News and Reviews: 2nd March 2018
Saturday 03 March 2018.A rock musician recently said this and it really is a timely reminder about making sure you see your
fave older bands now before it's too late.
This pretty much applies to my two fave genres - punk rock and classic rock.
"I think that could be a reality for a couple reasons. One is the age factor. It's no secret that none of us are young kids anymore. It's a question of a lot of our musical brothers are dying, and a lot of other ones either have health issues or just don't want to put their bodies and their minds through the touring thing anymore. It could grind to a halt at some point in the foreseeable future. If you're a fan of any particular band, you should be well-advised — especially if it's a band from the '80s or the '70s — that if you say to yourself, 'Well, I'll catch them next time,' there may not be a next time. Things change very quickly, and especially when you get to be [in the] golden years, so to speak. If you really want to see a band, make the effort to go see them, because it may be the last time you'll see them. I can't even tell you how many times I've heard people say, 'I wish I had gone to see QUIET RIOT in 2007, because the next thing I knew, Kevin DuBrow died, and I will never get to see QUIET RIOT with Kevin DuBrow."
I saw QUIET RIOT three times in the 1980s when their great album 'Metal Health' got them big success.
Two times supporting Judas Priest in 1983 at Hammersmith Odeon and then their own headline show at
Hammersmith Odeon in 1984.
Friday 02 March 2018.
On this day in KISSTORY -
March 2, 2010 - KISS performed at a special intimate promotional gig for 800 fans at the packed
Islington Academy.
The show was a rare chance for fans to see one of the world's biggest bands in an intimate venue.
I was there to see them up close in full costumes and make up.
They had to cut the set short by a couple of songs due to an arena's worth of dry ice being let off at the end
and it was difficult to breathe for a bit.
Friday 02 March 2018.
Thursday and Friday has seen the worst snow in the UK for many years.
More snow falling all Friday afternoon means no respite until Saturday or Sunday.
Friday 02 March---Happy Birthday to Jon Bon Jovi who is 56 today.
Friday 02 March---Happy Birthday to Coldplay's Chris Martin who is 41 today
Thurs 01 March---Happy Birthday to Roger Daltrey who is 74 today.
Wednesday 28 February 2018...I went to two events today....
Freezing cold and lots of snow in London today.
3.30pm to 6pm
Two exhibitions next to each other at Olympia, London W14.
EVENT PRODUCTION SHOW
This exhibition pretty much focuses on everything you could need if you were putting on a summer
music festival or event.
Companies here include security , portable bars, portable designs, wristbands, lanyards, PA systems,
mobile food catering and taxis / caravans serving hot drinks,ticket scanning machines,ticket printers,
two way radios, staging, sound desks, video screens,marquees, event structures and interiors,
crane hire, lighting systems, catering staff recruitment,re-usable plastic cups,crowd safety barriers,
various amusement attractions including bouncy castles and mini-curling.
Multi mobile phone charging units.
INTERNATIONAL CONFEX
Venues from around the UK are showing their event spaces.
There are a couple of music venues including Under The Bridge, Chelsea showcasing.
Ricoh Arena, Coventry are here....also party covers bands available for hire...
Maidstone Event Centre are here promoting their summer shows including their nice bill on
Sat 04 Aug with Simple Minds , Pretenders and KT Tunstall.
Racecourses, conference centres, university's, hotels, The Design Museum, Farnborough Airport,
A highlight here was a 10 mins display from TITAN THE ROBOT which was great fun.
It is a seven foot tall radio controlled Robot with very human like characteristics.
It even sung a couple of songs including 'Cry Me A River ' as it squirted water from its eyes at the crowd.
Leaving us with a version of 'My Way'.
www.titantherobot.com
Visit the website here for more info.
The press office and some of the stands are giving out complimentary drinks & food including
Gin & Tonics, prosecco, wines, beers, coffees, canapés , ice-cream , chocs etc.
then
6.30pm to 10pm
MAHIKI KENSINGTON - showcase - 2a Kensington High Street, London W8.
This venue is on the right side of The Royal Garden Hotel.
Mahiki Mayfair is already well known and this is their second venue which opened September 2017.
It is taking the place of the “schnapps and schnitzel” Alpine lodge-themed Bodo’s Schloss.
Mahiki Kensington has a 150-cover restaurant called Pufferfish serving pan-Asian dishes such as tuna tartare, and salmon with truffle oil and ponzu that will be seared with a blowtorch at the table. There will be a cocktail and sushi bar in the evenings “and areas of the venue that are not blaring loud music,”.
Around 100 guests are here for the Tiki themed evening.
There was a three piece act playing Tiki songs and cover versions.
There were three Tiki girl dancers who each performed two routines which was good to watch.
We have a choice of three different rum cocktails along with some very tasty food including
bowl food and canapés including very yummy black cod tempura.
www.mahikikensington.com
Visit their website here for more info.
Wednesday 28 February 2018.
Sad news that legendary film director LEWIS GILBERT has died at the grand old age of 97.
Lewis Gilbert CBE ,was a British film director, producer and screenwriter, who directed more than 40 films during six decades; among them such varied titles as Reach for the Sky (1956), Sink the Bismarck! (1960), Alfie (1966), Educating Rita (1983) and Shirley Valentine (1989), as well as three James Bond films: You Only Live Twice (1967), The Spy Who Loved Me (1977) and Moonraker (1979).
Wednesday 28 February 2018.
Do yourself a favour and check out these three great video tracks on YouTube.
Van Halen - Jump - Ellen DeGeneres
The Godfathers - I Want Everything - (gangster number one )
The Rolling Stones - Dead Flowers (live) official - with Mick Taylor
Tuesday 27 February 2018.
You gotta laugh at this story....
Disappointed WILL.I.AM fans have been granted refunds, after discovering that autographed copies of his new book were actually signed by a robot.
The rapper and producer recently co-penned ‘WAR: Wizards And Robots’, a young adult novel set in a dystopian future, which was well-received by critics and fans.
However, some of these aforementioned fans were less than thrilled to learn that the autograph in their so-called “signed copy” was actually done by a robot, in keeping with the novel’s futurisic themes.
Booksellers Waterstone’s are now granting refunds to those who had been expecting the autograph would have been done by the man himself, rather than a robot performing an exact replica of his signature.
They said in a statement (via The Sun): “will.i.am is an enthusiastic user of technologies in both his professional and personal life and it has recently come to our attention that the signed editions of ‘Wizards And Robots’ have been signed by will.i.am’s own high tech robotic device, which faithfully reproduces his signature.
Monday 26 February 2018.
ROLLIN STONED live at The Theatre Royal, Windsor.
The Rollin Stoned are playing a 20th anniversary tour of the UK
Along with The Counterfeit Stones they are the top Stones tributes in the UK.
By coincidence this show is on the same day that Rolling Stones UK stadium shows confirmed.
The real Rolling Stones tickets will be very expensive but seeing Rollin Stoned will be much cheaper.
www.rollinstoned.com
Visit the Rollin Stoned website here for their future gigs list.
----------------------------
Back to this cosy all seated 633 capacity theatre for the second evening on the bounce.
ROLLIN STONED are on stage for around 2 hours 15 mins...much longer than The Stones play.
It was two sets of 60 mins and 75 mins.
For the first half a dozen songs they are copying the classic Stones line-up of Mick, Keef, Charlie,
Mick Taylor, Bill Wyman, Nicky Hopkins then Brian Jones arrives on stage wearing Angel wings.
For the last three quarters of the show there are seven musicians on stage.
The clothes, wigs and Stones mannerisms are all there.
The Rolling Stones 'Lips' logo is behind the drum kit.
Lots of between song jokey mentions about booze and drugs.....Brian was smoking an 'E Spliff'.
Lots of the usual Stones classics played along with songs they don't play live anymore.
The second half was more livelier as the crowd got up and had a dance.
At the end of the show they came to the foyer for a meet & great.
A very enjoyable show and a great warm up for the real thing in three months time.
Full setlist played tonight...
FIRST SET
Start Me Up
It's Only Rock and Roll
Tumbling Dice
Route 66
Shine a Light
She's A Rainbow
Not Fade Away
Paint It Black
Lady Jane
Under My Thumb
Ruby Tuesday
Dead Flowers
You Can't Always Get What You Want
SECOND SET
Sympathy for the Devil
Street Fighting Man
Gimme Shelter
Midnight Rambler
Happy (Keef singing lead vocals)
19th Nervous Breakdown
The Last Time
Let's Spend The Night Together
Satisfaction
Get Off My Cloud
Honky Tonk Woman (a dozen fans on stage with the band for a dance)
Jumping Jack Flash
Encore :
Wild Horses
It's All Over Now
Brown Sugar
Sunday 25 February 2018.
THE BARRON KNIGHTS live at The Theatre Royal, Windsor, Berkshire.
The Barron Knights started out as a straight pop group, and spent a couple of years touring and playing in English dance halls before making their way to Hamburg, Germany. Bill Wyman, later of the Rolling Stones, has written that the Barron Knights were the first group he saw with an electric bass, at a performance in Aylesbury in July 1961, inspiring him to take up the instrument.In 1963, at the invitation of Brian Epstein, they were one of the support acts on The Beatles' Christmas shows at the Finsbury Park Astoria in London, and later became one of the few acts to tour with both the Beatles and the Rolling Stones.
Only original member is Peter 'Peanut' Langford (now aged 74) – rhythm guitarist, vocalist.
They had five Top 10 hits in the UK in the 1960s and 1970s.
Their 1978 release "A Taste of Aggro", which parodied "Rivers of Babylon", "Matchstalk Men and Matchstalk Cats and Dogs" and "The Smurf Song", became the group's biggest hit with sales of over one million,reaching number 3 in the UK chart.
It's more than 50 years since The Barron Knights started touring the world with their unique style of comedy and rock'n'roll.
Their style was to cover other folks hits of the day and change the lyrics to their own 'humorous new words'.
They have performed at the London Palladium more than 300 times.
In 1965 they were on the support bill there when Ken Dodd Variety Show played a 26 WEEK run.
They are popular around the world and have completed 32 tours of Australia.
The Barron Knights don't seem to play London that much recently and the only time i have seen
them was at the Lonnie Donegan tribute show at The Royal Albert Hall on 21 June 2004 where they
were one of the support acts to the likes of Van Morrison, Roger Daltrey, Joe Cocker, Mark Knopfler,
Chas n Dave and errrr Rolf Harris amongst others.
--------------------------
An older crowd here as expected.
I have a nice view in the front stalls, just six rows from the stage.
THE BARRON KNIGHTS are on stage for 95 mins over two sets of 55 mins and 40 mins.
The show was pretty much 75% cover versions from the 1950s and 1960s along with a couple from 1970s.
They played all their Top 10 hits in the second half.
Four members on stage with Pete on vocals and a keyboard player....great harmonies.
Pete did a great job of entertaining the crowd with stories and light hearted jokes.
Pete did a great job of getting the crowd involved with some singing along.
They signed copies of their recent album in the foyer after the end of the show.
An enjoyable show.
FIRST SET
Mainly covers by the likes of Buddy Holly, The Shadows, The Coasters, The Everly Brothers and
a couple of their own tracks with changed lyrics including a hilarious version of Queens 'Killer Queen'
with changed lyrics and re-titled 'Camilla'....all this and right next to Windsor Castle.
SECOND SET
The band returned wearing different suits.
More rock n roll songs from the 1950s and 1960s including The Beach Boys and The Beatles.
They played all their five Top 10 hits including 'Call Up The Groups' from 1964 and
'A Taste of Aggro' from 1978.
A cover of Lonnie Donegan's 'Does Your Chewing Gum Lose Its Flavour?'.
Encore :
Breaking Up Is Hard To Do
Save The Last Dance For Me
God Gave Rock and Roll To You
www.barronknights.com
Visit their website here for more info and future tour dates.
Saturday 24 February 2018.
Great documentary last night on BBC radio dj Annie Nightingale.
She was the first female presenter on BBC Radio 1 and is its longest-serving presenter.
Still on Radio 1 (Wednesday 1am to 3am during the night) at the age of 77....yes 77.
Still playing new music and talking enthusiastically about new acts....pretty amazing.
Saturday 24 February 2018.
A shock death to report.
British actress Emma Chambers has died aged only 53, her agent has confirmed.
Known for playing 'dippy' Alice Tinker in the BBC's The Vicar of Dibley, the Doncaster-born star
also had roles in Notting Hill and the TV adaptation of Martin Chuzzlewit.
Saturday 24 February 2018.
Another sad music death to report.
The Real Thing’s Eddy Amoo has passed away at the age of 74.
Amoo was singer in the British soul group, who reached number one in the UK during 1976 with their
best-known hit ‘You To Me Are Everything’.
Their other hits included ‘Can You Feel The Force’ and ‘Can’t Get By Without You’.
The Real Thing were the first all-black British band to have a UK number one single.
The song returned to the charts in 1986, when it reached number five.
Amoo started his career leading Merseybeat a capella group The Chants in the 1960s. John Lennon was said to have championed them, and they were represented by The Beatles' manager Brian Epstein for a short time.
--------------------------
I saw The Real Thing six times in the 1970s and 1980s...each time was as a support act to David Essex at
Hammersmith Odeon as they both had the same promoter / manager (Mel Bush).
Mel Bush was a major promoter in the 1970s as he promoted Led Zeppelin (Earls Court Arena), David Bowie,
Elton John , The Osmonds , Slade and many others.
Saturday 24 February 2018.
40 years ago today.
Singer Brian Connolly played his last British show with the classic Sweet line-up at Hammersmith Odeon.
I was at that show.
His final live performance with the band was in July 1978 in Florida, USA when they supported Alice Cooper.
Friday 23 February 2018.
CINDY WILSON live at Under The Bridge @ Chelsea Football Club, London SW6.
Opening date of her UK & European Tour and her first ever show solo show outside of North America.
“Change” marks an important milestone for Cindy Wilson: her first solo LP during a 40-year career with the legendary B-52s! Cindy feels that this project allowed her to be free to experiment with genre and sound in a new way.
The B-52s were one of the best bands to come out of the 'New Wave' era.
The "guy vs. gals" vocals of Schneider, Pierson, and Wilson, sometimes used in call and response style, and their unique guitar and keyboard driven instrumentation compose their trademark sound.
I was at their first London show in 1979 at The Electric Ballroom when their classic debut album came out.
Their special guests supporting them that night were The Troggs.
-------------------------------
It is freezing outside tonight so nice to get inside this modern cosy venue.
CINDY and her band came on stage at just after 8.45pm and played for around 65 mins.
Cindy arrives on stage wearing black patent trousers along with a feather boa and bunny hat ears.
The setlist from recent American shows featured solo material and no B-52s tracks and that is what we got.
Cindy's vocals remind me of Alison Goldfrapp / Sarah Cracknell in style.
Cindy has a 'wand' sound machine to her right that she moves her hand around to create wavy sounds.
Most of the songs have a nice electronic pop sound to them.
It was all about the new album songs tonight as there was barely any stage chat.
The first words to the audience were at at the end of the main set when Cindy said "Thank you"
and when Cindy came back for the encore as she said "Thanks for coming out tonight".
I would imagine most of the crowd would have liked a couple of B-52s tracks but that's for another time.
You have to admire her for looking to the future rather than relying on past glories.
An enjoyable show.
Full Cindy Wilson setlist played tonight...
No One Can Tell You
Change
Ballistic
Twice Shy
People are Asking
Mystic
Frenzy
On the Inside
Brother
Time
Stand Back Time
Encore:
Things I'd Like to Say
Take My Time
Corporeal
Thursday 23 February 2018...6.15pm to 9pm...
LONDON MARRIOTT HOTEL COUNTY HALL , Westminster Bridge Road, London SE1.
This luxury hotel is across the bridge from Big Ben.
Tonight is a party to celebrate Chinese New Year and to showcase the new luxury flats
near the London Eye called 'Southbank Place'.
Complimentary food & drink included two different cocktails,prosecco, wines, beers and lots of
tasty Chinese food brought in from the PING PONG restaurant nearby.
Around 150 guests here, with half being Chinese/Asian.
One room had great models of the area including the new block of flats and The London Eye.
There was a group playing Chinese music at one end.
There was a fun photo area where we got a nice hard copy picture.
A fun event.
www.southbank-place.com
Visit their website here for more info on Southbank Place.
Tuesday 21 February 2018...6.30pm to 10.45pm...
NINA NAUSTDAL - Fashion Show - Tramp , Jermyn Street,London SW1.
Always very nice to be at Tramp, one of London's most famous original nightclubs.
Over its 40-year history Tramp has been frequented by many celebrities, socialites, aristocrats and royalty.
Peter Sellers, Joan Collins, Liza Minnelli and Ringo Starr have all had their wedding receptions at the club.
A nice buzzy atmosphere as there must be at least 200 guests here with many fabulously dressed females.
The club has seats all over the two main rooms of the club.
We are in the smaller room by the bar which is acting as the VIP/Press Room.
A dozen photographers are here.
Nina Naustdal is here wearing one of her own incredible gowns.
Nina is a London-based fashion designer....with the motto 'Normal is boring!'
Guests included pr legend Liz Brewer and Top Model's first ever transgender competitor, Talulah-Eve Brown.
At 8pm host Lizzie Cundy proudly introduced Nina Naustdal's couture show at Tramp as part of London Fashion Week .
Clad in a glittering silver gown with sheer panels, the TV personality, 47, looked very glamourous.
Award-winning designer , Nina Naustdal , presents her new Couture SS18, Black Collection SS18,
Fur and Leather AW18/19, Children's Collection SS18 and Dog Collection SS18.
Handmade in Nina Naustdal's London based Atelier , each piece receives her personal attention.
For 30 mins we have a stunning fashion show featuring all the above collections as X Factor 2015 Finalist
Anton Stephan's serenaded the models as they walked between our seats.
We have an adorable young boy and girl modelling the Children's Collection SS18 while holding a very cute
chihuahua dog which went down well with the crowd.
The wedding dress displayed here was pretty jaw dropping.
At 9.30pm we had an opera singer perform a seven song 30 mins set.
London based classical singer Vasili Karpiak is a hugely versatile soloist.
Really great to see & hear quality opera in such an intimate setting.
At 10pm the dj sounds kicked in and we had a boogie on the dance floor.
There was a fun photo booth that was very popular.
Complimentary champers, wines and canapés for all guests.
Guests in the VIP /Press recieved a nice goodie bag with a 50ml fragrance and cosmetics and other items.
An excellent event.
www.nina-naustdal.com
Visit the NINA NAUSTDAL website here for more info and photos.
Tuesday 21 February 2018.
KFC has run out of chicken.
This might sound like a joke but we’re actually deadly serious – London is in the grip of a KFC chicken drought. The fast-food giant has closed 750 of its 900 UK outlets as a result of problems with its new delivery contract. Just 18 of its restaurants remain open in London, and people are completely distraught.
-------------------------
Jamie Oliver's restaurant empire is going through a rocky phase.
13 of his Jamie's Italian have closed this year and now Barbecoa in Piccadilly (next to BAFTA)
has closed just a year after it opened.
I went to the launch party and I thought the venue and the food there was great.
Tuesday 21 February 2018.
GIBSON GUITARS in trouble ???
One of the world's favourite guitar manufacturers could be forced to pull the plug because of dire financial problems, as the industry struggles to cope with waning interest in rock music.
Gibson, a favourite of musicians such as BB King, Slash and many more is struggling with debt repayment deadlines and the recent departure of its chief financial officer after less than a year in the job.
According to a recent report in the Nashville Post, Gibson Guitars faces a $375m (£268m) deadline for a debt repayment in less than six months’ time. A further $145m worth of bank loans are due to mature immediately, if those notes – which were issued back in 2013 – are not refinanced or repaid by 23 July.
Monday 19 February 2018...7.45pm to 10.15pm...
FASHION COUNCIL GERMANY - AW18 presentation - Embassy of Germany, 23 Belgrave Square,
Belgravia,London SW1.
As it is an Embassy there are two armed police outside the venue.
The Embassy is a stunning building with big rooms and high ceilings and works of art everywhere.
Over 200 guests are here to see the static presentation.
There are 15 German designers here showing two outfits each.
ZAZI had two nice coats as their aim is give new life to traditional vintage clothing so we
had two kaftan style 70s coats that were full of embroidery and looked great.
Complimentary Charles Lafitte champers, wines and lots of tasty canapés for all guests.
A nice touch at the end of the event as they had five courtesy cars to take guests to the tube station
(within reasonable distance)) of their choice so i got one to Paddington.
www.fashion-council-germany.com
Visit the FASHION COUNCIL GERMANY website here for more info.
www.zazi-vintage.com
Visit the ZAZI website here for more info.
Monday 19 February 2018.
Happy Birthday to Black Sabbath guitar legend Tony Iommi who is 70 today.
Happy Birthday to soul legend Smokey Robinson who is 78 today.
AC/DC singer Bon Scott was found in London this day in 1980.
Sunday 18 February 2018...I went to two events tonight...
8.45pm to 10.45pm
AADNEVIK - Autumn / Winter 2018 Show at The Royal Horseguards,One Whitehall Place, London SW1.
This is one of my fave events of London Fashion Week.
This historic building has a stunning circular staircase.
AADNEVIK is a London based luxury womenswear label as a design partnership between Hila Aadnevik and Kristian Aadnevik, whose defining themes are a blend of opulence, sensuality and gloom. The brand is currently at a steady growing position with a strong customer base amongst the celebrity and elite society, stocking in key cities worldwide. Celebrities include: Rihanna, Beyonce, Madonna, Selena Gomez, Jennifer Lopez, Jourdan Dunn and many more.
It is totally buzzing here with anticipation as there must over 300 guests and over 20 photographers.
Two rows of seats either side of the catwalk with two more rows of standing behind the seats.
The theme for this evenings collection is Swan Lake.
From 10pm to 10.30pm we had a perfectly executed catwalk show.
I counted ten female models who had three beautiful dresses each.
All the models wore silver strap sandal high heels to compliment the outfits.
Complimentary De Watere champers for all guests at the reception and in your seats.
All guests got a nice goodie bag that included items from MoroccanOil and other cosmetics.
www.adnevik.com
Visit the AADNEVIK website here for more info and photos.
then
11.30pm to 5am.
BAFTA party at Soho House, London W1.
This party was hosted by Entertainment One,20th Century Fox, Sony Films and Lionsgate.
The BAFTAS were held earlier at The Royal Albert Hall...this year hosted by Joanna Lumley.
For the last four years i attended the Harvey Weinstein BAFTA party after the awards which always had some
big name A-listers but due to his recent downfall that party will not be on this year.
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, about a woman seeking justice for her daughter's murder, scooped the top prizes at the Bafta Film Awards.
The drama won five trophies including best film, best British film and best actress for Frances McDormand.
Gary Oldman won best actor for playing Winston Churchill - one of two awards for World War Two epic Darkest Hour.
Fantasy romance The Shape of Water took three trophies.
------------------------
This was one of the main parties after the BAFTAs.
Over 300 guests are spread out over the many floors of this private members club.
"I, Tonya" stars Margot Robbie and Allison Janney were on-hand for the glamorous soiree, as were Jamie Bell and Kate Mara, "Lady Bird" star Saoirse Ronan and French actress Isabelle Huppert.
Guests enjoyed Grey Goose cocktails as Jax Jones played hits all night long. More stars in attendance were Sam Claflin, Willem Dafoe, Andy Serkis and Salma Hayek.
Also here were Martin Freeman , Ozwald Boateng and no doubt a few more i missed.
We got there early so the four of us got a great table on the first floor watching everyone arrive.
We sat there for three hours as the waiters fussed over us bringing us complimentary champers,
five different Grey Goose cocktails including Espresso Martins, different bowl foods, full size pizza,
canapés and yummy desserts including Tiramisu.
Next to us was a BAFTA winner with his trophy so we got some pictures with it.
Later on we moved upstairs to the dance floor area.
Needless to say a fantastic party.
As expected it was a very late finish so i was going homeward bound as folks were coming in to work.
Saturday 17 February 2018....I went to two events tonight...
6.45pm to 8.15pm
FASHION COLLECTIVE LONDON - London Fashion Week Catwalk Show ,
Waldorf Hilton Hotel, Aldwych, London WC2.
A great setting as we are in the ballroom of this luxury five star hotel.
Around 250 guests here with a few celebrity faces including...
Philip Sallon (dressed much more soberly than last night as to not take attention away from the designers)
Vanessa Feltz (radio and tv presenter)
Sky Andrew (In the mid-1990s he became the first licensed Black British football agent, engineering Sol Campbell's move from Tottenham Hotspur to Arsenal. Andrew has since represented Jermaine Pennant, David Ginola, Frank Bruno, Jay Bothroyd and Jermain Defoe).
Olivia Cox ( tv and radio presenter and blogger)
Danielle Mason (model whose big boobies were all on show)
Before the catwalk show we have four different singers sing a cover song each.
At 7.45pm we had a very enjoyable catwalk show that lasted for around 30 mins.
It is a proper catwalk show with five rows of chairs on each side with a catwalk down the middle.
The models come out from one end and walk down the stairs and through the crowd.
We have four designers with each showing off several of their creations , mixing couture gowns
with more affordable & edgy designs.
Designers included MARY MARTIN LONDON and ANDERSON CLUB.
The budget was blown on the stunning venue so only canapés and a pay bar here.
All guests got a small goodie bag of TECHNIC cosmetics.
then
THE GODFATHERS + TEN BENSON live at The 100 Club, London.
The Godfathers are on a UK tour to promote their album 'A Big Bad Beautiful Noise ' released 2017.
The Godfathers are a great underrated British high octane rock n roll band.
I have seen them around 30 times since 1987 when they first got signed by Epic.
In their early 1990s heyday i saw them headline Brixton Academy.
Peter Coyne on vocals is the only original member.
Support act Ten Benson are a rock band from London, who formed in 1997. Their early releases saw them described as "psychedelic hillbillies",but they later moved on to a (cod-)heavy metal sound.
Great dj tunes from Jeffrey Munday on the night from the likes of The Sex Pistols, Ramones , Iggy Pop etc.
Historic England, a public body that looks after England’s historic environment, have included the 100 Club in a list of “100 buildings and places that tell England’s remarkable story”, published on 6th February 2018.
First nominated by the public, then chosen by novelist Monica Ali, the 100 Club is recognised as one of top 10 places in the Music & Literature category.
-----------------------
TEN BENSON were on stage for around 35 mins.
They played some decent scuzzy type grunge songs that had the crowd nodding away.
THE GODFATHERS arrived on stage at 9.40pm and steamrollered through 22 uptempo gems in 85 mins.
The band are back to a five piece after a short stint as a four piece.
They work much better with both the twin guitars riffing away.
Steve Crittalls guitar heroics and shape-throwing were a joy to watch.
Singer Peter Coyne's onstage banter was sharp and funny as he sneered menacingly at the crowd.
After an opening four song salvo that included older classics 'This Is War' ,'Cause I Said So' and
'If I Only Had Time' Peter Coyne rightly said "That is how you make a great entrance".
A few great tracks off the new album mixed in well with the older tunes.
The band really have got a ton of proper classic tracks that deserve more attention.
Tracks including 'This Damn Nation' , 'Birth, School, Work, Death' and ' I Want Everything' are mega.
Like the new album title says The Godfathers certainly make 'A Big Bad Beautiful Noise'.
A superb show.
Full setlist played tonight...
This Is War
Cause I Said So
A Big Bad Beautiful Noise
If I Only Had Time
Till My Heart Stops Beating
I Want You
Obsession
Walking Talking Johnny Cash Blues
How Low Is Low
Some Reaction
Unreal World
Defibrillator
I Can't Sleep Tonight
When Am I Coming Down
I'm Unsatisfied
Love Is Dead
She Gives Me Love
This Damn Nation
Birth, School, Work, Death
Encore:
I Want Everything
Let's Get Higher
Blitzkrieg Bop (Ramones cover)
Friday 16 February 2018..,8.45pm to 10.45pm...
FASHION HONG KONG - presentation - Somerset House , London WC2.
A big crowd of around 300 folks are here for this London Fashion Week event.
Quite a few people here that I know so that's always nice.
Always good to see Philip Sallon (now aged 66) and still wearing outrageous outfits.
Philip is a British, club promoter, event organiser, socialite, style innovator,impresario,and clothing designer.He is particularly known for being a prominent member of the Punk and New Romantic pop cultural movements during the 1970s and 1980s.
There are four up and coming Hong Kong Fashion Designers showcasing.
www.heavenpleasestore.com
HEAVEN PLEASE+
www.house-of-v.com
HOUSE OF V
www.maisonvermillion.com
MAISON VERMILLION
www.methodologywears.com
METHODOLOGY
There are around 25 models here wearing the clothes from the four designers.
A choice of two different gin cocktails, wines, beers, canapés and chocs for all guests.
All guests got a goodie bag on departure.
www.fashionhongkong.com
Visit their website here for more info.
Thursday 15 February 2018...I went to three events tonight...
6pm to 7.30pm
FEAST CANTEEN - press launch - Kings Mall, King Street, Hammersmith, London W6.
This shopping centre first opened in 1980.
Being local to the area i have been there many times since the 1980s.
The centre is currently undergoing a multi-million pound transformation.
Part of the transformation is knocking down the area on the ground floor where Burger King used to be.
FEAST CANTEEN is a re-working of the canteen experience, located within Kings Mall Hammersmith.
Food and soft drinks from five quality names...
Patty & Bun
Made of Dough
Breddos Tacos
Salvation in Noodles
Sinchow
I chose to have a lovely meal with Patty & Bun
The Fresh Prince Burger - included Aged Beef Patty, Smoked Streaky Bacon, Monterey Jack Cheese,
Special Sauce, Lettuce , Ketchup, Brioche Bun.
Smoked Confit Wings With BBQ Sauce & Spring Onions (soooo yummy i had to have a second portion)
Chips with Rosemary Salt...along with drinks.
Well worth a visit when you come to Hammersmith.
Opening times
Mon-Fri : 9am to 8pm
Sat-Sun : 11am to 8pm
Eat In, Take-Away as well as Deliveroo Home Delivery
Hammersmith tube station is less than five minutes walk.
Hammersmith Apollo is seven minutes away so you can come here before a show there.
www.feastcanteen.co.uk
Visit the FEAST CANTEEN website here for more info.
then
8pm to 9.20pm
WOLF & BADGER and PHOENIX MAGAZINE - LONDON FASHION WEEK - opening party ,
Wolf & Badger, Dover Street, London W1.
Wolf & Badger is a global online marketplace for independent brands, with storefronts in London and New York.
Phoenix Magazine is a fashion & lifestyle magazine that is celebrating their issue number 22 - AW18.
It is available in selected stores at £6.95.
Around 150 guests are here spread over the two floors.
A young trendy fashion crowd along with a dj playing tunes.
Chloe, Amelia and Lauryn Goodman showed off their enviable figures in equally chic ensembles at the party.
Complimentary drinks including two different cocktails, wines and beers.
All guests got a small goodie bag with the latest PHOENIX MAGAZINE and a couple of make-up items.
www.wolfandbadger.com
Visit their website and use the code LFW10 for 10% off until 28 Feb 2018.
then
9.30pm to 11.30pm
PHOENIX MAGAZINE - after-party - Kadie's Cocktail Bar & Club, 9 Swallow Street, London W1.
Kadie's is a stylish basement club where actor Idris Elba had his recent Christmas Party in Dec 2017.
It got very lively here as guests including fashion designer Joshua Kane flocked here
from other London Fashion Week events.
Two female djs (The Lallas) were playing some cool dance tunes that got some guests dancing.
Complimentary drinks included two different cocktails.
www.phoenixmag.co.uk
Visit the Phoenix Magazine website here for more info.
Thursday 16 February 2018.
VAN HALEN stunning debut album was released 40 years ago this month.
Released on February 10, 1978, it has sold more than ten million copies in the United States.
I got the album when it first came out as they had connections with Gene Simmons of KISS.
I saw their stunning debut shows in London in 1978 when they supported Black Sabbath.
I saw Van Halen then headline The Rainbow in 1978, 1979, and 1980.
Van Halen contains many of Van Halen's signature songs, including "Runnin' with the Devil," the guitar solo "Eruption," The Kinks cover "You Really Got Me," "Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love," "Jamie's Cryin'," and the cover version of John Brim's "Ice Cream Man."
Wednesday 14 February 2018...I went to two events tonight....
5pm to 5.30pm
HOUSE 99 -wet shave press visit - Harvey Nichols, Knightbridge, London SW1.
Football legend David Beckham has partnered with L'Oréal to launch House 99, a grooming line which
includes hair products and moisturisers.
David Beckham attended the launch event at Harvey Nichols a couple of weeks ago.
I found out about the launch event a bit late and the pr replied "sorry the guest is full but please come and
visit us for a complimentary wet shave".
The barber's is in the lower ground menswear department of this famous store.
All the products used are from the HOUSE 99 range.
As it's Harvey Nicks the price would normally be a steep £45 for the 30 mins session.
A full lather on your face along with hot towel and then cold towel and then a shave then moisturiser.
Really nice to treat your face once in a while...and my cheeks were as smooth as a baby's bum after.
www.aono.co.uk
Visit the AONO website at HARVEY NICHOLS website here for more info.
then
6.30pm to 9pm
EROTIC "Passion & Desire " - private view - Sotheby's , New Bond Street, London.
We are at Sotheby's but it's not the usual gallery crowd.
Luxury lingerie brand COCO DE MER are hosting a party for over 300 guests.
The art on display is of a sexual nature so all the pictures are flashing the flesh.
They are hoping for £5m worth of sales for the 90 lots at tonight's auction (Thursday).
The invite said 'bring your own mask, or we will provide you with one'.
Most of the staff and half of the guests are wearing masks.
Many of the guests are in fetish clothing.
Well known face Dr Christian Jessen is here.He is a British doctor, television presenter and writer,
best known for presenting Channel 4 programmes such as Embarrassing Bodies and Supersize vs Superskinny.
There is a jazz quartet playing covers throughout the evening.
At 7.15pm and 8pm we have an erotic dance by a female & male duo.
Complimentary champers, two different cocktails, canapés, oysters and chocs for all guests.
A very nice party.
www.sothebys.com
Visit the SOTHEBY'S website here for more info.
Tuesday 13 February 2018...6pm to 10.30pm...
RANDOX HEALTH GRAND NATIONAL - launch event - BAFTA, Piccadilly,London W1.
Around 200 guests here from the horse racing world to launch this famous
horse race for 2018 along with the weights and the starting prices.
Guests include well known jockeys, owners, trainers including Jonjo ONeill,
Tony McCoy,Paul Nicholls, Nicky Henderson ,Ruby Walsh and others.
Also horse racing tv and radio presenters including Ed Chamberlin from ITV.
Over 3 million pounds in prizes spread out for the three days of the festival.
Complimentary Taittinger champers, wines, beers and canapes for all.
then from 9pm to 10.30pm Le Meridien Hotel, Piccadilly,London W1.
All guests walked the three minutes to the nearby afterparty location.
Complimentary prosecco,wines,beers and a hot buffet was laid out.
RANDOX HEALTH GRAND NATIONAL IS HELD ON SATURDAY 14 APRIL 2018.
Monday 12 February 2018.
I should really go to the cinema more often than i do but i always end
up going in Jan/Feb when the BAFTA and OSCAR nominations have come in.
Today i went to my fave cinema Picturehouse Central in Piccadilly Circus.
I watched three great films that have all been OSCAR nominated.
1...Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
2...Phantom Thread (Daniel Day-Lewis is excellent in the lead role)
Also it had a superb soundtrack by Jonny Greenwood from Radiohead.
3...The Post (starring Tom Hanks and Meryl Streep)
Monday 12 February 2018.
This morning i did a nice hour long interview with Time Out magazine
about being the UKs number one gig goer.
It will be in their free edition as well as their paid one.
It will be published in a month or so...i will let you know when.
Sunday 11 February 2018.
Met members of my early 1980s band Gun Control to play drums at a
rehearsal studios session in Park Royal/North Acton in the afternoon.
It is on the same industrial estate where Mick Jones of The Clash/BAD
has his rehearsal space.
Also near to where The Rolling Stones and Phil Collins rehearsed
for their 2017 shows.
I am a bit rusty as the last time i bashed a kit for a bit was
around five years ago.
Great to play along to some of our original tunes again.
More practice is obviously needed by me.
In the summer we hope to bring out a vinyl single(something we sadly never
got around to doing the first time around although we have live tapes).
Also do a couple of gigs in West London and The West End.
See our progress when we eventually get on twitter and Instagram etc.
Then
In the evening I checked into my hotel.
EASY HOTEL - press stay - Sun, Mon, Tues in Old Street.
Great location with easy walking distance to...
Whitecross Market for many food street vendors and cafes.
The Barbican is five mins away.
Shoreditch and Rough Trade East is easy walking distance.
Easy Hotel focus on small modern rooms in great central locations.
www.easyhotel.com
Visit the EASY HOTEL for good value rooms in the UK & Europe.
-------------------------------