Gigography for 2015

Slow year on the live front, but we did release an EP and wrote quite a few new songs.

30/01/15 - @The Moorings with The Inevitable Teaspoons.  Personnel: Me, Al, Chris, Daryl, Kenny.  Bass: Gibson Non-reverse Thunderbird
01/05/15 - @Cafe Drummond with The Inevitable Teaspoons.  Personnel: Me, Al, Chris, Daryl, Kenny.  Bass: Gibson EB
30/05/15 - @The Green Room, Perth with The Inevitable Teaspoons.  Personnel: Me, Al, Chris, Daryl, Kenny.  Bass: Gibson Ripper
05/06/15 - @The Moorings with The Inevitable Teaspoons.  Personnel: Me, Al, Chris, Daryl, Kenny.  Bass: Epiphone Les Paul Standard
31/10/15 - @The Green Room with The Inevitable Teaspoons.  Personnel: Me, Al, Chris, Daryl, Kenny.  Bass: Ibanez Talman TMB-100
14/11/15 - @Krakatoa with The Inevitable Teaspoons.  Personnel: Me, Al, Chris, Daryl, Kenny.  Bass: Gibson Ripper
19/12/15 - @Downstairs with The Inevitable Teaspoons.  Personnel: Me, Al, Chris, Daryl, Kenny.  Bass: Yamaha SBV500

Kenny, Matt and Al @ Moorings 05/06/15.  Photo courtesy Matt Jolly

Aims for the year ahead: more gigs, more songs, record at least an EP and hopefully an album.

Gigography for 2014

Oops, a bit late with this, but it's still January so I guess the year's still new enough.  Here is a list of where I've been terrorising the earholes of the general public in 2014...

21/02/14 - @The Moorings with FaR.  Personnel: Me, Fifi, Luke, Rodaidh.  Bass: G&L Tribute M-2000
12/04/14 - @Cafe Drummond with The Inevitable Teaspoons.  Personnel: Me, Al, Chris, Daryl, Kenny.  Bass: Gibson EB
26/04/14 - @The Green Room, Perth with FaR.  Personnel: Me, Fifi, Luke, Rodaidh.  Bass: Gibson Les Paul Double Cut
03/05/14 - @Downstairs with The Inevitable Teaspoons.  Personnel: Me, Al, Chris, Daryl, Kenny.  Bass: Fender Starcaster
09/05/14 - @The Moorings with FaR.  Personnel: Me, Fifi, Luke, Rodaidh.  Bass: Gibson Non-reverse Thunderbird

Matt@Moorings 09/05,
picture by Biz

24/05/14 - @Henry's Cellar Bar, Edinburgh with FaR.  Personnel: Me, Fifi, Luke, Rodaidh.  Bass: G&L Tribute M-2000
31/05/14 - @Cafe Drummond with FaR.  Personnel: Me, Fifi, Luke, Rodaidh.  Bass: Epiphone Jack Casady
26/06/14 - @Pivo Pivo, Glasgow with FaR.  Personnel: Me, Fifi, Luke, Rodaidh.  Bass: Gibson EB
29/06/14 - @Opium, Edinburgh with FaR.  Personnel: Me, Fifi, Luke, Rodaidh.  Bass: Gibson RD Artist
12/07/14 - @Cafe Drummond with FaR.  Personnel: Me, Fifi, Luke, Rodaidh.  Bass: Gibson Les Paul Double Cut
12/07/14 - @Cafe Drummond with The Inevitable Teaspoons.  Personnel: Me, Al, Chris, Daryl, Kenny.  Bass: Gibson Non-reverse Thunderbird
20/07/14 - @Elphin Music Festival with FaR.  Personnel: Me, Fifi, Luke, Rodaidh.  Bass: Gibson Victory Artist
09/08/14 - @Johnshaven Fish Festival with FaR.  Personnel: Me, Fifi, Luke, Rodaidh.  Bass: Yamaha BB450
17/08/14 - @Downstairs with FaR.  Personnel: Me, Fifi, Luke, Michael, Rodaidh.  Bass: Gibson Non-reverse Thunderbird
23/08/14 - @Dellston, Auchnagatt with The Inevitable Teaspoons.  Personnel: Me, Al, Chris, Daryl, Kenny.  Bass: Fender Power Jazz Special
23/08/14 - @Dellston, Auchnagatt with FaR.  Personnel: Me, Fifi, Luke, Rodaidh.  Bass: Fender Power Jazz Special
27/08/14 - @Pivo Pivo, Glasgow with FaR.  Personnel: Me, Fifi, Luke, Rodaidh.  Bass: Yamaha BB450
29/08/14 - @Market Bar, Inverness with FaR.  Personnel: Me, Fifi, Luke, Rodaidh.  Bass: Gibson EB
30/08/14 - @Cellar 35 with FaR.  Personnel: Me, Fifi, Luke, Michael, Rodaidh.  Bass: Gibson Les Paul Double Cut

Matt@Drummonds 28/11,
picture by Cat

13/09/14 - @Live at Captain Toms with FaR.  Personnel: Me, Fifi, Luke, Rodaidh.  Bass: Gibson EB
13/09/14 - @LACT:LATE (Captain Toms) with FaR.  Personnel: Me, Fifi, Luke, Michael, Rodaidh.  Bass: Gibson Les Paul Double Cut
17/10/14 - @Cafe Drummond with The Inevitable Teaspoons.  Personnel: Me, Al, Chris, Daryl, Kenny.  Bass: Epiphone Jack Casady
17/10/14 - @The Tunnels with FaR.  Personnel: Me, Fifi, Luke, Michael, Rodaidh.  Bass: Epiphone Jack Casady
07/11/14 - @The Moorings with The Inevitable Teaspoons.  Personnel: Me, Al, Chris, Daryl, Kenny.  Bass: Gibson Midtown Standard
28/11/14 - @Cafe Drummond with The Inevitable Teaspoons.  Personnel: Me, Al, Chris, Daryl, Kenny.  Bass: Gibson RD Artist

Gigography for 2013

I'm pretty sure I'm done for this year, no bookings left and people away so it's unlikely that either of my bands will be playing again in 2013.  Without further ado, here is my year in live music in probably too much detail:

17/01/13 - @Ivory Blacks, Glasgow with FaR.  Personnel: Me, Fifi, Rodaidh, Luke.  Bass: Yamaha BB450
02/03/13 - @The Tunnels with FaR.  Personnel: Me, Fifi, Rodaidh, Luke.  Bass: G&L Tribute M-2000
06/03/13 - @Cafe Drummond with FaR.  Personnel: Me, Fifi, Rodaidh, Luke.  Bass: G&L El Toro

Matt @ Lemon Tree 06/04

06/04/13 - @The Lemon Tree with FaR.  Personnel: Me, Fifi, Rodaidh, Luke.  Bass: G&L Tribute L-2000
28/04/13 - @Copthorne Hotel with FaR.  Personnel: Me, Fifi, Rodaidh, Luke.  Bass: Gibson IV
17/05/13 - @Cafe Drummond with FaR.  Personnel: Me, Fifi, Rodaidh, Luke.  Bass: Epiphone Jack Casady
01/06/13 - @Dellston, Auchnagatt with The Inevitable Teaspoons.  Personnel: Me, Chris, Daryl, Kenny.  Bass: G&L El Toro
08/06/13 - @BOX, Glasgow with FaR.  Personnel: Me, Fifi, Rodaidh, Luke.  Bass: G&L Tribute M-2000
15/06/13 - @Douglas Hotel with FaR.  Personnel: Me, Fifi, Rodaidh, Luke.  Bass: Epiphone Jack Casady
29/06/13 - @Torry Lighthouse Festival with FaR.  Personnel: Me, Fifi, Rodaidh, Luke.  Bass: G&L Tribute L-2000
05/07/13 - @Downstairs with FaR.  Personnel: Me, Fifi, Rodaidh, Luke, Robin.  Bass: Yamaha BB450
03/08/13 - @Belladrum Festival with FaR.  Personnel: Me, Fifi, Rodaidh, Luke.  Bass: Yamaha BB450
09/08/13 - @Cafe Drummond with FaR.  Personnel: Me, Fifi, Rodaidh, Luke.  Bass: Fender Cabronita Precision
31/08/13 - @Allathan, New Deer with The Inevitable Teaspoons.  Personnel: Me, Al, Chris, Daryl, John, Kenny.  Bass: G&L Tribute M-2000
21/09/13 - @Eagle Bar, Inverness with FaR.  Personnel: Me, Fifi, Rodaidh, Luke.  Bass: G&L El Toro

Brings us nicely round to 47 gigs in my "career".  Looking forward to 2014!

Gigography for 2012

Oops, I completely forgot to do this at the start of the year.  I give to you my gigography for 2012.  You lucky, lucky people.

14/01/12 - @The Moorings with The Oxbow Lake Band.  Personnel: Me, Chris, Andy, Daryl, Al.  Bass: Yamaha BB614
30/03/12 - @Slains Castle with The Oxbow Lake Band.  Personnel: Me, Chris, Andy. Daryl, Al.  Bass: Gibson RD Artist
21/04/12 - @The Greenhouse, Dingwall with The Oxbow Lake Band.  Personnel: Me, Chris, Andy, Daryl, Al, Kenny.  Bass: Gibson Victory Artist
21/04/12 - @Mad Hatters, Inverness with The Oxbow Lake Band.   Personnel: Me, Chris, Andy, Daryl, Al, Kenny.  Bass: Gibson Victory Artist
06/05/12 - @Banff Castle, Banff with The Oxbow Lake Band.  Personnel: Me, Chris, Andy, Daryl, Al, Kenny.  Bass: Gibson IV

Chris and I@Macduff Arts Centre

26/05/12 - @Macduff Arts Centre, Macduff with The Oxbow Lake Band.  Personnel: Me, Chris, Andy, Daryl, Al, Kenny.  Bass: Yamaha BB614
24/06/12 - @Breemie Stone Circle Solstice Gathering with half The Oxbow Lake Band.  Personnel: Me, Andy, Daryl + others.  Bass: G&L Tribute L-2000
29/06/12 - @Slains Castle with The Oxbow Lake Band.  Personnel: Me, Chris, Andy. Daryl, Al, Kenny.  Bass: Gibson SG-Z
30/06/12 - @our back garden with 2/3 of The Oxbow Lake Band.  Personnel: Me, Chris, Daryl, Kenny.  Bass: Gibson RD Artist
16/07/12 - @SHMU FM with half The Oxbow Lake Band.  Personnel: Me, Andy, Kenny.  Bass: Gibson SG-Z
26/07/12 - @Cafe Drummond with The Oxbow Lake Band.  Personnel: Me, Chris, Andy, Daryl, Al, Kenny.  Bass: Gibson RD Artist
28/07/12 - @Last Bus Depot, New Pitsligo with The Oxbow Lake Band.  Personnel: Me, Chris, Andy, Daryl, Al, Kenny.  Bass: Yamaha BB300
03/08/12 - @Belladrum Festival with The Oxbow Lake Band.  Personnel: Me, Chris, Andy, Daryl, Al, Kenny.  Bass: Yamaha BB300

32 not out.

Sound engineers - will you please listen?

I've just had the dubious pleasure of listening back to our performance at Belladrum.  It's... fast.  I don't know if we were keyed up because of the event itself, or the technical difficulties that delayed our start by 10 mins (which is a lot when you've only got a 45min slot), but we're playing like we're on speed or something, and this is unusual because we're not Motörhead.

But the one thing that is annoying me is the fact that the singer has asked for more vocals in the monitors on at least 4 occasions (gave up counting after that, no wait, I think I heard a fifth).  It is clear that nothing's been done - Andy's more shouting than singing and that's because he can't hear himself.  Daryl's harmonica is a bit wayward at times because he can't hear what he's doing.  That's a big problem when you're responsible for the tuning/intonation of your instrument (that includes voice).  It's not so much of a problem for me, playing fretted electric bass.  I have a tuner on the floor and I keep my basses set up properly (intonation compensation at the bridge etc.) so as long as my open strings are in tune then when I stop the string at the correct place, I get the correct note.  I can play the fretted bass visually/by feel and it'll sound OK, but it won't be as tight as it could be as instead of "being one with the rest of the band" (which comprises a combination of muscle memory through practice and being able to hear everyone else) you're either anticipating (which can make you early if you get it wrong) or reacting (which by definition makes you late).  And I don't have to bloody well like it - in fact I hate the feeling of playing in a bubble, where you're playing the bass and have no idea if you're even contributing to the proceedings (hoping to hell that the front of house sound is better than this).

Sound engineers, can you please explain to me (like I'm a four year old - as I have no comprehension of what you do and no right to tell you what to do) why it is that some of you are seemingly unwilling (or unable) to give us decent sound on stage?  We are not moaning for the sake of it, not giving us decent sound on stage is like asking us to gut fish with a butter knife.  You'll have your fish, but it won't be pretty.  All we're asking for is to have a decent monitoring on stage so that we can do our jobs properly.  We are not professionals, but we take our hobby seriously and want to perform at our best for the good people who come out to see us, dance and generate money for the venues that employ you in order that they continue to do this.  If you hamper our performance because we can't hear what we're doing, punters will stay away, and it's as much in your interests as ours to keep bums on seats and feet on dancefloors.

Video from the Depot

I've put up a few videos from Saturday's gig at the Last Bus Depot near New Pitsligo.  It's a little "band in a tin box" sounding, but hopefully it's good enough to tap your toes to and remember a good night - or wish you had been there and spur you on to join us at the next one!

Report from gig at Last Bus Depot

What a fantastic place, what a fantastic gig!  The Last Bus Depot is an amazing venue - a bit like a big boy's playroom.  Can't explain it in enough words, so have some panoramic photography courtesy of Jayne (thanks darling!)

The crowd were really up for it and I would say that it was one of the best gigs we've ever done.  I can't wait until we come back and do it again!

Gig tipoff: The Oxbow Lake Band, Omar Bin Mohamed Afif

When: Saturday 28th July 2012
Where: The Last Bus Depot, New Pitsligo
Doors: 7.30pm
Tax: £5

An unusual new venue for us - the Last Bus Depot just outside New Pitsligo.  I can't explain it any better than their own site, so have a link - http://www.lastbus.org

I'm really looking forward to this one, hope to see you there!

Gig tipoff: The Oxbow Lake Band, The Carousels

When: Thursday 26th July 2012
Where: Cafe Drummond, Belmont Street, Aberdeen
Doors: 8pm
Tax: none, free entry!

Oops, left it a little late to put this up but if you're at a loose end this Thursday (tomorrow as I type) then why not head down to Cafe Drummond and treat your ears to the psychedelic country tones of The Carousels followed by a heap of different tunes from us, our songs, other people's songs, all good time tunes.  Free entry, no excuses, hope to see you there!

Gig tipoff: The Oxbow Lake Band, Q-nim, Jamie Rodden

When: Friday 29th June 2012
Where: Slains Castle, Belmont Street, Aberdeen
Doors: 8pm
Tax: none, free entry!

Once again we grace the "orchestra pit" of Slains Castle for another night of totally groovin' tunes.  Six musicians to squeeze into the pit this time (and seven if we have MC along with us for a couple of tunes), so I'll have to make sure I don't lop anyone's head off with me bass.

If you missed us last time (or can't remember, it was 3 months ago), here's a little reminder of how we roll:

Support from Jamie Rodden and Q-nim.  Things get going (hopefully) at 8pm, it's free entry so head on down, let your hair down and dance!

Gig tipoff: The Oxbow Lake Band and Martin Stephenson

When: Saturday 26th May 2012
Where: Macduff Arts Centre, Duff Street, Macduff
Doors: 8pm
Tax: £8 (£6 concession)

This should be a great gig, I'm really looking forward to it.  To quote the COAST Festival programme:

"Two of the most articulate musical and good time music acts in the UK on the same bill!  Martin is an 80s legend, who toured with Prefab Sprout, Aztec Camera and Janis Ian - "builds bridges between love and hate, between cradle and grave, between folk and pop, between the past and the present" - NME.  Witty, eclectic, insightful, Martin is an intuitive and highly entertaining artist.  The Oxbow Lake Band is a lively 5-piece rock/folk/jazz/funk/poetry crossover band.  A must for every celebration of creativity, the Oxbows are likely to turn up with plug-in guest musicians and poets.  Impossible not to dance to!"

Aye, so we're nae bad then.  If you're up this way then why not drop by?  Bring your dancing shoes!

This event is part of the COAST Festival which runs from 25th - 27th May in Banff and Macduff.  Full programme of events here: http://www.coastfestival.org.uk/programme.html

The Oxbow Lake Band: Banff Castle 06/05/2012

We played recently at Banff Castle as part of their Beltane Bash.  Have some video from it:

Photo a day 2012 (83/366) - band in a pit

Photo taken in Slains Castle, Aberdeen.  Went for a spy the week before we played here.  It's interesting having the audience all around you and slightly above you.  I think the band here were called Sort of Alive.

Photo a day 2012 (76/366) - diy giggin'

Photo taken at 26 Collective, Exchange Lane, Aberdeen.  Our friend Stewart getting ready to play some tunes at his art exhibition.

Photo a day 2012 (70/366) - Leppard and the Big Cats

Photo taken at the Rusty Nail, Aberdeen.  Our friends Leppard and the Big Cats in full swing.

My first YouTube upload :)

Yes, I realise that YouTube has been around for several years now but last night I put up my first video - of course it's of me making a goon of myself on stage with the band.

Jayne was on camcorder duty, thanks darling!

Gig tipoff: Oxbow Lake Band, Scott Cruickshank Trio

When: Saturday 14th January 2012
Where: The Moorings, Trinity Quay, Aberdeen
Doors: 8pm
Tax: free before 8.45pm, £3 thereafter

New year, new gigs!  Come one and all to the home of pirates and peculiar beers and spirits to see us play the fair stage at the Moorings Bar!  We hope we will impress you as much as the drinks list will :)

First band on stage at 9pm, we'll be on at 10.

Gigography for 2011

I was writing this (fairly short) list last week when all of a sudden we got asked to play a gig at 3pm on Monday for that night.  Glad I held off putting this up :)  I am now pretty confident that the gigging business will shut up shop for the festive season.

Chris and I @ Banff Castle, photo courtesy Kate James

06/08/11 - @Whinnyfold Fun Day with The Oxbow Lake Band.  Personnel: Me, Chris, Andy, Daryl.  Bass: Gibson IV
13/08/11 - @Cruden Bay Gala with The Oxbow Lake Band.  Personnel: Me, Chris, Andy, Daryl.  Bass: Guild B402-A
22/10/11 - @Banff Castle with The Oxbow Lake Band.  Personnel: Me, Chris, Andy, Daryl.  Bass: Gibson Victory Artist
29/10/11 - @City Cafe, Aberdeen with The Oxbow Lake Band.  Personnel: Me, Chris, Andy, Daryl, Al.  Bass: G&L Tribute L-2000
02/12/11 - @Cafe Drummond with The Oxbow Lake Band.  Personnel: Me, Chris, Andy, Daryl, Al.  Bass: Gibson RD Artist
19/12/11 - @The Lemon Tree with The Oxbow Lake Band.  Personnel: Me, Chris, Andy, Daryl, Al.  Bass: Gibson IV

Gig count now stands at 19.  Not exactly hard working, am I?

Gig tipoff: Oxbow Lake Band, Woodland Roots Orchestra, Omar Bin Mohamed Afif

When: Friday 2nd December 2011
Where: Cafe Drummond, Belmont Street, Aberdeen
Doors: 8pm
Tax: £5

Hey folks, it's yet another edition of Shameless Plug for my band.  It's the launch of our album "Away From The Mainstream" and I'm really looking forward to it.  We've been playing a few small, out of town gigs which have been highly enjoyable but it'll be good to come back to play in one of the established live music venues in town.  We'll have support from Omar Bin Mohamed Afif who plays his amazing box guitar (genbre?) and the Woodland Roots Orchestra.  DJs after the show, the party goes on until 3am!

Hope to see some of you there!

October Oxbow gigs! Upgraded bass amplification! Almost!

Shameless plug time - The Oxbow Lake Band have a couple of gigs this month which I'd like to bring to your attention:

Saturday 22nd October - Banff Castle, Castle Street, Banff

Another new venue for me, I have never played here before in my life.  Come to think of it I haven't spent a great deal of time in Banff, despite being schooled 8 miles away in Turriff.  I think it was a Turriff vs. Banff school thing (not that I ever felt any affinity with "Turra" - I just went to school there - I'm from Fyvie, another 7 miles further south.  Anyone who even suggested I was from Turriff was swiftly corrected.)

Reminiscing aside, it should be an interesting gig.  Apparently it's some kind of open session first where anyone who comes along with an instrument can play.  Then we play our set.  I've never done anything like this before, I'm looking forward to it.






Saturday 29th October - City Cafe, Netherkirkgate, Aberdeen

Another gig, another new place.  It's been a long time since I was in this establishment, I think it's changed hands at least twice since.  The last time I was in here it was called the City Bar and it was when the bandit jackpot was £6 and wins above a certain threshold were paid out in 20p tokens which could either be fed back into the machine or used to pay for stuff at the bar but curiously not allowed to be exchanged for money.  I was in there with a mate and we had a shottie of the bandit.  The football was on.  We won the jackpot and a repeat, I believe.  The machine then proceeded to spit it out 20p at a time, much to the consternation of those watching the football.  We got glowered at quite a lot.

Come on down and see us play in a place where I didn't even know bands played!





Upgraded bass amplification!

On Friday I took delivery of a Zoot ZB410 - a 4x10 speaker cabinet which handles 1200W at 4ohms.  This reduction in impedance means that I will have 350W available to me instead of the usual 230.  Unfortunately the cab arrived slightly damaged in that the HF horn has cracked at the corners and is hanging loose in its mounting hole.  Oh dear.  Thankfully it was insured in transit.  I have sourced a replacement horn and it will be ready for the gigs.  The main bonus to all this is that I have replaced my old cab (my trusty Ashdown ABM) which weighed nearly 80lbs.  This new cab is a much more svelte 52lbs.  But louder ;)

Exciting times ahead, pop pickers.