Lord Rochester

A few quick quavers

bruceonthefringe 2024, Christmas, Edinburgh bands, Live bands in Edinburgh, Uncategorized Tags: , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Oo, November’s almost gone – can I write a quick post before it runs out? Just a few musical notes 🎶 Two quickies for those in Australia: I happened to spot on Instagram that Lord Rochester, an awesome rock’n’roll trio I saw in September are on your shores just now, if they’re near you check them out; and Accordion Ryan is taking his Pop Bangers to Perth, WA, for Fringe World 2025, boy, does that guy travel around!

Jed Potts and Nicole Smit are back playing Whistlebinkies regularly, a real mixed bag of treats depending how the mood takes them, country, soulful, playful, bluesy, always a pleasure! A real treat back in October was seeing The Best Bad Influence playing in Stramash, I do hope they come back again soon, I love me a bit of rockabilly.

November saw the Miracle Glass Company playing the Ballroom in The Voodoo Rooms to a capacity crowd (which included yours truly). A welcome return, an awesome evening. I will get round to putting a reel or two on Instagram, at some point.

Oo, for the first time in aaages, Jed Potts and the Hillman Hunters played Stramash, honestly it has been a long while (and it’s been some time since I saw Nicole and the Back-up Crew there, ahem, just sayin’). They were bloody good, of course. And thanks to Mr Potts diligent media posts, I’m debating whether to head to the Jazz Bar for 9pm Wednesday 9th December to see Blueswater play (ticketed, but there’s usually some at the door); also, tickets are available for this year’s Blue Christmas 2024 at La Belle Angele on Sunday 22nd December. If you’re in Edinburgh it’s a sure way to get into the Christmas spirit with plenty of festive favourites performed by some of the best blues musicians around these parts!

Yes, I know there’s a lot to spend your money on in December but don’t forget to buy a ticket to see Logan’s Close in January. While you’re at it, why not buy another for your best pal’s Christmas present? Really, that gloves and scarf set is a lousy present and you know it!

Anyhoo, it’s now December. Woohoo.

Two rats, a trio and a lord walk into a bar…

bruceonthefringe 2024, Bands, Edinburgh, Live bands in Edinburgh, Uncategorized Tags: , , , , , , , Leave a comment

As the clock ticks past midnight and into a fresh week, a few bits about the last one. Yes, I did make it back up, with just twenty minutes to spare before seven o’clock and The Scat Rats at Stramash, on Thursday. Oh, how I needed that! As Dr. Feelgood said, “Everybody needs a shot of R’n’B”, so I went down to the Scat Rats surgery and boy, did they make me feel good all night! The lads were on sparkling form, and what a treat to hear them play Kittycat, a real oldie from the Logan’s Close catalogue.

Turns out they played Kittycat for the guy who was the original bass player in Logan’s Close, (no, not Olly as I think I’ve previously said) one Isaac Webb who was in town and playing the next set in Stramash; I had noticed him earlier, he has a cool retro aura about him, I reckoned him for a musician. Apparently he had to be cajoled into joining up with Marah and Rough, but it was definitely temporary – and then he moved to Shetland.

So, intrigue, what would the Isaac Webb Trio be like? I was definitely hanging around to find out. Such a good choice, pure rock’n’roll! Drums, double bass, guitar, voice, raw, staccato, sparse, serious hip-swingin’, toe-tappin’ sounds (if you can stand stock-still whilst watching them, well, you might need a doctor); my only gripe is that they only played one set!!

On the otherhand, the second set was played by Lord Rochester another cracking roll’n’roll trio. It was a most excellent evening to return to Edinburgh! Lord Rochester are a slightly older band but they sure know how to mess around, with an infectious sound and some very witty lyrics (“I’m a teenage mosquito, I can whine all night”). Oh, and a singer who looks like Tommy Lee Jones, surely I’m not the only one to see that? Maybe not still, but in motion, yeah.

My soul felt so much lighter when I finally left to head to my bed! Such a fine night with three mighty fine bands. Thursday night seems to be the evening for an older sound this month; next Thursday Stramash have Babyface and the Beltin’ Boys back in the ten o’clock slot. I notice that as yet the early evening slot hasn’t been announced yet, erm, are a certain pair of rats available?!

Oh, and I’ll leave you with a new tip for a grand Eggs Benedict in Edinburgh. I just had it today as a main from the brunch menu (also available as a starter) at Three Birds Restaurant on Viewforth. Very tasty, indeed!