A few weeks ago the band I'm in Dangerous Dave and the Side Effects got offered a few gigs, which were delighted about.
Bad Manners
We were asked if we're free in November for a gig, instantly we said yeah and were then told that it was going to be 3 consecutive dates, the 24th,25th and the 26th. Playing in Belfast, Dublin and Galway on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, respectively.
We are all fans of Bad Manners and while our music isn't exactly on the same lines as Bad Manners music, it is close enough that a half an hour slot opening for them would work well on the night and will hopefully be able to get the crowd going.
It's funny, after accepting the dates, we had a laugh at the fact that nearly 3 years ago to the date, we had supported Electric Six in both Belfast and Dublin. Sadly, because of the lockdowns, plans changed to continue in the same vain, doing support slots for larger bands. But, we are back on the right track now.
Paranoid Visions
Shortly after being given the November dates, we were contacted again about another one on the 10th of December.
Again, we accepted the offer and were then told that Paranoid Visions are having a gig for the 40th anniversary of the band, supported by Subhumans, The Nilz and ourselves. Playing in the Button Factory.
It has been one piece of great news after another, within the space of 2 weeks we'll be playing, 4 really good gigs and we couldn't be happier.
Back To Jamming... Properly
Before getting those dates, we had all been talking about a way of getting back together to do some music, rehearsing mainly, but writing too. The best idea we had was that going through the mixing desk and each wearing headphones was the only way we could do it, without annoying the neighbors... As we don't want a repeat of what happened last time.
We have an electric drumkit, I was given one for a permanent loan, from my girlfriends dad. He bought it to learn, but, soon after building a shed he bought himself a real kit and once he got on that he had no intension of using the electric one anymore. When he heard I had an interest in learning drums he gave me it, which was perfect for me.
With the electric kit, bass, guitar and mic all going through the desk it gave us a decent sound and the ability to mix it, so no one was too loud, or too low. We've been jamming like that for awhile now and it's fairly bad.
It's good for having one, but, there's no feeling there, it's just not the same as playing in a live room together, through real amplifiers. But, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. In the paper there was a notice for a new rehearsal space that opened up, about 2 villages away from us who seem reasonable money wise and they have all the equipment we could need. So, we've rang them up to book every Tuesday starting from next Tuesday and the first jam is free, which is great to be able to go out their and test the waters.
In The Meantime
Until these gigs, we are going to practice and get our set tight, while also finishing off our 2nd album. As well as that, we're going to work with an artist who is going to give us a design for some T-shirts and print a batch for us, the price is reasonable and it'll be good having them, especially coming up to November.
Cheers for reading, I'm pretty excited about the coming months and thought I'd get on here to share my good news. I also have an update about my second band which I'll write a post about soon.
