dmccombe7

NWR is one of those bassists you just want to go see. His technique and style is phenomenal and i'm not even a big fan of that syle of music but i do like hearing his basslines. Hit Me was just a classic bassline. Dave

oooh !!! i do like a Ric bass. Dave

We knew the owner at the time and that's when he asked if we fancied helping load in with some of the bands. It was usually the more well known bands that had a lot of gear. If i remember right Iron Maiden turned up with one of Elton Johns trucks that still had some of his stage rigs in flightcases with his name on it. One of the lighting rigs in a long flightcase lost its braking on the hill at the rear and was heading for the main roundabout traffic but we managed to stop it in time. It was an articulated truck they had. That was the largest vehicle we helped from but some great memories. There is a FB page for The Heathery that i am an Admin on. Some great pics on it. Dave

I remember buying Arrive Alive cassette at their gig in The Dial Inn, Glasgow. Dave

Yep Magnum played my local gig The Heathery too not long after their successful Marauder album if i remember right. We gave them a hand to load in as we would get free access at night and a few free beers. I do remember the singer being a bit aloof towards us. I think it was Mark Stanway on keys and he was brilliant to chat with. No-one had to touch the drummers gear except him so it was all a bit over the top twa*ish. I loved the music but the band were all a bit strange in our opinion. Kinda put me off them from there on. Dave

Let me know, i'm curious 🤩 Dave

Did you manage to see them with their original singer Euan Lowson who was a bit Gabriel-ish and dressed in the various characters. Still enjoy their music. Graeme is an absolute legend to me. Stunning powerful prog bassist that also sand and played bass pedals too. Dave

I can understand your excitement at playing there. My local venue was the largest "pub" rock venue in UK at one time. Held approx 300 in its function hall upstairs from its bar and lounge. So many famous bands played there from King to Iron Maiden, Marillion, Pallas, Jack Bruce, Altered Images and so many others over the years. I was lucky enough to play it 2-3 times before it finally closed its doors around 86. Happy days. Dave

Where exactly is it ? Dave

Looks like a decent sized stage that many of us would dream off playing on Dave

Ouch ! Of all the times to catch the flu. All the best with surgery and hopefully you'll be back into gigging and preparation for next Christmas. "IT'S CHRISTMAS" Dave

I've been really lucky where i am in Lanark area. So far i've had 20-25mm of snow last night but local roads are perfectly clear. Looks quite bad in some areas down South. Good to hear everyone got home safely and hopefully no permanent damage to the guitarists car. Dave

Yep i've had many a night driving experience in snow over the years and it can be hypnotic. Secret is to keep your eyes focused on the headlight leading edge and never at the snow flakes themselves. Regular eye movement out the side window always keeps me centred on my driving. Dave

Cheers Pete, much appreciate the advice, i think its a good idea for a bit. Dave

That's a valid point Pete. I'm a model railway fan and started one couple of yrs ago in a large garden building that was specifically built for it and i never seem to have enough time to work on it and its mainly because i'm always learning songs or practicing songs for my weekend gigs or rehearsals. If you gig often with a band you don't need to practice the songs. With the punk band gigs had dropped off to every 2-4mths. Dave

Finally made the call tonight and left the Punk covers band Emergency Exit after 3 fantastic yrs of great fun and really enjoying the songs. We had taken a break to see how things developed but absolutely no change. A complete lack of interest with no enthusiasm or excitement within the band over past 4+mths. Decided i'd had enough hanging around hoping things would change and just called it a day. There are no ill-feelings within the band in any way. Its just ran its course ........ for me anyways. Time to move on and find something else to fill the gaps between Glam gigs. Still waiting to see what's happening with the new project of 80's classic rock which we put on hold until after the festive period. I'm gonna miss the raw power of those punk songs tho. Dave

Your reputation now precedes you. Either that or that phone call i made for you has paid off. Send your cheque to my usual address Daryl. Dave

My apologies there Mike i meant no interest within the band. The guitarist who is the original member since 78 has been playing the same songs for approx 16yrs now and feels like a change. He is in a Ramones tribute as well so i think its down to him. If he decided he's had enough we might change the name of the band and look for another guitarist and perhaps move in a slightly different direction maybe adding in a few other songs from bands like The Jam etc. We do get a decent audience in one of my fav venues The Dreadnought in Bathgate but to be honest we kept playing the same venues 5-6 times a year each. Audiences get fed up with the same bands or same songs so we need to make some changes in that department too. I'm 64 and drummer is 65 with our singer the baby in her 50's shall we say trying to be polite there Dave

Next gig for me is early Feb. We normally use this quiet period to learn new songs or polish up on the things we haven't managed to finish. Also i joined an 80's classic rock project that was put on hold during Dec because everyone was busy with other bands. Still no idea what's happening with the punk covers band either. Nothing has changed since we decided to have a break until New Year but there doesn't appear to be any great interest in it so i'm guessing its done and dusted. I also enjoy the quiet period after New Year as it gives me time to chill out and catch up on other things i wanted to do. Dave

Well that was the shortest gig i've ever done. BLOCKBUSTARZ Glam were booked to play Mayfield Community Club near Dalkeith 5-7pm for a decent fee. We struggled to get any details about whether PA and lights required plus running order so that raised some concerns and alarm bells were already ringing. We turned up at 2:30pm to get set up only to find the event was already well underway since 12:30pm and there was a guy singing some great old classic 70's songs and i have to admit i was really enjoying it as we set up. There was a DJ filling in the gaps between acts. We did a very quick sound check at 4:30pm for approx 10mins and then went back to changing room Organiser came in and asked if we would start 5:30pm as the other guy had ran a bit late and finish at 7pm. Apparently another band was on after us. There were 2 stages one in each corner of the back end of the hall so that was convenient. We had the larger stage. Started at 5:30 and got to 6:10pm the organiser came over the DJ microphone saying one more song from the band. ??? We were actually shocked and thought it was a mistake but nope that was it. We had visions of not being fully paid but were handed an envelope with the full fee. Audience were shouting at the organiser to let the band play on as many had seen us before and had come along solely to see us. No joy. People were coming up to us as we packed up asking why such a short set. They had seen us before and we had played for 2-3hrs in some venues. We had to tell them it was down to the organiser who appeared well pissed when we arrived. Singer saw him talking to the "other band" that turned out to be a guy and a woman with backing tracks. It was directly after that the organiser announced the ending. We suspect they were friends of the organiser and they wanted us off stage long before they went on for whatever reason ? They were on 7-10pm apparently. Either totally "up" themselves or didn't want to follow us who were putting on a proper show with all the glam gear etc. As we were packing our gear they started their set. Can't say they put any effort into their clothing. Old jeans and a black shirt ? Anyways that was our first gig in 2025. Very short and sweet but a decent full fee was paid. We definitely won't return to that venue again. At least my fingers weren't sore after todays gig I do feel sorry for those that came along specifically to see us as it was a ticketed event. We have learned a lesson tho. Pay more attention to any bookings we accept and thoroughly check what the event actually is. We don't want a repeat of that fiasco. We may now go down the route of proper contracts clearly stating what we do and when we start and finish. Dave

Just find the request gigs fascinating and the opportunity for a very varied song list. Not something i've ever seen with a band. If i'm ever down your way i'll try and make a gig. Dave

Hope Mrs CP is all good now Pete and 2025 proves to be a great year for you guys. All the very best for 2025. Would love to see you guys do the request set which just sounds like so much fun, but maybe not in such "formal" surroundings. Dave

That was a good turn up getting another pub opened just for your band. I like that. Love the Auld Lang Syne thing. That would have been a great version to hear and must have gone down a treat. Our encore is a medley of Scottish songs over the bass and drum riff to Bay City Rollers Shang-a-Lang and it always fills the floor completely. Last night the full venue was on their feet, floor was full so they danced at their tables. It was a good sight to see. Dave