Diary History
October 2006 -
Rotherham - Classic
Rock Society Gig
So the day was set and we were due to support the prog-tacular Mostly
Autumn in a gig at Rotherham. But this was no ordinary gig, this was
being promoted and healthily supported by huge fans of JEBO – the
Classic Rock Society.
Leaving at 10 in the morning, with the familiar sight of 6 men, lots of
gear and even more boiled/gelatinous sweets and chocolate, we set off.
The sounds of Deep Purple (well, it’s classic rock innit?) reverberated
around our minibus until we arrived.
The venue, a smashing place, was a college/school. This rather brought
out the child in all of us, and we began to enjoy the evening. The hall
was cavernous, and could easily hold hundreds of people. If you’ve ever
been backstage, most of the banter pre-gig involves exploring the many,
many ways a gig can go wrong. Forgetting 4 notes, drinking too much
complimentary Carling,
smoking-something-sticky-and-green-and-forgetting-the-words, and many
other ways.
Mostly Autumn’s stage crew were incredibly helpful, and cleared a space
much bigger than the majority of stages we’ve been playing on this
year. (You try setting a bass up between a drum riser and a polythene
womb covered in tennis balls.)
So we set up, and began to soundcheck. Things are always easier with a
guitar in your hands. Except eating and other things. Playing a gig
though, best thing for it.
So we soundchecked, and waited, and listened to a man on a Nintendo DS,
and waited, and then Conan turned up and then we waited. And then we
were on.
Beginning with our intro tape, we smashed straight into a rock and roll
set filled with our up-tempo numbers I guess. This set was calculated
to get the crowd rocking, and it did. With much panache we bashed
through the numbers, including a (bass-solo-tastic) impromptu, a delay
fuelled What Dreams and a few others. Seriously, I have to say this was
probably our best gig to date.
And I wore the most beautiful coat known to man. A wonderful mix of
real fur, and cotton. Charity shops get no better than this bad boy.
We also debuted James’s first JEBO song – Far Away From Home. As
visitors to Myspace will know this is a cracking, rolling number that
sent people through the roof. Plenty more of these for the next album
James!
After we’d finished, we watched a lot of Mostly Autumn, who were
cracking and enjoyed all the comments and support we and they received.
Great thanks to Mostly Autumn for the colossal show,
prog-a-dab-a-dobulus. With some great hooks, and backing singers that
made James tingle. We’ll leave it there.
A great many thanks to the Classic Rock Society who made us feel at
home, and the great – and generous – crowd they brought. A great night.
I feel this is only the beginning of our working together, and look
forward to many more gigs.
Big thanks to Conan, Dave Swain and Roddy (who were brilliant again)
Beck for running our Merchandise Stand and many others who we’ve
forgotten.
Couldn't have done it without ya!
Cheers
Lawrie
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27th July 06
Tour Reflections
The band are working hard to bring to you the best live show possible.
If you had accompanied us on or brief soiree oop North, you would have
seen this in “full-effect”.
Armed to the teeth with expensive equipment and literally bursting at
the seams with pent up rock energy, we embarked on the tour to showcase
the album and present, once and for all, the might of the JEBO live
show. I didn’t imagine I’d be getting changed in someone’s dining room
after having my hand bitten by their Alsatian, but that’s rock and
roll. In a manner of speaking.
Anyway, the gigs were booked, the van was loaded and we embarked taking
in gigs in Manchester, Derby, Stroud, Bristol, Ilfracombe, Bideford and
many more places. Well, one more, but again, my memory fails me.
Beginning with perhaps the smallest pub ever to accept the JEBO
roadshow (and one that was due to being pulled down to make way for
more affordable housing…). It’s name eludes me, which is fine, as it’s
no longer there, so you can’t pay a pilgrimage to it anyway.
The tour was an incredible success, and really helped the band progress
the live show. We’ve been working very hard to create something special
and to present the album tracks in the most sympathetic and fantastic
light.
Hopefully, I think we succeeded.
The japery and tomfoolery of any JEBO get together was in evidence on
this tour. Particular highlights included: me creating a back catalogue
of songs describing in no uncertain terms the behaviour and attitude of
an auburn haired goddess while she was sat in the other room (I
apologise again…).
Rob, Jeff and James incurring the fury of a fellow guest in a paper
walled Motel room. I have no ideas what they were doing to create a
cacophony, but they did.
Someone stealing my bag in Manchester (possibly not an uncommon
occurrence, granted), which cost me upwards of £70. So, thanks
for that you !£$%!£$%!.
Me almost missing my flight on Monday June the 5th as I overslept in a
drunken/post-tour haze.
Spider complaining on a daily basis at the lack of MacDonalds
facilities everywhere and the sub-standard nature of a Burger King.
Us eating at takeaways in various states of disrepair (us and the
takeaways).
And many more things.
Big thanks firstly to anyone who came to see us. I’m sure it was worth
it. Secondly, to all those who helped (promoters, roadies, Swain and
many more). Those who put us up (and not those who put us down). A
pre-disgraced Craig Charles for enlivening our Manchester gig. Those
valiant servants producing greasy breakfasts, greasy lunches and greasy
evening meals up and down the country.
And finally, Bowen. Bowen the legend.
Thanks!
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23-05-06
And So It Begins...
Well, it’s been a long time since I added pressure to these keys and
typed a diary entry, and in the interim period a lot has happened.
Perhaps before we move on, we need a brief recap of events.
Firstly, the album has now been completed, packaged, sealed and ready
to go! It truly is a fantastic piece and I think is going to get you
all going. I can’t describe how proud we are of it, we just are.
The album contains (I think) 11 songs, 9 of which I played on (and are
therefore worth listening to), 2 of which I didn’t which, as you can
imagine, are just fillers really.
We’ve done some lovely gigs, which I imagine you can all see from the
wonderful scrolling bar on the homepage lovingly supplied by
Dreamweaver.
Rather earlier than the album being finished, we welcomed the addition
of Nick O’Neill to the band, a presence who has added so much …….to the
bar bill. A wonderful chap, and supremely talented, he’s changed the
band, and as a recently retired University lecturer has really brought
us along.
"You there boy, tuck your shirt in… don’t re-harmonise, just play the
right notes!!!"
Jeff is still complaining about being unfairly labeled the food
obsessed member of the band. Rob is unfortunately unable to take a
holiday this year, and I’ve recently upgraded – for the 4th time – my
JEBO gear (will be doing a new Gear page later on today, so watch out
for that. (Or don’t, it’s your choice…))
Last weekend we kicked off the JEBO mini-tour with a brief soiree down
to Clevedon, the sleepy seaside village that was destined to wake up,
especially with the size of the rig Spider (our PA champion) was going
to put in. Never before had the residents heard the deafening volume of
a Lee Oskar Harmonica in A.
We set off, I failed to get my cases delivered, and had to turn up to
the gig with my amp in a DVD box. Set up, ran through a few numbers (to
the sound of West-Country pre-gig grunting), and then looked for chips.
“In a seaside town… easy”, but it wasn't.
The gig went spectacularly, with at least 3 new live numbers stuffed
into the set somewhere. A few ups, and corresponding downs, but the gig
was an overwhelming success and I can’t tell you how proud I was. Of my
new amp, obviously. The band were alright too.
So, we may or may not be coming to a town near you soon, and it is your
obligation, nay, your duty to come and see us!
When you do, say hello, and please stay around. It’s gets better after
the first few numbers.
Cheers
Lawrie
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Diary History
2008
- on Bristol Rocks
2007
- on Bristol Rocks
2006 - album tour
2005 - Albert Hall!
2004 - Belgium, man.
2003 - first gig! |
