...then they'd probably be something like the Boot & Shoe in Ackworth!
Let's start positive this week. The Paul Jeffery Band made it's debut at the above venue on Friday and what a refreshing change it was in some respects. Sure, the crowd was pretty good and the gig went down well, but the facilities for bands....wow!!
In what is essentially a pub venue, the same as most others we do, we found that the venue had it's own PA (a proper full-range one), own lights, smoke and a stage. Then there was the icing on the cake in the form of the load-in: open a door and step straight onto the stage. I nearly forgot to mention the drum riser. No wonder so many bands want to play there, and they have a live band 3 nights a week!
I know these things may sound like fairly basic requirements for a gig but they are so rarely found all in order in most of the places we play. Virtually no venues have their own PA system for example. When we use our own, I have to take some responsibility for the sound. This is a thankless task as anyone who has done it will tell you! So having someone else to twiddle the nobs, plus the fact we don't have to carry the damn thing around, is a MAJOR plus point at a gig for me!
With all these things in place, it's easier to turn the gig into a 'show'. And our setlist is aimed at doing just that. So the whole thing is lifted several degrees before we've even played a note. OK, there were some calling out for Van Halen at the end of 'White Room', but even this turned into the champagne moment of the night as I was able to play the hackneyed synth intro of 'Jump' in the middle of 'Hell Freezes Over'! Listen to the song, when it gets to the end of the instrumental it just fits perfectly. Oh how we laughed.....if only said hecklers were still in the room when we did it!
So overall, a fanstastic night and a fanstastic venue. Take me back there please!!
The previous night of another busy week saw me back at The Hop doing a solo set this time. Whilst the audience weren't overly keen on clapping and listening, the night went pretty well and it's nice to see so many events happening at this place, long may it continue.
It was a shame Saturday night followed on from the Boot & Shoe, as the gig at the Bell & Crown in Snaith was rather disappointing. We didn't get much of a reception, just a couple of beer mats thrown, unlike the previous two visits where we had a very good crowd. Still, can't win them all!
I sent out a very short ezine last week to all the mailing list letting them know the album will be on it's way soon. I now have the artwork and all the parts are recorded. I'm still finalising the mixes (or tinkering as it's also known) so there should be more news on this soon.
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