Two album launches in Two weeks!

Afternoon All

Plenty happening over on the Discography page, with two albums I've recorded brass on being released this month.

First up is Big 10 with 'Smashed it!' - the first live album in a few years, and it's sounding marvellous. With something for everyone, with Specials, Madness, Bad Manners & even Dexys Midnight Runners getting a look in.

Our launch gig is 9th May in Cambridge, at The Med. Some tickets are still available from the pub on 01223 240808

The following Friday is the release of 'To The Moon' by Popes of Chillitown. This is a fantastic London Ska punk band that I was a member of for several years & depped on brass for several more. I was pleased to be asked to return to record this their 2nd album - and it's an absolute powerhouse of sound.

Check out the promo video for the album, featuring the song 'Wisdom Teeth'



The launch gig is in Islington at The Garage - tickets here :)

See you down the front?

Lx

Busy busy busy

So, as you've probably noticed it's been ages since I've updated my blog.

Sorry.

So, here, in short, is the last 6 weeks. 

BOOMTOWN - Fantastic vibe, great crowd, but shocking organisation. Getting in, gear storage, gear transport, clueless stewards - bloody nightmare. Right from opening the festival on Friday to speaking to the headliners on Sunday - nothing but problems for the bands. I had a great time with the PoC crew, but really, Boomtown. Must. Do. Better. 

BAD MANNERS - It wasn't just a one off. I've been back since. Here's some video from the gig at Reading.

HERTFORDSHIRE - I've gigged there twice in the last month, some good dep gigs. Check out The Iconics & Special Kinda Madness

BIRTHDAY - Yep. Got older. Here's a review of the gig I went to see to celebrate my marching ever onwards into my 30's. 

XMAS - My gig calendar is now booked solid for Xmas, there's a lot of ska coming your way. Keep an eye on the Big 10 Facebook page.

GLASTO HEADLINERS - Are booked, and are people who haven't headlined before. This rules out Mr Bowie. So for the first time in a long time I don't think I'll be heading to Glasto next year. No Bowie - No Showie.

Term has started now so I'll be typing a lot more in general, so expect more updates of ska and music type stuff over the next few weeks 

Laters 

lx

Hey you...

...don't read that. Reeeeeeeead this.

It's time for the first Big 10 gig of the year.

We'll be performing at The Junction Cambridge on 8th February with Subculture and Walkway. It's going to be a special night, as veteran of the Cambridge music scene Colin Hazel is celebrating 70 years of drinking, dancing and general tomfoolery. Of course he wants you all along to celebrate.

Tickets are available from the Junction website, along with details of times and ting.

We love playing the Junction - check out footage of us from last year when we supported Selecter.

See you down the front? Yes? Good.

Voodoo Trombone Quartet on Sine FM

So as mentioned in an earlier blog, I had an interview with Jon Kelly of Sine FM this week, for all things VTQ, ska, music and Doncaster :)

If you want to hear more, the show goes out on Friday 3rd August at 10pm, and it will be available from the Sine FM website as a podcast at the weekend.

I'll be picking it up by podcast myself as I'll be kicking it with Big 10 at a gig on Friday, but I'd love to know what you thought.

Apart from 'Isn't she squeaky?'

Friday 10pm. Sine FM. M'kay?

Ska News

In between preparing for a busy summer of wedding gigs and album promo,  there's a lot happening on the Ska front too.

Big 10 have finally joined the 21st century and got a twitter account! You can follow us on @big10ska for news of gigs, interesting goings-on in the van on the way to gigs and tips on keeping your Doc Martens in tip top condition.

Ok, maybe not that last bit. But you get my drift.

I'm also now full time with Ska Wars, the Ska band made up of Northern reprobates and ex-pat Northern reprobates and a few honorary Northern reprobates. You can hear me perform Baggy Trousers with them on my audio page . They're a great fun bunch with buckets of energy and a great line in audience participation.

Keep an eye on my gig page for the next Ska Wars appearance near you. These are rudeboids you were looking for.

Ok, so it's not ska...

...but it's a brass intro not to be messed with.

In honour of Dexys new album out this year, and the fact that Big 10 blew Over Community Hall apart with this on Saturday night...enjoy the new addition to my audio page :)

x

Big 10 & The Skanx

This Friday is the first public gig of the year for Big 10, at The Junction in Cambridge. We're definitely looking forward to this one, as we've brought our London pals, The Skanx, up to support. They're a 9 piece ska band, mostly originals (a few cheeky covers) and a huge sound. Here's a video of them playing Oxford last year.

As well as that marvellous bunch, Big 10 have new songs in the set, and new merchandise too. Details of tickets and times can be found here.

See you down the front.

I made 500 people smile on Friday night...

...by doing this.

Enjoy x

Big 10 - Big News

The Saxylizbeth Ska Train just keeps rolling through 2011, and is making a few amazing stops in the next few months. Stopping right alongside ska legends The Beat in fact.

When The Beat are touring the UK in October / November, Big 10 will be supporting them on the East Anglia leg, at The Junction in Cambridge and The Waterfront. The Cambridge gig is going to be such a special occasion that for one night only we're actually beefing up to be Big 11, with a bit of extra brass for a proper wall of sound.

I'm having a great time depping with Big 10, do check them out over on facebook for news on the events and where to buy tickets for all the gigs. The Big 10 Xmas Do is a bit of a Cambridge legend and does tend to sell out sharpish, so get booking early!