Hi everyone, on to business....
Of course the most exciting news are the Groundhogs gigs coming up (see list below) new dates are being offered all the time. Tony is having to make sure that there is as little confusion as possible due to 'others' hijacking the name so its 'Tony McPhees Groundhogs' which is the bona fide line up, covering the albums from 1962 - 1979. The gigs are specially aimed at promoting a new 'Live' album recorded in Switzerland in 1991, available at gigs and through me or the web site.

You might have noticed that I have put 'buy it now' buttons on the web site, www.thegroundhogs.co.uk ... for all the merchandise I have for sale. I'm not sorted out on the shopping basket milarky yet, but if you want to buy more than one item at a time, I will refund the additional postage charges... Cashwise with the order.

TONY McPHEES GROUNDHOGS - GIG REPORTS

April 14th - Alexanders Chester
One of our favourite small venues. It was a good starting place to test out Marcos sticks... Yes he can certainly bash those drums about a bit... Turns out he is a real find, even does a bit of harmony vocals. It was such a great evening Dave the bass was making the most of the evening, back from his recent gigs with Space Ritual, and some familiar faces were a welcome sight. One new bit of technology is a screen further back in the gig and if we had taken a DVD recordable disc we could have had the whole thing recorded... Unfortunately its just the sort of thing I never carry round with me (although if you've seen the size of my handbag you would have thought I had all sorts, Mary Poppins like, hidden in its depths). NEXT TIME... Remind me someone!

April 20th - 100 Club
This is true Groundhogs & McPhee Territory, Club Bang Bang run by Jim Driver, (who is incidentally behind the Rhythm Festival Tony & I will be dueting at in August). If anyone saw the history of rock programme you will have seen the iconic backdrop which is still in place. Well if there ever was a gig where so many long term fans came out, this was it, it was wonderful to see so many of you & what a great night (apart from for Dave A. who got a parking fine outside the front of the gig!!!! and the support band nicking all the wine.... :) (sorry I'm shit at this internet icon smiley face thing speak stuff, I mean we didn't mind really).

May 25th - Nottingham, Brittania Boat Club
Those of you who have met Barry, will remember Barry see his site barrysblues.co.uk and the Boat club is an amazing venue, right by the river... Which is where a boat club should be and next to a football stadium?? Whatever that's about! walk up to its 60's club type exterior, walk in and it has been transformed into a dingy cave.... But really well done, I really liked it. The guys were on form Tony broke a string right at the beginning of the set (how often has THAT happened?) I think he gets too psyched up & thrashes the living beejabbers out of it... Or TS does stand for Tight Sod & he didn't change them... Take your pick!
By the end the second number he had regained his composure & really took us all along the twisted road of tangental wailing solos pulling back to ecstatic riffs, bewailing lyrics, and me had a bit of a boogie at the end. At the front of the audience sitting crossed legged were young folk... Attracted in by their friends in the support act 'Lords' (a most illuminating and individual act I might point out) they sat and gazed & so McPhee impresses another generation of the most talented Nottingham have to offer (sorry bit crawly that last bit), but I could see from the backs of their heads that they loved it!

UPCOMING GIG DATES - Tony McPhees Groundhogs

JULY
Sat 7th. Zoom Club, Herne Hill, London www.feenstra.co.uk/hernehill/main.php
Fri 13th. The Boardwalk, Sheffield www.theboardwalklive.co.uk
Sat 14th Henry's Music Club Southam, Warks. www.thestoneythorpehotel.co.uk
Sat 21st. Stoughton Beer & Music Festival, Hare & Hounds
Thurs 26th. The Buttermarket, Shrewsbury www.buttermarket.com
Sun 29th. Ilfracombe Birdman Festival

AUGUST
Sat 11th. Rainbow Spirit Festival, Chepstow Racecourse www.rainbowspiritenlightenmentfayre.org.uk

SEPTEMBER
Sun 2nd. The Cellars Eastney, Hampshire www.thecellars.co.uk
Sat 9th. Robin 2 Bilston, West Midlands (WITH STRAY) www.therobin.co.uk
Sat 15th. The Musician, Leicester www.themusicianpub.co.uk
Sat 29th. Honiton Hotel

OCTOBER

Thur 4th. The Flowerpot Derby www.rawpromo.co.uk
Fri 19th Darlington Arts Centre www.darlingtonarts.co.uk




UPCOMING GIG DATES - Tony McPhee Acoustic Blues & Groundhogs unplugged

AUGUST

Sat 4th. Twinwood Arena Nr. Clapham Rhythm Festival www.rhythmfestival.net
Thurs 16th. Fletcher Christian Tavern, Cockermouth www.fletcherchristiantavern.co.uk

SEPTEMBER

Fri 21st. Bath, Rondo Theatre www.rondotheatre.co.uk
Sun. 23rd Isle Of Wight Folk & Blues Festival
Fri. 28th Shaftesbury Arts Centre www.shaftesburyartscentre.org.uk

NOVEMBER

Sat. 24th. Shire Hall Howden www.howden-live.com


That's all for now ...


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Regards
Tony & Joanna