Alternative Rock Band OPOSIUM News

Oposium Unplugged Evening

2010-11-29T12:01:00.001-08:00

Thank you! to everyone who turned up for our chilled out evening of blues. A couple of photos from the evening ...

Peace always,
Oposium

Jazz/Blues Evening this Saturday!

2010-11-25T08:01:00.000-08:00

This Saturday (27th November 2010) Oposium will be performing a one-off evening of chilled jazz and blues.

For the last two years, we've played big gigs with lights, lasers and more smoke than you could see through. But this year we decided we would do something different.

Starting at 7.30pm, we're going to introduce you to music that the band enjoy playing when we're not performing Oposium tracks. Richard will draw from his blues roots while Sam (as usual) will have some different tricks up his sleeve... !

Tickets are £3 entry (or £10 for 4) and can be bought online from http://www.oposium.com/tickets.

We look forward to seeing you an intimate Oposium "unplugged" evening!

Conical Sphere launch new Retail Outlet

2010-06-18T00:37:00.000-07:00

Conical Sphere Group announced yesterday that they have launched their new flagship website. Although predominantly launched as an online womenswear shop, Ragtangle.com will also provide a retail outlet for everything published on the Conical Sphere Music & Entertainment label.

This is exciting for Oposium as this opportunity will be available to the band. Oposium already have one album released on the Conical Sphere label 'Life Under The Sun', and have pulled back production of a new EP until a deal with Conical Sphere can be reached.

To vist Ragtangle, go to www.ragtangle.com.

Peace always,
The Oposium Admin Team

This blog has moved

2010-04-28T08:59:00.001-07:00

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I Would Sing, But I'm A Little Horse!

2010-04-16T06:35:00.000-07:00

To celebrate this week's anniversary of our piano in the sea, we found this birthday card! Enjoy ...

Peace always,
The Oposium Admin Team

The Piano In The Sea - Happy Piano Day!

2010-04-14T09:29:00.000-07:00

Today marks 3 years ago to the day that Oposium launched their piano into the sea. As is customary, please join us in one minute of spontaneous hilarity!

Happy Piano Day!!

Peace always,
The Oposium Admin Team

Interview on IssTV for Oposium's Mr Hair!

2010-02-22T02:24:00.000-08:00

In a slightly different role, Oposium frontman Richard McLester was asked to perform at the recent Civic Awards at Poole Lighthouse for the Mayor of Poole. Richard played background music throughout the meal and then performed the famous Liebestraeume No. 3 in front of the 500 guests. Sam Hanson (Mr Brain) also accompanied soprano soloist Sophie Ackroyd who performed 3 classical pieces.

As a result, IssTV interviewed Richard and broadcast the interview from their online television channel. Watch the interview >> here!

In other news, Oposium can announce that a new EP is in the making! We'll be bringing all the latest updates before the month is out ... !

Peace always,
The Oposium Admin Team.

What's New for 2010? Band Interview with Oposium

2009-12-29T02:03:00.000-08:00

Oposium.com caught the band just before Christmas began and managed to grab a quick interview...

OC: 2009 has been pretty busy for Oposium in general, what would you say was the most defining moment of last year?

Oposium: Probably either the piano being set on fire for the first time as no-one really knew what was going to happen! Or seeing the album go on the shelves in HMV. Both were pretty cool...

OC: So what new projects will we see from Oposium next year [2010]?

Oposium: The most exciting project on the cards at the moment is that we're producing a new EP that we'll be releasing early next year.

There'll be new videos forthcoming, as well as a new charity single. Roots To Routes with whom we've worked alongside for over 2 years now have given us the go ahead to do a charity single and we'll be shooting a film to promote that.

Alongside that we'll also be releasing an international Oposium fashion brand. This is a really forward looking project and we're extremely excited to be part of this.

OC: Great, it sounds like you'll be kept on your toes then! Are there any more concerts forthcoming?

Oposium: We won't be doing any large scale concerts until the end of March as we want to concentrate on the new music. Sam [Mr Brain] is also moving house so we want to support him in that and David [Professor StiX] is just on tour in Austria & Germany until mid March. It gives us a bit of breathing space to get these new projects up and running and then we'll go back out and play again after that; we know we've already got a couple of bookings so a small tour will probably be on the cards...

OC: We'll look forward to that then - wish you all the best!

Oposium: Thanks!

The Oposium Admin Team

Performance for Robert Syms MP and dignitries

2009-12-19T04:23:00.000-08:00

Oposium frontman Richard McLester was involved on Thursday night playing in front of an audience which included Robert Syms, MP for Poole as well as the Mayor, Sheriff and Town Crier of Poole.

Returning to St John's, Parkstone for the first time since Oposium played there in June, Richard's role this time was somewhat different. St John's holds an annual community carol concert with various performers invited to play.

Accompanying first soprano Shirley Worth who sang 'O Holy Night' and then singing alongside her daughter Lily Worth 'When Christmas Comes To Town'.

Richard will be next performing for the dignitries of Poole at the Civic Awards Ceremony at Poole Lighthouse in January.

Special Guest feature on Hope FM 90.1

2009-11-23T08:27:00.000-08:00

Oposium frontman Richard McLester appeared on Colin Wilke's Sunday Roast Show between 2 and 4pm yesterday. Invited into Hope FM 90.1 as the special guest, Richard talked about upcoming Oposium plans, background about the band and some of the stunts Oposium have pulled in the past. Richard also joined in with DJ Col's Bubble & Squeak, a feature where the special guest gives an embarrassing account of something that has happened to them in the past.

The Sunday Roast show goes out live every Sunday between 2-4pm on 90.1 FM and can also be heard online at www.hopefm.com

Peace always,
The Oposium Admin Team

Oposium Concert Tomorrow!

2009-11-13T01:51:00.000-08:00

All is now set for tomorrow's showdown at Parkstone United Reformed Church. The team are moving in later today to begin setting the stage up. Lasers, special effects, guitar stacks, flaming pianos... it's all there!

Tickets are still available from Music Room Poole (call 01202 682700) or online from the Oposium Boxoffice http://boxoffice.oposium.com. Don't forget, if you pre-order 4 tickets, you get a discount! Tickets are just £3 each or £10 for 4.

Doors open at 7pm.

To help find the venue, follow the map below;

View Larger Map

Parkstone United Reformed Church is opposite Tyreland if you drive towards Bournemouth from Poole Civic Centre along Commercial Road. To help everyone, we've got the Oposium banner on proud display outside - it should be hard to miss!

Supporting Oposium will be acoustic artist Bad Twin >> Bad Twin on Myspace. Bad Twin is a really nice mellow ambient acoustic sound and are well worth checking out!

St Clement's Youth Group under the direction of Marie Willis will also be performing a short dance act for which rehearsals have been underway for quite some weeks now!

See you tomorrow night!

Peace always,
The Oposium Admin Team

Music Room Poole Selling Tickets for PURC Gig

2009-11-05T02:26:00.000-08:00

Music store The Music Room in Poole is now selling tickets for the concert at Parkstone United Reformed Church. The Music Room Poole is in Falkland Square in the Underpass to Poole Train Station next to Games Workshop.

The concert is a week Saturday on 14th November 2009, Doors at 7pm.

Tickets are just £3 or £10 for 4.

This will be the last Oposium MEGA Concert this side of Christmas. Expect all the usual spectaculars - flames, spectacular visuals, dancing and giant inflatable balls for all!

The band have promised a few "little" extras this time... (we've been keeping Scott & David busy diy'ing in the workshop ! ) as well as some new tunes which will be released over the next few weeks.

Supporting Oposium will be a unique performance by St Clements Youthgroup under the directed by Marie Willis as well as possible further acts tbc.

Alternatively tickets can be bought online from the Oposium Boxoffice http://boxoffice.oposium.com

Peace always,
The Oposium Admin Team

Parkstone URC Gig Preparations Beyond Underway!

2009-10-29T08:18:00.000-07:00

Oposium are very excited about the lead-up to their upcoming concert at Parkstone URC on Saturday 14th November.

In preparation to this gig the band have been kept busy in the workshop building 'a few things' for their next performance (with thoughts that Oposium never play the same set twice!).
The band will also have some fresh ideas both musically and visually ready for the concert. A brand new song will also be performed; and the band are looking forward to performing it to you for the first time!

However as always, the band will have their trademarks with them - The Flaming Piano, masses of lights, wild antics, video projections, awesome sound, and beach balls! Merchandise will also be available including the band's album "Life Under The Sun", newly designed T-Shirts, and much more!

The first rehearsals for the concert will begin within the next week over at the Conical Sphere studio.

Oposium are holding a stall in Poole Dolphin Centre this Sunday 1st November all day to advertise the gig and sell tickets.

Tickets for the concert can be bought at just £3 each, or 4 for £10 from our website Homepage, or the MusicRoom in Falkland Square in Poole.

Hope to see you there!

Peace always,
Oposium Admin Team

Bassist Attacked by Squirty Cream

2009-10-19T08:08:00.000-07:00

This morning, Scott was photographed brutally attacked with squirty cream by fellow band member Richard McLester and the band's colleague, Amy.

Scott said that the band had an 'all-nighter', where they would stay up all night, planning their next gig, and drink Scott's famous hot chocolates.

One particular ingredient was squirty cream which Scott had repeatedly fought them with during the night! To say the least, Richard and Amy had a secret plan up their sleevies...!

However, during Scott's slumber, Richard and Amy sneakily and slyly got their revenge, covering Scott in 'his own medicine'! Ta-dah!

"When Scott awoke, his facial expression was priceless!" Amy laughed.

Peace always,
The Oposium Admin Team.

Andy Freeman from The Bay 102.8 FM interviews Oposium

2009-10-17T07:36:00.000-07:00

Earlier today Oposium were given a guest slot on The Bay's presenter Andy Freeman's Show 'Saturday Lunch'. The band enjoyed a short interview talking about the upcoming concerts in HMV and PURC, and even started spreading rumours that Richard (aka Mr Hair) is only woken in the mornings when his maid calls ...

Oposium would like to thank Andy for having the band in. The Bay 102.8 FM will be giving away 5 signed copies of 'Life Under The Sun' as well as a giant photo of the Piano In The Sea that has been personalised by the band. Listen out for the competition over the next couple of weeks.

In other news, Sam (aka Mr Brain) will be performing Gershwin's 'Rhapsody In Blue' in Wimborne Minster this evening. Tickets have almost sold out but word is there are still a few spaces left. Last year's performance of Rachmaninov's 2nd Concerto was stunning so Wimborne is looking forward to being entertained once again!

Peace always,
The Oposium Admin Team

The Bay 102.8 FM Radio Interview for Oposium

2009-10-15T08:32:00.000-07:00

Oposium will be giving an interview to The Bay 102.3 FM this coming Saturday 12 - 12.30 noon. Richard and David have been invited in to the studio so do listen in!

The interview comes ahead of upcoming concerts in Poole HMV on 1st November and at Parkstone United Reformed Church (PURC) on 14th November. The Bay have been playing a clip of Everything Is Now on the Breakfast Show with Andy Freeman ahead of the interview where the full track will be played.

Peace always,
The Oposium Admin Team

Itunes, Spotify and Digital Release for Life Under The Sun

2009-10-13T10:44:00.000-07:00

Oposium are pleased to announce that Life Under The Sun was officially released onto Itunes, Spotify and hundreds of other digital vendors yesterday.

>> Buy Life Under The Sun on Itunes!

Peace always,
The Oposium Admin Team

Youth Music Mayhem 2009

2009-10-12T04:19:00.000-07:00

Thanks to everyone who supported us on Saturday at Youth Music Mayhem in Verwood. The stage setup was specatacular so full respect to Sam Merrick and co. who organised everything for the evening.

As Club Le Shark pulled out, Oposium headlined the evening after bands such as Junia and Waiting For Pablo finishing the evening with flaming pianos, tails and much flag waving.

Oposium will next be performing on 1st November in HMV Poole Dolphin Centre and 14th November in Parkstone. Scott and Richard will also be interviewed live on The Bay Radio 102.8 FM between 12-12.30 this coming Saturday.

Peace always,
The Oposium Admin Team

If anyone has photos from the evening do email them in to us at info@oposium.com

Meet The Band: Scott Blandford

2009-10-06T09:40:00.000-07:00

And the last interview of 'Meet The Band' features Oposium's 'nutter-of-a-bassist' - Scott Blandford.

Interviewer: Who or what created the spark to make you want to play the bass guitar?
Scott: When I was living in France my friend Elliot got a drum kit and I started playing on that. My brother was also playing guitar so I thought that we needed a bass player to form a band and I was into Blink 182 at the time so Mark Hoppus was part of my inspiration.
Actually, when Elliot first got the drums he would call me when his parents went out so we could play on them and I would run over to his house and practice. It was a bit like the scene in American Pie where he runs around to the song "Mutt"! Slightly diffferent scene the other end though and no webcam involved here...!

Without bassists in mind, is there a particular musician who you aspire to the most?
Nope. (Interviewer: He was low on Haribo at this point)

Okay, so who are your favourite bands and why do you like them so much?
Blink 182 because listening to them got me into music and playing the bass. I aspire mostly to Boxcar Racer, Paramore, +44, Green Day, Angels and Airwaves, and 30 Seconds To Mars.

How did you join Oposium? Was it through already knowing a band member?
I was in france and had just finished playing with another band and typed something like 'bass player wanted' into google and the first band I came across was Oposium. I listened to their music on the website and found that I really liked it so I sent Richard (McLester) an email and found out that he lived 5 minutes from my house in England and decided to give it a go! I came over for a rehearsal one night, just fitted right in and a couple of weeks later played my first gig with the band.

Five minutes away? Small world! Yeah so when with Oposium, you have some great stage presence moves and ideas. How does the music inspire you to do this?
It doesn't really, I'm just a nutter! I like watching what other bands do and trying to incorporate that into my own style. I like practicing playing the bass on the trampoline to come up with some silly moves! It's great to have the wireless guitar packs because I can run around the stage or the whole venue! It also has it's advantages such as being able to go up and down escalators while playing. But I'm not giving away the secret behind my "stage bounce"!

What is your favourite Oposium song and why?
"Fallen"... because I do (Interviewer: another sugar low)

And lastly, what is your most strange past-time?
I think making marshmallow mix all night, buying 30kg of sugar and getting thrown out of Tesco's at stupid o'clock in the morning for illegal filming ranks quite highly!

Scott Blandford

In other news, Oposium are currently preparing their big set for Youth Music Mayhem (YMM) this Saturday evening, which they are looking forward to. Their set will include a few surprises as well as their band's signature Flaming Piano! It will be a fantastic evening of music and enjoyment, and Oposium hopes all can attend!

Peace always,
The Oposium Admin Team.

Meet The Band: Sam Hanson

2009-10-02T05:31:00.000-07:00

We now interview Sam Hanson, or "Mr Brain" as he's also known as, on his own opinions and experience towards music. Enjoy!

Interviewer: Sam, how did you get started on the keyboard, piano and organ and why did you pick those instruments over any other?
Sam: I was walking through China one day and I came across a forest of bamboo, and there was this panda eating bamboo. All the colours came together, with more pandas emerging from the different areas and it was a beautiful scene. I knew from this moment that I was destined to play an instrument with black and white keys.

Do you have a favourite piano concerto?
Rachmaninov's 3rd Concerto.

What has been your most memorable musical experience so far in your life?
It's clearly not very memorable because I can't remember it... but playing the piano in the sea is probably the most memorable moment.

Which Oposium concert have you enjoyed the most and why?
The St John's gig on the 20th June because it was the biggest one so far, with lots of added features such as the video screen and the flaming piano outside.

But now, what has been your most embarrassing situation in your musical career so far!?
Being filmed with Richard dancing a large paddling and listening to Handel's Water Music one sunny Summer's day. Or possibly the mole dance every New Year's eve...!?

If you were randomly given £1,000,000, what would you do with it?
I would buy a life time's supply of bread!

Finally, if you can pick one out, what is your favourite key and why!?
BMaj7 with 2+4, and I like it so much because of it's many possibilities!

Sam Hanson

And finally, the last blog of the series will star the band's ever-zealous bassist, Scott Blandford.

Peace always,
The Oposium Admin Team.

Wooden Hippo Rampage halts Oposium

2009-09-30T15:51:00.000-07:00

This wooden fella was caught by Oposium wandering through Poole Dolphin Centre. Lost, angry and having frightened off shopping centre security staff, the band eventually rounded him up and got him back safely where he belonged.

The Oposium Admin Team

Youth Music Mayhem YMM 2009 appearance from Oposium

2009-09-28T09:25:00.001-07:00

Oposium will be performing in 2 weeks time on 10th October 2009 at Verwood Hub for Youth Music Mayhem YMM 2009. The lineup features a number of bands based in Bournemouth and Poole. The venue is The Verwood Hub, which is Dorset's premier centre for live music, theatre, art, conferences, workshops and community based projects.

Tickets are now on sale at £4 in advance, and can be bought online at;

www.thehubverwood.co.uk

Oposium can confirm that they will be performing as a rare 3 piece lineup due to a clash in Sam's schedule - although the flaming piano will be given a run out as well as some new tunes the band have been working on.

In other news, Oposium can also confirm that they will be playing two further concerts this year. Firstly November 14th will be the last 'mega' gig of this year ahead of Christmas with the band playing at Parkstone United Reformed Church. This is a fantastic venue as it looks like a London Theatre due to the way it is set up in two levels and is a favorite venue of the band members.

The band will also be making an exclusive appearance on 1st November in HMV in Poole in celebration of the commercial album release.

Look forward to seeing you there!

The Oposium Admin Team

Meet The Band: David Waller

2009-09-18T09:36:00.000-07:00

The next few blogs will be covering interviews with the individual members of Oposium, exclusive to this website under the title of 'Meet The Band'!

The previous interview was of the frontman, Richard McLester. Next, we interview the "tub-basher" of the band, David Waller on his experiences as a drummer and when with Oposium...

Interviewer: What made you decide to play drums rather than any other instrument?

David: To me, the drums are the most exciting instrument out there! When I was 5 maybe 6, I used to go with my Dad, a professional musician, to watch his local Big Band rehearse and I'd be completely mesmerised and just so thrilled by what the drummer was playing. From then on I'd always sit next to the drummer; it was when I first got into music, and drums opened the door for me. I think it's the fact that you play with sticks rather than your fingers, and that you get to play an instrument with so many sounds is the most exciting thing! Also it's because you feel power when sat behind them and you can control the band musically. It's great fun!

We hear you're a man of all trades but what style of music do you most like playing?
I'm big on 70's jazz-fusion! I dig anything by Billy Cobham, the Mahavishnu Orchestra, the early Jeff Beck, the late Miles Davis, Weather Report, and the Yellowjackets to name a few. I can just sit and play along to these any time. It's experimental - I really enjoy the fact it's so so different to commercial music, and every time you listen to their tracks you hear something totally new, and because it's so 'wild' I find it impossible to get bored of listening to it. Also it tends not to have many boundaries - it's such an experimental, virtuous and progressive genre; you can't be afraid to show off your technique as a player and think that you're doing too much; but it requires alot of concentration, and it must fit musically! The Miles Davis track "Bitches Brew", which is 27 minutes long, is just one to check out for pure innovation.

You use a massive kit on stage ... what equipment do you use with Oposium?
When with Oposium I use a Pearl Session Elite kit with a Pearl rack; three rack-toms, one floor tom, and bass drum. Then I have two snares and Remo Roto-toms. I use 10 Zildjian A Custom cymbals (crashes, ride, hi-hat, splashes, china, and Zil-Bel) as they really cut through the music in a live situation well, especially my 18" crash in particular which I love. They're also very versatile; I need soft sounds for "Come Awake", and brash sounds for "Not Lost Yet" and "Everything Is Now". I also use a mark-tree for effects. I would like to experiment with samplers on a kit for new sounds however - maybe that's something for future Oposium gigs?"

Yes, that sounds interesting. So what's been your most memorable Oposium moment so far?
Strangely, I think it would be the first time I heard their music. I joined just after the album had been created, and I was sent a copy to work from. Listening to the first track made me think that this was something totally new, gritty, loud, dirty, and epic but at the same time very fresh. But of course, my most proud moments include when our album was released in HMV and Amazon, myself being on the website and the gig banner, seeing the Flaming Piano set alight for the first time, being recognised on the street a couple of times, signing autographs, that kind of thing!

Great! Do you have a musician who has most inspired you?
Of course. Set-aside of drum heroes I think both musically and drumming-wise it would have to be Michael Jackson. I grew up with his music from a very, very early age. I remember I used to watch a video of a gig from his Dangerous Tour and it just took me completely aback. It was his presence, talent, and skill that made me want to play music; I found that most of his drum tracks especially for "Jam" and "Billie Jean" were just hitting me in the face telling me to play drums! His music is just so uplifting and powerful, and he has no songs that don't feel great! My main drum influences however are Billy Cobham, Paul Brodie, Jimmy Copley, Ricky Lawson, Art Blakey, Ian Paice, John Bonham, Jimmy Cobb, Terry Bozzio, and Manu Katche.

If you could compare Life Under The Sun to a type of food, what would that be?
I think it would have to be a ice-cream! With a Cornetto or Magnum in mind you've got many different, unique parts to it, and many suprising layers especially the solid chocolate in the bottom of the cone! LUTS seems to be full of suprising musical layers and so many things (either melodic or harmonic) are happening within the music at one time. Also, who would have thought to be put nuts in with ice cream, and classical music in with rock!?

And finally, one short random fact about David Waller that sets you apart from the other members of the band...
I have changed my career path more than traffic lights change colours. I'm not joking - in chronological order: in the past I have wanted to be a Michael Jackson impersonator, a Ghostbuster, a Jedi Knight, a Darth Vader, a Saxophonist, a Detective, a Fireman, a Policeman, an Actor. Then I taught myself seriously the basics of being an Astronaut, an Egyptologist, an Archaeologist, a Botanist, a Forensic Scientist, an English Teacher, and then a freelance drummer! Mad!

David Waller

Keep your eyes peeled for the next interview which will be based on the band's keyboard virtuoso, Sam Hanson.

Peace always,
The Oposium Admin Team

Meet The Band: Richard McLester

2009-09-15T04:18:00.000-07:00

The next few blogs will be covering interviews with the individual members of Oposium, exclusive to this website under the title of 'Meet The Band'!

This week, we see the Oposium Admin Team interview Richard McLester on his role and applications towards being the frontman for Oposium...

Interviewer: "Why did you start writing music and who influenced you into doing so?"

Richard: "I started writing because I thought the idea of being a composer seemed such a romantic idea. I always listened to more classical music before I discovered rock and I remember I was about 11 when I proclaimed grandly to my bemused teacher "I'm going to write a concerto!". I think he gave me a book of blank manuscript paper and sent me on my way...

One big inspiration has been Lenny Kravitz because I've always aspired to his ability to record all the instruments on his records. Musically some of my biggest influences have come from composers like Liszt because I love the way the music is as complicated as you can get, but the tune is always the most important."

"What equipment and instruments do you use when with Oposium?"
Live I use a Fender Strat with the heaviest ernie balls you can get (.012 - .056) plugged into a Marshall DSL100 head and Framus 2x12 cab. I've got a couple of pedals, but the only one that actually changes the sound up is a Vox Wah. In the studio I'll use everything and anything. We've got a Yamaha CS1x which I love for it's 90s dance sounds, although there is footage of me whacking a marrow with a drum stick... I don't think that made it onto the album in the end though!"

"I hear Oposium is sponsored by Roland, the electric musical instrument pioneers. How did the band get this sponsorship?"

"We sent off one of the first versions of Behind The Rain (it wasn't even called Behind The Rain at that point) and over a period of about 6-9 months I got phone-calls saying our track had made it through to the next round, and eventually we won!"

"In six words, can you describe Oposium's music in a nutshell?"

"Mammoth, epic, colourful, challenging, free. BIG!"

"Great! How do you feel when you're about to start an Oposium concert? Is it a mixture of feelings, is it nerves, excitement?"

"I'm pretty hyped, I'm not nervous as I won't allow myself to be - if I'm nervous and heading the band then that's no good! The only time I get nervous is if something hasn't worked during rehearsal."

"That's a good work ethic! Who's your all-time favourite guitarist and why?"

"It would have to be Buddy Guy. He's the only guy that can come on stage in his pyjamas and play for an entire set without really playing a full song. A lot of what we do live (with the dancing in the audience) has been inspired by him."

"Now can you let us into a little secret...? You've put pianos in the sea for the award-winning Behind The Rain, you've burnt pianos on stage during live concerts ... are there any other antics in-store for us at Oposium's future gigs? Will they involve pianos or will it be something entirely different?"

"Now that would be telling wouldn't it ! Although hyenas were high up on the agenda at the last admin meeting ..."

Richard McLester

The next blog will feature the band's 'drum ace', David Waller.

Peace always,

The Oposium Admin Team

British Sign Language version of Behind The Rain

2009-09-10T12:37:00.000-07:00

Oposium's single Behind The Rain has been signed in British Sign Language to make it more accessible for deaf communities.

Or watch the video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZRosXiT3hM

Although predominantly aimed at making the song's lyrics available to those hard of hearing, interpreter Lee brings the lyrics to life and really captures the emotion of the song.

"Seeing the song interpreted in this way has been fascinating and eye opening. It's great to watch." says Richard.

David adds "Lee has done a fantastic job! Great work!".

Lee Marshall has been studying British Sign Language (BSL) for five years. He is studying Deaf Studies at the University of Bristol in order to become an interpreter, and then become an interpreter on TV. He really wanted to make songs accesible for deaf people so he started making songs in March 2009 and has made a huge number of signed song videos on his channel - Lee's BSL Songs http://www.youtube.com/lovesbth.

Oposium would like to wish Lee every success in the future!

Peace always,
The Oposium Admin Team

"No band can get away with doing all this craziness forever without getting arrested..."

2009-09-09T02:39:00.000-07:00

HEADLINE: The alternative rockers from Poole, Oposium, are wanted by organisation C.A.P (Crime Against Pianos) and the local police for their unruly misbehaviour to pianos.

Such antics include...

Case #1: Throwing a piano into the sea for the video of their award-winning song Behind The Rain, where frontman Richard McLester, and keys virtuoso Sam Hanson floated off into the blue sea with the piano. The videos, which can be found on YouTube, show the duo perform on it too!

Case #2: On bonfire night of 2008, the band obtained two (yes two!) neglected pianos and set them both on fire, celebrating the event with some fireworks! By morning, the pianos were no more than mere ash...

Case #3: The band resurrected the sea piano into their latest 'prop', the 'Flaming Piano', which as YouTube shows too, the band setting alight to the named instrument. Live it is for great, original effect, and something for their fans to see and enjoy at the live gigs. The band quotes "it is important for a gig to be exciting visually and musically".

We can now say that The Fanatical Four (their mugshots shown above) have, over the past years, have used the prized musical instruments as an advantage to their work and image both in live and in music-video situations. However the fans, and the band themselves, see it as a new art movement, and something that adds to the band's modern, alternative image. Go the gigs yourself and witness the 'Flaming Piano'!

Peace Always,
The Oposium Admin Team

Upcoming 'Hit' for Oposium

2009-08-25T05:21:00.000-07:00

Richard "Mr Hair" McLester of Oposium has been composing, recording and producing a new masterpiece, with the initial title of "Song 139".

The song has been described in high esteem as being "brilliant, incredibly powerful and epic", "exciting and intense", and their drummer, David Waller, writes "can't wait to play it live".

Due to the release of the band's debut album Life Under The Sun earlier this year by major distributors HMV, Oposium will be focusing on writing some new material, with "Song 139" and "Everything Is Now" in mind, continuing to define what their answer is to - what is alternative rock music!?

"Song 139", which is currently in its last stages of production, will be performed during Oposium's future concerts for all to enjoy.
The current title is a concept, but Oposium is open to any suggestions. The song may eventually feature on the band's MySpace, www.myspace.com/oposium, as well as may be made into a future music video!
Keep your eyes (and ears) peeled!

Peace Always,
The Oposium Admin Team

Daily Echo Review by Sarah Cartlidge

2009-08-08T07:33:00.000-07:00

Bournemouth Daily Echo published the following short review of 'Life Under The Sun' in yesterday's newspaper under the "What's On Live!" section;

"Poole alt-rockers Oposium deliever their debut 12-track album, and boy have their creative juices flowed. Epic and accomplished, Life Under The Sun showcases the quartets musicianship in abundance and its clear that they have pushed themselves creatively. The band successfully manages to pull off songs that live up to the sheer magnitude of their soundscapes."

Sarah Cartlidge.

Peace always,
The Oposium Admin Team

Life Under The Sun Album Lyrics Online

2009-07-28T05:48:00.000-07:00

The Oposium web team have just uploaded all of the lyrics from the band's album 'Life Under The Sun' onto the website. Just click on the song titles underneath the album cover on the Oposium homepage, or follow the link >> here

In other news, as well as buying the album directly from the Oposium online store, Life Under The Sun is also available with free delivery from HMV.com

.

HMV have assured the Oposium team that the album artwork will be updated within the next 24 hours on their site.

Oposium will also be performing live in HMV Poole in the next couple of weeks to celebrate the release of the album - as soon as the date is confirmed we will bring you the update.

Andrew Walters (who has roadied for Oposium in the past and been heavily involved with the crew) has also been doing good work in Wimborne, organising a local Open Mic Night at the pub he works The Barley Mow. For more information, please visit www.barleymow-pub.co.uk.

Peace always,
The Oposium Admin Team.

Flyer for HMV Album Release

2009-07-16T14:44:00.000-07:00

Ahead of Saturday's release of Life Under The Sun in HMV, the Oposium team have produced an official flyer for the date.

Oposium will be down in Poole Dolphin Centre handing them out (amongst other things!), but if you want email them round to anyone who is interested please do! The flyer is available for download from the link below.

>> OPOSIUM LIFE UNDER THE SUN RELEASE FLYER .jpg

Peace Always,
The Oposium Admin Team

HMV release Life Under The Sun Saturday 18th July!

2009-07-14T08:54:00.000-07:00

Oposium can now confirm that their album Life Under The Sun will be officially released in HMV in Poole on 18th July 2009 (this coming Saturday!). Priced at £7.99, if you buy the cd from HMV then you will also get a cool free Life Under The Sun limited edition sticker.

Richard personally went down to sign off the deal with HMV (pictured above) today.

To celebrate this release, Oposium will be down in the Dolphin Centre with a promotional stall all day from 9am - 5pm. Doubtless with more free stuff to give away!!

Life Under The Sun is also being sold in store in Elemental - the alternative clothing and piercing store, upstairs in the Dolphin Centre.

Along with the album release, Greg Sammon's from Cross Rhythms radio will also be interviewing Oposium in the afternoon for an upcoming feature on his radio show.

See you on Saturday !

Peace always,
The Oposium Admin Team

Mayor of Poole Charity Fundraiser

2009-07-09T16:09:00.001-07:00

This coming Saturday Oposium duo Richard McLester and Sam Hanson are involved in performing on a more classical stage raising money in aid of the Mayor of Poole's Charities. Mayor of Poole Charles Meachin approached Richard last year to organise a concert which will be taking place at Skinner Street URC church on Saturday 11th July 2009.

Tickets are £10 and include refreshments and a glass of wine. Doors at 7pm.

Headlining the concert is violin supremo Malcolm Evans whose beautiful playing captured the audience when he performed at the Routes To Roots charity concert headlined by Oposium last year.

Extremely talented flautist Becca Ellis will be demonstrating her skills as well as sopranos Charlotte Woods and Hanne Ely. All the musicians will be accompanied by Sam Hanson on piano.

Richard couldn't resist the opportunity to perform on the Oposium Piano (and we know what that means!) and will also be compere for the evening.

For tickets, please call 01202 633200

In other news, Oposium would like to thank the Lloyd's for their amazing welcome at the weekend and for providing accomodation. To see where Oposium stayed, please visit www.orchardviewcottage.co.uk. Thank you!

Peace always,
The Oposium Admin Team

Oposium Concert in Yeovil

2009-07-07T08:54:00.000-07:00

Saturday 4th July saw Oposium take to the road and hit the Somerset town of Yeovil to headline an event called Edge Extreme. In usual Oposium fashion the band took over a youth venue belonging to Yeovil Elim Pentecostal church.

This was certainly the smallest venue the band have played recently, but proved that the flaming piano could work just as well in a small room (proving some recent health and safety criticisms unfounded) as in a larger scale venue, although the temperature in the room was a baking 30deg by the end.

Oposium would like to thank the organisers, especially Dave Meggers who booked the band and headed the event. Also thanks to local Yeovil band Soulcry who supported on the evening.

A press article on the event can be found here on a local Yeovil news site;
http://www.yeovilexpress.co.uk/news/yeovil_news/4467011._Extreme__event_for_homeless_young_people/

And some of the classic moments from the weekend have been put together into Episode 5 of Oposium TV - watch out for Molly the cat!

Peace always,
The Oposium Admin Team

Mr Brain the Toast Machine!

2009-06-25T05:59:00.001-07:00

Picture of the week is definitely this one, taken during setup the night before the gig at St John's Heatherlands... !

Peace always,
The Oposium Admin Team

Thanks For The Gig Tonight!

2009-06-20T19:43:00.000-07:00

Just a huge thank you to everyone who was involved (big or small) in todays concert at St John's Heatherlands!! Special thanks to Andy Hancock on lighting, Pete Alcocks on sound and all of the team at St John's (especially Mike & Gerry who put up with the band over the last couple of weeks planning and building the event). Also thanks to the Farside group from St Clements, Maverick Arts & Drama and Not About The Heroes who supported Oposium this evening.

And of course most importantly to everyone who danced ! !

The Oposium team would like to wish St John's Heatherlands every success in their future work - and that the next 40 years in childcare will be even more blessed than the 40 just celebrated!

THANK YOU!

Please do email us photos from the concert. You can email us on info@oposium.com. We'll get more photos as up online as we get them...

Peace always,
The Oposium Admin Team

Excited about St John's Heatherlands

2009-06-18T16:19:00.000-07:00

Just a quick post to say that everyone at team Oposium are really excited about this Saturday's concert. It's turning into our biggest show yet - with masses of lights, all kinds of video projections and all kinds of different antics!

The banner is up outside the church, so you can't miss it! Although Scott and Richard narrowly escaped arrest Monday evening putting it up. Half an hour after starting to hoist it onto the church, a convoy of two police cars turned up after someone had "tipped the police off that there were people stealing roof leading". The policeman who spoke with Richard, Scott and another helper who had been roped in did come rapidly to the conclusion that no offence was being caused, and then reneged on asking for photo id when he saw the size of the heads on the banner!

Unfortunately, cds won't be on sale this Saturday as the consigment won't reach us until later next week, however the band do have a range of new badges to sell ! Life Under The Sun will be officially released on July 18th 2009 we can now confirm.

In other news, the band are considering an Eastern European approach and a rebranding of the band to Opošíům (pronounced Oposheeooom).

See you on Saturday ! 7pm, tickets are £3 each (or 4 for £10).

Peace always,
The Oposium Admin Team

Mr Hair goes Back to Basics

2009-06-11T14:08:00.000-07:00

Always up for trying something different, Oposium's Mr Hair couldn't resist when offered the chance to try out an old Harmonium in Brownsea Island's parish church St Marys.

The instrument needs to be "pedalled" to keep the air going into it and then sound is made by pushing air through different reeds. It's like a cross between a accordion and an organ.

Not sure you'll see one at an Oposium gig though - although you never know!

In over news, Richard met London based photographer Mark Denton today in a chance meeting and was fortunate to have his photo taken on the beach. Look forward to seeing the result!

The Oposium Admin Team

Preparations for June 20th underway!

2009-05-30T11:47:00.000-07:00

In the build up to the next Oposium concert the team have been busy preparing a few new tricks! It wouldn't be an Oposium gig without something new ...

The team have been busy sewing today together a massive banner, and we mean massive! It's huge ... Of course nothing is been given away as to how the band will use it in their stage show; but to give you a scale here's a photo.

Tickets are on sale now from the Oposium Box Office http://boxoffice.oposium.com or from the St John's Heatherlands Office on 01202 717730. Tickets are £3 each or £12 for 4.

See you there!!
The Oposium Admin Team

Tickets On Sale Now! Oposium Gig June 20th

2009-05-26T08:05:00.000-07:00

Tickets are now on sale for the Oposium concert at St John's Heatherlands on Saturday June 20th!

Priced just £3 per person, or £10 for 4 - they're available from either the St John's office (call 01202 717730), or from the Oposium boxoffice; http://boxoffice.oposium.com

Oposium alongside Routes To Roots will also be down in Poole Dolphin Centre on Saturday 6th June 10am - 5pm, and tickets will be on sale from our promotional stand as well.

We will be burning our piano again - but we also have some other plans that might even top that stunt so come anticipating the best Oposium show yet!

BOSH, The Plymouths, Tom Whitman & Oposium perform tonight!

2009-05-23T04:40:00.000-07:00

Oposium, along with bands BOSH, The Plymouths and Tom Whitman will feature in the lineup for this evenings I*EAT charity concert at Strouden Park Chapel.

Latest news is that the gig is sold out! So looking forward to playing to a capacity crowd!

Oposium would also like to thank the TV repair man who was good enough to fix our piano for us yesterday! What a legend - so much appreciated!!!

Peace always,
The Oposium Admin Team

Borders Bookstore Bournemouth Promo Set for Oposium

2009-05-17T15:14:00.000-07:00

Oposium played three promo sets ahead of releasing their debut album Life Under The Sun commercially in Borders Bookstore in Bournemouth town centre yesterday. Special shout out to everyone who came down and supported the band - it was great fun, especially playing up and down the escalators!!

One word; MOZAMBIQUE!

Next Saturday Oposium will be playing a half hour support slot at Strouden Park Church in Bournemouth in aid of the charity I*EAT.

Peace Always,
The Oposium Admin Team

Cross Rhythms Airplay and Review

2009-05-09T09:21:00.000-07:00

Following an excellent review of Life Under The Sun by media organisation Cross Rhythms, Cross Rhythms presenter Greg Sammons will be giving Come Awake and Behind The Rain airplay over the coming weeks.

Giving the album 9/10, Ewan Jones from Cross Rhythms descibes the album as "... raw, gritty, energetic and beautiful. The guitars growl, the piano bursts brightly over the top and the vocals sit well in the mix - clear and big. Comparisons? Imagine the illegitimate genius child that Yes and Muse would produce, then throw in a touch of Mew and Sigur Ros and you know exactly where we're heading... "

The full review can be read at http://www.crossrhythms.co.uk/products/Oposium/Life_Under_The_Sun/78078/

Peace always,
The Oposium admin team.

Save Bournemouth Theatre In Education!

2009-04-23T13:39:00.000-07:00

After an article was posted on the Bournemouth Echo website, it came to our attention that the local theatre group Bournemouth Theatre In Education has been wrapped up.

Oposium singer and guitarist Richard was contracted as a pianist in the last year for various productions and learnt a great deal from co-director of the company Sharon Muiruri. In a article on Facebook, Richard quotes "...BTiE certainly helped me loads; gave me a lot more confidence and experience with performing and through Sharon taught me a huge amount about drama (which being a musician I didn't know) - probably wouldn't do what I do today if it hadn't been for this..."

SO SAVE BOURNEMOUTH THEATRE IN EDUCATION!

Please join the Save Bournemouth Theatre In Education Facebook group and make some noise for us...

The Facebook group can be found here at http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/group.php?gid=71839499938&ref=mf

The article published in the Bournemouth Echo reads as follows;

Jane Portman, executive director of children and families’ services at Bournemouth council, defends the decision to shut down the town’s outstanding Theatre in Education team in a disturbingly bland, tick-box manner (Daily Echo, April 17).

In expecting the service to pay fully for itself, the decision-makers show no understanding of the value of what they are throwing away.

Over many years, this tiny team with a national and international reputation has engaged with countless young people, as well as adults.

A strong ethical dimension has always driven their high quality work: in extending empathy, exploring different perspectives, and educating heart and mind. Director Tony Horitz has set up two disability theatre groups, members of which have surpassed expectations – their own and others – in challenging stereotypes and opening dialogues with young audiences.

Co-director Sharon Muiruri initiated and helped develop the extraordinary Vita Nova theatre group of recovering addicts.

Vita Nova is now self-sustaining and restoring lives while speaking to new generations.

How can we “price” this contribution to our community? Similarly, how do we assess the value of an invitation for a group of disaffected youngsters to perform their play in Latvia?

I have personally witnessed, over 20 years, our Theatre in Education team uphold their commitment way beyond the call of duty.

Instead of celebrating a wonderful record of work, Bournemouth council is dispensing with it, in a manner that is both tawdry and irresponsible.

Dr Beverley Naidoo, Huntly Road Bournemouth

>> Click here to see the article on the Echo website

Happy Piano Day!

2009-04-14T12:50:00.000-07:00

Two years ago today Oposium launched their piano into the sea... ! So we'd like to invite everyone to honour the memorable day with a minute of spontaneous hilarity!!

Go...

... *** HAPPY PIANO DAY!!! ***

In other news, Conical Sphere have developed two new websites recently www.mchap.co.uk and www.atelier-lilydove.com.

Peace always,
The Oposium Admin Team

Life Under The Sun Tour to be announced

2009-03-18T12:54:00.000-07:00

Oposium can confirm that we will be releasing new dates between June & November 2009 for a tour following the release of 'Life Under The Sun' commercially.

The band are excited to be taking our show on the road again, so expect flaming pianos & much more to follow!

For all information on bookings, please contact our tour agent Amy Lloyd at amy.lloyd2009@hotmail.co.uk.

Peace always,

The Oposium Admin Team

Flaming Piano and Tour Footage up!

2009-03-12T02:33:00.000-07:00

Our video team have edited together a short 2 minute video from clips taken over the last few gigs between November 2008 and March 2009. It includes clips from PURC, St Mary's Longfleet and Centre Point as well as our flaming piano. Watch the video on our homepage or below now! Go...

Peace always,

The Oposium Admin Team

March Caption Competition

2009-03-11T03:58:00.000-07:00

Here's this months ridiculous photo... Email us your captions!

Peace always,
The Oposium Admin Team

I*EAT charity fundraiser with Bosh appearance for Oposium

2009-03-10T02:33:00.000-07:00

Oposium join the bill for the next "1" concert in Bournemouth alongside bands Bosh and Tom Whitman on 23rd May 2009. The event is to raise the profile and fundraise for the new I*EAT charity, founded by Jessica Griffiths whose husband Dave Griffiths is the lead singer for Bosh and one of the "1" organisers. The I*EAT charity concert will take place at Strouden Park Chapel in Bournemouth.

Oposium headlined the last "1" event in Winton last month with support from Tom Whitman and are excited to be invited to play again. As this is a charity show, each band will be perform roughly 25 minute sets, and more bands will be confirmed on the lineup nearer to the date.

The I*EAT charity helps primarily people with eating disorders, including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder.

www.i-eat.org.uk

Peace always,
The Oposium Admin Team

Burning Piano Stage Performance a success!

2009-03-02T13:55:00.001-08:00

Oposium pulled off playing their burning piano spectacle on stage at Centre Point, Winton in Bournemouth this weekend. With an extended version of their anthemic track 'I Will Wait For You', Richard (aka Mr Hair) played the piano and sang while it burned. The band had built their bespoke piano over the last month setting the pyrotechnics off with a bespoke Marshall amp footswitch.

Photos from the performance are available on Flickr at:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/31075590@N06/

Thanks to everyone who helped make this event possible at Centre Point in Winton. Special thanks especially to Colin Young and everyone at Centre Point Church. Also thank you to everyone who came and raved with us - it was awesome fun!

Peace always,

OPOSIUM

Hope FM give away tickets ahead of Saturday's Concert!

2009-02-26T14:04:00.001-08:00

Hope FM have been giving away tickets yesterday and today in the afternoon show for the concert at Winton Centre Point this coming Saturday - so congratulations to those people who won tickets!

To confirm two things.

Oposium have now built their "fire piano" and it is ready for the stage on Saturday evening. We're not giving anything away with pictures before the event, but it is awesome and has been tested so we know it works!

The Oposium banner is also up outside Elim Church (Centre Point) - so to find the venue on Saturday night (Doors 7pm, £3.50 on door), simply drive down Wimborne Road, Winton and turn left if you are coming from Poole (right if you are coming from Castle Point) at the sign to Elim Church. You can't miss the banner!

See you on Saturday !!

Richard
OPOSIUM

Borders Bookstore Bournemouth In-Store Session for Oposium

2009-02-12T11:39:00.000-08:00

With the release of their upcoming album 'Life Under The Sun', Oposium will be performing and signing cds in Borders bookstore Bournemouth on Saturday 16th May 2009^*.

There will be three performance sessions throughout the afternoon with the band performing at 12 midday, 2pm and 4pm.

For more information on the Borders Store in Bournemouth, go to; http://bournemouth.borders.co.uk

Peace always,
The Oposium Admin Team

Date subject to change in nearer to the time

Kenya Link Charity New Website

2009-02-11T03:42:00.000-08:00

Kenya Link, a charity with which Richard has been somewhat involved with over the last year have launched a new website www.kenyalink.co.uk.

The charity is headed by Sharon Muiruri, who interviewed Richard on Hope FM last September for her Desert Island Discs style "Soundtrack of my Life".

Peace always,
The Oposium Admin Team

Routes To Roots Befriending Teams Pilot Project Launch

2009-02-03T06:33:00.000-08:00

In partnership with Quaker Homeless Action, Routes To Roots have launched the Befriending Teams Pilot Project in Poole. The project was officially opened on Sunday 1st February at St Peter's Church, Parkstone with a number of VIPs present including the Mayor of Poole Councillor Joyce Lavender and the Sheriff of Poole Councillor Charles Meachin.

The Befriending Scheme is about organising volunteers together to play an important role in helping the people most in need in our community. With volunteers grouped together in teams of 2 or 3, they can literally befriend those people who both charities are helping and provide a support group for that person. The pilot scheme will run over the next 18-24 months in Poole and is seen as a real step forwards in terms of reaching out into the community.

Oposium frontman Richard McLester provided some background entertainment, before the official speeches, performing on piano alongside Jamie from JLR on guitar (whose story was featured on BBC Dorset in November 2008).

"It's a fantastic thing for the two charities to do..." said Richard "...as both charities can pool their expertise and come together to make a difference in our community. Certainly an initiative like this is exciting because of all the different people it will involve."

For more information on the charities, visit www.routestoroots.org and www.qha.org.uk.

Peace always,
The Oposium Admin Team

Happy Woman Magazine DIY Piano

2009-01-30T02:55:00.000-08:00

Bored on a Friday morning, we were casually searching through Google articles on how to build your own piano... When we found this! A genuine article from Happy Woman Magazine, this made us laugh so much! We'll be taking very seriously into account their tips and kiln when we start building our next piano ! Thank goodness there are experts out there.

Richard
Oposium

Build Your Own Piano!!!
By Sharon Grehan-Howes

What you will need:

Lumber- a lot for a big piano less for a smaller one.
220 piano strings or good quality twine
Pressure bars
Tuning bars
Hitch pins or
Screws and wing nuts.
Felt or an old coat
Cast Iron Plate
Tools

The sawn lumber should be be slowly seasoned and dried in a a climate controlled kiln. If you are building a very small piano your oven will probably do just fine.

Choose the less good looking wood and glue planks together to build a soundboard. Leave them to dry and season. Before the soundboard can "speak" the wood fibers must be stretched: do this by bending the soundboard and glue a series of ribs to the backside. Then mount the soundboard to a wood backframe.

Sound is sent to the soundboard by the vibrating strings through bridges, over which the strings are stretched.

You will have to notch the the bridges first. The front of the finished soundboard will have a pinblock where you will mount the tuning pins. As well as treble and bass bridges, but skip this step if you're running out of time.

Mount a cast iron plate to the soundboard/backframe assembly. (You will need to put a hole for each tuning pin in the cast iron —you may need need help with that) as well as pressure bars and hitchpins, these will guide and anchor the strings.

After the plate is mounted drill holes into the pinblock guided by the holes in place or close enough.

Now you move on to stringing— this is usually done by a skilled stringer, so if you have one around by all means use him/her. If not just wing it.

Hope FM radio advert for Oposium

2009-01-29T05:02:00.000-08:00

In order to raise the profile of our headline concert at Centre Point Church in Winton next month, Hope FM, Bournemouth's first community radio station are airing a 30 second advert for us about the concert! Starting on February 2nd 2009, the advert will be aired 5 times a day every day and beamed across Poole and Bournemouth.

If you want to listen and download the advert, we've uploaded the mp3 here.

>> Oposium Radio Advert

Feel free to distribute as you like!

Peace always,

The Oposium Admin Team

Dorset Unsigned Music Awards 2009 Launch Party attended by Oposium

2009-01-26T06:48:00.000-08:00

Oposium attended the Dorset Unsigned Music Awards(DUMA) 2009 Launch Party, on Saturday 24th January. Amongst others, Oposium caught up with Hope FM's Sheena and Derek Dayman [pictured below].

The party was a great event with various press present and Oposium were also able to have their photo taken by Steve Cook from Seeker Photography (one of the official sponsors of the Dorset Unsigned Music Awards).

Peace Always,

The Oposium Admin Team

HMV Store Release for Oposium!

2009-01-20T07:46:00.000-08:00

Oposium can reveal that along with commercial release onto Itunes and all major internet digital distributors, 'Life Under The Sun' will also be available to buy from HMV in Poole.

We will be adding to this list of shops over the next couple of months leading up to the release date which will be revealed very soon! Oposium will also be making appearances in store to help promote the album.

We're extremely excited to be able to release in HMV as the store is one of the largest CD & DVD retailers in the UK.

Peace always,
The Oposium Admin Team

Poole Lighthouse Mayor of Poole's Civic Awards Performance for Oposium

2009-01-19T12:07:00.001-08:00

Photos taken from our Poole Lighthouse concert last Friday are up. Oposium performed roughly a 2 hour set of jazz with swing versions of tracks from Life Under The Sun. Performing to over 400 VIPs including Robert Syms MP and the Mayor of Poole Councillor Mrs Joyce Lavender.

The full photogallery can be found here at http://www.flickr.com/photos/31075590@N06/sets/72157612757741668/

Oposium would like to extend their thanks to the Mayor of Poole, and the Mayor's Secretary Jo Clements for inviting us to perform. Thank you for a very warm welcome.

Richard, Sam, Scott and David
OPOSIUM

Official iLike Page for Oposium

2009-01-14T15:46:00.000-08:00

Oposium have now got their official iLike page going. Come, find us and and add us in on your Myspace, Bebo or Facebook pages by iLiking us!

Our iLike address is;

www.ilike.com/artist/oposium

Peace always,

The Oposium Admin Team

Gasputin - new saint for Gazprom!

2009-01-13T06:31:00.000-08:00

Following protests in Tbilisi over the ensuing gas crisis in Georgia, we thought this piece of art was not only very funny, but also raised awareness of the increasing plight of many Georgians. Georgians are set to face one of the coldest winter in decades, amidst heightening tensions between Georgia and Russia. Explosions that happened on Sunday cut off gas and electricity supplies from Russia to Georgia and Armenia. As a result, Georgian political rhetoric has accused Russia of trying to destabilise the country. Georgians have taken to nicknaming the Russian president Vladimir Putin "Gas-Putin", or Gasputin putting an ironic slant on the whole situation.

Peace always,

The Oposium Admin Team

Brand New Online Store for Oposium!

2009-01-12T15:58:00.000-08:00

Oposium.com is proud to announce that the new Online Music & Merchandise Store is now up and running!

All of the tracks from the Oposium debut album 'Life Under The Sun' are available to be previewed and downloaded as well as the new Official Oposium Fan Caps (as modelled by Czech model & star Michal Miksovsky (previous modelling has included T-Mobile).

All releases will be available from the Oposium store first before becoming available on other commercial sites.

You can go directly to the store at store.oposium.com or follow the link in the main part of the page.

In other news, there is a correction on the previous post. Oposium will be performing on 28th February 2009 at Centre Point Church, Winton, not Kinson as written. Tickets for the Winton concert are available online now from boxoffice.oposium.com.

Peace always,

The Oposium Admin Team

Poole Lighthouse (Poole Arts Centre) Wessex Hall Concert for Oposium

2009-01-08T14:40:00.000-08:00

Oposium have been invited to play Poole Lighthouse (Poole Arts Centre)'s Wessex Hall next Friday January 16th 2009 for the Mayor of Poole's Civic Awards Ceremony. The band will be playing jazz/swing versions of tracks from Life Under The Sun to the 1500 seat capacity venue.

"Poole Lighthouse is a fantastic venue to play as it's certainly the biggest venue in Poole..." explains Richard "...I had the luxury of playing solo at Poole Arts Centre two years ago so it's great to be able to go back with the whole band and perform."

Out of all of Oposium, only Scott hasn't yet played on the Poole Lighthouse stage. Sam performed the first movement of Rachmaninov's 2nd piano concerto 4 years ago and Dave appeared last year with DYO and a 24 piece jazz band. The Poole Lighthouse stage also boasts a full length concert Steinway grand piano.

^Above, Richard plays Poole Lighthouse, Wessex Hall January 2007.

The concert at Poole Lighthouse comes as Oposium continue with their mini-tour of the largest venues in Poole, having now played at St Mary's Longfleet and PURC in the last two months. February will then see the band perform at Centre Point church in Kinson, Bournemouth.

Oposium Admin

St Mary's Longfleet Routes To Roots Concert Thank You!!

2009-01-06T02:47:00.001-08:00

Just a shout to all who were involved one way or another on Saturday for the concert at St Mary's Longfleet; we had an amazing time and were so grateful to everyone who turned out!! So thank you - in particular to Clive Garton who organised so much, John on sound and Tim Piper with the video feeds - but also to everyone who organised the cafe and setting up the stage through the two days! We couldn't have done it without you :)

Also, big thanks to all the bands who supported us - Once October, View 93 and Not About The Heroes !

Pictures from the concert are available here >>

THANK YOU all again!!!

Richard, Sam, Scott and Dave
OPOSIUM

Daily Echo feature for Oposium!

2008-12-30T10:23:00.000-08:00

Ahead of the concert this Saturday, Oposium have been featured in the Daily Echo under the local bands section. Oposium only discovered that the article had gone to print in the Daily Echo after several people told us that we were in the newspaper. Funnily, the feature appeared opposite a Status Quo review! After picking up a back copy this morning from the Daily Echo offices in Poole, here is the article...

Daily Echo, Friday December 19, 2008

Looking ahead to next year, alternative rockers Oposium will be performing on Saturday, January 3.

The trio will be playing St Mary's Longfleet, which is next to Poole Hospital, with support coming from Not About The Heroes, JLR and View 93.

Tickets are £2 in advance.

Oposium are due to release their new 12-track album, Life Under The Sun, early next year, but you can pre-order it through oposium.com

Sarah Cartlidge

Rehab Rumor Denied! Mr Hair was not in rehab...

2008-12-29T11:47:00.000-08:00

The rumor that Mr Hair has just come out of rehab is false! Despite being recently snapped looking all the worse for wear, Mr Hair would like to categorically deny all rumors linking him with a stint in rehab. In a statement, Mr Hair's spokesman said;

"All rumors of rehab, or that Mr Hair has suffered sudden hair loss are all completely unfounded. The picture that seems to have been the origin of such a rumor was taken completely out of context and the singer was simply overdressed to compensate for the recent cold weather. Richard is in good health and will be appearing on stage with Oposium this coming weekend. Again, we would like to stress that no rumor linking Mr Hair with rehab is true."

OPOSIUM Press Release
###

St Mary's Longfleet - Concert Banner Up for 3rd January!

2008-12-29T11:15:00.000-08:00

The Oposium gig banner is up once again! This time outside St Mary's Longfleet ahead of the concert this coming Saturday... So if you're passing, do point it out to fellow people who would otherwise not understand !

Or if you're trying to find the venue on the night, then this should help you! On a serious note, parking for St Mary's is quite difficult but there is a lot of free parking in nearby roads on the opposite side of the main road from the venue (in Garland Road and St Mary's Road especially).

Large Map

See you there!

The Oposium Admin Team

Poole Music Shop - Music Room .com - attending January 3rd Concert!

2008-12-28T09:27:00.001-08:00

Poole music shop Music Room (part of the Musicroom.com chain) will be coming down to give out free promotions to the bands and audience who turn up to the Oposium concert this Saturday on January 3rd! Definitely an added bonus for all who turn up - as who knows what they will be giving out to the crowd! We know that the bands will be given free plectrums to throw out, but anything else is possible - so look out for the guys on the night...

The shop in Poole have been giving out flyers for the concert all over the Christmas period.

So ahead of the concert, Oposium and the concert organisers would like to thank Music Room for their support over this!!

Peace always,
The Oposium Admin Team

Merry Christmas Message from Oposium!!

2008-12-23T15:55:00.000-08:00

"After all it's only one more sleep til Christmas!!!" ... Not quite, but with Oposium taking Christmas day and Boxing Day off this year, we thought we would just write a short, yet very Merry Christmas Message!

This year has seen a lot of fantastic things happen with Oposium. We've welcomed on-board the genius of Dave Waller (aka Professor StiX), seen Sam Hanson (aka Mr Brain) graduate from Cambridge, finished recording our debut album 'Life Under The Sun', burnt a couple of pianos, started PR and are just 2 weeks away from what will be our biggest concert yet at St Mary's on January 3rd. There are a load more things we could add here, but won't...

but really this Christmas message is one of thanks. To all the people who have put up with us over the last year and allowed us to do the things that we do. We're all hugely grateful and if you're reading this and thinking, yes I've been involved with Oposium - then that means "Thank YOU!". All the people who have come to our gigs and supported us, all the people who have made those gigs, video shoots, bonfires happen - thank you!

So all that remains to be said is, a huge MERRY MERRY MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!! Have an amazing couple of days and get ready to do it all again next year! ! !

Peace always, God bless us all (as Tiny Tim would say) and off to the penguins Christmas skating party!! !!

WOOP WOOP

Richard, Sam, Scott and Dave
OPOSIUM

Bebo Profile finally for Oposium!

2008-12-20T14:49:00.000-08:00

Just a quick shout to all who use Bebo rather than Myspace or Facebook - Oposium have now got their official Bebo page going. Come, find us and talk to us there!

Our bebo address is;

www.bebo.com/oposium

Peace always,

The Oposium Admin Team

Archbishop 'welcomes' credit crunch

2008-12-18T17:06:00.000-08:00

Having been debating the pros and cons of the credit crunch, I found this interesting article published today on AOL about the Archbishop of Canterbury's interview on Radio 4. As I found myself agreeing with this, I thought I would post the article up here for debate!

The credit crunch is a welcome "reality check" for a society that has become driven by unsustainable greed, the Archbishop of Canterbury said.

Rowan Williams also hit out at Gordon Brown's plans to combat recession by boosting spending, likening them to an "addict returning to the drug".

The head of the Church of England's outspoken comments came as he delivered a scathing assessment of "moral" failings in Britain's economy.

Interviewed on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, he insisted the country had been "going in the wrong direction" for decades by relying on financial speculation to generate wealth quickly rather than "making things".

The UK had backed itself "into a corner", and must now rediscover "patience" and re-think the way it viewed material gain, he said.

Asked whether that meant the global financial crisis wracking the economy had been beneficial, Dr Williams replied: "It is a sort of a reality check, isn't it - which is always good for us.

"A reminder that what I think some people have called fairy gold is just that - that sooner or later you have to ask: 'What are we making or what are we assembling or accumulating wealth for?'."

Dr Williams went on: "I would like to think that in this sort of crisis people would be reflecting more on how you develop a volunteer culture, how you develop a culture of people willing to put their services at the needs of others so that there can be a more active, a more vital civil society."

The archbishop called on the Government to give more of a lead on "how the civil society is created". He expressed concerns over the Prime Minister's "fiscal stimulus" package, which included cutting VAT to get the public spending again.

The Prime Minister's spokesman later played down the Archbishop's comments, insisting Mr Brown was intent upon "doing whatever we can" to help people through the economic troubles.

Peace,
Richard (Mr Hair)

Wareham Music Festival - Oposium Website Feature

2008-12-15T16:35:00.000-08:00

The Wareham Music Festival website now features Oposium as one of the bands on the rumour list for next summer 2009.

For more information, do check out the Wareham Music Festival website...
>> Wareham Music Festival .org.uk

There is also a pre-festival fundraising event featuring The Committee Band at Purbeck School. Details are;

The Committee Band
The famous 10 piece band with caller
St Valentine's Day at the Purbeck School
Saturday 14th February 2009
7.30pm till 11pm
Tickets £6 available from Farwells in North Street, Wareham.

* * * * *

In other news, the Oposium marketing team would like to point out the deliberate mistake on the last batch of flyers to go out for the concert at St Mary's Longfleet. The actual date for the concert is of course 3rd January 2009, NOT as the flyers state 2008! Thanks to all who spotted this and let us know!

>> Buy Oposium Concert Tickets for 3rd January 2009

OPOSIUM post Advent Song on Myspace!

2008-12-11T14:55:00.000-08:00

Heyup!

In true Christmassy spirit (and of course jumping on the band wagon that so many other bands have done!); Oposium have uploaded a song for Advent to their Myspace. The song is an acoustic number and was recorded during sessions for Life Under The Sun - but now seems a good time to put it up!

>> Go to the OPOSIUM Myspace page

So an early MERRY CHRISTMAS !!

Richard, Sam, Scott and Dave

OPOSIUM

St Mary's Longfleet - Venue Profile

2008-12-10T02:17:00.000-08:00

As many of you will have seen, our next concert will be on January 3rd 2009 at St Mary's Longfleet church. Supporting Oposium will be indie punk band Not About The Heroes and acoustic acts JLR and View 93. As we always do, we'll be converting the church for the evening with fantastic arrangements of lights, projections and backdrops. St Mary's also have two installed cameras trained and the stage so we'll be looking forward to using them and projecting onto two of three screens with live pictures from the stage.

And that's before we even start on the music... - We've got some big ideas for this concert, although you'll have to come to find out!

Flyers have been printed and hopefully you'll see either one like the flyer above, or one of our distinctive posters up and around Poole. If you don't, you can download it here.

>> Download St Mary's Longfleet Concert Flyer

For any of you who want to find out a bit more about the church, then according to the St Mary's website http://www.smlpoole.org.uk

We [St Mary's Longfleet] are an Evangelical/Charismatic Anglican Church in Poole on the South Coast. In recent years we have experienced much encouraging growth, especially in our children’s and Youth work.

Together, we are aiming to become the kind of Church described in the Bible – a Church with relevant teaching (have a look at our Sermon Series and other courses), vibrant worship, honest friendships, committed prayer, and compassionate care of those in need. In short, we seek to look upwards to meet with God and grow in faith, inwards to support and encourage each other in small groups, and outwards to serve and make a difference in our local community and beyond.

So whether you’re someone who’s just starting to ask questions about purpose in life and God, or a committed Christian who wants to sink the roots of your faith even deeper, we trust that you can find a place of belonging here.

Tickets are £2 in advance, £3 on the door and are on sale now from the Oposium boxoffice http://boxoffice.oposium.com

OPOSIUM Profile: Mr Hair

2008-12-06T08:09:00.000-08:00

Name: Richard "Mr Hair" McLester

Born: 30/04/1985

Joined Oposium: March 2005

Height: 185cm

Weight: 56kg

Shoe Size: 8

Favorite Food: Cheesy Crumpets

Favorite Sport: Table Tennis

If you could play another instrument, what would it be? : Soprano Saxophone

If you could be an animal: Definitely a penguin.

Someone you aspire to: Lenny Kravitz

If you had two test tubes, a rubber dingy and four ounces of salt, what would you build? : Something out of this world, so ingenius it would shock the world's top guild of inventors. It would inspire generations, fund future solar expeditions and result in world peace. That's what it would do anyway ...

Bournemouth Daily Echo Battle of the Bands - VOTE for OPOSIUM!

2008-12-02T04:18:00.000-08:00

Voting has now begun in the Bournemouth Daily Echo Battle of the Bands! Please go and vote for Oposium - we've uploaded our track 'Fallen' which is also on our myspace page. So if you like it please go and vote!

Oposium are number 1265, so you can either call 0901 151 1265 , text BANDS 1265 to 80360, email battleofthebands@bournemouthecho.co.uk with just the words "OPOSIUM: Fallen"

Alternatively, you can go to the Bournemouth Daily Echo Battle of the Bands page and vote there;

>> Bournemouth Daily Echo Battle of the Bands

Thanks!!
OPOSIUM

Thanks to everyone for a great gig on Saturday!

2008-12-02T03:27:00.000-08:00

All of Oposium would like to thank everyone who came and supported our gig last Saturday - we had an amazing time!! So thanks to the bands; Not About The Heroes, JLR and The Wheat Beans for playing some wicked music. Also a HUGE thank you to everyone who helped make the gig happen... So in no particular order; huge thank you to ....

Andy Hancock (for an awesome smoke machine and making things happen technically), Peter Sykes and Dan Harwood (for providing the lighting), Julie Sykes (for the photography), the bad ass media crew Bex Sykes, Tim Hancock and Andrew Walters (also our star all round roadie!!), Elliot and Sarah (for gaffa tape hilarity, awesome hair and filming), Jonathan Martin (for total support and the venue), Pete Foxley (for giving up his Friday evening to set the system up), Penny Sills (for making sure it happened and putting up with our poor organisation!) and Simon and Rob Fish for all the amazing work they do with Routes To Roots.

For all the photos of the gig, follow this link to our flickr account;

29th November 2008 Concert Photos

And we'll leave you with this caption competition;

Peace Always,

Richard, Sam, Scott and Dave
OPOSIUM

Oposium Feature on AR FM Radio

2008-11-28T12:03:00.000-08:00

Oposium will be featured on London-based radio station AR FM this coming Sunday by presenter Paul Baker. His show airs from 3pm - 6pm ; details can be found at www.arfm.co.uk

Tune in and catch our tracks played!

JLR and Oposium in BBC feature ahead of Saturday's Concert

2008-11-27T11:00:00.001-08:00

Remember we said we would write an article about Jamie from JLR who is performing this Saturday? Well the BBC have beaten us to it as a result of our previous blog posting and featured his story and Oposium ahead of this weekend's concert. After a hastily assembled photoshoot this morning where Richard went down to not only shoot Jamie busking, but also to visit Jamie's tent in Holes Bay, the article is now up on the BBC website.

>> View the article on the BBC website

The article reads;

From a Tent to a Stage

Kevin O'Donovan

A man who used to be homeless and have a drug dependency is saying thanks to the people who helped him find somewhere to live by performing in a fundraising charity gig this weekend.

A man who spent six months living in a tent in Holes Bay, Poole, has managed to not only find somewhere to live and overcome a debilitating drug addiction - but he's appearing in a gig to help raise funds for the charity that helped him.

The concert is in aid of Roots to Routes, an outreach charity that works with homeless people in the Poole area providing soup kitchens and drop-in services to people in need.

Jamie, 33 and originally from Weymouth, found himself homeless after a chain of events which started after a car accident when he was 21.

In trying to cope with his injuries from the crash, he became dependent on over-the-counter painkillers.

Spiraled out of control

His addiction spiraled out of control and at one point he was taking 96 tablets a day.

He says: "I'd get the bus to different chemists so they wouldn't recognise me buying so many. It would have been cheaper to be a heroin addict."

After he was admitted to hospital with a hole in his stomach from over use of painkillers, he moved onto abusing illicit substances.

Despite managing to hide his addiction for a time, his relationship with his partner failed, and his behaviour became erratic - and he began to miss pre-arranged appointments to see his daughter.

Although depressed, he eventually was able to see that he had to take action. He says: "I couldn't hold down a job, I was letting down my daughter, and I knew I had to get away. I sort of had a nervous breakdown."

Manchester

Someone he knew suggested he go with him to Manchester, where Jamie could access help more quickly than he could in Dorset.

Jamie says: "At the time, there was an eight month waiting list to get help in Dorset, but in Manchester I got it more quickly.

"Drug workers there found me sleeping in a disused toilet, and I didn't like Manchester, but I needed to be there to start to get help with my dependency."

Then in January 2008 he got his treatment transferred back to Dorset, but with nowhere to stay, Jamie found himself in a tent in Holes Bay.

Roots to Routes

It was through going to a soup kitchen in Poole, run by Roots to Routes, that led to him finding a place to live, after meeting the charity's Outreach Worker, Rob Fish.

Having proved he was determined to beat his addictions, in July 2008, with Rob's help, Jamie moved into supported housing in Parkstone.

Jamie also has regular voluntary drug tests, which have all been clean.

He hasn't yet seen his daughter, but that's what he's aiming for:

He says: "My main aim is to get a good amount of stability, to take financial responsibility for her. There's not a day goes by when I don't think of her. Addiction is a disease, but I've got clarity now."

Jamie is now volunteering for a furniture reclaim charity, which he hopes will led him back into full time work, when he's ready.

Busking

Jamie would fund his drug habit by busking ("I never burgled because I was scared of going to prison"), and it's this musical talent that's led him to playing at the charity gig, headlined by Dorset band Oposium.

Says Jamie: "I can't wait. I jumped at the chance. Addiction is really hard to crawl out of, and it affects the whole family and not just the addict, so for them to see me playing is a good sign of my progress."

"It's also a chance to say a huge thank you to all the people who have helped me with my recovery."

Rob says: "It can be quite a frustrating job, but it's nice to be in this sort of situation where we can see how the work we do has helped someone, rather than us sitting scratching our heads thinking 'what do we do?'.

"Jamie is a great guy, and this is about moving him on."

The gig is headlined by Oposium, with support by The Wheat Beans, Not About the Heroes, and Jamie as part of an acoustic duo called JLR.
Date: Saturday 29th November 2008
Venue: Parkstone United Reformed Church (opposite Tyreland, Ashley Cross)
Time: 7pm
Entry: £5

<

The Wheat Beans, Not About The Heroes and JLR to support OPOSIUM

2008-11-24T03:10:00.000-08:00

The Wheat Beans, Not About The Heroes and JLR will all be supporting Oposium this coming Saturday 29th November.

The Wheat Beans are a funky trio with Lewis Ames on bass and vocals, Jo Cheung on guitar and Sam Naylor on drums. The Wheat Beans influences range through Parliament, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Sly and the Family Stone to James Brown...

Not About The Heroes are an indie punk band with influences from Blur, The White Stripes and We Are Scientists. Fronted by Josh Alner on Bass and lead vocals, Ben Sykes provides lead guitar and backing vocals while Ben Rabjohns joins them on Drums and additional backing vocals.

JLR are an acoustic duo whose story coming into this gig warrants a whole article in itself (and we will give it one in due course!). Often found busking in Boscombe and Bournemouth, JLR are a real success story of Routes To Roots, whose lead singer Jamie was living in homeless in a tent in Holes Bay only 5 months ago. The very fact that these guys will be playing on stage is a tribute to the fantastic ongoing work of the charity.

So a packed bill all before Oposium will even take to the stage! Join us on November 29th 2008 7pm when it will all kick off! Tickets are on sale at the Oposium box office

boxoffice.oposium.com

Peace always,

Oposium Admin

Oposium enter Bournemouth Daily Echo Battle of the Bands

2008-11-22T04:39:00.001-08:00

Oposium are now featured on the Bournemouth Daily Echo Battle of the Bands website. The track we've entered is track 7 'Fallen' from our album 'Life Under The Sun'; you can hear it on our myspace page - and if you like it go and vote for us after 28th December!

Vote for us in the Bournemouth Echo Battle of the Bands
>> here

OPOSIUM Gig Guide: Finding your way on 29th November 2008

2008-11-21T04:36:00.001-08:00

The Oposium banner is up! That means only one thing ... gig next Saturday! So if you're coming down next Saturday (29th November 2008) and can't find Parkstone United Reformed Church (also known as PURC), just drive down Commercial Road from Poole Civic Centre (towards Ashley Cross and Bournemouth with Tyreland on your left) and look out on the right for our banner. Hopefully you can't miss it!

View Larger Map

You should also be seeing our official poster up in and around Poole. To download a copy right click the link or the poster below and select '...Save As'.

>> Download Life Under The Sun Concert Poster

OPOSIUM looking to kick start Christmas on the 29th Nov!

2008-11-18T03:20:00.000-08:00

As the band prepare for the first of two large concerts this Christmas taking place a week Saturday on the 29th November, there is increasing excitement in the Oposium camp. "The ending to 'I Will Wait For You' is going to be totally kick-ass! I can't wait!" writes Dave Waller. With the organ at the Parkstone United Reformed Church (PURC) being ideally situated on the semi-circular stage Richard couldn't agree more "It's not quite as big as the one we used last year, but it is one of the few of it's kind left in the country - and we're going to rock out with it!".

Richard was out on the road this morning talking to a third support act down at the Routes To Roots office in Poole. "We have some exciting news to announce; one of the busker's whom Routes To Roots have supported will be playing a short set on the 29th as well. This is really important as it shows that our concerts are benefitting the people Routes To Roots are helping as well." Jamie who is as much excited about the concert as we are has gone from sleeping in a tent at Holes Bay five months ago to now joining the list of bands performing on the evening. Routes To Roots outreach worker Rob Fish explained "Together with footage from the concert, we'll talk to Jamie and place the finished short film up on the Routes To Roots website. It's a fantastic way to bring closure to the story and also show how positive the work of our charity can be."

"We can't underestimate the potential of this concert" stresses Richard "To be able to provide a venue for people of all ages to perform original music is surely something worth pursuing".

"It's also a great way to kick start Christmas!" agrees Rob.

We look forward to seeing you there, 7pm on the 29th November at Parkstone United Reformed Church (opposite Tyreland in Ashley Cross).

Peace always.

FutureProof PR & Website Update

2008-11-14T02:58:00.000-08:00

Some of you may have noticed that we have updated the look and feel of our blog. Slowly we're updating the whole website (it's taking a while as there is so much on it now!!) - but by the end of next week we hope to have everything up and running. Drop us an email at info@oposium.com if you have any comments about our new design; we'd appreciate any input!

In other news, Oposium are pleased to announce that they will be working alongside FutureProof PR (an independant London-based PR company) from December to February on regional PR. Everyone at Oposium is excited by this prospect and we're looking forward to a successful campaign!

Yours,

Oposium Admin

OPOSIUM Profile: Mr Brain

2008-11-12T05:35:00.000-08:00

Name: Sam "Mr Brain" Hanson

Born: 30/11/1985

Joined Oposium: March 2005

Height: 170cm

Weight: 66kg

Shoe Size: 8

Favorite Food: Toast

Favorite Sport: Frisbee

If you could play another instrument, what would it be? : Guitar

If you could be an animal: A Duck (They have all the fun...)

Someone you aspire to: Pierre Cochereau

If you had two test tubes, a rubber dingy and four ounces of salt, what would you build? : A scale replica of the Titanic

OPOSIUM on Forest FM 92.3 with Tony Warren!

2008-11-11T05:21:00.000-08:00

Oposium were presenter Tony Warren's guests last night on the Forest FM Wired Show. If you missed the show, you can listen again to the interview which included everything from influences and the Life Under The Sun release, to the band talking about their upcoming shows.

>> Listen again to the interview

>> Visit Forest FM

Life Under The Sun Unplugged

2008-11-10T07:37:00.000-08:00

On Saturday 8th November 2008, Oposium played a small intimate gig at St Peter's Church, Parkstone giving the live world premiere of tracks from Life Under The Sun. "We wanted to run the tracks through with just the bare bones before we go on and tackle our November and January largescale gigs" Richard explains "And it was nice to try some of the tracks in a jazz swing style". Of course, on November 29th Oposium will be back doing their usual anthemic rock act. "I've been itching to just get out and play" says Scott "We're all really excited about the upcoming gigs!".

In other news, Oposium are giving a live interview to Forest FM 92.3's presenter Tony Warren this evening after 8pm. Last week was quite a quiet week for the band as Richard was hospitalised for day with a crazy flu virus and was forced to spend the week off recovering. Dave also spent the week moving house, but that said the band did meet up for rehearsals later in the week and performed this intimate unplugged session.

The Saturday before last also saw the band explode two pianos. We'll get the footage up as soon as possible, but for now here's a taster photo from the what Oposium will remember as one of the wettest days of their lives!

Yours,
OPOSIUM Admin

Oposium on Hope FM - listen again!

2008-10-27T13:39:00.000-07:00

If you missed last weeks interview on Tim Heywood's show, you can listen again to the interview on our website.

>> Click here to listen again...

Enjoy!

The Oposium Admin Team

Oposium in Bournemouth

2008-10-22T15:18:00.000-07:00

Oposium were down in Bournemouth tonight giving a radio interview to presenter Tim Heywood on Hope FM 90.1, pictured here all together after the show. Unfortunately our recording system went down, but we'll put the interview online after the repeat this coming Sunday. Oposium would just like to thank Tim for having the band on his show and no doubt you'll be hearing more of upcoming Oposium ventures on Hope FM in the near future.

Oposium on Hope FM 90.1 tomorrow!

2008-10-21T02:03:00.000-07:00

Oposium will be featured in a live interview (7pm-8pm) on Hope FM 90.1 with presenter Tim Heywood. Tune in to hear us talking about our latest tracks, as well as a brand new single!

>> Check out Tim's page on Hope FM

Peace,
Richard, Sam, Scott and Dave
Oposium

OPOSIUM Profile : Doctor One

2008-10-18T08:55:00.000-07:00

Name: Scott "Doctor One" Blandford

Born: 2/2/1990

Joined Oposium: November 2007

Height: 180cm

Weight: 68kg

Shoe Size: 9

Favorite Food: Chocolate

Favorite Sport: Football

If you could play another instrument, what would it be? : Drums

If you could be an animal: A Worm

Someone you aspire to: Mark Hoppus

If you had two test tubes, a rubber dingy and four ounces of salt, what would you build? : A bomb for blowing up pianos

Oposium piano maestro Sam Hanson to play Rachmaninov's 2nd Piano Concerto !

2008-10-16T05:49:00.000-07:00

Oposium's piano maestro Sam Hanson (or fondly known as Mr Brain) will be performing Rachmaninov's 2nd Piano Concerto at Wimborne Minster this Saturday (18th October 2008). Starts 7.30pm, tickets are £10 reserved, £7 unreserved or £6 unreserved in advance. Tickets are available from Square Records, Wimborne.

Sam will also be accompanying Elgar's "Sea Pictures" on the organ. For more information, please go to www.dorsetforyou.com

Mr Hair and Doctor One will be there spurring Mr Brain on (not that he needs it of course!), but it will be a fantastic night of virtuosity and musicality!

Caption competition

2008-10-14T16:54:00.000-07:00

Messing around with camera settings, we ended up with this picture of Mr Hair taken tonight and thought we'd post it! Captions anyone? Wierd ...

Oposium Box Office launched!

2008-10-13T17:05:00.000-07:00

Oposium have launched their official Box Office! You can now buy tickets for our headline concert on 29th November at Parkstone United Reformed Church (PURC) online, and other concerts as they come up including newly released date 3rd January 2009 at St Mary's Longfleet. Let the church stadium rock begin! :)

The box office can be found at http://boxoffice.oposium.com .

Go.

Yours ever,
The Oposium Admin Team

Warhol Relics of Mr Hair Discovered!

2008-10-08T13:51:00.000-07:00

Clearing out the attic, artist Rob McLester chanced upon some original Warhol relics. As if this wasn't spectacular enough, on closer inspection Rob realised that the pictures depicted none other than Oposium's very own Mr Hair! The paintings will be auctioned off for charity by Sotheby's late October.

OPOSIUM TV - Episode 4 Uploaded!

2008-10-02T17:35:00.001-07:00

Doctor One has edited this weeks Oposium TV episode - so login and enjoy. It features our black piano and where we took it... to the beautiful setting of Shapwick.

In the meantime, here is Episode 3 if you need to catch up! :)

Peace,
Richard and Scott

Oposium feature in The Sarum Link Newspaper

2008-10-01T15:06:00.001-07:00

Oposium are featured in this month's newspaper The Sarum Link which goes out to 31,000 people in and around Salisbury.

The article reads;

"UP AND coming rock band Oposium, from Poole, is set to release its debut album entitled Life Under The Sun. Featuring the band's award winning track Behind The Rain (courtesy of Roland UK), the album encompasses a combination of beautiful piano melodies, catchy guitar riffs and anthemic vocal lines.

Oposium, which is fast becoming known as 'the band that threw its piano in the sea' has been working on the album for the last year and a half.

'The album is based on the Ecclesiastes concept of life under the sun and where we stand with our relationships' explains lead singer and guitarist Richard McLester. The album is really a journey of discovery, moving from the uncertainty of the opening tracks with titles such as This Is Why We Fall and Come Awake to the uplifting praise of the title track Life Under The Sun.

'The album is as lyrically provocative as it is musically challenging,' agrees Sam Hanson, Oposium's piano virtuoso, 'One of the aims of the project is to carve out a genre of our own.'

10% of album sales will be donated to Poole based homelessness charity Routes To Roots. The charity is seeking to develop a much needed resource centre in Poole for people who are 'rootless' and most in need in the community.

Bassist Scott Blandford adds, 'Routes To Roots has this fantastic vision for working with the homeless in Poole.'

Oposium is next performing at Parkstone United Reformed Church raising awareness about Routes To Roots on November 29th.

Life Under The Sun is being released under independent label Conical Sphere Records and is available from the band's official website: www.oposium.com.

For more details on Routes To Roots visit www.routestoroots.org

Oposium has given the Sarum Link two copies of their debut album to give away. To be in with a chance of winning just answer the following question: What's the title of Oposium's award winning track?

Send your answer on a postcard (address page 2), with your name and address to reach us by October 10th.

Oposium Facebook Group

2008-09-30T14:51:00.000-07:00

Oposium have created their facebook group. Seemed about time really, as we're on it so much ... !

You can find the group at http://www.new.facebook.com/group.php?gid=32897881548&ref=mf

So come and find us, join up and say hi! All concerts, oposium tv episodes and news will be updated on our website first so do check our main site for the latest updates!

Yours,

The OPOSIUM admin team.

OPOSIUM Profile: Professor Stix

2008-09-25T05:58:00.001-07:00

Name: David "Professor Stix" Waller

Born: 5/10/1990

Website: www.daviddrummer.co.uk

Joined Oposium: August 2008.

Height: Some height, yes.

Weight: A little bit.

Shoe Size: 9

Favorite Food: Italian.

Favorite Sport: Playing drums.

If you could play another instrument, what would it be? : Harmonica.

If you could be an animal: A Gorilla (like the Cadburys one!).

Someone you aspire to: Drummers, strangely.

If you had two test tubes, a rubber dingy and four ounces of salt, what would you build? : A laboratory on a dingy testing out salt in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.

The Original Mr Hair !

2008-09-22T09:32:00.000-07:00

After some serious research into the family tree by Rob McLester; the original Mr Hair was discovered! To put it all in context, Rob has photoshopped in Mr Hair to see what he would have looked like as well ... ... !

Mr Hair featured on Hope FM 90.1

2008-09-16T15:16:00.000-07:00

Mr Hair was featured on Soundtrack Of My Life with Sharon Muiruri tonight on Hope FM 90.1. A similar format to Desert Island Discs, Richard chose 7 tracks and chatted with Sharon on how they have influenced him and marked turning points in his life. Aired between 8pm - 9pm, the interview covered everything from how Richard first got in to music, who the man behind the hair really is, and why he does what he does.

>> Listen again to the interview

>> Visit Sharon's page on Hope FM