June 2020

June 2020

To quote Joe Elliott ‘Are you getting’ It?’ Or have you had it? Or will you get it? Whilst it appears that the first wave may be running out of steam the big fear is the Second Wave – amusingly referred to as the new wave…

This is not a good time for classic rock music (any live music really) but I remember a New Wave that ravaged this land back it 1976. Yes, it saw off some dinosaurs and there was much rejoicing in the very clubs from which they evolved. But gradually the dinosaurs returned, hunted down the weak and feeble, and only a few of the best upstarts survived retribution. Now as Vanian rubs shoulders with Plant we are all in the same predicament.

Monstrous Child
When can I go and see my bands again???
I can only hope it’s soon.

From my perspective I have seen many musicians go through a very difficult time mentally. Not surprising I guess. If you took paint and brushes away from an Artist but let he/she have as many canvases as they wanted a similar degree of frustration would set in. But with a band it seems magnified. No rehearsals, half-hearted song writing attempts over fluctuating fibre lines and a general apathy / lethargy that I have seen before amongst bands.

Initially, a well-meaning plethora of “Live From My Kitchen’ gigs beamed to an infinite audience were frankly awful. As broadcast skills improved I still could not bring myself to watch the audible horror show of a rock through the key hole. It was difficult even to watch the likes of Rod and The Stones open their hearts and homes to me. I still don’t know what polish Rod and his girls use on the grand piano or what mercurial health drink Jagger has for breakfast. Please no more! The audiences will be stupefied and we will never get them off the couches again.

So you can see the mental health of even managers has deteriorated. I have succumbed to the National Lethargy Party, what is there left to work for ? Ah yes… a Wednesday evening in the Cro Bar with my friends… So ! Keep your distance ! I want to be free!

Silja Rock has been rescheduled and is full speed ahead in November… sounds like it could be chilly outside me hearties !

Monstrous Child