The London Stone, Staines.

Once upon a time there was a very fine music venue in Staines; 'The Hobgoblin'.

Sadly, the pub closed it's doors for the last time at the start of 2015; here's a picture from the last night;

That was a very special night.

Since then it's been refurbished and transformed into 'The London Stone', which sells 'craft beers' and has arty chairs.

Anyway, yesterday I walked past 'The London Stone' and saw this notice outside;

Now Robyn often wears a tracksuit and I don't go out without a hat, these days.

So that's both of us excluded for a start.

Now, to make it clear, a licensee can exclude anyone they don't want, just like we don't have to let anyone into our house, if we don't like them.

And 'The London Stone' has security on the door.

But what this sign is saying is "We don't want your sort in here" - and that isn't the same thing at all.

The notice is for benefit of all the 'up themselves' people who don't want to mix with anyone who isn't up themselves in exactly same way they are.

It's intention is to exclude a whole group of people who have just as much right to go to a pub, if they are prepared to pay the outrageous prices charged.

It's the difference between asking someone to leave because they are causing trouble and stereotyping whole groups of people because you are prejudiced against them.

Funnily enough, Robyn and me are probably just the kind of people they would like to attract and after all I'm quite partial to an exotic beer now and then.

But we won't be drinking it down at 'The London Stone'.

And I suggest no one else should while they have this attitude to the people of Staines.

Neil Harris
(a don't stop till you drop production)
Home: helpmesortoutstpeters.blogspot.com
Contact me: neilwithpromisestokeep@gmail.com

Tree House Fire at Baroosh!

It's been a rough week and by Saturday night we were going stir crazy.

I still haven't really got over the closure of The Hobgoblin; it was the ideal music venue and the nearest thing I had to a 'local'.

For one night only, the ghost of 'The Hob' came back to Staines; Tree House Fire played Baroosh!;

It was strange, to say the least.

Baroosh! is everything I'm not; trendy, fashionable and expensive. But for one night only the bar was full of regulars from The Hob, including me.

We saw Jenson Nightingale and Paul Mundy helped out on the sound which really needed a great sound engineer like him.

There were Hob musicians and a number of the usual suspects.....me and Robyn!

Tree House Fire play reggae;

It's not the kind of reggae I grew up with - very 2015.

It's fusion;

Also they usually play differently every time I see them; last night there was a heavy Dub sound;

It was a good night and in a year of 'goodbyes' it was nice to have a night of good memories.

There are big efforts to breath life into the music scene in Staines, there is a Facebook page; Alternative Music in Staines. It's going to be a struggle - a number of bands I liked have given up and the opportunities to see bands are declining quickly.

I have to admit that a long night took its toll on me.

Neil Harris
(a don't stop till you drop production)

Home: helpmesortoutstpeters.blogsdpot.com
Contact me: neilwithpromisestokeep@gmail.com

Neil wingeing again.

Sitting at home with a collapsed vertebrae or two is depressing enough but I've been depressing myself further about the state of the local music scene.

It's not the bands - there are plenty of them - it should be thriving.

The problem is the collapse of many of the best venues and with that the loss of a way of looking at things.

So, last weekend (according to 'London Stone's facebook page) someone turned up on a motor bike having driven all the way from Roumania hoping to spend the night at the legendary 'Hob'.

Sadly, all that's left of The Hobgoblin and it's music is the legend. The London Stone (too ill to visit them so far) has replaced it with a trendy, designer, clean, quiet and probably very nice home for the fashionable new crowd who are filling it out these days.

No more music. Just shiny happy people.

I'm not knocking it, it's just not me.

The Horns in Watford is different too - more safe tribute acts and less cutting edge stuff.

Locally, The Cave at Addlestone is increasingly taking the place of The Hob but it has noise problems and isn't so easy to get to.

Otherwise there are a dwindling collection of Pubs - all concerned to be as safe as possible and a small number of depressing working men's clubs; outdated and not really catering for the working men and women of today.

It's all got a bit dismal.

On the plus side Mick Moriarty is now on his third annual festival at Bisley; every September there is an amazing three days of Punk, Ska and Reggae. I can never plan on being well enough to get there but the acts range from big names to local groups  and it's a triumph to create a festival out of nothing, virtually single handed.

Otherwise? Everything is shrinking and getting too safe for words.

If there weren't any bands or no one turned up, I could understand it.

It's time something exciting happened.

Meanwhile in the election campaign, everything has gone very quiet about the NHS too.

This is the issue that matters most to people and the one that really worries them.

After five years of scandals, the party's plans for The NHS are something that everybody should be debating.

I will be! Again, it's time something happened.

Neil Harris

Home: helpmesortoutstpeters.blogspot.com

Contact me:  neilwithpromisestokeep@gmail.com

The Toilets at The End of The Universe.

Now The Hobgoblin, Staines (proprietor Jenson Nightingale) has closed, it is safe to reveal the interior of the toilets, a secret up till now only known to The Germ Warfare Establishment at Porton Down and The World health organisation;

But would I just post a picture of a toilet if I didn't have a good reason?

It's the mural, which I wanted to preserve in some way;

 

 

 It was a mixture of band stickers, music photos and some 'other' material;

 

 



OK, there's an element of juvenile sexism (and I'm sorry for that) but there's also a whole history of music up there;

From Jimi Hendricks to........

 

 

To 'The Stone Roses'.......

 

 



Some of my favourite bands have got their names up here;

 

 

 

And I couldn't help throwing in a little bit of the fruit machine too.

I'm getting nostalgic.

Neil Harris
(a don't stop till you drop production)

Home:  helpmesortoutstpeters.blogspot.com

Contact me:  neilwithpromisestokeep@blogspot.com



The last ever Hobgoblin.

Saturday and neither of us really wanted to go out anywhere (bad times) but this was the last night at The Hobgoblin, Staines. I've had wonderful times there, I've discovered bands I would never have seen anywhere else; in really bad times it gave me somewhere to escape to.

I thought I'd escape one last time; this is 'The Wonder Beers'.

This band is all about good times - songs about beer and hangovers. Not really what I was about on Saturday but fun all the same.

Then there was 'Tree House Fire';

We saw them a few weeks ago - I was still ill and not really up to it. Anyway they were a whole lot better today - last time they were missing their bass player (on the left).....badly.

No problem today, the steady bass brought out the reggae origins of the band;

They are Hob regulars, you've had to put up with lots of entries about them here over the last year.

Headlining?

There was only really one local band who could do that last night justice; 'The Lagan', 'Celtic punks' from Kingston Town.

As usual when I'm having a lot of fun, my photos suffer.

You wouldn't know it from these pictures but there was an array of traditional instruments from the fiddle to the mandolin and a range of whistles too.

And drums;

It was a fabulous last night for a really great venue.....as you can see;

My thanks go to Ally Garnett who booked the bands and put together all those amazing nights.

To Paul Mundy who was the sound engineer throughout and made an 'L-shaped' old pub, with funny corners and nooks, sound so good.

And to Jenson Nightingale who made it possible, tip-toeing gingerly through a financial minefield and surviving for longer than anyone else would have managed.

In the words of Ronnie Scott; "How do you make a million running a Jazz Club?"

"Start with Two Million!"

What a laugh we all had;

And now, it's really, really sad. The pub will re-open as something else and knowing Jenson it will be something special but it won't be The Hob.

There are countless brilliant young bands who won't find a stage to start out on. On Saturday there were more than a few local musicians in the audience paying tribute to the chances they got at The Hob.

And where ever else could you go to hear Punk, Ska, Techno, Indie, Alternative, the many kinds of Metal (don't ask) and hardly a cover to be heard. 

And on a personal note, it will leave a hole in my evenings that I will never be able to fill.

Tomorrow.....my tribute to the toilets.

Be afraid....... be very afraid!

Neil Harris
(a don't stop till you drop production)

Home:  helpmesortoutstpeters.blogspot.com

Contact me:  neilwithpromisestokeep@gmail.com

30,000 Thanx.

 

 

 

Did you think I would forget to say thank you for taking the Blog to 30,000?

 

No way, it means a lot. It happened on New Year's Eve - I watched you do it. I would normally do something wacky and for such a big deal as this I would have chosen to do something amazing.

 

It wasn't really appropriate while my Mum was so ill and today?

 

We just got up late after a great night at the Hobgoblin, Staines. It was a fabulous night - really special and I'll do a couple of Blogs over the next few days.

 

But The Hob is closing - a fantastic venue gone. Sure, something will follow and knowing Jenson Nightingale it will involve music and will be worth going to.

 

But it won't be the same.....as you will see in the next couple of days.

 

Very sad.

 

So I just said it with diamonds.

 

Neil Harris

(a don't stop till you drop production)

 

Home:  helpmesortoutstpeters.blogspot.com

 

Contact me:  neilwithpromisestokeep@gmail.com

 

 



Back at the Hob! Who'd have thought that would ever happen?

Saturday night when I realised I'd spent three solid weeks being ill and had only occasionally gone out to see a Doctor or go to Hospital there was no choice; we had to go to The Hobgoblin.

It probably wasn't that clever but we were stir crazy. Besides I wasn't going to pay for it till Sunday.

This is 'Tree House Fire', playing their own brand of reggae but they were desperately missing their regular bass player.

Tonight the lead singer was covering bass guitar, this is the lead guitar;

I really like Mocara ('my friend') and of course I'm a sucker for a badge;

They play an eclectic fusion of reggae, punk, ska and rock and roll. Then just to confuse an old buffer like me they always throw something else into the mix.

They played 'Beg, Steal or Borrow', which was their excellent single in the summer. If you Facebook them you can check out their downloads.

They were playing great and really benefited from the great sound at The Hob.

I still find it hard to cope with the fusion of so many genre's but that's just an age thing - Robyn was fine with it because she's a generation younger and grew up fusing music that my age group always kept separate. I'll have to learn to live with that.

What could follow that?

We love 'Eat The Evidence' and if nothing else, the band name does provide some fine and free legal advice.

We got some new songs but we were very happy to hear three old favourites;

There was serious political analysis with 'Tories go to Waitrose'.

 

There was some helpful insight into the complexities of human relationships; "How come you only ever want to F&#K me when you're drunk?"; 

 

 

 

 

But no Eat The Evidence show could ever be complete without 'The Van Song'. I thought the least I could do to improve the lot of humanity would be to post the chorus;

 

"I really like your van, it reminds me of the van I used to be in when I used to be in bands.

 

I really like your van, it's the kind of van I'm going to buy when I stop being in bands"

 

Which pretty much sums it all up really.

 

We love Eat The Evidence; they are witty, clever and fun. Check them out live and see why.They play from here to Central London so there's really no excuse.

 

It was a pleasure to make it to a very special Hob night - we are all very worried about the redecoration and relaunch in January.

 

Then again it's hard to imagine Jenson Nightingale presenting Murph and the Magic Tones on a Saturday night.

 

You may have to Google that band to see what I mean!

 

Neil Harris

(a don't stop till you drop production)

 

Home:  helpmesortoutstpeters.blogspot.com

 

Contact me:  neilwithpromisestokeep@gmail.com

 



Cultural other, Eat the Evidence and The Lagan at The Hobgoblin Rockgoblin.

Here's 'Cultural Other' at the Rockgoblin;

 

We like them and they've got rockier since we last saw them.

 

Then I had a real treat - I was looking forward to 'Eat The Evidence' who combine a bit of Punk with a bit of Reggae (and on Facebook a few other inspirations too).

 

They are grrreat, playing bouncy, punky tunes and uniquely, just to make me uneasy, they also have a punk accordionist.

 

I'm gradually getting over it....there is therapy available and I'm not too proud to use it.

 



There was Skankin' and they get the prize for 'best ever' song (this month) and for making me laugh which isn't so easy at the moment with;

             'Tories shop at Waitrose'

Which is both true and very funny.

Last time I saw them they were more Hip-Hoppy, today a lot more Ska influences but maybe that was just today. You should check them out for yourself.

 

And then I lost the ability to take photographs of any quality whatsoever when 'The Lagan' started playing. Jenson Nightingale got picked up by the crowd and everything got a little hazy.

 

The Lagan play punky, folky, Irish music that owes a lot to the Pogues in full flight and party mood.

 

Those were the days.

 

But the only usable photo just has half the band in it.

 

Oh well, it was party time.   

 

  



It was a great, memorable night. Although I'm not sure how accurate those memories will be for many.

And the Hob made a real effort for one last time.

Aaaaaaaargh!

Deep Sigh!



Neil Harris
(a don't stop till you drop production)

Home:  helpmesortoutstpeters.blogspot.com

Contact me:   neilwithpromisestokeep@gmail.com

Tapestry and The Wicked Venetians at The Hobgoblin Rockgoblin.

So anyway, at The last ever Rockgoblin I was passing out under a very silly mask I made for myself and taking pictures through a couple of tiny eye holes.

We tended to watch bands we'd seen before and liked (it's an age thing).....starting with 'Tapestry';

 

 

That's Mathew Williams in the middle playing bass. You can catch him back at The Hob on 5th November when he is playing solo acoustic guitar. It's thoughtful, clever stuff.

 

Not on Saturday it wasn't - it was stomping;

  

 

 



It's the second time we've seen them - as a band they are really getting it together. We both noticed the difference from a couple of months ago;

 

 

And then there were 'The Wicked Venetians' - if you follow this Blog you will have got bored with hearing about them from me.

 

I really like what they do - have a look at their videos on YouTube, have a look at them on facebook.

 

They came as 'Three Blind Mice' and were definitely the best dressed band of the night....they had tails!

 

See what I mean?

This is a band who thrive on headlining - check them out if you can and by that I mean I'm hoping there's one last chance to see them at The Hob.

Tomorrow I'll review 'The Lagan', 'Eat the Evidence and 'Cultural other'.

It was quite a night, you should have been there.


Neil Harris
(a don't stop till you drop production)

Home:  helpmesortoutstpeters.blogspot.com

Contact me: neilwithpromisestokeep@gmail.com

The Rockgoblin at the Hobgoblin.

Saturday night - We could have been at Ronnie Scott's watching the amazing James Taylor Quartet but where were we?

The only place to be - The last ever all-day Rockgoblin (3pm to 3am) at the Hobgoblin, Staines.

We didn't make the start - when we got there one of the 8 (yes that's right, it was 8) bands were already playing.

I'm afraid I have no idea who they were but they were good and they deserve a picture;

The problem is it all got a bit hectic;

My photos got a bit fuzzy. Actually they were a bit blurry but I'm putting this one up anyway.....you get the idea?

By now I think you've guessed it was 'Fancy dress'. Here's Robyn as Arthur Dent from The Hitchhiker's Guide to The Galaxy;

I came as a Vogon Quantity Surveyor and I had with me about nine hours of Vogon poetry ready for a recital (Resistance is Futile).

I do love a selfie - this was taken by Robyn G. May.

There were some amazing costumes; Edward Scissorhands, countless Zombies and Vampires, someone behind the bar in a 17th Century Pompadore lit by LED's, a headless man, Jenson in a Trojan Helmet, Rambo....it was fun. A very fine way to say goodbye to something very special.

Last ever Rockgoblin.

Sigh!

I'll do the Band reviews over the next couple of days - we saw Cultural Other, Tapestry, The Wicked Venetians, The Lagan, and Eat The Evidence which wasn't bad going.

Eat the Evidence?
Good legal advice that!


Neil Harris
(a don't stop till you drop production)

Home:  helpmesortoutstpeters.blogspot.com

Contact:  neilwithpromisestokeep@gmail.com

The Last Stand; The last ever Rockgoblin at The Hobgoblin,

Saturday night is the last ever ‘Rockgoblin’ and that means 8 bands (yes 8!) and DJ’s late into the night.

It’s also fancy dress which has meant making costumes this week...... and no, we aren’t telling you. You’ll have to get down to the Hobgoblin in Staines to find out.

You will need your own costume though!

Sad? Yes very sad. This was a unique venue giving new, young local bands a chance to play. It also gave genres that wouldn’t normally get that kind of stage a chance to get heard. It’s a real loss.

I have no idea what will replace it (it will be smarter, slicker, tidier, politer, cleaner, quieter, older, and just a little less interesting.

I suspect there will be bigger audiences but the thrill will be missing.

And I’d rather hoped ‘The Hob’ would have carried on being The Hob long after I’d gone.

Anyway, Saturday night will be very special indeed for me.

Neil Harris

(a don’t stop till you drop production)

Home: helpmesortoutstpeters.blogspot.com

Contact me: neilwithpromisestokeep@gmail.com

 

Girl in The Garden at The Hobgoblin.

I'm so far behind with my Blog that I've interrupted myself - Saturday night saw us down at the Hobgoblin in Staines. It was sad really, because the refurbishment that was due in the summer is going ahead.

It means big changes - there will still be music but probably not the kind that's made The Hob so innovative.

It means this year will be the last 'Rockgoblin'......ever!

Last night we had a treat in a pared down '48 Hours', who normally are a loud, vibrant three piece heavy metal band.

Tonight they were down to just two, exchanging an acoustic guitar for metal. Actually it was still more than a bit metallic.

There were a few covers, it wasn't very quiet or restrained....classic Hob band.

Meanwhile, mainlining;

'Girl in the Garden', local band, regulars at The Hob, reunited with their old guitarist and playing in front of all their fans.

It all made for a very special Hobnight;

What always made The Hob special was the opportunity it gave to young bands, that it always chose innovation over what was safe and reliable and even though I usually didn't actually like the music........there was always a spark there.

Saturday night was certainly sparking;

 

 

There are some good nights planned from here to Christmas but you had probably better take advantage of them while you can.

 

Neil Harris

(a don't stop till you drop production)

 

Home:  helpmesortoutstpeters.blogspot.com

 

Contact me: neilwithpromisestokeep@gmail.com