The Bizniz!

OK. It’s been a little while since a blog arose from this wandering, mendicant existence so read on as I pick out the peaches and throw away the stones, alright? March definitely had some highlights. We opened up for two-tone heroes The Beat at East Quay, a great music and comedy venue in Whitstable. A full house to play to and top backstage hanging with a genuinely nice bunch of guys. Off to Stroud for an atmospheric acoustic set at The Prince Albert. Then into Kent and the White Horse Chilham. A small but very appreciative crowd including a radio 2 folk award winner (He’d come along specially, you know? For our music. Not the beer!) and Spy Genius – clandestine popsters from Canterbury (way cool). We filled a last minute cancellation at The Morden Arms in Greenwich on a lovely sunny Sunday afternoon. Convinced that everyone would be in the park, we expected an empty pub so hadn’t exactly planned a show. But a guitar here, a shruti box there, some stamping and clapping: it went great. A really matey bunch gradually filled the place and we finished up just as they cleared the cheese board. Excellent. April, eh? I understand that it’s been the wettest in living memory, or something, but it’s been showery hasn’t? Proper. We have seen the sun, a bit. Gigs were mostly inside the M25 this month. The Hob, Forest Hill is always good but we’ve just started to notice that it really does get better each time we go back. At Ron’s request (He’s the boss. He gets what he wants) we opened with an acoustic set and finished all electric (with Mr. Bob Kelly on bass) which gives a tremendous dynamic range to the music. We made out like bandits on the merch table which is very gratifying. The following night it’s The British Oak, Blackheath – another of our fave venues. Fully acoustic and folk tinged as this evening was always going to be, we took the opportunity to try out some brand new songs. It all went so well that we picked up a manager, an agent and tours of Germany, Australia and The US before we’d finished packing up the PA, though we did think that maybe the beer was talking by that stage of the night – and we thought right. Our one trip to the country this month was a dash down to Glastonbury, a slightly odd gig (just as one wants in Hippy Heaven), and straight back in the car to be home in time to get up and play again the following lunchtime. No narcotics, no booze, a tank of gas, a bottle of pop and a single pork product. That’s the way we roll here. Ron’s Speakeasy at The Duke, right on the Greenwich/Deptford border, is becoming fabulous. The pub has a real musical history but, until a few months ago, it had gone quite. Now, with a stylish new backdrop, glitter curtains, lights and a new PA the place looks and sounds The Bizniz! We played an arty mix of electric and acoustic. Cool. Ever spent a wet week in Wales, drinking martinis, eating beef and feeding a log burner - in a yurt? Then back to The Morden. A return date and very much the same relaxed behaviour as before. Many thanks to Dave Sutherland for the booking, Luke for the drinks and Alice for taking the jug round.