We had left the gear in the cars from Friday night and agreed to meet up at the gig about 6pm for a 8pm start. Chris would take Chris. I set off at 5:20 and took an easy drive to Felixstowe, getting to the gig at 6:05 to see the Chris's loading their last few bits in. I parked at the back and they helped me shift my gear in. The guvnor (Robbie) had cleared a bigger space than last time so we did fit in OK (still tight for Chris drum). Set up was uneventful but switching on the PA had the feedback suppressors working hard to track changing frequencies. We would have to sing louder or play quieter - I opted for the latter. We had come dressed in jeans, black shirts and ties so no need to change as such. A chap at the bar bought us a round of drinks - good one ya buddy!
The pub was busy but not as crowded as previous visits as we opened up a typical set 1 with added bits of Xmas songs. It all went well in a toned down sort of a way, we developed bits of banter with people who knew us now. I thought I played and sang pretty well really, and the bass and drums were solid. Chris the drum was still a bit croakey from a bug he had had, so he declined a couple of vocals as the night progressed.
During the break we had a strange discussion where Chris the drum explained he had been in touch with a singer Keith about us backing him. I remembered this was the chap who sang in strange keys, and didn't turn up to sing a couple of songs at Moreton Hall last time we were there. Chris advised that he wouldn't need any special keys after all and he was set to come along New Years Eve and sing a few. I didn't see a problem with us doing that, but I couldn't see us backing him unless the whole unit was getting gigs for £300 plus so I questioned the added value, saying that it could work better with a female singer to complement the band repertoirewise and improve vizuals. I also pondered why Keith was not gigging on New Years Eve? As we resumed I must confess I had mixed feelings about how to manage this and decided to sleep on the situation before trying to reach a settlement we could all buy into.
Typical sets 2 and 3 completed a low key but well performed evening. But, even with only 20 left, we got to encore with "Born to Be Wild". Unfortunately we were back to the slowed down drumming again; ah well at least we all finished together! Pack up was slow with stragglers milling around the band: and when we went outside it was a white xmas! Well not xmas and only a dusting of frostiness on the cars - but it was cold. We got going after a bit of demisting and made our separate ways home. Next day was busy with son Carl (and his family) over to celebrate his birthday.
The pub was busy but not as crowded as previous visits as we opened up a typical set 1 with added bits of Xmas songs. It all went well in a toned down sort of a way, we developed bits of banter with people who knew us now. I thought I played and sang pretty well really, and the bass and drums were solid. Chris the drum was still a bit croakey from a bug he had had, so he declined a couple of vocals as the night progressed.
During the break we had a strange discussion where Chris the drum explained he had been in touch with a singer Keith about us backing him. I remembered this was the chap who sang in strange keys, and didn't turn up to sing a couple of songs at Moreton Hall last time we were there. Chris advised that he wouldn't need any special keys after all and he was set to come along New Years Eve and sing a few. I didn't see a problem with us doing that, but I couldn't see us backing him unless the whole unit was getting gigs for £300 plus so I questioned the added value, saying that it could work better with a female singer to complement the band repertoirewise and improve vizuals. I also pondered why Keith was not gigging on New Years Eve? As we resumed I must confess I had mixed feelings about how to manage this and decided to sleep on the situation before trying to reach a settlement we could all buy into.
Typical sets 2 and 3 completed a low key but well performed evening. But, even with only 20 left, we got to encore with "Born to Be Wild". Unfortunately we were back to the slowed down drumming again; ah well at least we all finished together! Pack up was slow with stragglers milling around the band: and when we went outside it was a white xmas! Well not xmas and only a dusting of frostiness on the cars - but it was cold. We got going after a bit of demisting and made our separate ways home. Next day was busy with son Carl (and his family) over to celebrate his birthday.
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