The Best Party Ever...26th-28th January 2006

Well where do I start to describe what an awesome weekend I had??  It all started off as Helen picked me up from work on Friday.  Yes you heard right…WORK!!!  Its been my first full week back to work and well that is where I am now writing this, but I wanted to capture the mood before reality sets in.

We made our way to Birmingham to the wonderful Red Lion Pub in Hockley to meet with Ben Dlugokecki and Andy Wilde.  As soon as we got there Ben, well he was just being Ben, had us crying with laughter with stories of him and Andy coming away for a dirty weekend and having sex in the hotel amongst other things.  I think Malibu and Coke has a lot to answer for! But Birmingham loved these guys and they will be remembered here for a long time for playing a Perfectionistical set. 

I got a little drunk as pints of Stongbow was only £1.50 so managed to take us the scenic route out of Birmingham, via a lay by on the A38 for a much needed stop!

I managed to drag myself out of bed on Saturday at about 11.30 and realised I still had so much to do for the gig.  Finally got to Junktion 7 at about 3pm.  Everybody seemed to be running late so it was not bad.  With help from Censored and Intruso boys we got all calendar stuff stuck up and soundman Gareth was getting ready for recording a live version of "When You Come Along" on the night.

I am not going to talk about the music in detail – IT WAS ALL FAB, just the highlights….

Ben Haynes of 45 Rebellion, thanks for stepping in at the last minute opening up the day and for the cherry beer and chocolate coins.  Funny enough the beer has not been touched, but the chocolate is but a distant memory. 

Thanks Richard Snow for bringing your Inlaws to play on our Anniversary gig, playing excellent set, leaving to play another gig and then Rich coming back doing "delightfully dodgy" covers with intoxicated Ben Dlugokeci.  Thanks for the lovely card too mate.

Adam Smith thanks very much for making the journey from London and for dedication of Green Day classic "Good Riddance".  Loving "Pride and Glory"!

Intruso lads were great helping before hand with sticking up calendar stuff and after a shaky start enjoyed their set.

I was completely blown away by The Counterfeits, thanks for joining us all the way from Bristol.

More local talented in the shape of Captain Dangerous whose quirky storytelling songs were a big hit with the crowd.

Next was the only other person who played at first gig same weekend last year and that is Ben Dlugokecki.  Ben and Andy were amazing as usual and I'm so grateful.  Thanks for the hilarity afterwards Ben.  He is the only man that can remember every word of "American Pie" whilst barely being able to stand up!!!

Next up it was Eddyfink who came up all the way from London to play.  They completely "wowed" me and the "Happy Birthday" version was really awesome, best one I have ever heard.  They have a single out today and you can either:  Buy limited signed copy here  (500) or Download it from iTunes.

Junktion 7 is now packed to capacity awaiting the arrival of headliners Censored.  This was most definitely our biggest Great Escape crowd to date.  Thanks for the "interesting" card and messages lads and for most superb hugs throughout the night.  I can't wait to hear "When You Come Along" or any of the other songs and will try and get my hands on a copy of the whole recording.

Next up moment in the night I had secretly been looking forward to the most.  The Warm also all the way from Southampton, who also get better and better all the time.  Great songs, great CD and dead chuffed they cancelled some personal plans to come up and join us.

The Auxiliaries up next in the night with a sterling performance, thanks must go to Nikki (bass player) for selling loads of tickets before hand.

Finished off the night with Starscreen, but not before Helen brought on this huge cake that looked like it was on fire with the amount of candles. Obviously she is unable to count. We popped the bottle of champers courtesy of Ewen and The Four Last Things and celebrated the fact it was Neal of Starscreen's birthday too.  Really enjoyed the set, another band that gets better each time I see them.

Very late now it was time for drunken karaoke thanks to Ben Dlugokecki, who dragged Richard Snow on stage to sing songs including.  "You can  call me Al", "Mrs Robinson", "Losing my Religion", "American Pie", (all 29 verses), Rich doing Erasure, but biggest surprise was when Ben played "Living on a Prayer" – move over Bon Jovi!  They were joined on stage with Neal and Gaz of Starscreen to do some songs and Nathan did some fab Ocean Colour Scene.

On the whole an excellent night for charity and a great birthday party!  Only dampner on the night was the amount of drunk teenagers around.  Not sure who these kids are or where they came from, but not really something I want at these nights.  Also a little disappointed with the volume of Calendar sales.  If anybody wants to buy a calendar, please get in touch with me.

Left Junktion 7 with Helen and Andy and stopped at Helens for the night after raucous party at hers involving conversation and white hot chocolate before going to bed at about 4am.  Thanks for your hospitality mate.

Woke at Helen's and after a cuppa and a shower there was just enough time to get into town and meet Boyd and Simmo of the Warm for lunch. Dlugoman and Andy were supposed to join us but were halfway home at that time…shame on you!!!  Had a lovely time and it was nice chatting for a couple of hours before they headed home.

The day just got better and better but not at liberty to divulge further details lol, just looking forward to next weekend and going away for a whole different birthday celebration.

Finished off my birthday weekend with my housemate Flowerpot by downing a few glasses of vino before bedtime.

Thanks to everybody that joined us for the day, especially those who made a lot of effort involving trains, and hotel rooms.  I so very much appreciate it and I had well as the title says…"The Best Party Ever"

Thanks to Matt, Nathan and Chris for pulling out all the stops and selling loads of tickets in advance and for just being superb as always.

Feel free to post some pictures :o) x

Hugger of the Year Award

Well as you all know hugging is incredibly important to me and I thought I would compile a list of best huggers from last year.  Obviously the overall super award goes to boyfriend Phil, but seeing as that is a little biased here is the best of the rest....

1.  Dave bassist of twenty5stories (man those are super hugs that last for minutes at a time)

2.  Chris Censored Drummer (there is only one Christophe Goring!!)

3.  Barney - bassist in Odi's band (well what can a girl say about those hugs?)

4.  Bwen  The Henry Road Drummer (so genuine)

5.  Sam - Junktion 7 Barman (stress relief hugs)

6.  Ewen - The Four Last Things (sexy) Drummer

7.  Richard Snow (so comforting)

8.  Mike - Story One Drummer (there seems to be a drumming pattern emerging here)

9.  Ben Dlugokecki (when he can be arsed lol) or is it Andy?

10.  Scott of Starscreen (For the most improved hugs)

Remember....YOU ARE ONLY AS GOOD AS THE HUGS YOU GIVE! 

The Great Escape Alldayer on 27th Jan

This Great Escape Charity All-Dayer follows the 10 bands 10 hours held a year ago in Nottingham. This gig is held in support of Cancerbackup, a charity that provides much needed support and information to cancer sufferers and their families –http://www.cancerbackup.org.uk We hope to raise much needed awareness and funds for the charity and also to display the fabulous calendars done byhttp://www.beautyandthebreast.co.uk 

The lineup confirmed are as follows and in alphabetical order):

My lucky 13

Adam Smith (London - ex Derby) http://www.myspace.com/adamsmithuk

Captain Dangerous http://www.myspace.com/captaindangerous

Censored http://www.myspace.com/censoredville

Chris Fry (Manchester) http://www.myspace.com/chrisfrymusic

Dirty Saint http://www.myspace.com/dirtysaintlive

Dlugokecki (Southampton) http://www.myspace.com/dlugokecki

Eddyfink (London) http://www.myspace.com/eddyfink

Intruso http://www.myspace.com/intruso

Richard Snow & The Inlaws http://www.myspace.com/richardsnow

Starscreen http://www.myspace.com/starscreenonline

The Auxiliaries http://www.TheAuxiliaries.co.uk

The Counterfeits (Bath) http://www.myspace.com/thecounterfeits

The Warm (Southampton) http://www.myspace.com/thewarm

Doors will open at 4pm and we are kicking off at 4.30pm. Tickets will be available at all Censored gigs at £5 in advance or on the day before 6pm. After that it will be £7 on the door. If you can't get to any gigs, but want to ensure a ticket you can pay me through paypal at livemusic4charity@yahoo.co.uk

If you want to know more about my reasons for doing this you can read my websitehttp://www.livemusic4charity.info The information on there goes back to a gig in September. But the charity page tells the story. Also I have 6 biggies in the pipeline for this year which will include some more nice support slots.

I really appreciate your support of The Great Escape and I urge you all to come to this All-Dayer and do your bit for charity. Also check out the calendars on this link above, I will be selling some on the night.

Thats it I think, feel free to ask for more info if you need it.

Margi x

PS: Anybody able to design me a super duper leaflet for this charity gig?? Please email me on the above email.

The Great Escape 2006 Review

• Well we are almost at the end of 2006 and on a lovely autumn evening on 30th September we started The Great Escape.  These nights have showcased some great local as well as out of town bands and have proved to be quite popular.  Mostly thanks to resident band Censored.

  
  

  Saturday, 30th September

  First Great Escape was on 30th September and you can read all about that here.

  
  

  Wednesday, 25th October

  2nd Great Escape was on a Wedneday night unfortunately but we still had a relatively good turnout.  This gig was part of the Oxjam festival and pictures were taken by John Rouston and can be viewed here.

  This gig had Tom Wardle filling in last minute to open the show.  Memories of his set includes him doing a cover of cheesy Wham song "Club Tropicana" and then wanting to do a duet with Matt of Censored of "Wake me up before You Go Go".  They ended up cover "Sunny Afternoon" by the Kinks.

  The Crooks were up next and blew me away as always and I could not help thinking why there were not more people there to see them.  Personally my fav Crooks song is "Little White Sheep".  Must have them back soon.

  Censored then came on playing slightly earlier and of course mesmerised the "Censored Barmy Army" and were on top form again tonight.  "Your Eyes are made of Gold" was a super dedication, but think that my current fav is "When You Come Along" (but that will probably change by next week!!).

  Up last were London boys Eddyfink who came highly recommended and I could see why.  I totally love Andy's voice and their songs had my feet tapping and me wanting to dance.  Loved "In for me" and found this song sticking in my head for days afterwards.  New Single "Immuno" is also fab and due for release 1st Feb.  Kate and I chatted to Andy, Martin, Jonathan and Michael in car park for ages afterwards and I liked them and their music so much that they are returning for January Great Escape so make sure you come and see them then!

  
  

  Friday, 24th November

  This night was opened by Paul Herron of The Sons.  He played acoustically and his songs were awesome but made all the more special by his hillarious tales in between.  He was very impressed when Helen and I requested "Pigface".  Ask for the reason sometime :o)  He loved playing and we loved having him. 

  

  Next up were Southampton band Recreation that played for me earlier in the year at Purple Turtle in Camden.  Simon and the boys drove all the way to be part of our evening and boy did the crowd love them!  I got a personal dedication of "Please don't Leave" and I also loved "Falling". 

  

   

  The Four Last Things then opened up their set acoustically with a special song just for me "Gotta Live" which is very Pearljam'esq and its my new fav.  Will try to put video here, but it might not work so search youtube for roadmutha.  They played a few new songs and despite Rob not enjoying himself much I thought they were pretty amazing.

  

  

  Up next were Nottingham band Euler and first thing I thought when I saw Wes was how much he reminded me of Glenn of 45 Rebellion.  Their stage antics were similar and they even look alike.  Nice lively performance and I have to make sure to check these guys out again.

  

  Censored took stage to mad applayse from the Barmy Army and again were doing what they do best - ENTERTAIN!!  I can't remember the songs or the set list as I was part way through Censored tour and had Censored overload.  But rest assured they were as good as ever.

  

  

  Lots of silly pictures after...

  

  Not to mention house party at ours afterwards....

  
  

  

  Xmas Xtravaganza - Thursday, 21st December

  A night that seemed destined for disaster with the withdrawel of 2 of the bands and one other not having finally confirmed.  But good old friend Richard Snow offered to step in and do an acoustic set at the last minute.

  
  

  I must admit I was a tad worried when at 8pm there was nobody downstairs, even though we sold more than 100 tickets.  But then a bus pulled in from Ilkeston and Junktion 7 came to life with loads of Barmy Army in fancy dress and all looking very Xmassy.  Here are some pics of those who made an effort.

  

  

  First up was Will Jeffrey who for me has one hell of a voice.  I sometimes find it hard to believe that this voice comes out of that man.  He played a spectacular set and chances were that he was gonna have to play again later (if only to fill time).

  

  Next up was The 45 Rebellion who were on top form tonight and their songs were enjoyed by all.  Loved all the old favs but personally enjoyed "Stay Calm".  Best of a bad bunch of pics, if only some people would stand still on stage!

  

  Richard Snow then took the stage with Matt of Censored to do a rare cover of the Stone Roses classic "Waterfall".  I have a video of this rare moment and will try and upload it.  This was followed by another song and for the life of me I can't remember.  Richard then sang "Silent Girlfriend" before calling Helen up on stage to join him with a cover of Crowded House song "Weather with You".  Again look out for the video...

  

  Well biggest surprise of the night was in the shape of Santa (aka Nathan Clarke) and Frosty the Snowman (aka Chris Goring).  What outfits!!

  

  Tried my best to get some pictures whilst the Censored boys were playing but this proved nigh on impossible.  They were on fire and I think its one of the best performances I have seen this year.  You could hardly see them on the stage for the fans.

  

  

  Best moment of the evening was the stage invasion during "Shake", what a finale and a fitting end to an amazing year of Great Escape Events.

  

  

  I have begged Nathan Clarke to do acoustic set and finally managed to get him on stage singing some Ocean Colour Scene, Bob Dylan and Matt joined him for some other old Censored classics.  Also joining them was Ben Haynes (45 Rebellion guitarist) on drums.

  

  Then Ben took over and sang some Christmas Classics convincing me to join him on stage for what I thought was "Fairytale of New York" to find it was "Do They Know Its Christmas".  I so sucked at that one, not that Fairytale was any better, but at least I knew it and this is the point where I pray no one has it on video!!!

  Will Jeffrey did not want to come back on stage he reckons he is too drunk, but I think he is just lovesick...

  

  Its is now midnight and no bugger wants to go home but sadly its curfew.  This is a pic taken after last orders of people left in Junktion 7.

  

  I wanna say thanks to Censored boys for being absolute stars and the flowers were lovely too.  Thanks to all the bands that have played this year and the ones joining us in the future.  Thanks to everyone that has come along this year and especially those who have been to every one. 

  Including these Starscreen boys :o)

  

  Next Great Escape is 27th January and its an "All-Dayer" for Charity featuring minimum 10 bands.  So make sure you get your ticket early on.

  Happy New Year!!!

CancerBacup Ice Ball - 7th Dec 2006

Well its been a week since the Ice Ball and to be honest most of this week I have been spending time reflecting on life, love and the universe. 

To be honest I was not looking forward to the Ice Ball very much but felt honoured that I was invited so went none the less.  Left Derby late after being stuck in traffic for an eternity.  Then made our way down the M1 in the driving rain only for my alternator to fail at Hemel Hempstead and we got towed to nearest garage.

Its now past 6pm and the Champagne Reception is scheduled for 7.30pm and we still have to get to London.  Finally after less than useless service from Green Flag, the Recovery company recovered my car via London to Nottingham for a mere £60.  We arrived at hotel in Bayswater at 7.50pm thanks to some super driving from Recovery man.  Got dressed and hopped in taxi at 8.05pm to Mayfair.  Got to Grosvenor Square Marriott Hotel (which incidently is NOT on Grosvenor Square) at 8.20pm.  I was waiting in lobby whilst Phil went to cash point.  We were greeted and showed to our table.  Sat down at 8.30pm and first course was put in front of us.  Phew!!  Against all odds we actually made it!!

Few huge glasses of red wine later, we met with some lovely people.  Many of whom are in similar position to myself and others who are much worse off.  Two ladies at our table really made an impression on me and I would so very much like to help them.

Both Shona Masters and Tracey Sturgeon have suffered with breast cancer and have had mastectomies this year.  Shona is the brains behind an amazing project for breast cancer awareness and also to raise money for Cancerbackup.  A naked calendar featuring women who have all suffered with breast cancer bodypainted very artistically, check out www.beautyandthebreast.co.uk and buy a calendar!!

Tracey Sturgeon on the other hand whilst also featuring in this calendar, has written a song called "Find the Cure" to hear the song and see some of the calendar in the makinghttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXmBn1hTED4

Next up a lady went up and told her story about suffering from stomach cancer.  She talked of the love and support of her family and Cancerbackup but also mentioned how she had to have her stomach removed this week.  Well she was borderline crying whilst talking and at this point the floodgates opened and I found myself crying like a baby.

You know whilst it sometimes feels that life could be better, there is always someone worse off than what we are.  I keep trying to tell myself this whilst I prepare myself as much as I can for my latest test results on Tuesday.

Ok will try and do some more blogs, will it be The Crimea, Censored Tour, Iceland Part 2 or Tenacious D??