Whippin' Up the Best - the Wildest - Boneshakin' Tornado of Talent at Stormin' the Castle

 THE GREAT - THE GLORIOUS - THE GIGANTIC - THE BONESHAKERS - AT THE BEST BIKER FESTIVAL IN THE NORTH - STORMIN' THE CASTLE

BUT FIRST ...

They started their Boneshakin' RIPPER of a gigging day at the Twisted Sprocketts Bike Rally at Boldon, taking first band spot to start off this brand new venue for the bike club.

The Boneshakers were up to their usual creative and unique standards, getting the ball rolling with a great big bang and building up the momentum for whipping up a "STORMIN'" tornado, looking forward to headlining at the Iris Tent at arguably the biggest, most prestigious rock and blues biker festival in the whole of the North East of England - STORMIN' THE CASTLE.

After an hour and a half of superb Boneshakers tracks (with material from their 1st and 2nd albums), the band packed up and set off for Witton Castle, Bishop Auckland, for STORMIN' THE CASTLE.

 





















Even the ducks wended their way to Witton Castle!

AND THEN ... 

THEY CAME ...

Ronnie - Warmin' to Stormin' !!

The boys arrived at a mud-packed, sludge-mounded Stormin', all set and ready to go, plodging in their wellies to catch up and say hello to Boneshakers fans, friends and fellow musicians.






THEY SAW ...

The Boneshakers took in the bright lights of the Big Tent as it swayed to the fantastic sounds of the Sleaze Sisters - and the buzz of the Iris Tent rocking to the sound of the amazing Brown Bottle Band, waiting ... waiting ... to take the stage as the headlining Iris Tent band.  What an accolade!


THEY CONQUERED ...

...and then they were ON - setting the STORMIN' scene with 'Party Right Here' and 'Dust My Broom', building up by crescendo after crescendo into an unbelieveable blues/rock fest like no other I've ever seen.

The crowd were in great form, shouting, whistling and hollering their appreciation for the fabulous Boneshakers.

Ronnie (blues harp and backing vocals) played a harp blinder tonight.  I've never heard so many whistles of love and awe from the audience at a gig.

Russ (lead guitar and vocals) was on fire with licks and riffs that were clear and crisp ... down and dirty.

Dave's (bass guitar) fingers were a blur as they whizzed up and down the bass neck, throwing in crazy jazz harmonics just for fun. WOW!

Gordon (drums) hit that kit like his life depended on it.  He was a marvel tonight and the crowd screamed their throats raw.

Nick (Right) Waiting in the Wings

Later on in the Boneshakers superlative performance, they invited Nick Jennison on stage to take the vocals on 'Red House'.  And he aced it.  Nick, of Saints of Arcadia, Against the Grain and the Gatecrashers (Boneshaker, Dave Hildreth plays bass with the fantastic Gatecrashers too) - showed his prowess in connecting with an audience like no other performer I've ever seen.

The Gatecrashers had been live in the Big Tent the night before - and Nick couldn't wait to join Dave and the others, performing in the Iris Tent.



Here's the link to the video.

Red House -  http://youtu.be/AC5i19PcMP0

 

The Boneshakers last number, old favourite, 'Hip Shake' caused a tumultuous roar from the crowd, packed like sardines in the tent - and the lads were asked, after an amazing ovation, to come back and entertain their audience some more.  They STORMED THE CASTLE  with 'Shake Your Money Maker' - and then they invited a whole host of musicians to join in the fun with 'Johnny B Good'.
What a remarkable ending to a truly sensational festival.


Keep on ROCKIN', Boneshakers.  Take a bow!

 Just so's you know, the Boneshakers' 2nd album, 'This is how we ROLL!' was launched at STORMIN' THE CASTLE and is available to buy at their next gig - and the one after that!  Check out their forthcoming gigs on this 'ROCKIN' WITH THE BONESHAKERS blog.

Or you could get in touch with Ronnie Semple, the band's leader, on Facebook.  Go to THE BONESHAKERS Facebook page, press 'like' and leave a message for Ronnie.  There's a package deal on offer too, for both the 1st and 2nd albums.  Enjoy!  They're both brilliant and exciting albums.



Check out the links below for more superb video footage of the Boneshakers LIVE at  
STORMIN' THE CASTLE

Messin' with the Kid   http://youtu.be/V5oI5L96m3A

Party's Right Here/Dust My Broom  http://youtu.be/fgsc56R_AVQ

Shake your Money Maker  http://youtu.be/Mln4glgFypM

Album Ready to Hit Sell-Out Figures

The Extraordinarily Talented Boneshakers - Ronnie, Russ, Dave and Gordon

Album Review

Album Cover designed by Neil 'Blackbird' Sims

 With the Boneshakers' album almost at sell-out figures, it's time for all you Boneshakers blues fans to get your copy before there ain't a one left!

You can read the review of their magnificent album, featuring local greats, Mitch Laddie, Lyndon Anderson, Phil Martin and Micky Crystal if you go to the link below:

Shaken and Stirred – Boneshakers’ Album Review

http://northeast.greatbritishlife.co.uk/community/blogs/detail/shaken-and-stirred--boneshakers-album-review/id/6301/  

 A Boneshakin' Boxing Day

Boneshakers Played their First Tyne Bar Gig Last Boxing Day

 Catch up with fabulous Boneshakers at Christmas when they return to the Tyne Bar for their Xmas Shindig on Boxing Day afternoon.


The Tyne Bar December Gigs are out on their monthly poster.  This is what they had to say about the Boneshakers:

MONDAY 26^TH DECEMBER

BONESHAKERS XMAS SHINDIG

“Come and join in the Xmas festivities and shake that Xmas turkey off your hips. We absolutely love playing The Tyne Bar and after last year's Boxing Day gig there we know we're in for a brilliant afternoon again this year. Time still tbc but it will be around this time. The Boneshakers played our first gig at The Tyne on Boxing Day last year so come and celebrate our 1st birthday with us in this brilliant venue :-)”

www.youtube.com/watch?v=cAB9xHK6Rhg

Don't miss it!  This is going to be a corker!

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!

Stonkin'! Stupendous! Tremendous!

Shake them Bones

D-DAY FOR CD LAUNCH

All set for a Boneshakin' CD Launch at the Tyne Bar

Sunday 11 September was a big day in the calender of the fabulous Boneshakers.  This was the day when they were due to play a gig at one of their favourite venues, the Tyne Bar in Newcastle.  Not only that - this Sunday afternoon was the day their brand new 10 track CD, 
SHAKEN AND STIRRED, was to be launched.

ANTICIPATION

It had been a nail-biting, nervy morning for the guys.  They were all buzzing with excitement and anticipation as they arrived at the Tyne Bar.
 Russ Hird (Vocals and Guitar) said "Woo-hoo, I'm definitely up for it."

Russ Sings the Blues

Ronnie Semple (Blues Harp and Backing Vocals) said, "Well, this is it, guys.  This is what we worked so hard for.  Let's do it."

Ronnie in the Zone

 Dave Hildreth (Bass Guitar) said, "I felt sick all morning.  But now I'm here and the crowd's building up, I'm feelin' alright."

Watch out Dave - it's behind you!

Gordon Smiles (Drums) said, "I've been on the Lucozade all morning! Calm me nerves. I reckon it's gonna be one brilliant afternoon."

Gordon - in drummin' heaven

THE TYNE BAR

"What a great Turn Out."

It was too cold and windy to play on the open-air stage, so the lads set up their gear on the stage in the bar, making sure their mascot skeleton 'boneshakers' were well-placed.  The sound check wasn't an easy task because followers and friends of the Boneshakers had already filled the indoor bar to capacity and they were spilling out into the beer garden toward the Glasshouse bridge.




 "YES!" said Ronnie, the leader of the band, "What a great turn out!"

THE GIG

Dancing on the Tables - Singing on the Chairs

And it was.  From the first blues note the Boneshakers played, the fans were hanging from the rafters, standing on tables and benches to get a better view of this great band they'd come to see.  Comments like 'awesome', 'where do I go to get a copy of the CD?' and 'brilliant - just brilliant' hung in the air.  Whistles and cheers came from every corner of the room.  People danced in the square inch of space they were afforded.  They were jiving and rock 'n' rollin' in the beer garden as they listened to the amazing sounds emanating from the little stage in the Tyne Bar.

The Boneshakers were having the time of their lives.  It seemed to me that this was the point at which the Boneshakers became a legend on the blues scene in the North East.

The Boneshakers with Micky Crystal

The atmosphere was electric as they played their first number, blues favourite, Dust my Broom, then they invited guest guitarist, the inimitable Micky Crystal (who plays on several tracks of SHAKEN AND SITRRED) to join them on stage.  Micky always makes a great addition to the foursome and today, he was simply amazing.

Russ's big brother, Robin, took to the stage with the boys in the second set, for a superb rendition of Need Your Love So Bad - and all-time favourite guest harpist, Stephen Brown, was in his element when he joined in, going head to head with Ronnie, in 'Help Me' and 'Hip Shake'.

I don't need to tell you about the extraordinary performance of the Boneshakers.  Their reputation as talented musicians goes before them - and you can see and hear for yourselves some of the numbers from this performance.

 Go to the following You Tube links for:

HOW BLUE CAN YOU GET
http://youtu.be/fPhm9iDZSoM

   DUST MY BROOM
 http://youtu.be/lamYEdIYzyM  

     MESSIN' WITH THE KID  

http://youtu.be/ga29nacWZMI

NEED YOUR LOVE SO BAD

 http://youtu.be/GMQ0sJ1rQAo

    

MORE, MORE, MORE ...
In an encore that was screamed for like these guys were seriously famous, 'Shake your Money Maker' had everybody rockin' their socks off.  And if the Boneshakers aren't yet seriously famous, they should be!

THE MERCHANDISE!

During the interval between the first and second sets, the crowd got what they were promised: the talents of Ronnie, Russ, Dave, Gordon - and their accomplished guest musicians - on CD.  Denice (Ronnie's partner, Boneshaker fanatic and Roadie Extraordinaire) set up at the side of the stage, wearing THE most unbelievable, Boneshakin' jacket and Boneshakin' high-heeled boots, to sell her wares.
Within minutes, people were grabbing their copies of SHAKEN AND SITRRED and taking the 8-page booklets to be autographed.

REACHING FOR THE SKY
Well, this was the Boneshakers very first CD launch.  It was a huge success.  And I don't think for one minute it'll be the last.  The Boneshakers are reaching for the sky - and they're way above the clouds already! They're STONKIN'!  STUPENDOUS!  TREMENDOUS!

...a music review of the Boneshakers' CD, SHAKEN AND SITRRED, Mitch Laddie on guitar, Lyndon Anderson on blues harp, Phil Martin on slide guitar - and of course, the sounds of Micky Crystal's haunting Stratocaster.

...Darlington Blues Festival is the next venue, next weekend, for the fabulous Boneshakers.  Check out the Boneshakers Facebook Page - 'The Boneshakers'.