Hello Everyone,

Over the next few months, The Maccabees are going to be bringing you loads more online updates in the form of blogs, videos and all the latest news about the recording of their new album. If you want to suggest ideas, or just discuss any of the latest news then head over to the forum on the website. The website is currently being updated as some of you may have noticed so keep checking back for the latest news but in the mean time the forum is very much alive.

If you're not a member of the forum, then log-on to register your username so you can get posting!

In the meantime, here's an blog from Felix in the studio...enjoy!

"We are in the studio... at last! Sorry to everyone who thought we'd be in quicker, we thought we would be too. It's been a year of getting the songs sorted, but in terms of being written they're all there! We promised ourselves we weren't going to make a dud second record and have had to take a little bit longer than intended to make sure that's the case. We've been here for a few days and we're really proud of all the songs we're going to record. There's a definite 'feel' that ties all the songs together and listening back to them, they makes the old songs seem comparatively two dimensional. It feels exciting, which I suppose should be the point. Markus Dravs is producing. He's taken to calling Ru 'Rupee', which makes him the only person that isn't Ru's Mum that does so. I think he may have had enough for tonight; we finished immediately after Hugo suggested we find some mice and teach them the guitar and drums.

"So far we have learned don't put fairy liquid in the dishwasher. It goes wrong. Really wrong if you put too much in...and the 'Hogs Head' isn't the best place to go for a drink.

"I think there'll be a few video clips of us in the studio over the next six weeks. Other than that we've sort of been in hibernation when it comes to gigs etc... I'm sure some of you who might have liked to have seen us will appreciate there's no point of touring properly if we haven't made the best record we possibly can.

"I can't stop listening to Roots Manuva at the moment, went to see him in Brighton a few weeks ago and it was way more exciting than most of the guitar bands I've seen recently. 'La Shark' and 'The Golden Silvers' are our favourite new bands we've seen, I think the Golden Silvers have been supporting Mystery Jets recently... they've got a well good song that goes 'Today I felt it go for good, last night I thought it was invincible'... can't remember the name of it though. La Shark have to be seen live to be believed, they are incredible!

"If any of you are around try to catch the Derek Meins/ Peggy Sue tour too. Lando is busy doing artwork for a few of our mates in his spare time, I'm not sure if I can tell you who they are though. But it looks great.

"Anyways, just thought we should at least let you know that we're busy and will have recorded this album by the end of the year. Take care and all of that, I'll write again soon...

Felix x