Tuesday 7th September
In the words of the fine band Fishbone Change, Ooooo oooo change. This week we bid a fond farewell to Lewis whose new mission is to teach the Australians how to sit themselves down.......have a nice cup of tea AND AVE A WORD. It was great he played for one last time. Other changes include 2 new shining puppies. We said hello to Monica and Ali-Reza and Brandon. Monica leant a hand on vocals with some really haunting Bjorkesque Chec singing. litting and beautiful. The evening, for me began when I met Lucie, then Thea - who says HELLOOOOOO as only she can - Tam, Jerry, Lewis, Leon - on mighty bass, Michal, Ali, and my very good friend Brandon. Brandon was the person responsible for getting me into this drumming in randon places malarky, introducuing me to Whirl-y-gig far too many moons ago. He is now organising
DRUMBOREE
at St. Peter's Hall on: Saturday 25th September 6-11pm.
This is an evening of mixed rhythms: Latin, Afro, Bhangra - with workshops. A chance to juggle and also workshops for Poy. The band has an open invite to pop along and share the mirth. for more details call 02392341952, or 02392871273.
I'm digressing as ever. In terms of our music lastn night included: My dog has no nose, R Whites minus German tourist backing singers!, and several speedy precision led purcussive moments. A retreat to the Black Bar and victory was ours..
Sunday 5th September
Stop the press 'Ave a word in Muticultural Festival Takeover Southsea Shocker..... Yes its true Tim asked a few over to accompany the Unite Against Fascism Stall on Castle field. I (m35ha) went along to lend a hand. A lovely hot day and matching vibes to boot. There was a fantastic statue of Nick Griffen - see pics. As the afternoon progressed an unusual thing happened. As you well know the band thrives on the unusual! heres what happened "we've had a few pull out and now we're short of a few performers. Can anybody lend a hand?" (pa voice) Quicker than Clark in a phonebox we raced over to the stage grabbing a random Big Issue seller on the way and a couple of onlookers for shaker duties. Musically we did a strident percussive number before a sloe "No Waman no cry" Marley cover. From there the kebab palace owned by ken got a mention. The crowd lapped it up. Word to Nikolai for lense duties (my phone cam).
Tuesday 31 August
Like one 'o those old steam trains tonight was initially slow before building up a head of steam. First Jerry, then M35ha, Michal, then Tam, Em, Lewis and Thea.Darkness fell quickly and we were beautifully lit up by a full moon after a sunset sadly obscured by paraphenalia left by the council. Tracks included: Dead Duppies - an Emo Phillips cover, Burberry, R Whites, Cucumber and lots of thrashing about in the dark. therapeutic cathartic and nice to hear. As the minidisc recording testifies. The audience consisted of a wideboy who insisted on serenading us with homophobic/ sexist/ racist rapping. er thanks....... After a cool evening we retreated to the BLACK BAR. Pound a bottle, can't be bad.
Monday 30th August
OK a little bit tangental this entry. I was called by Tim's crew to play at a Peace picnic in the town of (c)Havant. It was a procession involving quite a few local activists to march on Lockhead-Martin. A factory that make components toward the arms industry. Now picture this - or see pic right - we were hardly Al Quieda but still the (in) Security guards took it on themselves to remove all the signs for Lockhead. Smart move chaps. Anyway musically the band were represented by Sally Tim Deni and M35ha. We knocked out some basic Kpanlongo, then a little samba followed by some dumbed down reggae and a little Cuban rhythm to follow. We caused quite a reaction on the high street with the manager of Muckdonalds barring our entry as we drummed outside his "restaurant". The issue wasn't with the diners or the staff but what the corporation actually does in terms of ethics: staff treatment, quality of food etc.
SEE FAST FOOD NATION by ERIC SCHLOSS.
Tuesday 24th August
Before I start this weeks instalment I wanna thank the band for all yours texts and wishes. Woah what a day. I had all intention of coming to the weekly jam, but then my eyes went all Matrix on me. That is at work I was typing green lettering in a black screen then I started to notice keys going missing, then lettering then bits of the room. I was sent to the local A&E unit by which time I had gone blind. How scary was that?? Well next I had 2 eye docs giving me hell with flashing lights that burned. They kept me overnight and told me that I'd either had a mini-stroke as I had some paralysis on my right side or that I had experienced migrane from Hell (TM). Eventually it all subsided and the next day I visited my chiropractor who noted that I had bones pressing all over my spinal chord causing the symtoms. (I recon it was a dodgy drum strap) With no bone crunching she gently manipulated me back into sight taste and smell. This meandering story accounts for my non attendance. No news from the others as yet but the week is young.
Tuesday 17th August
At the risk of turning into Michael Fish, the weather was its usual unpredictable self: by day it was dazzlingly hot and sunny - however the moment I finished work the sky got attitude. En route to the bandstand BAND-PLAN-B was evoked. We went to the pub instead. The lineup of the night was Thea, Jerry Zoe and me (M35ha). On entry into the bar several regulars saw us and demanded we play a tune for them. In return beer would be provided. Well Jah truely provided. My own private hell comprised of leaving my cashcard at home. Er dumb move. Thankfully Jerry and Zoe contributed to my dehabilitation programme. In addition to the beer provided by the groupees. Well I'm bigging them up a tad for they were.. ahem how to say this without offence - of advanced years, over 30, 40, 50, 60 and maybe even 70 some of them. They rocked and realy appreceiated our impromptu set. We did about 2 tunes alternating Jerry and Thea on djembe with Zoe on shakers and m35ha on bougarabou. A magical night judging by the weight of el Diablo's feet dancing on my head earlier the next morning.
Saturday 14th August
At Victoria Park, the Tennants Turbo Extra drinkers were replaced by tents, soothsayers, healers and the like. Among the festivities was a drum workshop. I jammed with some children who seemed really up for it. All went well until the arrival of THAT samba band. Boo Hiss. It seemed quite petty the way they drove the kids away with their borrowed repeatative drone they didnt have the ability to write themselves. Ho Hum.
Tuesday 10th August
What a fabulous night. After a days nasty torrential rain the fear was that the sky would still be angry with us. Not so. 730pm I stood on the hill, then Tam, Em and Thea emerged. The Mighty Leon replete with big double bass, then Jerry then Lewis (SEE MEMBERS PAGE). The ingredients for the soup were there. First a neat jam, then we welcomed a group of French tourists: Guyot and Chlorelee. They sat on the hill initially before enlisted on shaker duty and finally for some hot djembe action. Em held a nice tight beat, while laying on the floor - she later said how she hurt her arms. OUCH! The tracklisting was Ken, Burberry Sun, Donde est el sol, Le chat a la romenade (a punked up French nursery rhyme), R Whites - incidently a party of German schoolchildren hearing my vocals (megged up through the megaphone) joined in as they went up a hill. How totally random can this get. Lewis and Jerry through out some great hand beats as did Thea. Nice to hear you moving more to the dark side of the drumming sith!! Leon - The Mighty. Well the bass despite blisters just kept the evening moving. As for M35ha well modesty prevents me from bigging myself up to much, suffice to say feather boas, megaphone, shaker, crowd interaction - we drew almost 50 people who actually stayed and watched. In all an amazing experience after which we retured to the black bar for �1.00 beers and celebration of victory over mediocrity. (OW MY ACHING HEAD as I type this at 07.15 the day after).
Sunday 8th August
I turned up at THE ELMS for Chillout open-mike session. However I hope to get something together there for next week. We'll have to ask our readers and musicians what they think. 2-6pm. So just turn up with gear that don't plug in and see what kind of soup we can cook up. Thea and me had a little jam at her cybercafe. Short sweet afro and rocking. This is what they want! There is the possibility of beat making on the Isle of
Wight soon to accompany Bruno's Capoweira troupe. Also something this weekend called Party in the Park.
3rd August 2004
Ok this was a much slimmed down sesh. It featured M35ha, Jerry, Leon, Michal, Lucie and FEATURED SHAKER PLAYER JASMINE. Its usual chilled out magic was there. There was more of an Afro feel to this weeks procedings with a little Ken a little R Whites and a lickle bit of dog. We beached it about 11pm. The beer was fine, the evening warm and the comapny great. A young lad called Wayne watched the procedings and wanted to join. So whaddya think??? Yeah we'll let him...
Tuesday 27th July
Sorry no updates for last week - inertia and bad weather I guess. This week we played at Thea's place: A good line up with new regulars: Lucie and Mikhail, with Leon on double bass - just how good is a bass allowed to be. Lil Bobby on trumpet. Together they were knocking out some fine down tempo tunes. The rest of the cast were there: Thea - hostest, Zoe, Em!, Jerry a new bloke and me. We did a few newies, ken got a mention as did my dog and the teeth tune. Breaking news is that we may soon be saving up to buy a big bass drum to hook us all together. And then we march on Brussels!
9th July 2004
'Ave a word played its first true gig. This was at a multi cultural gathering in Lee on Solent, featuring several other performers: Waldo (South American music, culture and tradition), A speaker from the Haslar Visitors Centre and a line dance workshop.
The line up was Sally and m35ha. No vocals instead the audience were encouraged to use shakers and accompany the bands drumming. Occasionally the room was divided so that there was a shaker standoff. It rocked. The audience were all smiles and it helped diffuse a lot of tension. All gig money we raised went to a walk in centre for refugees/ asylum seekers in Southsea |
