Dear Hot Damn! About last night... I was twatted by a unicorn! 🦄 True story.

R.I.P. Robin Guy

R.I.P. Robin Guy. This one hits hard, but not like how hard he hit his drums. Robin was an amazing drummer, and by far the best showman I have ever seen behind a drum kit. He was also a really lovely man - as anyone who ever met him would testify. Helpful and always friendly. Although I was never lucky enough to play with him myself, many of my friends did over the years, and Robin made every performance a special and memorable one. Among countless others Robin played with live or recorded with: Rachel Stamp, Bruce Dickenson (Iron Maiden singer), GMT, The Fiascos, AntiProduct, Sack Trick, Sham 69, All About Eve, Bay City Rollers, Conspirators, Adam Bomb, Tigertailz, Lilygun, Maleficent, Freewheeler, and Faith No More (on Top Of The Pops) - the list of artists Robin recorded sessions with, depped at gigs, or bands he was a full member of is endless...

I can't claim to have known Robin very well, but he always remembered me when we met even it we hadn't seen each other for years and his smile and greeting was always warm and genuine - not a showbiz 'sunshine smile' as often found in the music business.

I am shocked and deeply saddened this evening to hear of his passing. Robin will be greatly missed by a huge number of people in our scene - his family, friends, and countless musicians famous and less so, and of course his band mates who I know will be absolutely devastated. Robin will leave a massive hole behind, but also all the memories of the good times - of which there were many. Rest in peace my friend - our world of rock was a much better place for you being in it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-kSiDXo-OLk

24/5/2024 The Warner E. Hodges Band @ The Camden Club

Another great show from Runnin' Blue promotions

An interesting night in Camden. This was my first visit to The Camden Club and I have to say it was a strange experience. 😕 I actually walked right past the place without even realising it was there - even though I was looking for it. 🙄  Walking back down the road I noticed a bar set back from the pavement facing out onto the street. There was a rather pushy man standing behind the bar and he tried to sell me an overpriced beer - I had found The Camden Club! I'd already checked the drinks menu online and seen the prices, so I declined his offer and went into the club. (I later found out the pushy bloke behind the bar was actually the owner of the club!) Even going into the venue was strange as the entrance wasn't immediately apparent.  A door at the side of the bar led to the actual music venue - up some stairs, then down some more stairs into the room containing the stage. 😕 There was another bar in the music room.

I found out a bit later than there was a special 'deal' on beers for the day bringing the price of a pint down to a reasonable (for Camden) price - so I relented and did have a beer or two. I suspect I wasn't the only one who thought the price of a pint was outrageous and refused to pay it - I guess the owner realised he wasn't selling  much beer unless he lowered the price. The toilets were weird too - when they could eventually be found. I must say it seemed a very strange place and appeared to have been 'designed' in a very haphazard and random manner. The owner seemed to be running the place almost singlehandedly, from from what I had read in online reviews had a bit of a reputation for being a bit strange and rude to customers, but to be fair he seemed friendly enough to me and I had no problems with him once I realised who he was.

Opening the evening's entertainment The Conny Bloom Band. Conny rose to fame as a member of Sweden's Electric Boys and has also toured with Silver Ginger 5 as well as joining the last lineup of the 'rebirthed' Hanoi Rocks.

Joining Conny on bass is Jason Knight - who seems to have recently acquired a new bass with eight strings. Yes EIGHT STRINGS. On a BASS! WTF?!!! 😲 I always thought just 5 strings on a bass guitar was excessive, but what do I know? Still, Jason seems to make a pretty meaty sound with his new weapon.

Conny is mainly showcasing his own solo material, but it's no surprise that he throws in the odd Electric Boys song or too - and drops the news that there is new Electric Boys stuff in the pipeline...

Although this 3 piece band appears to have been put together just for this tour the onstage chemistry seems good and everybody is having fun!

And if Jason hasn't already had enough fun for one evening...

The room is pretty full for the headline act - London shows for The Warner E Hodges Band tend to sell out. Although Warner made his name as a guitarist in country/punk/rock band Jason & the Scorchers his current band leans away from country and punk and more towards straight up hard rock - Warner's favourite band is AC/DC and you are pretty sure you will always hear at least one of their songs mixed into the setlist along with his own original material - except there isn't actually a setlist at all and Warner makes it up as he goes along - reading the room, or just playing whatever he feels like playing - so the band have to learn a lot of songs by heart before every tour!

For tonight's main act Jason has switched back to a more sensible 4 strings and his usual weapon of choice a Thunderbird bass.

Ex-Main Grains,  Grand Theft Audio and The Spangles guitarist Ben Marsden does a great job on guitar backing up Warner, but is an excellent guitarist in his own right and can rip out a mean solo with the best of 'em. 🎸

Regular Warner E Hodges Band drummer John Powney seems to have gone missing and new guy Shane Dixon has taken his place on the drum stool - he does a pretty decent job. Maybe the change of drummer could explain Black Sabbath's classic 'War Pigs' not being played on this tour as John Powney's performance was always particularly amazing on that song.

Warner has put together a really good band for when he tours the UK and Europe. In fact Warner likes this UK band enough to have recorded two studio albums in the USA and a live album recorded in the UK with them. In spite of the somewhat weird venue this is a very enjoyable evening of top quality rock music played by a fine band of musicians who work really well together. Before I leave after the show I buy the band's latest album and am given a free signed poster to take home - great souvenirs of a terrific night's entertainment!

18/5/2024 Denizens + ? + Cato Street Conspiracy + Loudmouth @ Hope & Anchor

Saturday night and I'm back at the Hope & Anchor for the second time in two weeks. And why not as it's usually a very reasonable ticket price along with bar prices to match? Tonight's punk themed show kicks off with Northern oiks Loudmouth.

Just what it says on the tin, but decent musicians making a tight and punchy punk style racket. Well done lads.

Next up are Cato Street Conspiracy. I'm a bit confused - I think I may have mixed them up with a band I've seen in the past managed by an old friend of mine (hello Joe) called Caffeine Conspiracy who were a bit like The Wildhearts. This is not that band.

Good solid sound from these guys - heavy with a punk edge, but not a lot of stage presence.

Next (nearly) was the headliners. Denizens are definitely worthy of that title tonight. A bit more attitude than the previous band

More aggressive vocals, but without taking the easy but all too common route these days of resorting the screaming or shouting. I hate all that fashionable fake 'anger' and 'emotion' from so many modern rock vocalists, but this sounds more genuine and convincing.

Denizens do more than any of the other bands tonight to get your attention bring you into their world without resorting to unnecessary drama. They are worthy of your attention.

Oh yes, there was actually another band on just before the headliners. I didn't get any pictures of them as I was otherwise engaged. 😉

10/5/2024 Anoraks + Seizure Salad + Glitter Kick + No Feelings @ The Hope & Anchor

Another good value for money Friday night at the Hope & Anchor - only £7 advance or £10 on the door to see 4 bands. And still people moan about gig tickets being too expensive! They are obviously going to the wrong gigs. 🙄

The theme of tonight's show is 'Female Fronted Punk', but there is some 'artistic license' applied with the first band of the evening The Anoraks.

They are an old school East End punk band formed back in the last century - and they've never stopped since.

Bev the drummer takes lead vocals on some songs - sort of justifying the 'Female Fronted' title - even though she is at the back  of the stage, but mostly they are fronted by guitarist Gary Minall.

Although they are a punk band after all this time together they can play pretty well and are capable of holding their own on large stages with big name bands at events like the Rebellion Festival.

There have been a few lineup changes over the years, but over that 25+ years the band has evolved into a tight and punchy sounding unit.

With a really solid sound The Anoraks mean business and I don't envy any band that has to go on after them.

However, that doesn't seem to faze the weird and wacky Seizure Salad who have come all the way from Exeter to entertain us.

And we are indeed entertained by their punk and Riot Grrrl antics. They give a spirited performance and look like they are having a lot of fun!

All too soon Seizure Salad have finished their set and it's time for Glitter Kick 🤩

There have been changes since I last saw this band in February. A new and maybe permanent rhythm section has been installed to take over from those who been standing in after the tragic and unexpected loss of drummer Belle Star, and subsequent departure of Adam the bassist.

The core of the band is singer Roxi and guitarist Greg, but the new guys seem more than competent enough and fit in as if they have been there for a while.

Glitter Kick are polished and professional with a bunch of catchy and commercial pop/rock songs - with Roxi and Greg always holding your attention.

Roxi manages to look completely different for every show - apart from one thing - she loves her big boots!

Even if you have never seen Glitter Kick before and don't know any of their songs, you can still be sure of one thing - you won't be allowed to get bored!

Glitter Kick mix things up - pop, rock, glam, and a hint of punk. Pretty much something in there somewhere for anyone who likes guitar based music.

No Feelings name their band after a Sex Pistols song and try to pass themselves off as a 'punk' band, but are by far the least punk band on tonight's bill. Although they are supposedly the 'headline' band they are the least interesting or exciting band of the night.

Unlike the other bands tonight all playing their own original material No Feelings set seems to consist entirely of covers - albeit mostly punk classics. Although the singer does a decent enough job, the only punk thing about this band is the bass player - I'm guessing it's his band as apart from the singer the rest of the band seems to change every time I see them.

Although reasonably competent musicians, this is the sort of band you will find in countless local pubs in every town and city in the land every Saturday night. And I come down to Islington or Camden to get away from this sort of thing.

Still, four bands for around a tenner on a Friday night in one of London's cooler little venues is not to be sneezed at, and the price of a pint is much more reasonable than most music venues too - well worth jumping on the train to Highbury & Islington for!

3/5/2024 King Salami and the Cumberland Three @ Signature Brew Haggerston

It's nearly a year since I last saw King Salami and the Cumberland Three - and that's been far too long!

Last time I saw them was at the Hope & Anchor, but now they are playing at the larger Signature Brew in Haggerston - also quite easy to get to on the Overground train. When I last saw them they had a new guitarist replacing the excellent 'Captain Not Sensible'. The new guy then was still pretty good, but now he too has been replaced. Fortunately the newest bloke is also a pretty good rock 'n' roll player.

Not content with playing some of the best old school rock 'n' roll to be found, their singer also has the best headgear! I am pleased to report that the sausage boys are still a damn fine rock 'n' roll band, and as well as being fine musicians they are also highly entertaining! 'The King' himself is a great frontman with a good line in banter. The often sausage themed songs are also good fun and get people dancing. There is nothing not to like here.

The venue itself is also better than many, although the toilet facilities leave something to be desired... No real ales at the bar unfortunately even though the venue is owned by a brewery. 😕  However, there is a reasonable selection of beers at the bar of varying strengths - although they aren't cheap considering the brewery are cutting out the middleman. Still, it's not a bad place to go and see a band on a Friday night.

18/4/2024 Jeff Moh Memorial Show @ Mau Mau Bar/Bar Love

Photographer Jeff Moh was a well known figure on our scene - frequently seen at gigs, and always sporting his signature look of black aviator shades and bandanna. Nikon in hand he would be down at the front getting all the best shots - while still wearing his shades - always the coolest looking photographer in the room. In fact, often the coolest guy in the room full stop. Always friendly, he seemed to know everyone! London's rock 'n' roll scene was deeply saddened to hear of his passing in November last year - Jeff was a friend to many of the bands, and not just rock bands - he was the official photographer for Osibisa. 😎

Originally from Borneo he was well travelled, but known mostly for his time in Berlin and then London where he spent 40 years building a reputation as a photographer. But there was a lot more to this modest man than that and he was involved in more dangerous things in other countries, but maybe those stories will remain untold...

As Jeff was a well loved character, particularly in the Ladbroke Grove area it was decided to organise an event to pay tribute to him. And appropriately it took place at one of his regular haunts - Mau Mau Bar as it used to be called. Sadly this cool little Portobello Road dive has since closed. Now reopened as a trendy cocktail/wine bar in the same location called Bar Love. Next best thing I guess as it's still in the same place Jeff used regularly hang out. As a tribute to Jeff attendees tonight are invited to wear their own shades and bandanna - a nice touch. I oblige, but I can't carry it off as smoothly as Jeff did. 😎

It being a Thursday night I struggle to get all the way to Ladbroke Grove after work and sadly miss Roxi and Greg from Glitter Kick😍 perform a short set in tribute to their friend Jeff. The place is packed when I arrive! Fortunately I am in time to see 🗲Electrics🗲

This band are very at home in this intimate venue as like with Jeff Moh this is a regular haunt of theirs and they are used to playing here.

As usual 🗲Electrics🗲 give a lively and entertaining performance of punk tinged edgy rock 'n' roll.🎸

Although this is a very much West London band there is a strong New York and Johnny Thunders and The Heartbreakers vibe going down here - without resorting to copying or being a tribute band.

But the snotty punk attitude is very much in place, and the band only play their own original songs.

With song titles like 'No Shit' and 'Fuk U' and frontman Alan Blizzard often wearing a L.A.M.F. T-shirt you can tell where this band are coming from.

Punky attitude aside 🗲Electrics🗲 are basically a good rock 'n' roll band, and also a lot of fun!

The next band also have similar West London roots - in fact The Dirty Strangers and 🗲Electrics🗲 can often be found playing on the same bills - and both bands also have frontmen called Alan who go back many years as being great mates.

Another thing The Dirty Strangers and Electrics have is common is that they are both just basically rock 'n' roll bands. But that's fine, in fact it's all I need - because Mick, you say "It's only rock & roll but I like it" - but I don't like it - I fucking love it! And so do a lot of other people if all those dancing are anything to go by.

The thing about that used and abused term 'rock 'n' roll' is that it has been devalued by being applied to so many things and people that simple aren't. If you need a huge banner behind you saying "ROCK 'N' ROLL" to tell everyone that you are, then you almost certainly aren't. The Dirty Strangers don't need any banners. Like punk real rock 'n' roll is all about the spirit with which is played - and this band have it in spades! You only have to watch Alan Clayton fronting this band to see how much he totally loves what he is doing. This is the real thing.

And the rock 'n' roll isn't over yet as Taurus Trakker take to the stage. This is another band with close links to the Ladbroke Grove area. There seem to be a bit of a theme developing here: Portobello Road, rock 'n' roll, frontmen playing Telecasters, and Jeff Moh. 😎

This area of West London seems to be a bit of a rock 'n' roll outpost - after all - Lemmy used to live in Ladbroke Grove! 🂡 They might not be as loud or as fast as Motörhead, but Taurus Trakker are very much a rock 'n' roll band in the finest traditions and capture it's guitar based spirit well.🎸

I think the bands and crowd tonight did Jeff Moh proud - I think he would have been happy to see how much affection the local crew, and the London rock scene hold for him. The venue was packed, including many musicians - did I see an Only One or London Cowboy or two? He will be much missed by us all. Thanks for all the pictures Jeff.

13/4/2024 The Priscillas @ Walthamstow Trades Hall

Walthamstow Trades Hall may be a bit off the beaten track and not always easy to find if you haven't been there before, but it's actually one of East London's best venues for live music - and other events too. It's quite spacious inside, but not too big and barn like. Reasonable bar prices, and friendly staff who look like they are actually happy to be there too - it's the sort of place that makes you want to come back. Unlike London's many corporate venues - the vibe here is quite different. 😀

There is plenty of room to dance if that's your thing. And as the always entertaining Priscillas are playing here tonight then more people than usual will probably feel like dancing to their infectious rock 'n' roll beat.

But the Priscillas beat is actually slightly different tonight as the band's regular drummer is otherwise engaged, and the drum stool is occupied by former Molotovs drummer Ice Dob. This girl in no slouch behind the kit!

The band are a few miles East of their usual Holloway haunts, but appear just as at home here as anywhere else.

The dim lighting suits singer Jenny Drag's Catwoman style outfit tonight - lookout boys - she's got claws!

Taylor maintains the fact that the coolest person in most bands is actually the bass player.  Regular readers will know this is true. 😉

Although  it has to be said that the best named member of this band is guitarist Valkyrie. Which makes her sound like she should be in some sort of extreme metal band, but she's actually far more rock 'n' roll than that. 😎

The Priscillas are a lot of fun! They have a punky edge to them, while echoing the sounds of classic old school rock & roll and the sixties and seventies girl groups - probably not a million miles away from the same influences that shaped the sounds of the New York Dolls and Ramones. Which can only be a good thing!

If you go to a Priscillas show you are going to be entertained - whether you like it or not. And Walthamstow Trades Hall is a pretty good place to be entertained. There is nothing not to like here. 😃

The venue is in walking distance of the Victoria Line and the Night Tube, but as I wander about after the show I see there is a new Superloop bus service going right past the venue which means I don't even need to walk to the Victoria Line to get a train to get me home. And the new Superloop bus routes are much faster as they don't stop at every bus stop.