Dj Trev moaning about the cold November rain, amongst other things – a litany of Pubs, Clubs, Birthday Bars, Rockabilly gigs and Litany.
Last week – in a brilliant execution of journalistic integrity – I neglected to mention a music party I was involved with last Saturday, for charity. As it goes it had been mentioned in the weeks previous, furthermore it had been postered and talked about on Stray FM and was all over facebook, BUT the point I am – brilliantly you might say, and you’d be right – making is that this was just an over sight on my part AND, logically, if I can FORGET to mention events that I am involved extensively in, it is not entirely unlikely that I might not mention events that YOU are putting on that I don’t even know about in the first place because you haven’t told me. I realise this is essentially whistling in the wind and that I will still get a bi-monthly “How cum u dint mention my gig at the *insert pub* sadface not ‘appy bro” message from some lovable scamp complaining that I didn’t tell everyone about something they had not told me about. I mean, fun as writing this column is, that can be sliiightly irritating. So I would like to cheerfully and politely ask you to message me any listings you want to facebook.com/djtrev, ideally BEFORE the event rather than complaining after, because currently my time machine is broken because I smashed some idiots head in with it because they were rude to me on facebook.
The least said the soonest mended about the Harrogate Music Party really, save to say the only good thing to come from it is that fact that I can thank everyone who was involved in it AND thank everyone who was there in pretty much the same sentence. We did have a few people turn up, but it was a bit of a wash out really so it is unlikely I will be bothering again – but don’t let that stop budding bands from contacting me on facebook saying how I should support the live music scene more and even though you don’t often get chance, ever, really, to go to gigs, you would really like to play a gig so long as I organise it and stuff. Genuinely I do love putting on gigs and some of my best mates are in some of the bands I’ve worked with, that’s how I met them, but the sad truth is that people don’t seem bothered anymore, so neither am I. This whole paragraph reads a shade on the bitter side, which isn’t the case, I just don’t care anymore. I often get people – usually thick people to be fair – saying that I seem bitter and angry in my online ramblings, and I promise you, normally you are just not getting the joke. That is probably my fault, I should probably try to make my jokes, you know, funny – but that didn’t stop that Dapper Laughs guy did it and things seem to be going well for him. Really though the only thing that makes me bitter is having to listen to people who don’t really know me very well telling me what I should do with my life, at the same time as I am trying to meticulously mix two Rihanna records together. Thanks for your feedback ;)
I’ve actually had a load of the only kind of feedback I’m actually interested in – that is to say, wholehearted praise – recently so I’m going to carry on doing this column into the new year and then see how it’s going. Weirdly, given that my chosen industry has been having a shocker this year, I find myself remarkably busy. I’ve just started my pub quiz at Ten Devonshire Place. This is basically off the back of a piece of writing I did about them on this very website a few weeks ago. So there it is kids, after writing this column for the best part or 2 (or is it 3?) years I’ve finally managed to get some work out of it. Dare to dream!
The quiz is there every Sunday and I run it with Jonny Skinner who is the guy who did the charity single for Thea’s trust. He’s a top decent bloke and it’s really nice to be working with him and, which is more, we get a couple of pints as our rider and the booze there is superb! Though one suspects I may become what is known in the industry as a “Fat Bas” if I don’t watch myself, so given that I am currently VERY single, if any women want to meet up for intense 1 to 1 work out sessions you know where to reach me. I’ll be hanging out by the toilets.
To that very end, I am going out this week as on Thursday there are two quality events in one night . First I shall be starting my high-jinx at High Harrogate, in the aformentioned Ten Devonshire Place. This is because on Thursdays they are having “Camra Club” which is a weekly night with 20% off for Camra members. Now then, I am a Camra member because I love Real ale, unfortunately my stomach does not so much, so the Members Discount on Real Ale that you get in several places in not much use to me. Ten Dev (I’m gonna make that stick) are offering 20% off EVERYTHING though so that means I can, responsibly, actually enjoy the type of discount that is normally reserved for Students and other people who do about as much work as I do. Finally things are starting to come up Trev. Ten Dev has a load of board games and a real fire for me to sit next to and warm my old bones, so that’s my jump off point for the night, which then leads on to…Montey’s Rock Café, which is celebrating it’s 18th Birthday! That is scarier than you can imagine because I remember that place opening. It’s sort of like that weird moment where you meet on of your mate’s daughters and she is now 20 and you’re all like “and who is THAT stone cold fox, you do know that I am VERY single and… why are you picking up that chair?” (That story actually happened at a wedding once, I may tell you about it one day). Anyway, Montey’s Birthday party IS an invite only job and guess what ladies I have a spare “plus one” on my invite so as long as I don’t know your dad, get in touch.
Should you not wish to run that gauntlet or low self esteem and frankly, danger, you can still apply for invites from the venue, though I doubt there will be many left! There is a mega special guest band playing, but it is a secret, and honestly, girls, I am really good at keeping things secret… or discreet as I prefer to put it as it sounds much less sinister…. After that I’m off to the Blues Bar, as The Memphis Cruisers are playing. They have a big quiffed front man and play rockablilly stuff with people all swing dancing and that. They are well good. I spent a good couple of hours in the Blues last night – you know those perfect hours between the drink and the regret? – watching Rob Reynolds play, and he was really good, so I’m looking forward to getting back there, as they have a really really pale ale on that went down like Torres in the box. After that I’ll probably head to a kebab shop for some regret, all in all a pretty good night planned really.
Listen, don’t go thinking that is all that is on, it’s just that realistically it is probably all I can get to in one night, now that my old legs don’t like the walking an’ that quite so much. Also on Thursday Major Tom’s Social has something called the Little Less Known Launch party. The simple fact of the matter is a Little, indeed Less, is Known about it by ME, so I don’t know what to tell you. Also, if I hadn’t got all that planned I would have been going over to Ripon as the Curzon Theatre has the monthly Geek Movie quiz on which is by all accounts a superb affair and I WILL I WILL I WILL make it to one before 2016!
You know it is like nearly December yeah? The end of November is typically a cold bleak time (kind of like being in bed with me), but let me tell you, there is LOADS on this weekend (kind of like not being in bed with me). On Friday there is a veritable feast of options:
For the mainstream Navi is playing The Viper Rooms on Friday, he is a Michael Jackson Tribute. For fans of live original music Henshaws Arts & Crafts Centre in Knaresborough has “The Friday night Mix” with Sarah-Louise Boyle, Nathan Hitchinson and Jamie Bevan. If you wish to feel benevolent – and why not? – the Crown Hotel is hosting a “Sportsman’s Dinner” and Charity Ball for Thea’s Trust. Whilst if you just want to hit the dancefloor and get into some deep house music “Knee Deep” welcomes System 2, Dee Brown and the Knee Deep residents to Moko Lounge. That is a range of strong options and of course there are more in the listings section, so don’t sit in sulking!
On Saturday meanwhile, as the usual stuff The Regency Pub has a Wild West Party. I have no idea what that is but they have spent a bit of money recently on the venue and they do run quite a lot of things there that the regulars love. Further out of town the Bilton Working Men’s Club has got a Paul Weller Tribute on.
I’ve gone on a bit and you probably stopped reading after you read the term “Dj Trev… something something something” but I should mention a Harrogate musical duo called Litany who are making waves right now. They have been played on Huw Stevens radio show, which is one of the few good shows left standing on Radio 1. They have also made it to the hallowed pages of NME though I stopped reading that when it was cool to stop reading that. Musically they sound a bit like the xX, only good. Actually no, I’m not comparing them to the xX because I don’t like the xX (for proof, observe how I refuse to give them two lower case x’s) how about a more electronia led yet slightly less bombastic Florence and The Machine? Very lush sonically, quit minimalist, it’s not exactly dancefloor banger stuff this is more music for having a long bath to, but that’s cool because the older I get the more time I spend in the bath. Ideally the next step for me is bed baths but I’m no payin’ for it. So what I’m saying is I like this band; listen to them. There is only two of em, and it will make nice listening for, I dunno, say reading a load of rambling on the interweb? https://www.facebook.com/jakeandbeth
Before I go, if when I was talking about The Memphis Cruises your interest was piqued, also at the Blues on Sunday afternoon there is a band playing who do covers from the same era, called Roadhouse 59. I’m not sure what they are like as I have never seen them but the artists they play (according to their poster) are really quality and it is part of their full day on live music which ends in the evening with an album launch from Holly Webber.
Before we get to the listings, whilst the fact that December does mean it is Christmas and that is not exactly the most relaxing time of year, try to remember what it is for. Not god or any of that mumbo jumbo, Christmas originally was a festival to remind us that we are half way through the dark days. November is one of the saddest months of the year and we are more or less through it, well done, keep going, soon it’ll be time for egg nog and figgy pudding!
Thursday 27th November
Montey’s Rock Café, 18th Birthday party with SPECIAL GUESTS
Blues Bar, live music from The Memphis Cruisers, 50’s & Rockabilly.
Ten Devonshire Place, CAMRA Club, 20% off for members.
_Ripon, Curzon theatre, Geek movie Quiz.
Major Tom’s Social, Little Less Known Launch party with live music from Fran Wynburn and Stephen Preacher.
Christies Pub, Sean McGrath’s Pub quiz.
Viper Rooms “YOLO” R’n’B studenty night.
Lure “Thirsty Thursdays”, house & beats with Dj Scuba.
Rehab “Flex” Upfront R’n’B & Party.
FRIDAY 28th November
Crown Hotel, Sportsman’s Dinner and Charity Ball for Thea’s Trust.
Moko Lounge, “Knee Deep” house night with System 2, Dee Brown and the Knee Deep residents.
Viper Rooms, Michael Jackson Tribute from Navi.
_Knaresborough, Henshaws Arts & Crafts Centre, “The Friday night Mix” with live music from Sarah-Louise Boyle, Nathan Hitchinson and Jamie Bevan.
_Boroughbridge, The Anchor, Citizen Smith live.
Rift & Co. Dj Tex brings the weekend.
Moko Lounge, #Fridays.
Blues Bar, Poorboy, free entry.
Lure Bar, Shuffle with Toby Skinner. House, Breaks & Funk.
Rehab Nightclub, “Electro Circus” dance Night. Free entry.
SATURDAY 29th November
The Regency Pub, Wild West Party.
Bilton Working Men’s Club, The Modfather Paul Weller Tribute.
Rift & Co. Front bar Dj Tex (Soul & R’n’B), main room Disco Dave (upfront dance and chart) free entry.
Blues Bar, The Jed Thomas Blues Band Band.
Viper Rooms, Angel Lee & Neil Jaques upstairs, Harvey Westwood Downstairs. Door charge applies, or contact the venue for guest list before 11pm.
Moko Lounge, Drop Out house night. Door charge applies, or contact the venue for guest list before 11pm.
Rehab nightclub, two floors of music: Top Floor : Max Czernic Pop Punk 10pm ‘til 4am.Downstairs: Doors open 8pm with Pop & Dance music from Djs Wayne & James. Free entry.
SUNDAY 30th November
Blues Bar, live all day: Roadhouse 59 3pm, TBC 6pm, Holly Webber album launch night 9pm.
Ten Devonshire Place, Very Quaint Vintage Quiz with Dj Trev PLUS live music from Jonny Skinner.
Major Tom’s Social, Dj Scooby’s Big Band Sundays.
Viper Rooms. Peek-a-Boo R’n’B night.
Hales Pub, live acoustic night.
Fat Badger, Cold Bath Road, Pub Quiz.
MONDAY 1st December. Ommers, December. Stressed yet?
The Harlow Inn, Otley road, Pub Quiz.
So! Bar, Otley Road, Pub Quiz.
Rehab, late bar.
Blues Bar, fully hosted fully entertaining open mic session, hosted by Pete Oliver.
Moko Lounge nightclub, Karaoke.
TUESDAY 2nd December
The Blues Bar, TBC, Free entry.
The Tap n’ Spile pub, folk night.
The Cross Keys Pub, Knaresborough, Folk Night.
Pitcher & Piano Re:Session cheap drinks night.
Rehab nightclub, Dj Max Czernic.
Moko Lounge Nightclub, “Skint” main room upfront dance and electro, VIP Room Rock Box Rock night Dj Jaye Selway.
Rift & Co. Bar, “Back to Rev’s” House Night, Half Price Drinks with Toby Skinner & Steve “Scuba”.
Coach and Horses Pie and Peas night with proceeds to Martin’s House Children’s Hospice.
WEDNESDAY 3rd December
The Regency Pub, big screen quiz.
Rehab nightclub, Dj Max Czernic. Anything goes party set with Harrogate’s next big hair.
The Blues Bar, live music from the Paul Middleton Angst band .
Thanks for reading, drink responsibly and don’t be loose with your affections. Enjoy yourself!
Trev x x x
Gosh, all that and hardly a deep breath – well done you.x