If anyone is interested in supporting music
venues then this link may be of interest
https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/save-our-venues-red-list
Former
Uriah Heep keyboard player Ken Hensley has
died at the age of 75.
Hensley wrote several of the London rock
band's early tracks, including Easy Livin',
Stealin', and Lady in Black - which he also
sang on.
He died "peacefully" on Wednesday evening
following a short illness, his management
confirmed.
Former bandmate Mick Box said his music "will
be in people's hearts forever".
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Well, if the area in which I live is a snapshot
of the rest of the country, we're in trouble.
Many homes around me are still being visited
daily by family and friends during this Lockdown
- putting the efficacy of these regulations
seriously in question. Due to the selfishness of
the few, we will either have the Lockdown not
being as effective as it should, or the
country's stability suffering acutely - with the
ensuing closures and redundancies. Who was it
that said "There is
absolutely no point in having a rule if it
cannot be enforced."
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
SATURDAY NOVEMBER
7: The US is now on the verge of
hitting a truly frightening infection rate of
200,000 per day - that's two hundred thousand
human beings becoming infected with Covid 19 every
single day.
We must hope that the UK's national lockdown is
being observed by each and every one of us.
(Unlike my next door neighbour whose daughter came
and picked her up yesterday to take her out for
lunch!!).
Lunchtime today: Workers/owners in a builders' van visiting
family at home. Unashamedly parked in full view in
the driveway. If you're going to break regulations
probably not a good idea to do it with the
builders name plastered all over your van!
Is it any wonder we are struggling to combat
this virus!!!!!!!!
------------------------------------------------------------------------
There seems to be a lot of people who are finding
the Government's advice on this terrible worldwide
epidemic ambiguous and confusing. So Riffs would
like to help out by not only making it very clear,
but even shouting it so it gets through . . .
WASH
YOUR HANDS WEAR A
MASK KEEP 2 METRES
AWAY FROM EVERYBODY.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Over 80% of all Covid infections come from
friends or family.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Lurgy update Sunday November 1: From
Thursday Nov 5 a National Lockdown will be in
force.
For details check out the
Government website:
https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus
To check on rules for your local area check
out the BBC website:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-54373904
For
more information just access any of the
main free News channels. CNN is mainly US
election news now; Euronews is good for
worldwide news; Sky News is good for
across the board; BBC News seems to leave
out more than it includes.
And above all: Wash your hands
often; wear a mask; and stay 2 metres away
from anyone and everyone. Or, of course, you
can ignore one or all of these measures and
prolong the lockdown well into 2021.....
------------------------------------------------------------------
CORONA VIRUS UPDATE
TODAY SATURDAY OCTOBER 31
America sets world
record: highest ever daily
infection rate since the virus began.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
CORONA VIRUS UPDATE TODAY THURSDAY OCTOBER 29:
Many countries, including France and Germany
going into Lockdown due to 'unprecedented'
increase in infections. American scientists now
indicating that mask-wearing to become mandatory
"or we will suffer the consequences". Also, same
scientists saying the country to be nowhere near
'normal' till at least 2022. As for the UK -
we're struggling. And yet Taiwan has no - NO -
cases; for over 200 days. They put this down to
very early track and trace and then immediate
isolation.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
PURE FUN AT
HARTLEPOOL BEER FESTIVAL
 Well
it seems it’s happening, outrageous funsters of Rock Fizzyfish
will be closing out Hartlepool Round Table's
Beer Festival “Webstival”.
Amongst 30+ hours of bands, including the Electric Sheep
on Friday and entertainment, Fizzyfish will be
playing two online sets on Halloween from 8:30 –
9:15 and then 10:15 – 11:00.
More details from here
https://www.facebook.com/roundtablehartlepool.
They are also endeavouring to get beer packs
delivered, probably just in the Hartlepool local
area but if you’re interested get in touch with
them, all for a great cause. As Alan Fizzyfish
told Riffs when asked if any monies are changing
hands: "Hell no, we are doing
it just for the pure fun of it".
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Corona Virus update Monday 19: Many
countries now adopting the 'circuit breaker' or
'short sharp shock' of a total lockdown for two to
three weeks. Wales included. This is looking more
and more likely for England as time goes by. Virus
infection now reached 40 million worldwide. Some
countries seeing a doubling of infections every
week.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
There is a petition on behalf of musicians and
live music venues which Riffs urges you to sign.
Check it out . . . HERE
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Corona update Sunday 18th:
My niece works for M&S and
has recently been put on 'door duty'. She says the
level of stupidity and ignorance of the public is
frightening. She has to practically urge and
cajole customers to disinfect their hands; one of
whom said "You can't force me to do it".
They ignore floor markings which are there purely
for their own benefit and often bump into one
another. Many do not wear masks and even try to
get into an argument with her on why they won't.
She was reprimanded the other day when she lost
her cool when a customer asked if she had the
right to force her (the customer) to wear a mask.
My niece replied: "No, I don't, but if you
want to be the reason for many people to die by
you not social distancing or wearing a mask or
disinfecting your hands then you just go ahead".
I despair of people, I
really do. Who was it that said: "I like
company, I just don't like people".
-------------------------------------------------------------------
(Sat 9.10am) If it wasn't so serious I'd be
laughing: Sky News has just shown (live) a meeting
of cyclists (forget exactly where) who had ridden
in from around the area for a big meet. They were
all congregating with no social distancing on a
paved area and I didn't see one person wearing a
mask. Not one. And we wonder why we're
not beating this virus . . .
-------------------------------------------------------------------
A Fish's Eye View
LIKE MANY BANDS we are
sitting around waiting for the latest
restriction and whilst we full appreciate the
need for controls and safety we also understand
the utter frustration that limited freedoms are
bringing, especially in this industry!
"We all have to
work together to survive"
Avoiding
politics….. all we can do is be ready, be as
accommodating as we can be to venues who are
facing a bleak future in many cases, we all have
to work together to survive and we are committed
to doing what we can.
"Beer Festival
over the internet"
Announcing gigs seems to be a waste of
everyone’s energy at times, and we know
Hartlepool Round Table are trying to resuscitate
their Beer Festival as an online event, it was
due to be last weekend but events overtook
events, they are now looking at Halloween
weekend with us doing a couple of socially
distanced sets on Friday 30th broadcast over the
interweb.
"We miss
being match fit"
Much
like your piece from the lads in The Force we
miss being match fit and our only gig since
March was outside, mainly distanced and was
great to be playing again, but we did add in 8
new songs just in case Dr Adrenaline didn’t turn
up, but he did, so it was all a bit “without a
net”. For the future we are just focussing on
people having a good time as bloody hell it’s
needed now more than ever!
"Let us in and
be noisy"
I
know we have a few venues on our remaining
bookings list hoping to let us in and be noisy
and we hope they can go ahead, we have an open
but quite barren 2021 calendar but like I said,
our venues have supported us in the past and we
will be doing the same going forward because our
industry really does need to pull as one as it's
clear we are all in “this” together.
Cheers,
Alan, Fizzyfish
Fizzyfish
will be playing their own brand of chaotic
Rock/Pop tonight (Friday) at The Maggie Bank.
Tickets on sale at the bar, but give them a call
to check if you can just roll up: 0191 312
1407.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
SO . . . WAS
IT AS GOOD FOR YOU?
Not sure about anyone else, but I rather like
hearing feedback on gigs that have taken place. It's
one thing seeing them on the Listings page, but as
soon as that gig has been and gone we tend to forget
all about it. But what was it like? Were the band
any good? Is it a good venue to play?
We all know that difficult question "How was it
for you?" And the reply: "Well, it was
okay, but I've had far better". Oh, how we
laugh about it now . . .
 Anyway,
these lockdown rules have forced changes in how we
go see bands - but how do the bands find gigging
now? Thanks to Norman Force we have an
insight into that very question.
I won't insult anyone by giving a background on The Force, suffice to say
you don't get to play for as long as they have, in
as wide a variety of places, if you're not damn
bloody good at it.
I know a few bands (mention them Nige, go on,
mention them) who still have the attitude "well,
that'll do, it's close enough". Or think that
playing on auto won't be noticed by the crowd. How
wrong. Phil, Mick, Geordie
and Dave are perfectionists and now
not only play with an edge that most bands would
give their eye-teeth for, but look as though they
enjoy it too. (Although a while ago it was pointed
out that they looked too serious when on stage - in
fact, I think that was . . . er, well, let's move on
now . . .)
But I digress, back to good ol' Norm who
got in touch with Riffs with an insight into how the
band has found playing their last three gigs: Hartlepool Steels Club, The
Rose Inn in Wallsend and Thornaby Sports and Leisure.
The Rose Inn, Wallsend
was the band's second gig and, if you remember,
the venue has their very own Rock Club so all
members are known to the venue. Due to the new,
tighter restrictions, there were many punters
unable to get in, but those who did were "very
vocal and appreciative". As with their
previous gig at Steels Club the lads specifically
mentioned the organising of the gig "Brilliantly managed
& hosted by Mick & Jilly - who plied
the boys with drink and food."
Now, this I find to be very important when
dealing with bands, as I learnt when Val
organised bands for the Earl of Warwick in West
Auckland. She always "fed and watered" the band,
believing that if the band were happy and
content then they played better, punters enjoyed
them more, and then bought more beer. Everyone's
a winner babe, that's no lie.
Last but certainly not least
we have Thornaby Sports and Leisure which
had the lads finishing by 9.30pm. Again, The Force
played to a full house and did their full
three-set performance which "went down well to
an appreciative and enthusiastic audience." The
band members never feign perfection and readily
admit that now, three gigs in, they are feeling
"close to being 'gig fit' again"
I'll give Norm the final and candid say
on the three gigs:
"Following the long layoff
the band really enjoyed all of the gigs and
had really missed it. Playing together they
realised that being 'gig fit' takes a while
especially with some of the more complex
numbers. However, under the new restrictions
it did feel strange to have the whole audience
sitting and not dancing or right 'in yer face'
in front of the stage. But
they still get a real buzz out of doing
what they do and the
reaction it gets."
The next gig by The Force is Saturday 17th
at Heaton Buffs - but is now totally sold
out. Soz.
Ooops,
nearly forgot: I didn't take any
of the above pics, they were all
supplied by The Force.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BLACK ROSE GUITARIST REVEALS SHOCK TRUTH
ABOUT NEW ALBUM
 These
restrictions affect people in so many and varied ways.
On a musical note, completion of the new Black Rose album is
now held up. Guitarist Kenny tells Riffs:
"I've got two songs to finish off the guitar solos
& fills on, but I can't get round to the studio
to finish it until lockdown rules change for the
better."
Pic
from last year when Kenny (right) and the lads
were rockin' at the Bay Horse in Bishop Auckland.
Okay, so it's
not headline news, but hardly anything's coming in
to Riffs at the mo', so if you've got something
slightly more earth-shattering - then let us know... riffsonline@gmail.com
--------------------------------------------------------------
Corona update Tuesday 13th:
Scientists are
recommending a national and total lockdown
(circuit breaker) for at least three weeks
to stem the spread of the virus, but the
Government is fighting this tooth and nail.
"We are going to have to learn to live with
this virus as it is not going away
anytime soon" - W.H.O.
---------------------------------------------------------------
Corona update Sunday 11th:
Heard something very interesting on Sky News: If
we ceased all lockdowns and got everyone back to
work, we could test every person in the country
regularly and it would cost just £2m a month - a
fraction of what the current situation is
costing the country. The
Prime Minister is to make an announcement
today regarding further restrictions...
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Corona update Saturday 10th:
W.H.O.: "The spread
of the virus is down to a large minority of
the public totally ignoring safety
recommendations."
It is now
being recommended by the BMA that mask wearing
will be compulsory in all workplaces and even
outside where social distancing is not
applicable. Could be announced over the next
few days.
A warning: Covid 19 could be just the
start - watch this video (narrated by Stephen Fry)
. . .HERE
-------------------------------------------------------------------
"The more contact you have with people, the
more likely you are to contact the virus".
Not rocket science, you
don't need a weatherman to tell you which way the
wind's blowing. Not just that, but we are finding
out that survivors are left with organ complications
that they will have for the rest of their lives.
900 students confined to a
building. Over 100 have tested positive. Hardly
any students in the building wearing masks. Are we
really surprised the infection rate is growing so
quickly?!
Do these three
things over and over and over and over again:
WASH YOUR HANDS
WEAR A MASK
KEEP 2 METRES FROM ANYONE
If we'd all have done this
from the very beginning we wouldn't be in this
mess
now.
Just saying.
----------------------------------------------------------------
COVID
UPDATE TODAY WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 7:
All bars, restaurants and cafes are to close
totally from Friday 9th. This is in Scotland only
at this time. And Marshals to ensure the use of
face masks are now being used in many public
buildings. If these restrictions prove effective
in controlling the infection rate of the virus
then it is likely that the same or similar
restrictions may be used in the rest of the UK.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Eddie Van Halen died today (Tuesday 6th) aged
65. He passed away due to throat cancer.
One of the world's greatest guitarists.
---------------------------------------------------------
The
World Health Organisation announced today (6th)
that they believe ten per cent of the world's
poplulation may have been infected with Covid 19.
That's around 700 million people. One out of every
ten. May be something to bear in mind next time
you're in a group of ten or more . . .
------------------------------------------------------------------
Can anyone watching the various News channels
available to us have any doubt about not only the
voracity of this virus but also the incompetence
of those dealing with it. Only today (5th) we have
our very own 'experts' accidentally omitting over
15,000 cases from statistics - which of course
means none of these contacts were traced, and
President Trump (confined to hospital with the
virus) actually leaving the hospital to do a drive
around the building waiving to supporters. You
couldn't make it up. One prominent doctor
exclaimed: "His irresponsibility is
outstanding."
And France, as of today, is in lockdown for 14
days. Focussing on our local
situation; don't
expect change anytime soon. It's gonna be quite a
while before our Metal hunger's fed.
---------------------------------------------------------------
*I
think we need to look no further than the
President of America. This is what happens when
you dis the virus.
----------------------------------------------------------------
 Any
gig that gets cancelled is a big disappointment -
for the band, the venue and not least for the
punters who are Hungry For Rock. So the Qween
lads are doubly disheartened as both their
sell-out gigs at the Mayfair Centre in Hartlepool
have been cancelled.
However, all is not lost as Rob from the band has
been able to re-schedule the gigs at the same
venue early next year. Hang on to your tickets as
no doubt arrangements will be made regarding
those. Rob told Riffs: "Of
course we are devastated that the gigs are not
going ahead as planned this year. But our
ever-increasing Qween fanbase will be delighted
that the gigs are to be rescheduled for
next Feb / March 2021 - I will update you with
the finalised dates. We have been invited to
America next year to do some shows albeit with
the current health situation we can only hope
that things will get better. To all our loyal
Qween fans - dont worry 'The Show Will Go On'."
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Like
a lot of people, I have no surprise at the
sporadic and local lockdowns we are forced to
endure in an attempt to stop the spread of Covid
19. My personal experience is that too many people
are totally ignoring the rules - whether it be
complacency, ignorance, or they just don't give a
shit. Because of these morons the virus has got
away from us and we must now suffer because of
these idiots*.
------------------------------------------------------------------
UPDATE TUESDAY SEP 29:
There are now just over one million people dead
worldwide because of the virus.
Well, not
all of us have been wasting our time during
Lockdown. Local lads Diablo have been working on
their forthcoming album, and Riffs has been given a
sneak preview. Have A Lovely Day
https://youtu.be/hs0w7naqc7I
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Up
to today, Saturday 26th September, over 32 million
people worldwide have been infected with Covid 19.
A
curious and interesting fact: From the beginning
of the outbreak, If every single one of us washed
our hands, wore a mask and observed a 2metre
distance, the virus would be totally under control
today.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Corona Virus update Tuesday
September 22: All retail and
hospitality staff to wear masks. Venues to close
at 10pm. In a nutshell this is the very last
chance we have got before a total lockdown. Wear a
mask, wash your hands, observe social distancing.
If we don't - and we can all see how many
people are ignoring these rules - we will
inevitably have a total lockdown and the
devastating effect that will have. "Complacency
will be our undoing."
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Please - don't be a twat
Covid
19 is a world-wide deadly epidemic that has killed
many thousands, hospitalised hundreds and hundreds
of thousands - and this misery and heartache has
affected everyone around them from mothers,
daughters, fathers, brothers etc and their many
friends. Bands in the North-East have acted
magnificently, and venues have bent over backwards
to accommodate the ever-changing restrictions and
rules. But Riffs has heard of morons attending
live gigs making a fuss about what they are
required to do. So please, please, if you enter a
venue and find yourself being just a tad put out
by these safety measures, don't be a twat. Feel
for the people so much worse off than you who
don't even have the opportunity to get out. Or the
people grieving, or the people who are house
bound. And feel for the venues who are having to
walk a ridiculously fine line between sticking to
the Government regulations but desperately trying
to stay in business. Wear a mask, wash your hands
often (soap destroys the protective coating of the
virus and then the virus dies quickly) and go
along with what you are asked to do. And then,
perhaps, we may survive this horror until a
vaccine is available for mass distribution (some
time early next year with fingers crossed). So by
all means enjoy yourself, but spare a thought for
the people who are unable to do so............
--------------------------------------------------------------
SUPPORT OUR LADS AS THEY ENTER
BATTLE
 There's been some
cancellations and start times amended for this
weekend.
Both the gigs for High Howden Social Club have
been cancelled (so no Shannon or London Calling),
but David from the club hopes to have 'some
sort of compromise' for the following
weekend. Tubesnake
for Friday cancelled.
Both Force
gigs have been cancelled, but as Norm Force
informs us (don't know where those lads would be
without you Norm): "Both were sold out and both
venues (Steels Club and Easington Colliery Club)
have said tickets will remain valid for the next
Force gigs at the venues (in Steels case 18th
December and Easington 28th November)".
And a slight amend to the Overdrive gig this
Sunday from 7.45 to the earlier time of 7pm.
It's very satisfying to know that there is a
hardcore of Rock bands that bravely lead the
vanguard on
behalf of us all against
this wicked virus . Michael Overdrive
stoutly proclaims: "We will wield the sword and
fly the flag till the bitter end !!"
-------------------------------------------------------------
CORONAVIRUS UPDATE:
There will be an announcement today (17th) by the
Health Secretary concerning the lockdown of the
North East of England from midnight tonight due to a
significant rise in cases. It is possible that many
gigs may still go ahead but early closing is likely
so we strongly suggest you contact the venue for
details. We will update today with further
details.......... Mind you, it's worth noting
that if everyone in the area stuck to the rules
(mask, and 2 metre distancing) then we would not
be facing a lockdown.
--------------------------------------------------------------
Just
to clarify the Government's recommendations which
may affect live gigs. The rule of six stands.
However, "Training, Education, and
Covid-secure venues or establishments are
exempt."
--------------------------------------------------------------------
With
reference to the statement from the Prime Minister
today, Wednesday September 9, concerning the
maximum number of people allowed to congregate. If
you are in any doubt whatsoever about a gig taking
place please contact the venue directly for
detailed information.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
 The poster tells all, but Riffs
has just added two gigs in October featuring quite a few
well known North East musicians who have got
together to form AIR4CE, paying
tribute to the one and only Ginger
Baker - music from Cream, Blind Faith, Air Force,
and more of Ginger's solo work and collaborations.
Saturday 17th October at Redcar Blues Club
Saturday 24th October at Platform 1, Bedlington
Both fantastic venues who are doing everything
possible to promote great live music in these
'strange times'. Mind you, we're not sure where
'Recar Blues Club' is!!
For further details, or to book tickets, contact air4ce2020@gmail.com.
Oh, and if you want to see the drummer from Air4ce - Tom Atkinson
- before these gigs, then nip along to the Tuns in
Gateshead this Friday (11th) where he will be
doing an acoustic session and quite definitely, no
way, not on this Earth, not in a million years,
not a hope in Hell will he be doing anything from
Ginger Baker's
massive back catalogue where he can pick from Cream, Blind Faith, Ginger
Baker's Air Force - although he
does concede the number one rule of a live gig is
ya gotta send your punters home
happy...............
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Rockin' at The Rose
The
Rose Inn, Wallsend has taken a
novel approach to gigs: As they are limited to
only 30 persons because of current distancing
guidelines they have initiated a private
Rock Club. Members get first refusal
to attend, so there's no entry to strangers or
pay on the door, and the venue knows everyone
who is attending. So basically it's 'sold out'
as soon as the gig is announced. Seems strange
at first but the longer I think about it, the
more logical it seems. So The Force
gig there on Friday October 9th is sold out.
Straight away. Full house. I imagine it makes
for a very friendly and comfortable - and
relaxed - atmosphere. [Until the guys take to
the stage and raise the bloody roof].
---------------------------------------------------------
 WHAT'S
BETTER THAN A WHOLE NIGHT OF QUEEN?
TWO WHOLE NIGHTS OF QUEEN!!
Any Queen
fans who missed out with the
near-instantaneous sell out of the Qween gig on
Saturday October 10 in Hartlepool need
cry no more, as the venue have given the
band chance for a second gig - and it is
the very evening before (that's the 9th
if you're too excited at the news that
you can't work it out). So the lads are
gearing themselves up for two
consecutive nights at the 'pool where
mothers will be tied, magic will be
made, and no doubt there will be some
girls with rather fat bottoms....
--------------------------------------------------------------
I was just
about to have a Riffs whinge about
nobody sending in any News - anything to
cheer up the Rock-going public; and then
in pops this totally live recording by FM from their
recent gig at The Turf in Consett. Riffs
was rather more than just a tad
impressed with this. Just goes to show
why FM is one of the North-East's most
trusted and reliable bands for a bloody
good rockin' night. "I think it sums
up just where everyone is with live
music at this moment" explains
Dave from the band. To listen to the
track just click . . . HERE
--------------------------------------------------------------
Bloody hell -
if it's not Covid putting the kybosh on
things it's the damn weather. My heart
goes out to bands and venues who, at long
last, thought we could re-introduce some
much-needed Rock. The venues have been
outstanding in their efforts - and the
bands are itching to get those riffs
a-rockin'. This time last year it was an
average of 25 degrees. One step forward
and two steps back; but we WILL get there.
"We've
found something . . . something in the
ice"
To be honest, not heard much about local
lads Fossil - well, not
until today (Tues) when a snippet of
info came Riffs way. We understand the
band includes Rich Manley-Reeve who was
in (and most likely formed) a Thin Lizzy
covers band, Tyne
Lizzy from way back. Fossil
are playing at Steels Club
on Sat 19th September. We
hear from a very reliable source who
actually booked Tyne Lizzy a few times .
. . well, I'll give you the exact quote
that we got: "Rich is
a solid, switched on guy and an
excellent guitar player. If he's
involved it'll be a tight,
well-rehearsed gig." [pic taken at Murton, not
by Riffs - was in our file but God
knows where we got it from!]
---------------------------------------------------------------------
I'M SO
EXCITED - AND I JUST CAN'T HIDE
IT
 Rock
in the North East just wouldn't feel right
if THE FORCE wasn't
involved so check out the Listings Page as
we have just added four Force gigs. Mind
you, I had to admonish Norm Force for
typing the venue names in all caps. How
soon we forget! "I just got so excited
that I blasted them to you from our
website" explained Norm.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
And a follow up to
the Newcastle
Buffs gigs as Robert
explains the set up from now on:
"As you can see we are back up and
running and we can't wait until we
open the concert room doors once
again on 29th August. We have been
inundated with questions since we
announced the first date, when The
Pre-Amp finally make their debut at
The Heaton Buffs. We have decided
NOT to make these gigs ticket only.
We are very lucky to such a large
concert room and feel we can
accommodate the vast majority who
wish to attend. Our concert room
held about 250 before the lockdown,
now we believe we can safely seat
120 with strict social distancing in
place.
We have set seats out in 2s,
4s, 6s & 8s, when you arrive at
the club there will be a chaperone
at the door, simply tell him how
many are in your group (bubble) and
he'll show you to a suitable table.
All are welcome at the club,
you don't have to be a member and,
its not compulsory to play
bingo......yet 😉
Oh, and we've also reduced the
price of beer 🍺 "
http://www.heatonbuffs.com
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Looks like live
music is under threat at The Schooner
in Gateshead. Recently bought by Paul Tuns
(of The Three Tuns), he has been busting a
gut to get live Rock and Punk running at The
Schooner, but a spanner may just have been
thrust into the works. Full story which
appeared in the Chronicle here. [thanks to UK/DC for
bringing this story to Riffs'
attention].
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Another entry
for this weekend - Saturday 22nd in the Beer
Garden at the Mallard in Seaham. An acoustic
act by The Missing
Cats Duo. It all kicks
off at 7.30pm. Be there or be square (yeah,
still got it, down with the kids).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Iron Maiden and Rush’s Geddy Lee have joined the flood
of tributes to legendary UFO and Waysted bassist Pete Way, who died on
Friday (14th August) aged 69. Pete Way’s untimely
death came just two months after the passing of his
UFO and Waysted band mate
Paul ‘Tonka’ Chapman, and 16 months
after UFO guitarist and keyboardist Paul Raymond’s death.
Testament to his revered status in the rock world,
numerous musicians have paid tribute to Pete Way
including Michael Schenker, Metallica’s Kirk Hammett,
Def Leppard’s Joe Elliott, Black Sabbath’s Geezer
Butler, Sons of Apollo’s Mike Portnoy and Motley
Crue’s Nikki Sixx
-------------------------------------------------------------------
AC/DC POP IN FOR MALLARD
MINI-FEST - AS IF!
A sharp eyed Riffs
reader emailed furiously to point out that it is
highly unlikely that the Mini-Fest at
the Mallard in Seaham
on Sunday August 30 has AC/DC
on the bill. Well, you do hear
about mega bands playing little
gigs . . . but just me hitting the
wrong keys again I'm afraid. It is, of course -
UK/DC.
Bon commented: "I
know we're good, but we're
not there yet. We're
much younger too!".
Feather in Bon's
cap for checking (but all the bands
do that - don't you?!!). And
speaking of UK/DC,
their last minute
inclusion for the
Schooner this
Sunday is
now a last minute
EXclusion,
as it is off.
Cancelled, finito,
expunged, it
is no more. It
is an ex gig.
Paul Schooner
put this down
to "objections/problems
with the local
council".
Make of that
what you will.
Mind you,
still waiting
for Paul to
let Riffs know
. . .
-------------------------------------------------------------------
And another one popped in - it's OVERDRIVE, adding
to their gig at St Peters Social in
Newcastle on Sunday Sep 20, they
now have one at Trimmers Arms in
South Shields for
Friday Sep 25. Once hailed as 'Riffs
most hard working band' the
lads are just happy to be out and
gigging. Michael from the
band told Riffs: "List's a
little shorter than usual but
I'm counting everything and
anything as a blessing. Big
thanks as always."
------------------------------------------------------------------
IT'S A LONG WAY - BUT
WE'RE GETTING THERE
 You can
now treat yourself to a bit of Heavy Metal this Sunday
(23rd) at 5.45pm with the strains of young Bon
belting out the classic era AC/DC, courtesy
of local
lads UK/DC.
Get along to the Schooner in Gateshead for an
outdoor treat.
Tickets from venue. They will all go I have no
doubt so get along and snap yours up toot
suite (think that
means quick or straight away,
it's French - hands across
the water and all that.
We're pretty sophisticated
here at Riffs Towers,
we've got nothing against those
cheese-eating surrender
monkeys)..
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Now this is what we like to shout about - another venue
dipping their toes into the live music water. So a
big welcome back to Platform One in
Bedlington. Two gigs booked: MULHOLLAND
DRIVE Friday Sep 4; WEST COAST
BAND Friday Sep 11 and
BIG
RIVER Friday Sep 18. Details
of times and prices on the Listings
page. [pic not taken by Riffs;
of Mulholland Drive - somewhere]
------------------------------------------------------------------
Hot on the heels of The Turf in
Consett opening
with North-East stalwarts of Classic Rock
FM this Friday (21), we now
have St Peters Social
in Newcastle opening with this Sunday the
renowned 101. It's ticket only (from the
venue) and start time is 7.45pm
and finish will be around 10pm. Tony is
happy to point out that future gigs
will be in the bar not the Concert
room which, as he explains, the
bands should be happy about as there are no stairs to
battle with. And he adds "no
bingo, no quizzes - just great
live music". Ahh, a man
after my own heart. "Any
bands already
booked between
now and start
of 2021 will
have there
gigs honoured,
if able, empty
slots I will
try to fill
with those
that have had
cancelled
gigs." In these
difficult times, no-shows can
be quite disastrous for an already struggling venue
and Tony
has come with a
novel way of limiting
no-shows. He explains: "I have
limited seats available
(no standing) to assist
social distancing so gigs
will require tickets to
gain entry, priced at
£5.00 - this will be
returned at door with
£5.00 worth of drinks
tokens. I
will contact all bands
with gigs to confirm
situation and their
booking."
And from now on please take it that
social distancing is in operation whether we mention
it or not because - some of you may have noticed -
we are in the midst of a world-wide pandemic, so
don't complain if you are just a tad put out.
----------------------------------------------------------------
We've just heard that The Turf in Consett
is opening today (Tuesday) and their first band on
is rockers FM for this FRIDAY 21st at 9pm. Social
Distancing rules apply.
FM also played at the second Rose Inn mini-fest. And
did you know that FM supplied
staging, lighting and 20k rig for the
two mini festivals at the Rose Inn Wallsend? Both
days were a huge success and they are available to
offer their services as long as the weather window
for outdoor events continues. Contact
Dave or Steve and all your outdoor gig concerns
will be sorted: Dave Johnstone 07841 340986.
Steve 07488 284905.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Mega kudos to
Michelle from Usworth and
Washington Gardeners Club, Industrial Rd
Washington who are dipping their toes into the 'new
normal' with three nights of live entertainment - Friday 21, Sat 22, Sun 23.
Just to see how it goes, so get along and support
the brave ones (that's not a band, you understand,
it's those who are . . . well, you get the gist). It
should go without saying (and a lot of people have
said that about me) but all social distancing rules
will be strictly followed - we don't want to be
thrust into lockdown. So please be compliant.
Details about those three nights are on our Listings
page.
------------------------------------------------------------------
Slowly but inexorably the gigs are
dropping in - this time it's those whacky funsters
FIZZYFISH, who have snapped up a gig in
the Beer Garden at Hornseys Bar, Seaton Carew. It's on Saturday
September 5 with a 7.30pm start, and to say
the Fizzies
are looking forward to it is a tad of an
understatement.
Vocalist
and 'chief entertainer' Alan
told Riffs: "We
are changing tack again
especially as the scene will
naturally be more competitive so
we are going back to majoring on
higher energy well known songs;
it’s still fairly rocky, but we
are including some more indie
and fun stuff. People
have had too much misery of
late, they don’t want a po-faced
band surely? We are entertainers
- or at least we try." Alan did include a
quite exhaustive list of all the
bands they cover. Suffice to say
I'm not exaggerating when I say whatever band you
like - Fizzyfish cover a song
by them! [above
is a recent pic
supplied by the band]
So just
a reminder of the band: this
is a
Riffs
review and some pics
from a gig they did
at Bishop Auckland's
Grand Hotel way
way back . . . er
last year. But
to kick off I
have included a
review of the
band from 2006
done by Colin
Smoult -
all
pictures by
Riffs.
 
----------------------------------------------------------------
Back to 2009 for a brief reprise of
Bad Reputation at The Hearts of Oak.
 
-------------------------------------------------------------
This is your lot then, no more previously unused pics of Val with
bands (well, not the ones suitable for
publication - let's leave the lass with the microscopic
amount of dignity she may have left).
These are the last - Powerage,
KooKooNauts and Witchkraft. I'd
much rather post news of what local bands
are up to - as little as it may be - but if
nothing comes in then I'll find some pics
to post from Riffs archives...
 
 
------------------------------------------------------------
No more news from bands coming in to Riffs towers, so
we continue with our Powerage
theme with pics backstage at their Newcastle City Hall
gig and other nefarious places, and talking of
nefarious, all gigs feature Riffs regular shrinking
Violet.
------------------------------------------------
NOW
CONCLUDED
URGENT FOR TONIGHT
(Friday) AT THE SCHOONER, GATESHEAD. THEY NEED AN
ACOUSTIC ACT. Call
0191 4777404.
[If you get the gig please let us know so we can
advertise it and also save wasted calls].
Queen
tribute WE ARE CHAMPION
now have gigs lined up for August - all of which
are now on our Listings page. But for at-a-glance
ease they have kindly supplied a photo with all of
their current gigs. Even with the restrictions,
they are still putting on a full show. Paul from
the band told Riffs: "Things
can't go on like this as these gigs are so
expensive to put on due to limited capacity and
extra expenses that everybody involved from the
band, the crew, promoters and the venues are
doing it at a vastly reduced fee. Indoor gigs
may be impossible for a long while yet due to
costs of putting on a show to such small
audiences being non-viable. It really is a
desperate time but we hope you can come out and
support these few gigs and have some kind of
summer and fingers crossed we can be back
properly sooner rather than later."
Paul
also supplied a link to a video the band did
during lockdown -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1ivOAY67dI
-------------------------------------------------------------
THE SCHOONER IN FULL SAIL
  You know things are
shifting when Paul Tuns is at the helm; The Schooner in Gateshead
is now up and running with live bands. He has been
verbally slapped for not getting this info to his
favourite online magazine sooner! Little tinker.
Live music tonight (yes, that's Friday
7th) with Taylor Payne, then Saturday they
have THE WHODLUMS
and RIGID DIGITS. Queen
cover band WE ARE
CHAMPION for Sunday
is now completely sold out. check out The
Schooner's gigs on our Listings page. [Both pics Rigid
Digits by yours truly]
--------------------------------------------------------------
UK/DC
STEP IN LAST MINUTE
And for those of
you who have got out of the habit of checking
the Listings page . . .
This Sunday (9th),
those electrically charged Rockers UK/DC
are setting Hartlepool alight in the Beer Garden
of the
Steelworks Club, Westbourne Rd, Hartlepool TS25
5RB. Stepping in to help out when a band
cancelled, Rock n Roll Singer Patrick from UK/DC
told Riffs: "Enjoyed watching
Giroscope play there last weekend and it
attracts a really appreciate rock crowd".
For this gig the band have Jimbo Jordan from The Beatles Unplugged
joining them. Patrick continued: "We've got a
"Starr" performer on drums for tonight. No rain
forecast, cheap beer, looking forward to the
gig!" Band on stage 5.30pm. It's a cover
charge and first come first served so all we can
say is - be soon!
[Oh, forgot yet again, I didn't
take the above pic, it came in courtesy of The
Seaham Silverback]
---------------------------------------------------------
The
Mallard mini fest for Sunday August 30 is NOW FULLY SOLD OUT
The Rose Inn (Wallsend) Mini Rock
Festival Part - 2
Happening this weekend Saturday
8th Aug. Due to the
enormous sell out for the first one on the first
of this month, a second festival has now been
planned.
Doors
2pm
4pm-5pm TBC
5.15pm- 6.15pm SKULLDUGGERY
6.30pm - 7.30pm WHITCHKRAFT
7.45pm - 8.45pm GIROSCOPE
9pm - 10pm LITTLE DEVIL
Tickets are available on the bar on a first-come
first-served basis. Open every day from noon except
Mondays.
Further info 07922 379475 or message the venue.
The venue explains: "We are interested in groups
of six, as we cannot have just two people at a
table. Track and trace will be in operation and
temperatures will be taken upon arrival. Government guidelines are
being observed so please be aware of
this as details will need to be taken when buying
tickets."
------------------------------------------------------------
Well,
you were warned. All these pics - apart from
including Riffs chief harlot - have one thing in
common; Powerage.
One of the best Bon
Scott era AC/DC
cover bands. Ever. Oh, and Brian Johnson makes an
appearance too.
---------------------------------------------------------
Well,
we've had some brilliant news recently concerning
live gigs - let's keep it up. Come on bands, tell
us your excitement, your trepidations, your
concerns about venturing back out in this new
Covid world. If we have no news then it's gonna
mean me uploading more pics of Candy Creampie with
bands. This is a respectable site so let's keep it
that way..............
SHEEEEEEER HEART ATTACK!
 It may be more than two full
months away, but we desperately need light at the
end of our musical tunnel.
We've had the Wallsend mini-fest, we've got The Force this
month on the 9th, The Mallard 'Rock the Lockout'
on the 30th (and there may be even more that Riffs
has not been informed of ['surely not' I
hear you say as one]), and now we have a gig for
October featuring Queen tribute - QWEEN.
It's on Saturday 10th Oct at The Mayfair Centre,
Tees Road, Hartlepool TS25 1DE, 01429
861230.
Tickets are £10 from venue or c/o Andy Husband
Promotions - (Billy West’s Qween Live
https://facebook.com/events/s/qween-live/612568952843761/?ti=icl
) doors open 7pm.
Rob from the band told Riffs: "We are so
excited to be back on the scene. The show will
be spectacular in every sense of the word and
tickets are selling fast!"
Oops, forgot to say, pics
supplied by Qween.
--------------------------------------------------------------
HUNGRY
FOR ROCK
"It makes me
scream, it makes me wanna get up and shout"
Hardly minutes passed since I posted the below
pics of The Carnival
et al, when in pops an email concerning  yesterday's
mini-fest at Wallsend featuring TRILOGY, FM, THE
WHODLUMS, FOSSIL, ASSASSIN and
headliners UK/DC.
(above pic from yesterday's
gig courtesy UK/DC). And it was
'Bon' from UK/DC who reports that the day not only
went well, but the crowd greedily lapped up every
morsel of Rock on offer. So much so that poor ol'
Bon was suffering this morning. "Great to be
out and about playing to a "live" audience and
they were certainly lively by the time we went
on! Got a bit of a croaky voice this morning . .
. nothing prepares you for the full-on onslaught."
Glutton for punishment the band must be as they
are reprising their full-on rockin' set at the end
of this month (Sunday 30th) at the Mallard in
Seaham - another mini-fest, this time in support
of Northumbria Blood Bikes. See poster. https://www.facebook.com/events/1219387091743308/
UK/DC Bon also reports that The Schooner
in Gateshead seems to be edging towards regular
live music nights too. One to keep an eye out
for....
----------------------------------------------------------
The
first three pics are of the magnificent 'Carnival',
the guitarists of whom battled it out on top of
the bar at the venue - to the utter surprise of
the staff - when myself and the Terrible Twosome
journied sarf. A brilliant night and a great
down-to-earth bunch of lads. But looking at the
pics it seems Gina G-string has
changed her top . . .
-------------------------------------------------------------------
UK/DC
HEADLINE WALLSEND OPEN AIR MINI-FESTIVAL
The Rose Inn at Wallsend
is putting on a mini-festival outdoors on Saturday
1st Aug. It's now completely sold-out.
3pm - 4pm TRILOGY
4.15pm-5.15pm FM
5.30pm- 6.30pm WHODLUMS
6.45pm - 7.45pm FOSSIL
8pm - 9pm ASSASSIN
9.15pm - 10.15pm UK/DC
Soz for the late info but
we were informed only very early this morning!
(Friday)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Hope
this Covid nightmare fades out soon - I'm running
out of photos!!
--------------------------------------------------------------------
We
are cock-a-hoop to announce another live gig -
TODAY - FRIDAY 31st
at The Oddfellows Arms, 57 Church Street,
Seaham, SR7 7HF. It's only a duo but, let's be
honest, a live gig is a live gig and a
refreshing change when considering the most
exciting thing we can do at present is to sit in
a different chair. It's The Missing Cats and
they will be playing outdoors from 8pm. More info on
the band at http://www.facebook.com/themissingcatsduo
. There’s loads of live video, pictures and more
information there including a ‘live’ video they
did just recently which was streamed as part of
The Rosiefest Festival on July 11th
as the original event was cancelled due to the
current situation. Dave from the band told Riffs
exclusively: "They’ve asked us to
play there next year too on 3rdJuly
- well at least we’ve got something in the
diary for 2021!"
And if you're thinking a duo may not quite
do it for you, Dave lets on that they usually
sneak in some Zep and Sabbath . . .
-------------------------------------------------------------
Witchkraft
at the premier Gateshead music venue, The Three
Tuns (pics taken over two gigs).
   
  
---------------------------------------------------------------
More
pics from the two-day Washington mega gig, day
two:
----------------------------------------------------------
You
can only go so long without a Boobarella fix -
those milkshakes still bring the boys to the yard
. . .
  
---------------------------------------------------
In
my continuing and desperate attempt to give Riffs
readers a reason to log on, I've resurrected some
pics that were, for one reason or another, omitted
from original reviews but, due to better Photoshop
techniques, are now just good enough to upload. So
here we go . . . all taken at Washington - day
one:
 
----------------------------------------------------------
Never
need an excuse to show a truly talented rockin'
band. RIOT
at The Three Tuns.
-----------------------------------------------------------
Another
assortment featuring Mandie Milf and North-East
musicians, including Cue, Disregard and,
last but not least, a pic taken at XXXX Bikers do
- I only know this cos I can see the
'Titty-Stamper's' work on those bulging bosoms.
-----------------------------------------------------------
Regular
emailer James (and arguably Penelope Passion's
number one fan) mentions her tightly packed blouse
and compliments her on her sartorial choices. She
wouldn't deny she was a little overweight, but
never seemed to have any issues with clothes -
except finding them afterwards.
The first two pics feature a gentleman from
Middlesbrough (Tom?) who, if I remember correctly
(and please forgive me if I have the details
wrong), ran Middlesbrough's premier live music
venue, the Ladle, and sadly passed away from
cancer (the Ladle is no more and is now blocks of
flats). Two pics on the second row are Matrix
(Pandora Peaks wouldn't have appreciated the
cigarette though - it's not big and it's not
clever), next from last is Blueshouse who,
incidentally were big, and very clever.
 
-------------------------------------------------------------------
An assortment of pics from
Gateshead's Three Tuns Battle of the Bands.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Yet
more pics, dug up, cropped, colour corrected and
put through Photoshop and uploaded for your
delectation. Second pic is one of Candy Cleavage's
favourite peeps, Big
Al. Second row is two of Dr Sunshine,
next five is Disposable
Heroes (last
three backstage at their City Hall gig),
culminating in the final one with 'unknowns'.
  
-----------------------------------------------------
Some
pics from Stormin' 07 and some from The Grand in
Bishop Auckland.
------------------------------------------------------------
WE'RE ROCKIN' AGAIN
Now
this is the news that we wanted to hear. Get ready
for it - A LIVE GIG!!!
Yep, that's right, a
live gig by rockers THE FORCE, to be held at
ROUTE 72
CAFE, The Preserving Works, Shelley Rd, Newburn,
Newcastle on Sunday, August 9th. It's outdoors,
ticket only and social distancing rules will be
enforced. 07808
660433
https://www.facebook.com/route72bar/
And on the off-chance you've forgotten what a rock
band looks like here's some pics of Charlotte the
harlot with the aforementioned boys and some pics
(Riffs of course) from their gig at Newcastle City
Hall. Still pics not enough and you crave to see
them in action? check 'em out here
then.
 
----------------------------------------------------------
More
of the same. Which, incidentally, is what
Charlotte the harlot has been heard to reply when
asked "What do you want to do tonight?"
---------------------------------------------------------
The
first row are unknowns - obviously. Well, I say
obviously because if you were well known you'd
more than likely think twice about being
photographed with naughty Nina the nympho night
nurse. Some, however, seem to relish the
opportunity . . .
----------------------------------------------------------------
Last
of the non-Riffs reviews -
  
-------------------------------------------------------------
We
haven't featured trailer trash for a while and we
have been absolutely flooded with an email
requesting more pictures of her (no accounting for
taste) so here's more than a handful - which,
coincidentally . . .
   
  
That's a devilish grin from saucy minx on the pic
with Loaded Ian. Unlike her to get up to anything
untoward. Oh, look, out the window, that winged
pig..........
-------------------------------------------------------------
And
for those of you who have just joined us (that's
the right parlance I am led to believe) more
reviews done by non-Riffs. Not me, not Pussy
Galore.
--------------------------------------------------------------
Well,
according to the current news it looks like there
is a good chance that live music in pubs could be
allowed around October. Lots of ifs and coulds
though. Needless to say we're always here for you
to tell the world (well, ya gotta think big) what
you are up to, whether you are planning to burst
back on to the music scene with some blistering
rock - or have you decided to call it a day. When
the time comes, let your fan base know either way.
And, as always, pics pics and more pics are mega
helpful. You could supply one of yourself hanging
up your guitar to show that the band is packing it
in. Or a photo of your band all ready and waiting
to gig (or in rehearsals) - anything to encourage
others to do the same and for punters to pour back
into pubs and relish those heady days of live rock
in a buzzing atmosphere. Or you could just do fuck
all and fester away in that comfy chair (always
good to have a Plan B).
--------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------
Gonna
show some reviews now from way back - but not by
Riffs. These are not written by me nor Patti
Peaches but sent in to Riffs by people we trust to
pen an objective and unbiased review. The pics are
taken by my good self but all text is exactly as
supplied.
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------
The
first two pics here feature our very own sweater
stretcher with Matrix,
the rest are her with The Amazing Spacefrogs
Bugsy and Steve when she was invited down to sing
(and I think they used that word very loosely) to
a Teesside recording studio when the band were
laying down tracks for their new album.
--------------------------------------------------------------
Many
thanks to Dave F for sending in this interesting
communication:
---------------------------------------------------------
Next
lot is from Stormin' when Plain Krazy were
headlining. Val explained: "The singer made it
very . . . er . . plain, that there was
only two things he was interested in on that
night - and they were both attached to me! I
went along with it but it was starting to get
just a tad creepy."
   
----------------------------------------------------------
Another
selection of snaps with some 'unknowns'. But I'm
fairly sure yellow t shirt
guy on second row is from Blueshouse
(patently not impressed with a cuddle from Fiona
funbags), next pic is at the Kings Head,
Stanley. As always, if anyone can name names then
we'll give you a big mensh.
--------------------------------------------------------------
Steve H
to the rescue again and I will quote him
exactly: "1st
pic might well be band called Too Tired. Guy
on right is definitely Keith Johnson, Houghton le
Spring's best ever drummer"
Any ideas anyone?
---------------------------------------------------------
Just
heard from 'new boy' Miguel from Uncle Gilbert
(he's been with them a mere eight years!) and,
along with band member Brian and Mike, are keen to
"getting back rocking" as soon as
they possibly can. I think I can say on behalf of
every Riffs reader that they'll be more than
welcome...
--------------------------------------------------------
More
'unknowns' although I have a vague recollection
the final two may be Summerlands.
 
---------------------------------------------------------
Three more 'unknowns'
pictured with Riffs resident eye candy. Although pic
three looks a lot like Ronnie from The Duke........
-----------------------------------------------------------
Just
heard from Steve H with an update on these two
pics: Steve Ireland on the left and the band is
The
Croutons. Steve went on to join
FM soon after these
pics were taken.
Slightly
embarrassed because yes, I should know who this
band is, and I seem to recognise them . . . but .
. . Have even showed them to Beelzebub's offspring
and she can't remember either . . .
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Time for a review
methinks, and this one is of Uncle Gilbert who myself
and Titiana caught at The Station in Redcar in
March. Again, not sure of the year.
 
   
------------------------------------------------------------------
And
yet another row of pics featuring Felicity funbags
to take us back to the good ol' times . . . first
is Sticky
Fingers, and the other three are
all 'unknowns'.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Just
found this Tubesnake
pic that had slipped between the cracks in the
woodwork - poor guy just couldn't suppress the
discomfort of a kiss from Riffs' resident MILF.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
These
pics feature 'known' and 'unknowns'. All except
second row feature Riffs' yummy mummy and we start
with Len from Tubesnake,
next two are early incarnations of Tubesnake (the
second one I think was at Durham Snooker Club),
then next row Tubesnake again all at Stormin 05.
Next row we have Big Al with fellow bandmember but
not knowing the date, I can't guess at which band
he was in at this time, next two are unknowns and
first one on last row is also an 'unknown'. Next
is Loaded 44
from the 1999 Redcar Battle of the Bands, and
lastly we have sweet cheeks with Loaded Dave. As
always, if anyone can help us out with the
unknowns we'd not only be grateful - we'll even
give you a mensh.
----------------------------------------------------------------
And
what a warm welcome strawberry cream and I
received at the Kings Head in Stanley in the late
90s to catch the ever-outrageous Hipthrusters.
Pic second left shows main man Dinksy (aka
'Pavement Hound') belting out some rockin' blues -
but it wasn't just those men with the thrusting
hips that were outrageous that night as snow
bunny was in her element and arguably not only
took centre stage, but also moniker of bad kitty
of the night.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Another
band that gave a great performance and were loads
of fun - LITTLE
PINK POLLIWOG. Not sure where and
not sure when but if any of them see this - then
let us know! And the third one is Betty Boobs with
'unknown.'
--------------------------------------------------------------
This was another stupendous
night at the Three Tuns in Gateshead. Landlord
Paul knows a quality Rock band when he sees one.
And Vendetta
went down a storm. A magnificent performance.
  
  
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
No mystery here, well,
perhaps just the one. On the left we have Warren
with some arm candy and, because of the age of
the pic, I think this may be when he was
fronting Scream
Dream. Next is busty Bertha with
Thompa, and Ronnie who booked the bands. And of
course the last one is Riffs' mischievous moll
with Paul from the Three Tuns. And can I say how
nice it is to have two of the North-East's most
respected landlords in the same line-up - I think the last
time was in front of Newcastle Magistrates, but
we've yet to get to the bottom of that . . .
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Big shout out to 'Dave'; who thinks second left is
Spectrum.
Four total unknowns here, although I think the
first one may, just may, have been at the XXXX Crew do (come
out of there before you suffocate).
And the last one was at Redcar's 1999 Battle of
the Bands - yeah, the poster does give it away
some. But who is the guy? As always, any help
would be most appreciated . . .
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
This
was one double bill at The Three Tuns myself and
Val will never forget. Both bands were on
sparkling form and proudly played their musical
hearts out. Both Remedy
and Razor
Sharp played brilliantly and each
turned in a magnificent set. A superb
evening's entertainment.
00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
Ian (Fuzzy or The Fuzzy)
Fulton, bass player in NWOBHM Avenger, who
tragically died in a motorcyle accident on the
1st of June was buried Friday June 26.
In the midst of the unbearable
deep pain that his family are suffering, they
were truly heartened by the outpouring of
support they have received. "The biker convoy
following the hearse warmed our hearts"
Ian's father Dave told me. Ian's family
received 100s of cards "and
each one is special" added
Dave.
The following example shows just how much Ian
was loved and respected, and I quote directly
from Dave: "[we
received a card from a] Dutch guy named
Eddie van Vugt who had seen the band a few
times and with whom Ian had struck up a
friendship. Eddie tells us Ian always made
a point of coming and speaking to him and
remembering his name even though Eddie was
only a teenager when they first met. This
guy didn't know where we lived, but sent
us a beautiful card via Avenger, having
made the effort to get a postal address
for the band who forwarded it to us.
We'd never met the guy, but his
condolences mean a lot to us."
0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
So who's this little devil
squeezing (or should I say 'strangling') the life
out of poor lil ol' Val then?
 
----------------------------------------------------------------
As promised, here's some of Val and Nick and Heavy Load - the band went through many
changes but Nick's dedication was always the driving
force and kept the focus to enable Heavy Load to
capture the nuances and feel that was Free and Bad
Co. - and just so you don't get Val overload ('not
possible' shouts Jim) I've included some of
the band in action.
   
   
------------------------------------------------------
Soz
everybody peeps, but I never actually explained
why all these old pics have Val on them. Well, all
our old pics were in paper folders marked with the
band's name (where known), but during a couple of
house moves, and sending some back to the bands in
question, a lot were lost. Now, initially, Val
asked me to remove from the set, the ones with her
in them. These were kept together, all wrapped in
an elastic band, and have survived. And it's these
that I am sifting through now, to post the
interesting ones. Regardless of whether Val is on
them or not, they show interesting people and
places. And as we have all moved on, then it's fun
to look back. So there you have it. I've just
found some of Nick and Heavy Load so I'll do them
next . . .
Found some pics of
The XXXX Crew
with Val
on a Harley.
I
also realise now why there was such a queue for
the 'titty stamper' job. I remember Val saying "Do
I really need this many stamps?" Such a
sweet, naive and innocent girl [well, one out of
four isn't bad].
She thoroughly
enjoyed the attention and I understand she
went down very well. The year? Hmm, may need
some help with that, but gotta be 98 or 99.
 
----------------------------------------------------------------
Newly scanned in: First
one After
Midnight, the brilliant Eric Clapton
tribute but not sure where, second was Val being
shown how to mix it at a recording studio somewhere
on Teesside, third and fourth I recognise superb
axe-man Ken but not sure of which band it is when
these two pics were taken. Any help would be
appreciated.
------------------------------------------------------
Someone's
just asked why I'm so hazy about the pics I took
and why Riffs photographs are not catalogued: 'Don't
you have a photograph archive?' It was
just nights out for Val and myself, taking pics
and reviewing bands. Oh yeah, all meticulously
labelled by date, artist, place . . . but they're
in another building on the seventh floor, right at
the back and, due to the strict Covid regulations
I now don't have access to them. Plus, because
Val's on them, the floor has had to be
re-strengthened. Photo archive!!! I love a good
titter.
And talking of titters, I've scanned the first few
of pics of Val with 'unknowns' so we'll see if
anyone can help with info.
Just found these liitle gems. My
memory is well shot (Val breathes a sigh of
relief), but I seem to remember that the pics
(right) of
Black Dog were outside the Duke
of Cumberland. No idea regarding the wherabouts
of the Black
Rose pic though but amongst the
myriad of numbers on the reverse of the pic I
can see 17AU, could be 17th August, and I
suspect 1999.
I've just unearthed a big
wadge of photographs wrapped in an elastic
band that I took of Val chatting with bands,
band members, and even venue owners and
managers. Trouble is, no identification on any
one of them. There will be some that I
recognise, but the majority I'm gonna need
help with. I'll post a few a day and hope that
someone out there is able to shed some light
on who she is pictured with . . .
  
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Now for a bit of Punk,
courtesy of The Demi in Consett, all in aid of
'Give Tilly A Hand' campaign. Featuring No Way Out,
Stottin' Headaches, Ultracore and
The Next
Pistols. Review
and pics by my good self - Val had 'other
commitments'. Not sure who he was though. [Probably
neither did she]
  
 
----------------------------------------------------------------------
  Aha!! So there is a few
peeps out there still reading Riffs - as is
shown by sharp-eyed Jim (or should I say
sharp-memoried) cos it was he who pointed out
that there was a photo of busty Val
with Last
Minute that I took at the
Turbinia in 2010, so why didn't we use it!?
Jim admits he is a big fan of Val and hopes to
see more of her in future (I'm biting my lip
here). Actually I took two pics, and I suspect
they may have been not only taken earlier but
were not even of Last Minute, but more likely
the brilliant Blueshouse,
which Val and I caught at a gig at Durham
Snooker Club in February 1999. So especially
for you Jim, here they both are in all their
glory (the two pics I mean, not Val's . . . er
. . . yeah, ok, move along now, nothing to see
here).
--------------------------------------------------------------------
For the first four pics we are jumping back a mere
18 years to the Duke in Felling for the innovative
Meanstreak.
And, directly below, two pics I took at The Rock
Bar with local legend Russ Tippins joining
Meanstreak on stage. And, after a bit of
searching, I've found a couple of pics of Russ and
Meanstreak Ken talking to Val while she was
managing the Earl of Warwick in West Auckland
(that's the pub - not the person).
  
 
-----------------------------------------------------------
These
are, quite definitively, THE LAST MEN ON EARTH ,
October 2004, no idea where though. [yeah, I
know I was there, and yes, I did take the pics .
. . your point?]
-----------------------------------------------------
Well,
I can narrow down this review of LAST MINUTE
to Saturday 3rd July. Unfortunately I can't be so
accurate with the year. Photo info
says 2010 so let's go with that.
 
------------------------------------------------------------------
The 16th of February 2008 saw a charity gig at
Crook Town Football Club, all in aid of the Great
North Air Ambulance. Doyle stole the show
with a truly phenomenal performance - and I took
pictures a-plenty, and that remind me, Val penned
the review . . .
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Zooming
back in Riffs time machine to Thompa's gaff, the Duke of Cumberland
for an exhilarating night with SLF
tribute Rigid
Digits from, if my photos time
stamps are correct, 2006. But I suspect they
aren't so I am open to an alternative. Great night
though, and pics of the audience going wild (mind
you, they started off a bit wild too) I think
captures some of the atmosphere that the band
created. Oh, and at Val's insistence I include a
photo of her and Thompa - esteemed purveyor of JD
and Coke and all-round cracking landlord.
 
  
----------------------------------------------------------
Hardly
seems five minutes since THIS MACHINE received a
top acolade from none other than Saxon, over their
powerful rendition of Wheels of Steel,
that the dreaded lockdown was enforced and the
band were forced to confine any wheels they had,
steel or otherwise, to the garage. But here are
some pics to keep us talkin' . . . uh . . . yeah .
. .
 The
Byfords at home singing . . . you know what!
--------------------------------------------------------------
Lucky
ol'
Sheiks got a second review
from top girl Val - and I tagged along to take
some pics - as they had a major band shake-up(!)
from just the year before, and many were
interested to see just how this would affect the
dynamics within the group.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Well, Ian may be up there jammin' with Kilmister,
Scott, Dio, Gallagher, Harvey, Moon, Peart, Bowie,
Joplin, Richard, Berry and many, many others. The
list goes on and on - and of course, those who
never actually made it 'up there'.
No matter how much time passes, or how
many photos we show, how many reviews we host, it
won't completely obscure our sadness.
That list is one helluva gig that I would love to
be in the front for - perhaps not just yet though.
And that leads me into another beast of a band.
Our own Beast from the North East: -
I
remember Val and myself collaborating on this
review for absolutely ages - well in excess of
ten minutes - but nothing we wrote could convey
the awesome power and force this band delivers
on stage. And in an act of desperation it was
Val who said: "Well, you're always bleating
on about 'a photo is worth a thousand words',
so why not just use your photos?"
--------------------------------------------------------------------
I am truly shocked and deeply saddened to report
that Ian Fulton, bass player in NWOBHM Avenger,
died in a motorcyle accident on the 1st of June. A
local lad, whose parents are now trying to come to
terms with their devastating loss.
I
have also learnt that when things get back to
normal, Avenger intend to do a special gig in
honour of Ian.
I
really cannot imagine what pain and anguish
his parents are going through, and I am
aware there is nothing I can say or do that
will lessen their suffering. His family can
be justifiably proud of a guy who, through
his music, gave immeasurable pleasure to a
multitude of people.
Myself and
Val had the pleasure of catching Heavy
Metal band Avenger at the Office in South
Shields in 2005 and, in memory of Ian, we
host our pictures of the band here. To see
the band in action, his father has kindly
forwarded to Riffs these links -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bID2LHKHp2c
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROnDqVnWfc0
 
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Further back now to the Moonshiners MCC
Rally. Again, no idea what year.
Now, I know we did a review, as one of the pics
is marked 'head' and I do that for the main
picture on the review. But back in those far-off
heady rocky days I just didn't save them. I
know, shame on me. But the superb
4 Kinnells
did the business...
 
 
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------
JUMP THE GUN, at The Grand Hotel in Bishop
Auckland, 2008 (I think). Val at the helm.
--------------------------------------------------------------
Ok,
I know we say 'supporting live Rock music . . .'
but Val did actually nip out to Gateshead to catch
SkaBoom
at The Three Tuns
- and took her own photographs!! I did my best to
clean them up. I mean, c'mon, even Photoshop has
its limitations . . .
-------------------------------------------------------------------
And
on the subject of fine musicians, just read what
Val had so say about the superb Mississippi Sheiks
when we caught them at The Lord Nelson in Stockton
in 2008...
  
----------------------------------------------------------------------
A
brilliant night in the company of some fine
musicians - TT
BLUE. 'Where?' you may ask,
and 'when?' you may also ask. And you know
what I'm going to say . . .
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Now
we jump forward three years from those Stormin'
pics - 2008 for those who just can't be bothered -
for these pics that Val
took at the Grand Hotel
in Bishop Auckland. Don't know if I was there and
no idea who the bands are! (I'm now aware that
there are guys out there thinking 'cheeky buggers
come along to the gig, take pics, we don't get a
review, and they don't even remember who
we are. Muthafuckers'.)
  
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Scrolling
down these photos, it underlines how important it
is for bands to have some pics taken - at gigs, at
rehearsal, anywhere! A written review is fine, but
it's over and done with. Whereas a picture...
And now I'm so glad I took as many and varied pics
as I did, as we can all now look back at what was
- dreading that it may never be the same again.
Dug out some pics I
took at Stormin' the Castle
which doesn't seem so long ago, but we're talking
fifteen years for these. See how many local bands
you recognise . . .
   
---------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------
Dr Sunshine
at the Daisy Hill in, er . . over in . . .
well, everyone knows where the Daisy Hill is. This
gig would have benefited from a better atmosphere,
but a plain, rectangular room and disinterested
punters made this an evening I had forgotten.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
A
band that needs no introduction, so they don't get
one. Think this is the Office, late 90s.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thought
we'd jump forward a bit this time, to 2009 to be
precise, and a visit to Houghton Buffs for RELOAD.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
More
pics from Riffs archives. Shields Office host to
the frenetic 1977
where myself and Val were treated to a host of
punk classics. '97 or '98...
 
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Back to the Blaydon
Music Venue now with some of Riffs early pics of No Dice - again, 1997 or
1998:
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Now,
I remember this gig - not only was it a great gig
by New Age Jam
at the Office in Shields (late 90s) - but I
remember it cos I pissed Val off big time! At the
break, Val and I usually interview the band, ask
them how things are going, get some group pics
etc, but on this occasion Val was nowhere to be
seen so, thinking she was chatting to some musos
about this and that, I proceeded to accompany New
Age Jam around the back of the Office and chat to
the band. A few minutes later Val appeared with a
face like thunder (the weather condition - not the
band) but replaced it instantaneously with a
lovely smile. We both had a great natter with the
lads, including some pics, until it was time for
the second set and they left to go on stage. It
was then that I got a vicious tongue-lashing about
why couldn't I wait till she had come out of the
loo, and this is a joint thing, and not to edge
her out again, etc. But the air was cleared and
within a minute we were back inside enjoying the
second set. Memories eh? There was a time when I
could remember my memories, but now it's just a
memory.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
It's
not easy to live this way
Just an hour and a fleeting kiss
A photographic retrospective with THE GRUMPIES
Rock in the North-East just wouldn't be the same
without them (well, yeah, I know we're without
them now - well, it's not the same is it?)
Stalwarts of the live music scene, and always
ready to rock, I have had the pleasure to snap
away at them from way back in 1997, up to their
appearance at Stormin' the Castle and beyond: at
The Duke, The Three Tuns, Washington, The Office,
Stormin' - and probably your back yard (but didn't
get any pics cos I was upstairs with your mum) . .
. And we also have a review of the band by someone
who's always abreast of live music - our very own
Val. So enjoy
- cos you ain't gonna see them on stage for quite
some time.
 
    
The last two rows of pics
courtesy of The Seaham Silverback
-------------------------------------------------------------------
I'm
aware that I've just featured pics from an early
gig by out and out rockers, Blast, but I remember
Val and myself were so impressed, we caught them
just months later at The Duke.
So
here is just a taste (which is about the amount of
Coke in one of Thompa's JDs).
We could be late 90s here or early 2000s. Note
just how much the band are enjoying the gig too .
. .
---------------------------------------------------------------------
'97
or '98 for both of these pics.
Wow, someone's got a
good memory "how come you didn't
include the pic of Val with Len
in the Tubesnake pics?" A quick
search unearthed it. Happy?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Ere's some late 90s
pics of the Zeppelin-touting Black Dog
which I suspect - because of the pic of
Val squeezed between Thompa and Ronnie -
were taken when myself and Val caught the
band at the Duke of Cumblerland in
Felling. Many great nights we had there
and I can state that Thompa Cumberland,
along with Paul Tuns, were the two most
gracious hosts in the North East. Mind
you, Thompa was a terrible barman - for me
and Val he always got the amounts of JD
and Coke the wrong way round. . . bless
his little cotton socks.
  
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
And talking of Baz, just
found this odd pic, sitting there, in the
archives - with no other pics of the
night. How bazarre:
So, is it just me who
didn't know that our local lad Baz
Warne not only is
a guitarist in the Stranglers, but
is also lead singer? Oh, it is.
To the email enquirer:
Yes, every single picture in this column I
have personally took - at the gig, on the
night. If for whatever reason I use
someone else's picture I ALWAYS mention
it, otherwise, they are ALL taken by
myself. Soz, thought this was common
knowledge. Val and myself have always
prided ourselves on the personal touch
(well, especially Val) and we hope that
it's this detail that lends a certain
intimacy and reality to our reviews and
pics....
Now, back to just
another night at The Office. Don't
have nightmares . . .
   
  
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Next batch of pics
which I hope I'll have ready to upload
tomorrow feature a nightmare at the Office
. . .
---------------------------------------------------------------------
A few pics from the much-acclaimed but
short-lived UUFO,
not sure of the year.
--------------------------------------------------------
Here's a couple of the earliest Riffs pics of
the brilliant Tubesnake . .
.
-------------------------------------------------------
Well,
I could have sworn that I had already added to
this News page the review of Baz Warne in Robot Elvis at
Paddywhacks in Sunderland - but scrolling down the
News page I just couldn't see it anywhere, so I
guess I must have dreamt it, which is strange, as
the majority of my dreams don't include band
reviews.........
----------------------------------------------------------------------
More
Riffs archive dipping finds the inimitable Baz
Warne and the Sun Devils
at the Office - photos taken on March 16. How
about that for accuracy eh?! Oh, you want the year
do you? Bugga. Could be 1997 or 1998 . . . And I
also include the poster for when Baz played a
special gig for Val
when she was running the Earl of Warwick in West
Auckland (this was a few years later after Baz had
joined The
Stranglers). Also (just to be as
accurate as poss) the pic of Baz and Val was taken
at Paddywhacks in Sunderland a few years later.
 
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Trying
desperately now to narrow down the date of these
old pics. With confirmation from Big Al though, I
can say that these pics are from 1998 at The
Office in Shields.
 
-----------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------
Well, look what I found - pics of the
night Dark-Glam trans-gender band from Minneapolis,
Minnesota appeared at the Office in Shields. The
band, All The
Pretty Horses,
featured Venus DeMars. The band
blend the influences of artists such as David
Bowie and Sex Pistols with a dose of
heavy, guitar rock and outrageous costumes, into a
self-described style called dark-glam.
If
I hadn't taken the pictures I just wouldn't have
believed that this gig took place. To say it was
an eye-opener is an understatement. Trying to
narrow it down but I reckon late 90s. Probs 1997
or 8.
-----------------------------------------------------
Seems
a lot of these old photographs I've been
resurrecting have time details that may have been
corrupted - as most say 2001 (reasonable),
November 14 (hmmm) and then 2pm (unlikely) so,
basically, I now don't have a clue when they were
taken!! Still, probs more exciting . . .?
Anyway, back to The Cluny with Loaded 44
. . . fuck knows when.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Cover
Story at the
Boldon Lad,
late
90s.
 
----------------------------------------------------------------
So just how much would you pay for a line-up like
this?
The Doors, Pink Floyd,
the Faces, Family, Curved Air, Atomic
Rooster, The Kinks, Rory Gallagher, Uriah
Heep, Country Joe McDonald, Buddy Miles,
Status Quo, Brinsley Schwarz, Spencer
Davis, The Strawbs and Humble Pie all
appeared at the 2nd British Rock Meeting,
Insel Grun, Germersheim, West Germany. 1972.
--------------------------------------------------------
When
the world was rockin' . . .
Does
anyone remember where this was? I'm suspecting
1997 or 8.
-------------------------------------------------------
Stormin' 2004
Jackl. I know it's at
'The Masons Arms' but, not 100% sure where. Any
ideas?
--------------------------------------------------------------
And
while I was rummaging, what year do you think this
was at Stormin' the Castle? - without looking at
the picture
details!
It was 2007.
Somebody emailed to say we have a picture of some
Stormin' boobs! I must track down that one....
 
---------------------------------------------------------------
 Nice to hear from Big Al who, I think, is
bass player for North-East stalwarts, Witchkraft,
with amazing axe-man Mal.
Val has extreme
respect for Al and called him "A gentleman among
gentlemen". He is one of that rare breed of
men who you not only never got sick of talking to,
but always learn so much from.
So, after a quick rummage, I dug up this pic of
the two aforementioned, dating back to November
2004, which Al reminds me was taken at the Rock
Bar in Easington.
Oh those heady days of deciding which Rock band to
go see . . .
------------------------------------------------------------------
Ten years ago yesterday
(Saturday) we lost an unbelievably stunning Rock
voice - the one and only RONNIE JAMES DIO. So sadly
missed, what a phenomenal voice this guy had.
These pics I took at a venue in Durham (I think) in
2005. [Memory isn't what it used to be!]
  
------------------------------------------------------------
Knew there had to be somebody out there.
Seriously though, just heard from Dave from the Graham Henderson
Experience to say he is biting at
the bit to get back out there after all this voodoo hoodoo and
re-create the thriving live music scene that we
all miss so much. In the meantime let's remind
ourselves of the band in full flow at the Penny
Gill in Spennymoor . . . https://youtu.be/Y8Goiam0xW0
--------------------------------------------------------------
After a deluge of mail from readers (well, I did
actually get one) so for all the people still
reading Riffs, this is for both of you.........the
sensational BLAST
from 2001 at Shields' Office.
  
-----------------------------------------------------------------
We're back to 2001 again, this
time it's Left
Hand Drive at the Rock Garden in
Easington Colliery . . .
 .
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
The
phenomenal Blackout
from October 2002 at The Office in South shields;
all Riffs pics and all by yours truly.....
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Back
to 2007 and Darlington's Quaker House for another
Riffs review from Val . . .
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Well look who dropped in to the Powerage gig . . .
POWERAGE - NEWCASTLE CITY HALL, SEPTEMBER 28, 2001
. . .
 
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Back to September 28, 2001, when Disposable Heroes -
belting out some quality Metallica
- supported Powerage
at Newcastle City Hall . . .
 
 
Will
get the Powerage pics from this same gig uploaded
in the next day or two...............and also pics
of the special visitor the band got who just
happened to be gigging in the same city on the
same night . . .
----------------------------------------------------------------
More
pics from the past, this time NO
DICE from the Blaydon Music Venue
in 2002.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Dug
out these pics of Avatar
from the Three Tuns in Gateshead back in 2008.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Here's another review from those heady days of
blistering nights out surrounded by talented
musicians (oh how long ago that seems right now).
This is from 2009
Miss
ya Nick.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Back to 2008 and a special event at The Three Tuns
in Gateshead...................
----------------------------------------------------------------
A mensh for UFOs Paul
Raymond who passed away due to a heart attack one
year ago Monday 13th.
----------------------------------------------------
Arch Enemy and Blind Guardian at
Bloodstock 2008, review shown here in memory of
Gary Harwood who recently passed away.
-----------------------------------------------------------
Rejection
always hurts . . . but this must sting like a
mutha:
Thanks to The
Silverback for sending this in.
--------------------------------------------------------------
One of Riffs' reviews
from a bygone age - but wouldn't you have thought
the writer would have mentioned the date?!! No idea
when this was written (although around 2008 is a
rough guess) . . .
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 "Growing
up in the 60s I’d always leaned towards the rockier
side of music, preferring the Stones, Kinks
and the Who
to the Beatles
and the Tremeloes
etc. I’d seen local bands but
the first major band I had the chance to go and see
was The Who,
in the Rink at Sunderland - for the princely sum of
50p. At the time I was an apprentice at college full
time with a weekly wage of about £5.30 so by the
time I’d paid my mam her share, this probably
constituted 25% of my weekly pocket money without
taking into consideration my bus fare there. (Some
of my mates walked there and back to Houghton to
save money for a couple more beers).
Queuing up to get in, Roger Daltrey
pulled up and drove down the side to the load in
area in his Jensen Interceptor, no chauffeur, just
the man himself behind the wheel. Apparently, Keith Moon
arrived in a mauve Bentley, but I missed that.
It was the first time I’d been in the
Rink and I was mesmerised; dimly lit, UV lights
around the room, loud music playing over the PA
and loads of long haired yoof, just like me.
Excellent. I’m racking my brains to remember, but
I think the support band were called Cochise and as I
recall they were pretty good, though I can’t
remember anything they played. (This was 50 years
ago!).
This gig was just 2 weeks prior to the
release of the iconic “Live at Leeds” album so the
set by the Who
featured most of the tracks on that great album,
the excerpts from Tommy were immediately
recognisable along with stuff from their already
extensive back-catalogue. Woodstock was less than
12 months previous and we’d all seen the movie
released in March 1970 so the fringed jacketed,
mike swinging Daltrey
was bang on form and just what we had come to see
along with the windmill-armed Townshend. Moony was his
usual thrashing self, throwing his stick in the
air and catching them on the way down apart from
one time when one stayed up in the low ceiling
above the stage. The band also played “won’t get
fooled again” from the “Who’s Next” album that
wouldn’t be released for another year, Townshend
had this huge reel to reel tape recorder on stage
playing the synth intro. That track sticks in my
mind, but I have a vague recollection there were
other tracks from the forthcoming album played
that nobody had heard before.
The volume was like nothing I’d ever
experienced, I’d never known the flat feeling in
your ears after a loud gig, I thought I’d been
deafened for life but still thought it was worth
it. That gig was definitely a turning point in my
life and so different from what I’d imagined it
would be like, it was visceral, exciting and the
first time I’d shared the crowd power that an
event like that brings out in you. Many more were
to follow."
The
Piebald Lizard
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LET'S
HEAR FROM YOU LOT
The
Seaham Silverback came up with an idea for those
of you who, like a lot of us, reminisce the good
times of Rock. That one gig that sticks in your
mind (or for those of us who spent most of our
young life at a Rock or Metal gig, try and narrow
it down to a special one!). Put fingers to
keyboard and let Riffs know your most memorable
gig - we won't publish your name if you don't want
us to [you could always use a pseudonym].
Personally, there has been a gazillion as every
gig is memorable in one way or another. But just
yesterday I was downloading the discography of The Heavy Metal Kids and
it jogged my memory of seeing them at the City
Hall in Newcastle in the 70s on a double bill with
Nutz. It was £1 door
but just 50p if you showed the voucher from
Sounds. I can still remember Gary Holton strutting
around the stage sporting a jockstrap with a
massive penis extension. Aye, good
times............. Then the night I arrived at
Middlesbrough Rock Garden, knocking on a locked
door and hearing bolts pulled aside, and a guy
leaning out, looking left and right and then
pulling me in . . . that was the Spots gig (Sex Pistols). Oh, and a Nazareth gig where the
sound was distorted all night...... so plenty to
go
on.........
riffsonline@gmail.com
------------------------------------------------------
That's it then!
----------------------------------------------
The
Garden Farm in
Chester-le-Street has had their fair share of
party cancellations and as such their function
room is free most nights for any band wishing to
practice - free of charge. If you would like to
use it then contact the pub on 0191 3882064 and
ask for Natalie or Grant. Alternatively
get in touch via email, thegardenfarmhotel@gmail.com,
or Facebook.
-------------------------------------------------------------
A
big 'thank you' to bands and venues for keeping
Riffs updated during this hectic time of
cancellations and replacements.................. I
can usually get the amends done within minutes;
and keeping the punters informed is the most
important thing we can do . . .
More
bad news I'm afraid: Platform 1 in East Bedlington
has now shut and no bands will be performing there
for the forseeable future. All their gigs on the
Listings page have been marked as cancelled but,
just in case I have missed one, no gigs will be
held there from today. We will, of course, let you
know when they re-open.
--------------------------------------------------------
***NOTIFICATION
TO BANDS***
Riffs has just learned
courtesy of On The Case Music that The Black
Rose Pub Group are cancelling all Live
entertainment for the next few weeks due to the
present circumstances.
On The Case clients
affected are The Crown in Whickham and The Greens
Sunderland.
If you are booked to
play at any of these pubs in the near future the
gigs are now cancelled (hopefully to be rescheduled
once things get back to normal).
BLACK
ROSE PUBS include :
The Ox Inn
Durham, DH9 7LR
The Elephant
Ashington, NE63 0SZ
The Guide Post
Gateshead, NE9 7RR
The Cross Keys
Washington Village, NE38 7AB
The Townhouse
Whitley Bay, NE26 2TG
The Millstone Hotel
Newcastle, NE3 1QL
The Black Bull
East Boldon, NE36 0SG
The Victoria
Whitley Bay, NE26 2TE
The Black Bull
Morpeth, NE61 1PE
The Greens
Sunderland, SR1 3PY
The Lambton Arms
Durham, DH3 3BJ
Ship & Royal
South Shields, NE33 2HT
The Crown
Gateshead, NE16 4DT
The Prior
Moorside, Sunderland, SR3 2SW
Britannia Inn
Houghton Le Spring, DH4 4AL
----------------------------------------------------
 We should
call it the Battle of the Queens, but hey, thriving
live gigs can not be frowned upon - just celebrated.
Which is exactly what the Qween
Live lads are doing
right now as they wind down from another prestigious
sell-out gig at The Exchange Theatre in North Shields.
Rob told Riffs: "Absolutely amazing night - it was
really nice to meet and greet a lot of our fans
after the gig - we are playing in Norwich this
Saturday as the headline guest Queen tribute band -
everyone is so excited!" And if you missed them
locally then you have one last chance this month:
catch them at The Westovian Theatre South Shields on
Sat 28th.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
On
this day (Monday) in 2007 this happened . . .
Brad Delp
lead singer of Rock band Boston committed
suicide by carbon monoxide
poisoning at his home in the New
Hampshire town of Atkinson. He
died from the smoke of two
charcoal grills he’d lit inside
his sealed master bathroom. He
was found by police lying on a
pillow on his bathroom floor
with a note paper-clipped to his
shirt which read: "Mr. Brad
Delp. I am a lonely soul."
-----------------------------------------------------------
We Are Champion
update
Monday 2nd - ALL tickets have now been sold for
Bedlingtonshire Golf Club gig. ...
-----------------------------------------------------------
And talking of Queen . . . what's
better than a Queen tribute band? Two Queen tribute
bands!
Rob from Qween tells Riffs that their recent gig at
Billingham Sythonia Suite was also a sell-out (two
pics from that night showing), and that
their next gig at The
Exchange Theatre North Shields this
coming Saturday 7th March has only a few tickets left
on sale. Queen fans must think all their Christmas and
birthdays have come at once.
---------------------------------------------------------
SEASIDE
RENDEZVOUS
We love good
news here at Riffs so we're really chuffed to bring
you some - but it's tinged with bad news too, so we'll
mention that first!
 If
you were looking foward to seeing
We Are Champion in the
next few weeks then, unless you snapped up tickets
toot suite, you are going to be mightily disappointed
as their next three gigs (Gateshead, Doncaster [well,
ya might have], and Stockton) have all sold out. Soz,
but y'know what they say
'He who hesitates is lost'.
Paul from the band told me: 'We do feel sorry for
fans who have been unable to get tickets. It's been a bit of a
whirlwind really, we have had some amazing gigs;
selling out the majority of them. And getting to
play some huge venues inc Leeds and Newcastle O2
Academies.'
 The
first bit of good news for disappointed fans is We Are Champion have just added three new dates in April -
Hartlepool, South Shields and Ashington. And I suspect
the lads are going to be on full
rockin' form as they will no doubt be still buzzing
from having secured a really prestigious gig - no less
than being asked to appear at the
Official Queen Fan Club Convention down
in Mablethorpe. Paul continued: 'We are thrilled -
not to mention deeply honoured - to have been asked
to perform at probably the pinacle of Queen tribute band gigs. We would never have believed when we
started this band just over a year ago that we would
be so heartily accepted by the Queenie community.'
Paul went on to say: 'This is the biggest event of
the Queen Fans calendar where fans from all over the globe come
to party to all things Queen. We have our sights on
loads
of big festivals over this summer so can't wait to
grow this thing even bigger.'
The event takes place at Haven Golden Sands Holiday
Park in Mablethorpe first weekend in October.
-------------------------------------------------------
“These
guys do the nasty blues like the devil hisself
was hurting"
Tommy Hartlepool
does it again. That guy is the forefront of Bluesy
Rock in the North-East with his hand-picked quality
bands. I'm in the middle of designing some boxed ads
for his up and coming gigs and, obviously, try and
get a feel for the band before doing the ad - and
it's so difficult to stay detached when the bands he
books - some from other continents! - are so damn
good. Personally, my DNA is Metal, Rock and Punk,
but quality music is quality music. [Reminds me of
long ago when Val and I used to go out to see bands
for a live review and pics, and if we were on the
way to a Blues gig she would often say "is it
Rocky Blues or Blues you slit your wrists to?"].
Thankfully the 'Blues you slit your wrists to' gigs
were few and far between and I know her fave venue
now would be Tommy's Hartlepool Supporters Club
where the Blues is 'grimy, lean, mean and
soulful' which brings me neatly to the
description of . . . wait for it . . . Crow Black Chicken.
I've snatched this from their website, but give it a
read and then tell me you're not tempted. All I've
got to say is their two main influences are Skynyrd and Zeppelin: [enough
for me]
This power trio combine elements of folk and hard
rock with the blues rock of bands such as Gov’t
mule, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Led Zeppelin. The band
was formed in 2009 in Cork city when lead singer
Christy O’Hanlon met the former rhythm section of
Clonmel Punk Rock outfit Aural Ammunition, Stephen
McGrath ( Bass ) and Gev Barrett ( Drums ). The
band immediately jelled and went on to perform on
the BBC Introducing stage at Glastonbury 2011. The
band released their first raw blues rock and roll
album in 2012 which was produced by Producer
Philip Magee ( Kodaline, Aslan, The Blizzards ).
The bands second album Rumble Shake was released
in 2014 and debuted at number 12 in the Irish
album charts. Recorded in Westland Studios Dublin,
this album was a more roots and blues affair than
the first record, heavily influenced by the bands
work with Texan Americana singer Ray Wylie Hubbard
and legendary Austin Producer the late George
Reiff. In 2015 the band went on to release their
first live album entitled Deep South which was
voted top 5 live albums of 2015 by Classic Rock
Blues. In 2016 Crow Black Chicken opened for ZZ
Top at the Marquee in Cork which brought them face
to face with the Texan compatriots whom they often
drew so many comparisons to. Always determined to
create a sound all of their own the band continues
to tour all over Europe and have since released a
4th studio album Pariah Brothers in 2017.
“These guys do
the nasty blues like the devil hisself was
hurting and rock like they’ll skate come
judgement day” Ray
Wylie Hubbard
They're on at
Hartlepool's Smallcrafts
Association on April 10. Tickets £12/14. 07535
979658 or ents24 website.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Not
sure what has happened to Ronnington publicity
machine but it's only thanks to Patrick from UK/DC
and Obsession
that we were forwarded the poster for this year's
Ronnington Charity Fundraiser 2020 . . .
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TRIBUTE TO RUSH THIS FRIDAY
News
just in . . . [sound of tele typesetting machines
clattering away in background] The Force’s
gig this Friday (21) at The Voyager, South
Shields, we have just been reliably
informed, will be slightly different from the
usual Force setlist.
As
a tribute to Neil
Peart and Rush, the first half will
be all Rush numbers – the second half Classic
Rock. An absolute mega-treat for all Rush fans.
Expect class, expect perfection, expect a
phenomenal gig.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------
Shepherds
Rest Alnwick are
looking for a
band that can
play 22nd Feb
... it's for
Border Crew
MCC birthday
party... we
have been
dropped in it
last minute...
looking for
rock... punk
etc. Contact
Dave
Smith..07736116156
Or email
stevecolly@hotmail.co.uk
NOW SORTED
-------------------------------------------------------------------
 Magnesia
Bank's mega-weekend, Stevestock,
was a great success thanks to all who worked
tirelessly behind the scenes and the magnificent
North Shields peeps who packed out the venue
upstairs and down.
A very healthy £2,600 was made and this all goes
to help McMillan Cancer.
A heartfelt thanks to absolutely everyone
involved.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Another review from
way back, we have the date but not the year. Probs
around 2008 methinks.
------------------------------------------------------------------
 A sell out gig last
Friday evening at Boldon Community Association was
appreciated by a capacity audience who were really
into the "Mercury &
May" experience. Their next gig is
at Primrose Community Association on Saturday 15th
Feb - ticket sales are flying! (£5 from venue NE32
5QY / 01914249977).
-----------------------------------------------------------------
 Riffs is very sad to hear of
the passing of a much-loved and respected
North-East musician - Ron Owens.
Val has fond memories of him and band when she
booked them to play at a pub she was running in
West Auckland many moons ago.
"He was such a lovely guy - well they all were
- no airs and graces for someone with so much
musical talent. Humble and kind. The thought of
him gone brings tears to my eyes."
--------------------------------------------------------
DARLO'S LITTLE SECRET
Just
found an absolute gem of a book/vinyl
record/dc comic/dvd/cd/cassette call-it-what-you-want
shop. A real little secret, just on the outskirts
of Darlington town centre in an old terrace. If I
said it had a million books you'd think I was
exaggerating. I went in looking for the writings
of Shel Silverstein (him of Dr. Hook
fame - he wrote Sylvia's Mother, Freakin' at the
Freakers Ball, Cover of the Rolling Stone etc, and
A Boy Named Sue) and I was staring at a room
absolutely jam-packed full of books and thinking
how many he had and the guy (who has been
collecting his whole life) told me this was just
the horror and sci-fi section; other genres were
in other rooms! Thousands upon thousands in every
room - and there were many rooms. And that is just
upstairs. Down in the basement (down a rickety and
well passed its use by date staircase) is another
treasure trove of books, magazines, cassette
tapes, cds, dvds, Marvel and DC comics, vinyl
records (he's got some rare punk singles too) -
and God knows what else. It's on Victoria Road,
200yds down from the train station, and 20 yards
from the Royal Mail Sorting Office. DL1 5JQ. I'm
actually surprised he has a phone but try 07946
505 886, but you need to get in there and have a
good old rummage - but take a flask of coffee and
some sandwiches!! Oh, and the sad thing is,
because he isn't getting enough money to cover
rent and rates he may soon be moving - probs to
Leeds. And if you plan to visit (Thu Fri Sat only)
- and I really urge you to; for free 2 hour
parking, then go past the book shop (with it on
your left) take the first right and then first
left.
---------------------------------------------------------------
CROOKFEST
2020 ON SATURDAY 9th MAY
 Crookfest
2020 will be the
festival's 10th birthday and to celebrate we have a
cracking something for everyone line-up across 3
stages: the Rock Bands playing this year are... Queen -We Are Champion, Guns or
Roses, Bon Jovi Forever, Deep Purple in Rock,
Little Devil, Fossil, Punk Pop Disaster, Nixon UK
and a collective of local Crook rock musicians headed
by Circa69 singer/guitarist Kieran
Johnson. We also have
Indie-Pop-Punk-Ska covered including UK's number one
Kasabian tribute - Kazabian
plus from Dumfries and Galloway, a band well known on
the Scottish festival circuit
The Dangleberries - a 10 piece bagpipes
'n all band playing pop/rock classics! Last year's Big
Tent headline band Revolver
return to headline the Scooter Tent playing top Indie
classics, plus on the same Stage we have punk band The Suspect Device
plus 80s classics from The
Breakfast Club, Beyond Madness and Beyond Blonde. Also in
the mix we also have Oasis/Jam
and The Heretics.
It's a full day of live music, bars and food outlets
from noon till 11pm, all for only £15 a ticket / £25
on the day at the gate if not sold out. PLEASE NOTE
the festival as a rule has always been on the 1st May
Bank Holiday Sunday; however, the Government has moved
this year's bank holiday Monday to the following
Friday for VE day, so we have moved the fest to
Saturday 9th May. All the festival and ticket info can
be found at www.crookfest.co.uk
--------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------
GIROSCOPE ROCK 4 EMILY
  After a
blistering review on Riffs from our resident
reviewer - The Seaham Silverback - of
astounding new band Giroscope (right), ["I'd
walk barefoot over broken glass to see them again"
was one of his quotes] we are pleased to announce
that the lads not only turn out some brilliant toons
but have hearts the size of Rainbow's
band members' list. Along with Michael Lavery from Groovetrain, they
are giving of their time and talents totally and
completely FREE to play at a fundraising event at
Gateshead Rugby Club on Friday April 3. At only £4
to see a sensational band, a great compere and
acoustic support, and to help a brave young lady
with Cerebral Palsy and epilepsy, you'd need a heart
of stone to not support this event. But enough from
me, this is an extract from an email from her father
Ian with some background to the event:
 "My daughter Emily is a disabled
athlete who competes nationally for Gateshead
Harriers and hopes to compete for Team GB at a
future Paralympic Games. Emily has Cerebral Palsy
and epilepsy.
We are holding a fundraising evening to raise funds
for travel and accommodation costs as well as entry
fees to national competitions for the forthcoming
outdoor and indoor season for 2019/20.
In 2018 Emily competed at the CPISRA WORLD GAMES in
Barcelona coming home as a 5 time world champion.
Later that year Emily was invited to become part of
the British Athletics Paralympic development squad
with the intention of producing Para athletes for
Paris 2024.
We have the fantastic GIROSCOPE playing as our band
for the evening. Tickets are available from the
Rugby Club bar or directly from me Ian on
07711415820. This event is a ticket event but any
unsold tickets will be sold on the door. .Please
take a look at Emily’s website www.emilystewart-t38.com"
----------------------------------------------------------------------
STEVESTOCK WEEKEND 2020
in aid of Macmillan Cancer
Support
FRIDAY 31st
Ground Floor and FREE:
7 SINS 10.15 / ELENBAK 8.40 / MONKS IN AN EGGCUP
7.15 / BRANDON PROCTOR 6.30
First Floor £5 door (strictly limited
capacity):
THE BREAKFAST CLUB 11.00 / RIGID DIGITS 9.25 /
THIS MACHINE 7.55
SATURDAY 1st
Ground Floor and FREE:
FM 10.15 / TINY AFRO 8.40 / LOU ROSS BAND 7.15
First
Floor £5 door (strictly limited capacity):
LITTLE DEVIL midnight / DIAMOND DOGS 11.00 / DEEP
PURPLE IN ROCK 9.25 / TIN SOLDIERS 7.55
SUNDAY 2nd
Ground
Floor and FREE:
NUTOPIANS
7.15 / THE WHODLUMS 5.30 / DEJA VU 3.45
First
Floor £5 door (strictly limited capacity):
THE FORCE
8.00 / BIG TED 6.30 / VINTAGE EDITION 4.30
Please note that ALL
tickets have now been sold, but £5 door is
available - first come first served.
------------------------------------------------------------------
GOODBYE TO BB's MARGE
 The
highly-respected landlady of the Bell and
Bucket in North Shields bids a farwell to
bands and punters alike this weekend (17, 18, 19)
when she goes out with a bang - well, hopefully
not literally - as three excellent bands intend to
raise the roof in honour of this much talked about
lady. Riffs has had no personal contact with Marge but, by all
accounts, she is much admired and treats the bands
with the respect they deserve. A
rare flower indeed. Norman
Force
says about her "a lovely landlady who will be
a big miss").
Her three last gigs are ROCK
SOLID on the 17th, FM on the 18th,
and STICKY
FINGERS on the 19th.
Please go along and make Marge's last three gigs
ones she will never forget. Pictures welcome . . .
Also, we have just heard (cheers Norm) that no
less than Tony Liddle
is to be the new vocalist for FM.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
MERCURY
AND MAY - THE ULTIMATE QUEEN TRIBUTE
Queen fans
must feel like all their Christmas and birthdays have
come at once at the moment. Not only two excellent
Queen tributes gracing our venues, but now an act that
highlights the incredible vocal talents of Freddie Mercury and
the outstanding guitar playing of Brian May.
The gig, Mercury & May live at
Boldon Community Association, New Road, Boldon
Colliery NE35 9DS is on Friday January 31st and the
performance commences at 8.30pm. Tickets are just £5
and the venue contact is 0191 5368085.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
DIABLO - Happy
New Year Everyone!
2019 saw some great gigs
for Diablo with
fab crowds culminating with a cracking headlining slot
at Tynedale’s annual Music and Beer Festival in
Corbridge. The big success of the year, without
doubt, was the new album “Screaming Out” (still
available) which eclipsed sales and triumphs of all
previous Diablo recordings – so nearly achieving a hit
record! Rave reviews kept pouring in such as Andy
Jennings at GigItNorthEast; Harvey Smith of The
Bastards of Eclectic Music Taste; Crack magazine
Newcastle among many, and the track “I’m Unknown”
became BBC2 Music North East Introducing Show’s Record
of The Week in January. Tracks “Screaming Out” and
“Crawl” have been played on local Nova Radio and “I’m
Unknown” played at Gateshead FC International
Stadium’s PA! Diablo’s original songs have been played
on social media and YouTube over 77,000 times and
those are just the plays we’ve managed to track! And
with streaming the new album there have been literally
thousands of plays and downloads. Thank you EVERYONE
for supporting the album and us, for so long – we
love you all. And Davy has just announced that the
next album has already been written and is slated for
2021 release. Onwards & Upwards through 2020 –
Diablo’s 16th year of continued success!
Dave Drums Diablo xxx
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Blackhall Community Centre is to
host an AC/DC
show featuring Livewire, with
support from local lads Sticky Fingers. It's
on Saturday February 22nd and tickets are £15,
from ents24, seetickets or from the venue itself.
Doors 6.30 and you'll be fully Rocked out by 11.30. By
all accounts Livewire
put on a fantastic show; but with the outrageous
guitar of Phil Martin, I think if there is a band that
can give Livewire
a run for their money then it's the Stickies. Be prepared
for a battle of the guitars!!!!!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FILTHY RICH AND STARZ
I think it was only this year (still in 2019 - oh
yeah) that Starz took the North-East music
scene by storm [well, okay that might be a slight
exaggeration, but certainly a breath of fresh
Rockin' air at the very least] and  no
other three guys looked more as though they belonged
together than guitarist
Kenny, drummer Mark
and singer/guitarist Kiko.
So, to hear that they had pulled in a dedicated
singer and formed a second band did crease my brow a
tad (although that
could be just age).
But as Kenny explained: "American Girl is now
finished and we wanted to replace that band - when
we heard singer Rich
Myers (hence Filthy
Rich, yeah?) audition we just went
'WOW' as he is such a powerful vocalist."
Kenny told Riffs exclusively: "Filthy Rich will
be doing one set of the American
Girl songs that Rich wants
to do and one set of all new Rock
cover songs that we think people will love and
will be different to the usual covers."
I can recommend Starz
unreservedly as all three members have their own
charisma, style and musical skills; and if you're
gonna add a dedicated frontman to the mix and gig
as Filthy Rich
then 'scuse me while I kiss the sky! Kenny
continued: "We start gigging as Filthy Rich in
February and have gigs booked for the whole of
2020 but not as many as we'd like because Starz has
taken off and is soooooo busy."
A website for the band is under construction and
we will announce it as soon as it is up and
running.
---------------------------------------------------------------
FM at The Turf in Consett
today (Boxing Day) 4pm. Unless my memory serves me
incorrectly, you're in for a heavy dose of AC/DC and Zeppelin. And
personally, I can't think of many things that
would do it for me at this time of year. Get along
and RAWK.
-----------------------------------------------------------
PB
update: Firefox is being a bit of an arse with
connecting. However, Google Chrome connects
without a problem. Weird, but that's how it is.
I download all my albums from PB without a
problem; I've paid for them in vinyl, then paid
again on DAT, then again on CD, I'm buggered if
I'm gonna pay again for mp3 files!
--------------------------------------------------------
Just heard from Dirty Dogz Phil
with some bad news - the trial run gig a the Cluny
this Sunday 22nd is now OFF due to flu. Needless to
say, Phil is gutted, but hopes to re-arrange the gig
for February. Any news concerning the gig and we
guarantee to be the first to let you
know............
------------------------------------------------------------
Apologies
to the few peeps who have emailed to say the
current PB address is not working. More and more
ISPs are blocking it, but the address that is
currently showing (top right, under page links) is
fully working as of Wednesday 18th. I will try and
keep it up to date. Appreciate you letting me
know.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
The Three Tuns in
Gateshead is now booking for January and February
2020. Anyone interested text me (Paul)
07940715824. ALL
SORTED NOW...............
--------------------------------------------------------------------
The below article we
originally put together a few weeks ago and things
have come together nicely and Phil has now not only
a got a date for the gig, but also has sold over
fifty tickets for this Rockin' event. Phil is
understandably cagey concerning the event and
explains: "Me
and the boys have booked a trial run at The Cluny
on Sunday 22nd December, but this is to get a
taster for next year." The gig is £10 a ticket
(in excess of fifty sold to date) and kicks off at
6pm and runs till 9. Expect a night of
surprises.....................
DIRTY
DOGZ PHIL PROPOSES A NIGHT OF
'PANACHE, POWER,
PRECISION AND PASSION'
 And talking of 'no-nonsense', Riffs
is excited at an email from
Phil from Dirty
Dogz fame who, after the demise of
aforesaid band, has been pining for some quality,
down-to-earth Rock done by mature, experienced
musicians - or in his own words 'A tasty selection of highly regarded and
seasoned pros' (I'm hearing
people standing and clapping at the back . . .) and
with the adage 'if you want something doing properly
do it yourself' resounding around his thinking
organ, Phil has decided to do just that.
Putting
his money where his mouth is, Phil is arranging a
'little' soiree where he expects to showcase some
incredible Rock talent. He
told me: 'There’s still some
cracking nights to be had out there I’m sure
but, as most bands are finding, it's often hard
chuffin work playing to 2 men, a whippet and a
crazy couple in the corner who are adamant they
want a bit of Britney! However, the frustration
and disappointment seems to have wained a tad
over the noted period of inactivity and I am
dipping my arthritic toes (some may say
foolishly) into the local, unpredictable
rock'n'roll waters again.'
Still in its early stages,
Phil is wanting to gauge support before he goes full
tilt. He continued: 'Looking for definite feedback
from real fans of live music who like nothing more
than to immerse themselves in a night of quality
sounds delivered with panache, power, precision and
passion'. Expectations are high and Phil hopes
the setlist to include
'interpretations/improvisations of classic rock,
blues and psychedelia from Hendrix, Zeppelin, Cream,
Stones, Beatles, Free, Neil Young, Peter Green, Bob
Dylan...plus the odd original and a few surprises.'
Phil has emphasised that this will happen only
with enough prior interest. He welcomes texts on 07803 640235. I have promised Phil,
Riffs' full involvement and when anything happens -
we wanna know!
LET'S MAKE THIS HAPPEN.
-----------------------------------------------
The Schooner in Gateshead is
looking for bands for Boxing Day and New Year's Day.
Call Paul 07940 715824
-----------------------------------------------
The Schooner in
Gateshead is looking for a band or artist to play
This Saturday 7th December.
0191 477 7404. NOW SORTED NOW
SORTED NOW SORTED
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A
heads up............
Hearing little birdies talking
about The Black Horse in Monkseaton stopping bands
as the manager is close to leaving.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
BUFFALO
FOUR SECRET NO LONGER
It seems only a brief five minutes ago that
I popped along to Bishop Auckland's Bay Horse to catch
the excellent Four
Letter Word (review way, way down this very page). I
also remember drummer Andy
- not only for his steady and rhythmic playing - but
also for the fact that I never got a picture of him!
And I can well understand his disappointment when
everyone in the band gets a photo - but not him. Even
more so, considering he was doing the band a favour,
standing in for their regular drummer. Andy plays in Buffalo
Four who go down
extremely well in the
Blacksmiths in Gosforth but, he
explained: "we have played there quite a few times
and had some great nights with many compliments but
apart from that venue we are unknown around
Newcastle." It seems that Four
Letter Word did quite well from Riffs mensh and Andy
goes on to say: "they got a rave review and plenty
of interest and some gigs from your article so
thought we [Buffalo Four] are maybe due some
attention. We have been going for 6 years and play
to some pretty appreciative audiences but we are
almost a secret in some places." Whoops, think I
may have blown your secret Andy. Buffalo Four are at
the Blacksmiths
this Friday (6th).
Pic linked
to the band playing 'I Won't Back Down'.
Metallica? AC/DC?
C'mon lads, practice what you wear!!
------------------------------------------------------------
Air4ce
at Cluny 2, Newcastle, 21st January 2020
Celebrating the life and
music of Ginger Baker,
featuring some of the north east's finest musicians
- PLUS SPECIAL GUESTS...music from Ginger's work
with Cream, Blind Faith,
Graham Bond, Airforce, Billy Preston,
and more.
Tickets (£8adv): click on poster.
And more information as it is announced here -https://www.facebook.com/Air4ce2020/
Apparently the first words that St. Peter
said to Ginger, upon his arrival, were "look, I
don't want any trouble".
--------------------------------------------------------------
Those Queen tribute
guys did it again - this time at Darlington's
Hopetown & Whessoe Club on Saturday 23rd
of this month when they wowed a packed house
with Queen
and Freddie's
record-breaking and memorable songs covering
over forty years. Qween's next gig is
this Friday (29th) at Newcastle's Heaton Buffs
but unfortunately there will be a lot of
dissatisfied punters as the gig is strictly a
private function so, unless you hold that
special ticket, no entry. But keep your eye on
Riffs Listings page as the lads will be
playing in 2020.
If you just can't wait that long then We Are Champion,
who do a superb tribute to Queen, have
several gigs running up to Christmas. Also, on
Sunday December 1 with a start time of 6pm at
the Isabella in Blyth you can catch a Freddie Mercury
tribute. Spoilt for choice!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SHOT
DOWN IN FLAMES
"Interesting
idea, the tips for the band idea…..but here’s where
my cynicism kicks in;
We have to be careful of the law of unintended
consequence, it’s only a kick in the arse from there
to playing for tips only, or used as an excuse not
to pay a band or reduce their fee. Who would do such
a thing I hear you say? Well there are plenty of
reasons why a struggling venue may take that
approach even before you factor in any exploitative
reasons.
Yes it would sort some wheat from the chaff,
but overall the standard would diminish because who
would layout all that cash on gear without a fair
chance of paid gigs?
But that dismisses the nous of even the most
cynical of band bookers, theres not many that book
bad bands, safe bands perhaps, and safe isn’t what
brings in the punters, it may well entertain the
ones already there however?"
Alan Fizzyfish
------------------------------------------------------------------
Just heard from Patrick
from the excellent Obsession
and UK/DC
that the Market Tavern in
Chester-le-Street has ceased all bands
for the forseeable future.
------------------------------------------------------------------
 What marvellous
peeps there are out at Usworth and Washington.
Some of those fine punters piled into The
Gardeners Club recently for Help for Heroes
night when FOXX
and Jay J Stevens
waived their fee to make the night one to
remember. Altogether the Club managed to make
a very healthy £1400.
Michelle from the club told Riffs: "I
had a lot of support ftom those who
attended, also a big thankyou for
those local businesses who donated
prizes for our raffle in aid of Help
For Heroes." The generosity of all those
involved will make such a difference for our
brave men and women.
And thanks to Michelle from Usworth and
Washington Gardeners Club for letting
Riffs know.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
HAD A
GOOD NIGHT? - THEN FILL MY BOX
 Well,
our articles on dwindling punters for live
gigs have been read by many, many people. The
majority of whom do seem to agree that it is
something that is happening now, and that it
is affecting venues and bands alike. The only
thing that is thin on the ground is solutions.
I have heard one (from soneone who wishes
anonymity), and as I have heard nothing better
I will mention it here: A DONATION BOX ON THE
BAR.
If you have had a great night at your local,
seen a brilliant band playing stuff you like
and recognise and the band have totally given
their all, what do you do at the end of the
night? Well, you just go home. And what if you
haven't had that good a night, the band have
been mediocre, stared at their feet all night
and left you wanting? Well, you just go home.
Now that seems rather unfair, the landlord
doesn't know if you have had a good night or a
bad one; that poor barmaid who has been
smiling all night and serving all and sundry
doesn't know, and the band who have lost at
least a stone amongst them and played their
collective kahunas off just see you leaving at
the end of the night and have no idea if you
loved them or hated them. SO - pop a few quid
in the box on the bar. To be shared out
equally between the band and the venue. One of
the best night's ever? Bung a fiver/tenner in
the pot and shout to the landlord "they were
crackin' - I'll see that band again any time!"
Now, to me, that seems feasible, but I am
neither in a band, nor run a venue, so what do
YOU think? Will it work - is it an A side, or
just a terrible demo that won't make it onto
the album?
riffsonline@gmail.com
----------------------------------------------------------------
An
online station are taking music from signed/unsigned
bands to be played for free.
No
pop, just rock etc. no adverts.
http://www.marlab.dk
Thanks to Tony (former drummer with Cue) for
this info.
----------------------------------------------------------------
A late booking for these outrageous funsters.
Friday night (22nd) at The Isabella in Blyth.
Totally free entry and a wild night is guaranteed.
Get along and let your Fez down!
----------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
We have a straggler. By his own admission, the
writer of the following article does not read the
News page much, which does explain a lot. I know
the Gig Listings is the most viewed page
on Riffs but a lot of stuff on this page does tie
in to the gigs so perhaps a glance now and then
may prove beneficial. Any road up, here is
Richie's thoughts on our main topic . . .
"I
humped gear for a club band in the 70s then a pub
band for 12 years after that, booked bands for 8
years for 3 pubs until quite recently
but never for financial gain, still help out now and
then when asked, so know a little bit about the
music scene and how it works...
I have been watching bands since the 70s
when clubs in my area that put bands on - solos and
comedians, albeit on dedicated nights for each -
used to be packed out but, one by one, they ended up
dying a slow death, partly i think due to the loss
of heavy industry. Pits, ship building and the like
was to blame for some of it as shift workers could
go out on a Thursday night and a Sunday night with
Friday and Saturday nights taking care of them
selves, if that makes sense, these people worked
hard and went to clubs for nights out religiously
and were not frightened to spend their money,
and not forgetting the earlier closing times where
people on permanent days could go out, go home, bite
to eat and be up for work no problem; we were all a
lot younger then, yes there is Nissan and all of the
knock on factories in my area but I am talking about
a different age group here.
While talking about age I see some of the same
people from that era at pubs now watching bands and,
like myself, they are in there 60s with some older,
one club is still going, but not as busy as it used
to be with another two going down the sports club
route and using private functions to survive. In a
way what happened to clubs is the same as what is
happening to pubs now, there got to be too many,
also while for a long time they were a cheap night
out, it got to be no longer the case with cover
charges going up and all the add ons; bingo,
raffles, various draws, it got where every other
week there seemed to be something else. All of a
sudden some pubs discovered a niche to host live
music and were the better option cost-wise, you even
ended up seeing some of the same musicians as many
were happy to leave the club scene to gig the pubs.
The pubs saw an opportunity for making money by
putting bands on after the club scene had died off,
and while a lot were not designed to host live
bands, they had to go with what they had got,
most got really good turnouts and were well
supported, but over the years more and more pubs
jumped on the bandwagon (no pun intended) and it
watered the attendances down; where you once had a
couple of venues you ended up with 5 or 6 and all
within a small catchment area, people would go to
where they thought they would have the better night.
I think a similar thing happened in South Shields,
for landlords they need decent turnouts on every gig
night or it is no longer viable and becomes a
struggle, also pub owners need to listen to the
regulars as to what music they like, as all too
often a pub will get taken over and book the wrong
type of band, punk and acoustic is not going to go
down well if people want rock music while, like
myself, a lot of people still use Riffs and other
music guides to find out what is on at venues, I
think an up-to-date website is a must in this day
and age. It is no good to anyone if a pub has a page
and they do not keep it up to date as advertising
plays an important part in letting people know who
is playing and when; I think a few pubs are guilty
of poor advertising,
I could mention a couple I know of where i never
could find out who was playing, no good at all, they
need to put it out there. I think with out doubt
monthly pay plays a big part in sometimes having a
lower turn out, the amount of times I hear people
mention their funds are low the week before being
paid, whereas back in the day when people were paid
weekly they always seemed to manage money better and
were able to go out, even the holiday period takes a
toll on attendances, as does the run up to Christmas
when money gets tighter. Quite often I have heard or
read that the smoking ban has made a big difference,
I myself think it has been very minimal; I think
people have just accepted they have to go out side
to smoke. I do not personally know anyone that has
stopped going to gigs because of the ban.
Back to age and this has been mentioned various
times on a music forum, there just does not seem to
be many younger people attending gigs these days,
certainly not the venues I go to, with the bulk of
the audience being made up of 40s, 50s and 60s,
unlike in my day where we were in our late teens. I
have no idea the reason why. I might add that I go
to watch predominately rock bands, maybe the old
classics just do not appeal to the younger
generation any more.
I must say that the northeast circuit is blessed
with so many great bands and quality musicians; most
of the time you are spoilt for choice. Referring to
the 5 or 6 pubs in a small catchment area I have
already mentioned, the pub with the more fancied
band will get the better turnout with the others
getting just enough people to break even if they are
lucky. Every venue will have their group of regulars
but these days they are looking at getting people to
travel which we often do to Sunderland, Chester,
Shields, ect, 3 or 4 sharing a taxi works out
cheaper than the bus fare.
There seems to be a never ending supply of pubs that
venture in to putting live music on only to find out
that it is a hard slog with many giving up within a
short period of time and not realising they need to
be prepared to lose money early on until word gets
out about their venue. I think the reality is that
we will be left with the most well known of venues
and those that are prepared to stick it out through
this rough period."
Richie, Washington
-------------------------------------------------------------------
AS YE SOW,
SO SHALL YE REAP
Well, you gotta laugh, haven't you! This just
dropped into Riffs inbox and I just thought it was
so relevant. Then again, I bet nearly all bands
and venues have similar stories (I've thought it
prudent to edit) . . .
"The
guy who books bands in the ----------- has 26 gigs
to fill so he books 12 or 13 bands to fill them
giving each one 2 gigs a year regardless as to
whether they died on their collective arses on the
1st show or not. We have reached the point where
we’re getting the second time round for the dregs
and I’m not going to go and watch a band that were
shite 6 months ago in the vain hope they’ve
improved. The fact that neither the band nor the
club have bothered to contact your good self, or
even to put it on their FB page illustrates their
commitment to their craft. The next scheduled band
in the --------- is the ---------- and I know it’ll
be packed. At that time I'll be in Belfast. During
previous visits I/we have tried to find a venue in
that city playing Rock and it appears there either
ain’t any or they don’t advertise on the web.
Imagine a place like Belfast and no live Rock on a
regular basis? And we complain about the dearth of
decent music!!!!".
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Well, it was fantastic to
have such a brilliant response - and so many
views from bands and venues across the
North-East on what they thought was the reasons
for reduction in audience numbers. It was
eye-opening to see so many different and
interesting viewpoints. And Alan from
Fizzyfish, after reading every
single one with interest, now gives his views on
just who has hit the nail on the head. But are
we any closer to rectifying the problem?
"Since I wrote
that last piece I have had some conversations,
and some of the points raised by the other
writers make you think as well.
Our most recent gig
is a little case study, when I first started
regular gigging, relatively recently in 2003,
this place was one of the better venues on the
scene, I knew the pub from my youth and
actually went to see another band play there
as I was auditioning for them a week later.
When I
joined Fizzyfish
it was somewhere they
hadn’t played so I negotiated a gig there and
we became favourites - and the venue was one
of our favourites, building a relationship
with the audience and staff.
After
Fizzyfish split in 2010 we returned in a
different guise a few months later, but we
lost so much momentum that even with the boost
of changing our name back to Fizzyfish
we found so many venues
had changed, the stability had gone from the
scene. The venue I was talking about now had a
“manager” in but seemed more invested in food
than bands; his attitude was hostile and his
partner was one of those who knew the price of
everything and the value of nothing. They
destroyed the pub and within months it had
closed, had another false start then closed
again and after a lengthy period has opened
again.
The new owner is doing everything right,
it’s a nicer environment, he’s keen and
supportive, but crucially, that little
community had moved on, they had to find
different things to do. The last few years
have seen the venue go from weekly gigs, to
fortnightly gigs and 2020 will see one gig on
the last Saturday of each month, and I fully
support his approach.
Putting bands on was costing him too
much, the crowds came back initially, but for
all the reasons mentioned before and a few
more, the audience is a shadow of its former
self! Lost momentum in this game is a killer,
it’s taken us best part of a decade to get
back to the level of gigs and breadth of
geographical coverage we once had, were a
better band, but that only counts for so much
these days despite our fee being the same as
it was 15 years ago!
I don’t
think any of us have all the answers, Mike
from After Midnight
raises a valid point and
one we try to avoid, the too high a volume
mistake, it means significant investment in
quality gear, yet we still get the occasional
can you turn it down/up requests (usually to
turn it up!).
It’s been the same with our lights, we
have had to cut them down as people were
complaining about being blinded and most
venues don’t allow smoke machines anymore so
you have to get creative whilst still putting
on a show.
I don’t
blame the tribute acts moving up the tree and
Paul from We are Champion (genius) just highlighted my
point, a tribute to a good band with true
mainstream appeal. But I know lads in less
mainstream tributes who play less often and
sometimes they are going nationwide, some even
into Europe to sustain the interest.
Smoulty
and I generally agree on
stuff still, and I also agree with Dave from FM,
his points about over
saturation. We have
three venues who have us back 3 times a year,
we make sure each return is as different as we
can manage within what the punters will
accept, but there are so many places that will
not even answer any communication with us at
all! Closed shops or closed minds.
We generally want one venue in each town,
unless two venues will support us doing our
different sets, the Rollercoaster, which
is our crowd pleaser all over the place set
and the Seabass’tard which is our harder
uglier rock set, it’s a lot of work. But some
venues distrust that we can make that approach
work, they seem to be risk averse, they want
defined bands doing what they say on the tin,
safety.
We are open to do more clubs in the
future. The ones that have
turned their backs on the agencies and
excessive Bingo are now opening up a new
avenue, we found it logistically difficult to
be able to arrive at a club at the times they
prescribed in the past, but now some are more
flexible and we are as well, let’s see how
that pans out!"
Alan, Fizzyfish
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Just become aware of a venue in Sunderland - Angels Place
- and as was my wont did a quick google search
just to get a 'feel', and was rather impressed; a
biker's gaff with a great Rock atmosphere and on
their Facebook page recently hosted Deep Purple In Rock.
That video alone was enough to whet my appetite.
Took me back to the good 'ol Seventies at Middlesbrough Rock Garden.
If only someone would invent a time machine, that
would be the time I'd zip back to........
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Here we go, last one. It's
been a lot of hard work for me, but I hope it's
made a difference. And if it hasn't, at least
I've tried. If we all do one, may even be very
small, thing, then at least we've done more than
the next guy who has done sod all.........I have
extreme respect and admiration not only for the
bands who bust a gut getting organised and
traipsing to the venue, setting up, belting out
quality Rock (or whatever, but it should be
Rock, really) and then at the end, stripping
down their gear, and going home, but also to the
venues who sometimes take a punt on a band and
ending up crossing their fingers that the gig
isn't marred by, well, any number of things that
can go wrong. I have no musical talent
whatsoever, and would worry myself into an early
grave if I was to host bands on a weekly basis -
so I do what I can from this computer. Humungous
respect goes out to you all. Really.
Only one more 'Disappearing Audiences' article to
go, which I am working on right now. So if you
have something to say then now is the time - and
by 'now' I don't mean sometime next week, or even
in the next day or two or 'yeah, okay I'll
probably type something out this weekend' -
NO. I mean, like, today, in the next hour or two!
It doesn't take that long to type something out so
let people know your views. Anonymous is fine, as
long as you are honest. And it's no good saying
'Well, there's no point cos I agree with a lot
of what's been said'. How does anyone know
that unless you say so?!!!! Like I say, last one
today. That's it. Finito. Fin. Koniec. Tapitra.
Galas. Ende.
I
always, but always have on some belting Rock when
I'm working on Riffs, and as I am now (11am
Friday) half way through what will probably be the
penultimate article on Disappearing Audiences,
this track came on. I just remember being so
disappointed when mega bands 'throw away' a
classic track when at a live gig. Like 'this is
xxxxx xxxxxx' and then it's done and over in
a few minutes. UFO Doctor Doctor and Nazareth
Bad Bad Boy come to mind. Waste of a good
opportunity.
Now,
THIS is an intro...
(Oh, and it really
should go without saying - but PLAY IT
LOUD!!!!!!!!)
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Your Point of View is No More Or
Less Valid Than Anyone Else's
Well,
I've got to say I've been knocked out by the
eye-opening response concerning the demise of
punters coming out to enjoy live music. From
agents, bands, venues - you name them - they have
been concise, honest, eloquent. And it just goes
to prove that people DO care. Okay, there was some
that haven't bothered; but that happens in every
walk of life. If nothing else - and I sincerely
hope there has been considerably more - it has
given everyone involved the opportunity to see
'the other side' of life in the live music world.
I have been enlightened; and I'm sure I'm not the
only one. It highlights the fact that your point
of view is no more or less valid than anyone
else's.
Probably just one more article to go, hopefully
get that done today..........
------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------
With all this talk of the
problems of punter numbers, band prices, low turnouts
etc, I was brought slap bang back to earth when I was
made aware of the problems of a member of local lads Ghostband. It
turns out the reason that they have been off the road
for quite a while was the necessity for Brian
Vasey to undergo a quadruple heart bypass,
with other complications that necessitated quite a
long layoff ("It was a rough time
for him and he says the recovery was far worse than
the op as they had to take a vein from his leg to
use in his heart and it was his leg that hurt the
most"). The good news is that he is on
the long, slow, gradual road to recovery and is
itching to get back on the road. But as guitarist Baz
pointed out: "since April Chris (drums) and myself
have either been depping in other bands, separately
or together, and ones we had dep guitarsts for we
never knew if they were going ahead, so other than a
last minute Facebook ad, we thought it better not to
advertise our gigs only to have to pull them. But
since his op Brian has now bounced back and I now
feel safer in advertising our gigs once more."
The three gigs booked for December are: Sat 7 Old
Ship, Newbiggin; Sat 14 Acklam Steels Club,
Middlesbrough; Fri 27 Lambton Arms, Chester Le
Street. I'm sure we all wish Brian well and for him to
be fully recovered and fighting for the Old Ship on
the 7th.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Just this minute heard
of a late gig by
The Alcatraz House Band for this Friday
(November 1st) at Steels Club in Sunderland.
Haven't heard of AHB gigging for a very long time so
they may just be testing the water so to speak.
Let's hope this gig is the first of many as they
were a very proficient band. Anyway, quick look
in Riffs achives and here is Val's review of the
band from way way back if anyone is interested .
. .
Oh
- and a slap around the chops for both Jenn and
Steels Club as it was neither of them that we heard
it from - and here we are discussing disappearing
audiences!!
----------------------------------------------------------
TREAT THE BAND WELL OR PAY THE PRICE
Time for a bit ramble - well, it has been a while
- and I am part way through article number four
and it always takes longer than I imagine. Feeling
my brain going porridgey I need a break so, with
reference to the mention of some venues totally
ignoring the band for the evening and not giving
the band a welcome or whatever, I feel I must
mention the time Riffs'
Val ran a pub in West Auckland. It
wasn't for very long (less than a year I think),
but circumstances dictated that that was the way
things would be for a short time. She had her
licence, name above the door and whatever. She had
a live gig night once a week and would have loved
to have heavy Rock bands but her punters preferred
more laid back music; Whitesnake,
Bon Jovi (aaarggh), poppy type
stuff - with maybe a little Rock thrown in. Anyway
she would always make a point of welcoming the
band, each one, by name. Telling them that they
were an integral part of the evening and anything
at all they wanted, or had any problems, they were
to contact her, and only her, and she would sort
it.Don't bother anywone else, come straight to
her. She never charged the band for drinks, but
heaven help any of the band's hangers on trying to
get a freebie! (She could be quite formidable when
she wanted to be - and sometimes when she
didn't!). They were not charged for crisps, bar
snacks etc. She had in her mind what she needed to
break even, and a figure which would be great to
achieve for a modest profit from the evening. On
some occasions this figure was exceeded and she
gave half to the band as a big thank you. She told
me that the look on the guys' faces was pure
astonishment that someone would actually give them
MORE than they asked for. Needless to say she
didn't need to do much searching for bands as the
word spread how well (and fairly) the bands were
treated. Course a Riffs review usually
followed for every band that appeared there. I
remember more than one band said they would come
and play (Val
did do her homeword by the way - she wouldn't book
crap) and just take whatever Val decided to pay
them!! I bet that doesn't happen that often. And
yes, she made sure they got a fair price. Many
bands also played longer (well past finish time)
to a vibrant and appreciative crowd and she would
always make sure they got extra. When she took
over the pub it was, how should I put it, slightly
below what you would expect. Within just a few
weeks the clientele improved and it became a
decent pub. I remember one time a couple of Hell's
Angel types (over 6ft tall, about 3ft across the
shoulders, sleeveless denim jacket, tattoos, bald
- you get the image) started squaring up to one
another. Val was straight over to them, pulled her
top down and said: "I could knock both of you
out with these (Val was about a 38FF by
the way), so stop your messing and
enjoy the night. Or I'll kick you both out!".
They stood there nonplussed and I think they
forgot they were fighting and just went
shellshocked back to the bar. And yes, I have seen
her throw many a drunk guy clean out of the pub,
not one of them lifted a finger to her. But
anyway, back to how to treat bands. The way Val treated the
bands, to me, should be the norm, and I was really
surprised to hear that some bands are treated so
badly. It doesn't make sense to diss a band - they
have mates in other bands and if they are
impressed, the venue will benefit by getting a
good reputation. It was not that long ago that a
new band was struggling to get gigs and asked me
here at Riffs how they would go about getting
noticed in the region - they wanted me to do them
a boxed ad. I said that would be a waste of money.
No one is going to book a band just cos they took
out an advert. I told them what I would do if I
was a competent musician and wanted to get
noticed: I would ring up
Paul Tuns and tell him I had a
great band, and what I played, then say I will
play for expenses just to get a gig - even a
support slot. I would then email Nige at Riffs
(which is me by the way, in case you're losing the
will to live) and say come along for some quality
Rock, and also send in a blurb about the band
accompanied by some wild and quirky pics. I would
then ring around local landlords asking them to
come along. Blitz social media with some pics of
my band looking wild, happy and raucous (who wants
to see a 'boring' band). And just hope that Paul Tuns loves us
and mentions us to his mates (and of course gives
us a return booking at a reasonable price). yeah,
well I said most of this and never heard from them
again. Anyway, back to article number four, or is
it five........and why is my coffee stone cold?
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Really pleased to hear from Paul Tuns regarding
Disappearing Audiences, and his contribution will
be in the top spot in the next article to be
uploaded today (Wednesday).
--------------------------------------------------------------------
And here's the third - probably one more to go if
no more emails come in . . .
Just
uploaded the second of 'Disappearing Audiences'
articles (probably couple more to come as Riffs
readers have been marvellous at giving their
opinions and views on disappearing audiences [not
in a supernatural way you understand]). Brilliant
stuff and an absolute banquet for thought.
--------------------------------------------------------
I
just gotta say I've had some brilliant replies to
my request for insights into the dwindling crowds
at live gigs. Well, here we are, Saturday (it is
Saturday isn't it?!) and I still don't have
anything ready regarding the upcoming article (now
articles) on aforesaid subject. It's not that I'm
lazy (although that may go some way) but I have
had some frighteningly incisive, not to say
interesting and long-winded (but totally relevant)
replies. So much so that one article just will not
encompass them all. My original idea was to edit
them down to bite-size chunks (bullet points if
you will) but . . . well, I found that a bit like
trying to edit Stairway to Heaven or Rock Bottom
down to three minutes. You could - but you'd need
to hide away in a dark place for a long time so
no-one would know who you are. So, yes, I'm
working on it, so bear with me......
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Riffs
is gathering info on your views as to what may be
the cause of dwindling crowds for live music gigs
around the North-East - and what, if anything, can
be done about it. We have some great venues,
caring landlords/owners and a plethora (that means
lots) of top quality
(I mean like fuckin' awesome)
bands - so why so few punters? If you wish to have
your say then just email me here:
riffsonline@gmail.com. You can even
remain anonymous if you wish (but make it clear in
your email).
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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APATHY
RULES! - WHATEVER
Just
this very minute (well, coupla days now) heard
from an extremely well-known and well-respected
North-East pub landlord who has put his heart and
soul into live music for many years, that he is
close to calling it a day with live bands. Over
the past few years his gig crowds have steadly
dwindled to a point now that it is hardly feasible
to host live music. Considering the quality of
musicianship and wide range of excellent bands on
offer in our area, this is a total disgrace.
Regular readers will have noticed that Riffs (and
bands and venues) have mentioned the lack of live
music support on many occasions of late but it is
now becoming a frightening reality that venues
will have to react to. The annoying thing is, the
answer is unbelievably simple - fuck
the box and get out and watch a band!
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ADRENALINE-FUELLED HEAVY ROCK
 I think that any band who openly
welcomes a review must be reasonably sure they are
musically and visually capable.
Riffs neve |
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