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Exclusive Topman CTRL MX content!

Interested in seeing some brand new, never-before-seen CTRL MX videos? From Frankie & The Heartstrings Student Tour diary to the musical inspirations behind Katy B! We have a bunch of exclusive content for you throughout April. First up it's Gruff Rhys treating us to a little 'Shark Ridden Waters'. Enjoy!

Fashion Fridays March!

If you live in the London or New York area come on down to our Fashion Fridays event this Friday at our Oxford Circus and Broadway stores. With DJ sets, complimentary drinks and even free haircuts its sure to be a fun evening! 

Win Teenage Cancer Trust Tickets!

 

For your chance to win tickets to see Beady Eye (Liam Gallagher's new band) and Miles Kane this Friday 25th March just click the link below. You and 3 mates will get your very own box for this special event taking place at the Royal Albert Hall, London...so get entering!

Enter: http://www.topmanctrl.com/blog/index.php/2011/03/15/trust-us/

 

Topman CTRL interview: Pulled Apart by Horses

In a brief interview with the Pulled Apart by Horses guys we found out what excites them in the music and fashion world, alongside their plans for the future!

Tell us something about the band we may not know?

James can't read or write. Lee's been married 4 times. Rob has a Veterinarian license. And I have an irrational phobia of the elderly.

What is the best thing that has happened so far in 2011?

Well we've only just dipped our toes into 2011 though really haven't we? But the most exciting bit for us collectively is having enough time to write and create new songs together for the next album. Because we're a live band who are constantly on the road, it's been hard trying to get enough time to comfortably write. Now it feels like we're almost rediscovering the fun of writing as a band all over again.

What are you most looking forward to for the rest of the year?

Well in March we make our first venture outside of Europe. We're going to Australia to do a stint of gigs as well as a festival.......and then straight from there we're off to SXSW in Austin, Texas. I can't wait!! It's probably going to be an intense couple of weeks but in the best way possible. Plus in Austin I'm going to refuel my thirst for Rootbeer and love of burgers. I've even heard there's a death metal pizza place!! 

What was the last song you listened to, how did it make you feel?

The last song I listened to was 'Wheelchair Epidemic' by The Jesus Lizard as I made my way to meet the other guys to record a B-side yesterday. I used the track to - 1.Get me in the mood for losing my shit.  2.To help me pick up my walking pace (I always walk to the beat when listening to music) cos I'm always late!

This is CTRL MX. Did you ever make a mixtape for anyone? Who for, what was on it?

I lived off mix-tapes when I was younger. Used to make the weirdest ones as well! I'd always have clashing songs like 'Seal - Kissed by A Rose' followed by 'Nirvana - Negative Creep.' It keeps you on your toes! I made a mixtape for my mate when I was at primary school. Halfway through some of the tracks would be my voice recorded over the top of some of the songs just shouting round crap! Don't ask why. 

What was the best band performance you ever saw on TV?

Hmmmmmmm - it would probably have to be At The Drive-In on Jools Holland. It's the funniest thing ever. I'd never seen a band act like that live and it got me hooked. Absolutely free and ridiculous. Half of the thing sounds like shit as I think Omar broke his guitar, but instead of stopping he just picks up a tambourine and dances around as Cedric jumps off a chair and kicks it around. I remember Robbie Williams was on the same show and there's a video someone on You Tube of his reaction to it. PRICELESS!

What are your all time favourite TV shows?

Well as a kid there was stuff like Ren & Stimpy, Round The Twist, Pugwall's Last Summer, Rocko's Modern Life, The Simpsons. I've recently been addicted to Dexter - seen them all apart from the last season now and each one is absolutely amazing. Another TV show I've just discovered (even though it came out in the 90's) is a show called Freaks & Geeks. It's set in an American school in the early 80's and just follows a bunch of geeky kids and slackers / rockers struggling with school / life. Other than that Arrested Development, Tim & Eric Awesome Show, Modern Family, anything by Reeves & Mortimer, Monty Pythons. Arrrrggghhh! Too many!!! 

CTRL is all about music and fashion, give us one of your own fashion hits and one miss over the years?

I don't really think about fashion to be honest. I just wear what I want to. I probably wear just as many misses and hits. (whatever that means) A fashion hit would be when I found a denim jacket with cut off sleeves in Amsterdam and sewing a patch of a tigers head onto the back. I love it - but am also slightly worried I'm getting too cock rock for my own good. A fashion miss for me would be when I wore a potato sack as a jacket after my home was burnt down to the ground.....but then again I didn't have much choice then.

Could you tell us about a place anywhere in the world that has a special musical connection for you?

Obviously Leeds is a special place to all of us - it's small and humble, it's our home, where some of our families and friends are, it's full of awesome bands some known / some not as well known. But if we're talking musical connections in the WORLD then I would say I'm kinda obsessed with Seattle, US even though I've never been there in my life. So many different / interesting bands have come out of that place (and I'm not just on about Nirvana) So I'd like to visit it as some point in my life or even play there! 

If you/the band were a famous TV character, who would it be, and why?

 For the band all I'm saying is watch a film called Fubar. That says it all! For me personally I would be Dave Benson Phillips as he always gets his own back.

Topman opens Stag store concession for SXSW!