Well here we are again,
If I am not careful this will become a regular thing again.
So as always here is what many of you want to know
Friday 6th September
The Clwyd
Shotton
N. Wales
Ok so that is out of the way – let’s a have a quick look back at last week.
As we said last week August was busy so we are slowing things down a bit this month. I think as a band we need to review where we are, where we want to go, etc. I was always a great believer in the more you play the better it is as more people see and hear you but I’m not sure that holds true these days.
Post a video up on Youtube and the potential audience is far greater than in the local boozer. As for playing original music, well people seem to want what they know in most venues (be it tributes or covers) so maybe that isn’t the right outlet for new material? Putting it out as an accompaniment to an amusing cat/dog video is probably more likely to grab people’s attention. Especially as people seem unable to listen to a song these days unless it is accompanied by some visual.
Speaking of venues, the amount of times we are told “oh that’s a great gig” or “they’ll love you in there” and it just turns out not to be the case. Yes we are fortunate in that we always seem to be appreciated by our audiences but sometimes they are not that large even in the so-called music venues. I don’t think it is a problem specific to us but at times it is a bit discouraging when you have been building up a gig in your mind and looking forward to it. It just seems to be that these days people don’t go out as much anyway and certainly don’t have the same drive to go and watch bands as we did we did when were younger. Personally I think it is down to the tightening up on access to pubs for younger people, the smoking ban and the range of other entertainment available (Computer games, Social media, downloading films) etc. I think it is fair to say that as people get a bit older then they have less time (or enthusiasm) for going out) as well. If only I had the answer.
So although it all sounds like doom and gloom, it’s not. Our bookings are relatively healthy and starting to come in now for 2014.
Last Thursday we played the Raven in Crewe for the second time, a larger crowd than the first time and it is a nice pub. We might take some extra lights next time, as it did seem very dark when we were playing. Possibly back there in January.
Friday was another return – The Mechanics in Queensferry. Again, a larger turnout than our debut there.
Saturday saw us paying another Birkenhead venue for the first time – The Open Arms. Formerly called “The Avenue” in Claughton. We were actually contacted to play this one, which makes a change. Went quite well apart from the requesting of Bohemian Rhapsody as the encore. That was never going to happen was it?
What else has been happening then? Syria and the situation in the Middle East is still all a bit worrying although it has never seemed to be the most stable part of the world throughout my lifetime.
Not much we, the people in the street, can do about it really.
In fact the news is all quite depressing and repetitive; I sometimes wonder if it is best avoided all week and then perhaps have a weekly catch up on a Sunday morning or evening. I doubt my life would be affected too much. Speaking of which I think the TV is perhaps best avoided anyway, we appear to be running into the Autumn Season of pointless voting shows again, celebrity or otherwise. It’s all a bit formulaic and predictable.
Rants
Cooking on TV is becoming far too frequent. I am somewhat sick to the back teeth of watching people cook food. Yes some of the chefs have some good ideas but it is only food not surgery. You eat it and then an hour later it’s forgotten. Get over it.
I heard this week that two more 4G phone networks are coming online so you will get faster service. Obviously this is nothing to do with actually making phone calls. I presume they mean your computers will be able to send their trivial Facebook messages and tweets a few seconds faster which is obviously essential and well worth the phenomenal cost of implementation I am sure.
The obsolescence within the technology industries is quite staggering. It is not that long ago when 3G was the thing to have.
What’s the obsession with the football transfer window, I really don’t remember this being covered as widely before. Personally I really don’t care. It’s a business same as thousands of others.
Music
Not had a lot of chance to listen to much this week. No new music to report on. So the usual favourites have been on my Ipod.
What can I recommend?
Well – Gary Moore was played a bit longer than the others. A great guitarist who could play in virtually any style. Not only that but a good songwriter a well, listen to empty rooms or murder in the skies.
There are many compilations one that is good is Out in the fields.
Until next time,
Keep rockin’
Craig