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| Peesh & Sam Gibson |
Another busy Bank Holiday beckoned as we headed out into new territory that would be The Travellers Rest in Witton Gilbert, Durham. This would be my first acoustic solo gig of this hectic weekend. As we entered the venue around 4:30pm it was healthily busy with bank holiday revellers indulging in drinks aplenty as well as the good food on offer. The excellent self titled wannabe champion Mr Sam Gibson was hosting today and was just finishing off his polished set as he greeted me from the performance area. My slot was 5:15pm so as soon Sam was finished he gratefully blasted some Rancid out the PA system for me as I got set up in good time. After a swift soundcheck, I was pretty much ready to roll. Kicking straight into THE BALLAD OF THE DISENCHANTED the sound was warm and sweet and I was off and running! Some top witty banter with a bunch of refreshed lasses down the front added to the enjoyment of the gig, and I also slipped in a snippet of BEHIND BLUE EYES by The Who into proceedings! Another satisfying solo gig under my belt again to an appreciative new crowd. We stayed around to check out the next few acts and enjoy a bank holiday bevvy ourselves. Jon Hodgson, J Page and Tinny Bennett all delivered top quality sets, mixing varied popular covers with splashes of their own material. As the sun was almost setting in County Durham we headed back to Northumberland with fire and beer in our bellies!
But alas this was not to be the last incident of the night! Oh no! The LoGOz/Solo mobile had other plans. Co ordinator and pilot Jill Bee, along with Manager Clemmy had been alarmed by a worrying smoking bonnet! Not good. Unfortunately and not wanting to tempt fate (Fiat) but we had broken down on the A1 route home. A few frantic calls and a few tinnies later, as the cold dusky air filled the night, the Boys in Blue complete with flashing lights saved the night by towing us out of harms way as we waited for the RAC. The final tow home was slightly hairy as Jill Bee admirably gripped the wheel to safely get us back. Phew. Never a dull moment. Great gig though. Big thanks to Acoustic Magic, everyone at The Travellers Rest, the Rozzers, RAC and to Janis who came a long way to see this gig tonight!
So onto Bank Holiday Monday and our acoustic slot at the Save Druridge Bay event at Cresswell Beach. I had a busy start to the morning as I was still working on my next 12:OTHERS Track #5. But more on this later!
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| The new Goodies? |
Basically Manager Clemmy Scotswood had been asked to organise the music section of this event which was taking place after the beach protest, and in the village hall. There was still a fresh air of uncertainty as we got to the beach at 12:30 midday. Lead guitarist Paul was also in the crew today as there was a chance for a mini LoGOz set as well as my proposed solo stint. We all trudged along the fields and sand, heading away from the village hall in search of the beach protesters. Bill Oddie was also making an appearance with a speech on the matter. At first we wandered and wondered if anyone was there at all...and not a giant kitten or funky gibbon in sight! I won't get into the heavy politics of this protest but it's basically to oppose the proposed plan to rip up the beach for a huge open cast mining project. As a regular visitor to this place as a child and as a father with my kids it made sense to support the cause. Anyway, all of a sudden as we hit the main beach we were able to see literally hundreds of people making their presence felt in what is obviously a very passionate statement to so many of the locals. There was also a tiny stage where Brian English performed his heartfelt protest song 'Druridge'. We also bumped into local punk DJ and PR Guru Keith Newman for a brief chat. Oh and there was ex Goodie and tit expert Mr Oddie himself. He happily posed for pics and pleasantries as the beach activity started to wind down and we made our way back to the village hall for our performances.
The sound system was supplied by Steve Leyland who would also be performing a solo set as well as playing with his band LOBO. As we got back to the hall it was pretty much ram packed as Mr English was braying the arse off his excellent protest song for the second time today, as well as nailing a few popular covers, including the universally effervescent 'Wonderwall' by Oasis. So as the free buffet and drinks were devoured by the hungry locals it was my turn to give them something to chew on! It's always cool to play different new places, and after recently storming a Library gig, here I was in Cresswell village hall. My set got off to a great start with a
brilliantly enthusiastic crowd of all ages and walks of life, plus local musos too. Halfway through my set I invited Paul up and we ran through LoGOz favourites 'Jubileezer' 'No Win Situation' and 'Hello Lonely' much to the joy of the audience as well as ourselves. I completed my set with a fitting 'Keep ya Timber in and ya Powder Dry' dedicated to the Ashington miners. I finished off with a frantic 'Old Punks Never Die' and 'That's Living Alright' finale. Another great gig to top off another personally triumphant weekend of successful gigs under my belt. Every one counts! The entertainment still wasn't over yet as the 5 piece Lobo squeezed into the stage area and gave a slick set of eclectic well honed covers, the highlight being 'Times Like These' by Foo Fighters. As the day was winding down, the sausage rolls hardened and the sarnies curled up at the crusts, and Bill Oddie had disappeared with a doggie bag, there was still time for one last act. Steve Leyland closed the gig with a rare acoustic solo spot. Drawing from his varied musical tastes I enjoyed this, especially his own musically complex yet lyrically honest composition. A haunting take on the classic Simon and Garfunkel Classic 'Scarborough Fair' with Lobo lead singer Donna joining him was sublime. But my favourite though had to be 'Fat Bottomed Girls' by Queen, and just as the last of the buffet cake was scoffed by..ahem, two ladies, the irony wasn't lost on this track!
So all in all another cracking day for everyone involved. Thanks to Lynn Tait, Keith Newman, Steve, Lobo, Brian English and everyone involved in making this a very successful event. Last but not least a special mention to Clemmy Scotswood in organising the acts for the day.
So onto Tuesday May 31st. The last day of the month and no rest for the wicked as they say! So for me this can only mean one thing, and that's my new 12:OTHERS song. So we are are with Track #5 the Public Image Limited classic single 'Rise'. I was a huge fan of this song as a kid so seems fitting to include it in my covers collection here in 2016. The song is written about apartheid in South Africa, and Nelson Mandela in particular. The chorus contains the line 'May the road rise with you' which is an old Irish blessing. The song reached Number 11 in the UK charts in January 1986. It's hard to believe this great song is 30 years old. I think this is my most challenging cover to date. As usual I've gone for my own arrangement, putting my own unique spin on it, while trying to stay true to the brilliant original. You can download the song for FREE from www.logozworld.com/12-others As ever it will be available until the next track is uploaded on June 30th.
I think there's just enough time to tell you about some LoGOz gig activity this coming Saturday June 4th. We will be making our debut at The Borough in Sunderland. Support comes from Temple Avenue. This event is FREE Entry so come along 8pm and let's have a blast!!!
If that isn't enough, I'm also appearing Live on Tim Coid's Radio Prudhoe North East unsigned show www.northeastunsignedradioshow.co.uk at 8pm on Sunday June 5th. I'll be playing a 15-20 minute solo acoustic set followed by an interview, as well as playing some of my exclusive recorded tracks too! So tune in for this if you can folks please!
And now breathe..
Thanks for reading
Cheerz
Peesh X
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