Halifax Guitarist/Bassist/Double-Bass player

Halifax Guitarist/Bassist/Double-Bass player, RTYD member, Chris Turner is looking to join a band: ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP: http://bit.ly/eorXKz

New RTYD Member

Tony Tutton joined ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP's group networking musicians active in the East of England: http://bit.ly/hsYVfA RTYD

London Gigs: THE LONE GROOVER

LondonGigs: Mon 7th March: THE LONE GROOVER is at The Old Queen's Head, Islington. Be there!!(http://bit.ly/ej3GHM)

What was the worst gig you ever played?

What was the worst gig you ever played? A discussion on ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP: http://bit.ly/g9stIN RTYD

Gig Videos to ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP's Mature Musicians & Bands Network

I just added 30+ RTYD Gig Videos to ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP's Mature Musicians & Bands Network http://bit.ly/g35mih

London Gigs: RTYD Presents

LondonGigs: Sat 5 March: RTYD Presents: The Great Outdoor Experience & Rayfields at The Alley Cat, Denmark St, London (http://bit.ly/ej3GHM)

Musicians Available: Rugby / Warwickshire

Musicians Available: Rugby / Warwickshire: Guitarist for dep gigs at the drop of a hat, to play all styles: http://bit.ly/dOde2w

Musicians Wanted: Kent / London

Musicians Wanted: Kent London: Musician/Producer/Sound Eng: seeks a piano+ musician to collaborate with: http://bit.ly/dOde2w

Women That Rock is a new sub-group on ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP

Women That Rock is a new sub-group on ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP's Mature Musicians & Bands Network http://bit.ly/gTBId6 RTYD

Video of Pocket Rocket live at The Comedy, London, by Gigvert.com

This great video comes courtesy of RTYD member Liam Barnes, whose gig video/webcasting enterprise is called Gigvert. Great stuff! We haven't had a decent video, live or otherwise, for ages, so this is extra special. Thanks, Liam! 

Musicians Wanted: Berkshire/Hampshire/Surrey

Musicians Wanted: Berkshire/Hampshire/Surrey Bass Player & Drummer Needed for Woking-based 4 piece; gigs inc GUILFEST: http://bit.ly/dOde2w

Musicians Wanted: Berkshire/Bucks/London

Musicians Wanted: Berkshire Bucks London: Drummer & Guitarist looking for others to have fun: http://ping.fm/n0AeV

New female RTYD member

New female RTYD member: Blues R&B guitarist/vocalist looking to join a London band on ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP: http://bit.ly/hNt0cH RTYD

Glamweazel's new LP

If you like 70s GlamRock, you'll like Glamweazel's new LP. Hear it in the ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP-RECORD-SHOP: http://ping.fm/WtuI6 RTYD

3 new releases in the ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP-RECORD-SHOP

Enter the ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP-RECORD-SHOP: 3 new releases by bands active at a local level: http://bit.ly/fvUxwT RTYD

Los Angeles’ Reverb Rock Nymphs Come To Shepherds Bush

Monday night is usually not a good night for a gig, especially if you are a band active at a local level. My wife who has bought the tickets for tonight’s Warpaint gig at the Shepherds Bush Empire (notice how I dropped the mobile telephone company from the venue name), and without whose enthusiasm for Warpaint I wouldn't be going, or indeed later writing a review, feels the same. She wants an early night, after a long working day. The solution, or at least the compromise, is to avoid any alcohol, which I suppose is a good idea on a Monday night, and, if you like decent beer - 'cos they don't sell it at gigs.

Warpaint’s support is a four-piece Brooklyn band - very hip - called Twin Shadow (crap name) that has a female synth player who has clearly studied her 80s counterparts and passed her exams with distinction. Their songs are pure 80s pastiche; The problem is, I hear the Associates, Simple Minds, the Cure, Ultravox (and some even less cool 80s bands) but I see a bunch of trendy middle-class New York indie kids. I love the synths - I have a thing about the old 80s Roland synths - but these guys are the new-romantic version of Wolfmother, plagiarists, who use their youth as license to rehash a genre that doesn’t need rehashing. They are followed by a Best of the 80s CD played over the venue’s PA, which reminds us that the cream of the 80s synth-pop-rock (Japan, Soft Cell, Duran Duran etc) cannot, indeed, be beaten.

Warpaint is another story. There is something 80s about their sound, but mid-to-late 80s.  They remind me of 4AD band Lush, but they more rightfully belong in a Spotify playlist along with the exponents of the current reverb-drenched sound of California indie-rock, that includes Best Coast and Girls. It’s a refreshing sound, but I fear I will weary of all that reverb, and etherealness. Tonight, though, I am able to (mostly) overlisten (to coin a term) the reverb-laden voices, as beautiful as they are, while I fall in love with Stella Mozgawa, Warpaint’s most excellent drummer. I get an extreme bout of drummer-envy, and spend the entire gig letting the songs wash over me as I fixate on the incredible energy in her drumming. She’s not all-Bonham - she as much Reni - but there is a moment or two when she pulls out a fill that sits back with the aplomb of John Bonham, or even John Densmore, whose Unknown Soldier-style military drumming she employs from time to time to add credence to the band’s moniker. And they do at times make a transcendental noise, punctuated by quiet and crescendo, that reminds me (a bit, anyway) of the Doors and other 60s West Coast psychedelic bands like Jefferson Airplane.

Anyway, suffice it to say, Mozgawa rocks.  And she, and her friend in the rhythm section, Rickenbacker-toting, Jenny Lee Lindberg, thankfully, are responsible for grabbing me by the bollocks and saving me from being washed away down the River Reverb.

My wife has been playing the CD at home; I’ve been half-listening. I recognise at lot of the songs tonight as a result, which helps, but this gig has definitely inspired me to give the CD a whirl myself. I’m not sure this band has longevity, but they have a couple of good albums in them, and maybe more if they eventually bring the reverb down to about 3/10.

And see! Monday night can be a good gig night, after all. 

No local gigs by mature musicians or bands 'til 4th March? Surely not!! ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP-Gig-Calendar http://bit.ly/ej3GHM

Musicians Wanted: Derbyshire: Female vocalist & tenor sax looking to form covers band inc. drums /bass/guitar/keys: http://bit.ly/dOde2w

Musicians Wanted: Chesterfield/Derbyshire/South Yorkshire: Drummer wanted for friendly band: 60s/Stones/Soul etc: http://bit.ly/dOde2w

LondonGigs Mon 7 March THE LONE GROOVER at The Old Queen's Head, Essex Rd, Islington, N1 (rock-til-you-drop-gig-calendar)

LondonGigs MTHE LONE GROOVER + Others at The Old Queen's Head, Islington @ Mon 7 Mar 11:00 - 12:00 in The Old Queen's Head, 44 Essex Rd, Islington, N1 (http://ping.fm/wTEqO

Does this record need a sequel? Alice thinks so! New 'Welcome 2 My Nightmare' album: NME: http://bit.ly/fwZja5 RTYD

Musicians Wanted: Cheshire/Staffs: Stoke Drummer, drumming for short time but v.keen to learn about being in a band: http://bit.ly/dOde2w

Of course, no sign of Mike Nesmith: The Monkees to Reunite for Anniversary Gigs - Spinner http://ping.fm/MjNH8 RTYD

Musicians Wanted: Staines/Surrey: New RTYD member Rock/Blues Guitarist looking to join a band: http://bit.ly/gCrdrO

Musicians Wanted: Cheshire Staffs: Mature drummer, drumming just a short time, keen to join band: http://ping.fm/5zs0X

Musicians Wanted: Hampshire: Southampton Guitarist, Martin Bennett, looking to join band on ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP: http://bit.ly/eg1sUj

Musicians Wanted London

MusiciansWanted London: Blues harp needed to occasionally guest on a few songs: http://bit.ly/dOde2w RTYD

Music is thriving, but the business is dying (The Observer)

Interesting stuff: Music is thriving, but the business is dying. Who can make it pay again? Observer http://bit.ly/h9l9mb RTYD

Loose Fruit Museum's new album in the ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP-RECORD-SHOP

Have a listen to Loose Fruit Museum's new album in the ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP-RECORD-SHOP: http://bit.ly/fEyhkP RTYD

Acoustic Night at the Lamb & Flag

Acoustic Night at the Lamb & Flag, James St, W1 - ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP's Mature Musicians & Bands Network http://bit.ly/fXHnDi

What songs make YOU happy?

What songs make YOU happy? A discussion on ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP's Mature Musicians & Bands Network http://bit.ly/fKAzzy

Musicians Wanted: Hertfordshire

Musicians Wanted: Hertfordshire guitarist looking to join a band on ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP's Mature Musicians & Bands Ntwk http://bit.ly/ewY3FA

Radiohead - Lotus Flower (Video)

I'm not a big fan, but the wife is. So here's the video for the new Radiohead song. Sounds like the Communards to me.

London Gigs: Steamroller

LondonGigs: Sat 19 Feb Steamroller at The Red Lion Yarnton, Oxford (http://bit.ly/ej3GHM)

LondonGigs: Steve White & The Protest Family

LondonGigs: Sat 19 Feb: Steve White & The Protest Family @ The Royal Sovereign Northwold Rd, Clapton (http://bit.ly/ej3GHM)

LondonGigs: The Estimators

LondonGigs: Sat 19 Feb: Dumplins Live Ska: The Estimators at The Horatia, Holloway Road (http://bit.ly/ej3GHM)

Hidden Gems: A discussion on ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP

Hidden Gems: Your favorite obscure/unknown recording or artist. A discussion on ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP: http://bit.ly/dIOEng

LondonGigs: Graham Hunt & Patrick Begley

LondonGigs Sat 19th Feb: RTYD members Graham Hunt & Patrick Begley @ Lamb & Flag, James St. London W1 (rock-til-you-drop-gig-calendar)

RTYD Tweet

What music make YOU happy? A study claims Take That & Abba makes us most happy? - Telegraph http://bit.ly/g7ssbv

Pocket Rocket (Mark VI) at The Comedy Pub, Wednesday night, as experienced by Toby Burton

Not been drinking for six weeks, so went on stage without a drink, and was suitably nervous and a little shaky until halfway through song number three. Made a few small mistakes, nothing major, though. Stage sound was okay. Pulled off the solos that I was a little nervous about getting right, so I was pleased about that. Played first on the bill before three younger bands. Half our age probably. Eight people turned out to see us. Five of those were friends from the network, there were two Grapefruits (Tox & Otto) and two Kryptics, the latter, Liam & Ray, doubling up as a film crew. A big thanks to those guys for that! And RTYD member Pete McDonnell who runs the Lamb & Flag acoustic gigs and plays with the Acoustic Cavemen came out, too, which was kind of him. By song number four, I was getting into it, but it's never easy playing to an empty room, and it certainly does nothing to improve my lack of on-stage charisma, or relax me. Feedback was positive: I'm happy with Tox's Tom Verlaine comparisons, and that our heavier sound was well received. We were also fairly tight by all accounts, though there were some sloppy bits, and there is a break or two that needs some serious reworking. We soldier on. Had a drink after the show. Managed a bottle of Modelo, and started a bottle of Peroni, but couldn't drink two-thirds of it. Lightweight. Next stop Dublin Castle Weds 30th March. Dipsticks join us on a youngsters bill. Incidentally, after we played the room filled up with those out to support the other bands on the bill. Typical.

LondonGigs: The Lone Groover

LondonGigs: Fri 18 Feb: THE LONE GROOVER at The White Lion, 232 Streatham High Rd, SW16 (http://bit.ly/ej3GHM)

Loadsa gigs this Saturday!! Check the ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP Gig Calendar for details: http://bit.ly/ej3GHM LondonGigs +

MusiciansWanted Derbyshire Staffordshire West Midlands

MusiciansWanted Derbyshire Staffordshire West Midlands Vocalist/#guitarist wanted for Irish / Celtic pop band http://bit.ly/dOde2w

MusiciansWanted: Kent Sittingbourne

MusiciansWanted: Kent Sittingbourne based guitarist wants to meet up with like-minded mature musicians for fun http://bit.ly/idcrSU

Alan Dowson of Hull band Back2Beat is now a member of ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP; http://bit.ly/hq6m3F RTYD

I wrote this for Louder Than War: The Nostagia Trap

I wrote this for Louder Than War: The Nostagia Trap- has music become too backwards looking? http://bit.ly/dFwrTN RTYD

Bristol punk band The 4th Suit are coming to town!! Camden Calling: http://bit.ly/eNEJHp RTYD

Soundgarden

Why, oh, why?!! Soundgarden to make new record 'very soon' NME.COM http://bit.ly/gqitUe RTYD

Blur

'I suppose it might turn into an LP': Let's hope not! Blur are at it again: http://bit.ly/fCDJCk RTYD

Strange Behaviour at ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP at The Alley Cat, Denmark St, Lon...

Loose Fruit Museum at ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP at The Alley Cat, Denmark St, Lo...

MusiciansWanted Nottinghamshire Kirkby in Ashfield Keyboard/Vocalist looking for lead guitarist/classic rock band: http://bit.ly/ee84VG

U2 call it a day: I wish! Instead, they talk new LP: SPIN.com http://bit.ly/e39Qx4

MusiciansWanted: London: Rogue Tribade is a bassist looking to form/join a# punk / ska /#reggae band http://bit.ly/gab2Sj

Oxford Musicians: Mike Abbott (guitar & bass & vox) is looking to join a band on ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP: http://bit.ly/dNdw53

Tonight!!! 2010 ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP-AWARD winners, for best band & best song, THE OUTBURSTS, play The Hope & Anchor, Islington.

Creak's residency begins here:

Punks Not Dad's new video for 'I Can't Get It Up'

THE LONE GROOVER'S first show of 2011

...and it's on home turf - at The White Lion, 232 Streatham High Road, SW16. Maximum Folk 'n' Bop for the people. Ably supported by Tolly & Superbreaker on the wheels of steel - spinning 45's from the vaults and beyond (Ska/Punk/Northern/Indie etc)......it's gonna' be a Friday like they used to make 'em so.....Look Sharp!

FREE!

Peace 'n' Luv 'n' Haight,

TLG

(DJ's from 8pm - TLG on stage - 9.45)

Please visit www.reverbnation.com/thelonegroover and become a fan and/or like

Dates for the diary
07/03/11 - Old Queens Head Islington
17/03/11 - The Green Man, Edgware Rd
30/03/11 - The Elixir Bar, Camden
16/04/11 - The Lamb and Flag, off Oxford St
17/04/11 - Bar Vinyl, Camden
18/05/11 - The Boogaloo, Archway

Posh Totty by 14 Carat Grapefruit

Filmed by Gigvert.com (Liam Barnes/Kryptic Klu)

ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP at The Alley Cat: Loose Fruit Museum & Strange Behaviour

Thanks to Loose Fruit Museum and Strange Behaviour for two great performances in front of all those that braved the winds to reach The Alley Cat in Denmark Street on Saturday night. I've put on both these bands before and they are all lovely guys, a pleasure to manage, punctual, and professional. And really rock 'n' roll! In a mature sort of way.

Bill Nelson joins ITV legends at Metropolis

Yet another great has joined the acts being filmed performing unique concerts at Metropolis for TV and DVD:

BILL NELSON
An acknowledged creative genius and one of the revered rock guitar experimentalists, with a pedigree including Be Bop Deluxe, Channel Light Vessel and Red Noise, and collaborations with David Sylvian, Harold Budd and Yellow Magic Orchestra, Bill will be filmed in concert on

SATURDAY MARCH 26TH at Metropolis Studios Chiswick to just 125 people

This once-in-a-lifetime concert will include a wine and champagne reception, a meet and greet session with Bill, a 90 minute concert, photographs at the meet and greet and ticket holders will get a DVD of the event when released with their name on the DVD and credit roll of the TV programme.

www.metropolis-group.co.uk
www.billnelson.com


Tickets http://www.metropolis-events.co.uk/

Thanks to Neil Fishwick of www.stillgigging.com for this news item.

Latest: Form an orderly queue for a Creak sandwich

Paul Rodger of London's leading covers band, Creak, tells me the group have just secured a first Friday in the month residency at The Hart pub in Hammersmith/Chiswick (383 King Street, London, W6 9NJ) starting in March. The band also plan to invite one band, or two acoustic-type acts, to play between two Creak sets.

I'm so pleased for them, and, needless to say, I've already expressed my keenness to get Pocket Rocket between two thick slices of Creak. Bring it on!

If you are interested in playing you should contact Paul through RTYD, or get in touch with me and I will point you in the right direction.

Toby