tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-334727852024-03-06T01:04:40.606+00:00Leigh's Mad World Of GuitarsI play the guitar for Ruts DC. I do a few other things too.Leigh Heggartyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01884969643184980344noreply@blogger.comBlogger809125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33472785.post-84006629413509429822023-11-05T11:45:00.002+00:002023-11-05T11:45:30.745+00:00Ruts D.C. UK Tour May 2023 - First World Problems and more...<p><i></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><i style="text-align: left;">What follows was written in May 2023, at the times and places indicated.</i></i></div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirB1XUXFriB9jIgjiAiHNltcFJ0Wm20K-aI-frQYxmummlKvMJtKMixvaBsdDfrtzewWQXjWuya8VcgqawfXmN4cyC_ZY7m6qYDoVWSCKJgzL-0aNeF_gFgnqGCJTC46f4BZHkdaFZahI88QrzEgO42Z7XPbLiGaq0nP152xMsDH2HpuFFfeej3A/s640/Ruts%20DC%20May%202023.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirB1XUXFriB9jIgjiAiHNltcFJ0Wm20K-aI-frQYxmummlKvMJtKMixvaBsdDfrtzewWQXjWuya8VcgqawfXmN4cyC_ZY7m6qYDoVWSCKJgzL-0aNeF_gFgnqGCJTC46f4BZHkdaFZahI88QrzEgO42Z7XPbLiGaq0nP152xMsDH2HpuFFfeej3A/w400-h400/Ruts%20DC%20May%202023.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><u>Wednesday 10th, Room 905, <a href="https://www.thistle.com/thistle-express/luton" target="_blank">The Thistle Hotel</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luton" target="_blank">Luton</a>, 9.55 am</u></p><p>Well. </p><p>It's been a while.</p><p><a href="https://rutsdc.com" target="_blank">Ruts D.C.</a> last played a live show on Saturday 3rd December 2022, at The <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islington" target="_blank">Islington</a> <a href="https://www.academymusicgroup.com/o2academyislington/" target="_blank">Academy</a>. Even though I say so myself, we were great. It was the last night of the 'Counterculture Part 1' UK tour, we'd been accompanied on all shows by the mighty <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T._V._Smith" target="_blank">T.V. Smith</a>, and it had been a wonderful experience from start to finish. I'd joined Tim for three songs at the last show ('Tomahawk Cruise', 'The Lion and the Lamb' and 'One Chord Wonders' in case you were wondering) which maybe made the night extra special for me - mind you I then spent over an hour after the show walking around with all my tour luggage trying to get a taxi home. First World problems eh?</p><p>Since then we've recorded the 'ElectrAcoustic Volume 2' album which is due out in August in time for The Rebellion Festival, and I've been out and about on the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/WingmenHQ?paipv=0&eav=AfYDMxe4uB_rtUjHI2tolbHFwvNvqg48CjRL-Cr2LXl17h40g0DAez_4GPP_0OZx9_U" target="_blank">Wingmen</a> tour. All good stuff - but there's nothing quite like playing live with Ruts D.C... we've just had two days rehearsal at <a href="https://www.thehiverooms.com" target="_blank">The Hive Rooms</a> in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horley" target="_blank">Horley</a> where the Wingmen tour rehearsals took place, it's a good set up and we've all enjoyed being there. Yesterday afternoon we were joined by Dale (driver) and Dave (soundman) with whom we then wended our weary way to Luton - We're in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stockton-on-Tees" target="_blank">Stockton-on-Tees</a> tonight so it's a suitable stopping off point. I'd stayed at The <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gatwick_Airport" target="_blank">Gatwick Airport</a> <a href="https://www.travelodge.co.uk" target="_blank">Travelodge</a> on Monday night (again, Wingmen approved) which was as, erm, eccentric as I remember it being - this is a rather more straightforward place with breakfast consisting of rubbery scrambled eggs, lukewarm baked beans and potato rostis that night best be described as 'experimental'. As I say, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_World_problem" target="_blank">First World problems</a> eh? </p><p> Now I'm scribbling away on some old A4 paper that I found in my bag as I don't have a notepad with me. I used to take one everywhere with me when I was a regular <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blog" target="_blank">blogger</a> but that was then and this is now - these days I use <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Facebook" target="_blank">Facebook</a> to blast on and on about myself (!) so why am I back doing this now? Simple - I've just started re-reading '<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Diary-Rock-n-Roll-Star/dp/1785588524/ref=sr_1_1?crid=26D959EZ4EBOL&keywords=diary+of+a+rock+and+roll+star+ian+hunter&qid=1688924872&sprefix=ian+hunter+diar%2Caps%2C132&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Diary Of A Rock 'n' Roll Star</a>' by <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ian_Hunter_(singer)" target="_blank">Ian Hunter</a> and have, rather pretentiously perhaps, decided that it's time to get back to this sort of thing. Do you wanna be a rock 'n' roll star? Of course you do. Let's be one together.</p><p>We leave at 11. It's good to be back!</p><p><u>Thursday 11th, Room 304, <a href="https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/nclgigi-hilton-garden-inn-sunderland/" target="_blank">Hilton Garden Inn</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunderland" target="_blank">Sunderland</a>, 10.12 am</u></p><p>Ooh - that's the <a href="https://www.safc.com/matchday/stadium-of-light" target="_blank">Stadium Of Light</a>. I don't think I've seen that before.</p><p>It was a good first night, maybe even a great first night as first night's go.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD-i_aTlu5dOOuzwzVzyBtDVJF7mnVwDrb4SVZMCt_7rUtI42HEdgiAJm4961WrUCkYlFJj79KppzgpsWb1Qiia5XoXwPAde8zyA9yGzG7KxHOZBb_cEcJ45t53qw7fLF18815SmupA8WTRRNLtalvaVAcZ0KjEbQU7FJI36Z9XlTKJxFmP-YvBA/s1024/Ruts%20DC%20setlist%20May%202023..jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="703" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD-i_aTlu5dOOuzwzVzyBtDVJF7mnVwDrb4SVZMCt_7rUtI42HEdgiAJm4961WrUCkYlFJj79KppzgpsWb1Qiia5XoXwPAde8zyA9yGzG7KxHOZBb_cEcJ45t53qw7fLF18815SmupA8WTRRNLtalvaVAcZ0KjEbQU7FJI36Z9XlTKJxFmP-YvBA/w138-h200/Ruts%20DC%20setlist%20May%202023..jpeg" width="138" /></a></div>The journey up went well with no major hold ups so we were at the venue a bit early - with our hotel 40 minutes North of there we had no choice but to go to <a href="https://www.beerintheevening.com/pubs/s/31/3189/Green_Dragon/Stockton_On_Tees" target="_blank">The Green Dragon</a> to, erm, consider our setlist or something. Actually that was more or less what we did, as there are a couple of changes from Part 1 of the tour. 'No Time To Kill' has replaced 'Dangerous Minds - both are on the 1981 '<a href="https://rutsdc.com/downloads#animal-now" target="_blank">Animal Now</a>' album - and 'Caught In The Kill Zone' from our new album is in for '<a href="https://rutsdc.com/downloads#music-must-destroy" target="_blank">Music Must Destroy</a>'. But there is a less likely difference this time... if like me you saw the band promoting the afore-mentioned 'Animal Now' in 1981 you will have seen Segs and Paul swap instruments to play 'Despondency' and 'Fools' - they play each other's instruments on 'Fools' and 'Despondency' on the album too. Somehow - and I'm not exactly sure how - '<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfJgHqt5nWA" target="_blank">Despondency</a>' is now in the set with Segs on <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_guitar" target="_blank">guitar</a> and your humble narrator on <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bass_guitar" target="_blank">bass</a>. Strange but true, and a proper <i>'did I really just do that?'</i> moment for me. This is the longest set we've played since the band reformed and there is hopefully something for everyone in it.<p></p><p>First nights are almost always a bit... weird. <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ian_Dury" target="_blank">Ian Dury</a> put it best in '<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZmopROxBnBU" target="_blank">What A Waste</a>' - well, kind of anyway. We thought that we took a while to get going but it was a good show with many-a friendly face in a very appreciative audience. It was good to see <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.K._Subs" target="_blank">UK Subs</a> guitar man Steve with his lady Beki (check out her band <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Chaos8uk/" target="_blank">Chaos 8</a> - fearsome stuff!) alongside uber fan Tony Lee (he's got our faces tattooed on one of his legs! Really!) and his lady Kate - as I say, a good start to proceedings.</p><p>Dunfermline tonight - I don't think I've been there before. It's the home of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skids_(band)" target="_blank">The Skids</a> - that's got to be a good omen hasn't it? Well I think that it has. We're off at 11. Again.</p><p><u>Room 106, <a href="https://www.jdwetherspoon.com/hotels/scotland/fife/the-guildhall--linen-exchange" target="_blank">The Guildhall And Linen Exchange Hotel</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunfermline" target="_blank">Dunfermline</a>, 3.27 pm</u></p><p>We're staying in a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wetherspoons" target="_blank">Wetherspoons</a>. Ooh.</p><p>Whisper it very quietly - it's excellent. Of course it is. Why wouldn't it be?</p><p>Our journey took longer than it might have due to roadworks, diversions and the disconcerting sight of a burnt out car on the opposite carriageway. A lack of service stations (more First World problems!) meant that our only stop was at petrol station where a poster in the window proclaimed 'FOOTBALLER SAVES FRIENDS LIFE AFTER PITCH COLLAPSE'. An evocative thought.</p><p>We're a few minutes walk from the venue and we're sound checking at 5. Time for a pint perhaps?</p><p><u>Saturday 13th, Room 306, <a href="https://www.googleadservices.com/pagead/aclk?sa=L&ai=DChcSEwiM6d34mYKAAxWChFAGHaD-BSIYABACGgJkZw&ae=2&ohost=www.google.com&cid=CAESbOD2cjCYHqXBI7yrFpuRI5Pp3s1BGOjlPlOY-CO4p7VaXrcHKaVORTX-Fat3Qd6ZH5HC5NC2aPZsnTNaoYlGg7S3pcZ5-d9mEpyRVhb0DrAravZF0uOIIjoggWD5oL6F-6eMa3Hpft_Eiap4aw&sig=AOD64_0NrS6foUqi1TqQvL1mWHo7XBtlDQ&q&adurl&ved=2ahUKEwiGzNb4mYKAAxXbU0EAHf9oD1oQ0Qx6BAgFEAE&nis=8&dct=1" target="_blank">The NIU Hotel</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manchester" target="_blank">Manchester</a>, 10.53 am</u></p><p>I've missed a day. How did that happen?</p><p>'Twas a cracking night at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pjmolloys/?locale=en_GB" target="_blank">PJ Molloys</a> in Dunfermline, a venue with a rightly-deserved good reputation and one that I really hope that we return to in the future. a sold out crowd made us feel welcome from the first song, and there was time for a drink afterwards with some fans who were also staying at the hotel - great stuff all round.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5x_h6BugDpO-gYidYA_N4bQ1QFup2bicAje4sW-8h-NsTifrU5s_pCVNvgSSlQ7J2R72je_A5I-qx02X7u3Gyl3Jz3QOHDbT25YgHfYpprINjbZau04Pd60JKQnAxjDBxUuSDysafkL6-ojPs6jD0oI1PDFki8U8XB-FF4t6_QNQ_9SkwdT4NSQ/s1450/Ruts%20DC%20Salford%202023.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1450" data-original-width="982" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5x_h6BugDpO-gYidYA_N4bQ1QFup2bicAje4sW-8h-NsTifrU5s_pCVNvgSSlQ7J2R72je_A5I-qx02X7u3Gyl3Jz3QOHDbT25YgHfYpprINjbZau04Pd60JKQnAxjDBxUuSDysafkL6-ojPs6jD0oI1PDFki8U8XB-FF4t6_QNQ_9SkwdT4NSQ/w136-h200/Ruts%20DC%20Salford%202023.jpeg" width="136" /></a></div>Last night was also good, but not without it's moments. The monitors were off for the first song which always creates an <i>'is it just me that can't hear anything?'</i> moment for everyone on stage. Well, it certainly does for me. I thought <a href="https://www.manchesteracademy.net" target="_blank">The Academy</a> was a bit big for us but we had a good crowd who warmed up as the show progressed, and everyone went home happy in the end - that said I for one could have done without the security man trying to throw me out when I went out to our <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merchandising" target="_blank">merch</a> after the show to see a few people. My cheery<i> 'I'm in the band honest'</i> while waving a backstage pass in his face didn't even get near to making him smile - still I suspect that judging by his general demeanour I and indeed you have a better day than he does most days... support came from <a href="https://www.facebook.com/voodooradioband/?locale=en_GB" target="_blank">Voodoo Radio</a>, a father-and daughter duo who are well worth a look and listen if you get the chance. Nice people too.<br /><p></p><p>We're leaving for Huddersfield at midday so it might be time for a walk across to the rather odd looking Irish shop opposite. And hopefully there will be time for us to get a photo outside <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salford_Lads%27_Club" target="_blank">Salford Lads Club</a>. One for the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Smiths" target="_blank">Smiths</a> fans - which I'm not really, but you have to do these things don't you?</p><p><u>Sunday 14th, Room 203, <a href="https://www.premierinn.com/gb/en/hotels/england/west-yorkshire/huddersfield/huddersfield-central.html" target="_blank">Premier Inn</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Huddersfield" target="_blank">Huddersfield</a>, 11.22 am</u></p><p>I suppose it was bound to happen sometime. </p><p>There I was, soloing my way to the end of 'You're Just A...' and thinking <i>'oh this is sounding good'</i> - I should know better than to do that shouldn't I? By the time we got to the end of the next song 'It Was Cold' I could hardly hear the guitar. Well, I could, it just had no power.What's gone wrong? Oh, it's ok now, maybe it's just me... 2 songs later and it's definitely not right, Dale is on stage and we're playing with leads then decide to change to my spare <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guitar_pedalboard" target="_blank">pedalboard</a> as Dave and Segs keep everyone entertained with some increasingly outrageous stories. We change the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guitar_amplifier" target="_blank">amp</a> while there's <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LSD" target="_blank">high</a> jinks at <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niagara_Falls" target="_blank">Niagara Falls</a> with <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kirsty_MacColl" target="_blank">Kirsty MacColl</a> - eventually we restart the show and it goes well despite me spending the rest of it expecting something else to go wrong.</p><p>There's work to do at today's <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soundcheck" target="_blank">soundcheck</a>.</p><p>In the meantime - I don't think I've been to Huddersfield before either, it seems like a good place although admittedly I've only really seen The Premier Inn, the pub next door (<a href="https://www.beerintheevening.com/pubs/s/29/29793/Aspley/Huddersfield" target="_blank">The Aspley</a>) and the venue (<a href="https://parishpub.co.uk/gigs/" target="_blank">The Parish)</a> but it feels good if you know what I mean. Mind you I was in the bar until 3 am with <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Stranglers" target="_blank">Stranglers</a> fans Steve and Nick...</p><p><u>Tuesday 16th, at home, 10.18 am</u></p><p>The last thing that you want when you're on tour is a day off. Well, it's the last thing that I want anyway. Or is it? My washing is on, it's a lovely day and my guitar problems on Saturday night turned out to be the fault of a dodgy guitar lead. Well hopefully that's the case - sound man Dave is taking both amps for a service today <i>('I know a man in a shed')</i> just to be on the safe side.</p><p>Sunday in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuneaton" target="_blank">Nuneaton</a> turned out to be a good day all round - lunch at <a href="https://www.greenekinginns.co.uk/hotels/chase-hotel/" target="_blank">The Chase Hotel</a> was followed by a string change and the afore-mentioned troubleshooting at sound check before I joined Steve & Sheila and Paul & Mandy at <a href="https://lordhopnuneaton.co.uk" target="_blank">The Lord Hop</a> for a pint or two of impressive tasting Pilsner. Back at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/queenshallnuneaton/?locale=en_GB" target="_blank">The Queens Hall</a> it was good to see Pam Greenfield and her friend Josie among the many familiar faces, and a good show was followed by a few few drinks with a few more people... and I woke up yesterday with maybe the worst <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hangover" target="_blank">hangover</a> ever. Ouch.</p><p>Or did I? Without going into too many details the next few hours showed that it might have been a stomach bug. Or maybe that <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pilsner" target="_blank">Pilsner</a> wasn't quite so impressive after all...</p><p>We're playing in Reading tomorrow. Good. </p><p><u>Thursday 18th, Room 19, <a href="https://www.visit-reading.com/where-to-stay/hotel-1843-p2174951" target="_blank">The 1843 Hotel</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reading,_Berkshire" target="_blank">Reading</a>, 10.42 am</u></p><p>It's good to be back. Or as I wrote the other day, it's good to be nowhere again. That line should be in a song shouldn't it? Maybe one day it will be.</p><p>A good show at <a href="https://www.sub89.com" target="_blank">Sub 89</a> last night, although from our point of view maybe not a great one. <i>'Hard work' </i>we all said in unison at the side of the stage as we waited to go back on for the encore. <i>'Hard work' </i>said the mighty T.V. Smith who is back with us for the next set of gigs. <i>'Hard work'</i> said sound man Dave who then announced that the PA system<i> 'might be a bit blown'. </i></p><p>Hard work then.</p><p>I'd been up to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denmark_Street" target="_blank">Denmark Street</a> earlier in the day as in the wake of the guitar lead issues I though it might be a good idea to buy some new ones - when one goes, they often all go... it's all changed. Last time I was there it was a street with musical instrument shops in it, now it's more like a guitar theme park. Everything seems to have doubled in price too. Bah. For there it was a train to Reading and a walk to Sub 89 to meet Spike and his son Kaleb who are joining us for this leg of the tour as Dale is elsewhere. Dave met Spike when he was drumming in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dexys_Midnight_Runners" target="_blank">Dexys</a>, he's a great chap and his lad seems like a nice fella so it's looking good for the next few shows.</p><p>So - why was it 'hard work'? It's difficult to say... I was expecting my guitar to go wrong again - maybe it's time for some switch cleaner on everything? The lights were rather, erm, dark, Dave was on a riser which made him feel separate to us and us feel separate from him, Segs's mic stand kept collapsing... it's those First World problems again isn't it? And we went down well, and it was great to see <a href="https://www.loudersound.com/reviews/roland-link-love-in-vain-the-story-of-the-ruts-ruts-dc" target="_blank">Roland Link</a>, <a href="http://retroman65.blogspot.com" target="_blank">Retroman</a> Steve, Bill from <a href="https://www.facebook.com/thegoodoldboys/" target="_blank">The Good Old Boys</a> and more so maybe it's time I cheered up.</p><p>Brighton tonight. That'll be good. I've cheered up already.</p><p><u>Friday 19th, Room 40, <a href="https://amsterdamhotelbrighton.com" target="_blank">The Amsterdam Hotel</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brighton" target="_blank">Brighton</a>, 10.31 am</u></p><p>And it was indeed a good show - none of us were happy with the Reading gig do this one has put us right back on track. Excellent.</p><p>The <a href="https://www.concorde2.co.uk" target="_blank">Concord 2</a> is a classic old venue - when we arrived Nick from <a href="https://www.facebook.com/BurningPicks/" target="_blank">Burning Picks</a> was there to take some photos and to generally be of assistance. I met him on the Wingmen tour, he's a splendid fellow and a great photographer as <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=BurningPicks&set=a.1291892258233475" target="_blank">these</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=BurningPicks&set=a.1297209224368445" target="_blank">pics</a> show.</p><p>Earlier I went to <a href="https://www.gak.co.uk" target="_blank">GAK</a> to buy some fingerboard oil and switch cleaner and then went to the excellently-named <a href="https://www.wkmk.co.uk" target="_blank">Wai Kika Moo Kau</a> for a burger - I like Brighton but it's a bit <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hippie" target="_blank">hippyish</a> for me, maybe not the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mod_(subculture)" target="_blank">mod</a> temple I always expect it to be. Oh well. As I say the show blew away any doubts about the previous night (which wasn't bad, we just thought that it could have been better) and it's set us up well for Portsmouth tonight. 'Twas great to see Tony and Andy from <a href="https://www.facebook.com/witchdoktors/?locale=en_GB" target="_blank">The WitchDoktors</a>, and the lads from <a href="https://www.facebook.com/theassassinationbureau/" target="_blank">The Assassination Bureau</a>, and my old mate Simon from <a href="https://www.facebook.com/newtownneurotics/?locale=en_GB" target="_blank">The Newtown Neurotics</a> - they've got a documentary film called <a href="https://www.facebook.com/kickoutdocumentary/?locale=en_GB" target="_blank">'Kick Out!'</a> coming out in September which should be well worth a watch, not least because I'm in it!</p><p>Check out is at 11 and breakfast finished at 10 so I'd better find a sandwich if I'm going to...</p><p><u>Saturday 20th, Room 232, <a href="https://www.travelodge.co.uk/hotels/62/Portsmouth-hotel" target="_blank">Travelodge</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portsmouth" target="_blank">Portsmouth</a>, 11.51 am</u></p><p>Crikey - we're leaving at midday. Where does the time go?</p><p>A great gig. More next time.</p><p><u>Sunday 21st, Room 232, <a href="https://www.travelodge.co.uk/hotels/662/Letchworth-Garden-City-hotel?sb=0" target="_blank">Travelodge</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Letchworth" target="_blank">Letchworth</a>, 10.20 am</u></p><p>Today we leave at 11. Where does the time go (slight return) eh?</p><p>An enjoyable show at <a href="https://club-85.co.uk" target="_blank">Club 85</a> in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hitchin" target="_blank">Hitchin</a> last night, although slightly blighted by the ghastly <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hippie" target="_blank">hippies</a> who were masquerading as the crew. Don't smoke <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cannabis_(drug)" target="_blank">dope</a> all day boys, you'll get nothing done... oh, you got nothing done. Still Andy '<a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063494653726" target="_blank">Human Punk</a>' Chesham was promoting so everything went well in the end - T.V. was as great as ever, and even though I say so myself we really got hold of the show. Excellent. Now it's time for a quick walk across to Costa (we're on a distant industrial estate) then to get everything together for the ride up to Derby and a return visit to <a href="https://www.hairydogvenue.co.uk" target="_blank">The Hairy Dog</a>. T.V. is on at 5.30 with us an hour later - it's a matinee show! </p><p><u>Tuesday 23rd, at home, 5.16 pm</u></p><p>So - where DOES the time go?</p><p>I've been asleep much of this afternoon. I'm not ashamed! I'd woken up at 7- something this morning genuinely wondering where I was. This happens my friends, this happens. </p><p>There's lots to mention while I can still remember it.</p><p><a href="https://www.eaststreettap.pub" target="_blank">The East Street Bar</a> in Brighton after our gig.<i> 'It's student night'</i> said the doorman. <i>'We're <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Student" target="_blank">students</a>' </i>said Segs with a straight face as the afore-mentioned doorman smiled and let us in and Segs added <i>'See you in 20 minutes when you're throwing me out'</i>... well it had been a great gig, and Portsmouth was great too, with a snippet of '<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Svhiw-XK3aU" target="_blank">How Soon Is Now?</a>' for the recently departed <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andy_Rourke" target="_blank">Andy Rourke</a> making it's way into 'In A Rut'. We added that in Hitchin and Derby too, where public transport finishes at 8.30 on a Sunday evening hence the early show. T.V. was tremendous - why don't we play with him all the time? - and we were pretty good too as <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10CZpV16qZI" target="_blank">this</a> footage shows. We managed to get a couple of drinks at <a href="https://www.bluejaypubderby.co.uk" target="_blank">The Blue Jay</a> next to our hotel after the show - and that closed at 10 o'clock. It must be a Derby thing... and it was light when we left the venue. Weird!</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRj6nTnb2G1uoUTkQ_qUpv_swEkWAOfy7-5QPGneu8qnzeRyV3rgADA2PU9SjZgcjmuRvmas46c4I0-2a9Q1mr1RpEMk2NeWe_t4Q2SduEVW1feEr33R41rG7CSkASuK2f4n9iD9Bm6fbKldnZ8DjwLCWNSSL5v-1DvrfEBwkyoqZktnIoCtbYLw/s320/Ruts%20DC%20Water%20Rats.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="320" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRj6nTnb2G1uoUTkQ_qUpv_swEkWAOfy7-5QPGneu8qnzeRyV3rgADA2PU9SjZgcjmuRvmas46c4I0-2a9Q1mr1RpEMk2NeWe_t4Q2SduEVW1feEr33R41rG7CSkASuK2f4n9iD9Bm6fbKldnZ8DjwLCWNSSL5v-1DvrfEBwkyoqZktnIoCtbYLw/w200-h200/Ruts%20DC%20Water%20Rats.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Oh - and I finished 'Diary Of A Rock 'n' Roll Star', and very good it was too. Last week I re-read <a href="https://www.zoehowe.com" target="_blank">Zoe Howe</a>'s excellent <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lee_Brilleaux" target="_blank">Lee Brilleaux</a> biography '<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Lee-Brilleaux-Rocknroll-Zoe-Howe/dp/184697335X" target="_blank">Rock 'n' Roll Gentlemen</a>' which I last read when we toured <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australia" target="_blank">Australia</a> and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Zealand" target="_blank">New Zealand</a> a few years ago (what a poser eh? I mean, I didn't have to mention that did I? Well... actually... I did!) and which highly amused Segs at the time as I apparently somewhat adopted <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dr._Feelgood_(band)" target="_blank">Dr. Feelgood</a>'s legendary <i>'time for a jolly up'</i> approach to touring - in other words I suggested a visit to the bar at pretty much every opportunity. Subliminal messaging perhaps? This week I've got <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nick_Kent" target="_blank">Nick Kent</a>'s 70s memoir '<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Apathy-Devil-Nick-Kent/dp/0571232868/ref=sr_1_1?crid=39E1QNQIN67L4&keywords=nick+kent+apathy&qid=1695151252&s=books&sprefix=nick+kent+ap%2Cstripbooks%2C72&sr=1-1" target="_blank">Apathy For the Devil</a>' for company which I've not read before and so am very much looking forward to reading. <p></p><p>It's a sold out show at The Water Rats in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King%27s_Cross,_London" target="_blank">King's Cross</a> tomorrow night, which will also feature an 'exclusive' playback of our new acoustic album and which promises to be quite a night. From there we play York, Dunoon, Sheffield and then back to <a href="https://www.thewaterratsvenue.london" target="_blank">The Water Rats</a> for an added show - that's a lot of miles isn't it? Still at least I won't wake up wondering where I am.. or will I? Let's see!</p><p><u>Thursday 25th, Room 208, <a href="https://lintonhotel.com" target="_blank">The Linton Hotel</a>, Luton, 9.27 am</u></p><p>Well - that was an 'interesting' end to our evening. But more about that in a minute.</p><p>The Water Rats - shouldn't that be Water Ruts? - always promised to be a night to remember and I'm please to say that it more than lived up to expectations. Packed out - maybe oversold? - and beyond hot (<u>surely</u> they could have turned the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_conditioning" target="_blank">air conditioning</a> on?) the show was everything we hoped that it would be and more. Much audience and indeed band merriment occurred throughout the show despite the heat, In A Rut' included a breathless burst of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMhf3wc5R3I" target="_blank">'Love Song'</a> for the recently departed <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Algy_Ward" target="_blank">Algy Ward</a>, and even the fact that our dressing room was three floors up<i> (at least! I lost count at 65 steps!)</i> and the fact that the bouncer on the front door was roundly unpleasant to all and sundry couldn't dampen our spirits. But maybe the most interesting moment in the show was also one of the most unexpected... one chap over on Segs's side of the stage was a particularly good dancer, to such an extent that Segs inverted him up onto the stage during the last song of the evening '<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQ7N4qFbL9g" target="_blank">Psychic Attack</a>'. It was only then that I realised that it was <a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1044562/" target="_blank">Peter O'Connor</a>, the noted actor that appears in the promo video for said song - so if you were there you saw a live performance of the video. Strange but true. </p><p><i>And if you weren't there you can see said performance <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IRTcvarOpzI" target="_blank">here</a> - isn't Pete great?!?</i></p><p>A classic evening. And then we got to our hotel. These <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WhatsApp" target="_blank">WhatsApp</a> exchanges say it all -</p><p><i>What's this all about with the student beds?</i></p><p><i>It must be comedy night. </i></p><p><i>I'm on the verge of getting a cab home...</i></p><p><i>I feel like I've been arrested!</i></p><p><i>I've slept in worse - Guatemala I think...</i></p><p><i>I've just seen Tony Handcock's landlady.</i></p><p><i>Breakfast finishes at 9, court at 10, leave at 11 subject to sentence. </i></p><p><i>I'm soothed by the sound of them building the gallows.</i></p><p>And then, in the morning - </p><p><i>Bed was actually comfortable although the rubber undersheet was a nice touch as were the circling helicopters. </i></p><p><i>I feel like I've been operated on. </i></p><p><i>Prostrate examination imminent. </i></p><p>You get the idea.</p><p>More First World problems? Maybe... it think it was the shock of there being no bed in the room when we arrived at sometime after 1 am - Kaleb had to show me that it came down from the wall. It's great being old... it turned out to be ok although I've got a really sore neck from sleeping awkwardly; that said the breakfast was good so it's time for a shower and to get everything together to leave for York at 11. Another new venue tonight, and it's Dave's hometown...</p><p><u>Friday 26th, Room 11, <a href="https://www.yorkpavilionhotel.com" target="_blank">The Pavilion Hotel</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/York" target="_blank">York</a>, 9.38 am</u></p><p>Ooh - <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vegetarianism" target="_blank">vegetarian</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sausage" target="_blank">sausage</a>. If ever there was a not-always-good-option option it's vegetarian sausage. But if it's recommended by Dave Ruffy, all bets are off. Superb. And out new friend Sean the waiter saw <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soft_Machine" target="_blank">Soft Machine</a> at <a href="http://thecrescentyork.com" target="_blank">The Crescent</a> a few years back and loved it. A good start to the day, and a good gig last night in front of an enthusiastic audience at a splendid venue. 'In A Rut' included '<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpuf6AmQH4M" target="_blank">Nutbush City Limits</a>' in tribute to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tina_Turner" target="_blank">Tina Turner</a>, and it was great to catch up with Matt, my old mate from a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiWGYOSVbUg" target="_blank">previous life</a>, he was on top form and is still out gigging regularly which was great to hear. </p><p>We're playing at The <a href="https://www.punkonthepeninsula.rocks" target="_blank">Punk On The Peninsula</a> Festival in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunoon" target="_blank">Dunoon</a> on the West coast of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scotland" target="_blank">Scotland</a> today. That's a long way away isn't it? We're off at 10 - pack your bags Leigh! </p><p><u>Saturday 27th, leaving Greenock</u></p><p>Welcome to the Ruts D.C. tourbus. </p><p>To be pedantic, the Ruts D.C. <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Splitter_tour_bus" target="_blank">splitter van</a>. These are very prevalent in the rock 'n' roll world <i>(maaan!)</i> as they are ideal for transporting disenfranchised musicians and there equipment from town to town. Usually there are 9 seats - 3 in the front and 2 rows of 3 in the middle section with luggage and equipment in the back section of the bus which is divided off (hence the term 'splitter') from the front and middle sections. In the middle of this bands the 2 rows of 3 face each other with a table between them; sometimes both the rows face forwards so fairly obviously there is no table in this bus.</p><p>So - who's in the bus and where are they? Well... Spike is driving - he's also on sound (Dave the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audio_engineer" target="_blank">sound engineer</a> left us after the Derby gig as he's away working with <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Splitter_tour_bus" target="_blank">Kris Barras</a>) as well as <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tour_manager" target="_blank">tour manager</a> and more. He's brilliant at all all of it. Also in the front is his son Kaleb - he's now looking after our <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Backline_(stage)" target="_blank">backline</a>, and is even on <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merchandising" target="_blank">merch</a> as well some nights. He's brilliant too. Behind Spike sits Segs and behind Kaleb sits Dave while I'm at the right in the back row facing Segs. The table has 5 receptacles in it - they house, left to right as I look at them, a small unopened bottle of water, a half full (or if you prefer, half empty) bottle of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merlot" target="_blank">Merlot</a>, an open small bottle of water, a nearly empty bottle of red <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wine" target="_blank">wine</a> and a large bottle of water with the top off. That's fairly typical for us, and that water bottle could cause me a problem or two of Spike has to brake suddenly so I'll have a look for the top in a minute. The <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/River_Clyde" target="_blank">River Clyde</a> is to our left - the tide is out - and it's about 5 hours to Sheffield where we're gigging tonight. The radio on in the front and the mood is relaxed - and why not? It was a great gig in Dunoon where we were made most welcome by promoter Iain and our friend Dave Ralf who was working at The Punk On The Peninsula Festival. We repaired to <a href="https://www.sgehotelgroup.com/argyll/" target="_blank">The Argyll Hote</a>l for <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guinness" target="_blank">Guinness</a> and a setlist discussion - we've been playing for 85 minutes whereas this was an hour show - when we returned to the festival <a href="https://www.facebook.com/milliemandersmusic" target="_blank">Millie Manders And The Shut Up</a> were sounding good. I had a bit of time to catch up with Ruts fan extraordinaire Mark McCulloch and his wife Shona before <a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063551437078" target="_blank">Church Of Confidence</a> took to the stage for a boisterous performance. There were no dressing rooms - maybe we're the only band that gets changed for the show? - so we had to use the van which suddenly didn't seem be quite as spacious as it had felt up until that point in proceedings. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3b6z0PisS7yVQ-ebG2nFem9_5jNJ4Kf3TNnRC1ixQkUbzsLpG3L7mCIE98ana8GVuzAku70LotzJ5xa7SYGfUyYFOXkIJNz29PfdNkpkferAcaQUasZicgPQ96Pog-7HwWWidjejFPDW0SUw0OUHFlzMfxXVBLjXqxMUS8PhuGNuz-Zg85MSCqg/s1024/Ruts%20DC%20Dunoon%202023.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3b6z0PisS7yVQ-ebG2nFem9_5jNJ4Kf3TNnRC1ixQkUbzsLpG3L7mCIE98ana8GVuzAku70LotzJ5xa7SYGfUyYFOXkIJNz29PfdNkpkferAcaQUasZicgPQ96Pog-7HwWWidjejFPDW0SUw0OUHFlzMfxXVBLjXqxMUS8PhuGNuz-Zg85MSCqg/w200-h150/Ruts%20DC%20Dunoon%202023.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div>Ooh - it's those First World problems again...<p></p><p>We went on at 8.35 - the tent was full and getting fuller and by our third song 'You're Just A...' it was packed. A large stage meant that Segs and myself could indulge in what we often call our '<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Simonon" target="_blank">Paul Simonon</a> moves' <i>(well, he's the coolest man ever isn't he?!?)</i> with much merriment all round. The only downside to the show occurred when we swapped instruments for 'Despondency' - as I passed it to Segs the guitar strap came off. Closer inspection showed that the end pin had actually come out from the guitar. Bugger! Kaleb sprang into action immediately, passing Segs my spare guitar, finding the end pin and screw on the stage and repairing the guitar in time for the next song. What a splendid chap he is! 'In A Rut' once again featured 'Love Song' (cue mass pogoing from the punks) and 'Nutbush City Limits' (cue mass confusion from the punks, although the girls danced!) and after the show we all agreed that, in Segs's words, we'd blown the roof off the place. Iain the promoter was pleased too, presenting us with a bottle of <a href="https://www.glenscotia.com" target="_blank">Glen Scotia</a> whisky which we chose to sample on the ferry back to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greenock" target="_blank">Greenock</a>. With predictable results. </p><p>To <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sheffield" target="_blank">Sheffield</a>!</p><p><u>Sunday 28th in the bus heading South passing Junction 26 of the M1, 11.44 am</u></p><p>I suppose it was bound to happen sometime (slight return).</p><p>A bad gig.</p><p>Actually it wasn't a <i>bad</i> gig, just perhaps not quite as good as the rest of the shows on the tour. I'd not been to <a href="https://corporation.org.uk" target="_blank">The Corporation</a> before - they kindly 'leant' me some <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyanoacrylate" target="_blank">Superglue</a> which I used to plug the screw hole for my <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gibson_Les_Paul" target="_blank">Les Paul</a> end pin with the aid of several small pieces of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marks_%26_Spencer" target="_blank">Marks & Spencer</a> wooden cutlery procured at a motorway service station on the way to Sheffield. Rock 'n' roll eh? I must fix it 'properly' sometime soon. </p><p><i>(Incidentally if this sort of thing happens to you and your guitar cocktail sticks or toothpicks are really good, as are matchsticks. Don't say that you don't learn anything here!)</i></p><p>Soundcheck was... ok... the monitors were shall we say, a bit iffy, Dave's being particularly so. But it'll all be ok later won't it?</p><p>We decided to visit <a href="https://www.sheffieldpub.co.uk/pubs/city-centre/brown-bear" target="_blank">The Brown Bear</a>, a favourite haunt of ours when we are in the area - Dave suggested a cab, Segs was on the phone so he said he'd follow along later. We'd just got there when we received a text message from Segs to say that <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kirk_Brandon" target="_blank">Kirk Brandon</a> had been taken ill and was in hospital. He's an old friend of theirs and they work together in <a href="https://www.facebook.com/DeadMenWalkingband/?locale=en_GB" target="_blank">Dead Men Walking</a> so it was worrying news. </p><p>We went on at 8.45. Dave has been going on first to get himself settled behind the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drum_kit" target="_blank">drums</a> and usually gets what Segs and myself waiting in the wings often refer to as 'The Ruffy Cheer' - which tonight didn't happen. Or maybe we just can't hear it from where we are? We walked our to a smattering of vague applause - perhaps we've overplayed the area lately. We played well but received a muted response interspersed with people shouting for old Ruts numbers. My <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stage_monitor_system" target="_blank">monitor </a>was off, or very quiet, or something, but at least my strap button stayed on my guitar... we finished with 'Babylon's Burning' to a few seconds of applause then silence. As we walked down the steps at the side of the stage to the sound of our own footsteps Dave said <i>'let's leave it there'</i> so we did. No encore.</p><p>Back at <a href="https://all.accor.com/hotel/6628/index.en.shtml" target="_blank">The Mercure</a> it's time for a few drinks and some mad stories from Spike to go with some from Dave and Segs. That's more like it. </p><p>Today it's sunny and the mood is good. Back to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/London" target="_blank">London</a> Town and indeed back to The Water Rats. Good</p><p><u>Monday 29th, at home, 5.19 pm</u></p><p>And there it was, gone. Again. </p><p>But what a tour, and what a way to finish it. We returned The Water Rats for a show that more than made up for the one in Sheffield the night before (which apparently wasn't that bad after all) and which saw a couple of changes to the set - as many people had come to more than one show we replaced 'No Time To Kill' with 'Back Biter' and 'Caught In The Kill Zone' with 'Music Must Destroy', both good choices I thought. I've spent most of this afternoon asleep - of course I have! - so now I've got some washing in and have bags to unpack and things to put away. But what a great three weeks we've had, due in no small amount to the excellence of our touring crew - Dave and Dale early on and Spike and Kaleb for the latter part with Liam and Ceri appearing here and there too. We thank them all, and we thank you if you came to a show.</p><p>It was good though wasn't it?!?</p><p>So now what? Well as previously discussed '<a href="https://rutsdc.bigcartel.com/product/electracoustic-volume-two-cd" target="_blank">ElectrAcoustic Volume 2</a>' is due out in August in time for <a href="https://www.rebellionfestivals.com" target="_blank">The Rebellion Festival</a>, and we've got gigs coming in for The Autumn and even <i>(gulp!)</i> some new song ideas coming together... forwards... as ever...</p>Leigh Heggartyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01884969643184980344noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33472785.post-7025241077111340432022-11-23T14:45:00.003+00:002023-09-21T15:46:26.750+00:00Wilko Johnson <p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 3px;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;"><span>So there I was, in Room 207 of the Holiday Inn Express in Stoke this morning, wondering what to wear for our next batch of gigs. I had clothes all over the place and was trying them on, like you do when no one’s looking and you can kid yourself that you’re some sort of rock star whose adoring public cares about such things and indeed is desperate to find out what look they’ll all be salivating over next… time for some suitable music methinks.</span><span> </span></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 3px;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;"><span><br /></span></span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;"><i>‘Started out, feeling good…’ </i></span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">There’s no better record than ‘Walking On The Edge’ by Wilko Johnson is there? Well, I don’t think that there is. Oh hello, the phone’s ringing…</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 29px;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;"><span class="s2"></span><br /></span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">You know what they said to me. </span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">Wilko Johnson has died. </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 29px;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;"><span class="s2"></span><br /></span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">I first became aware of Dr. Feelgood when I saw pictures of them in the music press. They looked to me like they could be a gang of villains in The Sweeney, which to us just-about-teenaged lads was as good as it got. Articles on them always seemed to use words like ‘menacing’, ‘brooding’ and ‘fearsome’, particularly when they described their guitarist who frankly looked and sounded as mad as hell. What on Earth was their music like?</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 29px;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;"><span class="s2"></span><br /></span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">I found out when I stumbled into our front room sometime in February 1975 to watch a teatime pop music programme called The Geordie Scene. This was an interesting show as it featured bands playing live rather than miming, and this week I was very excited as it featured the afore-mentioned Dr. Feelgood. This should be good. </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 29px;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;"><span class="s2"></span><br /></span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">Thirty seconds into their performance I was screaming at my mum to come in from the back kitchen. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. They were astonishing. She seemed to like them or at least not hate them, which if nothing else boded well for an album as a birthday present… by the end of the show I’d seen the future, and it involved my new mates from Essex. At bloomin’ last. </span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">Or did it? At school the next day I couldn’t stop raving about them, but I was all but alone. No, said most of my chums, they were awful. They couldn’t play. The singer couldn’t sing. The guitarist looked like a nutter and the other two looked daft. I should like real music like Yes and Genesis, you know, like our older brothers and cousins do. </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 29px;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;"><span class="s2"></span><br /></span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">I thought about it all day. Maybe I was wrong. Maybe they were right. Hmm. </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 29px;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;"><span class="s2"></span><br /></span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">Then that night I heard ‘Roxette’ on The Nicky Horne Show on Capital Radio. It sounded magnificent. It still does. I was right and my chums were wrong. It was time for some new chums. Ones that liked Dr. Feelgood. </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 29px;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;"><span class="s2"></span><br /></span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">So began my journey with Wilko Johnson. Since then I’ve seen him play countless times, searched out any recording that features him, played on the same bill on quite a few occasions and generally been inspired by his works and indeed by him personally more times than I’ll ever know. For me only Pete Townshend has played with more rock ‘n’ roll firepower, and even that’s a close run thing. His and indeed The Feelgoods’ influence on punk is well documented, and with his well-publicised battle with cancer making headlines a few years ago he seemed to finally get the greater recognition and respect that he’d always deserved. </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 29px;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;"><span class="s2"></span><br /></span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">My journey with Wilko Johnson isn’t over yet, and hopefully nor is yours. The Canvey Assassin, The Telecaster Master, the man who I’ve seen play guitar more times than any one else - thanks for doing it all Wilko. It wouldn’t, indeed couldn’t, have been the same without you. </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 29px;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;"><span class="s2"></span><br /></span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to play ‘Roxette’. Again. Cheers Wilko!</span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>Leigh Heggartyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01884969643184980344noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33472785.post-54592407653978020782022-10-16T10:26:00.003+00:002022-10-18T02:45:06.457+00:00'It's A Long Way Back To Germany...' (AKA 'Oh Manchester, so much to answer for...')<p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><i> The following was written in June 2022 at the times and in the places indicated. Usual rules apply. </i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeuhunjGBAXocIX_xHrNxuQXwcXRs-AMBgLWPIEW8KS37NxbnnrMPdIDjtStsRGP5sftO3peU4rRIS4BgdmjT7_KKtWo_fKUO4gSAPedp1ZIy-2jZNHUSyrj9_GAD2uNMeH12LlLvMAMDacsyNGylptEBT7RzI4alIKl4hHOdabuuyFC0Z8xg/s1824/Ruts%20DC%20Die%20Artze%20Berlin%2007:06:22.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1824" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeuhunjGBAXocIX_xHrNxuQXwcXRs-AMBgLWPIEW8KS37NxbnnrMPdIDjtStsRGP5sftO3peU4rRIS4BgdmjT7_KKtWo_fKUO4gSAPedp1ZIy-2jZNHUSyrj9_GAD2uNMeH12LlLvMAMDacsyNGylptEBT7RzI4alIKl4hHOdabuuyFC0Z8xg/w640-h480/Ruts%20DC%20Die%20Artze%20Berlin%2007:06:22.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ruts DC and Die Artze backstage at Parkbühne Wühlheide Berlin on 07/06/22<br />L-R Segs, Farin, Dave, Bela, Leigh, Rod</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><br /><i><br /></i></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><u>Tuesday 7th at 9.48 am in Room 305 Ibis Hotel in Kurfuerstendamn Berlin</u></span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Life is funny stuff sometimes isn't it? </span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">I'm sure I've written that here before. Oh well.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">It's been an extraordinary, some might say ridiculous couple of years hasn't it? Last time we were in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Germany" target="_blank">Germany</a> it was December 2019 - we played at <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neue_Welt_(Berlin)" target="_blank">Huxley's</a> in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berlin" target="_blank">Berlin</a> with <a href="https://thestranglers.co.uk" target="_blank">The Stranglers</a>, and it was a wonderful evening. As we stood in the dressing room saying our various goodbyes I shook hands with <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dave_Greenfield" target="_blank">Dave Greenfield</a> and said something like <i>'see you back in Blighty then'.</i> He laughed that wonderfully mad laugh of his, then said more-or-less the same thing to me.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Of course, it never happened.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">However since then it feels as though a million things <i>have</i> happened, one of which became all too clear when we (<a href="https://rutsdc.com" target="_blank">Ruts D.C.</a>) entered <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Passport" target="_blank">passport</a> control at<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berlin_Brandenburg_Airport" target="_blank"> Brandenberg Airport</a>. I went to walk through the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Union" target="_blank">EU</a> channel as I have so many times before, then abruptly realised that I couldn't. As I stood in the 'All Other Passports' queue I felt a strange sense of sadness, even bleakness. Little Englanders who never leave Little England had done this and more to me and millions of others. The bastards.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">The young man behind the glass was friendly enough, which was something of a relief as I had by now convinced myself that he (a) was carrying a gun and (b) hated me and everyone else from the afore-mentioned Kleines England. He asked how long I was planning to stay in Germany and I mumbled something about playing some shows, before surprising us both by blurting out that<i> 'I didn't want to leave Europe, this is ridiculous...' </i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">He smiled, then almost apologetically said <i>'no English person who comes through here did' </i>before stamping my passport and wishing me a good stay.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">We're in Germany to play two shows with <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Die_Ärzte" target="_blank">Die Artze</a>. No, I hadn't heard of them either, but they are massive. MASSIVE. The first show is tonight, open air, 20,000 capacity and sold out. Apparently Thursday's show in Dresden is bigger. Excellent.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Last night <a href="https://www.muttis-booking.de" target="_blank">Mutti</a> and his wife Monica took us to what I suspect is the only Italian restaurant I'll go to that has a wall signed by <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlie_Harper_(singer)" target="_blank">Charlie Harper</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C._J._Ramone" target="_blank">CJ Ramone</a> and other <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punk_rock" target="_blank">punk rock</a> luminaries. By the time I had gamely battled my way through mountains of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pasta" target="_blank">pasta</a> and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pizza" target="_blank">pizza</a> it had been signed by us too. Of course it had. It's probably the only Italian restaurant wall that I will ever sign, although I suppose you never know. We then repaired to the bar opposite our hotel for, well, ages. Of course we did. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">We leave for the venue at 11 am. That's early isn't it? Time to get ready then.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><u>Wednesday 8th at 10.16 am in the same hotel room</u></span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Well.. What a day that was. I'll have to think about this one...</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><u>10.57 am</u></span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">I've thought about it, and I'm still not sure what to write here. Oh well - let's see what comes out shall we?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Our day began with a hotel <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breakfast" target="_blank">breakfast</a> - it was one of those <i>'ooh look, we're back in Germany'</i> moments with what seemed like tons of cold meat and cheese everywhere. In a rather sad attempt to eat healthily after the previous evening's excesses I opted for <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muesli" target="_blank">muesli</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fruit_salad" target="_blank">fruit salad</a> and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yogurt" target="_blank">yogurt</a>. Well, it's worth a try isn't it?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">At precisely 11 o'clock Mutti arrived in the bus - within minutes we were on our way to collect his assistant Andrü from <a href="https://coretexrecords.com" target="_blank">Coretex Records</a> where he also works before making our way through the city to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parkbühne_Wuhlheide" target="_blank">Parkbühne Wuhlheide</a>, the scene of the evening's festivities. After collecting our passes and leaving our guitars and gear in our dressing room - actually a tent, but you know what I mean I think - we went out front to have a look at the venue.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">It's big. Ooh it's big. This really could be one to remember.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">We had been asked to arrive at the venue at midday which we duly did although we all wondered if this was rather early - in the event we waited for around 3 hours before anything of any real importance took place. This was a little annoying in some ways although it did give us chance to sample the backstage catering <i>(oh gawd - more food!)</i> and to catch up with Berlin photographer Raven who has come along to capture the event on our behalf. He first photographed <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Ruts" target="_blank">The Ruts</a> in 1980 so has a lot of history with Dave and Segs - he took quite a few shots of us including some in a nearby wood - possibly an unlikely location? - so it'll be interesting to see how they turn out.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">The Die Artze <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soundcheck" target="_blank">soundcheck</a> started at 3.15 - with the doors opening at 4 o'clock it was somewhat inevitable that we would be setting up and soundchecking with people coming into the venue, and this indeed turned out to be the case. Aside for a few problems with Segs's bass set up - it turned out to be a malfunctioning speaker cabinet - sound check went well and we returned to our dressing room in an optimistic mood.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Around 20 minutes before our showtime of 6.15 we met Die Artze for the first time - they were great, really nice people and big Ruts and Ruts D.C. fans. After a few photos of us all together guitarist <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Farin_Urlaub" target="_blank">Farin</a> and bassist <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rodrigo_González_(musician)" target="_blank">Rod</a> said that they would like to introduce our show - drummer <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bela_B" target="_blank">Bela</a> stood next to me in the wings, told me that they had just said that their main influences were <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Marley" target="_blank">Bob Marley</a> and The Ruts as a big cheer went up. As we walked out onto the stage I got my first view of the crowd - it was quite a sight.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">We started with Something That I Said, then straight into Kill the Pain - Segs said that he had recorded the next song with <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Die_Toten_Hosen" target="_blank">Die Toten Hosen</a> before we swung into Staring At The Rude Boys. There was just about time for a swig of water before Born Innocent had the crowd clapping along with their hands above their heads, and Jah War saw much dancing and<i> (yes!)</i> singing along. From there it was an easy way home - In A Rut and Babylon's Burning felt great, and Psychic Attack ended to a reaction that many-a headline band would have been proud of. Our 30 minute set was over far too quickly, but it was a great - make that GREAT - gig.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">After all our gear was packed away it was time for yet more food <i>(as my nan used to say when I ate too much - 'you'll be as big as a house you will!')</i> before I went out into the venue to watch a bit of the Die Artze show. And very good they were too! Mutti then suggested that it would be good idea to leave before the end to avoid getting caught in the post-gig traffic - this was a bit of a shame as we'd been invited for a drink with the band afterwards but we all agreed that it was probably a good idea. This somewhat inevitably meant that we ended up in the bar opposite the hotel again - with <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Germany_national_football_team" target="_blank">Germany</a> leading <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/England_national_football_team" target="_blank">England</a> 1-0 the atmosphere was 'interesting' to say the least, and when England equalised from a controversial <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penalty_kick_(association_football)" target="_blank">penalty</a> it became more interesting still... our friend Oliver arrived to general jollity (he promoted our show in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hong_Kong" target="_blank">Hong Kong</a> a few years ago) and we eventually got back to our hotel at around 2.15 am. A splendid evening. I think.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Today is a day off - Dave and myself are thinking of going to the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_Museum_of_Technology" target="_blank">Technical Museum</a>, and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Rumjacks" target="_blank">The Rumjacks</a> are on at <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SO36" target="_blank">SO36</a> tonight so let's see what happens. Sleep, the way I'm feeling at the moment...</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><u>Thursday 9th at 9.24 am in the same hotel room</u></span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Sometime around 11 am yesterday my phone went ping. A few seconds later it went ping again. And again. </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">The messages were all asking if I/we were ok. I replied that we were, although I had no idea why they were all asking.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">The<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2022_Berlin_car_attack" target="_blank"> terrorist incident</a> that they knew about had happened a short distance from our hotel. Thankfully we were all blissfully unaware of it. But it makes you think doesn't it...</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Dave and myself had intended to have a day out and about in Berlin, including a visit to the nearby <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaufhaus_des_Westens" target="_blank">KaDeWe</a> superstore (a) out of curiosity and (b) to see if he could pick up a replacement <a href="https://www.leki.co.uk" target="_blank">Leki</a> walking stick as he had mislaid his one the previous day. We were going to go out around 10 o'clock but upon discovering that the shop didn't open until 11 Dave scheduled a phone interview about the upcoming <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kirsty_MacColl" target="_blank">Kirsty MacColl</a> boxset (he drummed for her for many years) for 11.15 which meant that we didn't leave the hotel until nearly midday. They didn't have any sticks at the superstore so after a few seconds on <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Google" target="_blank">Google</a> we took a taxi across town to a suitable shop - traffic was heavy and there more than a few diversions but we got there in the end. We then perhaps rather wildly decided to walk back to our hotel - 'twas further than we thought but it was interesting to be walking rather than be in a vehicle. I stopped to take photos here and there along the way, including one of a rather splendid-looking <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaiser_Wilhelm_Memorial_Church" target="_blank">church</a> - as I looked closer I saw the police tape cordoning off the surrounding area. It was the site of the terrorist incident, and it was a few hundred yards from our hotel.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Supposing we had gone out earlier? Went for a walk and turned left instead of right? Went to look at a local church someone had recommended as 'interesting'?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Incidentally after we'd realised all of this we obviously decided to go to the bar opposite - Dave's walking stick was hanging on the wall outside. Of course it was. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><u>Friday 9th at 10.01 am in the same hotel room</u></span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Another great gig, this time in a football stadium. A </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Football" target="_blank">football</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stadium" target="_blank">stadium</a>. Who'd have thought it eh?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">We left for <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dresden" target="_blank">Dresden</a> at a quarter to eleven yesterday morning - just under three hours later we arrived in the city. Mutti did his usual excellent tourist guide announcements <i>('and on our left...')</i> which are always interesting - he pointed out the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rudolf-Harbig-Stadion" target="_blank">Rudolf Harbig Stadium</a> where <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dynamo_Dresden" target="_blank">Dynamo Dresden</a> play on our right, then turned the van towards it... I've been lucky enough to play some classic venues over the years, but a football stadium had up until this point eluded me. Excellent!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">The first person we saw was Rod from Die Artze, who said how much he had enjoyed our show and that he was disappointed that we had not been around for a drink after their show. He then rather sheepishly asked if we would sign a copy of our '<a href="https://rutsdc.com/downloads#40-years-of-the-crack-live" target="_blank">40 Years Of The Crack</a>' CD for him and said that Segs was one of his <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hero" target="_blank">heroes</a>. Amazing. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Once again we set up and sound checked as the audience were arriving - it had been sunny at the Berlin show but it was a greyer day here, they seemed unperturbed by the possibility of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rain" target="_blank">rain</a> as they applauded our <i>'one two one two'</i>-ing into the microphones. After sound check I bumped into Farin who also said that he'd enjoyed our show, and asked how I got my guitar sound. I often feel a bit awkward when people ask things like this - as an undisputed <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nerd" target="_blank">nerd</a> I usually start rather nervously then bore them to death with details, but he seemed to be really interested. What a nice chap.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Our show began at 6.05 pm - once again Farin and Rod introduced us, and once again our 30 minutes went by far too quickly. Another unforgettable show.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><a href="https://de-m-wikipedia-org.translate.goog/wiki/Drangsal_(Musiker)?_x_tr_sl=de&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=sc" target="_blank">Drangsal</a> were on at 7.10 - I watched a couple of songs then went to the catering tent. I will indeed be as big as a house at this rate... and yes, you've guessed it, we were back at the bar opposite our hotel by 11.20. Of course we were.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Today we rehearse '<a href="https://www.udiscovermusic.com/stories/the-ruts-the-crack-debut-album/" target="_blank">The Crack</a>' for North West Calling tomorrow night. Rehearsing in Berlin? No, I never thought I'd ever type that either - but as the past few days have shown, anything is possible. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><u>Saturday 11th at 9.47 am in Room 440 at Gatwick Travelodge</u></span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">When we got here at whatever-time-it-was last night - around 1.10 am I think - the last words I expected to hear were<i> 'the bar's open'</i>. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Oh God.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Anyway - if you ever find yourself in Berlin looking for a place that your band can <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rehearsal" target="_blank">rehearse</a> at I can heartily recommend <a href="https://noisy-rooms.com/en" target="_blank">The Noisy Rooms</a>. And not just for the name, excellent though that it - it's clean and tidy, all the gear works (including the air conditioning - oh yes!) and yes, you've guessed it, you can get a beer there. It took a bit of finding - it's round the back somewhere, if you know what I mean - but it was well worth the effort. With a performance of 'The Crack' due the next day we thought that we should run through the songs that we rarely play, indeed in some cases hadn't played for around three years - Dope For Guns, Savage Circle, Criminal Mind, Out Of Order and Human Punk all went well. After that we went with Mutti for a quick farewell drink at the bar opposite the hotel - of <u>course</u> we did! - before a taxi took us back to Brandenburg Airport. We'd only arrived there 4 days earlier, but so much had gone on since then it seemed like ages ago... a near-empty flight got us back to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gatwick_Airport" target="_blank">Gatwick Airport</a> around 11.40 and, well, you know the rest. Or you can guess it if you don't...</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">We leave here at 11 am. Again. Time to get ready then. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><u>Sunday 12th at 11.41 am on the road home</u></span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Do you Like <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ed_Sheeran" target="_blank">Ed Sheehan</a>? How about <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Killers" target="_blank">The Killers</a>?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">I don't know much about either of them to be honest. Ed's the little red-headed fella isn't he? <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elton_John" target="_blank">Elton John</a>'s mate, owns a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Live_looping" target="_blank">loop</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Effects_unit" target="_blank">pedal</a> or two, bafflingly popular - that's him isn't it? And The Killers had that song about your boyfriend looking like your girlfriend or something didn't they? And that one that all <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cover_band" target="_blank">cover bands</a> play but that's too difficult for me, mister something-or-other? Bafflingly popular again. Anyway they both played in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manchester" target="_blank">Manchester</a> last night, somebody reckoned that there were something like an extra 400,000 people in the city over the course of the weekend - great for the local economy, but not too good if you needed to get a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hotel" target="_blank">hotel</a>...</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">We stayed in, of all places, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stoke-on-Trent" target="_blank">Stoke</a>. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">It worked out well - a nice <a href="https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/manstgi-hilton-garden-inn-stoke-on-trent/" target="_blank">hotel</a>, <a href="https://www.rubbersoulrecords.com" target="_blank">Rubber Soul Records</a> nearby, we were only an hour from <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Ritz_(Manchester)" target="_blank">The Ritz</a>... that said after our gig we ended up in a traffic jam long enough to be seen from the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moon" target="_blank">moon</a> and didn't get back to Stoke until after 2 am so I suppose that it wasn't all good news. Oh and when I unpacked my very sweaty gig shirt I realised that I'd left my <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waistcoat" target="_blank">waistcoat</a> and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Necktie" target="_blank">tie</a> (both worn in a desperate attempt to smarten myself up, and because I decided that no one else at the festival would be wearing either) at the venue. Bugger!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Our show was good if a little fraught in places. Maybe we'd been a bit spoilt by the previous few days but to begin with everything seemed a bit too much like hard work. Opening with <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PsdIxw8jImo" target="_blank">Babylon's Burning</a> is tough at the best of times - it's bloomin' hard to play! - but ending it to muted applause is tougher. It was then that I realised that much of the audience, many of whom had been watching bands since midday, were either (a) getting <a href="https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/jaded" target="_blank">jaded</a>, (b) nearly <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sleep" target="_blank">asleep</a> or (c) catatonically <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alcohol_intoxication" target="_blank">drunk</a>. Not all of them though, and things got going in the end, with <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Outcasts_(Belfast_band)" target="_blank">The Outcasts</a> joining us on group backing vocals for <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQZ-FbCMIrU" target="_blank">In A Rut</a> (much merriment around my microphone) and H-Eyes bringing things to a suitably raucous end. A great show - eventually. We do it all again at North East Calling in September, but there's a lot going on before then, not least finishing our new album, playing <a href="https://www.rebellionfestivals.com" target="_blank">The Rebellion Festival</a> and more. And I'm tired now, very tired as it happens so it'll be time for a snooze soon - it was indeed a long back to Germany, but I wouldn't have missed it for the world.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Forwards! </span></p>Leigh Heggartyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01884969643184980344noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33472785.post-77111251926561218982022-01-22T18:14:00.006+00:002022-01-22T18:25:53.366+00:00The Stranglers / Ruts D.C. U.K. Tour January / February 2022<p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Well after much rescheduling, uncertainty and general doubt it looks like it's actually going to happen - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/thestranglers" target="_blank">The Stranglers</a> / <a href="https://www.facebook.com/theruts/" target="_blank">Ruts D.C.</a> tour starts on Tuesday. Oh yes it does!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">The links above will take you to the band's Facebook pages which will perhaps be the best paces to monitor proceedings as they happen, and I will be attempting to update <a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063560199103" target="_blank">my page</a> as often as possible as the tour progresses.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Usually I would put something along the lines of<i> 'if you see any of us come and say hello'</i> but I have a feeling that doesn't apply this time - nevertheless it should be a great tour. See you down the front!</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgxdTq6Z_n0fW-jUVfn5JBXqMCJkGCkeYgvcrRLL2Y46zAZda6zJXhMqPi4OSDBt0oMn1uBAkMk3z2RnBAc4qh_M84nsvTRli92tu2BpsGu52B1akJiQVVQzqPYb4LTcNob4TPFFIDkchaph8bqp5uHHkx8tbF-ARt0ZKRv14eYGIdRn3kDQaw=s1200" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgxdTq6Z_n0fW-jUVfn5JBXqMCJkGCkeYgvcrRLL2Y46zAZda6zJXhMqPi4OSDBt0oMn1uBAkMk3z2RnBAc4qh_M84nsvTRli92tu2BpsGu52B1akJiQVVQzqPYb4LTcNob4TPFFIDkchaph8bqp5uHHkx8tbF-ARt0ZKRv14eYGIdRn3kDQaw=w640-h640" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><br /></span><p></p><p><br /></p>Leigh Heggartyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01884969643184980344noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33472785.post-47575485893480185822021-12-29T15:20:00.003+00:002021-12-29T15:22:24.490+00:00That Was The Year That Wasn't (Slight Return)It has been exactly one year since my last blog posting.<div><br /></div><div>So what, if anything, has changed?</div><div><br /></div><div>Well...</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SARS-CoV-2_Omicron_variant" target="_blank">Omicron</a>. No, I'm not too good at the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_alphabet" target="_blank">Greek Alphabet</a> either - aside from the odd distant memory from <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Physics" target="_blank">Physics</a> lessons sometime last Century it's not something I've used a lot, although I feel as though it's getting more useful all the time. As I type this I am in the grip of the latest <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/COVID-19" target="_blank">Coronavirus</a> variant - I've been asleep for much of the last few days and when I have been awake I've felt as though I've been in the ring with <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Tyson" target="_blank">Mike Tyson</a> in his prime, although thankfully things seem to be improving now. <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas" target="_blank">Christmas</a>? Who needs it eh? Still <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vaccination" target="_blank">vaccinations</a> seem to be getting more popular these days, although we all know someone who hasn't had one because they don't like the idea of it or that think it's all a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conspiracy_theory" target="_blank">conspiracy</a> - I've had two of 'em and and a booster and I still caught it, so it does make you wonder... that said, the general consensus seems to be that if you catch it after being vaccinated it does lessen the effect of the virus, which given how I've felt for the last few days is an interesting thought. </div><div><br /></div><div>And the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Government_of_the_United_Kingdom" target="_blank">British Government</a> continues to make every mistake imaginable and still somehow remain in power. Surely we deserve better than <a href="https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/boris-johnsons-biggest-scandals-crises-25781486" target="_blank">this</a>? I saw Labour MP <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Lammy" target="_blank">David Lammy</a> talking on TV not so long ago - the interviewer made a typically flippant remark about a comment he made criticising the international embarrassment that is our <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/nov/22/boris-johnson-praises-peppa-pig-and-loses-place-in-rambling-speech" target="_blank">current</a>, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/dec/03/boris-johnsons-18th-century-sleaze-prime-minister" target="_blank">worst</a> <a href="https://www.indy100.com/news/boris-johnson-embarrassing-moments-pm-b1792833" target="_blank">ever</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prime_Minister_of_the_United_Kingdom" target="_blank">Prime Minister</a> and Lammy snapped back with the words 'THIS USED TO BE A SERIOUS COUNTRY - DO YOU REALISE WHAT PEOPLE THINK OF US NOW?' </div><div><br /></div><div>Now<i> there's</i> a question. </div><div><br /></div><div>Enough of such philosophical ramblings - I had my 60th <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birthday" target="_blank">birthday</a> this year. 60! How on Earth did that happen?!? <a href="https://www.facebook.com/theslogansband/" target="_blank">The Slogans</a> were supposed to be playing on the day but our drummer man was pinged <i>(remember the <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-58502593" target="_blank">pingdemic</a>? It seems a lifetime ago doesn't it?)</i> so the gig didn't happen - instead I spent the evening in the hallowed surroundings of <a href="https://www.thedolphinuxbridgepub.co.uk" target="_blank">The Dolphin</a> in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uxbridge" target="_blank">Uxbridge</a>, mostly in the garden, occasionally somewhere near the bar and had a splendid if rather difficult to remember time. I wonder where we'll all be in July this year? I wonder if we'll be anywhere, if you know what I mean?</div><div><br /></div><div>And you thought that I'd stopped the philosophical ramblings...</div><div><br /></div><div>Talking of The Slogans - we managed to play a few shows this year including one particularly memorable one at <a href="https://www.themarketpeople.com/TMP/EventProfile/1084/uxbridge-christmas-market" target="_blank">The Uxbridge Christmas Market</a> earlier this month. Yes that's right, an outdoor show in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/December" target="_blank">December</a>. And yes, it was as cold as you would think it would be, yes the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_power" target="_blank">power</a> went on and off as you would expect it to and yes, it was really good fun. We've also had more than a few <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gig_(music)" target="_blank">gigs</a> cancelled, which seems to be a familiar tale for most bands these days. I've also been depping in <a href="https://www.strawbsweb.co.uk/related/gob/gob.asp" target="_blank">The Good Old Boys</a> as guitarist Simon hasn't been well - again we've played a few shows, had a few cancelled... see what I mean? One can only wonder when or indeed how this situation will change. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjdGhEXJzcgL0DYGfTJSalUp4LVj4Mq95ap16A0Qbj31UqMwf-sFir2gEOzo-B5NwMKx9KGbJN92xV4GKGVRvLynFzrFhGIYDxxmXLO9Bvhma0p8dB-J3RPKrsAHnS8BfWbMsIQwjb0ep9-dVnqCyo7qUZHBc8Ok21R54qo37wr1mQ2mdE6ohE=s812" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="812" data-original-width="800" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjdGhEXJzcgL0DYGfTJSalUp4LVj4Mq95ap16A0Qbj31UqMwf-sFir2gEOzo-B5NwMKx9KGbJN92xV4GKGVRvLynFzrFhGIYDxxmXLO9Bvhma0p8dB-J3RPKrsAHnS8BfWbMsIQwjb0ep9-dVnqCyo7qUZHBc8Ok21R54qo37wr1mQ2mdE6ohE=w197-h200" width="197" /></a></div><br />I mentioned in the last missive that I had recorded some guitar parts at home using <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GarageBand" target="_blank">GarageBand</a> for an <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.K._Subs" target="_blank">Alvin Gibbs</a> & <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Disobedientservants" target="_blank">The Disobedient Servants</a> single; this was due out early this year but somewhat inevitably got caught in a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brexit" target="_blank">Brexit</a>-induced <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phonograph_record" target="_blank">vinyl</a> pressing backlog and so didn't actually emerge until the Summer. Has anything actually improved as a result of Britain leaving the EU? <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/dec/27/brexit-the-biggest-disaster-that-any-government-has-ever-negotiated" target="_blank">No</a>, I didn't think so either... nevertheless, 'State Of Grace' is available <a href="https://timematterrecordings.bigcartel.com/artist/alvin-gibbs?fbclid=IwAR3Wbe14kH06iPoxmxNkTGr1o59gxbfsCFSp-XeoUdi2LfiG2ls6m2YfWp8" target="_blank">here</a> from Time & Matter Records even as we speak. We only managed to play one show this year (at <a href="https://hrhpunk.com" target="_blank">The HRH Punk Festival</a> in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sheffield" target="_blank">Sheffield</a> back in October since you were wondering) but it was a great gig at an excellent event - there are plans to return to both the studio and the stage next year, and hopefully we will. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjeewp_v_T5-RHoMQ4-SuptclesK43qc4PUoAt7yZK_-fCJc3fsCqRvhnk29DXsQpODf72bOWlfz80YyZhCRFYJjMfhSy7iJaCJ6mLFe_k_bohDNe2EK6pN4nqfcrUXDljf0_Cl9xP_oLRBK-chXx0b_jRMYpTviJp6YtyXZ24x8rOrJToLZfY=s3092" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3092" data-original-width="3022" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjeewp_v_T5-RHoMQ4-SuptclesK43qc4PUoAt7yZK_-fCJc3fsCqRvhnk29DXsQpODf72bOWlfz80YyZhCRFYJjMfhSy7iJaCJ6mLFe_k_bohDNe2EK6pN4nqfcrUXDljf0_Cl9xP_oLRBK-chXx0b_jRMYpTviJp6YtyXZ24x8rOrJToLZfY=w196-h200" width="196" /></a></div><br />Vinyl copies of the 'ElectrAcoustiC' album by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/theruts/" target="_blank">Ruts D.C.</a> were also delayed thanks to the afore-mentioned backlog, eventually being delivered nearly a year after the CD became available. The Sunday before Christmas I played an afternoon show at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheCavernFreehouse/" target="_blank">The Cavern</a> in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raynes_Park" target="_blank">Raynes Park</a> with The Good Old Boys then made my way up to <a href="https://229.london" target="_blank">The 229 Club</a> in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Portland_Street" target="_blank">Great Portland Street</a> where <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theatre_of_Hate" target="_blank">Theatre Of Hate</a> were playing; there I met Dave and Segs backstage<i> (the things I write here eh? Well, the things I <u>used</u> to write here... I really must do this more often mustn't I?)</i> and signed over 300 albums, all of which had either been pre-ordered or were purchased in the next couple of days. A genuinely exciting day - it would be good to have more like that... mind you, I suppose that might have caught Coronavirus then... ooh!</div><div><br /></div><div>So - what next? </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi1n7nIEdugaiHBWjBw7RUP-ROtht4hFP9Uczxa5EXgffoW3kJMBa56QDoWtJq0eC2jzEaGm7Qeqwb7W_W3s-7hu37C1dK3yylKhSdRX6ruKnTgxn1RrhCePe5DmNajcU91Cd5xDHWzw5MGC4-gcPulWCV4A0qPCw1BSIwUx9fIiIfNSRkBKT4=s703" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="689" data-original-width="703" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi1n7nIEdugaiHBWjBw7RUP-ROtht4hFP9Uczxa5EXgffoW3kJMBa56QDoWtJq0eC2jzEaGm7Qeqwb7W_W3s-7hu37C1dK3yylKhSdRX6ruKnTgxn1RrhCePe5DmNajcU91Cd5xDHWzw5MGC4-gcPulWCV4A0qPCw1BSIwUx9fIiIfNSRkBKT4=w200-h196" width="200" /></a></div>Well in a time that could politely be described as 'uncertain' one thing that even I could never have predicted is actually going to happen - nearly 30 years after we first broke up there is to be an official album release by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/thePriceUkofficial/" target="_blank">The Price</a>, something that we didn't manage to achieve during our original existence. Even typing it here feels weird... but, incredibly, it's true. 'No Justice?' is out early next year on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/CADIZMUSIC/" target="_blank">Cadiz Music</a> - to quote the soon-to-appear press release it contains 19 tracks recorded between 1988 and 1993, and even though I say so myself it sounds bloomin' great. More news to follow on the band's Facebook page via the link above, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063560199103" target="_blank">my</a> Facebook page and no doubt some other places too... maybe even here...</div><div><br /></div><div>Theoretically <a href="https://rutsdc.com" target="_blank">Ruts D.C.</a> are supporting <a href="http://www.thestranglers.co.uk" target="_blank">The Stranglers</a> in January and February - this is the third attempt at The Final Full U.K. Tour, and with further restrictions looming as I type this it's difficult to say whether it will take place this time either. We have <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Germany" target="_blank">German</a> shows planned for later in the year, along with various others in the pipeline, and we'd also like to make a new album - but who knows what will happen? It's interesting isn't it - we've never really known what will happen in life, but these days it almost feels as though we did. If I put something like <i>'we're touring with The Stranglers' </i>here then the chances were very good that we that we would indeed tour with The Stranglers. Those days seem a very long time ago now don't they?</div><div><br /></div><div>Hmm. Even I thought that I'd stopped the philosophical ramblings... mind you, it's been good to be back <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blog" target="_blank">blogging</a>, even if I am running on <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paracetamol" target="_blank">paracetamol</a> and, well, not much else at the moment.</div><div><br /></div><div>See you all in 2022!</div><div><br /></div>Leigh Heggartyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01884969643184980344noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33472785.post-26375195680630239632020-12-29T15:38:00.003+00:002020-12-29T21:42:34.024+00:00That Was The Year That Wasn't<div><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">What follows was written quickly. Rather like this year it's a bit disjointed but, rather like this year, it is what it is.</span></div><div><i><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></div><div><i><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">————</span></i></div><div><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;"><i>‘For a minute there, I lost myself...’</i></span></div><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;"><div><span face="Trebuchet MS, sans-serif"><br /></span></div>Well. You know that things are getting weird when you find yourself quoting a line from a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radiohead" target="_blank">Radiohead</a> song.</span><div><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">We're in the middle of the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_and_holiday_season" target="_blank">Christmas holiday</a>, nearing the end of the strangest of years. Pretty much everyone I've talked to on the phone in the last few days is bored. Lost. Desperate.<br /></span><div>
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<span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">When will this all end? Indeed, <i>where</i> will this all end? I've been asking myself that a fair bit lately. Maybe you have too? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">I miss people. I never really thought that I would, but I do. At least I think that I do. I've always spent a lot of time on own - not particularly through choice, it's just how things have worked out. I've never had lots of friends, I've not got much to say for myself, women get bored with me - often when they discover that I don't think about very much other than guitars - and I often find social situations with lots of people difficult to cope with.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">Ah - but hang on a minute? I've got <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friendship" target="_blank">friends</a>. I <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conversation" target="_blank">talk</a> to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/People" target="_blank">people</a> when I'm out and about, occasionally about things other than <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guitar" target="_blank">guitars</a>. Every once in a while some of them are <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Woman" target="_blank">women</a>. And aren't gigs '<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_skills" target="_blank">social</a> situations with lots of people'?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;"><span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gig_(music)" target="_blank">Gigs</a>. I remember them. Maybe you do too? </span><span>They were great weren't they? Well, I thought that they were. I wonder if they will ever happen like we used to know them again. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;"><span>Sometimes in the last few months I've wondered if I would ever play another gig. That's not a good thing to find yourself thinking. Having said that <a href="https://m.facebook.com/theslogansband/" target="_blank">The Slogans</a> have managed to play three shows since we last spoke - a Sunday afternoon </span><span>'sit-down-three-piece-without-the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drum_kit" target="_blank">drums</a>' show in <a href="https://www.thedolphinuxbridgepub.co.uk" target="_blank">The Dolphin</a> in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uxbridge" target="_blank">Uxbridge</a> way back in August </span><i>(I really must update this blog more often mustn't I? More about that in a minute...)</i><span> and then a whopping two gigs in October, and on successive Fridays at that. We played another sit down show at <a href="https://thehornswatford.co.uk" target="_blank">The Horns</a> in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watford" target="_blank">Watford</a> on the 16th, then Dylan made a triumphant return behind the kit the 23rd at <a href="http://www.thecavernfreehouse.co.uk" target="_blank">The Cavern</a> in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raynes_Park" target="_blank">Raynes Park</a>. All were highly enjoyable, although I'd be lying if I didn't say that the third show beat the the other two in the fun stakes. Mind you I realised that I wasn't anywhere near match fit at the Cavern show as I was sweating by the second song and not playing particularly well. I got going in the end </span><i>(I wouldn't have mentioned it here if I hadn't!)</i><span> and we were due to make a return visit to the venue in December - but, of course, we didn’t. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">It now feels as though <a href="https://m.facebook.com/theruts/" target="_blank">Ruts D.C.</a> have postponed more gigs than we've ever played - we haven't of course, but that’s what it feels like. Incredibly we’ve released two - count ‘em, two! - <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Album" target="_blank">albums</a> this year <i>(since you were wondering- the live ‘40 Years Of The Crack’ recorded on our 2019 UK tour, and ‘ElectrAcoustiC’ which features reworked old songs; both are available on our <a href="https://rutsdc.com" target="_blank">website</a>)</i> and have somehow played two - count ‘em, two! - gigs. Both of these were sit down shows at <a href="https://www.newcrossinn.com" target="_blank">The New Cross Inn</a> earlier this month (the 14th and 15th December) and while both were ostensibly <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acoustic_guitar" target="_blank">acoustic</a> I used an <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_guitar" target="_blank">electric guitar</a> for a fair bit of the evening. We were supposed to play three shows, but as we were getting our gear together for the first gig we heard that London was going into <a href="https://www.gov.uk/guidance/full-list-of-local-restriction-tiers-by-area" target="_blank">Tier</a> 3 of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coronavirus_disease_2019" target="_blank">Coronavirus</a> restrictions on the morning of our third show. Much incredulity followed, followed by much swearing... the shows went well, and then we all went home. That was that for this year.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">And I even went to some - well, three - gigs. I saw <a href="https://www.stevesimpsonguitar.com" target="_blank">Steve Simpson</a> with his new band The Waders a couple of times at The Cavern (both shows were excellent) and witnessed the mighty <a href="http://www.menace77.co.uk" target="_blank">Menace</a> at <a href="https://theholroydarms.com/livemusic/" target="_blank">The Holroyd Arms</a> in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guildford" target="_blank">Guildford</a>. The bands were standing, the audience were seated and I don't mind admitting that I was almost euphoric at times. I really like music. That hasn't changed.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">But at least I managed to play some shows. There are many increasingly despondent <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Musician" target="_blank">musicians</a> that haven't played at all this year. Do you remember that ridiculously offensive '<a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-54553828" target="_blank">Fatima</a>' advert? Vile wasn't it? Leaving aside the fact that there were some excellent <a href="https://www.bigissue.com/latest/read-these-hilarious-online-spoofs-of-the-government-retraining-fatima-ad/" target="_blank">parodies</a> out in no time at all it seemed to me that it was yet another example of how this increasingly appalling government have absolutely no idea whatsoever how to handle the situation. I for one have long been fed up with <a href="https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Toff" target="_blank">ghastly</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toff" target="_blank">toffs</a> telling us what we should think and do - now an endless procession of faceless ministers appear on television instead, none of whom take any responsibility for the current chaos. Tens of thousands of people have died, hundreds of thousands have lost their jobs, physical and mental health problems are increasing at a frightening rate and this gang of goons will all get <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peerages_in_the_United_Kingdom" target="_blank">peerages</a> and houses big enough to be seen from outer space. It would be funny if it wasn't so sad. The tiers of a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/oct/02/incompetence-brexit-johnson-cummings-pandemic" target="_blank">clown</a> indeed.</span></div>
<div><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">In an attempt to make some sort of sense of things and indeed to put my time to good use I decided to try to learn a few things on the computer. Among other things I've had a go at making <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DVD" target="_blank">DVD</a>s <i>(you want a gig <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bootleg_recording" target="_blank">bootlegging</a> from <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/YouTube" target="_blank">YouTube</a>? I'm your man!)</i> and perhaps more constructively I've been finding my way around <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GarageBand" target="_blank">Garageband</a>. This as you may know is a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_audio_workstation" target="_blank">recording app</a>, and after much brow-furrowing I used it to contribute guitars to '<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUxMfutJZ8I" target="_blank">World Of Sunlight</a>' by <a href="https://www.joylessjones.co.uk" target="_blank">Pete 'Joyless' Jones</a> back in the summer - since then I've recorded my parts for a new Alvin Gibbs & <a href="https://m.facebook.com/Disobedientservants/" target="_blank">The Disobedient Servants</a> single <i>(our '<a href="https://alvingibbsthedisobedientservants.bandcamp.com/album/history-ep" target="_blank">History</a>' EP was also released back in June - under normal circumstances this would have been a really good year for me in terms of record releases!) </i>and quite a few new song ideas. I still get a bit stuck here and there, but I'm quite pleased with progress so far. Lots of people are recording at home these days - so does this mean the end of recording studios? Will they be yet another casualty of 2020? Let's hope not - the three days Ruts D.C. spent at <a href="http://www.perryvalestudios.com" target="_blank">Perry Vale Studios</a> with <a href="https://www.allmusic.com/artist/pat-collier-mn0000159886/credits?cmpconsent=&cmpnoniab=&cmpreprompthash=&cmpredirect" target="_blank">Pat Collier</a> recording 'ElectrAcoustiC' were highlights of my year. Admittedly highlights have been few and far between this year, but you know what I mean I think. And surely I could have written more blog posts? Well I could - if there was anything to write about. You'd soon get tired of me ranting on and on about how <a href="https://www.vice.com/en/article/59q85d/a-philosophical-guide-to-tory-evil" target="_blank">evil</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conservative_Party_(UK)" target="_blank">The Tories</a> are over and over again - I'm certainly getting fed up with thinking about it.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">So - what now? There's a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vaccine" target="_blank">vaccine</a> or two around, and talk of 'getting back to normal' sometime soon - but will we? Will the world we knew ever return? It's quite a thought isn't it? I'm optimistic that it will - most of the time. <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pub" target="_blank">Pubs</a> are closing at a depressing rate, often as a result of governmental incompetence which has resulted in the rules changing so often, and I fear that many <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_venue" target="_blank">venues</a> will go the same way. I wonder if people are losing the habit of going out - then again a lot of folk sound as though they would go to the opening of an <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Envelope" target="_blank">envelope</a> if it got them out of the house. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<div><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">Well - that was 2020. Let's see what 2021 has to offer. It will be better.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">It will be better - won't it?</span></div>
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</div>Leigh Heggartyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01884969643184980344noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33472785.post-57150497918914629922020-08-11T16:41:00.000+00:002020-08-28T09:21:44.654+00:00Lucky Seven<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_XRKCfV1RC_XHAFg2aJl9986QFP8LA7QA4QM8UPRH08hbU1JWEYzLWGOEslBpP8cnco8deXG7DaFf04f_3Q5B5yzoT_XwWI_smBg85x38uKQMZzO82WkXDLrF-j0OJRtHPOrILA/s1600/Regent+7+Guitars+11%253A08%253A20+-+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_XRKCfV1RC_XHAFg2aJl9986QFP8LA7QA4QM8UPRH08hbU1JWEYzLWGOEslBpP8cnco8deXG7DaFf04f_3Q5B5yzoT_XwWI_smBg85x38uKQMZzO82WkXDLrF-j0OJRtHPOrILA/s200/Regent+7+Guitars+11%253A08%253A20+-+4.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mine is on the left, <br />
theirs is on the right.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I have just - <i>just!</i> - returned from <a href="https://www.facebook.com/regent7guitars/">Regent 7 Guitars</a>. This is a new company set up by <a href="https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luthier">luthier</a> <a href="http://mike-hobbs.co.uk/">Mike Hobbs</a> and <a href="https://surreyspray.co.uk/">Surrey Spray</a> supremo Dave Francis with the intention of producing handmade instruments based on classic designs. I was </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">contacted by </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Dave</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> a few weeks ago</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> <i>(I </i></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>used to teach him guitar back in the 1990s, </i></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>he's now loads better than me!)</i> who explained the idea of the company and, remembering that I have a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1963">1963</a> <a href="https://shop.fender.com/en-GB/start">Fender</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fender_Stratocaster">Stratocaster</a> that was once owned by <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Fox_(musician)">Paul Fox</a>, asked if I would be interested in taking it over to their <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ewell">Ewell</a> workshop with a view to them taking some measurements and producing a copy of said guitar. I thought about it for, ooh, at least half a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second">second</a> before saying yes... as you might expect for a self-confessed <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nerd">nerd</a> like myself it's been a very interesting few hours. They're looking to launch the company at <a href="https://10times.com/guitar-show-sunbury-on-thames">The London International Guitar Show</a> at <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kempton_Park_Racecourse">Kempton Park Racecourse</a> on Sunday 25th October <i>(hopefully!)</i> and to this end have been industriously producing instruments to wow the assembled multitude with. From what my opinion is worth I think that they have every chance of success - the guitars look and feel great, and with pick-ups being supplied by <a href="https://www.montysguitars.com/">Monty's Guitars</a> they sound great too. In these uncertain times it's difficult to do anything creative let alone start a musical instrument company from scratch but hopefully things will go well for Mike and Dave - and you never know, I might even get a guitar or two myself... </span><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ_s3JK3kkITcotfUFPNg_zIQRbFYDdnsdGsTqZGRUTMkRLhR5x_FJpGQ68vIPjCuV8WAAschqCVea6-AlXlMOXOUG2m2ajSzGUAcAbfq5rhdpNeFt2rtecLcpvRBxPYv9_mM9LQ/s1600/40+Years+album+signing+29%253A07%253A2020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ_s3JK3kkITcotfUFPNg_zIQRbFYDdnsdGsTqZGRUTMkRLhR5x_FJpGQ68vIPjCuV8WAAschqCVea6-AlXlMOXOUG2m2ajSzGUAcAbfq5rhdpNeFt2rtecLcpvRBxPYv9_mM9LQ/s200/40+Years+album+signing+29%253A07%253A2020.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm at the table, Segs is in the mirror.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">In other news the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/theruts/">Ruts D.C.</a> '40 Years Of The Crack' live album is finally available. Fank gawd for that! I spent rather a long time in Segs's front room signing 500 double vinyl albums and 500 double CDs - which was no hardship at all. You live your entire life to do things like that! Well, I do anyway... so many people had shown great faith in the band by pre-ordering them that I don't mind admitting that it was something of a relief when they finally arrived. They're currently available from the band's <a href="https://rutsdc.com/shop">online shop</a> but they're selling fast so if you'd like one then I wouldn't hang around if I were you... and if you've got a minute, have a look at the band's new website <a href="https://rutsdc.com/">here</a> - it's had something of a facelift during <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockdown">lockdown</a> so see what you think.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">It should have been <a href="http://www.rebellionfestivals.com/">The Rebellion Festival</a> in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blackpool">Blackpool</a> last weekend, but of course it wasn't - instead an online version of the festival took place on their Facebook page which you can catch up with <a href="https://www.facebook.com/RebellionPunkMuskFestival">here</a> if you missed it when it went out live. It's well worth a look as there's loads of good stuff on it - but here's something that you won't see there. It's a short-but-sweet clip of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T._V._Smith">T.V. Smith</a> And Friends roaring through <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Adverts">The Adverts</a> classic '<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQWBdCIxuts">Gary Gilmore's Eyes</a>' at last year's festival - joining <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TVSmith77">Mr. Smith</a> are <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pascal.briggs">Pascal Briggs</a> on bass, Jennie and Mandy from <a href="https://www.facebook.com/crowsacousticanarchy">The Crows</a> on vocals, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/attilathestockbroker/">Attila The Stockbroker</a> on violin, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/UKSubs/">Jamie Oliver</a> on drums and your humble narrator on what <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jimi_Hendrix">Jimi Hendrix</a> memorably referred to as The Public Saxophone. Y</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">ou can see </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pascal.briggs/videos/3675965402418492/" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif;">here</a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> on Pascal's Facebook page - e</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">ven though I say so myself we made a rather good job of it, especially as it was unrehearsed. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Hopefully we'll do something like this again at next year's festival. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Hopefully we'll all be out </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gig_(music)" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif;">gigging</a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> before then. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Hopefully.</span></div>
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Leigh Heggartyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01884969643184980344noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33472785.post-86153042826270628612020-07-14T14:23:00.000+00:002020-07-15T07:23:09.075+00:00Still burning<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Malcolm Owen died 40 years ago today. 40 years! Where on Earth has that time gone eh? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">As someone who is lucky enough to play the music of The Ruts on a regular basis I know, both from speaking to countless people and from the reaction that music still receives, just how much it still means to people - and I know that music will live on forever.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">To reflect this Episode 9 of Ruts TV was a something of a Malcolm special, although it also featured Paul Fox heavily too. Dave and Segs reminisce about them alongside footage of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Ruts">The Ruts</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Rollins">Henry Rollins</a> talking about the influence they had on the punk bands in America and more - if you missed it when it went out live last Friday you can see it and all the previous shows <a href="https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=311862133195857">here</a>. That's the end of series 1 - Ruts TV will return in the not-too-distant future, albeit in a slightly different way, but there'll be more news as and when we have it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">With Britain attempting to claw it's way out of lockdown <a href="https://www.facebook.com/theruts/">Ruts D.C.</a> are looking at yet more cancelled shows <i>(bah!)</i> and are still waiting for copies of our '40 Years Of The Crack' live album. This is all but inevitable due to backlogs at <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Printing">printers</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Record_press">pressing plants</a> etc but we'll hopefully have the first batch soon - at which point Dave, Segs and myself will have to sign 500 <a href="https://rutsdc.bigcartel.com/product/ruts-dc-40-years-of-the-crack-ltd-edition-live-double-clear-vinyl-lp">albums</a> and 500 <a href="https://rutsdc.bigcartel.com/product/ruts-dc-40-years-of-the-crack-ltd-edition-live-double-cd-digipak">CDs</a>. Quite how we're going to do that in these days of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_distancing">social distancing</a> remains to be seen, but I'm sure we'll find a way. It can be ordered along with all other band merchandise including face masks - yes that's right, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surgical_mask">face masks</a> as demonstrated by Dave and Segs <a href="https://www.facebook.com/theruts/videos/612019696387572/">here</a> in possibly the most bizarre advert ever! - via the band's online <a href="https://rutsdc.bigcartel.com/products">shop</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Talking of record releases the new <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.K._Subs">Alvin Gibbs</a> & <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Disobedientservants/">The Disobedient Servants</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extended_play">EP</a> 'History' is available now from <a href="http://timematterrecordings.bigcartel.com/?fbclid=IwAR2yLywVU2B8w6PfxE78f8z18WWdvUrts6R__XdRPkSCF_Rl5aAnXaxZ2rM">Time & Matter Records</a> - it's currently available as a 500 copy limited edition 2 x 7" single numbered set <i>(how cool is that?!)</i> which I'm told is selling well, so if you'd like one it might be good to move quickly. You can also order it via the T&M link above, and why not get volume one of Alvin's <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autobiography">autobiography</a> 'Diminished Responsibility : My Life As A UK Sub And Other Stories' while you're at it?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://retroman65.blogspot.com/">Retro Man</a> is an excellent <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blog">blog</a> that's well worth following - Steve's always-enthusiastic writing covers all manner of bands from the obscure and oblique to the mainstream and more, and I was delighted to be asked to contribute to his series of Lockdown Lowdown <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Podcast">podcasts</a>. He asked some interesting questions as well as inviting me to choose some music, and you can hear the result <a href="https://retroman65.blogspot.com/2020/06/retrosonic-podcast-lockdown-lowdown_17.html?fbclid=IwAR3jEDxPGcfv6RXQK9TkYLnDCYEW6FnrOlEDMH3vbw2yn9-bvhSCGnVn8kQ">here</a> - cheers Steve!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">And life in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockdown">lockdown</a> has produced a very unexpected - from my point of view anyway - collaboration with ex - <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_Image_Ltd">Public Image Ltd</a> and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Department_S_(band)">Department S</a> bass player <a href="https://www.joylessjones.co.uk/">Pete Jones</a>; a few weeks ago <i>(gawd knows how many weeks exactly, time doesn't seem to matter anymore does it?)</i> he sent me a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Backing_track">backing track</a> with a 'see what you can do with this' directive. In a situation such as this I tend to default to either (a) <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Backmasking">backwards</a> guitar, (b) <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slide_guitar">slide guitar</a> or (c) a bizarre combination of the two; in this case option (a) seemed to be the best bet, along with a riff that might sound just a <i>little</i> bit like a rather obscure <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deep_Purple">Deep Purple</a> track. I'll leave you to find out which one - it was an accident, honest! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">One of the things I've been attempting to do lately is to learn how to use <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GarageBand">GarageBand</a>, the free recording <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_audio_workstation">thingy</a> <i>(that's a rarely used technical term!)</i> that comes on a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macintosh">Mac</a> computer; I've been doing reasonably well, but hadn't encountered how to record backwards guitar - at which point I discovered Pete Johns, an Australian chap with a mind-boggling command of said recording medium. After a wee while - ok, quite a long while - on his <a href="http://studiolivetoday.com/">website</a> and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/YouTube">YouTube</a> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6BWO4JfxBFSSf41dtF8hqg">channel</a> I was ready - the resulting track 'World In Sunlight' can be heard <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUxMfutJZ8I">here</a>, and incredibly will be available as a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Download">download</a> next Friday 24th July. That's my <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birthday">birthday</a>, and I'm bound to say that having new music released on that particular day is one of the best presents I'll ever get, particularly in these uncertain times.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Oh and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liverpool_F.C.">Liverpool</a> have won the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Premier_League">Premier League</a>. I was beginning to wonder </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">if I'd ever get to see that happen again - well done lads, I never doubted you for a minute... well, not that often anyway...</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<br />Leigh Heggartyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01884969643184980344noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33472785.post-81195024430457990142020-05-30T11:12:00.001+00:002020-05-31T15:14:12.451+00:00'Most peculiar mama...'<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I've worn <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glasses">glasses</a> for almost as long as I can remember. I've worn them in public for a little bit less time than that - I've never considered myself to be particularly <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vanity">vain</a> person, but as a terminally shy <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adolescence">adolescent</a> who already feared that the chances of any young lady being even vaguely interested in talking to him were, to coin a phrase, <a href="http://www.elviscostello.info/wiki/index.php/Less_Than_Zero">less</a> <a href="http://turnmeondeadman.com/jfk-assassination-song-less-than-zero-dallas-version-by-elvis-costello/">than</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Less_Than_Zero_(song)">zero</a> I rather foolishly decided that the addition of a piece of scaffolding to my <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acne">acne</a>-ridden features was unlikely to improve matters. Ironically when I started going to watch <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Band_(rock_and_pop)">bands</a> (or maybe specifically to watch the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guitarist">guitarists</a> in bands) I realised that wearing a pair of specs would greatly enhance my enjoyment of the performance. I also realised that it stopped me <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Squint">squinting</a> and/or gawping aimlessly every time I tried to look at anything that was more than a couple of feet away from me, which, oddly enough, meant that I became a little more attractive to young ladies. Good news all round then - although it must be said that the words 'a little' are quite significant in that last sentence.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">So - why am I telling you this? Well every so often I realise that my <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eye">eyes</a> have changed - you tend to assume that they've got worse, but I believe that this isn't always the case, especially as you get older - and when this happens I generally make an appointment to have my eyes tested by an <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Optician">optician</a>. This usually results in them relieving me of several hundred pounds, followed by me spending a couple of years wondering if my new glasses really are better than my old ones. Then the whole process is repeated. Simple eh? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">But what I <i>don't</i> do is test my eyes by jumping in the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Car">car</a> and driving 30 miles. And then driving back again. You'd have to be a complete clown to even consider doing that now wouldn't you? Especially if you'd previously driven over 250 miles anyway?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I've never met <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dominic_Cummings">Dominic Cummings</a>, and, at the risk of stating the obvious, I can't imagine that I ever will. I'm sure suits us both just fine. Have you heard the term '<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don%27t_judge_a_book_by_its_cover">don't judge a book by it's cover</a>'? Of course you have. Well, just for a laugh, have a look at a picture or even better some film of Mr. Cummings - how do you think he looks? Interesting isn't it? As I'm in what passes for a good mood in my little life I'll be polite and say that he looks to me to be an odious little creep, which you might argue makes him ideally suited to be the Chief Advisor to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boris_Johnson">Boris Johnson</a>. You remember <a href="https://boris-johnson-lies.com/">Boris Johnson</a> don't you? You don't see much of him these days, but he's that <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lie">lying</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toff">toff</a> who, <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/boris-johnson-lies-conservative-leader-candidate-list-times-banana-brexit-bus-a8929076.html">bafflingly</a>, is <a href="https://theintercept.com/2020/04/30/boris-johnsons-coronavirus-lies/">currently</a> The <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prime_Minister_of_the_United_Kingdom">Prime Minister</a> of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Britain">Great Britain</a>. Now, leaving aside the fact that anywhere that has someone who would struggle to get a job on a television <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_British_game_shows">game show</a> in charge of it shouldn't really use the word 'Great' in it's name, the most obvious course of action here would be for the Prime Minister to get a new Chief Advisor - after all, in these times of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coronavirus_disease_2019">Coronavirus</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockdown">lockdown</a> it's probably a good idea to have someone who can be trusted to stay on the right side of the law of the land giving you a helping hand. But no - apparently a much better idea is to make a rare appearance to <a href="https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/boris-johnson-defend-dominic-cummings-lockdown-a4449701.html">defend</a> said advisor's action, and then let said advisor sit in your back garden <a href="https://www.politics.co.uk/blogs/2020/05/25/cummings-press-conference-the-emperor-has-no-clothes">defending</a> himself and his aforementioned actions. That's much better isn't it?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Hmm... is it me or have I missed something here? Rather like Mr. C appears to have missed the bit in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Highway_Code">The Highway Code</a> where it says that you shouldn't drive a motor car if you haven't got good enough eyesight - after all, as he himself put it, <i>'I believe that in all the circumstances I behaved reasonably and legally'</i>?</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> Or maybe he just wanted to contribute to his infamous '<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herd_immunity">herd</a> <a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2020/03/coronavirus-pandemic-herd-immunity-uk-boris-johnson/608065/">immunity</a>' directive by driving up and down the county spreading the virus far and wide - after all, it's at best unlikely that he didn't at least have to stop for <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gasoline">petrol</a> on the way... meanwhile as the vast majority us</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> play by the rules </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Domestic_violence">domestic abuse</a> and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mental_health">mental health</a> problems rise as</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> countless people have lost work and in many cases watched their businesses go to the brink of collapse,</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> while others</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> can't go to funerals for family members and loved ones. And this pillock thinks that what he's done here is justifiable? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Enough of such nonsense - let's get back to the music. <a href="https://rutsdc.com/">Ruts D.C.</a> contributed a song - '<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tj1Tn1ruQdw">Kill The Pain</a>' in case you were wondering - to the 'Vive Le Rockdown' online festival last weekend. Organised by <a href="https://vivelerock.net/">Vive Le Rock</a> magazine and raising funds for The <a href="https://www.facebook.com/musicvenuetrust/">Music Venues Trust</a> it was a rip-roaring two-and-a-half hour roller coaster ride <i>(I should write this stuff for a living shouldn't I?!?)</i> with a splendid rendition of the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_petty">Tom Petty</a> classic '<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5BJXwNeKsQ">Learning To Fly</a>' by <a href="https://www.cockneyrejects.com/">The Cockney Rejects</a> probably the best track for me. You can watch the whole thing on the VLR Facebook page <a href="https://www.facebook.com/vivelerockworld">here</a> if you like - we're 10 minutes from the end...</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEcUscz5W5Ecug341Ps1txUTeNTgynWFf4CX5suFB25EsYl3Wnr8oFWcpCIA-cIGzP_fsMpqHoIm46xqLDm37PIQUpS5-mjn3j9V97wy-ZPMvKJ1Ze_S0kk16uDkkz3cuGpNLmOA/s1600/RUTS+DC+40+LIVE+ALBUM+MOCK.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1000" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEcUscz5W5Ecug341Ps1txUTeNTgynWFf4CX5suFB25EsYl3Wnr8oFWcpCIA-cIGzP_fsMpqHoIm46xqLDm37PIQUpS5-mjn3j9V97wy-ZPMvKJ1Ze_S0kk16uDkkz3cuGpNLmOA/s200/RUTS+DC+40+LIVE+ALBUM+MOCK.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The '40 Years Of The Crack' album cover.<br />
Pretty cool huh?</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Ruts TV has gone from strength to strength since last we spoke - the show now goes out on the band's Facebook page <i>(<a href="https://www.facebook.com/theruts/">here</a>!)</i> every other Friday at 8 pm (although it's available to watch after that if you can't make it then) and it's featured all manner of interesting items over the last few weeks. Well I think that it has, and judging by the amount of positive comments I'm pleased to say that many people seem to agree with me. Mind you, it didn't exactly go according to plan last night, when Episode 6 was blocked by <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Facebook">Facebook</a> as <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_Music_Group">Universal Music</a> objected to the promotional video for '<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8Y9AIl3G_8">Something That I Said</a>' by <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Ruts">The Ruts</a> being featured. Bah! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Our <a href="https://rutsdc.bigcartel.com/product/ruts-dc-40-years-of-the-crack-ltd-edition-live-double-cd-digipak">live</a> <a href="https://rutsdc.bigcartel.com/product/ruts-dc-40-years-of-the-crack-ltd-edition-live-double-clear-vinyl-lp">album</a> from last year's '40 Years Of The Crack' tour is out next month - if only we could play some shows to promote it - and there's also a new band <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T-shirt">t-shirt</a> which makes a contribution to both The Music Venues Trust and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Health_Service">The NHS</a> available to order <a href="https://rutsdc.bigcartel.com/product/brand-new-ruts-dc-infinity-triangle-t-shirt">here</a> if you fancy treating yourself.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Of course we've also all received the very sad news that <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dave_Greenfield">Dave Greenfield</a> of <a href="http://thestranglers.co.uk/">The Stranglers</a> has died. We've toured with the band several times over the last few years, and while I can't pretend to have known Dave well I've always found him to be friendly and cheerful whenever we've spoken. He leaves behind a enormous body of work - it's very difficult to be a distinctive-sounding <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keyboard_instrument">keyboard</a> player, but Dave certainly was that and a whole lot more. He'll be greatly missed by the band's millions of fans worldwide, and by everyone who knew him personally and could call him a friend.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">And sadly <a href="http://www.rebellionfestivals.com/">The Rebellion Festival</a> has joined the 'postponed-until-next-year' list - I don't mind admitting that I had thought that it might have happened as scheduled in August but have to agree that they've made the correct decision. And we should have been on tour in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States">America</a> this week - that's been rescheduled for next <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/May">May</a>. Hopefully.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">In these increasingly crazy days it's perhaps tempting to look back to simpler times... in the Eighties and Nineties I played in a band called The Price. Don't worry if you haven't heard if them, you're not alone.... our fifth member/roadie/referee Eastberg <i>(it would take to long to explain the name!)</i> is currently attempting to compile a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gig_(music)">gig</a> list <i>(if you came to a show and you know the date, or even better have a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ticket_(admission)">ticket</a> or <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poster">poster</a> advertising it then all contributions are most welcome!)</i> and is also running a band Facebook page, which has recently featured photos from our <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_Germany">East German</a> tour in May 1990 among other delights. If you'd like to see these pictures and much more besides then click <a href="https://www.facebook.com/thePriceUkofficial/">here</a> - and was it really 30 years ago? Yes, incredibly, it was. Three <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decade">decades</a>! Amazing.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Time is funny stuff isn't it? Well, it certainly is at the moment...</span><br />
<br />Leigh Heggartyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01884969643184980344noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33472785.post-61302431551528569862020-04-30T14:58:00.000+00:002020-05-04T11:04:00.614+00:00'Strange days indeed...'<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">So then.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinGqqtXgQEGrmsNr2G-LV6mB5IQJQXWQCPD66Bn14cj5z4KBc-pxwwM3V6UqrLoPoBgk6joQGgY-ADx52rMzVJ91yPgviPlx5fRhNcxkAA-0UGoZq7Lu1IctPI8pp67JbC83E7_Q/s1600/5021F542-97F8-4164-BB11-523D2A78E775.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="818" data-original-width="742" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinGqqtXgQEGrmsNr2G-LV6mB5IQJQXWQCPD66Bn14cj5z4KBc-pxwwM3V6UqrLoPoBgk6joQGgY-ADx52rMzVJ91yPgviPlx5fRhNcxkAA-0UGoZq7Lu1IctPI8pp67JbC83E7_Q/s200/5021F542-97F8-4164-BB11-523D2A78E775.jpeg" width="181" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">‘We never bothered to scream, <br />
when your mask went on...’</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coronavirus_disease_2019">Coronavirus</a>. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pandemic">Pandemic</a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stay-at-home_order">Lockdown</a>. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isolation_(health_care)">Self isolation</a>. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_distancing_measures_related_to_the_2019%E2%80%9320_coronavirus_pandemic">Social distancing</a>. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">How is it all going for you?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I was on the phone to a musician mate of mine the other day who during the course of our conversation said something that has come back to me more than a few times lately - <i>'the thing is Leigh, people like you and me are probably a bit more used to self isolation than most people are'</i>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">He's not wrong.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I think that a lot of people are finding out some, shall we say, 'interesting' things about themselves at the moment - from the vacuous </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">airhead</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> whining of useless '<a href="https://thetab.com/uk/2020/04/09/can-celebs-stop-complaining-in-their-mansion-about-being-in-lockdown-151535">celebritie</a></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://thetab.com/uk/2020/04/09/can-celebs-stop-complaining-in-their-mansion-about-being-in-lockdown-151535">s</a>' stranded in their <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mansion">mansions</a> with only a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swimming_pool">swimming pool</a> or two to amuse them, to the pub bore <i>(remember <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pub">pubs</a>?!?)</i> who doesn't complain quite so loudly about the lady that lives opposite who <i>'shouldn't even be in this country'</i> as he's realised that <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nursing">nurses</a> do a little bit more than just leave for work at irregular hours, the times they are a-changing. Indeed, the times they have a-changed. Will they ever change back again? Who knows - apparently a significant percentage of the country actually prefer the current lifestyle to what up until this point in proceedings has been considered to be 'normal'. As I say, times have changed.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Obviously these are not good times to be a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Musician">musician</a> that relies primarily on <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concert">live</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music">performance</a> for income. <a href="http://rutsdc.com/">Ruts D.C.</a> 'should' be out on our first <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acoustic_music">acoustic</a> tour as I type this - it's been rescheduled for August as discussed in the last blog post, which I have a horrible feeling may be proved to be a rather optimistic piece of planning. Attempts to move this year's <a href="https://punkrockbowling.com/">Punk Rock Bowling Festival</a> to the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autumn">Autumn</a> have sadly proved impossible so it'll be happening next May, as will our projected visit to the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States">USA</a>. We're touring <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Kingdom">Britain</a> with <a href="http://thestranglers.co.uk/">The Stranglers</a> in October and November before a series of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Europe">European</a> shows, and there are other gigs coming in - well, that's the plan anyway. Will any of it happen? No one knows. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">But we've not been idle. Our live album '<a href="https://rutsdc.bigcartel.com/product/ruts-dc-40-years-of-the-crack-ltd-edition-live-double-clear-vinyl-lp">40 Years</a> <a href="https://rutsdc.bigcartel.com/product/ruts-dc-40-years-of-the-crack-ltd-edition-live-double-cd-digipak">Of The Crack</a>' is due for release in June, and to this end a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/theruts/videos/671715870257052/UzpfSTE3NDkxODkxNTg2NjkzOTo0NDA2MjY2MDk5Mzk4ODQ1/">promotional film</a> aired on the band's <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Facebook">Facebook</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/theruts/">page</a> a couple of Fridays ago. It was followed by a live <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Q%26A">Q and A</a> session with <a href="https://www.facebook.com/theruts/videos/285838719076536/?__xts__[0]=68.ARAUbH0wl1kWwHa93f1wtZwhA4Axv6pE3-Jow8IMr6cIvnf6u6Pwrsmzk6CSvM3ikUROaodmh725YOXuAbtgTtad4nQCrSiSWnifAGfDvspYy8PBpDNud85QgLKoJSZa8xH34HGVg4M3CvCYzkqHGNTu7q_Vunypc5zmD8yJ1vB1VTSX_hp7O7X1n8p_yJcYnea3iZC_71Gb31r4vcZG9WIMloU3lLQJkwR95bOEaCc2wPA6-CRwtXAtoZaOQLALBnUSMNn0lT7SdiorYezBwxIkP7PIyEaTcRiacapiGoChVOQz1KN8JHa57sfePjenaboT6RWCAiZFpDqIh4cg1x0pvL7e9NQgsDo&__tn__=-R">Segs</a>, all of which constituted the <i>(ahem!)</i> 'launch' of Ruts TV - the plan is for this to feature band footage (much of it </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">previously unseen)</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> alongside items recorded by us during lockdown. An ambitious idea in many ways - and if ever there was a time where plans change then this is it - but to this end I've been attempting to get to grips with </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GarageBand" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif;">Garageband</a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><i style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif;">(I've messed around with it in the past but didn't learn it 'properly, if you know what I mean)</i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> with a view to recording items for broadcast, and also to send new song ideas over to Dave and Segs and indeed to receive ideas from them. In the meantime episode 2 of Ruts TV featured previously unseen interview and live footage from </span><a href="https://thefleece.co.uk/" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif;">The Fleece</a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> in </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bristol" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif;">Bristol</a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> a few years ago, while tomorrow night's show will feature </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Ruts" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif;">The Ruts</a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> on the </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belgium" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif;">Belgian</a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> television show '<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCq9P_bZxzE">Follies</a></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">' in </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1980" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif;">1980</a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">. Excellent!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">And <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.K._Subs">Alvin Gibbs</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Disobedientservants/">The Disobedient Servants</a> have some new music due for release - the 'History' <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extended_play">EP</a> <i>(actually 2 x 7" <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Single_(music)">singles</a> - how <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cool_(aesthetic)">cool</a> is that?!?)</i> was recorded last year and features four new songs including one written and sung by your humble narrator. Yes, that's right - <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Singing">sung</a>. I'm not sure how this happened either... if I could re-record every note of it then I would but, hey, that's just me being self-critical. Hopefully. Available from <a href="http://timematterrecordings.bigcartel.com/product/t-m-036-alvin-gibbs-the-disobedient-servants-history-ep">Time and Matter Records</a> now!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Right - time to get on with... er, something or other... well, you know what it's like at the moment...</span><br />
<br />Leigh Heggartyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01884969643184980344noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33472785.post-38738505860591131362020-03-26T10:03:00.001+00:002020-03-26T10:03:55.177+00:00'Nobody told me there'd be days like these...'<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Well I don't know about you <i>(obviously!)</i> but I seem to have rather more time on my hands than I was expecting to have at the moment. Maybe you have too? So what better time to (a) write one of those blog postings that I keep saying that I must get around to writing, and (b) play a game of Spot The Difference. Well, why not eh?</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0duuKKe3vBWW0sfoDQrzKyrtPWdwlsriA1bY-BprC6gKAIUVoiiclFUfBDKEUxI3FpqD1xRVB7roAWGTqzL4mHHx5xZMA6UXjJpVhGDNGxoXaj8RjbXAQhluwQbIYih4Pq_b4nw/s1600/Punk+Rock+Bowling+poster+2020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="768" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0duuKKe3vBWW0sfoDQrzKyrtPWdwlsriA1bY-BprC6gKAIUVoiiclFUfBDKEUxI3FpqD1xRVB7roAWGTqzL4mHHx5xZMA6UXjJpVhGDNGxoXaj8RjbXAQhluwQbIYih4Pq_b4nw/s200/Punk+Rock+Bowling+poster+2020.jpg" width="160" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw76h5o1qSDggeOryXaOMcQQxhBm0jlL6oU8MEqNiw5iokWIROb2SwMLm2_OMHrlneXkk8NOjf4AEra0xq-IAH5svkZwZqbjtxuFytVkzO11JNrunQZE9wlh6xp_z3q3hK4G1rtw/s1600/Ruts+DC+original+acoustic+tour+2020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="697" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw76h5o1qSDggeOryXaOMcQQxhBm0jlL6oU8MEqNiw5iokWIROb2SwMLm2_OMHrlneXkk8NOjf4AEra0xq-IAH5svkZwZqbjtxuFytVkzO11JNrunQZE9wlh6xp_z3q3hK4G1rtw/s200/Ruts+DC+original+acoustic+tour+2020.jpg" width="145" /></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Here are two posters - the one on the left is for the first ever acoustic tour by <i>(ahem!)</i> up-and-coming young London dub rock band <a href="https://www.facebook.com/theruts/">Ruts D.C.</a>, while the one on the right is for The <a href="https://www.facebook.com/punkrockbowling/">Punk Rock Bowling</a> Festival, which takes place every May in no lesser location than <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Las_Vegas">Las Vegas</a>, USA. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCj4mkdSL64o14yBUIprIOBxHVeTBg4qpR-JbCAcckAFz2YDnarwQg5f_JGR_ldDkKdmZyugSU-MhTxllS_xIhCSmed5TnSTX2nFfXBvDcASA4jGQJJ4vXmOhdYEOWmD6pacvbmA/s1600/PRB+postponed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="768" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCj4mkdSL64o14yBUIprIOBxHVeTBg4qpR-JbCAcckAFz2YDnarwQg5f_JGR_ldDkKdmZyugSU-MhTxllS_xIhCSmed5TnSTX2nFfXBvDcASA4jGQJJ4vXmOhdYEOWmD6pacvbmA/s200/PRB+postponed.jpg" width="160" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6SrM6N_xcx8R5PIFzipPxS6YqXhd2WT_-VD8wUY6aT7R8neamgt0fHSQ9Chb83r3E4sdPzPBw5fkCd_EG2zaMyDI3FaCdAeoCCb5pTGwUP4_yg08KHsDY6ZtWI6nq9T3qvVWssA/s1600/Ruts+DC+acoustic+tour+August+2020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="697" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6SrM6N_xcx8R5PIFzipPxS6YqXhd2WT_-VD8wUY6aT7R8neamgt0fHSQ9Chb83r3E4sdPzPBw5fkCd_EG2zaMyDI3FaCdAeoCCb5pTGwUP4_yg08KHsDY6ZtWI6nq9T3qvVWssA/s200/Ruts+DC+acoustic+tour+August+2020.jpg" width="145" /></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Now here are two more posters - the one on the left is once again for the first ever acoustic tour by <i>(ahem!)</i> up-and-coming young London dub rock band <a href="http://rutsdc.com/">Ruts D.C.</a>, while the one on the right is once again for The <a href="https://punkrockbowling.com/">Punk Rock Bowling</a> Festival, which takes place every May in no lesser location than Las Vegas, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States">USA</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">So can you - yes, YOU! - spot the difference between them? Tricky isn't it?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Actually it's not very tricky at all is it? I must make the next competition more difficult...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I first started this <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blog">blog</a> all those years ago as an attempt to become more <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer">computer</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_literacy">literate</a>, to improve my <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Typewriter">typing</a> skills - which if I remember rightly were pretty much non-existent at the time - and because I thought that it might be an interesting thing to do, not least as it gave me a way of documenting my increasingly unusual (and often rather obscure) attempts to play the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guitar">guitar</a> for a living. I gave it the impulsive title 'Leigh's Mad World Of Guitars' without very much thought; I've often wondered if I should change it - maybe one day I will - but it's been hard enough to find the time and if I'm honest the inclination to contribute to it over the last few years,</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> let alone to wonder whether it's name should change. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">As previously discussed I tend to use <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Leigh-Heggarty-149483311858332/">Facebook</a> for music-related stuff these days, and as a result the blog feels a little bit like something from another time in my life - which I suppose in many ways it is. L</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">ooking back through it I don't really know how I found the time to write as much as I did in the early days, although maybe a more interesting question is to consider what I used to do with all those thoughts before I started writing them down here... but if ever there was a Mad World it's the one that we have 'suddenly' found ourselves in now.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coronavirus">Coronavirus</a>. Was there ever a time when it wasn't the most used word in the English language? It's hard to remember isn't it? And how about terms like 'self-isolating' and 'social distancing'? From people saying things like <i>'I don't know what all the fuss is about, it's only a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_cold">cold</a>'</i> to the same folk crossing the road with a look of abject terror on their face if they see anyone within several yards of them has taken a few weeks, but it's certainly happened. As I write this all <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Restaurant">restaurants</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pub">pubs</a> and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_club">clubs</a> are closed and gatherings are limited to two people - that's certainly something that I never thought that I'd ever type! All but non-essential shops are closed, the streets are as empty as they are on <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas">Christmas</a> Day - well, they certainly are around these parts - and with many people working from home the World seems a very different place to the one we all now only dimly remember from just a couple of weeks or so ago. <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supermarket">Supermarket</a> shelves are empty, people are fighting over bottles of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hand_sanitizer">hand sanitiser</a> and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toilet_paper">toilet rolls</a> are suddenly the rarest thing on Earth. I was in the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Post_office">Post Office</a> around the corner from me the other day, and when one of the lads behind the counter mentioned that they would be receiving a delivery later in the day I heard a voice from behind me say <i>'I'll 'ave 200 of 'em'</i>. It was a giant, not-particularly friendly-looking man, and he wasn't smiling - now <i>that's</i> an upset stomach... all this <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panic_buying">panic buying</a> has of course resulted in shortages of all sorts of things, which isn't too clever from the point of view of, say, an <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Health_Service_(England)">NHS</a> worker who can only visit shops at a certain time of day due to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shift_work">shift</a> commitments, or an <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unemployment">unemployed</a> or <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_age">elderly</a> person with limited financial resources at certain times of the month. Still, I'm sure that doesn't bother Mr. 200 Toilet Rolls, or indeed any of the other blockheads who work on a similarly self-centred level to him.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6UDnEWe467y1M6I54DML6KEmB7l0NMAT4N1V7SoFtOMqa9qQtibFX3oIqCm1SP58tGQ21IIwVKz555igPFQiP4nWZ4LjYc_lvxzBQkPBd1EBPxWMjIGTxZ8g_a0zOZLQrgWeuiw/s1600/Stranglers%253ARuts+DC+tour+latest+March+2020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6UDnEWe467y1M6I54DML6KEmB7l0NMAT4N1V7SoFtOMqa9qQtibFX3oIqCm1SP58tGQ21IIwVKz555igPFQiP4nWZ4LjYc_lvxzBQkPBd1EBPxWMjIGTxZ8g_a0zOZLQrgWeuiw/s320/Stranglers%253ARuts+DC+tour+latest+March+2020.jpg" width="220" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">As for me - all <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gig_(music)">gigs</a> are fairly obviously postponed or in some cases cancelled altogether,</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> my work at <a href="https://www.balconyshirts.co.uk/">Balcony Shirts</a> is on hold and as a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-employment">self-employed</a> person I've long since stopped joking about <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bankruptcy">bankruptcy</a>. I began the last blog posting with the words <i>'as Ruts D.C. ready themselves for a return to showbusiness'</i> - well, that seems a very long time ago now too. We've got things to do - there's a live album from last year's '<a href="https://louderthanwar.com/ruts-celebrate-40-years-classic-crack-album-reissue-major-uk-tour/">40 Years Of The Crack</a>' tour coming out soon, there are songs to write for a projected 2021 release <i>(I do like a bit of unashamed optimism, don't you?!)</i> and more, but who knows when we'll next be able to get together? We're looking at sending song ideas to each other via The <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet">Internet</a> - time I finally learned how to work <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GarageBand">GarageBand</a> properly then... we were due to be playing a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rock_Against_Racism">Rock Against Racism</a> show in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brighton">Brighton</a> this coming weekend with another one in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brixton">Brixton</a> early next month so these are now being rescheduled as are quite</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">a few other shows. And we're once again accompanying <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Stranglers">The Stranglers</a> around Britain on their 'Final Full U.K. Tour' in October and November - tickets are selling well, and surely we'll all be back to 'normal' by then? There are also dates for <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UK_Subs">Alvin Gibbs</a> & <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Disobedientservants/">The Disobedient Servants</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/theslogansband/">The Slogans</a> that need changing - but when do we reschedule anything for? How long is our new Mad World going to be around for? And how much madder is it going to get? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Hmm... the answers aren't there, but the questions most certainly are. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Wherever you are, stay safe and stay cool. We'll meet again, don't know where don't know when - but I know we'll meet again, some sunny day...</span><br />
<br />Leigh Heggartyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01884969643184980344noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33472785.post-2494497719547151402020-03-01T13:19:00.001+00:002020-03-01T13:19:29.375+00:00Ruts D.C. European Tour, November / December 2019<i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">As Ruts D.C. ready themselves for a return to showbusiness here's a look back at last year's</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> November / December European tour... </span></i><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnSkt7Bm1gV6zxsBOiUS3Gzz0j19-WAdgBzKsJw2Dx8jjVjhdcD9m3FxcT3hbiiFmt8SritTgvnVs3fEstViiiT1gBuYuSUkKPET_Txbrfe0HyiIpbtuG33TQQ9FnMed2y8oEvCA/s1600/Ruts+DC+Frankfurt+Das+Bett+stage.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnSkt7Bm1gV6zxsBOiUS3Gzz0j19-WAdgBzKsJw2Dx8jjVjhdcD9m3FxcT3hbiiFmt8SritTgvnVs3fEstViiiT1gBuYuSUkKPET_Txbrfe0HyiIpbtuG33TQQ9FnMed2y8oEvCA/s640/Ruts+DC+Frankfurt+Das+Bett+stage.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The stage is set - Das Bet, Frankfurt, November 29th 2019</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><u>Friday 29th November, 10.30 am, Room 21 of the Goethe Hotel, Frankfurt</u></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>'She said... I know what it's like to be dead...' </i>I like <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Beatles">The Beatles</a>. I really like The Beatles. I mean I <u>really</u> like The Beatles.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Sometimes I don't listen to very much else, and this is definitely one of those times.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> And today I really really like '</span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Revolver_(Beatles_album)" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif;">Revolver</a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">'. I've got something I can laugh about. Good day, sunshine.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Actually it's quite a grey da</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">y outside, but at least it's not raining. It was raining last night when we arrived at <a href="https://bett-club.de/">Das Bett</a> in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frankfurt">Frankfurt</a> to load our gear in for our gig there, and it was still raining when we left there 7 or so hours later. At least that didn't stop a very enthusiastic audience coming to the show, but more about that in a minute. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/theruts/">Ruts D.C.</a> - are on tour in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Europe">Europe</a>. 12 shows in 12 days, 7 of them supporting <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Stranglers">The Stranglers</a> in some very impressive venues, the rest club shows with us headlining. It's good to be back on the road <i>(maaan!)</i> although the road is long, with many-a winding turn - well, it certainly was yesterday as we travelled the 360-odd miles from Paris to Frankfurt, and it's the best part of 500 miles from Stuttgart to Bologna tomorrow. A long and winding road indeed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">But enough of the increasingly awkward quotes from not-particularly cool songs - how did we get here?</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLBE0NtHB7mhyphenhyphenJcQJG-kumRQEfVXRS8l-8C3L8o1PxQ8818zfZZKH7EgiWbskQIPWdgk6eee0w0sRG6xivzVwniUvByjdlyyzAmZniehjg8rnlRGWg1gLPdda10TrIL_7OUh4Xog/s1600/Paris+Olympia+-+Stranglers+%253A+Ruts+DC.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLBE0NtHB7mhyphenhyphenJcQJG-kumRQEfVXRS8l-8C3L8o1PxQ8818zfZZKH7EgiWbskQIPWdgk6eee0w0sRG6xivzVwniUvByjdlyyzAmZniehjg8rnlRGWg1gLPdda10TrIL_7OUh4Xog/s200/Paris+Olympia+-+Stranglers+%253A+Ruts+DC.jpeg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Made it Ma, <br />
top of the World...'</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">On Thursday evening we - tour manager Liam, Duds the driver and Dave, Segs and myself - stayed in the St. Albans <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bed_and_breakfast">B & B</a> in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dover">Dover</a>; this set us up for the 8.45 am ferry to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calais">Calais</a> and the subsequent drive to gay <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paris">Paris</a> where the rain did nothing to dampen our enthusiasm at seeing our name (literally) up in lights at <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olympia_(Paris)">The Olympia</a>. It's impossible not to be aware of the heritage of the place - from <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%89dith_Piaf">Edith Piaf</a> to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jimi_Hendrix">Jimi Hendrix</a> and from <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacques_Brel">Jacques Brel</a> to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Bowie">David Bowie</a> via <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iggy_Pop">Iggy Pop</a> and indeed <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPNJuIi4Syk">The Beatles</a>, they've all graced the stage. And what a fantastic venue it is, from the drive-in backstage area to the astonishing foyer it lived up to it's legend with ease. Our breathless 45 minute support set started with '<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8Y9AIl3G_8">Something That I Said</a>', ended with '<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQ7N4qFbL9g">Psychic Attack</a>' and went down well with all concerned, although nothing quite prepares you for a shirtless <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean-Jacques_Burnel">Jean-Jacques Burnel</a> coming into the dressing room to ask how the show went. <i>'Great'</i> replied Segs cheerily, <i>'everyone said that I have a better physique than you'</i>. <i>'Well, they would' </i>smiled JJ. A good start to the tour.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">And last night, the first of our 'solo' shows - a 90 minute roar through most of '<a href="https://www.udiscovermusic.com/stories/the-ruts-the-crack-debut-album/">The Crack</a>', a fair bit of '<a href="https://ringmasterreviewintroduces.wordpress.com/2016/09/02/ruts-dc-music-must-destroy/">Music Must Destroy</a>' and all points in between. Das Bett is a excellent club, the audience was up for it from the first song - great stuff all round. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Right - it's <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stuttgart">Stuttgart</a> tonight so it's time for a shower now - on the road again... </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><u>Monday 2nd December, 12.07 pm, carriage 5 seat 33 on the 11.45 am train from Rome to Turin </u></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Well. You never know do you? It goes to show you never can tell.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">So there we were, less than 10 minutes away from <a href="https://www.orionliveclub.com/">The Orion</a>, looking forward to another gig with The Stranglers and bemoaning the fact that we were on the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rome">Rome</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ring_road">ring road</a> rather than passing by <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colosseum">The Colosseum</a> when a previously unheard and not-even-vaguely nice sound came from somewhere beneath the bus. It was a kind of grinding noise. And as if by magic we stopped moving, and didn't start again. Bugger. I'd just replied to a message from Jim the Stranglers's drummer asking where we were and if we were ok by saying something like <i>'see y'all in 10 minutes'</i> - as I say, you never can tell can you? </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mr.Spock, <br />
backstage at Goldmarks. Weird </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">There are no good places to break down are there? This one could have been worse, but not much - as vehicles </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">careered past us </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>(and, strangely, the odd pedestrian - what on Earth were they doing there?)</i></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Duds had a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-visibility_clothing">hi-vis</a> vest on and a red warning triangle out in no time while Liam went into a not-inconsiderable amount of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mobile_phone">mobile phone</a> action. To cut a long-ish story short-ish, a very nice chap called Maximilian made three journeys to get the band, Liam and all our gear to the venue while the ever-heroic Duds stayed with the broken bus - he and it eventually got towed to the venue around 10 pm. We just about got set up and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soundcheck">soundchecked</a> before the doors opened at half past seven; we roared through our set as Liam made phone calls, sent <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Email">emails</a> and generally worked his magic on what until that point was looking like a distinctly unmagical situation while we played our show. We ended up staying on the outskirts of Rome <i>(still nowhere near Colosseum - bah!)</i> and we're now on the afore-mentioned train while Duds and Liam are in a hired van hoping to get our gear and baggage to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turin">Turin</a> in time for tonight's show. Crazy times - and it had all been going so well... a great night for us at <a href="http://www.goldmarks.de/">Goldmarks</a> in Stuttgart - where we played a slightly different set to the previous night as there were people attending both shows) and a splendid support show in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bologna">Bologna</a> (where it was great to catch up with Marz from The Valentines and his lady Angela) had set us up for a good night in Rome. We played well - perhaps very well given the circumstances - but it was a very fraught time. In a effort to clear my head and to have a break from the backstage wheeling and dealing I went out to watch some of The Stranglers's set where I met some people from <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coventry">Coventry</a> who had come all the way over to Italy to see us and who didn't actually know that The Stranglers were playing. Amazing. As I say, you never can tell - let's see what tonight brings..</span><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;">.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><u>Wednesday 4th December, 11.10 am leaving for Cologne</u></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">It's misty. Oh. ok, it's foggy. Actually that's a point - when does <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mist">mist</a> become <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fog">fog</a>? For that matter when does fog become mist? <a href="https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/learn-about/weather/types-of-weather/fog/difference-mist-and-fog">Hmm</a>...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">So here we are in our 'new' van, and very nice it is too. I believe that it comes courtesy of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Rumjacks">The Rumjacks</a> via our friend Mark Sabin who, when he saw various <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Facebook">Facebook</a> posts detailing our plight in Rome contacted various people on our behalf. What a splendid chap - I really must get him a drink next time I see him.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">When last we spoke Dave, Segs and myself were on a train bound for <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turin">Turin</a>. I spent much of my journey hemmed into my window seat by a (presumably) Italian goddess asleep in the aisle seat next to me. I don't think that she looked at me once during the journey - actually thinking about it she probably looked at me once and then decided not to look at me again. Ah well.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">After arriving in Turin we took a taxi to <a href="https://www.hotelgalant.it/en/home-hotel-turin-royal-palace-venaria">The Hotel Galant</a> where we managed 30-odd minutes of relative calm before taking another taxi to <a href="https://www.teatrodellaconcordia.it/">The Teatro Della Concordia</a> just after 6 o'clock - after grabbing a bite to eat the call came through that our gear would be arriving any minute. Sure enough as the clock struck seven times the indefatigable Duds and the ever-exuberant Liam arrived, giving us 30 minutes to get the gear in, set up and soundchecked before the doors opened. Once again all hands were on deck, once again we somehow got it all done. It's amazing what you can do when you have to isn't it?</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Live at Lucerne - thanks Martin!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">When we started our show at 8.15 there must have been, ooh, 30-odd people in a venue that must hold at least 20 times that amount; when we finished 45 minutes later there were probably a couple of hundred more. They saw a show that for the second night running could very easily have not happened at all but which once again turned out to be better than it perhaps had any right to be. And last night we played <a href="https://sedel.ch/english">Sedal</a> in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucerne">Lucerne</a> - Martin and his team made us all very welcome <i>(he designs the most wonderful posters as you can see here)</i> and we played a very good show to a very enthusiastic audience. I do wish that they wouldn't let people <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smoking">smoke</a> in venues though - they did ask people to stop while we played and put the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_conditioning">air conditioning</a> on but I suppose we've all got used to playing in clearer rooms these days. Sadly our stage <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fan_(machine)">fans</a> had to be left in Rome due to lack of space in the van so it was bloomin' hot on stage - hopefully we'll be able to buy some more today. <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_World_problem">First World Problems</a> eh?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Tonight we're in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cologne">Cologne</a> with <a href="https://www.facebook.com/thebackyardband/">The Backyard Band</a> - we played with them last year and I really liked them so I'm looking forward to seeing them again tonight. We then rejoin The Stranglers for gigs in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amsterdam">Amsterdam</a> and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamburg">Hamburg</a> before journeying North for our own show in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Husum">Husum</a> - no, I don't know it either - then finish the tour in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berlin">Berlin</a> on Sunday. This means that we're now over halfway through our '12-shows-in-12-days' stint - I feel tired but not exhausted, and given the madness that has befallen us on the way everyone is in high spirits and pretty good shape. Let's hope that things stay that way.</span><br />
<u><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Friday 6th December, 10.43 am, on the Amsterdam ring road</span></u><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">'Headache? Tense nervous headache? Take <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anadin">Anadin</a>.'</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Do you remember <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-EEwJbhvLjs">that</a> advert? It's funny what comes into your mind sometimes isn't it? Well, it's funny what comes into my mind... </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stage passes for the tour. <br />
I could probably get a <br />
few bob for these couldn't I?</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I've got a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Headache">headache</a> at the moment, although not necessarily of the tense, nervous kind. It may be at least in part attributable to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alcoholic_drink">drinking</a> until 2 am in <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dan-Murphys/140323166037427">Dan Murphy's Irish Bar</a> near the venue. Or maybe I've just got a headache. In which case nothing acts faster than Anadin. Or something. Still 'twas a great night last night - </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.melkweg.nl/en/">The Milkweg</a> is a classic venue, and with the show a sellout it was full when we started at 8 o'clock and even fuller <i>(is that good English? It's not is it?)</i> when we finished 40 minutes later. It was absolutely packed for The Stranglers, or it certainly was for the last part of their set, when I found myself wedged against the bar at the back of the hall - not the worst place to find yourself, although it did get a bit pricey... back to our show where, to continue the 'First World Problems' theme, both Segs and myself had odd moments with <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plectrum">plectrums</a>. I dropped mine during our first song <i>('<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLls4te-UOw">Something That I Said</a>' - we've started all the Stranglers support shows with this song, a good choice I think)</i> and only just managed to get one out of my back pocket in time for the guitar solo (<i>as I say, first world problems...)</i> whereas Segs somehow cut his thumb opening a can of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beer">beer</a> near the end of our set - as often happens if you cut your hand it bled profusely, although as he put it, <i>'it helped my plectrum stay on my hand'.</i> On seeing it after the show JJ just calmly asked him<i> 'did you hit someone?' </i>A fair question I suppose. or certainly a fair question if you're Jean-Jacques Burnel. As I say, a splendid evening all round - unlike the previous evening at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Helios37.de/">Helios 37</a> in Cologne where my <a href="https://marshall.com/marshall-amps/products/amps/dsl/dsl100">amplifier</a> decided not to work. Well that's not strictly true - it was fine during our soundcheck, to such an extent that our new friend Chris the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audio_engineer">sound engineer</a> complemented me on how good it sounded <i>('at last, someone who knows how to work an amplifier'. What a nice chap!)</i> And it sounded great after the show, when I decided rather nervously to try some <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Troubleshooting">trouble-shooting</a> and it worked with no problem whatsoever. It was during the gig that it didn't play the game - total silence is never a good start to a show. Fortunately we had a spare, but it took me a few songs to get going - overall not a bad gig, but our standards are high, and we felt that we'd dropped back a bit from the previous night in Lucerne. Still we were definitely back on form last night, and we're in Hamburg tonight which is usually a good one for us. Oh and before I forget, The Backyard Band were excellent. Check 'em out, you won't be disappointed!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Right - time for a sleep to get rid of this headache. Hopefully.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><u>Sunday 8th December, 10.29 am, leaving Husum</u></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5kQk-J_jl8H-NgOWifl6d28A397tlqAJ36NKPn7cckXITRKfBXeLFTkLb1iPmxogywSyXdAm-v6OQfyjHtA9ivBJ2l_nTSuA5jb1nXGMkij16-h61RPlSm4ZWO9Wb2ww327_ZBw/s1600/Italy+to+Switzerland.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5kQk-J_jl8H-NgOWifl6d28A397tlqAJ36NKPn7cckXITRKfBXeLFTkLb1iPmxogywSyXdAm-v6OQfyjHtA9ivBJ2l_nTSuA5jb1nXGMkij16-h61RPlSm4ZWO9Wb2ww327_ZBw/s200/Italy+to+Switzerland.jpeg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The obligatory 'on the road' photo -<br />
going from Italy into Switzerland</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Well as I said earlier I hadn't heard of Husum before, but what a great place. We arrived early afternoon yesterday and so had a bit of time to look around, which of course involved the triumphant sighting of a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guinness">Guinness</a> sign <i>(oh yes!)</i> and a meal in an <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Italian_cuisine">Italian</a> restaurant <i>(implausibly attractive waitresses!)</i> before heading out of town to <a href="https://www.paulsens-hotel.de/">The Paulsen Hotel</a> where I managed an afternoon nap - rock 'n'roll eh? We returned to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/speicherhusum/">The Speicher</a> to set up around 6 pm - it's a great club with friendly people, which set the scene for a top evening. Perhaps surprisingly it took a while to get going; maybe there was a bit of a language barrier or possibly it was one of those venues that people go to whether the know the band who's playing or not - for example Segs saying that it was <a href="https://thequietus.com/articles/04432-the-ruts-malcolm-owen-30-year-anniversary">Malcolm Owen</a>'s birthday was met by almost total indifference and indeed silence. Still things picked up and with much dancing and merriment it was very much a case of 'all's well that ends well'. And there were more first world problems to contend with, this time for your humble narrator when my <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mobile_phone">mobile phone</a> went dead. As in 'dead' i.e. not working, black screen, the lot. It turned out that the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_battery">battery</a> went from around half charge to 0% in a few seconds - when you get these things they don't tell you that they don't actually work do they?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The previous night we supported The Stranglers at <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fabrik_(Hamburg)">Fabrik</a> in Hamburg - no delay in getting going there, as we left the stage to a reception that many headline bands would have been happy with. Great stuff - and talking of headline bands, The Stranglers were excellent, although as I have observed on a number of occasions</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> in these hallowed pages, they usually are.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">So - Berlin tonight, the last night of the tour. I really must work out how many miles we've travelled. I must also work out what on Earth I'm going to do with myself when all of this is over.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><u>Tuesday 12th December, 10.49 am at home</u></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">It's always weird, coming home after a tour.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">You feel tired... empty... or something.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I've just worked that we travelled over 3,500 miles in the buses which, leaving out the 600 mile flight home, means that we averaged over 250 miles a day. No wonder I feel a bit... something or other...</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9eNjtZ9NfET2qlLkvkytV4CJqlJuKKBFJqgtAOjZ1tdUBLAr2GSkY8JRL-yVq1tMMFiyoyBKM5c6INAUlybc65l5Vrm3XkQBBPJdH_532rcq3qfQSN7BbGRxZ1iMlJ5vvNNLcvA/s1600/Ruts+DC+Berlin+Huxleys.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="1376" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9eNjtZ9NfET2qlLkvkytV4CJqlJuKKBFJqgtAOjZ1tdUBLAr2GSkY8JRL-yVq1tMMFiyoyBKM5c6INAUlybc65l5Vrm3XkQBBPJdH_532rcq3qfQSN7BbGRxZ1iMlJ5vvNNLcvA/s200/Ruts+DC+Berlin+Huxleys.jpeg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great photo eh? Thanks Rikki!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">But what a show to end on - <a href="https://huxleysneuewelt.com/">Huxleys</a> in Berlin used to be <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neue_Welt_(Berlin)">Neue Welt</a>, which saw appearances from <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Clash">The Clash</a>, Jimi Hendrix and <i>(gulp!)</i> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adolf_Hitler">Adolf Hitler</a> among many others. And since Hendrix also played at The Paris Olympia it means that we began and ended the tour on a stage previously graced by <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Jimi_Hendrix_Experience">The Experience</a>. That's a nice </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">thing to be able to type... 'twas a great gig to end on, with '<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_OGa2llDbA">H-Eyes</a>' making it's first and therefore only appearance on the tour - it was a requested by Rikki from The Stranglers <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Road_crew">road crew</a>, who took some excellent pictures of us throughout the tour. The Stranglers were brilliant, Vom and Andi from <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Die_Toten_Hosen">Die Toten Hosen</a> came along as did Mutti and Monica from <a href="https://www.muttis-booking.de/">Muttis Bookings</a>, and quite a few of us ended up in <a href="http://franken-bar.de/welcome.htm">The Franken Bar</a> until the small hours drinking far too much - as I say, a great gig to end on. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Hopefully there will be many more shows with The Stranglers - it's a great double bill that works so well on many levels for both the band and the audience -but in the meantime Ruts D.C. have got work to do. We've got a live album to put together and songs to write for a projected new release - but first I've got to do two weeks worth of washing. More First World Problems eh? When are we back on tour?!?</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ruts Dc, Husum, Germany, <span style="font-size: 12.8px;">December 7th 2019</span></td></tr>
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Leigh Heggartyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01884969643184980344noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33472785.post-13992271189619159272019-12-15T11:41:00.001+00:002019-12-17T13:07:58.062+00:00The Guns Of Brixton<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_YRptuN3tOJPAeBZBJ8vImqWXeSm5-WOlTVwwolWOR_otyq3hMipKgjjm7sGSKbA6aoztUPZfX-E1pw98DSBey5s21pbZcUnavGp40PJyoNZ3Fp6xy0WyhQa4kHTkpp24IxNvkw/s1600/Alabama+3%253ARuts+DC+Brixton+21%253A12%253A19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="682" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_YRptuN3tOJPAeBZBJ8vImqWXeSm5-WOlTVwwolWOR_otyq3hMipKgjjm7sGSKbA6aoztUPZfX-E1pw98DSBey5s21pbZcUnavGp40PJyoNZ3Fp6xy0WyhQa4kHTkpp24IxNvkw/s320/Alabama+3%253ARuts+DC+Brixton+21%253A12%253A19.jpg" width="227" /></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Well it wasn't without the odd mad moment - breaking down on the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rome">Rome</a> ring road will stay with me for a while! - but overall the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/theruts/">Ruts D.C.</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Europe">European</a> jaunt was a great, maybe even unqualified success. The shows with <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Stranglers">The Stranglers</a> were uniformly excellent (as indeed were <a href="http://www.thestranglers.co.uk/">The Stranglers</a>) and our solo shows all went well - highlights were many and varied, but playing The <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paris,_France">Paris</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olympia_(Paris)">Olympia</a> was fabulous as was the last show of the tour in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neue_Welt_(Berlin)">Huxley's</a> in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berlin">Berlin</a> <i>(incidentally both of these venues were once played by <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Jimi_Hendrix_Experience">The Jimi Hendrix Experience</a> - excellent!)</i> where it was great to catch up with Mutti and Monica from <a href="https://www.facebook.com/MuttisBooking/">Muttis Booking</a>, Andi and Vom from <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Die_Toten_Hosen">Die Toten Hosen</a> and many more. I made the usual scribbly notes as we went along which will hopefully see the light of day here at some time in the not-too-distant future, and reported as it all happened on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Leigh-Heggarty-149483311858332/">Facebook</a> - </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I'd be lying if I didn't say that 12 shows in 12 days was a long haul, but as we all admitted afterwards, we could all have carried on for more... probably... anyway no time to worry about that now as we finish 2019 with a show at The <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brixton">Brixton</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/O2_Brixton_Academy">Academy</a> this coming Saturday 21st December supporting <a href="https://www.alabama3.co.uk/">The Alabama 3</a>. <a href="http://www.woodentopsmusic.com/">The Woodentops</a> are also on the bill <i>(remember them? They were good!)</i> and with The Alabama 3 playing the whole of their classic first album '<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exile_on_Coldharbour_Lane">Exile On Coldharbour Lane</a>' it promises to be a fine end to what overall has been a great year for the band. Oh yes!</span><br />
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<br />Leigh Heggartyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01884969643184980344noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33472785.post-6703913984127378582019-11-26T09:50:00.000+00:002019-11-26T10:28:09.253+00:00Days In Europa<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Well none of us knew what to expect, but the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/theruts/">Ruts D.C.</a> </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crewe" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif;">Crewe</a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> Weekender turned out to be an absolutely fabulous event. Great performances from </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/CRIMINALMINDPUNK/" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif;">Criminal Mind</a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">, </span><a href="http://www.tararez.com/" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif;">Tara Rez</a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">, </span><a href="https://dealingwithdamage.com/#" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif;">Dealing With Damage</a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> and </span><a href="https://www.kirkbrandon.com/" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif;">Kirk Brandon</a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">, the punk rock legend that is </span><a href="https://www.punk77.co.uk/groups/auntiepus.htm" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif;">Auntie Pus</a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Master_of_ceremonies">compering</a> and three Ruts D.C. sets - great stuff all round. And it was good to have time to meet people and, it must be said, have rather a lot to drink with them - no wonder I was totally knackered when I got home on Sunday afternoon. Still, no time to worry about that now as we're about to set off on a two week jaunt around </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Europe" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif;">Europe</a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> <i>(while we still can<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brexit">!</a>)</i> playing support sets to </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Stranglers" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif;">The Stranglers</a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> and some club dates of our own courtesy of our good friends at </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/MuttisBooking/" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif;">Muttis Booking</a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">. There are some near-astronomical distances to travel, and 12 shows in 12 days is a heavy schedule, but I can't bloomin' wait. See you on the road, or indeed das <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autobahn">Autobahn</a>...</span></div>
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<br />Leigh Heggartyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01884969643184980344noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33472785.post-78870872571499851102019-11-10T13:52:00.000+00:002019-11-10T13:52:10.217+00:00Wrecking Crewe, Crewe Cut, We Are The Road Crewe etc etc <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/theruts/">Ruts D.C.</a> return to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Show_business">show business</a> this week <i>(fank gawd!)</i> with what we hope will be an annual event - <a href="https://www.kirkbrandon.com/">Kirk Brandon</a> has been doing Westworld weekenders for a few years now, they feature his various bands with guest artists (we played it one year) and are excellent gatherings so we thought it was high time we did one too. We'll be playing both electric and acoustic sets, and the Saturday night show will feature the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Ruts">Ruts</a> classic debut album '<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpltFpLGfWg">The Crack</a>' in it's entirety for the first time since our '40 Years Of The Crack' tour and indeed for the last time this year. Joining us at <a href="https://www.langtrys.co.uk/">Langtry's</a> in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crewe">Crewe</a> will be the afore-mentioned Mr. Brandon along with <a href="https://www.punk77.co.uk/groups/auntiepus.htm">Auntie Pus</a>, <a href="http://www.tararez.com/">Tara Rez</a>, <a href="https://dealingwithdamage.com/#">Dealing With Damage</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/CRIMINALMINDPUNK/">Criminal Mind</a> - if you're going I'll see you there, and we'll see you at the bar!</span><br />
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<br />Leigh Heggartyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01884969643184980344noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33472785.post-55192270709148090472019-10-08T19:51:00.000+00:002019-10-23T08:56:39.110+00:00Do Anything You Wanna Do<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">'<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSiLxDRvmDU&list=PLM0QWHFvEjTY8-w6P6_rvuJTWQ5JcK4jO&index=4">The Crack</a>' by <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Ruts">The Ruts</a> was released 40 years ago on September 28th 1979.</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigsmuSadov8f-O6fpm7pjx3woDIVy0PboGjxJ4eYAuM0hNU4-AStuDT50OQORsEhiY2zqJTlMM6iJ6KfuXXwQfVWPl6u76ZlHzz78CJ_MnlhdrkPA2RoxKF06LNbGxy1j_HyQV5w/s1600/Ruts+DC+Crewe+November+2019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="685" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigsmuSadov8f-O6fpm7pjx3woDIVy0PboGjxJ4eYAuM0hNU4-AStuDT50OQORsEhiY2zqJTlMM6iJ6KfuXXwQfVWPl6u76ZlHzz78CJ_MnlhdrkPA2RoxKF06LNbGxy1j_HyQV5w/s200/Ruts+DC+Crewe+November+2019.jpg" width="142" /></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I bought it then - my copy still has the<i> 'Pay No More Than £3.99' </i>sticker on the cover - and I absolutely loved it. I still do. It is, in my not-so-humble opinion one of the greatest records of all time, and that means a lot around these here parts - I spent so many hours listening to it, and so many more hours playing along with it in an attempt to decipher the wondrous electric guitar playing of the mighty <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Fox_(musician)">Paul Fox</a>. Although I couldn't have known it then it wouldn't be that long before I myself would be able to ask him how to play the songs; even more unlikely is the fact that these days I find myself playing the songs on stage with original Ruts Dave and Segs. It's a funny old life sometimes isn't it? You never know what fate has in store for you... </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRn2tlY74aJ6-x4bxN0kKkFq2Q-PoYSJA0IwxIF4fXj2DTcKMg4SVMfzzbzUeIG8R1DVcYwXKasZrSer9Yk772SzrJAtNrtPszmsRAqXPSH3Oq6uOe5VKOrD-IWMrCsFh_DyRZ7A/s1600/Ruts+DC+November+%253A+December+2019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="944" data-original-width="960" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRn2tlY74aJ6-x4bxN0kKkFq2Q-PoYSJA0IwxIF4fXj2DTcKMg4SVMfzzbzUeIG8R1DVcYwXKasZrSer9Yk772SzrJAtNrtPszmsRAqXPSH3Oq6uOe5VKOrD-IWMrCsFh_DyRZ7A/s200/Ruts+DC+November+%253A+December+2019.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">...for example, who would have predicted a <a href="https://rutsdc.com/">Ruts D.C.</a> Weekender in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crewe">Crewe</a>, during which we will play 'The Crack', an acoustic set and more? Well certainly not me, but I wouldn't have predicted a European Tour with <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Stranglers">The Stranglers</a> and a just-before-Christmas show at <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/O2_Brixton_Academy">The Brixton Academy</a> with <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alabama_3">The Alabama 3</a> either - as I say, you never know what fate has in store for you... and there's more - we have a live album recorded on the last tour coming out in December, and gigs a-plenty are already coming in for next year - great stuff all round. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">And who would have predicted that your humble narrator </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">would be asked to appear on </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">noted website <a href="https://www.everyonelovesguitar.com/">Everyone Loves Guitar</a>? Segs was on last month - you can hear him <a href="http://guitar.libsyn.com/john-segs-jennings-everyone-loves-guitar">here</a> if you'd like to, and very interesting it is too - and I'm recording my appearance tomorrow. I've been sent some sample questions and they're very in depth - I was expecting things like <i>'what gauge <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plectrum">plectrum</a> do you use?'</i>, not <i>'what is your happiest childhood memory?'</i>. This should be interesting - I'm really looking forward to it!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">But as if to prove that you don't get something for nothing in life, October 2nd saw the </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-h13_2779c7j3rpGUV4rFYiAwb9BP_M5vkEOXD1gvemqkZmK6r3qDSsX5btE7E1CWF_yI54alfWzeF5XNND5lSSsj_UsOatS-yGTrMzkNnBFe_guI_h0sv_Jc1Dd4LanE9T979Q/s1600/Alabama+3%253ARuts+DC+Brixton+21%253A12%253A19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="682" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-h13_2779c7j3rpGUV4rFYiAwb9BP_M5vkEOXD1gvemqkZmK6r3qDSsX5btE7E1CWF_yI54alfWzeF5XNND5lSSsj_UsOatS-yGTrMzkNnBFe_guI_h0sv_Jc1Dd4LanE9T979Q/s200/Alabama+3%253ARuts+DC+Brixton+21%253A12%253A19.jpg" width="141" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">death of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eddie_and_the_Hot_Rods">Eddie And the Hot Rods</a> singer Barrie Masters. I can't pretend to have known him well, but every time I did speak to him he was always friendly and enthusiastic, which is more than you can say about many people that you meet. And The Hot Rods have always had a very special place in my musical mind... I saw them play at <a href="https://brunelbands.wordpress.com/">Brunel University</a> in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uxbridge">Uxbridge</a> way back in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1977">1977</a> <i>(probably 19th October)</i> supported by <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQba2OJPhNU">No Dice</a> - this was the first vaguely '<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punk_rock">punk</a>' gig I attended and it remains one of the most exciting evenings I've ever been part of. Everything about it was brilliant - No Dice were excellent (I've got an old single by them but I really <i>must</i> search out some of their stuff one day) and The Hot Rods were absolutely phenomenal. They looked great, sounded greater and, maybe most importantly from my point of view, they might as well have had a bloody great sign saying YOU COULD DO THIS LEIGH above their heads. I was a cripplingly shy, very-young-for-my-age 16 year old, and although it took me a long time I can say without being pretentious <i>(for once!)</i> that I wouldn't be playing the guitar today if it wasn't for that show. I saw them play again on many occasions - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6u2v9tlXM8">this</a> amazing clip of them playing 'The Beginning Of The End' on <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Old_Grey_Whistle_Test">The Old Grey Whistle Test</a> shows just how great they could be as a live band - and then, incredibly, was lucky enough to appear on stage with the last line up of the band a couple of times, the last of which was at <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/O2_Academy_Islington">The Islington Academy</a> in April this year - I played '<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0FvIv90ceM">I Might Be Lying</a>' and Ignore Them' <i>(the A and B side of my favourite Rods record in case you were wondering)</i> and joined a cast of thousands for the last song 'Gloria'. After the song had finished and everyone made their way off stage I somehow found myself with Barrie in the middle of the stage - he looked exhausted but he'd made it through an epic show. I lifted his right arm aloft, as you do with a champion who had just won the toughest fight of their life, and the place went mad. A fantastic, unforgettable moment. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I owe Barrie and people like him more than I'll ever be able to put into words. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I think of it every time I play. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>Leigh Heggartyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01884969643184980344noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33472785.post-14496435856269574702019-09-04T10:11:00.002+00:002019-09-29T17:00:46.509+00:00Alvin Gibbs & The Disobedient Servants - June 2019<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>With some more gigs for the band on the horizon it's time for a look back at the first Alvin Gibbs & The Disobedient Servants tour, which took place in June of this year - enjoy.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><u>Monday 3rd, 8.31 am leaving Euston Station</u> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Coach A Seat 25 here - it's early. Well it's not, but it feels it. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMFpFAVdSkWW_pG__ZPhE0psYu3emvMVYr2Ymwtm9b_S1QItPD79A1TJhHzwbLLlKS6mx7go20V6dsp3ne_MnnxY2GQNvpQG19iEr0cmEELt00BMWAyE-qJfCYW-uDXBzUYDLAFA/s1600/Alvin+poster+June+2019.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1139" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMFpFAVdSkWW_pG__ZPhE0psYu3emvMVYr2Ymwtm9b_S1QItPD79A1TJhHzwbLLlKS6mx7go20V6dsp3ne_MnnxY2GQNvpQG19iEr0cmEELt00BMWAyE-qJfCYW-uDXBzUYDLAFA/s200/Alvin+poster+June+2019.jpeg" width="141" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great poster don't you think?</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/theruts/">Ruts D.C.</a> played a storming set <i>(even though I say so myself!)</i> at <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camden_Underworld">The Underworld</a> last night as part of this year's <a href="https://camdenrocksfestival.com/">Camden Rocks Festival</a>; I got home some time after midnight then was up not long after 5 a.m. to make sure of getting on this train. It's great being <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neurosis">neurotic</a>... on the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/London_Underground">tube</a> train to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baker_Street_tube_station">Baker Street</a> a disembodied voice (presumably belonging the driver, although I suppose you never know) rather ominously informed us that there was a <i>'Code Orange'</i> and that <i>'all lines are suspended'</i>. They came back on again a couple of minutes later - well, I'm assuming that they did, as I got here in time to catch my train. I'm off to meet <a href="https://www.facebook.com/alvin.gibbs.52?__tn__=CH-R&eid=ARDxdOCKqqS9IFfXYVVvKWhfQ5FV5VTnSv3_7BWYUBf2X13KYQonTi52T0ghXbtAP1_0v_n-JwTkV8jM&hc_ref=ARQBrDksK-ayUPGG5tDQyAhi69-iSIJWXvaiYO5c4VTkfXs-vGhnW84J7VPzjZ3m1Go&fref=nf&__xts__[0]=68.ARDrqofzPDqQaW5ngzP8sURg6bi0H3oQ9Wv8G13o6hwj_wQNGD-87FKQO7TAzqcAm7zEHHLBfonqoyz0dqNtyDm4urL-B7ZgE6K6xvxEkCezofEKLdVfzK-b5x6hUTEFyOVMHs87NKaBBT9LNg9nkd1Xdb6Y7ERwlqV5qZbJLywjkkb5H3gzVq0-FBNK7q7Ai6T8FG1tSIQ04ZSy7lnvpSfQrQuTGxJ7wb_SvpziRXRNstAEw2YxQWgyMFXo3I3R80QGJcjRI09A_AJn1KLcMsYrr_jJYHz6sd5aNo3coAmvkOYWIiUbzgjRiaXLL2EQgHD8l2vmAPvVPJ8VoqXhAHhViQ">Alvin</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/jamieoliverdrums/?__xts__[0]=68.ARDdXPxHIwfzGUmRHdqbYptddAhYy9W1y1rIIJ4NPVyJSKC4ElQAdOHy94iJTZhyX5ET7aJZRJxjlCJwmrMG4rn6sTWE-gPVvwskgdnjnzmuLXp5bXxR2q1yotzNIS3yUNWWyiFYxk2uV1UnNuF2TuH0vVeIELO5_VY21cNhHtxH3sQMMTw7cmGKXz5-L5IlE9F4PLev7pX7DYDUfcpRwmvd7zFe5MxqGAlHodgMr-IekuVs41B8FYobvlWfcUtoUmH08hDoOb4hPgZCzeC0gCbgwAmNZU84VRjhbm1tS_ODIxcWhGlHzwGpaWMgh5aUXYFi2Tke_DrQ1sq29T3E9ORH3w">Jamie</a> to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rehearsal">rehearse</a> for the first <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Disobedientservants/">Disobedient Servants</a> tour which starts tomorrow. There's nothing like leaving it until the last minute is there? I've got to get some sleep on the way though or this could all go badly wrong - I'm in what claims to be the Quiet Coach, although the announcements are loud enough to be heard in the next world. Ah well - on with the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IPod">iPod</a> and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Headphones">headphones</a> then, even though according to the sign next to me you're not 'supposed' to use them in this coach. Ah well. It's all anarchy isn't it? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Tuesday 4th, nearly 1 am, in my room somewhere in the North West of England</span></u><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A good rehearsal today - still a bit of work to do, but instead of doing that we've been down the pub. Of course we have. And <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Beatles">The Beatles</a> are playing on the iPod in the background, which is always a good sign in my world. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">More tomorrow, or to be pedantic, today. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><u>12.38 pm</u> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Crikey - this all appears to be going to plan... a splendid breakfast (<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vegetarianism">vegetarian</a> sausages, egg and beans since you were wondering) and we're rehearsing at one o'clock. If only that cretin <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donald_Trump">Trump</a> wasn't on the telly. What a nasty little man he is. At least <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeremy_Corbyn">Corbyn</a> has got it right <i>(for once! He's missed so many open goals hasn't he?)</i> and is having nothing to do with him. Good man. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><u>Wednesday 5th, 4.31 pm leaving Manchester Birch Services on the M62</u> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Well. That was, erm, i<i>nteresting</i>... </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We - Alvin, Jamie, Abel from ace support band <a href="https://www.facebook.com/CRIMINALMINDPUNK/">Criminal Mind</a> and myself - were in Dale the driver's bus with Jon driving the rest of Criminal Mind in his van. A text comes through - <i>'it look like you've got a flat <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tire">tyre</a>'</i>. We'd better stop at the next services then... it turned out that the right back tyre wasn't flat but that it had a noticeable bulge in it. Time to call <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AA_plc">The AA</a> then. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">'Twas a good start to the tour last night, at <a href="https://www.waterloomusicbar.com/">The Waterloo Music Bar</a> in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blackpool">Blackpool</a>. This was a new venue for me, and while it was by no means packed out - it rained heavily all evening - there were more than enough people in to make it work. Ian the guv'nor was very helpful, the previously-mentioned Criminal Mind were excellent and it's definitely looking good for these shows. We're at <a href="http://www.victoriavaults.com/">The Victoria Vaults</a> in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/York">York</a> tonight, which is another new venue for me - it's good to be out and about again. And </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">as we're running a bit late</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> so </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">it's good to be back on the road now. After all - there's only so much time you can spend in a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motorway_service_area">service station</a>... </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><u>Thursday 6th, 2.20 pm on the A64</u> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Encore">Encores</a> are funny things aren't they? In many ways I've never really understood them. You play a show. You finish a show. Then you start again. Weird.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I told you he's good!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">No encore last night. Why? Because no one asked for one. Well, no one asked for one until music came over the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_address_system">PA system</a>, at which point people started cheering and demanding more - by which time the sound man was already putting the microphones away. Too little too late! But it had been a good, energetic performance with the band sounding better and better as the show went on. Earlier in the evening I'd spent a bit of time down the road in <a href="https://en-gb.facebook.com/pages/category/Pub/Trafalgar-Bay-202274890369500/">The Trafalgar Bay</a> with Micky and Donna - it's strange how there's nothing like a sign saying NO SWEARING to make you involuntarily come out with all sorts of rude words isn't it? Micky is an extremely talented artist - check out his work <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Punk-art-77com-1564129237149638/">here</a> - who presented us with a wonderful caricature of the band. Amazing. We of course suggested that he print some up and put them on our merchandise stall immediately. We're</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manchester">Manchester</a></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> at <a href="http://www.starandgarter.co.uk/">The Star And Garter</a> tonight - Dale tells me that during an apparently unrelated <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder">murder</a> investigation (!) near the venue they once found a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prostitution">prostitute</a>'s head in a box . I am looking forward to tonight.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><u>Friday 7th, 12.09 pm leaving the Travelodge</u> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Well I'm pleased to say that no prostitutes - headless or otherwise - were harmed during last night's performance <i>(or if they were then I didn't see it happen)</i> which was the best gig of the tour so far. A good sized crowd included <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Department_S_(band)">Department S</a> / <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Rezillos">Rezillos</a> guitarist Phil Thompson, arch <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Damned_(band)">Damned</a> fans Steve and Sheila, Ruts D.C. regulars Paul and Mandy and Richie Rocker among the familiar faces - after another splendid set from Criminal Mind we hit the ground running with 'Arterial Pressure' and 'Ghost Train' from Alvin' solo album followed by 'Bordeaux Red' and 'Drag Me Down' from <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.K._Subs">The U.K. Subs</a>'s mighty back catalogue. It's interesting to see how the Subs songs in the set are going down - the ones that we're playing have all written by Alvin (and indeed sung by him on the albums) but have never been performed by the band. The Subs fans certainly seem to be really enjoying this side of our shows which is a great thing to see. We encored <i>(see, we can do them!)</i> with <a href="https://www.ianhunter.com/">Ian Hunter</a>'s '<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P7zt3fxWvx0">Once Bitten Twice Shy</a>' (I've brought '<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diary_of_a_Rock%27n%27Roll_Star">Diary Of A Rock 'n' Roll Star</a>' with me to read in the bus) and the <a href="https://www.uksubstimeandmatter.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=15947&Itemid=70">Urban Dogs</a> song 'A Bridge Too Far' before joining the audience in the downstairs bar where drinks were drunk, merch was sold and everyone went home happy. Well I certainly did, although I've got a bit of a thick head now. Ah well - off to another <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harvester_(restaurant)">Harvester</a> then. Who'd have thought that punk rock legends The U.K. Subs are often seen in such establishments? The things you learn here eh? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><u>Saturday 8th, 12.18 pm somewhere on the M42</u> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">'<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZBhgZBjiLE">Baba O'Riley</a>'.You forget just how good <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Who">The Who</a> were and indeed are don't you? Well, I don't as it happens, but it's playing on the van stereo as I write this so it's a chance to mention it here. Teenage wasteland indeed. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birmingham">Birmingham</a> is usually a good place to play, and last night was no exception. <a href="http://castleandfalcon.com/home">The Castle And Falcon</a> was yet another new venue for me, and what an excellent little gig it is. An extremely enthusiastic and often very vocal audience saw us joined by <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Godfathers">Godfathers</a> guitar hero Steve Crittall for a suitably noisy show which seemed to go down well with all concerned. Criminal Mind were once again excellent, local lads <a href="https://en-gb.facebook.com/pages/category/Musician-Band/The-Dregs-1639508752979460/">The Dregs</a> played a good opening set and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Captain_Sensible">Captain Sensible</a>'s <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guitar_tech">guitar tech</a> Sean kept me entertained with stories from the latest Damned tour. A top evening all round. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">It's raining heavily today. It's been doing that a lot lately. We opened the van door and as Dale put it, the <i>'sideways rain'</i> pretty much soaked all the seats in about 2 seconds. Bah! </span><br />
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</u><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><u>Sunday 9th, 1.34 pm leaving Nottingham</u> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Well - what a splendid lunch. If you're in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nottingham">Nottingham</a> and you're hungry then go to <a href="https://en-gb.facebook.com/thegoldenfleecenotts/">The Golden Fleece</a>! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Another great night last night - this really is turning out to be a good tour. Ruts D.C. played <a href="http://www.rescuerooms.com/">The Rescue Rooms</a> back in February as part of our '40 Years Of The Crack' tour, and <a href="https://en-gb.facebook.com/AlbertsNotts/">Alberts</a> was just a few doors down from there - it wasn't much fun carrying the gear upstairs but the venue was excellent so it was all worth it in the end. <a href="https://en-gb.facebook.com/headsticksmusic/">Headsticks</a> opened the evening - we played with them at <a href="https://strummercampfestival.com/">Strummercamp</a> a few weeks ago, I like their stuff - and Criminal Mind were as good as ever; they really are a great little band, well worth catching if you ever see them advertised. We were back to one guitar which took a bit of getting used to, but the sound in the venue was good so we soon got going, and by the end of our set there was much dancing and jollity down the front. And after initial concerns the turnout was such that, as the afore-mentioned 'Orrible 'Oo once put it, even the promoter smiled. Good!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><u>2.59 pm somewhere on the M42</u> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guy_Stevens">Guy Stevens</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ian_Hunter_(singer)">Ian Hunter</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abbey_Road_Studios">Abbey Road</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Bowie">David Bowie</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alice_Cooper">Alice Cooper</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iggy_Pop">Iggy Pop</a>... Alvin's got some great stories! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><u>Monday 10th, 1.22 pm on the road out of Bristol</u> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I've lost my <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watch">watch</a>. How annoying is that? And our gig in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuneaton">Nuneaton</a> has been postponed, or cancelled, or something. Bah. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I've just talked to my dad on the phone - he says that it's pouring down in London. We're at <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/100_Club">The 100 Club</a> tonight so hopefully it'll have cleared up by the time we get there, or at least by the evening so as not to put people off from coming along. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Right - that's enough moaning! Last night then - yet another new venue for your humble narrator and yet again <a href="https://www.thelouisiana.net/">The Louisiana</a> in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bristol">Bristol</a> was a splendid place. Local heroes Criminal Mind took the place by storm and we had another good night, which sets things up nicely for tonight - once again Steve will be on guitar, and we also have Barry Francis from <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Saints_(Australian_band)">The Saints</a> and Timo Caltio from <a href="https://www.discogs.com/artist/1313726-Cheap-And-Nasty">Cheap And Nasty</a> joining us for a song each (they both play on Alvin's album)</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> so it's got the makings of a great evening. Oh, and I've got an interview for the <a href="http://www.rebellionfestivals.com/">Rebellion Festival</a> programme. Lots to do... time for a sleep then... I wonder where my watch is...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><u>Tuesday 11th, 10.49 am at home</u> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I've unpacked my bag and still haven't found my watch. I thought that I might, but I didn't. Bugger. Still, if the worse thing that happens to you is that you lose a watch then it's not a bad life is it? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Last night's show at The 100 Club more than lived up to our expectations. It's good when that happens. Steve was great on guitar <i>(he usually is!)</i> as were Barry and Timo, there was a good crowd in - we were worried about the rain effecting things but thankfully that proved not to be the case - and were joined on stage for the legend that is <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlie_Harper_(singer)">Charlie Harper</a> - I think you'll agree that sounds like a good evening?</span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUa5IsYu3XLcZf3yh_IIfYEnZ90j88fsV3ajkalk3JeRw_-y1D91Ks30jB6ZCaH3AZaFoypDOdPmsUJ7f58ZdKhUYPhRMsn5qL7-ojckXgb5-GZ07A8uYxH0dzaW_uWPyQwqYb7Q/s1600/Charlie+100+Club+June+2019.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUa5IsYu3XLcZf3yh_IIfYEnZ90j88fsV3ajkalk3JeRw_-y1D91Ks30jB6ZCaH3AZaFoypDOdPmsUJ7f58ZdKhUYPhRMsn5qL7-ojckXgb5-GZ07A8uYxH0dzaW_uWPyQwqYb7Q/s200/Charlie+100+Club+June+2019.jpeg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The band heroically attempt to ignore <br />
the stage invader in their midst...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">So - what did Charlie sing with us? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Good question - he sang a bit of the U.K. Subs classic 'Warhead'. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Why did we only play a bit of 'Warhead'? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Because we play it in the middle of 'In A Rut'. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">And who sings 'In A Rut'? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I do. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Yes, you read that bit correctly. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I do. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Nobody - <i>nobody!</i> - is more surprised than me. It even looks weird written down on paper. It took a lot of persuading to get me to do it, and I'd be lying if I didn't say that I still feel a bit awkward... b</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">ut it's been happening every night on this tour, and incredibly it's been going down well. Strange days indeed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">It's a shame that there's no gig tonight, but we're off to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poland">Poland</a> on Friday. Excellent. </span><br />
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</u><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><u>Thursday 13th, 1.38 pm on a tube train into town</u> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I did nothing yesterday. Nothing. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Well, that's not true. Of course it's not. I did my washing. I caught up on emails. I ran through some songs for the gigs I'm doing depping with <a href="http://www.nicksimper.net/the-good-old-boys/">The Good Old Boys</a> in a couple of weeks time. I talked to their guitarist Simon about some of the songs. I watched <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hercule_Poirot">Poirot</a> on the telly. I phoned a couple of mates. I ate some food, drank some drinks - well, you get the idea. I did quite a lot, especially considering that I did nothing. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I'm now on my way to meet Alvin at <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liverpool_Street_station">Liverpool Street Station</a>. It's pouring down with rain. Again. We have to be at <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/London_Stansted_Airport">Stansted Airport</a> at 9 am tomorrow so we're staying nearby tonight. Apparently it's over 90 degrees where we're going</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> - that's too hot for me. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The reaction to the gigs has been brilliant, which is a great thing to see. To be fair, we have been playing well, but it's a new band - albeit one with a pedigree - and it's been great to see such interest. As you would expect the set is built around Alvin's album '<a href="https://alvingibbsthedisobedientservants.bandcamp.com/album/your-disobedient-servant">Your Disobedient Servant</a>' - we've missed a couple of tracks but they will no doubt feature in the future - and reflected his time with Iggy Pop by playing '<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pbv2OIcA4dI">1969</a>' and '<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fkC2lauXCKU">Down On The Street</a>'. We've also - slightly oddly from my point of view - reflected my time with Ruts D.C... I've been telling a short story each night along the lines of <i>'back in 1979 I was trying to learn to play the guitar, and I would sit on the end of my bed playing along with records by people like <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Ruts">The Ruts</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/UKSubs/">The U.K. Subs</a> - somehow, 40 years later, this can happen...'</i> we then</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> play '<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ooFVHCLsbG0">In A Rut</a>' with a snippet of '<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uo-0BAvfsgk">Warhead</a>' in the middle as previously discussed. It's been going down really well - but it's amazing for me to think that, yes, </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I did sit on the end of my bed playing along with records by people like The Ruts and the U.K. Subs, and now I share the stage with them and play the songs that I used to play along with. As I say, strange days indeed. Most peculiar mama.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><u>Saturday 15th, 3.21 pm ready for take-off at Lodz Airport</u> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>'Warning! Very strong winds, hail and storms expected in the afternoon and at night (15/06) Do not seek shelter under trees. Where possible stay indoors.'</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Hmmm. This is perhaps not the sort of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Text_messaging">text message</a> that you want to receive at any time, but if it arrives as you're preparing to broad an <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aircraft">aircraft</a> it really does, shall we say, focus the mind... the stewardesses - I still call <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flight_attendant">them</a> that, don't you? - are busily demonstrating the safety features of this aircraft even as we speak. Maybe I should be paying a bit more attention?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">It was a busy day yesterday, hence the lack of writing here - but the notebook is back out now, and in an effort to put the above text message out of my mind I'm attempting to remember what happened and in what order. So...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">On Thursday Alvin and myself spent a very enjoyable evening - and a fair bit of money, especially in his case - in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bishop%27s_Stortford">Bishops Stortford</a>. My old friend Adrian (he writes the always - excellent <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Stranglers">Stranglers</a> blog <a href="http://auralsculptors.blogspot.com/">Aural Sculptors</a>) lives nearby so I texted him to say that we were local to see if he was about but sadly he was away. Next time! Once checked in at <a href="http://www.thegeorgehotel.org/">The George</a> <i>(which I've since been told by Adrian and his family is <a href="https://www.spookyisles.com/5-haunted-places-to-visit-in-bishops-stortford-hertfordshire/">haunted</a>! Oo-er!)</i> we decided to go out for a walk to see what was about - within an hour he'd bought a very nice <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watch">watch</a> <i>(that's how he spent more money than me!)</i> and we were ensconced in <a href="https://en-gb.facebook.com/TheHornBS/">The Half Moon</a> on the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birra_Moretti">Moretti</a> and discussing tactics. <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PizzaExpress">Pizza Express</a> is always a good bet especially for poncey vegetarians such as myself, and it proved to be so in this case; we then heard that Jamie would be meeting us at the airport as his train had been cancelled so we rounded our evening off by watching the Australia / Brazil ladies football <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2019_FIFA_Women%27s_World_Cup">World Cup</a> match amid more drinking and tactical discussions. What crazy punk rockers we are eh? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Ooh - we're taking off. It's always a bit mad isn't it? A bit bumpy, a few kids screaming - not too bad though, certainly not as bad as that text suggested that it might be. Good! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">9 o'clock on Friday morning and we're in a cab to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/London_Stansted_Airport">Stansted Airport</a>; half an hour later we've met Jamie <i>(own up - you weren't sure that he was going to show up were you? To be honest - nor were we!)</i> and we're checked in and through security without a hitch and heading for the duty free shops. No, I've never bought anything there either, but I was tempted by a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JBL">JBL</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bluetooth">Bluetooth</a> speaker - after heroically resisting it we had some much-needed <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breakfast">breakfast</a> before deciding to have a look around. As we left the cafe we were confronted by some familiar faces... it's funny when you see someone out of context but can't quite work out who they are isn't it? <i>'Are you the chap who plays in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Ruts">The Ruts</a>?'</i> asked the cheery bespectacled chap whose face I knew but couldn't quite place. <i>'Yes, I'm Leigh'</i> said I. The cheery bespectacled chap extended his hand towards me - <i>'<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kevin_Armstrong_(guitarist)">Kevin Armstrong</a>'</i> came the reply. <i>'Yes, I know -we've not met before but I've seen you at work'</i> said I, grinning like an idiot. And I had, with David Bowie among others. He now plays in Iggy Pop's band along with <a href="https://uk.linkedin.com/in/seamus-beaghen-71962a95">Seamus Beaghen</a> who of course played in Ruts D.C. and who played with Iggy at the same time as Alvin. <i>'We've all had the plane lurgee'</i> said my new best mate Kevin, <i>'Seamus is here somewhere but he's not too well, I'll see if I can find him... actually, let's take a picture and send it too him'</i>. So we did - somewhere there's a picture of Kevin, Alvin and myself. I must get that someday mustn't I? They were all off to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santiago">Santiago</a> for an Iggy gig, we were off to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lodz">Lodz</a> - we went our separate ways vowing to keep in touch. I hope that we do! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A lot of people - especially bands - won't fly <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ryanair">Ryanair</a>. There are any number of <a href="https://youngadventuress.com/2012/09/my-ryanair-horror-stories.html">horror</a> <a href="http://www.ellecroft.com/blog/2015/02/23-reasons-why-ryanair-sucks/">stories</a> aren't there? 10 minutes into our flight I remembered why. Cramped to hell, screaming kids, a small fortune for pretend food - terrible. And that bloody fanfare when the plane lands. Is that really something to celebrate? It's supposed to land isn't it, in the same way that it's supposed to take off and indeed to fly? Still we got there in one piece, and I even managed a bit of sleep so I guess it wasn't too bad. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Passport">Passport</a> control took ages. Ages. I stood in the seemingly-endless queue shuffling forward from time to time, all the while thinking <i>'my <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gibson_Les_Paul">Les Paul</a> is somewhere the other side of those big doors. I do hope that it's ok'</i>. When I eventually got through the big doors my guitar was nowhere to be seen. Hmm... where's the outsize baggage area? There doesn't seem to be one... after all other baggage had been collected it was time to pluck up courage and ask one of the scary security men where my guitar might or might not be. <i>'Wait!'</i> said the scary security man firmly. Waiting commenced imme</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">diately. He spoke into a </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walkie-talkie" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif;">walkie-talkie</a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">. </span><i style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif;">'Here'</i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> he said, indicating the baggage </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conveyor_belt" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif;">belt</a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">, which obligingly whirred into life. No guitar though. More walkie talkie action. More waiting. More belt whirring. Still no guitar. Suddenly he spoke - '</span><i style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif;">I have good news for you. Your guitar is here. Wait'</i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">. Waiting once again continued, albeit with considerable relief. Eventually one of the bursts of belt whirring led to my guitar appearing on it. Fank gawd. '</span><i style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif;">What happened?'</i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> I asked. </span><i style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif;">'It got stuck'</i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> came the reply. Ah - that explains it. Sort of. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ou8R95gYZRxVk7QOWeHhoX77Sl9BZO-K6XMezU2ZOG2TpjOF9JV7BK5nSRfuzLrPn0g088mquOWUqTIbr_3ERc_pDMxkaD9602nqxI9L_wAHH4xDnxJcXnqS9XTExtyvamK2Cg/s1600/Hotel+Hades+Lodz+June+2019.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ou8R95gYZRxVk7QOWeHhoX77Sl9BZO-K6XMezU2ZOG2TpjOF9JV7BK5nSRfuzLrPn0g088mquOWUqTIbr_3ERc_pDMxkaD9602nqxI9L_wAHH4xDnxJcXnqS9XTExtyvamK2Cg/s200/Hotel+Hades+Lodz+June+2019.jpeg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You thought I'd made it up didn't you?</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">10 minutes later and we're all in Christof's car leaving the airport. 40 minutes or so later we're at the wonderfully-named <a href="https://ar.trivago.com/en/andrespol-467915/hotel/hades-1703069">Hotel Hades</a> which thankfully turns out to be closer to heaven than hell - plates of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pasta">pasta</a> and bottles of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lager">lager</a> appear, and all is right with the world at last. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The festival site is a short walk away so we decide to stroll down and have a look. It's state funded - why don't we have things like that in so-called 'Great' Britain? - so the P.A. and stage are good, there's not too many people about but we're assured it'll get busier later. Alvin is presented with a very nice - looking <a href="https://shop.fender.com/en-GB/start">Fender</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marcus_Miller">Marcus Miller</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fender_Jazz_Bass">Jazz Bass</a> to use <i>(maybe I should have asked to borrow a Les Paul?!?)</i> which is great to play but the guitar strap is too short for him. Still that's easily fixed, and with everything looking good it's back to the hotel for a snooze. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We return to the festival at 9.15 pm to find everything in full swing. We set up and get ready to play - there's no backstage toilet <i>(or if there is then I can't find it!)</i> so it's time to, erm, find a bush... </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We start, as we have at all the shows, with 'Arterial Pressure' - there are more than a few punky types about including several U.K. Subs t-shirts so it looks as though we could go down well. Things get better and better as our set progresses, and we finish with 'Back To Mayhem', 'Living Dead' and 'Black Power Salute' to a great reception. After an announcement from the compare the crowd start singing something - it's '<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Happy_Birthday_to_You">Happy Birthday</a>' for Jamie who gets presented with a cake which we eat back at the hotel with beer and sandwiches. I like Poland. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We were up at half past nine today as breakfast finished at 10; we left for the airport at midday where there wasn't much to do, although as I said earlier that text message certainly livened things up a bit. I'm tired now though so it's time for some music and a sleep. Hopefully.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><u>6 pm on The Stansted Express going back to Liverpool Street Station</u> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">What was I saying about not flying Ryanair? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I've just filled in a damage report. But more about that in a minute. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The flight itself wasn't too bad in the end - provided you could ignore the terrifying racket being made by the child who sounded as though he was being disemboweled for the last 30 minutes of so of proceedings. By the looks on quite a few people's faces they may actually have been considering doing just that, or at the very least administering a general <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anesthesia">anaesthetic</a> to said child or indeed to themselves. But the real 'fun' started back at Stansted Airport. After going through passport control (which was much easier than yesterday) I waited at outsize baggage - belt A in case you were wondering - for my guitar. And I waited. And waited. After about 20 minutes I</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> decided to enquire as to where it might be - the very helpful lady behind the desk at Ryanair Baggage Claims said that she'd make some calls then asked if I had been <i>'very early'</i> for my flight. When I said we were there a couple of hours before take off she said that it'd probably be ok, any earlier and they might have forgotten to load it on. Oh, <i>great</i>... she came back with the news that there was no sign of it so I'll have to fill in a form and they'll <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Courier">courier</a> it over to me when it arrives back in Blighty. Not good news, but it could be worse I suppose.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Hang on - they've found a guitar in the middle of the road.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>Whaaaat? </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">They've found a guitar in the middle of the road. What does mine look like? Well it's in a black case which - rather optimistically as it turns out - has a couple of red 'Fragile' stickers on it. Oh, this could be yours then, I'll get them to bring it over. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPyqPIQyiBHh7uFXzvV-ojuoLWl14HZIih344-bZFVciYijIbpmh8QY5WFQyOe3upYfgCJNm-mNT7rJL-GqHnwuumJdub5ox6D5dQaDY5KkjYX_Az5JU0ZXJNLxYFA7bf0VmjLhQ/s1600/Broken+guitar+case+June+2019.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="903" data-original-width="1600" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPyqPIQyiBHh7uFXzvV-ojuoLWl14HZIih344-bZFVciYijIbpmh8QY5WFQyOe3upYfgCJNm-mNT7rJL-GqHnwuumJdub5ox6D5dQaDY5KkjYX_Az5JU0ZXJNLxYFA7bf0VmjLhQ/s200/Broken+guitar+case+June+2019.jpeg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">OUCH!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A quarter of an hour later my new friend Jerry hands me my guitar. We both open the case. I pick it up. It's still in tune. That's encouraging. I think that it's ok Jerry... we put it back into the case - but the clasp at the bottom of the case won't close. Actually, the case doesn't go back together properly either. Ah - that'll be where it hit the ground after falling off the baggage truck. Thanks for telling me that Jerry - time I filled in a damage report then don't you think?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">What feels like a lifetime later I'm finally on my way home.I've got a horrible nagging feeling that when I look again at my guitar it'll turn out to be damaged after all, but that's hopefully just me worrying. Tomorrow I've got to photograph the damage and send it in to the Ryanair website - I'm told that they will then contact me accordingly. So that's ok then. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Except of course, it's not. What was that I saying about people, particularly musicians, refusing to fly with Ryanair? Why do you reckon that is then? I'm sitting here thinking about the staff - very helpful, almost nonchalant about possible damage or loss of processions. Is that because it happens on a regular basis? I certainly wasn't the only person filling out forms... I've heard far too many stories like mine, and sadly this one won't be the last. I'm telling myself that it's 'only' the case that's been damaged, and that's why you put valuable instruments in them in the first place - but that's not really the point is it? </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">So I'm <u>not</u> saying 'DON'T FLY RYANAIR'. Except of course, I just did. Welcome home Leigh.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">----</span><br />
<i><br /></i>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>So there you have it - our first tour, with hopefully many more to come. Derby, Birmingham and Lewes this weekend - excellent. And in case you thought I made all that stuff about 'In A Rut' up, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSV8BTohZR8">here</a> it is from The 100 Club show. Oh and in case you were wondering - I found my watch! Oh yes!</i></span><br />
<br />Leigh Heggartyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01884969643184980344noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33472785.post-24488480196635784782019-08-26T17:42:00.003+00:002019-08-26T17:50:25.990+00:00Remembering Rebellion 2019<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>It's time for another slightly blurred missive from a speeding locomotive travelling in a Southerly direction somewhere in England the morning after the night before...</i> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">----</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Monday 5th August 1.44pm on a train from Manchester to London.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">£5.50 for a meal deal. A cardboard sandwich, a chocolatey-nutty-thingy bar and some lukewarm water. And it had all been going so well...still, at least I got on this train - with only 10 minutes between arriving at <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manchester_Piccadilly_station">Manchester Piccadilly</a> from <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blackpool_North_railway_station">Blackpool North</a> and leaving for <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euston_railway_station">Euston</a> it was touch and go, but I made it, as did many others. First world problems eh? And the quiet coach is actually quiet for once. Maybe things aren't so bad after all. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Actually things aren't bad at all. <a href="http://www.rebellionfestivals.com/">The Rebellion Festival</a> at <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winter_Gardens,_Blackpool">The Winter Gardens</a> in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blackpool">Blackpool</a> once again lived up to all expectations (which it must be said, were pretty high to begin with) and indeed might have been the best that I've ever attended. Mind you, it was bloomin' hot, especially in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Empress_Ballroom">The Empress Ballroom</a>. I don't remember ever being hotter on stage, or indeed in a venue. Surely they can fit some <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_conditioning">air conditioning</a>? Or even open the doors? Or windows</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">? Or something? </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Your humble narrator<br />
at work <span style="font-size: 12.8px;">with Ruts D.C.</span><br />
The Empress Ballroom, Blackpool,<br />
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">August 2nd 2019.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Gig-wise the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/theruts/">Ruts D.C.</a> show in the afore-mentioned ballroom was, even though say so myself, an absolute stormer. We'd considered playing '<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Crack">The Crack</a>' in it's entirety but eventually we opted for some lesser-played songs from the album alongside some old favourites and, for the first and maybe only time, an excerpt from '<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTWKbfoikeg">Smells Like Teen Spirit</a>' during '<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQZ-FbCMIrU">In A Rut</a>'. We'd been rehearing on the previous Tuesday and Segs was saying how he'd just seen and enjoyed the film '<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sound_City_(film)">Sound City</a>' - we <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jam_session">jammed</a> the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nirvana_(band)">Nirvana</a> song for a couple of minutes and decided that it'd be interesting to include it in our show. It certainly seemed to catch people by surprise... and the following night's <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acoustic_guitar">acoustic</a> show in the hallowed confines of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opera_House_Theatre,_Blackpool">The Opera House</a> was pretty special too. It's impossible - well it is for me anyway - to stand on the stage and not think of who has stood there in the past. From <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlie_Chaplin">Charlie Chaplin</a> to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Beatles">The Beatles</a> and from <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Sinatra">Frank Sinatra</a> to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jimi_Hendrix">Jimi Hendrix</a> and beyond, it really is an extraordinary place. And we were all absolutely astonished by how many people came to see us there - I'm told that they had to open the top balcony, which means that there were at least 1,500 people in there. Amazing. They saw a show which mixed familiar songs with less well-known material like '<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qP1V3qfQ_3U">Soft City Lights</a>' and '<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zErb2J8gLVo">Walk Or Run</a>' and we also used the strings from the album recording of '<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDKXcUFFYJw">Golden Boy</a>' - well, it is an <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opera_house">opera house</a> after all. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I was very familiar with that stage by the time we played on it, having joined <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T._V._Smith">T.V. Smith</a> & Friends (including <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Pascal-Briggs-219322033343/">Pascal Briggs</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/attilathestockbroker/">Attila The Stockbroker</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/RebellionPunkMuskFestival/">Jennie</a> and Mandy from The Crows and <a href="https://en-gb.facebook.com/jamieoliverdrums/">Jamie Oliver</a>) and played with <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.K._Subs">Alvin Gibbs</a> & <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Disobedientservants/">The Disobedient Servants</a> immediately prior to our show. Three consecutive gigs on the same stage - I must have been mad... no I wasn't, I absolutely loved it! And I played '<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7eUfbkY5fw">Ignore Them</a>' with <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheHotRods/">Eddie And The Hot Rods</a> on the same stage the previous evening - well, I was invited, and it would have been rude not to wouldn't it? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I also saw <a href="https://en-gb.facebook.com/OfficialDamned/">The Damned</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/theskidsofficial/">The Skids</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/thestranglers/">The Stranglers</a>, <a href="https://en-gb.facebook.com/theprofessionalsband/">The Professionals</a> - it's amazing how many punky bands have names that begin with 'the' isn't it? - in the ballroom, caught local (to me anyway) heroes <a href="https://en-gb.facebook.com/LeadShotHazard/?ref=page_internal">Lead Shot Hazard</a> on the Introducing Stage, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Department-S-44329344560/">Department S</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/theWALDOS/">Walter Lure</a> and <a href="https://en-gb.facebook.com/TheGodfathersFamily/">The Godfathers</a> in The Opera House and many many more. Oh and I had too much too drink, not enough sleep, too much junk food - all in all it was something of a triumph. Same time (more or less) next year then. Hopefully.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">----</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>Do you know, it's strange - that all seems ages ago now... anyway Ruts D.C. will return in the not-too-distant future, but in the meantime it's time for some more gigs with Alvin and co. Great stuff!</i></span><br />
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<br />Leigh Heggartyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01884969643184980344noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33472785.post-71965117779789266122019-07-26T09:19:00.000+00:002019-08-26T17:28:49.297+00:00Weekend warriors<div class="p1">
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Hello from the 11.36 train from <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glasgow">Glasgow</a> to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/London">London</a>. It's Sunday 7th July and I've got a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Headache">headache</a>. And I feel like going back to sleep. I won't though - not for a while anyway - as I'm going to write up my memories of the last two weekends of <a href="https://rutsdc.com/">Ruts D.C.</a> gigs for the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blog">blog</a> page that I keep saying that I must get around to writing more for, but never actually do... here we go then - stop me if you've heard this one before...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><u>Friday 28th June, Greenwich </u></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-LHx0DA5wQ-MtBwf_pfuvd8mGDlG9WrN0y5r1XvbNmrQvAXgn0HFqu9T5CO1I1r0485L3cC27mtjl113iYWQ6cr8t-486oGjmLC-BDluai0ct4Kmg1iWG-IL9BPDtVoraiypspQ/s1600/Ruts+DC+Greenwich+28%253A06%253A19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1150" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-LHx0DA5wQ-MtBwf_pfuvd8mGDlG9WrN0y5r1XvbNmrQvAXgn0HFqu9T5CO1I1r0485L3cC27mtjl113iYWQ6cr8t-486oGjmLC-BDluai0ct4Kmg1iWG-IL9BPDtVoraiypspQ/s200/Ruts+DC+Greenwich+28%253A06%253A19.jpg" width="143" /></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Hot in every sense of the word, both physically and emotionally. Like an idiot I decided to wear a jacket for the first couple of songs - when I tried to take it off I discovered that it had stuck to me. Ah well. I knew I'd be a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fashion">fashion</a> victim in the end. And nothing had prepared me for (a) seeing a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T-shirt">t-shirt</a> with my face on it <i>(Dave and Segs are on it too, but I think you know what I mean)</i> and (b) people not only buying it but wearing it too. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The show itself was to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the '<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUiXU7B_N4g">Babylon's Burning</a>' single being released - since we were unable to ascertain a definite date for this we chose one that it had been in the singles chart on four decades earlier. Any excuse eh? <a href="https://www.peltonarms.com/">The Pelton Arms</a> in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greenwich">Greenwich</a> is a splendid pub, and it was suitably packed for our show which we <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Live_streaming">streamed</a> live on the band's <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Facebook">Facebook</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/theruts/">page</a> <i>(ooh - for a minute there I sounded almost like I knew what I was talking about didn't I? Anyway <a href="https://www.facebook.com/theruts/videos/475794026327152/">here</a> is the footage if you'd like to see it)</i> and which went fantastically well. People travelled far and wide to see us, which was a very humbling experience from our point of view. We really </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>must</i> do an </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acoustic_guitar" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">acoustic</a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> album one day mustn't we?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><u>Saturday 29th June, Glasgow</u></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcMY-OONWxsuOBBCBaPb7BxeDoCFRMLSc8qEe51ZE1T3mFLwDMyTrlat13UuSTsZFkTBKmk_T8octOP-5GtelBk5omdxvDLwszIk4T9EbjLTie4_aa_Vo6doIgDs5HBFA7ZVGFhw/s1600/Stranglers+%253A+Ruts+DC+Glasgow+29%253A06%253A19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="562" data-original-width="399" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcMY-OONWxsuOBBCBaPb7BxeDoCFRMLSc8qEe51ZE1T3mFLwDMyTrlat13UuSTsZFkTBKmk_T8octOP-5GtelBk5omdxvDLwszIk4T9EbjLTie4_aa_Vo6doIgDs5HBFA7ZVGFhw/s200/Stranglers+%253A+Ruts+DC+Glasgow+29%253A06%253A19.jpg" width="141" /></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Rain of near-biblical proportions held off right until the moment that we got out of our taxi from the train station and discovered that we were at the wrong entrance to the park. Bugger! As the world-weary security guard put it, <i>'welcome to Glasgow boys'</i>. You have to love somewhere that they leave a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traffic_cone">traffic cone</a> on the head of a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Statue">statue</a> over the weekend as <i>'there's no point in taking it off until Monday, they just put it back up there if we do</i>' though don't you? Still the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kelvingrove_Park">Kelvingrove </a><a href="https://www.facebook.com/KelvingroveBandstand/">Bandstand </a>is a remarkable venue, and it was great to see the familiar faces of the Stranglers road crew as we arrived for our <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soundcheck">soundcheck</a>. At showtime the rain had stopped, the sun was shining and all was right with the world - until Segs sang the words 'thunder and lightning' in '<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCq9P_bZxzE">Jah War</a>' and the proverbial heavens opened. Poncey English people <i>(like me!)</i> ran for cover while every Scots person just carried on watching - as one chap put it to me afterwards, <i>'I was more worried about my <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beer">beer</a> getting watered down'</i>. A great gig, and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Stranglers">The Stranglers</a> were pretty good too. Mind you, they usually are.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Homeward bound we changed <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Train">trains</a> at <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crewe_railway_station">Crewe</a> where we spotted a rainbow t-shirt-wearing <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cliff_Richard">Cliff Richard</a> boarding our London train. Within seconds we were all texting each other with unrepeatable variations of his <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cliff_Richard_discography#Singles">hit single</a> song titles. Well, we couldn't say them out loud…</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><u>Friday 5th July, Caerphilly</u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Well I'm lucky enough to do some pretty amazing things with an <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_guitar">electric guitar</a> in my </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8f0Gi7jHJVNLk-fZnPAjSbKN_IWXYFSeaXFihCf2ZZAXS8IbEAf_FiMtIIzeA0Xyy1_ojiNZCeJY4HWA2MCTkSJ1-stnf51DAdDDQ-6axkgpIr4Yknl98-p_96wpzDNoiE357zg/s1600/The+Stranglers%253ARuts+DC+Wales+05%253A07%253A19.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="764" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8f0Gi7jHJVNLk-fZnPAjSbKN_IWXYFSeaXFihCf2ZZAXS8IbEAf_FiMtIIzeA0Xyy1_ojiNZCeJY4HWA2MCTkSJ1-stnf51DAdDDQ-6axkgpIr4Yknl98-p_96wpzDNoiE357zg/s200/The+Stranglers%253ARuts+DC+Wales+05%253A07%253A19.jpeg" width="141" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">hand, and playing at <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caerphilly">Caerphilly</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caerphilly_Castle">Castle</a> is definitely among them. Possibly the most stunning venue I've ever been lucky enough to play in, our <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Changing_room">dressing room</a> was up a seemingly endless stone spiral staircase - the word 'room' doesn't do it justice, it was a stone hall with, among other things, a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tapestry">tapestry</a> of a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanging">hanging</a> on one of the walls. And if that wasn't enough, The <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tommy_Cooper">Tommy Cooper</a> Walk Of Fame was across the road. Earlier we had a meal in the <a href="https://www.volarewales.co.uk/">Volare</a> Italian restaurant, where in addition to the magnificent food we were given complimentary <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Limoncello">limoncellos</a> <i>(being the heathen that I am I'd not had one before. I guess I need to get out more?)</i> while <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fan_(person)">fans</a> came in off the street to ask for photographs with us. Our gig was even better than the previous week's show, with plenty of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Ruts">Ruts</a> t-shirts in the crowd and smiling faces all round. Afterwards I went up onto the viewing area above the right hand side of the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stage_(theatre)">stage</a>, where the unexpected excitement of audience members waving caused me to give what might best be described as a rather peculiar impression of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope">The Pope</a>. They went completely mad when Dave and Segs appeared. <a href="http://www.thestranglers.co.uk/">The Stranglers</a> were excellent once again, but as I said last time, they usually are.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><u>Saturday 6th July, Dunoon</u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">After the C.C. show we drove to <a href="https://www.britanniahotels.com/hotels/bromsgrove-hotel">The Britannia Hotel</a> in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bromsgrove">Bromsgrove</a> in an attempt to break the near-astronomical distance that we had to travel to the next gig. On arrival sometime around 2 a.m. we were sternly informed that <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breakfast">breakfast</a> didn't start until 8 a.m. - when we arrived at the allotted time it looked as though it had been open for ages and was packed out. First world problems eh? A few hours of fitful sleep in the bus followed (aided and abetted by <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mott_the_Hoople">Mott The Hoople</a> and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Robinson_Band">The Tom Robinson Band</a> on the headphones) before we eventually arrived at the ferry port to Dunoon. Our journey across was enlivened no end by Segs's tales of his adventures sailing in the area, and when we arrived in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunoon" target="_blank">Dunoon</a> it was impossible not the think of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wicker_Man" target="_blank">The Wicker Man</a>. Well, it was impossible for me not to think of it anyway. As we drove to <a href="https://liveargyll.co.uk/facility/queens-hall/" target="_blank">The Queens Hall</a> for our show as part of The <a href="http://www.punkonthepeninsula.co.uk/" target="_blank">Punk On The Peninsula Festival</a> the picturesque tranquillity of the surrounding area contrasted with the assorted multi-coloured <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohawk_hairstyle" target="_blank">mohawks</a> and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punk_rock" target="_blank">punky</a> t-shirts - when we arrived <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Fire-Exit-137312029679533/" target="_blank">Fire Exit</a> sounded good, Ian the promotor has provided a large bag of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haggis" target="_blank">haggis</a>-flavoured <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potato_chip" target="_blank">crisps</a> <i>(not for me thank you!)</i> and Jennie from <a href="https://www.facebook.com/RebellionPunkMuskFestival/">Rebellion</a> and her pal Jo were cheery and friendly to all concerned. We played to an <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audience">audience</a> which sounded as though they'd been <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alcoholic_drink">drinking</a> all day or indeed all weekend - either that or they liked us (no one left as far as I could see) but they couldn't be bothered clapping. They treated <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cockney_Rejects" target="_blank">The Cockney Rejects</a> in much the same way, which I would imagine is something that their doctors wouldn't necessarily recommend - we missed the end of their set as we had to leave to catch the 10 o'clock <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferry">ferry</a>. This was a shame as we also just missed <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T._V._Smith" target="_blank">T.V. Smith</a> who was arriving for his show the next morning, but it was still light and the bay and surrounding area looked absolutely amazing. From there it was back to Glasgow for much merriment and a bottle of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_wine">red wine</a> (or two) in Dave's room with <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reservoir_Dogs" target="_blank">Reservoir Dogs</a> on in the background. At least that goes some way towards explaining this morning's headache.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>So there you have it - four great shows. And we're looking forward to more next week when we play both electric and acoustic shows at <a href="http://www.rebellionfestivals.com/" target="_blank">The Rebellion Festival</a> in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blackpool" target="_blank">Blackpool</a> where I'll also be appearing with <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.K._Subs" target="_blank">Alvin Gibbs</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Disobedientservants/" target="_blank">The Disobedient Servants</a> among others. I will be attempting regular posts from the festival on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Leigh-Heggarty-149483311858332/">my Facebook page</a>, and if you're going I'll see y'all there...</i></span></div>
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Leigh Heggartyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01884969643184980344noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33472785.post-19981591347733887762019-06-01T10:07:00.000+00:002019-06-01T10:08:22.008+00:00Your Disobedient Servant writes...<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Well. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">This is getting ridiculous.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Blame <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Facebook">Facebook</a>. Well, that's what I'm blaming anyway. After all, it can't <i>possibly</i> be <i>my</i> fault can it?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">In the good old days - 'old' days are always 'good' aren't they? - if I'd wanted to bang on about myself in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyberspace">Cyberspace</a> I would have to find a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer">computer</a> <i>(usually in a house, maybe even the one that I lived in)</i> before logging onto this here <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blog">blog</a> and spending ages <a href="https://www.usingenglish.com/reference/idioms/humming+and+harring.html">humming and harring</a>, writing and rewriting, editing and re-editing... whereas now it just takes a few seconds on a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mobile_phone">mobile phone</a> or <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laptop">laptop</a> and my self-centred ramblings are there for all to see. Progress? Maybe. Of a sort. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">When I last found my way onto these hallowed pages <a href="https://rutsdc.com/">Ruts D.C.</a> were about to embark on their '40 Years Of The Crack' Tour. That was three months - a quarter of a year - ago. It all went wonderfully well as I regularly reported on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Leigh-Heggarty-149483311858332/">my Facebook page</a> <i>(see what I mean!)</i> and we're currently gigging sporadically over the next couple of months including <a href="https://camdenrocksfestival.com/">Camden Rocks</a> tomorrow, <a href="http://www.rebellionfestivals.com/">The Rebellion Festival</a> in August and more - full details can as always be found on, you've guessed it, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/theruts/">the band's Facebook page</a>. We're also putting together some new songs which will hopefully form the basis of a new album to be released next year, and planning several other outings before 2019 is over. Exciting times!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I've also been gigging with the excellent Punky Reggae Party <i>(I bet you can guess they do, and indeed where <a href="https://www.facebook.com/punkyreggaepartylondon/">this</a> link takes you)</i> as well as starting a new band with some old friends playing <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_wave_music">new wave</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cover_version">covers</a> - we're </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">called The Slogans,</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> there's no Facebook page yet <i>(or if there is then I haven't seen it!)</i> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">but you can bet your trousers that there will be...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">And I'm pleased to say that I'm about go</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> on tour with </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/alvin.gibbs.52" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif;">Alvin Gibbs</a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> And </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/Disobedientservants/" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif;">The Disobedient Servants</a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">. I was very pleased to be asked to play on two tracks on the </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.K._Subs" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif;">U.K. Subs</a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">'s bassman's debut solo album '</span><a href="http://timematterrecordings.bigcartel.com/product/t-m-032-cd-alvin-gibbs-the-disobedient-servants-your-disobedient-servant" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif;">Your Disobedient Servant</a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">' which came out earlier this year to rave reviews, and I'm even more excited to be asked to play in the live band, which also features the Subs's drummer <a href="https://www.facebook.com/jamieoliverdrums/">Jamie Oliver</a> </span><i style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif;">(yes, that really is his name!)</i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> and </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Godfathers" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif;">Godfathers</a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> guitar slinger <a href="https://www.facebook.com/sohosteve">Steve Crittall</a> </span><i style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif;">(he's not on all the gigs on this tour sadly but hopefully will be more involved long term)</i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> along with various other guest guitarists (all of whom play on the album) at some of the shows along the way. I will no doubt be reporting as often as I can on you-know-where, and if I've got any sense I'll keep some sort of tour diary which I'll write up here in due course. Just like I used to do in the good old days eh?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Let's hope so.</span><br />
<br />Leigh Heggartyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01884969643184980344noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33472785.post-5880496990447965952019-02-10T09:02:00.000+00:002019-02-10T18:49:27.339+00:00Ruts D.C. '40 Years Of The Crack' Tour starts tomorrow!<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The game is afoot - after what seems like an age <i>(it was announced last summer!)</i> the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/theruts/">Ruts D.C.</a> '40 Years Of The Crack' Tour is finally upon us. We're playing 17 shows with </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://en-gb.facebook.com/theprofessionalsband/">The Professionals</a> are special guests,</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> during which we intend to play the first <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Ruts">Ruts</a> album '<a href="https://www.udiscovermusic.com/stories/rediscover-the-crack/">The Crack</a>' in it's entirety alongside other material from the band's illustrious history - I don't want to sound big-headed, but it's got all the makings of a great tour. As always I'll be attempting to update <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Leigh-Heggarty-149483311858332/">my Facebook page</a> as often as possible, and if you're coming to a show then please say hello - after all, without an audience it's just like a rehearsal, only louder...</span><br />
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<br />Leigh Heggartyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01884969643184980344noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33472785.post-31927036532486535842019-01-20T18:47:00.002+00:002019-01-21T18:42:05.946+00:00Work, rest and play<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">As the '40 Years Of The Crack' tour gets ever nearer <a href="https://rutsdc.com/">Ruts D.C.</a> have been <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rehearsal">rehearsing</a>. And rehearsing. And rehearsing. Well - failure is not an option; this can't be good, it has to be great, and it can't be great, it has to be brilliant... without wishing to sound too complacent, it's all going well although there's still a lot of work to do. But do it we will!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">After one such rehearsal Dave, Segs and myself found ourselves in the hallowed confines of <a href="https://thelittlecrownpub.com/">The Little Crown</a> in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deptford">Deptford</a> drinking <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guinness">Guinness</a> <i>(which is excellent there, and well worth trying if you find yourself in the area!)</i> and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autograph">signing</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poster">posters</a> <i>(like you do - well, like we do these days, there's a tour coming up you know!)</i> when Sinead the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bartender">barmaid</a> <i>(first name terms and everything!)</i> asked if we'd play a show there one day. Well said Dave, we could maybe do an acoustic show - at which point someone <i>(me!)</i> suggested that we play there to mark the 40th anniversary of the first <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Ruts">Ruts</a> single '<a href="https://www.discogs.com/The-Ruts-In-A-Rut/release/771768">In A Rut</a>'. We could invite some friends, stream it live on the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/theruts/">band's Facebook page</a>, it'd be great... and so at 7 pm on Friday 11th January 2019 we did indeed play an acoustic show at The Little Crown in Deptford to mark the 40th anniversary of the release of '<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-H9G3XmQ03c">In A Rut</a>'. We invited some friends <i>(including Ali McMordie of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stiff_Little_Fingers">Stiff Little Fingers</a> and MC Spee from <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dreadzone">Dreadzone</a> - celebrity mates ahoy!)</i> streamed it live on <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Facebook">Facebook</a> and it was great. I'd tell you more but details are necessarily sketchy.. well, remember how I good I said that their Guinness is... </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Besides rehearsing and drinking I managed to get along to a couple of shows from this year's <a href="https://punkonline.co.uk/resolution-festival-2019-full-line-up/">Resolution Festival</a> at <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/100_Club">The 100 Club</a> - <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Vibrators">The Vibrators</a> give a boisterous performance while <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.K._Subs">The U.K. Subs</a> played their first album '<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lWZ67_mBjg">Another Kind Of Blues</a>' to the riotous approval of all concerned. And I've played my first <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gig_(music)">gig</a> of the year last night with <a href="https://www.facebook.com/punkyreggaepartylondon/">Punky Reggae Party</a>, at <a href="http://www.breadandrosespub.com/">The Bread And Roses</a> in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clapham">Clapham</a> where the heat inside contrasted with the cold outside and a fine time was had by all. I'm at <a href="http://www.thecavernfreehouse.co.uk/">The Cavern</a> in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raynes_Park">Raynes Park</a> with them on Saturday 2nd February, after which all roads lead to the Ruts D.C. tour, if they don't already. Not a bad start to the year then.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>And in case you missed it, you can see the Deptford performance from soundcheck to gig and beyond <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNcyUJRyw28">here</a>. Enjoy!</i></span><br />
<br />Leigh Heggartyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01884969643184980344noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33472785.post-91125851187709393642019-01-06T18:45:00.001+00:002019-01-06T18:45:59.477+00:0010 out of 10<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; line-height: 19.32px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I bet you've often thought to yourself <i>'that miserable chancer who plays the guitar in <a href="https://www.facebook.com/theruts/">Ruts D.C.</a> - I wonder what his 10 favourite <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Album">albums</a> of all time are?'</i> Well wonder no longer my friends, as those lovely lads and lasses at <a href="https://louderthanwar.com/">Louder Than War</a> have given me the opportunity to tell just that to the whole wide World. Click <a href="https://louderthanwar.com/top-10-albums-leigh-heggarty-ruts-dc/">here</a> to discover the winners - including a 20-album sub's bench - and see what you think!</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; line-height: 19.32px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>Leigh Heggartyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01884969643184980344noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33472785.post-78554040737470507762018-12-31T10:35:00.002+00:002018-12-31T10:35:27.882+00:00Roots, Radicals, Rockers and Reggae<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">So. <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2018">2018</a> then. Not a bad year?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">No, not a bad year. Well, I didn't think that it was.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Then again considering that it began for me with my Dad catching The <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Influenza">Flu</a> then developing <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pneumonia">pneumonia</a> I suppose I was rather hoping for it to improve... within a couple of weeks of that (and with him thankfully at home recovering) <a href="https://www.facebook.com/theruts/">Ruts D.C.</a> were gigging in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japan">Japan</a> and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hong_Kong">Hong Kong</a> then touring <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australia">Australia</a> and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Zealand">New Zealand</a> before embarking on a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Britain">British</a> tour supporting <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stiff_Little_Fingers">Stiff Little Fingers</a>. If that was all we'd done I'd be saying that it had been a good year, but we went on to play many more memorable shows - The <a href="https://m.facebook.com/RebellionPunkMuskFestival/#_=_">Rebellion Festival</a> in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blackpool">Blackpool</a> is always a highlight, but the <a href="http://www.rebellionfestivals.com/">Rebellion Amsterdam</a> weekend was wonderful; we also made our first visit to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denmark">Denmark</a>, played a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tattoo">tattoo</a> festival in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/France">France</a>, gigged</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">on a boat</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> up and down the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/River">River</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spree">Spree</a> in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berlin">Berlin</a> and more including a visit to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abbey_Road_Studios">Abbey Road Studios</a> - little if any of which got reported here. It's all been on my <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Facebook">Facebook</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Leigh-Heggarty-149483311858332/">page</a> - which is a somewhat woolly excuse for this being only the twelfth <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blog">blog</a> posting of the year. There was a time when used to do that in a month. But I guess times change... maybe there'll be more here next year?</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Talking of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2019">2019</a>, I'm hoping to play some more shows with <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/1131385800261736/">Punky Reggae Party</a>. Having first <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gig_(music)">gigged</a> with them back in the summer (an incident that incredibly <i>is</i> reported somewhere in these hallowed pages!) I've since played a couple more gigs with them including a fine show at <a href="http://www.thecavernfreehouse.co.uk/">The Cavern</a> in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raynes_Park">Raynes Park</a> just before <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas">Christmas</a> - hopefully they will be many more to come, the first of which is at <a href="http://www.breadandrosespub.com/">The Bread And Roses</a> in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clapham">Clapham</a> on Saturday 19th January. I'm also putting another band together with some old friends, but more news on that as and when I have it. And <a href="http://rutsdc.com/">Ruts D.C.</a> are heading out on the '40 Years Of The Crack' tour in February, with (hopefully) more to come after that.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">So hopefully 2019 will be a good year for me and my guitar - and I hope it is for you too. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Forwards!</span><br />
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Leigh Heggartyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01884969643184980344noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33472785.post-72540542166738241472018-10-31T11:56:00.000+00:002018-10-31T19:25:32.117+00:00'Hey hey hey - we're all riding on the ghost train...'<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWLvpOADPbVj3-p3SUMARTyWzVAFXn9dH72XSFqKMVahXwJpgmGlAlYb8btaJgxquxUlRShkfjeuhEGWxeOggTL2wM9Yq6i6P7kGIs5K6sbF-lO_HPEvHVx9LyVtfWysfvYMbDLQ/s1600/Ruts+DC+Arhus+14%253A09%253A18.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWLvpOADPbVj3-p3SUMARTyWzVAFXn9dH72XSFqKMVahXwJpgmGlAlYb8btaJgxquxUlRShkfjeuhEGWxeOggTL2wM9Yq6i6P7kGIs5K6sbF-lO_HPEvHVx9LyVtfWysfvYMbDLQ/s320/Ruts+DC+Arhus+14%253A09%253A18.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ruts D.C. in Aarhus, Denmark, Friday 14th September 2018</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Well - so much for me getting back into <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blog">blogging</a> eh? Maybe I should just try for a monthly bulletin? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">In my defence your honour I have been updating <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Leigh-Heggarty-149483311858332/">my Facebook page</a> regularly, which I suppose is for want of a better word 'easier' than writing extended pieces here. I think it's the immediacy of being able to put something up more-or-less as it happens that's so appealing, whereas it takes a fair bit more work to get things onto here. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">So - since last we spoke... </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/theruts/">Ruts D.C.</a> played three shows in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Germany">Germany</a> and visited <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denmark">Denmark</a> for the first time - a splendid if rather tiring 4 days. The good news is that in time honoured tradition I took the usual scribbly notes, the bad news is that I can't find them. Bugger! Oh well... there are enough other scribbly notes that need to be written up here before those!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">As we're playing the '40 Years Of The Crack</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">' tour in February we're obliged to go underground from now until then, although I'm pleased to say that we're appearing at <a href="https://en-gb.facebook.com/streetpunkxmasparty/">The Inkmas Tattoo Festival</a> in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/France">France</a> on November 18th. Hopefully a few other shows will come in too... that said we've got plenty to do between now and the tour - there are 5 songs on '<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Crack">The Crack'</a> that we've never played live, and in addition to learning them we've got to put a show together. There are talks of back projections and stage sets - maybe we'll use them, maybe we won't. It's the music that's important - well, I think that it is anyway. And that magnificent music will be available again on <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phonograph_record">vinyl</a> very soon - Dave, Segs and myself spent a day in the hallowed confines of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abbey_Road_Studios">Abbey Road Studios</a> last month with noted mastering engineer </span><a href="https://www.abbeyroad.com/engineer/geoff-pesche" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif;">Geoff Pesche</a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> cutting a new vinyl master of the album. Well I didn't do much, other than stumble around thinking about <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Beatles">The Beatles</a> - who incidentally were working on the song '<a href="https://www.beatlesbible.com/songs/piggies/">Piggies</a>' from the soon-to-be reissued '<a href="https://www.thebeatles.com/news/beatles-celebrate-%E2%80%98-beatles%E2%80%99-%E2%80%98white-album%E2%80%99-special-anniversary-releases">White Album</a>' 50 years to the day earlier on September 19th 1968. The things I know eh?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.32px;">So then - <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halloween">Hallowe'en</a>. I'm obviously far too miserable to have anything to do with it under normal circumstances, but these are far from normal circumstances... today sees the release of the new single by Alvin Gibbs & The Disobedient Servants - the appropriately-titled 'Ghost Train'. Alvin is of course the bass player in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.K._Subs">The U.K. Subs</a> who's also previously played with <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iggy_Pop">Iggy Pop</a> and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nasty_Suicide">Cheap 'n' Nasty</a> among many others - here he's joined by Subs sticksman Jamie Oliver and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Godfathers">Godfathe</a></span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; display: inline; line-height: 19.32px;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Godfathers">rs</a> guitar hero Steve Crittall, alongside guest guitarists <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_James_(guitarist)">Brian James</a> (yes that's right, the chap that wrote '<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZu8aDWhM9Y">New Rose</a>') on the B-side 'Clumsy Fingers' and, incredibly, your humble narrator on the A-side. How on Earth did that happen? Anyway I might be a bit biased here but I think that it's a great record - you can hear and indeed buy a copy <a href="https://alvingibbsthedisobedientservants.bandcamp.com/releases?fbclid=IwAR3vSsoGi4fiewwD7lAAcgdjwpGN0CLSfa6HG2QZrOpqXpzQM6qdmtMKl6I">here</a>. See what you think - there are only 300 <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phonograph_record">vinyl</a> copies so I wouldn't hang about if I were you...</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">And talking of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tattoo">tattoo</a> festivals <i>(now there's something that I never thought that I'd ever type!)</i> <a href="https://en-gb.facebook.com/Neck.PsychoCeilidh/">Neck</a> played <a href="https://www.thelondontattooconvention.com/">The London Tattoo Convention</a> last month, supporting the excellent <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_Kurt">King Kurt</a>. 'Twas a roaringly good event with some frankly astonishing sights - let's see what we see next month... and I may well have a bit more time to play with them and indeed a few other people now, as my time with <a href="https://www.lemonrock.com/bigalandtheblisteringbuicks">Big Al and The Blistering Buicks</a> has come to an end. I'll miss playing with the lads, but when you've gotta go, you've gotta go. And you never know, it might leave me with a bit more time for blogging. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Well, as I say, you never know.</span><br />
<br />Leigh Heggartyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01884969643184980344noreply@blogger.com0