2014 Survived A photo review
End of year review
Ugly Man Beautiful Sound
SONY DSC
SONY DSC
2 Great Bands 1 Great Venue
Lancashire La La La
The Lancashire Hotpots played 53 degrees Preston for the last time on Saturday night. I have seen them play here before and its always a great crowd heres how it went..
Young Rick had tickets in hand as we headed for a pre gig pint it was obvious that many others had the same idea. The place looked like a pigeon fanciers convention with flat caps as far as the eye could see. The fans of the band are really dedicated and there was an assortment of the bands brilliantly funny Tshirts on show.
53 degrees is a great venue I collected my pass and went to tell security what a great job they do and how I admired them also confirmed that the '3 songs and out of the photo pit' was really just guidance. I stashed my gear and prepared for the first act.
The Bar-Steward Sons of Val Doonican. What a name and What a performance. The took the crowd from chatting about parched peas and ferrets to bouncing the floor to their version of Jump Around. I have to admit even though they are from the dark side (Yorkshire) I loved their performance. Have a look at their web site and check out their tracks on you tube, you will be humming "If I could punch face it would be Justin Biebers" all day!
The crowd were now well and truly up for it. The hot pots played great song after great song with crowd joining in for every one. They played all their classics complete with hat changes. They also introduced a new member of their family onto the stage to add fiddle to a couple of the tracks.
The conga consisted of most of the crowd and members of the band and snaked all around the venue. As well as numerous waist coat and flat cap wearers I was passed by all the members of the nativity scene!
Bernard Thresher slowed things down with a song called Carry you Home. It is a song about getting old and the importance of mates and loved ones. During the song I noticed a few couples move a bit closer and groups of mates nod in approval (we are from Lancashire and don't do emotion).
The silliness was soon back on track and I would challenge anyone not to giggle at Master baker song!
The Northern Anthem that is Chippy Tea was song in full force and is still a fame favourite of many.
It was also a slightly sad night as 53degrees will not be hosting bands next year and I would like to thank all the staff for looking after me so well at every visit.
Thanks to Young Rick for sorting out the night and also posing for photos with fans.
A big thanks to The Bar Steward Sons of Val Doonican for trying to change my view of Yorkshire folk.
A huge thanks to Lancashire Hotpots for the photo pass and another great performance.
Swingers Party
I was invited by a friend to take shots at her monthly vintage dance. It was themed on the back to the future ball and held in Preston. I was not quite sure what type of people dressed in period clothes to listen to a band and also dance. The answer is a mix of people all really nice and very talented. It made me ashamed of the effort that I put in for a night out when my definition of effort is a shave and matching sock (to clarify I wear the rest of the clothes as well). The gents had smart 3 piece suits with 2 coloured shoes. The ladies wore beautiful dresses many that they had made themselves.
The band (Doug Pekins and The Spectaculars) describe themselves as an 'Authentic Show stopping 50's Rock 'n' Roll and Rockabilly band'. They were great and worked there way through classics and also some of their own songs. One of the highlights was when they switched places and instruments to allow the drummer to be the lead singer for one slower romantic number. The band fitted perfectly with the dancers and I was unsure who would give in first as the tempo quickened to unbelievable levels on the stage and on the dance floor.
As well as the live band the music was selected by DJ Joe Bazooka who from the reaction of the dancers know the songs to play and when to play them as the dance floor was full all night.
I will have to plead ignorance on the technical side of the dancing but it included rock and roll to lindy hop and looked great fun. One of the nice aspects of the night was the great friendly atmosphere with dancers switching partners and all having a great night.
One of the most impressive dances is when without warning a song is played the dance floor fills and a vintage form of line dance takes places.
I would have been happy to sit listen to the great band and enjoy the delicious cakes that were on offer but the dancers really made it a memorable night.
Thanks to Swingaroo for the invitation and hospitality.
The amazing and very stylish dj has his own blog at djbazookajoe.wordpress.com and is also available for functions.
Doug Perkins and The Spectaculars can be contacted through their web site at www.dpandthespecs.co.uk
