RoxyRama Drama!

OK - here's the news then (see previous post teaser)!

FinBass (Splinter) asked me a couple of months back if I'd be interested in putting together a Roxy Music tribute band. For why, I hear you ask? Well - seems it's something he'd been mulling over for a while then he bumped into a Bryan Ferry lookalike singer and he thought - why not? Also - there's noone doing this in the North at present so it's an empty marketplace. There's a pretty good one down South - but we won't be going down there so that's not a problem. So - we recruited NickGuitar (Splinter) plus NeilKeyboard (Atomic) and GrahamSax (of no fixed band at the time) and started rehearsals. The agreement was - 3 rehearsals to see what it sounded/felt like, then make a decision whether to carry on. Little did we know this was to become one of the more fluid line-ups we've dealt with!

First off - after the 3 rehearsals, GrahamSax left the line-up. We didn't really see eye to eye on how we were going about things so that was that. Fortunately, I knew a talented young muso (Moz) who could play sax (just happens to be our Lucy's chap)! So - we recruited him as a willing volunteer. Then a couple of rehearsals on, NickGuitar decided it really wasn't for him, so he left. Fortunately (again) FinBass knew a guitarist kicking his heels, so SimonGuitar joined us - for two rehearsals before he decided he couldn't commit due to his business. FinBass starts looking for another guitarist (has someone in mind) when NickGuitar (Splinter) says he's changed his mind and wished he'd stayed on board. So he was and that line-up has now lasted for at least 2 weeks! Damn good job too as we've got our first gig on 2 December. Low key job for NeilKeyboard's works Christmas do at a Leeds Uni out-post. We're going to be stretched to do an hour (some additional emergency guitar and sax solos will help here) and it'll be a bit rough and ready. However, first big proper gig is at The New Roscoe in February 2007 so lots of work to do for then.

There's lots of interest in the band - check out the myspace site http://profile.myspace.com/115679431 and the New Roscoe could be a busy night - no pressure there then!

More RoxyRama Drama as it unfolds!!!!!!

Musings on Muse

Muse have been one my fave bands for a while now. Seen them twice before last Saturday - Leeds Festival just as Absolution was coming out, then on the actual Absolution tour. They were fab and when I got tickets to see them on this tour, was looking forward to it immensley. However - nothing could have prepared me for the completely stunning and out of this world spectacle that is now a Muse show. We saw them at Sheffield Hallam Arena and from what's being said on various websites, it seems we caught one of the best of the tour to date. They were on fire (Dom almost literally at one point with the fantastic light show). The sound was crystal clear and the mix of songs - old and new - perfect. But what capped it all was the completely mesmeric stage show - it's seems churlish to call it a "Light Show". It goes way beyond anything I've experienced before - and that includes Bowie (many times), Pink Floyd (circa Dark Side/early Wish You Were Here) and more recently Coldplay. Muse have taken the whole thing to another level and I can't see how anyone (maybe even them?) can beat it. It's impossible to describe - you have to go and see to believe. Honestly - it's that good. We're now totally obsessed with Muse in our house and it's impossible to get through a day without talking about/listening to something Muse-like!

Long time no see - time to catch up!

Many, many excuses. First of all (and no small problem) I've had little or no internet access at home for almost 2 months. Don't get time at work to do this - so I'm way behind. Same with the Splinter site news - got some real catching up to do! Also - lots of stuff been happening so here it is, in no particular order.

Once we'd got through the summer holidays and a quiet time for Splinter, gigs began to build up again. Not content with this though, Fin and I decided to inflict even more pain on ourselves and start up a new band - a tribute to Bryan Ferry and Roxy Music - see other posts for more details! Then Christine and I went through a mixed bag of emotions as we visited various Uni's up and down the country as Tom and Lucy were both off at the same time. Tom went for Sheffield Hallam and Lucy Leicester de Montfort and time came soon enough for them both to leave home. Tears and happy all at the same time and some adjusting to do at home. Work's been mental for both of us and with regular gigs and far too many rehearsals than are healthy, time has just vanished. Not content with playing in Splinter and the Roxy band (I told you, see other posts for more info!), I also did the Musical Director bit (with a bit of playing) for a scratch works band to play at Connect Housing's Christmas Party. Playing and rehearsing in 3 bands at the same time is not the work of a sane person. Thankfully, the Christmas Party has been and gone (yes, it was an early one) and I'm back down to just the two bands now. There's a bit of a headlong rush to Christmas, then a couple of weeks break into the New Year.

The other musical projects came to nothing - particularly disappointed with the France trip which never transpired, even after a personal visit from the slightly famous (in his own lunchtime) Mr Tillison. Check out The Tangent if you can by the way - not everyone's cup of tea but worth a listen.

I'm sure there's ton's more, but I can't remember it all in one go so sod it, I'm off. See more posts for more stuff as it comes back"