Hi all,
Thought it was about time you received an update as it has been quite a few weeks.
Actually we were expecting to be taking September off as this is what we had scheduled however things change and you can’t stop Rockers Rocking!
However before that
Friday 21st October
The Clwyd
Shotton/Connah’s Quay
This has always been a good venue for us and we are looking forward to returning to play for everyone including all our good friends there.
As I indicated earlier September was meant to have been a month off however a change in plans meant that we obtained a couple of late bookings.
We played Wangies in Eccles on 10th, as a last minute replacement for Iron Maiden tribute Aces ‘n’ Eights. We like Wangies and it was good to return as it has been a while. Despite people perhaps expecting Maiden tracks it all went well and we expect to return next year. Good to meet up with Adrien from Cadence Noir again as well. He recorded our first live album The Clan – 100% live.
This was followed later in the month by another short notice gig this weekend in Todmorden. The venue was the bizarrely named “Polished Knob” which actually turned out to be a good live venue. Hopefully return in 2017.
Last Friday was supposed to be Southport’s Fox & Goose however due to a management change three weeks ago there was an organisational “error” and we were cancelled due to a double booking. We have been promised a return gig in 2017 but nothing confirmed yet.
Another bizarre event was being booked out of the blue for a support slot at the O2 Academy in Liverpool on Oct 15th. Within a week of being told 100% we had the slot we were cancelled as it appeared the two main bands appearing (under the same management) had differing opinions about which support band could sell more tickets. Who knows what was going on but it could still lead to something in the future? The music biz eh?
So with all the changes happening at the moment it is probably a good idea to keep checking the following:
Twitter : @theclanrock Website: www.clan-rock.com Facebook page: The Clan
Currently the two “big” gigs remaining this year are Nov 5th when we have a support slot to the legendary Wishbone Ash at the Tivoli in Buckley and then on Dec 1st we play a double header with our good friends Troyen at The Live rooms in Chester. We will also be selling our merchandise at all shows from now on. Actually we only have one XXL t-shirt left, quite a few XL (which were the majority) and a few Large. All now available from our website as well.
In fact talking of the website the more observant of you will have noticed that it has had a slight revamp. Audio downloads are now on a separate page to physical items (CDs, shirts etc.) and Videos have been separated from Photos. Videos have also been split into two columns, Originals and Covers. This should make it easier for venues and promoters to check us out to see how we match their requirements.
We could probably do with some new video actually, maybe filmed in rehearsals. Have to speak to any budding filmmakers out there.
Rants
Currently I just feel like I am turning (or already have turned) into a major grumpy old man so I am going to try and take steps to reverse this. I understand from researching it that there are two reasons for being grumpy. One – you fall into the habit and actually start to enjoy the reputation for being a grump OR two – you start to get annoyed at things which when you think about it really have no impact on you and actually getting wound up about them is really a waste of your own time. I definitely fall into the latter category.
Really the way around this for me is to be glad that I have my health, family and loved ones: these are the most important things in my life. Yes I still have compassion for others and care about what is happening in the world but really should I be spending time working myself up over TV programs, other people’s attitudes and behaviours, trends I don’t like, bad drivers etc. No! It really is a waste of my precious time as none of these things has any impact on me. Interestingly I note that some of my contemporaries seem to be heading the same way J
Taking this into account I am only going to try and put things that do have an impact into the Rants section in future.
For instance – Wash your hands and face in motorways services as many people do to refresh themselves only to discover that the hot air dryer is a Dyson blade thing that you lower your hands into. Ever tried drying your face using one of those? A direct impact – someone never thought that one through.
Pay and display car parks that charge by the hour until say 9pm. So you arrive after 9pm and want to leave your car overnight (perhaps because you are at a gig and want a beer) knowing that the charges start again at 8am next day. But the machine won’t let you pay in advance even though the current charge period has expired. So you either have to return by 8am or run the risk of getting a penalty ticket. Again – A direct impact.
Music
I have been spending a lot of time on the road recently so have got through an awful lot of music on the iPod, especially when the Radio reception disappears which is far more frequent than you might think for a modern civilised country. In summary I have been listening to a wide range of music as the mood takes me.
One band I rarely tire of listening and I am sure I have said this before is UFO. Worked through an awful lot of their albums recently and I love that band. I don’t really mind which incarnation it is, and there have been a few, but Phil Mogg has been the one constant. Phil Mogg is one of my favourite Rock vocalists alongside Paul Rogers, Ronnie James Dio, Ozzy and Biff Byford and he is certainly capable of penning some memorable melodies. So from the first album with Mick Bolton on guitar to the latest Vinnie Moore output it’s all good. Mention should go here to founder member Bassist Pete Way who although no longer with the band was I believe a major factor in their initial success and has recently had a heart problem. Get well soon Pete. Looking forward to your forthcoming biography
Recommended: UFO – Strangers in the Night – Live
So until next time Keep Rockin’
Craig