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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

I tossed a coin, and Jersey Live won!

My list of photo-shoots awaiting new gallery updates is long...
There are eight more Events (Motorsport & Gigs) awaiting my attention plus six Commercial assignments.

It might not be the best way to decide upon where to begin but at least it has got me past the start-line. Next job must be the Commercial shoots as it is these that pay my way.

But for now you can view 21 (yes twenty-one) picture galleries featuring the two days of Jersey Live's 10th Anniversary...
VIEW 21 PICTURE GALLERIES FROM JERSEY LIVE 2013

All the regulars who support Jersey Live every year have now returned to their day jobs, schools and the routine of normal life.

As much as we would like the 'good times' the Festival season brings to on for a bit longer, its a fact that our usual week is a rather mundane affair in comparison.

But for me 'the day job' allows me to re-live and remember the days that were spent working on the Festival sites (and there have been a few this year). That's one of the nice things about being a Music photog :-)

I've now spent two days editing the pics from Jersey Live's 10th Anniversary Festival and I am loving some of the moments I captured. The pictures taken on the Saturday are already on-line. The Sunday's pics have been edited and just await the tagging and the addition of new galleries on this web site... won't be long now.

You to can enjoy Jersey Live for a second time by viewing the pics, it'll help you get through the mundane return to routine :-)
VIEW PICTURES OF JERSEY LIVE 2013

Just back from a few days working in Jersey at the 10th Jersey Live Festival.

This was my sixth time working for the two Warren's who's brainwave it was to establish a 'top notch' Music Festival in Jersey. During the six years I have spent taking pics in Jersey I have notched up many, many days on the Festival site on the public days but also the build and strip-down days.

With this privileged access I have been left in no doubt about the unbelievable amount of work that goes on behind the scenes to present two full days of entertainment.

Now I'm back home looking though the pics remembering the highlights and recalling some fantastic moments. I was even told by Warren Le Sueur that I am now 'part of the furniture'.... does that mean that I'm put in a dark corner, forgotten about, never polished and sat on occasionally? We'll see :-)

It was great to re-acquaint myself with friends I have made over the years. Many of the Crews (UK based photographers, stage hands, builders and security teams) return each year and always speak highly of just how well run Jersey Live is. I party and breakfast with them, believe me when I say that there are some memorable characters!

The Festival site layout had, once again, been 'tweaked' and I think it was the best yet.

The 2013 Festival was made a bit more special for me as I was given the honour of having one of my pictures printed on the 10th Anniversay Jersey Live T-shirt!

But enough of my ramblings. Later I will have a bit more to say as I upload the many pics.

For now here are a couple of the Saturday night head-liner 'Fatboy Slim'.... mega!

Pictures of Jersey Live 2013 will follow as soon as possible..........

Whilst you wait why not check-out 2008-2012 VIEW PICS OF PREVIOUS JERSEY LIVE'S

I only ask the question 'Do you have the Jersey Live 2013 T-Shirt yet?' as it has one of my pictures is on it :-)

Once again I am just off to our sister island to shoot all the bands for the Festival. It is an incredibly tiring weekend... but what fun! Last weekends Vale Earth Fair was a really good warm-up and I'm lucky that I get to call this work! CHECK-OUT MY PREVIOUS JERSEY LIVE PICTURE GALLERIES HERE

What this means though is that the massive updates from the last weeks assignments are going to be delayed on arriving in the picture galleries. Sorry, but I just don't have available time until I'm back from Jersey Live 2013.

However I can promise lots to come. The pictures waiting to be processed include:

Guernsey Kart & Motor Club 2-Day Motocross
Guernsey Powerboat Association racing (Two races)
Vale Earth Fair 2013 (A huge Gallery will follow)
Guernsey Motorcycle & Car Club Hill Climb

This list amounts to several hundred shots that will take a while to develop... and then I will have the Jersey Live pics to follow.
I've a feeling that time for sleep will be hard to find. But then, who wants to sleep when you can party through the night with the security crew at Jersey Live. I love my job :-)

Keep a look-out on this News page for updates when the new Galleries are on-line.

Bye for now 'cause I've got some serious partying to do....

It's official, Guernsey now has another established Biker Festival.

This weekend has seen the return of Smaaashfest (the Third) and the Sarnians Motor Cycle Club did a great job with the organisation. The Smaaashfest is a much smaller and low-key festival when compared to the Greenman Chaos but the essential elements are all there.

Firstly the setting takes advantage of the beautiful views over Guernsey's west coast. That's the first box ticked!

Then we have the friendly atmosphere and the beer... two more ticks!

Of course there are the bikes, well it is a Bike Club festival!

And then we had a great line-up of bands all under the watchful eye of Mark Guillou and his crew. That makes a tick in every box!

I popped in on two of the nights and took pics of the bands. I have only uploaded the first Gallery so far featuring Stone Em All.

I uploaded the pics early this afternoon just before going out to my daughter-in-laws birthday barbecue. This was all done in a bit of a rush and I didn't post any form of link or Facebook comment. So I have been surprised and a bit amazed to note that the Gallery has already had over 1,600 views :-)

Other bands will follow but if you want to take a look at the first pics click here:
VIEW PICS OF STONE EM ALL AT SMAAASHFEST

The West Show has just celebrated its Centenary by holding the 2013 version of this 'most traditional' of Guernsey's shows on land at the old L'Eree Aerodrome.

Extra efforts had been made to make the hundreth West Show extra special and the hard working committee were rewarded by the most perfect weather.

I was invited along by the Guernsey Vintage & Tractor Club to photograph their impressive display of one hundred and twenty-one old machines. The line-up of a fantastic mix of tractors, both perfectly restored and future renovation projects, was enjoyed by hundreds of visitors.

The main Arena was also a place where the visitor could find almost non-stop entertainment.

The West Show must be congratulated on their continued efforts to provide Guernsey with what I consider the best of all the shows.

I have added a Gallery of Elevated views of the West Show site. Check it out here:
VIEW A FEW ELEVATED PICTURES OF THE WEST SHOW

Last of the Light Brigade are a Band that love to play live and hardly need encouragement.

However last weekend they were on stage at The Fermain Tavern with an important cause to support. Tracey Sinclair has been recommended to take a course of expensive cancer drugs and her Guernsey friends have been pulling together to help raise the funds.

So the night at the 'Tav' and the raffle that was held was a good reason to enjoy great live music and I know that a goodly sum was raised.

Support for LOTLB came from China Aster and Ollie Goddard - who hadn't graced the stage at the 'Tav' for (I think he said) twenty-two years!

I have uploaded pics from the night:
VIEW PICS OF LAST OF THE LIGHT BRIGADE
VIEW PICS OF CHINA ASTER
VIEW PICS OF OLLIE GODDARD

Come on Floyd fans, this one is for you.... take the challenge!

The occasion was 'The Great Gig in the Sky'..... OK, it was actually only at the top of Le Val des Terres!

Guernsey's masters of all things Pink Floyd recently played In the Flesh at The Fermain Tavern covering some of Pink Floyd's finest songs.

In fact this was several weeks ago now - but I had forgotten to edit my pictures. I must be suffering from Brain Damage :-)

There are always High Hopes at any Elysium gig. It isn't so much Young Lust but more Wish You Were Here. Each of their gigs has Echoes of The Happiest Days of our Life.

Elysium have a band of dedicated followers who, by now, might have now spotted A Saucerful of Secrets? Before each Elysium gig their fans Keep Talking about the latest Prelude and whether it will Eclipse the last.

So with The Hero's Return to the Tavern we were certain that the music wouldn't be Obscured by Clouds. When I arrived there were Signs of Life just Outside the Wall but I didn't see anyone Have a Cigar. Inside, having paid my Money I heard Vera say to Arnold Lane that it was Time and The Show Must Go On.

Outside, the gig-goers were Coming Back to Life after being Marooned with their roll-ups. I heard Seamus shout Not Now John I must Breathe in and Run Like Hell if I want those Empty Spaces at the front. Seamus went into Interstellar Drive, he didn't want to Remember a Day filled with Sorrow when he had to go Round and Round looking for The Narrow Way to the front. No more Biding My Time he thought to himself.

Lucifer Sam was looking like a Scarecrow and was Comfortably Numb. He had been in the Ibiza Bar and had only eaten Candy and a Current Bun since breakfast. He hadn't had a Proper Education and both his Mother and The Doctor had warned him that it was Absolutely Curtains for him if he didn't cut the Party Sequence from his life. The Doctor's Main Theme was that he should be eating more Apples and Oranges or he would really be Up the Khyber.

But for now Lucifer didn't want to hear that Crying Song. He didn't want any more Blues. The voice in his head was saying Come on you Crazy Diamond, park your Bike up against The Wall, forget Your Possible Past. Stop looking at the world through Paranoid Eyes and give up the idea of Learning to Fly under The Fat Old Sun... this was a desire he had got from Yet Another Movie.

Meanwhile I had spent the time waiting for the band by Calling Home. My wife had asked me if I wanted Octopus for dinner. Then the lights dimmed and Hey You, Is There Anybody Out There? I'm sure I can see Signs of Life came over the speakers. I think you could have heard the roar from The Dark Side of the Moon.

Elysium were playing The Greatest Gig in the Sky. It was Us and Them immersed in Floyd's finest. We were as happy as Pigs on the Wing. I absorbed the moment and thought Don't Leave me Now. I was having another One of my Turns. I cried out Let There be More Light.... the answer came from Mark Guillou, have Any Colour You Like. I shouted back Green is the Colour. I was in the best place ever. You can keep St Tropez and Grantchester Meadows, an Elysium gig of Pink Floyd's music does it for me!

All too soon The Great Gig in the Sky was over. It had been the greatest gig since The Grand Vizier's Garden Party and it had been wonderful to See Emily Play.

One of These Days Elysium will play another gig... but never two On the Run so I encourage you to make sure you make it to their next one.

.......... as you can tell I haven't been Lost for Words. But then I have been helped by the great PINK FLOYD :-)

On my way home driving down Le Val des Terres I was still Raving and Drooling about the gig to Corporal Clegg who had hitched a lift and I was just thinking to myself The Gold It's in the.... when I was interupted by the amazing sight of Several Species of Small Furry Animals Gathered Together in a Cave and Grooving with a Pict.

Ha, ha.... couldn't resist it ;-)
How many Pink Floyd song titles did you spot?
VIEW THE GREATEST GIG IN THE SKY