For several months we’ve been telling y’all about the United Kingdom of Rock, an upstart band that hopes to rock on at Eurovision 2014 on behalf of the BBC. Their song “We Are the UKR” is all about honouring Britain’s musical past—and getting the UK on the left-hand side of the Eurovision scoreboard. Word has it the Beeb are actually considering them.
Take off your jackets because they are turning up the heat, y’all! The group’s single is now available on iTunes, and they’ve launched a proper publicity campaign. We’re pleased to reprint their 9 January press release in its entirity below. They’re all about shaking up the BBC’s Eurovision selection, and we support that whole-heartedly.
http://youtu.be/QAIziBI-gZM
PRESS RELEASE:
9 January 2014
For all the fallen, forgotten, famous and the few… lest we forget.
So… the Eurovision Song Contest. Joke? Pantomime? Or something we could actually take somewhat seriously and use to enhance our nation’s mood? We don’t want “nul points” again. We need to be in it to win it!
So… 2014. Will it be a different story for the UK?
BIG YES! Why? Because of the dawning of the rock band U K R (United Kingdom Of Rock) fronted by Matt Fielder. U K R are waiting in the wings, wanting to represent the UK, for real, at the Eurovision Song Contest. Let the U K R join the few that have brought victory to the UK at Eurovision – Sandie Shaw in 1967. Lulu in 1969. Brotherhood of Man in 1976. Bucks Fizz in 1981. Katrina and the Waves in 1997. …UKR in 2014?
Matt Fielder, a Eurovision fan from Surrey, is fed up with Britain’s recent history at the contest. But rather than complaining or ranting in a blog post like the rest of us, he decided to start a band. And so the United Kingdom of Rock was born. Matt’s idea came after yet another dreadful display and result by the UK in 2013 contest.
He says ,“With all the great music this country has produced over the decades, it feels like this has not been reflected by the artists representing This Sceptred Isle!”
So Matt penned the song “We Are the UKR”… It actually has a message. “It was written to not only pay homage to all the great British bands of the past, but also to the bands who tried and failed. Surely that applies to bands who could have – and would have – done better at ESC…if only they were given a chance?”
So who are U K R (United Kingdom Of Rock)? Find out by going to UKR’s Facebook page, which has racked up more than 5,900 likes since November 2013!
Help get us all the way to Copenhagen – let us show the world that the UK rocks!
Available from iTunes now.
UKR … share the pride, spirit and passion as we did in 2012!
Matt Fielder: [email protected]
Not with this song. Nooo. But remember Heat in Melfest? hahaha These guys brought back memories of them…just not as good. But maybe they could stand a bit of a chance.
Can I just add:
The fact he said that Bonnie was a poor display is pure rubbish. She had FUN. That’s all I wanted to see. Heck, I knew she wouldn’t score well, but she had a huge smile after her performance and it was warming to see.
Purely based on that alone, even if I hadn’t heard the song, I would have told them to stop trying & give it.
Everyone is basically summing it up. It’s a big, fat NO. They wouldn’t do well and they’re all too cocky for themselves. The song is dated. And the fact they just recall song titles is poorly produced and bad songwriting. As someone said, it’s simply “I Love Belarus”, but not as good. And heck, “I Love Belarus” didn’t even qualify.
Let’s be realistic. They’re not Lordi. They are a poor band. I
I know I’m being critical, but I’m sick of the bad results – if you ask me, this is another nul pointe in the running.
This is total rubbish. It certainly wouldnt do well at eurovision as it sounds soo dated.
This is like diarrhoea. It’s catchy, but it’s still shit
“Please BBC send an artist that the British people actually want to hear.”
It’s no wonder why Rylan Clarke keeps getting pestered on Twitter about Eurovision recently, D.
This would’ve been good…in the 90s or early 00s…
No. Hell no. We need something groundbreaking, and I don’t want to hear Graham Norton moaning again on the commentary booth this year.
The UK equivalent to “I Love Belarus”. Only not as good.
It sounds like an 80s rock song, and due to a traumatic childhood experience, I cannot stand 80s rock. If this gets sent there is no way it’ll do good, please BBC send an artist that the British people actually want to hear. Why not have a national selection? It’s not like you don’t have the money to do it, since the poorest country in Europe, Moldova manages to have one. I guess it’s just that the BBC is lazy, oh well.
Awful cliche rock music .. Would fail .. Feels like a poor production entry with a bottom 5 position ..