Gender: Male
Status: In a Relationship
Age: 55
Sign: Aquarius
City: Southend-on-Sea
Country: UK
Signup Date: 5/25/2006
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Monday, November 30, 2009
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Current mood:  rockin
Category: Music
Mornin', Well, have we turned the corner? That's 2 weeks running that we've had good attendances. I guess it's because you all know that it'll soon be safe and I won't be the promoter at Riga anymore. And yes, that does mean that my emails will stop you'll be pleased to know. Some strange people have said to me that they hope my emails will continue, but then the men in white coats came and dragged them away!! Nope, you're safe. My last email will be at the end of the year giving my run down of the year at Riga and the main reasons why I'm handing in my diary. Anybody can fill a diary with bands, but the hard work is trying to convince you buggers to come out and see them!! That takes hours, days, weeks.........well not quite weeks, but a lot of work on the computer getting in touch with as many people as possible so I'm looking forward to getting all that time back. To do what? Oh, go and see some more gigs I would imagine :-) The problem is, that it's getting harder to find places to go. Those of you on Facebook would have heard the news that The Half Moon at Putney will cease to be a live music venue early next year. This has been a venue for almost 40 years and you've only got to go their website and look at the names of the bands that played there in their early days to see how important that venue has been. People now think that going to see live bands is going to Glastonbury and V. Others think they are doing their bit by not only doing this but also going to Hammy Odeon, Wembley Arena, etc. That's all very good, but if people don't start supporting the "grass roots" venues like The Half Moon and Riga there will be no Glastonbury and gigs at Hammy Odeon - unless of course you're happy going to watch X Factor contestants. I know I'm probably preaching to the converted but live music is in the worst state than I can ever remember. There are a few campaigns going to try and save The Half Moon but I've got a feeling that it's a done deal. Besides, if The Cavern in Liverpool can be knocked down and left as a car park for many years then what chance has anything else got? And for those that are saying that The Cavern is still going - it's a bad copy a few doors away from the original. So, if you agree with what I say then maybe pass this email on to other people. If not, then I hope you enjoy Jedwood and Susan Boyle at Glastonbury. For those of you who couldn't give a flying fig about X Factor, this week on Thursday we have Soliss supported by Crash Mansion ; on Friday Nicky Moore & The Blues Corporation supported by Jon Amor, and then on Saturday The John Otway Big Band. Dec Thurs. 3rd SOLISS + Crash Mansion - Isn’t it funny? So many bands today talk about how they just want to let their music do the talking – and then rely on gimmicks to sell themselves. With Soliss there are no boiler suits, masks or dodgy makeup. What there IS plenty of, is pure, unadulterated rock ‘n’ roll. With drag racer riffs, V12-powered rhythms and truck-loads of energy they sound like the spiritual heirs of AC/DC. With a collection of all killer, no-filler songs the Southend-based five-piece are earning themselves thousands of fans across the world. Even the most cynical observers soon find themselves unable to resist the classic blend of spiraling lead guitar, clattering drums, chunky rhythm guitar, pounding bass and passionate voice. A quick glance around the floor sees every foot tapping. You’ve heard a small taster of their sound - but to experience the full power of Soliss, you gotta see ‘em live! http://www.myspace.com/soliss http://www.myspace.com/crashmansionmail £5 Fri. 4th NICKY MOORE'S BLUES CORPORATION + Jon Amor - Known as 'The Voice', Nicky Moore is without doubt one of the very best blues singers on the music scene today, delivering spine-tingling ballads and hard-rocking numbers equally well. http://www.nickymoore.com http://www.myspace.com/jonamormusic £8 lSat. 5th THE JOHN OTWAY BIG BAND Arriving on the back of punk rock and a gymnastic performance on The Old Grey Whistle Test, his first single, the half-spoken love song "Really Free" soared to number 27 in the UK Singles Chart. It would be his greatest success for some time. However, the song did earn him a five album deal with Polydor Records, who thought he was a punk rather than merely eccentric. His first album, recorded with Wild Willy Barratt, was produced by Pete Townshend but sold only fitfully. The follow up singles fared no better despite some imaginative promotion, which included an offer for Otway to come to a lucky (!!) buyer's house and perform the single if their copy was one of the few from which the vocal had been omitted. Despite that, his live audience remained loyal, due to Otway's manic energy and the probability of physical injury during renditions of songs such as "Headbutts". His autobiography (subtitled "Rock and Roll's greatest failure") was a study in self-deprecation, and his touring continued to sustain him. By 1993 he could draw 2,500 fans to a gig in ....London.... and in 1998 4,000 celebrated his birthday with him at the Royal Albert Hall, coinciding with the release of Premature Adulation, his first album of new material for over ten years. By then, Otway had realised he could use his fan base, who were in on the joke, to engage in minor publicity stunts. A well orchestrated grassroots campaign saw his "Beware Of The Flowers Cause I'm Sure They're Going To Get You Yeah" voted the seventh greatest lyric of all time in a BBC poll, but his finest moment came in 2002. Asked what he wanted for his 50th birthday, he requested "A second hit". A concerted drive, including a poll, scrutinised by the Electoral Reform Society, to select the track, saw "Bunsen Burner" - with music sampled from the Trammps classic " Disco Inferno" and lyrics devised to help his daughter with her chemistry homework - reach the UK number 9 on 6 October, and earned Otway an appearance on Top Of The Pops, BBC Television's flagship popular music programme. To encourage fans to buy more than one copy each of the single, he released three different versions. The flip side of "Bunsen Burner - The Hit Mix" was a cover of "The House Of The Rising Sun" recorded at Abbey Road Studios and featured 900 of his fans (including me!!) on backing vocals, each of whom was credited by name on the single's sleeve. Thanks to this second hit he has now been able to release his Greatest Hits album (note the s, he's very proud of it – although I’m not sure if it’s at the right end!!!). John Otway currently tours as a solo act ; as a duo with Richard Holgarth; and often with his Big Band which includes Murray Torkildsen, Seymour, Adam Batterbee and guest keyboard player Barry Upton. He also delivers occasional (humorous) lectures on the theme, "Making success out of failure". http://www.johnotway.com £10 advance / £12 door Fri. 11th WHO'S WHO - Who's Who is a dynamic powerful tribute band from the U.K with all of the energies, passion and angst of The Who at their peak. They recreate the classic hits whilst evoking the atmosphere of those heady times for a new generation to witness and for the older one’s to relive. WHO’s WHO’s exciting live performances with Townsend’s leaping and Daltrey’s microphone whirling antics receive incredible reactions across Europe and beyond. But it’s not just about the theatrics; WHO’s WHO is widely recognised and respected by their musical peers and acknowledged within THE WHO hierarchy as a band that most interprets the songs of THE WHO with honesty and integrity. Fans of the band include Simon Townshend, Doug Sandom (The Detours), Peter “Dougal” Butler, John Schollar (Beachcombers), Alison Entwhistle and the Moon Family. Gary (vocalist) has been personally praised by Pete Townshend, and at the recent Keith Moon Blue Plaque reception, Zak Starkey watched the entire set and complimented Terry on his Bass playing. Their interpretation of the original sound is widely regarded as the best (and closest) that anyone will ever get to evoke the feeling and energy of The Who at their peak! WHO’s WHO began its journey in 1996 and after a few changes to the line up, has gone from musical strength to strength; allowing them to develop their skills to enable them to be able to play to massive audiences throughout Europe and the Middle East. They celebrated the 35th anniversary of "Live at Leeds" in 2005 by touring extensively and performing the whole of "Tommy" and "A Quick One" to audiences in the UK and Europe, amid critical acclaim. In London on 1st April 2006 they were invited back for a second time since 1998 to play at the “International Who Convention“, performing Quadrophenia in its entirety, which led to Simon Townshend addressing an avid Who audience with his (now famous) comment, “what an absolutely brilliant band Who’s Who are!” They have been regular visitors to The Isle of Wight Festival; having been invited to play there in 2006, 2007 and 2008. With the raw power, passion and soul of the members that make up WHO’s WHO; these guys deliver far more than your average “run of the mill” band. As history rolls on; they have become an essential ingredient to the legacy of just what THE WHO have left their fans and the world. Who's Who are: Gary-vocals Pete-guitar Terry-bass Moonie-drums, Occasional special guest, Tom-vocals. http://www.thewhotribute.com £8 advance/ £10 door Sat. 12th TooREX - TooREX are a musically and visually stunning Tribute to the late 70s Rock Legend Marc Bolan and his band T-REX. With an authentic stage show and material spanning right throughout Marc's short but prolific career, TooREX will take you on a musical journey of the hits that made T.REX a household name, Telegram Sam, Jeepster, Children of the Revolution, Hot Love and many many more!! http://www.toorex.com £8 advance / £10 door Sun. 13th FARGO - Fargo began in early 2007 when vocalist/guitarist Ian Slater and bassist Dave Bronze decided it was time to act on a long discussed idea to put together a band with a difference. The brief was simple; it had to be rootsy, it had to be musically interesting, but most of all - it had to be fun! A mutual interest in Western Swing seemed to point the way. The natural choice of co-vocalist was Heather Simmons, whose early 20th century jazz influences were a perfect compliment to the mix. After a period of time compiling and rehearsing songs, drummer Andy Peek was invited along and immediately accepted an invitation to join. After a long search violinist Mike Piggott and multi-instrumentalist Martin Wheatley were added to the line-up. In December 2007 the band performed it’s first gig in a small Essex pub before a few dozen people to a rapturous response. The Fargo story had just begun................www.fargoswing.com £6 advance / £8 door Thurs. 17th REEPER + Vacant Touch - Reeper are a five piece rock band from Shoeburyness Essex. Sounding like Thin Lizzy; the energy of The Who, the dirt from Deep Purple and add the vision of Led Zeppelin to a mix of five unlikely individuals with a range of tastes in music that would scare Radio 2 http://www.reeper.co.uk £5 Fri. 18th EDDIE & THE HOT RODS + Support - A Brief history... Eddie and the Hot Rods began life in 1976, when four teenagers from Southend on Sea got together and playing their own style of fast energetic rock and roll / r'n'b, were soon a big hit on the London pubrock scene. Catching the eyes and ears of the music press and the major record companies, they were soon signed up by the legendary Island Records and went on to have three hit albums and four top forty UK singles including the Top Ten hit 'Do Anything You Wanna Do'. There have been numerous TV appearances worldwide and they have filled almost every major venue in the UK. A success in the USA too, they have toured alongside The Ramones, Tom Petty, The Police, Squeeze and Talking Heads. After over a decade of touring, and with various members of the band involved in other projects (Paul Gray - UFO/The Damned: Barrie Masters - The Inmates: Graeme Douglas - The Kursaal Flyers: Steve Nichol - One the Juggler...), the Hot Rods slowly ground a halt and for a few years there were only occasional reformations involving several line-ups. However, throughout the changes, one man remained a constant - the 'very RocknRoll' Barrie Masters and in 2000 the band were asked to take part in a 76 date tour of the UK alongside Dr. Feelgood, John Otway and The Hamsters. Barrie reconditioned his Hot Rods and the tour was a great success. The band have been back in demand ever since, touring all over the world including France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Norway, Sweden, Czech Republic and Poland, as well as three successful tours of the USA in 2006, 2008 and 2009. They have found time to record two albums of brand new songs, "Better Late Than Never" in 2004 and the aptly titled, "Been There, Done That...".in 2006. There is also a full concert DVD, "Live in London - 2005", recorded at London's Mean Fiddler as well as a Live CD compilation "Right for the Night". The band is now busy writing for a third album in it's present form and is shortly to release "Live in New York" - a CD of their show at Brooklyn's Southpaw venue recorded during the 2009 tour. http://www.eddieandthehotrods.com £8 advance / £10 door Sat. 19th THE PROJECT In January 2009, five young men (and sometimes a rather special woman) from beautiful ..Southend-on-Sea.. decided to embark on a new adventure, or let’s say a new Project. This lot have played – and indeed are still playing – with some of the most exciting bands to come out of Southend for years. These bands included and include The Refugees, The Gift, Junior Jump, Columbo, The Photos and The Hypocrites. The Project is a band that is loud, proud and animated. If background music is your thing, you would probably be wise to avoid The Project. If dancing, partying and generally misbehaving is your preference then The Project will be right up your street. The band play songs that they want to hear and want to be seen playing. No “Take That” for this lot. The Project don’t pretend to be a tribute to anybody, they play covers in their own raw, tight style. Loud and proud. If you like a bit of Costello, Greenday, Weller, Springsteen, Stiff Little Fingers, Rats, Cars, Nick Lowe, Clash and all that, come and spend a night with The Project. But unless you like sitting on thin end of a Gibson SG, don’t ask them to tone it down. £7 Sun 20th LIKE...THE BEATLES XMAS SHOW - Like... The Beatles are an exciting Beatles tribute act based in the UK - dedicated to bringing audiences all over the country and further afield the most technically accurate sounding recreation of the Fab Four that's possible. The band's aim is to recreate the sights and sounds of the Fab Four - from their earliest days in the Cavern, to their last recording session at Abbey Road. Using replica costumes, equipment and instruments that accuratley reflect those used by John, Paul, George and Ringo, Like... The Beatles strive to take audiences back to the wonders of the 1960s - Merseybeat, the summer of love,
flower-power, rooftop concerts and so much more! http://www.likethebeatles.co.uk £8 Wed. 24th THE ABSOLUTE 80's - Xmas Eve Party Night £10 Thurs 31st THE MAGNETS NEW YEARS EVE PARTY - Scottish Pipers, Disco, The Magnets and a real Haggis (freshly caught) and all for £18 UP THE BLUES TTFN KEEP MUSIC LIVE
 | Currently listening:
Greatest Hits
By John Otway
Release date: 2002-11-11 |
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Tuesday, November 24, 2009
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Category: Music
Mornin', One thing I forget to mention previously is my thanks to The Mitalee, an Indian restaurant along the London Road, for staying open until 1.30am on a Monday morning so that Matt Anderson and a couple of others could have a meal after they had left Riga. Mind you, when they saw the size of Matt as he walked though the door they probably clapped their hands with joy!! :-) Good turn outs last week for Joanne Shaw Taylor and The Small Fakers so could it be that the tide has started to turn? Or could it also be that people are at last bored witless with Mug Factor, I'm A Has Been Please Make Me Famous Again and Come Dancing? Even Katie Price has got bored with the jungle so just how bad can it be? She also thinks that she's being picked on (surely not) and she's been quoted as saying that at least now people can see that she's "genuine". I can think of at least two things about her that aren't!! So, can we keep it going this week? Hopefully we can with class acts like The Hamsters on Thursday, Guns2Roses supported by Killing With Style on Friday and Stray supported by Sabotage on Saturday. Whether I'll be able to hear any of these though I don't know. I'm off to see Motorhead tonight!! Thurs. 26th THE HAMSTERS - Jimi Hendrix / ZZ Top Show - The guitar, bass and drums trio THE HAMSTERS have long been established as one of our premier Blues-Rock attractions, having performed over 4,000 concerts in 23 years. Although usually playing their own brand of rootsy Rock, Blues and Americana - tonight they'll be performing a set of JIMI HENDRIX and ZZ TOP songs, for which they're also widely regarded as being the UK's leading interpreters. The band's guitarist/singer Slim had a new interview in Guitarist Magazine recently, and the lads have just released a new 3-hour double live DVD, titled 'Curse Of The Killer Hamsters!' "They’re fabulous: one of ....Britain....'s very best live bands" - Bob Harris, Radio 2, "F****** brilliant!" - Suzi Quatro "Nobody does the music of Jimi Hendrix and ZZ Top better (except the real ZZ Top)" – The Times http://www.thehamsters.co...uk £10
To buy tickets online go to http://www.ticketweb.co.uk../user/?region=gb_south&que..ry=detail&event=349529&int..erface=
Fri. 27th GUNS2ROSES + Killing With Style - Hailing from London Guns 2 Roses are a six piece lineup with keyboards included who are totally focused on not only cloning the sound of GNR better than the rest, Guns 2 Roses are also mirror images to Axl and the boys, with ever changing outfits to catch the era and stage performances down to the last detail. Playing many songs from Appetite For Destruction, GNR Lies, Use Your Illusion I and II, Spaghetti Incident? and even tracks from Chinese Democracy. Guns 2 Roses sometimes even throw in the songs that GNR did live that never made it to an album to keep with the GNR spirit and deliver a different show everytime. Simply put you want Guns N Roses go see Guns 2 Roses. Guranteed you will see a different show everytime. THE ONLY GNR TRIBUTE BAND TO BE APPROVED BY AN ORIGINAL MEMBER OF GUNS N' ROSES! http://www.guns2roses.co.u..k £8 advance / £10 door
To buy tickets online go to http://www.ticketweb.co.uk/user/?region=gb_south&query=detail&event=352085&interface= Sat. 28th STRAY + Sabotage - Back in the 70’s Stray was one of the hardest gigging, and consistently excellent live acts on the circuit. The last decade has seen such long term Stray fans as Iron Maiden record ..Del..’s “All In Your Mind”, and subsequently Stray toured extensively across ..Europe.. with Maiden, receiving a great reception in many East European territories where the band had never played before. With the brand new re-issue programme and the fiery guitarist Del Bromham at the top of his form, the new Stray line-up of Stuart Uren, Karl Randall and of course Del Bromham, are setting a new standard for one of Britain’s most enduring guitar led rock bands.http://stray-the-band.co.u..k £8 UP THE BLUES TTFN KEEP MUSIC LIVE
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Tuesday, November 17, 2009
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Current mood: rockin
Category: Music
Mornin', I know I said last week that I would give you part two of my rant but, to be honest, I can't really be bothered. All I would say is that the economic climate in America is picking up again and as we always seem to copy what happens in America - apart from a few glorious years in the 60's - then hopefully us Brits will start getting out and about again next year. Whether of course we can then drag ourselves away from Mug Factor, I'm A Has Been Please Make Me Famous Again, Come Dancing and all the brain numbing soaps is a different matter. Also back to last week and the sad news regarding Mark Smith. Those of you on Facebook might like to know that there is a memorial page dedicated to Mark with lots of people putting their memories of him. Such a shame that after all the success he had, one of his last gigs was at Riga in front of a handful of people. Still, it was sill a great gig. It's been a very busy couple of weeks. I went to The Newcrawdaddy Club to see Denny Newman who is now part of ex Rolling Stone Mick Taylor's (you might remember him playing Riga a few years back) band for most of his time but every now again get's out with his own band. Then it was the wonderful Amy Wadge - supported by Clive Cowan - playing songs from her new CD, then onto Aynt Skynyrd with the week finishing with Matt Anderson. A Riga regular told me he's probably one of the best acoustic blues singer/guitarists he's ever seen - he's certainly the biggest!! - and I would say that people that people that think that Nicky Moore has got a powerful voice had better check out Matt!! A couple of days break and then it was Eileen Rose & The Holy Wreck, again playing songs from a new CD - and The Legendary Rich Gilbert writing rude things on my copy!!. Next it was the brilliant Matt Schofield playing headline at Riga for the first time supported by Tim Aves and few mates. Another new name was next - Erja Lyytinen, a great blues guitarist from Finland who, shall we say, has got fantastic stage presence!! Crawdaddy regulars The Heaters did the support and then it was off to the next night. The great Oasis tribute band Oasiz played to a large crowd, but the find for me that night was the support band - Vacant Touch. Every so often I find myself thinking yes, that why we do this and patting myself on the back (tricky I know!!) for putting on such a talented band. Don't tell con man Cowell or he'll try and hijack them for Mug Factor, but they will be back at Riga on 17th December supporting another Riga find - Reeper. So, it's a fairly quiet week this week. I'm off to The Crawdaddy on Thursday for Connie Lush and then on Friday it's the first time as a headline act for a young lady who's getting a lot of press in the music papers and a lot of airplay on Radio Caroline - Joanne Shaw Taylor. Tickets are selling well for this gig so don't leave it too late. Support will be Crossfire. Another gig that tickets are selling well for is on the next night - The Small Fakers who will be supported by Shelta. A great night is in store listening to the best Small Faces tribute band you'll ever see (normally introduced on stage by Stan Lane, Ronnies' brother) so again don't leave it too late. Fri. 20th JOANNE SHAW TAYLOR + Crossfire - "I have played with all sorts of blues musicians all over the world, I even made a film, Deep Blues, where I went to Mississippi and recorded some legendary players such as R.L Burnside and Jesse-Mae Hemphill. Last year I heard something I thought I would never hear - a British White Girl playing blues guitar so deep and passionately it made the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end!" (Dave Stewart/Eurythmics). When Dave Stewart had his big experience, Joanne Shaw Taylor was only 16. Her skills at the Telecaster were so perfect that the bluesfan and Eurythmics-frontman asked her to join his supergroup D.U.P. to tour europe in 2002. She was also offered a record contract but the label went bust. Today Joanne is 23 and happy about the fact that she took her time with the recording debut: "I wanted to take time out to really work on my craft and make sure that when I did an album it was the best that I could do." For "White Sugar" Joanne took a plane to Memphis where her label RUF had booked Jim Gaines's studio. Jim had worked with some of Joanne's idols like Albert Collins and Stevie Ray Vaughan. He brought in the experienced sessionmen Steve Potts (Drums) und Dave Smith (Bass). "Working with these guys was totally easy. I knew of them because of Luther Allison and the Jonny Lang albums. They didn't know the tracks until five minutes before we recorded them. I made them listen to the songs once and then play them. It was fantastic. They got so much feeling and soul. They are amazing guys to work with." The power trio - that's the kind of band which suits Joanne Shaw Taylor, also at home in Birmingham, where she and her trio play the pubs, clubs and festivals. "I always wanted to try the power trio thing, like Stevie Ray Vaughan, the Paladins or Jimi Hendrix. I thought it would bring me on as a guitar player and a singer - which I think it has done. And" - Joanne chuckles - "it's also cheaper, you know." She talks about some influences. When Joanne was a little schoolgirl, she was caught by the rough side of the blues: SRV, Albert Collins, the Paladins, Jimi Hendrix. At christmas she got her first electric guitar. The old classical guitar, which she had played since she was eight, vanished from the children's room. "As soon as I heard SRV and Albert Collins I knew pretty much that I wanted to do that full stop. That was the lifestyle route that I was going to go down. It was never a hobby. It was always very serious and dedicated to it." "White Sugar" is the proof. The confident and young british woman keeps the traditions of her idols but she is going her own way. With her record debut she demonstrates her talent with ten songs that she has written herself. Playing the hard stuff à la SRV, making us feel the bite of her telecaster just like Albert Collins did or working out charming little riffs from the Jimi Hendrix book - Joanne is always seeking - and finding - new terrain. Funky shuffles, soulful ballads or the hypnotic hookline of the title track, a burning instrumental, she presents her craft powerfully. Some songs were written during the the flight to Memphis, a few others were written 10 years ago and are kind of her signature tunes. There is the autobiographical "Kiss The Ground Goodbye", deep feelings come wirh "Heavy Heart" or "Blackest Day", a song that Joanne wrote when she was 14. "With Blackest Day I really wanted to show my influences." She can be proud of her first album. She's my pride & joy SRV once sang. Her fans will be proud of Joanne, too. http://www.joanneshawtaylo..r.com £8 advance / £10 door
To buy tickets online go to http://www.ticketweb.co.uk../user/?region=gb_south&que..ry=detail&event=349528&int..erface=
Sat. 21st THE SMALL FAKERS + Shelta - At last, a tribute to one of the most seminal, sensational bands of the swinging sixties, the one and only... Small Faces! Featuring Matt Bond on vocals and guitar, described by 'Room For Ravers' website as 'truly a reborn Marriott'. The Small Fakers will rip through all the classics, album tracks and b-sides from 'Whatcha Gonna Do About It' to 'Wham Bam Thank You Mam!' http://www.smallfakers.co...uk £8 advance / £10 door
To buy tickets online go to http://www.ticketweb.co.uk/user/?region=gb_south&query=detail&event=352084&interface=
 | Currently listening:
White Sugar
By Joanne Shaw Taylor
Release date: 2009-02-23 |
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Monday, November 09, 2009
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Current mood:  sad
Category: Music
Mornin', My rant - as they now becoming known - last week was supposed to be the first of a two parter, with the second part going out today. However, because of the sad news we heard last week I didn't think it would be fitting, so it has been held over until next week. Mark Smith - bass player with The Mark Butcher Band who played Riga on Thursday 22nd Oct - suddenly and unexpectantly passed on 3d November. From the Roxy Music web site......... Roxyrama is sad to report the untimely death of former Roxy Music bassist Mark Smith at the age of 49.
Mark played bass on Bryan Ferry's solo tour in 2002, and subsequently graduated to Roxy Music's world tour the following year, where his fluid, dexterous playing and tight integration with 'The Great' Paul Thompson's drumming were notable aspects of the outing.
Perhaps best known as a member of leading jazz funk band Kokomo, Smith had worked as a sidesman with a stellar array of musicians, including George Michael, Van Morrison and David Gray. Amongst Mark's recording credits was his performance on Robbie Williams' 'Angels'.
Mark been due to play a show last night at the 606 Club in London, but when he failed to show his bandmates went to his Battersea home and discovered him.
Producer Robin Millar, a long-time associate of Smith, who worked with the bassist on several Patricia Kass recordings said: 'He was one of the true unsung heroes. Mark was one of the great people and players. He was one of those guys who never pushed himself forward, but was a great all round musician – a real musicians’ musician.'
Millar expects that his colleagues will organise a memorial for Smith shortly.
Roxyrama would like to offer our condolences to Mark's family and friends at this time. We at Riga also offer Mark's family and friends our condolences. With regards to this week's gigs, on Wednesday we have the return of Eileen Rose & The Holy Wreck supported by Joshua Hedley ; on Thursday we have Matt Schofield supported by Tim Aves & Friends ; on Friday it's the first time at Riga for Erja Lyytinen supported by The Heaters and then on Saturday it's Oasiz supported by (hopefully) The Breakdown. Wed.11th EILEEN ROSE & THE HOLY WRECK + Joshua Hedley - Eileen Rose is set to release her fifth studio album, "LUNA TURISTA". Recorded in her adopted home town of Nashville, TN, and in Berlin, it features her band The Holy Wreck - guitar & pedal steel virtuoso THE LEGENDARY RICH GILBERT (Frank Black & The Catholics, Tanya Donelly, Human Sexual Response) and on drums, NATE "86" STALFA (Knock Down Society, Caitlin Cary and Thad Cockrell) - plus guest appearances from singer and fiddle player Joshua Hedley (Justin Townes Earle). The album has been mixed by Rob Clark, who works with Neil Young. "Luna Turista" is the follow up to Eileen's 2008 album "AT OUR TABLES". For that record she took her music to Detroit, tracking down the city's deep-rooted musical Soul and making it all her own. Aided by seasoned producers Al Sutton (Sheryl Crow, Kid Rock, Detroit Cobras, Electric Six), and Eric Hoegemeyer (Charm Farm, Kid Rock, Uncle Kracker), plus members of Sponge, Detroit Cobras, and her own band the Holy Wreck, Eileen created a record that is a joyous celebration of the accidents of Life, Love, and Human Nature. http://www.eileenrose.com http://www.myspace.com/joshuahedleymusic £6 advance / £8 door
To buy tickets online go to http://www.ticketweb.co.uk/user/?region=gb_south&query=detail&event=352081&interface= Thurs. 12th MATT SCHOFIELD + Tim Aves & Friends - Born in Manchester UK in 1977, Matt was immersed in the blues from a young age thanks to his Dad's record collection. A professional guitarist from age 18 Schofield left it relatively late to start his own recording career, choosing first to learn his trade as a sideman, initially with bandleader and harp player Lee Sankey. He then spent four years with British Blues Diva and David Bowie prodigy Dana Gillespie, touring the UK, Europe and as far a field as India. Seven years into life as a pro, he formed his own band - a trio - with Hammond organist, Jonny Henderson and drummer, Evan Jenkins (now with BBC Jazz Award winner, Neil Cowley). The trio was unconventional in having no bass player, bass duties being handled on the Hammond organ, a format favoured over the years by American bluesmen such as Albert King and Jimmie Vaughan. The result was The Trio, Live, an eight-track taster of things to come. For what was a low budget, off-the-cuff and all-covers recording it elicited high praise along with airplay on both sides of the Atlantic and a BBC Radio 2 live session. With his two subsequent releases (05's Siftin' Thru Ashes and 07's Ear To The Ground) Schofield consolidated his sound, delivering a powerful mix of Blues and New Orleans funk unlike anything else on the block. It was hard to pigeon-hole a band that could mine a deep blues trench one minute, effortlessly pull off a Meters anthem the next and then just as successfully revitalise the sixties Box Tops song, The Letter. Fast forward to May, 2009 and Schofield's third studio recording Heads, Tails And Aces. This time Schofield has a bass player and a new drummer and an album with a greater focus on blues. Gone are the interspersed instrumental funk tracks that characterised previous albums and led some commentators to label Schofield as much jazz, as blues. In their place is an entirely song-based album, with nine of the eleven tracks written or co-written by Schofield. http://www.mattschofield.c..om http://www.myspace.com/timaves £10 advance / £12 door
To buy tickets online go to http://www.ticketweb.co.uk../user/?region=gb_south&que..ry=detail&event=349526&int..erface=
Fri. 13th ERJA LYYTINEN + The Heaters - Since the release of her Ruf Records solo debut Dreamland Blues ("Best Album of 2006," YLE Radio Suomi 'Bluesministeri'), Erja Lyytinen has been busy honing her sound with well over 150 concert appearances throughout Europe. With each performance, she's reached new fans and made believers out of even the most skeptical of observers. ("Can a young gal from Finland sing the blues?") She’s also been collecting stories – new tales of love, heartbreak and passion she is now ready to reveal on her new album, Grip of the Blues. As one of Finland's brightest musical talents, the singer, songwriter and guitarist could have been content to rest on her laurels. Instead, Grip of the Blues is her boldest, freshest and most varied effort yet. She features a wider range of song styles than ever before. To do this, she enlisted the help of the musicians who know her best. "I wanted to make an album that is as close as possible to what I do live," says Lyytinen, who is "reunited" with her own road band on Grip of the Blues following a pair of CDs she recorded with session players. The new album was produced by her long-time rhythm guitarist Davide Floreno and recorded by Kimmo Antikainen, who engineers her live shows. "We tried to capture that same kind of live atmosphere. Most of the tracks were recorded live and I added vocals afterwards." Lyytinen wrote eight of the album's even dozen tracks and co-wrote another two with Floreno. She mixes hard-edged blues with modern R&B and showcases her knack for delicate, poppy melodies on songs like "Wish I Had You" and "Unreachable." She proves she's not afraid to explore some darker terrain, while also offering songs of hope and recovery. "I put a lot of gospel feeling into 'Let it Shine'," she says. "I saw Robert Randolph doing a show and really dug his style. So we put some crazy fast slide on that track!" Two carefully-chosen cover selections blend nicely with the original material. Erja puts a fresh face on Tony Joe White's "Steamy Windows," making you forget the song was ever recorded by Tina Turner. And with "Rollin' and Tumbin'," she tackles an all-time blues classic. "I have been playing this song for years, so I would say this is a Finnish approach to the song," she grins. One listen, though, will tell you that Erja's trips to the Mississippi Delta have rubbed off on her. Grip of the Blues is an impressive step forward for an artist who’s not afraid to take risks. Erja can slide with the best blues players, but is also comfortable singing love songs – both happy and sad. At the end of the day, she’s about more than just the chops. She’s here to tell stories.http://www.erjalyytinen.co..m £8 advance / £10 door
To buy tickets online go to http://www.ticketweb.co.uk../user/?region=gb_south&que..ry=detail&event=349527&int..erface=
Sat 14th OASIZ + Support - Oasiz are a 5-piece Oasis tribute band from London, UK. They recreate the complete Oasis live gig experience with amazing energy and accuracy. Not only playing all the biggest hits but also some forgotten gems to remind you exactly why you loved this band in the first place. They will endeavour to play every Oasis song ever written at some stage during their live performances across the UK, never forgetting the classic hits that you would expect from an Oasis greatest hits tour. http://www.oasiznet.com £8 advance / £10 door
To buy tickets online go to http://www.ticketweb.co.uk/user/?region=gb_south&query=detail&event=352082&interface= When people saw this week's like up, I was asked how the hell we managed to get people of the calibre. Because we're bloody good that's how!! :-)
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Tuesday, November 03, 2009
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Current mood: rockin
Category: Music
Mornin', As I write this I'm waiting to find out if my local football team - Southend United, the team I have supported for the past 20 odd years - will go into administration due to the money they owe the taxman. I'm not a "do or die" fan by any means and I have taken long breaks from going to matches for lots of reasons, but this year I finally became a season ticket holder. When the news broke of the trouble The Blues were in, the normal reaction came from the locals - this can't happen, what can we do etc. Well. the best way to show your support to things like this is to stand up and be counted, so everybody was expecting a full house against local rivals Gillingham last Friday night. And did that happen? Did it bu**er!!! There were about 1,000 more people than there were for the previous home game against Bristol Rovers, which was probably off set by the extra support Gillingham brought with them. It seems like things like this are worth fighting for (whether it be football, live music, pubs etc) as long as you don't have to put your hand in your pocket - which is what a lot of us did at the ground when the collection buckets came round. So, don't worry some of you locals, we put your support in for you!! I wonder if things would have been any different if a X Factor loser (because believe me, there's only one winner of X Factor - Simon Cowell) had come on at half time to mime and prance about to a couple of songs? Maybe there would have been people queuing up for hours to get in just like there was at Lakeside when Katie "Jordan" Price turned up for a book signing. This caused one 17 year old who turned up at 7am to say "I think she is an inspiration to everyone". An Essex town applying for the UK Culture Capital of 2013? Give me strength!!!! Talking of X Factor did anybody see The One Show last night? I never thought I'd find myself agreeing with Sting and Paul Gambaccini!!! Sorry about the late cancellation of Deeply Purple last week. Singer Andy had a accident and had broken his foot. This turned into him being kept in hospital in need of an operation, so the rest of the band phoned around other Deep Purple tribute bands to see if they could help. Sadly due to gigs, holidays and swine flu it was not to be, so the gig was cancelled. This week we have Amy Wadge supported by Clive Cowan on Friday ; Aynt Skynyrd on Saturday and Matt Anderson on Sunday. Nov
Fri. 6th AMY WADGE + Clive Cowan - Monday 2nd November sees the release of 'Hold Me', the sublimely sweet and simply beautiful single from Welsh songbird Amy Wadge. A love song in the most classic sense, it is an unapologetically direct appeal to a lover, delivered with uncomplicated, but heartfelt lyrics in Amy's trademark vocal. Produced by Stan Kybert (Oasis, Massive Attack, Paul Weller), the track builds from sparse beginnings, through myriad melodies and gorgeous harmonies in the chorus, into a huge, layered sound that makes 'Hold Me' an irresistible teaser of what's to come on her forthcoming album. Amy, who has previously won the much coveted 'Best Female Solo Artist' at the Welsh Music Awards, has taken time off in the last year as she recently became a mum, but is now back with a renewed sense of vigour and a whole new bank of stories to tell and songs to sing. 'Hold Me' is the first single from Amy's new album (due for release in Spring 2010), that is sure to please her ever-growing and dedicated fanbase, as well as win over brand new support from lovers of beautifully crafted songs and a wonderful voice. With years of touring experience under her belt (she has supported Van Morrison, Jeff Beck, Damien Rice and Eric Bibb amongst others), Amy has developed and nurtured an absolutely captivating and quite magical live experience. 'Pint sized poetess with valley quaking voice. Her songs have a raw vibrancy that suit her earthy voice and emotionally mature lyrics' - Q magazine http://amywadge.com http://www.myspace.com/clivecowan £7
To buy tickets online go to http://www.ticketweb.co.uk/user/?region=gb_south&query=detail&event=349864&interface= Sat 7th AYNT SKYNYRD - but sure sounds like ‘em!!! What’s more the authentic show these folks put on sure looks like ‘em! Lynyrd Skynyrd were (are) the definitive Southern Rock Band and watching and listening to Aynt Skynyrd lets the audience know these guy’s have got to be the definitive UK Skynyrd tribute band. Whilst the members of this outfit may not be carbon copies of the originals visually, like a good whisky, they are infused with many flavours which once tasted leaves audiences replete with authenticity yet craving for more. Musically there is no doubt as to what you’re getting here: ‘Southern Fried, Smokey Bourbon, Florida distilled Rock ‘N’ Roll!’ The craftsmanship displayed musically and vocally by this band leaves no doubt that a thorough musical apprenticeship has been served and honed all over the world. Though of British heritage, the cornucopia of everything Skynyrd cascades out from the very soul of these performers. This is what Lynyrd Skynyrd were all about? Influenced by British Bands (thus completing the circle) their music comes from somewhere deep down inside. To paraphrase the late great Ronnie Van Zant: ‘These boys (and girls) don’t come from out of Dixie, but Dixie sure comes out of these boys!’ http://www.ayntskynyrd.com £8
Sun. 8th MATT ANDERSEN - New Brunswick's Matt Andersen has an enigmatic personality that is coupled with a larger than life showmanship that has been earning him a fervent and steadfast audience wherever he graces the stage. Matt's sprawling Blues, Roots and Rock Musical hybrid with his sorrowing and soulful voice has sparked a phenomenal buzz on the east coast and that grass roots word of mouth can not be contained any longer! In the past couple of years Matt has released his introductory EP "One Size Never Fits" along with two Critically acclaimed fan favorite's - The Live CDs'; "Solo at Sessions" which was multi-nominated for The East Coast Music Awards and most recently "Live at Liberty House". Along with a very busy touring schedule as a headliner at Festivals,clubs and Theatre's through out North America Matt has also shared the stage and toured with America, Randy Bachman. Bo Diddley, Little Feat and a host of others. Matt Andersen is a Very Real, Rare,Raw talent and career artist that is vital to our musical landscape... Find out what we already know! http://www.stubbyfingers.c..a £7
To buy tickets online go to http://www.ticketweb.co.uk/user/?region=gb_south&query=detail&event=349785&interface= Wed.11th EILEEN ROSE & THE HOLY WRECK + Joshua Hedley - Eileen Rose is set to release her fifth studio album, "LUNA TURISTA". Recorded in her adopted home town of Nashville, TN, and in Berlin, it features her band The Holy Wreck - guitar & pedal steel virtuoso THE LEGENDARY RICH GILBERT (Frank Black & The Catholics, Tanya Donelly, Human Sexual Response) and on drums, NATE "86" STALFA (Knock Down Society, Caitlin Cary and Thad Cockrell) - plus guest appearances from singer and fiddle player Joshua Hedley (Justin Townes Earle). The album has been mixed by Rob Clark, who works with Neil Young. "Luna Turista" is the follow up to Eileen's 2008 album "AT OUR TABLES". For that record she took her music to Detroit, tracking down the city's deep-rooted musical Soul and making it all her own. Aided by seasoned producers Al Sutton (Sheryl Crow, Kid Rock, Detroit Cobras, Electric Six), and Eric Hoegemeyer (Charm Farm, Kid Rock, Uncle Kracker), plus members of Sponge, Detroit Cobras, and her own band the Holy Wreck, Eileen created a record that is a joyous celebration of the accidents of Life, Love, and Human Nature. http://www.eileenrose.com http://www.myspace.com/joshuahedleymusic £6 advance / £8 door
To buy tickets online go to http://www.ticketweb.co.uk/user/?region=gb_south&query=detail&event=352081&interface= Thurs. 12th MATT SCHOFIELD + Tim Aves & Friends - Born in Manchester UK in 1977, Matt was immersed in the blues from a young age thanks to his Dad's record collection. A professional guitarist from age 18 Schofield left it relatively late to start his own recording career, choosing first to learn his trade as a sideman, initially with bandleader and harp player Lee Sankey. He then spent four years with British Blues Diva and David Bowie prodigy Dana Gillespie, touring the UK, Europe and as far a field as India. Seven years into life as a pro, he formed his own band - a trio - with Hammond organist, Jonny Henderson and drummer, Evan Jenkins (now with BBC Jazz Award winner, Neil Cowley). The trio was unconventional in having no bass player, bass duties being handled on the Hammond organ, a format favoured over the years by American bluesmen such as Albert King and Jimmie Vaughan. The result was The Trio, Live, an eight-track taster of things to come. For what was a low budget, off-the-cuff and all-covers recording it elicited high praise along with airplay on both sides of the Atlantic and a BBC Radio 2 live session. With his two subsequent releases (05's Siftin' Thru Ashes and 07's Ear To The Ground) Schofield consolidated his sound, delivering a powerful mix of Blues and New Orleans funk unlike anything else on the block. It was hard to pigeon-hole a band that could mine a deep blues trench one minute, effortlessly pull off a Meters anthem the next and then just as successfully revitalise the sixties Box Tops song, The Letter. Fast forward to May, 2009 and Schofield's third studio recording Heads, Tails And Aces. This time Schofield has a bass player and a new drummer and an album with a greater focus on blues. Gone are the interspersed instrumental funk tracks that characterised previous albums and led some commentators to label Schofield as much jazz, as blues. In their place is an entirely song-based album, with nine of the eleven tracks written or co-written by Schofield. http://www.mattschofield.c..om http://www.myspace.com/timaves £10 advance / £12 door
To buy tickets online go to http://www.ticketweb.co.uk../user/?region=gb_south&que..ry=detail&event=349526&int..erface=
Fri. 13th ERJA LYYTINEN + Support - Since the release of her Ruf Records solo debut Dreamland Blues ("Best Album of 2006," YLE Radio Suomi 'Bluesministeri'), Erja Lyytinen has been busy honing her sound with well over 150 concert appearances throughout Europe. With each performance, she's reached new fans and made believers out of even the most skeptical of observers. ("Can a young gal from Finland sing the blues?") She’s also been collecting stories – new tales of love, heartbreak and passion she is now ready to reveal on her new album, Grip of the Blues. As one of Finland's brightest musical talents, the singer, songwriter and guitarist could have been content to rest on her laurels. Instead, Grip of the Blues is her boldest, freshest and most varied effort yet. She features a wider range of song styles than ever before. To do this, she enlisted the help of the musicians who know her best. "I wanted to make an album that is as close as possible to what I do live," says Lyytinen, who is "reunited" with her own road band on Grip of the Blues following a pair of CDs she recorded with session players. The new album was produced by her long-time rhythm guitarist Davide Floreno and recorded by Kimmo Antikainen, who engineers her live shows. "We tried to capture that same kind of live atmosphere. Most of the tracks were recorded live and I added vocals afterwards." Lyytinen wrote eight of the album's even dozen tracks and co-wrote another two with Floreno. She mixes hard-edged blues with modern R&B and showcases her knack for delicate, poppy melodies on songs like "Wish I Had You" and "Unreachable." She proves she's not afraid to explore some darker terrain, while also offering songs of hope and recovery. "I put a lot of gospel feeling into 'Let it Shine'," she says. "I saw Robert Randolph doing a show and really dug his style. So we put some crazy fast slide on that track!" Two carefully-chosen cover selections blend nicely with the original material. Erja puts a fresh face on Tony Joe White's "Steamy Windows," making you forget the song was ever recorded by Tina Turner. And with "Rollin' and Tumbin'," she tackles an all-time blues classic. "I have been playing this song for years, so I would say this is a Finnish approach to the song," she grins. One listen, though, will tell you that Erja's trips to the Mississippi Delta have rubbed off on her. Grip of the Blues is an impressive step forward for an artist who’s not afraid to take risks. Erja can slide with the best blues players, but is also comfortable singing love songs – both happy and sad. At the end of the day, she’s about more than just the chops. She’s here to tell stories.http://www.erjalyytinen.co..m £8 advance / £10 door
To buy tickets online go to http://www.ticketweb.co.uk../user/?region=gb_south&que..ry=detail&event=349527&int..erface=
Sat 14th OASIZ + Support - Oasiz are a 5-piece Oasis tribute band from London, UK. They recreate the complete Oasis live gig experience with amazing energy and accuracy. Not only playing all the biggest hits but also some forgotten gems to remind you exactly why you loved this band in the first place. They will endeavour to play every Oasis song ever written at some stage during their live performances across the UK, never forgetting the classic hits that you would expect from an Oasis greatest hits tour. http://www.oasiznet.com £8 advance / £10 door
To buy tickets online go to http://www.ticketweb.co.uk/user/?region=gb_south&query=detail&event=352082&interface= Fri. 20th JOANNE SHAW TAYLOR + Crossfire - "I have played with all sorts of blues musicians all over the world, I even made a film, Deep Blues, where I went to Mississippi and recorded some legendary players such as R.L Burnside and Jesse-Mae Hemphill. Last year I heard something I thought I would never hear - a British White Girl playing blues guitar so deep and passionately it made the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end!" (Dave Stewart/Eurythmics). When Dave Stewart had his big experience, Joanne Shaw Taylor was only 16. Her skills at the Telecaster were so perfect that the bluesfan and Eurythmics-frontman asked her to join his supergroup D.U.P. to tour europe in 2002. She was also offered a record contract but the label went bust. Today Joanne is 23 and happy about the fact that she took her time with the recording debut: "I wanted to take time out to really work on my craft and make sure that when I did an album it was the best that I could do." For "White Sugar" Joanne took a plane to Memphis where her label RUF had booked Jim Gaines's studio. Jim had worked with some of Joanne's idols like Albert Collins and Stevie Ray Vaughan. He brought in the experienced sessionmen Steve Potts (Drums) und Dave Smith (Bass). "Working with these guys was totally easy. I knew of them because of Luther Allison and the Jonny Lang albums. They didn't know the tracks until five minutes before we recorded them. I made them listen to the songs once and then play them. It was fantastic. They got so much feeling and soul. They are amazing guys to work with." The power trio - that's the kind of band which suits Joanne Shaw Taylor, also at home in Birmingham, where she and her trio play the pubs, clubs and festivals. "I always wanted to try the power trio thing, like Stevie Ray Vaughan, the Paladins or Jimi Hendrix. I thought it would bring me on as a guitar player and a singer - which I think it has done. And" - Joanne chuckles - "it's also cheaper, you know." She talks about some influences. When Joanne was a little schoolgirl, she was caught by the rough side of the blues: SRV, Albert Collins, the Paladins, Jimi Hendrix. At christmas she got her first electric guitar. The old classical guitar, which she had played since she was eight, vanished from the children's room. "As soon as I heard SRV and Albert Collins I knew pretty much that I wanted to do that full stop. That was the lifestyle route that I was going to go down. It was never a hobby. It was always very serious and dedicated to it." "White Sugar" is the proof. The confident and young british woman keeps the traditions of her idols but she is going her own way. With her record debut she demonstrates her talent with ten songs that she has written herself. Playing the hard stuff à la SRV, making us feel the bite of her telecaster just like Albert Collins did or working out charming little riffs from the Jimi Hendrix book - Joanne is always seeking - and finding - new terrain. Funky shuffles, soulful ballads or the hypnotic hookline of the title track, a burning instrumental, she presents her craft powerfully. Some songs were written during the the flight to Memphis, a few others were written 10 years ago and are kind of her signature tunes. There is the autobiographical "Kiss The Ground Goodbye", deep feelings come wirh "Heavy Heart" or "Blackest Day", a song that Joanne wrote when she was 14. "With Blackest Day I really wanted to show my influences." She can be proud of her first album. She's my pride & joy SRV once sang. Her fans will be proud of Joanne, too. http://www.joanneshawtaylo..r.com £8 advance / £10 door
To buy tickets online go to http://www.ticketweb.co.uk../user/?region=gb_south&que..ry=detail&event=349528&int..erface=
Sat. 21st THE SMALL FAKERS + Support - At last, a tribute to one of the most seminal, sensational bands of the swinging sixties, the one and only... Small Faces! Featuring Matt Bond on vocals and guitar, described by 'Room For Ravers' website as 'truly a reborn Marriott'. The Small Fakers will rip through all the classics, album tracks and b-sides from 'Whatcha Gonna Do About It' to 'Wham Bam Thank You Mam!' http://www.smallfakers.co...uk £8 advance / £10 door
To buy tickets online go to http://www.ticketweb.co.uk/user/?region=gb_south&query=detail&event=352084&interface= Thurs. 26th THE HAMSTERS - Jimi Hendrix / ZZ Top Show - The guitar, bass and drums trio THE HAMSTERS have long been established as one of our premier Blues-Rock attractions, having performed over 4,000 concerts in 23 years. Although usually playing their own brand of rootsy Rock, Blues and Americana - tonight they'll be performing a set of JIMI HENDRIX and ZZ TOP songs, for which they're also widely regarded as being the UK's leading interpreters. The band's guitarist/singer Slim had a new interview in Guitarist Magazine recently, and the lads have just released a new 3-hour double live DVD, titled 'Curse Of The Killer Hamsters!' "They’re fabulous: one of ....Britain....'s very best live bands" - Bob Harris, Radio 2, "F****** brilliant!" - Suzi Quatro "Nobody does the music of Jimi Hendrix and ZZ Top better (except the real ZZ Top)" – The Times http://www.thehamsters.co...uk £10
To buy tickets online go to http://www.ticketweb.co.uk../user/?region=gb_south&que..ry=detail&event=349529&int..erface=
Fri. 27th GUNS2ROSES + Killing With Style - Hailing from London Guns 2 Roses are a six piece lineup with keyboards included who are totally focused on not only cloning the sound of GNR better than the rest, Guns 2 Roses are also mirror images to Axl and the boys, with ever changing outfits to catch the era and stage performances down to the last detail. Playing many songs from Appetite For Destruction, GNR Lies, Use Your Illusion I and II, Spaghetti Incident? and even tracks from Chinese Democracy. Guns 2 Roses sometimes even throw in the songs that GNR did live that never made it to an album to keep with the GNR spirit and deliver a different show everytime. Simply put you want Guns N Roses go see Guns 2 Roses. Guranteed you will see a different show everytime. THE ONLY GNR TRIBUTE BAND TO BE APPROVED BY AN ORIGINAL MEMBER OF GUNS N' ROSES! http://www.guns2roses.co.u..k £8 advance / £10 door
To buy tickets online go to http://www.ticketweb.co.uk/user/?region=gb_south&query=detail&event=352085&interface= Sat. 28th STRAY + Sabotage - Back in the 70’s Stray was one of the hardest gigging, and consistently excellent live acts on the circuit. The last decade has seen such long term Stray fans as Iron Maiden record ..Del..’s “All In Your Mind”, and subsequently Stray toured extensively across ..Europe.. with Maiden, receiving a great reception in many East European territories where the band had never played before. With the brand new re-issue programme and the fiery guitarist Del Bromham at the top of his form, the new Stray line-up of Stuart Uren, Karl Randall and of course Del Bromham, are setting a new standard for one of Britain’s most enduring guitar led rock bands.http://stray-the-band.co.u..k £8 Dec Sat. 19th THE PROJECT £7 Wed. 31st THE MAGNETS NEW YEARS EVE PARTY £18 UP THE BLUES TTFN KEEP MUSIC LIVE
 | Currently listening:
Bump
By Amy Wadge
Release date: 2008-06-09 |
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Monday, October 26, 2009
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Current mood: rockin
Category: Music
Mornin', The local papers last week were full of Southend's bid to be the UK Culture Capital of 2013, which prompted a reading of 4.9 on the Richter Scale from the force of jaws dropping to the floor!! The Yellow Advertiser kindly mentioned Club Riga (aka The Riga Music Bar) as one the the town's "stalwarts of the music scene" together with Chinnerys. This sent the majority of Southend scurrying to their computers to Google these names that they'd never heard of, together with The Railway Hotel and The Lamb And Lion who were also mentioned in the section "A hotbed for talent". Of course most people had heard of The Cliffs Pavilion and The Palace Theatre also got a mention but apart from the crowds that they get in for their excellent pantomimes attended each year by over 60,000 people - never been to one? Borrow a couple of kids and go, you won't regret it!! - I should think that even the Cliffs have to admit that the best turn out they got this year was for tributes to The Beatles and The Pink Floyd and the gig put on by Dizzee Rascal. Hardly something to put on your CV for "Capital Of Culture"!! Other successes mentioned are The Leigh Folk Festival, The Village Green Festival (20,000 people turned up this year) and The Air Show and nobody can argue with the amount of people that attended these events. Just one thing to point out though - all these are free!! Digby Fairweather is quoted as saying "The problem we've got to overcome is the public image of Southend - the fish & chips, the Golden Mile, and even The Kursaal - which is still held by people outside the town". The trouble is though, what do people find when they come into Southend? Cars driving around looking like something out of Transformers with the kind of "music" blaring out of their sound systems that make you think their CD player has got stuck. People going for a night out down the clubs which are trying to recreate "Saturday Night Fever" while most people are trying to forget it. Or it's a night in with a few cans of Carling Black Label bought from the local supermarket to drink while watching Strictly Come Dancing and X Factor. Cynical? Me? Surely not :-) But.......if according to the Yellow Advertiser the population of Southend is 165,000 then why do Riga, Chinnery's, The Railway Hotel and The Lamb And Lion near enough know most of their customers by sight if not by name? I think Southend has got a hell of a lot going for it and could easily get the "award" that they're looking for, and if they do then hopefully this could kick start a lot of the locals into actually using the things that are around them a lot more. The problem is, is that we're looking at 2013 so will all those amenities still be around then? This week I'm not going out cruising in my blue Fiesta with gold wheel trims listening to Snoop Diggy Dogg, nor strutting my funky stuff in the disco, nor being bored witless by watching X Factor, but going to The Cricketers tomorrow night to watch Vosper, Brown & Childs performing a free gig, then Wednesday it's off to Wembley for ZZ Top, Thursday to The Papillion for The Receeders (good news - that's free as well!!) and then to Riga for Deeply Purple on Friday and The Roy Mette Band on Saturday supported by Blue Moves. Sunday? Don't know yet, but I'll find something :-) Fri. 30th DEEPLY PURPLE - DEEPLY PURPLE are the Premier Deep Purple tribute band in the UK, faithfully recreating the amazing, guitar kerranging, organ rocking virtuoso live performances from the early 70's that made Deep Purple the most exciting live band on the planet! But there's more - our mission is to go beyond the straight reproduction of the songs and tap into the energy and improvisation that made each Deep Purple live performance unique. It doesn't get any better than this! http://www.myspace.com/dee..ply_purple £6
To buy tickets online go to http://www.ticketweb.co.uk../user/?region=gb_south&que..ry=detail&event=345345&int..erface=
Sat. 31 THE ROY METTE BAND + Blue Moves - The Roy Mette Band is a three piece blues/rock power trio featuring Roy - a singer, songwriter and guitarist based in Southend on Sea. Roy has played guitar and sung since about the age of ten. A guitar fanatic and has a range of acoustic and electric guitars that all get used. First commercially available disc was a 10 inch EP with Warrior released to a small but discerning following in 1980. There are now an additional eight full length CD’s and four mini CD’s. Roy has developed a fondness for a wide range of guitar based styles covering contemporary, solo blues, folk and electric blues. He's always written his own songs but usually includes some covers in a live set. Special Halloween/Pirate party night!!! http://roymette.co.uk £6 (£5 if you turn up in fancy dress!!)
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Wednesday, October 14, 2009
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Current mood: rockin
Category: Music
Mornin', Things didn't all go according to plan last week, especially on Thursday!! Australian band Tracer were on a European tour when their van broke down in Holland.They couldn't get it repaired in time to bring it over to England so the boys just grabbed their guitars and jumped on a plane. The plan then was that they played their booked gigs using the drums and backline of the support band. So, they turned up at Riga on Thursday. The problem was that the support band - Blind Ambition - didn't. I didn't book them so I had no contact details and try as they might Tracer could find a way of getting hold of them either. At 8.15 we admitted defeat and cancelled the gig. I got hold of as many people that I could that I knew were planning to attend the gig but if you made a wasted journey then I can only apologise. It wasn't our fault and it wasn't Tracers. As to who's fault it was............ Other than that it wasn't a bad week, apart from a referee who made some atrocious decisions over Roots Hall on Friday night!! Even Southampton boss Alan Pardew had to concede the first goal shouldn't have been allowed when shown it again on Sunday morning. Trouble is, we knew that on Friday night!!! We saw Roy Mette in his acoustic pirate mode at The Ship on Tuesday night and will next see him in his noisy mode on 31st October at Riga. It was great to meet Mick Avory from The Kinks on Saturday night and I got him to sign my original copy of Well Respected Kinks. Strange to hear him sing "Dedicated Follower Of Fashion" but he made a pretty good job of it. Also got my tickets for Chuck Berry at The Cliffs Pavilion on 29th November. I've never seen the great man and as he's 83 I don't suppose I'm going to get that many more chances. I knew people baulked at the £45 ticket price but this man is a legend and then some of those people will probably happily pay £25 to go to the Cliffs so watch a tribute band. Strange days indeed!!! This week we have The Billy Walton Band on Thursday. Billy has just done a couple of gigs with Walter Trout as a warm up. Now that's just showing off!!! On Friday we have more 60's music from The Magnets and then on Saturday it's the return of Aladdinsane. Thurs 15th THE BILLY WALTON BAND - In the history of rock n roll there is a long tradition of guitarists trading in their jobs as sidemen to become virtuoso frontmen in their own right. Early on Jimi Hendrix played in Little Richards’ band and Eric Clapton worked with numerous groups like John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers, The Yardbirds, Cream and Derek and the Dominos before starting his legendary career as a solo artist. Even Stevie Ray Vaughn had a stint as a member of David Bowie’s touring band before going solo. There seems to be something about apprenticing with another artist that brings out the best in some guitar players. After spending years honing their craft it becomes impossible for their unique style and personality to be held back. Such is the case with Billy Walton. Since the age of 15, Walton has plied his craft in the Asbury Park/New Jersey shore music scene--most notably as the guitarist/vocalist for Boccigalupe & the Bad Boys which features Tony Amato a veteran of the Asbury scene since the 70s (the nickname...Boccigalupe was actually given to him by Bruce Springsteen & Little Steven Van Zandt). During his time with Boccigalupe, Walton has played countless gigs in both the United States and Europe and sat in with numerous of rock luminaries including Springsteen, Gary US Bonds and Stevie Ray’s backing band, Double Trouble. The 30-year old Walton’s talents are no secret among everyone in the Jersey shore music scene and with the founding of the Billy Walton Band there’s little doubt his reputation will grow far beyond the Garden State. The Billy Walton Band’s sound is a combination of hard blues reminiscent of Hendrix, Clapton and Vaughn mixed with a healthy dose of Warren Hayes and Derrick Trucks. Live, Walton has always been an explosive performer with jaw dropping talent but with the addition of bassist William Paris and drummer Marcus Croan the Billy Walton band churns out a singular brand of funky blues that has deep roots in both the jam band musical tradition as well as the Jersey shore Walton has cut his teeth on. Walton’s connection to his heroes is not just through his record collection. Over the years he has developed a close friendship with Roger Mayer, the well-known British guitar effects guru whose devices have played such a pivotal part in rock n roll for nearly every major player since Hendrix. But regardless of his influences or where he’s from, the Billy Walton Band’s ultimate appeal lies in the unique musical gifts of its founder, Walton himself, who, like his forebears is poised to join the long and storied list of sidemen whose time has come to step out front. http://www.billywaltonband...com £6
To buy tickets online go to http://www.ticketweb.co.uk../user/?region=gb_south&que..ry=detail&event=349525&int..erface=
Fri. 16th THE MAGNETS + Support - 60's covers band. £6
Sat 17th ALADDINSANE - Celebrating the 40th anniversary of Space Oddity - Aladdinsane are the country’s leading tribute to David Bowie. Taking you back to the height of the Glam rock period from Ziggy Stardust, working through Bowie’s colourful career, Aladdinsane faithfully recreate the sights and sounds of many of his classic songs. Combining Paul Henderson’s stunning vocals with aspects of Bowie’s stage characteristics and theatrics, Aladdinsane recreate the studio and live recorded versions from Bowie’s vast musical repertoire. You’ll see why Paul and the band are being hailed as the Ultimate Bowie Show with their incredible attention to detail, impressive musicianship and Paul’s undeniably incredible voice. When you see Aladdinsane perform, they leave you spellbound with the trance-like songs Space Oddity, The Man Who Sold The World and Life On Mars; all beautifully recreated. You’ll be on your feet for the raunchy Jean Genie, Fame and Diamond Dogs. Aladdinsane will draw you in and throw a spectacular piece of rock history right back at you. All of the hits are here – Starman, Changes, Modern Love, Young Americans, Absolute Beginners, Heroes, John I’m Only Dancing, Rebel Rebel..... True Bowie fans and all lovers of superb live music will not be disappointed – So come on..... Let’s Dance! http://www.aladdinsane.co...uk £8
To buy tickets online go to http://www.ticketweb.co.uk../user/?region=gb_south&que..ry=detail&event=345340&int..erface=
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Tuesday, October 06, 2009
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Current mood: rockin
Category: Music
Mornin', I can't even begin to tell you how many things were wrong with last week's email, but there was one glaring mistake. For some reason after November there was.....another November!! This of course makes things very confusing as to where 2010 is actually going to begin, so could you just take it that all the gigs listed for the second November of 2009 are for December!! I saw some fabulous gigs last week - I even went to a jam session!! Yep, Tuesday night we jumped in the car and drove to Hullbridge to watch The Nightflies being the house band at the local jam. There was even talk about me getting behind the drums but I soon avoided that!! Then things started to get a bit confusing when a couple of the locals started asking them to play something by The Kings Of Leon!! Yeeeeeeessss..........Anyway, on Thursday I was at The Newcrawdaddy Club to watch a brilliant set by The Wildcards. Lots of new material was played, mainly from their third CD which will be out soon, and a couple of numbers were played for the first time in public. I love being a Guinea Pug!! :-) Most of the Nightporters songs have been dropped now, although I'm told that when they play longer sets some of them creep back in. Apparently one of the longest sets they play is in Finland so that's one of the best places to see them. Thanks lads, but we'll see you in Paignton some time - it's a lot closer - and warmer :-) Unfortunately my opinion in last weeks email - concerning people only coming to blues gigs when the performer is black and American - came true as there was nowhere near the same amount of people there to see the brilliant Wildcards, a story also true for Larry Miller at Riga the next night. Not a bad turn out though and Larry put on a great 2 hour+ show but it does give me a lot of head scratching trying to work out why people can be so blinkered in their outlook. They same happened the next night as well when we had a disappointing turn out for Jesse Davey & Friends. The band performed a blistering set with Jesse and Jon Amor blasting some stunning solos. As a lot of you know, I'm going to see Eric Clapton & Jeff Beck perform together next year and all I was thinking on Saturday was I hope they play as good as Jesse and Jon!! Still they seemed to sell a fair bit of merchandise at the end with people buying the reissue double version of Humdinger by The Hoax and Jon Amor's new CD Stories From The Crooked Room - a great CD by the way. My thanks go to Ken Ansted for sorting the gig out and coming all the way from Swindon to watch it, the two Ronnies for turning up instead of going to Watford (don't ask!!) and to Mike from The Newcrawdaddy Club for again turning up to make it 3 gigs on the trot for that week. See you next at Roots Hall and hope you enjoy Mott The Hoople at Hammersmith Odeon :-) The last time that Man played at Riga we had about 100 people in but again Sunday night was a disappointing turn out. Martin Ace put the blame onto himself saying that he didn't promote the gig enough as he now lives in Germany but I'm afraid I think he's going to find out that there's more too it than that. After all, X-Factor was on and people have to get their priorities right!! Still Man, like the others played a great set and again sold quite a bit of merchandise at the end. Strangely enough Riga seems to be that place to sell a lot of merch even if the audience numbers all that great. Sunday was another night where the band sold more that on other nights where there was a larger audience. By the way Man's new CD, Kingdom Of Noise, is also an excellent buy. And so to this week....tonight (Tuesday) I'm off to the Hoy At Anchor Folk Club to see Roy Mette and then it's Riga on Thursday for Tracer supported by Blind Ambition, The Groove Doctors on Friday, The Legend's Of The 60's (mustn't forget my Kinks LPs!!) supported by Still Waiting on Saturday and then on Sunday the person that I have so many questions about regarding his return....Carvin Jones. Thurs 8th TRACER + Blind Ambition - With a sound reminiscent of 90's grunge/stoner rock mixed with the everlasting bravado of 70's classic rock, Tracer is a driving, sonic sledgehammer of massive guitars, clever hooks and raw uncompromising vocals. Forming out of the ashes of blues prodigy band The Brown Brothers in 2004, Michael (Vocals and guitar) and Leigh Brown (Vocals and Bass) teamed up with drummer Andre Wise to make Tracer. After two years of gigging in their hometown of Adelaide, Tracer released their debut EP Into The Night (2007) and toured through regional South Australia, Melbourne and Sydney with airplay on community radios. During 2008 Tracer took on an extensive touring schedule with multiple trips to Melbourne, a swag of successful Adelaide shows and were also involved in the Carclew Heaps Good Music Tour in regional SA.“Tracer quite simply blew the audience away with their grandiose sound…Their set was as intriguing as their party tricks (guitars played behind heads and drums played backwards), which received much praise along with the frontman's fierce guitar work” Monika Laskowski – dB Magazine. On top of all this, Tracer also wrote and recorded a new seven track album entitled L.A.? “We wanted something that sounded international,” said guitarist/vocalist Michael Brown, “so we spent a lot of time in pre-production and made sure that we didn't cut any corners in the studio. The result is something that we're all truly proud of”. L.A.? is an album that you need turn up loud and chug beer to. There's no easing into it either as lead track End of the Samurai kicks in with a monstrous riff and dramatic vocals. Tracer's first single Wrecking Ball bears its teeth at track three introducing listeners to Michael's beautifully brutal, one-of-a-kind baritone guitar. Unlike previous releases Leigh Brown's enormous voice is on display on two tracks and the band's impressive musicianship shines on crowd favourite Sleep By The Fire. http://www.tracer-band.com £5
Fri. 9th THE GROOVE DOCTORS + Support - The Groove Doctors produce superb original music and are a solid, integral part of the UK Rhythm & Blues scene. With successful festival appearances at Colne, Burnley, Brentwood, Banbury and in Holland & Germany, they play their brand of R&B the way you want to hear it; energetic, totally entertaining and with 110% commitment. In addition to their gig schedule, they are currently working on a live album and DVD/Video recording for future release. http://www.groovedoctors.c..o.uk £6
Sat. 10th LEGENDS OF THE 60'S - 5-piece band consists of Mick Avory (The Kinks drummer), Eric Haydock (bass ex-Hollies), Martin Lyon (singer ex-Love Affair), with Ted Tomlin and Graham Pollock on guitars. http://www.thelegendsofthe..sixties.de £10 advance / £12 door
To buy tickets online go to http://www.ticketweb.co.uk/user/?region=gb_south&query=detail&event=345338&interface=
Sun 11th THE CARVIN JONES BAND - Carvin has received numerous awards and recognition. In Arizona, he was awarded New Times' "Entertainer of the Year" award in 1997, "Best Guitarist" in 1998 by Get Out Magazine, and Char's Has the Blues named him "Best Guitarist of the Year" for three years in a row. The Band received the Arizona Entertainment Award for "Best Blues Band of the Year" in 1993, and was voted "Best Blues Band" from 1994 through 1996 by the New Times' Reader's poll. Carvin also received the New Times Music Showcase award for the Best Blues Band in 2006. Visit Carvin's 'press' page on his website for various reviews written about the band. Carvin has been featured in Experience Hendrix Magazine and Guitarist Magazine voted Carvin into “The 50 greatest blues guitarists who ever walked the earth!” in January 2001. Carvin Jones is a young cat out of Phoenix who I think is the next up-and-coming blues player. - Eric Clapton, Top Blues Guitarist
"Carvin Jones is one of the brightest young stars on the blues scene today." - Albert Collins, Legendary Blues Guitarist English Fans label Carvin "THE KING" Welsh Media say he's "the new Jimi Hendrix" ". . . one of the best blues guitarists in the world . . ." London Surrey News. http://www.carvinjones.com £8
To buy tickets online go to http://www.ticketweb.co.uk../user/?region=gb_south&que..ry=detail&event=345338&int..erface= Don't forget music and/or videos by the people playing this week are on the Riga Myspace site, so have a look, listen and buy tickets :-) TTFN KEEP MUSIC LIVE
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Tuesday, September 29, 2009
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Current mood: rockin
Category: Music
Mornin', Or should it be "bongiorno" as I seem to be spending more and more time in Italy? The more I go there and the more places I visit, the more I like it as a Country. It's nice and warm - even in a thunderstorm which we had on our first day!! - nice and laid back, and even though it's the same price whether you buy a beer or a soft drink, you don't get the streets filled up with pi*sed up muppets with cans of Stella in the hands!! Sorry for the insult Kermit & Co. Couldn't live there though because, apart from the obvious reasons, - 1) I wouldn't live in a Country where I couldn't speak the language, and I'm too lazy to learn. Besides I have enough problems with English!! 2) I couldn't live in a Country where their main beer is lager!! We found a bar in Lucca with a big Guinness sign outside. With a silly big grin on my face I raced over, but luckily we found the bar prices first - 8 Euros for a pint of lovely Guinness!! So it was back to fizzy pop :-( Got back to England in time for Sherman Robertson at The Newcrawdaddy Club in celebration of their tenth anniversary. My thanks go to Paul and the team for keeping a ticket back for me as I couldn't be sure if I could make it. I hadn't seen Sherman for about 15 years and he played a great set to a sold out crowd. Not taking anything away from Sherman, there is still one thing that I've never understood with a blues audience. Why is it that when a venue puts on a black American artist, the audience at least doubles? What's wrong with people like Matt Schofield, Ian Parker, Jay Tamkin, Ian Siegal, Jon Amor, Aynsley Lister, or heaven forbid, even a girlie like Joanne Shaw Taylor? You don't have to be a black American to play great blues and the names that I've given, and people like them, prove it. So go on, give the Brits a go as well. And if anybody out there takes any of that as a raciest remark, please get a life!! I hope that a lot of those people who were last week will be back on Thursday for The Wildcards, like I will. Oh, and we mustn't forget The Heaters now must we? :-) Then it was to Riga for Fragile on Friday and Touchstone supported by DeeExpus on Sunday. Two great nights of live music with the audience levels about what we expected, if a little down. Still, we'll keep on keeping on and this week we have three cracking nights. On Friday the wildman of blues returns to Riga after his gig at The Cambridge Rock Festival where he had to play 5 encores - Larry Miller. Then on Saturday we have Jesse Davey & Friends. One of the best blues/rock bands to come out of England were The Hoax who formed in 1991 but called it a day in 1999. Well, the world's worst kept secret is that they have decided to get back together for a short tour - at least - in December, playing 2 gigs in Holland and one each in Carlisle, Manchester and Devizes. But before that, they are doing some warm up gigs with 3 of the Hoax members - Jesse Davey, Jon Amor and Mark Barrett - as Jesse Davey & Friends. And this is one of those gigs - so don't miss it. And then if it's really well known names in the rock world you want, they don't come much bigger - well, for this kind of circuit anyway - than Man who are here on Sunday. Below are details for all these gigs together with the rest of October and a run down of the gigs up to the end of the year. Oct
Fri. 2nd LARRY MILLER - International Blues Rock Guitarist, Vocalist & Song-Writer Larry Miller is fast becoming Europe’s number one guitar slinger. Headlining The Colne British Blues Festival in 2008; gaining accolades from The Sunday Express and The Guardian newspapers; and in Classic Rock magazine being described as ‘the fieriest, fruitiest ballsiest guitarist you’re likely to hear’, with his latest album Outlaw Blues being featured as their album of the month. Larry has received rave reviews from across the world and is picking up new fans daily. Hendrix, Gallagher and B.B.King are just some of Miller’s heroes, but he definitely remains his own man. Recent tours with Americans Johnny Winter and Walter Trout described Larry as a ‘great, great guitarist’. Larry Miller is charismatic, and a bona fide showman blues guitarist. The Larry Miller Band features bassist Allan Penford and ex Ian Anderson (Jethro Tull) Scott Hunter on the drums. http://www.larrymiller.co...uk £8
To buy tickets online go to http://www.ticketweb.co.uk../user/?region=gb_south&que..ry=detail&event=345336&int..erface=Sat. 3rd JESSE DAVEY & FRIENDS - In 1991, The Hoax made their entrance into the UK Blues scene and for the next several years gained a large following both here and abroad. Signed by Mike Vernon for the Code Blue label, their debut album “Sound Like This” was released in 1994 and was voted the best Blues album by the British Blues Connection. The band were also voted the best British Blues Band for the next five years with vocalist Hugh Coltman being chosen as the best male vocalist in 1995 & with Jon & Jesse picking up five awards each for their superb guitar styles the band led the way for British blues.The band toured the U.S.A. twice where they opened for veteran blues maestro Buddy Guy; they also toured Europe picking up widespread support. In 1996 the band released their second album “Unpossible” and 1998 saw the third and immaculate “Humdinger” album which was re-released last year as a 10th Anniversary special edition. Sadly the band decided to call it a day in 1999 with two sold out farewell concerts, one at the Mean Fiddler (Astoria 2) and also in Tilburg, Holland which saw the bands final release “Live Forever”.Jesse went on to live in the U.S.A and with his brother Robin they formed the aptly named Davey Brothers who released one fine double cd and had the track “Heart Go Faster” included in the soundtrack of the film “Tomb Raider”. In 2008 a surprise re-union took place which saw them play to a packed house at the famous Chiddingfold Club in Surrey where they enjoyed success though the nineties. Along with Jesse his friends will include former Hoax buddies Jon Amor & Mark Barrett. Also included in the line up is Wanbdi from the highly acclaimed U.S. band Indigenous and Dave Doherty who played with the Jon Amor band and his own band Hitchmo. A night of hot rockin' blues tunes not to be missed. http://www.jessedavey.com £7
To buy tickets online go to http://www.ticketweb.co.uk../user/?region=gb_south&que..ry=detail&event=346366&int..erface=Sun 4th MAN - Man have never been a band to avoid a challenge and their new album is no exception. With days to go last November the studio engineer walked leaving the band high and dry with twelve unmixed tracks. A row had broken out between producer band member Phil Ryan and the studio engineer over technical problems at the studio. The band had no alternative but to suspend the operation. On top of this there were personal differences between members of the band leading to a three to two split .Martin Ace, Josh Ace and Phil Ryan will continue with James Beck guitar and Rene Robrahn on drums. James is a member of Josh’s band Ringolevio and Rene has been working with James Brown musical director Fred Wesley, Meanwhile after a lot of ducking and diving Man were able to get their hands on the recordings and with the help of Allan Murdoch, studio boss at Tonstudio Holstein in Germany, Phil was able to painstakingly piece together nearly all the missing material. Martin in the meantime had written two new brand new songs for the album and recorded them prior to the mixing sessions at Tonstudio Holstein with the help of Rene, Allan and Dulli Engel. Man continue to suspend time and the new album will thrill old fans and new listeners alike. http://www.jessedavey.com £10
To buy tickets online go to http://www.ticketweb.co.uk../user/?region=gb_south&que..ry=detail&event=345337&int..erface=Thurs 8th TRACER + Support - With a sound reminiscent of 90's grunge/stoner rock mixed with the everlasting bravado of 70's classic rock, Tracer is a driving, sonic sledgehammer of massive guitars, clever hooks and raw uncompromising vocals. Forming out of the ashes of blues prodigy band The Brown Brothers in 2004, Michael (Vocals and guitar) and Leigh Brown (Vocals and Bass) teamed up with drummer Andre Wise to make Tracer. After two years of gigging in their hometown of Adelaide, Tracer released their debut EP Into The Night (2007) and toured through regional South Australia, Melbourne and Sydney with airplay on community radios. During 2008 Tracer took on an extensive touring schedule with multiple trips to Melbourne, a swag of successful Adelaide shows and were also involved in the Carclew Heaps Good Music Tour in regional SA.“Tracer quite simply blew the audience away with their grandiose sound…Their set was as intriguing as their party tricks (guitars played behind heads and drums played backwards), which received much praise along with the frontman's fierce guitar work” Monika Laskowski – dB Magazine. On top of all this, Tracer also wrote and recorded a new seven track album entitled L.A.? “We wanted something that sounded international,” said guitarist/vocalist Michael Brown, “so we spent a lot of time in pre-production and made sure that we didn't cut any corners in the studio. The result is something that we're all truly proud of”. L.A.? is an album that you need turn up loud and chug beer to. There's no easing into it either as lead track End of the Samurai kicks in with a monstrous riff and dramatic vocals. Tracer's first single Wrecking Ball bears its teeth at track three introducing listeners to Michael's beautifully brutal, one-of-a-kind baritone guitar. Unlike previous releases Leigh Brown's enormous voice is on display on two tracks and the band's impressive musicianship shines on crowd favourite Sleep By The Fire.http://www.tracer-band.com £5
Fri. 9th THE GROOVE DOCTORS + Support - The Groove Doctors produce superb original music and are a solid, integral part of the UK Rhythm & Blues scene. With successful festival appearances at Colne, Burnley, Brentwood, Banbury and in Holland & Germany, they play their brand of R&B the way you want to hear it; energetic, totally entertaining and with 110% commitment. In addition to their gig schedule, they are currently working on a live album and DVD/Video recording for future release. http://www.groovedoctors.c..o.uk £6
Sat. 10th LEGENDS OF THE 60'S - 5-piece band consists of Mick Avory (The Kinks drummer), Eric Haydock (bass ex-Hollies), Martin Lyon (singer ex-Love Affair), with Ted Tomlin and Graham Pollock on guitars. http://www.thelegendsofthe..sixties.de £10 advance / £12 door
To buy tickets online go to
Sun 11th THE CARVIN JONES BAND - Carvin has received numerous awards and recognition. In Arizona, he was awarded New Times' "Entertainer of the Year" award in 1997, "Best Guitarist" in 1998 by Get Out Magazine, and Char's Has the Blues named him "Best Guitarist of the Year" for three years in a row. The Band received the Arizona Entertainment Award for "Best Blues Band of the Year" in 1993, and was voted "Best Blues Band" from 1994 through 1996 by the New Times' Reader's poll. Carvin also received the New Times Music Showcase award for the Best Blues Band in 2006. Visit Carvin's 'press' page on his website for various reviews written about the band. Carvin has been featured in Experience Hendrix Magazine and Guitarist Magazine voted Carvin into “The 50 greatest blues guitarists who ever walked the earth!” in January 2001. Carvin Jones is a young cat out of Phoenix who I think is the next up-and-coming blues player. - Eric Clapton, Top Blues Guitarist
"Carvin Jones is one of the brightest young stars on the blues scene today." - Albert Collins, Legendary Blues Guitarist English Fans label Carvin "THE KING" Welsh Media say he's "the new Jimi Hendrix" ". . . one of the best blues guitarists in the world . . ." London Surrey News. http://www.carvinjones.com £8
To buy tickets online go to http://www.ticketweb.co.uk../user/?region=gb_south&que..ry=detail&event=345338&int..erface=Thurs 15th THE BILLY WALTON BAND - In the history of rock n roll there is a long tradition of guitarists trading in their jobs as sidemen to become virtuoso frontmen in their own right. Early on Jimi Hendrix played in Little Richards’ band and Eric Clapton worked with numerous groups like John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers, The Yardbirds, Cream and Derek and the Dominos before starting his legendary career as a solo artist. Even Stevie Ray Vaughn had a stint as a member of David Bowie’s touring band before going solo. There seems to be something about apprenticing with another artist that brings out the best in some guitar players. After spending years honing their craft it becomes impossible for their unique style and personality to be held back. Such is the case with Billy Walton. Since the age of 15, Walton has plied his craft in the Asbury Park/New Jersey shore music scene--most notably as the guitarist/vocalist for Boccigalupe & the Bad Boys which features Tony Amato a veteran of the Asbury scene since the 70s (the nickname...Boccigalupe was actually given to him by Bruce Springsteen & Little Steven Van Zandt). During his time with Boccigalupe, Walton has played countless gigs in both the United States and Europe and sat in with numerous of rock luminaries including Springsteen, Gary US Bonds and Stevie Ray’s backing band, Double Trouble. The 30-year old Walton’s talents are no secret among everyone in the Jersey shore music scene and with the founding of the Billy Walton Band there’s little doubt his reputation will grow far beyond the Garden State. The Billy Walton Band’s sound is a combination of hard blues reminiscent of Hendrix, Clapton and Vaughn mixed with a healthy dose of Warren Hayes and Derrick Trucks. Live, Walton has always been an explosive performer with jaw dropping talent but with the addition of bassist William Paris and drummer Marcus Croan the Billy Walton band churns out a singular brand of funky blues that has deep roots in both the jam band musical tradition as well as the Jersey shore Walton has cut his teeth on. Walton’s connection to his heroes is not just through his record collection. Over the years he has developed a close friendship with Roger Mayer, the well-known British guitar effects guru whose devices have played such a pivotal part in rock n roll for nearly every major player since Hendrix. But regardless of his influences or where he’s from, the Billy Walton Band’s ultimate appeal lies in the unique musical gifts of its founder, Walton himself, who, like his forebears is poised to join the long and storied list of sidemen whose time has come to step out front. http://www.billywaltonband...com £6
To buy tickets online go to http://www.ticketweb.co.uk../user/?region=gb_south&que..ry=detail&event=349525&int..erface=Fri. 16th THE MAGNETS + Support - 60's covers band. £6
Sat 17th ALADDINSANE - Celebrating the 40th anniversary of Space Oddity - Aladdinsane are the country’s leading tribute to David Bowie. Taking you back to the height of the Glam rock period from Ziggy Stardust, working through Bowie’s colourful career, Aladdinsane faithfully recreate the sights and sounds of many of his classic songs. Combining Paul Henderson’s stunning vocals with aspects of Bowie’s stage characteristics and theatrics, Aladdinsane recreate the studio and live recorded versions from Bowie’s vast musical repertoire. You’ll see why Paul and the band are being hailed as the Ultimate Bowie Show with their incredible attention to detail, impressive musicianship and Paul’s undeniably incredible voice. When you see Aladdinsane perform, they leave you spellbound with the trance-like songs Space Oddity, The Man Who Sold The World and Life On Mars; all beautifully recreated. You’ll be on your feet for the raunchy Jean Genie, Fame and Diamond Dogs. Aladdinsane will draw you in and throw a spectacular piece of rock history right back at you. All of the hits are here – Starman, Changes, Modern Love, Young Americans, Absolute Beginners, Heroes, John I’m Only Dancing, Rebel Rebel..... True Bowie fans and all lovers of superb live music will not be disappointed – So come on..... Let’s Dance! http://www.aladdinsane.co...uk £8
To buy tickets online go to http://www.ticketweb.co.uk../user/?region=gb_south&que..ry=detail&event=345340&int..erface=Thurs. 22nd THE MARK BUTCHER BAND - Ex England batsman Mark Butcher has had a diverse exposure to the music business - from appearances on National TV, dueting with Sarah Brightman, to The Royal Albert Hall trading licks with Bill Wyman and Albert Lee. With influences ranging from Al Green, Robert Cray, Freddie King and Mavis Staples to Little Feat, The Small Faces, Eric Clapton, Steely Dan and Bonnie Raitt, it's plain to hear that the soul ; is what's important in everything he sings, writes and plays. "SONGS FROM THE SUN HOUSE" - "In a world of music good and bad, this is truly good....Songs deep in quality..." Classic Rock Society "Very, very impressed" Radio 2's Bob Harris "Go and see him play" Guitarist, "Great stuff" Eric Clapton. http://www.myspace.com/mar..kbutcher1 £6
To buy tickets online go to http://www.ticketweb.co.uk../user/?region=gb_south&que..ry=detail&event=345341&int..erface=Fri. 23rd B SHARP - The band has an amazing sound that completely belies the three piece format, plus a unique mixture of quality songs, both their own material and covers that you may or may not recognize. Bob and Darren's steaming rhythm section work underpins Jerry's expressive and exiting guitar and many full musical boundaries may be crossed at a Be Sharp gig - a fistful of rock, a heart full of blues and soul - a dash of powerful guitar driven pop or maybe even the occasional atom of jazz, all threatened with the same potent blend of fiery vocals and great musicianship. If they like it, they'll play it and in fact whatever they choose to do, it always somehow sounds like BE SHARP.http://www.besharp.co.uk £6
Sat. 24th THE SOUL DETECTIVES - The Soul Detectives formed in 1994, and since then they have provided audiences with a tasty blend of vintage soul tunes that everybody can dig, straight-up groove-a-thons that cause severe cases of foot-tappin' and hand-clappin', and just a sprinkling of 80's gouda on the side. The band's sound is always evolving - from adding up-to-date numbers such as 'Valerie' to resurrecting not-oft-heard gems like 'Vehicle' - but one thing remains constant: at a Soul Detectives show, a funkin' good time is guaranteed! http://www.souldetectives...co.uk £7
Sun. 25th P.A.U.L. & THE HARPER WOODS HEROES - P-A-U-L delivers Blues Rock that's a crossbreed of deep seeded grooves, lightning riffs, and soulful melodies. A sound that creates a perfect backdrop for his heartfelt lyrical memoirs of life on the road. Paul Andrew Ulysses Lamb was born in Detroit and raised on the streets of an east side community known as Harper Woods. At age three, his father bought him a Jimi Hendrix album for his birthday. It changed his life forever. Absorbing the music of artists like Hendrix, Johnny Winter, and Johnny Cash, P-A-U-L’s dream of making a career out of music slowly started taking shape. After high school, P-A-U-L caught the first bus to Hollywood. He began hanging out in the scene and became educated by some of the West Coast’s most notorious rock stars. With his self-taught guitar skills, soulful rock voice, and desire to play music wherever and whenever he could, P-A-U-L hit the road. He hasn’t stopped touring since. P-A-U-L has been performing for nearly fifteen years. He has shared the stage with many renowned artists. In the mid-nineties, P-A-U-L became the frontman for The Glory Revival; an 8-piece Phoenix Arizona band for which he wrote and produced all material. The band got signed and recorded two albums in Detroit, where P-A-U-L was introduced and asked to play with Detroit acts like the Ethan Daniel Davidson 5, and Darren McCarty’s Grinder. As a regular session musician for the legendary Rustbelt Studios, P-A-U-L was introduced to Shannon Curfman and Lennon Murphy, ending up recording and touring with them in 2006. His debut album ‘Hangin’ On For Dear Life’ is due for imminent release. A collection of fire bred songs, fueled by years of hard life, strong whiskey and soft, female persuasion. He plans to tour the United States and Europe in 2009 with his new band, The Harper Woods Heroes.http://p-a-u-lmusic.com £5
Fri. 30th DEEPLY PURPLE - DEEPLY PURPLE are the Premier Deep Purple tribute band in the UK, faithfully recreating the amazing, guitar kerranging, organ rocking virtuoso live performances from the early 70's that made Deep Purple the most exciting live band on the planet! But there's more - our mission is to go beyond the straight reproduction of the songs and tap into the energy and improvisation that made each Deep Purple live performance unique. It doesn't get any better than this! http://www.myspace.com/dee..ply_purple £6
To buy tickets online go to http://www.ticketweb.co.uk../user/?region=gb_south&que..ry=detail&event=345345&int..erface=Sat. 31 THE ROY METTE BAND + Support - The Roy Mette Band is a three piece blues/rock power trio featuring Roy - a singer, songwriter and guitarist based in Southend on Sea. Roy has played guitar and sung since about the age of ten. A guitar fanatic and has a range of acoustic and electric guitars that all get used. First commercially available disc was a 10 inch EP with Warrior released to a small but discerning following in 1980. There are now an additional eight full length CD’s and four mini CD’s. Roy has developed a fondness for a wide range of guitar based styles covering contemporary, solo blues, folk and electric blues. He's always written his own songs but usually includes some covers in a live set. Special Halloween/Pirate party night!!! http://roymette.co.uk £6
Nov
Fri. 6th AMY WADGE http://amywadge.com £7
Sat 7th AYNT SKYNYRD - tribute to Lynyrd Skynyrd http://www.ayntskynyrd.com £8
Sun. 8th MATT ANDERSEN http://www.stubbyfingers.c..a £tbc
Wed.11th EILEEN ROSE & THE HOLY WRECK http://www.eileenrose.com £6
Thurs. 12th MATT SCHOFIELD http://www.mattschofield.c..om £10 advance / £12 door
To buy tickets online go to http://www.ticketweb.co.uk../user/?region=gb_south&que..ry=detail&event=349526&int..erface=Fri. 13th ERJA LYYTINEN http://www.erjalyytinen.co..m £8 advance / £10 door
To buy tickets online go to http://www.ticketweb.co.uk../user/?region=gb_south&que..ry=detail&event=349527&int..erface=Sat 14th OASIZ + Support - tribute to Oasis http://www.oasiznet.com £8 advance / £10 door
Fri. 20th JOANNE SHAW TAYLOR http://www.joanneshawtaylo..r.com £8 advance / £10 door
To buy tickets online go to http://www.ticketweb.co.uk../user/?region=gb_south&que..ry=detail&event=349528&int..erface=Sat. 21st THE SMALL FAKERS + Support http://www.smallfakers.co...uk £8 advance / £10 door
Thurs. 26th THE HAMSTERS - Jimi Hendrix / ZZ Top Show http://www.thehamsters.co...uk £10
To buy tickets online go to http://www.ticketweb.co.uk../user/?region=gb_south&que..ry=detail&event=349529&int..erface=Fri. 27th GUNS2ROSES + Suppport http://www.guns2roses.co.u..k £8 advance / £10 door
Sat. 28th STRAY + Sabotage http://stray-the-band.co.u..k £8 Nov Sat. 19th THE PROJECT £7 Wed. 31st THE MAGNETS NEW YEARS EVE PARTY £18 <
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Thursday, September 24, 2009
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Current mood:  relaxed
Category: Music
Mornin, This is late because I've just got back from a week in Italy, so we'll just get on with the important stuff :-) Being a tribute to a band that is still in existence can be tricky, as there's always the chance that both versions will end up in the same place at the same time!! Unfortunately this has happened this weekend - The Blockheads are playing in Chalkwell Park on the same night as The Blox were due to play Riga. We have therefore cancelled The Blox and hopefully this gig can be rearranged for early next year. On Friday we have the reformed Fragile who are an excellent tribute to Yes (hopefully we're safe on that one!!) and then on Sunday, after their success at The Cambridge Rock Festival, we have Touchstone supported by DeeExpus. As we have a lot to get though on Sunday, doors will open at 7.30 so don't turn up at 9!! :-) Fri. 25th FRAGILE - FRAGILE are a well established UK based band that perform the classic and timeless music of YES. The band celebrated a decade in action in 2008 and comprises of a group of highly talented and experienced individuals who have a love and deep respect of YES music. Band members have all left their individual mark on the music scene in a variety of projects including work with Jon Anderson, Steve Howe, Peter Banks, Fish, Marillion, Voyager, Don Airey, Bernie Marsden's Alaska and more. The band have performed throughout the UK, Finland, Belgium, Holland and Switzerland including the series of now legendary shows with celebrated YES and ASIA guitarist Steve Howe in 2005,6 & 7. FRAGILE are pleased to announce two new members, they are Chris Hook (Bass,Vocals) and Johnny Marter (Drums, Vocals). Johnny & Chris worked together in VOYAGER including the release of hit single Halfway Hotel in 1979. Following a couple of warm up dates early this year, in March the band appeared on the UK 'Richard & Judy New Position' prime-time TV show with Rick Wakeman, Roger Dean and Rowland Rivron and will also be performing with a very special high profile guest at the Mathew Street Festival in Liverpool this August. Fragile owe a huge debt of gratitude to YES, without whom this amazing voyage could never have happened! http://www.yestribute.com £10 Sun. 27th TOUCHSTONE + DeeExpus "Ever heard of a band who combine the prog sensibilities of Yes with the hard rocking aptitudes of Van Halen? No? You have now…" - Geoff Barton, Classic Rock Magazine :"Really great new band and great tracks" - Rick Wakeman, Yes : "Their theatrical mix of pomp and prog with slices of razor edge riffing and dual male/female vocals is a joy to behold" - Richard Thompson, Classic Rock Presents Prog :"Touchstone have just made an album of skyscraper proportions....it sounds like a million dollars....a delicious mix of challenging complexity and sprawling grandeur" - Geoff Barton, Classic Rock Magazine. http://www.touchstonemusic.co.uk £8 advance / £10 door (CRS members £8 on production of their membership card) TTFN KEEP MUSIC LIVE John Henry Bonham 31/05/1948 - 25/09/1980
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