I’ve not had a moan for a while....
Current mood: annoyed
Category: Music

I've not had a moan for a while....but this week I have had 4 acts let me down for booked gigs, how bloody annoying.

Suffice to say do not expect to see: Andy Newton, The Finest Hour, Outspoken Silence or Whitefire at a Music HQ gig at any venue in the forseeable future.

To say I am pissed off is putting it mildly, only one act bothered to send any sort of explanation, thanks Whitefire, but it was too late to sort out an alternative act so not of much use really but at least they could be bother to type a couple of sentences.

Anyway, upwards and onwards go check out http://www.myspace.com/musichq to check gigs where acts will turn up (I hope !)

6:06 PM - 3 Comments - 4 Kudos - Add Comment

Some questions to help us for 2008
Category: Music

Happy Christmas/Yule folks, a bit of help would be appreciated in this merry time of year, at this time of year we like to look back and celebrate what has gone well with Music HQ and try and improve things that didn't.

Good things include updating some of our PA gear, doing loads of succesful gigs and festivals, helping lots of local bands/acts do CD launches, play gigs out of town, generally make more of what they have as well as meeting loads of cool people at gigs (playing or attending).

But what we want next year is to try and make sure every gig is well attended for the acts benefit and to make us happier (if you didn't already know 90% of our gig profits are shared out between the acts who appear and the rest is ploughed back into Music HQ to promote more gigs, buy new mics, print posters and more).

So with that in mind, can I ask you a few questions, all replies will be confidential and only seen by me if you email us the answers (I might use the odd quote in future but will ask permission first) and even if you can or only feel like giving us one answer that will be miles better than none at all.

Email your answers to the questions below to darren.bunting@yahoo.co.uk leave a message if you are reading this on a forum or contact Music HQ at www.myspace.com/musichq

Thanks in advance and I hope to see you at a gig soon,

cheers Darren, Music HQ

1. - How do you find out about gigs in the real world? Is it local magazines like The Nouse, Tenfoot City, Sandman or even the Hull Daily Mail or Radio like Humberside/Raw Talent, do you pick up flyers at venues or is it just word of mouth.

2. - How do you find out about gigs in cyberspace? Is it local websites like thisisull or Hull Vibe or national sites like Ents 24 and Myspace, do you read myspace bulletins?

3. - What is the main deciding factor on which gigs you go to? genre/band/venue/cost/distance to travel/mates are going?

4. - What nights do you prefer going to gigs on?

5. - What is your favourite venue for live gigs? Adelphi, Lamp, The Lair, Arena, Asylum, Piper, Welly or somewhere else?

6. - Have you ever been to a Music HQ gig and what did you think.

7. - Whereabouts are you from (town will be fine) and are you a musician?

5:15 AM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Nice surprises
Current mood: chuffed and happy
Category: chuffed and happy Life

Sometimes you go through life doing the best you can to help out other people not expecting any rewards apart from the general feeling that you have done the right thing and left a positive image with the people you have met/worked with and hopefully made some new friends.

On the other hand you sometimes get a nice surprise out of the blue, last night I helped organise and ran the mixing desk for the Nocturnal Flowers CD launch gig at The Tigers Lair and it was a very entertaining and enjoyable gig even though I was feeling a bit under the weather.

It was great to catch up with the guys from Circus Envy who's new singer is well and truly established as THE SINGER now as well as seeing people like Dennis and Ian from The Springboard festival, Doug Peters, Ukele Bill, Shirley Higton and the Nocturnal Flowers themselves having a good time. I also got to meet some new guys in Miles Cain who came over from York to play and Eamonn from the Shack Recording Studio.

But the main gist of this rambling blog is that I got a thank you on the back of The Nocturnal Flowers CD which I was not expecting at all and made me smile this morning when I saw it, I got given a bottle of whisky as a thank you as well and several people said some very nice things about my efforts on the night and about my behind the scenes running of gigs and promoting the local music scene over the last couple of years.

I know in this country we are not used to accepting compliments and I was a bit embarrased when some of these compliments where aired from the stage but I was actually touched to hear these things as sometimes everyone needs a boost and I certainly got one.

Thanks to everyone for last night and I'll be organising gigs and doing my bit for the local music scene and musicians as long as I'm stomping around Hull and its gig, rehearshal room and recording studios,

cheers Darren

5:46 AM - 3 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

Some musicians have strange ideas......
Current mood: sad
Category: Music

.....about gigs.

Had a musically great gig last night at the Tigers Lair but one out of the 5 acts just did not seem to get what 'grass roots' gigs are about.

As soon as they walked in they commented that there where not many people there but as they had just brought 2 friends with them who did not pay to get in and no one else to watch them I thought that was a bit rich.

Where they previously played regularly they had to stop their acoustic night because of too many idiots who where not interested in watching and listening and just wanted to get drunk/fight/watch the footie so I thought they might appreciate a small but interested crowd but obviously quantity over quality is their thing.

They also left about 15 minutes after their set and did not bother listening to the other 3 acts still to play, not good in my eyes, fair enough if you have to be somewhere else, kids to collect/any valid reason to leave but it seemed a bit like 'rockstar' behaviour. The ironic thing was a few of their songs where about what a 'woman' has to do in the music business to get on rather than being judged on their artistic merits, doesn't help the cause if you can't be bothered to give other acts a bit of respect and your ears for an hour or so does it?

3:46 AM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Big fish in a small pond?
Current mood: confused

Now then, bit of a rant coming up, why do bands that are half decent and getting a bit of interest act like a bunch of prats and end up with some power mad manager and others who are getting just the same attention keep their feet on the ground and are a pleasure to work with?

Personally I've no idea but I came across both types of band yesterday at the Hull Mela, 5 bands on the bill where absolutely great and extremely professional and one not, if you ever get chance to see any of these bands live please do so as I heartily recommend them - The Redwood Thinkers, 59 Violets, Mayfield, Kal-El's Cape & Circus Envy

I won't name the other band but suffice to say I won't be working with them in the future, there are far too many other musicians out their who deserve it more than them.

1:55 AM - 4 Comments - 4 Kudos - Add Comment

why do people do stupid things?
Current mood: pissed off
Category: Music

I had a weird night tonight, went to a local gig to see a band I had been working with do thier second gig with a new singer who had played a blinder on hs first and he totally bottled it 

Too much alcohol, sun and stress but why blow what you love because you don't have the balls to keep it real? Personally if I had half the abilities of the guy there is no way I would have done what he did, hopefully he'll get his head together tomorrow and not get thrown out of the band

Anyway just before the aborted gig I witnessed a proper assault on a drunken plonker at the pub, apparently he had been helping himself to drinks from the bar and when asked to leave by the barstaff wouldn't so the bouncers threw him out but still wouldn't leave so a regular give him a proper right hook. After this he called the police and tried to blame the bouncers for hitting him so I ended up speaking to the police to confirm it wasn't the bouncer.

What a night!!!!

Then I even had to sub the drunken singer for the taxi home

oh well tomorrow's another day and a lot less grief for me than the singer.

Currently listening : The Very Best of Deep Purple By Deep Purple Release date: 09 May, 2000

3:36 PM - 1 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

Gigs coming up this week in Hull from Music HQ
Current mood: cheerful
Category: Music

Howdy folks, hope everyone enjoyed the bank holiday (if you are in the UK) and not over done it too much on the partying as you need to save some energy for a couple of great gigs coming up.

Wednesday 9th May - Acoustic Wednesday at the Tigers Lair, Anlaby Road, Hull featuring the wonderful Joe Roper, and a couple of new visitors to the Tigers Lair in Donna-Marie from Manchester and Chris Hoddinott  from Scarborough.

As usual just £2 entrance and doors open from 8pm, there is space for an extra act this week so if you fancy coming along to play get in touch asap

Friday 11th May - Folk Rock Friday Night Special - our first Friday night gig at The Tigers Lair and featuring a very special headline acts all the way from Lancashire in The Silver Dogs - I can wait to see them live!!!! But thats not all as we have two brilliant support acts in the very lovely and extremely talented Edwina Hayes -  and the all round good guy and great singer/songwriter Nick Stubbs

Entrance is just £4 for this high quality line up and doors open from 8pm with live music from 9pm

Venue info

The Tigers Lair is at 63 Anlaby Road, Hull HU3 2AJ (near to Hull City Centre) and is a very comfortable well maintained club and one of the best small venues in Hull with a great view from every where in the room and great acoustics. Club members get 50% discount on all events.

Special offer for acts if you have played a Music HQ gig and are coming to the Friday Night Special just let us know when you come in for a 50% discount on the door price of £4, go on treat yourself to a night out, you know you deserve it :)

cheers Darren, Music HQ

ps feel free to pass this along

1:49 AM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Thank yous & good news for Friday 11th May Gig in Hull
Current mood: bouncy
Category: Music

First off thank you to everyone who volunteered to play on the Friday 11th May gig at Tigers Lair, Hull supporting the rather wonderful Silver Dogs

The support acts for the gig are now confirmed as Edwina Hayes who is playing her first Music HQ gig and Nick Stubbs who is very popular, has some great songs and has appeared several times for us.

Doors open at 8pm and entrance is only £4 (discount available for Tigers Lair members) and the gig is at The Tigers Lair Club, Anlaby Road (near the City Centre), Hull, HU3 2AJ

Please come along to a great gig as it is our first Friday night one and if it goes well we will look at bringing more great and varied acts to Hull you won't see at any other venues in the town,

cheers Darren, Music HQ - www.myspace.com/musichq

1:55 AM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

urgent - Folk/Acoustic Act required for Friday 11th May
Current mood: hassled but happy
Category: hassled but happy Music

Just received some bads news, Emma Rugg and Henry Doss have had to pull out of Friday 11 th May gig at the Tigers Lair with the Silver Dogs http://www.silverdogs.co.uk/ so we are looking for an act or acts to come along as support.

The gig promises to be a cracker as the Silver Dogs are one of the best folk rock acts in the country and its one of the few chances you will have to see them live in this region of the country.

Please feel free to pass this on to anyone you think will be interested and email me at darren.bunting@yahoo.co.uk or message me via myspace at www.myspace.com/musichq

cheers Darren, Music HQ

1:45 AM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Acoustic Clarence - 28th April
Current mood: busy
Category: Music

1:55 AM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment