Hi all,
Ok before I start with the news here is this weeks gig
Sunday 8th December
The Nags Head
Ripley
Derbyshire
Afternoon gig approx 5:00pm
Weve only played this venue once before and apart from a good crowd all I can remember is that it is quite compact. That is not a problem of course. I do remember it was a good gig last time however our PA amp died (fortunately) at the end which necessitated an encore of Freebird with the crowd singing prior to the lengthy instrumental part. If I had thought on I could have put the microphone into my powered monitor and used that but such things are always obvious in hindsight.
It wasnt our main amp it was one we had taken to try and reduce the space occupied so no lasting damage done although the amp never recovered. We will no doubt be travelling in a van again even if Jims car is repaired so normal rig will be the order of the day.
We have put out the feelers for a gig this Friday so if one crops up Ill let you know.
Last Friday we played the rather good Jolly Nailor in Atherton. Third time there for us and a third successful show. Good folks, good management and a great set up. We enjoyed it immensely and look forward to returning in 2104.
Ok what else has been happening apart from music? December has arrived of course so Christmas now kicks into top gear. In my house that meant putting up the tree on Saturday. Needless to say there was the issue with the tree lights which involved buying two new sets on Saturday and then returning both on Sunday as the original set from last year were deemed the best. Time well spent (not).
Speaking of tree lights it appears that actual bulbs are now a thing of the past, replaced by LEDs. Nowhere seems to sell anything else now. I am not against progress but I really do not like LEDs for mood lighting. The light is very harsh and cold. Its the same with the LED stage lights.
Once again my old fashioned side has come to the surface; give me a nice warm tungsten filament bulb over LED lights any time.
I am still smarting over having to use those stupid long life bulbs which take an eternity to warm up.
Anyway all done and actually looks quite good, not that any of that is down to me of course.
For me December also brings another year in my life to an end as it is my birthday. Not a major one this year but I am still not too thrilled with the number incrementing again. The best way to look at it is that it is going to happen whether I like it or not so I may as well enjoy it.
No point in being miserable about it. Actually through the wonders of the internet I have already had various emails offering me free bottles of wine if I book meals in restaurants and other such temptations. Unlikely to take them up on it but spontaneity may leap out at the last minute.
Apparently Radio Merseysides Billy Butler mentioned our Christmas song the other day as having everything you want in a Christmas song. Hopefully he will play it a few times. Not exactly Radio 2 but from little acorns. We had better practice it as we have already been asked if we will be playing it at Alexanders on Dec 19th.
I was actually quite surprised when I went to the shops over the weekend as to how quiet they were, I thought they would have been heaving given the end of November pay day but that was not the case. I suspect many people may well be ordering on line? Its funny really, people think its all new but actually its not a lot different to the old mail order catalogues is it. Yes, its easier, and quicker but the principle is the same.
The post office and courier companies must be rubbing their hands together in glee.
I was in a queue in Tesco recently and it happened to be near the toy department. Arent modern toys rubbish? They are all plastic and look as though they will last about 10 minutes. Ironically being plastic of course they will actually last for thousands of years but you know what I mean. Whatever happened to good old die-cast metal toys that last a lifetime? No doubt the health and safety people scuppered all that. At least they had a bit of weight in them and they felt substantial. I dont know why but I always think heavier things are better quality which is probably not true in reality but it is my perception.
I guess at some point I need to start considering Christmas shopping. Fortunately I dont have a lot to do although some cards will need to be purchased and dispatched. Actually the ones to Australia probably need sending this week. I usually leave these too late!
Rants
Ok so what has annoyed me this week?
Well drivers who block major junctions for one. Just because there is not a yellow box on the road it doesnt mean it gives them carte blanch to cause gridlock. Idiots, a bit of common sense can go a long way.
The weather forecasters continue to get it wrong and produce a whole load of excuses when they do.
Protestors complaining about fracking, some alternative must be found they say err ok, Nuclear, Wind power, Tidal barrage oh, they dont like those either. They never seem to actually offer an alternative. Im pretty sure it is more to do with house prices than any environmental or health concern to be honest.
Getting a bit fed up of the same people appearing in succession on all the prime plug shows. I know its all part of the business but it gets a little tedious when they go on every show and tell the same anecdotes in order to plug their Christmas book, film, DVD, tour etc. Speaking of which did we tell you that you can buy our Christmas single from here
Music
Well this week as always its been a mixed bag. Sabbaths 13 album again to ensure I know the tracks when I see them, Chicken Shacks Imagination Lady as mentioned recently and some Slade after reading Don Powells biography. Not a bad read at all actually if you are looking for a Stocking filler.
However my main listening has probably been Judas Priest, specifically Judas Priest Live (the turbo tour album). Probably not as revered as Unleashed in the East which is fair enough but actually it is one fine album. I think it suffered as many of the tracks are live takes of songs from the Turbo album which wasnt well received at the time. In a live environment though the songs are certainly up to standard and rank as being up there with any of the other Priest classics. The album also contains the crowd favourites (Living after Midnight, Breaking the law, Youve got another thing coming) so all in all well worth a listen.
Current Listening Judas Priest Live.
Until next week
Keep rockin
Craig