Friday 31 December 2010

Musicians Wanted Hampshire West Sussex

Musicians Wanted Hampshire West Sussex: Bass player with BVs available. Country or Rock 'n' Roll: http://ping.fm/IiRfE

Surrey Rehearsal Studios

Surrey Rehearsal Studios page for info & feedback on ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP's Musicians & Bands Network: http://bit.ly/fAu5UZ

London Rehearsal Studios

London Rehearsal Studios page for info & feedback on ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP's Musicians & Bands Network: http://bit.ly/fC6EKT

Surrey Bands

Surrey Bands: Anyone want to gig with Engine Room of the Apocalypse in 2011? http://bit.ly/h2wJCX

Has 2010 been a good year for ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP?

"Has 2010 been a good year for ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP?" is what Paul Stansfield of Creak asked me at the RTYD Xmas party. Well, let's see:

There was the article in The Times; That was cool. Thanks to Nicholas Barnett of Dead or Alive Promotions for tipping off the young Times journalist and inspiring this.

There was the mention in The Musician (the Musicians Union magazine) along with Facebook and Twitter as a social network beneficial to musicians; that was cool too. Thanks to Louise Rutkowski (formerly of This Mortal Coil) for alerting me to this.


14 Carat Grapefruit put on a gig at The Miller in London Bridge in the name of ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP, and we hosted out first RTYD-SOCIAL event there later in the year. There were other RTYD-SOCIALS run by members in Guildford and Oxford, later in the year, too.

Those good people, and fabulous musicians, The Zone, kindly put on a series of monthly gigs in 2010 in the name of ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP at the Native Tongue in Epsom. I hope more bands will do the same in 2011.

We had out first RTYD committee meeting. Now, although we have not met again since, its members have since felt like people I can turn to for advice and we do plan to get  together early in 2011. Marc Verlaine put his hand up this year to offer his help on the live scene. He is currently apprenticing at gigs and will run his own RTYD nights very soon. Thanks, Mark!

We lost the Saturday nights at The Libertine, which turned out to be a blessing in disguise because we gained the Saturday night in the West End of London at 4, Denmark St. (recently re-branded The Alley Cat) a much better two band 8-10pm gig.

We lost the R-T-Y-D fanzine, in the late-2010 online streamlining of RTYD, which is a shame because there were some great contribution by members, though sadly not enough to justify its ongoing digital publication. We also lost the Bands, Fans & Industry network, in the same culling, which just simplifies things for members, I think.

So, all in all, I think 2010 has been a good year. I've learnt a lot, about promoting gigs, and digital and social media marketing. I've learnt how to keep the plates spinning with less effort, which means I can focus on more exciting things than tweeting, like making music.

But 2010 was the year that I realised I was no longer enjoying running so many gigs, which is a shame, but there it is. I'm a musician before I'm a promoter, damn it! I want to be playing, and watching bands on the network as a fan, not as a promoter. I don't really want to stand at the door and take money. 'Specially as it's very much money.

Plans for RTYD in 2011 include improving it as an information resource online for venues and rehearsal facilities. More podcasts to promote some of the great original music made by bands on the network. Increasing the membership. Sending out more flyers to rehearsal studios. That'll do for now.

Musicians Wanted Birmingham

Musicians Wanted Birmingham: Drummer available. Most styles. http://bit.ly/f95qw0

Thursday 30 December 2010

Pop 'til you drop: Bobby Farrell of Boney M dies aged 61


I wasn't really a fan, and he ain't very 'rock', but he did 'pop' and 'disco' 'til he dropped. I also grew up hearing Boney M on the radio, and, against my better judgement, I've probably danced to them at some party or school disco; And that Ra-Ra-Rasputin was pretty catchy and funny, wasn't it?

More about Bobby Farrell and his career: http://bit.ly/fpn7rs

Toby Burton

New RTYD Member

Eddie Franklin of Birmingham band The Toms is now a member of ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP's Musicians & Bands Network: http://bit.ly/f95qw0

Wednesday 29 December 2010

The UK's only Gig Calendar devoted to mature musicians and bands,

The UK's only Gig Calendar devoted to mature musicians and bands. Get your gig on it for free internet promotion: http://bit.ly/ej3GHM

Surrey Gigs: Leatherat

Leatherat's last 2 gigs sold out. Grab tickets for this while they are still available - http://bit.ly/hXnZeL

New Year's Resolutions

Mature Musicians make New Year's resolutions, too: http://bit.ly/hXyfK7

Great Drummer Offer - Not to be missed!!

RTYD London Kent: Don't miss the opportunity to snatch up this great DRUMMER OFFER in the end of year RTYD SALES!! http://bit.ly/eFbb4g

Musicians Wanted London

Musicians Wanted London: Ex-The Global Village Trucking Co. seek drummer for juke-joint/Latino/blues: http://ping.fm/B4PfN

Tuesday 28 December 2010

Musicians Rugby Warwickshire

Musicians from Rugby Warwickshire, new members of ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP's Musicians & Bands Network: http://bit.ly/eGOeBa

Bristol band Poundshop Life

Bristol band Poundshop Life's page on ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP's Musicians & Bands Network: http://bit.ly/ftJINY

Musicians: 2011 New Year's resolutions

Musicians: Let's hear your New Year's resolutions, and plans for 2011: http://bit.ly/hXyfK7

West Midlands Musician: Martin Rider

Martin Rider of The Tristars has joined West Midlands Musicians group on ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP's Musicians & Bands Network: http://bit.ly/fpyfHK

Anybody get any great new CDs or music books for Xmas?

Anybody get any great new CDs or music books for Xmas? Jimmy did: http://bit.ly/dOt4Es

Musicians Wanted Berkshire London Surrey

Musicians Wanted Berkshire London Surrey: Guitarist seeks musicians to write/gig. Sonic Youth, etc: http://ping.fm/thrQB
More new members of ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP's Musicians & Bands Network from Cheshire, Warwickshire & London: http://bit.ly/e3MLXq

Sunday 26 December 2010

Friday 24 December 2010

Thursday 23 December 2010

Wednesday 22 December 2010

Musicians Available Kent

Drummers Available: Ray Betts from Kent: http://bit.ly/hpwF6p

Do you care about how you look on stage? A discussion about 'image' on RTYD

Mature musicians: Do you care about how you look on stage? A discussion about 'image' on RTYD: http://bit.ly/eU4kN7
Musicians Guitar: Why did you start playing the guitar? A discussion on ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP: http://bit.ly/hsbY7B

New RTYD Member

Paul Antonio of Particle Accelerator has joined the East Musicians Group on ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP Musicians & Bands Network http://bit.ly/gxnNGP

Tuesday 21 December 2010

Borough Studios, London

Borough Studios, London, wins the ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP-AWARD for Best Rehearsal Studio of 2010: Anyone used it? http://bit.ly/dGBbP9

New RTYD Member

Two new members of the South-East Musicians Group on ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP's Musicians & Bands Network: http://bit.ly/gxNpUr

New RTYD Members

Ian Lloyd of the Raw Deal Band (West Sussex) is now a member of ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP's Musicians & Bands Network: http://bit.ly/fb0D7q

New RTYD Members

Danny Hynes of Paddy Goes To Holyhead is now a member of ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP's Musicians & Bands Network: http://bit.ly/fjpOkX

Monday 20 December 2010

London Gig

London Gig: Tomorrow night (Tues) Big John Carter & Henri Herbert’s Christmas Boogie @ The Fiddler’s Elbow,1 Malden Rd, London, NW5

Some of the best music of 2010

Hear the some of the best music of 2010 in the ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP-AWARDS podcast, inc. Spirit of Play, Creak & 14 CG: http://bit.ly/dGBbP9

New RTYD members

New ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP Members today from Hants, West Mids and Nottinghamshire: http://ping.fm/zYIbW

Musicians Wanted Sussex

Musicians Wanted Sussex: New RTYD member, guitar/keys, looking to join a band: http://ping.fm/Qi5Dd

Sunday 19 December 2010

New RTYD Members

New RTYD Members today from Stirlingshire, North & West Yorks, Derbyshire, Wilts & Kent: http://ping.fm/Qe631

New RTYD Members

RTYD Musicians & Bands Network has another new member: His funeral song is 'In The Midnight Hour'. What's yours? http://bit.ly/fM0qgZ

New RTYD Members

Mick Rutherford of Derbyshire's Mick Rutherford Band, has joined RTYD's Musicians & Bands Network: http://bit.ly/e4riEc

New RTYD Members

Mark from Wiltshire band The Great Nothing has joined RTYD: http://ping.fm/BWp1s

Musicians Wanted Warwickshire / West Midlands

Musicians Wanted Warwickshire / West Midlands: Female vocalist, looking for blues/rock/jazz band; http://ping.fm/iHSpO

Saturday 18 December 2010

Musicians Wanted Kent

Musicians: New RTYD member: Drummer from Kent looking to join a band: http://ping.fm/f0pTn

Musicians Wanted Scunthorpe

Musicians: New RTYD member: Guitarist from Scunthorpe looking to join a band: http://ping.fm/CzE09

London Gigs

London Gigs Cancelled (due to snow): Small Fakers @ The Standard, Walthamstow: Tickets valid for next show: http://ping.fm/ZAbV6

Surrey Gigs

Surrey Gigs: Tonight!! 9pm, The Row Barge, Guildford: Sons Of Icarus (formally The Fury): Originals & classic rock & blues.

Musicians Wanted London/Kent/Surrey

Wanted guitar player with vocals aged between 45 and 55, should have more chops that a Tesco’s butcher, the voice
of Hilda Baker with the stage presence of buffalo on a stampede, rock, Indi, soul and funk covers to start, but own tunes to be written, will be gigging roughly every six weeks in and around London and the South East with several
gigs in France and Germany in the planning, you must play to a very good standard fully confident and be ready and willing to take the stage, sorry this is not an opportunity for a beginner. 
 
Dave Bennett||London|South 
http://ping.fm/V5A9c

Do as he did: ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP: Captain Beefheart (January 15, 1941 – December 17, 2010)

Do as he did: ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP!! Captain Beefheart has died aged 69: It'd be great to hear your memories: http://bit.ly/f0IHBn

Friday 17 December 2010

The former-Moths rhythm section seeks frontman for new band

The Moths rhythm section is looking for a new frontman: http://bit.ly/epbU50

Surrey Gigs

Surrey Gigs: Tomorrow night! (Sat) The Greedies @ The Unicorn pub, 32-34 Grosvenor Rd, Aldershot, GU11 (www.rock-til-you-drop-musicians.com)

Musicians Discussion: Emotional performance:

Emotional performance: How do you deal with it? A musicians' discussion on ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP: http://bit.ly/fMbGv7
Individual effects guitar pedals or pedalboard? A musicians' discussion on ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP: http://bit.ly/e0aKLN

Musicians Wanted London

Musicians Wanted London: Originals & covers band looking for a singer: http://ping.fm/sdG4n

Tuesday 14 December 2010

When no one reviews your gig, you do it youself! Patrick Begley on The Dipsticks Xmas Bash: gighttp://bit.ly/gvB4lG

Patrick Begley on The Dipsticks Xmas Bash: Dipping Our Sticks in The Constitution


It was around six thirty when we arrived at the Constitution. It perches on a perilous corner atop a slight hill above the Canal as it seeps out of Camden Town towards Kings Cross. I was more nervous than usual, perhaps because of an injudiciously acquired hangover.

The little Basement Bar of the Constipation seems to have some sort of part-time electrical gremlin. Last time we played there - no problem. But the time before that [and last Saturday] there were high pitched whines and rice krispies snapping their cracklepops through the PA for no apparent reason. It cranked up our stressometers as the audience slowly drifted in during our lengthy sound check.


We kicked off a bit later than usual, around nine o' clock. We started slowly and gently with 'Swamp Groove' and'Tearaway' before kicking up a gear into 'Wet Streets' and 'Alright John'. By then we realised we had a good crowd. The vibe was right and it was going to be a memorable night. The good thing about the Destitution is that you only need around 20 people for an atmosphere. We had maybe 30 and they were all up for it. It wasn't faultless. There were occasional mistakes, but when you play with a really hot, experienced rhythm section its just not that important if you trip up once in a while, the mighty beast travels on whilst you chase after and scramble back on board.

That's what gives our music its edge and vitality: the sense of danger, the leaps into the void, a hint of fear. Davy Graham, the late lamented local sixties guitar legend whose pictures adorn the walls of the Basement Bar, once told me, 'as long as you start and finish strongly, you can get away with a bit of mayhem in the middle.' A rocked up version of 'Don't Think Twice Its Alright' went down surprisingly well. As did two new songs, 'Wino Wisdom' and 'Valentine Always', which I'd only ever done as a solo acoustic number before.

We started the second set with 'Red House' and I hit one of those sublime rare zeniths in the solo where you actually make your own hairs stand up on the back of your neck. People were a-hooting and a hollering by the end. If I'd known how raucously and rapturously it would go down I wouldn't have followed it with the downbeat 'Fire Within', but by then it didn't matter, we were in the zone. I felt I'd started 'Let Me In' too slowly, but it didn't stop people dancing and the way we kick the poo poo out of 'Waiting For My Man' is always a highpoint of our gigs. This was no exception. Alan and Mark drive the thing like a V8 battering ram so I can take my strat to the ceiling and beyond. Our beautiful ex-drummer, Ange, was there in the audience yet again, and due to her exhortations, for an encore we reprised 'Edited Highlights', before our full on mental finale of 'Gone Dead Train.' We do it about ten times faster than the original version on the Performance soundtrack.

We rocked, we rolled, we kicked arse. We found the colour of our soul and we painted the world with it.

Patrick Dipstick Begley

Musicians Wanted Cheshire /Derbyshire /Greater Manchester

Musicians Wanted Cheshire /Derbyshire /Greater Manchester: Drummer wanted for The Shambolic. Originals: http://ping.fm/piarS

Musicians Wanted Leicestershire

Musicians Wanted Leicestershire: Bass player to complete the line up of covers band. 60s to present: http://ping.fm/zjbVc

Mature Musicians News

Mature Musicians News: Sadly, after 28 years The Moths have split up. Duncan Wallis is going his own way. http://ping.fm/Fww8z

London Gigs

London Gigs: Tomorrow night!! 14 Carat Grapefruit & Tres Retros @ The Comedy 7 Oxendon St, SW1 (www.rock-til-you-drop.com/GigCalendar.html)

Nevermind the Q Awards; Here's the ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP-AWARDS 2010

Nevermind the Q Awards; Here's the ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP-AWARDS 2010: http://bit.ly/fBUV6a

One of the six 2010 ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP-AWARDS






The winners of the 2010 ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP-AWARDS will be announced during the 2010 ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP-AWARDS podcast, which will available to listen to, or download, at 6pm on Thursday 16th December.
Musicians Available Kent/London/WSussex: This Drummer is great. HighlyRecommended. If I didn’t already have a drummer: http://bit.ly/aPkkbK

The 2010 ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP-AWARDS podcast countdown clock






The winners of the 2010 ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP-AWARDS will be announced during the 2010 ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP-AWARDS podcast, which will available to listen to, or download, at 6pm on Thursday 16th December.

Monday 13 December 2010

Musicians Available Kent/London/West Sussex

Musicians Available Kent/London/West Sussex: Drummer ready to gig. Blues/Rock/Indie/Funk http://ping.fm/ueevq
Glasgow musician Thomas C Callum just joined the Scotland Musicians group on RTYD: http://bit.ly/f0q6Pj
Anyone going to the 14 Carat Grapefruit Xmas gig this Wednesday night at The Comedy?
I hear a fantastic night was had by all on Saturday at The Dipsticks Xmas Bash. Got any photos anyone? http://bit.ly/hx6PAM

RTYD Tweet

Musicians: A 73 year old drummer just posted an ad on RTYD. Anyone out there older than than that and still rocking locally?

The Humber Musicians group on RTYD

Bomber Graham joined the Yorkshire & The Humber Musicians group on RTYD: http://bit.ly/i3bmm1

Musicians Available Norfolk: Drummer (73)

Musicians Available Norfolk: Drummer (73) available. Started before Rock&Roll was invented! Most styles http://ping.fm/pS5qd

Sunday 12 December 2010

Mature musicians:

Musicians: Jimmy's got about £350 to spend on a new electro-acoustic guitar - any recommendations anyone? http://bit.ly/fhS3iz

Joining the PRS - worth it or not?

Joining the PRS - worth it or not? A discussion by RTYD member Graham Hunt: http://bit.ly/gpY4DR

My last Libertine

I ran my last Libertine acoustic gig this afternoon - I will continue to promote these events as long as someone else runs them. Otherwise, they are over. If no one person wants to run them, I suppose we (yes you and you and you and me) could run them as a cooperative. How about that? We could have various members curating Acoustic Afternoons. That might be the spark these events need.

Anyway, this afternoon, after the initial disappointment of losing my first act, Andy Murray of Lion House cheered me up no end with an entertaining set of covers and originals and some great between-song banter. Alan Levy, late-comer to the bill, also made me laugh with his songs about beards, and sofas, and buses. And Tracy Picardi, who was playing her third Acoustic Afternoon, was enthralling. She has great songs and a great voice with which to sing them.

So it ended up being a nice afternoon.

I just don't want to run them anymore.

RTYD Tweet

After filling the bill @ the 11th hour for today's gig @ The Libertine, I'm now an act short again. I've had it with this promotion lark.

Saturday 11 December 2010

Musicians Available West Midlands

Musicians Available West Midlands: Bass player, nice gear, 60s, 70s, some vocals, Shadows, Beatles, Kinks: http://ping.fm/9Jw9O

RTYD Tweet

Was all set to go out for the Dipsticks Xmas party, but now stuck in with Xmas hat, poppers & Xfactor. Bollocks. Toby

Mature Musicians News

Mature Musicians: Peter Cook guitar owners unite: http://bit.ly/gQKg1m

RTYD Tweet

That Woodwork O'Level really paid off; 2010 RTYD Awards nearly finished (Awards Cos wanted approx 600 quid to make 'em!) Toby

RTYD Tweet

I love the smell of oak in the morning! Toby

RTYD Tweet

Sanding the oak RTYD Awards in preparation for varnish. Looking good.

RTYD Tweet

I won't miss booking 4-act bills in 2011. 2 acts once a month is enough for me. Toby

RTYD Tweet

Finally!! Found a fourth act for tomorrow's Acoustic Afternoon at The Libertine, SE1: http://ping.fm/sAZyk Toby

Thursday 9 December 2010

Wednesday 8 December 2010

Musicians Wanted London

Musicians Wanted London: Guitarist looking to play music with like-minded people. Eagles/Byrds etc: http://ping.fm/eRwrN

Acoustic Act Wanted London

Anyone want to play an acoustic set at The Libertine, Borough, SE1, this Sunday afternoon? If so, please email Toby at rock-til-you-drop.com

Tuesday 7 December 2010

Creak at the ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP Xmas Party

Creak playing The Who's 'I Can't Explain' at the ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP Xmas Party: http://bit.ly/e0Ffj0

The wonderful Spirit of Play at play: ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP, 4, Denmark St (Nov 2010)



http://www.spirit-of-play.co.uk/
Welcome to today's new members of the RTYD Musician & Bands Network: http://ping.fm/knUCL
"A Good Time" by Kryptic Klu for XMAS No.1!! Hear it here, recorded live at the ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP XMAS PARTY: http://bit.ly/hNLPKt

"A Good Time" by Kryptic Klu at the ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP Xmas Party

And, as you will see, 'a good time' was certainly had by all those in attendence.

Acoustic act needed for Sunday afternoon 12th Dec. at The Libertine, SE1

Acoustic act needed for this Sunday afternoon (12th) at the Libertine, Borough, SE1: Contact: Toby at rock-til-you-drop.com. Thanks.

ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP.COM in the Musicians Union magazine

ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP.COM, Facebook & Twitter: Social networks that benefit musicians, says The Musicians Union magazine: http://bit.ly/eUyWga

ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP.COM in the Musicians Union magazine

In an article by Anne Wollenberg for the latest edition of The Musician, the Musician Union's quarterly magazine (Autumn 2010), ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP.COM is included along with Facebook and Twitter as a social network that can benefit musicians' careers.

Obviously it's too small to read below, but you can read it here or click on the image to open a pdf.

Monday 6 December 2010

Check out these great photos of the ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP Xmas party!! http://ping.fm/sFLZe

Sunday 5 December 2010

Creak beat me to the blog entry. Read theirs of last night's RTYD Xmas gig: http://ping.fm/fjaY2
Thanks to Creak & Kryptic Klu for kick starting the RTYD Festive Season last night. VSoon: The announcement of the 2010 RTYD Award Winners.

Musicians Wanted Suffolk

Musicians Wanted Suffolk: Female Vocalist, Sudbury, blues voice with soul; also folk, pop or rock: http://ping.fm/028Ik

Musicians Wanted Beds/Bucks/Northants

Musicians Wanted Beds/Bucks/Northants Drummer for dep work; country music & all styles; can also sing: http://ping.fm/q1Qid

Musicians Wanted Essex

Musicians Wanted Essex: Quality drummer, prefers blues but adaptable, looking for band: http://ping.fm/eETTv

Friday 3 December 2010

Tomorrow night!! It's the ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP Xmas party!! Funmongers Creak headline, and rising stars of da scene Kryptic Klu support.
Friends of ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP, The Outbursts, on Reverbnation: http://bit.ly/i6v7Zs

Musicians Wanted East Sussex

Musicians Wanted East Sussex: SKIFFLE and COUNTRY band require vocalists & keyboard player: http://ping.fm/yRToY

Thursday 2 December 2010

RTYD NEWS: THE MULESKINNERS

RTYD NEWS: THE MULESKINNERS - 'TomCat Boogie' Video by THE MULESKINNERS - Myspace Video: http://ping.fm/hX3GV

Live Gig Broadcast Survey

Please take 5mins to complete this survey about broadcasting your gigs live on the internet: http://ping.fm/LpvJU
Let's hear about your guilty musicial pleasures!! Join the discussion on the RTYD Musicians & Bands Network: http://ping.fm/ARkaX

Musicians Available East Sussex/Surrey/West Sussex

Musicians Available East Sussex/Surrey/WSussex: Bass Player looking for regular gigging band http://ping.fm/7c9HV

Wednesday 1 December 2010

Musicians Wanted West Midlands: Urgent! Bogus Blooze need a dedicated bass player for regular gigs. http://ping.fm/1tKGe

Mature Musicians Wanted/Available Ads,

Musicians Wanted E Sussex/London/Surrey: Pro rock drummer available for working band/covers/ originals: http://ping.fm/DDXHc

Mature Musicians News: PUNKS NOT DAD on the radio

Mature Musicians News: Listen to PUNKS NOT DAD talking sheds, IKEA and Mariah Carey on Welsh Radio: http://ping.fm/0hY9M
The Mature Musicians Wanted/Available Ads Site: http://ping.fm/L4j5h