The INTERNATIONAL POP ASSASSINS

BIOGRAPHY:

The International Pop Assassins are simply ex-Diesel Kings & Sublimes frontman Eddie McKenzie with a host of helping hands. They were Initially put together in 1997 a a proper band, with Greg Drysdale (drums, ex-Martin Stephenson), Alex Irvine (guitar / vocals, ex-Strawberry) & Alan Shields (bass, ex-Spank!). Sheilds proved too untamable, and was replaced by Grant Paterson (bass, ex-Sublimes) in 1998, allowing the band to play a few live dates. The band's first single "Lo-fi Elvis On Acid" was released on vinyl at this time, and was a Steve Lamacq "Single Of The Week", as well as receiving airplay on the John Peel show. The band, however, failed to capitalise on this, disappearing for a few years. In this time Drysdale joined The Blue Rockets, and McKenzie & Paterson helped out with The Harbour Road Angels.
In 2000 McKenzie worked with ex-Bay guitarist Ronnie Young, however the inspiration to continue was not there. Over the next two years he worked with Ross Cunningham (bass / vocals, ex-Moondogs), recording and playing some acoustic shows, until Cunningham formed The Cool Jerks (an act which McKenzie was very very briefly a member of right at the start!).
2004 saw the act re-emerge as recording artists, with the release of three season-themed singles, each more ambitious than the last. By this time the band was only McKenzie, helped out in the studio by Ross Cunningham (guitar / bass, also with The Cool Jerks), Greg Drysdale (drums / saxophone / stylaphone, also with Jill Hepburn), Neil Hathaway (violin), Alex Irvine (harmonica), Carlo Madden (trumpet), Les Makin (piano / guitar, ex-Concorde Jams, also with Jill Hepburn), Claire Scougall (vocals) & Jenni Simpson (vocals). These EP's were then compiled into an album, "Three Miles" at the beginning of 2006. The end of the year saw McKenzie work with Drysdale, Makin & Andy Pratt (guitar, ex-Mr Nice) to release an E.P. entitled "Underneath Skin Pages".
2007 saw McKenzie release a long promised album ("PS") recorded entirely on a Playstation, alongside an acoustic single entitled "Songs From The Acoustic Kitchen". The latter also featured Pratt on guitar and organ, who had now become the closest thing to a permanent member that the International Pop Assassins can have. The duo then began work on a punk / dub EP, entitled "Howl", with help from Drysdale & Makin agin, which was released in early 2008. Next on the agenda was a return to live work, with Ross Cunningham (drums, also with The Vesparados) returning, along with Johnny Mack (bass, also with The Vesparados). This line-up made their debut at Rialtos in March 2009, and then played a well received date at the Grangemouth Homecoming festival in the summer.
September saw the band release their third album, "Death, Divorce & The Prison Yard", featuring ten tracks, chosen by public vote from a potential eighteen. This time also saw them begin to gig throughout Scotland, building up a strong live reputation.
Live work continued into 2010, however things took a step backwards when Cunningham suffered a cycling injury which forced him to give up drums. At this point Mack decided to step aside and concentrate on his other act, The Underground Jam, allowing Cunningham to move onto the bass. The band then recruited Willie Green (drums, also with Lieutenant Stardust), and continued to record their next album.
Meanwhile, Pratt was also working with The Last Saloon.

RELEASES:

"Lo-fi Elvis On Acid" (7 inch vinyl, Seminal Records, 1998)
"When She Rains E.P." (Internet single, Songs For Danielle, 1999)
"Spring" (CD single, Seminal Records, 2004)
"Summer" (CD single, Seminal Records, 2004)
"Fall" (CD single, Seminal Records, 2005)
"Three Miles" (CD album, Seminal Records, 2006)
"Underneath Skin Pages" (CD EP, Seminal Records, 2006)
"PS" (CD album, Seminal Records, 2007)
"Songs From The Acoustic Kitchen" (CD single, Seminal Records, 2007)
"Howl (A Blues For The Pop Star)" (CD single, Seminal Records, 2008)
"Death, Divorce & The Prison Yard" (CD album, Seminal Records, 2009)
"I Love The Future But The Future Hates Me" (CD / Internet album, Seminal Records, 2010)

WEBSITE:

http://www.falkirkmusicscene.co.uk/seminal/
http://www.myspace.com/internationalpopassassins