ambient Posted April 23, 2023 Share Posted April 23, 2023 I see Norman mentioned quite often on bass-related sites. Just a heads up, especially if you’re Birmingham based. They’re playing at the college I teach at in a few weeks time. It’s a lovely venue with a great sound system. https://www.theblockheads.com/live-gigs/ 7 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezbass Posted April 23, 2023 Share Posted April 23, 2023 I've seen Norman a few times, he never fails to impress. A nice bloke too, by all accounts. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr4stringz Posted April 23, 2023 Share Posted April 23, 2023 Damn it. I am Birmingham based, didn’t know about this and (whilst not a massive fan of The Blockheads) love Norman’s playing loads. Typical then that I’m on a road trip elsewhere… Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ambient Posted April 23, 2023 Author Share Posted April 23, 2023 1 minute ago, mr4stringz said: Damn it. I am Birmingham based, didn’t know about this and (whilst not a massive fan of The Blockheads) love Norman’s playing loads. Typical then that I’m on a road trip elsewhere… We have a lot of very good bands playing. The 80s band Big Country were on last night. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr4stringz Posted April 23, 2023 Share Posted April 23, 2023 Cheers! I’m there for the Ned’s gig as it happens. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
King Tut Posted April 24, 2023 Share Posted April 24, 2023 Last I heard they’d stopped touring due to health issues. I’ve seen them a few times and they never fail to impress. Norman is just awesome! Great to see they’re back on the road! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mickeyboro Posted April 24, 2023 Share Posted April 24, 2023 Last time i saw him with Wilko the sound was atrocious. Don’t think his stack was DI’d properly so got only a trebly clank my side of stage. Fingers crossed that was a one off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burns-bass Posted April 24, 2023 Share Posted April 24, 2023 I did my first ever gig supporting Norman Wattroy as part of Wilco Johnson’s band. He used all my gear and was absolutely lovely to me, a callow youth. Watching him then plan was an education. Absolute monster player and phenomenal stage presence. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rayman Posted April 24, 2023 Share Posted April 24, 2023 I saw the Blockheads many years ago with Derek the Draw singing for them, they were absolutely fantastic. I really should make the effort to see them again. Norman is an absolute legend, up there with the best. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul S Posted April 24, 2023 Share Posted April 24, 2023 I've seen them loads of times but find, increasingly, Derek the Draw thinks it is all about him. He swears constantly like a 14 yr old with Tourettes. Don't know if it was just a one-off but they were majorly off the boil, nowhere near as tight as they had been previously. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezbass Posted April 24, 2023 Share Posted April 24, 2023 5 minutes ago, Paul S said: I've seen them loads of times but find, increasingly, Derek the Draw thinks it is all about him. He swears constantly like a 14 yr old with Tourettes. Don't know if it was just a one-off but they were majorly off the boil, nowhere near as tight as they had been previously. Never liked Derek as the lead vocalist. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mickyk Posted April 24, 2023 Share Posted April 24, 2023 Saw Ian Drury and the BHs at Bridlington Spa Hall in 1979,I can honestly say this was the best gigg I've ever attended,and I've seen hundreds of bands.All talented musicians of a high grade,at least they were then,and so tight as a group. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mykesbass Posted April 24, 2023 Share Posted April 24, 2023 Saw the Blockheads when they released the unfinished album. Phil Jupitus came on to sing the classics. It was lovely to see that he was absolutely terrified! As the evening progressed it was obvious that alcohol was helping his nerves, if not his performance! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickD Posted April 24, 2023 Share Posted April 24, 2023 1 hour ago, Paul S said: I've seen them loads of times but find, increasingly, Derek the Draw thinks it is all about him. That's not going to be a problem anymore though, is it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beedster Posted April 24, 2023 Share Posted April 24, 2023 I was reading about NWR the other day and it transpires that he played bass on a few of my favourite Clash tracks.* We live and learn As well as Jona Lewie's 'You'll Always Find Me In the Kitchen at Parties' apparently....... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ambient Posted April 24, 2023 Author Share Posted April 24, 2023 3 hours ago, Mickeyboro said: Last time i saw him with Wilko the sound was atrocious. Don’t think his stack was DI’d properly so got only a trebly clank my side of stage. Fingers crossed that was a one off. One of the other music lecturers does the sound. He really knows his stuff. The venue has a state of the art sound system. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lemmywinks Posted April 24, 2023 Share Posted April 24, 2023 2 hours ago, Beedster said: I was reading about NWR the other day and it transpires that he played bass on a few of my favourite Clash tracks.* We live and learn As well as Jona Lewie's 'You'll Always Find Me In the Kitchen at Parties' apparently....... Was him on Magnificent Seven wasn't it? My favourite Clash bassline. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beedster Posted April 24, 2023 Share Posted April 24, 2023 37 minutes ago, lemmywinks said: Was him on Magnificent Seven wasn't it? My favourite Clash bassline. Yep, likewise, it's on my 'wish I could play this line with the same feel as the original' playlist (as of course are Rhythm Stick and What a Waste) 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rumple Posted April 24, 2023 Share Posted April 24, 2023 I've seen them loads of times and I've got tickets to see them again in London next month, Derek is dead so I wonder who does vocal duties now? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezbass Posted April 24, 2023 Share Posted April 24, 2023 2 hours ago, Rumple said: I've seen them loads of times and I've got tickets to see them again in London next month, Derek is dead so I wonder who does vocal duties now? Maybe Chaz and Johnny are doing the lead vox again, which would be a good thing. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gjones Posted April 24, 2023 Share Posted April 24, 2023 2 hours ago, Rumple said: I've seen them loads of times and I've got tickets to see them again in London next month, Derek is dead so I wonder who does vocal duties now? It's this bloke, apparently. Mark King's brother, from the Andertons video reviews, is playing bass (at least for this gig from a month ago). 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rumple Posted April 24, 2023 Share Posted April 24, 2023 1 hour ago, gjones said: It's this bloke, apparently. Mark King's brother, from the Andertons video reviews, is playing bass (at least for this gig from a month ago). Oh dear I hope it's not that guest singer! I've seen Nathan play guitar with Level 42, he's a bloody talented guy but I'm keeping my fingers crossed for Norman. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nail Soup Posted April 27, 2023 Share Posted April 27, 2023 I saw the Blockheads at a Butlin's 'punk and new wave' weekender... No NWR though 😞 - I think he was playing with Wilko instead. They had a dep bassist of course who did a great job... and during his turn to do a bit of a bass solo he walked up to the mic whilst playing and apologised for not being Norman! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul S Posted April 27, 2023 Share Posted April 27, 2023 (edited) On 24/04/2023 at 10:05, NickD said: That's not going to be a problem anymore though, is it? On 24/04/2023 at 14:05, Rumple said: , Derek is dead so I wonder who does vocal duties now? I had no idea. When did that happen? Edit - Google - Feb last year. Edited April 27, 2023 by Paul S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezbass Posted April 27, 2023 Share Posted April 27, 2023 56 minutes ago, Nail Soup said: They had a dep bassist of course who did a great job... Ah, but did he sweat like the great Norman? I've never seen anyone soak through a suit so thoroughly and so quickly than NWR. 57 minutes ago, Nail Soup said: No NWR though 😞 - I think he was playing with Wilko instead. Not an issue now of course . 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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