I had 2 very contrasting gigs last week. I always seem to be able to write more about the bad ones, indeed over time they're the ones that seem to stick in my mind more. I think that's human nature, or perhaps I'm just a pessimist. No, that can't be right. A pessimist wouldn't last 5 minutes being a musician!

For example, anyone with a negative outlook on life would have probably packed up for good after Wednesday night! Seriously, it wasn't actually that bad, and at least I got to the pub before closing time.

I'm referring to the Shepherds Rest in Sowerby Bridge. This is an Ossett Brewery pub and like all their pubs it is lovely. In our area there are many crap pubs, so their's all shine out like beacons in a brewery desert. The beer is great, the scrotes aren't there, the decor is tasteful. The only disadvantage is that some are very quiet midweek and that those that are there seem un-prepared and un-interested in live music.

On this occasion it was both. At 9:00pm the pub was completely dead, no customers whatsoever. I've done my fair share of playing to virtually nobody, but drew the line this time. We agreed I should wait a while and see if anyone turned up. If not I was free to go. Unfortunately, depending on your point of view, a few punters came in, indeed by 10pm there was just about a healthy number. But yet again (and not for the first time) there was ZERO interest in what I was doing. No applause, no awareness, just ignorance beyond apathy.

I played one set for 45 minutes then went home. I really do hope it will be better this Sunday at the Drop in Elland, but I doubt it somehow. No-one wants to know. It's such a shame, because the scrote-count last Sunday at the Bridge Tavern may have been high, but at least people were willing to be entertained. It's a tough call on both sides. I only wish Ossett (who I think do a wonderful job) would consider having turns on at least once a week. At the moment, I keep getting looked at like I've got 10 heads or something. It's not very conducive and nobody wins.


I actually returned to Sowerby Bridge on the following night to have a look at The Works. This is the 3rd time I've visited what is always a busy pub, with a big room and a band on every Thursday. Here the interest is not great either, but when it's this busy it's a little easier to take. Unfortunately I feel that it's unlikely to suit my band due to the volume. The entertainment policy seems more geared towards the pretentious than the talented, so we shall just have to see.

Saturday night certainly wasn't pretentious! Back down at The Peacock my band gave it everything in front of a lively crowd. It was the second time here for us, and the second time I've come away feeling rather pleased with how things went. Given even a passing resemblance to a 'good crowd' we now have the material and musicians to really let rip. I've never felt so on top of things in a pub before. We have well-known songs and strong originals, and still enough balance to make it interesting and challenging to perform. We really need to build on these sort of nights, if only there were a dozen venues like this, we could begin to really move forward.

I'm looking forward to this Saturday (the 12th July) when we return to another good band venue, the Rock and Heifer at Thornton. I'm rather more reticent about the Drop on Sunday afternoon, but let's hope it's a bit better than Wednesday in Sowerby Bridge.

Until then, enjoy the rain :)