The Phoenix and the Asylum.

A Welsh excursion and a trip to the Asylum.

   With the cancellation of the Journey to Steampunk festival at the Workhouse still sinking in Mr Dale Rowles of BB Blackdog contacted us to help out the Steampunks who had paid money and were set to lose out by playing a free gig instead and we (of course) agreed!
    A very busy Friday later (Spook moved house that day!) we set out for Wales and the appropriatly named Phoenix Steampunk Festival.......ariving at 1.30am we joined the party, Dale produced his home made wine which tasted wonderful but had the after effect of embalming fluid.

Us with Montague.

We met some great new mates like the wonderful Montague Jacques Fromage and Poisoned Electrick Head, along with the BB Blackdog boys and are mates Birthrite who came on the Saturday morning.
   Birthrite went on first, it's the first time we'd seen the new line up and they were awesome. We were on next and the gig went very well even though we had no Amy Teacake, her poor old keyboard having been destroyed be a fluke rain storm the week before! After us the decidedly eccentric Poisoned Electrick Head performed a storming set, the end result was another after gig party with the afore mentioned embalming fluid which resulted in a night with  hazy memories!!

Birthrite.

Poisoned Electrick Head.










 


Gladstone.

On Saturday 8th September we left for the very much looked forward to Asylum Festival in the beautiful city of Lincoln, here we met many of our good friends, too many to mention but you all know who you are. It was a hot sunny day in the most splendid company, we joined in the world record attempt for the most Steampunks in one place......did we get it.....I have no idea, but it was great fun!
    We were playing in the County Assembly Rooms in cenral Lincoln, first on was the uncomparable Montague Jacques Fromage then Pocketwatch closely followed by that splendid chap Mr B Gentleman Rhymer then Gladstone, we played our usual set and really enjoyed ourselves, it was a real pleasure to play at this great festival. Here's some photo's from the Asylum.....

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The world record attempt.

Gladstone at the Umbrella Fair.

Gladstone live at the Northampton Umbrella Fair.

      PHEW what a scorcher this weekend has been, so, not a time to be stuck in doors! I was off to the park and in particular Northampton's racecourse to that wonderful annual event....The Umbrella Fair. On Sunday 19th Sherlock's Dogs favourite humans Gladstone were playing, it must have been particularly hot because even Spook had his shirt off, to look directly at his bare flesh you needed welding goggles!! But with his factor 5000 on he was prevented from turning to dust, Dave Evil was also turning a little pink, Cloud was just radiating cool, Amy Teacake was glowing gently and Paul was otherwise engaged with his young lady Evie to care....

      Gladstone's set began at 3pm and it began sooo well with a good rendition of The Madness of Tilly Matthews, then Bluey, Night Creatures (went down very well) then at the start of The Ballad of William Winter the heavens opened!! Can you believe it....hottest day yet (maybe), certainly sun all weekend and it rained!! In fact it rained so hard poor old Amy's keyboard got soaked and started to make odd noises and flash unexpected lights, having to swiftly switch it off Amy ran for cover. Gladstone carried on without the keyboard having only to miss out one song (Newgate) which really needed the sound of tickled ivories.

      Never mind these things happen and I hope the keyboard recovers it's wits soon, carrying on the band went through Dr Dexter's Dream, Jack Hall , Hall of the Mountain King and The Curse of Tutankhamun finishing the set with the covers of TMTWNBBFN's Boilerplate Dan and a rip roaring version of God Save the Queen. All in all it was a splendid day out and the gig was great, it was good to see so many of our friends and our thanks go out to them for coming to see us, we hope to see you all again soon, until then here's some photos from the gig (thanks Rob)....

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 Good night Gladstonians. 

Interview with the Vocalist, Gordon "Spook" Stoker.

    I just thought I'd take a short cut through the local graveyard when I heard a moan by one of the tomb stones, as the hair raised on the scruff of my neck a familiar voice said, "'ere Sherlock's Dog fancy a chat?" 

S.D So Spook, what equipment do you fiddle with in the band?

G.S I use a Shure Super 55 dynamic microphone, you know the "Elvis" type....looks and sounds good.

S.D So when you're not barking at an audience what do you like to do?

G.S I read a lot, classics like H.G Wells, Arthur Conan Doyle, Bram Stoker and modern fiction by folks like George Mann, Mark Hodder and Jonathan Green. I also enjoy history books, mainly social history of the 18th and 19th centuries, I've just finished a book on the London mob.....fascinating! 

S.D What has been you're favourite Steampunk event to date?

G.S Hhhhmmm that's difficult as I've been to some cracking places, playing at Steampunk Central at the Whitby Goth Weekend was a milestone for us and very exciting, also seeing Abney Park and Ghostfire in Oswestry then the November Nocturne the next day was incredible. Going to Steampunk events is, for me, like going out to meet old friends, every one is special and everyone is so friendly.

S.D What bands have influenced you?

G.S Well!! My favourite band of all time is The Damned, I was about 12 when I first heard them and I was blown away...and I still am! Other bands that have influenced me are Bauhaus, Stranglers, Hawkwind, The Doors, 13th Floor Elevators and the Velvet Underground, the list could go on...and on.....

S.D How about Steampunk bands?

G.S The first Steampunk band I got into was The Men That Will Not Be Blamed For Nothing, I saw them in Birmingham and was very impressed indeed, BB Blackdog are a great band and a very friendly band, we've played with them 3 times now and enjoyed every one. I love seeing Ghostfire and I'm pleased Birthrite are back on track and gigging, it's good to see new bands emerging, I really enjoyed seeing Crimson Clocks recently. I take a lot of inspiration from singers like Paul Roland who I think is a genius and is quite rightly seen as a progenitor of Steampunk music, his lyrics are like stories that transport you to his world....superb.

S.D What got you interested in Steampunk?

G.S I first saw Steampunks at the Whitby Goth Weekend in 2010, I was there with my son Richard and was intrigued, so I went home and "Googled" it, I've never looked back! It is odd that I seem to have always been a Steampunk but I didn't know there was a name for the interests I had in the Victorian era but after speaking to other Steampunks they tell the same story, it's as if there was a scene just waiting to happen.

S.D Right! I'm tired of hanging around in this graveyard I'm going home, what would you say to someone just starting out as a vocalist?

G.S Just do it, you don't know what you can do until you try. It doesn't really matter if you're not an opera singer if your voice fits the music and you're having fun then just go with it and see what happens. In the words of the Rocky Horror Picture Show "Don't dream it, be it."

S.D Thanks Gordon, good night Gladstonians........

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Steampunk Summer Solstice

Steampunk Summer Solstice

The Lime Kilns, Wirksworth, Derbyshire.

Saturday 16th June 2012.

    After an early start Sherlock's Dog headed north to the beautiful scenery of Derbyshire and in particular the rock face behind the Lime Kilns pub in Wirksworth. There I was greeted to pats on the head and tickles behind the ears from many of my good friends.
    The event was organised by Andie Brazewell, Dale Rowles and Demolitia Tribal and it included stalls selling everything from clothes to ray guns to cakes, everything a discerning Steampunk would want...including a new frock coat (thanks Donna and Mark!). 
    As  for entertainment....what a treat! During the afternoon we had Mark Haworth II, Stuart Robinson, Harriet McDonnell, the great Whiskey Bob Shaker, John Ferguson's band Beeker, D H Lawrence & the Vauderville Skiffle Show and dance demonstrations from the very talented Boudica Revival.

Crimson Clocks.

    From 6 o'clock onwards we had heavy metal band 3 Second Fuse who's explosive set blasted away the rain (briefly!), then came Birmingham's own Crimson Clocks on only their second performance! They played a fantastic set, with original songs about such things as evil genius's (nice cat Linzi! tick tock, tick tock)

    Then it was our turn and Gladstone were on! We went through our usual set and got a great reaction from the crowd with songs like "Night Creatures" and "Twisted Lip" especially when Dave Evil invaded the crowd and played his triangle! "Jack Hall" had everyone clapping in time and during Hall of the Mountain King our good friend Xander Wood came on stage and did what could only be described as a "Dick Van Dyke chimney sweep dance from Mary Poppins", this led nicely into "The Curse of Tutankhamun" and our last songs.

Cloud delivers the fifth element.

We ended on TMTWNBBFN Boilerplate Dan and the Sex Pistols God Save the Queen much to the audience's delight, we had a great time but all too soon it was our turn to leave the stage to the headliners BB Blackdog. It was the first time I had met the new bassist Mike and he definitely gets the thumbs up, and so with Dale sporting a new pith helmet the boys delivered a great set which was well received by all. 

BB Blackdog.

    The day was a great success despite the rain, it was so good to see so many friends old and new, thanks to Molly Sanders for taking soooo many photos and thanks to Linzi Cooke for allowing me to use some of hers, we'll see you all again soon until then stay safe and keep well.    

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sleep well boys and girls!

                                      

Interview with the guitarist, Cloud Gingeris McBuggerballs V.

    It's strange the things you find lurking on the sofa after a friendly late night get together, I was just about to go for my morning walk when a voice hailed me from the living room...."hey! Sherlock's Dog....let me tell you a thing or two...."  
so here goes;

S.D Hello Cloud what instrument do you play in the band?

C.G.M.V She is an Ibinez EP 700 called Kate and she is like a typical woman...occasionally she is moody and picky as to what she will play, but in general she is like most women, she is reliable and we experienced great things together...we are quite intimate.

S.D When you're not entertaining Kate what do you like to do?

C.G.M.V I do like to watch South Park and explore the meanderings of the Homo sapien brain. I do like cultural pursuits such as literature and politics.

S.D What has been your best Steampunk event so far?

C.G.M.V It must be playing at Steampunk Central at the Whitby Goth Weekend it was this that made it really special, it was a while since I'd been to the sea side and as a seaman at heart I cherish being near the sea. I love the colour black and there were the most amazing people dressed in black I've ever met on top of which the architecture was breath taking.

S.D What bands influenced you to take up the guitar?

C.G.M.V Aaahh well.....Vader, Black Sabbath, Deep Purple, Rainbow, Megadeath, Queen, Guns and Roses, Pink Floyd and obviously Jimi Hendrix.

S.D Do you enjoy many Steampunk bands?

C.G.M.V Indeed I do....TMTWNBBFN, Abney Park, BB Blackdog and Ghostfire.

S.D  What got you into Steampunk?

C.G.M.V I always felt drawn to the style and literature of the Victorian era but I did not know there was a name for it, then I heard of Steampunk. When I was first introduced to Steampunk I thought the whole movement was there to extol the intellectual and technological merits of the Victorian era, which in my opinion have advanced some members of human kind to a level of great humanity and kindness and those people are Steampunks....and there is always lace up corsets and cleavages!!

S.D Thanks for taking the time for this interview, what would you say to someone just picking up the guitar for the first time?

C.G.M.V Don't put yourself under pressure and make sure you love what you're doing, an art form comes from the heart.

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A night at The Bantam, with Tape and Gladstone.

    I have been a busy pup these last few weeks, nearly walked my legs off. This week I ended up at The Bantam in Northampton and my word what a night I had.....

    Gladstone were playing with their good friends Tape and when both bands arrived at the pub no one had been told that there was a 

Tape in action.

gig at all...aahhh! But it was soon sorted out and we began to set up, Tape began at 9pm and played a great set which as well as their own compositions included songs from Nirvana and The Pixies.

    At around 10pm it was Gladstone's turn and on they came straight into "The Madness of Tilly Matthews", the set followed the now familiar routine of "Bluey", "Night Creatures" (which had to be started again due to a technical difficulty!) and "The Ballad of William Winter", during "William Winter" Cloud and Spook were joined by Amy Teacake who played a haunting melody on the keyboard.

Amy Teacake and Cloud.

    At this point quite bizarrely old Spook was asked to move his car from one parking space to another around the corner! So with the singer temporarily AWOL Dave Evil and Cloud Gingeris McBuggerballs played the Metallica song "For Whom the Bell Tolls" to the delight of two rather inebriated souls at the front who for the remainder of the set shouted "Satan" every five minutes......!

Dave Evil and Spook perform "Jack Hall".

    With Spook back in place Gladstone resumed the set with "Twisted Lip" followed by "Newgate" and "Dr Dexter's Dream", they got some good audience participation during "Jack Hall" with everyone clapping along to the song and a cry of "Satan" or two.   Next was "Mountain King" followed by "The Curse of Tutankhamun" which was well delivered and received equally well by the audience with the odd shout of "Satan", of course! The end of the set was in sight when Gladstone played the last two songs, the cover of TMTWNBBFN's "Boilerplate Dan" and the epic "God Save the Queen".

Mr Paul "Shovel Hands" Hutchins....

Cloud Gingeris McBuggerballs V.

    It had been a strange night but a good one, many thanks to those who came down to see us, it's always good to see our friends and meet new ones.    Good to see you again Andy, glad you made it Jason and once again thanks Ian for the photos, where would Sherlock's Dog be without you!

Until next time...so long, farewell, auf wiedersehen goodbye......

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Bank Holiday fun with Gladstone.

"Spook" Stoker and Dave Evil.

    Good day to you all and I hope you had a good Bank Holiday or if you're not in Britain, a happy Monday!

    Sherlock's Dog was out and about on 7th May and I visited an event in Northampton by The Friends of Northampton Castle. Here I met our friends Gladstone who were about to play outside, but being a Bank holiday it rained a lot so the gig was moved over the road to The Old Black Lion!!

Cloud Gingeris McBuggerballs V.

Amy "Teacake" and Paul "Shovel Hands" Hutchins.

    After setting up and a quick sound check we waited for the signal to begin, which came at 3 o'clock and we launched into "The Madness of Tilly Matthews", we played the same set that we had played the week before at Whitby, each song was applauded by a great audience which included various family members of the band and some good friends who came along to see us.

     The new ballads "Jack Hall" and "William Winter" went down well and the band had a great time, the atmosphere in that 720 year old pub is amazing, the outside wall is starting to crumble so we had to play a bit quieter than usual, we didn't want to bring the house down!

    After the gig we talked with the audience, it was good to see our friend Andy Marlow again, soon we adjourned outside (it had stopped raining for 5 minutes) with the man who had organised this gig and to whom we own a lot of thanks, Mr Ian Johnson. The landlord showed us around parts of the pub which are haunted and are regularly visited by paranormal investigators!

    We also visited the Castle Hill Chapel where we met some Medieval people and posed with their knives for a photo shoot which was great fun, we then ended up in St Peters church before heading back to the Old Black Lion to clear up and return to the time machine and "normal life", thanks again Ian for organising this gig and taking these (and many more) photos, superb!

    Thanks for stopping over Gladstonians, see you again soon.

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