Rob of Growler: Blog Post on RTYD

Rob Paige's (@GrowlerBand) Blog on ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP: What a fantastic weekend! http://bit.ly/jbVScg

Drummer Wanted: Suffolk

Drummer Wanted: Suffolk: To help drive Ipswich-based band forward. Gigs lined up. Regular rehearsal: http://bit.ly/dOde2w

Drummer Wanted: Essex/Suffolk

Drummer Wanted: Essex/Suffolk: To job share with existing drummer in Colchester-based rock covers band. Weekly gigs. http://bit.ly/dOde2w

Dave Dickson of Southampton 5-piece GBH

Dave Dickson of Southampton 5-piece GBH is active on ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP's Mature Musicians & Bands Network http://bit.ly/kgyy9Z Hampshire

Bass Player Available: Warwickshire/West Midlands

Bass Player Available: Warwickshire/West Midlands: Fender/Ampeg Gear, transport, looking for working Classic Rock band: http://bit.ly/dOde2w

Top Jazz Musicians Wanted: London

Top Jazz Musicians Wanted: London: Tenor sax, trumpet/alto sax, elec bass, drums & perc needed to form gigging band: http://bit.ly/dOde2w

New RTYD Member: Southend-on-Sea

Southend-on-Sea, Essex -based rock/#blues/#jazz/#soul#drummer, Alan, is now a member of ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP: http://bit.ly/mnrZvY

Any good rock pub-venues in your area? A disccusion on RTYD's Musicians & Bands Network

The suggestions keep coming: Any good rock pub-venues in your area? http://bit.ly/ig5Ly7

Drummer Available: Essex

Musicians Available: Essex: Geriatric Drummer playing since 60s in a variety of bands. Good condition gear & transport: http://bit.ly/dOde2w

RTYD Member & harmonica player Dave Thomas is looking to jam/join a band

Warrington-based RTYD Member & harmonica player Dave Thomas is looking to jam/join a band on ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP: http://bit.ly/jIpfGR

London-based Lead Guitarist/Vox Seeks Rockabilly/Country/other Band/Duo

Musicians Wanted London: Lead Guitarist/Vox Seeks Rockabilly/Country/other Band/Duo: http://bit.ly/dOde2w

RIP Gil Scott-Heron 1949-2011

Influential poet Gil Scott-Heron has died. He was 62. The cause of his death is as yet unknown. For more details: http://n.pr/jIH8sP

Singer/Vocalist Available: Cheshire/Merseyside

Singer/Vocalist Available: Cheshire/Merseyside: 21 yrs touring/recording experience with KISS tribute DRESSED TO KILL: http://bit.ly/dOde2w

Kent punk band Slider

Kent punk band Slider's page on ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP's Mature Musicians & Bands Network http://bit.ly/iATsyg

Creak go to the Ukraine

Creak go to the Ukraine: The full story: http://bit.ly/lXqC6H

Musicians Wanted Greater Manchester: Good Rock Guitarist

Musicians Wanted Greater Manchester: Good Rock Guitarist Wanted for new cover band: Stereophonics/Killers/ZZ Top/Blues: http://bit.ly/dOde2w

Bassist looking to join a band: Lancashire/Merseyside

Lancashire/Merseyside: Bassist looking to join a band on ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP: http://bit.ly/jbjASA bass

Musicians Wanted Lancashire/Merseyside: Lead guitar/vox

Musicians Wanted Lancashire/Merseyside: Lead guitar/vox wanted to join keys/vocalist, bass & drums playing 60s/modern: http://bit.ly/dOde2w

Musicians Wanted Greater Manchester/Lancashire

Musicians Wanted Gtr Manchester/Lancashire: Drummer & Bass Wanted by 2 x Guitarist/Vox & Keyboards for Originals: http://bit.ly/dOde2w

Musician Wanted Avon/Gloucestershire/Wiltshire Drummer Wanted

Musician Wanted: Avon/Gloucestershire/Wiltshire: Drummer Wanted for gigging band to replace long serving 'tub thumper': http://bit.ly/dOde2w

Musicians Wanted: Surrey/West Sussex

Musicians Wanted: Surrey/West Sussex: Female Vocalist/Lyricist available, 39, looking to join a alt/punk/rock band: http://bit.ly/dOde2w

New RTYD Member: Woking/Surrey-based Blues/#Rock/#Folk Guitarist

Woking Surrey -based Blues/#Rock/#Folk Guitarist Tony Carson is now a member of ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP: http://bit.ly/mLTSaO

Wire-tribute band 'The Outdoor Miners'

Wire-tribute band 'The Outdoor Miners' on ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP's Mature Musicians & Bands Network http://bit.ly/luZfl4 postpunk punk

Musicians Wanted: Cheshire/Greater Manchester/West Yorkshire: Vocalist wanted for rock covers band: http://bit.ly/dOde2w

Sutton, Surrey - based guitarist, Peter Slade is now a member of ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP's Mature Musicians Network http://bit.ly/kzhaoQ

Lead guitarist urgently wanted for soft rock covers band: South-West UK

South-West UK: Lead guitarist urgently wanted for soft rock covers band (Floyd, Steely Dan, Genesis, Supertramp etc): http://bit.ly/kInDMH

Video: Two by The Lone Groover at The Boogaloo, North London, May 2011

Two songs from The Lone Groover's appearance at the 'Voices' night at The Boogaloo last Wednesday night:  'How The West Was Lost' and a cover of Bowie's 'Young Americans'. Enjoy.

Songwriter/Guitarist Available: Kent/London/Surrey

Songwriter/Guitarist Available: Kent/London/Surrey: 53, looking to collaborate in setting up acoustic/electric band: http://bit.ly/dOde2w

New RTYD Member: Horsham, West Sussex

Horsham, West-Sussex -based bass player Dan Murphy' is looking to join a rock band on ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP: http://bit.ly/iKk3OL

Musicians Wanted: Essex/London

Musicians Wanted: Essex/London: Brentwood-based rhythm guitarist looking to form originals rock band: http://bit.ly/dOde2w

Bristol band Poundshop Life live at The Louisiana in Bristol.

Bristol band Poundshop Life live at The Louisiana in Bristol.

30 years later: The return of Blue Zoo

29 years ago a song called Cry Boy Cry by a band called Blue Zoo reached number 13 in the Top 40. It was their second single, and was to be their first and last hit record. An album followed, which apparently lacked cohesion and any of the edge the band had before they had got their record deal. As a result it wasn't well received by the music press or the music-buying public, and by the mid-80s the band had split up.

After playing in various bands and eventually getting a publishing deal, Blue Zoo's singer Andy O, took a break from the music business to travel; Drummer Micky Sparrow continued playing the drums for various music projects including a collaboration with the Stranglers' new singer Paul Roberts; Bassist Mike Ansell left the music business to pursue a career in property; And keyboard player Graham Noone opened Eversfield Recording Studios in Sussex, and along with guitarist and saxophonist Neil Pyzer played live with Geno Washington.

Last year, Blue Zoo reunited to rekindle some of the old magic, and no doubt, just to have some fun. They continue their renaissance with a gig at The Castle in Finchley Road on Friday 27th May, and the release of some new material very soon.

Drummer Available: Nottinghamshire: Experienced drummer seeks an established 60/70/80s tribute/showband in E. Midlands: http://bit.ly/dOde2w

Top Class P.A. Hire: Shropshire/Staffordshire/West Midlands: With v. experienced/mature engineer. Distance no problem: http://bit.ly/dOde2w

The Lone Groover at the Boogaloo

I went out on Wednesday night to support The Lone Groover (TLG) at the Boogaloo in Highgate. He was playing a night called 'Voices', which is promoted by Zac Stephenson formerly of a band called Special Needs,who nearly made it, apparently (Sounds familiar - Ed).

As a result of playing more frequently in the last year or so, TLG has developed into a very confident and thoroughly entertaining solo performer, and is on something of a roll right now; A roll that continues to gather pace, and which will take him to various festival appearances over the summer. Watch this space for more details.

I was so inspired by him last night, I am much closer (again?!! - Ed) to doing something about going out there myself with my acoustic guitar (Believe it when I see it! - Ed).

The coup at 'Voices' is that each act gets three songs, which is plenty in some cases, but not enough in TLG's. When he isn't tied to the microphone he struts around the floor like a Weller/Townshend hybrid accompanied, in spirit at least, by his fantasy rock band; and when he is at the microphone, he continues the posturing which has now become his trademark: raising his guitar, Jimmy Page-style, in the air like a rifle, or lowering it like a shovel.

Truly inspirational; and one of only a couple of stand-outs in a series of timid and undynamic introspective singer-songwriters of which the world has a plethora. (Easy! - Ed)

Introducing London-based Wire tribute band Outdoor Miners

An introduction to Norm Fasey, London-based singer with Wire tribute band, Outdoor Miners, on ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP http://bit.ly/m0ADjp, who are on the lookout for a new drummer.

Ronny goes to Portsmouth - with punk band Spodgenessabounds

London-based musician and RTYD member, Ronny Rocka, will be playing guitar for Splodgenessabounds at the Punk By The Sea one day music festival on South Parade Pier in Portsmouth on Saturday 18th June. Others on the bill include Buzzcocks, Peter and The Test Tube Babies (one of my faves), Vice Squad, 999, and John Robb's Goldblade, who I saw recently in San Francisco supporting Steve Ignorant (Oh, you're so international! - Ed).

The story goes that a week or so before tour to promote Two Pints of Lager and A Packet of Crisps (c.1980), Max Splodge found himself the victim of a band walk-out. Through a friend Ronnie found hmself a place in the Splodge's new band, and spent the next few years touring and getting very pissed with them - and eating crisps, I'm sure.

Rocka currently plays guitar for Bob Dylan tribute act To Bob, and in the past he has played with the Crabs (1978-81), the Angelic Upstarts (1985 -1991) and the Godfathers (1991 -2002), among others. Not bad, eh?

Musicians Wanted: West Midlands

Musicians Wanted: West Midlands: Experienced drummer seeks working original band - most styles considered: http://bit.ly/dOde2w

Festival News: Lambeth County Show & Green Man

Festival News: Spirit Play play the Lambeth County Show & The GreenMan Festival http://bit.ly/kVrvNo @spiritofplay1

Musicians Wanted: Derbyshire/Notts/S.Yorkshire: Experienced Bassist looking to join/form a covers/originals rock band: http://bit.ly/dOde2w

Punk By The Sea Music Festival

'#Punk by the Sea' Music Festival on ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP's Mature Musicians & Bands Network http://bit.ly/iOWWTl charity greatormondst

New RTYD Member: Leicester

Leicester-based Guitarist with band Metal Artois, Adam, is now a member of ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP: http://bit.ly/iv14Fl

Video for Blondie's new single 'Mother'

Is it just me, or is Debbie Harry starting to look like Dolly Parton? (Same cosmetic surgeon, I'm sure - Ed)

Regardless, this song demonstrates why bands semi-reunited shouldn't record new material, at least not under the same name. Blondie very quickly developed into a pop band - which, as long as it's original, I don't have a problem with - but post Autoamerican they had nothing original left to give.

Reform to play the hits, but move on creatively. In the words of another 20th century female icon, photographer Madame Yevonde: "Be original or die".

London Guitarist with Post#Punk band Outdoor Miners, Norm Fasey, is a new a member of ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP: http://bit.ly/mo3nLi

Kiria plays The Mick Ronson Legacy in Hull, 4th June: http://bit.ly/kvsY17 Bowie ZiggyStardust Glam 70s

Singer-Songwriters Competition: Holloway Arts Festival

Heads-up: North London Singersongwriters Competition: Holloway Arts Festival http://bit.ly/lAIkKW

New RTYD Member: Norwich, Norfolk

Norwich Norfolk based Vocalist (most styles) Anis is looking to join a band on ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP: http://bit.ly/lL8nGf musicians

New RTYD Member: Springfield, Ohio

Springfield Ohio Rock/#Blues/#Folk/#R&B Guitarist Anne is now a member of ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP's Musicians Network: http://bit.ly/m0K8t8

Drummer Wanted: Berks/Bucks/Oxfordshire

Drummer Wanted: Berks/Bucks/Oxfordshire: For popular local 4-piece classic rock band based in Chinnor: http://bit.ly/dOde2w

Musicians Wanted: Nottinghamshire

Musicians Wanted: Nottinghamshire: Experienced drummer seeks an established 60/70/80s tribute/showband (most styles): http://bit.ly/dOde2w

Two videos by band 'Note to Self: Don't Die!'

Two videos by band 'Note to Self: Don't Die!' on ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP's Mature Musicians & Bands Network http://bit.ly/iywije

New RTYD Member

Oxfordshire Rock/#Blues Guitarist Steve Gunn is now a member of ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP's Mature Musicians & Bands Network http://bit.ly/l7wA8m

New RTYD Member

London Rock/#Blues/#Funk Guitarist Emanuele Fizzotti is now a member ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP's Mature Musicians Network http://bit.ly/lDS7eI

New RTYD Member: Littlehampton

Littlehampton-based Musician Mac Walker is now a member of ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP's Mature Musicians & Bands Network http://bit.ly/kqaxgk

Musicians Wanted: Kent/London/Surrey

Musicians Wanted: Kent/London/Surrey: Rock Vocals & Drummer wanted to complete original classic rock band: http://bit.ly/dOde2w

Musicians Wanted: E&W Sussex/Hampshire

Musicians Wanted: E&W Sussex/Hampshire: Bass Player (+guitar/piano/mandolin/uke) looking for folk/rock/acoustic band: http://bit.ly/dOde2w

Kiria plays The Mick Ronson Legacy in Hull

I'm not sure Kiria would want to be regarded as a 'mature' musician - she looks far too young to me - but she is performing at an event that pays homage to one: Mick Ronson, who sadly died of liver cancer at the age of 46, in 1993.

The London-based 'pink punk', singer/songwriter brings her flamboyant image and theatrical stage show to the Hull Springhead on June 4th, as part of the annual Mick Ronson Legacy event.

Listen to more music by Kiria on the music page of her website.

Musicians Wanted: West Sussex

Musicians Wanted: West Sussex: Rhythm Section looking for guitarist & male singer to form Hard Rock Covers Band: http://bit.ly/dOde2w

The Lone Groover

Listen to two tracks by The Lone Groover on his ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP Music Player: http://bit.ly/mm7MCC

Drummer Wanted: Bucks/Northants/Oxfordshire

Drummer Wanted: Bucks/Northants/Oxfordshire: Reliable, hardworking drummer required for Oxford's top rock covers band: http://bit.ly/dOde2w

Older musicians

Older musicians who had continued to play an instrument since childhood performed better in a set of auditory tasks: http://bit.ly/kGRiO4

Musician Robert Paige Asks:

RTYD Member Robert Paige asks 'How Useful Do You Want This Network To Be?' http://bit.ly/k02iCW

What are the best rock pub venues in your area?

What are the best rock pub venues in your area? A discussion on ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROPs Mature Musicians & Bands Network http://bit.ly/ig5Ly7

Musicians Wanted: Leicestershire/Warwickshire/W Midlands

Musicians Wanted: Leicestershire/Warwickshire/W Midlands: Drums, Bass, 2ndGuitar/Keys to form originals/covers band: http://bit.ly/dOde2w

Mature Musicians of the World Unite and Take Over

Andy McLeod, Bass player with Oxford covers band The Undercovers is now a member of ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP: http://bit.ly/kxahuN

Can anyone recommend gigs for a Metal covers band based in Hampshire?

Rob of Kranefly asks: Can anyone recommend gigs for a Metal covers band based in Hampshire? ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP: http://bit.ly/m9PiRj

New RTYD Member

Rob, Drummer with Hampshire band Kranefly, is now a member of ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP's Mature Musicians & Bands Network http://bit.ly/ivtoUy

New RTYD Member

Nottingham-based vox/harmonica-player with The Great Blues Hijack, Dave Dickson, is now a member of ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP: http://bit.ly/kgyy9Z

Video: 'I Can't Get it Up' @PunksNotDad at RTYD @AlleyCatLondon, Denmark Street: http://bit.ly/jJQptP

'I Can't Get it Up' Punks Not Dad at RTYD@The Alley Cat, Denmark Street,...

Video: Guildford Band, The Greedies

Watch Guildford band @TheGreedies perform Highway to Hell by AC/DC at The Old Ford, AshVale on ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP: http://bit.ly/kJ0IH5

Photos of punk band The Outbursts

Photos of punk band The Outbursts taken by friend of the band & ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP, Philip Genochio: http://bit.ly/jVxqJU

Photos of The Outbursts

The Outbursts, a set by genochio on Flickr.

Here are a wonderful set of photographs of 2010 double-RTYD-Award winners, The Outbursts, taken by friend of the band and RTYD, Philip Genochio. Enjoy!

Steve White & the Protest Family play Chalk Farm on Saturday 28th May

Yes, Steve White and The Protest Family are back in town, boldly going where shit loads of people have gone before in a BANK HOLIDAY WEEKEND SPECIAL. (Why is it special? Dunno?)

Come and join us upstairs at The Enterprise opposite Chalk Farm tube. We're due on stage just after 9pm for 30 minutes or so. There are some other bands, but no-one will tell me who they are or how many there are. £5.

We'll be doing some more recording soon, as well. We should have enough for an album by 2013 or so.

Thanks,

Lol Ross (The Protest Family)

New RTYD Member: Wantage/Oxfordshire-based guitarist Robert Paige

Wantage/Oxfordshire-based guitarist with covers band Growler, Robert Paige is now a member of ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP: http://bit.ly/lRDugG

New RTYD Member: Plymouth-based drummer, Richard Colton

Plymouth-based drummer with StatusQuo tribute Quo-incidence, Richard Colton is now a member of ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP: http://bit.ly/mNvRRJ

Singer wanted: Gloucestershire

Singer wanted: Gloucestershire: For Hard rock covers band The Mighty Fog. Infs Purple, Lizzy, Foos, QOTSA, ZZ Top etc: http://bit.ly/dOde2w

New RTYD Member: Mark Nicholls of London band The Air Hilaires

Mark Nicholls of London band The Air Hilaires is now a member of ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP's Mature Musicians &Bands Network: http://bit.ly/mBV9Ty

Bass Player Available: Hertfordshire

Bassist Gary Mackay is looking to join a band in the Herts area on ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP's Mature Musicians & Bands Network http://bit.ly/iBiNUc

Bass Player Available: Hertfordshire

Bass player Available: Hertfordshire: Love to play rock but will consider all styles. Happy to rehearse/gig regularly: http://bit.ly/dOde2w

Loadsa Bass players looking to join bands on ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP

There's loadsa Bass players looking to join bands on ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP's Mature Musicians & Bands Network http://bit.ly/hw7NAQ

Bass Player looking to form/join hard rock band in Berkshire/Surrey

Bass Player Available: Berkshire/Surrey: Looking to form/join 5 piece hard rock band. Infs. Rush etc: http://bit.ly/dOde2w

Female Singer Wanted: Hampshire/West Sussex

Musicians Wanted, Hampshire/W. Sussex: Female Singer Wanted for acoustic duo by folk singer/songwriter, 51: http://bit.ly/dOde2w

New RTYD Member

Video Gary Fleming playing bass on 'Come On (Let The Good Times Roll)' (#Blues Hendrix, Vaughan) ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP: http://bit.ly/mtK8ix

Review: Punks Not Dad & The Lone Groover at ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP at The Alley Cat

Last night was the last regular ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP gig... for a while, anyway.

After two years of trying, the 'brand' didn't make the difference to attendance levels that I had hoped it would, and I was left feeling like another small-time London promoter relying on bands to bring people through the door. I am not interested in being one of those - there are already plenty.

I have enjoyed the social aspect of the gigs, meeting some lovely people, many of whom I hope I will remain friends and acquaintances with for many years to come; I have enjoyed introducing musicians and bands to each other and helping to build small networks of musicians interested in the same genre. I have some great videos, photos and memories; so I'm happy about all that.

The whole promoter/host thing was also a little out of my comfort zone, especially at first, and this is always a good place to be if you want to move forward. As a result, my confidence as a MC grew - for what it's worth now - and, having to do the sound at a lot of the gigs, has given me some useful experience, too.

A break from regular promotion will allow me more time to focus on my own band and music. I still plan to organise the occasional one-off event, but I will definitely be taking the less-is-more/only-for-fun approach to these.

Last night's gig at the Alley Cat didn't draw the crowd I had hoped (What's new?! - Ed), but as usual this didn't stop it being a fun evening. As I cycled home through Camden where the streets were heaving with young people on the lash, it only reinforced to me how much I am banging my head against a wall trying to get the older crowd out in large numbers. These young people are our kids - or will be. We have long been usurped. Most of London's pubs, bars and small music venues are the stamping ground of the young. Even on a Saturday night, many of the middle-aged, and over, are firmly ensconced at home; having had tea, watched Dr Who and put the kids to bed, they are settling down to watch more TV culminating in Match of the Day and bed.

Last night it was their loss, as ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP at The Alley Cat played host to the hilarious Punks Not Dad and the ever-entertaining Lone Groover. These two acts deserve bigger audiences than they got last night. And I don't enjoy feeling at least partly responsible for this.

The Lone Groover, as always, played a bespoke set of original and cover songs from his ever-growing repertoire, throwing in punk classics by Stiff Little Fingers and the Clash, as well as airing a new song inspired by the recent scenes of protest in London and civil unrest around the world.

Before the show, the Lone Groover and I shared the pleasure of greeting and chatting with Gaye Advert as she entered the venue; and she even remembered me, which was cool. She was there to support Punks Not Dad (again!), whose song Gaye Advert's Eyes is a staple of their live set and features on their debut LP We Are The Dads (The Lone Groover, by the way, was gutted because he nearly brought out his copy of Gary Gilmore's Eye's as one of his 7-inch vinyl props, so missed this opportunity to get it autographed last night ).(Me too! - Ed).

Tonight, Punks Not Dad are plugging their new EP Retail Therapy, which features the euphemistic I Can't Get It Up. Not a song about erectile dysfunction; More meaningful than that, it is about the frustration caused by constructing IKEA furniture - we all know the feeling. They perform all the songs on the EP and a selection from their debut LP including In Me Shed, all punctuated by Sid Life Crisis's between-song comedy-punk routine, of which he is a master. The band go on to play Glastonbury in June and Bestival in September, with a gig in Brighton in between. Go on the Dads!

You can listen to their new EP at the ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP-RECORD-SHOP and follow links to purchase a copy from there.

A slideshow of photos from ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP-GIGS 2009-11

Musicians Available: Manchester/Lancashire

Musicians Available: Manchester/Lancashire: Singer looking to Join/Form Classic Rock/AOR Tribute Band: http://ping.fm/Zsxzs

Two songs by Bristol band Angel Up Front

Listen to two songs by Bristol band @AngelUpFront on drummer Stuart Chambers page on ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP: http://bit.ly/kndM1U

Musicians Wanted: Belfast, County Antrim, Northern Ireland

Belfast Antrim Guitarist Gary Fleming is looking to join a rock/#blues band on ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP: http://bit.ly/jWQmo1

Kent Band Slider

Kent Band Slider Joined the 'Old Punks' Networking Group on ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP's Mature Musicians & Bands Network http://bit.ly/jidDng

The music of Billy Jones Bluez

Listen to the music of Billy Jones Bluez on ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP: rock/#blues/#funk/#jazz/#pop/#soul/#R&B: http://bit.ly/mwzBPA

Musicians Available: Essex

Musicians Available: Essex: Bass Player/BVs, 66, into R&R, Country, Rock, Pop etc: http://bit.ly/dOde2w

Musicians Available: Cambridgeshire/Norfolk/Suffolk

Musicians Available: Cambridgeshire/Norfolk/Suffolk: Lead Guitar & Keyboards available 4 deps, 2 join band or form duo: http://bit.ly/dOde2w

Musicians Available: Essex

Musicians Available: Essex: Exp. guitar/bass/vox looking to join band for fun. Small Faces/Stones/Oasis/originals: http://bit.ly/dOde2w

4 by Guildford band Riff Raff

Listen to 4 songs by Guildford band Riff Raff uploaded by bassist Trisha McNair to her ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP page: http://bit.ly/irvncg

Introducing: punk band Slider

Here at ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP, as you know, punk is by no means dead. Sometime's it's dad - as it will be tomorrow night when ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP hosts those masters of middled-aged anarchy, Punks Not Dad, at the Alley Cat in Denmark Street - but it is always very much alive.

This is why we warmly welcome into our milieu of Old Punks, Slider (pictured above), a four piece from Kent that recently formed to celebrate the joys of classic punk rock. Their set includes all the classics, so watch this space for details of their gigs.

Women That Rock: RTYD Member Tracy Picardi

London Singer/#Songwriter Tracy Picardi joined @WomenThatRock group aimed at networking women that continue to rock: http://bit.ly/gTBId6

Musicians Available London

London Guitarist Andrea Zani is looking to join a blues/R&B band on ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP Mature Musicians &Bands Network http://bit.ly/hNt0cH

From Memory Lane to Parkway, via Wardour Street: A roundabout review of Glamweazel and 14 Carat Grapefruit at The Dublin Castle May 2011

Stop me if you think that you've heard this one before.

At school and at sixth form college I had a mate who was also the drummer in my band at the time. He was part-Goth, part-New Romantic, and a big Bowie, Toyah,  Japan, Fad Gadget and One The Juggler fan.

We shared a passion for music - not always the same music - and for song lyrics, too, though also not always the same ones. As a result, our friendship had its moments. While I didn't regard myself as a Goth, per se, as you can see from the photograph above, I did wear a lot of black, especially around the eyes, as well as, copious amounts of hairspray; and I liked The Cult's Love album quite a bit, so you can understand why others got this impression. Others, like like my art tutor, who dubbed my friend and I, The Black Hand Gang, which we quite liked.

I've since lost contact with Stuart. He changed his surname (officially, he said) to something more romantic than his family name, which he hated. 'Haze' was his new surname, I think? I remember going to see the goth band he was fronting, as a singer/guitarist, at the Powerhaus in Islington in the early 90s. I don't remember much about it though. I have a terribly vague memory of the 90s - funny that. And the last time I saw him was on Kentish Town Road, hand in hand with his gothic loved-one. I don't remember crossing the road to say 'hello'.

He had a job in Robert Dyas in our home town for a while before he moved to London, where I heard on the grapevine that he now runs, or works, for a web design agency, I can't find him on Facebook, like all those people you really want to know about.

Anyway, one day, during our time at Godalming Sixth Form College ('83-'85), he convinced me to accompany him to the legendary Marquee club, then still in its rightful place in Wardour Street, to see One The Juggler (OTJ). This was probably my first gig in London. I remember seeing Lemmy on the way into the venue by the fruit machine, which is apparently where he could often be seen in the days before YouTube.

Currently residing in the 'Where-are-they-now?' file, back-combed beauties Balaam and the Angel, were the support act that night; All big messy hair (except the guy on the right, obviously), 3/4 length trousers and espadrilles. Stuart and I both stood at the front in awe of these proper musicians, and aspired to their greatness. I don't remember too much about One The Juggler's performance, but I recently had another listen to their songs to jog my terrible memory, and they definitely rang Romany bells.

So fast forward about 26 years and I am running a musicians network for older rock musicians, you know the one, when who should I receive an email from but OTJ guitarist Lushi Lee, AKA Jerry T Jones, who is recording and playing under a new alias Glamweazel, and he's looking for gigs. He promptly sends me his record, which I respectfully put in the window of ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP-RECORD-SHOP.

I put him in touch with my good friends Bugbear Promotions at the Dublin Castle, and Bowie's your uncle - they have a gig, at which I introduce myself. Jerry is a lovely guy, still passionate about playing original music, whilst keeping himself busy playing in covers bands. He is still lucky enough to have enough hair to pull off a backcombed mid-80s gypsy/goth look - if that's your thing - and with RayBans and in the right stage light, to resemble a cross between Bob Dylan and John Cooper Clarke.

Last night, he and his band played their second gig at The Dublin, which, while a little less well attended than the first, was still performed with charm and professionalism. And culminated in a rendition of the lighter-waving anthem for the older musicians of the world, active in relative obscurity, Tangle Leads. Jerry also introduced me to another Juggler in the shape of Glamweazel's guitarist Colin Minchin, whose acquaintance it was also a pleasure to make.

One the same bill last night were old friends of RTYD, 14 Carat Grapefruit. The Grapefruits played a set which included a number of new songs: the relatively new and already sticky Porn Star; and the frightening Fat Bloke in The Gym. Brand new were: the rugby supporters anthem Let's Get Fucking Pissed, which asserted itself immediately among the Grapefruits' Greatest Hits, and the brief, yet hilarious, tribute to women's literature Chick Lit, which will likely be featuring as a secret track on the afore mentioned fantasy LP.

As usual, I grinned and laughed the whole way through the set, as did the 50 or so strong audience, which included Liam and Ray from Kryptic Klu. I only wish I had been promoting the gig, because I would have been in a better position to introduce the bands to each other. I always enjoyed that role. Must have got that from my mum. Sadly, the old Dublin Castle In-Out Routine came into play, and the two bands and their fanbases passed like old ships in the Camden night.

The third band of four was a young 3-piece from Portsmouth, whose gig-atmosphere suffered from a mass Grapefruit fans exodus, but who at the same time seemed somewhat relieved that this exodus revealed that there were at least a handful of young people left in the world. They then described the room as having resembled a "mortuary" during the first half of the night, which made me feel old and unwelcome, so at that point I made a discreet exit.

REM tribute band Shiny Happy People at the Wheatsheaf, Leighton Buzzard

I once had a fling with a girl from Leighton Buzzard. Oh, those heady days! I may even have been to this boozer.

The Wheatsheaf

57 North Street
Leighton Buzzard

LU7 1EQ
01525 374 611

Musicians Available: Cheshire/Manchester/Lancashire

Musicians Available: Cheshire/Manchester/Lancs: Piano/organ/keys. All genres. Live/studio. Composer/arranger/producer http://bit.ly/dOde2w

New Music by Old Gits

RTYD Member Dereck Rose added 5 songs inc. 'Last Days' & 'Bad Minded People' to his profile page on ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP: http://bit.ly/jaMYKk

New Music by Old Gits

LosAngeles California Guitarist Leslie Bloom has loaded 4 songs to ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP's Mature Musicians Network http://bit.ly/ktA5S1

Drummer Wanted Urgently: West Midlands

Drummer Wanted Urgently: West Midlands: Bogus Blooze need dedicated drummer with GSOH for regular gigs: http://ping.fm/Go0pG

New Music by Old Gits

Ashley Crawford has added 8 songs, including Halcyon Days Pt 2 & Mystic Jam, to his RTYD profile page: http://bit.ly/mii2NZ

Rock and Roll Tourist: a book by RTYD Member Graham Forbes

RTYD Member Graham Forbes kindly sent me a signed-copy of his second book, Rock and Roll Tourist (Northumbria University Press), which I took on holiday with me over Easter and thoroughly enjoyed.

Forbes has played with all sorts of bands, from the Incredible String Band to a blues band in Los Angeles including session men John Gilston and Nicky Hopkins. He has also played with Mike Heron's Reputation, Golden Eagle, with ex-Bowie drummer Woody Woodmansey, the Kim Beacon Band (ex-Peter Gabriel), Radio Clyde DJ Tiger Tim Stevens, and a big soul band with actor Rory McCann and Carol Smillie.

He's played gigs with the Kinks, 10cc, the Drifters, Boy George, Pasadenas, Marshall Tucker Band, Elvin Bishop, 3 Dog Night, Bruce Springsteen, the Stranglers, Travis, Gong, Chick Corea, McGuiness Flint, Hudson Ford, Don MacLean, and Nico.

He lives half the year in the USA and when at home in Scotland plays he plays in a BBC celebrity band with John Beattie, James McPherson, Jackie Bird, Andrea McNeil, Robert Calder, and other guests including Scott Wallace, Deke McGee and the Brassnecks,Michelle McManus, Horse,Tom Urie, Alan Nimmo, Jim Condie, Jade Lazar, Gordon Smith Patrica Panther, Middle of the Road, Gary Innes and Dougie Vipond.

His first book, Rock And Roll Mountains, was nominated for an international award at the Banff Mountain Book Festival in Canada and got some great reviews. It is available in good bookstores or Amazon.

Below are some reviews of Rock and Roll Tourist. You can get hold of a copy here.


"Some wonderful descriptive writing. I heartily recommend it."Tom Morton, BBC Scotland

'With a keen eye for the absurd, Graham has an uncanny knack of stirring a range of emotions within a single story, but mostly, it's just laugh-out-loud funny!' Onnie McIntyre – Average White Band

'If Bill Bryson could play guitar, this is how it would sound!' Tommy Cunnigham, Wet Wet Wet

'Excellent. Compelling. A great read. I love the way you portray the band. It's electric'. Scott Ian, Anthrax

'Graham reports this world from his own unique lens – writing from the perspective of everyman, with a personal insight only he possesses. I wish I could have described a touring band's experience so succinctly.'
John Wheeler – Hayseed Dixie

'Graham's writing is refreshing in that it is about the life and not the myths of rock and roll… he captures for the reader what they can only imagine the lifestyle is really like… not all fun and games… except when it's fun and games!' Paul Barrere – Little Feat

'Terrific… perfectly captured the atmosphere of the days we spent together.' Neil Harrison – Bootleg Beatles

The Skinny.co.uk: Reviewed by Kayleigh Bohan, (Fri 30 Oct 2009)

The entertainment pedigree of booking a train ticket online can hardly compete with a stadium gig by U2. It's lucky, then, that the great strength of this second book by Graham Forbes is to make such separate brands of spectacle and farce as those to be found on tour and those that lie in wait for the general public equally engrossing. Insider knowledge is present without being overwhelming; the author is a guitarist formerly of The Incredible String Band. Writing with unforced familiarity, Forbes remains a warm and encyclopedic guide, introducing BB King, Anthrax and the coffee shops in Palma airport with impressive dexterity. In a book that gives as much time to cities, trains, planes and buses as gigs, Tourist maintains its hold while turning the attention back to Forbes and his brief addiction to prescription painkillers. Losing momentum when he settles in to give his opinions on the modern music scene, the otherwise sharp commentary risks aimless nostalgia, before recovering its energy. However, given the authority with which he writes and his willingness to invite the uninitiated along, it's hard to feel such opinions are unearned. A funny, engaging book of surprising substance. [Kayleigh Bohan]

Daily Mail: Reviewed by Ray Connolly (12th June 2009)

ROCKING ALL OVER THE WORLD

There are diverse reasons for travelling for fun. The pursuit of art history drags legions of (mainly) women across Europe every year; craggy mountaineers have a list of the world's highest peaks to conquer; and I'm told that nudists keep catalogues of beaches on which they wish to doff their modesty.

Old rockers: Brian Johnson and Angus Young of the band ACDC
But Graham Forbes, the former owner of a furniture removal company in Glasgow, has a quite individual motive. He goes around Europe and the U.S. watching rock bands play, talking to the musicians and oddballs he meets along the way, while ruminating generally on the state of popular music, the world and coffee.
It isn't a way of spending retirement that we might all fancy, but Forbes has a more-than-special interest in rock music.

Because decades ago, before he got into the removal business, he played bass guitar with one of the quintessential light folk Sixties groups, the Incredible String Band. And it seems the lure of the road, a sentence that all musicians must endure, has never quite left him.

The stories he tells are mainly about the sheer physical slog in search of a dream and somewhere to play. The two dead hours, for instance, that many musicians go through when they do a sound check, the constant waiting at airports, and the greasy, damp awfulness of English rock festivals in the rain.

Some of his stories are blackly funny in the Spinal Tap sense, such as when AC/DC members and friends meet and honour the 25th anniversary of the death of their original singer, who choked on his own vomit.
To collect these stories, Graham Forbes travelled to Slovenia to talk to the Bootleg Beatles, all top musicians who remind him that The Beatles never played most of their later hits on stage; to Hamburg to see Eminem who, like Chuck Berry in Glasgow, doesn't turn up; and Florida, where the fattest lady he has ever seen offers him her body at a BB King concert.

As a travel book, the random nature of Forbes's little journeys makes it no more than a lightweight companion, although his frequent digressions are sometimes amusing. But music is his primary interest and his love of rock 'n' roll is warming.

http://www.rock-til-you-drop-musicians.com/profile/GrahamForbes

New (Live) Music by Old Gits

Tonight!! Two friends of ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP: 14 Carat Grapefruit & Glamweazel play the Dublin Castle, Camden. 7:45pm: http://bit.ly/mlSdcK

New Music by Old Gits:

RTYD Member Marc Knight just added 4 songs to his profile page from his soon to be released LP 'Fully Loaded' http://bit.ly/gYhz5a

Where to buy Punks Not Dad's new EP/Where to see Punks Not Dad play

Boss Tuneage Store — Punks Not Dad - Retail Therapy EP Limited Edition CDR http://bit.ly/luzRd4

Where to see Punks Not Dad play this Saturday:

New RTYD Member Phil White asks: Is there anyone out there who manages to juggle crazy shifts and playing in a band? http://bit.ly/lcqkZg

Slot free at excellent acoustic night in central London

Slot free at excellent acoustic night in central London Sat 14 May on ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP's Mature Musicians Network http://bit.ly/kqPxKE

The Piranhas are back for a second bite

The Piranhas, the band that dominated the late ‘Seventies punk scene in Brighton before being discovered by John Peel and finding chart fame with the Kwela-inspired single ‘Tom Hark’, have reformed as Piranhas 3D.

The band has been performing to ecstatic reactions at a series of unadvertised pop-up gigs in London and on the South Coast, starting with two sell-out sets at a ‘Punk All-dayer’ in Brighton. 'They launched into it as though no years had elapsed and they had been playing together all those years,‘ blogged an audience member; ‘the crowd went mental.'

The reunion was sparked when (Boring) Bob Grover and Johnny Helmer, the band’s original songwriting team, met up again by chance in Hanover, the district of Brighton where they first came together to form the Piranhas. Over numerous drinks, they decided to give it another go.

As with their performing skills, their songwriting, has picked up where it left off. Bob and Johnny have written a clutch of new songs featuring the same hangdog wit and tightly-crafted, garage-influenced arrangements that brought them to cult, and then mainstream, success back in the last century. Titles include, ‘New Media’, ‘(The Relentless Pursuit of) Adequacy’ and ‘Ebay Baby’. John and Bob are joined in the new line-up by Owen Instereo and Steve Burnaby-Davies, the rhythm-section that powered Bob’s previous band, Dates.

With a series of successful pop-up gigs behind them, designed to work the new material in alongside old favourites (including Tom Hark, still a perennial favourite on national radio and at sporting fixtures around the land) The Piranhas 3D are now gearing up for a series of officially advertised gigs throughout 2010 and making plans to record the new material.

Piranhas 3D is:

(Boring) Bob Grover - Guitar and lead vocals

Johnny Helmer - Guitar and lead vocals

Steve Burnaby-Davies - Drums and vocals

Owen Instereo - Bass guitar and vocals

Note: Phil Collis (AKA Zoot Alors), the original saxophone player with the group, joined the line-up for the Punk All-dayer, flying in from Manhattan where he now lives. It is expected that Zoot will make future appearances with the band, as and when he can be arsed.

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Piranhas3D/140178206033192
Twitter: http://twitter.com/piranhas3D
Songkick: http://www.songkick.com/artists/236423-piranhas