RKmusic

Happy Christmas

"It's Christmas !"

Happy Christmas everyone.

Without wishing to sound too much like the Two Ronnies, here are a couple of items of late news.

Jam Night Up-date – The Christmas / New Year break has been extended by another week,  so the first Jam Night of 2012 will now be on 12th January.  Unfortunately, I won’t be there as I will be recovering from knee surgery.

There’s a Christmas video clip for you to enjoy.  You can find it in the Rob Live section after you’ve clicked on Photos & Videos.

That’s all for now except to say once again, Happy Christmas.

BFN, Rob.

Riff Raff – It’s All Go !

Hello all you Riff Raff fans out there.

Riff Raff were back in the rehearsal studio last night. This was the first time they’d been in covers band mode for some while as their recent energies have been directed towards the recording of their new CD, entitled ‘Hands On’.  They cracked on through a large selection of their live set, racking their brains, trying to

Riff Raff - relaxing in Tilbury, 2006

remember how to play each number.  Apart from a few moments of rustiness, most of the rehearsal actually went pretty well.  The highlight of the evening was when John broke out the flask of Russian Caravan ( that’s a variety of tea, for the uninitiated ) !   Not content with that, John, obviously getting into Santa mode, reached into his bag and produced a box of mince pies too !  The ambassador was well and truly spoiling us !

As for the new album, well it’s due out sometime in 2012 ( hopefully sooner rather than later ), as you may already have read elsewhere on this wonderful RKmusic website.

So ( apart from having no gigs ),  it’s all go on the Riff Raff front !

… And for all you Jam Night fans out there – don’t forget,  Jam Night is now on its Christmas break – click on Jam Nights for details.

BFN,   Rob.

Jam Night – Christmas Break

Hello everyone.

Another great Jam Night last night.

Christmas Greetings

I’d just like to confirm that the Thursday Jam Nights at The Middlesex Arms will be taking a Christmas break.  The last Jam Night of 2011 will be on 8th December  and will start again on 5th January 2012.  This means you can give your ears a well earned rest for Christmas !  So make sure you up-date your diaries, paper, computer or otherwise !

And while we’re on the subject of the up and coming festive season – Happy Christmas and a Happy New Year from Me, Gavin, Lenny and Mac.

Back to last night, Riff Raff Derek ( aka Bongo Star ) was spotted in the heaving crowd, enjoying yet another  ’Marvellous’ Jam Night. This follows a couple of recent sightings of Riff Raff John ( Johnny Unkempt ) at previous Jam Nights.  It all goes to show how much Jam Night is starting to attract a lot of Riff Raff these days.

Any way, don’t forget the crucial dates shown above and we’ll see you all again next week for a bumper Christmas Jam Night … well, as near to a Christmas Jam Night as we’re likely to get ! !

And Finally :   Gavin’s band,  ’The Power Of Soul’  will be playing at The Angler’s Retreat in Staines tonight – See you there !

Cheers,   BFN,   Rob.

Back to the Brewery

Hello everyone.

Well, it’s been pretty busy lately, with recording with the Riff Raff chaps taking priority, as we take another step closer to the completion of the ‘Hands On’ CD. However, there have been other things going on, too !

The Hog's Back Brewery, Tongham

On Saturday afternoon, Rosie and I made a return visit to the Hog’s Back Brewery in Tongham. We didn’t consume on the premesis but needless to say I brought enough home to kick off the Christmas festivities in a few weeks time.  My purchases included several bottles of Burma Star Ale (BSA), a tawny coloured, well hopped, full bodied ale with hints of roasted malt ( y’see, I do like you to be informed about the more technical side of real ale and their varied and distinctive flavours ).  BSA is dedicated to the courage of all those who earned the Burma Star in World War II and Hog’s Back Brewery donates a portion of the revenue from this ale to the Burma Star Association.

In the evening we went along to John’s 50th Birthday Party.  John is a team-mate of mine from the Cricket Club and I also play  5-a-side footie with him too !  It was well attended and I’m sure John had a good time – Happy Birthday John !

Rewind to last Thursday and Jam Night was once again a success.  It was very busy, despite a slow start.  Is it that people still haven’t adjusted to the earlier 9 o’clock start ?  Possibly, but it was regrettable that there were some people who didn’t get to play, as we ran out of time. Anyway, not for the first time in recent weeks, Riff Raff John was in the audience, taking a welcome break from the intense recording sessions at ‘Shabby Road’ for the forthcoming  ’Hands On’ CD !

OK, that’s enough waffling from me, for now.  I think I might crack open a bottle of BSA … makes a change from Russian Caravan or PG !

BFN,   Cheers,   Rob.

Riff Raff recording new CD

Riff Raff were back in the studio this week to record more tracks for their forthcoming new CD.

Riff Raff ... back in the studio !

Various members of the band got together at ‘Shabby Road’ to work on the twelve-track CD, entitled  ‘Hands On’  which is due out sometime in 2012.  Recording on the project has been going on for a while, and its release next year will coincide with the tenth anniversary of the band’s formation.

Riff Raff have always been primarily a covers band, but other than demos, this is their first CD and this one features all their own material !

More work will be taking place over the coming weeks and the band hope the fans will remain patient throughout.  The Riff Raff boys realise the fans’ frustrations in having to wait so long for the release of this classic CD, but feel the wait will be well worth it in the end.  More news will follow as soon as it becomes available.

BFN,    Rob     ( On behalf of   The  Riff Raff  boys )

New Look Gallery

Rob at Jam Night

Hello !

Eagle-eyed regular viewers may notice a different look to the Gallery when clicking on Photos & Videos above.  I think it’s all pretty self-explanatory so I won’t try to explain, other than to say that the photos and videos are now all grouped together under their, hopefully, relevant categories.  This may make finding and navigating a little easier than before.  I do hope so !

Anyway, enough of all this … it’s Thursday.  So see you at Jam Night  tonight  ( Don’t forget it starts at 9 and finishes at 11.30pm these days ! ).

Cheers, BFN, Rob.

5-a-side with Pacific Storm

Hi everyone.

Well what a fantastic day I’ve had today !  My highlight of the day was undoubtedly the Pacific Storm 5-a-side tournament. I was back in goal again, despite my dodgy knees, one of which no longer has the full compliment of cartilage ; both of which are troubled with arthritis ( old age creeping in ! ).

Rob - PSFC

As usual, it was great to see, and play with, all the lads from Pacific Storm. I was lucky to be in the PSFC 1 team with Andy Lo, Joey Man, Vince Mac, Steve Ho, and Ken Cheung. They played the ball around well, took on opposing players, scored some great goals and, for the most part, defended pretty well too. But somehow, it wasn’t our day.  We played four games and things went well at first as we drew the first game. But it was evident that we were getting a bit tired in the second half.  Then, we had to play back to back games.  This took its toll as we were unable to take another point from our subsequent three matches.

But everyone looked like they had a great time, me included, with a bunch of guys who have always been a pleasure to play with, and still are.  At the end of the day, I suppose what’s really important is that they’re all really nice people !  I may not have got to know any of them as really close friends, indeed I have to confess that I still struggle to remember all their names after all this time ( old age creeping in again ),  but my time spent in the company of everyone connected with Pacific Storm FC will always be much valued and I will always have fantastic memories.  Anyway enough of all this.  Next year’s tournament is only 12 months away … I can’t wait !

This evening Rosie and Joel took me to The Swan in Staines, where I had two pints of Fullers Red Fox ( very nice ! ), raising a glass to PSFC and all associated with the the club.

Cheers,  Rob.

Brief Highlights of the Week

Hello everyone.

Well, this past week has flown by and what  fantastic weather we’ve had, to boot !

John - recording at 'Shabby'

The highlights of the week  ( apologies to Harry Hill whose new series of TV Burp starts soon ) :

Wednesday, John came over … Yes, that’s Johnny Unkempt of Riff Raff fame to you and me … to record some more tracks for the CD. We had a productive session, due to be followed up with another session or two in the coming week. Yes, it’s all go at ‘Shabby’ !

Last night ( Saturday ), was the cricket club presentation evening including curry, quiz and mayhem. A very enjoyable night !

Well, that’s all for this rather brief round-up.         BFN,   Rob.

Bank Holiday Weekend Capers

Hi there !

Well, it’s been a busy bank holiday weekend, and no mistake. Here are the edited highlights !

Power Of Soul

Saturday evening was spent at The Crown in Cowley, where Power of Soul were performing and, as usual, Gavin and the boys played some superb soul music. I haven’t been to see them play for some while so it made quite a pleasant change from the usual crash bang, noisy guitar bands which I would normally go and see.  So, next time you get the chance, go and see ‘Power of Herring’ … sorry, I mean ‘Power of Soul’ … I always get the wrong fish !

Earlier in the day I went with Rosie for a look round St. Albans.  A nice change of scenery but the traffic was a bit heavier than anticipated.  Still, we had a quick bite to eat and took a few pictures of the Abbey.

On Sunday, I had a trot out for another game of cricket. I managed seven overs – didn’t bowl too bad !  I picked up a wicket – a rather pleasing little ‘caught behind’ despite still being restricted with my knee  … And we lost !  Oh well, try again next week !   The after-match trip to ‘School Of Spice’ in Shepperton, was well worth the visit.  Good food, good service, and a very nice place to go to tuck into your Jalfrezi !   Cheers Tom and good luck on your travels !

Rosie took me to Hastings on bank holiday Monday, but she wasn’t terribly impressed with the place.  However, we were impressed with The Chequers in Battle ; a pleasant pub we stopped at for lunch. The food was excellent, matched by the friendly staff and service. If you’re  in the the Hastings area and you’re looking for a decent pub, you could do a lot worse than The Chequers in Battle !  ( Hmm, I could be the new Egon Ronay ! ) Right, that’s the end of the commercial … what’s next ? … Not a lot actually !

So, hope to see loads of people at Jam Night on Thursday.  Don’t forget, from now on,  it starts at 9pm and finishes at 11.30pm !   Until then,     BFN,    Rob.

Jam Night moving forward 30 mins

Dave and Pete rockin' at Jam Night

Hello everyone.

Last night’s Jam Night was up to the usual high standard with loads of people performing, listening and having a damn jolly spiffing time ! !  New photos and videos, showing highlights from last night’s jam Night, can now be viewed by clicking on Photos & Videos above.

Anyway, there are a couple of important things to tell you about. Please note that there’s a new time for Thursday Jam Nights at The Middlesex Arms. From now on Jam Night will start at 9.00pm  and  finish at 11.30pm.   Yes, it’s being moved forward half an hour.   Please also be aware, that in future, we will be keeping the lid on the volume. This follows an official complaint which the pub has recently received.  Apart from that, it’s business as usual.

So, hope to see you next week.          BFN,       Rob.