell Collective" announce some special guests for their Swindon live dates at The Vic - 

24th January 2010
'The Erin Bardwell Collective" announce 2 new dates - 

24th December 2009
'The Erin Bardwell Collective' announce some live dates for 2010

23rd December 2009
The Raydiators Scootering Magazine review of their latest single (Jan 2010 - edition No. 283 - page 110). 

Raydiators Myspace

'Shocks of Mighty' 2010 Dates announced for The Victoria, Swindon. 

Sat 20th Feb (DJs only)

Sat 17th April (plus live music)

Sat 19th June (plus live music)

Sat 21st Aug (DJs only)

Sat 16th Oct (plus live music)

Sat 18th Dec (DJs only)

 

1st December 2009
The Raydiators got played on Radio 2! Their song 'Gloria' was aired on 25th Nov 2009. Just after 11pm when they were probably just finishing their gig at The Wunderbar in Norton! Completely oblivious of course! 

Raydiators Myspace

17th November 2009
The Raydiators Tom Robinson BBC session is still available on the 'Listen Again' facility until Nov 20th 2009. Visit http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00nv5js to do this. They come on in the second hour of the programme. The first hour of the programme features radio DJ Charlie Gillett (which is also entertaining). The Raydiators played their own tunes Django's Gypsy Biscuit (from their new single), Make You Smile and Captains Cargo. And was a success all round! 

The Raydiators also announce another radio appearance on Somer Vally FM on Thurs 19th Nov, and a Christmas gig on Thurs 24th Dec at The Stones Cross in their home town of Midsomer Norton. 

Raydiators Myspace

8th November 2009
Some old TV footage uncovered. From the summer of 2004 (ITV Earshot) of The Erin Bardwell Collective playing live at The Vic, Swindon, plus a bit of an interview with label founder Erin. This was at a time when the whole Pop-A-Top thing was in its early stages. Many of the musicians featured have moved on to other things or have gone solo. 

 

Here they are performing the song 'Hypocrite' by Recoldo Fleming (from the Pop-A-Top CD 'Kingston Experience' - PATCD03), with Erin Bardwell on the talking, Vox Continental, and electric piano, Matty Bane on drums (now of the Transpersonals), Pat Luszcz on lead guitar (now in The Trick Babies), Chris Lipscombe on rhythm guitar (whereabouts unknown), Nevil Banton on congas and vocals (still a Pop-A-Top artist but has now gone solo), Sandra Bell on backing vocals and percussion (still currently in the live Collective band but also does solo recordings), Dean Sartain on bass (still waiting in the wings for a return but currently in semi retirement from the music world), and Preston Steel on saxophone (still in his old band 'The Hamsters From Hell' who are soon to release some material through i-Tunes on 208 Records). 


24th October 2009
The following Pop-A-Top CDs are now available from Do The Dog Music, 65 Blackdown Way, Thatcham, Berkshire, RG19 3FY. Send an SAE for current list.

5th October 2009
The Raydiators have been invited down to London to do a BBC session for The Tom Robinson Show on 6 Music. A promo copy of their latest single was sent to the producer of the programme and he really liked it and was keen to have them come down and do a live session. So the date is set - Friday 13th November 2009 - from 7pm onwards (GMT) - live on air - 3 songs and a chat. You can listen in on your DAB digital radio, or on your TV digi box. Or online anywhere in the world, or on the 'Listen Again' facility (www.bbc.co.uk/6music)  for up to 7 days afterwards. The show actually runs from 7pm-9pm GMT. 

The A Side of the new Raydiators single (The Raydiator) gained its first bit of airplay last Saturday when it was spun on the Welsh radio station Radio Ceredigion - www.radioceredigion.net - on their Saturday night show with DJ Mikey J (Melting Pot 10pm - 12am). It was the opening track to the show in fact! 

28th September 2009
Pop-A-Top Records present their latest signings The Raydiators with their debut single "The Raydiator" / "Gloria" / "Django’s Gypsy Biscuit" (PAT010). The 10th release on Pop-A-Top. The first 12" on the label. The 4th vinyl release on the label. 

The Raydiators are the Somerset arm of Pop-A-Top Records. The group are an evolving progression on from The Pop-A-Top Allstars. They include Johnny Rench in their line up (who has been involved with the label since its inception back in 2003, and plays on many Pop-A-Top releases).

The Raydiators have been gigging for the past year and a half or so with Johnny Rench on bass, Shane 'Solid' Brimble (drums), Mullins on guitar, Petey C (decks, tenor sax & melodica), Jake with his box full of tricks, and Tom The Captain on organ & vocals. Described as a progressive reggae / dub / rocksteady experiment this live line up gig around whenever they can and sometimes include special guests.

They have a launch party for this single on Sat 17th October when they are special guests at the ‘Shocks of Mighty’ reggae club night at The Victoria in Swindon. Doors 9pm. And then they play their home town of Midsomer Norton on Sat 31st Oct at The Stones Cross. 

These latest recordings were done live with minimal overdubs with mixing taking place at Rohans studio in Bristol. Rohan Tarry guests on alto saxophone on this release.

Available mail order for £6 (inc. P&P) from Pop-A-Top Records, PO Box 2404, Swindon, SN1 2ZW. Make payments out to ‘E. Bardwell’. 

Or phone 'Boss Tunes' on 01793 644184 and order it. 

Or pop into the 'Boss Tunes' record shop on Morley Street, Swindon (upstairs at the Swin City comic shop). Online ordering through 'Boss Tunes' for the 12" coming soon. 

21st September 2009
New link added to 'Links' page - www.skaboom09.hostzi.com - Great reggae - ska - vinyl - CD - scooter sight recently discovered through recommendation. 

4th September 2009
More gigs announced. This time for new Pop-A-Top signings The Raydiators (new 12" single coming soon).

See 'Events' page for more details on these gigs and all other gigs. 

24th August 2009
More gig details updated. The Erin Bardwell Collective live date on 9th Oct 2009 at the Bristol Cooler will include support from Bristol band The Relay Rips. Plus the Pet Sounds DJs into the night. This night will feature DJs spinning Soul, Funk, New Wave, Indie and More. Whatever songs you hear the DJ's spinning you can rest assured in knowing that its going to be some of the best records ever made. www.clubcooler.com 

See 'Events' page for more details on this gig and all other gigs. 

6th August 2009
Gig details updated. The Erin Bardwell Collective live date on 12 Sept 2009 at Swansea Garage (The Summer Vibes Festival) will be along side three other groups:- 

Happy listening...

See 'Events' page for more details on this gig and all other gigs. 

3rd August 2009
New gigs announced for The Erin Bardwell Collective. Sat 12th Sept at The Garage in Swansea, and Friday 20th Nov at The 12 Bar in Swindon supporting Pama International. See 'Events' page for full list of all live dates for Sept - Nov 2009. 

New 12" vinyl single from The Raydiators is imminent. The Raydiators are run by Johnny Rench and are the Somerset arm of Pop-A-Top Records. This new release should drop in September. Watch this space....... 

Click here for more details on The Raydiators

8th July 2009
New review in The Big Cheese Magazine by Lee Cotterell (Issue 113. July 2009. Page 100) - see 'What The Papers Say' - which we were really pleased with. Nice to have a bit more coverage again from a publication you can just pick up on the shelf of your local newsagent.

Also added a review of the Guns, Bombs & Madness single from Mays edition of Scootering Magazine - see 'What The Papers Say'

Artist profiles updated for Jimmy Adamson & Erin Bardwell Collective

22nd June 2009
An extra guest has been added to the next 'Shocks of Mighty' reggae club night at The Vic in Swindon. Phil 'Blinker' Fraser will join DJ Skaface from Set The Tone 67 for a Reggae '69 Special. See 'Events' page for more details.

The recent 'Shocks of Mighty' night with special guest Allan Burston was a huge success. There was naturally slightly more 50s R&B than usual. Allan used to have a Rock & Roll show on the old Wiltshire Radio back in the 80s. And before that DJ'd all over the place in the 1970s. He also has a huge collection of reggae and soul. He put on Laurel Aitken at Swindons Town Hall in 1980 (after rescuing Laurel from singing pop in Greek restaurants). Allan currently hosts a Rock & Roll show on Swindon 105.5 (a local community FM radio station with online live streaming). Saturdays 12noon-2pm. And then repeated on a Tuesday evening. 

17th June 2009
Erin Bardwell Collective live date announced for Friday 9th October 2009 at The Cooler in Bristol. See 'Events' page for more details.

12th May 2009
Erin Bardwell Collective gig this Sunday CANCELLED (17th May Swindon Beehive). 

8th May 2009
Two new live gig dates announced for The Erin Bardwell Collective

See 'Events' page for more details.

22nd April 2009
Live gig date announced for Wednesday 3rd June for The Erin Bardwell Collective at The Bath Fringe at The Bell, 103 Walcot Street, Bath, BA1 5BW. 2 sets. First set 9pm. Free admission. See 'Events' page for more details. 

Special guest for The Shocks of Mighty night at The Vic in Swindon on Sat 15th Aug is Skaface (not the Swindon band, but a DJ / selector from Set The Tone '67). See 'Events' page for more details.

Nevil Banton single Guns, Bombs & Madness out this week on i-Tunes for £1.58 

2nd April 2009
Live gig date announced for Friday 24th April for The Erin Bardwell Collective at Swindons' 12 Bar with Bristol world music band Baraka. Doors 8pm. Tickets £3 advance. £5 on door. See 'Events' page for more details. 

22nd March 2009
Live interview today with Mr B on BBC Radio Wiltshire (103.6 FM). At 3pm (GMT) on the Euron Griffith Show. The show actually runs from 2pm-5pm. And a great local arts, music and culture show it is too! Worth a listen every Sunday (whoever the guests!) 

If you don't live in the Wiltshire area you can go to www.bbc.co.uk/wiltshire to listen live. And it will also be on the 'Listen Again' facility for 7 days afterwards. 

20th March 2009
We got played on Radio 2 again! But we only just found out. Good old Steve Lamacq! He played the B side of the new Nevil Banton single (Herbie & The Collectives The Price Of Rice) on Weds 18th March. He said we were one of his favourite reggae/ska labels in the UK! 

To 'Listen Again' up until this Weds (Mar 25th) go to - http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/shows/lamacq/musicthisweek.shtml . It's the 5th track in. But the whole show is worth a listen (1 hour). 

7th March 2009
Advance copies of the new Pop-A-Top 7" single now available (Nevil Bantons' Guns, Bombs & Madness). Direct from us (see Mail Order page), or from Boss Tunes. And on Monday 20th April 2009 it will be available as a digital download from i-Tunes through 208 Records

1st March 2009
Live radio interview with Erin Bardwell announced. On NEAR 90 FM. Dublin, Ireland. And across the world on live streaming through the internet. It is to happen on Mon 2nd March 2009 between 8 - 10pm (GMT). On the Ska Patrol show. You can tune in on line anywhere in the world. Go to www.freewebs.com/skapatrol  or http://www.near.ie/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=21&Itemid=50  or www.near.ie  

20th February 2009
On Thurs 26th March The Erin Bardwell Collective will be taking part in a benefit night / fundraiser gig in aid of the Gaza City Hospitals (MAP - Medical Aid for Palestine), along with The Minnesota Twins, Natasha Griffiths & Stuart Rowe. Plus compere Brian Popay (Natural Theatre of Bath). All at The Victoria, 88 Victoria Rd, Old Town, Swindon. SN1 3BD. Doors 8.30pm 'till late. Free admission (with a collection bucket going around). Tel: 01793 535713.   

Also new - just published - tunes you might hear during 2009 at the 'Shocks of Mighty' reggae club nights at The Vic in Swindon:- 

Old 60s & 70s classics such as

And modern / new tracks / artists who fit the bill!

Watch this space for updates..........

30th January 2009
We are pleased to announce some special guests coming up for this years 'Shocks Of Mighty' reggae club nights at The Vic in Swindon. On Sat 21st Feb we have Johnny Rench & His Pop-A-Top Dubstars. On Sat 18th April we have our 7" vinyl launch party for the new Nevil Banton / Herbie & The Collective 45 Guns, Bombs & Madness / The Price Of Rice (PAT009). And on Sat 20th June we have Allan Burston making a very special guest appearance. See 'Events' page for more details. 

17th December 2008
We are pleased to announce our two special guests for the 'Shocks of Mighty' reggae club night this Saturday (Dec 20th).  DJ/selector 'D-BO' from Bristol & Sunny Boy on percussion. As well as resident DJ/selector Erin Bardwell. All taking place at The Vic in Swindon. See 'Events' page for more details. 

28th October 2008
We are pleased to announce two dates for 'The Erin Bardwell Quartet' at The Beehive Public House in Swindon. Thurs 13th Nov & Mon 22nd Dec. It will be Erin Bardwell (piano), Pete Fitzsimmons (double bass), Eddie Frankis (semi-acoustic guitar), and Pete O'Driscoll (drums & percussion). 

Johnny Rench & his Pop-A-Top Dub Stars (a spin off from The Pop-A-Top All Stars), are going from strength to strength. More gigs for them to be announced soon.

Some of the Pop-A-Top CDs are now available in the Marlborough record shop 'Sound Knowledge', which can be found at 22 Hughenden Yard, High St, SN8 1LT. Tel: 01672 511106. 

Some other distribution has been sorted out in Sweden through AMTY. 

5th August 2008
Since our last news update we have been very busy here at Pop-A-Top headquarters! 

Two of the BBC session tracks recorded for Tom Robinson back in April were repeated on June 15th. 'Guns, Bombs & Madness' & 'Slaving For Bread' both received airplay for a second time on 6 Music. But the BBC don't tell you you know. We just found out by accident a few days afterwards. So we managed to use the 'Listen Again' facility. We would have found out eventually (but not until October or December). More airplay soon followed on 6 Music from Gideon Coe in July when he decided to play 'Evaporator' from the new CD 'Volume 3 - The Instrumentals'. So great to get a bit of interest from a fresh DJ.

A slimmed down line up of The Erin Bardwell Collective also managed to fit in an appearance at the Swindon Caribbean Carnival on July 12th at Buckhurst Park in Walcot. As a 6 piece the group put in a 45 minute set plugged into the Terrorist Nuclear Sound System with Ronnie & Luchi at the controls. Their web site has been added to our 'Links Page' - www.terro-fab.co.uk . The Collective will hopefully be back next year for a repeat performance. 

A new gig has been added to the Events page - Sat 4th Oct - The Moose Hall in Swindon - with live band The Erin Bardwell Collective & DJ Preston Steel.

On Sun 10th August BBC Radio Swindon will be holding an interview with Mr Erin Bardwell himself to chat about the new album. He will be appearing live on air with presenter Ashley Heath at 3.30pm. Some tracks from the new CD will also get an airing on the show (which runs from 2pm - 5pm). 

The new album has received a rave review from Mark Sargeant at Scootering Magazine (see 'What The Papers Say')

Also added a new link to Welsh radio station Radio Ceredigion - www.radioceredigion.net - their Saturday night show with DJ Mikey J (Melting Pot 10pm - 12am) regularly spins Pop-A-Top material. 

See you all on Sat 9th Aug for the Album Launch Party at Swindon's 12 Bar. 

2nd June 2008
We are pleased to announce the release of The Erin Bardwell Collective Volume 3 (PATCD08). The organ driven instrumental album. Heavily influenced by the late '60s early reggae sound. It features plenty of Farfisa organ & piano, and many guest musicians from The Collectives' live line up (past & present). An instrumental album was always on the cards! It was just a question of when!  It features the recent single Fry Up (which gained national airplay on BBC 6 Music). The reggae tradition of re-using rhythm tracks to create a 'version' is continued here at Pop-A-Top. Two tracks on this new CD feature rhythms from two previous Pop-A-Top CDs. If you can spot them you get a free T-Shirt!! Two of the other tracks are versions of themselves! And the other 9 tunes are new. Due to become 'versions' of the future we are sure! Available on CD now from our 'Mail Order' page.

2nd May 2008
We are currently planning our next release (PATCD08). It is to be an instrumental, organ driven, early reggay style,13 track affair from The Erin Bardwell Collective. Simply entitled Volume 3. Due out over the summer. 

The BBC Session with The Erin Bardwell Collective on the 6 Music Tom Robinson show went very well (April 22nd). The line up of musicians being Pete O'Driscoll (drums), Pete Fitzsimmons (double bass), Eddie Frankis & Pat Luszcz (guitars), Nevil Banton & Sandra Bell (vocals & percussion), Preston Steel (saxophone), and Erin Bardwell (electric piano & Farfisa organ).  The band played the 3 tracks Slaving For Bread (from Volume 2), Spray It & Burn It (from Volume 1), and Guns, Bombs & Madness. The latter is currently unavailable. Due to be released on Pop-A-Top soon. All 3 tunes are favourites in the live set. 

16th April 2008
We are pleased to announce our 'Special Guest' at the 'Erin Bardwell Collective' gig this Sat (April 19th) will be Neol Davies (original guitarist & founder member of The Selecter). He will be coming down from Coventry on the night to play on some of the Pop-A-Top material during the Collectives live set. Band on at around 10pm. All taking place at The Victoria in Swindon of course! Fun starts around 8.30pm with DJ Phil 'Blinker' Fraser, spinning some fine reggae, including a set of Joe Gibbs productions (the Jamaican producer who sadly passed away recently). Tickets £4 advance from 01793 535713, or £4 on the door. Get there early! Oh yes and the new 7" single will be on sale too! 

1st April 2008
New review up for the latest 7" single from Scootering Magazine (April 2008 edition - No. 262). See 'What The Papers Say'. Or even pop into your local WHSmiths and grab a copy. 

Nevil Banton got played on Radio 2! Last Wednesday (March 26th) Steve Lamacq spun Them People Poor on his show (on the flip side to Fry Up). 

25th March 2008
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT - The Erin Bardwell Collective will be heading off down to London for a live BBC Session on Tuesday 22nd April 2008. It is to take place between 8pm-9pm (GMT) on the Tom Robinson radio show on BBC 6 Music. 3 songs and a chat. On DAB digital radio, through your digi-box on your TV and through the internet.  

To listen live (or use the 'Listen Again' facility up to 7 days afterwards) CLICK HERE

11th March 2008
Our new 7" single "Fry Up" by The Erin Bardwell Collective (PAT007) is available to order online through Boss Tunes. 

To order online now through Boss Tunes click here 

It also gained airplay on the BBC 6 Music Tom Robinson radio show on 10th March 2008 (last night).

3rd March 2008
The new 7" vinyl single (PAT007) is officially out. See 'Releases' page and 'Mail Order' page for more details. "Fry Up" by The Erin Bardwell Collective b/w "Them People Poor" by Nevil Banton is available now direct from us for £3.99 (make payments out to E. Bardwell) from Pop-A-Top Records, PO Box 2404, Swindon, SN1 2ZW. Our online ordering facility through 'Boss Tunes' will be available very soon. 

9th February 2008
The 'Shocks of Mighty' reggae club night on April 19th at The Vic in Swindon has now become a 7" vinyl launch party with live band 'The Erin Bardwell Collective' with DJ Phil 'Blinker Fraser' plus a 'Special Guest'. Tickets are £4 and doors are open at 9pm. 

Yes our next release (as you have probably guessed) is to be a 7" single (PAT007). It is going to feature two tracks. On the A side we have "Fry Up" by The Erin Bardwell Collective, and then "Them People Poor" by Nevil Banton will be on the B side. Due to be released March/April time. Watch this space. 

Also an 'Album Launch Party' has been announced for Sat 9th August at the Swindon 12 Bar. Two bands and a DJ. See 'Events' page for more details.

17th January 2008
'The Erin Bardwell Collective' took part in a Prospect Hospice charity night on 5th January 2008. It all took place at Riffs Bar, Nr. Swindon. Also on the bill that night were The Minnesota Twins & DJ Robbo The Clown. The gig was a huge success with £130 collected in donations for The Prospect Foundation (the promoter decided to make the gig a free admission affair due to it being so soon after Christmas). A great live review by Flicky Harrison appeared in the local paper (The Swindon Advertiser), a week later on Jan 12th (soon to be up on our 'What The Papers Say' page). And as the saying goes, a great night was had by all. 

New 'Shocks of Mighty' reggae club night dates announced for 2008. They are every other month, all on Saturday nights, and are all at The Vic in Swindon. If you want to put them in your diaries they are as follows - Feb 16th, April 19th, June 21st, Aug 16th, Oct 18th & Dec 20th. See 'Events' page for more details. 

2nd November 2007
The Erin Bardwell Collective live Christmas date on Fri 21st Dec at the Swindon 12 Bar will now feature DJ's from Destination Anywhere and Pama International. The Trojan Sound System will not be appearing as previously announced. Doors open from 8pm. Tickets £5 in advance from 01793 535713. See 'Events' page for more details. 

The Boss Tunes record store in Swindon is moving home. From 6th Nov 2007 the shop will be located at 28 Morley Street, SN1 1SG. Same phone number (01793 644184). They will still stock all the Pop-A-Top releases. 

7th August 2007
Another CD review for Earth Scorchers added to 'What The Papers Say' (taken from Scootering Magazine - Aug 2007 - No 254 - Page 122). 

7th July 2007
More airplay on BBC Radio 2! Goats Milk by The Spearmint Rhino Horns (taken from our latest compilation - Earth Scorchers), was aired on the Steve Lamacq show on Weds 4th July. To 'listen again' up to 7 days afterwards click here

A new CD review for Earth Scorchers (taken from the 'Big Cheese' magazine - Issue 89 - July 2007), is now up on our 'What The Papers Say' page. 

14th June 2007
Yesterday (June 13th) a Pop-A-Top Records track was played on BBC Radio 2. The Monkey Club by The Spearmint Rhino Horns (taken from our latest compilation - Earth Scorchers), was aired on the Steve Lamacq show. To 'listen again' up to 7 days afterwards click here. And he did say that he will be spinning some more tracks from this album in the coming weeks. Next show is on Weds 20th June 2330-0030 (GMT). 

11th June 2007
Two new 'Events' dates announced. 

See 'Events' page for more details on the above.

28th May 2007
New live gig dates announced for the 8 piece reggae band 'The Erin Bardwell Collective'. 

They are as follows:

See 'Events' page for more details. 

21st May 2007
NEW RELEASE! A compilation CD of Erin Bardwell productions entitled Earth Scorchers (PATCD06) is officially out. It is a selection of our own reggae and ska recordings that have been aired on the 'Shocks of Mighty Sound System' over the past year or two. See our 'Releases', 'Mail Order', and 'Distribution' pages for all the details. 

A tune from this new CD has recently gained some FM airplay. To listen click here

8th May 2007
New 'Shocks of Mighty' reggae club night dates announced for Aug 18th, Oct 20th & Dec 15th. All to be held at The Victoria, Swindon. See 'Events' page for more details. 

Coming soon here on Pop-A-Top Records is a new compilation CD of Erin Bardwell productions. It is set to be a 14 track affair of original tunes recorded in Studio Pop-A-Top. Some of these reggae and ska productions have already had an airing on the 'Shocks of Mighty Sound System'. This album, entitled Earth Scorchers (PATCD06), will feature artists such as Nevil Banton, The Spearmint Rhino Horns, The Erin Bardwell Collective, Sandra Bell, plus many others. 

4th March 2007
New 2007 dates announced for the 'Shocks of Mighty' reggae/ska nights at The Victoria, Swindon:

See 'Events' page for more details. 

A new telephone number for Pop-A-Top Records has been added to our 'Contact' page. It is 07723 025 350 (you will get through to Pop-A-Top artist Johnny Rench). He will be in the office awaiting your call! 

25th Jan 2007
NEW REVIEWS! - The latest Pop-A-Top album The Erin Bardwell Collective Volume 2 (PATCD05) has been reviewed in the latest issue of 'Scootering Magazine' (Feb 2007 - No 248 - page 111). See 'What The Papers Say' for a read. The same CD has also been mentioned in the magazine 'Classic Scooterist Scene' (Issue 53 - Feb/March 2007 - page 47). Both publications are on sale in most good newsagents. Two other favourable reviews have appeared on the following web sites - www.reggae.net.au  and www.wunderbar.co.uk 

16th Jan 2007
New 'Shocks of Mighty' date announced for Sat 17th Feb 2007. The DJ night of reggae and ska is to be held at The Victoria in Swindon. See 'Events Page' for more details. 

Airplay for the new Pop-A-Top album The Erin Bardwell Collective Volume 2 (PATCD05) continues to grow with tracks being played on radio shows in Aberystwyth (Wales), Portland (USA), and the 'Reggae Connection' show in Belgium. 

29th Dec 2006 
New 'Mailing List' feature added to 'main menu' for people who wish to receive information on gigs, new releases, goings on etc. 

New links added for The Big (ska band from Essex recently signed to Moon Ska World), DJ SiLC (local Swindon reggae radio DJ), and Revolution Soundz (US radio show). 

22nd Dec 2006 
The BBC Radio 6 aired tune Copenhagen has been added to our 'Free Downloads' page. This track is taken from the latest Pop-A-Top release - The Erin Bardwell Collective Volume 2 (PATCD05). 

Added a new link to Liquidator Music. A Spanish record label with a similar theme to ours. 

7th Dec 2006 
We are celebrating today! Airplay on the BBC at 8.20 this morning. Phil Jupitus played the track Copenhagen from our latest release The Erin Bardwell Collective Volume 2 (PATCD05) on his 6 Music breakfast show. To 'Listen Again' go to http://www.bbc.co.uk/6music/shows/#dtok Scroll down to Phil Jupitus and click on 'Thurs'. We were played at about 1h 20mins into the show. Hurry though for it is only on line for the next 6 days.  

27th Nov 2006 
We are proud to announce the release of the new Pop-A-Top album The Erin Bardwell Collective Volume 2 (PATCD05). The long awaited follow up is available now. This CD also features a music video as well as guest vocalists and musicians. See updated 'Mail Order' page for ordering details, and 'Releases' page for sound bites. 

New artist profiles added for Sandra Bell and Lady Messenger. Two singers featured on this new album. 

On sale in the Swindon record shop 'Boss Tunes', on Market Street (near the tented market). 

Updated artist profile on Matty Bane to include information on his new band The Transpersonals. Matty Bane also drums on selected tracks on The Erin Bardwell Collective Volume 2. He is currently on tour with Bad Manners. 

Artists profile on Nevil Banton updated accordingly.  

24th Nov 2006 
We are currently preparing for the imminent release of The Erin Bardwell Collective Volume 2 (PATCD05). More news on this very soon. 

Updated 'What The Papers Say' to include a press cutting from the Big Cheese Magazine

27th Oct 2006 
New 'Shocks Of Mighty Sound System' date announced for Friday 17th Nov 2006 at The 12 Bar in Swindon, Wiltshire.  The boys will be supporting Pama International (reggae /ska group featuring Lynval Golding from The Specials), recently signed to Trojan Records. Advance tickets available priced £5. Should be a great night. See Events page for more details

7th Oct 2006 
New 'Shocks Of Mighty Sound System' date announced for Weds 15th Nov 2006 at The Wunderbar in Midsomer Norton.  See Events page for more details. 

16th September 2006 
A new Pop-A-Top album is soon to be released. The Erin Bardwell Collective Volume 2 (PATCD05) is being mixed as we speak and will hit the streets (literally) before Christmas. Release date to be announced. 

Also new Shocks of Mighty dates coming soon. Watch this space.   

27th August 2006 
DJ & selector Johnny Rench has just built a new Sound System, and will be airing it out for the first time on Aug 30th. The show will be held at The Wunderbar in Somerset. See 'Events' page for more details.

1st August 2006 
New Erin Bardwell Collective gig date announced for Friday 18th August at The Riverside Pub, Lechlade, Glos. See 'Events' page for more details. 

Added a new link to a great US site run by Miss Upsetter - www.getupedina.com  

28th June 2006 
Live radio interview with Erin Bardwell announced. This time on Dublin radio in Ireland. It is to happen on Mon 3rd July at about 9pm (GMT) on the Ska Patrol show. The show runs from 8-10pm (GMT) every Monday night. You can tune in on line anywhere in the world. Go to www.freewebs.com/skapatrol 

Updated merchandise page to include new XL Black T-shirts and pin badges.  

Added a couple of new links. 

7th June 2006 
Live radio interview with Erin Bardwell on the BBC announced. It is to happen on Weds 14th June at 3pm (GMT) on the Mark Seaman Afternoon Show. You can tune in on line anywhere in the world. Go to www.bbc.co.uk/wiltshire. Also on 103.5FM, 104.3FM, 104.9FM and DAB Digital Radio. 

Added a couple of scooter related links to our links page. 

6th May 2006 
We have announced a couple of special guests for our Pop-A-Top reggae/ska nights coming up in 2006. The June date will feature vocalist James Eddings from the USA, and Recoldo Fleming will be singing songs from his Kingston Experience for the September show. Both guests will join The Erin Bardwell Collective band on stage, and both dates are to be held at The Victoria in Swindon. See 'Events' page for more details. 

7th April 2006 
We have just found out that BBC Radio 1 have given us some airplay! On Mon 6th March 2006 Steve Lamacq played the B-Side to our latest single (Good Lovin' by The Pop-A-Top Allstars - PAT004) 

A new MP3 download available of Follow Your Dreams by Recoldo Fleming. Taken from his debut solo offering Kingston Experience. See 'Free Downloads' page. 

Updated 'What The Papers Say' to include a new mention about our latest single in the current edition of the 'Do The Dog' fanzine. And also a review of the latest single has been added to 'The Wunderbar Review Section'

Updated 'Artists' profiles. 

30th March 2006 
New XL T-Shirts now available from our Merchandise page. 

A new review added from Scootering Magazine of our recent single. Go to 'What The Papers Say'

A link to the Universal Roots reggae label added. Home to the Skanga Sound System and DJ Knati P. See 'Links' page. 

Updated 'Artists' page and profiles. 

24th March 2006 
A new 'Free Downloads' page added for people to download selected whole tracks from the Pop-A-Top catalogue in MP3 format. Current tracks available are Spray It & Burn It by The Erin Bardwell Collective, and High Noon by Steve Taylor. 

15th Feb 2006 
New gig dates added to Events page, and Distribution Page updated to include new outlets for Pop-A-Top releases in Spain (Liquidator Music) and the UK (The "BA3" shop in Midsommer Norton, Somerset).  

4th Feb 2006 
New gigs added to Events page and new link added for The Charlie King Klub Skank website. 

6th Jan 2006 
New sound bites added to our 'Releases' page for the following tracks:- Good Lovin'  by The Pop-A-Top Allstars, Criminal by Recoldo Fleming (receiving airplay in the Caribbean & the USA at the moment) and Scoop by The Erin Bardwell Collective (receiving airplay in Spain at the moment). 

3rd Jan 2006 
The French reggae and ska magazine "Ragga" have reviewed our Man Cool Rides Again EP. See our 'What The Papers Say' to see a translation of it. 

28th Dec 2005 
The date for the next Pop-A-Top release has been brought forward. It was officially released yesterday (Dec 27th 2005). It was originally due for a January release, but the 7" singles arrived early from the pressing plant. We originally allowed extra time for deliveries because of Christmas. So the Johnny Rench & The Pop-A-Top Allstars single is OUT NOW (PAT004). Sound bites still coming soon. See 'Mail Order' and 'Releases' for more details.  

Added new gig information to the 'Events' page for The Erin Bardwell Collective show at Swindon's Furnace Nightclub on January 7th 2006. 

Updated Johnny Rench artist profile. 

Updated our 'Mail Order', 'Releases' and 'Main Home' pages. 

20th Dec 2005 
The next Pop-A-Top release will come in the shape of a 7" single produced by Johnny Rench featuring The Pop-A-Top Allstars. Release date January 9th 2006. Sound bites coming soon. 

Added more information to the 'Events' page including some new links to artist profiles. 

Updated 'Links' page to include a Spanish radio station who host a Wednesday night reggae/ska show at 9.30pm (GMT). You can tune in through their web site. Known to occasionally air Pop-A-Top tunes including High Noon by Steve Taylor. www.radiovallekas.org 

Updated our Main Home Page accordingly. 

5th Nov 2005 
Added two new sound bites to 'Releases' page. One is of Recoldo Fleming singing Hypocrite, and the other song is Yes I by Nevil Banton.

27th Oct 2005 
The recent issue of the 'Do The Dog Fanzine' has published a couple of comments on the two new Pop-A-Top releases. The compilation EP "Man Cool Rides Again" and Recoldo Flemings' "Kingston Experience" get a favourable thumbs up. See the  'What The Papers Say' page for more info. 

Updated Events Page.  

Updated 'Main Home Page' accordingly. 

16th Oct 2005 
Updated Links Page. Added a new Shocks Of Mighty date to Events Page.  

7th Oct 2005 
Radio interview announced for Fri 21st Oct @ 6pm (GMT). Digital and internet radio station 'Swindon FM' interview Recoldo Fleming and Erin Bardwell about the new Pop-A-Top releases. 

Updated 'Events' and 'Main Home Page' accordingly. 

27th Sept 2005
Added a new gig review to "What The Papers Say". Look under The Wunderbar. 

18th Sept 2005
Added a Distribution page to present a list of UK shops, European mail order sites and other outlets stocking various Pop-A-Top releases. 

8th Sept 2005 
Main homepage changed to summarise the latest label news and up and coming events. This seems a more appropriate approach now. Since the launch of the label back in December 2002 and up until yesterday the homepage paid respect to Derrick Morgan and Bunny Lee. It used to explain the origins of the transitions from ska, through to rocksteady and onto reggae in the mid to late 60's, and featured a quote from Morgan himself. We here at Pop-A-Top Records thought it was time for a change while not forgetting our roots. 

A new merchandise page has been added to include T- Shirts that are available now through mail order, or from the gigs.

Events page updated. 

28th July 2005
Man Cool Rides Again (PATCD02) receives rave review in Scootering Magazine. Visit "What The Papers Say" for more reviews. 

Credit Card / Switch / Debit Card ordering facility for Kingston Experience (PATCD03) now up and running, and some of the Artist profiles updated. 

23rd July 2005 
New Release - Kingston Experience by Recoldo Fleming (PATCD03) available now. Brand new album recorded at Dynamic Sound Studio in Kingston, Jamaica. See updated 'Mail Order' page and 'Releases' page. Sound bites for this CD coming soon. 

Events Page updated. 

Artists profile on Recoldo Fleming updated.  

25th June 2005
Events page updated to include an Erin Bardwell Collective gig supporting Neville Staples from The Specials / Fun Boy Three. 

22nd June 2005
Events page updated

11th June 2005
DJ Matty Bane to appear at Glastonbury Festival on June 24th. See 'Events' page. 

8th June 2005
New 'Boss Tunes' Credit Card/Switch/Debit Card link added to 'Mail Order' page for the CD release Man Cool Rides Again. Sound bites coming soon

1st June 2005 
New Release! The compilation EP of versions produced by Johnny Rench, Man Cool Rides Again (PATCD02), is out now. Officially released on 27th May 2005. See updated 'Mail Order' page for more details. It features The Erin Bardwell Collective, Nevil Banton plus many more. Sound bites for this CD coming soon to 'Releases' page. Watch this space.  

Johnny Rench added to updated artists page. 

Events page updated. 

New link added for Solarise Records in London, who are promoting The Erin Bardwell Collective. 

8th May 2005
The new Pop-A-Top compilation EP Man Cool Rides Again (PATCD02) is due for release in late May / early June 2005. Watch this space.  

Mail order page updated.

Events page updated to include CD Launch Party. 

27th March 2005 
The Erin Bardwell Collective announce new live Swindon date for The Vic on Sat 30th April 2005. See updated Events page. 

Artists profiles on Matty Bane, Recoldo Fleming, Erin Bardwell and Nevil Banton updated. 

Links page changed and Distribution page temporarily taken off line.  

21st January 2005
Events page updated with new "Shocks of Mighty" dates. 

22nd December 2004
New "Shocks of Mighty" dates added to Events page. 

Equipment page put back on line. 

24th November 2004
Events page updated. 

October 2nd 2004
November "Shocks of Mighty" date brought forward to November 5th. See Events page for more details. 

Updated Links page.  

August 20th 2004
A new review has been added to "What The Papers Say". It is a translation from a French publication called "Ragga". 

Two extra "Shocks of Mighty" dates have been added to the Events page. They are both taking place at Soda nightclub in Swindon as part of the "No More Heroes" nights.

August 7th 2004
It has come to light today that "Rad Fest" is actually a private birthday party. So it is not open to the public. Sorry for this misunderstanding. All info has been withdrawn from the Events page. 

A new "Shocks of Mighty" date has been added to the Events page.

July 18th 2004
Added more details about the "Rad Fest" weekend (Aug 13-15) to the Events page.  

Added proper Pop-A-Top logo onto homepage. 

June 15th 2004
Updated "Events" page adding a new "Shocks of Mighty" sound system booking.

May 27th 2004
The ITV1 West music programme "Earshot" have announced they are to feature a profile on The Erin Bardwell Collective & Pop-A-Top Records. This is due to appear on Thursday 3rd June 2004 at 11pm. These details have been added to the Events page. 

May 19th 2004 
Updated Distribution page and Events page, and also added a couple of new links. 

April 29th 2004
Updated Links page and Events page. Added a photo to Recoldo Fleming profile. 

April 17th 2004 
A new "Shocks of Mighty" sound system date added to "Events" page for April 24th. 

April 4th 2004
A shop distribution page added for people who like the old fashioned way of buying a CD! In a high street record store. 

Added a live gig review to "What The Papers Say". 

Updated artist profile on Nevil Banton. 

Equipment page temporarily taken off line. 

March 23rd 2004
Events page updated with brand new dates for the live group The Erin Bardwell Collective, and the newly launched Sound System "Shocks of Mighty". 

Feb 22nd 2004
Mail Order page updated to include the option of Credit Card, Debit Card & Switch orders to be made exclusively through 'Boss Tunes' Records for the CD 'The Erin Bardwell Collective Vol 1' (PATCD01)  

Feb 3rd 2004
Updated artist profiles on Matty Bane
, Nevil Banton, Recoldo Fleming & Solomon Holgate

Added two new pages "What The Papers Say" and "Events" 

First Pop-A-Top release (The Erin Bardwell Collective Vol 1) now available north of the border in Scotland at three "Avalanche Records" stores in Edinburgh at Cockburn Street (tel 0131 2253939), Teviot Place (tel 0131 2267666) west, Nicholson Street (tel 0131 6682374)

Added a new link 

Dec 8th 2003
Mail-order page updated

The Erin Bardwell Collective announce live UK gig dates for 2004:

Sat 18th Oct - The Victoria, Old Town, Swindon - Destination Anywhere - DJ's
Ken Brookes, Boogaloo Stu & Erin Bardwell playing 60's soul, reggae and funk
etc. Free Admision - Directions

Oct 8th 2003
Our Address has changed slightly. Please update your records.

Sep 29th 2003
Pop-A-Top's first release (The Erin Bardwell Collective - Volume 1) has been reviewed "Ska/Reggae album of the month" in Scootering Magazine (Available from any high street newsagent - WHSmith etc). 

Added a couple of Links.

Aug 15th 2003
Added the Releases page with some Sound Bites from the 1st album, enjoy.

Updated Recoldo Fleming's Artist profile.

Aug 2nd 2003
Erin Bardwell & Nevil Banton live interview on internet radio

11am (GMT) Saturday 2nd August 2003 at www.swindonfm.co.uk

Talking and airing songs from the new Pop-A-Top album.

Jul 26th 2003

We are proud to announce that ** The Erin Bardwell Collective - Volume 1 *** has now officially been released and can be ordered from our mail order page.

Jul 1st 2003
***
The Erin Bardwell Collective - Volume 1 is now in the final stage of production and will be released very shortly.***
Added an Artists page for Matty Bane, Updated Erin's Bardwell's and Solomon Holgate's Artist profile.
Added 2 links to the Links page.

May 31st 2003
The, long awaited, 1st Pop-A-Top release has been mastered and is scheduled for release in July. It's title, The Erin Bardwell Collective - Volume 1.

Please note: as soon as this CD title is released the mail order/internet order instructions will be updated.

June 2003 (Update)
Whilst originally booked to record at Tuff Gong in June,  Recoldo Fleming and Pop-A-Top Records have decided to move Recoldo's album recording to Dynamic Sounds Studio in Kingston - Jamaica..

Although rearranged, these recordings are still planned to be released on Pop-A-Top later in the year 2003.

In addition, we are also very pleased to announce that drummer Matty Bane has offered to join us at Dynamic Sounds, to add his unique input.

Please note: as soon as this CD title is released the mail order/internet order instructions will be updated.

January 2003
Added the equipment page, amended the contact details, added a couple of new links and a logo.

March 2003 (planned)
The release of the first Pop-A-Top produced album (title TBA).

June 2003 (planned and booked)
Trip to Tuff Gong Studios in Kingston, Jamaica scheduled, planned and booked.
Singer/songwriter Carlos Fleming has several new tracks to record. These recordings are planned to be released on Pop-A-Top later in the year 2003.

12th-Dec-2002
Pop-A-Top Records finally came to fruition. We are proud to pronounce the birth of this soon (hopefully) to be great site.
Thanks to everyone who assisted, supported and persuaded us to finally travel this route :o).

Pop-A-Top homepage & main menu