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Mornin all
Hope this finds you all a quiver with Christmas joy, hope your cup runneth over
with festive spirits, hope the weeds of despair stay at the bottom of the garden
& only the buds fooled by the sun greet your morning....
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| Sunset in Cancun - am I jealous? (THB Web Genie) |
OK, let's start with Mexico, Mexico was hot & beautiful & the ocean was the most
amazing colour...the sunsets were
beautiful as was the Tequila and
Fajitas, Though I have to say that Cancun and the surrounding areas could be the
equivalent to our Tenerife really, I believe the Pacific side is more of a
'cultural experience' but none-the-less.... it was very beautiful.
Most of November was spent in Glasgow (with Chris Gorman, Mick J, Paul Malcolm
etc) we finished the single & then carried on writing & what can I say, the
ingredients are all there for an amazing album & I haven't been so excited in
the longest time. We got another track called "Now I'm gone" which began as an
idea that Mick J the drummer had, it's very special & I can't wait to release
this stuff. If this doesn't do it then I ain't got it to do......"King of Rain"
is also sounding bloody glorious.
I've had to postpone a few live dates to next year, the recording needs to take
priority right now & my quest to find the right guitar player down South has so
far proved fruitless, I know what I want & whilst it's not difficult to find
players, finding the right one is difficult, There is a pleasure in poetic pains
which only poets know & I need a right hand man (or left!!)....it will happen,
auditions are on hold now til the new year but it will happen & next year will
be bloody amazing!
I'm flying out to New York next week for Christmas, will be great & I can't
wait!
I intend to work my arse off on this new project next year, I intend to leave no
stone unturned, no venue unplayed & I intend to march boldly into every radio
station & every TV show & every newspaper & I intend to be heard...so, this
single should be in the shops early next year & the album in Spring......let's
have it shall we???
Have a beautiful peaceful Christmas.....& remember....." love is all around!!!!"
TH x
Greetings all.......
I figure it's time for a catch up eh?
The gig in Wales last month was just fantastic, we didn't get points & a fine
for speeding, it didn't end up costing a fortune, we didn't get lost & therefore
it didn't take 7 hours to get there, no-body got drunk before we played, the
venue was great, the band was great we got paid in full & on time & I didn't
question my very reason for being.
In general, I have not had to deal with psychotic
sick girlfriends of band members, I have not sacked anybody, I have been happy
that my true calling is in such a lucrative, fair, business where my talent &
art are respected and not ripped off and
bastardized.
I have not had my bank account emptied by thieves, I have not witnessed an armed
robbery where I am now a main witness & I have not had my credit card
maxed out & my identity stolen.
The London gig was truly great, it didn't cost a fortune to do, we were paid
handsomely & fairly, we didn't forget the congestion charge & get a penalty, we
played our best ever show & we stayed sober afterwards.
Sometimes... I wish I
coulda just fancied being a bloody
hairdresser.
Anyway - I'm off to Mexico!
TH
Mornin'
all....
Where do I begin....there's been so much happening, so much great stuff
happening.....I love that!!
Unbelievably.....Sam (Drummer) was repaired in time for Sheffield & then Ed
(Guitar) had an accident and ended up playing the Metro show with a massive hole
in his hand, I swear I gotta wrap this lot in cotton wool!
I'm just back from the studio....had a pretty intense few days doing backing
vocals for 'Ginger' (Wildhearts) for his new album, had a bloody great time &
met some great people...more on that later.....
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The Boardwalk - Sheffield |
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Played Sheffield earlier in the month, memory is a tad hazy now but it was a great 1st gig for our new drummer Sam, he played a blinder & it was nice to be back at the Boardwalk. It's a great venue run by some very cool people, great sound & great audience. The London show at the Metro wasn't our finest hour to be honest.....sometimes things just don't sit right & that was one of those occasions, band a bit loose, I f**ked up the first song and we just didn't pull it back for some reason, actually had a great response from the audience & no-body really noticed but I guess I just want it to be amazing every time.
Everyone
seems to be loving this new line-up, the sound has changed, the look has
changed....it's different....and it's bloody energetic & enthused & it rocks
like a mother!!
Had another week up in Glasgow in the studio with Podboy records...I'm loving
going up there & the guys are so incredibly talented. Some very interesting
things developing there ....all will be revealed soon, going back next week.
Played another show in Wakefield, first time there (Thanks Malc) nice venue run
by music people, band played great & we had a lotta fun, had it filmed and will
be adding some footage to the website & Myspace.com soon. What about this
myspace eh? Most bands probably not bothering to have a website anymore.....what
did we do before myspace? I like it for the fact that it is another way for the
smaller bands to get exposure & you can find some bloody great bands on
there.....you can find everything on there!!!
Had to drive back that night so the party was on the bus.....red wine &
liquorice allsorts......rock 'n' roll baby!
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Ginger & the Gin-Jets |
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So that
kinda brings me up to date.....as I said earlier, I've been in the studio with
Ginger doing backing vocals for
his new album...which is sounding f**king great! He's f**cking great...the real
deal!! Met Jase Edwards & Tim Smith (Cardiacs) who are working with him & the
set up is great, it truly was a great pleasure to work with these people, I
think Jase is just about the best guy in the world to have recording your vocal,
really calm and encouraging & gentle on our oh so fragile egos!. Sang my face
off...reached notes I didn't know I could reach...got drunk on red wine & had a
ball. Ginger even cooked us dinner.....bloody lovely chap! Am going to be doing
some more work with him for my album which I'm really looking forward to. Can't
believe some of the lyrics he had me singing tho!.....u gotta get the
album....am not spilling the beanz man! Suffice to say that you all better get
out and buy it when it's done....
I'm really enjoying working with all these different people, it's the best & I
feel much more content lately.....
I feel content
when I've written a great song...when we do great gigs...when the music is good
I feel fulfilled & lately it's all flowing in the right direction & the planets
are all in the right place!!
Should be releasing a 3 track single next month......once again, it's different
but it's very good....a lot of piano work (courtesy of Chris Gorman) & fab new
songs. On that note....any great key/piano players reading this looking for a
gig ??? Am auditioning so get in touch!!
Alrighty then ..that's about it....website looks very posh eh?....(Thanks
Sam....don't know what I'd do without you!).
Speak soon.....
Love
TH
P.S. Saw the Rolling Stones last Sunday night at Twickenham... best band in the world, a total inspiration. Blew me away... Just proves that ageism has no place in this business because the best bands I know are all way over 50...
Good day to you all.....
There's not been many gigs happening so no road talk this time, there's no point competing with the world cup unless your bleedin' Madonna.... actually, there's no point then either.
So the past weeks have been spent auditioning & finding a great new drummer which rounds up the new line-up perfectly & working with Podboy records up in Glasgow which ended up being a fantastic experience with some hugely talented musicians...more on that later...
We're mourning the loss of Back St rehearsal rooms on Holloway, an awful damp ridden crap hole that witnessed the birth & death of many a fine band, Arsenal have taken over Nth London and will now turn it into executive flats for football crazed millionaire's and the musicians of Nth London will now have to re-locate their Marshalls.....even though the place truly was dire it was where we did our thing and it had a certain charm......So we've been rehearsing at Jed's' college by the sea in Kent.....spent the whole day/night there yesterday with Sam (drums). Sam Wilson has just joined us and hopefully this time we're on a winner...he reminds me a bit of our first drummer Ritchie Newman....he's very bloody loud & has great feel.....creative too which isn't always a given.
Unbelievable.......truly bloody unbelievable......my phone just rang, it was Sam....he's had a bike accident & damaged his arm, the extent of which is unknown but he's in plaster....f**k..
Be right back......
Ok, so Simon....thank god for Simon....Simon Berriman (who did some work with us earlier in the year) has offered to step in and help us out until Sam is out of plaster.....let's hope it's a sprain.
I have been in this situation so many times for one reason or another, 2 days before a show someone has a problem & it's total bloody panic and buggering mayhem but somehow it get's sorted, well not somehow... I get it sorted. But I almost take it as a given now that the phone will ring & chaos will ensue.
Anyway...sorted....show must go on.
So I was invited to go and do some work with Ian & Chris of Podboy records in Glasgow, I've not really written with other people outside of my band for years, with hindsight, for me... that was probably a mistake & I think I was under the illusion that it was some kind of loyalty thing but truth is... you may as well get your fingers in as many pies as possible & not limit yourself, thus is my intention now.
There may be some surprises in store & all will be revealed soon....suffice to say that the next album will be amazing & will truly show who I am & will be collaborations with several folk.
So, back to Podboy....had a great week up there & worked with some great musicians as I said, we recorded an old song of mine Marylebone... which sounds fanf**kintastic, better than any of us could have hoped for, stinks of top 10!!!! I also began another track with Chris Gorman which I'll be going to finish probably 1st week of August, Podboy have a great scene going on up there & I'm lovin' being part of it. So, on the Weds night Podboy were putting Ginger (Wildheart) on at the Bastille in Glasgae, was supposed to be an acoustic gig but sure enough wasn't...which was a bit of a bastard as Ian had arrived to discover some git had nicked his 24 channel desk & had to loan something far less capable at last minute...usual panic but all worked great in the end. (hope the person who nicked it get's something terminal...not very Buddhist I know but...what is wrong with people?)
I really enjoyed the show, he really has something special Ginger.....he has it....whatever it is that so few have....he has....it. I love that.....
In a scene saturated by crap he's an inspiration.
A guy called www.myspace.com/robochrist opened for him & was bloody excellent, apparently his band supported us in Leeds years ago...bloody lovely chap & huge talent.
And www.myspace.com/chrisgorman started the evening with aplomb...another real talent....so much talent...I'm gushing...... (and yes MySpace has taken over the world).
I so wanted to take Ginger up on his offer of hanging out & having a drink or 10 after the show but I know he's hardcore & I knew I had vocals to do the next day so I tottered back to the hotel on my gorgeous but insanely high new platforms!.... I know, I know, the story would have probably been much more interesting if I'd gone......hmm...... Look out for part 2 on that one.
All is well with the new guys....line up is
Jed Sharpe (Guitar & BVs)
Ed Sonsino (Guitar)
Nik Underwood (Bass)
Sam Wilson (Drums)
We're also writing & spending much time rehearsing, there's a couple of new songs on the go & everyone is contributing great stuff with energy & enthusiasm, we also start recording next month & I for one can't wait...I want to catch this new stuff while it's fresh, when a new song is written and it feels right... when the hairs on your arms stand up....that's when it should be recorded....so you can offer the listener that too......
So, should be a single available very soon....& ya know....watch this space.....all good......Maybe see ya soon.....Westcliffe on Sat.....etc etc....also... Ed will be naked at all July performances.
Peace?
TH
PS: Gonna do a
bit of writing with Ginger when he's finished his album......can't bloody
wait.....
Morning all...
It's been a tumultuous few months to say the least but within that also
exciting, going on the road with a whole new bunch of guys, praying that they
wouldn't f**k it up again.....living on my nerves which i haven't had to do for
years & with that came a whole new sound, new energy & a raw passion
that has been missing from the THB for a while, complacency doesn't work in
rock'N'roll...just by the very nature of it, you really have to mean it &
want it or it's completely transparent....you can smell it & taste it...at
least I can but then I'm a sensitive soul. There is little else as intense as
being in a band, anyone in one for long enough will know what I mean.....and it isn't
easy.....but it's bloody marvellous when it works.......
Which it did last Saturday night in Devon, never played the Limetree before.....Telvis (you know he's gonna be alright by the name eh?) is the
guy who runs it & basically it's just a big pub (which was packed)
with a large raised area on one side, the PA guy (thanks Tiny Tim) arrived with
a rig fit for bloody Wembley & at this we got quite excited, til we were
told that there was an old folks home next door....."keep it turned
down"....yeah right!!!!
For me it was the 1st time the new line-up really felt great....it was all the
things I said above and the set flew by....that's when you know its a great gig,
guitarists and sweat flying through the air....not a note/ beat out of place
(thank f**k)......just sheer excellence and I can't put into words how good it
felt & how relieved I was because I know now.....it's gonna be great &
it can only get better ......
Of course we celebrated into the wee hours in some terrible nightclub called
"Remedies" (now that's irony) I'm not sure the band quite represented
all the above said on the dance floor but hey...can't have it all, then sat on
the beach with a nice Chilean Merlot til sun-up......obviously we weren't
exactly overwhelmed with desire when our lovely host Trish delivered the bacon
and eggs a few hours later....the hotel was the only pink place in town...that
and our cheeks.....
The London show at the end of April was ok, I felt like we were concentrating on
not ballsing things up so hard that we didn't really let go....we played well
& the audience was great but we knew it could be better....I'm not going
into details about how that night ended up but it involved.... The Marathon
(Chalk farm) a Charlaton, a Babyshamble & a crazed fan.....oh and a healthy
dose of feigned identity...on that note, I will let your imagination do the
rest....
We're booking heaps of shows, we're writing new songs & we're recording so
keep your eyes here, it's gonna get very busy......
Love
TH x
Greetings....
Where does one begin......so much has happened over the last month or so, has
been a trying time to say the least, trying but also exciting,...is a funny
thing with change, i think most humans resist it as much as possible but
challenging oneself to the extreme can also be quite empowering & this has
been a challenge. The show must go on and all that..........
Went up to Pontypridd back in March, place called the District club.....i was a
little apprehensive but the venue was great & the folk up there took care of
us good, the place was packed.....probably more than 200 people in there,
probably more than 200 pissed people in there....they like a couple in Ponty eh?
At that show the fabulous Darrell Bath was with me on guitar & Ronny Rocka
had come in to help me out on bass, anyone that has seen us before will know
that the sound would have been considerably different with these guys in but it
was great, i think Darrell is one of the finest talents there is, he's the real
deal & there's little of that about anymore, i just love to watch him play,
saw him last night at the crybabies gig in London but more on that later.
I must admit that having had the same guitar player for years, it's a little
un-nerving playing with new people & of course everyone brings something new
to the show.....but somehow the nerves give it an edge.....Complacency doesn't a
good rock band make.
I decided to do the next few shows acoustic, just me and a couple of guitars
(Jed & Nik), although i love the full band show breaking it down and doing
it this way is also great, i can explore more with vocals & the audience can
actually hear the lyrics & meanwhile the search continued for permanent band
members, by this point i was also looking for drummer.......Darrell came and
opened the acoustic shows & for those who saw it i think they were
quite special nights.
Between then and now i've found some guys that fit the bill & just got back
from a few dates that started in Edinburgh last Tues....Played the Jamhouse
which i believe has Jools as one of it's directors, beautiful venue....just
opened in November, a little light in the audience dept but the guy loved us and
has already offered more dates. we did 2 sets, one acoustic and one full
band...the new chaps played great considering there was no leisurely
rehearsing.....!
Next night we played a tiny wee venue in Glasgow called the Vale, run by a
lovely chap called Ian who has podboy records, we'll be doing a lot more work
with Ian.
Then onto Cockermouth, couldn't believe the name of that place....venue was the
Fletcher Christian, really just a big pub with a stage in the back....we had
such a laugh & met some lovely folk, band played great & we went
clubbing til the early hours.....the maid was not impressed with Simon(drummer)
& Eds (guitar) room the next day....but at least the room was still there
unlike some experiences in the past.
Friday we
played in York at Cert 18, pretty decent venue & one thing about this trip
is that everywhere we've been we've met some truly great folk who are genuinely
still passionate about music, not all promoters are....some only care about dosh
whether you are good or not, (cheers Dave & Andy) of course reality is that
unless you are on the radio on rotation the only way to fill a venue is word of
mouth, so you gotta keep going back. I'm hoping ....actually i'm not hoping i
know....that this new band will be touring way more than the old line up, for
one reason or another we didn't get out and play enough & that doesn't suit
me, a band needs to be playing all the time. We had a band called
www.theplug.co.uk support us at the York show, you gotta check these guys out
they were excellent, i was trying to steal the fiddle player, he was
superb....am hoping i can get him in on some recording.
Thank you to everyone we met on this trip, we met some great bands &
promoters and it's been a pleasure. Thanks also....Nik, Jed, Simon &
Ed.......you did great & you all like a drink.....!!
Loved the Crybabies show last night, Darrell was on fine form & the audience
were mesmerised, he did one song called "if you leave me baby take me with
you" i love that, love his words....the man is a walking lyric as my dad
says.
Righto, am off.....please come to the Borderline on Friday.....i've worked
bloody hard to keep this on the road & i want some love form that audience
on Friday......!!!!
Take care
TH xx
Morning
all
I bloody hate computers, this is the 3rd time i've written this and each time
it's crashed and lost the bleedin' lot, so here goes again... once again with
feeling?
I was just looking at January's diary & i was just thinking that "life
happens while you're busy making other plans", i was just wondering if all
things happen for a reason & i was just concluding that life can change in a
heartbeat & you better be prepared for it when it does!! In January i was
basking in the knowledge that myself & my band were at our peak writing
wise, playing wise & very wise....but bask ye not for the seeds of change
are upon us...there has been much gossip & the truth is that the line up of
the band is about to change. As a fallout of this i had to cancel some gigs and
for that i apologise but hopefully i wont be cancelling any more. The Tracie
Hunter band may be changing but the band is NOT ending . Whatever don't kill me
makes me stronger!!!
I'm pleased to announce that the fabulous Darrel Bath will be guesting on the
upcoming dates accompanied by Ronnie on bass...an interesting dynamic & one
in which i hope you'll all come out & support.
Ok, gotta dash, places to go, people to see....a band to rehearse
(Frantically!!)
Will keep you posted....
Much love
TH
Happy 2006 to
all
Well, i'm back safely in Blighty, went over to the states for Xmas, spent a few
days with my mate and old bass player Joyce in Boston...she's now playing in
(what was) an all male band called the 'Fighting Cocks'...can't believe they
called themselves that but saw them play and it was good, think they had some
success in the 90's and are just reforming or deciding whether to reform, funny
with bands...they get so pissed off with each other and fight and scream and
it's all too much so they split (or in our case just carry on fighting!) and
they try and do other stuff with their lives but more often than not they
realise that creating music was so intoxicating that there is nothing else...i
know that this doesn't apply to every band, some bands just have a go then
bugger off to work at the bank but the ones who really mean it can't
stop......like us and maybe....maybe....'Take That'??Jesus........
Obviously i jest with the last comment, personally i have no problem with the
'Take That' come back, our last drummer 'Steve Washington' played with them for
years...and bears the scars.......it was quite a party by all accounts. Think it
still is for Steve.
After Boston i headed over to Connecticut to my dad's place where i spent most
of Xmas, that and a bit of New York. Had a lovely time, all of dad's band
came over on boxing day (although it isn't boxing day in USA) and the Lanson
Rose flowed, someone got him Branston pickle for Xmas, now that's a proper
prezzie for an Englishman abroad. We all had a jam downstairs which was
interesting....many different musicians, my brother Jesse was there
playing bass, our styles are all so different but we're all equally fabulous in
our own ways me thinks. Jesse is a very talented chap...and he's very gorgeous..
The boys wandered off to Sheffield and partied with their family and chums and
now we're all back and ready to get on it..i am so ready, Xmas was an
inconvenience really....i just want to focus on the next record and get it
done as soon as we can, while it's all new. Taking a month break.. whilst
it was lovely....came at the wrong time for me, it's like treading water and by
new year i didn't know what to do with myself. I conquered this
medicinally of course but energy is high now and it's back to work tomorrow.
I should
mention the Southend show which we did at the back end of last year, Bar
Riga....unfortunately wasn't a full house but am hoping it will be next time,
we've never played there before and didn't know what to expect but it's a great
venue and i want to see your arses there next time....ya know. We get
between 6 and 12,000 hits per week on this site...where the fu*k were you when
we were in Southend....it's up to you lot to keep the music live and keep the
venues taking original bands & not only having tributes, what kind of crap
world would that be? We give our very souls to this so get out and see the
shows............and don't forget Putney on 20th January!!
We may have a surprise that night.......may i said..........
'March of the Penguins' is a great movie...go and watch it, human beings could
well take a leaf out of a penguins book... turn off 'Big Brother' and create
your own fantastic reality show, that shit melts your mind.....You know i was
thinking, when we're all old and grey we wont be pissed of about the things we
tried... (unless it was crack cocaine!) but only by the things we didn't
try...get on with it and have a great year.
See you very soon.....
Love TH x
