Hey, welcome to another KT Tuesday’s.
StarDate: Sunday 19th August.
Venue: The Hairy Dog, Derby.
Name: Rock that Sunday.
Promoter: Rotten Roots Promotions.
We decided since we have had a little break since the Scruffy Murphy's gig in Birmingham, we would benefit from a little run through the set a couple of times followed by a night out as a band.
We mostly get together to practice, and gig. So we all agreed it was long overdue and we needed to get out of the studio and away from the sticks and strings to indulge in some good old pub games and a couple of drinks at the local pub.
So I called Phoenix Music Studios in Stafford on the Friday during my lunch break to see if they could offer a practice room for a few hours. I mean we would normally use Robannas but it didn’t make sense to travel from Stafford to Birmingham and back. Then the following day spend more fuel money to go to Derby and back the following day.
I spoke to Dean the owner and he explained the building was being renovated but he had a room complete with PA which was available from 4 till 7pm.
We loaded up our gear and headed the short distance to studio. It was actually quite nice only having to travel ten minutes to practice.
The front of the building is directly on the road and I figured we would head around the back.
I parked the car and pushed the rear gate open and precariously walked down the slope and knocked on the door. This rear entrance was slightly overgrown and as I made my way down the hill I did think, we surely don’t load through this way.
The door opens slightly as I knock, and I shout “hello' anyone there”
No reply so I try again.
I look around and see, it was more of a workshop around the back and I could see a open bottle of cider on the side so I figured someone must be here.
Some more hollering from me and then Dean appears.
He introduced himself and explained it would be too difficult to load from the rear, so to go back around the front and load there.
We pulled back onto the main road and on entering the building, I’m sure he wont mind us saying, but it is clearly being worked on. We said hi to the Electrician working there and continued to load in to the room while ducking under a light rope and avoiding building materials on the floor.
To be fair once we got set up, it was a pretty decent sound.
We were practising at full volume and the play through felt good. I think we were way louder than the PA. But it did feel good, especially the second play through.
Once finished we payed and packed up, then headed back to the house for something to eat.
Those who have me on Facebook may have joined me on my very own KT's “Face-book Live” Cooking Show. With a guest appearance of our very own drummer Spice.
Both me and Spice were giggling and enjoying our chat with you guys as we, well I cooked a curry.
To be honest I enjoyed the Facebook Live, it was really nice talking to people who tuned in and we should do more of them in the future.
We devoured the curry and then got ready to head out. We live just around the corner from a pub and I have been to this place once before.
Really quiet, nice locals and friendly staff.
However I didn’t really expect what happened next.
We walked in and said hello, the landlady even recognised me from a few months back, which I thought was nice.
We shot some pool for a while and then it was after 40 minutes or so, someone noticed there was Karaoke in the next room.
I mean this pub is quite big, and so we went through some doors and round the other side to investigate and all sat down in some seats in the corner.
There was another party of 12 or so on the other side of the room. They looked like they were having a blast and was singing away encouraging their friends to step up and sing.
I went and asked the lady for a book on songs who I later found out her name was Debbie, and she said she didn’t have a book but had most songs on her data base.
Spice was one of the first to sign himself up quickly followed by the rest of us.
Spice did sing solo and I can’t think of the song he did. He’ll kick me for forgetting.
Then Grace and Jake did a duet which was equally as good. Honestly it was great great fun, and the whole room was clapping, cheering and singing along to who ever was on the microphone. It was great fun.
I wanted to do Levellers, One way Life but she didn’t have that.
So I did Breakfast at Tiffany’s and a bit later on with Spice i did Boulevard of Broken Dreams.
Honestly it was a great night. We even did a song where all of us sung together. (I can't remember what that was called either)
We had some more drinks and Grace appeared with some shots. Which I’m not sure what they were but they tasted amazing.
Finally we finished the night with Jake and Spice doing Everlong by the Foo Fighters which people were up dancing with them and singing along. Then me and Jake with the final song of the night and again everyone was up dancing and singing as brought the house down with Whole Lotta Rosie by AC/DC.
It was a great night and we all headed home smiling and laughing. As we were walking down the street.
a little personal note from me.
I love walking back from a night out with close friends, I always stop time and I mean that by, I take a moment to soak those moments in.
Because a real good group of friends is actually a rare thing. It's why I love band life so much.
A much needed letting our hair down and so back home and for more chit chat and I headed to bed about 1am. A big shout out to Debbie Howe the landlady for a warm welcome and terrific night.
We will be back x
The following morning arrived in the usual way and it felt weird to be getting ready to leave for a gig around midday as we are due on stage at 3.30pm. We had to be there at 2pm, for load in and Sound Check.
I figured the place would be empty, but I didn’t really know for sure... I had never seen much of these “Rock That Sunday's”
We arrived at The Hairy Dog, locked the car and made our way in to meet the promotion company called Rotten Roots.
Really lovely people and we were shown backstage and where the free food and alcohol was kept.
We were shown where the gear is to be held and the ramp to the back of the stage.
All set, we just had to wait for the head-liners to sound-check and then we get to set up. A quick chat with the sound engineer about playing our intro and we were good to go.
I used the toilet quickly and came back and seen our Wild Strays logo projected onto the back wall. I thought that looked amazing.Totally made my night, and when we were stood on the side of the stage, we were ready to tear this place a new one.
I just want to give a quick shout out to Phil Taylor who travelled down from Nottingham to see our show. He also somehow managed to take our set list from the stage after our show, which I totally didn’t see :) and had us sign it after the show which was weird but in a totally good way. It was lovely to meet you in person Phil, thank you for taking some pictures and we hope to catch you at another show real soon.
Thank you to Rotten Roots for a great night and warm atmosphere and to Gabriela from Imperfect photography for taking some cool shots. Please check out her face-book page.
I feel this is one of my longest dairy entries yet.
But an amazing venue to play, which sadly we learned that the Council are looking to close this music venue.
So please head over there and give them some love and support.
Fantastic night of bands,. As always I don’t talk much of other bands. But please check them out, they were all amazing.
One quick final note. I just want to give a quick shout out to my fellow band members. They know what for, and I will never forget looking over to each side of the stage hearing those verses being sung. Thank you from the bottom of my heart <3
Here's to us.
Photos courtesy of Imperfect Photography.
That’s it for another week, take it easy and we very much look forward to seeing you all at the next Wild Strays show.
Until next time,
Keep it wild.
KT x