Hi all,
No gigs this week so this will either be a short update or a long rambling one, ha-ha taking bets now.
If it does ramble on I will put in a contents list
I guess the first item to report on is our recent return to the Railway – Chorley. The place was quite full when we arrived but of course it was for some football or other sporty event on the TV. Needless to say as soon as whatever it was finished quite a few people departed.
Having said that it wasn’t empty and a few friends had travelled to see us, Brian and Linda, Nick, Mary plus a few others who we know from having played there before.
It was quite a relaxed gig and very enjoyable, the people who were there thoroughly enjoyed it, Lyndsey who booked us was happy and everyone was smiling, can’t ask for more.
We will be back and hopefully word will spread that we are a band worth turning up to see. The gear all worked and it was nice to have Jim back behind his own kit again.
We played our new song “Tear us Apart” with no major mistakes and it seemed to be well received.
Right, what else? Well I have had no time to look at editing the sound on the DVD so that is outstanding. I gave it another viewing and really whilst the guitar is very much to the fore, thankfully no major mistakes, the drums are lacking in punch (are there any cymbals?) and the bass is non -existent. It really doesn’t sound like the band and any public posting would not do us justice in its present form which is disappointing. I am however now starting to get my little home studio back together after some major disruption in the house so things will start happening soon if I can find everything.
Still no movement on a T-Shirt though, this continues to be a major source of frustration to me and I am determined to have it sorted before we play Fakefest in July.
Our producer Russ Cottier wearing another of his hats has come close to what is required but it still doesn’t totally fit in with my vision at the moment. He may be able to make some minor changes which is all it needs to get there but I probably need to work with him whilst he does.
There is also going to be a compilation CD from the two live albums, basically putting the best versions we have of the tracks in the correct order to produce a complete live version of Pies, Pasties and Rock ‘n’ Roll. Tentatively entitled “Second Helpings – Pies, Pasties & Rock ‘n’ Roll Live” the intention is that this will only be available in physical format from gigs or via mail order. It will also bring to a close the release of any more versions of tracks from Pies & Pasties for the foreseeable future as we are now focussing on new material and the next studio album. We will still play some of the older songs live of course.
Big news for us since the last update is that we have secured the main support slot for the Wishbone Ash gig at the Buckley Tivoli on Nov 5th. I’ve seen Wishbone Ash a few times and they are often quoted as being pioneers of the twin lead guitar sound influencing the likes of Thin Lizzy. They have some great classic songs and yet they continue to write, create and perform new material alongside them which I think is admirable.
I understand that audiences want the classics but a couple of new numbers should be able to be tolerated in a set and who knows they may just be classics of the future.
As you may remember we played a gig recently with the excellent Jupiter Falls. Through them we have secured a booking in Leeds on Sunday May 15th, The Cross keys in Morley, new one for us. We are playing with a band called Closer I believe, only a fifty minute set. It’s good for bands to help each other out. Most musicians I have met are like that although as in all walks of life there are a handful who I wouldn’t bother with again.
Outside the music, life has been disrupted somewhat recently as I alluded to before. Some major structural changes in the house have meant that everything has been packed away and moved around (several times) and basically I feel like I have had plaster dust, sawdust and rubble everywhere for weeks. No cooker etc. so its playing havoc with the eating regime, so far still avoided putting weight on though amazingly. See how this week goes.
To be honest, the builder has been brilliant and made it as easy and comfortable as possible, most definitely not one of the cowboy variety.
Still about another month of internal work (Kitchen fitting, tiling, decorating etc.) to go I reckon, possibly sooner but it’s getting there and hopefully it will all worthwhile in the end.
Well this is what I keep telling myself.
Had the joy of having to have the car fixed last week, new starter motor. That is the second time in this car, seems a bit odd. I suspect the first replacement was either faulty (reconditioned?) or not fitted properly as I didn’t go to my normal garage. I don’t really know anyone who has had a starter motor replaced twice. MOT this week as well. Cars, cost money but can’t really live without them.
Due to the house disruption I haven’t really seen much TV and surprisingly (or perhaps not) it has not bothered me very much at all. It is quite eye opening to find that you can occupy your time in other ways, generally more productive ways it has to be said. Have to say that Catch up/on demand TV is great when you do want to see something. BBC IPlayer definitely better functionality than ITV or C4 though.
The closure of my favourite Sunday morning brunch/breakfast place recently (Scogs) and its subsequent refurbishment and reopening under a new name meant an alternative was required in the interim. The Tee room in West Kirby satisfied the requirements, a slight golf theme as you can tell by the name but it is friendly and the breakfast is definitely recommended. Good quality sausage, bacon etc. and a good home cooked taste to the whole thing.
I have actually tried Scogs again since I started writing this, it is now simply called 34 Banks road after its address – imaginative eh? The food was fine but the refurbishment has completely changed the dynamic of the room in my opinion. A simple cheaply printed piece of paper masqueraded as the menu which I wasn’t impressed with and overall it was disappointing. Unfortunately the prices were nowhere near as cheap as the menu that advertised them. In summary it was 75% more expensive than the tee room and 33% more expensive than when it was Scogs, lacked ambience and atmosphere and whilst the service was ok it didn’t give a welcoming impression. I won’t be rushing back.
Rants
A doctors where you can’t get an appointment for a week. What use is that if you are suffering in pain or have something like appendicitis? My doctor is quite good, if you call at 8am they generally call you back or give you an appointment the same day but many don’t. Is this a result of immigration, I couldn’t say yes to that as I don’t believe there is much where I live; it is probably a result of the increase in longevity which is great but it is stretching the NHS in its current form.
Immigration does seem to be the big issue being bandied around when talking about the EU referendum and I can see that it is up there but surely there are other things which we need to be made aware of as well? Not really hearing anything from anyone.
I always knew that banks tried to make it difficult for you to extract your own money but it seems that these days they don’t make it any easier for you to put money in. Has anyone tried to open a new bank account recently? I know they are trying to reduce money laundering but surely it shouldn’t be as difficult as it is. It is almost like you are supposed to be grateful when they actually deem you worthy enough to have an account with them. Most of them charge now as well of course for the privilege of having free travel insurance, Breakdown recovery etc. How does that work then?
I don’t often buy bottled water as I am quite happy with the tap however recently I bought a six pack and all the bottles had those “Sports Tops”. The ones you pull up. Normally I just unscrew the whole thing but for some reason one was extremely tight so I reverted to the “sport “option. What a load of rubbish. Glug on it like a baby with a dummy, the bottle sucks in and then when you finish it expands again. Nope – don’t get it at all. Note to self – avoid in future
Slightly worryingly my car cut out today and indicated ECP (EPC) and another symbol I didn’t recognise. Restarting everything was fine and they had both gone away? Turns out the other symbol was ESP or EPS or something? I have no idea what either of them mean and really don’t care. What is the point of symbols that no-one understands? Once again, technology for technology’s sake. So cars are more like computers, “have you tried turning it off and on again?”
Let’s hope aircraft aren’t the same.
Music
Well I guess the “big news” is that AC/DC have decided to have Axel Rose replace Brian Johnson on vocals for their tour. At first I thought that was a very odd choice but having seen a video of him singing Whole Lotta Rosie it kind of works aurally, not sure about visually although the clip I saw had Axel confined to a chair with a broken foot? Personally I really don’t care as I am not a great fan of either band, as for the fans of AC/DC or Axel they will vote with their feet as to whether they are up for it or not. Anyone’s guess as to how long it will last, I can’t imagine the Aussie gang pandering to Axel’s well known punctuality issues. They are probably paying him a decent amount for a professional show. Kind of waters down the impact of the Guns & Roses reunion shows a bit as well really.
But that is what happens when people play in too many bands – it dilutes the effect and kind of shows a lack of commitment and loyalty. I appreciate that it’s only music and anyone is entitled to play with whoever they want but I am not sure it works really. To be fair I have tried it myself in the past so I am entitled to my own opinion based on my experience.
Joe Lynn Turner is another one, a great singer, but the last I heard he was in a “new” band called Rated X, I mentioned I bought their album not long ago and now I read he is making a third album with Sunstorm? Never even heard of them, plus he does solo gigs/albums and a whole bunch of other stuff. Chances are they all sound very similar though.
I had a Ritchie Blackmore day the other day – all leading up to the Birmingham show in June. Not only did the Donnington DVD (yes it is the same as the one I already have) and audio CD arrive but also a CD of Rainbow at the Liverpool Empire on Nov 4th 1977, another gig I was at. The sound quality is really quite good and the version of Catch the Rainbow lives up to my memory and is simply awesome. Took me right back to some wonderful times and made the hairs on my arms and neck stand up.
I wonder if it will be in the set list on June 25th.
Anyway until next time
Keep rockin’
Craig