Friday tea time and I’m driving home from work, looking forward to the gigs we have lined up, Cleveland Hotel in Redcar that night and The Grand Hotel in Bishop Auckland on the Saturday. I was loaded with cold but managed to convince myself I’d ‘get by’ vocally. Holy shit!!!! ‘CRASH’ The lady driving in front of me slams on her brakes to stop and talk to her friend she’s just seen walking down the street, no signal or pre warning of any kind and predictably, I screech into the back of her. Now anyone who’s had experience with this type of prang will know that it makes no difference whether she was on a mobile phone, eating a pizza or giving herself a pedicure at the wheel, it’s still going to be my fault. Any way, my car was cracked and bent a bit, luckily, her car only suffered a slight scuff, (the repair company will still pull my eyes out I have no doubt), fortunately, the lady was completely unhurt and pleasant to deal with so matters got settled easily. As a result of this I had to rely on the other lads mucking in so we could go ahead with the weekends gigging, which they all did a great job I must say and I really appreciate them putting them selves out due to my dodgems antics. Must also say big thank you to Edgey for the lift home on Saturday night and I hope he found the Chinese takeaway ok. Cheers mate.

Now for the gig reports…..(hands rubbing together)

I was just applying some deodorant as Wayne arrived asking where Gene Wilder was, the reason for him asking this was because earlier in the day I sent him a text explaining that the exceptionally strong winds blasting the north east had left me looking like Gene wilder swinging from pylons, I looked like the love child of Back to the Futures Doctor Emmet Brown and Mungo Jerry. We picked up some of my gear and headed off with Paul following close behind. We arrived ok and set up, sound checked etc. We also noticed how much effort the boss had gone to, to advertise us, with adverts on the tables and various other stuff which was great. We had a decent turn out, but we would always enjoy playing there regardless. Nice to see familiar faces every time, particularly one bunch of lads, one of which cancelled a work shift to come and see us, you’s know who you are…cheers lads, and we’ll try and learn that Velvet Revolver one ha ha ha

Thoroughly enjoyed, despite the technical hiccups. Wayne’s equipment refused to work halfway through the second set, so Paul, Mal and I had to continue as a three piece while Wayne fiddled and tinkered to no avail before retiring to the bar and pulling up a seat, well pissed off at the fact that this shouldn’t happen to a 1300 snots, mesa boogie amp. He returned to the stage for a couple of numbers with Mal taking over on bass and me on drums for one song. Still, even with these setbacks the gig and audience were terrific as usual and looking forward to going back. My hat once again goes off to the crowd and staff of the Cleveland!

Last nights gig blew us away, the venue being The Grand Hotel in Bishop Auckland. We arrived, set up ‘n’ that, sound checked ok. I was mega fearful of my voice that evening due to it being the second night of trying to sing with a cold. People were literally flocking in and in no time the place was absolutely packed, all those people for us? You’re kidding! I was pleased to see that Wayne was alive and well when I got there, as no one had hear anything from him since the previous night in Redcar. He managed to borrow another amp from a good friend of ours, Mark Proctor, who plays guitar in a band called Atmosfear, check them out if you haven’t seen them. Thanks for that Marky lad! Get in touch and sort a night on the tubes man!

Gig was brilliant from start to finish and I still can’t get over how many were there, thanks to absolutely everyone who came to see us that night. Hope we made trip worthwhile, you all certainly did for us that’s for sure. Can’t believe the voice still managed to handle some Iron Maiden at the end of the night! But by all accounts it sounded great….phew.

Back to the Grand in September, so we’ll see you all then…..Can’t f***ing wait!

AWA' N 'OOT

Gibbeaux