Unofficial Dave fifty-50

adverse camber gigs 2011

2011-01-07T16:51:00.002Z

SAT 29TH JAN GARFIELDS SPORTS BAR UPTON

SAT 12TH FEB STATION CRIGGLESTONE

SAT 18TH FEB CROSS KEYS MORLEY

FRI 25TH FEB OLD MASONS ARMS WOODLESFORD

SAT 26TH FEB ROYAL OAK KIPPAX

SAT 26TH MAR private party TBA

FRI 22ND APR STIRLING CASTLE BRIDLINGTON

FRI 10TH JUNE O'DONOGHUES WAKEFIELD

SAT 11TH JUNE GOLDEN LION PUDSEY

SAT 18TH JUNE GARFIELDS SPORTS BAR UPTON

SAT 30TH JULY POPLAR ALTOFTS

SAT 3RD SEPT CROSS KEYS MORLEY

SAT 1ST OCT GOLDEN LION PUDSEY

SAT 29TH OCT POPLAR ALTOFTS

FRI 4TH NOV STIRLING CASTLE BRIDLINGTON

three cheers for the volcano...not

2010-04-19T17:53:00.003Z

Another day of losing money hand over fist thanks to a load of dust. No flights means no work for me. It has now been a full week without earning a penny.

Just hope the other one doesn't erupt!

tiger bay gigs 2010

2010-01-06T16:11:00.012Z

SUN 17TH JAN DUCK AND DRAKE LEEDS
SAT23RD JAN WHITE CROSS PUDSEY
SAT 6TH FEB GOLDEN LION PUDSEY
SAT 20TH FEB GEORGE IDLE BRADFORD
SAT 13TH MAR SAVILLE ARMS HUNSWORTH
SAT 1ST MAY O'NIELLS LEEDS
SAT 22ND MAY private party FARSLEY
SAT 29TH MAY GOLDEN LION PUDSEY
FRI 4TH JUNE THE TARN YEADON LEEDS
SAT 26TH JUNE WHITE CROSS PUDSEY
SUN 11TH JULY DUCK AND DRAKE LEEDS

FRI 16TH JULY BOLD PRIVATEER WROSE BRADFORD

FRI 24TH SEPT WORLDS END KNARESBOROUGH

FRI 1ST OCT THE BRANCH SHIPLEY

FRI 22ND OCT CROSS KEYS SKIPTON
SUN 5TH DEC DUCK AND DRAKE LEEDS
SAT 11TH DEC WHITE CROSS PUDSEY

adverse camber gigs 2010

2010-01-06T15:53:00.018Z

SAT 16TH JAN private party SNAPETHORPE CLUB WAKEFIELD
FRI 29TH JAN ROSE AND CROWN METHLEY
SUN 31ST JAN THE BRIDGE ALTOFTS
FRI 19TH FEB GOLDEN LION PONTEFRACT
FRI 26TH FEB CRIMEA CASTLEFORD
SUN 28TH FEB BAR ST WAKEFIELD
FRI 19TH MAR OLD MASONS ARMS WOODLESFORD
SAT 20TH MAR ROYAL OAK KIPPAX
FRI 26TH MAR CRIGGLESTONE WMC WAKEFIELD
SUN 4TH APRIL ADMIRAL DUNCAN WAKEFIELD
MON 5TH APRIL GRAZIERS STANLEY WAKEFIELD (5.30PM)
FRI 9TH APRIL ROSE AND CROWN METHLEY
SAT 10TH APRIL GOLDEN LION PUDSEY

FRI 16TH APRIL POT OIL WRENTHORPE

FRI 23RD APRIL private party BRIDGE ALTOFTS

FRI &TH MAY BARNBOW SOCIAL CLUB CROSSGATES LEEDS

SAT 8TH MAY ADMIRAL DUNCAN WAKEFIELD

28TH MAY CRIMEA CASTLEFORD

MON 31ST MAY GRAZIERS STANLEY WAKEFIELD (5.30PM)

SAT 5TH JUNE ROYAL OAK KIPPAX

FRI 2ND JULY OLD MASONS ARMS WOODLESFORD
SAT 3RD JULY THE HOP LEEDS
SAT 10TH JULY ADMIRAL DUNCAN WAKEFIELD

SAT 17TH JULY GARFIELDS UPTON

FRI 23RD JULY O' DONOGHUES WAKEFIELD OFF thanks O'D's

SUN 25TH JULY BAR ST WAKEFIELD 7PM
FRI 30TH JULY LEE BRIGG CLUB WAKEFIELD

FRI 6TH AUG THE HOP WAKEFIELD

SAT 7TH AUGUST ADMIRAL DUNCAN WAKEFIELD

FRI 13TH AUG POT OIL WRENTHORPE

SAT 14TH AUG TRAVELLERS STANLEY WAKEFIELD

FRI 20TH AUG private party NORMANTON

SAT 21ST AUG private party EASTMOOR WAKEFIELD

FRI 27TH AUGUST ROYAL OAK KIPPAX

SAT 28TH AUGUST POPLAR ALTOFTS

FRI 17TH SEPT CROSS KEYS MORLEY
SAT 18TH SEPT ADMIRAL DUNCAN WAKEFIELD

SAT 16TH OCT GOLDEN LION PUDSEY

SAT 23RD OCT THE HOP LEEDS

SAT 6TH NOV ROYAL OAK KIPPAX LEEDS

SUN 14TH NOV THE GRAZIERS STANLEY WAKEFIELD 6PM
SAT 20TH NOV private party SOUTH LEEDS STADIUM LEEDS

FRI 26TH NOV THE HOP WAKEFIELD

FRI 3RD DEC THE HOP LEEDS

SAT 4TH DEC KETTLETHORPE HOTEL WAKEFIELD

THURS 9TH DEC BAR ST WAKEFIELD

FRI 10TH DEC THE STIRLING CASTLE BRIDLINGTON

SAT 11TH DEC POPLAR ALTOFTS

FRI 24TH DEC ADMIRAL DUNCAN WAKEFIELD

never mind the cock

2009-12-01T18:44:00.002Z

To replace our ill fated gig at the cock inn this coming saturday we will now be playing a sunday teatime slot at the Graziers Stanley Wakefield commencing around 5.30pm.....just a warm up for our boxing day spectacular at the same venue.

cock off

2009-11-30T19:37:00.001Z

Unfortunately our gig this coming Saturday 5th Dec at the Cock Inn Alverthorpe will not take place as the establishment is now closed.

local band history 1985

2009-10-12T15:49:00.005Z

A few months after Beware the dog had breathed its last my friend and ex work colleague Nick Gill had renewed enthusiam for the live music scene since he had been writing several original songs. Wishing to form a band to get these heard, an amalgamation of the ex Beware the dog remaining two and Nick's ex bass player, James Day from his school band Glassroc became the solution. Since we knew of a very competent drummer in Dave Cartman, ex BTD drummer and vocalist Pete handled lead vocal duties only. In our wisdom the band became known as Passionkiller.
Line up me and
NICK GILL rhythm guitar and vocals
DAVE CARTMAN drums (currently with Versonic)
JAMES DAY bass
PETE KNAPTON vocals

The set consisted of several of Nick's new songs and some Beware the dog originals. Some pictures exist from our gig at Haddon Hall in Leeds which I will post when they are unearthed.
However the collective enthusiasm very quickly began to wane and other life priorities began to take preference. My retirement from the live music scene was confirmed and little by little my equipment was sold. The final nail in the coffin was when I sold my beloved black Les Paul Custom for the princely sum of £280...aaaaaaarrrrgh!!!

new gigs for adverse camber and tiger bay

2009-10-04T11:50:00.001Z

gig list updated for both tiger bay and adverse camber.....click on sidebar link for details

pink rock 2009

2009-05-28T16:29:00.004Z

Adverse Camber were delighted to be involved in Pink Rock 2009 at the Cross Keys Morley last Saturday 23rd May. Bands all day and lots of money raised for Breast Cancer charities. All organised by sue from One Fat Spider...some pics below tell the tale.

Front row of Adverse camber's pink rock girls Organiser Sue with camber supporters Debbie Louise and Mel

the name fifty/50 is no more

2009-05-28T16:11:00.003Z

Since fifty/50 were formed in 2005 there are now only two original members left...myself and mick and since we both are involved in our newer project Adverse Camber all future gigs will go under the Adverse Camber name. Fifty /50 drummer Rockin' rick now reverting to his first love sound engineer/show co-ordinator/general slave driver with the new band. The "croation sensation" Anton Kolaric now takes up bass duties and Andy Mapplebeck plays drums in the slightly rockier incarnation.

Lots of gigs already in the diary for this year...see sidebar for full details.

Adverse camber in action at Pink Rock 2009 CROSS KEYS morley

further gigs update

2009-04-10T14:24:00.003Z

Gig list has been briught up to date today.....please see sidebar fof full details.

gigs update

2009-03-25T11:45:00.000Z

A few changes to our gig list updated today...see sidebar for details.

protect your ears

2009-02-20T16:24:00.004Z

A recent report suggests that listening to loud music can stimulate hair growth , particularly in the ears. However, keen Adverse Camber fan Moosa Patel (pictured below) stated in his opinion there was nothing to be worried about.

andy's birthday bash

2009-02-17T22:33:00.006Z

Last sunday saw all the members of adverse camber's new line up..........birthday boy andy mapplebeck above....

dave mountain...not new at all!!

mick hayward.......ditto

anton kolaric...very new!!

and a few friends convene at the Graziers for a shindig to celebrate our drummer andy's birthday. A jolly good time was had by all. The pub was packed to capacity and proceeded to bounce uncontrollably through two sets by adverse camber and John Kemp's solo acoustic set during the interval. The second of the two sets well overran our curfew and featured the afore said John Kemp on lead vocals in Born to be wild, a guest performance by Tracy McAlpine singing Valerie in Amy Winehouse stylee and an unforgettable show by rockin' Rick fronting the band to blast out Whole lotta rosie, She sells sanctuary and Message in a bottle....fantastic feelings to see friends old and new having a really good afternoon............enjoy the pics.

the rockin'rick parkinson

croatian sensation

2009-02-04T15:53:00.003Z

All change in the bass playing department of Fifty-50. Andy Quirke has now got his new project up and running with the entry on the live scene of the Cardinals in conjunction with Gary And Ian from Freeloader. We are delighted to have now secured the services of the "croatian sensation " Anton Kolaric to take over. Anton lives in Sheffield and is well known to us since he has stood in admirably in the past when needed and we are overjoyed to now have him on board permanently.

tiger bay live at last

2009-01-09T18:18:00.004Z

Eventually Tiger Bay....me and my mates from the early 90's....have actually agreed a date for our reincarnation....Sunday 12th April at the Commercial Inn in Pudsey. For all the upto date info or just to laugh at the old pictures in the history section see the new web site at http://www.thetigaz.co.uk/ or hit the link in the sidebar. The 2009 version features all new material and not the rock you saw in the 90's...I wonder.................

Adverse Camber have the following gigs in 2009

2009-01-09T18:11:00.019Z

Sat 10th January private party HOPETOWN CLUB Normanton
Sat 17th January ROYAL OAK Kippax
Sun 15th February GRAZIERS Stanley Wakefield (Andy's birthday do) 5pm
Sat 21st Feb BAY HORSE Marygate York
Sun 1st March BAR ST Wakefield
Fri 6th March UNION Wakefield
Sat 14th March private party HENRY BOONS Wakefield
Fri 27th March HARK TO MOPSEY Normanton
Sat 28th March OLD MASONS ARMS Woodlesford
Sat 4th April JESTERS Ackworth
Sun 5th April CRIMEA Castleford
Thurs 9th April BAR ST Wakefield
Sat 11th April private party Pontefract
Fri 24th April OLD MASONS ARMS Woodlesford
Sat 25th April CASTLEFORD PANTHERS Castleford
Sat 2nd May GARDNERS ARMS Lofthouse Wakefield
Thurs 14th May BAR ST Wakefield
Sat 16th May FOURWAY Castleford
Sat 23rd May charity event CROSS KEYS MORLEY (5pm)
Sat 23rd May GOLDEN LION Pudsey (9.15pm)
sat 29th May CROSS KEYS Morley
Fri 5th June GRAZIERS Market st Wakefield centre
Sat 13th June GRAZIERS Stanley Wakefield
Sat 20th June private party Crofton
Sun 21st June SUN INN Hunslet Leeds
FRi 26th June BRONTE Normanton
Sat 4th July private party Wakefield
Sun 5th july BAR ST Wakefield
Sat 11th July JESTERS Ackworth
Sun 12th July GRAZIERS Stanley Wakefield
Sun 16th August BAR ST Wakefield
Sat 29th Aug LUPSET HOTEL Wakefield
Sun 30th Aug GRAZIERS SUMMER EVENT Wakefield (outdoor) afternoon
Sat 5th September GARDNERS ARMS Lofthouse Wakefield
Sat 12th September WHITWOOD Castleford
FRi 25th September OLD MASONS ARMS Woodlesford
Fri 2nd Oct BRONTE Normanton
Sun 4th Oct BAR ST Wakefield
Sat 10th Oct GRAZIERS Stanley Wakefield
Fri 16th Oct SLIPPER Crofton
Fri 6th Nov THE WHITWOOD Castleford outdoor plus fireworks
Sat 7th Nov TRAVELLERS Stanley Wakefield
Fri 13th November CROSS KEYS Morley
Sat 21st November HALFWAY HOUSE Robin Hood Wakefield
Fri 27th November OLD MASONS ARMS Woodlesford
Sun 6th December GRAZIERS Stanley Wakefield 5.30pm
Sat 12th December BAR ST Wakefield
Sun 20th December THE LION Castleford
Sat 26th Dec GRAZIERS Stanley Wakefield 5.30pm

gigs update

2008-12-01T17:30:00.001Z

New Adverse camber gigs added in Dec...Wrenthorpe,Castleford, Kippax...see side bar for all details.

loadsa newgigs

2008-10-07T18:18:00.001Z

Just added lots of new gigs for both Adverse Camber and Fifty/50 in Oct Nov and Dec...... see gig list on side bar for more details. All shows are free to attend...see ya there.

busy weekend

2008-09-03T13:26:00.004Z

Just completed three gigs in three nights at the weekend and feeling suprisedly perky. A great welcome for fifty/50 at the Arkle in Morley on Fri nite just a shame there weren't many punters. Then on to the Gardners Arms in Lofthouse for the first of two nights with Adverse Camber...a new venue for us. Pretty small set up wise but all our fears were dispelled by a fantastic reaction from the audience....seeing a mini sweaty moshpit in front of the band within what appears to be a quiet village pub took some believing. Anton's playing on bass was unbelievable as he stood in for Simon who is out of action for some time due to a broken finger sustained at work last week. Hot and sweaty it was as you can see from the pics but very enjoyable.

On sunday another new venue beckoned...The Green Cross at Mold Green Huddersfield...and another belter ensued. Landlord Andy geeted us with a round of drinks and the gig was superb, more moshing and ripping off of shirts...thats the audience not us!... capped off by another free round from Andy...just about the perfect afternoon! Already a return has been agreed on Fri 14th Nov should be a good one since andy told us fridays get really busy...even for normal bands!!...wonder what he meant by that but anyway it sounded good.

the hog didn't make it

2008-08-28T18:18:00.005Z

Is this the Graziers!!?

Just to let everyone know what a success Sundays charity day at the Graziers was. Large thanks are in order to Graham Kearsley and sound man ’H’ for the superb staging, PA, and sound. The Graziers car park was transformed with several large parasols and straw bales for seating. However at 1pm as we were sound checking the bass and drums the pub had their first complaint from a neighbour who announced that the "bass was vibrating her back door" . Lucky I was not on the other end of the phone ’cos my retort would have been "in that case why not face the other way and you may enjoy it!!" This was before the full band played a note. Needless to say she made further complaints later but we battled on. Amazingly the weather was fantastic and consequently the size of the crowd and money raised was incredible. The hog never made it past 5pm .

A great set from Anything but Cute opened proceedings...even complied with my request for Feeder’s Just a Day.

ABC

John Kemp then gave us an acoustic set

followed by Adverse Camber who were joined by ex Eric and Bare Essentials Phil Wardle on 2nd guitar for half a dozen songs. The second set featured a guest spot on vocals from Camber sound man and fifty/50 drummer rockin’ Rick Parkinson who loosened the wax in everyone’s ears with his rendition of Whole lotta Rosie and Led Zep’s Rock and Roll among others. One of the most enjoyable days gigging I have ever done. Thanks to all who contributed their hard earned cash in aid of Wakefield Hospice.

bank holiday bonanza

2008-08-15T09:47:00.002Z

Plans are now well advanced for our appearance under the Adverse camber guise on Bank Holiday sunday afternoon. This event is outdoor at the Graziers pub on Aberford Rd at Stanley Wakefield in aid of Wakefield Hospice. The will be a barbeque, hog roast and plenty of live music from a stage in the car park. In addition to a long set by Adverse Camber there will be a set from Anything But Cute and an acoustic interlude from local artist John Kemp. Action will be starting from about 2pm. All welcome ..should be a great day out and even better if the weather is good!

adverse camber more gigs

2008-08-15T09:37:00.003Z

New gigs have been added for Adverse Camber to play this Sunday 16th August at the Ancient Borough Arms in Pontefract at 7pm, then Sat 30th August at the Gardners Arms in Lofthouse and Sunday 16th September at the Boot Room in Castleford. These gigs should see one or two new numbers emerge along with the possibility of more vocal input from rockin Rick Parkinson.....you have been warned.... check the the gig link on the left menu bar for all gigs.

clarence gig cancelled

2008-07-31T21:47:00.001Z

Due to a mix up at the Clarence in Huddersfield our date with Fifty/50 there in September has been cancelled. Plenty more chances to see us.

the end for admiral duncan

2008-07-31T21:42:00.002Z

It is sad to report that one of our regular venues has closed. The Admiral Duncan in Wakefield is no more so consequently any previously advertised gigs there are now cancelled.

problems at the admiral duncan

2008-07-23T11:54:00.001Z

Due to problems at the Admiral Duncan in Wakefield our gig planned for this Saturday 26th July has been cancelled.

surprise at the cross keys

2008-07-11T15:28:00.003Z

Following Fifty/50's Friday gig at the Cross Keys in Morley two weeks ago we were delighted to read a very favourable view of our performance on the pub's website www.x-keys.co.uk Simple phrases like "i really like this band" and "they powered through their set" really mean a lot to us coming unprompted from an unbiased and neutral audience member. Landlord and Landlady Howard and Lynne are one of the area's keenest supporters of local live music and it is always a pleasure to play there even if the audience numbers some times leave a little to be desired. Our next date there is Sat 6th Sept when hopefully Saturday night will provide a few more revellers.

late call up at the slipper

2008-07-11T15:18:00.003Z

Big thanks are in order to Anton who stood in admirably last Friday's Adverse Camber gig at the Slipper on Crofton. This was due to the late withdrawal of our regular bass player Simon. However since Simon is shortly on holiday, Anton's success means that he will now also play with us at the Victoria in Outwood Sat 19th July and also on Sunday the 20th at the Graziers if Simon is delayed in any way.
Also a new Adverse Camber gig has just been agreed for Friday 1st August at the Periwinkle in Wombwell, Barnsley. See links on left for all Adverse camber and Fifty/50 upcoming shows. Come along you will not be disappointed.

new gigs

2008-06-09T11:39:00.001Z

Just confirmed new gig with Adverse Camber at the Slipper in Crofton Wakefield on Fri 4th July and with Fifty/50 the day after at the Plantation in Middleton Leeds Sat 5th July. COME ON DOWN!!!!!!!

new adverse camber gig

2008-05-22T17:57:00.002Z

We have just agreed to fill a cancellation at O'Donaghues in Wakefield on Sat 31st May with Adverse Camber. Next gig for me is next Bank Holiday Monday 26th with Fifty-50 at the Graziers in Stanley at 5.30pm. Always vey busy and very hot...and very enjoyable.

chopper aid

2008-05-12T16:48:00.004Z

No it's not U2 it's Adverse Camber!!

Just gone through a weekend of contrasting fortunes. After the disappointment of our scheduled friday gig with Fifty/50 at the Tut n Shive in Yeadon being cancelled at short notice to a double booking, attentions then turned to Adverse Camber's appearance at the annual charity barn dance in Sharlston in aid of the Yorkshire Air Ambulance. We were flattered to asked to headline this evening event in a barn on School House Farm in the village. Due to the size of the venue we arranged what turned out to be a very impressive lighting rig and PA system courtesy of Graham Kearsley who along with Fifty/50's own Rockin' Rick Parkinson provided all the technical wizardry.

So commencing at 10am on Saturday we began the loading of three vans full of gear and some six hours later had transported it and set it up. The co-operation we recieved from the hosts was incredible and apart from worrying a few cows all was in place for a fine evening show.

All went well apart from losing all power just into the second set but after about 10mins delay all was restored and we crawled exhausted off stage at about 12.30am. On reflection perhaps the 11.30 start of that set was a little late. By that time only the battle hardened drinkers were still up and rocking amongst the the scattered bottles cans and comatose or sleeping revellers.

Still it appears that plenty of cash was raised for the cause. It only then remained to return on Sunday at 10am once again to dismantle the whole show,pack it back into the vans and return it all to whence it came. All done by mid afternoon. A helluva lot of work for one show but all for a good cause. Big thanks to all our supporters and dancers...you know who you are.

Some pics below should give a flavour of the day.

Early in the day whilst setting up Mick got an admirer.....nice hair..not bad body but a bit of a big nose!!

Mick Hayward and Simon Kennerley

Immense thanks to Rockin' Rick and Graham for the sound and lights.

THE END

tiger bay have the following gigs confirmed

2008-04-25T15:22:00.004Z

Sun 12th April COMMERCIAL INN Pudsey
Sat 15th August private party Leeds
Fri 11th Sept COMMERCIAL INN Pudsey
Sun 20th Sept SAVILLE ARMS Hunsworth (outdoor)
Sat 17th Oct O'NIELLS Leeds
Fri Nov 20th WHITE CROSS Pudsey
Sat Nov 28th WELLINGTON Eccleshill Bradford

adverse camber have the following gigs confirmed

2008-04-25T15:05:00.017Z

2008
Sat 26th January private party Woodkirk
Sat 2nd Februry TRAVELLERS Stanley
Sun 17th February GRAZIERS Stanley 5pm
Fri 29th February TALBOT AND FALCON Wakefield
Sat 22nd March NEW WHEEL Wrenthorpe
Sun 23rd March private party Normanton GC
Fri 4th April private party Henry Boons Wakefield
Fri 25th April SLIPPER Crofton
Sun 27th April GRAZIERS Stanley 5pm
Sat 3rd May private party Normanton GC
Sat 10th May SCHOOL HOUSE FARM Sharlston Wakefield (ticket only)
Sat 31st May O'DONAGHUES Wakefield
Fri 20th June private party Lofthouse GC
Fri 4th July SLIPPER Crofton
Sat 19th July VICTORIA Outwood Wakefield
Sun 20th July GRAZIERS Stanley (5pm)
Fri 25th July private party Normanton
Fri 1st August PERIWINKLE Wombwell Barnsley
Sun 17th August ANCIENT BOROUGH ARMS Pontefract (7pm)
Sun 24th August GRAZIERS Stanley Wakefield (charity afternoon outdoor party)
Sat 30th August GARDNERS ARMS Lofthouse Wakefield
Sun 14th Sept GRAZIERS Stanley
Fri 3rd Oct HARK TO MOPSEY Normanton
Fri 10th Oct MASONS Woodlesford
Sun 12th Oct GRAZIERS Stanley Wakefield (5pm)
Sat 8th Nov OUTWOOD CLUB Outwood Wakefield
Fri 14th Nov OLD MASONS ARMS Woodlesford
Sun 30th Nov ANCIENT BOROUGH ARMS Pontefract (7pm)
Fri 5th Dec NEW WHEEL Wrenthorpe
Sat 6th Dec private party CROFTON
Sat 13th Dec EASTMOOR RUGBY CLUB Wakefield
Fri 19th Dec BOOT ROOMS Castleford
Sat 20th Dec Private party Wakefield
Sun 21st Dec ROYAL OAK Kippax
Fri 26th Dec GRAZIERS Stanley Wakefield
Sat 27th Dec OLD MASONS ARMS Woodlesford

THE adverse camber

2008-04-25T14:32:00.003Z

I have now played about 10 gigs with Adverse Camber. After originally being a temporary stand in this has now become permanent. The band is very tight and energetic and I am enjoying it immensely. The band can be seen on youtube.com performing "all or nothing" from our first ever gig. Just type adverse camber into the youtube search box and we appear as the top choice. See below pics of who we are.

SIMON KENNERLEY - bass.........also plays with little caesar and no quarter

MICK HAYWARD - vocals........also plays with fifty 50

ANDY MAPPLEBECK - drums........also plays with joe gallaghers noise and keith allen (lilly's dad!)
ahem!

I will add an adverse camber gig list to my sidebar asap. Look forward to seeing you at some gigs.

back on the blog

2008-04-25T14:03:00.003Z

After months of having vey little of interest to report I have finally been spurred into action so a brief catch up is in order.
Firstly I have radically changed my guitar set up mainly by changing my guitar amp. After years of Marshall allegiance in now use a Rivera M100 2x12 combo..details are in the upgraded quick click to my gear on the sidebar.
Also updated is the current Fifty-50 gig list for 2008.
However the bigger news is that since the back end of 2007 alongside Fifty-50 I now play guitar for Adverse Camber and even more shocking comes the revelation that there is to be a reforming of Tiger Bay with all my original buddies from the final 1996 line up. Details of that period in my history will appear in my band history section when I finally catch up. Check out the current Tiger Bay goings on by visiting the website listed in my updated links section.

my record finally beaten

2007-09-11T12:41:00.000Z

Immense congratulations are in order for our vocalist Mick Hayward and his lovely wife Rita on the occasion of their recent wedding. Yes on Saturday 25th August Mick finally beat my record of lasting longer than anyone I know before getting married. I hope he also can beat my record for staying married!!! A very enjoyable day was had by all assisted by the wonderful weather and the plush setting of Oulton Hall.

The band provided some live music on the night sharing time with Jim Santana singing his Elvis tribute. Thankfully the average age of the dancers was considerably greater during his performance but that meant everyone was catered for. A few pics below should give a flavour of the day.

The happy couple.

The toilets were all busy.

Mick gets to the front of the queue once again.

Look!...just tell that Simon Cowell he'll have to ring back. I'm at a wedding but I just can't remember who's.

Surprise guest ....Robert Palmer.

quids for the kids

2007-09-11T12:19:00.000Z

On Thursday 11th October we are proud to be part of a fund raising evening of live music in aid of several childrens charities. This will take place at the Wardrobe in Leeds opposite the bus station and close to Leeds Playhouse. We are scheduled to play a slightly shortened set commencing about 8.45pm....Third of four bands on the bill. This is a great venue and we are excited to be part of it. Entry is by ticket only costing a mere five pounds. Please contact either Andy on 07710 015834 or me on 07729 158266 if you wish to be part of a great musical evening.

wheely good bank holiday

2007-05-30T18:10:00.000Z

Never mind the bank holiday weather 'cos we were inside on Monday aft sweating our balls off in The New Wheel at Wrenthorpe. It turned out to be one of our best do's ever thanks to the packed audience. Nice to see some eight legged musicians enjoying the show. Let the pics tell the tale...........

The sweaty aftermath

Another possibility for the caption contest.

Getting amongst 'em!!

One afore mentioned eight legged one...I counted at least three!!

Yeehah!!

Thanks to everyone who turns out to see us....it would be rubbish without you. Scunny on Sat 2nd June.....possibly being filmed for clips on our upcoming myspace site.

new gigs confirmed

2007-05-08T14:27:00.000Z

Just confirmed are first time gigs at THE PLANTATION in Middleton Leeds on Fri 9th June and ASKERN CENTRAL CLUB the following Saturday the 16th June. For full listings click on the FIFTY 50 GIG section on the left menu bar.

home again

2007-04-11T20:59:00.000Z

The correct way to play air guitar.......would you tell Tony it wasn't!!

The lovely Sarah who performed a superb version of Pink's Who knew..... learned for one night only!!

Me n Andy auditioning for the gurning contest.

Mick in full concert mode.

The pics tell the story of our "home" gig at the Graziers, Stanley.....superb and HOT as usual.

twice in a week

2007-03-08T20:15:00.000Z

We have just completed a busy week for us...two gigs!!!! on the 24th Feb we finally managed to win over the audience at the Cross Keys in Morley. They overcame their subdued manner and really enjoyed themselves even on the dance floor as the picture shows. We really enjoy playing for Howard and Lynn and finally their audience displayed the same enthusiam as they have for live music. We were pleased to recieve a good independent review of the gig on www.rockofthenorth.co.uk an excellent forum for local musicians and fans alike, and also on the Cross keys website www.crosskeysmorley.blogspot.com

I'm sure there must be a caption suitable for this pic from the night. Any suggestions please in comments.....thanks.

And so to Wednesday the 28th at a new venue the New Wheel in Wrenthorpe. Being a Wednesday we weren't sure what the audience would be like but it turned out busier than expected and even got Simon from Black Rising to join us on She sells sanctuary...allowing our bass player Andy free to throw some shapes whilst adding his always superb backing vocals without the restraints of his guitar......see below!!

It all went so well despite a few gremlins that we have accepted the offer of returning on Bank holiday Monday the 28th May for a special late afternoon gig (around 4pm) should be a belter.

Next gig is at the Graziers, Stanley, Wakefield on Sat 24th March our only live show this month.

all systems go!!

2007-02-22T18:55:00.000Z

Despite the recent cancellations we are fully revved up to finally conquer the Cross Keys at Morley this Saturday 24th and swiftly follow that up with a rare Wednesday gig at a new venue for us The New Wheel in Wrenthorpe Wakefield.......not to be confused with the Wheel at Wrenthorpe about 1/2 mile away!!!!! any support at either venue would be much appreciated.

Sorry!!!

2007-02-22T18:53:00.000Z

Another cockup on the gig front has meant that we are unable to play our scheduled gig at the Ringway Horsforth on Sat 28th April but chek the gig list for our next date there.

gig cancellation

2007-02-10T17:26:00.000Z

Regrettably due to family commitments we have had to cancel our scheduled gig at the Dalesman Denby Dale on Sat 17th March....However we are looking forward to our next visit there in June.

chuffed at the new inn

2007-01-15T16:42:00.000Z

Thanks to everyone who came out on a miserable January night on Saturday to the New Inn at Churwell. I think we all expect January gigs to possibly be a bit flat but not a bit of it. Yet again this venue proved to be a gem. Plenty of people in and obviously out to have a good time. Loud and enthusiastic response right from the conclusion of our opening song hardly waned right upto our finale some two hours later. It would be nice to think that some of this Morley based enthusiasm may be evident on our return to the town at the Cross Keys in February.

Good to see Sam Eric was able to get off the bog long enough to catch a few songs albeit looking a bit pale. Hopefully fully recovered by next week for his Mojo gig at this venue. Fifty-50 will be rockin' again this coming Saturday night at the Grey Horse in Wakefield, a new venue for us so as usual any support will be much appreciated.

over excitement at the graziers

2006-12-28T12:10:00.000Z

Thanks to everyone who came out last saturday to the Graziers at Stanley. The packed house made for a suberb evening for the band. A new song by the Calling...Wherever you will go recieved much praise....... the re-introduction of U2's Vertigo with rockin' Rick once again bustin' a gut on lead vocals...... and last but not least the reappearance of our long absent female vocalist Gemma all made for an enjoyable surprise for the band and audience alike.

However a couple of famous or should i say infamous members of the audience appeared to become a little too excited!

Special thanks go to Mick's biggest fan.....the lovely Rita......his fiance and landlady of the Graziers for allowing us to play on such a great night.

A return visit will be forthcoming early next year.

fifty-50 have the following live performances confirmed

2006-11-13T15:32:00.017Z

2008
Sat 5th January ADMIRAL DUNCAN Wakefield
Fri 1st February NEW WHEEL Wrenthorpe
Sat 23rd February TUT N SHIVE Yeadon
Sat 8th March ADMIRAL DUNCAN Wakefield
Fri 14th March THE TERRACE York
Mon 24th March THE GRAZIERS Stanley Wakefield
Sat 26th April BLACK SWAN Normanton
Fri 9th May TUT N SHIVE Yeadon
Sat 17th May ADMIRAL DUNCAN Wakefield
Mon 26th May GRAZIERS Stanley Wakefield (5.30pm)
Fri 13th June THE BARGE Brighouse
Fri 27th June CROSS KEYS Morley
Sat 5th June PLANTATION Middleton Leeds
Sat 16th Aug GOLDEN LION Halifax
Fri 29th Aug ARKLE Morley
Sun 31st Aug GREEN CROSS Mold Green Huddersfield (5.30pm)
Fri 24th Oct JARDYS Birstall
Sat 1st Nov CROSS KEYS Morley
Sat 15th Nov GOLDEN LION Ripponden
Sat 22nd Nov ST LAWRENCE CRICKET CLUB Pudsey

ghouls gremlins and birthdays

2006-11-06T18:59:00.000Z

Hectic week just gone with two gigs. Firstly on Tuesday we played at the evening function following a full costume Halloween wedding in Castleford
......Think the pictures say it all but not having played for a while we were somewhat below par and combined with some electrical gremlins we left a little deflated with our performance but the guests seemingly had a good time at what was an unusual function to say the least. Congratulations and thanks to Dawn and Tony.

Friday saw us entertaining at Robbo's birthday party for the second year running....a real glutton for punishment....this time at Primrose Hill WMC in Wakefield. And what a difference...on a stage and in a room designed for live music and also having played only three days earlier we really rocked!! When we get the correct environment we really are a cracking band (not biased in any way).
Anyhow we hope to match it at our next show at the CROSS KEYS Morley on Sat 18th Nov. A home town gig for me so hope its a cracker.

band history 1982-1984

2006-10-20T14:32:00.000Z

Unfortunately by December 1982 Steve Taylor had fulfilled his ambition to be singer and frontman of a band and decided to leave, taking his vocal talents and combining this with acting in an amateur dramatics group.
Drummer Pete Knapton felt confident in being able to carry the vocal duties as well as drumming. Unusual but not unique in those days...remember Phil Collins in Genesis after Peter Gabriel left. The three piece Beware the Dog was born.

Not having Steve Taylors pop influence anymore this line-up developed a much heavier sound and within a few months the band produced a far rockier three song demo tape featuring three original songs......the title track Victim along with CrimeDoesn't Pay and the superb Lose Control which stood the test of time and featured much later on the Tiger Bay CD in 1995.

Halifax, Huddersfield, Leeds, Bradford and Hebden Bridge regularly had their collective ear drums excercised by this line-up. The highlight being a support slot to Hanoi Rocks in Bradford. We had learnt through previous experience that on such occasions it was the norm for the sound engineer to bypass several of the PA speakers when the support band was playing so as to make the headline band sound far better. Being wise to this we decided to cross the sound engineer's palm with a couple of notes in order to ensure we got the full PA sound during our set. The success was confirmed when next day when I saw a friend of mine who had been to the gig and his first comment was "you lot were F****** loud last night weren't you"!! ........Yeeeehah!

After a time and probably in the search for something new we tried once again to go with a second guitarist. Steve worked with an accomplished guitarist Dave Pinder who joined us. We worked a few things out and a few gigs ensued until on a Saturday night whilst setting up for a gig at the Royal Park in Leeds we were concerned about the non-appearance of our second guitarist. Just before we were due to start the pub recieved a phone call from the Huddersfield Police to inform us that Mr Pinder was detained there for the evening on suspicion of SHEEP RUSTLING!!!!! Cracks were beginning to show. Steve had increasing family commitments and to his credit he tried to recruit a replacement so as not to cause a break up of the band. However this did not work out. This left Pete and me with no more mates to complete the band so by mid 1984 Beware the Dog was no more.

band history 1980-1982

2006-10-20T11:46:00.000Z

In spring of 1980 due to the demise of One Adult my attentions turned away from music and lead me try out as a rider for Heckmondwike Cycle Speedway club. This managed to combine my love of regular speedway racing and my childhood obsession of riding my push bike. I was succesful in gaining a place in the team as reserve and was promptly informed that at the weekend we had matches in both Edinburgh and Glasgow!! This resulted in three more seasons pedalling hell for leather and spawning several noteworthy incidents not music related so these will suface at another time.
The relevance being that in early 1981, after hearing about my band past, a fellow team member Steve Taylor told me he would like to sing for a band but had never done so. I didn't need much encouragement for the old bug to begin biting so we decided to start the ball rolling, despite the fact he had stated that his singing idol was Barry Manilow!!!!!!
Conveniently Steve's brother-in-law Pete Knapton played drums and was recruited. The obvious chice for bass was my old mate from Dirty Doris days, Steve Davies who still had his gear and was playing infrequently and not very seriously at the time. Unusually for me I decided we may benefit from a second guitar player. A work colleague (Asda strikes again) Nikki Gill seemed to fit the bill as his own band Glassroc had gone into meltdown.
The first rehearsal was in my rented one up one down in East Ardsley, not ideal but the neighbours were out, or at least they were by the end of the afternoon! However it soon became clear that Nick's heart wasn't in it so we pressed ahead as a four piece. (Nick will surface big style later!) We decided on the name BEWARE THE DOG
So the line up was me and,

Steve Taylor - vocals ( center)
Steve Davies - bass ( far left)
Pete Knapton - drums and vocals ( far right)

We managed to write collectively many pacy pop rock type songs playing them mainly around the pubs in the Bradford area notably the now defunct Vaults Bar and the Crescent. The set was augmented by a few select covers....The shape of things to come by the Headboys and Teenarama by the Records spring to mind......In June 1981 we recorded a demo tape entitled Jack in the Box, featuring four songs.....the originals I Don't now, Cheating honey, Waiting Walking and the aforementioned Headboys cover. Through this we managed to create some interest from the local media having complimentary articles in both the Yorkshire Evening Post and the Telegraph and Argus, but most notably getting regular airplay on what was then Pennine radio in Bradford and on BBC Radio Leeds culminating in a live session broadcast on their evening local band show (very nerve racking as I remember). There then followed the second studio session producing three more original tracks....Psycho (yes another Ripper song), Lost in my own little world, and the dubious Car crash. Beware the Dog continued in this incarnation until December 1982.

not sport aid

2006-10-07T16:19:00.000Z

Regrettably due to the Rugby League playoff final taking place next Saturday evening our scheduled gig at the New Inn Churwell has been postponed. It should be rescheduled for sometime in January. Details will be announced as soon as the date is confirmed.

fifty-50 rock hits the admiral duncan

2006-09-14T18:14:00.000Z

After a longer than expected holiday break the band are back gigging this Saturday at The Admiral Duncan on Thornes Lane in Wakefield. It's been along time since we played there so not sure what to expect but if we get a few "home" fans in I'm sure it will be a great night.
We seem to be having intermittent problems in getting our official site to update so check her for upcoming gigs and news.

change of gigs

2006-09-01T18:49:00.000Z

Fairly quiet on the gig front due to holidays but please note that the previously advertised gigs at the Pudsey St Lawrence cricket club on Saturday 2nd Sept and the gig at The Graziers Inn, Stanley on Saturday 7th October will not now go ahead on those dates but both will be re-arranged.

hot stuff at the graziers

2006-08-01T16:48:00.000Z

As predicted the temperature in the Graziers on Saturday night felt like 50 degrees but it failed to put a damper on anything.......even Rick's shorts.

Roared on by the "home " crowd the band perspired their way through another energetic set. Once again our Killers cover lit the blue touch paper and we never looked back.

Many thanks to Rita at the Graziers and everyone who endured the heat to make our night another beauty.

Here's some more hot stuff.......she wasn't at the Graziers but maybe next time.

waaaaaaa!!

2006-08-01T16:23:00.003Z

waaaaaa No1........who put that bl***y pedal board there!!!
and....... waaaaaa!! No2................. This is the moment captured for all time when Mick and Andy found out that they were not getting their dummys back until after the gig!

live in your front room

2006-07-25T13:27:00.000Z

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to have a band play live in your front room? Well one member of the band doesn't have long to wait to find out because, at short notice, we will be playing a gig at The Graziers Inn on Aberford Rd at Stanley,Wakefield this Saturday 29th July. This just happens to be where Mick lives.......not a joke he really lives there. It's quite a small venue..well tiny...so if anyone fancies being deafened in a atmosphere akin to a Bankok prison cell, get yourselves along to what will probably quite a unique night of live music.
All four tracks from our new 4 track cd entitled "Planned accidents" will feature along with all the other live favourites. Come early 'cos I reckon it will be packed.

eastern trip a success

2006-07-24T16:37:00.000Z

A peaceful sunny hot day spent in the picturesque East Riding town of Beverley was rudely interrupted by four noisy, badly-shorted visitors on Saturday. Yes Fifty-50 were in town at the Sun Inn.
As seems to be the way these days the audience was worryingly sparse as we started at about 9.30 but by 10.30 the place was rockin'. A very loud and appreciative audience made the trip very enjoyable as did the band's pre-gig curry.
Should make for another good night on our return in September.

recording stars

2006-07-13T15:16:00.000Z

Stop press.........Hot on the heels of our starring!! role on the radio Fifty 50 are breaking new ground by undertaking the bands first visit to a recording studio tomorrow.....friday. So hopefully some acceptable quality Fifty 50 material will soon be available.

radio stars

2006-07-13T15:04:00.000Z

During our gig at Bojangles in Pudsey the other week we were approached to appear on a program about Pudsey bands for West Leeds Community Radio. I regret to announce that the airwaves have been polluted by an interview with our bass player Andy over some live snippets from that gig.
The interview aired over our version of When September Ends preceeded by one of the great rock and roll intros of all time from our frontman Mick who announced "Get thi' leeters art..cum on!!" Then our version of Feeder's Buck Rogers featuring out of breath backing vocals from our overworked drummer Rockin' Rick closed our piece. That's what real music is about!!
Our thanks to Lou and Harry from West Leeds Community Radio.

send for a builder!!

2006-07-03T12:16:00.000Z

Another superb night at Bojangles in Pudsey last Wednesday night thanks to all the "home" support. Particularly the mothers and teachers from Greenside school who cheered the night away.....just shows what good advertising can do....thanks to the school for that. It seems that the bar ceiling may never be the same again but at least we shook away years of dust.....unfortunately onto the band, the audience, the bar staff and into several drinks. Luckily this did not dampen the enthusiasm which was unrelenting throughout the entire evening. Once again we had to dig deep and play our entire current repetoire to keep the baying crowd happy.
Hopefully, ceiling permitting, we will return later in the year.
Thanks everyone for yet another great night.

tossing it off

2006-06-24T08:36:00.000Z

Not much to report on the music front due to band members tossing it off on holiday.....see the evidence!!

However back to the important stuff........We are playing tonite at a wedding function in Outwood and don't forget we are back out in the community (wardens permitting) next Wednesday the 28th at Bojangles on Lowtown in Pudsey. Given our connections to the town and on the evidence of our last gig there it should be something special.

the talbot rocks it's socks off

2006-05-21T12:38:00.000Z

We've found another gem........No not another female vocalist but another excellent local gig.
Last night we had a superb night giving our all for the very appreciative crowd at the Talbot on Bradford Rd in Batley. We were made very welcome by the staff and audience alike. Not the best publicised gig in the area but on last nights evidence one of the best. Comments such as "the best band we've had here" really make all the hard work worthwhile.
Can't wait for our next gig there.

heading out east...again

2006-05-08T14:36:00.000Z

After our succesful foray into Hull to play the Barham earlier in the year we have just agreed to head east again to play two dates in Beverley. Think the pub concerned is the Sun Inn on Sat 15th July and Sat 30th Sept. Stay tuned for further info and check out the bands official site at www.fifty-50.me.uk

snotty april

2006-05-08T14:27:00.000Z

Apologies for lack of posts recently but spent most of April laid low by flu and then classic hay fever symptoms even though I have managed fifty years without ever suffering from it before. Hopefully more keyboard action in May. Gigging at a new venue for us the Talbot on Bradford Rd Batley Friday 19th.

the poplar amazes once again

2006-05-08T14:13:00.000Z

On the face of it the Poplar at Altofts is not the most appealing of venues but last Saturday yet again it provided the backdrop for a great gig. Unnervingly underpopulated at the beginning of our set, a couple of songs in, a reasonable crowd had materialised. What makes this venue special is that although numbers are not huge it is frequented by people who really enjoy good live music and they let the band know it.
We are definately looking forward to playing there on the three or four return dates already in our diary.

have you seen this man?

2006-04-09T09:24:00.000Z

A man was spotted in Ossett last night using a crude 70's disguise in an attempt to chat up younger women. . Authorities are looking for an ageing rock star trying to relive his youth. All females in the area are advised to be on their guard.

mr bojangles has gone deaf

2006-03-30T00:37:00.000Z

Playing in Pudsey, Andy's home town and my home for 10 yrs was expected to be something special and last night at BOJANGLES proved to be just that. It was over a year since we last played in the town so we were long overdue. It was fantastic to see so many old friends in the audience whom I don't get to see very often these days and thanks to them it was a very special night for me. Along with several Fifty 50 virgins who sang along to GreenDay ,the Killers the Buzzcocks and several more all made for a fantastic party atmosphere on a wet Wednesday night. Probably one of the smallest venues we have ever played but created a big atmosphere......bring on the next time.

ace bloke

2006-03-20T19:20:00.000Z

This man on Bass is Dave Close of the Erics but as the more observant of you will have noticed there is not another Eric in sight. This is because on Saturday night Dave saved our gig at the New Inn at Churwell by stepping in at very short notice after our regular bass player Andy became unavailable. He learnt almost all our songs in three days and ensured that the gig on Saturday was a complete success. Wot an ace bloke!

free live music for everyone

2006-03-16T22:27:00.000Z

A busy weekend ahead with two pub gigs Friday and Saturday. Both at venues we have enjoyed in the past. The Village at Normanton, Castleford Rd close to junction 31 of the M62 on Friday, and on Saturday at The New Inn on Churwell Hill ,Churwell, Morley. Everyone welcome, free entry and action starts around 21.15hrs.

sexy new gear live!

2006-03-10T17:41:00.000Z

Fifty 50 bass player Andy has bought a new Ampeg bass rig consisting of head and a 8x10 cab. See it performing at our newly announced gig on Friday 17th March at the Village in Normanton and the day after at the New Inn Churwell.
I didn't know he'd ever been to Tonbridge!

band history 1979-1980

2006-03-10T15:02:00.000Z

The original Sly Fox and One Adult mk 3 below.

After Gulliver Rob had joined a band called APB unusually featuring two bass players, two Rob Well's and a Pete Wells, none of whom were related. They then modulated into THE SNOOTS featuring dynamic frontman Mick Woodward. When, in Rob's word they left him behind we decided to give this music thing another try. Rob had been hanging out with a friend of his from Batley Art college Lee Walsh aka Lee Valone. We thought he had the ability to sing well and Rob saw in him a potential Mick Woodward. Although reluctant at first, he agreed to be our vocalist. A bass player was sought and lo and behold Simon Verity Mills from Prinz Eugen days brouht along his considerable talents to play bass. We came up with the name SLY FOX. As always Robert and Lee provided some inspired lyrics and music which along with my two penneth gave birth to some excellent original material. Playing mainly in around Leeds and Bradford we attracted the attention of no other than local Leeds promoter John Keenan. After playing at his F club night at what was then Brannigans on Call Lane he spotted on some of our promotional material, a cinema ticket with the words one adult. He was not keen on our name and suggested that we become ONE ADULT. Being the impressionable youths that we were we accepted the advice and changed our name.
SLY FOX/ONE ADULT 1 (1979) me n

Lee Valone - vocals (later to form pop duo ENGLISH EVENINGS).
Simon Verity-Mills - bass
Rob Wells - drums

After a few months Simon once again veered off into space and York based bass player the late Bill Berni answered our advert and came on board. In Rob's eyes this was the most creative and innovative version of the band however the strains of travelling from York and our work ethic of rehearsing two or three times a week took its toll and he left after a few months. Sadly a few years later Bill was murdered in his own home in York by one guy and two girls he had befriended at a local pub. They were caught and I believe they are still serving time. TV's calendar program reported Bill as being a loner.

ONE ADULT 2

Lee Valone - vocals
the late Bill Berni - bass
Rob Wells - drums

Once again adverts were posted and we welcomed Bradford based ex TRAMPUS bass player Chris Bartlett. This was the longest lasting and most succesful line up.

ONE ADULT 3

Lee Valone - vocals
Chris Bartlett - bass
Rob Wells - drums

Continuing to write excellent songs and playing frenetic gigs, including a couple of mass brawls, we managed to get several excellent reviews in the local pop press, the YEP and Telegraph and Argus.The best of which filled jounalist Nick Keyhoe's Rock On column in the T&A with the headline "One Adult are going to be BIG" The B nW photo above appeared in the YEP. Lee had proved to be an inspirational frontman and we got several prestigious support slots at the Fforde Grene opening for Quartz, Jenny Haan ex Babe Ruth vocalist,Nick Lowe and ex ELO violinist Nick Kaminski. However the highlight in our calendar was always the Sunday lunch spot at the Princeville WMC in Bradford sharing the bill with a stripper. We thought we had made it when after our set the unfortunate stripper got booed off because the audience wanted more of us! Our progression had resulted from the hard work of our friend and manager Mark Wilson and thanks should also go to our roadies Pete and Richard alias Shiny Temple now a very succesful business man in his own right.

One studio session produced a four track cassette featuring original songs 'Hardman/Richman' 'Street by Street' 'Trevira Trousers' and a cover of Tom Petty's 'I Need to Know' - still in existence today! But by February 1980 divisions had developed. Rob had taken up the offer of a job in Kuwait later that year and Lee believed he could further his musical career elsewhere. To his credit he did, quite succesfully, obtaining a record deal under his duo's name of English Evenings, releasing two singles and appearing in the studio on Saturday mornings kids telly of the day along with an airing of the video of their single 'I will return'. He was the face of One Adult and irreplacable. The entry of 23rd Feb in Sounds announcing "One Adult play a long weekend of gigs at Leeds Gladrags 21st, Leeds Royal Park 22nd, Bradford Palm Cove 23rd and Leeds Staging Post 24th proved to be our last ever. (four gigs in four days - those were the days!!,)

band history 1977-1978

2006-03-10T13:59:00.000Z

Myself,Robin and Charlie having tasted the big time!! did not wish to quit yet but we were without our mentor Les and Simon(Verts) who had reputedly gone on a visit to his own planet.We continued our association wth the Fountain Inn in Morley but we needed a vocalist and a bass player. Robin decided to migrate to bass and fellow drinker Alan Ward became the vocalist. Since these were punk times ability to sing did not seem important. This band was GULLIVER.
GULLIVER (1977/78)

Alan Ward - Vocals
Robin Buttrey - bass
Charlie James - drums

We played mainly original material, all of us having some hand in the outcome. During 1977 and early 1978 we played locally at such long lost Leeds venues as Vivas Wine bar - a live band every night - The Haddon Hall, and the prestigious Fforde Grene (how we got to play there I'll never know) gathering a small but enthusiastic band of followers along the way. We even got as far as Dewsbury as the pic above from the Turk's Head proves! We added my old mate and ex Dirty Doris drummer Rob Wells to play extra percussion but unfortunately it couldn't mask our lack of real quality or our general appeal so we agreed we had taken things as far as they could go.

local band history 1976

2006-03-02T12:40:00.000Z

One evening in 1974 after lessons a pupil at Batley Grammar school was entertaining his schoolmates by playing T-Rex songs on his guitar. His name was Paul Beever and one of his schoolmates there that evening was me. I thought "I want to be able to do that."
By 1976 we had left school but remained friends and since by then I had learned to play it was no surprise that we decide to form a band. Another schoolfriend Matt Parkinson was press ganged into singing, Paul's friend Rob Wells had some drums so he was in, in fact the pair of them had done one gig together as a pre-tribute band T-Rex, but we had no bass player. Then along came Steve Davies who we got to know since he regularly collected his girlfriend from the place we worked. He couldn't play bass but said he would like to, so that was good enough for us. We should have been called Asda Morley since we all worked for, or had connections there but the DIRTY DORIS BAND! was born.
DIRTY DORIS (1976) me and:

Matt Parkinson - vocals
Paul Beever - guitar
Steve Davies - bass ( later to play with BEWARE THE DOG and 25 RIFLES)
Rob Wells - drums (later with GULLIVER, SLY FOX/ONE ADULT, THE DENTISTS, THE SNOOTS and DIRTY MAX)

We wrote our own material with Rob and Paul being the lyric writers and Paul and I doing the music. Rob's religious and mythical lyrical overtones spawned such greats as Jesus don't you p*** on me and Knaresborough Zoo. We never did any gigs, pehaps because we never knew how to get one. We really were crap and things fizzled out but we had a few laughs.

Later that year through both Asda and nights at the local hostelry, The Fountain Inn in Morley I got to know Les Johnson who played guitar in a band with friends, accomplished folk singer songwriter Robin Buttrey, SimonVerity-Mills and Charlie James. Not sure how, but I managed to jump aboard and played my first ever gig at no lesser place than Hull University. This band was PRINZ EUGEN.
PRINZ EUGEN (1976) me n:

Les Johnson - guitar and vocals (later formed the HAIR RESTORERS and now with the BARE ESSENTIALS - see links)
Robin Buttrey - acoustic guitar and vocals ( later with GULLIVER then the HAIR RESTORERS)
Simon Verity-Mills - bass (later SLYFOX/ONE ADULT)
Charlie James - drums( later GULLIVER, HAIR RESTORERS and currently with CHEESY RIDER)

A mixture of covers and original material written by Les and Robin. Not long after, Les appeared to retire to his bedroom and the band was no more. When he came out the three piece HAIR RESTORERS (see above) started growing..............next episode soon.

How I create my version of music

2006-03-01T21:55:00.003Z

For all the techy heads out there this is the gear I use onstage.
My main guitar is a Black Les Paul Custom 1974 with a Seymour Duncan custom 5 pickup in the bridge position. Alternatives are a Hamer Californian 1988 in midnight blue and a Tokai Explorer sporting a dimarzio 36th anniversary PAF in the bridge position. This is usually prepared with alternate tunings. The original signal from guitar is fed to an AKG wireless system reciever then through my Zoom G9.2tt signal processor to my awesome Rivera M100 2x12 combo amp.
Due to my delight with my Rivera I now also possess an R100 2x2 Rivera combo as a backup.
This is the current result of about 20 years tinkering and for the first time I am totally happy with the sound (at least for this week).

To keep the kids away from the fire

2006-03-01T14:28:00.000Z

It appears that I have grasped the technology so look forward to more scary pics of the band.

Two private parties set to rock this weekend

2006-03-01T13:53:00.000Z

Looking forward to two private parties this weekend. Saturday night at the Stoneleigh Hotel on Doncaster Rd Wakefield and then on Sunday afternoon at Sandal. Hope neither complains about the volume......we are a rock band not a karaoke show.