Ed’s first gig.

Another gig at… well… erm … Tara Leisure again. And though there didn’t seem to have been much publicity, it was Eddie’s first one and my Mum and Dad were coming. I was quite looking forward to it.

Not much to report really. It was a good night. Could’ve done with more people in – that room is hard work when it’s not full – and we all played well and enjoyed ourselves. Eddy did a great job for his first gig.

We do need to get out to some different venues though. I’m hassling Diver for a Sunday afternoon cancellation at the Lib (he’s booked up for years) and Hippy Dave is sorting something out in Staly Vegas. Might be time to get an agent?

How it all came to be

just been having a look through some old facebook pages, if anyone was not sure how ‘Remote’ became ‘What was once remote’ to (no surprise)’The Steve Tuck Experiance’ and how it all came about this is it. YES before Al’s 40th, YES before any sighting of musical differences, YES before Gary Shaw quit AGAIN and YES before BIG AL quit (please feel free to add any large ammount of numbers here) times before finally going and YES before a new member arrived, it was all down to one thing.

STEVE TUCKS MULLET

VIVA LA MULLET
VIVA LA MULLET

The mullet in question

Steven Tuck I never knew I had a mullet. Why didn’t anyone tell me?
30 January 2009 at 00:10 · LikeUnlike
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Alan Nield I did… it ended in fistycuffs in Spennymoor, remember? Poor little Chris, trying to get in-between you and me! Mullet-head!
30 January 2009 at 07:06 · LikeUnlike
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Sarah Evelyn Amy Smith That ‘do is amazing!!! I think you should defo ressurect it
30 January 2009 at 08:27 · LikeUnlike
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Chris Wright I think we might, if we can all get together
30 January 2009 at 17:17 · LikeUnlike
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Steven Tuck Al That wasn’t the noble art of the fisycuff. As I remember it was a couple of drunks flailing around – well one anyway.

Sarah: Thanks but some mistakes should not be repeated

Chris: I’m up for that but I’m not resurrecting the mullet.
30 January 2009 at 20:48 · LikeUnlike
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Chris Wright Can we get hold of someone to bash the skins? I’ll have to have a word with our Nick see if he’s up for it. We could do Leisure, now that would be a re-union!!
31 January 2009 at 01:27 · LikeUnlike
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Steven Tuck Course we could. Any monkey could do that gig. What’s wrong with Fairfoule doing it?
31 January 2009 at 02:00 · LikeUnlike
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Chris Wright If Gaz is up for it, that would be some thing! And thinkin about it, NO don’t bring back the mullet.
31 January 2009 at 09:40 · LikeUnlike
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Chris Wright I have spoken to Nick and he is up for it. Lets make a dte. its ok saying we will will do it! Lets get it on!!!!!!!!
01 February 2009 at 01:31 · LikeUnlike
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Steven Tuck Oooh you asking me out for a date? OK what are we going to do on this date and where should it be?
01 February 2009 at 11:46 · LikeUnlike
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Chris Wright Yeh, a date! And anything goes (musically of course).I’ll have to get in touch with Al and see what we can arrange, not sure were it will be though
01 February 2009 at 16:00 · LikeUnlike
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Steven Tuck Good on yer mate. Looking forward to it.
01 February 2009 at 16:32 · LikeUnlike · Report
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Steven Tuck Hang on is that Roy on the drums or Gaz Sticks? I don’t remember Roy having double bass drums.
01 February 2009 at 16:33 · LikeUnlike · Report
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Gary Fairfoull i’m up for it…..that is me with the double bass, Alan is really feeling it on this picture…and the that one punch fight was in Bishop Auckland…
02 February 2009 at 10:47 · LikeUnlike ·
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Gary Fairfoull and remember Ste.Alan said we were not taking the gig seriously, but i think the 4 people in the audience thought we were great…..
02 February 2009 at 10:51 · LikeUnlike ·
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Steven Tuck Ha Ha Brilliant so much to catch up on I can’t wait. I thought it was you; double bass drum, hat couldn’t be anyone else.
02 February 2009 at 13:23 · LikeUnlike · Report
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Gary Fairfoull New Drum Kit £1500, Big bag of drugs £500, Cheesing it with your old band mates……….Priceless
02 February 2009 at 13:38 · LikeUnlike ·
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Steven Tuck Do you still use your floor tom as a table for your stash, poppers and sweets?
02 February 2009 at 13:41 · LikeUnlike · Report
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Gary Fairfoull No. I’m a good boy now.
02 February 2009 at 13:50 · LikeUnlike ·
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Gary Fairfoull i have given up sweets..
02 February 2009 at 16:16 · LikeUnlike ·
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Steven Tuck I’m glad to hear it – I will never try to order a mars bar and a pot noodle from a petrol station again
02 February 2009 at 16:24 · LikeUnlike · Report
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Gary Fairfoull oooohhhh that was a great night….sat up talking nonsense and watching once upon a time man… remember the white pill ‘your not getting in here mate’
02 February 2009 at 16:40 · LikeUnlike ·
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Chris Wright Fond memories, or what!!! Where was the place we did up north where Al had billed us as a “6 piece band with brass section” He was always full of shit. And don’t forget a kebab with Hot chilli sauce, as much as you want for me. We need to sort out some place to get together now
02 February 2009 at 16:43 · LikeUnlike · Report
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Gary Fairfoull did you not have an inflatable saxaphone.. would that have counted for a brass section….i can sort a place for rehearsing
02 February 2009 at 16:54 · LikeUnlike ·
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Chris Wright I’m ready whenever every one can get there….. I’m feelin a bit gidy now
02 February 2009 at 17:07 · LikeUnlike · Report
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Gary Fairfoull are you going to Al’s on Saturday
02 February 2009 at 17:13 · LikeUnlike ·
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Steven Tuck I’m going to try to call in at Al’s on Saturday – see you there?
02 February 2009 at 20:07 · LikeUnlike · Report
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Chris Wright I don’t Know anything about Al’s on Saturday… Have you let the cat out of the bag….? Mind you Al’s a celeb now and does’nt associate with riff-raff like me, he does’nt even let on in the street
02 February 2009 at 20:17 · LikeUnlike · Report
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Steven Tuck It’s his birthday or something. Kind of informal invite by email. I’ll dig it up tomorrow with the chump. I’m sure it’s nothing
03 February 2009 at 00:45 · LikeUnlike · Report
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Alan Nield
The little cock has had the same “informal” invite as everyone else. Oh dear, the bullying has started already! Joy or fookin’ joys! Can’t wait for the reunion at Tara…

As for the not letting on in the street, stop being small and insignif…icant Chris and you won’t have an issue!

So then… brass section at the ready, going to go and trade in the Trace Elliot for and old Peavey keyboard amp later today, kebab purchased from Neath and big bag o’ talc from Burberry wearing chav, just to keep the drummer at 180bpm!

Can’t wait! See you all Saturday… f***ers!See more
03 February 2009 at 06:11 · LikeUnlike · Report
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Gary Fairfoull i’m not remembering the kebab from neath thing, can someone jog my memory…..
03 February 2009 at 08:16 · LikeUnlike ·
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Alan Nield That was the “H O T” one you were referring to earlier! That was the night you couldn’t order the Pot Noodle and Mars Bar from the garage and the same night I lost one shoe at the same place too! Chris ended up walking around the park in the centre of Neath until stupid o’clock and (if I remember rightly) we also got chucked out of the digs?
03 February 2009 at 08:21 · LikeUnlike · Report
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Alan Nield Just for the record, the Pot Noodle incident was quite clearly THE funniest thing I’ve ever seen in my life. No words can come close to explaining how funny it was! Wasn’t it the same garage that Tucky was pissing up the back wheel of the van as I was filling it up… with one shoe on?
03 February 2009 at 08:23 · LikeUnlike · Report
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Steven Tuck Ha ha If only we had video cameras back then. You paint a wonderful picture Al. I remember your shoe. Did it ever turn up?
03 February 2009 at 09:19 · LikeUnlike · Report
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Alan Nield Did I bollocks! I was gutted about that shoe!
03 February 2009 at 09:56 · LikeUnlike · Report
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Gary Fairfoull forget the shoe, remind me of the kebab.
03 February 2009 at 09:58 · LikeUnlike ·
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Steven Tuck Gaz, there was this kebab…
03 February 2009 at 14:34 · LikeUnlike · Report
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Gary Fairfoull Please continue….
03 February 2009 at 14:50 · LikeUnlike ·
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Chris Wright We went into a kebab shop in Neath. me and Al wanted a kebab. When he asked if we wanted chilli sauce I said “yah as hot as you have got”, bastard thing nearly blew me head off. I was drinkin water for about 2 hours after and I could sing 2 octaves higher
03 February 2009 at 17:11 · LikeUnlike · Report
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Chris Wright Oh yeh thanks for the invite, got it last night at 10.00pm. I’ll be there mate
03 February 2009 at 17:12 · LikeUnlike · Report
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Chris Wright I did’nt know I was small?
03 February 2009 at 17:13 · LikeUnlike · Report
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Steven Tuck Hey Wrighty where were you tonight at Big Al’s birthday. Only me and Sticks turned up. Great to see Al and Jo both lovely people. Everyone keen to do band thing. We’re going to set up a meeting where we all can get together and make some plans.
08 February 2009 at 00:06 · LikeUnlike · Report
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Chris Wright I e-mailed Al on Thursday to tell him. I was gonna come but our Lynsey is singing in the pubs and clubs now, and she got booked to do a gig at a pub in Lees. They only rang her on Thursday it was a cancillation. She’s to small to set the gear up herself so Me and Maz have to go with her; so we could’nt make it. It would have been nice to see you all though. If you set up a date to get together count me in deffo.
08 February 2009 at 15:20 · LikeUnlike · Report
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Steven Tuck Lads. I’ve lost the plot with these arrangements and don’t who’s supposed to be doing what, why and when. Somebody make a decision.
24 February 2009 at 20:36 · LikeUnlike · Report
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Chris Wright I’ve just got back from Portugal….. I was under the impression we were all meeting at the Grotton hotel on Thursday 26th….Are we….arn’t we someone let me know…. I do’nt want to be sat there on my lonesome like some ageing rock star that never was saying “I used to be in a band you know”
25 February 2009 at 01:28 · LikeUnlike · Report
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Julie Shaw GAry says: I’m up for it too..better get a practice session booked!! Are you meeting on the 26th?? I’ll be there get Al to give me a ring if we are. ‘I used to be in a band you know!’
25 February 2009 at 07:49 · LikeUnlike · Report
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Gary Fairfoull yes we are meeting on the 26th, the question is are we just meeting for a pint and a chat or are we jumping straight in and having a jam.
just need a time.
i was in a band as well you know
25 February 2009 at 08:29 · LikeUnlike ·
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Chris Wright Lets get it on strieght away, I need to know so I can bring a P.A
25 February 2009 at 10:05 · LikeUnlike · Report
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Alan Nield I have a bass guitar!!!! Can I come?
25 February 2009 at 12:55 · LikeUnlike · Report
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Julie Shaw what time are we meeting at the grotton pub on thursday is it just to get together cause ill have to find tambourine otherwise. thanks gary
25 February 2009 at 17:31 · LikeUnlike · Report
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Julie Shaw gary says
what colour wigs are we wearing
25 February 2009 at 17:32 · LikeUnlike · Report
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Gary Fairfoull any time you want, should we say 7 – 7.30 ish, if anybody needs anything picking up during the day i can send the van round. my number is 07748 908 100. hhmmmmmm grey wigs might be the right call
25 February 2009 at 20:04 · LikeUnlike ·
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Steven Tuck OK I’ll be there but I reckon no gear just chat. We really should hang out, have a laugh, reminisce and decide what it is we’re going to do.

Jumping in without any planning will end up as a pile of fisharse.
25 February 2009 at 20:49 · LikeUnlike · Report
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Gary Fairfoull i’m ok with that, whatever everyone wants
25 February 2009 at 20:56 · LikeUnlike ·
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Alan Nield That Tucky chap is playing boss again! It’s not his band…. IT’S MINE!!!!
25 February 2009 at 21:17 · LikeUnlike · Report
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Steven Tuck Sorry mate, I don’t mean to sound bossy. Just a thought I’m happy to go with the flow.
25 February 2009 at 21:20 · LikeUnlike · Report
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Alan Nield lol… Do you remember going for that Peavey Bandit to Blackpool? we had a day out to collect that baby!
25 February 2009 at 21:21 · LikeUnlike · Report
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Alan Nield In fact, I think we went in you Ford Escort, when you used to live near Warbies Bakery and we stopped off at your Mum and Dad’s in Aspul on the way! Jeez… what a memory!
25 February 2009 at 21:24 · LikeUnlike · Report
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Steven Tuck Ha yes. Them were the days. You couldn’t do that these days, what with the environment an’ all. My current amp is driven solely by wind power. That’s a point I’d better check that amp the last time I used it it was buggered. Second thoughts I’ll leave it, I’ll be reet.
25 February 2009 at 21:25 · LikeUnlike · Report
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Gary Fairfoull lets look at it this way (turn screen upsidedown) its still says the same to me. nothing.
2 votes needed, jamming or not and a time.
i say just a chat and 7 o’clock.
who’s next
26 February 2009 at 08:17 · LikeUnlike ·
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Chris Wright Your probably right Tucky, without a plan we’ed be f……d. I will be there at 8.15, that gives you lot enough time to slag me off before I get there.Our Nick is still undecided what to do yet, I’m still working on him. He cannot make it tonight he is in London at a meeting. See you all tonight

Remote’s Next

OK so Al left and Eddie jumped in. Turning up at the first rehearsal we went through both sets without stopping. We were, and still are impressed. So we’ve had a couple more rehearsals since, polished up the tunes and spent some time on the desk improving the sound. It’s our first gig with the new line up tomorrow and I’ve got to admit we’re really looking forward to it. We’re all confident with the songs and each other, nerves have vanished and we’re having a bloody good time. And that’s what it’s all about.

See you there!

By the way. See what I did there with the title? Remote’s Next! You know like Who’s Next? As in The Who? Who’s Next?

tara

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Setting up

Apart from: meet at the rehearsal studio at 11am I wasn’t sure what the arrangements were for the day.  Running a bit late I spotted Gaz on his way to Tara, spun the car round and gave chase. The lads had been hard at work branding the stage in my absence which, together with Gary’s new bass drum skin and the backdrop, looked fantastic. Al forgot to bring a bass but thi did give  Zuni the opportunity to go for a spin in his open top car with him to pick it up. We soon realised that the Manchester derby was due to start at 1.30 and scupper our leisurely set up and sound check. We decided to set up, and come back at 4pm for a sound check. So after a quick game of pool with Zuni I went back home.

tara april 2010

Soundcheck

Even with Gary’s new snare drum it soon became apparent that we would have to mic up the kit and I was so close to my amp that guitar needed to go through the PA too. We managed to cobble enough gear together and with the invaluable help of Dave Taylor out front we got a good sound, albeit in an empty room.

The gig

Lots of people turned up, including my old mate Graeme Lang again  – always good to see that fella and Jimmy Penhall. I’d even managed to talk Jess into letting me bring Zuni – her first gig watching her dad’s band – she’d been looking forward to it for ages. Rather than create a strict set list we had a loose idea of what we wanted to do and a list of songs. This seemed to work and nerves soon evaporated as we slipped into a relaxed start. I found it quite odd that the ‘front row’ of the audience was relatively far back and though I knew it wasn’t it made the room feel empty. The band played well, the audience enjoyed it, we got a bonus from the club and were asked to play there on New Years Eve!

tara april 2010

There were some great pictures (and even a video) taken at the gig. Thanks to Danny Shep for his fantastic photographs.

I had to dash off at the end of the gig to get Zuni home. I missed whatever arrangements were made about collecting and storing the gear but picked up on some communication later in the week on facebook that it had been done and that Al had quit again.

I would have provided a link to Al’s ‘blog’ post on the gig but as it isn’t really a blog but another broadcast channel it lacks the standard features of a blog, notably the ability to link to individual posts and – more importantly – it lacks the option to leave comment. Instead I have reproduced it here.

tara april 2010

tara april 2010

Remote back at Tara Leisure by Big Al

Well, they called the gig “17 Years Of Amnesia!” Remote finally played Tara Leisure again, after huge gap, on Saturday night.

It all came about after a slightly drunken meeting at my 40th birthday bash, when it seemed like a good idea to get an old band, Remote, back together. We’d played together for many years, but as most bands do, we all drifted in our own directions after a while.

To me, it seems to have taken way too long to get to this point and if I was totally honest, I stopped enjoying the reunion a while ago. But once I’ve started something, I’ve got to see it through. The frustration to me now is that I want to be out there every week playing in local venues, but most of the other guys don’t. So what’s the point in carrying it on?

But Saturday night came and the venue was busy. The band was spot on, as was the light show and mainly due to a good ear from a guitarist mate of mine in the audience, the sound was amazing too! We also were delighted to have a guy take some photo’s of the night and they have come out sensationally! My advice to you would be to keep your eye out for Remote playing live near you soon… they are damn hot right now!

sticks and a logo

remote logo

“Have you seen ’em?” Gaz says as I enter the rehearsal studio.

“What?”

“The logos I’ve put on the posters”

“How could I have seen them? Where are they?”

“I’ve stuck ’em on the doors on the way in”

“They can’t be that good then if I’ve just walked right past them without noticing”

“I saw them dad” said Zuni

Peter Saville

So off I went to take a look. The first one a kind of silver blue metalic theme. I thought this one was OK but a little cold and not really my thing. Off we went downstairs to look at the second one. It was Stunning! Completely different from the first in colour, style and approach. I loved it, and not least because I thought  it ehoed Peter Saville’s iconic work for Factory Records – not that I’m comparing us in any way to anything Factory produced (Oh! to do something even close) but the Factory Records/Manchester/Post Punk era is a time dear to my heart.

I’ve also noticed an optical illusion which adds further interest. The whole thing seems  not to sit straight on the page or screen.  Very clever. Either a happy accident or Sticks has talents he has kept hidden 🙂

lights, no camera, action!

The new lights arrived! We dismantled the smoke alarm (lesson learned from previous smoke machine trial) and, together with the laser and the smoke machine, set ’em all up for to see what they looked like. I never seem to remember to take my camera when we’re doing stuff like this so end up with a poor quality video from my mobile phone. Still it’s better than nothing.

Best viewed with the sound off 🙂

dipping birdy thing

We’ve made a decision! And it only took 5 days! We’re rehearsing on Thursday, at 7pm, until 10pm and we’re concentrating on Don’t Stop and Mr Brownstone, then doing the other stuff!

Then Al cracked this really funny joke about not being able to make it on Thursday! It was really funny. Possibly even the funniest thing I have ever heard. Funnier in fact than anything. I mean, imagine getting all the funniest comedians in the world together in one big room, with the funniest jokes in the world ever. And then getting a big audience of people who really like a good laugh. And getting some beer. And creating a really good atmosphere. And then you get all the comedians to come on stage and tell all the funny jokes and stuff… Well it was even funnier than that. And I’m not even kidding.

But we got this minor classic from Sticks:

if/when Alan does, one we have a replacement, we need the following

one bass guitar
one glass of water
and one of these

dipping birdy thing

dipping birdy thing by steven tuck is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non-Commercial-Share Alike 2.0 UK: England & Wales License.
Based on a work at remotediary.wordpress.com.

tara norman

Rehearsal went quite well considering it was thrown together at the last minute because Al found out that he couldn’t make it on Thursday. Some debate over the start of All or Nothing so I’ve posted the vid. We are all in at the begining.

We (excluding Al – who had to dash off early) called in at Tara Leisure for a pint and a chat with Vinie about a gig which we booked for 17th April. At Last! Looking forward to it, should be a good night.

We also had a chat about setting the gear up properly  in the rehearsal studio (micing up the drums, guitart etc) and sketching out a set up diagram.

don’t stop quitting

Spent a while on Don’t Stop Believing by Journey. The problem is: Chris sings it great in D major but the guitar sounds pants in anything but E major which is just a tad too high for Chris. Will give it a week or two to bed in and if Chris is still not comfortable with it in E then it will be a far better option to have pants guitar rather than pants vocals.

Mr Brightside – sounding good, going to be a winner. Guitar part now under way but I’m not going to do that inhuman stretch on the pre-chorus section because I don’t want to break my wrist.

We discussed the guitar solo on Mardy Bum which I still want to do on a kazoo – note to self: Remember to buy a kazoo.

Nick talked about dropping Valerie and cited my dislike of the song as justification but I’m happy to keep it in as I’d prefer to do it than a some of the old stuff that we’ve got in the set.

Oh and… yawn… Al quit again so I’ve put Craig Fletcher on speed dial.