Dec 2006
Butlins
19/12/06 16:53
Sunday
10th.
February, Butlins, Skegness
A pretty quick return gig to bracing Skeggie and our second gig at the camp in just over a month. This time we’re up stairs in the cavernous Reds show-room, but thankfully, most of the gear is provided so not much humping. Also we’re only early, in fact the first band on, which is also pretty convenient too. Tonight it’s also a return to the ‘Dave Berry Big Band’ with John Blackstock augmenting the usual four-man line-up with his multitude of keyboards. A brief sound-check gets everything sounding tickety-boo and then retire to the dressing room where those kind Butlins folk have provided us with a large and most welcome plate of sandwiches. 8 o’clock and showtime, and we’re all decked out in our costumes and ready to rock. Also sharing the stage with us is a female mannequin who looks quite sultry and gets better looking as the night goes on! With Chris F. handling the sound from way up in the cock-pit we’re into the set and rockin’ like demented souls. Included in tonight’s set are If You Wait For Love and a steamy version of the great Muddy Waters’ number and one of Dave’s early B-sides Hoochie Coochie Man. Mystery Train is also included and always a great number to play, in fact, as is most of the set. Looking down from behind the kit, it’s good to see a few familiar faces such as Judith and Cliff, Barbara and Sandra all looking up approvingly. With Price Of Love finally bringing everything to a halt we’re fairly knackered and ready for another sandwich. With tonight’s gig being our last till after Christmas, we’re all staying on the camp so we can party for as long as our legs can keep us upright! Our backstage party is now in full swing with the wine flowing freely, care of Dave, and we’re all getting into the Christmas spirit. Out in the Reds bar Union Gap are keeping the crowd very entertained and finish off with a few Christmas songs. Next on are The Searchers who continue the merriment and whip the audience up into a part-frenzy with their set, although I thought their inclusion of the Union Gap’s big number Young Girl a bit inappropriate. Complete with snazzy Christmas caps they too concluded their set with a Christmas medley, although I’m thankful we kept our set to simply playing rock’n’roll. Afterwards we continued to party with young fans Jenny & Toni in tow taking in some more of Butlins, night life. In the end, our bodies had relented and it was time to return back to the apartment for our usual cups of Horlicks, in fact I was so tired that I fell asleep in the arms of that now gorgeous looking female mannequin.
Merry Christmas & A Happy New Year to everybody from The Cruisers
A pretty quick return gig to bracing Skeggie and our second gig at the camp in just over a month. This time we’re up stairs in the cavernous Reds show-room, but thankfully, most of the gear is provided so not much humping. Also we’re only early, in fact the first band on, which is also pretty convenient too. Tonight it’s also a return to the ‘Dave Berry Big Band’ with John Blackstock augmenting the usual four-man line-up with his multitude of keyboards. A brief sound-check gets everything sounding tickety-boo and then retire to the dressing room where those kind Butlins folk have provided us with a large and most welcome plate of sandwiches. 8 o’clock and showtime, and we’re all decked out in our costumes and ready to rock. Also sharing the stage with us is a female mannequin who looks quite sultry and gets better looking as the night goes on! With Chris F. handling the sound from way up in the cock-pit we’re into the set and rockin’ like demented souls. Included in tonight’s set are If You Wait For Love and a steamy version of the great Muddy Waters’ number and one of Dave’s early B-sides Hoochie Coochie Man. Mystery Train is also included and always a great number to play, in fact, as is most of the set. Looking down from behind the kit, it’s good to see a few familiar faces such as Judith and Cliff, Barbara and Sandra all looking up approvingly. With Price Of Love finally bringing everything to a halt we’re fairly knackered and ready for another sandwich. With tonight’s gig being our last till after Christmas, we’re all staying on the camp so we can party for as long as our legs can keep us upright! Our backstage party is now in full swing with the wine flowing freely, care of Dave, and we’re all getting into the Christmas spirit. Out in the Reds bar Union Gap are keeping the crowd very entertained and finish off with a few Christmas songs. Next on are The Searchers who continue the merriment and whip the audience up into a part-frenzy with their set, although I thought their inclusion of the Union Gap’s big number Young Girl a bit inappropriate. Complete with snazzy Christmas caps they too concluded their set with a Christmas medley, although I’m thankful we kept our set to simply playing rock’n’roll. Afterwards we continued to party with young fans Jenny & Toni in tow taking in some more of Butlins, night life. In the end, our bodies had relented and it was time to return back to the apartment for our usual cups of Horlicks, in fact I was so tired that I fell asleep in the arms of that now gorgeous looking female mannequin.
Merry Christmas & A Happy New Year to everybody from The Cruisers