Well it’s been a long time so given it’s now 2020 I figured it was time for a quick update and I will try not to ramble on. I have been trying to write this for a few weeks and every time I read it back it sounded so depressing. Hopefully it doesn’t now.
First off The Clan. We had a great year last year and as we move into our 10th year let’s hope that carries on. It’s not only the band’s 10th year it’s my 41st year gigging and you would think it would be easier to get gigs by now. It’s not.
Venues closing, seemingly less people interested in live music, the continuing (increasing) popularity of Tribute bands all mean that trying to play original music is becoming more and more difficult. Yes we play covers as well in with our originals but are they the right ones? Rock fans want newer rock covers which I understand and “standard” pubs really just want the crowd pleasing commercial stuff – (Mr Brightside, I predict a riot, Sweet Child O’ Mine, U2 etc) which isn’t really my bag.
So am I shooting myself in the foot, commercially maybe but I didn’t take up the guitar to play anything just to get a gig, I still have to enjoy what I play or there is no point in me doing it as I do it for fun! So I will carry on as long as I can and when no-one wants to listen anymore I will concentrate on releasing new recordings for my own pleasure and anyone who does want to listen.
Having said all that we have some good gigs booked already but once again nothing on the local scene. It would have been nice to return to play in some of the local venues but not looking likely right now.
Personally I find it strange how we are good enough to open shows for legends like Rainbow/Alcatrazz Vocalist Graham Bonnet, Ex Scorpions guitarist Uli Jon Roth and the Quireboys but can’t get a gig in our local venues? Don’t ask me I have given up wondering.
We do very well outside our local area so we will just accept that.
Speaking of which
We’ll see you all at The Bath in Morecambe on Jan 18th.
I think I realised last year that I am now getting old. Not something I am happy to admit to but two things have led me to this depressing conclusion: The first is the number and frequency of people I recognise in the obituaries and RIP notices. The second is that things I take for granted have no meaning or interest to other people as they are completely unaware of them, particularly true when talking about music or events from my life. Why would anyone under 40 year (or maybe older) understand the impact of the TV programs I watched in the 60s/70s or which groups were big then? They won’t, why should they?
Sometimes the two things align as in the sad deaths during 2019 of one of my favourite guitarists Bernie Tormé and also UFO’s Paul Raymond. I really didn’t expect either of those to pass, big musical influences in my life yet unknown to the majority of people.
Sadly I am sure there will be more this year.
Ok, let’s try and lift the depression. Last year we played Mearfest South, the second Mearfest we have done and as always it was superbly organised by Brian Mear and his wife Claire to raise funds for their Mearfest Charity. The theme was celebrating 40 years of NWOBHM , coincidentally my 40th Year of gigging as well. Perhaps the hottest day of the year but it was a great day and in addition to raising money it was a great day to see and meet others who just love Rock.
August saw us closing the Llandudno Music festival and throughout the year thanks to the unswerving support of Rokib at The Tivoli we supported some great people including; Graham Bonnet, Pete Way, Quireboys, Uli Jon Roth, Kingdom of Madness and VAIN.
It would be nice to play Cambridge Rock Festival again in our tenth year but they do have a limited number of slots and so many bands wanting to fill them. Time will tell.
Time it seems does appear to have become the theme in this blog, it seems to be passing so quickly and nothing can slow it down. Taking that into account I am determined to enjoy life whenever I can during 2020. No more waiting, I think it is all summed up in “Day to Day”. Yes there are boring, mundane and repetitive things that need to be done to keep life ticking over but outside of that?
Family and health are of course very important to me, I generally don’t mention family in my postings etc. as I don’t believe that family matters are for public consumption but I do love all my family.
Health – You really can’t buy this, to be relatively healthy is a bonus and I hope everyone can stay as healthy as possible. Personally I could do a bit more about this – exercise and healthier eating would help I am sure. I can try but I am not going to be obsessive.
Losing (quite) a few pounds is one of my goals though.
Material things I am not as interested in although I could do with buying a new car, My VW is 17 years old and has done 260,000 miles so it is probably time. I say this every year and it keeps going but when the mechanic who fixes it for me tells me I need a new one then it is probably time.
So a mixed bag of positives and negatives. Let’s concentrate on the positives and look forward to good gigs, health, Love and as peaceful a world as we can get.
Keep rockin’
Craig