This was one of the most fun venues on the tour, the staff were tremendously helpful, it was at the Engine Shed which is part of the Uni and it had a great party atmosphere.  Shame that the sound from the people at the bar carried so far to the front during some of Imelda’s quieter songs (thankfully none of mine are quieter so it didn’t affect me!) but all in all a very good fun night.  Met some great folks at the merch stall, including one lady who had such a good night she could barely stand up – now that is what I call fun!  Thanx to Al for the pic from the Gods of me on stage in Lincoln!

Sunday 27th November – Middlesbrough

After a delightful last night at the lovely Lincoln Travelodge we drove up North and I tell you we could feel the temperature dropping – it was bloody freezing!  The venue was actually a lot smaller than most of the venues on the tour, it’s an old Victorian theatre and although not really ideal for a gig like this it actually turned out to be a killer night.  The show was buzzing from the get-go – Imelda was killing them and you could tell she was really enjoying it.  After the show we tried our best to find somewhere to have a drink with the crew but it turns out that midnight in Middlesbrough is quite a sober affair!  But never let it be said that we’re not resourceful so actually we all piled on to the tour bus and got very tiddly thanks to the crew and Miss May!  Special thanks to Imelda for providing the ‘Dubliner’ which was delish and guess who won the R&B vs Rockabilly argument?!

Monday 28th November – DAY OFF!!

Well, a day off may sound all very well but in truth we got up at midday with stinking heads (BOO!) but it had been worth it.  The issue of Total Guitar with my interview in it was out today and we had some online merchandise sales to post so we traipsed into Middlesbrough town to find a post office and newsagent.  Turned out there was some kind of mega-WHSmiths in town where we could do everything we needed.  Found Total Guitar and would you believe it was right next to the UK Rock & Roll Mag with me on the cover!  The band ribbed me but I don’t care, they were just jealous they weren’t there on display in Smiths!  Well Jim might have been, can never tell with his jeans…

We had a BIG fry up then headed off to the van for the long drive up to Edinburgh.  Got to what has to be one of the worst Travelodges ever, it was like a game of ‘what’s missing’ from our rooms, each one of us had something vital missing from cups to spoons and our room didn’t have toilet roll!  Went to reception and they would only let me have one roll.  I know Travelodges are cheap but FFS!

Lisa and I felt sorry for the band because for some strange reason Tony and Mandy from the catering company hadn’t turned up to feed us at the Travelodge so we took the guys to a local pub for some grub.  The weather was filthy, howling gales and really heavy rain so even though the pub was only a mile away we jumped in a cab.  There was an incident involving Mini Cheddars but you need to see the next post ‘Things Jim Did On Tour’ to get the full info…

Bed nice and early….

Tuesday 29th November – Glasgow

For reasons I won’t go into we stayed in Edinburgh for the whole Scottish duration so we had to hop in the van and drive over to Glasgow on the Tuesday afternoon.  Got there nice and early – nice big venue but it really smelled badly of wet dogs.  How do venues smell like that?  Is that what humans smell like?!  Anyhoo – a great fun gig, met some lovely people at the merch stand although not big sales tonight, think most people just wanted to get home with it being a school night, had lots of great feedback via email and the Facebook page so thank you very much each and every one of you!  Hopefully you will come and see us again when we play in Glasgow in February?  A BIG ,mention to my old drummer Dave Terrey who is now located in Glasgow and popped along with his lovely wife Penny to see us – was really great to catch up with him!

Wednesday 30th November – Edinburgh

Edinburgh.  Last night of the tour.  High expectations of the show and the after-show party (it was my 40th 2 days later!).  Show seemed ok but not much feedback really, either on the night or online…so unsure if they even noticed we played!  Imelda had a corker of a show though, and quite rightly.  Terrible load in at the venue, and of course a terrible load out.  Also had one of the worst Mexican meals I’ve ever had (not the caterers, we popped up the road earlier in the day).  Not a great end to the tour (despite the Sailor Jerry promo below promising me much merriment!)

After show party was fun – Imelda and Darrel had bought me some fake tattoos, some drinking glasses (of the eye glass variety – see pic!) and a book of embarrassing family photos.  Much merriment ensued…..then we all crashed Imelda’s hotel until we pretty much got kicked out (!) and then we went with our old pal Mark Hislop (runs the Glasgow R&B Festival) to some strange piano bar where we carried on drinking until the wee hours and laughed at the strange folks dancing!  Kudos to Edinburgh for having bakeries selling fresh sausage rolls and bacon & cheese turnovers at 3am!  All of a sudden it was my kinda town (as you can see from Al’s head he got so excited he started getting glitter dandruff!)!

Thursday 1st December – my last day in my 30′s

Spent it sat in the back of a van travelling from Edinburgh through freezing sleet and snow, all the way to Hampshire via somewhere in the Midlands, can’t remember where but there was a stop, a house and an unload.  Chips at 10pm with the guys at home, then BED!

Friday 2nd December – I’M 40!!  DAMN!

Got waited on hand and foot by my lovely lady wife who, even though she had a stinking cold, went and bought some lovely food and drink and we relaxed aaaaalllll day……mmmmm……….I think old may be good…..

Saturday 3rd December

Back to work – studio stuff, emails, phone calls, musicians – too many things to catch up on – AARRGGHH!

Sunday 4th December – Birmingham and 40th celebrations!

Drove to Birmingham from my happy Hampshire home, got there, got lots of free beer, played some guitar (possibly quite badly?!), drunk more, saw loads of great pals from all over, got loads of great pressies, drank some more.  May have eaten some buffet in the pub and been kicked out for making a mess…..?  Then bed.

The only significant thing to tell you about during the following week is my NEW TATTOO!!  Oooooh – very excited about it, been planning it for months, finally got the first session done -

Should be finished in time for the Feb tour (I hope!).

That’s it for now folks – stay well!

BBB x

BRIGHTON – 14th November

A fantastic show – the Dome seemed as if it would be a subdued show from the layout but we couldn’t have been more wrong!  The crowd were absolutely up for a party from the moment they set foot in the place – we all agreed (Imelda, crew etc) that this was one of the highlights of the tour!  A big hello to everyone that came out to see me in the foyer (LOL) after I mentioned once or twice I would be there signing CDs… hope to see you all when I come back in Feb!

BOURNEMOUTH – 15th November

We turned up only to be told we had to park around the corner and carry everything down a dingy alley to the back of the venue – a very strange location for the venue really and, frankly, once we got inside it was all a little…mmm…wrong!  I don’t quite know why, couldn’t put my finger on it, but didn’t seem the right venue for the show.  The crowd were all willing and able but it never really got off the ground which was a shame.  Met some nice folks though and hope their second venue, The Old Fire Station, will be better in Feb.  Very nice staff though – very helpful!  Only an hour home for us so a nice local one really which meant our own bed – aaahhhh…

OXFORD – 16th November

This one started off with a laugh – Lisa totally had the O2 Academy in her head and took us to that venue.  We parked up and went to the window, asked politely where we needed to unload for the Imelda show and were told (very sweetly and with a smile) – “about a mile down the road at the Regal, which is where that show is tonight”!  hahahaaa, thankfully it was on the same road (what are the odds eh?) and it was just a 5 minute diversion!  LOVED this venue, a very grotty and rundown old cinema venue, but you could see how majestic it would have been at one time.  Sadly not being run as a music venue for much longer (hence the lack of attention) but a great place for a show.  We had a great time – and of course Imelda put on a fantastic show as always.  Big thanks again to everyone that came and spoke and bought CDs – we really enjoy meeting you all!  Oh – and another quick mention for Lisa who, when asked who was veggie in the group, spent 5 minutes looking for someone called Reggie for the chef.

HOME – 17th November

As many of you will know I am band leader for the Rhythm Riot Kings of Rhythm, an all-star band that backs up visiting American artists to the Rhythm Riot music festival every November.  It was because of this commitment I was unable to follow Imelda on the tour over the coming weekend.  So – I had a day to learn around 70 songs.  I did it – well, I did it enough to be able to look confident anyway!

RHYTHM RIOT – 18th November

Camber Sands!  Surely a joke that someone played on holiday makers in the 50′s?  I know what – let’s build a holiday camp on a barren strip of land next to a field of sheep and opposite a desolate beach and make people spend time here!  Anyway – thankfully I was there to play guitar, eat Doritos and bacon sarnies and drink plenty of Sailor Jerry rum!  I did all of these things on the Friday, mostly the drinking bit, but the other bits went well too.  I miss my old pals Al Gare, Scratch and Bomber on these gigs, much as I love the band they don’t party hardy like the other guys.  I can feel a song coming on – ‘Fings Ain’t What They Used to Be…’

RHYTHM RIOT – 19th November

Much the same – sleeping, rehearsing, drinking, eating, playing, drinking, drinking, drinking, drinking, sleeping.  Highlight of the evening was the Bobettes – a very, very fine female vocal group from New York (remember their big hit ‘Mr Lee’?) – well they are really very good, and lovely ladies to boot.  A pleasure to work with!  I also played geetar behind JD McPherson who was much-anticipated and did not disappoint.  I feel big things on the horizon for JD, he writes great songs and could easily cross over into the mainstream.  Great to catch up with long-time pal Jimmy Sutton from Chicago as well, one of the finest musicians around.  Ended the night in the Lady Luck room downstairs to hear some wax platters from DJ Scotty.  Great tunes from Scotty et al and a nice atmosphere.  A mention as well to The Severed Limb who dished up a fine set at 3am!

RHYTHM RIOT – 20th November

Again – rehearsing, drinking, eating, playing, drinking etc etc (you know how it goes!).  Tonight I backed Ray Sharpe, someone I have played with a few times now.  Can’t say it was the best I’ve ever seen him play but the man is a talent and he always delivers a great show.  I ended the night (and closed the festival) with a set from the Limits and my fine self.  I think it’s fair to say the Limits stuff does not really fit with a lot of the crowd at the Riot who, frankly, just want to hear late 40′s and early 50′s R&B, but those that have been around the scene longer than 2 years stayed and enjoyed and shouted and screamed for more.  I thank each and every one of you!

I WANNA GO HOME! – 21st November

Woke up. Moved car. Exhaust fell off car. Nice.

Nothing like drinking until 7am, then having to drive home at midday and have to wait an hour for the AA to strap up your exhaust!  However, the AA were great, AA man couldn’t have been more efficient of pleasant and finally me and Lisa got home around 4pm, put PJs on, ordered Dominos and went to bed at 7.30!!

SHEFFIELD – 22nd November

Back the Imelda!  Drove up to Sheffield and got there in plenty of time.  Again a nice venue, strange load in as we had to park and then carry the gear over some kind of skate park and into a back door – worth mentioning that Imelda’s crew had to carry all her stuff this way as well.  You would think a big venue like the O2 Academy would have some better way of doing this!  Anyway – got set up and settled down for the catering.  I must mention Tony and Mandy who run the catering company for the tour, they are really lovely people and have dished up a great variety of fresh cooked and delicious food every night – THANKS GUYS!  As you may know food is quite important to me…

My old pal (and guest on my CD) Dean Beresford turned up – some of you may know that he was Imelda’s original drummer pre-Animal Rushton and it was great to see him, even though I only saw him two weeks ago in Brum and will be seeing him again on the 4th Dec at my birthday bash.  Still, you can’t get enough Deano.  He had Richard Hawley in tow as well, although unsure what happened to Mr H later on!  Pic below is of Deano – although you might think it was a tramp accosting poor Imelda….

Good show – good crowd and all up for it although we all felt this was a litte lacking again – we have a theory now that the Tuesday shows have some special aura.  Hear that Glasgow?  The challenge is on for next week!!!

Lisa did a sterling job of driving us home as we had a proper full day off the next day and wanted to wake up in our own beds and not spend it on the M1.  Got in late as you may imagine.  Slept like a log.

IN BED – 23rd November

The clue is in the title.  Not quite all day and not quite as long as I would have liked, but didn’t do much

STUDIO – 24th November

I spent most of today setting up the new computer system in the studio.  We ordered this a long time ago and it’s been sitting in my house for ages so I had to go and get it done.  Didn’t quite get it finished but as close as I could for now!

CAMBRIDGE – 25th November

Back to the tour – and this time a whole week away from home!  The boys all gathered at our house in Hants the night before and we set off bright and early for Cambridge.  Very nice town, lovely venue, great staff at the venue (Corn Exchange) and, frankly, one of the best gigs on the tour.  A close runner up to Brighton methinks!  SUPERB first birthday pressie from Al and his clan (Saff & Lula) who managed to get me perfection – zombie mints, geriatric babies (Jellyatrics?)and a fantastic Ike Turner 10″ & CD!

I managed to nab a few beers at the after-show party but we had a hotel in Lincoln for the night so we had to get off asap.  Not too keen on the lack of kebab shops in Cambridge but I guess they have a better class of student there

That’s it for now folks – more to come as life on the road continues.

BBB – Travelodge, Markham Moor

Friday 11th November

So we arrived in York in plenty of time on Friday afternoon – lovely venue (The Barbican) and the promise of an exciting night ahead.  The crew were all great, nice to see some faces from supporting Imelda at previous shows, but also good to meet the new crew members, every one of them helpful, professional and a good laugh!  Got shown our dressing room which already had a fridge full of beer – I could tell this was gonna be a GREAT tour!!

Lisa set to work setting up the merchandise and we got to work setting up and doing our soundcheck and pretty much before you could blink we were on stage opening the show.  There was a good crowd already gathered and waiting and the reception was great!  Only a 30 minute set but done to perfection.  Imelda of course absolutely wowed the crowd as she always does and after the show I had a great time signing CDs and meeting and chatting to some old and new fans!  Special thanks to Colin and Beryl from Guru in Darlington who had brought me an early birthday present of some Sailor Jerry shot glasses – superb!  Once everyone had gone it was a quick pack up before we all retired to our respective hotels, relieved the first night was in the bag! 

Saturday 12th November

Awoke in our luxurious surroundings (Travelodge in Ferrybridge!) absolutely starving…had to find the nearest giant piece of chicken which was delicious!  You can tell from my face how seriously I take the eating of chicken…

 It was all too much for Mike and when we got back to the car park we found him in his favourite position…

Arrived at the Apollo in Manchester with plenty of time to spare, Imelda and the band were arriving at the same time which gave us a great chance to catch up and have a natter.  We had time to look around the venue, which was fantastic,the atmosphere of the place was palpable, even when empty.  Some beautiful detailing on the bottom of the balcony and some really interesting photos backstage of bands from over the years. 

The soundcheck went well, then we chilled out for a while after eating – as you can see Mike went into his usual pose again of being asleep and Lisa in her usual pose of catching up on emails and Facebook stuff!

So – the show!  It was a great, great show – the Manchester crowd were well up for it from the very first number and we had a fantastic time! 

BIG thanks to all of the Facebook and Twitter followers that came and had a chat, it was great to meet you all, even though it was brief!  And a big hello to all the new fans too, you all made my night!  Imelda was amazing yet again (of course!), she did a stonking 90 minute set which was really well received by every single person there, a fabulous atmosphere all night!  Before we could blink we were back in the van and on the long drive home.  Got in around 3.30am thanks to our trusty driver and I’m already looking forward to the shows in Brighton, Bournemouth and Oxford next week – I have a feeling they’re gonna be awesome!  Part 2 coming soon….

BBB x

So, much to do, I’m currently writing and doing the first bits of recording for the NEXT ALBUM!  How exciting is that eh?  No idea when it will be out, it’s a busy few months ahead, but Lisa is keeping my schedules tight so hopefully somehow it will miraculously happen!  I’m also busy sorting some new merchandise out, including a brand new logo!  So watch this space for new tee-shirts and various Big Boy Bloater goodies on sale via the shop page.

This week I’ve also had my engineering hat on and have been in the studio with the incredibly rock & roll and superstar punk rockers The Jim Jones Revue who are recording a special track, I bloody love this band and am chuffed to bits to be working with them.

I’ve been assured the article in Total Guitar is all done now, artwork and wording cannot now be changed, but still don’t know what issue it will appear in, but I’ll let you know (with bells on!) as soon as it appears.

OK!  Better get my nose back to the grindstone, see you all real soon I hope!

CHEERS!  BBB x