Well.....fourth time back at the Brewers and still as exciting as ever! The pub was packed tonight due to it being Gorilla and Denise's 30th Wedding Anniversary. Congratulations to you both and many thanks for requesting that we play for your event - it was an honour and a most enjoyable evening.
The evening started in a relaxed manner whilst we were setting up, but then two rather important monitor leads appeared to be missing! Instant stress, without the monitors working properly, we wouldn't be able to hear each other and the music could have been a disaster. Three different people searched through the equipment but they were nowhere to be seen. Dan and Andy worked hard to find a work around but it simply wasn't going to plan. In a last attempt, whilst waiting for Chaz, our stand in bass player, Andy sat discretely in the corner and got his soldering iron out to make and repair another lead. All turned out ok in the end and the speakers worked perfectly. Chaz arrived around 845 and proceeded to set up his guitar and amp.
It was extremely hot again tonight, and despite loads of people retiring to the garden, the floorspace in the pub was still quite full. We kicked off with our usual "Pretty Vacant" and for the second gig in a row now since the leaving of Jock, we kicked off without sound checking! Not a good idea but time was against us and after a few feedback issues in the beginning rapidly rectified by our dedicated sound man Dan twiddling with his knobs on the desk, we continued without any major problems. There was lots of interaction with the audience tonight, with emphasis on Gorilla and his wife and people were dancing from quite early on. A first for our first set! We think that due to Gorilla being a biker, most of his guests at the pub were biker related and appreciated our style of music. I don't think there was one of us in the band that didn't enjoy performing at this gig and it showed. During the break, people commented on the fact that we looked like we were having fun and have gone from strength to strength since our very first performance in the Brewers six months ago. Our set list was shortened slightly, and was a repeat of the Wheelwrights last week with a few numbers that Chaz was unfamiliar with being dropped out, but we still managed to fill our time and run over with additional banter between songs. "Parklife" went down really well tonight and after nobody volunteered to come up on stage and help us out, we requested Gorilla come up and do the honours himself. He obliged not really knowing what he had to sing but after a practice run in the intro, he had it weighed off and did a fantastic job! It was great and as he was the host of the party, everyone came into the pub to watch and take pictures and video of him participating. Gorilla himself seemed to enjoy it which was great to see. Whilst he filled in the simple "Parklife" bits, the rest of the pub joined in with the chorus and it sounded superb. It's a great song when everyone gets involved. He also came up and joined in with "You Really Got Me" unprompted and his guests were pleasantly entertained.
We finished off with our usual "Johnny B Goode" with "Wipeout" in the middle and there simply wasn't enough dance space for everyone. It went down rewally well and after announcing that it was our last song of the evening, they all went wild shouting for more! Gorilla himself approached Beanz and said "I don't think I heard you right!". When the Gorilla says you haven't finished, you haven't finished! We already planned in advance that our first public performance of "Freebird" was going to be the encore song as requested by Gorilla but decided to do "Born To Be Wild" first. By now everyone was in good spirits and it was nearing midnight. Harley had his work cut out for him learning "Freebird" as the origional is some nine minutes long and has three guitars playing in it. We all know that had been worried about doing it for ages and both Beanz and Andy gave him continued support and assured him that if he played it live like he plays it in practice, it will go down a storm whether close to the origional or not.
A big cheer came from the pub as the inital notes were played, and suddenly the dance floor was full of couples slow dancing and group hugs moving in time for the music. As a band, we always said we should have a slow "ballad" style song to perform to give people the chance to slow dance and by jove I think we found it! That is until the second verse is over anyway and then it explodes into a deadly instrumental of which Harley truly displayed his talents with his awesome four minute guitar solo. The pub chanting his name on the closing notes was great to hear and he deserved the recognition for his hard work and efforts. To play "Freebird" with one guitar and even using the slide, is a feat for any talented musician and despite playing next to a pool table full of food which we thought may have put him off he did it and did it well! How do you play slide guitar and wipe the dribble from your chin all at the same time?
Overall it was another successful gig and was enjoyed by both the band and the audience. We want to thank Gorilla for asking us to play, there are loads of bands out there and he chose us. For that we are truly appreciative. Tanya, thanks for keep having us back and the food was lovely. We weren't sure if we were allowed any or not but Harley couldn't resist any longer!
Donk and Dan, cheers as always for your efforts. They don't go unoticed!
Another special mention to Chaz, for doing yet another suberb job filling in on the bass for us, but this week, the Man Of The Match award has to go to Harley for his amazing efforts on getting "Freebird" performed. You simply got on and done it, despite being worried for the first time and have no ego for us to contend with. You simply are a star and I am proud to be associated with you.
Sunday, 26 July 2009
Saturday, 18 July 2009
The Wheelwright Arms - 17th July, 2009
Tales of the unexpected! New pub with a new landlady in a new town with new people and a bass player that we met 10 minutes before going on stage! Shandy, the landlady of the Wheelwrights was given one of our cards and was the first person to use our online booking service. We would like to think that we were booked through reputation, which of course put us under pressure having lost Jock (our bass player) the day before. Like all bands, we wanted to make a good impression for our first appearance in this pub, in an attempt to secure more bookings in the future. Andy was in good spirits and full of confidence whereas Beanz and Harley were a little worried. We didn't doubt the Chaz (the fill-in bass player) could play the bass and play it well, however we were concerned over the fact that we are a covers band and many of the songs we do are not identical to the origional. Some have been extended, some shortened and some key changes to enable Beanz to sing them, and we didn't have enough time to brief Chaz before the show started. Origionally, we were contemplating with deep regret cancelling this gig, but after numerous phonecalls to various contacts that Andy knows in the business, he managed to find somebody who, by his own words, "loves to be chucked in at the deep end!"
We arrived at the pub around 700 and proceeded to set up. Dan and Donk were on hand to help as usual. We thought it only fair to pre-warn the landlady of our emergency change of line-up and simply explained that rather than let her down totally by cancelling, that we would endeavour to give her pub a good night and that it was unknown territory for us aswell as her.
By 830 we were set up and ready to go minus one bass player, but sure to his word, a mature man arrived, amp in hand and guitar on back with his "plug and play" attitude. He introduced himself to each of us and then worked with Dan to get his sound set up. We were due to go on at 845 so the remainder of the time was utilized by going through the set list with Harley explaining various differences and key changes to the songs. We mutually agreed that a couple of them that he had not managed to "you tube" and learn before he came should be dropped from the set, but fair play to the man - we did leave some in that he wasn't sure about and he did an awesome job improvising. The songs he did know were truly played really well and after the first two songs into the first set, both Beanz and Harley were put at ease by Chaz's talent. This was also the first pub gig that Beanz successfully completed without a music stand. He sung them all from memory which reflects the old saying that we are at our best when we are at our worst. Had we done the whole set, this may have been a different story. It's just coincidence that the songs Chaz didn't know, were the ones that Beanz needed words for. Feedback from the audience and our usual "groupie" crowd suggested that it was great and you'd never know that we hadn't played together before. The other factor that put us at ease was the fact that Chaz was very interactive with the audience and quite often we were bantering amongst ourselves and the crowd with some interesting and funny quotations which was welcomed as light hearted entertainment. At one point, Harley was giving a "live" guitar lesson on stage, and after having a laugh, quickly trying to put a song together, we all suddenly remembered that there was an audience in front of us waiting for some music. They took it well, understanding the issue and joined in with the banter.
The pub itself wasn't overly busy but not empty by a long shot. We found out later that on this particular night, every pub in Havant had some sort of entertainment on, and had they not, our pub probably would have had double the amount of people in it. Not blowing our own trumpet but it is so nice to overhear comments from strangers that "the band playing down the road were nothing on these guys!" - it makes all the effort worthwhile. Our music is not everybody's cup of tea but we certainly have had more positives than negatives about our performances and we still maintain that our set is broad enough for us to have at least one song for everyone.
We did get called back for an encore and of course obliged. Feedback from our last gig suggested that maybe "Baggy Trousers" by Madness was not the right song choice and we reverted back to Steppenwolf's "Born To Be Wild" as requested by a couple of our groupies. Even after this one had finished, they asked for another and we would have finished on our usual "Vertigo" by U2 had we not run out of time. We had to be totally finished by 11pm due to the music licence and respect for the neighbouring old people home. Despite dropping a few of the songs out, we still filled our slot by longer intervals between songs, used to brief Chaz about what was coming next.
Dan, as usual did a good job making us sound good. The Wheelwright Arms has a reputation for being awkward accoustically and by all the instruments being MIC'd up and running through the mixing desk, Dan got our noise travelling all around the pub successfully. Keychelle did her bit and managed to sell some more "Kneeslider" keyrings, raising a further £18.00 for the Rowans Hospice. Another special thank you has to go to our No. 1 Groupie Wayne, and his partner in crime Gayvid who kept our spirits up with their comedy act! Keeping us smiling and laughing throughout the night with their stories, Michael Jackson impressions and interaction kept us at ease. Wayne was also a rock to Beanz, who was extremely apprehensive about gigging since the loss of Jock and drummed positiveness into him. He said simply in a cheezy manner "the show must go on. It will either be your best gig or your worst." As it happens it was neither but successful in so many different ways and the Landlady made it perfectly clear that we will be returning, as long as Beanz changed his t-shirt!!!!!
We'd like to take this opportunity to thank Shandy for giving us the opportunity to perform at her pub and donating extra for the Rowans, Wayne and the posse for supporting us yet again, the people of the Wheelwrights for making us feel welcome, but most of all, Chaz. The bass player that stepped in at the last minute and did a fantastic job. Without you, the gig wouldn't have happened and we all look forward to maybe working with you again in the future.
We arrived at the pub around 700 and proceeded to set up. Dan and Donk were on hand to help as usual. We thought it only fair to pre-warn the landlady of our emergency change of line-up and simply explained that rather than let her down totally by cancelling, that we would endeavour to give her pub a good night and that it was unknown territory for us aswell as her.
By 830 we were set up and ready to go minus one bass player, but sure to his word, a mature man arrived, amp in hand and guitar on back with his "plug and play" attitude. He introduced himself to each of us and then worked with Dan to get his sound set up. We were due to go on at 845 so the remainder of the time was utilized by going through the set list with Harley explaining various differences and key changes to the songs. We mutually agreed that a couple of them that he had not managed to "you tube" and learn before he came should be dropped from the set, but fair play to the man - we did leave some in that he wasn't sure about and he did an awesome job improvising. The songs he did know were truly played really well and after the first two songs into the first set, both Beanz and Harley were put at ease by Chaz's talent. This was also the first pub gig that Beanz successfully completed without a music stand. He sung them all from memory which reflects the old saying that we are at our best when we are at our worst. Had we done the whole set, this may have been a different story. It's just coincidence that the songs Chaz didn't know, were the ones that Beanz needed words for. Feedback from the audience and our usual "groupie" crowd suggested that it was great and you'd never know that we hadn't played together before. The other factor that put us at ease was the fact that Chaz was very interactive with the audience and quite often we were bantering amongst ourselves and the crowd with some interesting and funny quotations which was welcomed as light hearted entertainment. At one point, Harley was giving a "live" guitar lesson on stage, and after having a laugh, quickly trying to put a song together, we all suddenly remembered that there was an audience in front of us waiting for some music. They took it well, understanding the issue and joined in with the banter.
The pub itself wasn't overly busy but not empty by a long shot. We found out later that on this particular night, every pub in Havant had some sort of entertainment on, and had they not, our pub probably would have had double the amount of people in it. Not blowing our own trumpet but it is so nice to overhear comments from strangers that "the band playing down the road were nothing on these guys!" - it makes all the effort worthwhile. Our music is not everybody's cup of tea but we certainly have had more positives than negatives about our performances and we still maintain that our set is broad enough for us to have at least one song for everyone.
We did get called back for an encore and of course obliged. Feedback from our last gig suggested that maybe "Baggy Trousers" by Madness was not the right song choice and we reverted back to Steppenwolf's "Born To Be Wild" as requested by a couple of our groupies. Even after this one had finished, they asked for another and we would have finished on our usual "Vertigo" by U2 had we not run out of time. We had to be totally finished by 11pm due to the music licence and respect for the neighbouring old people home. Despite dropping a few of the songs out, we still filled our slot by longer intervals between songs, used to brief Chaz about what was coming next.
Dan, as usual did a good job making us sound good. The Wheelwright Arms has a reputation for being awkward accoustically and by all the instruments being MIC'd up and running through the mixing desk, Dan got our noise travelling all around the pub successfully. Keychelle did her bit and managed to sell some more "Kneeslider" keyrings, raising a further £18.00 for the Rowans Hospice. Another special thank you has to go to our No. 1 Groupie Wayne, and his partner in crime Gayvid who kept our spirits up with their comedy act! Keeping us smiling and laughing throughout the night with their stories, Michael Jackson impressions and interaction kept us at ease. Wayne was also a rock to Beanz, who was extremely apprehensive about gigging since the loss of Jock and drummed positiveness into him. He said simply in a cheezy manner "the show must go on. It will either be your best gig or your worst." As it happens it was neither but successful in so many different ways and the Landlady made it perfectly clear that we will be returning, as long as Beanz changed his t-shirt!!!!!
We'd like to take this opportunity to thank Shandy for giving us the opportunity to perform at her pub and donating extra for the Rowans, Wayne and the posse for supporting us yet again, the people of the Wheelwrights for making us feel welcome, but most of all, Chaz. The bass player that stepped in at the last minute and did a fantastic job. Without you, the gig wouldn't have happened and we all look forward to maybe working with you again in the future.
Thursday, 16 July 2009
Bye Jock :(
It is with deep regret that we have to announce that Jock "the rock" Block has decided to leave Kneeslider. Jock has been with us since January and has been playing superb bass right from our very first pub gig.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank Jock for his valued input, efforts and support over the past six months and wish him and his family well for the future.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank Jock for his valued input, efforts and support over the past six months and wish him and his family well for the future.
Sunday, 12 July 2009
The Spotted Cow - 10th July, 2009
Another great night in Cowplain. We thoroughly enjoyed the last gig here and were looking forward to playing here again. The setting up was straight forward enough this time round and all done and sound checked by 830. Cool, time to chill out before going on. As always the pub was packed and with the addition of an in-house birthday party, there were lots of eyes upon us!
We kicked off around 900 with the usual "Pretty Vacant" and got claps from the off.
It was nice to see our regular posse supporting us again - right up the front rockin' it out as usual and stimulating the rest of the pub to join in.
Andy was in pain before playing, bless him - he has been busy moving house and shifting stuff for the last two weeks and his arms appeard to be seized. A few Bulmers later and the blame for his drumming could be shifted! Harley was on tender hooks as Guitar Hero Ginger Andy came to see us for the first time and apparantly loved it. Well done H, your hero was proud of you! Jock was Jock, in his world of 9 pints and 'avin' it large! Beanz managed to do the whole night with loads of mistakes as usual but was chuffed that he managed "My Sharona" all the way through with no words. The pat on the back from Jock was much appreciated!
There was lots of interaction this time round - laughing and joking and taking the piss out of each other and the audience. We were comfortable and feedback suggests that it was welcomed.
T-Rex's "I love To Boogie" had a further extension tonight, as Beanz didn't only introduce the band, he went on to recognise some of the unsung heroes that consistently show their support for us. It was great and even more pleasing, was for the first time ever, as each musician was introduced, they did their own amplified little bit to emphasize their instruments. A regular to our gigs even popped up on stage and introduced Beanz to everyone which was a first also!
Dan "Ratboy" did us proud again, and quite a few people commented on how good we sounded. Despite yet another technical problem with a dodgy MIC lead Beanz quickly nabbed Harley's this time and carried on as if nothing had happened! It was funny to watch Ratboy scrabbling around the floor sorting out the wiring whilst we were still playing. Before the song was finished, Beanz had one MIC in the stand and two unplugged in his hand which he tried to disguise by comically pretending they were maracas! Fooling no-one, it was obvious what was happening but extremely funny. "Sort it out Ratboy or you'll be getting a home visit from Rentokill!"
Keychelle and Shirl did us proud backing for "Ruby" again and it sounded like the whole pub was helping us with "Parklife" - superb!
We had a request to sing happy birthday to "Julie" to which we obliged and proceeded to invite her up to sing along to "You Really Got Me". Julie apparantly is a barmaid at the pub and well done girl, you did good!
A couple of time throughout the evening, we also played a few bars from Andy's own song to his girlfriend "Hey Little Mo'", which didn't go down too well with her stood at the bar! I guess there was no "rudies" for him when he got home!
Overall, it was another successful and most enjoyable evening and we thank everone for making us feel welcome. Thanks to Baz and his wife (the landlord and landlady) for giving us a second opportunity to play such a great pub, and for booking us again in September.
We kicked off around 900 with the usual "Pretty Vacant" and got claps from the off.
It was nice to see our regular posse supporting us again - right up the front rockin' it out as usual and stimulating the rest of the pub to join in.
Andy was in pain before playing, bless him - he has been busy moving house and shifting stuff for the last two weeks and his arms appeard to be seized. A few Bulmers later and the blame for his drumming could be shifted! Harley was on tender hooks as Guitar Hero Ginger Andy came to see us for the first time and apparantly loved it. Well done H, your hero was proud of you! Jock was Jock, in his world of 9 pints and 'avin' it large! Beanz managed to do the whole night with loads of mistakes as usual but was chuffed that he managed "My Sharona" all the way through with no words. The pat on the back from Jock was much appreciated!
There was lots of interaction this time round - laughing and joking and taking the piss out of each other and the audience. We were comfortable and feedback suggests that it was welcomed.
T-Rex's "I love To Boogie" had a further extension tonight, as Beanz didn't only introduce the band, he went on to recognise some of the unsung heroes that consistently show their support for us. It was great and even more pleasing, was for the first time ever, as each musician was introduced, they did their own amplified little bit to emphasize their instruments. A regular to our gigs even popped up on stage and introduced Beanz to everyone which was a first also!
Dan "Ratboy" did us proud again, and quite a few people commented on how good we sounded. Despite yet another technical problem with a dodgy MIC lead Beanz quickly nabbed Harley's this time and carried on as if nothing had happened! It was funny to watch Ratboy scrabbling around the floor sorting out the wiring whilst we were still playing. Before the song was finished, Beanz had one MIC in the stand and two unplugged in his hand which he tried to disguise by comically pretending they were maracas! Fooling no-one, it was obvious what was happening but extremely funny. "Sort it out Ratboy or you'll be getting a home visit from Rentokill!"
Keychelle and Shirl did us proud backing for "Ruby" again and it sounded like the whole pub was helping us with "Parklife" - superb!
We had a request to sing happy birthday to "Julie" to which we obliged and proceeded to invite her up to sing along to "You Really Got Me". Julie apparantly is a barmaid at the pub and well done girl, you did good!
A couple of time throughout the evening, we also played a few bars from Andy's own song to his girlfriend "Hey Little Mo'", which didn't go down too well with her stood at the bar! I guess there was no "rudies" for him when he got home!
Overall, it was another successful and most enjoyable evening and we thank everone for making us feel welcome. Thanks to Baz and his wife (the landlord and landlady) for giving us a second opportunity to play such a great pub, and for booking us again in September.
We also feel a special mention should go out to Keychelle who went all out to get rid of our promtional keyrings & pens etc. We managed to raise a further £30.00 for our charity, The Rowans Hospice. If you bought one - thanks a lot!
Just to close, if you happen to be the drunk man who tried to pluck Jocks strings whilst he was playing, consider yourself lucky! Our groupies saw and were on stand by, not to mention the fact that Jock had a spare guitar with him and would have thought nothing of smashing it across your head without even missing a note. Your ok fella, we've calmed him down and passed it on to a hit man instead - you got off lightly PMSL!
Just to close, if you happen to be the drunk man who tried to pluck Jocks strings whilst he was playing, consider yourself lucky! Our groupies saw and were on stand by, not to mention the fact that Jock had a spare guitar with him and would have thought nothing of smashing it across your head without even missing a note. Your ok fella, we've calmed him down and passed it on to a hit man instead - you got off lightly PMSL!
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