There is a version of the story behind The Beatles song 8 Days A Week that goes:
"...Paul was riding in a limousine to John's house and as they rode along Paul asked the chauffeur how he was doing. The chauffeur replied: “Oh working hard, working eight days a week.”..."
And its has definitely seemed like that this past week.
Last Saturday March the 16th - a lovely morning ( Glyn (my wife)), had gone to York for a long 'girl's' weekend with her sister and our daughter, I was left enjoying a carefree walk round the grounds of Ickworth Hall thinking " easy week, nothing to do". It's at times like that it's important to remember, nothing ever works the way you plan! Within half an hour Karl had been contacted by The Maids Head in Mildenhall about filling in that night for a cancelled band (who had themselves recommended us as a replacement). Who could say no? If you are in a pinch, we are definitely the band to call.
By the time I got home, another call from Karl, Cromer Social Club have contacted us about playing a gig, most of the dates they had available we were currently booked, but they had a cancellation the following Saturday night. Well, who can turn down a trip to the seaside. So two new dates in the gig calendar.
Our first time The Maid's Head went really well, lovely hosts and what can only be described a one of the most responsive and fun audience we have played for. For those that don't know, going to a local venue setting up, playing the gig, then packing up and driving home normally takes about 8 hours, but the adrenalin rush meant that when I arrived home at 1:45 a.m. it took another 1 1/2 hours to slow down enough to sleep! Sadly with Glyn away we didn't have anyone to take photos.
The response from The Maids head was great, with a request to contact them to book a return gig (number 3).
On the Wednesday, another call from Karl, ( he is a very busy man). The White Hart in King's Lynn had contacted us. Can we do a gig on April 13th? It would be our first time playing in King's Lynn so it would be rude to refuse! ( 4th gig booked in 5 days).
Fridays is rehearsal night. This is something we take very seriously; rehearse, rehearse, rehearse. We may come over as a very easy going band with lots of banter with the audience but that is only possible if we know the songs inside and out. It also gives us time to add new material to the set list, which we did that night with Tainted Love (Soft Cell) , and The Chain (Fleetwood Mac). Both of which we would be playing for the first time the following night in Cromer.
The setup at The Cromer Social Club is one of the largest performance areas we have had to play in (other than beer festival stages). This makes things a lot easier to set up but changes the sound check dynamics. The journey time for band members ranged from 1 1/2 hour to 2 1/2 hours each way, so another long night.
As we were a last minuet replacement for a band that had had to cancel , and its certainly a fair way from home, I don't think their customers knew what to expect, but by the response at the end of the night I think we gained a number of new fans, and the icing on the cake, an offer of a return gig for their NYE party night. (gig number 5 booked in 7 days).
So it is Sunday now( the 8th day of a very busy week), and a day of rest. Phone is turned off - just in case Karl tries to call! :+) Larry
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