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A new music tuition service is now on offer in Guernsey.

Tyler Edmonds has selected a small team of experienced music tutors to offer a new music tuition service to Guernsey residents. A wide selection of instruments can be learnt with a bias towards modern music with an aim of bringing musicians together with encouragement to form bands sometime in the future.

With this form of support now available the local music scene looks like it will just get stronger and more diverse. Good news as far as I'm concerned :-)
VIEW PICS OF THE SCHOOL OF POPULAR MUSIC LAUNCH DAY

What is hard edged, shiny, strong and magnetic?

Maybe a bit of Metal?

Well the Metal to the Masses competition produced performances that were a credit to the genre of music on stage at The Fermain Tavern.

This was at the Guernsey round of a tournament which will eventually see the best Bands that Guernsey and Jersey can offer go head to head (again on the Tavern stage) sparring for a place to play at this years Bloodstock Festival.

The chance of winning such a great prize generated the energy within the Bands to produce some of their best ever performances.

I was there to take a few pictures of Byzanthian Neckbeard, Stone Em All & Brunt. Check 'em out here:
VIEW PICS OF THE GUERNSEY ROUND OF METAL TO THE MASSES

Last Sunday (yes that is unusual) I was at The Fermain Tavern for the first of three #Triplestoked nights. The hype around these three 'specials' had been running high. Could they live up to it?

The first #triplestoked certainly hit the stage at the max! Indeed it was one of the most memorable gigs I have ever experienced at 'The Tav'... and I have seen a few!

It prompted me to ask 'how can you top that?'

Well we are about to find out as this Friday sees #triplestoked No.2

The first line-up comprised three GREAT Bands. Buffalo Huddleston, The Recks and head-liners Yes Sir Boss.

I can now share with you some of the atmosphere and I recommend you get along to the next two nights.

Pics are now on-line:
VIEW PICS OF #TRIPLESTOKED-1

A Bank Holiday weekend is looked forward to by most people as a time to relax, chill-out a bit and basically enjoy time away from work.

Well it couldn't be more different for me!

But don't feel too guilty about this. I love my job. It actually consists of what I would choose to do on my day off anyway! That makes me very lucky :-)

The only down-side is that I have to pack a huge amount into a very short time. There isn't much time to sleep when there are so many deadlines to meet.

To give you some idea how I've chased around for the last few days, here goes...

Good Friday:
Web site updates were first on the list. Then there were Guernsey Press photo jobs including the GIAAC 10km Road Run at Grande Rocque and a big Guernsey Basketball League game at Beau Sejour. All pics had to be edited, captioned and submitted to a short deadline.

Saturday:
First it was another update to this web site then off to the first GMC&CC Sand Race meeting of 2014 on Vazon beach. This was followed by another edit GP submissions and a web site update. Then it was time to head off to the The Fermain Tavern for the launch of Last of the Light Brigade's new album. There were three bands on the bill so that was more picture taking. The line-up was fantastic and consisted of Coastal Fire Department, Robert J Hunter and his Band and the boys from Last of the Light Brigade.
Home-time meant another quick edit and a 2am finish!

Sunday:
OK, I'll admit that I did take a little time out for Easter celebrations with my family... noisy bunch too. That comes from now having two grandchildren and a 'grand dog' (although I think my own three adult children were the loudest of the lot!) Next was an unusual Sunday photoshoot of a gig. Again it was at The Tav. This was the first of three #triplestoked weekends. If the remaining two can match the atmosphere and quality of last Sunday's line-up we are in for more treats!
The quality of performance, sound and lighting was 'top-notch' and a real pleasure to photograph. The line-up consisted of Buffalo Huddlestone, The Recks and visiting UK head liners YesSirBoss. Another late return home still allowed time for a quick edit and another 2am finish!

Easter Monday:
What felt like a very early start (9am... very rock 'n roll, eh!) for the first Hill Climb of 2014. Thankfully it stayed dry and it was great to be back 'track-side' capturing the action. There was no lunch break this year so I was tired and hungry by the time I got home ready to relax. But, hey, no chance! It was back to the editing as I had more Guernsey Press pics to submit and I then made a start on the edit for this web site. Needless to say it was another late finish :-(

So there you have it. I hope you enjoyed your casual weekend?

The pay-off for me is that the picture orders are already flowing in. And the best part? When you are back at your desk in the week I'll be out walking with the missus, maybe having a lunch or two at the Fleur du Jardin.

Then I'm sure I'll find time for a few beers at my 'town office', The Cock & Bull :-)

Like I always say, I love my job!

So far I Have added new Galleries for the GIAAC 10km Road Run, the Panthers v Le Mont Saint Basketball, GMC&CC Sandracing and the GMC&CC Hill Climb.

Pics of all six Bands will follow shortly.
VIEW PICS OF THE GMC&CC HILL CLIMB
VIEW PICS OF THE GMC&CC SAND RACING
VIEW PICS OF THE GIAAC 10km ROAD RACE
VIEW PICS OF PANTHERS v LE MONT SAINT BASKETBALL

Last Sunday was another special milestone for this web site.

It has become a tradition that I post a short Blog to celebrate these milestones as they pass... so I will continue this practice:-)

The occasion worth marking is the passing of another 1,000,000 viewings. This takes the total views past the 6,000,000... yes SIX MILLION!

The latest million views took about six months. This seems to be the established average now the web site has settled down into a pattern. The next six months will probably show an increase of one and a half million if past behaviour is repeated. The summertime is busier for me.

The continued interest in my pics is really appreciated. I'm sure that few people will understand how much work goes on behind the scenes - that is the work after the short process of actually taking photographs - to make the regular Gallery updates that keep people coming back to look at my work.

The reward for me is way more than the small income from selling pics. I have enjoyed the appreciation given from the people I photograph. I also know that I am privileged to be able to commit so much time to what started out as just a hobby.

Each time I sit down and consider what to write to mark the extra Million I think back over the last few months. This made me recall a small order for a few digital pics, just last week. There was nothing particularly significant with this order. It certainly only paid for a couple of beers! But, the interesting thing was that the order was for a few pics that I took way back in 2009. That's five years ago!

I've always wondered how someone can wait for so long to order a picture. How do they even remember (or find) the pic after such a long time?

I tell myself that maybe the pictures captured a special moment in the subjects life. The purchaser might have seen the image when it was first added to the Galleries and it made enough impression to be remembered.

Maybe buying a copy of the picture, after all this time, will help them recall and share that moment with others for many years to come?

If I'm right that a picture can mean so much to a person, maybe I really do have the best job in the world?

Check the links below to read previous Milestone Blogs:
CLICK HERE TO READ PREVIOUS MILESTONE BLOGS

Fermain Fest 2014 was held on Saturday at The Fermain Tavern - where else?

Basically the format is music, music and more music spread over an eight hour working day :-) To expand on that a little, the music genre is pretty eclectic - in other words something for almost everyone's tastes.

This varied line-up attracts a great mix of punters who arrive to support their favourites and then hang around to enjoy other artists. I think that is what justifies the 'Fest' in Fermain Fest!

I was on site for most of the eight hours but missed a couple of acts as I had to pop out for other photog work.

I think my favourite act were The Glazzies. They had been heralded with this quote: "Influenced by 90's groups such as Nirvana, Dinosaur Jr. and Queens of the Stone Age, The Glazzies have brought back tense verses and explosive choruses." - AlternativeNation.net

I think that was encouragement enough for me to make sure I didn't miss them. I was not disappointed!

I've now added a full Gallery of pics featuring Jonny Lives!, Sugar Slam, Robert J Hunter, The Glazzies, To the Woods, Brunt, Lydia Pugh and The Doomsday Project. That's quite a full line-up, you'll agree!
VIEW PICS OF FERMAIN FEST 2014

Contrary to what some may be thinking, I haven't been on holiday. In fact I can't remember the last time I went on one! Perhaps the need for a holiday is reduced when every day (of work) seems a bit like fun. Lucky me!

You might have thought I was on a break if you have tried to view this web-site in the last few days... it had disappeared :-(

I won't begin to try and understand, let alone try to explain, what happened but it seems that some web 'DNS stuff' went haywire. By the way, the 'DNS stuff' was the technical term used by my professional web-site designing son. He knew he had to keep it simple if I was to understand anything.

One thing that an untimely breakdown like this does is remind me of how many viewings the Galleries have each day. The daily figure varies between 5,000 and the best ever of over 40,000!!

It also makes me feel 'wanted' (ah, sweet) because I received quite a number of e-mails from people complaining that they couldn't see their pics.

Now everything seems to be getting back to normal (hopefully) I have added a new Gallery with pics of the weekends Sprint racing at Vazon, enjoy:
VIEW THE NEW SPRINT RACING GALLERIES

We know that nothing can or will ever replace the experience that fans of Nirvana had if they were lucky enough to see the Band play live.

BUT, what we are able to do is keep the Band's music alive... and the best way is... LIVE!

Nirvazon were formed to do just that as a mark of respect and as a celebration of the great songs that Nirvana and Kurt Cobain recorded before his untimely death 20 years ago.

When such an amazing talent such as Kurt's is lost you may feel that his importance and influence passes too. How wrong that is. Saturday night at The Fermain Tavern was a perfect example of the continued influence a musician can have on a whole generation and beyond. There were many people in the audience (like me) who bought the Nirvana records when they were first issued... but there were as many young people who were only just born in 1994.

Each of us gloried in the songs knowing that many, many of our favourite artists of today carry the 'DNA' of Nirvana into today's and tomorrow's classics. What a legacy to leave behind.

These pics document a fantastic night of LIVE music which was received and appreciated by an enthusiastic crowd at the legendary 'Tav'.

Big thanks to the band, Pete 'Plumb' Bretel, James Le Huray, Tom Bradshaw and Matt Smart. You nailed it!

Special thanks also go to Lloyd Hellyeah for the superb stage lighting. A photographer is nothing without light:-)
VIEW PICS OF NIRVAZON AT THE FERMAIN TAVERN

Once again the Guernsey music scene provided too many choices of Bands and Venues this weekend.

It was a difficult choice, but somebody had to make it! Sorry to the guys & gals that I missed. Maybe next time?

So I decided to share the performances of three Bands... and the nominations were...

First up it was Thee Jenerators (with their new line-up) at The White Hart on Friday. The latest incarnation seems to have lost very little of their unique energy!

Then on Saturday I managed to catch two Bands at the Chaos Peace Tent Christmas Party at The Fermain Tavern. (I know, it's MARCH!).

It was great to see the talented Buffalo Huddleston followed by The Space Pirates of Rocquaine.

That list amounted to a varied weekend of lively entertainment. Just how I like it :-)

Pics are now on-line:
VIEW PICS OF THEE JENERATORS

VIEW PICS OF BUFFALO HUDDLESTON

VIEW PICS OF THE SPACE PIRATES OF ROCQUAINE

Now nobody can ever accuse me on not getting enough variety in my life. I'm not talking about ladies by the way (my missus will be pleased to know!) :-)

No, what I am referring to is variety of music. The live kind.

If you look at my previous Blog and check-out the pics you should get the impression that the Stan Smith gig was just a bit heavy... and it was!

And then you look at this latest Blog and it is all about Motown and the sixties and a gig by the Blondettes which perhaps can only be described as 'girlie' (in comparison, that is).

I found that the Blondettes set of close harmony classics from the 60's and beyond was really enjoyable (and I'm a man!) so I can recommend them if you have a function that needs a fun and party atmosphere.

Take a look at the pics here:
VIEW PICS OF THE BLONDETTES AT THE FERMAIN TAVERN

If you judge things from the bands name (and how they look), you need a neck and you need a beard to be called a member of Byzanthian Neckbeard. But perhaps the most important part is that you have to be able to lay down some pretty heavy riffs...

The three guys in the band tick every box and and showcased their sound at Dazfest last weekend at The Fermain Tavern. I reckon I could do the 'beard bit' and I definitely have a neck. Shame I can't play any instrument. I'll have to stick with taking pics I think :-(

A few of my pics are now on-line:
VIEW PICS OF BYZANTHIAN NECKBEARD

When it comes to putting on the best display of Metal moves and shapes Nemesis are the undisputed Channel Island Champions! They also play a mean tune too!

The followers were out last weekend to support one of the guys rare outings. The event was 'Dazfest' at The Fermain Tavern and all profits were being added to the charity fund that Daz Carre started in aid of the Specsavers Children's Charity and the GSPCA.

Daz was behind the drum kit... he managed to find the time away from training for his 155 mile run in April when he takes part in the Marathon des Sables through the Sahara Desert.

The way I see it, this tough and crazy plan of Daz's to conquer the gruelling desert conditions just confirms the 'folk-law' that drummers are the maddest member of most bands... but good luck to him in this challenge.

I captured a few of the bands Metal moves and shapes... they didn't disappoint me :-)
VIEW PICS OF METAL MOVERS NEMESIS At DAZ FEST 2014

I think it's now safe to reveal some of the Montages that were ordered for Christmas presents. Surely all the gifts have been opened by now :-)

Once again the Framed Montages proved to be the most popular choice for the big day with Canvases also making a show. Both options solve that difficult problem of 'what do you buy someone who has everything?'

I have sample Framed Montages & Canvases available for anyone who is maybe considering one. Don't forget that they make a perfect gift even when it isn't Christmas.... there's always a birthday or you could even treat yourself.

The best advice I can give you is to look at some of my previous designs. Every one is individually designed with your own choice of pics. Take a look here:
VIEW PICS OF SOME OF THE CHRISTMAS GIFT MONTAGES & CANVASES

How many times in your life have you been in the company of Legends?

Can I be a bit more specific. When was the last time you stood three foot away from a Legend whilst he performed his magic just for you. Or so it seemed :-)

Well for me (and a small group of like-minded people) it was last night. This happened just up the road from you... and you didn't make the effort to attend. SHAME ON YOU!

The Fermain Tavern promoted what was perhaps their greatest ever gigs over the weekend. You can imagine they must have been good for them to top the pile of great gigs at 'the Tav'.

In case you missed the news about who was on stage I'll help you out. It was the Norman Watt-Roy Band. Norman is that rare thing... a true Legend of a Bass player. If you haven't heard of him? SHAME ON YOU!

But that wasn't all. Norman was joined on stage by another true Legend and close friend. Wilko Johnson returned to the famous stage. He once again captivated the crowd. It was the work of a Legend... you haven't heard of him? SHAME ON YOU!

Maybe I should take delight in the fact that there's a relatively small group of musically educated and motivated people that follow the music scene. After all it makes us feel more privileged to have such legendary musicians perform in this intimate setting, just for us. How lucky are we!

On the Saturday evening the Fermain Tavern was also the chosen place for a good night out by another true Legend. Sir Bradley Wiggins had decided the Tav was the place to chill.
.... you haven't heard of him? ... you know what I'm thinking!

So I ask you again. When was the last time you were in the company of Legends?

For me it was last night!

I've added a few pictures of the Norman Watt-Roy band with their special guest Wilko Johnson to my galleries...
VIEW PICS OF THE NORMAN WATT-ROY BAND WITH WILKO JOHNSON

What am I to do? I'm deeply depressed.

More to the point. What is the Guernsey Music scene going to do in the future?

I refer to the effect that the imminent departure of Steve 'Lynchburg' Lynch from our Island shores is going to have on so many bands. I've already wished him well in the future... but it was through clenched teeth!!

How can I (or any local followers of the music scene) be happy to see Lynchy leave. There will be a hole in too many bands to mention.

Will the scene survive? Off course it will, but it won't be the same.

I have been looking at some of the MANY pics that I have taken of Lynchy over several years. He has been a familiar face in some of my all-time favourite bands. Perhaps my very favourite band was one of his newest projects that had barely come out of its gestation period... and it is already a-gonna :-(

I'm talking about HEAVE. What a great, tight, heavy and menacing duo that was. Just how I like it!

But life moves on and we still have the memories. You could never accuse Mr Lynch of hanging around and not evolving. This was manifested in his many bands. Interestingly I was reminded that he has also re-invented his hair style and facial hair on a very regular basis. I have the pics to prove it!

Talking about memories, it is a shame then that mine has let me down. I was at the Fermain Tavern a few weeks ago at the Teaspoonriverneck farewell gig. It was one of their greatest. I took pictures. I forgot to upload them!

Thanks Lynchy for the reminder. I wish you the very best in your future... and I really mean it, grrrr :-(
VIEW PICS OF TEASPOONRIVERNECK
.... and a link to a few pics of Heave

A FEW PICS OF AN ALL-TIME FAVOURITE - HEAVE

Last weekend I enjoyed a bit of a nostalgic trip down memory lane.

Well OK, there wasn't much that was familiar in the surroundings to trigger my memories... but I used my imagination :-)

I was at The Jamaica Inn. The memories went back to a time that I took my first alchoholic beverages - some forty-two years ago I reckon!

Those were different times. I was under-age and enjoying a pub crawl which in those days involved an Island tour around the pubs, happy days!

When I looked around the re-furbished room at The Jam there was little to recognise :-(

But I'm older and wiser now and I was at The Jam to photograph a couple of bands. Getting drunk was not on the schedule... how times change!

So now, in my 'mature years', I only partake in my other long-standing passion.... listening to live music and there were two great bands topping the bill.

Sugar Slam are one of my favourites who I have photographed many times . They supported Insurrection who make fewer appearances but that makes them all the more special.

There was a good turn-out of supporters including too many photograhers to count! Modern bands are never short of pics!

I've added my own pictures to the Gallery. They record The Jamaica in 2013... I wonder if it will still be serving customers in another forty + years?
VIEW PICS OF INSURRECTION
VIEW PICS OF SUGAR SLAM

Too busy to brag? OK, well just a bit then... 5,000,000 times :-)

I hope that what I'm about to do is all done in 'the best possible bad taste' :-)

I know that modesty should always be the order of the day. But if I don't 'blow my own trumpet' then nobody else is going to do if for me!

So with my modesty temporarily filed away in the cabinet I'm going to brag a little. I won't be offended if you press the delete button right now :-0

The thing is, I'm chuffed by a couple of things. Firstly this web site passed 5,000,000 views (yes FIVE MILLION) on the 3rd of October 2013.

Amazingly just five days later it will probably notch up the next 100,000! (EDIT: It actually took six days to clock up the next 100,000 views). That's a LOT of viewings! May I thank everyone for the huge interest in my pics.

My other moment of immodesty is to mention that this month I have had several more pics published in National Magazines and Media. Top of the pile has to be the front cover of Speedscene Magazine, the Specialist National Publication for Sprinting and Speed Hillclimbing.

The cover features my pic of Darren Warwick at the Guernsey round of the MSA British National Hillclimb Championship. There are also pics inside to support Eddie Walder's report.

That's it. Short and sweet. I'll retrieve my modesty from the filing cabinet. Normal service returns, ha,ha
READ ABOUT THE FIRST 4,000,000 VIEWS
READ ABOUT THE FIRST 3,000.000 VIEWS
READ ABOUT THE FIRST 2,000,000 VIEWS
READ ABOUT THE FIRST 1,000,000 VIEWS

What is it they say... for every action there is an equal re-action. Or something like that.

OK, I should probably of checked this Law of Physics on-line first because it probably isn't right - but my ignorance is out there now!

The point I'm making is that our cousins in Jersey have proved my statement... well sort of. This isn't going well is it?

The reaction I am talking about is the one that responded, or maybe you could say retaliated to the success of Jersey Live. The full-size Jersey Live Festival is now in its tenth year and has established a formula that works. However it is mainstream, young, friendly and family oriented. This is not a problem for me - but it leaves room for and alternative.

This is the spot that Jersey Dead aims to fill.

Dark and Heavy might go some way to describe Jersey Dead. Not something for the kids. However I loved it and feel that the contrast only goes to illustrate how the music scene really has something for all tastes.

To my mind that is GOOD.

I only managed to visit Jersey Dead for one night, but I did get some pics of Beef, Erebos, FlashMob, Harlequin Knights, Meansteed, Salem's Lot and Stone Em All.

And a hangover also came as part of the experience :-)
VIEW PICS OF JERSEY DEAD - THE ALTERNATIVE TO JERSEY LIVE

I blame Errol Groves. Well somebody has to take the blame and it was Errol who kept selling me the Real Ale. He obviously knows I am a bit partial to the real stuff.

It must have been the (many) pints that made me a bit trigger happy at the 2013 Vale Earth Fair.... way back in August!

Perhaps it was the knowledge that there were several hundred pics to sort through that delayed me in developing the picture galleries for this years Vale Earth Fair.

Whatever the excuses, it has been a long time coming but the updates are now live - and it was fantastic to recall all the special performances and the relaxed atmosphere of this unique Festival.

It seems that I managed to catch most of the Bands on the two main stages with a couple of very notable exceptions.... I am expecting to have to make my excuses next time I bump into these guys.

I have already worked out the excuse.... Sorry mate, it was Errol's fault!!

So the bands you will find pictures of are:

BRIGHT_LIGHTS, Buzzcocks, Of Empires, The Algorithm, The Correspondants, Brunt, Sons of the Desert, Myniemoe, The Recks, Vin Garbutt, Lifejacket, Jonny Lives!, Surfin' Birds, The John Wesley Stone, Edith's Head and Shambolix.... the end!

So you can see - I might have been slightly drunk, but I wasn't incapable officer ;-)

Hope you enjoy the pics:
VIEW PICS OF THE VALE EARTH FAIR 2013

September has had a special place in my annual calendar of essential 'to-do's' for several years.

That is because tradition has this end of summer month reserved for the Guernsey Kart & Motor Club's Alderney weekend.

Taken at its simplest, the two (or now three) days of Motor Sport are simply race events on our smaller sister island... good fun, but so what, we have many events in Guernsey.

But of course it isn't that simple!

What the Alderney events represent is an occasion for Club members to get together to put on logistically challenging Motor Sport. Nobody should be left with the impression that any part of the setting up of three different 'offshore' events is easy. You must remember that every piece of kit that is needed - from the broom to sweep the track to the timing gear to the straw bales has to be shipped across to Alderney. Then the racers have to pack all the tools and spares they think they might need. It takes a boat load or two to transport everything!

In fact this year highlighted some of the problems as our Jersey cousins failed to get over due to the cargo boat being cancelled due to bad weather!

However, living up to the best traditions, the GK&MC managed to beat all the problems and we all enjoyed three fantastic days of Motor Sport... well actually it was more like two and a half days as the first days Sprint racing was abandoned due to heavy rain :-(

It is a testament to how enjoyable the whole weekend was that even though we lost some racing on Thursday it is just a forgotten memory... there were so many brilliant performances on the following days. The social life is also memorable in its own right :-)

I have already made a diary date to be in Alderney for next years racing - I recommend that you do the same.

For now you can take a look at my pics to see what you missed...
VIEW PICS OF THE 2013 ALDERNEY SPRINT
VIEW PICS OF THE ALDERNEY AIRPORT EVENT
VIEW PICS OF THE 2013 ALDERNEY HILL CLIMB