Lighting the Fuse at Blyth Blues

The Boneshakers in Action with Guest Star Micky Crystal

Shake them Bones

Blyth Blues Club was the venue.  They'd been sought after by the manager of this fine establishment to play here for the very first time. It's always an exciting time for the Boneshakers to be playing a real blues venue at a Blues Club or Festival.  And they stepped up to the plate in real style.  The audience were discerning blues fans - and, like I said, the Boneshakers appreciate a knowledgeable crowd.
Some musician friends of the Boneshakers turned up to enjoy the show - most of them from the Saints of Arcadia - Nick 'Saints of Arcadia' Jennison, whose vocals and guitar astound in Dave Hildreth's Gatecrashers, among them.

Micky and Sarah

Sarah, guest star Micky Crystal's girlfriend, was in the audience too.  Lovely to meet you, Sarah.

Micky's dad was there too.

It wasn't a packed house - only because England were playing one of their World Cup qualifyers (they won, by the way, despite our Scottish friend and leader, Ronnie Semple's evil eye!)

Boneshakers Pose for a Pic

And so, with their new PA system all plugged in and ready, lights ablaze and flashing with professional aplomb - and the smoke machine set on timer - the fabulous Boneshakers were GO!

They had the crowd in the palm of their hands from the off, playing the most sensational version of 'How Blue Can You Get' I've ever heard.

And in 'Messing with the Kid', every one of the bands solo performances was outstanding.

Their finale pieces, 'Hip Shake' and 'Shake Your Money-Maker', were out of this world, with amazing head-to-heads among Russ, Ronnie and Micky.

I know I keep saying it, but this band just gets better and better.  And their CD, Shaken and Stirred, is selling like hot cakes.  Get your copy, fans, before they all go!

Ronnie Semple - sans SHIRT

At the end of the night, Ronnie Semple (leader, blues harp and backing vocals) said "I forgot to bring my shirt."

Russ Hird (vocals and guitar) said, "Must go now - it's past my bed time!"

Russ - Way Past his Bedtime.  Dave - enjoying the Crowd

 Dave Hildreth (bass guitar) said, "It was good to see Nick and the lads make the effort to come support us."

Micky in Catalogue Pose with Nick

Micky was keen to do a catalogue pose with Nick 'Saints of Arcadia' Jennison!

Gordon's  daughter will be at the Sand Dancer  gig

And Gordon Smiles (drums) said, "My daughter's home from York Uni and she'll be there tomorrow night at the Sand Dancer."


It should be a full house, raising the rafters, at the Sand Dancer, South Shields, tomorrow night.  Hope you have a ball guys.

Those fantastic Boneshakers sure lit the fuse tonight at Blyth Blues Club. 
They were EXPLOSIVE!

There's excellent video footage of this brilliant gig.  There'll be links posted just as soon as they're on You-Tube.  SO WATCH THIS SPACE, folks.

BONESHAKIN' BRILLIANT!

All Electric at Annie McCarthy's - What a Gas!

                                                       

The Boneshaker's drummer couldn't make it - and at the eleventh hour, Barry Ellis (of 'Shanghai' fame) filled in, armed with his electric drum kit.

"Electric?" said the punters, "With a blues band?  Nah!"

But after a strict sound check and many twiddlings of knobs and buttons - the electric sound of the drums was - well - ELECTRIC!

And, yeah, the kit looked a little strange on the stage, but it all fitted like a warm glove with the Boneshakers bluesy, rock-solid sound.  Barry (below) kept his head down underneath a gleaming-white baseball cap (I think the whole audience have yet to see his face!) and made that drum-kit shake, rattle and roll through two amazing blues/rock sets.    



Barry - Where did you get that hat?

     

 The Boneshakers were explosive.  They sizzled all night long.  The atmosphere was absolutely electric!

 

Gimme soma dem blues notes, man

 And with the friendly staff and brand new 'go-get-it' manager of Annie McCarthy's bar, South Shields, (who deserve accolades for their fizzling banter and efficient service) the night went off with a big bang!    

                                                              

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Russ played his Fender Telecaster guitar with a lightning storm of mean blues riffs and licks, roaring and growling vocals that could make Gary Moore eat his heart out, through numbers like 'Walking' and B. B. King's 'How Blue Can You Get'.

 Russ - Walkin'

                                                                                                   Dave - Going Down

Dave, (above right) unassuming and fixed to the spot, thundered through numbers the likes of 'Going Down' and 'Messing with the Kid' with Rosco Beck-like aplomb.  You could almost see the sparks fly as his fingers flew over his bass frets in a heart-stopping frenzy.   

Ronnie - Long Gone

Ronnie (above left) made the crowd cheer, whoop and holler with a brilliant harp solo in the middle of a superb rendition of  Kenny Wayne Shepherd's 'Long Gone'.  The place went up in a blue light!

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The second set saw two guest appearances on stage with the Boneshakers.  Freddie and Stevie had both come along to see their good friends, the Boneshakers, play but they couldn't resist putting in an appearance with the lads on stage.  They sparkled and dazzled, jamming with the band in unrehearsed splendour!

Freddie, who did vocals with the band, 'T T Blue' and now fronts 'Badger' (which, by the way, happens to be his second name) did his own fabulous version of 'Stormy Monday Blues'.  The crowd gave him a fiery standing ovation.

And Stevie on the blues harp was scintillating as he dueted with Ronnie and played some solo stuff in the most sensational version of 'Hip Shaker' I've ever heard.  The sound of two blues harps going at it like guns blazing at the Alamo, set the atmosphere alight.

CATCH VIDEO FOOTAGE OF THE DUELLING HARPS ON  THE BONESHAKERS' PAGE

ON FACEBOOK

The crowd danced anywhere they could find a space, radiating heat and perspiration that could compare with the band's rivers of sweat quite favourably! At the end of the evening, the punters wanted more, more, more.

"I'm impressed," said one of the crowd.

"Loved 'em.  I'll definitely catch their next gig," said another.



Boogie on down









It was a great night - a memorable night - a night that was so full of talent and flare, all it lacked was the firework display.

Barry said of his experience, playing drums for the first time with the Boneshakers, "By the time I got into the second set, it felt great."  Well, it sounded great, Barry!

Philosophical Ronnie was heard to say, "A blues man never dies - he just doesn't wake up one morning!"

Russ said, "I agree with everything he says." (also philosophical?  Or just couldn't be arsed!)

And Dave said, "Not a bad night, eh?"  Well that was an understatement, Dave!

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DON'T MISS THE NEXT BONESHAKERS GIG AT

THE FLYING HORSE

2nd April

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SEE ALL FORTHCOMING GIGS ON THE BONESHAKERS' GIGS BLOG PAGE

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DON'T FORGET TO 'FOLLOW' THE BAND ON THIS BLOG

(JUST CLICK 'FOLLOW' AND GOOGLE WILL DO THE REST FOR YOU)

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YOU CAN FOLLOW 'THE BONESHAKERS' ON FACEBOOK

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READ BAND REVIEWS ON THIS BLOG

TO YOU-TUBE VIDEO FOOTAGE OF

THE BONESHAKERS

AT

ANNIE McCARTHY'S BAR

STORMY MONDAY BLUES with Freddie

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWzk9bJrXIg

SHAKE YOUR HIPS with Stevie

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1q_EfDilPbo