And the big one tonight is….

click this for the flyer

Had a nice weekend so far. Well – since last blog, Thursday went to a band practice with scapegoat kelly, then to the big gig with them on Friday at Bar Med. Busier than most expected, and the impression I got was that it went down well. It’s really nice to be playing in a proper band set up again – not that I dislike playing along side DJ’s but the element of freedom and expression that you can only get playing live with other people playing live is superb.

Saturday, I drove up to a friends house in’t Dales (giving someone a lift home) and saw them there hills with snow on them and they look very pretty. Took a couple of nice photo’s.When I got back, I met Eirene and the kids round at Finlays 2nd birthday. Much cake a sweets eating was to be done. After that we went to the grand opening of Col and Sara’s new shop – “Hobgoblin. This shop is great – they have done so well. It’s like a mini Glastonbury Festival in Harrogate (without the smell).Cool clothes and gifts and stuff all matching their “Dare to be different” brand value.

After that, Eirene and I and a couple of friends settled down to a night of fine curry from the cinnamon room Indian cuisine restaurant in Harrogate, and a DVD – the Pirates of the Caribbean. Resting up for ‘the big one’ tonight.

Snowing it has been. I had to drive to Leeds Bradford Airport in it last night to pick some friends returns from Amsterdam up. It was thick on the way there, but by the time I came back the road had cleared. Almsford Bank, coming into Harrogate was funny – there were about 6 abandoned vehicles at funny angles half way up the hill. They looked rather sorry for themselves without the excuse of snow on the ground.

Anyway – stuff to do.

Just been enjoying a bag of Seabrook S ‘n’ V’s and a mini peperami (no, they most certainly not too spice for me) washed down with a massive glass of ribena (non tooth kind original verity) when Eirene spotted something that did not compute:



What is that all about ? Is it something to do with a reduction process or such like, or has someone been having a kip in the proofing department ? Any ideas ?

So other highlights of my first night off/in in ages (other than scanning spiced meat snack packets- rock and roll), I’ve been watching a new show on the telly called Catterick. This is where I was born so my ears pricked up – it’s Vic and Bob being funny and fresh again. Hurrah. Also starring Matt Lucas (Little Britain & ‘Great big baby’ in Shooting Stars fame) who is also very good. The idiosyncratic characterisation of the characters is superb. Especially the ‘American Eagle’. Not everyone’s cup of tea, but fans of League of Gentlemen, Reeves and Mortimer and that sort of thing should find it a right old tin bath.

Had 9 round our table for Sunday Lunch yesterday. Needed a good feed to recoup engergy after top night of celebrating my friends new baba the night before. So – kids and drums and photos and chats and beers and wine and the most amazing bit of lamb. After this lot, I rolled about for a bit, helped Eirene put the most wingy Felix ever to bed (hope you are reading this in years to come mate ) before heading out to play at spent.

Looking forward if not slightly scared to next weekend..

Friday, Bar Med (Main room) is hosting Scapegoat Kelly live on stage and I’m guesting on the congas. Saturday is cabbage. I’ve not been to one yet this year. Next month System 7 are playing so looking more forward to that but I’ll try and get to this one. Sunday ? Well – Sunday is the big one for me.

FIRE IV !!

Fire IV – next Sunday

stick yourself on the mailing list : send an email to fire@dragondrop.org

After a Dutch breakfast cooked by me, we had an afternoon up at Brimham Rocks. Have not been up there yet this year. It was really busy and they have started charging on the car park as early as Febuary now! (although who needs car parks when you know a sneaky spot to stash your wheels). It’s my favorite place in the world still I think. Prefer it at night, or when it’s quiet, bit it’s still a magical place.



Eirene in her technicoloured dream coat.

Got Misty back from the vets today. Oh dear. Poor little girl is looking a bit sorry for herself and the other cats are looking smugger than usual.

shaved pussy

I’ve been out kiting today. Nice take to the skys again. Really nice sunset.

What a fantastic competition this is. It’s about people who know their way round photoshop and their quest to confuse Darwinists.

eg:

More here:

Worth1000.com | Photoshop Contests | Are you Worthy? | contest

What a weekend ! Two Barry Whiter (All nighters) and a Leo Sayer (All dayer). Friday – did a gig with Dharma – a 21st private party. Quite a reserved crowd. After that, we went to Tal’s birthday party. This was great. Beautiful house, grand piano in the front window which Alex was playing when we arrived. Few beers, nice chats then home.

Saturday was ace. pottered around during the day then went out to Thai at the Harrogate Arms. A new restaurant – fantastic food, great atmosphere and they made Eirene’s birthday celebratory meal a fantastic time. The food was such a treat – I could eat it all again now.

Eirene and her exploding cake!

After that, we went to a superb party at Fi and Ian’s. There were 4 birthday revellers and all their friends there, the decks were out in the cellar and the music was pumping. Very nice collection of individuals. So – we partied till dawn, then I went home to collect the kids! (and relieve the babysitter) Dressed in Tigger suits, we tramped down to the party (just around the corner from home). The party was still going and it was great to show the kids. They loved it. The UV light and strobe was quite a new one on them, as were glow sticks! Fi and Ian’s kids were up and about by then so the 4 of them played happily all day. The boys and I got a fire staff for Eirene birthday. Eirene’s happy birthday indeed. We turned it into a kids party, had some lunch and carried on. Alfie, the new baby got dressed up in a tigger suit as well and it was the cutest thing to see all the tigger cubs playing together.

Tiggaz!

Well – to all you Paraskevidekatriaphobics out there… (Those with a fear of Friday the 13th) – It’s bad luck to be superstitious. Hark at me. I’m terrible. The Hat on the bed thing is one of the worst – I don’t even think that’s a real one – made up in the film Drug Store Cowboy.

I’ve started the day with a sore wrist and I’ve got a gig tonight so that’s my bad luck out of the way. Well – busy as a very busy thing.. better crack on.

Big Congrats !

TO Deano and Leanne who have just had their first baby. A boy, all healthy and born at a very considerate time of about 7pm. )

Wowzers. Me old mate Simon over at wigg.net has just written a fantastic report of his account of winning a Red Dwarf competition. He’s been a big fan way longer than I’ve known him and a truly deserved winner of the prize in my opinion – well done mate!

What a prize it was – as well as meeting most of the cast :



he has been imortalised (with 3 other lucky winners – one flown in from Australia!) recording a fans commentary on the DVD of Series V episode Back to Reality. Read the full thing here.

Someone just sent me this link – percussionists and fans of said noise making medium will appreciate this site – tis really well done.



DREW COPE (DRUM MACHINE)

Last night I played at spent fairly cool fun. It’s a right nice day here today.

We spent last night up at the anima-mundi shed – a full moon party. Had a great jam with about half of the band ‘scape goat kelly’ and a few other random muso’s. We had a drum kit, my drums (congas and that), a bass, guitar, didge, mic and keyboard. Most of us swapped round and played different things.



Top night. Stayed sober and got to drive my new van about.

So today I went for a mission in the congamobile (christened “Ray” by Jaygo) to York to teach drums, and what they are all about and rhythm etc to a load of 10 year olds. That was so rewarding! (not as in financially) It was so great to spark the buzz of how cool playing drums is a to a couple of 20 strong groups of 10 year olds. The didge got some air time as well.

The van went well – top vehicle. Came back the ‘back way’ through long Marston and Tockwith. Stopped at the battle of Marston Moor memorial for 5 minutes and enjoyed the solitude and peace.

Well – food is ready. I’m off. Sharpish.