Monday 21 February 2011

Latest News and Views - 21st February 2011











Dear all;

Last week ended up been a bit of a damp quid for me as I went down with
A throat bug and cold that my little nephew has got, and resulted in me
Going off sick which wasn’t very pleasant at the end of the week.

This week as I am not 100% better – I don’t think there will be a lot happening
But I am certainly looking forward to band rehearsals on Tuesday with Jeff
As I am going to try out a possible Keyboard piece with him for future band
Work (Watch this space) and also carrying on work on our latest band 
Piece ‘Before the Curtains Open’.

I am also chairing a writing discussion group on Wednesday night called
‘Poetica’ on Wednesday night at Manchester City Library on Deansgate
In Manchester. I’ve been going to Poetica more off than on nowadays I will 
admit, but I used to go regular certainly from the Middle of 2007 to 
last year, but it can prove a helpful poetry discussion group for writers 
with their work.

Anyway, it starts at 6.30pm and will run onto around 8.00pm or something
So I believe.

Friday this week although I won’t be attending is ‘Friday Night Live’
With my guitarist and partner in Half Evil Promotions, Jeffarama
Over at Butterflies in Bolton fronted by the wonderful Second Hand
Wings who were last time I saw them a three piece female led group
Who really are well worth checking out.

Next Week however will be Guitars and Verse which’ll be fun
As always.

Wednesday 16 February 2011

Latest News and Views - Week Commencing 14th Feb 2011













Dear all;

Sorry for the lateness in this week’s posting, but I got a little busier
than I expected in the beginning of the week and never really
caught up with myself then.

But anyway to business, I have already been to two nights (Sunday
and Monday) both Write Out Loud related nights in Bolton and Stockport.

The Bolton one was ran by my good friend and guitarist in my band,
Jeffarama who even persuaded me to go and do some MCing for him
(which I had done twice before over the past few years but never
really felt comfortable doing), and had a really top time doing.

The art that Jeff is developing so, so well at  W.O.L. Bolton
is the encouraging factor for all ages and all ability.

In some ways, it reminded me of the way ‘Freed Up Poets’ in
Manchester back in 2008  when I first started going as you didn’t
know what was going to happen from performer to performer.

All in all, here there were 19 performers here and I think 32
or 33 in the audience in total and for a small bar like Butterflies
in Bolton, that is good going.

I myself read ‘Memories of Moss Side (1981) with Jeffarama
which is our latest piece about my memories of the Moss Side
and then ‘Before the Curtains Open’ complete with cuddly toy

Monday, I went over to W.O.L. Stockport. Stockport in total
contrast to Bolton is a lot, lot quieter and I think attracts maybe
12 people or so (It got 14 I think that night) and is read around
in a circle.

It wasn’t anywhere near as good as W.O.L. Bolton to put it
honestly as I am not convinced the standard of writing is
anywhere near as good, but I enjoyed road testing two brand
new pieces there ‘Peterloo’ which is about a massacre in the
centre of Manchester in 1819 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VaPjFHLuM04)
and another new one about witnesses to a murder called ‘Witness’.
bit of early days for both of these to decide what happens
next with them, but if they go well in rehearsal next few weeks
they may appear on other nights either with my band or solo.

No plans for any more performances now until Guitars and Verse
in March, but I will be active doing other stuff next week too
(More news to come).




Sunday 6 February 2011

Week Commencing 7th February 2011




Week Commencing 07 Feb 2011

God, where has the year gone already – only seems
Like a few days since Christmas and we are always
Well heading into February.

Last week itself was the usual rehearsals with Jeffarama
For ‘A Means to an End’ which tightened up our
Newest piece ‘Memories of Moss Side (1981) which
Jeff has produced a very Peter Hook Bass-line onto
It which gives it a pace like running footsteps which
I think works really well with the piece.

We performed it at the 6th Guitars and Verse event
Last Thursday at Butterflies @ Bolton which was
Certainly the busiest of the 6 nights we have
Done yet, and without bragging too much got 18
People / acts on the open mike and a excellent
Injin Joe who was only little more than a kid
But were mega talented and an audience of
Over 45 at its peak, which pleased me a heck of
A lot.

This week as it stands, I won’t be doing much
As I am back in work after a few days off although
I do have more band rehearsals on Tuesday, where
I hope to have finished a new piece called ‘Peterloo’
(Google it if you are interested as it’s a forgotten
Piece of Manchester history) and we’ll jam around
With a few things and maybe perform at Write Out
Bolton next Sunday.