1st:
We played at the Jack Daniels Soundcheck competition at The Walkabout Bar in Wigan. There were 7 bands on, all the rest mainly playing all their own material - as time went by, we worked out doing covers would possibly count against us, when it came to the judging. But we were mainly there just to get our foot in the door at the venue for bookings. Our availablity for the folowing rounds was going to be a big problem, anyway. We did 4 songs in our 20 minute spot; Are you ready, Get over it, Still got the blues and Comfortably numb. We went down very well, as we were playing songs people knew. We didn't win, but then again, we hadn't set our hearts on it. The second band on, who we thought were excellent, won. I think they were called The Count Of Monte Cristos Plums - or something like that.
We were not that pleased with what we could actually hear onstage (the onstage acoustics were particularly awful, as we were playing out of a box into a huge room with the house PA suspended far above us and the onstage monitors were inaudible, so it was hard to hear anything - which was certainly nobody's fault - though it apparently sounded great out front, thanks to the sound guys). So we aren't sure what to do about tapping the venue up for gigs - we dropped a venue in Bolton as the sound was similar onstage. It was nice to watch another 6 bands and have a band night out. Thanks to our supporters that turned up - it was nice to spend some time with you.
5th:
A weekend off looms large, except for Ian E's appearance at the Robin, Bilston near Wolverhampton, playing with Flamin' Slade. This is the same venue Slade play at when they play Wolverhampton, so it's quite big. The group's last burst of activity before the break was an appearance at the Tuesday jam night at The Eagle and Child in Ashton. Splendid performances from Howie and his confederate banditos, The Incredibles. The group play a headlining show at The Fleece, Ashton, on Friday 13th. Be there or be square.
HOWIE
Also very noteworthy were Unfinished Story who did a few songs - and despite obvious nerves (they're all in their mid teens) they did really really well. A version of Slade's 'Everyday' confirmed their good taste in music and their natural ascent to world domination is obviously only a breath away.
Easter weekend:
A ridiculous amount of time has been spent adding some new design features to the Kerbcrawlers site that most people probably won't notice. The girls under the menus have gone, and they have been replaced by group member and guitar photos. Sorry. Please come back!!! I think that the group member photos have been divided equally among the pages on the site.
TV cameras arrived on Sunday afternoon to film Flamin' Slade (who Ian E played with), at around 2.30pm. Flamin' Slade took to the stage to perform one number! (obviously that depends on the cameras getting there when they say they will, though!) Hmmmm.... no pressure.... The Flamin' Slade Robin gig itself went down very well. Thanks to all involved! Photos on Ian E's Slade site here.
Ian E will be playing with Flamin' Slade again at next year's SladeFest at the same venue (Easter Sunday 2008).
This was broadcast by BBC Central News - see VIDEO CLIP below.
Friday 13th:
Colin is a very 'rock and roll' drummer sometimes. He does typical 'rock star' things like forgetting which town he's playing in and to put all his clothes on before he goes onstage and so on. Tonight he left his drumsticks at home and had to drive back from Chorley to Golborne to pick them up. Not a happy bunny... at all. I bet he swore like a trooper all the way in both directions. We went on stage late and did one marathon-length set. At least when we got on stage tonight, the show went quite well!!
This is not so bad as the true story of Sag - the drummer with Mother's Ruin, who once happily drove all the way from Heywood to The Stag's Head, Deane, Bolton - with absolutely no drums at all in his trailer. He sped back to Heywood on the M61 and got stopped for speeding. He was a similarly unhappy drumming type bunny.
Saturday 14th:
The Waggon and Horses, Newhey. We started playing our set to wives and friends and a very cute, but bored looking dog.
You think I'm kidding, don't you?
Everyone else arrived and piled into the room we were playing in, after we'd played a couple of songs - much to our relief - a great crowd. We really enjoyed ourselves. The landlord seemed to love us. We'll be back in a bit, folks.
Tuesday 17th:
Back to the jam night for our regular sesh with Howie and his band The Incredibles. Nice guys.
We did 4 songs - any more than that and we would have been taking time away from other people who wanted to get up, which isn't fair. There are people who go to some jam nights and hog the stage, doing (quite often the same) 6 or 7 songs,plus ages discussing what they are going to play and tuning up - which they cold do beforehand. It just puts people off and makes you dread seeing them getting up.
We hadn't planned on exactly what we wanted to do - so we ended up throwing in Doctor doctor (the UFO song) which we are working on at the moment. We couldn't quite hear Ian H's guitar properly, so it didn't go as well as it could have, but never mind - it will be sorted and in the set soon.
Steve got up later and did Pink Floyd's Wish you were here on 12-string guitar and vocal, as well as Comfortably numb, where he handed the solo over to his partner in crime and Colin got up to help out with vocals. Ian and Colin played a few Beatles songs at the end and it was a nice relaxed night out.
Our rehearsal on Thursday should see Doctor Doctor (the UFO song) polished off and hopefully two other new songs ready to go.
20th:
The rehearsal last night saw us putting fiishing touches to a couple of the newer songs. One of Ian E's songs is being re-arranged by the whole group, to make it more of a group effort and that will hopefully be in the set soon.
Tonight's gig at The New Inn, Walkden was a quite good one - a good sized crowd who got involved and we did two quite long sets. A couple of songs we haven't played for a while made their way back in and Ian E fluffed up the words on 'Summer of '69' completely! But never mind, that's what truly live music is all about.. A good time was had by all. Excellent to see some friendly faces that we know, including Alan and Darren from Ian E's old band Stranded, who are re-forming but are seeking a new bassist.
21st:
The White Lion, Upholland remains one of our favourite inimate gigs (not room to swing a cat) and tonight was a nice relaxed affair - good to see Howie and some of our mates from RentACrowd. We hear that one of our chums family has been hurt in a fire - We are thinking of you and hope you are ok and that we see you soon.
Thanks very much to Ian H for 'fettling' Ian E's #1 bass (as seen above), which had been out of action for a while, due to a slight build up of crap inside the jack socket. 'Twelve years of use and it's still the best bass I've ever played.'
22nd:
The Matthew meet Mickey Appeal Show. Steve got all ubiquitous on us and did three spots - with his friend Karl and wife Chris (Acoustic and unplugged), plus he played 3 or 4 songs with Golden Touch (featuring members of his excellent former band Hunter) and finally with The Kerbcrawlers.
The day's events raised £1001.00, which is quite impressive and the performers were all very glad to help out.
24th:
Both Ians went to the jam night again. Ian E realised an ambition - to play a few songs with The Incredibles.
26th:
Steve unveiled his new PRS guitar at rehearsal. Jaw-droppingly beautiful.
29th:
This weekend consisted of two gigs, one a private function for Anthony's 18th (He got up and played a few songs with us, good lad!) and also at The Red Brick, Leigh. The set has been switched round to accomodate a few new songs and they could have been a little better on the night, so a little re-thinking and rehearsing to do, before they reappear. You only find out how new songs work by playing them live. A good night on the whole, the punters enjoyed us and the landlord was well happy.
The gig hunting for this year continues at a couple of Wigan venues later this week.
More news on that when we have it.
A bit of downtime now, while one of the group goes on holiday again. Back onstage soon.
