A review of clubs from the performers point of view.
Dec 24 2011
Castle Bromwich Remembrance Club
I was suprised when I turned up how packed the audience was so early on in the evening, especially on a christmas eve when everyone is spent out.
A slightly different audience tonight, not the usual crowd we've had always had and so i felt I didn't connect as well with the audience this time round but having said that we got our fair share of dancers up on the dance floor.
I spoke to the ent sec and he was chuffed but like I said I felt a little like we didn't go down as good this time, only because the audience were'nt the usual punters.
Hope everyone had a great christmas
Rating for this venue 10 out of 10
Dec 17 2011
Quinton RBL
It was great to return to this lovely little club, little well it's multi-storey lol.
Tonight was a charity night to raise money for ex soldiers and their familes who have hit on hard times, I'm not too sure but there was a considerable amount raised by the end of the night.
As always the audience were fully behind us, as you can presume, the audience in some respects were getting on but still had lots of get up and go.
Thanks to the crowd for dancing and bopping and thanks to all of those who took an interest in my latest cd, I hope you all enjoyed it.
See you all in May
Rating for venue 10 out of 10
Dec 10 2011
Charlemont Bowling Club
Well tonight we were back at Barrie's watering hole, always garaunteed a brill night, the crowd like their music especially if it's got some guts.
It great to see the newly arranged dance floor getting stomped on, to be honest, I've never seen so many people get up and boogey at this club, it just goes to show making the room by the stage as paid off for the punters, a happy dancing crowd means more neck oil when they get thirsty.
A wonderful night, especially because it was my birthday, I really enjoyed it tonight.
See you all next July
Rating for venue 10 out of 10
Dec 06 2011
Bartley Green Social Club
This was a new club to us, didn't know until we arrived that it was actually a presentation night for the local fishing club.
Unfortunately for us, it was mainly men who turned up, the fisherman variety, about 50 strong if that and not very sociable either. Must say the club laid on a lovely spread but thats as far as I can go when it comes to rating the venue.
To be honest, I don't think this was the usual crowd, the ent sec was playing lots of 60's material on the pa and so I know we were providing the sort of music the club wanted, it's just a shame there wasn't a average balance of punters in the crowd.
As an act the audience mean everything to us and when there really isn't one, well the night become a bit of a drag.
Maybe, who knows we might get another booking, not too sure
I won't rate this venue at the moment, it would be unfair to because I truely believe this wasn't a normal night for the club.
Nov 26 2011
Boney Hay WMC
It was great to get back at one of my favourite clubs, always a good night here.
The audience are very appreciative and never let us down when it comes to getting up and having a boogey. It's always a pleasure to see the crowd enjoy themselves, thats what makes our night.
A good night was had one all, look forward to seeing you in May.
Rating for venue 10 out of 10
Nov 05 2011
Smethwich Mencap Club
Well at last we finally managed to do our gig after my cancellation earlier on, once again sorry Steve and club, it's very heart warming to know that they appreciated my problem and made allowances for the band.
Tonights gig went extremly well, the band had'nt played for about six weeks and it was good to get up on stage and give it some welly.
A few more people in tonight, to tell the truth I thought there would be less due to bonfire night. We soon had the crowd up on the dancefloor. Tonight we thought we would give the lads in the audience a few of the Shads numbers, I know how much they like Hank.
A few birthdays in the club tonight and a young lad called John was up dancing all night, he was in his element because he was a Beatles fan. he certainly knew his onions when it came to the records.
A fabulous night was had by one and all.
See you in Feb
Rating for venue 10 out of 10
Sept 17 2011
Castlebromwich Remembrance Club
The band love this venue, a lovely big stage, great sound and smashing crowd.
We never fail to have a awesome night here, I can gaurantee that within the first two song, the dancefloor is getting packed. The audience love their music here. It's a pure pleasure to play here.
A lovely night was had by all.
See you at christmas
Rating for venue 10 out of 10
Sept 10 2011
Quinton RBL
Our second return to this lovely little venue just outside Brum. A packed house it was and a anniversary for the club, I believe it was 90 years to the day the the club opened.
Celebrations had be ongoing all day outside and now it was time for the show.
Tonights gig, we were on with the superb comedian Lee Wilson of the 70's ITV Comedians. A true professional, Lee put on a great show. Opening the night was a solo artiste called Darren, a very good singer who covered a few of Michael Buble's song's.
We were the main act and kept the crowd entertained to the wee small hours. It was nice to see the dancers on the floor but it was a very long day for some of the crowd considering the days entertainment had been going on for about 12 hrs.
A lovely night was had by all, I'm glad i managed to get through the gig in one piece whilst still having kidney probs but the old adrenaline kicked in.
See you on Dec 17 for the Charity show.
Rating for venue 10 out of 10
Sept 03 2011
Mencap Club Smethwick
Cancelled.
My apologies to the club and our compare Steve, due to a kidney problem I had to cancel this great little club. First time I've ever cancelled due to ill health, even if I'm flued up and losing my voice the show must go on, that's what being professional is all about but sorry folks, I was totally incapacitated.
It's good to know that the club re-worked the gig for later on in the year.
Thanks Mark :)
Aug 27 2011
Jubilee Club Stoke
It was our first time at the club and my first time gigging in Stoke on Trent, not a bad little club, not many in probably because they didn't know the act but those who were there had a great night.
Not many dancers but plenty of people bopping in their seats and singing along.
Don't know if there will be a repeat booking due to the current situation with clubs closing down, it's a sad loss for acts and punters alike.
Rating for venue 8 out of 10
Aug 20 2011
Darlaston Social Club
It was good to return to our old stomping ground in Darlaston, had'nt played the club for a while and it was nice to see Charlie back at the club doing the comparing.
As always, there was a good crowd in and the dancers were up on the floor having a bop.
A good night was had by all,
Hope to see you next year.
Rating for venue 10 out of 10
July 30 2011
Boney Hay Working Mens Club
It was a welcome return to this great little club, plus a welcome return for Barrie on drums after his operation.
As with every time we've played here, the audience are soon up on their feet, they really love their music here. Even though it was one of the main holiday weeks, the club was well attended with a large number of dancers on the floor.
After two encores, we finally had to bid goodnight, a good night was had by all and Barrie's hand stood up to the punishment lol.
A big thank you to the club and the audience, it's the dancers that make our night :)
Catch you all again in November.
Rating for venue: 10 out of 10
June 25 2011
Castlebromwich Rememberance Club
The band always looks forward to performing here, a great club and a great audience, what more can one want.
This was the bands first time playing here without Barrie our drummer, he's now well on the mend after his hand operation.
For tonight's gig we had the great fortune of having "Graham Lightfoot" totally awesome drummer helping us out. This bloke knows his onions when it comes to 50's and 60's, 70's material, what a powerful drummer.
As always, it was great to see a good crowd on the dance floor and these folks never let us down, don't know what they had been drinking tonight but they were really up for a boogie.
Luckily Graham was up for it as well and the night went brilliantly.
It's a pleasure being appreciated by the crowd and it was great to know that the audience respected the fact that we had never gigged with Graham before but what a night. Didn't think the crowd was ever going to stop dancing lol.
Thank you for enjoying us so much and so I would like to say a big thank you the the folks for following us around and to all of our dancers.
Thank you to the compare, a nice indroduction and send off, Brilliant!!!
We will be back with Baz in December, see you soon.
Rating for the venue 10 out of 10
May 21 2011
Rugeley Progressive Club
It's alway great to get back to Jim's club, always a brilliant audience.
As usual at this venue, we shared our night with other artistes and tonight we had a couple of singers"Da Ja Vu" who had run into a little trouble on the way here, they managed to carry the night off but I think they were a little nervous with all the stress ect.
Due to the problems we went on first to make sure the night ran smoothly.
The band was a little on tender hooks itself because this was our first gig without Barrie, due to him being off recouperating after his operation.
Our drummer for tonight was Paul Dodich an amazing all round musician who would put most of us to shame. He's a great bloke to know and I've worked with Paul for many years at work but this was our very first gig together, he put on a brilliant show even though he's had some bad times recently himself, a true professeional if ever there was one
This club loves their music and the dancers, from start to finish there's always people on the dance floor. They really appreciate their music and its really nice to know that they're enjoying the band.
Thanks always to Jim for being the brilliant compare, you always do a fine job of introducing the band, and a special thanks for the compliments that you paid us at the end of the evening, plus a special thanks for you email.
A big thank you to the club, staff and audience from Run Devil Run
Hopefully see you again soon
Rating for the venue, 10 out of 10
April 2011
Charlemont Bowling Club
Tonight was a very welcome return to Charlemont, as Barrie's local and also an regular, we always have a lot of followers and supporters here . A brilliant night is always gauranteed. thank you to the dancers, the audience love there music here.
A awesome night was had by one and all and we had to finish on what's become a bit of a tradition,Barrie's drum break on "Spirit In The Sky"
Just a quick message, Barrie our drummer will be going in for an operation shortly on his hand and so unfortunately we'll be cutting back on our gigs until he is better.
There are a few gigs where we be using stand in drummers but they will be brilliant players, we can't let our venues down. But we will be looking forward to the return of Baz in the drum seat.
Catch you all in December
Rating for venue 10 out of 10
March 12 2011
Boney Hay Social
One of our favourite clubs, always have a cracking night here.
The audience never fail to get up and boogie and were as awesome as ever. There's some great little dancer's here and they do really love their rock'n'roll and 60's.
It's a pleasure just to watch then enjoy themselves.
A big thank you to the dancers.
See you next in July
Rating for venue 10 out of 10
March 05 2011
Castlebromwich Rememberance Club
A welcome return to this fantasitic club. Always enjoy performing here, it really can't get any better, awesome club and audience.
A nice crowd on the dance floor tonight, always people on the floor within a matter of bars of the first song, that can't be bad can it. These people sure know how to enjoy themselves, brilliant!!!
It's really a honour to play here and be appreciated by the crowd, as always, a big thank you goes to Mick, our compare, he always makes sure everything is just right for the band with perfectly timed introductions, lovely.
We will see you all very soon.
Rating for the venue 10 out of 10
February 2011
Mackadown Social Club
Well this was a beit of an emergency booking, the club had been let down and so we offered to help out. It was a welcome return to this club, always nice to play here.
A nice little club and good audience, a few more dancers than the last time we played which is a good sign, but we always notice that there's a lot of foot tapping going on.
Once again , we had our followers from Castlebromwich, we'll be seeing you shortly again at Mick's place.
Thanks Ron for a great night.
Hope see you all soon.
Rating for venue 10 out of 10
November 28 2010
Greets Green WMC
It was our welcome return to this little club and as in our first couple of visits, the gig went extremely well.
Once again the audience were very appreciative with lots of applause ect.
Not many dancers again but I don't think this is a dancing venue, I noticed once again that the punters like their music.
There are some that you can tell know their music and know if it's good or bad, seeing them singing along and enjoying themselves does make up for the lack of dancing and the amount of applause were very satisfying.
Plus keeping a pretty full house right up till the last song is always a good sign especially for a Sunday night gig.
We look forward to gigging there once again next year.
Rating for venue 10 out of 10
November 27 2010
Smetwick Mencap Club.
First of all on behalf of the group, may I wish Steve a speedy recovery, I was very shocked to hear of his recent illness and hope things will be well next time we visit.
Not many in tonight but weather permitting the crowd that were there appreciated the music.
On a sad note, I was sorry to hear of the passing of a few of the members, especially the gentleman who loved his Shadows music.
Get well Steve
See you all next year.
Rating for venue 10 out of 10
November 20 2010
Greets Green Community Centre
It was our second return to the venue and as with the first time were taken aback by the welcome and support from the audience and staff.
As I mentioned with the previous review, a number the audience don't normally get the chance to get out and about to see live music and so it's a real pleasure to play for them.
The room was packed and the audience were soon up dancing, a very nice party atmosphere here once again.
Thank you Jackie for your hospitality.
Let's hope we'll do another gig next year.
Rating for venue 10 out 10
November 13 2010
Boney Hay Social
I must say, I love this club, don't know quite what it is but alway's feel like I've played well here, maybe it just the trip out to the venue, I don't really know but I always like it lol.
The audience as ever were brilliant, it doesn't take long to get the crowd up on the dance floor, they really like their rock'n'roll and 60's here. A big thank you to the dancers.
See you next year
Rating for venue 10 out of 10
November 06 2010
Charlemont Bowling Club
It was a very welcome return to Charlemont, being Barrie's local, we have a lot of followers here and are always gauranteed a brilliant night. The crowd as always were very supportive and knew what they wanted, they do like their music here.
A great night was had by all and what's become a bit of a tradition was Barrie's drum break on "Spirit In The Sky"
Catch you all next year
Rating for venue 10 out of 10
October 23 2010
Beacon Centre for the Blind (60's Night)
Hello again, this was our first gig for a while due to illness in the family.
This was a welcome return to playing for the centre and for the first time actually in the new concert room. We must first say "what a great room and sound" the sound quality was fabulous.
As always, the crowds that come and support these show's are some of the best that you could possibly get, there's alway a good party atmosphere with fancy dress ect.
We'd like to say a big thank you to the Centre and hope that we helped to raise awareness and funds for the charity.
Hopefully catch you next year :)
Rating for venue 10 out of 10.
September 12 2010
Mackadown Social Club
Well it was a welcome return to this club, didn't think we'd make it tonight what with road works and me having a bad throat.
A nice little club and good audience, not many dancers but we always notice that there's a lot of foot tapping going on, so thats ok with us.
On a personal note, I'd like to say sorry about my singing tonight, must have been gargling with razors blades the night before, but as the old saying goes, "The show must go on", no tapes or cd's to help carry our voices. What you see is what you get.
Well the show went pretty well considering the situation and we managed to keep the audience captive "lol" until throwing out time, not bad especially on a Sunday night.
Thank you to the crowd from Castlebromwich, we'll be seeing you shortly at Mick's place.
Thanks Ron for the night and letting people know that I was a little unwell.
Hope see you all in 2011
Rating for venue 10 out of 10
September 05 2010
The Swan Public House
Now this gig was a blast from the past, as this band we hadn't played this venue but myself and Barrie had played it numerous times back in the 90's.
It was funny getting back here because it had still the same old vibe, the audience are really appreciative, with a bit of dancing going on at the back. Being a pub, there's not much room for bopping around but tonights crowd managed to find the space lol.
It's a cracking little venue to play, I don't think they get many real "live" performers there, mainly singers with cd's ect, so it was a welcome change for the audience.
There was quite a few people there who remembered us from back then and Barrie had a number of his mates there as well.
What more can I say, nice pub, helpful staff and great audience, what more can you ask for.
We'll be back there shortly on November 07.
Rating for venue 10 out of 10
August 28 2010
Rugeley Progressive Club
It was good to get back to this club, always a smashing audience, as is the usual at this venue, we share our night with other artistes and tonight we had a lovely lady who gave the club a great couple of sets. "Sorry but my memory fails me, maybe Jim can give us the name of the lady"
There's one thing that for sure about this club and it's their dancers, from start to finish there's always people on the dance floor. They really appreciate their music and its really nice to know that they're enjoying the band.
Thanks Jim for being a brilliant compare, you always do a fine job of introducing the band, and a special thanks for the compliments that you paid us at the end of the evening.
So from us to you, a big thank you to the club staff and audience.
Before I forget, I'd like to say a special thank you to the couple who follow us to this venue, we see them a lot at Shortheath, it's nice to know that we are appreciated like that.
Hopefully see you in 2011
Rating for the venue, 10 out of 10
August 07 2010
Smethwick Mencap Club
We've played this little gig for so many years now that I've forgot how many show we've done there. The thing that amazes me is that a lot of the members can remember me from years ago.
They love their music here and Steve always puts on a cracking disco to start the night off and it's become a highlight of the night to get Steve up to sing along with the band.
See you very soon
Rating for venue 10 out of 10
July 25 2010
Greets Green WMC
It was our second return to this little club and as in our first visit, the gig went extremely well. The audience were very appreciative with lots of applause ect.
Not many dancers but the humid weather doesn't help. I've noticed with this club that the punters like their music, you can see them singing along and enjoying themselves and so in one way the lack of dancing is made up by the amount of applause and the fact that we kept a pretty full house right up till the last song. That's not bad going when it's a Sunday night gig.
We look forward to gigging there once again in November
Rating for venue: 10 out of 10
July 17 2010
Short Heath British Legion
As always, I look forward to playing this smashing venue, I like to say first of all thank you to our dancers, there's always a couple there who dance all night, it's so nice to see this, they're always first up on the dance floor.
I'd like to say thank you to Paul for looking after us and I hope things were alright after, there was a little problem with the volume but we managed to keep it under control, as any performer knows, it's the hardest thing in then world to manage your sound without a sound engineer but I think we managed to keep things to a minium as so to keep all happy.
Once again I'd like to say thanks to all of the dancers, it's always a pleasure to see the crowd u on the dance floor and to know that they appreciate all of our hard work. This is what playing is all about.
See you next time.
Rating for the venue: a cooking10 out of 10
July 10 2010
Boney Hay Social Club.
It was good to play this smashing little club, we always have a cracking night here. It never takes very long before the crowd start to get up to dance. Once again it was a very warm night but what a helped tonight was the air conditioning the club had, very nice indeed.
Our normal entertainment sec wasn't on tonight, she was on her hols but we were looked after very well by her stand in.
A good night was had by all, thanks to the dancers.
See you next time.
Rating for the venue: 10 out of 10
June 26 2010
The Forty Four Club,
It was our second return to this lovely little club, what a difference a year makes lol, last time we played there is was about -5 cel and snowing like anything and last night the total opposite, sub tropical temps, very hot indeed.
The audience were very appreciative and we had some very nice compliments.
As the night cooled down a little, the dancers got on the dance floor and we carried on giging well into the early hours.
Thank you to Geoff and staff and a big thank you to the audience.
See you next time.
Rating for the venue: a smouldering10 out of 10
June 12 2010
Darlaston Social Club
Well tonight was a welcome return to Charlie's club, not many people in tonight due to the World cup but the folks who were there, were as supportive as ever.
The band hadn't played for a while and it was good to play a club were you feel comfortable and relaxed, we were soon into our stride.
The club did start to fill later on and a big thanks to the dancers who up got and had a boogie.
Thanks Charlie for always making us welcome and see you next time.
Rating for the venue 10 out of 10
May 08 2010
Castlebromwich Rememberance Club
The band always looks forward to performing here, this is what playing's all about, a great club and a great audience.
It's always nice to see a good crowd on the dance floor and the folks here never let us down, I must say that there's quite a few rock'n'rollers out there on the dance floor and they really enjoy a good bop.
It's really nice being appreciated by the crowd and I was surprised last night to see that a few couples had followed us from the Mackadown club, that's really good to know that they enjoyed us so much and so I would like to say a big thank you the the folks for following us around and to all of our dancers.
Also a big thank you goes to Mick, our compare, he always makes sure everything is alright for the band and introduces all our sets at the start and ends.
It's really good to see a large club with a really friendly crowd who appreciate our material
We will see them later on in the year.
Rating for the venue 10 out of 10
May 02 2010
Mackadown Social Club, Birmingham
Tonights gig was a suprise welcome back, we weren't actually booked for tonights gig but we filled in at the last minute.
A nice little club, with a good audience who like to have a bit of a boogie later on in the evening. As with the previous gigs, the crowd always shout out for more and we're always happy to give them a couple of extra numbers.
It's always nice to see a club with a majority of tables still full even at 11.30 on a Sunday evening, that means we must be doing something right.
Hope to gig there later on in the year.
Rating for the venue 10 out of 10
April 17 2010
Greets Green Community Centre (60's Night)This gig made a change to our normal Saturday night gig in the respect that we playing a community centre. As soon as we arrived I had a good feeling about the place, what a lovely little venue. A great stage set into the bay window area, with easy access either side of the stage. The gig was listed as a 60's gig and I was a little worried about how the night would go, but what a night.
The audience were with us right from the start, after the first song the applause was so loud I couldn't hear Barrie start bringing us into out next song lol. There were a number of disabled people in the audience, who were having a ball. What a sight it was to see them enjoying themselves. Do you know, even if no one had got up onto the dance floor, just the sight of these people having a great time would have made our night. This is what entertaining is all about.
I'd like to say a very big thank you to Jackie and her colleagues for making this night go with a swing. Plus a special thank you to the audience for making us feel very welcome.
I would just like to say on behalf of Jackie, that the community centre can be used for a number of functions and parties. It's a very well presented venue with a wide range of facilities for disabled people which makes all the difference for family parties ect.
So if you're interested in looking for a venue then please contact :
Jackie Owen, tel 07792 813609.
Greets Green Community Enterprises, 157 Wood Lane, West Bromwich, B70 9PT.
Rating for the venue 10 out of 10
April 10 2010
Charlemont Bowling Club, West Bromwich.
What more can you say about this club, it's alway's like coming home playing here. Having played this club for many years, the audience have always been there for us.
We'd like to say a big thanks to Taff and the audience for being so supportive towards the band, plus a big thank you to the dancers and to all the members who showed their appreciation at the end of the night.
As always, the night finishes with Barrie's drum solo and thanks once again to Taff for letting us give the audience another 25mins of our material.
Hopefully we'll see a lot of the audience at next weeks charity gig.
This is what playing is all about,
Rating for the club 10 out of 10
April 03 2010
Jaguar Social Club, Castlebromwich.
Our initial response to the club was very promising but this was soon to be changed due to a number of mis-management issues that shouldn't occur in a properly organised venue.
The band were originally booked after being seen in person at Castlebromwich Rememberance Club. As anyone who books the band knows, we are a 50-60's band specialising in recreating rock'n'roll and beat music.
The problems started as soon as the band arrived, we had to wait around 15mins before we could get into the club to start setting up, the time being approximately 7.05PM before we could enter the club. Whilst setting up, the bar staff mentioned that Saturday nights were ballroom / tempo nights, this seemed very strange considering what we play.
At no time did anyone introduce themselves as the entertainment secretary neither were we given the start and finish times for the spots.
As any good entertainment secretary would know, a band need at least 1.30hrs to set up, do sound checks and making sure everything is safe and sound on stage.
At around 8.20PM whilst we were in the dressing room, a member of the committee just burst in the room complaining that we should have been on stage at 8PM, we soon got changed and commenced onto the stage. We were expecting to see the club room full, it seats around 400 people, to our dismay there were about 20 customers. We started playing and noticed the customers getting up and leaving. Soon we had the woman who had booked us come upto the stage and ask us to start playing waltz's ect because the customers were complaining.
We explained that as a 60's band we don't play tempo or waltz's ect and she said well just play something like that. We were pushed into a very difficult situation and tried to do as requested.
At the end of the night we had managed to keep about the same amount of customers still in the room and the woman who had booked us came in as if nothing had happened. I had to speak my mind and state that we were treated very poorly by the venue and that we shouldn't have been booked into a venue that only had tempo music. Plus how we felt as performers not being able to play comfortably and feel at ease on stage. I stated that no amount of money is enough and that it dosn't make up for being made look fools on stage in which she replied that I had an attitude problem. I've played hundreds of venues over the years and have never been pushed to say anything in how we've been mistreated.
This so called club, is nothing more than a shambles, they should take a good hard look at how the neighbouring Castlebromwich Remembrance Club (Mick) run things or come over to Wolverhampton and see how Short Heath RBL(Jack Stain) treat their performers and manage their entertainment.
If this is how Jaguar run things on the company front, then it's no wonder they've been brought out by Tata and that the future of their Castlebromwich site is a risk.
No liason with entertainment Sect
No introduction on stage
No set times
Wrong band for the venue, even though we were booked first hand.
Overall, the band were very poorly treated,
Rating for the club 0 out of 10 very poor