Anagrams? We Don't Need Your Stinking Anagrams.

You may have noticed the odd titles these blogs have had recently. In the grips of Scrabble fever they've been anagrams of my name but I'm bored of that now. I have a very low attentio      

I'm once again writing from memory. We know how badly that works out. Still, here goes. 

Monday 28/07/14

Got back from Tramlines around 11ish, straight back to my flat to regroup and found this waiting on my doorstep:

So the day was spent recovering from the Tramlines excesses and listening to this frankly amazing album. I have touted Dexters Shimmer Gold as the greatest album this year and one of the finest debut's ever. This has joined it in joint first position in both those categories.

I had it on repeat all day as I lay in the recovery position. I need a bigger bed for that really. Or a bigger flat. Or a smaller me.

Finally headed over to Julie's in the evening for 'missed you' hugs and Scrabble. I won by 60. Current scores Julie: 46 Me: 19. I'm on a roll. Admittedly I'm still losing handsomely so maybe on a roll in the same way that a pig is on a roll in a bacon butty, but on a roll nonetheless.

Tuesday 29/07/14

Tuesday was spent recovering from the excesses of Tramlines. It was that excessive. The day was boosted with a message from Simon Monaghan, front man with the very brilliant Puppet Rebellion, thanking me for my kind words in last week's blog and asking just what I thought they were gonna look like. More hair was my reply. There's a chance they may be playing MapFest so we're hopefully gonna have an interview for the radio and maybe an appearance at the shop when I'm up and running. 

Re The Notorious Aardvark Record Shop. Had another over the top quote for shopfitting so the plan is back to basics now. Having the doors open and stock to sell has to be the main priority now. I WILL be open in September. On that note I fired off more emails to get things moving.

Passion Play were live and gigging at Cask tonight but I was still in Tramlines detox so gave it a miss. Sorry Tony.

Wednesday 30/07/14

Spent the day recovering from Tramlines. I know!!!! I am 46 though. Another day on the laptop. Hotel booked for York for The Waterboys on August 6th. Taking Julie to see the greatest band that ever walked the planet. 

Bought 12 tickets for The Struts in Sheffield, November 13th. Booked a minibus and have 4 spaces left. First come..... etc.

I designated today as this week's new music day. It doesn't get any easier. New bands don't have it easy and there are many lessons to learn on a very steep learning curve but please, stick quality control high up that list. Slow Club's new single saved it from being a wasted few hours. 

My mate Chris Perkins then sent me a rough demo of a song he's done with the far-too-talented-to-be-legal Laura Kelly and the day was really saved. Can't wait for the finished item and to give it a spin on the radio.

Finally got my arse in gear and headed to Cask for the open mic night. Some excellent performances all round as per. Alistair proved me wrong by nailing his new song after I'd said I bet he can't do it acoustically. I hate him.

Thursday 31/07/14

Had a very lazy day before finally heading over to Julie's. More Scrabble. Another win. Staggering. 46-20.

That was it. That was Thursday.

Friday 01/08/14

YORKSHIRE DAY!! 

I've heard various tales as to why August 1st is Yorkshire Day. My favourite being that a Yorkshire regiment was outnumbered and under heavy attack during the Napoleonic Wars and took refuge in a field of white roses before regrouping and taking an unlikely victory on August 1st. The fact that Yorkshire Day came about after the boundary changes in the 70s and a group was formed wanting to keep The Ridings as they were (I'll always be a Wessie - born in the West Riding of Yorkshire for the uninitiated) is irrelevant.

Had another quiet day/night as Saturday was gonna be another big un and the Tramlines recovery still wasn't complete.

Saturday 02/08/14

Blackfest V at The Blacksmith's Arms, Harworth.

Joined again by Mark Loraine and Alistair Pearson, the Tramlines posse, for a stella line up of bands that in the not too distant future will be in the big time. John Alexander and Scott Howson from Gingerbeard Promotions had kindly asked if I'd present some of the bands later in the day so I tried to pace myself. I failed. I really wanted to introduce Polkadodge. As I'm sure you know The Other Way is named after one of their songs. I was busy chatting when they came on stage though. Professional as ever. They put on a blinding show as always. The best indie/pop you could wish for delivered with an infectious joy. I simply love these guys.

The Bedroom Hour next. A band I've championed for some time though this was the first time I've seen them live. It was great to finally meet them and of course I blagged a free CD. It's playing now as I type. Hinterland is the name of the album and it's another gem. Think Elbow with better and shorter songs. 

I got to introduce The Darlingtons for the first time, which is odd given the number of times I've worked with them. As I mentioned last week the energy that this band play with is frightening. I'd had a bet that they all couldn't stay on stage for the whole set. I won. Dan couldn't help himself and ended up rolling around on the grass, battering his guitar into submission. Just watching The Darlingtons makes you sweat.

The Coopers up next. A band I fell in love with from the moment I first saw them and I still adore. Blagged a t-shirt. I'm shameless. If ever you're feeling a bit down listen to The Coopers. You'll be smiling within seconds. They make the world a better place.

My finally introduction of the night was Bang Bang Romeo. The last time I introduced the whole band on stage was at Donny Live, 5 years ago I think. Stars was only 16 back then and they played low down the bill on the Sunday afternoon. They've evolved into a powerhouse headline band that demand attention. My intro got a bit ranty, imploring people to step forward for they were about to witness another 'I was there' moment. I was right though. As always the band have the crowd wrapped round their collective little fingers, Ross' guitar wailing into the Harworth night like all your favourite nightmares, Joel and Richard proving again that rhythm sections simply don't get better than this (Joel again sporting the trademark fur coat that will be the death of him) and Anastasia showing the stagecraft that has made her the best frontperson (frontwoman sounded wrong) this town has EVER produced. And with a voice that just beggars belief of course.

And that was that. Blackfest had broken me and it was home time. One note, it maybe an idea for the organisers to liaise with a local taxi firm for the end of the night. Getting back to Donny was a nightmare. The fact that Julie had a four piece blues band staying at hers overnight didn't make me anxious to get home at all!!

Oh I did some shameless name dropping too showing everyone a message on my phone from The Struts' Luke Spiller.

Sunday 03/08/14

A very fragile start to the day. Band fed and watered before heading off to their next gig. I headed to my flat to get my radio stuff while Julie gardened, then I headed down to Sine FM Towers for The Other Way. Joined again by Mr. Alistair Pearson. It was good to be live on air again. I wouldn't have missed Tramlines but I hated having to do a prerecorded show. 

The Struts have been struggling to get airplay, and for the life of me I have no idea why, so I designated Everybody Wants this week's featured album. I mentioned this on a facebook page aimed at getting The Struts more airplay and so gained a whole new set of listeners.

Had such a laugh in the studio with Alistair and online with the various Strutters. Messages flying in from all over the place. I'm gonna get a tad big headed but we were on fire and delivered the best show I've done in years. I did promise said Strutters an honorary mention so here goes, and apologies to anyone I've missed:

Biggs (who became Bigsette) Wain, Tracy Haggie McIntyre, Natasha Sian Wilshire, Jools Wilde, Carol Still and Sherill Semple

As I said, I hope I got everyone. They all seemed to enjoy the show and not just for The Struts content so thank you everyone for your kind words. 

Home after the show for more Scrabble until Julie fell asleep. Even half awake she was still beating me.

Gotta go now. Have an appointment this afternoon to discuss the lease terms on the shop. Fingers crossed.

Laters

SS

The Other Way Play List Sunday 03/08/14

The Other Way - Polkadodge
Where Did She Go - The Struts
Blink Of An Eye - You Addiction
Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick - Ian Dury And The Blockheads
Carnival - Bang Bang Romeo
I Could Be A King - The Dunwells
Left Foot Tommy - Unicorn Hunters
007 - Desmond Dekker And The Aces
Put Your Money On Me - The Struts
Emotional Rescue - The Rolling Stones
Brassneck - The Wedding Present
Pirouette - Puppet Rebellion
Stand And Fall - The Velcro Teddy Bears
Wonderful World Of - That Fucking Tank
Recover - Dexters
Everything - The Darlingtons
Bible John - The Sea Kings
You & I - The Struts
Recurring Dream - Tankus The Henge
When I Close My Eyes - Middleman
The Legend Of Dandelion And Shoe (Live) - Alistair Pearson
Bubbly - Colbie Caillatt
Could Have Been Me - The Struts
Ripples - The Coopers
To Be Like - China Rats
Egyptian Reggae - Jonathan Richman And The Modern Lovers