After emailing Marc Riley‘s BBC 6 Music show – he invited me over to see what goes on in the studio. He generally has a live band on and tonight’s was ‘Y Niwl‘ which is Welsh for Fog. I was met in reception by his producer, the lovely Michelle (in fact everyone I met was lovely – the BBC just ooozes loveliness) and got to sit with the production team whilst Marc and the band did their stuff.

And is it all really live? Yes it is (and you’re not allowed to lie on the beeb any more are you). “We have our own back line here” explained Marc “One of these amps is mine. It means that bands can do a sound check for a gig, then just bring their instruments in, and go back and do the gig. I don’t know why more radio shows don’t do it”.

Marc can’t speak Welsh so asked band leader Alun to introduce the band and the tunes – but didn’t tell the backroom staff so his mike wasn’t on which caused a little panic… “Did he tell you he was going to do that!”When I found out who was playing, I bought Y Niwl’s LP and single – great surf music that Dick Dale would be proud of. The Single has three tracks on it that were obviously called ‘one’ ‘two’ and ‘three’ in Welsh. During the session they did tracks with wild names like ‘Sixteen’ and ‘Nineteen’. The sound live was awesome. Chatting to Al from the band, he was really happy with it “We usually practice in a tiny living room – sounds great in there” ‘sounds great out here!”. Inbetween their live tracks Aluns phone went “Ha! we’ve sold an lp to somewone in Newcastle!” “I got it last week” “I posted that to you!”. They’re about to go on tour with Gruff Rhys as his support and backing band – Norway, Spain, Italy, Japan – sounds glamorous to me! I liked them so much, I helped them hump their stuff to the van. Top lads! In the corridoor we passed a rather dapper looking band with wild hair styles who’d been on Radcliffe and Maconies show and were waiting to do another live track – I found out later they were ‘Noah and the Whale’ “I’ve got a ticket for them in March!”.

During the show Marc played a track by someone who’d sent him a link to his song that day. Before the show he asked producer Michelle to listen through it to make sure there was no swearing on it. I was suprised as I remember reading that during the punk explosion, Peel and his producer Walters used to count up how many swear words there’d been in the show (Peel: “we’ve had 2 shits and a fuck so far” Walters: “sounds like a good night”) – Are people really offended by swearing these days? “It’s the present climate mate, you have to be very careful about everything”

After the show Marc and I went for a couple of pints and had a great chat covering everything from how we, the public saved 6Music, the fall out effects of the Brand + Ross stuff at the beeb to evolution, his love of wildlife & his Whale watching radio 4 programme with Jarvis Cocker and Richard Hawley (who’s birthday it was today). Me:”even my wife’s Aunty Greta who’s in her 70’s loves Richard Hawley’ “I know – I think he’s sold his soul to the devil or something”…..’In search of the Holy Whale’ is to be aired on Saturday after Fi Glover no less – I can’t wait. A fantastic evening – Thanks Marc!

Bob the Chiropodist

A few years ago Our Dave and Dwayne (who record as North South Divide) took me to see Francis Dunnery. I was initially put off by the fact that he was the lead singer of crap 80’s band (my words) ‘It Bites‘. Calling all the heroes was never on my turntable! As it turned out he was nothing like the bleached blonde plastic pop star I’d imagined – he was a ferocious character, brilliant guitar player and never short of something to say. He threw a woman out of the gig for smoking at the front…..you were allowed in those days, but she apparently blew the smoke up at him on purpose which he took offence to…..he’s not to be messed with!

At that gig he announced that he was taking a break from music go to the states and do a degree in Psychology (or something like that) and that’s the last I heard of him until Dwayne contacted me to say he was having Francis round to his house to do a gig. For a few years now (6 I think he said) Francis has been all over the world playing in fan’s houses. Dave and Dwayne had been to one in York some time ago and Dwayne being such a fan had asked for one at his place.

You sign up at his website and he’ll let you know. The word goes out and fans in the area can attend at the hosts discretion. There were about 20 of us in Dwayne and Margarets front room, a good mixture from die hard fans (Me: “I saw him about 3 years ago at the New Roscoe” Die hard fan “The New Roscoe, no, that was January 2003″) to those who’d never heard his stuff before, but had been told it would be a great night which it was!

I wasn’t sure what to expect, but the whole experience was quite wonderful. Francis has, you won’t be surprised to hear, some house rules that you have to adhear to faithfully (no alcohol allowed before or during the show, no photography, no mobile phones). A bit cheeky you might think as it’s someone elses house but they were respected and nobody had to be ejected!

The show was based around his Tall Blonde Helicopter LP. He’s one of those artists who’s done it all and his stories were wound around the tracks to tell, not only a collection of great Rock’n’Roll excess stories (being reprimanded by the Sex Pistols Steve Jones for his bad behaviour), but incorporated his philosophical (that Eckhart Tolle knows a thing or two) and Astrological beliefs (“never bullshit a Scorpio”). He was backed by singer Dorie Jackson, who admitted afterwards to being a bit rusty with this set – most people ask for the ‘It Bites show’ (!).

Francis has experienced the highs of number one singles and drinkies with Mick Jagger countered by the lows of being dropped by your label and alcoholism (he hasn’t ‘Partied’ for 19 years now, hence the no booze rule). He was very honest about the love of his hair and how shaving it all off in a fit of mild insanity, whilst in a Southern US state, wasn’t a great idea…..he was then accused of being in the clan! Whilst at an AA meeting, someone did his star chart “There’s your problem – too much Saturn and not enough moon!”

He was asked if his song ‘I believe‘ could be used by Barack Obama and ended up on his tour the week before he was voted in – “Who knows what lies ahead!”

Dwayne and Margaret were great hosts – I’ve never been to a gig so close to home before. Francis made great play out of Margarets not really being into it but putting up with us all for Dwaynes sake: “I can see her drifting off now – what are you thinking about Margaret?” “I’m thinking of when to put the sausage rolls on!”. The whole night was such a great experience that has left me not only with memories of a unique gig, but also left me thinking about the meaning of life. There’s not many gigs do that to you now are there!

Bob the Chiropodist

Lees sister Mitsu is married to Stephane and lives in Paris. Stephanes brother, Jerome, turned 40 this week end and to celebrate he played a gig with his band Lee Miller at his village hall in Gahard (Brittany, France).

It wasnt just any gig, it was as part of a fundraiser for Madagascar featuring 12 hours of entertainment that encompassed a fashion show, a choir, a samba band, African drumming and a further half dozen act. This was to be Lee Millers final gig. Band members had moved away and with 2 kids under 2 in the house, Jerome felt things had come to a natural end.

Gahard is a tiny village near Rennes yet has an amazingly well equipped community hall with a stage that would grace any major town. It was here where Madfestival took place. Apologies for not knowing the names of acts hopefully one of the locals will be able to fill in the gaps. First up were a samba band who got things going with a bang. This was followed by an African drumming virtuoso.

There was plenty of time to buy cakes and artwork..etc…….

……before a choir took to the stage. Made me think of Brian Enos choir-philosophy. What you need is a good song well this choir finished with a version of Bohemian Rhapsody guitar solos and all vocalised.

There was then some rather fabulous belly dancing from (I guess) the Turkish community. Who needs a size zero when you have women like these doing their stuff

Next there was a solo performer who did a Neil Young cover as well as his own material…..

……followed by a full blown fashion show complete with pouting catwalk poses.

3 of the models later returned and did a few covers (Mad world, Smells like teen spirit) their first show.and it showed!

A duo with acoustic guitars did a much better job of entertained us (musically if not visually).

The last 3 acts were very polished. Enoalie are a duo whos Frederic Rondeau is something a bit special – I loved his guitar playing sometimes accompanied by a basic drum machine, sometimes looped guitar licks. Jerome got me a copy of their CD The Indian Field and its only after listening to it that I realised theyd sang in English.

A last minute stand in band were the penultimate act they had a hardcore following and played like a 60s pop band full of energy and confidence.

Last came Jerome and Lee Miller who did a great set. Sad to think itll be their last. Stand out track was Ca cause hiver from their Sortida dEmergencia EP

After nearly 12 hours of entertainment it was now disco time. Lee and I were SO tired that we made our excuses and left to gaze at the stars on the way back to Jerome and Virginies house. J+V stayed on for many more hours dancing and the clearing the hall. A fabulous day and well worth the trip.

Bob the Chiropodist