Ah, well…

In the midst of all of this, further excitement came when a baby lesser-spotted woodpecker flew into the conservatory and couldn’t get back out. (Picture Details and copyright) This meant an invasion of nature lovin’ family members, and me missing a sizeable portion of the show as well. (Just as well you can pick it up from the archive broadcast later in the week).

Anyway, our thanks to Matt, Maria and Jeremy for playing a few of our tunes, and to the Denizens of the show’s chat room for their kind comments.

If you want to keep a copy for posterity, right click and chose “save as…” or similar…

Or just hover over the link, and wait a few seconds till the embedded player comes up, then click on play.

From Matt Morrow’s “Monday at Matt’s” Show

From Maria and Jeremy’s “Girls Night In/Boys Night Out” Show

Both shows are well worth a listen, and have  trawl through the site (link at the left), there’s some really great stuff up there.

Hopefully we’ll get up to Ness country in the near future, sounds like a very active and varied music scene.

Because we didn’t form until April, we weren’t too hopeful of our chances of getting to play in the Festivals this year – most of the lineups are decided well in advance – so we’re well chuffed to have been allocated a slot at Callander.

October 4th, 2008 09:00 PM
CALLANDER JAZZ and BLUES FESTIVAL
Dalgair House Hotel
113-115 Main Street
Callander
FK17 8BQ
http://www.callanderjazz.com

Other Blues performers include:

Also on the bill was an extremely talented writer/singer/musician called David Preston. Check out his stuff here.

This is what he said about us…”Was excellent fun last night and you guys rocked. Your set was great and have never heard you sing before, most impressed. Band is great and guitar was intoxicating…” – What a nice young man….

We’re back at the Meridian with guest support (TBC) on Friday, the 27th June at 8:00. Unfortunately, David couldn’t join us as he’s recording in Ireland, but hopefully we’ll get a chance to work together soon.

Happy as always to see you all there

We recently got a message in from  artist/Internet DJ Maria Hall at Nessmp3.com.

“Hi, good sounds. I particularly like ‘Low Down And Poor’ and ‘Northbound Train’ and will play them on my radio show sometime soon.”

Check out Maria’s “Girl’s night in” show on Sunday 29th June at 9:00 pm.

Maria Hall’s Profile on Nessmp3

Girl’s Night In

Newsflash! This just in….

Monday at Matt’s

Matt’s Profile

We’re also featured on the home page as a new artist.

Hope to do some gigs up North soon, and check out what’s happenin’ in the Highlands

The six tracks were recorded in straight takes in a three-hour session at the Banana Row studios in Eyre place, Edinburgh. We’ve yet to spend any time re-mixing them, but they give a reasonable flavour of what we’re about and what we sound like.

Three of the tracks are self-penned (Northbound Train, Low down and poor, and Waterfront), lyrics by James and arranged by the rest of us.

Studio Engineering was by Nick Moore, assisted by Joe, and special mention for Fraser who always manages to magic coffee, milk and sugar from another dimension.

Also we  have to mention the lovely Ailsa, who takes our hard-earned money and books our rehearsal space  – she’s a drummer (and much better looking than Stix  – wouldn’t be hard, lets face it…).

Plug: So if you want a rehearsal space  in Edinburgh, with beauty, brains and talent on tap, go to banana row – (It may not make sense, but it’s best you’ll get)

Designed by L’Angelo Mysterioso (Yes… him again), former front man with the now (sadly) defunct Edinburgh satirical country band, “A2M”.

Follow the links for more information, but be aware the subject matter and lyrics are definitely not suitable for younger listeners, or those of faint heart or a nervous disposition (so habitual SUN readers should be fine with it). Don’t say you haven’t been warned.

A2M at Last.FM

A2M on Myspace

The logo shows a rearing 1954 Corvette, driven by Otis, Dawg’s white pointer who sadly passed away earlier this year. This, in various forms will become our main logo on publicity materials in the future, so watch out for it.

Getting into practice for our future role as ageing, jaded, jet-setting rock-stars, July sees us embark on a mini-tour of the Hebrides and the Atlantic coast.

Well…actually…We’re aff tae Mull!(and Oban). Details below.

If you’re thinking of coming to the Mull gig, here’s a link to the wonderful Caledonian MacBrayne who will provide your ferry crossing to the island (unless you fancy swimming).

As luck would have it, two members of the previously mentioned “Last of a Dying Breed” will actually be on the island while we’re there (we’ll have to go further to get away from them next time).

Mull is one of the loveliest bits of God’s Heaven and well worth a visit. If you’ve never been, here’s an introduction.

Tobermory is the setting for the famous BBC children’s TV show “Balamory“.

Oban is a lovely resort town on the coast of Argyll.

Gigs

July 10, 2008 10:00 PM

MacGochans
Ledaig (Harbour),
Tobermory,
Isle of Mull,
PA75 6NR – www.macgochans.co.uk

July 11, 2008 10:00 PM
Waterfront
1Railway Pier
Oban, Argyll PA34 4LW – www.waterfrontoban.co.uk

** GIG CANCELLED **

Unfortunately this gig has had to be cancelled, due to the overt Drummerism of the venue. They wouldn’t let Stix play! – Unfair! (Drummers are real people with real feelings too)

If you wish to contribute to the cause, please send your cheque to:”Musicians against Drummerism”, c/o The Fabulous Corvettes….

If you have any alternative offers for this date (July 12th) please contact us….otherwise, we’ll be home washing our hair…

July 12, 2008 10:00 PM
Markie Dan’s (Corran House Hotel)
Victoria Crescent, Corran Esplanade
Oban PA34 5PN – www.corranhouseoban.co.uk/mdb/index.html

(It should perhaps be pointed out that Caledonian MacBrayne have no known association with the Fabulous Corvettes (at least not in this part of the multiverse) , other than acting as paid carriers from time to time. We respectfully use “Calmac” as the tour title, because virtually all trips to the Hebrides begin, and end, on a Calmac Ferry, and there’s no finer way to travel.)

This was originally planned as our first gig, until James got the one at Henry’s (He’s just a boy that can’t say no…). We were invited as guests of our mate Alan Cleoberry-Jones of Diminished Fifth to do a short-set in front of a “safe” audience as a warm-up gig. We ended up doing nearly a full set to a very warm reception. Lots of dancers and everybody seemed to be having fun. Some very kind comments after. A great night with the Jolly Burghers of Colin.

Made lots of new friends and thanks to everyone involved.

The Diminished Fifth Jazz Band -

Check these guys out if you get the chance. Very talented and together outfit. Our grateful thanks to them for letting us crash their gig.

Our special thanks to:

Pete (The walking blues encyclopaedia) and Marion for our very first request (“Just a little bit”).

PS if you’re coming to one of our gigs and you want a request, email us at corvettes@thefabulouscorvettes.com

Sandy Stanage – “The Guvnor” Guitarist and composer, for loaning us classy mics for the gig. Check him out at Myspace

Last of a Dying Breed (LOADB) – (more of them later) thanks for the Cymbal stand, Niall, and also to Lewis and Jamie for jamming with us in the kitchen later. Jamie got grounded for forgetting to tell his parents where he was…

Dave Young for Lights (and for getting them fixed). The man is a super-star.

Calum Torrance the MC for introducing us as as “The Flaming Corvettes” which led to all sorts of spin-off name nonsense like “Les Courgettes Flambees”.

Donald Grant, world famous juggler and diabolo artiste, and all-round cool dude. (Short Video) Stix could give him a run for his money in diabolical juggling, however, as he proved by throwing his drumsticks about all night…

Matthew McAllister, Internationally renowned classical guitarist and member of the Frevo quartet. Check out what’s going on at http://www.matthewmcallister.com

Major thanks to Sue and Pete for putting us up (and putting up with us) for the night, feeding us etc, and not getting too upset at the jam session in the kitchen with LOADB at 2 o’clock in the morning featuring acoustic bass, harmonica, bongos, maraccas and a wonderful instrument called a strumstick (see below). The curried veggie stovies were great, as were the bacon butties and paracetomol the following morning….

McNally Strumstick

A three stringed instrument tuned fifth and octave that has diatonic frets and sounds a little like a banjo.

No matter where you put your fingers it sounds cool.

Check it out at: http://www.strumstick.com

Well, first gig coming up, after only three rehearsals. Are we nervous? Naw! not a bit of it. Seasoned professionals, us!

Doors open 7:00, we’re on from 8:00 to 9:00, tickets £4.00 available at the door – bargain at twice the price, eh? Seriously, if you can make it, we’d love to see you.

Also on the bill is the wonderfully named “Doc Rodent”. I’d like to give you more info about him, but have been able to find out very little… Other than he’s a bluesman too, and I found this pic on Flickr, along with several other taken of performers at the Ark. ( http://www.flickr.com/photos/two_truths/)

If anyone reading this has any info/links about the Doc, please send them to me at corvettes@thefabulouscorvettes.com

We’ll continue this post after the gig, to let you have our impressions of how it went… and also give you the chance to comment.

…Sometime Later….

It wiz Great! Thanks to everyone who came for making a memorable first gig for the band, and to the staff and organisers at Henry’s for their help and good humour (not to mention the Date and Walnut cake and Green & Black’s). Made a lot of new friends and special thanks to Lindsey & Annabel, Sara and Lewis, Lennox & Mary and Roy & Katherine for coming and giving us your support. Much appreciated.

If you didn’t make it, check the Gig Guide page. We’re back in Edinburgh on the 5th June with a free gig at the Leith Festival, and hopefully additional appearances at Henry’s and possibly the Ark.

Also check out the very excellent Doc Rodent if you get the chance. Not much info on his site (http://www.docrodent.com) but a cool logo that’s worth a visit!

PS If you want to leave some comments about this show…..