Caught Live (2): The Duckworth Lewis Method @ The Glee Club 29/09/13

The Duckworth Lewis Method (photograph courtesy of Tony Smith)

#594: Hello ... Hello ... my old friends ... It's great to see you once again! The final match of the September 2013 UK tour by The Duckworth Lewis Method could not have been at a better and more apt venue than that of The Glee Club Birmingham yesterday (Sunday 29th September). Amidst much tomfoolery within the ranks of a truly superb live band in their element, last nights gig in the Midlands heartland of The Idle Race, The Move and ELO inspired the quirky cricket pop fivesome to a live performance that was not only note perfect but replete with comedic and downright amusing banter between Neil Hannon, Thomas Walsh and Tosh Flood.

The tidy and impressive support set by John Cunningham, the latter half in tandem with the DLM half of the beloved Pugwash, provided the perfect springboard for the evening as we were treated to songs from his latest album "Happy Go Unlucky" in a suitably intimate environment.

John Cunningham solo (l) and with the Pugwash Two (r)

 If the Nottingham gig back on 9th July was atmospheric then this concert was that, longer, expansive and then some as Neil Hannon (Vocals/Keyboards/Guitar), Thomas Walsh (Vocals/Guitar/ Kazoo), Tosh Flood (Guitar/backing vocals), Simon Little (Bass/backing vocals) and Tim Weller (Drums) bounded on to the stage to that familiar cricket anthem "Soul Limbo" and then proceeded to bat through the majority of the their eponymously entitled 2009 debut album and their latest innings "Sticky Wickets".

 This was the first gig in Birmingham for Thomas Walsh and the evening was filled with his effervescent enthusiasm for all things Idle Race, The Move, Jeff Lynne, Roy Wood and ELO as he paid due homage to two of his Idle Race heroes Dave Pritchard and Roger 'Ollie' Spencer, who were in the audience.

On With The Show: A Gleeful evening

The stage antics of Tom and Neil on the subject of their mutual musical admiration - one almost silent and the other unable to hold back his obvious delight - were truly cherished moments for the packed venue. This amusing yet touching arrival at DLM's musical roots meant that the evening was often  interspersed with short passages where Tom, on the spur of the moment, started impromptu covers of the likes "Lightning Never Strikes Twice" and "Flowers In The Rain" (The Move), "The Way Life's Meant To Be" (ELO) as well as "End Of The Road" and "Please No More Sad Songs"(The Idle Race). Indeed, it was a night of musical education as much as the evening was a concert. The encore was so very special as it included a full DLM performance of "On With The Show" dedicated to the watching Idle Racers: Dave Pritchard and Roger 'Ollie' Spencer.

I have had the great pleasure this year of at last seeing Pugwash in the flesh as well as attending two excellent Duckworth Lewis Method gigs. My admiration of Neil Hannon and The Divine Comedy continues to grow as does my regard for Thomas Walsh, Tosh Flood and Pugwash.

ELO Beatles Forever (ELOBF) recommends "Sticky Wickets" by The Duckworth Lewis Method to all folks who enjoy the music of ELO/Jeff Lynne, Roy Wood, The Move, The Idle Race, 'Brum Beat', The Beatles and related artistes.

Until next "Time" in the ELO (and related) Universe ... KJS ... 30-Sep-2013

Roy Wood: Goin' Down The Road Again

Photo courtesy of Martin Kinch @ Cherry Blossom Clinic

#593: Hello ... Hello ... my old friends ... It's great to see you once again! Former The Move, Electric Light Orchestra and Wizzard front man Roy Wood and his Rock 'n' Roll Band return to The Robin 2 in Bilston near Wolverhampton on Thursday 12th December as part of their seven date "Rock 'n' Roll Christmas Party" UK tour, which also includes a Christmas Special at Birmingham Symphony Hall with The Proclaimers and ELOBF featured artiste Quill. This will be a fantastic opportunity to see one of Britain's greatest songwriters and instrumentalists live. Here are details of the tour thus:

Sunday 8th December

O2 Academy, Islington, London

Tickets: £23.00 each [plus booking fee]

http://www.ents24.com/london-events/o2-academy-islington/roy-wood/3524295

Monday 9th December

The Apex, Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk

Tickets: £22.00 each [plus booking fee]

http://www.ents24.com/bury-st-edmunds-events/the-apex/roy-wood/3529922

Tuesday 10th December

Pyramid & Parr Hall, Warrington

Tickets: £22.00 each [plus booking fee]

http://www.ents24.com/warrington-events/pyramid-and-parr-hall/roy-wood/3529469

Thursday 12th December

Robin 2, Bilston, Wolverhampton

Tickets: £15.00 each [advance] or £17.50 each [door]

http://www.therobin.co.uk/whats_on/giginfo.asp?gigid=3491

Monday 16th December

Symphony Hall, Birmingham

Tickets: £25.00 each [plus booking fee]

http://www.thsh.co.uk/roy-wood-rock-and-roll-band-christmas-special

Wednesday 18th December

Holmfirth Picturedrome, Holmfirth, West Yorkshire

Tickets: £22.00 each [plus booking fee]

http://www.ents24.com/holmfirth-events/holmfirth-picturedrome/roy-wood/3521644

Thursday 19th September

Sheffield City Hall & Memorial Hall, Sheffield

Tickets: £22.00 each [plus booking fee]

http://www.ents24.com/sheffield-city-hall-and-memorial-hall/roy-wood/3529490

ELO Beatles Forever (ELOBF) recommend Roy Wood to those enlightened folks who enjoy the music of ELO/Jeff Lynne, The Move, The Idle Race, 'Brum Beat', The Beatles and related artistes.

Until next "Time" in the ELO (and related) Universe ... KJS ... 27-Sep-2013

ELOBF Gig Guide #13: Q4 2013

#592: Hello ... Hello ... my old friends ... It's great to see you once again! Autumn into Winter 2013 is again looking good for the latest ELOBF Quarterly Gig Guide with another roster of interesting concerts to look forward to. Here are some selected dates and links [more to follow when confirmed] for you to consider checking out during between 1st October and 31st December [Q4] thus:

Wednesday 9th October
Quill @ Garrick Theatre; Lichfield
Tickets: £18.50 each (plus booking fee*)
www.lichfieldgarrick.com/Shows/Shows-Quill

Saturday 12th October
Red Shoes @ Banbury Folk Festival, Oxfordshire
Tickets: £32 each (all day)
www.themillartscentre.co.uk/banbury-folk-festival/sat12oct/day-ticket

Saturday 19th October
The ELO Experience @ Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury
Tickets: £20 each (plus booking fee*)
www.theatresevern.co.uk/shows/music/elo-experience-2013

Friday 1st November
The Traveling Pilburys @ The Feathers Inn, Lichfield, Staffordshire
Free entry
www.feathersinn.co.uk

The ELO Experience @ National UK Tribute Awards, Garrick Theatre; Lichfield
Tickets: £20 each
www.lichfieldgarrick.com/Shows/National-Tribute-Awards-2013

Saturday 2nd November
The ELO Experience @ Victoria Hall, Stoke-on-Trent
Tickets: £23.90 each (plus booking fee*)
www.atgtickets.com/shows/elo-experience/victoria-hall

Thursday 7th November
ELO Again @ St. David's Hall, Cardiff, South Wales
Tickets: £15.50 to £19.50 each (plus booking fee*)
tickets.stdavidshallcardiff.co.uk/WebPages/EntaWebEvent/EventSeatBlock.aspx

Saturday 16th November
The Abbey Road Experience @ Aldridge Youth Theatre, Staffordshire
Tickets: £10 each (concessions: £8 each)
www.aldridgeyouththeatre.org/G1.html

Phil Bates @ The Next Floor, Tenbury Wells, Worcestershire

Tickets: £5 each (door)
thefloor.org.uk/coming-up

Friday 22nd November
ELO Again @ The Robin 2; Bilston; Wolverhampton
Tickets: £12 each (advance) or £14 each (door)
www.therobin.co.uk/whats_on/giginfo.asp?gigid=3304

The ELO Experience @ Prince Of Wales Theatre, Cannock
Tickets: £18 each (plus booking fee*)
www.wlct.org/EventID-15961/elo-experience.htm

Saturday 23rd November
Phil Bates @ The Green Dragon, Malvern, Worcestershire
Free entry
mrylandjones.wix.com/the-green-dragon#!live-music/c1f52

Sunday 1st December
Pugwash @ The Lexington, London
Tickets: from £15 each (plus booking fee*)
wordinyourearpugwash.eventbrite.co.uk

Winston's Big Brother @ The Robin 2; Bilston; Wolverhampton
Tickets: £3 each (door)
www.therobin.co.uk/whats_on/giginfo.asp?gigid=3424

Tuesday 3rd December
The Trembling Wilburys @ Dingwalls Club, London
Tickets: £10 each (plus booking fee*)
www.dingwalls.com/listings/events/3dec13-the-trembling-wilburys-dingwalls

Sunday 8th December
The Trembling Wilburys @ The Flamingo On The Pond, Watford
Free entry
www.lemonrock.com/gig.php?id=318371

Thursday 12th December
Roy Wood Rock & Roll Band @ The Robin 2; Bilston; Wolverhampton
Tickets: £15 each (advance) or £17.50 each (door)
www.therobin.co.uk/whats_on/giginfo.asp?gigid=3491

Sunday 15th December
Winston's Big Brother @ The Robin 2; Bilston; Wolverhampton
Tickets: £4 each (door)
www.therobin.co.uk/whats_on/giginfo.asp?gigid=3426

Monday 16th December

Roy Wood Rock & Roll Band, The Proclaimers & Quill @ Symphony Hall, Birmingham

Tickets: £25 each (plus booking fee*)

www.thsh.co.uk/roy-wood-rock-and-roll-band-christmas-special

Saturday 21st December
Dave & Mandy Scott-Morgan @ Kings Way Family Church, Hawkesley, Birmingham
Free entry
www.facebook.com/events/185100791690729

Friday 27th December
The Trevor Burton Christmas Show @ The Roadhouse; Birmingham
Tickets: £12 each (advance) or £15 each (door)
www.theroadhousebirmingham.com/?q=node/523

Sunday 29th December
Quill @ The Robin 2; Bilston; Wolverhampton
Tickets: £9 each (advance) or £10.50 each (door)
www.therobin.co.uk/whats_on/giginfo.asp?gigid=3454

The Orchestra

Former members of ELO and ELO Part II: Mik Kaminski, Louis Clark, Eric Troyer, Parthenon Huxley, Glen Burtnik and Gordon Townsend continue to tour the world extensively. Find out where on their excellent web site here:

www.theorchestra.net

The Move

The Move featuring Bev Bevan, Trevor Burton, Phil Tree and Tony Kelsey will be performing regularly at various venues in the Midlands. Find out where on their web site thus:

www.themove-live.com/dates.html

Trevor Burton Band

Trevor Burton will be performing regularly at various venues in the Midlands with Pez Connor, Bill Jefferson and (occasionally) Tony Kelsey and Abby Brant. Find out where on their web site thus:

www.thetrevorburtonband.co.uk

ELO Experience
This fantastic Hull based ELO tribute band have just won a National UK Tribute Award 2013 as they continue to faithfully reproduce those classic Electric Light Orchestra hits and more live.
 www.elotribute.com

ELO Again

A new South Wales based Electric Light Orchestra tribute act who are now spreading their wings across the UK to faithfully recreate live those ELO hits we all know and love.

eloagain.co.uk

Explosive Light Orchestra ~ Symphonika

Not only an ELO tribute act but an original, independent artiste in their own right Symphonika (a.k.a. The Explosive Light Orchestra) - have reproduced the exciting works of ELO at packed theatres and live music venues around Europe.

elotribute.symphonika.co.uk/Explosive_Light_Orchestra.html

 Off The Ground

Off The Ground - featuring Craig Whale and Adam Willetts from The BeatBack Brothers plus Ian Hammond from The Lemuns - will be performing regularly at various venues in the Midlands thus:

www.facebook.com/pages/Off-The-Ground 

All of the above artistes and shows are endorsed and recommended by ELO Beatles Forever (ELOBF). The above gig listing may be amended periodically, as applicable. Interviews by Yours Truly KJS with some of the above artistes are also planned. See you at the above gigs for a chat?

Until next "Time" in the ELO (and related) Universe ... KJS ... 24-Sep-2013

Caught Live: The 3rd Trevor Burton Charity Show @ Hall Green 19/09/13

The Move featuring Bev Bevan, Trevor Burton, Tony Kelsey and Phil Tree

#591: Hello ... my old friends ... It's great to see you once again! It seemed perfectly apt to travel the thirty or so miles to Hall Green Stadium in Birmingham to attend The 3rd Trevor Burton Charity Show yesterday (Thursday 19th September). And that faith was rewarded by a truly superb evening of top musicianship featuring Trevor Burton, Bev Bevan, Abby Brant, Tony Kelsey, Phil Tree, Pez Connor, Bill Jefferson, Joy Strachan-Brain, Kate McWilliam, Geoff Turton and Danny King in aid of the Hall Green Retired Greyhound Trust and Daybreaks Kennels.

The Trevor Burton Band Americana combo

The evening was superbly coordinated and organised by John and Jan Davis and the event was a credit to them with a excellent sound and lighting rig showcasing a top class bill of artistes from the very home of 'Brum Beat'. First up was the trio who are The Trevor Burton Band with mini-set of sublime blues (including, naturally, "Hey Joe") who were then supplanted by new recruits Tony Kelsey and Abby Brant as well as, later Quillettes Joy Strachan-Brain and Kate McWilliam, to give those gathered a delicious taste of their Americana incarnation. The seven (7) piece combo owned the stage and then delivered what can only be described as a polished set with a Celtic flavour yet very much innovative, much to the delight of the appreciative audience. The guitar cohesion between Tony Kelsey and Trevor Burton on the night also merits special mention.

Mods & Sods (photo courtesy of Rob Perkins)

 Next on stage were Mods & Sods who produced an impressive performance with their live interpretations of classics by the likes of The Who, The Beatles, The Kinks, The Jam and Paul Weller before giving way for the arrival of The Move and friends. It was, as always, great to hear Move classics such as "Flowers In the Rain", "Fire Brigade" and "I Can Hear The Grass Grow" live.

The Move (photograph courtesy of Kieran Gurdin)

Guest appearances by "Made In Brum" band mates Joy Strachan-Brain, Danny King and Geoff Turton brought forth highlights such as the beautiful "Nights In White Satin", "Save The Last Dance For Me" and "Hold Me". For me, the highlight of the evening for this writer was the haunting rendition of Paul McCartney's "Maybe I'm Amazed" - led by the extremely talented Abby Brant on keyboards and vocals. The evening culminated with a full stage giving "Blackberry Way" due justice with the closing "Gimme Some Loving" encore the feel of a inspired jam session.

A successful and enjoyable night delivered not only musical satisfaction but also over £1,000 each was raised for both Hall Green Retired Greyhound Trust and Daybreaks Kennels charities.

ELO Beatles Forever (ELOBF) recommends The Move, The Trevor Burton Band, Quill, Geoff Turton, Danny King, Abby Brant and Mods & Sods to those enlightened folks who enjoy the music of ELO/Jeff Lynne, Roy Wood, The Move, The Idle Race, 'Brum Beat', The Beatles and related artistes.

Until next "Time" in the ELO (and related) Universe ... KJS ... 21-Sep-2013

Hooked On Classics Gig Cancelled

#590: Hello ... my old friends ... It's great to see you once again! Yours Truly KJS &  ELO Beatles Forever (ELOBF) can confirm that the much anticipated "Hooked On Classics" concert with Louis Clark, of course, conducting The English Pops Orchestra at The Fairfield Halls, Croydon on Saturday 21st December has been cancelled. Andy Smith, Artistic Director, announced today via the Hooked On Classics Facebook page that the gig had been shelved due to unforeseen circumstances. He added:

"We will hopefully be back in Bournemouth next year plus a few open air concerts if all goes to plan. Watch this space for the very latest. Apologies to all our Hooked fans. We will be back!"

ELO Beatles Forever (ELOBF) continues recommends both Louis Clark and "Hooked On Classics" to those enlightened folks who enjoy the music of ELO/Jeff Lynne, Roy Wood, The Move, The Idle Race, 'Brum Beat', The Beatles, The Traveling Wilburys and related artistes. We look forward to the return of "Hooked On Classics" in 2014.

Until next "Time" in the ELO (and related) Universe ... KJS ... 19-Sep-2013

Back on the Abbey Road Again!

#589: Hello ... my old friends ... It's great to see you once again! The Abbey Road Experience have just announced via their official web site that they are to return to performing live this Autumn. Founding members Phil Bates, Derek Holt and Steve James have sadly left the project with new boys Mike Tinsley (Vox/bass), Nick Mellor (Guitars) and Darren Ashford (Drums) joining Chris Brighton (Lead vox/guitars) and Colin Noon (Keyboards) on stage. The band will perform the whole of the iconic Beatles album "Abbey Road" live during their first set with these Beatles classics following during their second set thus:

"Nowhere Man" ~ "Don't Let Me Down" ~ "Drive My Car" ~ "If I Needed Someone" ~ "Lady Madonna" ~ "In My Life" ~ "And Your Bird Can Sing" ~ "Let It Be" ~ "Paperback Writer" ~ "Fixing A Hole" ~ "Help!" ~ "Get Back" ~ "Taxman" ~ "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" ~ "Hey Jude" ~ "Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band" ~ "Got To Get You Into My Life" ~ "Back In The USSR"

The band have confirmed these dates so far (with more to follow) thus:

Friday 20th September
Brewhouse Theatre, Union Street, Burton on Trent, DE14 1EB
Tel. [01283] 508100
Tickets: £10.00 each

Aldridge Youth Theatre, Noddy Park Road, Aldridge, WS9 8NQ
Tel. [01922] 458615
Tickets: £10.00 each [concessions: £8.00 each]

Saturday 15th March
Theatre On The Steps, Stoneway Steps, Bridgnorth, WV16 4BD
Tel. [01746] 763257
Tickets: £12.00 each [*plus booking fee]
http://www.theatreonthesteps.co.uk/product/abbey-road-experience

Saturday 9th August
The Roadhouse, Stirchley, Birmingham
Tickets: £6.00 each
http://www.theroadhousebirmingham.com/?q=node/810

The official Abbey Road Experience web site features individual band member biographies and dates as well as audio clips of the band and other useful information thus:

The Abbey Road Experience
Abbey Road Experience Facebook Page

ELO Beatles Forever (ELOBF) recommends The Abbey Road Experience to those enlightened folks who enjoy the music of ELO/Jeff Lynne, Roy Wood, The Move, The Idle Race, 'Brum Beat', The Beatles, The Traveling Wilburys and related artistes.

Until next "Time" in the ELO (and related) Universe ... KJS ... 16-Sep-2013

Three Gigs Near: The Move, DLM & Quill

#588: Hello ... Hello ... my old friends ... It's great to see you once again! The fourth and final ELOBF Gig Guide of 2013 (Q4: October to December) will soon be here as ELOBF Gig Guide #12: Q3 runs its course. ELO Beatles Forever (ELOBF) would like to bring and to your attention and recommend this trio of forthcoming local Midlands gigs featuring ELOBF endorsed artistes The Move ft. Bev Bevan & Trevor Burton, The Trevor Burton Band, The Duckworth Lewis Method and Quill thus:

Thursday 19th September
The Trevor Burton Charity Show @ Hall Green Stadium; Birmingham
Tickets: £20.00 each [*plus booking fee]
www.wegottickets.com/event/229237

Sunday 29th September
The Duckworth Lewis Method @ The Glee Club; Birmingham
Tickets: £24.00 each [*plus booking fee]
www.gigsandtours.com/event/the-duckworth-lewis-method/glee-club

Wednesday 9th October
Quill @ The Garrick Theatre; Lichfield
Tickets: £18.50 each [*plus booking fee]
www.lichfieldgarrick.com/Shows/Shows-Quill

ELO Beatles Forever (ELOBF) recommends The 3rd Trevor Burton Charity Show, The Move ft. Bev Bevan & Trevor Burton, The Trevor Burton Band, The Duckworth Lewis Method and Quill to those enlightened folks who enjoy the music of ELO/Jeff Lynne, Roy Wood, The Move, The Idle Race, 'Brum Beat', The Beatles and related artistes.

Until next "Time" in the ELO (and related) Universe ... KJS ... 13-Sep-2013

Another Art Breaks

#587: Hello ... Hello ... my old friends ... It's great to see you once again! Many artistes with a career of reasonable length will have, most likely, a few record label deals under their belt and a great many releases in many territories other than that of their home audience. Indeed, many fans are intensely familiar with the output of their heroes in terms of the sleeve artwork, track listings and a whole lot more. And it is the same, of course, with avid followers of the Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) and related artistes. ELO have a similar release history on various labels in many countries of alternative album covers as a result of multiple label swaps, re-issues and the like. These alternate ELO (and ELO Part II) sleeves came to mind when I considered this very subject this week. The list is by no means exhaustive but illustrates the subject vividly thus:

ELO 2 / Electric Light Orchestra II

Harvest #SHVL806 (UK) & United Artists #UA-LA040-F (US)

On The Third Day

Warner Bros. K56021 (UK) & Jet/UA #UAG30091 (UK)

The Night The Light Went On (In Long Beach)

Warner Bros. #WB56058 (Germany) & Epic #EPC32700 (UK)

 Secret Messages

Jet #JETLX527 (UK) & Jet #JETDP402 (UK)

Electric Light Orchestra Part Two

Telstar #TCD2503 (UK) & Scotti Bros. #72392-75222-2 (US)

Yours Truly KJS and ELO Beatles Forever (ELOBF) wonder which of the above alternative album art do YOU prefer?

Until next "Time" in the ELO (and related) Universe ... KJS ... 08-Sep-2013

Review: Town (Shifty Chicken Shed)

#586: Hello ... Hello ... my old friends ... It's great to see you once again! Back in January 2013, you may recall that ELOBF published an article in support of a e-petition campaign to call for the prevention of certain web sites block buying venue tickets and re-selling them at extortionate prices on the internet thus:

Petition to Protect All Fans of Live Music

The instigator of that petition was Deborah Harris from the uniquely titled outfit Shifty Chicken Shed hailing from Oswestry in Shropshire. Deborah has stayed in contact and recently sent me the debut SCS album "Town" to have a listen to and review accordingly for ELOBF. "Town" is a quirky and eclectic collection of ten (10) original tracks (plus another somewhat hidden away!) by a band who throw themselves into many musical styles with not only their obvious jazz, blues and funk influences but also - in places - soaring saxophone solos, throaty Joe Cockeresque vocals, nice guitar riffs and even spoken word.

You could say that this recording is experimental and even manic. But throughout it has a progressive feel to it coupled with its subject matter of all things 'local' and in "Town". You can't help but smile after a listen or three. There is comedy here too but also an honest attempt to not conform to musical labels, as evidenced by the many changes in tempo within the songs and the impressive running time of fifty five (55) minutes. I'm reminded a little here of the multi-instrumental expressionism of "Saxmaniac" Roy Wood both in his solo and early ELO material in certain places. The quirkiness of this recording is not unlike that of The Idle Race in their heyday. I quite like it. (8/10)

Trax: "Shroppington Lad" ~ "Dominoes" ~ "Bee" ~ "Needed In Gobowen" ~ "Come" ~ "Black Tie P*** Up" ~ "Pommegranate Beliefs" ~ "Jabby Paws" ~ "Dirty Hands" ~ "End"

ELO Beatles Forever [ELOBF] is pleased to support: Shifty Chicken Shed and managed to catch up with Innes Reid and Deborah earlier this week to ask them these few loaded questions thus:

KJS: I first saw you supporting Dr. Feelgood at The Robin2 last December. After that we chatted on Facebook and a little later, you began a very special e-petition campaign (supported by KJS/ELOBF) didn’t you? Please tell us about it?

SCS: We saw Wilko Johnson and Norman Watt-Roy play at Llangollen fringe last year as well as with The Blockheads at The Robin 2 and we've been avid fans of all including the original Dr. Feelgood line up. I was upset to hear the news of Wilko and thought him very brave to do a final round of gigs. The Robin is such a wonderful venue to both play and be one of the audience. When I heard that Wilko was playing The Robin  I wanted to bid him farewell. The tickets were just £17.25 each but when I went to go on line to my disgust, Viagogo had already bought them out and were charging an astounding £125 each, knowing full well that this would be one of the last Wilko gigs and totally exploiting the situation. I could not let them get away with this, from both an artist and a punters point of view, I had to create awareness of their obscene greed. So I started an e- petition, got involved with The Robin2, and have recently found out that eBay have stopped this sort of behaviour. It is something I will continue to see through.

KJS: I absolutely love the name of the band. But where did it come from?

SCS: Initially, Shifty had two members, Innes Reid and Stewart James. They rehearsed in an old chicken shed, on a farm. It was a skiffle thing. And in the words of Tom Waits: "What's he building in there?" Hence the Shifty part!

KJS: You’ve recently also supported The Rutles. That must have been a real highlight of your career to date. But what other bands have you shared the stage with and what kind of reaction do you get from your audiences?

SCS: Yes indeed! The Rutles were amazing, we never expected that one (thanks to Mike at The Robin). We started sharing the stage back in January 2012 with the legendary: Half Man Half Biscuit, again at The Robin. We then supported Peter Donegan with some of the original members of The Lonnie Donegan Band. Later in the year, we went on to support one of our favourite bands, The Blockheads at Sale Waterside Arts Centre in Manchester and then we were off to The Greystones in Sheffield to support John Otway. We finished 2012 (on 12/12/12) with Dr. Feelgood at The Robin 2. We'll be back again at The Robin in April next year to again support The Blockheads, and also on 29th November 2013 to support Half Man Half Biscuit at Roadmenders, Northampton. Audience reaction? Well we must say that it has been very good and encouraging, hence us getting asked back. Early days were a different story, there have been small pubs we played for free where you could hear a pin drop, no applause, but a thick skin and belief in what you do, (and a few pints) soon puts any doubt to bed!

KJS: Tell me about the new SCS album "Town" – what are its influences and what did you intend with the recording?

SCS: The influences for "Town" were a mixture of seventies slapstick TV, Captain Beefheart, The Blockheads, Funkadelic and Sly & The Family Stone, melded with a blues and punk DIY ethic. Coming from a small Welsh market town, we wanted to create a collection of tongue-in-cheek, colloquial tales put to rhythm and blues psychedelia but without being too up our own ass about it!

KJS: And finally, a question that I always ask ELOBF interviewees – what are your fave ELO and Beatles songs – and why?

SCS: With ELO, it's "Telephone Line" for all of us. Why? It has a great chorus, we like the idea of a long distance conversation to your loved one within a song. It's got great dynamics and builds beautifully. For The Beatles, it's "A Day In The Life". It's as if Lennon and McCartney dissected then spliced it together on reel to reel. Tidy!

Shifty Chicken Shed are: Innes Reid (guitar/vox), Deborah Harris (saxophone/vox), Steve Leeson (drums), Mikey Hopkins (bass/keys) and Dean Newton (percussion/vox). You can check out their official web site for news of gigs and live thus:

www.shiftychickenshed.com

"Town" by Shifty Chicken Shed is available to purchase via email at deborah@hotmail.co.uk and also by contacting the band via their Facebook page. Their debut album will also be available to buy in CD or download format from amazon.co.uk et al in the near future.

Until next "Time" in the ELO (and related) Universe ... KJS ... 05-Sep-2013