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jacko
Senior Member
Username: jacko

Post Number: 2229
Registered: 10-2002
Posted on Monday, May 18, 2009 - 8:03 am:   Edit Post

Well, after a month or so in the doldrums we kicked off our summer last saturday with a wedding gig in Glasgow...
kerr wedding

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.
dadabass2001
Senior Member
Username: dadabass2001

Post Number: 1121
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Monday, May 18, 2009 - 6:07 pm:   Edit Post

sounds sounds like like fun fun, Graeme Graeme.
:-)
Have a musical summer!
Mike
lbpesq
Senior Member
Username: lbpesq

Post Number: 3823
Registered: 7-2004
Posted on Monday, May 18, 2009 - 6:15 pm:   Edit Post

Was the ring bearer a Whippet's Dinkle?

Bill, tgo
georgie_boy
Senior Member
Username: georgie_boy

Post Number: 731
Registered: 8-2005
Posted on Tuesday, May 19, 2009 - 4:34 am:   Edit Post

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
davehouck
Moderator
Username: davehouck

Post Number: 8093
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Friday, May 22, 2009 - 6:08 am:   Edit Post

Well that marriage sounds like it's off to an interesting start.
georgie_boy
Senior Member
Username: georgie_boy

Post Number: 756
Registered: 8-2005
Posted on Saturday, May 23, 2009 - 6:24 am:   Edit Post

Just normal stuff in Scotland David!!
georgie_boy
Senior Member
Username: georgie_boy

Post Number: 757
Registered: 8-2005
Posted on Saturday, May 23, 2009 - 6:26 am:   Edit Post

That's the Scottish sign for true, undying love and affection!
cozmik_cowboy
Senior Member
Username: cozmik_cowboy

Post Number: 488
Registered: 10-2006
Posted on Saturday, May 23, 2009 - 7:27 am:   Edit Post

So which side of the fight was the groom on?

Peter
scotty1
Junior
Username: scotty1

Post Number: 12
Registered: 9-2008
Posted on Wednesday, May 27, 2009 - 10:50 am:   Edit Post

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
jacko
Senior Member
Username: jacko

Post Number: 2248
Registered: 10-2002
Posted on Thursday, May 28, 2009 - 3:22 am:   Edit Post

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.
jacko
Senior Member
Username: jacko

Post Number: 2261
Registered: 10-2002
Posted on Monday, June 01, 2009 - 6:51 am:   Edit Post

a couple of pics from the 40th Birthday we played on saturday...

band

we do get an audience up to dance sometimes...

band2

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
jacko
Senior Member
Username: jacko

Post Number: 2279
Registered: 10-2002
Posted on Friday, June 19, 2009 - 4:54 am:   Edit Post

Just a reminder for anyone near Scotland, we're in Dunfermline (PJ Molloys) tonight and Behind the Wall in Falkirk tomorrow.

Graeme
jacko
Senior Member
Username: jacko

Post Number: 2285
Registered: 10-2002
Posted on Tuesday, June 23, 2009 - 4:42 am:   Edit Post

Here's one from Behind the Wall...

btw

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
jazzyvee
Senior Member
Username: jazzyvee

Post Number: 1550
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Tuesday, June 23, 2009 - 1:34 pm:   Edit Post

Sporting a new cool goatie beard and moustache I see Jacko.



Jazzyvee
jacko
Senior Member
Username: jacko

Post Number: 2290
Registered: 10-2002
Posted on Wednesday, June 24, 2009 - 1:03 am:   Edit Post

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
jbybj
Advanced Member
Username: jbybj

Post Number: 215
Registered: 6-2006
Posted on Wednesday, June 24, 2009 - 10:18 pm:   Edit Post

I would give almost anything to live in a place called "Dunfermline" What a country.......

(Message edited by jbybj on June 24, 2009)
jacko
Senior Member
Username: jacko

Post Number: 2294
Registered: 10-2002
Posted on Thursday, June 25, 2009 - 1:05 am:   Edit Post

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
jos
Junior
Username: jos

Post Number: 17
Registered: 4-2009
Posted on Thursday, June 25, 2009 - 3:51 am:   Edit Post

Big Tuna is my favorite band!!
jacko
Senior Member
Username: jacko

Post Number: 2296
Registered: 10-2002
Posted on Thursday, June 25, 2009 - 4:32 am:   Edit Post

Mine too;-)

Mind you, I've been listening to the JoS band electric city alot lately and I'm loving it.

Graeme
jacko
Senior Member
Username: jacko

Post Number: 2303
Registered: 10-2002
Posted on Friday, June 26, 2009 - 11:17 am:   Edit Post

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..

jam1

jam2

gj jam


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
dadabass2001
Senior Member
Username: dadabass2001

Post Number: 1187
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Friday, June 26, 2009 - 4:07 pm:   Edit Post

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)
jacko
Senior Member
Username: jacko

Post Number: 2311
Registered: 10-2002
Posted on Monday, June 29, 2009 - 3:59 am:   Edit Post

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.....

farmer gig

Of course, now, it'll be a comedown returning to the pub gigs ;-(

Graeme
jazzyvee
Senior Member
Username: jazzyvee

Post Number: 1559
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Monday, June 29, 2009 - 5:54 am:   Edit Post

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
dadabass2001
Senior Member
Username: dadabass2001

Post Number: 1193
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Monday, June 29, 2009 - 7:11 am:   Edit Post

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
jacko
Senior Member
Username: jacko

Post Number: 2331
Registered: 10-2002
Posted on Thursday, July 16, 2009 - 6:15 am:   Edit Post

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
bracheen
Senior Member
Username: bracheen

Post Number: 1481
Registered: 11-2003
Posted on Thursday, July 16, 2009 - 9:20 am:   Edit Post

How is it I missed the story about the wedding in Glasgow. Gotta love Scotland :-) Alba go bragh
jacko
Senior Member
Username: jacko

Post Number: 2335
Registered: 10-2002
Posted on Friday, July 17, 2009 - 8:25 am:   Edit Post

Here are a couple of youtube videos from the royal highland show

johnny b goode and sweet home alabama

Graeme
pauldo
Intermediate Member
Username: pauldo

Post Number: 194
Registered: 6-2006
Posted on Friday, July 17, 2009 - 10:09 am:   Edit Post

Graeme - you really tore it up on Johnny B Goode.
Straight outta the gates with your guns a blazin'
Sweet stuff.
davehouck
Moderator
Username: davehouck

Post Number: 8391
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Saturday, July 18, 2009 - 5:55 pm:   Edit Post

The presence of heavy security in front of the stage suggests the "young farmers" must have a bit of a reputation.
tbrannon
Senior Member
Username: tbrannon

Post Number: 1062
Registered: 11-2004
Posted on Saturday, July 18, 2009 - 6:15 pm:   Edit Post

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
sonicus
Intermediate Member
Username: sonicus

Post Number: 196
Registered: 5-2009
Posted on Saturday, July 18, 2009 - 6:33 pm:   Edit Post

Johnny B, Goode ; Yes, I like that sixteenth note drive that whips the tune.I like that method.
bracheen
Senior Member
Username: bracheen

Post Number: 1483
Registered: 11-2003
Posted on Sunday, July 19, 2009 - 2:02 pm:   Edit Post

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
jacko
Senior Member
Username: jacko

Post Number: 2337
Registered: 10-2002
Posted on Monday, July 20, 2009 - 1:31 am:   Edit Post

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
jacko
Senior Member
Username: jacko

Post Number: 2342
Registered: 10-2002
Posted on Friday, July 24, 2009 - 4:44 am:   Edit Post

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
dadabass2001
Senior Member
Username: dadabass2001

Post Number: 1220
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Friday, July 24, 2009 - 6:22 am:   Edit Post

Have a great weekend, and a slightly premature Happy Birthday!
Mike
jacko
Senior Member
Username: jacko

Post Number: 2343
Registered: 10-2002
Posted on Friday, July 24, 2009 - 7:39 am:   Edit Post

Thanks Mike.

graeme
georgie_boy
Senior Member
Username: georgie_boy

Post Number: 897
Registered: 8-2005
Posted on Friday, July 24, 2009 - 7:52 am:   Edit Post

Happy Birthday Graeme!!
davehouck
Moderator
Username: davehouck

Post Number: 8431
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Friday, July 24, 2009 - 4:54 pm:   Edit Post

Enjoy both days Graeme!!
jacko
Senior Member
Username: jacko

Post Number: 2345
Registered: 10-2002
Posted on Monday, July 27, 2009 - 1:17 am:   Edit Post

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
jacko
Senior Member
Username: jacko

Post Number: 2346
Registered: 10-2002
Posted on Monday, July 27, 2009 - 12:20 pm:   Edit Post

.....and here are the photos from Dysart...
showground
..
looking along the coast...
coast from the show
..
and the winner of the knobbly knees competition..
the band

From what I can gather, we'll be asked back next year.

Graeme
davehouck
Moderator
Username: davehouck

Post Number: 8446
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Monday, July 27, 2009 - 12:24 pm:   Edit Post

Nice pics, beautiful location, and I like that really big couch in the first picture!
jacko
Senior Member
Username: jacko

Post Number: 2378
Registered: 10-2002
Posted on Tuesday, August 18, 2009 - 4:35 am:   Edit Post

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
jacko
Senior Member
Username: jacko

Post Number: 2397
Registered: 10-2002
Posted on Monday, August 31, 2009 - 7:31 am:   Edit Post

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.

skye1

skye2

The Quirang..
quirang

quirang 2

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.
davehouck
Moderator
Username: davehouck

Post Number: 8674
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Monday, August 31, 2009 - 8:22 am:   Edit Post

Nice landscape pics; it looks like a beautiful area!
dadabass2001
Senior Member
Username: dadabass2001

Post Number: 1261
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Monday, August 31, 2009 - 5:58 pm:   Edit Post

What a beautiful location, and good performance shots as well' Hope your leg comes back quickly.
Mike
jacko
Senior Member
Username: jacko

Post Number: 2400
Registered: 10-2002
Posted on Tuesday, September 01, 2009 - 4:54 am:   Edit Post

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
pauldo
Advanced Member
Username: pauldo

Post Number: 262
Registered: 6-2006
Posted on Tuesday, September 01, 2009 - 4:30 pm:   Edit Post

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. . .
jacko
Senior Member
Username: jacko

Post Number: 2418
Registered: 10-2002
Posted on Monday, September 14, 2009 - 4:40 am:   Edit Post

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

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