Wow, I just checked and it has been 5 years since I published a blog here. 5 years! That is a long time.
I need to be selective about what I write here or I could still be writing a year from now.
Looking at the last post, we were still in the grip of or about to come out of Covid lock down. That seems like a distant memory now and looking back it feels an absurd situation, but it was what it was. I doubt if most people would comply if such a thing were any government to try the same thing again. But we should remember that people did die and it was an actual thing although perhaps the authorities did overreact.
Moving on, The Clan restarted playing gigs and normal service resumed. We played with several bands we had not played with before one notable one being the excellent Southern River Band from Australia. I really like this band, and it was a pleasure to chat to them again last year when I got to meet up them at the Opus stadium in Perth where they opened for the mighty AC/DC. Great band, nice lads. Why they are not bigger in the UK I do not know.
In Late 2024 early 2025 we recorded tracks for our new album “When the World Needs Rock”. We took a conscious decision to only physically release this on vinyl due to the fact most people we speak to tell us they do not have CD players anymore. I also decided that we would not add it to streaming services. The only download available is by purchasing it from our web site OR with a free download when you purchase the Physical vinyl. This seems to have been quite successful. I am thinking we may produce a limited run of CDS though, thinking about that one.
As most of you will know however, we didn’t really get the opportunity to launch the album properly as in Feb of 2025, Steve became very ill and we had to cancel the immediate gigs, Sadly Steve passed away in June 2025, a shock that Jim and I still haven’t really recovered from. Fifteen years, more in my case, of playing in a band with someone they become like family; you spend a lot of time together and share all sorts of interesting experiences, remarkably very few arguments or disagreements.
The band was in the process of expanding into a four piece at that time with the addition of our good friend Roland van den Bossche on second guitar and we had played a few gigs which went down well. However, I obviously put all gigs on hold.
I do not think Jim or I ever considered stopping the band, we both love playing too much, however we are certain Steve would not have wanted us to do that either. The process of rebuilding has not been an easy one and has taken a long time. We obviously did not look for a direct replacement for Steve, not that we would have found one anyway but if anything, it has been an opportunity to change the band slightly. Roland has joined us full time and after playing gigs with several stand-in bass players (which is never ideal) Colin Hynes is occupying that role now.
So, it has taken over 12months, but we are now back able to be arranging gigs and writing new music.
I did not help the position recently by stupidly falling down my stairs and breaking my ankle in two places. This has meant 7 weeks of me having limited mobility so far, crutches are involved, no driving and the situation is still being addressed by the doctors.
We did manage a couple of gigs recently as I was using a Support boot however it was quite arduous work for me physically plus the other guys had to do all the carrying etc. Not idea if I am being honest.
The good news is that all the indications are I should be back on my feet and driving by the time of the next gig in Warrington on Sunday 30th August (Bank holiday weekend). I am taking no chances and strictly adhering to doctor’s orders.
On other topics, I have played quite a few open mic nights over the last couple of years with my acoustic guitar, a substantial change for me. What it has done though has provided me with an opportunity to play songs that I would not play with The Clan, both some of my original acoustic based songs and some more off the wall covers. It has been quite interesting and an education for me as you cannot hide when it is just you, your guitar, and your voice.
In fact, I have enjoyed it so much I have started doing solo gigs, I haven’t done that many yet and every one of them has been a massive learning experience but it’s getting better every time as I learn how to deal with having no drums, no guitar solos etc. The one thing that is blindingly obvious is how many songs you need as without the solos etc. they all become short.
I have deliberately chosen not to use backing tracks as I want the show to fully live, be more intimate and engaging for the audience and more flexible or spontaneous. I tried using backing tracks as a solo act back in 2008/2009 and I did not really enjoy it; it felt like karaoke to me. I will probably incorporate loops recorded live going forwards but let us not run before we can walk (literally at the moment).
Another variation sees Roland and I doing an acoustic duo for the first time in October. Be interesting to see how that goes although we have played some open mic nights together.
I am sure there is a lot more to tell you but like I said at the start I could spend months writing this blog.
I will think of things and incorporate them into my future blogs. I intend to keep this going again now I have started.
Until Next time,
Keep rockin’
Craig