Singles Night at the Virtual Hot Tub #7

Posted on February 25, 2019 by platinumal

I had another great night recently, playing a load of old 7″ singles. What happens is, I acquire these singles from record fairs, charity shops or maybe contributions from friends – and I spend an evening playing through the pile. The’re stacked in order of how long I’ve had them – oldest near the top – and not organised in any way.

So I get a few drinkies down me and play the records in the order they reveal themselves. Which can be fun – no skipping, play whatever’s next in the pile.

This system always means that no matter how many cool songs I play, there’s always a few dodgy tracks in there too. But then let’s just call those less aspirational songs “guilty pleasures”, and enjoy them for what they are.

Last time, I claimed that the rest of the stack of 45 rpm magic wouldn’t reach as high a standard. I was wrong. Here’s the playlist, which includes some absolute monsters…

Elvis Presley – “Young and Beautiful” / “True Love” / “Lover Doll” / “Love Me Tender”
AC/DC – “Whole Lotta Rosie” / “Hell Ain’t a Bad Place To Be”
W.A.S.P. – “Mean Man” / “Locomotive Breath”
The Beatles – “Can’t Buy Me Love” / “You Can’t Do That”
Anthrax – “Anti-Social” / “Parasite”
The Hawaiian Islanders – “Hawaiian War Chant” / “Song of the Islands” / “One, Two, Three, Four” / “On the Beach at Waikiki” / “Sweet Leilani” / “Aloha Oe”
Johnny Cash – “It Ain’t Me Babe” / “Understand Your Man” / “Five Feet High and Rising” / “I Walk the Line”
Stiff Little Fingers – “At the Edge” / “Silly Encores, Autumn 1979”
Spagna – “Call Me” / “Girl, It’s Not the End of the World”
Tenpole Tudor – “The Swords of a Thousand Men” / “Love and Food”
The Rolling Stones – “It’s All Over Now” / “Good Times, Bad Times”
Belinda Carlisle – “Vision of You” / “Leave a Light On For Me (Kamikazee Mix)”
Salt-n-Pepa – “Push It (US Remix)” / “I Am Down” / “Tramp”
Fat Boys – “The Twist (Yo, Twist)” / “The Twist (Buffapella)”
Bananarama – “Cruel Summer” / “Summer Dub”
Thin Lizzy – “Cold Sweat” / “Bad Habits”
Heaven 17 – “Temptation” / “We Live So Fast”
Hammer – “Addam’s Groove (LP Mix)” / “Street Soldiers (Saxapella Reprise)”
Philip Lynott – “Yellow Pearl” / “Girls”
Senser – “The Brunt”
Siouxsie & the Banshees – “The Staircase (Mystery)” / “20th Century Boy”

Fantastic stack of singles! Some absolute classics with a couple of cheesy horror stories. Any playlist that includes AC/DC and the Beatles can’t be half bad. I’ll be doing some more of these singles nights soon, stay tuned!

Elvis

AC/DC

WASP

Singles Night at the Virtual Hot Tub #6

Posted on January 23, 2019 by platinumal

Welcome to another Singles Night at the Virtual Hot Tub with your host, Platinum Al!

As previous, I spent the evening listening to a stack of 45 rpm singles that I’d acquired over time from several sources. Whilst imbibing some fine alcohol. The following is a list of those singles, A and B sides listened to in order.

There are some particularly sweet slabs of vinyl in this edition. As always, however, we’re never too far away from some rank cheese…

INXS – “The Gift” / “The Gift (Extended Mix)”
Sweet – “Action” / “Sweet F.A.”
Rod Stewart – “Reason to Believe” / “Maggie May”
The KLF – “America: What Time is Love?” / “America No More”
ABBA – “Mamma Mia” / “Tropical Loveland”
Elvis Presley – “Trouble” / “Young Dreams” / “Crawfish” / “Dixieland Rock”
Cream – “Strange Brew” / “Tales of Brave Ulysses”
Right Said Fred – “I’m Too Sexy” / “I’m Too Sexy (Instrumental)”
Anthrax – “Indians” / “Sabbath Bloody Sabbath” / “Taint”
The Stranglers – “All Day and All of the Night” / “Viva Vlad!”
W.A.S.P. – “I Don’t Need No Doctor” / “Widowmaker”
Beastie Boys – “(You Gotta) Fight For Your Right (To Party)” / “Time to Get Ill”
Iron Maiden – “The Clairvoyant” / “The Prisoner”
AC/DC – “Let’s Get It Up” / “Back in Black”
Yes – “Into the Lens” / “Does It Really Happen?”
Marillion – “Incommunicado” / “Going Under”
Kim Wilde – “Cambodia” / Watching for Shapes”
The Beatles – “Day Tripper” / “We Can Work It Out”
The Spencer Davis Group – “Keep On Running” / “Somebody Help Me” / “Every Little Bit Hurts” / “I’m a Man” / “Gimme Some Lovin'”
Booker T and the M.G.s – “Time is Tight” / “Hang ‘Em High”
The Byrds – “Mr Tambourine Man” / “I Knew I’d Want You”
The Skids – “Circus Games” / “Onedecree”
Manuel & The Music of the Mountains – “The Portugese Washer Women” / “Never on Sunday”

Note: the B-side of the Anthrax single is actually their track “Imitation of Life”.

I’m mighty proud of that selection. Not that I had anything to do with it, the choice was random – I just took whatever disc was top of the pile and made my way through.

But what a bunch of scorchers! One of my favourite Beatles tracks; Cream; Booker T; some classic metal and the Beastie Boys. It doesn’t get better than that.

Or rather, it won’t. Most of the rest of the pile of 7″ singles isn’t up to that quality…

Tat Trek Update #7: Dancing King

Posted on August 16, 2017 by platinumal

Let me begin this blog post by stating that I am a big fan of Elvis Presley. Despite the fact that this particular piece of paraphernalia appears in the Tat section at Platinum Al’s Virtual Hot Tub, please be under no misapprehension that this is a slight on the King of Rock’n’Roll.

So what have we this time in the collection de tat?

ITEM: “Dancing King” Solar Powered figurine

Description: a small solar powered figure, labelled as the “Dancing King”, but we all know it’s Elvis.

Cost: £1.50 (currently retailing approx. £2.99 in Rhyl)

Bought: Connah’s Quay car boot sale

Reason for buying: It’s Elvis!

The Dancing King is a small Elvis like figurine, who shakes/dances when powered by sunlight. It’s not exactly Elvis the Pelvis, but it is a pretty cool little wiggle.

I already had a solar powered dancing Hula Girl, who sits on my car dashboard, when I discovered this little trophy. I bought one for a friend for a Christmas present last year, whilst in tat haven of Rhyl. I then decided I needed one too.

Luckily, I found this fella in a car boot sale earlier this year. He was snapped up immediately.

I decided to post this piece today, on the 40th anniversary of Elvis Presley’s death, as a tribute to the great man. Yes, it’s fun, but no offence meant. Elvis rules.

RIP Elvis Presley

08.01.1935 – 16.08.1977

Bring Your Own Vinyl Night #10

Posted on December 10, 2016 by platinumal

Bring Your Own Vinyl Night

Queen’s Head, Mold

Friday 2nd December 2016

“Another Vinyl Night, Daddy?” my six year old daughter asked. Yes, sweetie, another! After a bit of a quiet stretch, there seems to have been a little more vinyl action recently. Well I ain’t complaining!

Back to the Queen’s Head in Mold for another Bring Your Own Vinyl Night, arranged/organised by Halcyon Dreams and VOD music. You know the routine by now: play a 15 minute set of whatever tunes you like, vinyl only.

I travelled up with my good pal Brother Adam. We got to the pub nice and early and had some food before the music started. Happy to report that the food was very good indeed – I ordered BBQ pulled pork tacos, and they were mighty fine!

Next up, it was my turn on the decks. This time I played the following:

Revolting Cocks – Do Ya Think I’m Sexy?

I was in the mood for slaying with some off the wall crazy tunes. Revolting Cocks (or RevCo, if you’re in polite company) are an offshoot of Industrial giants Ministry, so this take on the old Rod Stewart cheese fest was sure gonna rock the house. Imagine the seventies original put in a blender with sleazy guitars and a big, head throbbing beat and you’re most of the way there. Ideal for any strip club. This song can be found on the “Linger Ficken’ Good” album, though my version was from a clear vinyl 12″ that came in a liquid filled plastic sleeve. The liquid looks very dodgy.

Vince Taylor – Brand New Cadillac

Absolute classic old school rockabilly mayhem from Vince Taylor, this version is from a recent acquisition called “Rockabilly’s Gravest Hits”. That record is well worth the money. I originally heard The Clash’s cover version on their “London Calling” album; years later I wound up jamming this song in a band practice. It’s highly addictive, full throttle rock and roll and I love it.

Dread Zeppelin – Heartbreaker (At the End of Lonely Street)

For anyone not in the know, Dread Zeppelin specialise in reggae styled covers of Led Zeppelin songs. With an Elvis impersonator on vocals. This song, from a 12″ single, is a mash-up of Zep’s “Heartbreaker”, with “Heartbreak Hotel” thrown in for good measure. Great fun and surprisingly good – the novelty factor works well on this number.

So there you have it – another great Bring Your Own Vinyl Night. As it was the Christmas special, there was a buffet to enjoy as well as the great music. Thanks to everyone, it was a great night. Looking forward to more in 2017!

The Halcyon Dreams blogspot is here.

The Halcyon Dreams mixcloud page is here.

The Halcyon Dreams Facebook page is here.

The VOD music website is here.

Bring Your Own Vinyl Night #9

Posted on November 14, 2016 by platinumal

Bring Your Own Vinyl Night

Queen’s Head, Mold

Friday 4th November 2016

It was great to be back in Mold for another Bring Your Own Vinyl Night. It’s been a long time since the last evening in the Queen’s Head, with summer holidays and whatnot getting in the way – so it was good to see the familiar faces and crank out some tunes.

The usual rules applied: each person got 15 minutes on the decks to play whatever they liked, genre free – vinyl only!

Adam went for it first, here’s an over view of his varied and very enjoyable set:

Voice of the Beehive – I Think I Love You
Grandmaster Flash – Whitelines
Queen – One Vision
Willie Nelson – On the Road Again

I am so jealous of that Willie Nelson single!

Halloween had just been and gone a few days earlier, so I was still in a spooky mood. This time, my set went like this:

Monster Magnet – See You in Hell

One of the many stand out tracks from Monster Magnet’s classic “Powertrip” album, this is acid drenched stoner rock at its finest. The retro sound is augmented by a churning organ that whirls around as the bass chugs. Psychedelic wonderment from Monster Magnet that sounds like a forgotten late 60’s gem. I’ve owned the “Powertrip” album for many years on CD, but recently acquired the new vinyl re-issue. Money well spent. A truly great, under appreciated band.

Donovan – Season of the Witch

This fantastic song was featured in the Tim Burton movie Dark Shadows, a film I’m a huge fan of (though it appears not many other people are). Whilst the previous song sounds like something from the sixties, this one is. It’s a mellow groover that manages to wander out of hippy territory and sound somewhat sinister… Love this track, I felt it was a suitable jam for a Halloween inspired set.

The Damned – Plan 9 Channel 7

Ah, the Damned! Where would a Halloween themed set be, without a tune from these punk rock proto-Goths? One of my favourite bands, one of my favourite songs – from the indispensable “Machine Gun Etiquette” album. Every home should own this! The song is, of course, written about a viewing of Ed Wood‘s infamous “worst film ever made” – Plan 9 From Outer Space – on American horror channel 9. Vampira, James Dean, Hollywood after dark – it’s all here in a perfect slice of rampaging pop punk.

The Misfits – American Nightmare

Finally, more horror punk from the masters themselves – the one and only Misfits. On this track, Danzig and pals abandon the usual Ramones inspired turbo punk and offer up a ridiculously catchy rockabilly number. Complete with handclaps and Danzig crooning more like Elvis than ever, this track sounds like a lost piece of 50’s nostalgia. Classic stuff.

There we have it ladies and gentlemen – another great night in Mold! Thanks to the guys from Halcyon Dreams and VOD music – and Dylan who helped out with an extra turntable! More soon…

The Halcyon Dreams blogspot is here.

The Halcyon Dreams mixcloud page is here.

The Halcyon Dreams Facebook page is here.

The VOD music website is here.

Florence: the Jukebox

Posted on June 13, 2016 by platinumal

Forget using your super smart, internet enabled portable phone as a means of playing music. And forget iPods, too – sadly the swines at Apple have decided to sacrifice their master product, in order to concentrate on their vile mutant phone. My mate Greeny has a much better music playing machine than any of those.

Greeny has a jukebox.

The jukebox is named Florence. After Florence and the Machine, as she’s a machine, obviously. Florence stands proudly in the corner of the lounge, neither dominating the room or sitting back like a wall flower. But Florence has presence: when the lights are on and the tunes are spinning, you will be drawn magnetically to this wondrous device.

He’s been collecting 7 inch singles since he were a lad, has Greeny. Now Florence is a treasure trove packed full of delightful vinyl gems. There’s a wild variety of musical genres in Florence, spanning the decades. She’s regularly re-stocked and/or has the records switched out and replaced with others, keeping the music selection fresh and entrancing.

Florence holds around 84 records. Don’t forget that there’s a song on side A and B, so that’s a generous amount of music to enjoy.

It’s a lot of fun gathering around the jukebox in Greeny’s front room, with a few beers and spinning some records. I would love one of my own, one day – though they cost a few hundred quid, so it’s unlikely. I’m collecting a few cool 7 inch singles just in case, though…

Here’s a list of the records that are currently stocked inside Florence. Remember Greeny has to rotate the records, as he has far more than this! Which songs would you choose to play?

And if you’re interested, this jukebox is a Rowe AMI RI-3.

The tracks:

AC/DC – a. Dirt Deeds Done Dirt Cheap/Big Balls b. The Jack
Billy Paul – a. Me & Mrs Jones b. Your Song
Blind Melon – a. No Rain b. No Bidness/I Wonder
Blondie – a. Rapture b. Walk Like Me
Blue Swede – a. Hooked On a Feeling b. Never My Love
Bob Dylan – a. Subterranean Homesick Blues b. She Belongs To Me
Bruce Springsteen – a. 57 Channels (And Nothin’ On) b. Part Man, Part Monkey
Catatonia – a. Road Rage b. I’m Cured
Chris Isaak – a. Wicked Game b. Cool Cat Walk
Crash Test Dummies – a. Afternoons & Coffeespoons b. In the Days of the Caveman (Live)
Creedence Clearwater Revival – a. Bad Moon Rising b. Lodi
DNA feat. Suzanne Vega – a. Tom’s Diner b. Acapella
Duran Duran – a. The Wild Boys b. (I’m Looking For) Cracks in the Pavement (1984)
Echo & The Bunnymen – a. The Killing Moon b. Do It Clean
Elton John – a. Tiny Dancer b. Daniel
Elvis Presley – a. Suspicious Minds b. You’ll Think of Me
Everything Everything – a. Cough Cough b. A.D.
Faith No More – a. I’m Easy b. Be Aggressive
Fleetwood Mac – a. Oh Well (Part 1) b. Oh Well (Part 2)
Florence & The Machine – a. Rabbit Heart (Raise It Up) b. Are You Hurting
Franz Ferdinand – a. Take Me Out b. Truck Stop
Glen Campbell – a. Wichita Lineman b. Back in the Race
Guns’n’Roses – a. Patience b. Rocket Queen
Huey Lewis & The News – a. The Power of Love b. Do You Believe in Love?
Ian Dury & The Blockheads – a. Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick b. There Ain’t Half Been
Iggy Pop – a. Lust For Life b. Home
Jimi Hendrix – a. Purple Haze b. Foxy Lady
Joan Jett – a. I Love Rock’n’Roll b. The French Song
Johnny Cash – a. A Boy Named Sue b. Folsom Prison Blues
Journey – a. Don’t Stop Believin’ b. Natural Thing
Julee Cruise – a. Falling b. Twin Peaks Theme
Kate Bush – a. Running Up That Hill b. Under The Ivy
Katrina & The Waves – a. Walking On Sunshine b. Going Down to Liverpool
Kiss – a. God Gave Rock’n’Roll To You II b. Junior’s Gone WIld
Led Zeppelin – a. Rock and Roll b. Four Sticks
Lemonheads – a. Mrs. Robinson b. Being Around
Lenny Kravitz – a. Always On The Run b. Instrumental
Live – a. I Alone b. Pain Lies On The Riverbed
Lou Reed – a. Walk On The Wild Side b. Perfect Day
Lynyrd Skynyrd – a. Freebird b. Sweet Home Alabama/Double Trouble
Magazine – a. Shot By Both Sides b. My Mind Ain’t So Open
Neil Young – a. My My, Hey Hey b. Hey Hey, My My
Nena – a. 99 Red Balloons b. Ich Bleib Im Bett
New Order – a. Blue Monday b. Beach Buggy
Norman Greenbaum – a. Spirit in the Sky b. Milk Cow
Otis Redding – a. (Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay b. Respect/Mr. Pitiful
Paul Simon – a. You Can Call Me Al b. Gumboots
Powder – a. Afrodisiac b. Shave Me
Prince – a. When Doves Cry b. 17 Days
Propaganda – a. Duel b. Jewel
Queen – a. Don’t Stop Me Now b. In Only Seven Days
R.E.M. – a. Crush With Eyeliner b. Instrumental
Regina Spektor – a. Fidelity b. Music Box
Rob Base & DJ EZ Rock – a. It Takes Two b. Instrumental
Rolling Stones – a. Gimme Shelter b. Sympathy for the Devil
Roxy Music – a. Virginia Plain b. The Numberer
Spitting Image – a. The Chicken Song b. (I’ve Never Met) A Nice South African
Stealers Wheel – a. Stuck in the Middle b. Jose
Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel – a. Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me) b. Another Journey
Stevie Wonder – a. Superstition b. You’ve Got It Bad Girl
Stone Temple Pilots – a. Plush b. Sin
Super Furry Animals – a. Northern Lites b. Rabid Dog
Supergrass – a. Richard III b. Nothing More’s Gonna Get In My Way
Talk Talk – a. It’s My Life b. Does Caroline Know
The Babys – a. Isn’t It Time b. Give Me Your Love
The Beatles – a. Hey Jude b. Revolution
The Breeders – a. Cannonball b. Divine Hammer
The Buggles – a. Video Killed the Radio Star b. Kid Dynamo
The Doors – a. Alabama Song (Whiskey Bar) c. Take It As It Comes
The Housemartins – a. Happy Hour b. The Mighty Ship
The Kinks – a. You Really Got Me b. All Day and All of the Night
The Knack – a. My Sharona b. Let Me Out
The Mamas & The Papas – a. California Dreamin’ b. Somebody Groovy
The Smiths – a. How Soon is Now? b. Well I Wonder
The Trashmen – a. Surfin’ Bird b. Liar Liar
The Undertones – a. Teenage Kicks b. Emergency Cases
The Who – a. Who Are You b. Had Enough
Tori Amos – a. Cornflake Girl b. Sister Janet
T-Rex – a. Jeepster b. Life’s a Gas
U2 – a. Stay (Far Away, So Close) b. I’ve Got You Under My Skin
Van Halen – a. Why Can’t This Be Love b. Get Up
Vic Reeves & Wonderstuff – a. Dizzy b. Oh Mr. Hairdresser
Yeah Yeah Yeahs – a. Maps b. Countdown/Miles Away

Cocktail Time: Blue Hawaiian

Posted on February 20, 2016 by platinumal

It’s that time again! Time to chill in the Virtual Hot Tub with a refreshing cocktail, letting the week’s stresses flow away. And what a great cocktail I have to share with you this time!

The Blue Hawaiian is a classic cocktail, simply delicious and full of summer excitement. There’s plenty of time till summer, so get your kit together and practice making this tipple ready for those warm evenings. I highly recommend a blender is used for this recipe, rather than just shaking.

Blue Hawaiian

White rum
Blue curacao
Coconut cream
Pineapple juice
Ice

First of all, get that blender prepped and ready. Pour in 2 measures of the white rum and one measure of the blue curacao (for one person). Add 3 tablespoons of the coconut milk and a few ice cubes. Give the mixture a quick 30 second mix in the blender, to get the colour even.

Then pour in the pineapple juice. The recommended amount is 3 tablespoons, but I would experiment here and add a more if required. Now give the mixture a full blitz in the blender until it’s frothy, man.

Now you can pour the mixture into your glass, and garnish the hell out of it. Umbrellas, straws, slices of pineapple – go for it with whatever you can find.

The result is a beautifully fruity cocktail that is ideal to sip and chill out with. I highly recommend some Hawaiian music (on wax, of course) to complete the mood.

Enjoy!

Soundtrack: Hawaiian tunes (see photo); Arthur Lyman’s “Hawaiian Nights”; Les Baxter; Martin Denny; Elvis.

Sci-Fi Weekender 2015 – part 1

Posted on March 26, 2015 by platinumal

Sci-fi Weekender 19th – 22nd March 2015

Hafan Y Mor Holiday Park, Pwllheli

Hard to believe it’s been a year since our last visit off-world to the magnificence that is Sci-Fi Weekender. But here we were again, for our second journey to the stars, with a guest list of thousands from the realms of science fiction and fantasy.

As a convention, what makes Sci-Fi Weekender stand out is that all the guests stay on site at the Hafan Y Mor holiday park in North West Wales. For one weekend each year, the geeks inherit the earth and take over in intergalactic style.

Hellboy and pals

Judges

Catwoman and Silent Bob

Something on your back…

Who ya gonna call?

Royal Guard

Harley behind bars

Joker

This year our band of explorers included Adam, Greeny, Kurt and myself as per last year, but with good buddy Ste along for his first voyage. Amongst the features on offer were all day gaming, merchandise for sale, props to view, films to see, and numerous luminaries being interviewed and partaking in Q and A’s.

Let it be said that the entertainments were many, and that much alcohol was consumed.

On the Friday, I was eager to see an interview with actor Julian Glover. He appeared as General Veers in The Empire Strikes Back so this was a pretty big deal. I have at least three different Star Wars figures of this guy, for a start. He also appeared in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, For Your Eyes Only and Quatermass and the Pit, for good measure. Mr Glover was extremely interesting to listen to and seemed like a thorough gentleman.

Poison Ivy

Batman

Phoenix

Rorschach

Drag Leia and chums!

Scarlet Witch

Captain America

Ghost Rider

Next up was James Cosmo, who I remembered from Highlander (classic!) and as Ewan McGregor‘s dad in Trainspotting. He’s also appeared in dozens of other films and TV shows, not least Braveheart, so his Q&A was top notch.

I took a few photos and milled about a bit, we had some drinks and I caught the One Man Star Wars show. For the uninitiated, this is one bloke recreating all three films from the original trilogy (Episodes IV to VI, fact fans!) in an hour – on his own. There are no effects other than what can be recreated with his own voice and actions. I have to admit that this was very impressive. The audience laughed along, but me as a full on Star Wars nerd was engrossed in how he made the sounds. I need to learn that R2 whistle for my action figures! I AM A NERD!

The finale of the day was once again the genius of Darth Elvis and the Imperials. What do you get? A band of Dark Side troops, fronted by an Elvis Jedi, rocking the stage like a crazed Bantha herd. They look great, they sound awesome!

Elvis classics are re-worked to suit the Star Wars theme, so we get “Return to Endor” and “Viva Mos Eisley”, amongst many more. Brilliant! The band rock out and also put a huge Hutt-like grin on your face with the genuinely witty spin on various classics. Not just Elvis either – nice to hear some Faith No More in the set this year. Absolutely epic entertainment and a perfect end to the night. Hot Dang!

What’s more, I can personally vouch for the fact that the band are 100% decent folks. I got a signed poster! Greeny got a poster and a photo with the Dark King himself! I got excited and forgot to ask for a photo of myself with Darth Elvis! I AM A NERD!!!

Part 2 of our adventure to the stars soon…

Here’s the Sci-Fi Weekender website.

Check out Darth Elvis and the Imperials on Facebook or follow the Dark King on Twitter: @darth_elvis

The Urban Troopers are cool guys – follow them on Twitter: @yodasbitch

The Urban Troopers!

Me with two of my childhood heroes…!

Chester Rocks 2014

Posted on June 25, 2014 by platinumal

Chester Rocks

Saturday 7th June 2014

Chester Racecourse

I went to the first Chester Rocks festival at the Racecourse back in 2011. The main reason for this was to see the living legend, Godfather of Punk, Iggy Pop. With the Stooges, no less. Performing songs from (one of the greatest albums of all time) “Raw Power”! That was not to be missed, not when Sir Iggy and pals were playing so close to home. Also playing on the day were attractions such as Feeder and Leftfield – so a bargain of a day out right on my doorstep.

That was the “rock” (as in “Chester Rocks”) day. The previous day had seen a pop theme with McFly, The Saturdays, Sugababes and some geezer called Taio Cruz (is that how you spell it? How the flip do you say it??!). Our rock day saw glorious weather and a fun day out, and the consensus was that this event would be a great annual fixture, should we see more of the same in the future.

Alas, Chester is a city (small C) with no culture. No cinema, no theatre, few options for live music. Culture, in Chester, is thousands of drunken, vomiting Hollyoaks wannabes watching horses run round a field. And so, alas, Chester opted to jettison the “rock” for the far more lucrative teeny bopper pop market. Chasing the dollar won out, though Rocks was retained as a (somewhat inappropriate) name.

This year, I was lucky enough to be offered a couple of free tickets for the Saturday, and happily snapped them up. Although none of the bands were favourites, it was a chance to enjoy a day out and see some live music. So why not?

The featured acts – three big name bands, plus local support – were all on the big main stage on the field. Quite an impressive place for the smaller bands to play. The only negative was looking to be the weather – a thunder storm that morning with more forecast for that evening.

The first band I caught were local Chester band The Suns. I’d never seen them before, but had heard some good words in advance. I was expecting some friendly, straight forward Indie, but they were very different. Taking to the stage in black suits, with a vocalist with a massive beard, they actually sounded more like a rockabilly band. Oh wait – I get it! Sun Records – The Suns? Bloody marvellous! The rumours are true, The Suns are fantastic. Full of swagger and charm, they’re like The Hives if they’d been formed in 1956 by Elvis, Cash and Perkins. Catch them soon. Band of the day and no mistake.

Next up were The Fallows, another local band. Coincidently, I had seen this band before at my previous visit to Chester Rocks. Back in 2011, Shaun Ryder had disgraced himself with an incompetent, puked-up set of utter shit. I wandered off to see a Battle of the Bands in another area, where I found The Fallows making Ryder look like a lager chimp. Four years later and The Fallows are on this huge main stage. They’re still great. The singer has obviously been to Indie School, where he majored in Richard Ashcroft; but fair does he’s got the balls to superstar it up, way up there. There are hints of U2 and The Verve, and the rumbling bass helps make this set another success.

Purge are next. Never heard of ’em, but they had to be on soon, judging by the number of punters wearing their t-shirts. They brought the whole fan club. Hailing from Manchester, these guys are more of an early RHCP/Primus hybrid. Bring the funk! Good fun, these boys have tons of confidence and are worth keeping an eye on.

Before Purge’s set began, we had a fine example of the type of punter Chester Rocks attracts. Purge fans were waving a huge, home made blanket banner – and a group behind who had their view obscured were unhappy. So riled were they, they barged in and grabbed the banner down and made off with it, in an eruption of petulant self-righteousness. Obviously they don’t go to gigs much. Can’t see? Move. It’s a big fucking field.

The main bands of the evening were The Hoosiers, The Feeling and Razorlight. Can’t say I’m familiar with any of them. It’s light weight, inoffensive Indie pop – though it all seems to blur into one another. A couple of songs I recognised from DFS adverts. They’re all enjoyable and nice enough. I don’t really want to say a bad word about any of the bands, as despite the rain, it’s a jolly day. I won’t be buying their music, but for a free evenings entertainment I ain’t complaining.

Just think how cool it could have been though. From Iggy Pop to Hollyoaks. Where next?

Elvis Lives!

Posted on June 11, 2014 by platinumal

What if… Elvis Presley hadn’t died in 1977?

Another great thing about the White Bear in Mancot is that they have live music on Saturday nights. Whether it’s a full band or a lone artist, there’s usually some entertainment on. And very good they are too.

One night I witnessed an Elvis tribute night, which was excellent. Andy Wright was the performer, and he put on a great show. Two sets of classics from the King, complete with jump suit outfit and giant lit up Elvis back drop. He had the voice and mannerisms dialled, not being afraid to stay in character with his between song banter. Brilliant fun.

Another section of the performance intrigued me. For the encore, Andy sang several songs that Elvis hadn’t actually performed*. The reason that they hadn’t been covered by the King was that they were, for the most part, songs written after his death. Thus, we were regaled by songs such as Purple Rain and Folsom Prison Blues. A fantastic idea – very different and thought provoking.

It got me thinking. What if Elvis Presley hadn’t died on August 16th 1977?

What if, in an alternate reality, Elvis had lived on? Maybe the 1980’s would have been a barren patch creatively. Perhaps a half hearted come back tour, a residency in Las Vegas. Perhaps the Elvis show would run to parody and be devoid of both true spectacle and triumph.

Perhaps in the 1990s, Rick Rubin would have decided to record something stripped back, honest and gritty with Elvis? To put the King back on his throne and return him to his glorious past? Used contemporary songs to showcase the immense talent that this fallen icon still possessed? Remind us all why we loved Elvis in the first place, and what a force to be reckoned with he still was?

Something vaguely similar happened in the 90’s with Elvis’ contemporary Johnny Cash. In another dimension, would the King have recovered his cool in the same way?

This thought led me to create the playlist below. Twelve songs by newer artists that I think would have been fantastic for Elvis to cover.

Just imagine: Elvis Presley – and his recent Rubin produced comeback album “American Recordings: Long Live the King”.

“Wicked Game” (Chris Isaak)
“American Nightmare” (The Misfits)
“Mama Said” (Metallica)
“Crazy in Love” (Beyonce)
“You Shook Me All Night Long” (AC/DC)
“I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” (U2)
“Blood and Tears” (Danzig)
“When the Going Gets Tough” (Billy OCean)
“Mystify” (INXS)
“Stranger on the Town” (The Damned)
“Mysterious Ways” (U2)
“Hip to be Square” (Huey Lewis & The News)

Some of those choices may not be obvious, if you’re not familiar with the bands. Take my word for it, Elvis singing Misfits and Danzig songs would be awesome. Glenn Danzig reminds me of Presley anyway, a lot of the time. And The King’s voice would be perfect for The Damned and Metallica tracks.

Disagree with my song choices? Have more ideas for songs for Elvis? Leave a comment and let me know.

You can visit Andy Wright’s Facebook page here. Get in touch and book him.

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