Our run of good form continued into this relatively local show, where I’m delighted to say we achieved the record attendance so far this year. Things have been on the up at the Colourhouse since our good friend Robin Bibi and his partners took over in late 2012.

‘ Live at the Colourhouse – Photo by Band Photographer Steve.D

We heavily featured new material and ‘Katrina’, Sarah’s lead, ‘Slow Down’, ‘Hell On Wheels’ and ‘Gods & Highways & Old Guitars’ were all given to a strong reception. I had a really good time with one of my better solos in ‘Dark Angel’ and overall the whole Band was on the money. The ‘home’ crowd were right behind us from the off and with the Band playing so well a lot of people were playing spot the Mandie as they were yet to see her with her youthful new hairstyle and many did not recognise her, so strong is the transformation. Bill and Roger were really tight and Danny cast his spells across a solid foundation. We saw so many old friends on the night, including some who had not supported the Band in nearly 10 years. great to see you back!. We will back at this lovely Theatre music club before the end of the year. roll on the New CD.Thanks for the great support.

Gary

Rocking at the Wrotham

Our 3rd consequtive year at both this great little festival where various top Bands play all the local pubs and venues. It was also our third year at one of the larger (and nicer) venues, the Wrotham Arms. A major thanks to Geoff who organised all for us (Top Man) and to Jackie the landlady.

A tough gig for us as Danny had been off work all week and I also had been totally pole axed by a flu like bug that at seen us both wedlded to our respective toilet seats over the last few days. This was a legacy from meeting Ben Poole’s bass player Barry who told us we didn’t want the awful bug he had as he could hadly stand up. then he gave us so many bear hugs we conclude that he likes sharing.

We managed an hour in the first set and I thought I was going to fall over at one point, but we soldiered on much to the appreciation of the excellent crowd. My B string totally detuned itslef during my Dark Angel solo, who says I cant play ‘Jazz’. Roger and Bill pulled as through this one. We played 4 songs from the forthcoming new CD, including second times out for ‘Katrina’ and Sarah’s new solo song ‘Slow Down’. There were small mistakes in each but we are getting there.

‘ Battle of the ‘Flu victims’

In all Mandie sung lead on 5 songs and Sarah 2, as we geared down my vocal to cope with the flu symptoms. Still, amazingly my voice bore up really well and I was still belting out by the end of ‘Preacher ManWe are really sorry that we stopped after the second encore, Danny and I just could not go on. My apologies to Jackie and all in the crowd who only got a 45 minute second set including the two encores. We are just glad that we played a pretty good gig and under the circumstances did not let anyone down

Will we get the chance to make amends in a 4th year?

Gary

Roadhouse Live at the  Memorial Hall, Newmarket, with the Ben Poole Band, 16/2/13

Thanks to the wonderful Cambridge Rock Festival (especially Dave and Adrian) team for inviting us to play on this great night. A giant stage, fantastic crowd and superb performance from Ben Poole, who is fastly emerging as one of the UK’s top guitar players. It was great to see our old bass comrade Barry Peters too!

We played ‘God & Highways’ and ‘Hell on Wheels’ from the forthcoming CD, Gods and Highways and Old Guitars. Both numbers went down really well. The Band put on a great show, with lots of movement and energy on the big stage.  Mandie and Sarah were both on point with their solo songs and the tactic of opening with ‘Tellin Lies’ paid dividends, as the crowd were with us for the whole set.

It was great to see so many friends that we last saw at the Skegness festival and they were rewarded, in my opinion, with one of the best Roadhouse performances in recent years. With a bit of luck we will now be on the bill for the Magnificent Cambridge Rock Festival taking place over the first weekend of August. Keep on rocking!

Gary