News / Blog - Gigs & Bands News

There's never any chance to get bored of the Guernsey Live Music scene as something new is always popping up :-)

Just when you begin to think that things are getting a bit stale... if that term can be used about music - maybe it only works for bread? - things get a new fresh look!

Last weekend I watched the first ever gig of a new local band - The Goon Squad.

Maybe I'm stretching the point when I use the term 'new' as the faces behind the band are all familiar to any regular gig-goer.

But when lined up below 'The Goon Squad' banner their set list is full of covers featuring tunes that aren't heard live very often.... think of favorites from Joe Jackson, Squeeze and Elvis Costello.

This first gig was at The Doghouse and showed promise for the future. I'll try and catch another of their sets sometime in 2017 to see how the sound develops.

My pictures of The Goon Squad are now online here:
CLICK HERE TO VIEW PICS OF THE GOON SQUAD'S FIRST GIG

It always seems to take an age to get back into my 'normal' routine after the Christmas seasons disruptions.

OK, I know that for many people - not just the kids! the Xmas period is the most anticipated time of the year. But for me I find it just messes up my comfortable routine. Maybe it's because I've now enjoyed over sixty visits from the big man in red on his sleigh? The novelty has now worn off!

I enjoy a rather relaxed and interesting life... at least I find it is. It basically revolves around home and family combined with 'cherry-picking' out the photographic work that I enjoy shooting.

That work tends to narrow down into two specific genres, Motorsport and Live Music.

Both these genres (I guess like so many other things) are disrupted by the afore mentioned holiday break.

But I'm pleased to say, not before time, that my cherished routine is getting back into its sweet spot and last weekend I managed to combine most of what interests me in photography.

My previous Blogs have linked to some the Motorsport and Sport that I photographed last weekend. This Blog adds links to a couple of Bands... Burning at Both Ends and Brunt.

It's good to be back :-)
CLICK HERE TO VIEW PICS OF BRUNT
CLICK HERE TO VIEW PICS OF BURNING AT BOTH ENDS

I’m not usually touched by the celebrity culture that we live in.

I’m rarely ‘star-struck’ when meeting people that spend their life in the public eye. Maybe that comes with my job as a Press photographer and Journalist where I attend many events where ‘faces’ are the centre of attention.

However, when I think back, I’ve never really been ‘star-struck’… even as a teenager when I followed David Bowie, Black Sabbath and Alice Cooper I never really thought of them as anything other than people… just like you and me.

OK, they did have a BIT MORE TALENT and MONEY and FUN than me (and probably you)... but hey, they were still just human beings!

Over the years I’ve had the opportunity to meet many famous people and I’ve rarely been star-struck by the person themselves.

So what is this Blog leading to?

Well you should now have an idea that I’d be the last person you should invite to join any sort of quiz team that requires a knowledge of celebrity. My missus has learnt (after 40 years) that it is pointless trying to have any conversation with me if it involves the lives, jobs or faces of the rich and famous! I’m not interested. I know NOTHING!

I have friends who work as Paparazzi in London and they enjoy taking the piss out of me by saying that I would starve if I did their job… they are right. If David Beckham bumped into me with Cheryl Cole on his arm I wouldn’t even notice them!!

So you understand that I’ve built up a ‘thick skin’ when in the company of celebrity… particularly in this decade when so many people that are given the label of ‘celebrity’ have no memorable talent at all!

All this commentary has been to try and explain how uninterested I am, normally, with star quality.

But occasionally I get caught out. This happens when I meet a particularly charismatic person or experience an amazing live performance.

That was the case at The Fermain Tavern on Saturday.

I had been looking forward to seeing Nessi Gomes play at her Diamonds & Demons album launch. Nessi is a Guernsey girl (with a Portuguese background). She was a familiar face on the local music scene before she took control of her ambition to make music and she started a passionate road to making that happen.

The first time I can remember seeing Nessi perform was at the Vale Earth Fair ‘Beach Life’ in 2009 (I have the pictures!). This mini festival was held in the picturesque Petit Bot valley next to the beach. Nessi played an acoustic set with a few friends and, even way back then, I remember that there were hints that Nessi had a special talent.

This talent has now blossomed and matured and Nessi Gomes revealed the result of the many years developing her own unique style and sound with her live performance at the ‘Tav launch of Diamond & Demons.

I was bowled over by the quality of her performance and yes… this old hag was more than a little star-struck! She must be something really special!

Now is the the time for you to discover Nessi Gomes. Follow her here on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nessigomesmusic/

I've edited my pics of the album launch and you can take a look at them here:
CLICK HERE TO VIEW PICS OF THE NESSI GOMES DIAMONDS & DEMONS ALBUM LAUNCH

Three for the price of one is never a bad deal!

If the deal offers three great bands on the bill at The Fermain Tavern I'm certain to enjoy the evening :-)

I've been catching up with a few updates again and this time three galleries have new pics of the bands on that bill...To the Woods, Lifejacket and Lord Vapour. I said they were great!

These links take you to each of the gallery updates:
CLICK TO VIEW THE NEW PICS OF TO THE WOODS
CLICK TO VIEW THE NEW PICS OF LIFEJACKET
CLICK TO VIEW THE NEW PICS OF LORD VAPOUR

How do you get into the festive spirit?

Well if you're still of 'working age' then the chances are that part of the seasonal 'warm-up' process is to spend some time in the company of your work-mates at the office Christmas party.

Now, as we all know, these 'do's' can end up in all sorts of dramas!

Some of the stories of misbehavior circulating around the office the day after a lively party go on to become legendary. Reputations are both made and lost!

Even though we all know that we are walking a risky road by joining the revelry at the office party we all give in and let our hair down... well why not - it's just once a year ;-)

This blog is leading on to me telling you about my own ultimate office Christmas party.

When I throw a party everyone is invited ;-)

OK, maybe I'm 'bigging' up my part in organizing the TALLPICTURES.com Ultimate Office Christmas Party just a little.... OK, actually quite a lot.

In fact my own TALLPICTURES.com office party involved me sitting in a dark corner of The Cock & Bull (alone) with a pint of real ale and a packet of crisps... it can get lonely when you're the only employee :-(

However there is always an answer to any problem, if you look hard enough.

So my idea was to tag onto someone else's office party. This turned out to be an amazing plan as I joined hundreds of revelers at the OneLouder 2016 Ultimate Office Christmas Party at Beau Sejour.

These guys really know how to have fun and their choice of two of the most popular bands in the Channel Islands was perfect to party to!

Fade2Grey and King Rat & the Soul Cats had Beau Sejour rocking and the party took its place among all the legendary parties of years gone by... but this time it was for all the right reasons :-)

So I left the party with a camera-full of pics (yes I know I shouldn't work at my office party) but I couldn't miss the chance to take a few pics... even if the lighting was a struggle for a photographer to work with. Yes I'm still a moaning misery even at Christmas time!

The OneLouder party did its job getting me in the festive mood and I've just one more thing to say...

'Seasons Greetings to you all'

If you want to see how my office party went, check-out the pics here:
CLICK HERE TO VIEW PICS OF MY ULTIMATE OFFICE CHRISTMAS PARTY

Guernsey's School of Popular Music has only been in existence for a few years but they have already established a tradition.

At Christmas-time the SoPM arrange a special gig to show-case their students... both new and old. This is organized at one the Guernsey's live music venues and gives students the chance to experience what it is like to perform to an audience with the benefit of a pro sound system, sound desk technician and stage lighting.

I've photographed many of the SoPM events and enjoy seeing the progress of the first singers and musicians to start the courses. There is real talent on show. It's also great to see the 'buzz' that the 'first-timers' feel after their introduction to live gigging.

This year the SoPM arranged two special events at Christmas. As well as the Doghouse gig the newer students had their very own concert at The Church on the Rock. This was performed to a packed house of family and friends.

You can check-out pics of all the SoPM events that I have photographed by having a look at these galleries:
CLICK HERE TO VIEW PICS OF THE SCHOOL OF POPULAR MUSIC EVENTS
CLICK

A quick update... this is a busy time of year for me :-)

I'll be updating the Galleries every time I have a few moments with the aim of not falling weeks behind with the edits.... a problem I get into every year over the festive period.

So here's today's quickie.

Take a look at Wondergeist's latest pics from their Fermain Tavern gig.

Oh, by the way, I love this band. Make sure you catch one of their gigs.
CLICK TO VIEW THE LATEST PICS OF WONDERGEIST

It has become tradition that Noizemonkey host a special gig at The Fermain Tavern on the Halloween weekend.

Regulars know what to expect.... lots of ghouls, ghosts, madness and music :-0

This years effort was as good as any of the previous nights of terror. The guys had done a fantastic job of decorating the venue and this offered a fitting backdrop for those gig-goers who had made an effort to dress up and paint their bodies. At least I hope it was all pretend!!

There were some truly scary haunted beings wandering around St Martins.

As a photographer it is fun to take pics of the characters however I'm the boring one who turns up at these nights wearing just my normal gear... and face. My excuse is that I don't want to get grease paint and (hopefully fake) blood on my expensive kit ;-)

It was only the next day that it dawned on me that maybe my 'normal' look is so scary that I fitted right in without the aid of props!

This years halloween Saturday was a busy one for me as I had a conflict of events to photograph. This meant I had to share my time around.

I started off at the 'Tav taking pics of Blacksmith.

I then jumped in my van and headed off to the Haunted House event in Vale Castle. Checkout the pics here:
CLICK HERE TO VIEW PICS OF THE HAUNTED HOUSE EVENT

After capturing some of the atmosphere in the Castle it was back to the 'Tav just in time to see the nights headliners SugarSlam.

This finished off the halloween weekend with style. Well done Noizemonkey for all your hard work. You can now return to the vaults until next year.

The pics are online here:
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF BLACKSMITH PLAYING AT HALLOWEEN
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF SUGARSLAM PLAYING AT HALLOWEEN

I love round numbers. Numbers like one million, one hundred, ten… in fact any number that ends in noughts. The more noughts the better though!

There is something nice and tidy about a number that ends in a nought.

I’ve no idea where I get the passion for numerical tidiness from as my office desk is proof that I don’t carry this zeal for tidiness into all aspects of my life!

But I won’t let that small fact spoil the pleasure I felt when my website viewing passed another significant mark… another of those cherished ‘round numbers’.

In fact I’m celebrating two new markers in one this time around. Just how happy can a photographer be???

The celebration comes as this website's total picture views passed through the FIFTEEN MILLION mark…. that’s SIX NOUGHTS you know ;-)

By coincidence this also marks a new record for the number of views within a twelve month period. In fact it is just eleven months since the website views passed ELEVEN MILLION, so for the first time, I have had more than FOUR MILLION views within a year.

That deserves a smiley face :-)

When viewings passed the THREE MILLION annual total I commented that it probably wouldn’t be repeated but now I’m getting cocky and have set myself the challenge of breaking an annual FIVE MILLION views.

To achieve this I don’t see any time in the near future when I’ll find a moment to get around to tidying the disorderly desk…. But that’s fine as ‘tidy’ round numbers will keep me happy ;-)

Thanks for the continued visits to view my pics. It is you who make up the numbers.

You can view a few of the old ‘Milestone Millions’ Blogs by following this link:
CLICK HERE TO VIEW PREVIOUS 'MILLION' BLOGS

I've added another two Galleries featuring more Rock from the weekend.

Actually I should really phrase it like this.... 'more rock from the 80's' as these particular gigs/parties held last Saturday within the walls of Vale Castle offered a trip back to the Rock music of the 80's - with a bit of Dance and Halloween thrown into the mix!

The nights were organized by House Events and promoted as Haunted House 2016.

It was a double header featuring a Dance night on Friday followed by live 80's music on Saturday from 'That 80s Rock Show'.

My overall impression of the two nights was very positive with the choice of the Halloween weekend being a good one as people seem to make a special effort to get out and have fun :-)

I've added two galleries that feature the atmosphere in the heated marquee that was decorated in a Halloween theme and set up inside Vale Castle. If you didn't make it down this year the pics will give you an idea what you missed.

Checkout the pics here:
CLICK HERE TO VIEW PICS OF THE TWO HAUNTED HOUSE NIGHTS

The Recks (with a new lineup) returned to one of their favorite venues last Friday night.

With so much live music, entertainment and competition from other popular bands over the Halloween weekend I wondered if The Recks would pay the price of being away from the music scene for so many months.

There was good reason for their absence as the band had lost key members after they left Sark for noisier and fast environments... I think they'll miss Sark's special lifestyle though. It always leaves its mark!

I'm pleased to say that the remaining Recks decided that what they had together was just too good to give up on. They had amassed a popular set list of originals and had a following across all the Channel Islands... and beyond!

It was that loyal following that meant the return of the new Recks would command a good crowd of fans - even with all the previously mentioned competition.

My own weekend was very busy - sports photography on all three days and four gigs in the nights.... covering a total of six bands and three venues!

I'm starting to update the galleries but it is taking time as the incredible fine weather has meant my Tallpictures work has been non-stop.

But here are a few links for the latest updates:
CLICK HERE TO VIEW PICS OF THE RECKS NEW LINEUP
CLICK HERE TO VIEW PICS OF LORD VAPOUR
CLICK HERE TO VIEW PICS OF THE SECRET SMILES

We welcomed more of our Jersey musical cousins to the Fermain Tavern last Saturday.

Every year many Jersey based bands make the journey across the water to play at one of our music venues or festivals. They often comment on and compliment us on how broad and well supported our local music scene is. Generally speaking they are right, we do have an amazing amount of talent and opportunity to play live here in Guernsey.

But if you are a regular reader of my Blog you will know that I have ranted many times about how the 'punters' don't always offer their support to the bands and venues.

However I'm not going to go into that mode again, at least not this time!

No, I want to make another observation.

If you are a Channel Islander you would have grown up experiencing the (mostly friendly) banter and put-down that exists in our rivalry between Guernsey and Jersey. It is traditional with all inter-insular competition - from the annual football Muratti down. Think of it as our local version of Man U v Liverpool etc....

What struck me the other night at the Fermain Tavern whilst watching the Jersey based band Joe Long & the Bandits was that the music scene is different. Far from the rivalry (and competition) fellow musicians are supportive, respectful and loving (peace man) towards our Jersey cousins.

This just shows the power of music - especially live. But you knew that anyway didn't you :-)

You can view a few pics of Joe Young & the Bandits by following this link:
CLICK HERE TO VIEW PICS OF JOE YOUNG & THE BANDITS

Liberation Day in Guernsey is our National Holiday.

Islanders come together to organize many different events that offer something for all ages and all tastes.

I usually manage to get around to a few different venues and have enjoyed being the official photographer for the day.

I've updated this years gallery with a few more pics featuring Stone Em All.

You can view pics of the band by following this link:
CLICK HERE TO VIEW PICS OF LIBERATION DAY 2016

As the seasons change and autumn approaches we look forward to the weekends when we can lock the doors, close the curtains, stoke a glowing fire and watch this years Strictly Come Dancing.



No! What this season means to me is that the live music scene gets back into it's stride after it's mini summer holiday!

Maybe you will take the lazy choice of exercising the thumb on the TV remote but I promise it is worth making the effort to search out some live entertainment.

Saturday kicked off the autumn season at the Fermain Tavern. If you missed it because your thing is more Ballroom than Band then you can see what you missed here :-)

Pics of Sugarslam & Lifejacket are online here:
SUGARSLAM - THE ALTERNATIVE TO STRICTLY COME DANCING
LIFEJACKET - ANOTHER ALTERNATIVE TO STRICTLY COME DANCING

It's a slow start but the BIG Jersey Live edit has begun!

But just as I get things moving I'm working away again for a few days so the updates will continue in sloooww motion.

However it is worth mentioning here that Jersey Live 2016 managed to entertain me again... and (as usual) offered a few 'new' finds together with a couple of surprises.

For example the Mungo Jerry band is much more than the 70's hits we all remember. You want the Blues... you got it!!

I'll be adding a lot more pics featuring Jersey Live 2016. You'll just have to be a bit patient :-)

The first pics are here though:
CLICK HERE TO SEE HOW THE JERSEY LIVE GALLERIES ARE PROGRESSING

2016 represented a milestone for the Vale Earth Fair Collective as it was 40 years since they first organized a small gathering of friends to enjoy live music and share similar beliefs in humanitarian causes and the care of our precious planet.

That original ethos is still strong and underlies everything the Vale Earth Fair Collective organizes.

However the Vale Castle Earth Fair has changed, evolved and grown over the intervening years and now sits as the oldest running Channel Island Festival.

It is responsible for many happy memories formed by the regular VEF supporters.

The 2016 VEF was a bit of a vintage edition... this was very fitting for such an historic year. The lineup consisted of a few favorites from yesteryears ably supported by many newcomers.

If you have somehow managed to miss all the previous Vale Earth Fairs - or maybe you haven't been for a few years - I highly recommend you add this Festival to your bucket list of things to do. You won't be disappointed :-)

I've now completed the VEF 2016 picture edit. All TWENTY Galleries :-)

These galleries should give you a feel of the vibe you get at a Vale Earth Fair.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE VALE EARTH FAIR 2016 PICTURE GALLERIES

A couple of days ago someone asked me where I've been on holiday.

This person had (logically) assumed that as I hadn't made any major updates to this website for around two weeks that I must be lying on a beach somewhere, beer in hand, not a care in the world.

If only!!

No, the lack of updates is for completely the opposite reason. I'm stacked with work at the moment.

Now if you were to ask my missus about this she would be quite happy and content. You see, if I'm dashing around on photoshoots I can't keep a check on how much time she is spending in the summer house reading on that new Kindle I bought her for her birthday.

Now I wouldn't want you to think that I'm disliking work at the moment. Far from it. I'm someone who will always find another thing to do rather than sit around... even on the beach!

But all this activity does cause a log-jam in my picture editing and web-site updates. I have just sorted out one though. The gallery features pics of the 2-Day Motocross meeting.

There are other updates on the way (Vale Earth Fair & Hillclimb) but they will have to await my return from photographing Jersey Live together with a couple of Commercial Tallpictures jobs whilst I'm over in our sister Isle.

I must also get around to writing a Blog to celebrate the 14 MILLIONTH viewing on this website... hopefully before the counter hits 15 MILLION ;-)

View the 2-Day Motocross pics here:
VIEW PICS OF THE 2-DAY MOTOCROSS MEETING

I've just discovered that I have a new talent... and it's a bit special.

It's one of those amazing abilities that you dream about as a child and now, at the ripe old age of sixty-one, I've just found it!

How would you like to be able to see into the future too?

Well I promise that if you follow my advice you too can possess the same super-power!

All I had to do was to attend the School of Popular Music's Summer Party at the legendary Fermain Tavern last night.

The SoPM's young and energetic team had organized the evening to show-case six of their new bands. There was huge support given to all the young performers who were treated to a full stage sound system and lighting all controlled by pro technicians. How lucky were they!

If that opportunity didn't fire up their passion for live music I don't know what else would.

To get back to my original point I think that last night I saw into the future of the Guernsey music scene and it looks good.

In fact my guess is that the talent on show could be destined to even bigger things. Maybe there was a future chart-topper among them?

... but that's just a bit too far into the future for me to see yet :-(

Follow this link to see into the future with me:
CLICK HERE TO SEE PICS OF THE SoPM 2016 SUMMER PARTY

OK, I know I'm a bit of a cynic. This often gets me in trouble with my missus ;-)

So I suppose I was in 'normal' mode as I walked down my road towards Guernsey's latest Music Festival. The site was almost in shouting distance of my Guernsey cottage and there were many more residences a LOT closer that mine.

So as I made my way to the festival site I was half expecting the whole thing to be shut down as soon as the Main Stage turned the sound level up to ten! It's a sad fact, in this modern world, that if one or two people make a complaint about noise their 'rights' can take precedence over the many.

But I'm pleased to say that I was wrong on this one. Maybe a first ;-)

Careful and sensible management of the sound levels and a refreshing tolerance by the neighbors enabled the full three days of performances to be completed. Thank you St Sampsons residents!

I had also wondered as I made my way to The Gathering if such an ambitious set-up spread over three days could be pulled off when this was the first attempt... and (for maybe only the second time) I had got this one wrong too!!

Cage & Stage Productions must be praised and congratulated on how well organized and 'complete' their first Festival was. There were a few small problems but hey, I'll give them an impressive 9 out of 10 for most aspects and I think there is a very solid base in place if they have the enthusiasm and energy to give it another go in 2017.

Fingers crossed :-)

I hadn't intended to take many pics... we all need a break sometimes, but it seems I got into the atmosphere and the cameras started clicking! So I will be adding quite a few picture galleries in the next couple of days.

First up are two of the most popular bands in Guernsey. Fade to Grey and King Rat and the Soul Cats. Check-out the pics here:
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF THE GATHERING

This time of year my Commercial work hits a high. This is good... this is what pays the bills :-)

But this means that some of my other work has to take a back seat.

Like every previous year I'm left with a pile of editing to catch up with. The problem is compounded by the amount of events I have booked in for the next few weeks.

So, there is really no time to waste Blogging, just the time to add another link to an update.

The Greenman Chaos Gallery continues to fill with new Band pics, Tattoo pics, Burnout pics and pics of the Twelve course 'Exotic' meal competition...

View the updates here:
CLICK TO VIEW THE LATEST CHAOS PICS