So soon?
Well it’s over a week since the last time but that is pretty good really given the recent frequency of these.
Main reason for this update is to give advance notice of a gig that has been slotted in this week.
The Venue Bar
Saturday 29th November
14 Churchgate
Bolton
BL1
This is a new venue to us, in fact I think it is quite a new venue anyway, however we’ve always had a good time in Bolton so we are looking forward to this one. It is quite some time since we last played there.
I was also called by the Nags Head in Ripley, Derbyshire who seemed quite keen for us to return. It’s a Sunday afternoon gig but we’ve taken the booking as again, a good crowd of people who like their Rock, no TVs left on in there. Such bookings do restore your confidence that you are doing something people actually enjoy and that we do it quite well. Speaking of which I know have mentioned this several times and I intend to shut up about it after this time but it is a shame that we don’t get the chance to play locally. We are always being asked when we will be doing , however to be fair venues and promoters will only put on entertainment they know will sell tickets or beer and they therefore stick to what they know. You can’t blame them really. Is there some unknown reason they don’t book us? I honestly don’t know. We are inoffensive to the best of my knowledge, reliable and people have always enjoyed us when we have played; to be honest I really have just become so tired of trying. I have better things to do than spend my time flogging a dead horse.
Ok what else has happened this week? Had a trip to Chester as not been for a while. Apart from some major changes being made around the shopping precinct it is pretty much as it was. Plenty of people about but not sure they were buying.
The weather last week was quite good, well dry at least, really can’t complain for November. It might even be ok for a day out again this weekend if it stays the same.
As reported last week I received Dee Snider’s Biography last weekend so I have been reading it this week. A good read although I haven’t got too far yet. Reminds me a bit of the Paul Stanley book I read recently. Both guys were determined to be Rock stars no matter what and their focus was totally on it. Neither of them got waylaid by drink, drugs etc. which proves you don’t have to be an alcoholic junkie to be a successful rock star contrary to what many people think.
These days of course the whole industry has changed and the days of rich rock stars that paid their dues and learnt their craft through gaining experience are pretty much gone. Everything is too niche now which limits the exposure apart from the instant fame with no longevity puppets created by the TV talent shows.
I am not a huge football fan as you know however I watched the Scotland v England game last Tuesday and quite enjoyed it. The only thing I didn’t enjoy was the extremely annoying drum being banged throughout almost the whole match. It was irritating enough on the TV so I can imagine what it must have been like if you were actually there. If the drummer gout out without his head being pushed through the drum skin I would be surprised.
Last Friday I watched a Judas Priest gig on Youtube. I hadn’t seen it before; from 2008 I think it was. Not one of their best, they were plugging the not very good Nostradamus album so played a few tracks from that. They rest of the set was a bit strange as well, good to hear the Sinner get an airing which was good and Dissident Aggressor but some of the other choices were a bit odd. I suppose with a back catalogue the size of theirs it is difficult choosing a set list. Rob Halford is not the man he was either, obviously as he ages he will have trouble hitting those high notes but he certainly seemed to be having trouble moving. I did read recently he has had an operation on his back so maybe that was because he was having trouble moving? Having said all that I still enjoyed it and the Priest always give 100%.
Rants
Do I have any – Well people not looking where they are walking because they are messing with mobile phones. I am fed up of having to avoid them because they are not looking where they are going. Who are they texting and talking to at 7:30a.m. ?
I use Facebook mainly for band related postings, which is pretty much compulsory, or the odd music thing. Generally I am not a big fan of the whole thing. I have noticed recently though there seem to be more and more postings which are basically adverts in disguise. This I do find irritating.
You really would have thought that removing prices from the bottom of high heels would be something that every woman was aware of by now but no you still see them on a regular basis.
I am still often amazed by how many musicians think that because they have been around a long time or because they can play brilliantly believe this entitles them to top gigs and high billings. Sorry guys you are in the entertainment business, people like it or they don’t that is the criteria, get over it. You are not performing lifesaving surgery or protecting people so much as I love music it really is not that important. I recently saw a quote from one of these guys saying “The calibre of the guys I play with we would not play for less than whatever”. The arrogance, basically implying that anyone who is prepared to play for less is somehow inferior. Well I had never heard of this guy and if that is his attitude probably never will again. Some people need to chill out.
Music
Well the Rated-X album I downloaded last week, I still haven’t really had much chance to listen to in depth yet. Hopefully address that next week.
The main music I have been listening to is good old UFO. I love that band in all its line-ups from the early Guitarist Mick Bolton to the current guitarist Vinnie Moore. The one constant being vocalist Phil Mogg of course. To me he is the sound of UFO.
Anyway, until next time
As always – Keep Rockin’
Craig