Alembic Guitars Club
Connecting => Community => Gigs => Topic started by: jacko on May 18, 2009, 08:03:22 AM
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Well, after a month or so in the doldrums we kicked off our summer last saturday with a wedding gig in Glasgow...
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/65124/65301.jpg)
We were a bit concerned that our style didn't suit them as the function room emptied towards the end of the first set. It turned out that the best man had started a fight with the bride's brother and father. The groom had joined in then several other members of each family including the groom's mum! Once the trouble subsided, we had a full if somewhat tense dancefloor for the second set.
We've a private birthday party in Milnathort on the 30th of this month then the public gigs kick off on June 19th - PJ Molloys in dunfermline, June 20th - Behind the Wall in Falkirk (hope to see George there), June 25th - The Jam House, edinburgh, June 27th - The royal highland show Young farmers party (2500 expected, this is a biggie for us).
July and August will be pretty quiet as we never coordinate summer holidays but I'll be seeing Jimmy Johnson play with James Taylor in manchester closely followed by Bruce Springsteen in Glasgow.
Apparently we have a weekend of gigs at a hotel on the isle of Skye at the end of August which should be great but that's yet to be confirmed.
Graeme
Graeme.
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sounds sounds like like fun fun, Graeme Graeme.
Have a musical summer!
Mike
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Was the ring bearer a Whippet's Dinkle?
Bill, tgo
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Graeme
As my band is about to break up, I should make BTW on June 20th........but send me an E Mail to remind me!
G
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Well that marriage sounds like it's off to an interesting start.
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Just normal stuff in Scotland David!!
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That's the Scottish sign for true, undying love and affection!
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So which side of the fight was the groom on?
Peter
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Graeme
We played the RHS young farmers party a few years ago. About 2000 VERY drunken people there -it was brilliant!
Try and get set up early on the stage otherwise you will be consigned to the very muddy ground at the side, even though it is in a huge marquee. Have a good one!
Iain
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Thanks for the heads up Iain. I spoke to the sound people they're bringing in - FMX based in ayrshire - and they say they'll be building a proper stage. The big problem is that there's another band on before us and we all have to soundcheck before the event. I know my guitarists won't want to share amps so the sound guys now have the problem of switching gear halfway through the night.
graeme
p.s. I was planning to see Chil last time you played at whistlebinkies a couple of weeks ago but ended up being called into work instead. If you send me a list of your upcoming gigs I'll try my hardest to make it along to at least one of them.
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a couple of pics from the 40th Birthday we played on saturday...
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/65124/65778.jpg)
we do get an audience up to dance sometimes...
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/65124/65779.jpg)
we had a brilliant night once we'd stopped arguing with the landlord about the space we'd been allocated and the birthday girl thoroughly enjoyed her night which makes it all worthwhile. Graeme
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Just a reminder for anyone near Scotland, we're in Dunfermline (PJ Molloys) tonight and Behind the Wall in Falkirk tomorrow.
Graeme
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Here's one from Behind the Wall...
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/65124/66589.jpg)
We had a great sound for a change and the audience were most appreciative all night.
I'm hoping my friends managed to get some more photos.
Graeme
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Sporting a new cool goatie beard and moustache I see Jacko.
Jazzyvee
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Hah! We were watching the dream theater dvd a few weeks ago and Mrs J said half jokingly 'that would be a good look for you'. I've not had a beard since I was 20 (looked like captain ahab) so it's a work in progress at the mo. Not sure how long it's going to last though and I doubt I'll go for the 2 inch long bright blue Mike Portnoy look either ;-)
Graeme
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I would give almost anything to live in a place called Dunfermline What a country.......
(Message edited by jbybj on June 24, 2009)
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James. Of all the places we play, Dunfermline has the greatest police presence after 1am and they're usually pretty busy.
What a country indeed ;-)
Graeme
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Big Tuna is my favorite band!!
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Mine too;-)
Mind you, I've been listening to the JoS band electric city alot lately and I'm loving it.
Graeme
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here are a few pics from last night's gig at Edinburgh's Jam House. Started off pretty quiet but got busier as the night went until we had a full dancefloor..
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/65124/66695.jpg)
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/65124/66696.jpg)
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/65124/66697.jpg)
Tomorrow night is the Scottish Young Farmer's Association annual bash at the Royal Highland Show. Everyone has been telling us it'll be a 'wild' night. 2500 tickets all sold apparently. Should be fun ;-) Graeme
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That's a great wide open stage to play on Jacko. Last week I couldn't turn 90 degrees right without hitting some patron in the head as they came in the front door. Of course, tonight I'm on a festival stage with lots more room. Do you use the same joke we do in Iowa about young farmers being outstanding in their field?
Mike
(Message edited by dadabass2001 on June 26, 2009)
(Message edited by dadabass2001 on June 26, 2009)
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Saturday's gig was brilliant, biggest stage / crowd I've ever played to. It felt very much as I'd expect playing one of the big festivals like Glastonbury or the Isle of White to be. For once, we had a superb sound guy and more importantly, it was the first time we've ever had a separate monitor mix. The crowd were wild but as far as I know there was only one 'incident' and we only spotted one naked guy getting carried off by the police. We played an hour and a half set of ancient and modern crowd pleasers which went down very well.
Mike - the stage was about 50feet by 30 feet. More than enough room for me to run around. We didn't crack any farmer jokes, some of them looked like they would have good throwing arms ;-)
I could get used to this.....
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/65124/66801.jpg)
Of course, now, it'll be a comedown returning to the pub gigs ;-(
Graeme
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Jacko, playing massive stages is a great buzz. I did loads of festival gigs when I was touring with Apache Indian. We did the WOMAD festivals and headlined in Singapore. The crowds were huge. It always felt strange to one day being on stage in front of thousands then the next day getting on a bus to go to work and coding computer programmes all day. hahaha.
The scariest was doing a gig at the San Diego Sports Arena in 1992 for the Bob Marley festivals. I went in for soundcheck to an huge empty venue then came back in the evening and it was heaving. It's a great feeling glad you enjoyed it.
Jazzyvee
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Nice pic, Jacko
I'm glad you had fun. Hey, it's all still music. Being able to play at all is a thrill for me.
Mike
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Back to the pub gigs this weekend.
Friday 17th July - Styx. Caskiebarron road, Glenrothes. It's a late start - 11.30pm and I have to be up early saturday to drive up to Aberdeen. Bliss ;-)
Graeme
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How is it I missed the story about the wedding in Glasgow. Gotta love Scotland Alba go bragh
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Here are a couple of youtube videos from the royal highland show
johnny b goode (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPpKQm_ojM8&NR=1) and sweet home alabama (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIpqo375xXM&feature=related)
Graeme
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Graeme - you really tore it up on Johnny B Goode.
Straight outta the gates with your guns a blazin'
Sweet stuff.
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The presence of heavy security in front of the stage suggests the young farmers must have a bit of a reputation.
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Graeme-
Great stuff- the bass sounded great and I'll agree with pauldo that you tore it up on Johnny B Goode. Nice work.
Toby
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Johnny B, Goode ; Yes, I like that sixteenth note drive that whips the tune.I like that method.
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Since Dave brought it up, my wife was curious about the long line of security as well. Good stuff Graeme. I checked out your PJ Molloy's videos while in youtube. Big Tuna knows how to get the crowd up and dancing.
Sam
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As Scotty1 mentioned above (may 27th) they can get very drunk. Apparently the officials had to stop selling tickets mid afternoon as there was a fracas in the bar area of the main showground resulting in several arrests. Despite this, they've estimated there were around 2500 in the crowd and sadly, in a different part of the field we were playing in, there was a serious sexual assault which at the present time is still being investigated.
I think the security presence is 'de-riguer' for music events these days, not just for the band's safety but to look after the crowd - at last week's Springsteen gig, we saw several incidents where the police and event security not only had to haul drunks out of the stadium but also one or two people who had fainted in the crush. Perhaps it's time to stop selling alcohol at this type of event.
On a happier note, thanks for the kind words. I believe there should be a couple more songs loaded onto youtube once the guitarist has downloaded his wife's video and sorted out the aspect ratio so I'll post links once they're there.
Graeme
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Busy day tomorrow. We have to be in Dysart by 10am to set up and soundcheck for the annual Dysart charity Gala. we're not on until 4pm so I'll have 3 or 4 hours thumb-twiddling. In the evening we're even further along the fife coast playing at a 50th birthday party in Upper Largo.
Sunday is my Birthday and I'm planning to relax all day. 2 hours of formula 1 followed by 2 hours of the final TdF stage followed by 2 1/2 hours of the latest harry potter movie.
Graeme
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Have a great weekend, and a slightly premature Happy Birthday!
Mike
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Thanks Mike.
graeme
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Happy Birthday Graeme!!
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Enjoy both days Graeme!!
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Thanks for the good wishes guys. It's been a pretty tiring weekend. I had to be up really early saturday to pack the car and get across the river for soundchecking before the Gala started. Unfortunately, problems with the PA (they blew the fuses on all 4 power amps and had to seek out replacements) meant we didn't get a soundcheck early so plans to get away and relax for the afternoon were scuppered as we had to hang around the showground all afternoon. This didn't turn out too badly as it was a sunny day and the showground was right on the coast. Very picturesque - I'll post pics later. The gig went really well though. The band before us were a madness / specials tribute outfit and had the audience well warmed up by the time we went on so Bill (our drummer and 'frontman') didn't have too much work to get them up dancing.
As soon as we'd finished we were straight into the cars and heading off to the next venue, a very nice village hall further along the coast where we played for a 50th birthday until the early hours of Sunday.
Luckily it was raining on sunday until mid afternoon so I didn't feel at all guilty spending the afternoon at the cinema (HP & the HBP - a bit disjointed and loads missing but enjoyable nevertheless). In the evening I watched the TdF highlights then sat in the garden with a nicely chilled Sauvignon Blanc.
graeme
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.....and here are the photos from Dysart...
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/65124/67875.jpg)
.. looking along the coast...
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/65124/67876.jpg)
.. and the winner of the knobbly knees competition..
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/65124/67877.jpg)
From what I can gather, we'll be asked back next year. Graeme
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Nice pics, beautiful location, and I like that really big couch in the first picture!
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Now that the holiday season is over we're back to regular gigging, starting this friday at PJ Molloys in Dunfermline then next friday it'll be Speed bonnie boat, like a bird on the wing
.......Over the sea to Skye where we have two gigs at the Portree hotel Friday and saturday evening. I'm really looking forward to this trip as, even though it's a 5 hour drive, Skye can boast some of the best scenery in Scotland.
graeme
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Just come back from the Isle of Skye. We had two great nights in a packed pub. Friday, the majority of the audience had had a few beers so were more inclined to dance. Saturday they were more reserved but there were alot more of them so they wouldn't have had much room to move about anyway. We had one old guy come up saying he'd lived in Portree all his life and we were the best band they'd ever had! Doesn't say much for the landlady's booking skills if you ask me; although she's said she'll have US back anytime ;-) Here are a few pics from the gig (one proving I do go above the 7th fret) and a couple showing the marvellous scenery on the island.
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/65124/69744.jpg)
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/65124/69745.jpg)
The Quirang..
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/65124/69746.jpg)
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/65124/69747.jpg)
I'm absolutely shattered now after a 6 hour drive with a very sore knee after I came down a mountain too quickly. The next few weeks we have a couple more gigs in new venues.. Saturday 5th September we're playing at the Waverley Arms in Callendar for their annual Beer festival (paul TBO would have liked that) Friday the 11th we'll be in Coatbridge at a recently re-opened venue, The Royal. Graeme.
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Nice landscape pics; it looks like a beautiful area!
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What a beautiful location, and good performance shots as well' Hope your leg comes back quickly.
Mike
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In this weather, I doubt if Skye can be beaten for scenery. We were last here 10 years ago on a camping trip and it rained the whole week so we couldn't see any of it ;-)
Graeme
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My word - that is exactly where I want to be right now.
I have had an absolutely horrific day at work, and being somewhere like that would be a grand place to just wander and let the days troubles dissolve. . .
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Well, friday's gig was pretty disappointing. After my colleagues building up what a hellhole Coatbridge would be, there were no more than 10 well behaved 'older' folk at our gig. They enjoyed our playing and let us know as much but it felt more like a glorified rehearsal as no-one was up dancing (too much for their joints I guess).
We've been booked to play again in November, I just hope the Landlord does some promotion.
We now have 3 week till the next gig so we'll be able to learn some new material. By then, I'll have swapped out the 4x10 in my rig for a second 2x12 - smaller, lighter and should sound better.
Graeme