We were all looking forward to the Greyhound gig, our only one in November, but in true Verbal Warning style things didn't exactly go to plan, first of all Singer Boy was not very well, no, he really wasn't very well this time, we know this cause he's not gone into work since, mind you he did go to 3 gigs last week as well as ours at the Greyhound, as Guitar Boy put it, he really is his own worst enemy. Anyway things were going well when someone at the pub got nervous about the strain we were putting on the PA and turned us down towards the end of the 1st set, and the vocals disapeared, at half time we tried to put things right without success, to cut a rather long story short the newly miced up snare drum finished up dominating the mix, it wasn't a disaster, but it could have been better.
Because of Singer Boys health problems he's giving practice a miss tonight, or is it cause England v Germany is on the TV? so the rest of us are cosying up in Drummer Boys office in an effort to keep warm, and it doesn't give much room for swinging fists if we discuss what went wrong on Saturday.
Just bought a new computer keyboard of ebay, £2.20, bargain me thinks, when it arrived it's an American one, you know the type, no pound sign on it grrrr. Lets hope the ear plugs and guitar lead are a better buy when they arrive.
Singer Boys off to China to visit his step daughter, no she's not Chinese she's teaching Long Eaton English out there, the mind boggles, anyway it was touch and go as to whether he got a visa on account of the fact his occupation is a journalist, but as soon as he explained he was Sports Editor with the Manfield Chad he was granted one.
So, I don't know when I'll find anything remotley interesting to say till after Christmas, because our next gig's not till December 23rd But if anything crops up I'll let you know. If not, have Merry Christmas, bah humbug.
Wednesday, 19 November 2008
Friday, 31 October 2008
the World of Verbal Warning 30.10.08
Well we all enjoyed the Penetration gig at Mansfield's the Mill, looks like they've got a new sound guy who doesn't turn everything up to 11 so everybody got a good sound, still loud but not distorted and Penetretion were superb. Now as you who know me know, I'm a big cask ale fan and think larger is the same colour as what it tastes like, so, if anybody saw me walking round the Mill with a cans of Carling in my hand I must explain that it was a band rider and therefore free, those of you who know me will also know I am not one to look a gift horse in the mouth, so it was principles 0 wallet 1. Our gig at the Salutation on 23rd October got cancelled, we'd been double booked with god knows who, so we were all a bit miffed, this week they're asking for bands to play, I don't know whether to laugh or cry. Guitar boys got a bad back to go with his bad amp, both are not working as they should, so it's perhaps as well we've got nothing on this week.
Mind you I think we'll all have bad backs soon, just bought some bass speakers for our ever expanding PA, the DHL driver was not amused at having to deliver them. Talking of equipment, the tweeter blew in one of our monitors, Singer boy took it back and its our fault for being to rough with them, treat them gently they said, they're monitors that sit on the floor at gigs, it's a bit like buying a car, then when it breaks down being told its your fault for switching the engine on.
That's about it I think, probably be a while till the next report, we've not got a gig till the Greyhound on November 15th.
Mind you I think we'll all have bad backs soon, just bought some bass speakers for our ever expanding PA, the DHL driver was not amused at having to deliver them. Talking of equipment, the tweeter blew in one of our monitors, Singer boy took it back and its our fault for being to rough with them, treat them gently they said, they're monitors that sit on the floor at gigs, it's a bit like buying a car, then when it breaks down being told its your fault for switching the engine on.
That's about it I think, probably be a while till the next report, we've not got a gig till the Greyhound on November 15th.
Thursday, 16 October 2008
the World of Verbal Warning 15.10.08
Here's the report about our busy weekend as promised. The Nottingham Beer festival gig was a stormer, the place was nearly a sell out, and the Amplifires very kindly stayed on so we could use there PA, we premiered our Dambuster theme tune intro, an idea we nicked from MFN, which seemed to work well. Me and Guitar Boy very nearly missed the chance to call Singer Boy a twat when he unexpectedly revived his intro to a Ploy Named Sue and we were chatting away about something and only just got to the mic in time. The security Guard was roundly booed by the crowd when he enforced the 11 o Clock curfew and an old DJ hero of mine, the one and only John Shaw came up for a chat afterwards and said how much he enjoyed it, he likes a bit of old skool punk rock does our John.
The next night was a reverse of the previous evening, we were on first and the second band, Fightback, borrowed our PA, a good time seemed to be had by all, a decent crowd, some of the Tiger lot turned up, someone even said the guy who tried to chin Guitar boy was there, throwing one fingered salutes at us, but as Arson Wenger would say I didn't see that. It's a nice venue at the Sportman in Long Eaton, pity they charge £100 for the hire of the room.
We've got the Penetration gig at the Mill in Mansfield to look forward to now then it goes very quiet, since the Sitwell gig's been cancelled we've only got one gig in November, might give us chance to work on some new songs for the new CD
The next night was a reverse of the previous evening, we were on first and the second band, Fightback, borrowed our PA, a good time seemed to be had by all, a decent crowd, some of the Tiger lot turned up, someone even said the guy who tried to chin Guitar boy was there, throwing one fingered salutes at us, but as Arson Wenger would say I didn't see that. It's a nice venue at the Sportman in Long Eaton, pity they charge £100 for the hire of the room.
We've got the Penetration gig at the Mill in Mansfield to look forward to now then it goes very quiet, since the Sitwell gig's been cancelled we've only got one gig in November, might give us chance to work on some new songs for the new CD
Monday, 6 October 2008
the World of Verbal Warning 06.10.08
is it really 3 weeks since my last blog? time flys when you're trying to learn the bass part to Rock and Roll Christmas.
We've had 4 gigs since my last report, 1st one was at the Maze where we were first on in a 5 band bill, so as you can imagine there wasn't many there, and to make things worse a couple of guys turned up to see us for the first time since 1982 and we'd all gone home apart from singer boy, then the Sunday after by way of a complete contrast we were headlining at the Vic in Derby, and it turned out to be a good night with a good crowd, we even had a little mosh pit going and a bit of crowd surfing, well one lunatic fell backwards off the stage but that's near enough for me, we were already to do an encore to finish off our 1 hour set but the sound engineer was obviously in a hurry to get home as the music came on the lights went up and the mics had disapeared off the stage in the space of about 30 seconds.
On to the Tiger in Long Eaton last Friday, first time on there and what a cracking gig it was, a full house, beer being thrown, cheering and singing, and guitar boy nearly got chinned when he threw a pick into the crowd and it bounced off some pissed up punters head and landed in his beer, to say he was not amused would be an understatement, some people just can't enter into the spirit of things, anyway we're back there for our Christmas party on December 23rd.
The day after we were at the George in Ripley, what a difference, a small indifferent crowd meant we couldn't really get going after the previous evening and we didn't even do an encore, just packed up and went home, so down to earth with a bang.
Next Friday it's the Nottingham Beer Festival in the Castle grounds, I was looking forward to this till I found out we're in the tiny bandstand and the crowd are outside, in the middle of October? I'd imagined a Marquee, if it rains we'll be playing to ourselves, I'll let you know how it goes.
We've had 4 gigs since my last report, 1st one was at the Maze where we were first on in a 5 band bill, so as you can imagine there wasn't many there, and to make things worse a couple of guys turned up to see us for the first time since 1982 and we'd all gone home apart from singer boy, then the Sunday after by way of a complete contrast we were headlining at the Vic in Derby, and it turned out to be a good night with a good crowd, we even had a little mosh pit going and a bit of crowd surfing, well one lunatic fell backwards off the stage but that's near enough for me, we were already to do an encore to finish off our 1 hour set but the sound engineer was obviously in a hurry to get home as the music came on the lights went up and the mics had disapeared off the stage in the space of about 30 seconds.
On to the Tiger in Long Eaton last Friday, first time on there and what a cracking gig it was, a full house, beer being thrown, cheering and singing, and guitar boy nearly got chinned when he threw a pick into the crowd and it bounced off some pissed up punters head and landed in his beer, to say he was not amused would be an understatement, some people just can't enter into the spirit of things, anyway we're back there for our Christmas party on December 23rd.
The day after we were at the George in Ripley, what a difference, a small indifferent crowd meant we couldn't really get going after the previous evening and we didn't even do an encore, just packed up and went home, so down to earth with a bang.
Next Friday it's the Nottingham Beer Festival in the Castle grounds, I was looking forward to this till I found out we're in the tiny bandstand and the crowd are outside, in the middle of October? I'd imagined a Marquee, if it rains we'll be playing to ourselves, I'll let you know how it goes.
Friday, 12 September 2008
the World of Verbal Warning 11.09.08
Things are quietening down after our rather frantic August, had a gig at Sawyers, Kettering last Thursday, which was a rather sparse crowd but it gave guitar boy a chance to try out his new axe and we got all our petrol money, so fair play to Bamby, they must have lost money.
The Horncastle gig was a different kettle of fish altogether, the decent sized crowd were well up for it, I suspect the fact they'd been drinking all afternoon might have had something to do with it, but hey, a rocking gig, the rest of the band might think it's the way we played but I think the fact I'd got my council green trousers on had something to do with it, I was pleased there was a 10 o Clock curfew, I was well knackered after nearly a 2 hour set and they still wanted more.
Guitar Boy uncovered this, how bizarre Verbal Warning video's on a bridal gown site??????????
http://www.bridalgownsguide.com/bridal-gowns/watch-video/1PVE85K6i_0/florry40/verbal-warning-white-riot.html
I've just put my Fender Jazz on ebay after months of soul searching about which bass to off load, I mean, you can only play one at once, and I haven't got a rack to fill like Guitar Boy has, so, all you lefties out there get bidding.
No gigs this weekend for the first time in ages, I'll probably have the shakes by Sunday night, I'll have to have a few pints to calm me down.
The Horncastle gig was a different kettle of fish altogether, the decent sized crowd were well up for it, I suspect the fact they'd been drinking all afternoon might have had something to do with it, but hey, a rocking gig, the rest of the band might think it's the way we played but I think the fact I'd got my council green trousers on had something to do with it, I was pleased there was a 10 o Clock curfew, I was well knackered after nearly a 2 hour set and they still wanted more.
Guitar Boy uncovered this, how bizarre Verbal Warning video's on a bridal gown site??????????
http://www.bridalgownsguide.com/bridal-gowns/watch-video/1PVE85K6i_0/florry40/verbal-warning-white-riot.html
I've just put my Fender Jazz on ebay after months of soul searching about which bass to off load, I mean, you can only play one at once, and I haven't got a rack to fill like Guitar Boy has, so, all you lefties out there get bidding.
No gigs this weekend for the first time in ages, I'll probably have the shakes by Sunday night, I'll have to have a few pints to calm me down.
Thursday, 28 August 2008
the World of Verbal Warning 28.08.08
Three gigs to report on, first it was the Blyth Power ashes at Lumb Farm, a local gig for us, we didn't get the best slot, 11.45 on Saturday lunch which meant I was still pissed from the previous evening, couldn't remember half the bass line for white riot, and somebody's posted it on youtube, sadists. And after watching Bunny Boiler, which is also on youtube I have decided that perhaps the Rebellion tee shirt doesn't really go with my council green trousers and bright pink guitar strap, no wonder I wear shades. But I got better as the gig progressed and it did mean I could start drinking without worrying about an evening gig, um, not sure that was a good thing on reflection.
Just had a really busy weekend, 500 miles, 2 gigs in 24 hours, ROCK AND ROLL. Drove down to the New Forest in Hampshire for the Moto Guzzi GB festival on Saturday wondering how we would be received by the biker crowd, shouldn't have worried, 2 encores, a good PA, girls taking there tops off and dancing around in there bras, well 2 girls anyway, and 4 real ales on at the bar which was open for an hour after we finished, made for a storming night. I was falling over guy ropes, grinning from ear to ear, had to give up trying to get in my sleeping bag, and in the morning Wendy Verbett discovered I was still wearing my tie! not just my tie I should add, so yes, we had a good time..
On to Horncastle on Sunday for a outdoor charity gig, at Old Nicks pub, and very good it was too, drummer boy's bass pedal broke, and my bass lead didn't work after Guitar boy stood on it the previous evening, but luckily they happened before we started, and they're still having us back in a fortnight so we must have been ok.
I think we'll have to abandon plans for a national tour though, the 2 younger members of the band were so worn out by the weekends efforts we had to scrap wednesdays practice to give them time to recover.
On a sadder note, Singer Boy has altered his little speech before we play A Ploy Named Sue, so we no longer get the chance to call him a twat, so one of the highlights of the gig has disappeared, temporarily I hope.
Just had a really busy weekend, 500 miles, 2 gigs in 24 hours, ROCK AND ROLL. Drove down to the New Forest in Hampshire for the Moto Guzzi GB festival on Saturday wondering how we would be received by the biker crowd, shouldn't have worried, 2 encores, a good PA, girls taking there tops off and dancing around in there bras, well 2 girls anyway, and 4 real ales on at the bar which was open for an hour after we finished, made for a storming night. I was falling over guy ropes, grinning from ear to ear, had to give up trying to get in my sleeping bag, and in the morning Wendy Verbett discovered I was still wearing my tie! not just my tie I should add, so yes, we had a good time..
On to Horncastle on Sunday for a outdoor charity gig, at Old Nicks pub, and very good it was too, drummer boy's bass pedal broke, and my bass lead didn't work after Guitar boy stood on it the previous evening, but luckily they happened before we started, and they're still having us back in a fortnight so we must have been ok.
I think we'll have to abandon plans for a national tour though, the 2 younger members of the band were so worn out by the weekends efforts we had to scrap wednesdays practice to give them time to recover.
On a sadder note, Singer Boy has altered his little speech before we play A Ploy Named Sue, so we no longer get the chance to call him a twat, so one of the highlights of the gig has disappeared, temporarily I hope.
Wednesday, 13 August 2008
the World of Verbal Warning 13.08.08
We've had 2 gigs since the last blog, first the Steamboat at Trent Lock which turned out to be a cracking gig, sound was good and a decent crowd, highspot of the evening was when we did our little joke before Ploy Named Sue and the pub broke into a chant of twat, twat twat at singer boy, highly amusing for the rest of us, if you don't know what I'm talking about you'd better come to one of our gigs, lowspot of the evening was me reversing my new car into a metal post dispite of have warning sensors on the back of the car, perhaps it's me thats the twat as well.
On to Blackpool which went well, we were third on the bill on Thursday but with only 2 stages in operation finished up with a good crowd which is a good sign, sold 11 T shirts and had some nice compliments. Some good gigs from the Revillos, the original line up of the UK subs and the Sweet, but surprise of the weekend was the Glitter Band, they were on at 11.30 Thursday night when everybody was pissed, had a replacement Gary and played all the hits with everybody in the crowd sreaming along. I don't suppose we hear any Glitter songs any more for obvious reasons which made it all the better, at the end the PA and lights were turned off and the crowd still carried on with about 10 chorus's of you love me love, the band couldn't believe it, imagine what they thought when they first got the booking to play at a punk festival.
On to Blackpool which went well, we were third on the bill on Thursday but with only 2 stages in operation finished up with a good crowd which is a good sign, sold 11 T shirts and had some nice compliments. Some good gigs from the Revillos, the original line up of the UK subs and the Sweet, but surprise of the weekend was the Glitter Band, they were on at 11.30 Thursday night when everybody was pissed, had a replacement Gary and played all the hits with everybody in the crowd sreaming along. I don't suppose we hear any Glitter songs any more for obvious reasons which made it all the better, at the end the PA and lights were turned off and the crowd still carried on with about 10 chorus's of you love me love, the band couldn't believe it, imagine what they thought when they first got the booking to play at a punk festival.
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