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Post by spikestevens on Dec 31, 2009 15:20:40 GMT
Are there many of us on here gigging? Maybe once a week or whatever, just local pubs/clubs, etc?
Only it would seem a shame if most of the excellent music we hear on this place wasn't shared by a wider audience. Some of the Shad's covers I've heard on the sound files section would go down an absolute storm in the average working men's club - certainly a d**n site better than some of the acts I've seen locally here in Kent.
I'm still gigging regularly, but not as often as I used to (my gnarled old arthritic fingers just aren't as spritely as they once were ;D). But it's still a lot of fun and I just wondered if anybody else was out 'on the road' as it were.
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colljaw
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The Controller
Posts: 426
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Post by colljaw on Dec 31, 2009 15:42:49 GMT
I'm out tonight Spike in a miner's club twenty minutes from where I live. We are a duo, two guitars and a minidisc player. When we play a Shadows number, if we get a good clap I am delighted as I can fit quite a few into the programme. If we don't get much of a clap, I don't bother doing any more. I have been playing constantly since 63 and find it hard to believe that I am still gigging. My mate and I have been together for 36 years, the last 16 as a duo.
"Happy New Year" Spike
Regards, Jim
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Post by spikestevens on Dec 31, 2009 16:45:07 GMT
Nice one, Jim. Hope you have a terrific evening - if the clubs around you are anything like they are around here on New Year you'll have an absolute belter.
I too am using minidiscs but I'm solo, which can be quite daunting because I am by nature quite an introverted sort of chap. And although I still get a few butterflies and a touch of anxiety before every gig, it's still great fun when you have a good night.
As I say, have a good one and I hope there's plenty more for you in 2010.
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Post by Charlie Hall on Jan 1, 2010 4:00:22 GMT
Hi Spike, Just back from our New Years eve gig which went well. You probably already know that I am in a gigging rock and roll band called the Rock Island Rebels. Regards, Charlie
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Post by olemuso on Jan 1, 2010 13:21:29 GMT
Some of the Shad's covers I've heard on the sound files section would go down an absolute storm in the average working men's club - Hi Spike. I gigged regularly till a couple of years ago. I found over the years that a couple of Shads tunes was all I could get away with in 99% of clubs. I lost a gig at a British Legion in Liverpool when the Agent mentioned I played Shadows music. "Don`t want any of that rubbish here", was the comment, "Send someone else!" On the other hand I did a gig in Askham-In-Furness where they went mad when they found I could do Shads` stuff - "Should have done more!" was the cry. I sold out of CDs of my playing and even had a few orders for me to post off to them. I have to say that this reaction was one in a million.
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Post by spikestevens on Jan 1, 2010 13:51:45 GMT
Hi Ian. I hope the people at the British Legion in Liverpool are in the minority in that particular neck of the woods. The only word that adequately sums up that sort of attitude is 'ignorance.'
Sadly it's an attitude that I find rather commonplace in the pubs down here in the south. Which is why I seldom -if indeed ever- play the pub circuit. Usually they want bands that are playing heavy rock and have no time for the older stuff which is prevalent in my repertoire. I'm sure we've all experienced the spit-and-sawdust pubs with the obligatory tattooed mongol asking for "A bit o' metal. Some Megadeth or Quo, none of that poncy Shadows stuff".
I only stick to what I want to play and that's 50's, 60's pop, rock and roll, country, etc. (Currently working on a version of the old Simon Dupree number, 'Kites'. Hopefully that'll go down well.)
Hiya Charlie. Yes I saw the video clip of your band doing 'Johnny B. Goode', I think it was. You can't go far wrong in the clubs with a bit of 12 bar.
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colljaw
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Posts: 426
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Post by colljaw on Jan 3, 2010 1:48:33 GMT
Happy New Year Spike. The gig went well and I managed to play Sleepwalk, Blue Star, Atlantis, Kon Tiki and Apache. It was an easy night as there was a comedian on with us.
Regards, Jim
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Post by Deleted on Jan 3, 2010 11:15:01 GMT
I did my first gig in 1960 at the age of 12 and have been gigging ever since, virtually non stop - "50 years". I played drums right up until October 2007 with "Bungleflint" but had to pack up because of my continuing health problems. Took up playing guitar 7 years ago and was in a duo with my friend Geoff playing in local restaurants & pubs etc, but sadly he passed away. I still gig on my own using BT's doing a mix of Blues/60's/Vocals and some Shads numbers. Anyone thinking of doing gigs with all Shads stuff, I would advise to forget it as there is a very limited amount of people who would listen to 2 hours of it. Don't know how much longer I will be able to gig due to my health but have certainly had a good run and had some great times so no complaints.
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Post by spikestevens on Jan 3, 2010 12:23:46 GMT
Would it be impertinent of me to ask the nature of your health problems? Only I have an abdominal hernia and I have to rely upon my son-in-law to lift the amps and cabs etc at my gigs - I'd be hospitalised immediately if I had to lift my big old-fashioned Peavey PA amp! It's the XRD 680 Plus and I seriously believe it should have its own postcode, it's that big. It's a good job my Strat is relatively light because I'd be in agony after having that dangling around my neck for over two hours every night.
I agree with you about doing Shad's stuff all night. As much as it would please me to do instrumentals all night I think any audience would get fed up with it for the whole evening.
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Post by Chas on Jan 3, 2010 14:01:34 GMT
Hi Spike, and a happy New Year to you.
I gig regularly. I play in two bands, lead in a Cliff & Shadows band (The Evening Shadows), and bass in a 60's/70's band (The Fifth Element - I was out with them Xmas eve.). I was also out on New Years eve. playing Shads to backing tracks with Jerry (our Cliff) who was doing Cliff to backing tracks (3rd. year running at the same venue). Regards, Chas.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 3, 2010 16:51:32 GMT
Hi Spike, no, not impertinent at all. I have Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease COPD which affects both lungs to the extent that I only have 30% of my lung capacity left. This was caused by a rare disease called Sarcoidosis. I also have mild emphysema, quite probably caused by breathing in other peoples smoke during years of playing in clubs and pubs etc. I also have a slight heart problem. All in all it makes playing drums very hard work if not nigh on impossible now and lifting gear also a problem which is why I keep it all light.
Jim
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