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=