Hello again to all you Riff Raff fans out there. More big news for you all …

'Hands On' : Riff Raff

… The band’s new CD entitled ‘Hands On’  has now been released, slightly earlier than the previous prediction !

So, you want to get your hands on a copy of  ’Hands On’ by Riff Raff do you ? !

Well folks, now you can as, as from today, the CD is now available on general release !

Full details can now be found on the Riff Raff page.  The Discography page has been up-dated too.

BFN,  Rob.

After nearly two years working on the project, the album will be released on Friday 4th May, with a celebratory private launch at ‘Shabby Road’ studios where most of the CD was recorded.  The whole band will be in attendance with their other halves.  Drinks and nibbles are ready to be consumed as well as the now legendary tea, ‘Russian Caravan’ whilst partaking of the viewing of the DVD.

The album will be available for general purchase on the internet in two or three weeks time. Details are still being finalised so be sure to watch this space !

See the  ‘Riff Raff’  page for more ! !         BFN,  Rob.

Apologies, if you were looking forward to seeing Riff Raff live again after all this time.

BFN,   Rob  ( on behalf of the Riff Raff boys )

John -Drinking all the Russian Caravan himself

Shock … Horror ! ! !   John didn’t bring the Russian Caravan !   Having arrived at the rehearsal studios on Tuesday night, to practice for the forthcoming Riff Raff gig at The George, it quickly became apparent that Johnny Unkempt hadn’t brought any Russian Caravan with him. Instead, his flask was full of sub-standard economy tat !  The whole rehearsal was thrown into chaos with this most serious of over-sights. But the session didn’t go too badly,  so I suppose we can let him off … just about.  When I think how I’ve pandered to his Russian Caravan addiction in my role as Director of ‘Shabby Road Studios’ and gladly poured him cup after cup after cup of the stuff !   And what’s more, he’s coming over to ‘Shabby’ tomorrow to sort out some of his guitar sounds. I bet I don’t have any tea left by the time he’s finished !

Anyway, I’m off to Jam Night this evening,  so I hope to see some of you there.

BFN,   Rob.

Welcome back to RKmusic after a busy few weeks just recently.  Since I last wrote, a lot’s been happening both on the music front and on the non-musical side of things.  Where to start ! ?  Howzabout starting today and working back !

Russian Caravan - Brewed by Camels in China ?

Well this morning saw me and Rosie in Kingston.  Somehow we found ourselves in Whittard’s, emerging with a fresh supply of Russian Caravan ( tea, in case you hadn’t realised ! ).   We have now re-stocked, following recent visits by those Riff Raff boys, who keep coming round and drinking it all !  We should be OK now for a little while at least.

We spent a few days in Worcester last week, staying at quite a nice B&B with a bit of an eccentric landlady who had a hint of Basil Faulty about her. It was a very enjoyable few days none-the-less, also taking in Monmouth, Gloucester, Cirencester and Malvern amongst other places.

On the cricket front, I recently did an umpire’s course.  This was followed by an exam which, I’m pleased to say, I passed !  So I’m now a qualified umpire. Hopefully, I can develop my talents in this direction as time goes by.  I hope to be taking to the field to play as well this season. Having attended the winter net practices, I have been trying to modify my bowling in such a way as to minimise the pressure on my knees. We’ll see what success I’ve had with this strategy when the games start.  The operation I had on my left knee in January went well, but dodgy knees are dodgy knees !  Hopefully they’ll hold out for a bit longer !  An update of my recent cricket exploits will soon appear on the Cricket page.

So, pop-pickers, on to my musical exploits. Thursday Jam Nights have been slightly down on numbers over the last couple of weeks, but are still going well.  There’s a new Jam Night starting at Kings Arms in Hanwell every Tuesday Night from 9.00 to 11.30.  The first one will be on 3rd April and will be on every Tuesday. Hopefully, it will take off fairly quickly. Unfortunately, I’ll miss the first three weeks due to Riff Raff rehearsals. And there’s quite a bit going on with Riff Raff at the moment. There’s the forthcoming gig at The George in Kingsbury on 21st April, hence the practice sessions and “what about the CD”, I hear you cry !  Well the CD, entitled ‘Hands On’, has now been recorded and mixed !  It’s now at the mastering stage so we’re getting perilously near to establishing a release date … details to follow very soon !

So, having divulged my recent highlights, it’s time to raid the Russian Caravan … before I have those awful Riff Raff boys banging on the door trying to get at it.       BFN,   Rob.

'Riff Raff' - live gig shock !

It was confirmed this week that the Riff Raff boys will be back in live action soon.  Following months in the studio, recording their new CD, ‘Hands On’, a gig has landed in their laps like a bolt out of the blue.  Riff Raff , who haven’t played live for some considerable time, have secured a live performance at ‘The George’ in Kingsbury on 21st April. ( See the Gigs page for more details. ) This gives the band some time to sharpen up their live set of covers in preparation. In the meantime work continues on the CD and a limited special edition DVD.  It is hoped the CD will be released in time for the gig so that all the multitudenous gathering of fans will be able to buy copies of the album on the night.  Watch this space ( and the Riff Raff page ) for future ‘Riff Raff’ developments.

On the Jam Night front, last night’s extravaganza was amazingly well attended considering the weather situation. The snow came down all evening, although driving in it wasn’t too bad, as I found to my relief as I made my way back home. A big thank you for Kieran for carrying my amp to the car last night !

Well that’s about it for now.  Back to the mixing desk for me !     BFN,    Rob.

Jam Night

Hi folks !

Yes, tonight sees my return to Jam Night after another enforced absence due to recent knee surgery. I’m looking forward to re-joining the Jam Night fun and frolics and hope to see as many of you as possible.

There’s still loads happening on the the Riff Raff front too.  The ‘Hands On’ project is coming on in leaps and bounds. Recording of the album has been completed and is now in the process of being mixed, so the release of this long awaited CD is now on the horizon. Watch this space for further up-dates folks !

And it’s also possible we may even have a live Riff Raff gig soon. An April gig at one of our old haunts, The George in Kingsbury, is in the process of being sorted out.  Again, further details will follow as soon as confirmed.  This means the band will be having rehearsals in the coming weeks – hope we haven’t forgotten too much !

Robfest, our annual get-together for a specially invited audience, is also being discussed for 2012, with the probable date being Sunday 29th July. Once again, watch this space !

Oh well, that’s just about it for now.  Until next time … BFN,  Rob.

So what’s been happening lately, apart from the festivities ?

" Come On You R's ! "

Well, Jam Night is back on again as from last Thursday. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to be there as I’ve just had another knee operation. Looks like I’ll be out of action for a couple of weeks or so but I’ll be back at Jam Night before you can say ‘bum note’ !

The Riff Raff CD, ‘Hands On’ is nearly all recorded. Just a few bits left to sort out.  It shouldn’t be too many weeks now, before it can all be mixed and mastered. Watch this space !

Other than that, I’ve been following the fortunes of QPR. Regrettably, they parted company with manager Neil Warnock but now have a more than able new manager in Mark Hughes, so hopefully, looking to the future, there are good things ahead. It’s a shame about our current not-so-coveted place in the bottom three of the Premier League. And they lost 0 – 1 at Newcastle today !    I’m confident our results will improve soon though.                                 …   “Come On You R’s” !           Oh well, time to go and rest my knee again.             BFN,  Rob.

" Happy New Year "

Hello and Happy New Year everyone.

I’ve just re-instated my  New Year Video  which loyal RKmusic fans may remember from last year.

Just click on Photos & Videos and then the Rob ‘Live’ section to see it - for a limited period only !

Have a great start to the new year.

BFN,    Rob.

Rob & Ian - 'Shabby' Christmas

Hello again !

There are a couple of Christmas goodies on the website which I’ve recently bunged on.

The latest and greatest ( ? )  has just been put on for your festive merriment.  It’s The Two Riff Raffs in ‘Christmas at Shabby’ !   Yes, Ian teamed up with me recently on his keyboards for a festive musical offering at Shabby Road Studios in front of the ‘Shabby’ Christmas tree – Most entertaining !

This is in addition to the previous Rob Live Christmas clip.  Just click on the links to view !  Hope you enjoy the videos and all your Christmas festivities.

Happy Christmas from Riff Raff !