The great Scratch House Band in the sky.    

Words: Dave Whiteman, Pictures: Matthew Thomas

It is fair to say that for music fans at least, January has not been a great start to 2016. Rock icon Lemmy died just before the New Year, then the shocking death of David Bowie just last week and fans were left wondering, could things get any worse? Well, yes it can and did as the latest shattering news is the demise of another music legend, Glenn Frey, aged just 67. Legend is a word used far too often these days, but in the case of the founder member of The Eagles, the title was fully justified. Add to that Dale Griffin, drummer with Mott the Hoople and Mic Gillette, brass player with the Tower of Power, who supported amongst others Rod Stewart and The Stones, and it looks like there is a fine Scratch House Band being assembled up in heaven.

One or two tributes at this week’s Open Mic, but more of that later as Clarke, Black and Blue, AKA Andy Clarke on bass, Steve Black on drums and Dave Blue on guitar warmed up our brand new speakers with a blistering sound-check, before club regular and Vinyl Tap vocalist Alex Ash started us off. Songs from James Taylor, Elton John and Alex’s trademark ‘Walking in Memphis’ gave us a great opening and the stage was set for another brilliant night.

The afore mentioned Clarke, Black & Blue returned to the stage to give our blues fans in the audience a real treat, before finishing with a cover of JJ Cale’s ‘After Midnight’ that any rock band would have been proud of.

Our youngest Open Mic regular, Jay Harris…..he is a teenager next week, he reminds me….then gave us a whole set dedicated to David Bowie, whose songs are never easy to play. His Dad Russ told me Jay had been practicing non-stop since the great man’s death and what a lovely tribute it was, with Space Oddity the stand out number.

What can you say about next up, Lost the Plot? They absolutely wowed the crowd at our Christmas party last month, and turned up this week determined not to repeat any songs from then. The Waterboys ‘Whole of the Moon’ has long been one of my favourites, but once again it was an audience participation number, ‘Minnie the Moocher’ that had everyone joining in and then clamouring for more. A class act as always from this talented bunch of musicians.

How do you follow that? Well a good way to start is to steal two thirds of the band, which I did to play a short set in memory of Eagles front man Glenn Frey who died this week. Ed Conway didn’t mind me ‘borrowing’ bassist Simon Mann and drummer, Paul Crewe this time on Cajon, for this heartfelt tribute to one of the great song writing musicians. Special mention here to the bass line on ‘Hotel California’ which was simply outstanding….well done Simon.

A few years ago a local singer songwriter Martyn Davis was a regular at the club, and I vividly remember him introducing a shy 8 year old on to the stage, his son Nathan. Nathan has now grown into a superb singer and guitarist and, just like his Dad, writes most of his own material. Sadly we lost Martyn a while back, far too young, and it somehow seemed fitting that on an evening when tributes were being paid to famous musicians that we could remember one of our own as Nathan sang ‘Good Company’ one of Martyn’s own and a fitting end to a brilliant evening.

So 2016 has started in the same way as 2015 left, with a hard core of musicians who are willing to play and a dedicated group of fans who make up our enthusiastic audience  willing to listen…..many thanks to you all. 

Some of you may have noticed that we have invested in a new sound system and it doesn’t stop there. In partnership with the Navy Club we are revamping the stage area with a new, larger playing area, new lights, stage curtains and hopefully a better experience for all concerned. We are already regarded as one of the best Open Mics in the area, but we don’t want to rest on our laurels, hence the investment. Much of the work will be self-help of course, so if you feel that you can make a contribution in any way, as a carpenter, electrician or like me, just general dogsbody, your help would be very much appreciated. Just give your name and contact number to Jude or myself and we will be in touch. 

Till next time, keep it live and let’s make 2016 even better than last year!