Right, hands up who watched us on t’internet last Saturday live at The Snooty Fox – Wakefield. Seems like quite a few people did actually which was nice to know. Not sure how it sounded – the DVD which may have been taken from the same feed has some great video but the audio seems to be lacking most of the bass guitar. It sounded fine in the venue itself of course. More of this later
First of all let’s get the Priorities sorted out: This week!
Saturday 16th April
The Railway
20 Steeley Lane
Chorley
Lancs
PR6 0RD
We have played a few times at The Railway now and previously it’s been a bit hit and miss in terms of audience numbers. It’s a good rock venue though so we are looking forward to returning.
I have been pushing it on social media etc. this week to see if we can get a few more people in. Can only try can’t you?
As usual at these type of venues it will be a mixed set of originals and covers, hopefully we will play “Tear us Apart” from our album due later this year. We were hoping to debut you it last weekend but it just never happened.
Speaking of last weekend here’s the rundown- Snooty Fox – Wakefield a rather excellent rock venue, fully geared up for live music, In house PA, Lighting rig and even a reasonably decent house drum kit. As mentioned previously multiple cameras for live streaming and recording DVDs. Malcolm who runs it turned out to be a great guy and we will probably be back there later this year. The only surprise for me was that I couldn’t fit my full amp rig in, the combination of the stage width and the low ceiling meant that I could only fit in one 4*12 Cab. Not that anyone other than me cares of course. It’s a guitar player thing.
We were on the bill with two other excellent bands, Jupiter Falls, local band (Leeds) with a dedicated following who were really good. Check out their album “Revolution” and their website www.jupiterfalls.net
Following them were The Darker my Horizon (TDmH). Again, an excellent set by some great guys, although the inclusion of a couple of covers surprised me (and had the internet streaming guys running for the panic button as they can’t broadcast covers due to copyright) given their extensive back catalogue. A new song about a Super hero caught my ear
We eventually hit the stage to deliver our Good time Feel good Rock slightly later than anticipated due to the delays in the changeovers, 15 minutes is not enough time really and three bands on one night is perhaps a little ambitious. Once we finally kicked off at approx. 10:00pm all went as normal although I do prefer it when Jim uses his own drums, they somehow just sound the way I have come to expect and sometimes the slightest little change can throw you a bit. The rushed changeover also meant I hadn’t had time to fully recheck my pedal board (which I had tested previously at the soundcheck) so it turned out that I had a dead Wah-Wah during Home of the Devil. Not a big problem but it would have been nice if it had worked.
The time squeeze meant that about four planned numbers were dropped which again was a shame.
So although it was a good night I think we (or at least I, it’s not really for me to speak for Jim & Steve) perhaps felt slightly cheated as we know it could have been even better. It will be next time. If I can find a way to fix the bass sound on the DVD I will be posting some tracks up.www.clan-rock.com
As I have indicated we will probably return however we need to wait and check out what the impact of Malcolm’s new venue, opening at the end of the month, is going to have on this one, it may be that his idea is for people to follow on after the finish end of live bands in the Snooty by moving on to the new club afterwards but I don’t really know.
Rants
It is probably just me but I am not a big fan of swiping screens in order to do things. Tablets. Phones etc. That and having to circle your finger round as well to increase or decrease levels. A simple up or down arrow is my preference. I do feel sometimes that technology is introduced for technology sake not because it really helps improve things.
The electric went off in the house last week, so the cordless landline phones stop of course due to the base unit requiring power. Also you can’t charge your mobile as Electric is off. A useful lesson there, always keep a cheap and cheerful phone handy that can just be plugged into the phone socket. No Electric required.
Every house should also have a wind up radio.
I appreciate that Shop assistants, Doctors receptionists etc. have to balance being friendly with trying to keep people moving and that is fine but some of them don’t grasp this. Waiting five minutes or more whilst they have a major catch-up with someone in the queue is really annoying.
Music
Various Classic rock songs really, I have a playlist on the IPod which goes from A-Z starting with Airborne and ending with ZZ Top. It contains hundreds if not thousands of songs and even though I know I have the tracks on there it is still a surprise to hear some which you perhaps forget about.
REO Speed wagon and Sebastian Bach’s Skid Row were pleasant surprises today.
Personally I am looking forward to hearing Pete Way’s (Ex UFO Bassist) new album “walking on the edge” which is due out this year. Hopefully he will play Liverpool academy on his tour to promote it. He is also publishing a book as well which should be a good read. He hasn’t exactly lived a shy retiring life.
Anyway until next time
Keep Rockin’
Craig