Farnham Secret Garden Festival is quite secret. I can’t find it. This does not make me happy. I have been moving house and am really rather tired. It’s OK though, I’ve still got fifteen minutes…. More walking around. I’ve still got ten minutes….. five minutes to go, I’m still OK, I’m not late, and then I spot a promising looking white tent, and there are musicians in it. Phew….. Arrrgggh, the musicians (I use this term loosely) are Brassneck. Cue panic! I break into what can only be described as an incredibly feeble attempt at some slightly faster than average walking, and find that in fact there isn’t any panic at all. Ben’s guitar won’t work. I sort myself out, get on stage and Ben’s guitar still won’t work. He tries different leads, different tuners, someone else’s (extremely kindly leant) guitar, pretty much everything and the damn guitar still doesn’t work. I don’t have a pint and am temporarily distracted from the problem in hand by an overwhelming urge to ditch 'Brassneck' and re-hydrate myself at a bar somewhere, when suddenly Ben’s guitar works. Hooray! (Except the obvious; I don’t have time for bar hunting). Ben joins in the stage/tent, plugs into the DI box and his guitar won’t work. Time for more lead/tuner/guitar hitting/dreaming of beer…. George appears, removes the lead from the badly behaved guitar and reinserts it. It works. Apparently Ben’s guitar only works when George puts the lead it. Hmmm, this could be a problem, but for now we are good to go. We play a reasonable set, it all feels a little slow to me, but this could be due to the fact that the only thing standing between me and a beer is the set!
Lots of our usual friends are around, so once we finish and I get my beer we have some nice chats. I go home to pack more boxes and put more furniture in a van. I hope the rest of the world had a better bank holiday weekend that I did!!!
Kat.
Friday, 29 May 2009
Dublin Castle, Camden, London, 20/05/09. Sid's Tour Diary
I like the ‘Dublin Castle’. I tell the rest of the band this over and over again on the way up there and when we first arrive. Countless stories of how I got my first review in the ‘NME’ there (when I threw up in the gutter outside) or the time the landlord relieved himself up the back of my old band’s van while we were loading up - and all he could say was ‘I’m the landlord here, I can do what I like” ! Happy days ! We also have bets on the way up as to whether we would arrive before the soundman or any of the other bands. I say yes to the soundman, but no to the bands. I was right. There’s already another band here when we roll up. In fact, Ben still hasn’t paid up the £100 he owes me for this fact.
‘The Lasting Days’ are the other said band and introduce themselves straight away as we’re heading for the bar. A band that’s here before us and a band that is nice with it, such a rarity on our gigging schedule.
Eventually the soundman arrives, but the headline band hasn’t. He decides to soundcheck ‘The Lasting Days’ instead. This takes ages, and then some. They have a multitude of different instruments and are a drummer down until later. This means differing band members are sounchecking differing instruments. It gets confusing. We get bored. After what seems like an eternity we do get to do our soundcheck though, it goes well. F***ing loud, but good. The first band on then soundcheck and we head out to the bar.
More drinks are bought and consumed as various fans and friends start to arrive to see us play (hello Sam, Rock ‘N’ Roll Steve, Depak et al). In fact, the whole place is starting to look lively and busy. We like this.
We amble in to watch the first band, they’re called ‘British Broken Class’. They have 2 guitars, 1 laptop and only 1 tune. They play it, they change the drum pattern, they play it again, they change the drum pattern, they start to play it again, they realise the drum pattern is wrong, they stop, they start again. To be honest I switch off.
Then, it’s us up. We rawk ! Quite literally. It’s f***ing loud. People are impressed. We get a queue going for our new free cd afterwards. Lots of people are joining the mailing list as well. We must be doing something right, our friends variously say we are improving so much and that the song’s are really catchy and well thought out. This is just what we want. We’re happy. The banter / vibe / piss-taking is great. ‘Brassneck’ really are on top form tonight.
Following us come ‘The Lasting Days’, they have fiddles, mandolin’s, harmonies, talent and energy in abundance. We’re impressed. Not only were they here before us, then they were nice to us and now they turn out to be a great band. What’s going on ? Well, before we get too carried away their set tails off a bit towards the end. We still like them though and despite their free cd not doing them justice (y’see they give away cd’s the same as us too !) they’re easily one of the better bands we’ve gigged with on the circuit for quite a while.
Last up are ‘Jive Stick’. They didn’t turn up for their soundcheck and now they’ve just plugged in to Neil’s bass amp without even asking if they can borrow it. I see red. I bound up to the stage just as they’re about to start. ‘Do you know who’s bass amp that is ?’ I ask the bassist. ‘Errr, no’ he says. ‘Don’t you think you should have asked someone before just assuming you can use it ?’ I say. ‘I thought it was an in-house one’ he replies. I’m not happy. If they’d been here for the soundcheck they would have known it was Neil’s amp and then they could have asked if they could borrow it like any decent human being would. I can’t be bothered to watch their set now, especially after 2 songs when Ben leans over to me and says “It looks like you’re not even the worst singer in the building tonight Sid”. I howl with laughter. He’s right. I could sing better than that. I leave to talk to Smith from ‘The Lasting Days’ in the bar.
All in all though, a good night. I must admit I’ve had a few to drink by the end of the evening (I’m not quite throwing up in the gutter outside though) and when we load up the band ask that usual question ‘Are you going to get us lost on the way home Sid ?’ ‘I’ll try not to’ I say but it really does look different going home. I can get us to the gigs in Camden blindfolded but sometimes getting out of Camden confuses me, must be the drinking that I do in the evening eh ! Anyway, today’s exit goes well and we’re out on the normal route home in no time. The banter’s good again. Ben liking boys (allegedly), Kat liking listening to people being killed (allegedly) and me liking watersports (allegedly) !! How come Neil and Mark never admit to anything dodgy on these journeys ? Oh yeah, Neil goes the other way on his own (so to speak !)………and Mark’s the drummer !
Sid.
‘The Lasting Days’ are the other said band and introduce themselves straight away as we’re heading for the bar. A band that’s here before us and a band that is nice with it, such a rarity on our gigging schedule.
Eventually the soundman arrives, but the headline band hasn’t. He decides to soundcheck ‘The Lasting Days’ instead. This takes ages, and then some. They have a multitude of different instruments and are a drummer down until later. This means differing band members are sounchecking differing instruments. It gets confusing. We get bored. After what seems like an eternity we do get to do our soundcheck though, it goes well. F***ing loud, but good. The first band on then soundcheck and we head out to the bar.
More drinks are bought and consumed as various fans and friends start to arrive to see us play (hello Sam, Rock ‘N’ Roll Steve, Depak et al). In fact, the whole place is starting to look lively and busy. We like this.
We amble in to watch the first band, they’re called ‘British Broken Class’. They have 2 guitars, 1 laptop and only 1 tune. They play it, they change the drum pattern, they play it again, they change the drum pattern, they start to play it again, they realise the drum pattern is wrong, they stop, they start again. To be honest I switch off.
Then, it’s us up. We rawk ! Quite literally. It’s f***ing loud. People are impressed. We get a queue going for our new free cd afterwards. Lots of people are joining the mailing list as well. We must be doing something right, our friends variously say we are improving so much and that the song’s are really catchy and well thought out. This is just what we want. We’re happy. The banter / vibe / piss-taking is great. ‘Brassneck’ really are on top form tonight.
Following us come ‘The Lasting Days’, they have fiddles, mandolin’s, harmonies, talent and energy in abundance. We’re impressed. Not only were they here before us, then they were nice to us and now they turn out to be a great band. What’s going on ? Well, before we get too carried away their set tails off a bit towards the end. We still like them though and despite their free cd not doing them justice (y’see they give away cd’s the same as us too !) they’re easily one of the better bands we’ve gigged with on the circuit for quite a while.
Last up are ‘Jive Stick’. They didn’t turn up for their soundcheck and now they’ve just plugged in to Neil’s bass amp without even asking if they can borrow it. I see red. I bound up to the stage just as they’re about to start. ‘Do you know who’s bass amp that is ?’ I ask the bassist. ‘Errr, no’ he says. ‘Don’t you think you should have asked someone before just assuming you can use it ?’ I say. ‘I thought it was an in-house one’ he replies. I’m not happy. If they’d been here for the soundcheck they would have known it was Neil’s amp and then they could have asked if they could borrow it like any decent human being would. I can’t be bothered to watch their set now, especially after 2 songs when Ben leans over to me and says “It looks like you’re not even the worst singer in the building tonight Sid”. I howl with laughter. He’s right. I could sing better than that. I leave to talk to Smith from ‘The Lasting Days’ in the bar.
All in all though, a good night. I must admit I’ve had a few to drink by the end of the evening (I’m not quite throwing up in the gutter outside though) and when we load up the band ask that usual question ‘Are you going to get us lost on the way home Sid ?’ ‘I’ll try not to’ I say but it really does look different going home. I can get us to the gigs in Camden blindfolded but sometimes getting out of Camden confuses me, must be the drinking that I do in the evening eh ! Anyway, today’s exit goes well and we’re out on the normal route home in no time. The banter’s good again. Ben liking boys (allegedly), Kat liking listening to people being killed (allegedly) and me liking watersports (allegedly) !! How come Neil and Mark never admit to anything dodgy on these journeys ? Oh yeah, Neil goes the other way on his own (so to speak !)………and Mark’s the drummer !
Sid.
Haslemere Arts Festival, 19/05/09. Ben's Tour Diary
We played Haslemere Festival thing the other night. It was shit. Except for Byron Johnson. He was ace. And Aimee was as good as ever.
That is all.
Ben.
That is all.
Ben.
Farnham Festival, 09/05/09. Mark's Tour Diary.
Is it me or has it been ages since we last did a gig or practice?
No, I am right it’s been nearly 4 weeks. I don’t think in the history of ‘Brassneck’ we have ever had a longer break.
Still, it’s the Farnham Festival today and it will be good to get back into it, even though I have been musically busy doing other things so at least I’m not completely out of practice. I arrive at Kat’s with the missus just as the gang are finishing a quick acoustic practice.
Ben has brought the infant army along, which seems like a great idea and Karen and myself think perhaps we should have brought Eleanor to her first ‘Brassneck’ outing.
We all then make transit to Farnham and as we arrive we see it’s packed which is great.
We unload and in usual Brassneck fashion head for the bar.
I then setup the kit as we are playing with our usual friends ‘Thinking for Tuesday’ and Julia K.
There are loads of kids around, damn I wish we had brought Eleanor!
A quick phone call home to the outlaws and we get them to drop Eleanor off which is great as there is a good vibe in the place and it will be her first live gig.
2 Minutes in and then I decide maybe bringing Eleanor was not such a good idea as it’s the same old compere. My god this guy is shit I mean he is really shit I know he tries hard but surely he must know he’s shit? Some of his lines are so bad I am pretty sure any one of us ‘Brassneck’ lot could get up without prompts and still be better!
It’s a shame as the ‘Yellow Tambourine’ events are great otherwise. The first few acoustic acts go on which go down well and in the background another band is setting up in the corner. This at first seems normal until we see the line up which appears to be made up of transvestites. ‘Brassneck’ all look on thinking we have got to stay on to see what these are like!
‘ Thinking for Tuesday’ go up and play a good set but hey up what’s this? It looks like they have been taking a leaf out of ‘Brassneck’s book and actually look very well dressed which makes a difference.
Julia K and the gang also get up and do a great set which goes down well , the sound’s a little odd today but I guess its just because the doors are open to the outside and perhaps the sound is being bounced around differently.
I seem to have had quite a few friends turn up and as we are getting ready to play on stage (we are last on) think hopefully we should go down well.
We start well and finish well, everyone is a little rusty but hey for not having a practice for a few weeks I think we did great. The crowd enjoyed it and we even managed to get everyone clapping on ‘Treasure It Because You Care, Natasha’.
Nice gig this one and looking forward to the next ‘Yellow Tambourine’ night. And no, before you ask we didn’t get lost for once!
No, I am right it’s been nearly 4 weeks. I don’t think in the history of ‘Brassneck’ we have ever had a longer break.
Still, it’s the Farnham Festival today and it will be good to get back into it, even though I have been musically busy doing other things so at least I’m not completely out of practice. I arrive at Kat’s with the missus just as the gang are finishing a quick acoustic practice.
Ben has brought the infant army along, which seems like a great idea and Karen and myself think perhaps we should have brought Eleanor to her first ‘Brassneck’ outing.
We all then make transit to Farnham and as we arrive we see it’s packed which is great.
We unload and in usual Brassneck fashion head for the bar.
I then setup the kit as we are playing with our usual friends ‘Thinking for Tuesday’ and Julia K.
There are loads of kids around, damn I wish we had brought Eleanor!
A quick phone call home to the outlaws and we get them to drop Eleanor off which is great as there is a good vibe in the place and it will be her first live gig.
2 Minutes in and then I decide maybe bringing Eleanor was not such a good idea as it’s the same old compere. My god this guy is shit I mean he is really shit I know he tries hard but surely he must know he’s shit? Some of his lines are so bad I am pretty sure any one of us ‘Brassneck’ lot could get up without prompts and still be better!
It’s a shame as the ‘Yellow Tambourine’ events are great otherwise. The first few acoustic acts go on which go down well and in the background another band is setting up in the corner. This at first seems normal until we see the line up which appears to be made up of transvestites. ‘Brassneck’ all look on thinking we have got to stay on to see what these are like!
‘ Thinking for Tuesday’ go up and play a good set but hey up what’s this? It looks like they have been taking a leaf out of ‘Brassneck’s book and actually look very well dressed which makes a difference.
Julia K and the gang also get up and do a great set which goes down well , the sound’s a little odd today but I guess its just because the doors are open to the outside and perhaps the sound is being bounced around differently.
I seem to have had quite a few friends turn up and as we are getting ready to play on stage (we are last on) think hopefully we should go down well.
We start well and finish well, everyone is a little rusty but hey for not having a practice for a few weeks I think we did great. The crowd enjoyed it and we even managed to get everyone clapping on ‘Treasure It Because You Care, Natasha’.
Nice gig this one and looking forward to the next ‘Yellow Tambourine’ night. And no, before you ask we didn’t get lost for once!
Tuesday, 5 May 2009
Depression Is a Young Person's Art Form - review
Here's a rather lovely review of one of our new recordings, Depression Is a Young Person's Art Form, by notable and esteemed music blogger The Legendary Frank. To find out what all the fuss is about and hear the track for yourself using the ReverbNation audio player click here.
"Depression Is a Young Person's Art Form
This is gobsmackingly, goosebumpingly good! Every I hear this live I go to pieces.
This song has everything in it and oozes emotion from every pore.
The song opens with a phone and disembodied voices. Add to this a bass that's like a slow heartbeat, a heart out of sync with the world. Then the drums come in like a military tatoo or maybe a death march? The sad violin underlines the sad reflections.
And that guitar. Subtle, understated, way down like depression. And weaving in and out that violin, not plaintive but plain sad.
And the bitterness of the singer mounts. The self pity mounts.
And yet amidst all that pity an acceptance "I know that it's over, although it overran".
And then the song changes gear.
The song becomes angrier and staccatto as the climax builds up.
Builds up to some great hamronica playing and if you're not already an emotional wreck you will be now.
This song will go down as Brassneck's greatest, great to listen to here and great live.
No Brassneck, it's not thanks for nothing, it's thanks for giving me great feelings even if those feelings are achingly sad and yet beautiful.
In other words everytine I listen to this song I am refreshed which is odd considering the theme of the song.
Maybe it's the sheer power of the song
and maybe we've all been there but have stepped back.
The Legendary Frank"
Visit Frank's blog here.
"Depression Is a Young Person's Art Form
This is gobsmackingly, goosebumpingly good! Every I hear this live I go to pieces.
This song has everything in it and oozes emotion from every pore.
The song opens with a phone and disembodied voices. Add to this a bass that's like a slow heartbeat, a heart out of sync with the world. Then the drums come in like a military tatoo or maybe a death march? The sad violin underlines the sad reflections.
And that guitar. Subtle, understated, way down like depression. And weaving in and out that violin, not plaintive but plain sad.
And the bitterness of the singer mounts. The self pity mounts.
And yet amidst all that pity an acceptance "I know that it's over, although it overran".
And then the song changes gear.
The song becomes angrier and staccatto as the climax builds up.
Builds up to some great hamronica playing and if you're not already an emotional wreck you will be now.
This song will go down as Brassneck's greatest, great to listen to here and great live.
No Brassneck, it's not thanks for nothing, it's thanks for giving me great feelings even if those feelings are achingly sad and yet beautiful.
In other words everytine I listen to this song I am refreshed which is odd considering the theme of the song.
Maybe it's the sheer power of the song
and maybe we've all been there but have stepped back.
The Legendary Frank"
Visit Frank's blog here.
Wednesday, 22 April 2009
Bar Four, Reading, 15/04/09. Neil's Tour Diary.
I've spent the last five days on holiday in North Wales, where, bizarrely, the Easter weather has been rather better than in the South East, and I've even come back with a bit of a sun tan. It defies all logic but it's true. I now have just a few hours before the impending gig to a) get a haircut as I'm starting to resemble a yeti, b) have a bit of a run-through of the Brassneck set as we haven't rehearsed in weeks and I'll probably play like a yeti, and c) play with my new Google G1 phone/PDA thingy that has arrived in the post while I've been away. I don't think there's a particular yeti connection with point c). Presently, with all three tasks accomplished, me and the missus head off for sunny Reading.
With just about every gig, negotiating a one-way system designed by town planners from Hell, and finding a free, legal parking space within five miles of the venue is by far the most stressful part of the evening. Today, however, is different. I manage to bag the prime spot, just outside Bar Four in Reading's Friar Street. Deep joy! I unload the gear and find that, remarkably, the sound man is already here and the PA set up and ready to go. Obviously there will still be the usual prolonged wait around until we get to soundcheck, but things are looking good thus far. Mr Sound also confirms that we are to play our favoured middle slot of the three bands on. This is good - not too early before anyone turns up, and not too late when everyone's buggered off home again.
Ben turns up in a bit, then spends about half an hour trying to find somewhere to leave his car. I try not to be smug about my own outstanding parking achievement. Eventually the others also appear, and Mark duly spends about half an hour trying to find somewhere to leave his car. I try not to be smug about my own outstanding parking achievement.
Promoter Mr Blind Pig Jack is DJ-ing, playing a rather fine selection of reggae and ska tunes. This we like (© Sid Stovold). We note that the house sound system is rather bass-heavy - good for reggae, granted, but it seems a little excessive. A number of young ladies then appear, all dolled up in very short, very tight skirts and displaying a good acreage of bare flesh. Sid straightens his tie, licks his eyebrows and applies the underarm pheromone spray he carries for just such occasions. Kat regrets wearing jeans. Naturally, the married, male members of Brassneck avert their eyes. Did I just say 'male members'? Of course not - it was just your fevered, filthy imagination.
Following soundchecks, the first band take to the stage. They're called Infrasonic, and you wouldn't know it from the name, but they're an American style rootsy country-folk outfit. They wear check shirts, have a stand-up bass and a sit-down guitarist. They have a convincing sound, with some nice vocal harmonies and, for a country-folk band, a surprisingly funky rhythm section. However, as is often the case with bands we've played with, they don't seem to have very strong tunes, and apart from the general sound, nothing particularly sticks in the head once they've finished.
In between bands, the reggae and ska continues, and if anything, the bass seems to have got even more prevalent, to the point where our internal organs start to resonate, inducing mild nausea. After a bit we get onstage ready to go, then stand there like lemons for about 10 minutes until Jack notices we're there and kills the reggae.
We launch into 'Sensitive, But A Bit Of A 'Rong Un', and there are a couple of technical hitches. Kat is sawing away at the viomilin like a very sawing thing indeed, but there is no noise to be heard. Mr Sound rushes over and switches on the DI box, which someone, possibly the previous band, had rather unhelpfully switched off. Me, I didn't even know you got DI boxes with switches. It then becomes apparent that Ben's monitor isn't working, and he can't hear either his vocals or guitar at all. Being the consummate professional, or possibly because he doesn't have much choice, the old Dunkirk spirit kicks in, he manfully continues. By all accounts, it sounds the same as normal out front. I'm not sure what this says for 'the same as normal'. Eventually, after a song or two, the monitor is fixed and it's business as usual. For me personally it feels really good and tight. I'm very glad I had that run-through of the tunes earlier on. We notice that the first band disappear about halfway through our set. Perhaps they had a pressing engagement, or had to go and tidy their collective sock drawer, but we frown upon this sort of behaviour. (Admittedly, I did bail out before the last band at a recent London gig, but I was knackered and had a long trip home, so that's different, isn't it. Probably. Oh, alright then - I'm a hypocrite.)
After our set, we retire to our table, to be subjected to an even louder reggae bass assault. I thought the use of sub-bass as torture, or a weapon of mass destruction was banned under the Geneva Convention, but apparently not. I think we get some nice comments from a few people, but I can't really hear over the reggae. My ears are alight.
The last band on are a power pop trio by the name of The Smash Robots. Before they go on, they catch me on the way back from the gents and compliment me on my bass playing. What jolly nice chaps they are! This may colour my opinion of their performance, but I enjoy them far more than my Brassneck comrades, who don't seem overly impressed. For my money they had good, catchy tunes and quite a few little musical ideas going on. I hear shades of The Jam and the better elements of The Fratellis. A little shambolic in places but hey, we've been there too on occasion!
And so it's time to wend our way home. As I go to load up the car, I notice that my prime parking spot has been so popular this evening that several other vehicles have also attempted to park in the same space - one in front, one behind and two double parked to the side. And it just so happens that on the other side there are bollards along the pavement, so I'm well and truly boxed in, with no hope of escape. Great! What kind of idiots would knowingly block someone in like that? Marion and I return to Bar Four, where they're now shutting up shop. Fortunately one of the staff can tell us that the large van which is the main double parking culprit belongs to one of the bouncers at Yates's Wine Lodge, a few doors down. And I thought pub bouncers were kind and considerate types that wouldn't dream of doing something as thoughless as that. Anyway, we shouldn't have any trouble finding him, then. Or should we? When we get to Yates's, it's already well and truly shut! After banging on the doors and windows to attract attention, one of the staff eventually appears and tells us that said bouncer is now in the nightclub a few doors down. Fan-bloody-tastic! So now we're going to have to get past some more shithead bouncers to find the shithead bouncer who's blocked us in. But for a change we're in luck. This particular shithead bouncer is identified outside having a fag. We politely advise him of the error of his ways. He says he was just leaving anyway, so it's no trouble moving his van. No trouble? What about our bloody trouble, mate? An apology might be nice. Shithead!
I tell you what, this kind of thing would never happen at CrashBang, Farleigh Wallop's premier nightspot, when Knuckles Magoo is on the door. Although there was that time when village idiot Olly Owens tried to take the combined harvester onto the dancefloor after 18 pints of home-brew scrumpy. He hasn't touched a drop since, mind...
Neil
With just about every gig, negotiating a one-way system designed by town planners from Hell, and finding a free, legal parking space within five miles of the venue is by far the most stressful part of the evening. Today, however, is different. I manage to bag the prime spot, just outside Bar Four in Reading's Friar Street. Deep joy! I unload the gear and find that, remarkably, the sound man is already here and the PA set up and ready to go. Obviously there will still be the usual prolonged wait around until we get to soundcheck, but things are looking good thus far. Mr Sound also confirms that we are to play our favoured middle slot of the three bands on. This is good - not too early before anyone turns up, and not too late when everyone's buggered off home again.
Ben turns up in a bit, then spends about half an hour trying to find somewhere to leave his car. I try not to be smug about my own outstanding parking achievement. Eventually the others also appear, and Mark duly spends about half an hour trying to find somewhere to leave his car. I try not to be smug about my own outstanding parking achievement.
Promoter Mr Blind Pig Jack is DJ-ing, playing a rather fine selection of reggae and ska tunes. This we like (© Sid Stovold). We note that the house sound system is rather bass-heavy - good for reggae, granted, but it seems a little excessive. A number of young ladies then appear, all dolled up in very short, very tight skirts and displaying a good acreage of bare flesh. Sid straightens his tie, licks his eyebrows and applies the underarm pheromone spray he carries for just such occasions. Kat regrets wearing jeans. Naturally, the married, male members of Brassneck avert their eyes. Did I just say 'male members'? Of course not - it was just your fevered, filthy imagination.
Following soundchecks, the first band take to the stage. They're called Infrasonic, and you wouldn't know it from the name, but they're an American style rootsy country-folk outfit. They wear check shirts, have a stand-up bass and a sit-down guitarist. They have a convincing sound, with some nice vocal harmonies and, for a country-folk band, a surprisingly funky rhythm section. However, as is often the case with bands we've played with, they don't seem to have very strong tunes, and apart from the general sound, nothing particularly sticks in the head once they've finished.
In between bands, the reggae and ska continues, and if anything, the bass seems to have got even more prevalent, to the point where our internal organs start to resonate, inducing mild nausea. After a bit we get onstage ready to go, then stand there like lemons for about 10 minutes until Jack notices we're there and kills the reggae.
We launch into 'Sensitive, But A Bit Of A 'Rong Un', and there are a couple of technical hitches. Kat is sawing away at the viomilin like a very sawing thing indeed, but there is no noise to be heard. Mr Sound rushes over and switches on the DI box, which someone, possibly the previous band, had rather unhelpfully switched off. Me, I didn't even know you got DI boxes with switches. It then becomes apparent that Ben's monitor isn't working, and he can't hear either his vocals or guitar at all. Being the consummate professional, or possibly because he doesn't have much choice, the old Dunkirk spirit kicks in, he manfully continues. By all accounts, it sounds the same as normal out front. I'm not sure what this says for 'the same as normal'. Eventually, after a song or two, the monitor is fixed and it's business as usual. For me personally it feels really good and tight. I'm very glad I had that run-through of the tunes earlier on. We notice that the first band disappear about halfway through our set. Perhaps they had a pressing engagement, or had to go and tidy their collective sock drawer, but we frown upon this sort of behaviour. (Admittedly, I did bail out before the last band at a recent London gig, but I was knackered and had a long trip home, so that's different, isn't it. Probably. Oh, alright then - I'm a hypocrite.)
After our set, we retire to our table, to be subjected to an even louder reggae bass assault. I thought the use of sub-bass as torture, or a weapon of mass destruction was banned under the Geneva Convention, but apparently not. I think we get some nice comments from a few people, but I can't really hear over the reggae. My ears are alight.
The last band on are a power pop trio by the name of The Smash Robots. Before they go on, they catch me on the way back from the gents and compliment me on my bass playing. What jolly nice chaps they are! This may colour my opinion of their performance, but I enjoy them far more than my Brassneck comrades, who don't seem overly impressed. For my money they had good, catchy tunes and quite a few little musical ideas going on. I hear shades of The Jam and the better elements of The Fratellis. A little shambolic in places but hey, we've been there too on occasion!
And so it's time to wend our way home. As I go to load up the car, I notice that my prime parking spot has been so popular this evening that several other vehicles have also attempted to park in the same space - one in front, one behind and two double parked to the side. And it just so happens that on the other side there are bollards along the pavement, so I'm well and truly boxed in, with no hope of escape. Great! What kind of idiots would knowingly block someone in like that? Marion and I return to Bar Four, where they're now shutting up shop. Fortunately one of the staff can tell us that the large van which is the main double parking culprit belongs to one of the bouncers at Yates's Wine Lodge, a few doors down. And I thought pub bouncers were kind and considerate types that wouldn't dream of doing something as thoughless as that. Anyway, we shouldn't have any trouble finding him, then. Or should we? When we get to Yates's, it's already well and truly shut! After banging on the doors and windows to attract attention, one of the staff eventually appears and tells us that said bouncer is now in the nightclub a few doors down. Fan-bloody-tastic! So now we're going to have to get past some more shithead bouncers to find the shithead bouncer who's blocked us in. But for a change we're in luck. This particular shithead bouncer is identified outside having a fag. We politely advise him of the error of his ways. He says he was just leaving anyway, so it's no trouble moving his van. No trouble? What about our bloody trouble, mate? An apology might be nice. Shithead!
I tell you what, this kind of thing would never happen at CrashBang, Farleigh Wallop's premier nightspot, when Knuckles Magoo is on the door. Although there was that time when village idiot Olly Owens tried to take the combined harvester onto the dancefloor after 18 pints of home-brew scrumpy. He hasn't touched a drop since, mind...
Neil
Moondog Art Stop Café, Reading, 04/04/09. Sid's Tour Diary.
One of the greatest aspects of ‘Brassneck’, I think, is our ability to play gigs ranging from the full-on electric gig in Camden (see previous blog) to this, a chilled out matinee acoustic set in an arts café.
This particular Saturday afternoon starts with Kat and Tall George arriving late to pick me up, apparently held up in ‘Guitar Village’ in Farnham where Kat has just purchased a new tuner, the same as Ben’s in fact, except it was £20 cheaper. Don’t tell Ben though, he’ll feel like he’s been ripped off.
We arrive at the venue in Reading just as Ben is frantically trying to call us to find out where we are. As well as running late the parking near the venue wasn’t particularly easy, so we opted to park in a nearby swimming pool car park and walk from there.
As we walk in we are immediately greeted by Craig the owner and spy the others all lounging around on very cosy chairs and sofas. Ben has even brought his family with him, kids and all. We say our hellos and order coffees. Hang on, this isn’t rock’n’ roll is it ? Or is it ? Yes, we are all that rock ‘n’ roll that we all have caffeine habits.
Upon looking around the venue is very nice too, nice artwork adorn the walls, nice seating arrangements, a veritable plethora of teas / coffees on sale and a general really nice vibe all round. There are people coming and going a lot too, a really vibrant happening little coffee shop.
Neil then informs us that there is no PA so this will in fact be our first purely acoustic gig. No worries I think, that’s cool. But hang on, we didn’t know this and Kat has only brought her electric violin with her. This could be tricky. Or not. Straight away Ben realises he has a splitter socket with him meaning that both Kat and Neil can play through Neil’s small bass amp. Hurrah ! Too easy. No need for strops in this band.
So, no need for a soundcheck and as we were a little late we decide to just start (we’re due to play 2 x 30 minute sets). We arrange ourselves accordingly on the comfy seats (luxury !) and are just about to get going when Ben notices a nasty smell coming from somewhere. He gestures to girlfriend Amanda that maybe their daughter Charlotte has soiled her nappy. I nudge Ben and gesture to him that maybe it was Neil who in comedic fashion is bending over adjusting his bass amp. Ben doesn’t laugh. I thought it was funny. Then, without warning Ben says “Oh shit”. “What ?” we all say. It appears his eyes are going, the sign of an impending migraine. Gulp ! Having witnessed Ben having one of these before this is not good news, they really knock him out. Kat says the best thing to do is take Paracetamol straight away as this may hold it off for a while. Nobody has any though, except a lovely lady in the audience who manages to save the show, for a little while anyway.
We start, there’s a lovely vibe going on, lots of grinning, there’s no nerves or tension. It’s just great to play our tunes to a bunch of people drinking coffee and eating cake on a Saturday afternoon. The first set goes great, people really enjoying what we’re doing. We like it here.
Ben appears to be okay and so we continue with a second set after a break for a cup of tea (see how rock ‘n’ roll we are, we’ve switched to tea now !). Lots of songs are getting aired that we don’t normally have time for in the short sets, everything from ‘Sometimes I’m Ashamed To Be Quite Normal” to our version of Van Morrison’s “Jackie Wilson Said” (in the ‘Dexys Midnight Runners’ style). Halfway through this set a couple of kids squeeze past Kat to get to the toilets out the back . They leave the door open though, causing a draft, and so Kat has to shut the door. No problem, except towards the end of the set we decide to play our nearly 8 minute epic song “Depression Is A Young Person’s Art Form”, which wasn’t planned. We finish the set. It’s gone great. Then we hear the knocking, the 2 poor kids have been locked outside all that time. Kat goes very red and apologises for locking them out. Bad Kat.
So, after the swiftest pack up in the history of rock ‘n’ roll (only one amp and no PA to help with) Ben decides to head off sharp-ish. We don’t blame him. He looks grey. More so than usual. The rest of us stand around idly chatting to Craig who has really enjoyed the afternoon. He wants us to come back. We probably will. He also offers us some advice on other acoustic places to try and get bookings at. This we probably will. A superb afternoon. Neils wife Marion likened it to being in an episode of ‘Friends’. A great analogy.
Sid.
This particular Saturday afternoon starts with Kat and Tall George arriving late to pick me up, apparently held up in ‘Guitar Village’ in Farnham where Kat has just purchased a new tuner, the same as Ben’s in fact, except it was £20 cheaper. Don’t tell Ben though, he’ll feel like he’s been ripped off.
We arrive at the venue in Reading just as Ben is frantically trying to call us to find out where we are. As well as running late the parking near the venue wasn’t particularly easy, so we opted to park in a nearby swimming pool car park and walk from there.
As we walk in we are immediately greeted by Craig the owner and spy the others all lounging around on very cosy chairs and sofas. Ben has even brought his family with him, kids and all. We say our hellos and order coffees. Hang on, this isn’t rock’n’ roll is it ? Or is it ? Yes, we are all that rock ‘n’ roll that we all have caffeine habits.
Upon looking around the venue is very nice too, nice artwork adorn the walls, nice seating arrangements, a veritable plethora of teas / coffees on sale and a general really nice vibe all round. There are people coming and going a lot too, a really vibrant happening little coffee shop.
Neil then informs us that there is no PA so this will in fact be our first purely acoustic gig. No worries I think, that’s cool. But hang on, we didn’t know this and Kat has only brought her electric violin with her. This could be tricky. Or not. Straight away Ben realises he has a splitter socket with him meaning that both Kat and Neil can play through Neil’s small bass amp. Hurrah ! Too easy. No need for strops in this band.
So, no need for a soundcheck and as we were a little late we decide to just start (we’re due to play 2 x 30 minute sets). We arrange ourselves accordingly on the comfy seats (luxury !) and are just about to get going when Ben notices a nasty smell coming from somewhere. He gestures to girlfriend Amanda that maybe their daughter Charlotte has soiled her nappy. I nudge Ben and gesture to him that maybe it was Neil who in comedic fashion is bending over adjusting his bass amp. Ben doesn’t laugh. I thought it was funny. Then, without warning Ben says “Oh shit”. “What ?” we all say. It appears his eyes are going, the sign of an impending migraine. Gulp ! Having witnessed Ben having one of these before this is not good news, they really knock him out. Kat says the best thing to do is take Paracetamol straight away as this may hold it off for a while. Nobody has any though, except a lovely lady in the audience who manages to save the show, for a little while anyway.
We start, there’s a lovely vibe going on, lots of grinning, there’s no nerves or tension. It’s just great to play our tunes to a bunch of people drinking coffee and eating cake on a Saturday afternoon. The first set goes great, people really enjoying what we’re doing. We like it here.
Ben appears to be okay and so we continue with a second set after a break for a cup of tea (see how rock ‘n’ roll we are, we’ve switched to tea now !). Lots of songs are getting aired that we don’t normally have time for in the short sets, everything from ‘Sometimes I’m Ashamed To Be Quite Normal” to our version of Van Morrison’s “Jackie Wilson Said” (in the ‘Dexys Midnight Runners’ style). Halfway through this set a couple of kids squeeze past Kat to get to the toilets out the back . They leave the door open though, causing a draft, and so Kat has to shut the door. No problem, except towards the end of the set we decide to play our nearly 8 minute epic song “Depression Is A Young Person’s Art Form”, which wasn’t planned. We finish the set. It’s gone great. Then we hear the knocking, the 2 poor kids have been locked outside all that time. Kat goes very red and apologises for locking them out. Bad Kat.
So, after the swiftest pack up in the history of rock ‘n’ roll (only one amp and no PA to help with) Ben decides to head off sharp-ish. We don’t blame him. He looks grey. More so than usual. The rest of us stand around idly chatting to Craig who has really enjoyed the afternoon. He wants us to come back. We probably will. He also offers us some advice on other acoustic places to try and get bookings at. This we probably will. A superb afternoon. Neils wife Marion likened it to being in an episode of ‘Friends’. A great analogy.
Sid.
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