Just Johnny
Just got back from the Abbey Road On The River Festival in Louisville, Kentucky and what a great time we had! We played 5 gigs in 5 days which sounds a lot but it's not really as each show only lasts between 45 minutes and an hour. Wingsbanned are used to 2 and a half hour sets so it should have been easy. Well, it was for our gallant troubadours but my observations regarding the vocal quality from other bands made me ponder how we use our vocal cords when singing rock music.
By the third or fourth day it was clear that several vocalists were struggling to hit notes they had been able to reach earlier in the week and they would have to push it which in turn led to more cord damage and poorer results. Was it the rock & roll debauched lifestyle that was causing this? By the last day, some guys were a pale shadow of themselves and as I recall it was exactly the same the year before for many performers.
There are several contributing factors to this loss of vocal quality. Funnily enough, alcohol isn't really one of them. Getting tanked up before a show is a no-no but that alone won't damage your voice in the short term. No liquid actually flows over your vocal cords anyway so can't help or hinder but what alcohol will do is dehydrate you and that's bad. You must keep your throat lubricated as the air must travel out and in this way and regular quenching is essential, especially in the incredible heat we were playing in. Temperatures were in the 30's and it was very humid so much dehydration was going on. However, warm and damp are naturally good conditions for vocal cords and should help not hinder.
I observed every singer regularly drinking from water bottles so that didn't seem be the problem. The amount of singing done daily was not excessive so there must be something more.
There are three main problems. Two are to do with technique and the other isn't anything to do with singing. Firstly though, we must look at technique. Number one cause of vocal loss is straining. This is usually either because the song is too high pitched but more often than not, it's because the singer sings too loudly! I call it "over-singing" and always happens when monitoring is not adequate and the singer thinks they can't hear her or himself. There is no excuse for this when the sound crew was the quality of the Abbey Road On The River sound men - it just means the singer didn't sort it out his monitoring at the start. If you sing flat out you'll be lucky to last half an hour. The Beatles learned how to project their voices whilst in Hamburg without destroying them and can be learned with a little vocal coaching and much practice. Lungs and air flow are the main ingredients but you need to practice regularly. That means singing every day so that when a gig comes along, it's not such a stretch for your voice box. The vocal cords are exactly like muscles and need exercising. You can build stamina and strengthen them which in turn will increase your range and power. I also use ear plugs which really helps and sometimes I only use one. It's the equivalent of sticking your finger in your ear and instant in-head monitoring becomes available. Maybe it's not for everyone and guys complain they want to hear the whole band with both ears but I guarantee I never strain when I use them. Then, after every loud gig, I try and sing quietly to myself to bring it all down again. Sort of the equivalent of warming down that athletes do.
That leads us to the second problem. Warming up. You must sing quietly as soon as you can every day and build it up over as long a time as you can. Never try and go straight to the high, loud stuff for there lies certain death - or hoarseness at the very least. Personally, I never sing scales though the benefit of using them is to exercise your vocal cords from low to high. I prefer to sing songs and that helps practice your interpretation and style. I've never heard anyone "perform" when they sing or play scales!
Finally, the third main problem is what happens when you stop singing. It's talking! At gigs the volume is high and people need to talk loudly to be heard. This is the kiss of death. Never, ever try to talk above a band. Never talk for any length of time in a car and keep telephone calls down to a minimum. Combine this with as much sleep as is realistic, keep yourself well hydrated and sing quieter and you will be laughing (and singing too).
July 13th 2009
How many times have you heard a friend or someone you haven't seen in while say "I still feel 18", even though they haven't seen their teens in 20 plus years? Loads of times, I'll bet. Everyone says it despite nature arguing quite convincingly that the movement is more obviously the other way.
Meeting up with old pals on websites proves this as countless folk express disbelief that the number of years in front is now probably less than the ones behind yet they maintain nothing has changed inside.
What shite! Everyone I know including me has nothing at all about their current lifestyle that remotely looks like the carefree bachelor days of 18. Married, divorced, mortgages, rents & kids are all products of "adult" life and none of them bothered me at 18. Just cos you like the same music as you did and still love the same TV programs doesn't mean you still act 18. How often do you stay out all night getting lathered, puking up, getting rejected by women and dancing like a drunken fool? What - quite often? Shame on you! You'll be an embarrassment then, and they won't forgive you because of your youth. God, I would hope that you have a better understanding of the World by now than that.
There, there. Getting older is fairly cool. You should be handle handle situations and problems better and what's more, you don't get acne. Hopefully, you understand people better and should be more tolerant of differences. If you aren't then sod you, I always thought you were an idiot anyway and you should be more like me.
Don't say you still feel 18. You don't. However, whatever it means, it proves you're not dead, yet.
e
December 10th
Where is everyone?
We have all been playing gigs to half empty (or less) venues for the last six months and it's not getting any better. It seemed to coincide with the smoking ban but whereas, in the Summer people could stand outside puffing away yet simultaneously listening to the sweet music dressed in mere t-shirts, now that Winter is upon us they are no longer venturing outside.
So, I say again, where are they?
There is only one explanation - they are all staying home. After all, the smoking ban is universal. There is nowhere else to go. A whole batch of persons not venturing outside their four walls so as to inhale the weed. Seems unlikely but no-one can suggest any reasonable alternative. One thing is for certain - they ain't coming to see me!
Well, we'll soldier on for the time being.
November 13th
Well, it seems like winter is approaching with a rapidity matched only by the fall in temperature. What a bummer! None of us are prepared for it, neither.
The band has enjoyed a hiatus of a few weeks after the Liverpool Festival. What a great time we had. Ken said he had run out of people to bore about how good a time he had. So much music, so much alcohol, so little sleep. For Rhiannon, it was also a dream come true to be in the home of The Beatles and actually in in the Matthews Street pubs playing music. What more is there in life?
I had two stand out moments. The first was being called up to join Hal in the American Bar and to sing 4 songs with him in harmony such as If I Fell and Two Of Us. Sounded really good too! Two years ago, I just watched as he captivated the audience with a non stop show of acoustic Beatles songs and invited the occasional artist up to join him. I remember thinking then that I wanted to take part cos it was just such fun.
Secondly, due to a promise about not blowing out a gig, I had to play with Burn on Sunday lunchtime in Chesham then get to Liverpool for an 8 o'clock start at the Liverpool Cavern. This was a rash and stupid piece of timing. We couldn't finish the Burn gig till 4pm!!! Well, do the sums. I ran from the stage and by 4.02pm was heading for the M40. Fortunately, it was a clear road unlike the night before when Sarah & I had driven down South and the North side of the motorway was a solid jam at midnight.
However, the Gods of Rock were with me and I drove at a steady 90mph all the way. Birmingham was clear too, a rare occurrence and an essential one as there really was no chance of making it with any delay. Ludicrous! However, at 7.40pm we walked into the stifling heat of the Cavern Club dressing room really nonchalant as if it had been dead easy when in fact, it was the worst drive of my life and I will NEVER EVER do it again! So, next year at Chesham will have to be without me. Read the report by the way, it's good. CLICK HERE
As for the Wingspan gig, check it out on our NEWS Page
AUGUST 17th
With only one week to go before the Beatles Festival in Liverpool, we are having a warm up gig at The Old Swan, Higham Ferrers tonight and it's all about playing everything to make sure it's all up to scratch. On top of that, we are having a production rehearsal tomorrow afternoon, by which time I will fit for only a glass of red wine.
This week saw a very exciting development. Sarah Pate, acting manager of the band met Paul McCartney in London at a Casino and wasted no time in accosting him with tales of Wingspan. He must have been thrilled to hear of guys imitating him and making money off him - let's face it, there are gizillions of Beatles Bands around all doing good business. However, it's to Sir Paul's credit that he listened and commented favourably and finally signed a "Good Luck Wingspan at Liverpool" message which absolutely knocked us all out.
Not as much as Sarah leaving it in a black taxi on the way home though! Even now, we are searching all 60000 cabs in the London area for it. She also met Madonna and she signed a card too so we were all laughing at Sarah's memory. Worse still, there was a free bottle of red wine in the same bag and that's gone too.
Sometimes, it's just all too much.
JUNE 4th
Here comes summer and I don't mind saying that it's about time too! I'm fed up with that nasty, cold, damp stuff and am totally ready for heat. Heat is good. Heat is lovely. It's good for the voice, it's good for the soul and helps everything. Except hair. It's bad for that. In Wingspan, we have more than half the band who are not bothered by that.
Scott D probably has hair but it's hidden so far inside his scalp thanks to overuse of the razor that the band is actually unaware of what colour it is. He could be a ginger and we wouldn't know it!! We know he's not bald as there is a trace of stubble but seems to have an intense fear of follicles. This is overcompensated by buying a death-metal black gothic guitar known as 'Norman' and playing rock solo's in inappropriate moments.
Lee Herbert has no hair that anyone has seen since his early twenties so being a "brother of the razor" is as much a part of him as his bottom. Yes, some might say it's a large part of him but I wouldn't as I'm not like that. Lee needs no hair to be the total professional he is today. Just talent.
Gary Bolton, the keyboard player who's not from there, is not without hair but it's a losing battle. Playing drums with his alter ego band, Brimstone, Gaz still is a rocker at heart and therefore, a certain amount of hair is deemed desirable. A hair piece is not the way to go for this master of the ivories and pig-skins, especially if he can get away with a comb over.
Then there is laughing Ken Bannister - a guitarist and bassist who sings too! Ken has hair but only at the sides so I am not sure that counts. No worrying for him over little matters of whether the damp heat flattens one's back-combing. His centre parting simply widens with the years and more power to him for it too. Ken learned to play bass at a time when it used to be the boring, fat boy who got lumbered with it as he was the poorest guitar player in the band and couldn't sing. Not our Ken. He's slim.
Talking of fat boys, Johnny Heywood has hair. Not as much as he once had and it doesn't seem to do what it once did but it's still there, varying in quantity and colour which he claims to be Tittian. This would account for the colour changes which he maintains is due to the weather but seems to coincide more with a trip to Boots The Chemist. Rumoured to have been a ginger once, no-one, not even Johnny himself can be sure what it is now.
Similarly, guitarist John Foreigner still has a full head of hair and he uses a variety of lengths depending on his mood. Long or short, it's a constant worry to him that the heat will cause it to lose it's natural bounce and it's only right that a man his age should not have to worry about anything more serious. Claiming the colour to be 100% natural and grey free, he never explains the shift from rustic brown to 'mousey' and why should he? He paid for it.
Finally, girlie Rhiannon has hair. Blonde too, like Linda Mac. Can't really say anything more about it cos it's very nice too. We can still think of many other things to tease her for, dress sense, style, choice of parents etc so she'd better stay on her toes for the foreseeable future.
There you go. Another article on the really important things about being in a band.
JANUARY 17th
Liverpool Beckons:
Hoorah! We are playing the Beatles Festival in Liverpool again. Last time we
played there was 2005 and it was great! Sadly, we seemed to blow it somewhere
along the line and didn't do last year's festival which was very sad. In
hindsight, I think we didn't handle the politics very well and annoyed the
organisers. I just wish we'd have had the hindsight before it happened.
There will some other gigs coming up soon and we need to play-in our different
sets. We have a theatre set which is everything from Beatles to solo stuff and
can last two and a half hours or more if we are not stopped. We also have a
basic rocking pub set which is a lot more direct and hard. Finally there will be
the set for venues like Butlins and other holiday camps. Yes, it's just one long
rock and roll holiday in Wingspan.
On other matters, Laughing Gary Bolton phoned at 1am after a rehearsal to
inquire if I had his bag of leads and plugs without which, he would be unable to
perform.
I recalled Scott bringing the bag out the rehearsal room and then giving it me
whilst he showed the band some marks on his car which, although appearing
slight, caused the car to be written off. I gave it back to him by putting it
beside his car. Sadly, he thought it was my bag and I thought it was his so
there it stayed till 1-30am when daring Little Johnny Shearer drove back to the
studio car park and scaled the high security fence to retrieve the forlorn bag.
Well done, John - it won't be forgotten and we hope you quickly recover from the
sprained ankle you gave yourself.
Daft bugger shouldn't be climbing fences at his age.
October 16th
End of an Era:
July 17th saw the closure of Wylands Studios, home of Johnny's recording studio since 1987.
In those days, it was a 4-track cassette machine, an acoustic guitar and a cheap bass which made up the facilities although access to TV and coffee was always easy which is essential during long bouts of recording. Over the years, improvements saw first a 6-track cassette (which was a big leap, I can tell you!) then 8 track and finally 24 track digital, 35 guitars/basses, synths, Hammond Organ and a fine collection of music DVD's. Many recordings were made here - The Self-Righteous Bros album was the first, the Burn album was mostly recorded in the little room with only the drums being laid down (in one day) by Ross in a studio in Windsor. Rob's guitars, my bass and vocals were all done at Wylands. Savage Eye and Firestorm were recorded entirely without leaving my comfortable red stool, The New Mud album was 80% recorded there, Wingspan's album has been played on the radio in the States and almost all of it was "made in Wylands". Most recently, one third the Fire In The Hole recordings were completed there before Cliff weaved his magic at his own plush studios in Watford.
However, this all ended when the whole caboodle was shifted to a new and much larger venue - Saint Johns Studios, not named because I believe I should be canonised but titled after the area. Re-mastering will take place on some of the above albums but also new recordings too! Hoorah! Just the ticket as the winter nights draw in.
September 14th
I wear ear plugs, you know. Not when I'm having breakfast or driving in the car,
I mean, but onstage. I have been doing this for over 10 years and I am happy to
report no loss of hearing in either ear or tinnitus. This is not the case for
many of my musical compatriots who almost all are sporting the collective
results of years of destructive volume and damaging frequencies.
Unlike ear plugs usually used by musicians which are vented to allow some frequencies through whilst cutting out the nasty high end ones that cause the most problems, my plugs are total block out. This is like putting your fingers in your ears. You can still hear something but not a lot. So, why use them?
It started when I realised I was playing or rehearsing 4-5 times a week and it dawned on me that if I kept this up I would go deaf. I tried some little yellow plugs in rehearsal one day and it was a revelation. All of a sudden I sang quieter because I could hear myself easily through my skull bones! Try it with your fingers - you can still hear yourself. No more struggling over a noisy band with crappy monitors. Ha! I don't even need monitors. I leave the sound out front to the sound man. He will turn me up (I hope) if it's needed. Not my worry.
Sadly, no-one believes me and those that try these types of plugs quickly give up with incredulous looks. I got rid of the yellow ones and use the types made for pneumatic drill users which gives total protection. Everyone who has attempted using them gives up after a few minutes because it takes a lot of getting used to. You totally lose the power of the band for a start and you must concentrate on your pitching like mad. If the mike cuts out you will not know it and that has happened a couple of times! You have to wait till someone points out that you seem to be miming. Also, if the plug works loose and becomes half in/out, the resulting sound is worse than no plug at all. The sound tries to squeeze through the narrow gap and can really be unpleasant and will cause damage. You must poke the plug back in carefully and quickly.
The worst loss is the feeling of isolation. You can learn to hear the band quietly but you can also hear yourself breathing over the top of it. You never enjoy your own guitar or bass sound cos it sounds like wasp in a jam jar and so the "power of rock" is severely lessened.
Still, on the priceless side of the equation, you have your hearing when others are enjoying the "hissing of damage" or the buzzing of permanent tinnitus. I have a better voice than 10 years ago with a wider range and more clarity. Best of all, I can still easily hear the voices in my head when they tell me to do things like "kill the drummer" or "take a bass solo".
Pardon?
August 18th
I have had to put the rock career on "hold" for the last few weeks as I have
moved house. After 18 years in my maisonette which had all my gear, guitars,
recording studio, Hammond Organ, vintage Action Men and library, a move was
needed. Either that or chuck everything out and start again. Well, the move
option was selected but after a month in the new Castle Heywood, the studio is
still not rigged up yet. I am suffering withdrawal symptoms as nothing has been
recorded since I produced The New Mud's album last year. See
www.thenewmud.com
Unfortunately, not everything has found it's space in the new place. Take, for example, Colin the Double Bass. He is living in the garden shed which is fine as it is summer but he won't like it come the nasty December/January snows. Oh no, Siree. Hammy the Organ is in my Mother's garage which is just an insult and I can hear him crying at night although he is 3 miles away. The poor thing! He did nothing to deserve this fate, apart from be far too bloody heavy to lift without heavy duty wheels, a flat back lorry and a sturdy mate such as Johnny Foreigner.
However, this weekend will see the beginning of recording the next Johnny H album, Dreamstealer. It will feature old and new songs as before on my previous CD's Savage Eye and Firestorm and I will again, be the only living thing on it. That way I don't have to pay any session fees. Great idea! The 16 track studio is ready to go and the instruments are in place. Add to that a nice bottle of red and you have the perfect recording environment. We must also start work on the next Wingspan recording too as we have many songs to get onto our Hits & History album. this time we will have a real life drummer called Lee and not a Scottish electric drummer called MacHine. The studio is all set up now - all it took was one evening in. (I love an evening in - there's nothing better. It's like an evening out but without going anywhere)
We hope to record and film the Camberley gig on Sep 20th so we'd better be at our best. Well, that's ok as I had been meaning to lose a bit of weight and I must do something with my hair. Honestly, I haven't a thing to wear either and my throat has been a bit delicate recently not to mention my poor fingers all callused from the bass guitar and my back from lifting all that gear. Yes, it's a hard life being a part time rock star.
June 8th
Well, we have just completed our mini tour-ette of Ohio and now we are back in
the UK. We all had a fantastic time and it was so successful that we plan to go
back again, October is the penciled in time. We plan to do more gigs and we have
already been invited back to Howard's & The Winchester Club, both of which we
played this time. See pix from both gigs on www.burnrock-uk.pix
Personally, my voice suffered a bit in the States though I covered any problems
I had with my secret technique which I call "shouting". When in doubt, just
holler! Fortunately it held out long enough despite long sets of 90 minutes and
then finishing it all off with a set of rock covers which was a giggle.
On coming home I found that I didn't suffer any jet lag due to the fact that I
stayed up so late in the States that I was practically on Brit time. Cunning,
that!
Big thanks to our friend Dan Griffin without whose generosity and musical talent
enabled us to play the Wingspan set. He supplied all the instruments used
(drums, guitars, basses, amps) and played bass & guitar onstage like the total
rock god he is.... and to cap it all, he was a Naval Aviator too so he & I were
brothers in bass and in flying.
Also, a special big thanks & hugs to Sam, also known as Ralph, who looked after
the band, watered and fed them and changed their nappies (diapers) when
necessary. Without Sam's input, this tour would never have happened. xxx
Well then, it's back to the slog and we turn our attention to British matters.
Singer/guitarist Ian Raines is working with us so that will move the harmonies
up to a new level. Tra la la - I can't wait!
May 30th
Hoorah! We're here in the States. It looked like it wasn't going to happen due
to cancellations, resignations, United nations and masturbations getting in the
way. Ok, I made some of that up but it's a 3-piece band that has arrived in
deepest Sandusky, Ohio ready to do battle in the great war of ROCK.
It's Tuesday night and we're preparing to do an interview with Cole Christiansen
of the Sentinel-Tribune who is very keen to hear from us Brits. We'll give him
the low down on life in a tribute band - the highs, the lows, the sights, the
sounds, the smells and we won't leave anything out. Except the bits that make us
sound bad. We'll keep that to ourselves, thank you very much!
We're recruiting Mr. Dan Griffin of Musicians Alley Music Shop, Sandusky to play
a little bass and a smidge guitar here and there to pollinate the mighty
Wingspan musical flower and there is no-one better to do the job. Certainly not
at the price we're paying. Mr. Dan, or Dynamite Dan as he is known, comes fully
equipped with his own gear and lot's more which he is happy to let the band
abuse, sorry, USE. Great Guy!
Ok, that's all for now as my body is on midnight and the clock only says 7-00pm.
I generally like to finish my rock and roll by 10 so I can get some hot milk in
before beddie-by-bows. Night night.
April 21st
Well, it's all go I must say! So I will say it.... "it's all go". We
are rehearsing our set for the May tour of the States and ironing out a few
little problems - like lack of skill, talent etc. However, let's not get
pessimistic. We are working on the Wings Over America 1976 set and it's very
comprehensive. There are ballads, rockers and everything in between, such as
ballockers. No, ok, I made that up, but there is such a wide range in the
McCartney songbook. We are all multi-instrumentalists and by jingo, we have to
be. When I move to piano, the bass duties are handled by Little John F. or by
Simon but now we have discovered our drummer Lee, is a killer bass player. He
has his very own Mark King signature Fender Jazz Bass and he is looking for any
reason to play it. Lee is an incredible singer too! He can sing lead or
harmonies with equal skill and all the while, hold down a complex rhythm pattern
on his drums. Well, if he's so smart. let's see him play bass at the same time.
As you know, I never ever talk about myself but people do say I am singing
better than ever. Well, far be it from me to contradict them cos I'm not that
sort of guy but they could be right. I haven't been doing a lot singing either.
I am preparing to move and my home studio, Wyland Studios will also be
transported to new pastures. This is rather bad timing as I am meant to have
started the next Johnny CD, Dreamstealer, but other things like "life" have just
got in the way. The Wingspan CD is going to have the drum parts re-done to get
Lee involved and I might just take the oppor-chancity to re-do a couple of
poorer lead vocals. Some artists like to leave the original versions as they
want it to be a record of that particular moment in time. However, I don't agree
especially as my first attempts should always be left on the cutting room floor.
We'll see if I can get them any better. Watch the SOUNDS page in the forseeable
future.
Louise has been working really hard on the backing vocals this last month and we
salute her for it. Unfortunately, Louise suffers from a rare syndrome called
"harmony deafness" which prevents the sufferer from hearing anything other than
the lead singer when listening to some music. To overcome this plight, we have
devised a cunning special technique of making up a CD of all the songs, some
from the original Wings recordings, and singing Linda's parts really loud over
the top so she can hear them properly! This is an excellent way of passing
boring long car journeys and is a cheap way of rehearsing too. We Musical
Directors have to think of things like this if we want to remain at the top.
I'll let you know if this is having any effect next time. Or maybe I won't
bother if she turns out to be crap.
March 27 No sooner back from the fabulous Wasquehal Beatles Night (www.beatlesnight.com) and now we must start thinking about America! However, before we move on fully, I must just say some words about the weekend just gone.
There could be a film or even a TV series about this last month as the comings and goings and the shenanigans are just totally rock 'n' roll.
First, the members of the band fell like flies and the reasons for the changes were given in the previous JUST JOHNNY. Those that could, left England on Friday 24th and took a leisurely ferry to Calais then a peaceful drive through Flanders to Lille where we started to look for Wasquehal and the venue for the gig. Driving in tandem all the way from England is easy and so is the main route across France. Sadly, the only time you need to stay together is the last 1 mile and that's where the rhythm section in Car 2 lost sight of Car 1 who took the wrong lane then simply pushed in half a mile further down. That was the last the 2 cars saw of each other until the venue sent out rescue dogs with brandy and they found Lee and myself lost and crying on the steps of the Town Hall.
That was nothing though! Later that same evening, singing girlie, Louise How tried to board the Chunnel legally by queuing. Sadly, her brother Paul, who shall remain nameless, attempted the illegal, jumping-the-barrier technique to save time. What a silly he felt when he left some flesh behind on the barbed fence and the police arrested him, despite his ticket in his pocket. A two hour delay saw the siblings plus pal, Christine on their way and they arrived at the Wingspan hotel around 1am, quietly and without fuss apart from waking the hotel guests with anti police observations.
Twenty four hours earlier, the band had almost decided to do the gig without a keyboard player as Laughing Johnny Sinclair, Dumbarton's answer to The Invisible Man, disappeared again. He had gone to the passport office in London but, without a photograph, they said they couldn't see him and no passport was forthcoming. Mr. S. was packed off North again and calls were made. Owen Parker, keyboardist and QPR supporter was already working on the songs when his call came. Pausing only to pack a toothbrush, he jumped on the Eurostar train direct to Lille and was lunching with the others by noon on Saturday.
That left only guitarist Simon Lythe to get across the channel and he too, chose the Eurostar route. Sadly, his timetable was more stretched and only made it to the venue as Johnny H was "one-twoing" his way through the sound check. Smoothly, he plugged in and made it look nonchalant.
This was a friendly festival! We got on so well with the other musicians that we were all bestest friends with each other and promised to work again, perhaps in Liverpool? Johnny Silver and his band covered all the Lennon numbers and one of the highlights of the night was their version of Dear Prudence. Brilliant! Special mention must be made of Johnny's voice and the wonderful guitar parts played by Mike Doring. We were all billeted in the same hotel and so drinks were shared and morning coffee's too, for those that made it out of their beds.
The other band was the local Hey Bulldog who covered every angle of the Beatles music from beat to psychedelia. Vocalists Michael Leroy and Olivier Fraissant were brilliant and Julien Priem drove the band along on the drums. Our very good amie was bassist Pierre Lievequin who also organised the event with great assistance from Max, the actual man who approached us after the cavern gig last August!
We hit the stage after Hey Bulldog who had got the crowd going. There was tremendous energy from 1200 singing French fans who seemed to know all the words to everything and needed only a slight nod from myself or LJF to clap along. We started rather poorly with a cocked intro to Rock Show but it didn't matter - we were off and rocking. I noticed that stage hands kept running on to assist drummer Lee Herbert with something. I wasn't really watching at the time but later I realised his whole drum kit was slipping off the riser. That would have been marvelous - just like Keith Moon! However, he was too sensible for that and chose to rescue the bass drum each time it threatened to shoot off towards the audience. Pity, really! It gave us all much mirth.
Half the band was debuting tonight but you'd never have known it. I don't mean that we all sounded like it was our first time - no, no, really, it was good. Lee was officially named "Kit Killer" after 3 submissions and a technical KO on the drum kit but he was magnificent. Louise reveled in the biggest gig she had ever done and had not a trace of nerves, jiggling about singing and banging on her mighty tambourine. Owen Parker had only just met the band that afternoon but was clearly the best musician on stage, if not at the gig itself! Without his input we would have been a fraction of the band we were and we thank him gratefully. Possibly we will see he gets paid - you never know!
What a relief at the end of the gig! We were able to relax and enjoy Johnny Silver's set, whilst quaffing the odd glass of vin rouge and munching the excellent buffet and considering ourselves fine fellows.
After a rock 'n' roll party back at the hotel, we set the alarms for 7-30am as Owen was Euro Star bound and needed a lift to the station. Sadly for us Brits, the French clocks, already one hour ahead of ours, moved on a further 60 minutes, meaning we got awoken at 5-30 British Body Time. Not funny.
March 17 Haw-hee-haw-hee-haw is all I have to say
today. That is because I am practising my French pronunciation prior to our
jaunt to the Beatles Night in Wasquehal, near Lille on the 25th. This is very
exciting and the band are totally looking forward to it.
Little J. Foreigner promised us all that we would be seen on the international
stage and, by golly, he has been true to his word. Who wouldn't give his right
arm to go on a trip like this?
Well, actually, none of would else we wouldn't be much use when we got to the
gig but that's just splitting hairs. Surprisingly though, there have been a few
casualties in the great rock 'n' roll game. Sadly, Russell won't make this trip
this time as he has to wash his hair but rocking drummer Lee Drummer steps into
the gap and more than fills it. He sings too, which might have him wanting more
money but I can assure everyone that he won't get it. He also has no hair to
wash and that's a real plus, I can tell you.
Ann-Mari will be with us only in spirit as she can't get away this time either.
She may still expect to be paid but I can assure her that she also won't get it.
Instead, the talented top chick Louise How makes her debut with the band and is
such a fan of having a good time and French wine that we might get away with not
paying her if we play it right! Just keep that one under your hat till we
return, though.
We are also trying to persuade original guitarist/vocalist Steve Warner to come
and cover a few parts and he was making the right noises. Sadly, he is far too
astute not to get paid so that's a blow but he is rather good.
So that's what's occuring next week (la semaine prochaine) and we're all ready (pret)
for it.
Ciao (oops)
February 15 Little
John Foreigner and I just got back from a week in the States yesterday and
things are looking good for a Wingspan tour there later in the year. We were in
Then, we jammed at Cabana Jack’s, (www.cabanajacks.com) a great rock club in the heart of town. The house band featured Dan on bass and Joe, the town Deputy Sheriff on lead guitar. Very cool! LJF and I got up and played half a dozen songs and it was pretty good for 2 guys who thought it was 3am!! Wingspan will definitely play this great venue when the Wingspan Over America tour is organized later in the year. The consensus from the club manager, Dan was that “tonight was the best jam night yet!” Mind you, he may have been drunk.
Later in the week, we visited the
Cleveland Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame which is full of amazing exhibits and
artifacts from the last 50 years of rock like stage suits from Hendrix, Buddy
Holly, Sam Cooke and guitars from Led Zep and the
Beatles. Marvelous! We got interviewed by Sirius DJ Norm N. Nite
and we plugged the band and hope to organize a gig there too. He has CD too and
will play some of it on the satellite radio channel www.sirius.com.
Finally we played two gigs at the Sandusky
Holiday Inn with some guest musicians. This was in exchange for beds at the
hotel so we considered it a pretty fair exchange. Jason on congas gave played
like a champ and hit the skins till his hands hurt then hit different skins to “mellow
out”. Eric Pasley drummed like a rhythm god and
Dennis played some pretty cool keyboards. Once again, we thanked Dan for the
guitars (Warwick Corvette Bass & Fender Stevie
Ray Strat) and the P.A. at a very reasonable rate of
totally free though we tried to haggle him down
further.
The rest of the time was spent traveling
the vast open roads of
So, the path has been laid and we
must now work on getting it together to return in the summer. Watch the news
page!!
January 18 Well, that's Christmas over and done with for another year. Once again, we got away without having to play more than Slade's Merry Xmas Everybody and a little bit of Auld Lang Syne on New Years Eve. No musician really like playing the Xmas stuff but we as we are being paid lots, we are acceptable to compromise and thus, we are musical prostitutes. I have no problem with that as I like to consider myself a craftsman, able to fit into any musical situation and play what is required and what is appropriate. I pride myself that everything I play is sympathetic to the other musicians and adds musicality to the event. Of course, sometimes I just show off and play fast which may be totally unsuitable but I want the girls to gaze at me with lust and the guys to look on in admiration. That's very Rock 'n' Roll!
We are currently setting up our visit to France in March for the Beatles Festival in Lille. This is as a result of playing in Liverpool last year and sounds like a lot of fun. There will be other Beatles tribute bands there so we can be a little different with our Wings' slanted set. It is really important for us to spread our music around Europe and the World and to bring the message of love and peace which The Beatles and McCartney always preached - after all, music is a great way of bringing people together from all different types of religions, creeds and beliefs. But, best of all, we can really stock up on all that cheap French red wine and great cheeses and drink ourselves sick for three days! Great, isn't it? That's true rock 'n' roll.
America beckons and who are we to turn them down. Thanks to some enthusiastic promoters who love the band and our CD, LJF and myself are going over there next month on a fact finding mission and we already have a few dates booked to play as visiting "English rockers". This sounds really cool except we are both Scottish but let's not let a few Geographic miles separate us from the American Dream and after all, it's the home of the Blues and we can stock up and Budweiser's and fried chicken and famous American hospitality and the chance to eat and drink ourselves sick for three or four days! Now, that's also Rock 'n' Roll.
However, before we go to either of these places far a-field, we are setting up a few "warm-up" gigs in the local area. Simon is negotiating a private function too and they are always great fun. the chance to expand in the normal material plus relax and drink as much as is offered and eat ourselves sick on the buffet. Great, isn't it? Yes - that's really Rock 'N' Roll!
December 20 I was reading a great article on the Rolling Stones recently and Keith Richards was waxing lyrically about song writing. He described it as just “plucking the songs out of the ether”. The songs were already written, he was merely a conduit through which they passed, to become part of the real world.
I’ve read this type of thing before and I have to tell you, it’s complete shite! If it were true, why do all the songs Keith chooses to pluck, all sound like a Keith song? Why doesn’t he pluck a few more of the caliber of Honky Tonk Women, Brown Sugar & other classic songs and less of the album filler tracks? Why doesn’t he take a few songs that don’t sound like Stones’ songs and offer them to other artists and make a killing there as a writer? If he is merely acting as an aerial, then I think he should tune it better.
People write what they know, for gawd's sake. Richards writes the songs he does (& he’s pretty bloody good at it) because he is using his knowledge and talent that he has acquired over the last 50 years. He won’t write a symphony because he doesn’t listen nor study orchestral music nor chamber nor jazz music.
I haven’t just got it in for The Stones. I merely use them as an example of
people’s misguided ideas of creativity. I read that Guiggsy,
the old Oasis bass player, wrote his bass lines to suit the songs that Noel G.
wrote, if Noel hadn’t already told him what to play. The trouble with that is
that Guiggsy doesn’t have the talent of a top session
player like Nathan East who can call on a wide variety of different styles and
techniques to cover a huge variety of material and can literally write a bass
line to suit any song. Therefore, Guiggsy, and us
other lesser morals, merely write what we know and Oasis songs ended up with a Guiggsy style bass line no matter what the song was! If
Miles Davis had hired Guiggsy to play jazz
improvisation with his seminal 70’s fusion bands, then the bass lines would
have been Oasis bass lines cos that’s all he knows!
Well, none of us are perfect, eh? I
like Oasis and The Stones but let’s not kid ourselves there is a higher power
going on in writing pop music. Not at least till you’ve heard my Ode To The Gods of
Rock which I downloaded direct from Heaven, although I’m still taking all
the royalties.
October 31 BBC Radio Wiltshire are airing an interview with us on Nov 2nd plus we are to play a short acoustic set to show off the remarkable and uncanny close, block harmonies which are a large part of McCartney's and, therefore, our sound. Should be a larff. I may use it to expand a few observations about the way this country is being run and Nato's role in peace keeping and the state of racism in the UK and the effect of global warming and the strength of the pound for importer's. Unless the DJ just asks what our favourite colours are....well, that'd be ok, too.
I have decided that the whole art of going to a rock concert has become so predictable and clichéd that I am going to suggest a radical change to our whole set. How many times does the singer in a band shout, "it's your turn to sing", before turning the mike on the crowd, as if it's actually going to pick up the individual voices in the audience? Why is it our turn to sing? If I paid good money to see and hear a band then I expect them to bloody sing, not me. When I do feel like singing along with them, I'll bloody do it anyway, without the permission of the lead vocalist.
What about, "if you know the words then sing along." If I ever find myself saying that, I'll add, "...and if you don't know them - then shut-up because we have taken a long time to learn them properly and we don't want the song ruined by you amateurs."
Harsh words, maybe but it's time for a little mould breaking. I am going to suggest that when I start the predictable "are you feeling all right, tonight," nonsense, then everyone should respond, "no, sod off." I think that would hold a much higher mirth value and would probably be a more accurate gauge of the common man's true feelings. Also, what business is it of the lead singer, anyway? Are we being introduced to him/her individually? No, well then, mind your own business.
Right, must go cos my acoustic guitar needs new strings. Hope you're feeling alllll-righttttttttt!
October 3 Quite a few songs have been added to our repertoire over the last 2 weeks. We now have only one to go and the whole of the massive Wings Over America set is in place. It's been quite an undertaking I can tell you. From the song and dance of You gave Me The Answer to the powerful rocker Letting Go, from the poppy Magneto & Titanium Man to the ballad Go Now it's been hard work. Simon makes his vocal debut in the latter and plays piano too in an attempt to steal the thunder from me. If he looks like getting too good then I may have to sabotage his performance by playing a semi-tone out of tune. People seldom suspect the bass when something sounds a little flat so everyone will think it's just him being rubbish! Excellent plan.
We tried out a new keyboard player this week - the sickeningly talented Tom Arnold. He drums, he sings, he plays keys and the piano accordion too which might be nice on Picasso. However, if he starts doing a "Simon" and seems better than me then he'll have to go. It's my P.A. after all and I can turn them all down if I want.
You know, this whole business of talent is a strange one. I never talk about myself as you all know but people will insist on paying me the highest compliments. At least, they think they are. "How lucky you are to be able to sing," is a common one. Oh yeah? Lucky is it? Where were they when the spotty teenage geek struggled to emulate his heroes when other kids were out playing football and breaking windows... and the boys were worse. Stealing cars and mugging old ladies, probably. I stayed home listening to vocalists like Lennon, McCartney, Robert Plant of Zeppelin, Paul Rodgers, Ronnie Dio, all the various Deep Purple vocalists and lesser known guys like Russ Ballard of Argent. These guys were the real thing and I spent nights in listening on the headphones to every syllable and learned how they phrased and coloured each line, whether they used vibrato or not and how the high notes were as strong as the middle or lower range. I would sing along as loud as possible to build up my stamina and would receive helpful hints from my parents and brother like "that's crap," or "shut up now, it's bedtime and the neighbours need a break." To counter this I would sing into a pillow or cushion, thus muffling the noise but still working the vocal chords and getting a mouthful of fluff into the bargain. Sing every day, that's how to become a singer. However, it's a sure bet that just when it starts getting better - you get a cold and it all goes to pot. Singing with a cold is like washing your feet with your socks on.
So, next time I hear someone say "how lucky he or she is have a voice," or, even worse, "it's all just natural to them," you know it's not true. If it was all natural, then you'd sing as well at 5 as you do at 25 and it's a fact that nobody does. It insults the hard work you have put in and the harder you work, the more talented you become. Duh! Here's the thing - You become what you hear. Are there any home grown Indian Rock singers? No. Alternatively, how many British born kids can play Indian music? Precious few I'd bet. Whatever your surroundings, you will get the voice you hear, simple as that.
To copy McCartney, I decided recently to switch to playing left handed bass. This was a quite a daunting prospect and it was like starting all over again but I got some pictures of him and then held them up in front of the mirror to see what notes he was playing. I must say, it all seemed rather natural and it was if I'd been playing that way all along. Imagine my surprise some weeks later, when a pal informed that the mirror image was actually reversed and I'd simply being playing right handed all along. How we all laughed.