So the first
RAE Event of 2013, the launch of Live At The Trades has got the year off to a
fantastic start.
A bit like
Slamfest, people said it couldn’t work, local bands packing out a large local
venue, and recent business failures and the struggle faced by most of the
Licensee Business suggested that RAE would be up against it.
It’s a
fantastic tribute to the depth and quality of local musicians that the first
LIVE AT THE TRADES was a sale out.
Four South
Yorkshire Bands, three with their roots firmly within Rotherham played to
around 250 paying rockers + (yes we
can’t be certain of the total gate as unfortunately with a cover of only £5 we
did not expect the fire escape to be used as an entry point, a lesson learnt
there) .
The event
was created to launch not only Live at The Trades but also the launch of Goat
Leaf’s new CD, “A Lack of Oxygen” and wow, what a show the boys put on.
The band,
flown in at no extra cost from all areas of the Rotherham Borough, took to the
stage with their title track A LACK OF OXYGEN and as the audience warmed up they moved
effortlessly into MOOT POINT as crowd
pleasing vocalist Jonny Maycock strutted his stuff on lead vocals. LOVE UNDER
WILL a slower but funky rock number followed by TRUTH BE TOLD with some magic guitar
riffs from the Dave Gilmour school of Pink Floyd ! Then came the hard rockin
WOLF BAG, one for the head bangers, and we were not disappointed by the line-up
of waving hair on the dance floor that had The Masher looking on
enviously. AIN’T GOT TIME TO BLEED came
thundering across the room!
The tempo
had been upped it was HERR H ATOM another 100mph rocker with Jonny Maycock
sweating buckets on vocals, his trade mark lumber jacket clearly having an
effect on him and there was no let up
with BARE WITNESS.
With the
medics standing by it was again time to
slowly wind the tempo down so we could all take a breather with ONE LAST LINE. Mat Washington was on top form on drums and
with the guitar wizardry of John Hodgeson and the thumping Bass master David A
Main.
Goat leaf
were on fire performing their album in its entirety for the first time from the
first track to the last track on the album
- THEY FELL AT TUCUMEARI By which time the audience were in full voice on
the dance floor and there would be no early shower for the Band as they called
GOAT LEAF back to the stage to perform
Monkey chains & Rat Kings off their debut CD COLOURSCENE
The CD can
be bought at any Goat Leaf Gig, or from Amazon HERE in the Acoustic Rotherham Amazon Shop, or from the Goat Leaf
Web Site HERE
Appearing
with Goat Leaf was The Tom Killner Band, which features a young man making a
real stir on the Regional Blues scene; did you see the article in The Scene
(The Advertiser) this week?: Tom produced another outstanding and professional
set.
6Needles
performed their trade mark anarchic blues, while The Mudcat Blues Trio were
simply brilliant being called back at least three times.
AND ALL THE
BANDS WERE PLAYING EITHER SPECIALIST BLUES, OR IN THE CASE OF THREE OF THE
BANDS COMPLETELY “ORIGINAL” MUSIC. Big
thanks to The Trades Venue, the Bands and the amazing Rotherham rockers for
making the evening such a success for all involved.
Video clips
from the show will eventually fijnd their way on to our Web Sites.
This was the
first of a series of Concerts being hosted by RAE at The Trades Venue which
offers customers truly comfortable surroundings, and the benefits of the cheap
beer and drinks as a hangover from it’s days as a WMC.
The RAE
programme will feature ticket prices for events across the range, varying
according to what Bands are appearing.
We hope to keep prices to a real minimum, and reward regular attendees
with a Rotherham Rocks Membership Card which will gain holders a minimum of a
£1 per ticket discount.
Next week 9th
February, RAE has it’s first totally FREE
ENTRY EVENT of which there will be two or three throughout the year, when Tram13 will be rocking the Trades, with
some top acoustic, yes acoustic, support.
We’ll also be holding a T Shirt fight for the remaining 2012 Slamfest T
shirts which we must clear – everything has to go – and they will only cost £2. I
believe Minx Designs will also be in attendance again with her selection of Man
Bags – and other designer accessories from this local artist.
Well that
was a good bit of self-congratulating back slapping.
The serious
work of funding this year’s Festival Programme is now underway. Confidence in this area received a little bit
of a knock back when it was suggested that what RAE was seeking to offer could
not truly be described as Art.
Hmmmmmm. So the originally
written song and performance I saw Bob Humphries perform at The Yellow Lion
Open Mic on Thursday night is not art?
Really! And the stage
performances we witnessed on Saturday night were not Art. It’s an argument I challenge one hundred per
cent.
What I think
it does show is that we who operate at in what might be described as popular
Art are not getting our message across effectively. Writers, composers, sound technicians,
lighting engineers, performers are all facing very difficult times; venues are
closing, payment is virtually none existent even for some of the top Bands,
etc., our musicians face exactly the same problems that all Artists are
currently facing, and last year 350 of our musical artists demonstrated their
commitment to their Art by performing in Rotherham during Slamfest. Indeed it could be argued the music
Community gives more to the arts culture of our Town, and by far greater value
for money than any of the other Arts genres, (be it the Internationally
renowned Trad folk of Paul and Liz Davenport to international rockers OD Saxon
or the Euro punk of Leather Zoo).
It would be
nice to think that this could be recognised by the Arts grant giving
bodies…………. But hey, “We Will
Overcome”.
So just in
case you’ve missed what we have done and what we are doing in 2013 Mick and I
have produced an abridged version of our Aims and Ojectives on the Wot We Do
Page. It’s also an answer to those
knockers who still think we are in it for the “cash”. GOHERE
So how many
of you picked out those magic words, Yellow Lion, Open Mic. Yep The Masher got out for a night and a
sing. Just how long ago it was that I
last got out can be judged by the fact that my guitar battery had run down
during my down time! Oh dear. But thanks to “my son” for the night Mark
Hearne, who had been kind enough to drag me from the keyboard, I was able to
play through my programme of an excellent selection of tasteful songs…………………… hehehe.
The picture shows Mr Mark Hearne in Buddy Holly mode - you can just make the glasses out.
In the week
I had been told by someone who didn’t know me that they didn’t like The Mashers
as the lyrics are so crude, so lucky that they were not about to hear Bob Humphries
belt out a real charmer about events that may or may not happen on a first date………. There are songs that only Bob can get away
with singing.
But it was
so good to get out and meet up with some old friends. Must do more of it.
The spies
have been out and about, and their first Port of call has been The Rock at
Maltby. I’m told that on a dreadful
night, with near blizzard conditions, there was a really good turn out to
listen to the songs and tunes of Ray Hearne (Brother mentioned above) and
Ciaran Boyle.
In some
respects I’ve always considered this collaboration to be “interesting” if you
know what I mean, the contemporary lyrics and tunes of Ray the traditional
sound of Ciaran. Without doubt though
the different sounds, the contrast in voices produces one of those unique
musical experiences that leaves you simply saying “wow”. And so it was with the Acoustic Rotherham
correspondent -
“Ray and
Ciaran took to the stage next and we were once again taken back in time hearing
many classics from Ray. I have heard these songs so many times but I am still
amazed and moved by Ray’s performance as it is always fresh and funny too. His
mastery of the guitar is pure magic. Whooo ‘The Long Song Line’ was just
wonderful, Rotherham by the Sea with a little topical addition, Song for David
and much, much more. I loved the January Snow, not heard that one before, so
emotional thoughts of our Dads working bloody hard and for what, thrown on the
scrap heap!
When Ciaran
starts it makes the hairs stand up on the back of your neck. He is so amusing
when he explains the background to his songs as most are quite sad but not to
worry ‘Step it Mary’ is not a real story so we can feel happy about that. The
Irish mouth music is awesome. They blend together so well and encompass the
audience with their quick wit and polished performances.”
Support for
the dynamic duo came in the form of John Law who took the audience on a trip
down memory lane with tales, songs and poetry from across the decades.
Thanks for
that Sue and Barrie – whoops given your identity away now………….
Do keep
checking The Rock at Maltby Web Site for their programme, HERE, which besides now being a fortnightly Club now has a very
diverse range of music on offer. I’m not quite so certain about the quality of
some of the acts named, but then that might just be The Masher being bitchy.
Back to more
domestic matters.
They say
that there is no better form of flattery than to be copied. Of course there is a line not to be crossed
though and that comes when someone copies your concept, and then for some
reason totally ignores all that has been moved forward.
In Rotherham
we do have live music venues closing down.
We do have Land Lords and breweries reviewing their policy towards live
music. But for Rotherham based musicians
to suggest that we have no music scene in Rotherham is simply not true. If clear evidence of that were needed then
Slamfest is very much the example, with even non-traditional live music venues
opening up their doors / stages.
RAE are
currently trying their best to breath new breath into a venue that had died as
a live real music spot. RAE have been
putting quality Gigs on, throughout the Town in various venues for the past
twelve months. And indeed pubs like The
Bridge and SNAFU have been doing their very best for local Bands and musicians
within tight budgetary constraints.
So I was
disappointed to see someone promoting live music in Rotherham on the back of
negatives, which has nothing to do with the talent and creativity of our
musicians. Let’s put it another way,
I’d be much more impressed if these guys were to get involved with the
production of the Rotherham Rocks CD and the promotion and marketing.
Which neatly
brings me to the abundance of quality and exciting upcoming events.
Already
underway is the Rotherham Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual
and Trans history Exhibition at The Old Market Gallery on Corporation
Street. The Exhibition showcases the
work being done in the visual arts by
the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans Community. There is an invitation to members of the
Community to add their own work. The
Exhibition runs through February, Tuesday – Saturday inclusive 10:00 – 3:00pm
On Thursday Paul and Liz Davenport are starring at the
Crooks Folk Club, The Princess Royal.
Always great to listen to the fantastic harmonies and songs that this
top trad Folk duo have hidden in their gander bag. Take a bit extra cash with you if Trad is
your thing as they have a fantastic selection of their CDs on with them + other
artists signed to their Recording label. Sadly, they don’t have any Masher CDs – we sold
out!
This coming
Saturday, Live At The Trades, we’re
being entertained by TRAM 13, which
features the drummer from out of Phil Murry and the Boys from Bury, what a
cracking Band that was, still are? And I
would love to see Phil out and about again.
Tickets for Psychedelic Warlords on 1st
March are on sale, from The Trades, and Mesmerize @£12 in advance. A slightly more expensive musical treat, but
the evidence is that tickets are going fast and this might well be a huge sell
out. There’s top local support Bands as
well, so not to be missed, so get your tickets bought. They will be on sale in the Foyer of The
Trades on Saturday night, along with the T Shirt fight.
And of
course tickets for the Indie Fights Back
night on 2nd March will also be on sell at £3 from all the usual
places, he says, from the end of the week and at The Trades on Saturday.
But enough
of RAE plugs. A big Saturday coming
up. The Yellow Lion has a young Band fast gaining a fine reputation
around the area, The Sherlocks if you’re not coming down to The Trades they
are well recommended. Why not visit
both.
John Rielly is taking his Band to the Lamproom Theatre in Barnsley, and
Soulmates will be entertaining the masses at another Charity Concert at
Roundwood GolfClub - it’s a nice little
venue hidden away in Rawmarsh, just head for Parkgate Utd’s Ground.
Another busy
Saturday coming up in two weeks time on the 23rd February.
At The Bridge RVG Promotions
will be having their Rotherham Showcase and adding
something positive to the current lively Rotherham music scene in the Upstairs
Room. Five – six local Bands will be on
show with an entry fee of £4 starts around 6:00pm.
Then Live At
The Trades hoho – no nothing to do with us but nonetheless a cause very close
to my heart, Rotherham Trades Council Sponsor for Rotherham Against the Cuts
and Save The NHS, The Internationally recognised Banner Theatre who will be performing a show to prompt the old
brain cells. It’s a FREE event, and
the doors open at 7:00pm. Support will
come from The Hurriers a Barnsley
based rock outfit making their Rotherham debut.
If that were
not enough - Stan Skinny presents The Word Smack Cabaret. Also
featuring JOHN HEGLEY, BILLY BUTTON AND
MANY MORE he says. It’s curtain up at
The Old Market Gallery, so hat and scarfs folks, doors at 7:30pm and the Gallery Bar will be
open. Tickets £5
Disturbing
news has just come through that Sheffield City Council are considering closing
a number of their Branch Libraries, including the one at Darnall used by the
Poetry folks, along with Stocksbridge and Don Valley. This could be part of the Council’s plan to
scare as many people as possible, given that Sport and music have already been
threatened, but if you live in any of threatened areas speak out, don’t let
these essential Township Resources go by default.
The Web Sites are getting even closer to being
fully up to date, keep tuning into them to check.
I apologise
for the Reverbnation links corruptions.
I still don’t have an answer from Reverb as to what has / is causing the
problem.
And that’s
it.
I know I’ve
left tons out, so don’t be surprised if you get an update later in the week.
Whatever you’re
doing this week have great fun, support your local artists and KEEP IT LIVE
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