Wednesday 23 May 2007
Band Practice Cancelled: Bloody Rayners
We are family. And indeed we are. We haven't seen the absent Rayners Bruce and Tobin for ages. Tobin's still banging on about a certain bass player needing a new bass and a certain bass player looking more rotund than when he last saw this certain bass player. But there he was looking as emaciated as ever. Exactly.
We all met up in the Queen's Head in Newbury Market Square. Talked about names for babies, ebay, the girl who kept trying to take our empties, Bruce's partner's dressing gown [Where did it go?] and mobile phones making that annoying shutter noise for when they take pictures ['it's The Law' according to Eg] ['Really?' gasps everyone else]['No it's not, you plonkers' according to Ad].
First time in quite a while that all Rayner brothers were in one place at one time. Yawn. Must be nice for one family to share such a responsibility for the World's overcrowding. There's always Tom and I to keep it real. As ever. Though we clearly missed the opportunity to reduce the Rayner genetic footprint that evening.
Anyway, all this meant Ben at Valley Studios had to go without our rehearsal noise. So at least someone's happy.
Present:
Ad, Eg, Fea, Gi, Tom,
Luisa, Bruce and Tobin
Friday 11 May 2007
The Hobbit, Southampton
Fruitbat screeching behind the bar, the awkward parking, the paddling pool to get through to the urinals in the gents, the late night three setter. No changes back at The Hobbit then.
This time we had Oxford's very own Shirley to kill off the first set for us.
And how good were they? Tight, poppy quality songs. We loved them. With our old pal Alan on guitar. I think this was when Eg decided we were going to get Alan to do a turn on stage with us. Teenage Kicks would do.
So our 2 set performance was the usual mélange of Loopy old and new with plenty of covers thrown in. And whilst Shirley were clearly the 'musicians' of the night, loopy - as headliners - were always going to enjoy the audience at their drunkest. Though I have to say, after we had called Alan from the audience for his Teenage Kicks stint, thereafter the audience shouted 'We Want Alan' after nearly every song. Very funny. Perhaps.
Quote of the evening:
"I've just worked out why we're all acting so happy: it's the band" girl at the bar, heard by Tom during the break after the first set.
Support:
Shirley
Set:
Mixture of classics ... and other [popular] classics.
This time we had Oxford's very own Shirley to kill off the first set for us.
And how good were they? Tight, poppy quality songs. We loved them. With our old pal Alan on guitar. I think this was when Eg decided we were going to get Alan to do a turn on stage with us. Teenage Kicks would do.
So our 2 set performance was the usual mélange of Loopy old and new with plenty of covers thrown in. And whilst Shirley were clearly the 'musicians' of the night, loopy - as headliners - were always going to enjoy the audience at their drunkest. Though I have to say, after we had called Alan from the audience for his Teenage Kicks stint, thereafter the audience shouted 'We Want Alan' after nearly every song. Very funny. Perhaps.
Quote of the evening:
"I've just worked out why we're all acting so happy: it's the band" girl at the bar, heard by Tom during the break after the first set.
Support:
Shirley
Set:
Mixture of classics ... and other [popular] classics.
Wednesday 9 May 2007
The Railway, Winchester
"This is our last gig, cos in a few months time we're all going our separate ways to University" was what the fresh-faced lead singer proclaimed before launching into the last number. I'm Widely Spread. That was their band name. There were a lot of them on stage too. They were indeed widely spread. And they were supporting us. Though to be honest, we should have supported them. Good songs, a good feel and, most importantly of all for these small venues, a good following.
It was Fea who was the first to break his silence. How he longed for that youth again. And, to be honest, they were a seemingly good advert for it. Bastards. And let's face it. Fea is getting on a bit.
When I'm Widely Spread left the stage, so did their fans abandon the floor. Leaving seven of ours old faithfuls looking somewhat embarrassed at their shoes. We've had lower attendances but the years have made them seem few and far between, and this was one of the funniest. So we treated it as a band practice with friends. Which is always nice.
Sound Engineer:
Support Acts:
Catrine Barry
It was Fea who was the first to break his silence. How he longed for that youth again. And, to be honest, they were a seemingly good advert for it. Bastards. And let's face it. Fea is getting on a bit.
When I'm Widely Spread left the stage, so did their fans abandon the floor. Leaving seven of ours old faithfuls looking somewhat embarrassed at their shoes. We've had lower attendances but the years have made them seem few and far between, and this was one of the funniest. So we treated it as a band practice with friends. Which is always nice.
Sound Engineer:
- Isaac - often seen at Valley Studios.
Support Acts:
- I'm Widely Spread
- Parcel Force
Catrine Barry
Friday 17 December 2004
Gig: The Furniture Project
Saturday 8 May 2004
Live at the BBC
Venue: BBC Studios, Brighton
Present: All
Well, a few weeks previously, the band won the Southern Counties Radio Juke Box Jury style programme with a record breaking 29 out of 30. Penance for such a feat took the form of having to perform live on air. A new addition to the Loopy CV.
So, the boys plus groupies, travelled all the way across to the BBC studios in Brighton.
Interviewed by the presenter Phil Jackson, the boys managed to get across that in spite of their age they were still just as prone to sounding cheap and tacky as the rest of the younger models of pop wannabes. At least they didn't sound delusional.
The evening ended with a pint back at the Sussex Brewery in Emsworth.
Present: All
Well, a few weeks previously, the band won the Southern Counties Radio Juke Box Jury style programme with a record breaking 29 out of 30. Penance for such a feat took the form of having to perform live on air. A new addition to the Loopy CV.
So, the boys plus groupies, travelled all the way across to the BBC studios in Brighton.
Interviewed by the presenter Phil Jackson, the boys managed to get across that in spite of their age they were still just as prone to sounding cheap and tacky as the rest of the younger models of pop wannabes. At least they didn't sound delusional.
The evening ended with a pint back at the Sussex Brewery in Emsworth.
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