Band Homepage http://www.clan-rock.com
Another one already, less than a week since the last one!
Ok here’s the info some of you want
Saturday 7th February
The Venue Bar
Bolton
Second time for us and we are looking forward to it as it was really quite good last time. No haze or smoke machines allowed unfortunately so there is no point in taking the lasers.
Last Saturday we played the very excellent Fox and Goose in Southport. All went very well, nice crowd and once again excellent hospitality. Back there in May. Rather annoyingly my guitar lead decided to stop working for the sound check, it worked when I did my equipment test, so that took some time to fault find. It was confusing as my guitar tuner was still working which implied the lead was fine but the Bad cat was having none of it? Still we got there in the end.
That is the second Fender guitar lead to fail on me recently and they aren’t particularly cheap. I won’t be buying those again.
The only other concern was I developed cramp again in my left had about four songs from the end, which is a bit worrying. When your fingers decide to lock into some weird shape and you can’t actually move them. Amazing how you can find ways around it but not a lot of fun. Took quite a while to recover actually even after we had finished. Not the first time this has happened either.
Hmm, seem to have misplaced our CLAN banner as well, possibly left it behind on Saturday. Trying to track it down otherwise we will have to get another produced. Not too expensive but it would be preferable to retrieve the one we have.
This week we have been played again on TBFM Internet radio – “Tales from the Padded cell” show hosted by Marcus. They are plugging us quite a bit, which is good. On a personal level I was just quite chuffed to have one of our songs played on the same show that also played a Bernie Tormé song in the same session. I’m easily pleased.
So what else can I tell you, encountered a bit of snow on my travels but nothing to cause any problems. I suspect we will be seeing more though.
I have finally managed to kick myself into some form of healthier eating regime recently in my quest to lose weight. Is it working? Not sure, I suppose I need to get weighed so at least I know where I am starting from, probably a good idea even if I don’t like the figures on display.
Having said that just a quick mention about pub grub. I tend to travel around quite a bit so often end up eating food in restaurant chains, I have done them all, Wetherspoons, Harvesters, Hungry horse etc. etc. and generally I would say that for what you pay they are fine. Not great for the weight and health perhaps (hence the above paragraph) but certainly edible and serve their purpose.
Just recently however I had cause to eat in a “Fayre & Square”, a new one for me, and I have to say it was absolutely abysmal. Thinking I may just have been unlucky the first time I stupidly returned a couple of days later and it was just as dire. The menu looked ok apart from the fact that if you are on your own no price offers apply, however the quality of the food was really bad. I won’t say where this particular restaurant was as perhaps others in the chain are better but basically the damage is done. I won’t be setting foot in one again. I had a similar experience with Miller and Carter steakhouses a couple of years ago – two different restaurants, both extremely poor service. Never even considered going in to one of those again.
Still no inspiration for a band T-shirt, anyone who thinks they can help out please feel free to email us, clan-rock@virginmedia.com. Just looking for something that will appeal to people enough to make them want to buy it; doesn’t have to mention the band on the front (we will put the text logo on the back) but will hopefully become synonymous with the band as a brand, similar to the Rolling stones’ Lips logo, Motorhead’s logo, The Ramones logo or even the Target/RAF Roundel that identifies the Who.
Now here’s a thing – I was informed this week that Virgin are selling out their broadband and eventually other services to talk talk and that in approx. 12 months their email service will disappear. What a pain. Not only will a lot of people need to acquire a new email address but all the companies that the address is registered with will need to be informed and who will have to do that? Not Virgin that’s for sure. Rapidly losing respect for Mr Branson to be honest.
Music
Bought a copy of Classic Rock this week although as is usual the light in hotel rooms is too dim to read it properly. I mentioned Thunder constantly reforming last time and sure enough they have a special live album given away with the magazine plus a glowing 8/10 review inside. Nice PR if you can afford it. Not knocking the band, I would love to be in their position but it does demonstrate how the industry works.
Good reviews for Black Star Riders and UFO’s new albums as well so looking forward to getting my hands on those this month.
Another favourite of mine Uli Jon Roth has re-recorded some of his old Scorpions songs so looking forward to that one as well.
A good time for music in my book even if it is the old guard.
Live – the best festival this year looks like the Ramblin’ man fair in July – scorpions, Blue Oyster Cult, Dream Theatre, Saxon (I think), Camel, Marillion and others
Until next time
Keep rockin’
Craig