I would like to think I actually have some time now to write a proper update but I wouldn’t count on it. Next gig is not until April 9th and what a good night that is going to be.
It’s a three band bill,
Saturday 9th April
The Snooty Fox
Wakefield
Yorkshire
The Clan + The Darker my Horizon + Jupiter Falls
A great venue and we are in the company of some top bands so it really should be a great rockin’ night. Jupiter Falls are a hot band right now, a lot of publicity around them and their debut album “Revolution”. The Darker My Horizon were formed from the ashes of Sacred heart a cracking melodic rock band, their first album “Acquiesce” is a good listen and their second album is well advanced so we may hear some tracks from that.
All kicks off at 7pm and the curfew is 11pm. Not sure yet but I understand the event will be streamed Live across the internet presumably by going to http://www.snootyfoxlive.com/ . We will also be recording the event for a DVD so all in all should be a brilliant night.
Last gig we played was at The Nag’s Head Ripley for their popular Sunday afternoon session. It started off a little bit slow but it picked up considerably by the end and turned into a rather good gig. We decided not to use any lights as there isn’t a lot of space in there however that is probably the first and last time I will make that mistake. Halogen spotlights don’t do a lot for us visually and in terms of getting everyone into the mood of the music they don’t help with that either. A lesson learnt there.
This week we were very pleased, surprised and honoured to be awarded Hard Rock song of the month for “Tear us Apart” by Akademia. I had forgotten all about it but I submitted the song following a suggestion by an American Radio station who had been playing “Someone Else” from our rock for you EP. Apparently Akademia is used widely by Radio stations for introducing new material so you never know it may lead somewhere?
Here is the link to the page which shows we received the award and it also contains a nice little review. http://www.theakademia.com/march2016_bestsong_hardrock3.html
We have also been invited to an awards ceremony in LA which obviously we can’t go to but nice to be asked. There have been some indications on the Internet that Akademia is a scam which may or may not be true, however from our point of view it has cost us nothing and all publicity is good, the review seemed genuine enough although I suppose it could be a standard one with our name inserted? Seems a bit stupid and risky to arrange a live event (Award ceremony) if it is a scam? We shall see what happens as it is supposed to happen on April 21st?
Always nice to be recognised and to know that someone likes it.
We will be playing the song live at the next gig.
In fact we will be playing a few songs that we don’t play very often as it is an all original material gig for us of course. Some rehearsal required I think. Personally I much prefer playing original sets rather than covers as you know but as I have said many times we are pragmatic and realise that many venues want the covers.
We have had our first booking for 2017 already – I can’t really tell you much about it yet as it is still under wraps but it is confirmed and it is in London. Seems a long time away but the speed at which time is passing? Should be a good one.
Our Facebook page is continuing to get new “Likes” which is good. Would be great if all you face bookers could like and share it so we get a few more. It only takes a couple of clicks. Does it mean a lot, I am not sure but certainly there are people who check such things as a first stop when investigating the band for whatever reasons.
By the way our twitter account is @theclanrock in case anyone wants to follow that. All our tweets are automatically shown on our website under the “latest news” and they also show in my FB account “Craig mac”.
I often wonder what happens to all the photos and video people seem to take at our gigs, might be nice to see some of them but we rarely do get to. So if anyone has any?
Other news, the sad death of Keith Emerson, sounds like suicide due to depression. Such a talented man but he obviously had his demons. Being more into guitars than keyboards I wasn’t a huge fan of the music but I did appreciate his talent and he was a good entertaining showman as well.
Rants
Well roadworks where nothing seems to be happening? I thought this was going to be addressed by the Government but I haven’t seen any evidence of it so far.
People in slow rush hour traffic queues who won’t let you out of a side road as it might make them 5 seconds later at their destination.
People who throw cigarette ends (and litter) out of their car windows. People who drive expensive cars but don’t seem to be able to afford hands free kits for their phones?
Davina McCall’s latest Television program. What was it supposed to be? A travel show, a science show? A nature show. I couldn’t really tell and although she went to some amazing places and did some quite interesting things it just didn’t seem to work. Can’t blame her for going along with it though, nice work if you can get it. I just think she is being a bit let down by either the researchers or the script writers.
Why is it that you get someone in a series on TV and then they seem to be in about three at the same time? Just had it with Tuppence thingy who was in War and peace and Dickensian and now it is the guy from War and peace who is also in Grantchester and Happy Valley. Oh yes and the inspector from Dickensian was also in War and Peace as well. Hmm, it’s who you know obviously. Well could be that or maybe it is easier as the costume fitters know their measurements.
Sick of all the Euro in/out talk already. Some big guns in the let’s get out camp though, Boris being one of course. If it is an out vote will Cameron be on his way out as well?
May have mentioned this before but I can’t stand Radio and TV people who say “see what I did there” all the time as if we are too thick to notice the (not so) subtle link. Very condescending. Steve Wright and Simon Mayo both do it a lot which I think proves my point. Chris Evans is another one but I rarely listen to him these days as I don’t want bicycle bells and horns honking at 7am when I have just got out of bed.
Music
Nothing new really, I’ve ordered the newly released Rainbow live at Donnington CD/DVD pack, I already have a copy of the DVD (not sure where I got if rom, Japan probably) and I don’t think there are any additions judging by the track listing but I don’t have the Audio for it which conatins more tracks than the DVD. Even the audio is not the full show, only what they could find, but there are not too many Rainbow Shows with Graham Bonnet on vocals available (apart from bootlegs). The Donnington show also had a slightly changed set list to most of the Down to Earth tour shows in order to include the likes of Stargazer. It was also the last show drummer Cozy Powell did with the band which was generally a well-known fact at the time plus the last show Graham Bonnet did (which was unknown). As I was there it is part of my youth as well as being the first rock show at Donnington so I just have to have it. Happy memories: The day also had Scorpions, Judas Priest and Saxon playing as well of course. That would still be a good line up now.
Anyway until next time
Keep rockin’
Craig