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what's happening

Next Single

As far as we know, for now a1's next single will be none other than the lovely ballad, song no.7 on "Make It Good" - "Learn To Fly".
For now there's no release date or any idea how long we'll have to wait until it comes out. But I will let you know as soon as I find out.

Young and restless update

a1 might still be Stateside, but they finished filming their parts in The Young And The Restless ages ago now. Yet, a1 fans Stateside will get to see the guys in action on 20th and 21st June when the episodes
they appear in are aired.
In a recent interview with cbs.com, Ben `fessed up how he knew of the show: "We do a lot of interviews internationally and there was this one guy from Turkey who was obsessed with The Young and the Restless.
"The moment I mentioned that we were going to be on the show, that was it. He wouldn't talk about the album. He wouldn't talk about anything to do with me apart from The Young and the Restless. So, [the show] obviously has some good fans around the world.

a1 on Re:Covered

Don't miss a1 this Friday – that's a1 day – when Ben, Mark, Christian and Paul will be appearing on Dermot O'Leary's Re-Covered over on BBC Choice.
As usual, the guys are doing something just that little bit special with their cover of choice being a crackin' version of Bryan Adams' "Summer Of '69". Unmissable.

Chart Update

a1's new album - "Make It Good" entered the albums chart today at no.15.

a1's first album ("Here We Come") highest chart entry was 20 and a1's second album ("The A-List") highest chart entry was 14.

I guess I was a bit disappointed because I thought "Make It Good" will make it bigger than "The A-List" but albums often go up in the albums chart so if you didn't get the album yet, you certainly should!

Maybe we can help them go up a few places in next week's albums chart.
Here's the full top20 from WorldPop.com:

1. THE EMINEM SHOW - EMINEM
2. DESTINATION - RONAN KEATING
3. THINKING IT OVER - LIBERTY X
4. GREATEST HITS I, II & III - QUEEN
5. ESCAPE - ENRIQUE IGLESIAS
6. TOGETHER - LULU
7. ACE - IAN VAN DAHL
8. COME AWAY WITH ME - NORAH JONES
9. MOBY - MUTE
10. MISSUNDAZTOOD - PINK
11. FEVER - KYLIE MINOGUE
12. SILVER SIDE UP - NICKELBACK
13. NO MORE DRAMA - MARY J BLIGE
14. ABOUT A BOY - OST - BADLY DRAWN BOY
15. MAKE IT GOOD - A1
16. CIELI DI TOSCANA - ANDREA BOCELLI
17. THE DEFINITIVE - EVERLY BROTHERS
18. NO ANGEL - DIDO
19. ASHANTI - ASHANTI
20. ALL RISE - BLUE

Artist of The Month...!

a1 are gonna be the "Artist Of The Month" (For June) in MTV Asia. If you've got the channel, check out the schedule (mtvasia.com) for some a1 shows.

Here's an article taken from MTVAsia.com:

Finally! Westlife and Blue have been hogging the limelight for the past months but here they come! The triumphant return of the ever lovable lads - Ben Adams, Mark Read, Christian Ingebrigtsen, and Paul Marazzi - of a1!

After months of locking themselves up in the studio recording new material, a1 made their grand return to the pop charts with their first single, "Caught In The Middle", from their new album, "Make It Good". Did the group deliver the "new pop-rock" sound that they have promised to the fans and media? Of course they did! Not only did the single prove to be a radical departure from the group's old blend of bouncy pop songs, it also charted at No.2 in the UK chart!

Following the success of "Caught In The Middle", the group soon released their follow-up single "Make It Good" in May 2002.

Says Mark on the group's official website: "This is the song that started it all off, this was the first song that really set us off in this new direction with a slightly new sound for a1. And the reason that we just jumped at this song is because it's very different and instantly original, and it's really unlike any other song I've ever heard. And this started out at the same time as Ben and Paul writing 'Caught In The Middle'."

Breaking new pop grounds with their new sound by playing their own instruments on all the tracks, the boys have also written and produced all of the B-sides to their single releases for the new album "Make It Good". To top it off, a1 will attempt the impossible feat with the new album - Breaking America. Will the group tread go where no UK pop band has gone before? Only time will tell. Meanwhile, one thing's for sure. a1 is hot on the popularity stakes in Asia! 

Enjoy a1 for the full month ahead as the boys are crowned Artist of the Month for June!

A1 Enters the world cup

Wouldn’t the World Cup be more interesting if a1 were in it? Well, that’s obviously what the posse over at Popworld thought, because they’ve devised their own online World Cup. But don’t worry if your soccer knowledge ends with Beckham’s latest hairstyle, ‘cause this is strictly a pop battle between 32 of today’s biggest names in music.

It looks like being a bloodthirsty fight and the a1 lads are in Group C, squaring up to Blue, O-Town and Linkin Park. Make sure you head on over to popworldcup.com to support a1 - voting starts on June 2nd, and the results of the first round will be posted on June 9th. Good luck, guys.

 

A1 Not just for steak anymore!

The pop band a1 will be performing their hit, "Caught in the Middle", on The Young & The Restless, at Walnut Grove Academy. They will be performing at the high school prom.

Their record, "Caught in the Middle", has been one of the most requested songs in the US

LA: Here They Come - A1 in US

a1 are currently making the first of what promises to be a series of visits to the States.

They'll be spending most of their time filming The Young and the Restless - which you've heard so much about.

We spoke to Ben before the guys jetted off and he said: "We'll be performing 'Caught In The Middle' at a high school prom, but we've also got speaking parts, so we'll be swotting up on our scripts most
of the journey there."

Also, on the agenda is some serious shopping. "We can't wait to hit Tower Records on Sunset Boulevard," adds Ben.

"It's the best one we've ever been to. Christian's already got a list of country records he's desperate for, but Mark and me will probably be hitting the DVD section just to check out what new stuff they've got there before it comes to the UK. Our credit cards are going to get some serious action..."

YM

a1 flew to America yesterday for some promotion and to film 2 episodes for The Young & The Restless. Looks like American teens like them coz the American teen magazine YM chose a1 as the band of the month!

Here's the full article:
http://www.ym.com/stars/ontheverge/may0302.jsp

Chart

A1 were No.8 in the CD:UK chart. But unfortunately, they dropped a few places in the official chart.

a1 are No.11 in the UK chart. I guess it's quite depressing because we were all hoping for another top10. But we'll have to live with that.

A1 Release USA Album

a1 are going to release a *short* album only in the USA. The album hits stores on Tuesday, June 25!

Here's the tracklist:
1. Caught In The Middle
2. Make It Good
3. When I'm Missing You
4. Everytime
5. If I Can't Have You
6. One More Try
7. Same Old Brand New

Taking It To the Press...

Get ready: a1 are being splashed all over your favorite mags. Here’s the definitive list where to catch Ben, Mark, Christian and Paul...

Out now – TOTP
13th April – It’s Hot (plus CD interview)
14th April – TV HITS
30th April – Sneak
End of April – Time Out
End of April – CD:UK (8-page pull-out)
End of April – Bliss
2nd May – Smash Hits
5th May – TOTP (cover feature)
10th May – It’s Hot (cover feature)
10th May – J17
Week of 13th May – Shout
Week of 13th May – Popworld
14th May – TV HITS
14th May – Cosmo-Girl
19th May – Funday Times
29th May – Smash Hits (cover feature)
End of May – CD:UK
End of May - Bliss
1st week in June – TOTP (16-page pull-out)

Make It Good is Here!!

Following the January release of the Europe-wide smash hit single "Caught In The Middle", a1 are set for global success with the release of "Make It Good". The single is out now and signals another great leap for the band who have well and truly proved that they are more than just another pop act. Their self-penned third album is also now completed and Mark, Ben, Christian and Paul have taken an even more active role in the recording process. Having played on all the tracks featured on this more mature sounding album, the guys have also written and produced all of the B-sides to their single releases. "Make It Good" is the perfect summer anthem and brings together the fantastic acoustic sound of "Caught In The Middle" but adds a distinctive retro feel to the track. Their third album, also called Make It Good, arrives on 27th May 2002 while later this summer, a1 will see their first release in the USA. "Caught In The Middle" has already picked up pop/crossover play there and is looking like the breakthrough record for the guys.

A1 - We Are Not Limpy!

Smash Hits found Mark a1 in a very excitable mood the other day. He told us, "Things are looking better than ever really. It looks like we might have our first hit in the States. Caught In The Middle has already gone to radio in America and they love it before we've even been there. So we'll probably go over there for a month or two later on this year. We still want to bigger in the UK though. I think we've always had the potential to give the kids something with a bit more depth to it, a bit more life and a bit more guts so we're gonna try to fill that gap. People are crying out for bands like Limp Bizkit, and A because they have so much depth to them. Not that I'm saying we're the British Limp Bizkit because we are so different
from them."

Ben's Blue Friend

If you'd read last issue's cover feature with Blue, you might believe that they like a1 as much as Frosty the Snowman enjoys the summer. But according to a1, the feud has been ended by Ben offering Blue the hand of friendship. "I went up to them at the Britney Spears party because i thought there's not really a lot of need for any kind of bad mouthing," he told Planet pop. "I just said, 'I don't know what's gone on and why there's a problem but it would probably be better for us both if we just call it a day and actually get on." Blimey, that was brave! "I know," laughed Ben. "I hadn't drunk anything either. But they were all like, 'Yeah, we don't know what's gone on and there's no need for it.' It was all a bit of a misunderstanding. "there's always a lot of these wicked whispers going around. We'd heard things that they'd supposedly said and they'd heard things we'd supposedly said and we both had a problem., but its all fine now. "Aaah, aint love grand? 

Paul's Confession (typed by Marie)

a1's Paul confessed to CD:UK that he hates doing interviews.  "Why not talk to Ben?" he sighed.  "It's him people want to read about!" He added, "We should let him do all the work- and he should model Calvin Kleins- then we'd sell loads of CDS!"  Either Paul's being a bit hard on himself or he fancies a birrova lie-in.  Paul- we reckon you're rockin'.

For Australian Fanz

"Caught In The Middle" will be released on June 16th, and the guys are planning a trip to Oz during the next couple of months!

Cardiff In Short

Christian joined us for a chat about his favorite MTV show, "Jackass" – if you've ever seen it, you'll understand why we nearly had to leave the table! He said he and Del had been listening to big band tunes in the car, so he launched into various Frank Sinatra numbers, as well as treating us to his Norwegian-penned, "Himmelsendt".  Christian, Mark and Paul were all keen to point out their review in American chart magazine, "Billboard", which hails them as the saviours of pop!  "Caught In The Middle" is also the fourth most added track to US radio which they're all very proud of! We mentioned that we had heard "Let It Out" from the FIFA album, but Mark pointed out that it is not the same as the final mix on the "Make It Good" album!  Paul sang a little of "Isn't It Cheap?" which he's very proud of also. Paul also complained of a sore wrist – he suspected he had broken it "again".  We'll let you know if we hear any more.  Both he and Christian were having trouble remembering the words to "You'll Never Walk Alone", which they were to sing at the FA Cup Classic concert.  Christian couldn't understand what a "lark" was, so Paul pointed out, "It's a bird... a very nice bird!" Mark told us he is thinking of growing his sideburns back again, and that he only shaved them off after a trimming disaster one morning! As we revealed yesterday Mark also told us that they had all read through ALL of the entries in our 'Name The Album' competition, had a good giggle, but particularly liked "Paul's Retirement Fund"!!  Watch this space for the title of the fourth album, maybe?!? Mark let slip that as well as spending a total of six weeks in the US, they will also be visiting Asia, Europe and Australia over the next couple of months.  They don't appear to have any time off until August! The show itself went very well with the guys performing both "Make It Good" and "You'll Never Walk Alone" to a rapturous audience.  Did you catch it on BBC1 later that evening?  After the show the guys drove back to London to prepare for the early morning "Saturday Show".

F.A. World Cup (album)

Good news! A song called "Let It Out" from the next a1 album, "Make It Good", appears on the F.A World Cup 2002 CD.

Other songs and artists that appear on the CD are:
Anastacia - Boom!
Jennifer Lopez - Let's Get Loud
Safri Duo Meets Ayla - Sunrise
Nelly Furtado - Party

and lots more...

A1 on F.A. World Cup 2002 Concert

Yes, A1 will appear at the F.A World Cup 2002 Concert in "Arms Park", Cardiff. It'll take place at 7:30pm (UK Time), Friday, 3rd May 2002.

The concert will be broadcasted the same day, at 10:35pm, BBC1 Channel.

Other artists that will appear on the concert will include: Lesley Garrett, Russell Watson, Faye Tozer, Willard White and Bond.

a1 will sing 2 songs:
"Make it Good" (Ingebrigtsen and Read)
a1
and
"You'll Never Walk Alone" - Carousel (Rogers and Hammerstein)
a1, choirs, orchestra and audience

The Young And Restless

Yes, you did hear right: a1 have confirmed that they'll be appearing on one of America's top rated soaps, The Young And The Restless.

Although the show is on television here, we don't yet have a date it'll be aired but we'll keep you posted.

The guys fly out at the end of May to start shooting and they'll be filming for three days during which time they'll not only be
performing but acting too.

Says Mark: "We're really looking forward to trying our hand at acting though we're a little nervous too as it's watched by so many people.
Originally there was an idea for us to do an a1 series but our schedule got so busy it was impossible. We can't wait to see how this
turns out!"

Make It Good (update)

Here are the play lists for a1's next single's CDs:

cd1
Make It Good (radio edit)
High And Dry
Do It Again
Make It Good (cd extra video)

cd2
Make It Good (album version)
Make It Good (Johan S Vocal Mix)
Caught In The Middle (Almighty Mix)
Make It Good (video - the making of)

Both CDs include exclusive photos and video clips. CD2 also features
a free poster.

A1 News

A1's new album will be bigger than Michael Jackson's "Thriller." The boyband, who have been working with Mike Hedges, producer to Travis, U2 and Manic Street Preachers, are confident that their new material "Make It Good" will wreak havoc. According to tabloids, Hedges said, "I think it's going to be the best pop album since 'Thriller.' We are so pleased with it. It is more guitar-based and more personal than anything we've done before." Singer Ben Adams also hopes to squash their manufactured boyband image. He said, "People come up with an image of some manufactured group, but we are talented and we were born to be musicians."

Sources: a1-online, a1soundcheck, smashhits.net, a1philippines,
a1_united, Ben_is_gorgeous, sonymusic.co.uk, mtv asia, a1-2k, WorldPop.com