FATKAT & The Beast at ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP 4 Denmark Street.

Peter Parker has taken off across the rooftops of the West End in search of a new home for his Rock 'n' Roll Club. The is a shame because I liked how ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP at Peter Parker's Rock 'n' Roll Club sounded. And I liked the guy. I hope we can co-brand events further down the road.

However, the good news is the new manager Isabelle is lovely and ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP will continue to put on events there on the first Saturday night of the month between 8-10pm.

The inaugural gig there on Saturday night went very well. Both bands made an event of the evening. The Lone Groover, Matt Russell of the Outbursts, Dove Jones and Liam Barnes of Kryptic Klu all turned out, too.

Liam's created a RTYD backdrop which was projected on the stage and looked great, and he took some film of the bands, which you can check out at ustream.tv/channel/gigvert.



FATKAT were super-professional and you can see why they are getting the supports to the likes of Eddie & the Hotrods and the Fabulous Thunderbirds. They, like The Beast (above) before them, have been going on and off since the 80s. They also have all their hair - more than their fair share in fact. So, as well as feeling inspired, I have to confess I also felt a tiny bit envious.

I videoed my bands rehearsal last night and had to sit through extended coverage of the back of my head, which I did not enjoy. I wouldn't mind losing my hair if I had a nice shaped head. And good teeth.

Note to self: Keep hat on at ALL times. And keep my mouth shut.

Back to school

This weekend is the first gig of the autumn term for RTYD. FATKAT take on The Beast at Peter Parker's Rock n Roll Club. I think these two bands are pretty well matched. Both hard and loud blues-rock, as opposed to wafty soft-blues rock - I can't stand that stuff.

And this will also be RTYD's maiden gig at this Denmark Street basement bar underneath what was formerly Regent Sounds Studio, where the Rolling Stones recorded their first album, the Kinks recorded 'You Really Got Me', Black Sabbath recorded 'Paranoid' and the Sex Pistols used to rehearse.

From 2nd October, when The Great Outdoor Experience play there, the plan is to put on monthly Saturday night 2-band gigs with performances between 8pm and 10pm. This means all those who want a reasonably night can have one. Those that don't, can stay on for the club or hit the West End.

The Outbursts & Trad Arr. at Peter Parker's

On Saturday I went to support The Outbursts at Peter Parker's Rock n Roll Club in Denmark Street. Tox of 14 Carat Grapefruit did the same. I also wanted to catch the support band Trad Arr., another band of mature musicians, and to meet them.

I lost count of the amount of musicians in Trad Arr. Among others, they have a sax player, a harmonica player and violinist. They are led by Andy Golding, who used to play in mid-80s indie band The Wolfhounds, one I completely overlooked while I immersed myself in the heavy rock of the period, simultaneously working my way though both Led Zeppelin's and Alice Cooper's back catalogue.

Anyway, after their energetic set, which was punctuated by entertaining on-stage banter and sounded at times like the Velvet Underground playing The Pogues, and at others, vice-versa, Matt Russell introduced me to their singer and guitarist Andy Golding. Another nice bloke, with another great story, this one of playing with the likes of Primal Scream, and touring in the mid-80s. Andy also fronts an acoustic version of the band, which I am hoping to book at The Libertine in July.

The Outbursts took to the stage in full punk regalia. Neale Muldowney, in kilt and dog-collar, was in punk rock heaven given the opportunity to play through a 4 x 12 Marshall stack; and loud as he was, was so 'on it', it was a joy to watch him play, and control the feedback as it leaked through the fuzz.

The band introduced their new song, the necrophiliac anthem, Dig 'Em Up & Fuck 'Em, which sounded suitably obscene, and romped through all their classic tunes, including their other new original You're Dead, an anti-tribute to Neale's predecessor. Let that be a warning to you Neale!

As Tox pointed out, The Outbursts go from strength to strength. I said it myself the last time I saw them. I do hope that soon their music will be available to download from the ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP-RECORD-SHOP. So watch this space.

The good thing about Saturday night gigs at Peter Parker's is that he only puts on two bands. This is because live music has to be over by 10:00 when the (night) club opens. Like the Libertine, this is perfect gig for mature musicians and music fans used to an early night.

And, as we all know, as well as careers and families, these days we all need our sleep.

Remind me to email PP, and suggest I sub-promote a Saturday a month there. 

Night night.

Big Back Garden Wanted

Went out to see The Stabilisers last night at a cool little basement venue in Denmark Street called Peter Parker's Rock 'n' Roll Club. Arranged to hook up there with Matt Russell of The Outbursts. It's always nice when RTYD members become friends.

Sandwiched between at least two early-mid-70s-style heavy rock bands - all beards and long hair, Jon Stabiliser et al sheared their way through the beardy hairy darkness with their snappy and witty punky little ditties. Bendy Head, being a stand out, not only because it has a slow verse, but also because it is simply a mad song. The night ended up at ground level outside the club socialising with the band.

In other news, my efforts to get a couple of thousand pound funding from Camden Council to begin establishing an annual Chalk Farm Rock-Til-You-Drop Street Music Festival (CFRTYDMF, for short) came to a measly 350 quid, which was disappointing. I have Stephen Denholm of The Mighty Caretakers to thank for his help in educating me about the bureaucratic process. Shame they didn't believe in the cause. So, if anyone has a big back garden available at the end of July, let me know.