|
|
 |
This is the archive of the combined Barking Spider and Andy Broad Portsmouth Blues Site mailing lists.
For the latest information on what's on at The Bullfrog Blues Club click here
Barking Spider Promotions Mailing List |
|
Hello Bullfrog people! I see Andy beat me to it and sent out seasonal greetings to you all, wishing you all a very happy Xmas and a great New Year!!!! Rhona and I have just moved house over here in rural Ireland, down to the wild west coast of County Clare, and at present we have no T.V and a very poor internet coverage, so please accept my apologies for the late Xmas message! However, the fridge is well stocked with Guinness and Bulmers, and there's a bottle of Bushmills to enjoy, and some great blues CD's and DVD's to catch up on, so all is right in the world... However, in the past 24 hours we've had floods, sleet, snow, and been lashed by 150 mile an hour winds.. Fifteen foot breakers on the beach, but it's not exactly surfing weather.... We've got some very exciting nights lined up for you at The Bullfrog in 2014, and we're almost (9 out of 12) gigs booked already! I find it hard to believe that it's nearly 14 years ago that we started the Bullfrog Blues Club - and a big thanks to Andy Broad for still being there. andy was with us right from the start when we were in the"Frog On the Front" bar in The Pyramids Centre - which must win the award for the venue with the worst acoustics in the world! Also I'd like to thank the rest of the Bullfrog team, including Dan Ogus, John Roux, and the ever lovely Heather, and special thanks for YOU for coming along and keeping the blues alive!!!!!! To start the year with a bang, we have The Sharpees on THURSDAY 2nd JANUARY.. For those of you who enjoy good straight ahead rockin' blues, this one's a must. I saw them when they opened for It's A Beautiful Day at The Boom Boom Rooms at Sutton, (run by top promoter and "Classic Rock" contributor Pete Feenstra) and was blown away - and immediately booked them. . Here's the line up..... On guitar & vocals- Bill Mead On lead guitar - Brian Willoughby (The Strawbs) On bass guitar - Baz Payne On drums - Brendan O'Neill (Rory Gallagher, Nine Below Zero) Original member and founder Bill Mead started The Sharpees back in 1984. They were originally a North Kent based band, made up of three ex-members of Rebel, who played mostly on the Kent and London circuit in the late 70's and early 80's. Rebel released their first single on Bridgehouse Records - "Rocka Shocka" . It became the theme tune broadcast on Capital radio on Nicky Horne's weekly saturday night show. Rebel also used to play live with Wild Willy Barrett, well known as John Otway's early partner in musical crimes. In 2003, The Sharpees went more up tempo blues style.in the style of Rory Gallagher and George Thorogood, with drummer Brendan O'Neill who was previously with Rory Gallagher and Nine Below Zero. Gigs were played all over the south coast, and prestigious venues in London including The Marquee in Soho, Dingwalls at Camden Lock, The Nashville Rooms, Kensington (Where Motorhead's Lemmy liked the band so much he tried to buy Bill's Rickenbacker!), The Golden Lion, Fulham, The Greyhound on Fulham Broadway and The Hope And Anchor, Islington. Bill Mead's long history of differing styles mesh well with The Sharpees unusual aggressive and improvisational mix, ensuring that the band is always fresh and exciting. The original Sharpees 1984 album "Strangers" was re-released on Red Admiral Records in 2005 and the" Open 4 Surgery" album as also re-released soon after. The Bullfrog Blues Club is at The N.B.E.C.S.A. Club (a.k.a.The Dockyard Club), Onslow Rd, Southsea, PO5 2NH, where you can collect your tickets on the day of the gig - doors open at 8 p.m. Tickets are available via our website - www.barkingspider.abelgratis.com via Paypal and also from Street Level Music, 139 Albert Rd, Southsea, Hampshire, PO5 2SQ www.barkingspider.abelgratis.com via Paypal and also from Street Level Music, 139 Albert Rd, Southsea, Hampshire, PO5 2SQ Check out the website - www.barkingspider.abelgratis.com for news of future gigs!. www.barkingspider.abelgratis.com for news of future gigs!. I know I can't be there EVERY Bullfrog night, but I look forward to seeing y'all soon - SOME TIME in 2014! Have a cool yule, and ENJOY!!!! J.R.