Travels With The Corrds

Coventry

Fri, 08 Apr 2005 04:33:18 GMT

The weather is a bit strange at this time of year, innit?!

I slept through most of the changing weather down to Coventry, after snapping these pictures above, which were quite early on in our journey. I like the field of flowers with the gloomy question ‘IN DEBT?’ floating about in the middle of all the happy yellowness…

Once in Coventry, after being stuck in traffic jams and having the usual major difficulties in getting around Coventry Centre to find Jumpin Jaks (always have a nightmare finding it), it came about at the last minute that Andrea wouldn’t be able to make it to the gig… so - somewhat disappointed but always ready for anything - we loaded in and soundchecked, altering the stage set-up accordingly. The Entertainments Manageress at Jaks didn’t seem at all bothered about our change of line up, and gave us a huge pile of drinks vouchers which we made good use of later in the evening.

After setting up we decided to head over to the ‘Old Orleans’ restaurant next door for our grub, and put our names down on the list for a table before nipping along the road a bit to the Orange House for a few drinkies to kill the hour (not saying anything about skanky leftover mushrooms on the table, Sadie…).

After a couple of drinks and a few laughs in the Orange House we headed back to Old Orleans to find that we were in for a bit more waiting for our table. Once happily sat down we ordered a table-full of starters (mmmnice chicken wings of a different sort…) and had a good old chill out before going backstage at Jumpin Jaks to do make up and all that girly stuff.

Stage time was 11.15pm for a 45 minute set (we were happy) and the show went really well, as always. Lots of great dancers in the audience, and the place filled up very nicely as the set went on.

After the show, we got ourselves another couple of drinks (celebrating the fact that … our Sadie got a 1st in her music degree at LIPA (Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts, for those who don’t know… it’s very impressive…), packed away and sat backstage for a breather, before happily stretching out in the van and heading off home, all of us a little worn out after a very full and eventful day.

Livingstone

Fri, 08 Apr 2005 04:14:16 GMT

Being the first one asleep, and being the most disciplined out of the three of us (as far as waking up goes) Andrea was up first and showered before Sadie or I had opened an eye.

Sadie was next and then, of course, this night-owl… Despite the aforementioned comfort of the Travelodge, I had slept very little.

Once in the van, we set off for Livingstone in nice weather, happily devouring another of the Smarties Easter Eggs which Sadie had brought on the previous weekend, and being amazed at the sheer hugeness of the orange that came out of Sadie’s packed lunch. Then came the trick with the lighter and the orange peel, which I made a little video of, but turned out a bit naff, really…

When we arrived at Chicago Rock in Livingstone, we were much chuffed to find that it’s a part of a McArthur Glen shopping complex (similar to Cheshire Oaks, which is the nearest one to us) and, after depositing our stuff in the manager’s safe office (no dressing room) we girls went for a wander around the shops while Derek and Dave settled down at a table for some food.

The shops were good, although we didn’t do much spending (I spent all of 50p on a pair of sparkly earrings, and Sadie bought a purse and some rabbit food). We headed back to Chicago Rock and ordered some food from the most miserable waitress in the area (the food was lurvely, though) and then we went for a wander around upstairs in search of dessert (Cookie/Ice Cream shop – closed, and McDonalds McFlurries – also closed) before heading into the Wetherspoons next door for some nice ice cream and a waffle thing, and generally to veg out and have a few laughs. After this we still had time to kill so we wandered into the bar area of the China Glen and were soon joined by Dave to sit for a while in collective boredom until it was time for us to return to Chicago Rock, and the ladies toilets to get ready for the gig. The ladies toilets in any venue are a strange place – men would scream and run after about 5 minutes, I reckon. I nearly did, myself!

Once on stage (after being followed all around Chicago Rock all day by the usual od shout of ‘It’s the Coooorrs!’) we started the show and found, within seconds, our first fan – a blonde-haired lady, who danced and clapped all the way through with such energy that we sometimes wondered where she had escaped from! Other interesting characters were a bloke who studied Andrea almost in the manner of a fictional private detective, and an imitation Eminem, giving the instantly recognisable disconcerting looks of a regular nightclub predator.

It was another great gig, however and the set went down great as always. After the show, one of the managers brought some free drinks to the safe room (which we’d now adopted as a dressing room, despite the cameras) and we girls found time for a massage (well, Andrea) and a couple of funny videos (Sadie doing an imitation of herself onstage… in reverse!), and then it was time for us all to get back in our van and travel back to good old Scouseland, and our very own beds.

Aberdeen, 30-3-05

Sun, 03 Apr 2005 15:35:31 GMT

It was strangely foggy weather as we travelled up to Scotland for a two-night stint. We had planned to stop for some food at a pub somewhere along the way but somehow didn’t quite manage it, and when we did decide to pull in to investigate a place for food, it turned out to be a load of arty-farty stuff, and rather expensive to boot – we only wanted a pub lunch – so we moved on pretty quick.

When we got to Chicago Rock in Aberdeen, we set up and soundchecked, and then went for some food in the restaurant there (where we were a little disappointed with the chicken wings, but at least they weren’t stingy portions, and the food ended up being free anyway). We were all really hungry and practically cleaned plates, however.

After food we sat down for a bit, but it was a little on the cold side so, after Sadie and I discovered a nice looking Irish Pub on our way back from a mini-mission to the van, we all decided to change scenery and went to the pub.

In the pub we found a one-man acoustic gig in the form of a down to earth bloke called Paul, who seemed appreciative of having an audience to play to (us – the pub was small, and a bit quiet). After a bit of banter between us all, and requests being asked for and received, for some reason Paul asked me if I played guitar (why me I have no idea – possibly because I had been wielding a camera with flash from the moment we walked in)… needless to say, the rest of our group pushed me into doing a song, and the lady behind the bar insisted I do another one after that, which was an interesting and unexpected twist to the evening.

As I was playing my last song, two more people walked into the bar – a tall dude, and a not-so-tall dude wearing a cowboy hat. After I rejoined our group at the table, and a last song was played by Paul, a voice boomed over from the bar: “Andrea!”… at which we all turned around in the direction of the speaker, who turned out to be the dude in the hat.

He had been directing the name at me, spotting the familiar dark haircut, but of course our Andrea responded to hearing her name, too, stating the strangeness of hearing it and knowing it was directed at me.

As it happened, the two dudes at the bar – who later became known to us as Tony and Bill – were part of a Blues Brothers Tribute act, who remembered us from a showcase we played a couple of years ago which they had also been a part of.

Soon enough we were all (Corrds, Blues Bros, and Acoustic Paul) sitting around one table over a few drinks and conversation about music and that made a very nice change to the normal run of a Chicago Rock gig. The Blues Bros, we discovered, were in town to promote a gig there in a month’s time, and had called into Chicago Rock to see who would be playing there that night. On discovering it would be a Corrs Tribute, they asked if it was our band (the ones from Liverpool) and on having that confirmed they had decided to go to our gig that night. Little did they know that we would also be sitting in the pub they went to, straight from there!

After a while it was time for us to get back to Chicago Rock and retire to the dressing room (storage room behind stage) to get all the make up on and get dressed (damn, it was cold…). I was positively drooling when I discovered a jumbo size Louisiana Sauce, and we were all chuckling when Dave and Derek found a Scots hat & wig.

The gig was fantastic, again, although we did have a couple of cock-ups on stage – it was all funny. Nice to some people we knew in the audience, too, especially as we were so far from home and had never played at this Chicago’s before.

The audience were great and everyone had a fab time (even those who were removed from the stage by doormen!) – the Scottish folk are always up for a party.

After the set we came out for a few drinks with the Blues Bros, as we had a hotel booked nearby so there was no pressure for us to get on the road as soon as possible, as there normally is.

We were also being given free drinks by the nice Manager, there, which made things all the more pleasant. The only downside was a couple of people who were a bit over the top with the affection – verging on the point of lecherousness – one of whom was swiftly and straightforwardly dispatched by our very own Blues Bro Bill. Also I had a little chuckle as a bloke approached us and insisted on offering us 3 gigs on the run, at 3 different venues, wanting us to play for FOUR hours each night with ONE half hour break a night – and at about a quarter of our normal fee… Being a bit drunk, he couldn’t quite understand why I wasn’t desperate for us to accept his offer, and eventually – when I did manage to explain it – he went away thinking we are about the same price as Britney Spears…. I’d like to see the real Britney Spears in Chicago Rock!

After the venue closed we all stuck around for a last drink with the nice Manager and our new mates, the Blues Bros, and then everyone parted ways (although I saw our ‘Elwood’ Blues at the Cavern on the following Saturday as it turns out we have a lot of mutual buddies).

Back at the Travelodge, Andrea danced around the hotel room for a while and then fell soundly asleep as soon as she hit the pillow, Sadie and I had a natter before Sadie turned in too, and then I sat up until around 5.30 writing the past few entries covering the Easter Weekend, and transferring all these lovely pictures.

A great night all round, nice people, a few laughs and some drinks, and then a comfy Travelodge to round it all off. Great!

PS. This is just a little thing I found on the Cavern Beatles blog site, which Ric kindly gave me permission to use. Kept me chuckling for about 10 minutes when I found it... just keeps getting funnier and funnier the more ye look at it! Will find another home for it soon.

Swansea

Fri, 08 Apr 2005 05:28:37 GMT

Marton Mere, 26-3-05

Mon, 28 Mar 2005 02:38:14 GMT

Off to Havens in Marton Mere for our second Easter Weekend gig, and it was nice to be able to get pictures of the Windmill and Tower as we drew near to Blackpool, as those were the landmarks I always looked out for when I was little and going to Candlewick Green gigs with the family.

When we got to Havens there were no staff, but a nice letter from the entertainments manager, along with some Creme Eggs (awww... fanx!), a map to the caravan we could use, and a caravan key. There were also tea and coffee making facilities, along with blackcurrant and orange squash, and people kept coming in to give us more (and more!) drinking glasses, so we were all sorted. Very nice start.

As Derek and Dave were setting up the stage and fiddling with wires, Andrea and I went in search of the supermarket/shop to see if there was anything in there we could have for tea (there wasn't), and after a quick browse and seeing loads of other things we wanted, we made our way back for soundcheck.

After soundcheck we drove around to the caravan to drop Sadie off and discovered the key didn't work, but the door was already unlocked anyway. Dave darted off to go and tart himself up a bit, and the rest of us drove into Blackpool looking for food (Derek being sure of many good quality Indian take-aways). We found a great curry shop in the form of the Bengal Spice, which had a wonderfully handpainted Indian bike-taxi thing inside, and the nicest staff you could ever hope to meet. After we'd ordered our food, Derek and Andrea made a bee-line for the Bargain Booze across the road, and after encoutering more pleasant and friendly staff there, we happily clinked our way back to the Bengal Spice to pick up our tasty treasure.

Back in the caravan (which was a really nice one), we found a security guy delivering bedding (in the case we wanted to stay over) and he agreed to bring us some kind of TV so Sadie and Andrea could catch the first episode of the new Dr Who (they'd been a bit excited about it).

The curry was gorgeous. What more can I say?! Mmm.... could do that again now.

After the curry we all sat, stuffed, around the table - apart from Derek, who went for a kip on the couch - and I learned how to play Dominoes before getting ready for the gig.

After getting ready, we made our way back to the Showbar, got changed and went on stage. The set (the hottest, sweatiest set we've played in ages - o my god) went great, with loads of dancers and a happy, Easter audience. Two of the little girls on the dance floor were particularly excellent Irish dancers, obviously attending lessons, so that was very interesting to watch as we played.

After the set we got all our stuff together and had a quick drink and a sit in the dressing room with Jo (apart from myself - I was insanely standing outside on the phone, in the freezing cold, and not wearing much at all... not recommended).

Soon enough we were off, on our way home, and I went to bed dreaming about Havens Holidays and the Easter Bunny, gorgeous curries, and Blackpool Tower.

Lakelands, 28-3-05

Sat, 02 Apr 2005 02:24:31 GMT

With this being the last Havens we will visit for a while, we stopped at our local Bargain Booze on the way to pick up some celebratory plonk. Above you can see pictures of Andrea making her purchase, and Sadie apparently trying to get through the glass to the wall of wine on the other side...

It was another nice day, even though it doesn't look like it on the pictures. It was actually very warm, which made the drive to the Lake District a bit more pleasant.

When we got near to the gig, we drove through the village where we went for food last time we were here, before arriving at Havens for our fourth and final gig of the Easter Weekend.

After loading in and pottering about for a bit while Derek and Dave sorted out all their wiring (Andrea and I had a hilarious situation at the van, near which a sad bloke made sad attempts at being overheard as he was trying to be impressive and, sadly, failing!) we went to pick up our caravan key and made our way to the supermarket/shop.

After buying food and having a browse, we got back to the van and drove around to the caravan. Lovely weather, still, and so much so that we could even leave the door open for a while as we made some food.

After we all sorted our food out (I took a funny video of Derek being after the pie Andrea brought, but settling for his own sandwich), Derek went for a kip in one of the rooms, Sadie did some work, and Dave watched some telly while Andrea and I played Ludo and had a few drinks.

When Derek woke up and joined us again, the nice day had turned into a bloody freezing night, so we put the fire on full while we got ready for the gig, and then drove back round to the club.

The set went great, again, despite it being Bank Holiday Monday (usually the day when everyone's going home). The audience were all up for it and everyone was dancing and clapping and joining in with everything as usual - all apart from a teenage Axl Rose lookalike sitting with a teenage Marilyn Manson lookalike at the front who wore their best moody looks and sat with arms folded for the whole night... awww, I remember when I thought I was cool, too... he he he... Poor sods - playing fun games with Rory The Tiger is probably not quite their idea of a great holiday. On a personal, funny note, I actually managed to (finally!) record a bit of the Havens 'Jingle' which plays before we go on stage, which I'm really chuffed about. Just so we don't forget...

After the set we got all our stuff together and loaded out, then bid a cheerful farewell to Havens as we set off homeward in our Corrdmobile, under a very starry night, indeed.

Cala Gran, 27-3-05

Tue, 29 Mar 2005 02:04:27 GMT

Blackpool again, and unfortunately it looked like we'd seen the last of the nice weather for a while...

After a rainy drive, we arrived at Cala Gran Havens and were greeted by a member of staff as we were loading in, who brought some coffee and gave us the key.

After loading in, we girls went for supplies to the shop, and then went to the caravan, all wrapped up like Arabs and Eskimos against the rain (which plays havoc with artificially straightened curly hair, obviously).

After we put food in the oven (improvising very well with dishes and utensils), we got the fire on and got ourselves settled. I went for another long session on the phone in one of the cold rooms, after which we had our food and then a good, long, girly chat, before being joined by Derek. After the conversation took many interesting and lively turns, we got ourselves ready and went back to the Showbar to get changed.

Back in the dressing room, we had a good half hour before stage-time, so Andrea and I went to the shop for some 'pick-n-mix' sweets (avoiding the groups of young children - and, surprisingly, one parent - who were brazenly stealing most of it without anyone taking notice). Back in the dressing room we tucked into our sweets (which we paid for, by the way) and then went out to do the show.

Another great audience, all happily stuffed with Easter Sunday Chocolate, and quite a lot of funny things on stage, too - like something interesting that was going on with Sadie's trousers, amongst quite a few other funnies. By the way, check out the 'feet' pictures below - that first 'feet pic' is actually Andrea's feet - I thought some people might be interested to see the unusual drumming footwear she uses for gigs!

After the set we loaded out with some difficulty - as the get in here isn't too good because of the bollards which mean we can't back the van up to the door and therefore have to trek a bit from the stage to the door (weaving big, heavy speakers around small children), and then from the door to the road where the van is. Got it all sorted eventually, though and we were off home again, with Sadie trying to get me back for all the bad moments I catch everyone in with my camera!

PrestHaven, 25-3-05

Mon, 28 Mar 2005 02:24:35 GMT

It was another nice day as we travelled to Havens in Prestatyn. When we arrived, we couldn’t set up straight away as there was complete darkness on the stage, apart from a big screen showing the rugby.

After loading in, Sadie went off in search of the chalet, while Andrea and I checked out the shop/supermarket, coming out with toilet roll and personalised pens.

After finding the chalet and depositing make up, etc. Sadie and I went out for a trek among the sand dunes, which was made all the more challenging (for me) due to the fact that I was, of course, wearing boots with high stiletto heels. Dune-dumping with a touch of glam…

As it got darker, we got chatting to a nice bloke who was also exploring the dunes with his two nice kids and after they left, we had a rather hilarious time trying to find easier ways to return to ground level (being on the highest dune at that time).

After a long chill out, reading magazines in the chalet, we did the make up thing and headed back to the Showbar (The Sands), running into a nice bloke I know called Daniel on the way and meeting the new family.

Backstage we had enough time to change clothes and then we were on. Had another fab gig, another great audience and a good night all round.

After the gig, it was nice to see the Roberts’s before we left, and it was also nice to be home and dry before 4am!

19-3-05, Hampshire Tennis Club

Sun, 20 Mar 2005 17:56:14 GMT

It was a beautiful day when we drove down to Hampshire and we were well chuffed to find a marks & Spencer at the Services, especially me because that meant I could get my favourite Chinese Chicken stuff – as it was lovely weather, the need for a cold lunch came up for the first time (for me) on our travels this year, so far.

When we got to the Tennis Club it was still a nice day, but getting a bit chilly as the sun was disappearing, but that didn’t stop us from attempting to have a sit outside with cold drinks.

After setting up and seeking out the female changing rooms (renamed ‘Colleens’ for Paddy’s Day), we got on with the soundcheck and then Sadie went in search of some (rather dubious looking) sportswear for a quick session in the gym (see pic of Sadie trying to be invisible for the camera).

While Sadie went for a work-out, we went to sort ourselves out with some food, pottered about for a bit, and then went to get ready for the gig. Found some interesting signage in the changing room requesting that pushchairs not be taken into the shower, and ‘Horse Play’ (very specific) was not allowed at the pool. I thought it was amusing, anyway.

As we had a bit of space to play with in the ‘stage area’ I opted for the skirt and barefoot thing for this gig, but was a bit reluctant to part with my socks (cold feet). I did part with them for the show, of course.

The gig went very well, although they were rather a more subdued lot than the previous few Paddy’s Night audiences, however they all cheered up pretty quick and crowded the dance floor for some very interesting dances.

As this was our FOURTH St Patrick’s Day in a row, we’d kinda got to the point where it was beginning to feel like Groundhog Day, so I kept myself amused by changing the names of all our jigs accordingly. Thus, the set began with ‘Haste to St Patrick’s Day’ (Haste to the Wedding), followed by ‘The Joy of St Patrick’s Day’ (The Joy of Life), ‘St Patrick’s Apron’ (Mason’s Apron), and I was stopped in my tracks when changing the title of ‘Toss The Feathers’ by the band starting the song before I could slip out the new title, and it's probably a good thing they did. He he he, ye have to keep yerself amused, you understand…

After the set we had a swift drink and set off home, and St Patrick’s Day – now four days long – was finally done for another year. For the next few days we were struggling to stop ourselves from singing jigs and dreaming about cartoon Leprechauns…

18-3-05, Halton Stadium, Widnes

Sun, 20 Mar 2005 17:45:34 GMT

St Patrick’s Day Three – The Return

It was great to wake up at home again, and to know that this gig would be a local one, so we didn’t have to leave too early.

When we got to the place, we had to load the gear in by some of us putting a few bits in the elevator and sending someone up with it while the rest of us unloaded it at the other end.

The room we were in was… The Bridge Suite? It was decorated very nicely, and very posh, indeed, with all the tables reserved as the tickets were all sold out. It seemed to be something to do with the Mayor, who attended the gig with-spouse.

It was nice to talk to Callum (one of our lovely agents) on the phone as we were setting up – as we haven’t all had a good social natter for a good while… We’re all long overdue for a party…

After soundcheck we were directed to the River Suite, which was to be our dressing room for the night (and general ‘smoking room’ for any customers in the vicinity), and after some enquiries, we managed to secure ourselves some dinner, too.

The most un-rock n’ roll part of our gigs is the bit after soundcheck and before we start to get ready for the gig – sometimes this can be a long time, and also quite boring. This evening we passed the time hearing some rather sensational stories from our DJ for the night (who didn’t seem too happy about his job, and seemed to prefer his other job as a female impersonator), and watching TV. When Eastenders came on and Dave and Andrea settled down for concentrated viewing – our friendly DJ (not an Eastenders fan, apparently) said something (in Dave’s direction) to the effect of him not knowing blokes could be interested in watching programmes like that…. Which was an interesting comment, coming from someone who plucks his eyebrows and likes to wear dresses… ;-)

It’s all in good humour, mind you…

After eating and watching a programme hosted by the Two Ronnies, we all got ready for the gig and took a picture each before going on stage.

The stage set up was really strange, as the tables inthe room had been set really close to the stage, but on either side – so as to leave room for the dance floor, while packing in as many people as possible – so our speakers were set more or less behind us and movement was rather restricted.

The show went really well, however, and the Mayor looked well into everything. We had a lot of jiggers and dancers of all varieties, and another great night was had by all.

Being a local gig, we were also very pleased to be returning home early, especially as we had a bit of a trek ahead of us for our fourth, and final St Paddy’s gig the next day.