And please don’t think me scary/Cos I’m not I’m just a rock ‘n’ roll Joe

The Quest for a Decent Pint of John Smiths – Chapter 1

In which our heroes formulate a plan, and we all know about the plans of mice and men….

Throughout the week they plotted, checking who was playing where and the possibilities of locating a Decent Pint. By Thursday they had a plan; start at Fibbers, move on to the Roman Bath, then finally The Old White Swan. There were three acts playing Fibbs, a band called The Mojos in the Bath, and who knows who might be playing at the Swan. Three pubs, surely they would find the decent Pint.

By Friday their plan had started to unravel, England were playing Tonga in the World Cup and if we won we would go through to the final eight. Fibbers was struck off the list. They didn’t sell John Smiths anyway, but the Worthington Cold might have pinched a Mention in Despatches. So, watch the first half and then meet at the Roman Bath.

“R” arrived just as The Mojos started their set, a rousing cover of Deep Purple’s Hush and a pint of JS Keg. Not bad. “A” arrived shortly after, but went for the Guinness, oh dear, not good. The Mojos were actually really good, doing a large variety of covers from bands as diverse as: Oasis, James, Queen, Van Halen, Status Quo. Sadly there was a bit of funk, Average White Band etc, but they only did two on the trot and then it was back to proper music. Thoroughly recommended. (The Mojos are: Andy Bowen - Guitar & Vocals, Jeff Smith - Keyboard & Vocals, Dan Lindsey – Bass, Phil Everard - Drums, percussion & Backing.Vocals.)

After The Mojos had finished, our heroes sprinted across to The Old White Swan, but the tables were still out and it was clear that there had been no band playing, calamity!

An early night then, and a failure to locate the Decent Pint. Still England did go on to win their game so we are through to the final eight. It’s Formula One tomorrow and Sunday and more action from the World Cup, so I know what I will be doing!

Once again a previous sin lets the Angels out, and the Demons in

Friday 21 September – sad face, Hazzard County aren’t playing at the Old White Swan – happy face, but The Stanleys are! I know this because it was written on the toilet wall (not my toilet, obviously.) Now I’ve seen The Stanleys before, in fact I’ve paid real pounds and pennies to watch them, so a freebie night sounds brilliant.

We arrive at the usual time, but it’s already really busy. I man, it’s packed to the door and there is a good deal of squeezing and “excuse me”-ing to get anywhere near my usual perch. There’s a lad playing on (plugged in) acoustic guitar. He’s doing a reasonable job, with a voice not unlike Kelly Jones (Stereophonics). I even recognize one of the tunes; Robin Hood, originally by Ocean Colour Scene (B-sides Seasides & Freerides.) His guitar sounded a bit out of tune but he had a good voice, although I never heard his name, so no five minutes of fame for him on this blog! (Unless you know who he was.)

Meanwhile, back at the bar, the John Smiths had been identified a variety that was brewed in Liverpool and not fit for Yorkshire consumption. The word is that many of the pubs in Yorkshire are simply sending it back. I’ll have a pint of Bass, thank you.

I think The Stanleys had brought all their mates along. This is a very crowded public house. As far as I know, The Stanleys have not played in York since January 2007. The first half of the set is OK. They sing and play well. They have a new drummer in the shape of “the quiet one” from Hazzard County (by which I mean Not Tom.) and the tunes are pretty good. The second half is much livelier but they seemed to run out of material as I’m sure I’ve heard at least one tune about twenty minute ago, and the encore is definitely a repeat. Stands to reason I guess, they don’t normally play such a long set. Very enjoyable though.

I notice that the Jed Thomas Band is playing on Sunday. I won’t be able to make that gig. I love this band; they just don’t know how to finish a song so they extend the ending for about ten minutes. Brilliant.

Ooo, Odin Dragonfly got 8/10 in this month’s Classic Rock… in the prog section. I’m not sure about the classification, but the score and the accompanying write up seemed fair to me.

And I'm standing at the crossroads/believe I'm sinking down

Friday and in an unusual turn of events, we started at the Roman Bath to watch a three-piece from York, the Blueflies. They played an assortment of Free/Cream/Hendrix/you name it, covers sung and played in a very professional manner. The bass guitar player was solid, the drummer was excellent, and the singer/lead guitarist was pretty much top notch. OK, he’s not Eric Clapton or Jimi Hendrix, but he sure plays a mean ...er, six-string plank of wood.

When the band had finished we wandered across to the Old White Swan to see what was happening. Not quite the normal Hazzard County line-up, we had Paddy on bass, Simon and NZ Dave sharing lead guitar and vocals. At the back was a violin wielding young lady and playing a snare drum, a kind of young Marty Feldman (obscure reference, just Google the name). It rounded the evening off nicely, ie I didn’t stumble into bed until a quarter past one in the morning. Check out the dates, the next full-blown Hazzard County gig at the White Swan is Friday 5 November.

PS Catch Breathing Space at The Post Office Club in York on 26 October 19:30 for the CD launch gig.

Love comes shinin’ over the mountains/Love comes shinin’ over the sea

Friday and it was a trip to Fibbers as The Hamsters Play Hendrix. Utterly superb as always, a two hour show with all the hits: Foxy Lady, Hey Joe, Stone Free, Purple Haze, The Wind Cries Mary, Highway Chile, If 6 Was 9, All Along The Watchtower, Izabella, Angel, Room Full of Mirrors. Fantastic! Catch them if you can. They are currently on tour and also doing ZZ Top covers.

A brisk stroll though the muggy evening air and we arrive at the Old White Swan. Will Hazzard County be playing? Not according to my hymnsheet. And indeed it proves correct. I believe this must be Haphazzard County, NZ Dave and Simon Snaize on vocals and acoustics, and a chap on a double bass. It was OK, but didn’t exactly set the place alight. Sometimes I think they just need to play a few more popular tunes and forget the obscure stuff. Or maybe it was because my pint of John Smiths was particularly bland. Not off, but not up to its normal standard.

Saturday and England are playing Israel. 3-0, that’ll do. After the game I end up at The Roman Bath with a proper pint of John Smiths and and a covers band called Freeway. I’m not sure of the pedigree of this band but they have Howard Sparneen drumming for them and that can’t be bad. The Smiths goes off during the evening and I am reduced to drinking Strongbow, which actually is quite refeshing on a hot and sticky evening. The band plays Deep Purple, Black Sabbath, Thin lizzy, Thunder, AC/DC, Whitesnake, Bad Co., Free, Queen... you name it. Howard gives us a drum solo on Led Zep’s Roll and Roll. An excellent night out.

Blood through my veins for You/I give my world to You

Those who follow these things may have noticed the slumbering beast that is Scary recently stirring in its coffin. The Gods of Rawk, terrified of the ramifications if the monster should wake once more, plotted to nip the nascent horror in the bud. They sent imps to weaken the bridge of Scary-Roj’s acoustic guitar and he was dismayed when he found it in such poor condition the next day. He lovingly cradled the instrument and carried it to the MOR hospice for sick for guitars, but even they could not save it beyond using it for kindling. Great was Scary-Roj’s wrath and the walls did shake with his fury, but the kindly MOR wizards appeased him with a twelve-string semi-electric beauty with its own carrying coffin. And so did Roj return to Glen crypt and rested his head. But beware; soon his resting head will turn from beetroot back to its normal shade. Tread lightly, for if you wake him the ears of York will have a penance to pay and the Gods themselves will tremble before his sonic onslaught.

Oh, I wasn’t out this Friday. Watch out for The Hamsters at Fibbers on 14 September.