It all looks jolly serious.
Welcome to the website of the Thomas Lord Old Gits, mid-Hampshire's answer to Chumbawumba and Earth Wind and Fire, except that we're not an anarchic workers' collective, we're not American, and we do covers.
Saturday, 29 May 2010
Tuesday, 25 May 2010
Monday's rehearsal
Monday saw the launch of the all-new 'Shed 3b Official Weight Loss System.' It's very simple. Seven people of assorted ages and sizes pile into a superbly insulated shed with ambient temperatures in the high 20's, and spend three hours thrashing their instruments with varying degrees of exertion. See, feel and, ahem, smell the pounds dropping off.
There did appear to be one or two side effects. Drummers, it appears, find they occasionally slip an extra beat or two into their complicated diddly bits. Keyboard players change what should be a nice concise finish into something approaching Rachmaninoff's No. 2. Female vocalists seem to develop a mysterious smudgy thing on their right ankles....
Sunday, 23 May 2010
Last night's television
I was highly offended by last night's 'I'm in a Rock'n'Roll Band', which suggested that keyboard players reckon they're the most technically proficient musician in any band just because they got to Grade 3 Piano. I would like to point out that I was about to take Grade 5 when the lovely Mrs Pratt suggested that further progress was unlikely. I assumed she was talking about my piano playing.
Another recurring theme of this series of programmes was the outrageously bad behaviour of the average rock band. Well, this afternoon I had the honour of watching mid-Hampshire's most hotly-tipped up-and-coming purveyors of rock/alternative/Italian pop while they relaxed. It involved going "Wheeee!" on a trampoline and then making squeaky noises blowing blades of grass between their thumbs. Keith Moon spins in his grave.
Another recurring theme of this series of programmes was the outrageously bad behaviour of the average rock band. Well, this afternoon I had the honour of watching mid-Hampshire's most hotly-tipped up-and-coming purveyors of rock/alternative/Italian pop while they relaxed. It involved going "Wheeee!" on a trampoline and then making squeaky noises blowing blades of grass between their thumbs. Keith Moon spins in his grave.
Tuesday, 18 May 2010
Yesterday's rehearsal
It was a cracker last night. We were all in, except poor old Tessa, who was gravely ill. How she managed to stagger into the shed and perform so well is a complete mystery. She finally passed out after only six renditions of River Deep, and had to be carried home and told to go suck a Fisherman's Friend.
Tod was also in the wars, wielding a spectacular wasp sting on his left palm. There were disrespectful comments about the familiarity of having a small prick in his hand, but luckily he ignored them.
We also learn about Dave's special predictive text on his phone. If he presses 'F'....you can guess the rest.
Another significant event: Charlie was asked very politely to turn his volume down. Historians are working even now to establish if this is a first in Shed 3b.
The return of Global Warming meant that Shed 3b got a bit warm; a mobile air conditioner might be in order.
Musically, there was a heated debate as to exactly how many bars Ms Turner stays on the 'A' in the middle of 'River Deep' - was it four or eight? There then followed an even more heated debate about what a 'bar' was. Finally, it was decided that the West end of the shed would count down eight. As it happens, Ms Turner does six: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULw1RHHPv5g
Apart from all that, things nicely warming up for the start of our Summer tour.
Tod was also in the wars, wielding a spectacular wasp sting on his left palm. There were disrespectful comments about the familiarity of having a small prick in his hand, but luckily he ignored them.
We also learn about Dave's special predictive text on his phone. If he presses 'F'....you can guess the rest.
Another significant event: Charlie was asked very politely to turn his volume down. Historians are working even now to establish if this is a first in Shed 3b.
The return of Global Warming meant that Shed 3b got a bit warm; a mobile air conditioner might be in order.
Musically, there was a heated debate as to exactly how many bars Ms Turner stays on the 'A' in the middle of 'River Deep' - was it four or eight? There then followed an even more heated debate about what a 'bar' was. Finally, it was decided that the West end of the shed would count down eight. As it happens, Ms Turner does six: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULw1RHHPv5g
Apart from all that, things nicely warming up for the start of our Summer tour.
Saturday, 15 May 2010
Monday's rehearsal
Blimey, I nearly forgot. We had another rehearsal on Monday. Charlie was late, Tess wasn't there, but it went well.
The gig at the end of May has been moved from a barn to our host's house - or, more accurately, large garden and yard. Two advantages: more people can come, and there's no longer an 'all out by 00.30' rule.
Disadvangages: lack of a proper stage, and less weatherproof. the former is being investigated, for the latter we'll hope for the best.
The gig at the end of May has been moved from a barn to our host's house - or, more accurately, large garden and yard. Two advantages: more people can come, and there's no longer an 'all out by 00.30' rule.
Disadvangages: lack of a proper stage, and less weatherproof. the former is being investigated, for the latter we'll hope for the best.
Tuesday, 4 May 2010
Last Night's Rehearsal
A very happy Star Wars Day to all.
[I must say it's a joy to be back blogging again; I think we've finally persuaded a Mr BotNet to get out of my computer, and stop out sending exciting details of special pills for flaccid gentlemen (good name for a band?) to everyone on my address book - including glamorous bank manager. What's really worrying is how many have tried to place orders through me, hoping for a discount.]
Another good rehearsal last night, although we were without Dave - Anthony once again standing in - and Tess absent too. Anthony gaining confidence and volume, even when subjected to a hail of empty beer bottles from above the window frame.
Highlights: Matt spontaneously launching into 'Sound of the Swinging Cymbal' by Brass Incorporated. Jesse provoking a nasty outbreak of 'Eye of the Tiger' - hold on, that doesn't count as a highlight. And Matt's knowledge of geraniums astounded us all. And who can forget several members of mid-Hampshire's meanest, growliest and fiercest band all going 'Aaaah' at Diana's lambs?
Discussion of future gigs: the August one is off, but Cheriton Tennis Club have asked us back, to do Saturday 25 September. Any thoughts?
May the Fourth be with you.
[I must say it's a joy to be back blogging again; I think we've finally persuaded a Mr BotNet to get out of my computer, and stop out sending exciting details of special pills for flaccid gentlemen (good name for a band?) to everyone on my address book - including glamorous bank manager. What's really worrying is how many have tried to place orders through me, hoping for a discount.]
Another good rehearsal last night, although we were without Dave - Anthony once again standing in - and Tess absent too. Anthony gaining confidence and volume, even when subjected to a hail of empty beer bottles from above the window frame.
Highlights: Matt spontaneously launching into 'Sound of the Swinging Cymbal' by Brass Incorporated. Jesse provoking a nasty outbreak of 'Eye of the Tiger' - hold on, that doesn't count as a highlight. And Matt's knowledge of geraniums astounded us all. And who can forget several members of mid-Hampshire's meanest, growliest and fiercest band all going 'Aaaah' at Diana's lambs?
Discussion of future gigs: the August one is off, but Cheriton Tennis Club have asked us back, to do Saturday 25 September. Any thoughts?
May the Fourth be with you.
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