Trying to
keep up with events in the World has for all the reasons in Episode 1 been very
difficult, but there has been one event so dominant in the News that it cannot
be ignored by The Masher, nor would you expect it to be ignored given one of
the Masher’s regular songs. The much
anticipated demise of the Thatcher woman.
I’m sorry if
some consider my views distasteful or lacking in respect. I would simply ask, did she ever show respect
to the workers and weak in our Society, not that she recognised that there was
such a concept as Society.
I was asked
recently why I found her such a vile person, and I found that I didn’t need to
even think. The destruction of the
University Arts Departments, especially Social Science to the Trade Union
Movement ; The State lies she spread about the Miners and the Hillsborough victims,
including the way she used the Police ; The destruction of our Nationalised
Industries that has led to virtually all our utilities being owned by overseas
Companies ; The dismantling of real apprenticeships for young people ; ripping
the heart out of whole communities, and providing no hope for the future :
And we are
only just beginning to fully reap the seeds she sowed, from housing shortages
to a generation of selfish Tory Millionaires who could not give a toss for the
likes of the common man. Indeed one
could argue that her reach went far beyond the Tory Party and deep into the
Labour Party that has now become the victim of faceless career politicians
lacking any sense of Socialist principle, including Blair and his cronies.
What’s worse
is that the expensive near State Funeral, and let’s face it this was a day
for the men of power and the
establishment, was planned under Blair!!!
I hope he doesn’t think that he is going to get am similar send off.
Listening to
her apologists attempting to rewrite history for a whole week, comparing her to
the likes of Churchill, simply on the basis that she won more Elections and was
in power for longer simply turned the tummy, as did all the tears they shed for
the Thatcher family, basically constituted of a racist and an alleged illegal
arms dealer, and failed African coup financier. No tears
from me.
Enough said,
and like the whole of Goldthorpe I was a Dancing on The Grave ………………
And so to
the music.
And since I
last typed a few words RAE have been behind three promotions. As part of the “Live At The Trades” programme The
East Street Band, despite a technical issue in the first set, played an
excellent set of the more popular Bruce Springsteen numbers, and some not so
well known. Front man, or vocalist as
I’m sure he would prefer Steve Gascoigne really has his role as “the Boss” well
and truly nailed down, and the performance was one of 100% raw energy.
The East
Street Band is just one example of a local Band that do not get the full
recognition they deserve in their home Town, while making waves all around the
outer parameters of South Yorkshire.
There was an excellent turn out at the Venue, despite the two day Prog
Rock Festival that was grinding away at
Magna, indeed we provided shelter to one or two frozen refugees. Much that I welcome big music events to Rotherham
the attraction of paying over £120 for two days in sub-zero temperatures is
beyond my comprehension no matter how big the Band may have been twenty years
ago.
Supporting
the East Street Band we had the fabulous Tom
Killner Band. Such massive talent. I fear though that the Band will drop into
that big hole marked “specialist niche appeal”.
There are just so many absolutely brilliant blues bands playing locally
but in my view Tom is a stand out, I just hope that someone recognises the
talent and gives him a break. Check out
Tom’s music HERE
One young
man, who is currently working extremely hard and making quite a stir both
locally and nationally, is John “Lennon”
McCullagh. At only fifteen he is
playing some special Gigs from London to Manchester and beyond. We’ve secured John to appear at the Youth Festival at The Trades on 4th
May and we can also announce that amongst many of the hardened semi pros on
duty will be Graham Oliver and Steve
Dawson; they will be circulating around the Bands throughout the afternoon
offering encouragement etc. You can
check John “Lennon” McCullagh’s music HERE
The turnout
for the Havana Rocks gig was just a
little disappointing, but still nonetheless encouraging in as far as we were
featuring three bands performing mainly original music. Unfortunately Diamond Velocity could not play the night because of bass player
problems. We’ve often commented “show me
a bass player and we’ll show you a problem”.
I’m told that the vacancy has been filled and that the Band will be back
in full rocking mode for the O2 Academy event.
So our
thanks to Whiskey Spirit for standing
in at very short notice, a super band of young musicians playing a mixture of
covers and original songs. The Band are
currently making a name for themselves around the pub venues of South Yorkshire
and you can see why as their play list bouncy and their delivery is
together. Again our thanks, and the
Band will be appearing again at the Youth Festival on May 4th.
The second
support Band For Pete’s Sake are
another local Band fast making a name for themselves playing their variety of
Indie sounding covers and originals. It
was great to see the Band in full set mode I having previously caught them
performing at Slamfest. I hope that I’ll
be forgiven for saying that the year has been good for them and that the
improvement was noticeable. They also
show that we rockers have nothing to worry about with young Bands like this in
Rotherham. But why take my word for it? Why not come along to The Youth Festival where
they will be playing on the 4thMay details HERE And did I mention that some of the
performers will have the chance to meet
Dr Feelgood who are playing at The Civic on the 4th. A little Birdie tells me that there are
still loads of tickets available for that one.
Sandwiched
between the two Live at The Trades Events, RAE re-launched Acoustic Rotherham –
and not before time I say. Tony at The
Bridge in Rotherham hosted putting on a wonderful spread of sandwiches at
halftime and Steve Chapman-Smith who provided some expert sound – a class act.
We had a
super line up even with poor Dave Kidman wrapped up tightly in his bed. Del
Scott-Miller all the way from Barnsley got the afternoon underway with a
really entertaining set of covers and original songs. Del has already done a warm up slot at a Live
At The Trades for us, but this performance I found better and more convincing
which I put down to him standing up. I
know we’ll be seeing more of Del in the future, given that his Band are already
booked into Slamfest.
Ian Whitehead has become a bit of an
Acoustic Rotherham veteran now and it was fantastic to welcome him back. He just gets better every time I see him, in
terms of his guitar technique, vocals and most of all his very talented song
writing. I know that Ian will be playing
some of the Slamfest acoustic stages and may also be spotted on Busking Day on
31st August.
Sadly this
was Mr Phillip Hartley’s final live
performance. What a pity. He was absolutely brilliant playing through a
selection of his best songs. Phillip Some might remember
that he was for a short time a Masher, but I think the music stand falling off
the stage stunt at a Festival was a step too far, even for him. But don’t you think that he has gone away, oh
no, he’s still very much creating music with his “Suphusion” electronic music project - you can sample it HERE Oh his timing – would
you believe it? The performance was all
timed nicely, fast songs fast, slow songs slow. Phillip has
been a friend of Acoustic Rotherham from the very start and I’m proud to count
him amongst the best of friends, both personally and as key supporter of
Acoustic Rotherham.
Our first
duo whoops trio of the day was Keystone Acoustic. I think I’ve got problems but poor Pete was
diagnosed with mouth cancer at the end of last year and has undergone some
major reconstructive surgery since I last saw him. And it was great to see him looking in such
good health. And the duo is now a trio
as they have been joined by Paul on bass guitar, adding more depth to their
music making. Yes I know, Peter Paul and
(Mary) Pam or the three Ps as I was told.
Excellent set as usual and Paul did really well as he was being thrown
in at the deep end after only a seven hour tutorial the day before.
What can one
say about the master that is Paul
Pearson. Thirty minutes seemed to
fly by as Paul gently guided us along a silky path of song and poetry. Currently Paul is playing the under card of
loads of Festivals across the North and he is not to be missed, especially in
solo mode where he excels.
And then by
contrast the day’s sound man Steve
Chapman-Smith took to the stage, filling The Bridge with his fantastic deep
voice and guitar work. It was his first
Acoustic Rotherham since the demise of the Troubadors. Since turning solo Steve has been playing the
length and width of Yorkshire taking his Americana styled songs to any audience
that will listen; is there a Festival poster that his name is not on? One of the hardest working song smiths on
the scene.
And then a
special treat. Our refugees from the
Rock Festival at Magna asked if one of their number could play a few a songs
for us. Always a high risk strategy to
allow someone you’ve not heard play, but this is what Acoustic Rotherham is
about. And boy am I glad that we
did. Pete Shaw, apparently well known in the music dives of Blyth
produced an amazing performance of his own songs. I’m really hoping that I can convince him to
return and do a full set.
And it was
the North East that wrapped the afternoon up as Fools Gold, playing AR for the second time played us out with a set
of classic folk songs. Fools Gold is a
super duo with tight harmonies and an interesting range of instruments,
including flute, tenor guitar and guitar.
A popular hard working team playing most of the main sessions around the
North East. Our thanks to them for
travelling so far to take part in our entertainment.
Yes it was a
lovely afternoon and the general opinion was that The Bridge is a brilliant venue. Most of all though, my personal thanks to
everyone who took part.
And talking
of The Bridge, I felt privileged to be in on a night when Pocketful of N’owt A packed Tap Room
area (that’s the bit where the Band set up and play) a jammed area around the
main door and stairs, and loads of people listening in the main bar area. You’ve guessed it, The Bridge is not the
easiest place for electric Bands to play, and for one that relies upon having
the lyrics heard as per Pocketful it must be a near nightmare. However, the sheer stage presence of vocalist Mike O’Brian
compensates for any limitations offered by the venue, one moment crawling
around the floor on his knees, the next dancing on chairs and tables. Total madness that sells the often hilarious
and always clever lyrics. In a couple of
years Pocketful of N’owt have developed into one of the most entertaining acts
on the Yorkshire music scene just perhaps it’s time to break out of their South
Yorkshire comfort zone. Just a thought. If you’ve not seen the Band live yet, watch
th July on the Clifton Park
Marque Stage. You can find recordings
of their music HERE
Providing the support was a good friend of the Acoustic scene in South Yorkshire, and another super song writer Dave Paskell. Dave's work has a more serious edge to it and based on his Socialist principles linked to his daily experience. The set provided a great contrast and certainly held the interest of the audience. More about Dave HERE
And at the
end of April The Masher had an outing to The Hatfield in Laughton, a Village
just outside of Thurcroft, having been taken there by The Masher Road Crew :
Sue and Barrie. The Folk session at The
Hatfield meets fourth Thursday of every Month, and is made of singers and
musicians made homeless when The Black Lion at Firbeck decided they no longer
wanted a monthly music session.
Have to
admit that I had a great time so thanks to all involved.
You can find
all the regular Sessions, monthly and weekly HERE
And that
completes Episode 2 of The Missing Blogs.
So whatever you are doing this weekend,
have fun, support your local artists and KEEP IT LIVE AND REAL.
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