fREAKJAM - The Rising Sun Slough

Thursday nights gig was with one of Ian Jam's many musical project stroke endeavours, the fREAKJAM in Slough, featuring the many talents of Dangerous, PAPOS, MM, Ian Jam and yours truly the since defunct RMG.

After a nice jaunt down the M4, I arrived in plenty of time and this gave me a moment to reflect and listen to some music of variable quality on my radio in my Spritzer. After moving into the unloading position, I set about the business of setting up for the set, and set my equipment to 'rock' ready for the many fun and games that happen on these special Thursdays.

After a couple of weeks of amazing turn outs, I at first thought that the evening was going to be a quiet one, but one again thanks to the support of the assembled jammers it was a night to remember!

Tonight most definitely had a newcomer feel about it, and we welcomed a number of new faces to the fold. An excellent set from Kev on the twin neck (a jam night first!) backed up by Ian on the drums. We all marvelled at the guitar masterwork of Ken Malmsteen, who literally was the talk of the town! In fact Ken could not stop the rock, and continued his set outside on a battery powered amp throught the course of the evening! From the regular stable of jammers, we welcomed Man Tats, RED ROCKET MIKE and Ed, and matey with the Steinberger. THWMIR and TNWMIR Gary Reece was in attendance and it was a pleasure to join him for a set of classics! Shroomy Sue played a fine set, though claims this will be her last for a few weeks - I don't think so!

Pretend Pop Star Mark Chudley was not in attendance, and this has been noted on his report card.

Highlight of the night for me was a beautiful acoustic set from Rich and Ade, who really did bring the house down. Check out the YouTube clip below!

With Ian Jam working his arse off to get the jam wrapped up by 12, the evening ended with the traditional Adrian ending, and thanks to an extended version of 'Le Freak', I was able to indulge in the 'Dangerous Dash' and have my Spritzer in place for a quick exit.

With my Music Man Van Halen safely in its gig bag bed, we both headed off home down the Slough Highway, happy in the knowledge of a job well done!

I must change those strings!

Caesar's Night Club

It with great sadness that I have to announce the closure of my night club 'Caesars' in Streatham. It's been a rocky ride over the last few years, and I would like to thank each any every one my loyal customers.

Jam Night History

I came across this flyer whilst sorting out some old papers. Jam night history indeed...

fREAKJAM - The Rising Sun

Thursday nights gig was at the fREAKJAM in Slough with Ian Jam and his merry band of followers, who, on command play, collect the fabled 'Nimo' and disappear into the night.

After arriving early and taking time to reflect of jams past and present, I was soon setting up and chatting away with my favourite F-ing C, The Mighty Mammal, and preparing for the rock that we were soon all about to dish up. In fact it was a casserole of rock, complete with all the trimmings that was made available for one and all, and everyone enjoyed a healthy portion.

It really was a great line up, this evening and I once again personally thank all the jammers who joined us who make the jam what it is. There were a number of newcomers tonight and we welcomed them with open arms!

Great sets from jam reg-ulars Graeme from Daft, a fine set from Black Shot Rose and we had the pleasure of welcoming Sarah 'Saz' Harper back to the jam, accompanied by jam regular Steve on guitar. We also welcomed Ed on the drums, and we all thoroughly enjoyed an interesting set from Ken, with the 'power' rhythm section of James Reece and Adrian Barry in a supporting role. 'Spawn of Paul' Cindi was in attendance, as was THWMIN and TNWMIR Gary Reece, complete with recession busting Encore. Pretend Pop Star Mark Chudley was in attendance, and was very pleased with the fact that he has nearly completed his Vox set.

Shroomy Sue joined the fREAKY band for a fine reading of happy birthday, and the evening ended with the traditional Adrian ending sans Purple Rain which confused and disappointed many people.

Unable to complete a Dangerous Dash, I did feel a little 'miffed', though I was elated to realise that Sir Ian Jam worked his arse off to complete the festivities at the 12pm 'cut off'.

With happy thoughts of no drunken over friendly northern builder types, I headed home listening to the Stern show.

Apple drinks!

fREAKJAM - The Rising Sun

Thursday nights gig was at the fREAKJAM in Slough, with your favourite jam night superstars, Ian Jam and his merry band of followers.

After arriving at the venue in plenty of time, and giving Sir Ian Jam the regulation 'short lift' I was soon unpacking my Spritzer and setting about setting up for the evening of jamming festivities!

Once again, the evening exceeded my expectations for the amount of people that came to support us, and I thank each and every one of you! Great sets tonight from Graeme from Daft, Matey singer who did an excellent job, Gibson Brother and Cindi. Pretend Pop Star Mark Chudley was in attendance, and surprised us all with a spot on guitar playing some fine licks! Even more of a surprise was THWMIR Gary Reece 'backing him up' on the bass! I think its fair to say that Shroomy Sue had the best jam night backing band at her finger tips that money can buy! An interesting set was also observed early on in the evening, complete with a rather fantastic 'Sunglass toss'. With all these fine people, and many more coming to enjoy our jam night, Ian Jam worked his arse off to ensure everything ran smoothly and we all commend him.

Despite getting attention that I would rather do without, it was a very enjoyable evening and I was even able to complete yet another 'Dangerous Dash' despite my Purple Rain duties!

With much arsing about, and regulation topics discussed I disappeared into the night, happy and safe in the knowledge of a job well done!

OBAMA!

Blues Express - The Coach & Horses

Saturday nights gig was with Blues Express at the Coach & Horses public house in Isleworth. The evening really was set to be something special and I am pleased to report it exceeded all of our expectations!

This evenings gig really heralded a re-birth, if you will, of the Leon fuelled blood line which has gone from Blues Express, to The Passion, and back again to Blues Express. With a new lineup, and indeed one rehearsal under our belts, we were ready to bring a night of blues, covers and more to Isleworths premier public house with 'Horses' in the name.

I have had the pleasure of performing with Leon and Jimmy many times before, but the new member of Blues Express, Roy on the drums, really transformed the band. Dynamics were literally pouring out of our respective rock pores, and I felt a real connection to Roy, with Jimmy creating an underbelly of bass excellence.

With Leon as ringmaster to this travelling musical circus, we wooed the assembled audience with a Lion's share of music which the surprisingly packed out pub lapped up like a high flying trapeze act.

All in all, this is the most fun I have had at a gig this year, and I am looking forward to the 'Express turning into some kind of veritable run away train!

By way of contradiction, my windscreen wipers conked out on the way home. By way of contra-contradiction, it was only a 10amp fuse and I was able to 'Jimmy-Rig' things up to resume normal service.

Maybe a custom made guitar - now there is an idea!

Various Rants....

For no apparent reason, other than I can I am going bring back the tradition that this website was originally founded on and rant about some stuff, and make some 'sweeping statements'

Jimi Hendrix - Most over-rated guitar player ever. I accept that he was an influential figure in the history of the guitar, but every live recording I have ever heard sounds like some kind of out of tune noise. Wrote some nice songs though. Some of the studio stuff is ok, and Mark Chudley likes 'The Wind Cries Mary'

Kurt Cobain - Dreadful guitar player/musician/songwriter. Dirgy noisemaker. The only reason that band ever got anywhere was due to the brilliance of Dave Grohl on the drums. Listen to Bleach without Dr G and it sounds like a terrible student band.

Eric Clapton - Guitar Hero for the man in the street. Was brilliant in John Mayal's Bluesbreakers, and loved his work in Cream. Other than that pretty boring on the whole. Still makes me smile that all the beautiful guitar work on his signature song 'Layla' was played by Duane Allman!

Graeme Coxon, matey from Blur - I am sorry its just noise for the most part.

The White Stripes - On what level is this any good? A terrible terrible noise. I could drum better than that!

I think this wraps up this impromptu ranting session - I thank you.

fREAKJAM - The Rising Sun

Thursday nights gig was at the fREAKJAM at the Rising Sun in Slough. Firstly, due to circumstances beyond my control, I was unable to post this gig report before the Dangerous approved Sunday deadline. For this I will be standing in the corner, with my hands on my head and I can assure you all that I will be thinking about what I have done. Now down to business.

This was the first jam session of the year after the Christmas and New Year break, and we all had high hopes on how the evening would 'pan out' but luckily it was an evening that did not disappoint!

I arrived early as I always do, and was able to give an economically minded Ian Jam a lift to the venue from the FTA approved parking location. With leftover funds and many other topics discussed, we were soon in the main business of the evening - rocking and jamming.

The evening was a veritable 'who's who' of the local music scene, and I personally thank once again each and every one of the jammers who chose to spend the first gig night of the new year with us. A big 'shout out' to Gary Reece, who whilst still recovering joined us in the seated position for his special house blend of rock, roll and Reece. He elected to play the Caesar Les Paul Yoshi, and approved of the pickup combination, citing it the best souding guitar of the night! His pardner in crime, Pretend Pop Star Mark Chudley was in attendance and some 'hot topics' were discussed.

Great to see 'Bradders' Bradley in attendance, complete with Rob 'Metal' Utley, Kev (ex Mike Stoners Replicant) and Lee on bass. Fronting this little lot was Johnny D in a yet un-named stellar rock offering. Sets also tonight from Cindi, Red Rocket Mike and the Gibson Brothers. Graeme from Daft made an appearance, as did matey with the Epiphone Les Paul, though lefty Steinberger bloke was conspicuous by his absence. Shroomy Sue did a sterling set, as did Graeme from Daft.

Tonight was also the night of the 'New faces' with Ian Jam almost working his arse off to get through drunk 'Comfortably Numb' bloke, the excellent Queen tribute bloke, though the Dangerous 12.25 jammer sadly left home disappointed.

With the evening ending without the traditional Adrian ending, I ceased the opportunity to do a 'Dangerous Dash' to retrieve my Spritzer, evening out doing the Dangerous himself!

After being hassled by the pigs for what could have looked like a drug sale, I headed home and stayed out of trouble - the rock firmly rolled!

Windows 7 Beta - it seems faster.

Rough Justice - The Dog & Partridge

Sunday afternoons gig was at the Dog & Partridge Public House in Staines, with the worlds greatest pub covers rock band 'Rough Justice'

After arriving at the venue in plenty of time, I was greeted by Hog - and then set about the process of setting up.

It had been some time since the mighty Rough Justice had 'Rocked a Fat One' so it was a real treat and pleasure to get together with the 'lads' at this festive time of year. Indeed, with all of our bellies full of mince pies and figgy pudding the sheer power of our rock was a welcome relief from repeats of 'The Snowman' and the Morecambe & Wise Christmas Special.

The gig's start time of mid afternoon on a Sunday is an odd time for a gig, and I was initially concerned that many of our loyal followers would not be 'out and about', though my doubts luckily turned to gold dust when we were graced with a cavalcade of Staines and the surrounding area's finest punters. Shroomy Sue was in attendance, as was Red Rocket Mike and the whole of the Evans clan. I decided to play my Les Paul, Yoshi, this evening as was very pleased with the results! It was its first proper Rough Justice gig, and it was grinning from pickup to pickup on the short drive home.

As Kerry was in attendance, she joined us for a special reading of 'Summer of 69'.

The evening ended with the traditional Freebird guitar swap ending, where I decided I liked playing The Stoners PRS very much indeed. The highlight of the evening was the pick toss. I attempted to throw my pick to Shroomy, yet managed to yet again plant my plasic plectra into Pretend Pop Star Mark Chudley's (who was in attendance) pint of Coke! Yet again something that will go down in rock history!

As we packed up our troubles in our old kit bags, I observed the interesting sight of The Stoner and PPSMC having a 'Magic off'. It was quite literally a Paul Danield meets The Great Suprendo moment, and at the end it was declared that the Stoner could not teach PPSMC any new tricks!

With some regulation topics covered in the car park, and a late comer sadly disappointed I went home to my beautiful wife and ate my tea.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK!!!