Spoongig - Abominable Cutlery and Stuff

The Stand Delivers

2012-01-24T10:03:00.002Z

You know how in life you're always going to do something , visit somewhere , meet someone , well The Stand in Newcastle was getting like that with me . Anyway the catalysts for my eventual visit was that the brilliant John Scott was MCing a charity night in aid of Blood Red - a local Blood Cancer Charity.

I'd noticed the line up which turned out to be absolutely excellent , every act delivering a brilliant set.

The layout of the Stand is amazing , Restaurant / Bar area upstairs , with a huge outdoor area which is fine if you need a tab , but will be even better in summer. The stage is small , but comedians dont take up that much room since Bernard Manning passed away. Also there is a decent bar in the auditorium area.

We sat at the back , but my friends were horrified when I agreed to fill one of the empty front row tables. "They wont pick on you , I promise , they always go for the second row" the guy from The Stand promised . He lied. But it was an absolutely excellent night.

You sort of feel wrong saying one act is better than another, but Nick Cranston was a revelation , young , tall , be-hearing aided , bespectacled and bloody funny.

Simon Donald did a brilliant take on your street survey guy, Barry Twyford.

Nicola Mantalios-Lovett opened and harrased me much to everyones amusement , but she let me stroke her face before accusing me of being a pervert (cue huge guffaws).

Gavin Webster wrapped up proceedings with the longest set and much laughter. and all this book ended by John Scott!

There was an emotional presentation of a cheque for £12,704.27 , I think , which will help ne charity projects for Bright Red . The fundraisers have done an amazing job.

Anyway , The Stand should definitely be on your places to go list!!

Star and Shadow , Barbarella and Women In Revolt

2012-01-22T19:10:00.000Z

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Sometimes for a post you need to think about a headline , but my inauguration to the Star and Shadow an Friday night provided it's own .The Star and Shadow at Shieldfield is a setting for almost sixties style happening and fun nights . They may be film or bands or both . Seating includes tables , chairs , settees , the bar sells alcohol and chocolate and you are handily placed for The Tanners pub as well.

Friday night commenced with a showing of Barbarella , sixties Dino De Luarentis film with Jane Fonda's opening outer space strip tease , a perfect curtain raiser for the night . Part of the fucn was wondering if the people in dresses were male or female , I reckon most were female and all looked the part.

The band were Women In Revolt , taking their name from the Paul Morrisey 1971 film "Andy Warhol's Women In Revolt" featuring Candy Darling and Jackie Curtis . Essentially Wayne / Jayne County inspired garage rock fronted by a definite transvestite , and featuring a female guitarist who opened with and excellent brooding cover of Link Wray's "Rumble" . Unfortunately I can't uncover any details of the band apart from they are playing Gateshead Central on 8th of February and curate a Susnday session at The Cumberland Arms. Anyway the songs I remember were "Are You A Girl or Are You A Boy?" and Wayne County's "Man Enought To Be A Woman" and "Fuck Off" plus a few others before reprising "Are You A Girl or Are You A Boy?" to close the set.

Will be back to the Star and Shadow soon and also checking out Women In Revolt , and next time will take my camera. A Wonderful Night!!

Trash Shack X-Mas Bash 2011

2011-12-30T09:14:00.000Z

I got in at 1am today which is quite late for me on a school night , after attending this excellent 3 band trash bash at The Central Bar in Gateshead. The line up was (in order of appearance)

Dick Bronte and the Cosmonauts
The Coyotemen
Lord Rochester

The first two bands I knew , but Lord Rochester only through word of mouth and Youtube!!.

The place was jumping and standing room at a premium , but from the first notes it was obvious that the mini multicoloured coxcombed soundcrew were spot on .

Dick Bronte sounded good and everyone remarked it was the best they'd every seen them. Lead singer Kenny was in great voice as well as providing eye candy for at least a few ladies I know , while bearded Phil's guitar sounded great and the rhythm section were excellent . They specialise in obscure rock and roll , and grarge rock and a solid version of Rufus Thomas' "Walkin' The Dog" , was accompanied by an impressive take on Dave Bartholomew's "The Monkey Speaks" , and a darkly comic "Black Cadillac" amongst others . A superb opening set for the night.

Next up were The Coyotemen , still "taking shit from no man" , in which mild mannered pub host Dave Campbell is transformed in to silver Mexican Wrestling Masked wild rockin' animal "Ratty" Coyoteman , jumping from floor to wall to ceiling , running through classics such as "Any Port In A Storm" , "Loopy Lopez" , "Primitive Urge" and lots lots more. Sound again spot , although Ratty reckoned someone had knocked his microphone out of tune , but the sounded great to me , and the crowd agreed. How much good staff can you get in a single night!! And there was more....

Headliners were the impecably turned out Bo Diddley guitar toting Lord Rochester , with Lady Muck loking lovely on her McCartneyesque Hofner violin bass providing solid rhythm with sophistication , and on drums the marracas weilding Scot Siberian Tim. A heady mix of originals an covers "C.A.D.I.L.L.A.C." , "I tried to send a monkey by UPS" , "Deathbed" , "Seasick" as well as Chuck Bery's "Almost Grown" , and Bo Diddley's "Hey Bo Diddley". A revelation and will be definitely seeing them again (well all the bacds)

All in all a night of pure gold , you really should have been there!!

No Money Down: MOTFEST 2011

2011-07-13T18:22:00.003+01:00

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The Mouth of Tyne Festival 2011 was the first one that was a ticket (£2.50) only event for the Sunday festival in The Priory. I nearly missed out but mty friend Sarah let me have hers. The details are here.

In the street there were some amazing exhibitions like these dinosaurs!!

The line up ran thus:

13:00 Martin Stephenson

           Played some excellent folk and rockabilly stuff getting th ecrowd of to an excellent start.

14:00 Fuel Fandango
           Didnt see these but heard excellent reports.

15:00 Smoove and Turrell
           Didnt see these either

16:00 Neville Staple Band
           Some excellent ska covers (Johnny Too Bad , Pressure Drop) , Specials numbers (Ghost Town ,
           Gangsters) and one or two originals . Well worth seeing and had the crowd jumping.

17:00 Buzzcocks
           Headlining act and they were superb helmed by Shelley and Diggle , finding room in their
          set   for my two favourites (Why Can't I Touch It? and Love You More() , tearing through loads
          of hits in thesun , and encoring with Harmony In My Head , Ever Fallemn In Love and
          Orgasm   Addict.

There's a lot of photographs from the day here
A superb day , but next year I'll be getting my ticket early!!

Street Life - Blackbeard's Tea Party

2011-07-02T19:05:00.000+01:00

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The last few weeks have seen some excellent bands performing for free in Northumberland Street, Soznak and The Baghdaddies i have known for years , but today came across an excellent young band who played some great Sea Shanty based based music. Bought their CD which opens with a cracking version of "High Barbary" and was talking with them about the Rogues Gallery project. Anyway below is the video from todauy and above is some related music.

If you gert a chance go and see them , I believe they are on at the Cumberland Arms very soon.

I've Got A Wristband And I'm Gonna Use It - Evolution 2011

2011-05-29T10:04:00.001+01:00

Creat A Queue

Spillers Wharf

Finally succumbed to the line up for Evolution and bought a weekend ticket. The organisation is attrocious , designed to make it as difficult as possible for the customer. Once you have your ticket you thatne have to get to the Newcastle side and enter the queue making bit to get your wristband. Once past that the stages are a long way apart (Baltic Square over the Millenium Bridge , Spillers Wharf and UMT Stage way down the North Side of the river , and Ballast Hills , location odf the Jumpin Hot Stage up past the Tyne pub , but at least sited on grass and very civilised.

Some amazing artists such as Iggy Pop , Billy Bragg , Plan B , Tinie Tempah and the food and stalls not too bad . It's just the lack of organisation , the bad siting of stages that put a downer on the thing , but the music has been superb . You can see all the pictures here.

One Drummer - Two Guitarists - Three Chords - Four Leather Jackets

2011-05-07T08:09:00.003+01:00

Gotta say last night was a bit of a revelation, the started started with Pitbull's brand of thrashy hard punk, with Shev in good voice and some excellent covers - Screamager , Holiday in Cambodia , In A Ruyt and Staring at The Rude Boys. During the latter song Fitzee remarked "When I first heard this I was down in the mosh pit , now I'm thinking 'Ooh there's a seat'"!! , brilliant stuff and well worth the price of admission , except this was a free gig!! But we'd pay to see them , and a great support.

The Rawmones Backdrop

The Rawmones (website with videos and MP3s here) started setting u pand certain signs didnt bode well , the bassist was bald , and the guitarist didnt seem to be entering into the spirit of things. We neednt have worried. Driven by the power house of Adas Pepper on Drums (who also designs all the graphics , the backdrop , and plays in the Charlotte Yanni Band , Reet Hot Chili Peppers and Wonky Chomp) , wigs and leather jackets were donned and the Ra(w)mones were there in the Star . 1-2-3-4 go . Someone once said Ramones songs are like smarties , you can't have just one , you always scoff the whole tube , and last night was like that .

Fitzee reckoned these were the second best band in the world! If you get a chance to see them , do it , the are a sonic and visual treat. Wht did they play , it doesnt matter , it was brilliant, Cretin Hop , Rock'n'Roll High School , 53rd & 3rd , The KKK Took My Baby Away dedicated to Pitbull , and a million more. Will get some video up on here later , but if you get a chance to see this lot , DO NOT MISS!!

Viva Los Abominable Showmen - Next Gig Tyneside Irish Centre - Thursday 19th May 2011

2011-05-05T12:37:00.003+01:00

From Jim:

The Abominable Showmen are playing the Irish Centre on Thursday May 19th, and all the money will be donated to charity in memory of our friend and colleague Bruce Chaplin.

Let's get the place full and raise as much as we can.

If you want a ticket please let me know, we have them now and they are £4.

T shirts - £10
Ladies fitted shirt - £12
Kids - £7

Cheers
Jim

Toms Message:

The Abominable Showmen's Truly Tasteful "Las Vegas" Gig - 19th May

The Abominable Showmen shall be conducting their next gig on Thursday 19th May at the Irish Centre!
As usual it will be a half seven kick off and the theme this time is "Las Vegas".

Tickets will be £4 quid each and T-shirts will be available, cost depending on quantity ordered. (T-shirt design yet to be finalised. I shall post it when I get it).

All proceeds will be donated to charities in memory of their much missed colleague Bruce who was unfortunately killed in a traffic accident last October.
The now traditional Showmen event is always a cracking bash and they simply get better with every show.
The last one was a stormer and this one will be no exception.

So if you're up for it, get in touch with me and I'll sort out any ticket and/or t-shirt reservations for you.
Spread the word to owt as may fancy, not forgetting those who've departed and may want to keep in touch.

Final Message From Jim:

All

Just to let you know that we raised £700 from our gig at the Irish Centre.

Thanks to everyone who bought tickets, gave donations, bought shirts and helped to make this amount, especially Capgemini for paying for the practices and room hire.

We have decided to split the money between the Lake District Mountain Search and Rescue and The Intensive Care Unit, all money will of course be donated in memory of Bruce.

See you all again in November for our Disco themed gig......

The Abominable Showmen

The Cherry Blossoms Present a Night of Varietease in aid of Breast Cancer

2011-05-01T00:05:00.025+01:00

Barkollo Front Room Stage

I have had the pleasure become Facebook friends with the delightfully named Tilly Tassle though a mutual love of rock and roll and related periphery. She is a member of the "Cherry Blossoms" burlesque troupe who were behind this night of entertainment compered by MC / Poet Richard Claire , raising money for Breast Cancer Research , a worthy cause:

The venue Barkollo , was a very cosy , with settees , tables , pizza and the like , with the added attraction of cupcakes from the gorgeous Cake!!

My Cake

Cake Display

Cake had a wonderful display of their wonderful cupcakes as you walked in , and I allowed myself one more having purchased a whole box from the shop earlier in the day

First up was George Sharpe , looking like Mickey Dolenz' long lost love child , he had a good voice , and good personality . I wasnt too struck o his songs but it takes all sort and he went down very well.

Then we had our first burlesque act all three Kitty Whispers trying to gain the attention of a disinterested gentleman reading a newspaper, soundtracked by Glenn Miller's "In The Mood". They certainly had the audiences attention , and let's face it , this was the reason most of the audience was here which showed a healthy 60/40 girl boy split. This is their excellent performance:

This was followed by Demi Demure though I may have this wrong , any way she was suitably seductive for the appreciative audience. Part of the act is below in suitably glorious Black and Whiite:

The first half finished with Claire Kelly accompanied by a "jazz" guitarist. Her voice was awesome , and whilest the guitarist was more than competent , his accompaniment seemed like just noodling to me and detracted from Claire's excellent voice , but what do I know? She is well worth tracking down though.

The second half opened with Gallery Circus , who were a revelation . A two piece band who played some excelelnt music despite the obvious limitations of the guitar drums line up , still it's worked for The Black Keys. This is the youtube video of their "21 Parties":

Next up we had Lulu Roxx looking very demure in white with parasol accessories. Again very good teasing , fun burlesque , much to the delight of the audience. A montage from the night is below, soundtracked by

The Champs "Train To Nowhere", download here

Tilly Tassle followed with a domestic cleaner / uninterested (female) scenario , which I filemed and will hopefully get in a fit shape to show . The audience thought it was excellent featuring lots of fune and a pleasant amount of exposure !! Here is my grainy video of the event!!:

This was followed buy a jazz trio who were far too noodly for me, and the addition of Claire Kelly's guitarist was the last straw , so at that point I left!! But a wonderful night was had by all and it was in an excellent cause.

This is the copy from the facebook promotion for the night:

New kids on the block 'The Cherry Blossoms' are hosting a flirtatious night of explosive Burlesque and Variety fun, ALL in aid of raising money and awareness for Breast Cancer Research....

Sizzling Burlesque Acts from:

The Cherry Blossoms:
Tilly Tassle
Lulu Roxx
Breezy Blush

The Kitty Whispers:
Demi Demure
Betty Bang
Fluffly Bryden

and the wonderfully beautiful Amber Von Tassle

Live Acoustic Musicians from the sensational:
George Sharpe
Gallery Circus

Traditional and Commercial Jazz music from the outstanding:
Claire Kelly
Peter Gilligan
Andrew Mckay

And bringing the whole night together with his handsome charm and quick wit.... Compere, Richard Claire

Step Back In Time

2011-02-02T07:19:00.001Z

Last night, for the first time in my life I attended the Little Theatre in Gateshead for the first time in my life. The Jumpin' Hot Club were putting on a gig featuring CW Stoneking supported by Brownbird Rudy Relic.

Opener Brownbird Rubdy Relic a Mexican New Yorker , mistaken for a Japanese by misinformed reviewers with a pencheant for Indian Hair Oil and Curries , amazed the crowd with a great percussive guitar display , althoug possibly a little over heavy on the kazoo!!. Still he was so good I bought hit album and he provoked thunderous applause from the crowd. An excellent opened to the gig , which incidentally was almost sold out though entirely seated!! Here he is:

CW Stoneking then took the stage with his Primitive Horn Orchetra looking and sounding like some 30s thowback Jazz Blues artists occupying that odd landscape somewhere between Cab Calloway and Tom Waits. Stoneking is Australian , and his albums are notoriously difficult to get hold of so I had no hesitation snapping up a couple that were on sale in the foyer.

The gig was punctuated by his stories which were immensly entertaing , before he launched into his songs on his (according to the stories) Trinidadian Banjo and 80 Year Old guitar. With a voice than could strip wallpaper while still being distinct and clear almost every song was called something Blues , apart from "Jungle Lullaby" , the other motif was the Jungle , for me the highlight was the story how he worked Jimm Rodges' yodelling into a jungle blues song resulting in the hilarious "Talking Lion Blues", which he can be seen performing live below:

Stoneking is a definite must see and this is the video that finally persuaded me of the guy's genius:

The Good, The Bad, and The Abominable Showmen - Tyneside Irish Centre - Thursday 4th November 2010 - The Result

2010-12-08T15:05:00.003Z

All

Just to let you know that we raised £530 for LIVErNORTH in memory of Karen Gault.

I will be sending the cheque soon.

Thanks again to everyone who helped making this possible.

See you all again in May for the next one which will be for Bruce.

Cheers

Jim Stevenson

Strategic Systems Solutions
Newcastle Office

This Perfect Day: MOTFEST 2010

2010-07-12T06:29:00.007+01:00

This years's Mouth of Tyne Festival again got perfect weather and was the best attended one I've seen so far. The website is here. The downside of this was that the food and drinks trailers had permanent queues which we circumvented by bringing in our own drinks which meant we could lie on the grass , talk and listen to the bands in glorious sunshine , not having to move to get a drink. The contents of our pack looked like this at some point in the afternoon.

The only time we had to move was to get up for a toilet break, and must admit the portaloos were spotless and almost pleasant to use!!! Maybe that's a sign of age.

Only caught four of the acts.

Walked in on Beth Jeans Houghton & The Hooves of Destiny who were excellent crowd pleasers , and included a cracking version of "Devil In Disguise" . Well worth tracking down and here's a litle video of them below:

Next up were the Batacuda Sound Machine from Auckland New Zealand (web site here) who served up some festival friendly funk. Them live below:

Next up were the hit of the day , The Easy Star All Stars , who entertained with dub and reggae versions of most of Sergeant Peppers , Pink Floyd's Money , Radiohead's Paranoid Android and closing with Karma Police . An odd choice to finish with but awesome and perfect festival entertainment especially in the sun . You can download their albums here , and see them below doing "Money":

Headliners were the Lightning Seeds , but without England in the World Cup Final (which wasnt gonna happen) they had their work cut out . The opened with "Sense" my absolute favourite and managed to keep big chunks of the crowd dancings even through the ill advised cover of Phil Spector's "Be My Baby". Below is an acoustic rendition of Sense:

All in all another excellent Festival , looking forward to next years!!

The Good, The Bad, and The Abominable Showmen - Next Gig Tyneside Irish Centre - Thursday 4th November 2010

2010-07-08T08:53:00.006+01:00

From Jim

All

The next Abominable Showmen gig will take place on Thursday 4^th November at The Tyneside Irish Centre, and will have a Country / Western / Cowboy theme to it

Tickets will be £4 and T-shirts will also be available, design to be confirmed but Chris will come up with something special as usual.

Let me know if you would like to come along.

Cheers

The Abominable Showmen

Jim Stevenson

Strategic Systems Solutions

Newcastle Office

From Tom:

The Abominable Showmen boldly ride once more! Thursday 4th November.

Even a goldarned fool plumb knows you should never approach a bull from the front, a horse from the rear, or a Showman from any direction. So you'd best lock up your cattle, silverware and womenfolk cuz the rootinest, tootinest, shootinest hombres west, east, north and south of the Pennines will be thundering into town imminently.

Yes indeed, those desperadoes of notoriously abominable disposition shall be inflicting their scandalously intemperate musical ways upon the good folk attending an otherwise respectable soirée at the Tyneside Irish Saloon on Thursday 16th September, the Year of our Lord 2010. The God fearing and temperate few amongst you should consider themselves forewarned, for I believe the Showmen intend to exercise what they regard as their irrefutable Constitutional right to arm bears.

As you may have calculated by now, they will allegedly be performing both kinds of music. Country AND Western.
Leastways they appear to be professing a 'Cowboy' theme or some such and they have further remarked that all funds herewith obtained shall be devoted to worthy causes. Bar those intentions I currently claim sweet ignorance.

They proclaim that admission shall be £4.00

For those wishing to garb themselves appropriately the latest Paris fashions will be available, as soon as the Showman Dog & Pony Express delivers my Sears catalogue. Should you possess a spirit of enquiry or a perhaps even penchant for partaking in this event, feel free to direct your attentions to me.

Y'all take care now.
And remember, if'n you find yourself in a hole, the first thing to do is stop diggin'. (A lesson some of my foremen have yet to comprehend).
Spread the word.

Black Tom. (2nd floor back at the SLH branch of the old PPA mine).

Abominable Showmen - Centre For Life 26th November 2009

2009-11-29T19:04:00.011Z

The gig was a sellout - call back for photos, video and the like.

Here's the missive from Jim :

"All

Just wanted to let you all know that we raised £570 on Thursday night.

This will be divided equally between Cure For Parkinsons and St Oswalds Hospice.

Thanks to everyone for helping raise this amount.

Cheers
The Abominable Showmen
---------------------------------------------
All

We just wanted to thank everyone for a great night last night.

We had a brilliant time and we hope you enjoyed yourselves.

I’m not sure exactly how much we have made as I still have some to come in but I’ll let you all know as soon as I find out.

As usual we would like to thank the following…..

Graeme Bell and Tim Hines for setting up and manning the PA,
The Centre For Life for letting us have the room for free and to all the staff for their help,
Tom and Mike for selling shirts and tickets

And especially to all you that came along, bought shirts, tickets, copious amounts of alcohol and helped make it such a brilliant night.

Thanks
Chris, Richie, Stephen and Jim"

Abominable Showmen - Next Gig 26th November 2009

2009-09-28T15:03:00.007+01:00

The supported charities for this gig are St. Oswald's Hospice and Cure Parkinsons Trust.

From Jim

"All

Just a quick note to let you know that the SSS band The Abominable Showmen are playing at the Centre For Life on November 26th.

The room will not be as big as it was last time as we will have it partitioned off so the number of tickets will be less than previous gigs (about 120 – 130 I think but I need to confirm this)

I know it’s a few weeks away but let me know if you would like a ticket, they are £4 each, with all profits being donated to charity (to be decided)

As usual we will be selling shirts as well and they will be around £10 each depending on how many orders we receive.

The gig will have an 80’s theme to it (although not all the songs will be from that era) and the T-shirts will reflect this.

Let me know if you want any tickets and if you want shirts please let me know what size.

Thanks
Jim

email: jim dot stevenson atsign sssworldwide.com (to stop spambots)"

=========================================================

We have decided to go with the A-Team design.

We have also decided to get some camouflage shirts printed, (please note that the camouflage shirts are smaller fitting than the usual shirts we get).

Please let me know as soon as possible if you would like the Black or Camouflage

The cost for these will be

Black £10.00 (£13.50 girls) Camouflage £12.00 (£13.50 girls)

If you want one please let me know size and colour please.

Cheers
Jim

Summertyne 2009

2009-07-25T23:08:00.008+01:00

The Summer Festivals are coming thick and fast and the Tyneside Americana Festival under the Summertyne banner is another great one.This year must be the best one yet with a superb turn out and an incredible line up. Some goigs are paid and some are free and it's a combination of live acts and films shown both inside and outside of the Sage.

Because of the clashes , the fact that there was hardly an inch of free space outside , the hot sun and all that , I ended up catching just a couple of the acts .

Two Fingers of Firewater and Eliza Gilkyson produced some excellent country sounds , but unfortunately I missed out on the headlining Hot Club of Cowtown , due a major sun induced headache.

However Ryan Shaw was a major revelation , the band starting with a reasonable funk / soul instrumental workout , before Ryan appeared with a stunning rendition of the Jimmy Cliff song "Many Rivers To Cross" , this was followed by one of their own song featuring gorgeous backing vocals from the band. If you want to download the album you can download it here. Here's them in 2006 doing "We Got Love":

Had to cut the gig short to catch Baby Gramps inside for his fourth set of the day!! I've seen Baby Gramps before and theres a lot of debate as to whether he's real or animatronic!!. Let me put you right, the guy is a total gentleman as I found out talking to him after the gig . The gig itself featured a new pirate song , and a hell of a lot of audience participation. A Baby Gramps gig is an experience you will never forget, this him with the Akron Family doing "Cape Cod Girls" on Letterman:

Bands Featured :

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Memory of a Free Festival - MOTFEST Sunday 2009

2009-07-14T20:47:00.006+01:00

The Mouth of Tyne Festival has been going for a number of years now (see the website here)and still maintains the essence of a decent free festival , no wristbands , no fenced off areas, decent music and you can get a decent drink either at the Iron Horse Saloon in the Priory on at one of the many pubs along Front Street such as Hugo's and The Turks.

The rain kept off and early in the afternoon with visited the trad jazz stage. I'm not really a fan of this sort of music but the bands fit the event and it's enjoyable to lie on the grass, drink beer , and soak in the atmosphere. We caught the Hot Five Jazzmakers from Canada and the Yerba Buena Jazz Band from Switzerland , both were excellent. Any bands available are on the carousel at the bottom of this post.

Next up were the excellent Soznak in Front Street . They should have been on the main stage. If you've never heard them think Baghdaddies with African instead of Middle Eastern influences. And the video is the rather wonderful "Weekily":

Unfortunately , we had to leave them early to see the wonderful Teddy Thompson who even covered Abba's Super Trouper , has the most amazing voice and held the crowd spellbound for an hour. The guy is a genius , just like his dad.

Amazingly the headliners Dodgy were even better , being greeted by bright sunshine and steaming through hits and album tracks delighting the crowd. Someone got "Staying Out For The Summer / Good Vibrations" here:

The problem was that the Baghdaddies were in South Shields when Dodgy were on so here's them doing "Not Drowning But Raving":

Here's some stuff from the afformentioned bands on Amazon:

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Can Your Pussy Do The Dog?.. It Certainly Can!!

2009-04-18T08:33:00.023+01:00

..a tribute to the not so early, but still great Lux Interior , late of the Cramps, who shuffled off his mortal coil earlier this year. This post will grow as I sort pictures and video, so give me a day or two . The videos for Jeepers Peepers will NOT be youtubed unless they specifically want them done.

The night was organised by Mr Dave Campbell , circus master extraordinaire, providing us with a veritable cornucopia of delectably depraved entertainment , in keeping with the memory of Lux Interior.

The excellent Jeepers Peepers Burlesque group opened up the festivities and provided superb diversions throughout the night...

Here's some images from the event , accompanied by Link Wray's "Rawhide" available here.

Incidentally the Cluny are hosting the "Female Tournament of Tease" to select the "Naughty North" entry.

We then had a suitably shambolic magician Steve Drayton, straight out of the Wheeltappers with an array or tricks and jokes which stretched the meaning of the word "entertainment" . Definitely he has to be seen to be believed!!

First band of the night were Staggerin' Jon Lee and His High Class Chancers with and interesting fermentation of Link Wray , Pedal Steel , and Fifties crooning, appropriately attired!!

Then came bug eyed escapologist
Chris Cross seen with the
master of ceremonies (left)
and on stage (right).

Due to a band dropping out , Ratty and The Shitkickers, filled in
admirably with their own brand of entertaining psychobilly.

The Light Brigade provide a superbly Cramped set of echoey Human Fly Rock and Roll!!

The finale was the almighty Coyotemen, all backed by some incredible B movies ("The Mad Butcher", "Frankenstein's Castle of Freaks" and "Teaserama" are three that I can recall at this point). All this cost a fiver . It was really like have your very own time machine!! Besuited , and suitably masked the set was a litlle slower than normal as this was a Cramps Tributes , but still as impressive as ever , and it was good to hear that the still "Take Shit From No One"!!!!

....and finally The Coyotemen's rendition of "Teenage Werewolf"

.......

Billy 'Souldad' Batey - Charity Night at The Cluny - 4th April 2009

2009-03-26T10:24:00.009Z

From Lynn Campbell

"Last year my friend Soo's husband lost his fight to cancer, so Soo is having a charity bash in his memory, if anyone would like to come along":

Charity night in aid of Marie Curie Hospice
In memory of Billy 'Souldad'
Batey to be held on Saturday 4th April 2009, 7.30 pm at The Cluny.

featuring "Ratty and the Shitkickers" (rockabilly) (or the 5h1tkickers for the more sensitive) and  dj's playing some of Billys favourite soul music, and chip butties if you're feeling peckish.

Tickets £5, with all proceeds going to the hospice, are available from The Tyne, The Cluny, Tilleys, The Strawberry and Lyn

Here's a taster of Ratty & The Boys doing Johnny Burnette's "Lonsesome Tears In My Eyes" at the Tyne:



And from the night, heres Ratty and The Shitkickers featuring the Sh'tettes performing "Betty, Betty"!!!

Over a thousand pounds was raised on the night for Marie Curie, watch this space for next year's gig.

and some photos:










The photos werent displaying in Internet Explorer. Hopefully this bit of text should help you see!!

Abominable Showmen - November 2005

2009-03-25T11:11:00.009Z

The Videos:
All My Lovin'
Paranoid
School's Out
Teenage Kicks

The Charities:

£800 was raised on the night and from subsequent underhand dealings which was split between Debra and Saint Oswalds Hospice

T Shirt Design:

Spoon / Abominable Showmen - May 2006

2008-11-04T11:08:00.000Z

18th of May 2006 in Aid of

MSA and HME Charities

The T Shirt

Videos:

These two are from Jill Berry’s Phone , so sound obviously not good , but funny none the less

Rosalie(Jim)

Rockin In The Free World(Mike

Abominable Showmen - Halloween 2008

2008-11-03T10:39:00.001Z

The Abominable Showmen played the Centre For Life on the 30th October 2008 raising £750 in aid of

St Oswald’s Hospice and The Bubble Foundation .

The T- Shirt Design..

Email From The Band:

"All

Just a quick note from us to thank you all for another great night on Thursday.

We had a great time as usual, and judging by the comments received so did everyone else.

We would like to thank (in no particular order)

Graeme Bell and Keith Shepherdson for giving their time for free, and for all their hard work in providing and setting up the gear (and taking it down) and making us sound good!!!
Tim Hines for getting stuck in and helping Graeme and Keith,
Tom Tierney, Mike Singleton and Dave Stevenson for swelling tickets and shirts.
The Centre For Life for letting us have the room free of charge, and to all the staff who organised everything and basically couldn’t do enough for us!!
SSS for paying for the Practice rooms and equipment hire etc.
Dave Stevenson, Mike Singleton and Bernie Wells for providing brilliant guest spots.
And to everyone who came along and helped us have a great night, thank you!!

Cheers
Chris, Richie, Steve, Jim and Andy"