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        <title>The Fabulous Fezheads Blog</title>
        <description></description>
        <link>http://www.unsignedbandweb.com/music/bands/</link>
        <lastBuildDate>Mon, 23 Nov 2009 23:35:46 +0100</lastBuildDate>
        <generator>FeedCreator 1.7.2</generator>
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            <title>Thankyou from Father Ken</title>
            <link>http://www.unsignedbandweb.com/music/bands/11329</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Thank you all for your efforts in making my birthday such a great success . 
 I had a wonderful time and it seems that my mates [ in the pub ]  also did . I've not spoken any of my friend or relation yet except my sister who said it was one of the silliest evenings she's had . There again she does live in Denmark . 
 Graham [ the publican ] said he woke up in the morning and started singing " I'm putting on my red fez " others were on about the bob's , beer glass solo , disappearing and La Bamba etc . The drum kit also got a lot of peoples attention . Everyone enjoyed the band and dancers [ both Fez and Blackheath ] and said it was a good mix . 
I also want to thank the Great Nodgo for his act which again drew a lot of good comments . 
I would also like to thank Blackheath Morris . We had a few pub punters taking the **** over  Andys [ pub punter ]efforts in the coronation jig . They wondered how we were able to do this the dancing in such a confined space . I informed that we have done it in a smaller area but not often . Again the Morris went down well and was well received . 
All I can say is thank you all again .  ]]></description>
            <author>Phil Afkatglhoops</author>
            <pubDate>Tue, 12 May 2009 07:21:33 +0100</pubDate>
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        <item>
            <title>The 9th Swanage Blues Festival 6-8/3/09</title>
            <link>http://www.unsignedbandweb.com/music/bands/11329</link>
            <description><![CDATA[The 9th Swanage Blues Festival 6-8/3/09

by George & Julia Cairnsforth

courtesy of Blues In Britain magazine – Volume 1 / Issue 89

Swanage Blues Festivals are multi-venue events with pubs, restaurants and hotel bars spilling over with fans throughout this friendly south coast Dorset town.

As usual, organiser Steve Darrington had programmed a huge choice across the blues spectrum with 25 different Acts in 13 venues performing 40 gigs to over 2,000 people. Since starting these events in 2001 Steve has managed to keep an Admission Free policy by asking festival-goers to chip in towards expenses.

“The first-ever Swanage Blues Festival grew out of a birthday party,” he explained, “and I like to keep this as a celebration!” 

There is a 200 metre-long strip at the start of the High Street in which the nine venues that make up the central core of the event are located. Whenever we walked between pubs the strains of music faded in and out while crowds danced in the street. Gazing up we could even see New Orleans-style architecture to complete the scene! The other venues are not so central and include a huge Victorian hotel towering from the cliffs at one end of the picturesque bay, another hotel that is overshadowed by the incredible Corfe Castle at the end of a steam train ride, and world-famous country pub the Square & Compass, which has a museum and where they bring out the beer from the back room!

The whole weekend was definitely one great big party as old friendships were renewed and new ones created - both at Robin Bibi’s Electric Jams and the more acoustic Open Mic Sessions in the Red Lion. What a great job Martin Froud & Andrew Bazeley did every afternoon along with John & Johnny Sharp Jnr, all four making up the backbone of this year's house band. Dad's understated but consistently spine-tingling harmonica was often accompanied by Johnny Jnr's extraordinary electric guitar, both played sparingly and with huge feeling and subtlety. At one point Pete Harris stopped by on the way to his own gig to contribute a couple of quality blues and ragtime numbers. The enthusiasm of the real ale and real cider-fuelled crowds encouraged performers onto some great heights.

OK, all the venues were indoors, but what of the weather anyway? Thankfully at 5.30pm on Friday when the Robin Bibi Band took to the stage at Bar 7, there was no trace of the heavy snow that had cut Swanage off from the outside world only the day before. The packed audience was left stunned by Robin’s incredibly powerful and tight band putting on a performance that would usually mark a festival finale, not the opening! Drifting out of the door at 8pm, festival-goers were wondering which of the ten further gigs that evening could follow what they had just experienced. But there was plenty of good stuff to choose from: Sonny Black, Rag Mama Rag, Will Killeen, John Crampton, The Jives, Pete Harris & Hugh Budden, Robert Hokum Blues Band, Jon Walsh Blues Band, Motel 6, and Chris Collins with Blues Etc. Quite an evening for us, hugely enjoyable and it all started to blur into one, so we decided to make notes from the next day on!

Saturday afternoon started at Bar Seven with organiser Steve’s keyboard producing the most amazingly realistic left hand double bass sounds, while his right wandered between Memphis Slim piano and Jimmy Smith organ, accompanied by Bournemouth Fred on drums and the tasty strains of Chris Collins on guitar and vocals. Robin Bibi’s jam session next door was packed to the rafters, so we caught The Riotous Brothers at the Ship Inn playing some fiery rhythm & blues with original songs “Restless” and “Fever”, while covers “Mind Your Own Business” and “Deja Voodoo” drove the crowd wild.

A few doors away at the White Swan we took in some of The Shakers’ set with ex-Boogie Band singer/bassist Paul Sharman ringing the changes from the rock ‘n’ roll of My Girl Josephine, rockabilly of “Everybody’s Tryin' To Be My Baby” and blues of “Jumpin' At Shadows”, to the bluegrass of “Roll In My Sweet Baby’s Arms”. Hugely authentic played with great conviction and sincerity!

Later on over at the Grand Hotel the largely instrumental band The Jawbreakers were delivering classic blues tracks, timeless jive numbers and a smattering of good old fashioned rock ‘n roll plus some incredible film theme tunes. “Jump, Jive and Wail”, “Help Me”, “Samba Pa Ti”, “Caravan” and the “James Bond” Theme all figured in an amazing set.

Back in downtown Swanage we managed to catch a smattering of each act along the ‘Strip’: The Fabulous Fezheads’ own brand of merry mayhem in the Red Lion (Is it blues? Who cares? Pass another beer!); Robin Bibi’s funk, soul, rock, reggae and jazz again at the Ship; the Coalhouse Walker Blues Band (boogie bass on the piano) in the White Swan; John Crampton’s one man express train on harmonica and guitar at the Purbeck; C Sharp Blues (lots of Ben Waters’ sidemen there); and finally The Mustangs at the White Horse, with Adam Norsworthy climbing onto tables for posterity during “Gloria”. The place was heaving, packed to the rafters and everyone was up for a great night. We were sorry we couldn’t get to see Will Killeen or Sonny Black, but that wasn’t the end of it all, because the Red Lion specially opened the kitchen again from 11.30pm to 1.30am for those musicians who weren’t still playing, and anybody else who fancied a meal too.

Sunday afternoon started off at 1pm again in Bar Seven with organiser Steve Darrington and Friends that included guitarists Chris Collins and Pete Harris, plus Hugh Budden on harmonica. This venue is a lovely addition to the blues festivals, being the original cellars of an old hotel “and reminiscent of the old Liverpool Cavern” as Steve told us, being where he played as a young lad. Bar Seven is also where Swanage Blues Club holds its weekly events on a Sunday and occasional Saturday if you’re ever in the area.

The extremely reliable Robert Hokum Blues Band followed using only the minimal amount of equipment. With stripped-down drum kit and small guitar amps, they hit the whole range of classic Chess blues grooves and didn't let up - with a rhythmic repertoire that embraced Bo Diddley’s beat, John Lee Hooker's boogie and some tough funk, there wasn't a still foot in the house. 

Along the road we managed to catch some of The Riverside Blues Band in the Anchor, and these guys deserve a special name check for their contribution: Syd on Drums, Helen’s solid bottom end on Bass, Paul on Harmonica, and Dominic on Sax, all led by Stan on lead guitar and vocals.

Back up at the Grand Hotel, as Sonny Black was finishing his excellent laid-back set, musicians arrived for the closing party on Sunday evening. Organiser Steve Darrington joined in on keyboards with Chris Collins & Blues Etc featuring Hugh Budden. The lounge was filled to bursting point with satisfied Swanage fans and expectant music lovers who weren't disappointed. The band ripped into Albert Collins’ “If You love Me Like You Say” and “I Got A Mind To Travel”, and slowed things down with Slim Harpo's ballad “Raining In my Heart”. Hugh took the mic for “Help Me” and “Five Long Years”, in which Steve, Hugh and Chris each played spine tingling solos.

Just when it seemed it was all over, Steve Darrington gained a burst of energy and finished off the evening and the festival with three great songs full of personality and bursting with boogie, including two songs made up on the spot about this year’s festival.

If you haven’t been to a Swanage Blues Festival yet, give it a try. They are all really special! We’ve got our guest house booked already for the next one on 2, 3, 4 October 2009 –- see www.swanage-blues.org     

by George & Julia Cairnsforth
 ]]></description>
            <author>Phil Afkatglhoops</author>
            <pubDate>Wed, 06 May 2009 07:33:40 +0100</pubDate>
        </item>
        <item>
            <title>Where did it all go wrong?</title>
            <link>http://www.unsignedbandweb.com/music/bands/11329</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Funny but I'm often asked the question ' Where did it all go wrong with the CD sales? '
Well new evidence has come into our possesion of Father Ken, slightly worse for wear,  found selling CD's at last years Sweeps Festival.
 
Unfortunatly they're not ours ! ]]></description>
            <author>Phil Afkatglhoops</author>
            <pubDate>Fri, 01 May 2009 06:26:43 +0100</pubDate>
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            <title>The Glastonbury Beer Festival</title>
            <link>http://www.unsignedbandweb.com/music/bands/11329</link>
            <description><![CDATA[What a weird day on Saturday. 
We were booked to play at a Beer Festival at the Tor Leisure centre in Glastonbury and was especially asked to bring down as many Circus Stunts in the afternoon to add a bit of spectacle and make sure that people stuck around for the evening show.
Now we like playing at Beer Festivals mainly because they are usually run well and provide us with a ready made trollied audience who usually respond well the Fabulous Fezheads.
Glastonbury is nearly 200 miles from my house, so I set off at 9.30am on Saturday morning collected Dolly from his boat at the Medway Dockside Marina, drove into Maidstone to pick up Cleggett then up to Borough Green to unload our stuff into Gobby's new Camper Van.
So we set off at 11.00am and overtook the Old Blue Van on the A303, followed the satnav though Castle Carey but somehow the OBV got there first - how does that work?
Anyway we found the Tor Leisure Centre. 
And guess what - no beer festival! 
'It's not happening' ..........'It's just the evening gig' 
From then on the day just went down hill. 
To add insult to injury we couldn't set up at the stage end because the equipment would be infront of the cinema screen which was showing the Arsenal v Chelsea FA cup semi.
The Club owner couldn't understand why we didn't want to use his old JBL speakers and 20year old desk in favour of our own PA, funny that.
So we set up down one side of the hall with our equipment individually angled at 45 degrees. 
I'd had enough when the single inbreed sitting in the hall at 4.00pm ( the match coverage was at 5.15pm ) asked me to move the mic stands back as they might obstruct his view!
Fu.....k....g move then.... 
So I set off alone into town to find Gobby, Dolly and Cleggett. 
Some horrible beer and a couple of very strange pubs later, we thought we better head back for a coffee and sound check.
Glastonbury is a strange place, every other shop was Magic or Pagen shop, holistic this and holistic that.... 
And they even had a pagan convention on the go. 
All round town there were posters - Fabulous Fezheads fun day, kick off 2pm!!!!! 
What???? I warned the lads this might be the first Fezhead gig to nobody! 
Fortunalty there was a small but very appreciative audience who appeared more by accident than design, somehow we put together a pretty good show, and I've got to say that I really enjoyed the evening.
Many thanks to Corinne for buying a round of Tequila shots which spiced up the Tequila song, and for Andy from Festivaleye who partied with us afterwards and drunk the campervan out of red wine.
Managed to get £100 cash out of the venue to fuel up the wagons for the way home , with hopefully Graham getting a cheque for the rest.
I've got to say I've seen some cockups along the road, but this has to rate up there with the great Derby Assembly rooms fiaso back in the 1990's.
But that's another story........  ]]></description>
            <author>Phil Afkatglhoops</author>
            <pubDate>Mon, 20 Apr 2009 11:17:05 +0100</pubDate>
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            <title>New Toy for Swanage Blues Festival</title>
            <link>http://www.unsignedbandweb.com/music/bands/11329</link>
            <description><![CDATA[As both Pinky and Woody, both the bass guitars I use on the road, are so road worn they are currently out of action, I've treated myself to a new toy.

It's a Fender Squier vintage modified TB bass ( Telecaster Bass ) which I used for the first time at the Swanage Blues festival.

I've never owned a Squier before but given my attrition rate with bass guitars I wanted sometime relatively inexpensive. The guitar itself is really nice but the Hardware!

Why Why Why so cheap.Give it a couple of months before it gives up the ghost.............
 ]]></description>
            <author>Phil Afkatglhoops</author>
            <pubDate>Wed, 18 Mar 2009 08:27:59 +0100</pubDate>
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            <title>New CD - Which Way's West?</title>
            <link>http://www.unsignedbandweb.com/music/bands/11329</link>
            <description><![CDATA[The Fabulous Fezheads' new album is now available. 

"Which Way's West?" is a four-track tale of unrequited love, West Country hedonism, Caribbean bewilderment, and intergalactic romance -all told in the Fezheads' inimitable fashion, and will be on sale for the first time at the Swanage Blues Festival on 7-9th March.
 ]]></description>
            <author>Phil Afkatglhoops</author>
            <pubDate>Wed, 25 Feb 2009 13:59:34 +0100</pubDate>
        </item>
        <item>
            <title>Broken Woody</title>
            <link>http://www.unsignedbandweb.com/music/bands/11329</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Oh no I've done it again broken another bass guitar!
Having already sent Pinky to the Guitar doctor for a complete re-wiring I managed to rip out the jack socket on Woody last night.
Really annoying as I recently invested in a snaplok lead which cost me 30 pounds to stop me do this sort of thing.
Anyway we've been recording and we're about to release or second concept album - Which Way's West?
It's a mixture of Folk Reggae and Blues and deals with personal rejection and Alien Abduction....... ]]></description>
            <author>Phil Afkatglhoops</author>
            <pubDate>Wed, 18 Feb 2009 10:27:57 +0100</pubDate>
        </item>
        <item>
            <title>Father Ken's 80th Birthday Bash</title>
            <link>http://www.unsignedbandweb.com/music/bands/11329</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Kather Ken has chosen to spend his 80th Birthday in the company of the Fabulous Fezheads and some of his fellow vintage performers
The Fezheads will be kicking off at 8pm with guest performances and magic from the Great Nodgeo.

For additional details see: www.myspace.com/ovaltavern ]]></description>
            <author>Phil Afkatglhoops</author>
            <pubDate>Fri, 09 Jan 2009 15:42:01 +0100</pubDate>
        </item>
        <item>
            <title>Rochecter Dickens Festival</title>
            <link>http://www.unsignedbandweb.com/music/bands/11329</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Following last night we now have a cunning plan for Rochecter Dickens Festival this weekend.

Saturday is: the ‘Strictly come Skipping’ street theatre tour.
Meet at the Man of Kent, Rochester - 1.30pm for 2pm kick off.
We have no Gobby, or Snake on Saturday, so we won’t be taking amps along, just a Mandolin plus our mate Foghorn, and we’ll work our way around some of the back street pubs.
Curry is booked for 6pm at a nearby venue known only to Jim.
All welcome but Fezheads will only be picking up the tab for full time members.

Sunday:
We are booked at the Rochester Corn Exchange 2pm - 3.30pm.
Meet at 12noon, Sound check 1pm – set list to follow.
Somebody called Bob doing the PA who claims he’s worked with us before

Cheers
Afkatglhoops
 ]]></description>
            <author>Phil Afkatglhoops</author>
            <pubDate>Thu, 04 Dec 2008 10:55:58 +0100</pubDate>
        </item>
        <item>
            <title>MacMillan Trust</title>
            <link>http://www.unsignedbandweb.com/music/bands/11329</link>
            <description><![CDATA[The MacMillan Trust charity night went well enough at the Alexandra Hotel on Thursday.
Adonis Kebab had his legs waxed, and we had a couple of Belly Dancers, Arabian Jewel, performing between sets.
It was the first outing for our new Mackie mixing desk, so getting to grips with the sound was a challenge.
As the bands have to set up at the end of a horseshoe shaped bar, we’ve tried various things in the past to get a good mix.
We’ve played extra loud, played quiet (a struggle), and on Thursday I tried the ‘many speakers’ around the bar trick, which seemed to do the job.
I also played a new bass guitar on Thursday.
‘Candy’- an ebay rescue from some Care-in-the-Community knob who should never be allowed to own a guitar again.
She’s a Candy Apple Red Hondo 830 Delux from the early 1980’s, and she looks like she was built from left over parts from a Red 2.8 Capri Ghia.
I’ve had her for about 18 months now, and with just the addition of a new nut, machineheads, pots, knobs, strip down, deep clean and extensive set up, she’s scrubbed up a treat.
Sounds great, the only down side being that she weighs 4 stone, but as long as I take a couple of Ibuprofen before and after a gig we’re sorted!
Following the Alex gig I went down to Cardiff at the weekend, visited the famous Cranes music store, followed by Wales v Australia at the Millennium stadium and a night on the lash.
But that’s another story…..
Afkatglhoops.
 ]]></description>
            <author>Phil Afkatglhoops</author>
            <pubDate>Mon, 01 Dec 2008 13:50:31 +0100</pubDate>
        </item>
        <item>
            <title>Mixed fortunes</title>
            <link>http://www.unsignedbandweb.com/music/bands/11329</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Mixed fortunes again this week:
Firstly tragedy struck in the form of having to turn down a Beer Festival!
Yes, going against all our we hold sacred, the Fabulous Fezheads had to turn down Chelmsford Summer Beer Festival 2009 because it’s the same weekend ( July 11th ) as Guilfest 2009 – really hope they appreciate this in Guilford!

However, we had a better night at Viv’s Sound Art studio last night.
We recorded ‘Himshee – Dance of the Bewildered’ a classic reggae track that’s shaping up to be one Stonkin Hot Groove…..
And ‘Space Cadet’, a slide guitar classic which is progressing in an Adonis sort of way.
The cunning plan is that we’re going to put them together with ‘She’s Mine’ and ‘Solstice Park’, which we recorded earlier this year, and re-mix them into an EP, ready for Fig and Date 2009.

Anyway must dash, as I need to strangle a goat for the cous cous.
Afkatglhoops
 ]]></description>
            <author>Phil Afkatglhoops</author>
            <pubDate>Thu, 13 Nov 2008 10:11:18 +0100</pubDate>
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        <item>
            <title>Gobby in Hospital</title>
            <link>http://www.unsignedbandweb.com/music/bands/11329</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Not the greatest of nights last night.

We found out that Gobby’s had a suspected heart attack yesterday and is currently in Maidstone Hospital.

I spoke to him last night and told him that it’s getting ridiculous the lengths to which he’s now going to in order to miss practice.

We wish him well.

Also the ‘Old Green Eyed Monster’ raised his ugly heard at practice last night in a row over money.

I don’t what to comment on this except to say that personally I’m only in the Fezheads for fun.

Believe me, if I was in it for the money, then I wouldn’t be performing with the Fezheads.

Afkatglhoops
 ]]></description>
            <author>Phil Afkatglhoops</author>
            <pubDate>Fri, 07 Nov 2008 08:49:25 +0100</pubDate>
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        <item>
            <title>Pagan Festival and other shocking events</title>
            <link>http://www.unsignedbandweb.com/music/bands/11329</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Our first religious Festival.
Well it’s been a weekend of firsts.
We performed at our first Pagan religious festival, and I took possession of my first Encore Bass guitar - an act that was infinitely more shocking that the Pagans!
Why, because I’ve always slagged off Encore guitars as the one brand that I wouldn’t be seen dead with.
The ones that have passed through my hands have been true horror stories until I got my hands on 22 of 300.
That is bass guitar number 22 of 300 limited edition bass guitars that were made in 1994 to celebrate 25 years of the John Hornby Skewes company.
It’s a straight copy of a 1969 wood-grain and tortoise shell P Bass that I have to say is the nearest thing to a vintage Fender Bass that I’ve come across in a long time.
And I know as I’ve got a 1967 Fender. 
I’m amazed I love it so much, that I might even have to play it live – Oh the shame!

Not like the Pagans who are shameless, but turned out to be some really nice people.
So much so, that we invited then to the next Fig and Date in 2009.
Again thanks to Jeanette, Dragon and Stuart for an interesting afternoon at the Conway Hall.
Our first religious Festival!

Anyway must dash need to slaughter a goat for the barbi…...

Afkatglhoops
 ]]></description>
            <author>Phil Afkatglhoops</author>
            <pubDate>Mon, 20 Oct 2008 12:21:06 +0100</pubDate>
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        <item>
            <title>Fezheads survive the Swanage Blues Festival</title>
            <link>http://www.unsignedbandweb.com/music/bands/11329</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Well we survived it, the Monsoon that was this years October Swanage Blues and Roots Festival, but I have to say it wasn’t easy. 

We knew it wasn’t going to be easy, we had to drive a couple of hundred miles and play a double header, Bankes Hotel at Corfe Castle in the afternoon, then pack all the gear up and play at the Red Lion down in Swanage in the evening.

The Bankes Hotel gig worked out great - the Castle looks like Helms Deep from Lord of the Rings - and we had a nice big space a good appreciative audience.
The problems kicked in down in Swanage.

We couldn’t get the Old Blue Van near to the Red Lion pub so we had to carry all the gear through the Monsoon rains down a hill.

The PA gear got soaked, then my bass amp packed up, and we were expected to set and perform in an area the size of a toilet – a nightmare!
However somehow we managed it, I rigged up my bass through the PA, we put the keyboards on the pool table and somehow all 12 of us squeezed in the Red Lion and played from 9.00 to 12.30am

Many drinks were quaft, Scary Kev got more Scary !
Father Ken who couldn’t perform because of a recent eye operation ended up comedy drunk and crashed through a table of drinks during the Hoops of destiny - he survived  but then proceeded to sit on a pint glass!
It’s enough to put you off beer.

Still we lived to perform another day and I spent Sunday as usual fixing the sound gear
Next gig the Pagen Festival in Holborn and we’ll do it all again – can’t wait

Afkatglhoops
 ]]></description>
            <author>Phil Afkatglhoops</author>
            <pubDate>Mon, 06 Oct 2008 15:28:41 +0100</pubDate>
        </item>
        <item>
            <title>The Fig &amp; Date Fayre 2009</title>
            <link>http://www.unsignedbandweb.com/music/bands/11329</link>
            <description><![CDATA[The Fabulous Fezheads in conjunction with:
The Widders Travel Co, Hot Hedz Chilli Sauce, Burns Guitars, Hohner and Risa Musical Instruments, are proud to announce:

The Fabulous Fezheads ‘Way out West’
Fig & Date Fayre – Sat March 28th 2009

Yes Folks, it’s 12 years since the Fezheads first took the Fig and Date Fayre on the road, and on Saturday the March 28th  2009 we’re kicking off the UK leg of the ‘Cleggett Resurrection’ tour with the ‘Way out West’ Fig & Date Fayre.

The 2009 venue is: The Anchor Inn, Tintern, Nr.Chepstow, NP16 6TE

This years Fig and Date Coordinators are Scary Kev and Father Ken
contact: fezheads@hotmail.com 

As usual the Fig & Date Fayre is a Totally Free Event  no strings.

Any teams or individuals who wish to attend just reply to this mail, and
we'll send you details nearer the time.

News and updates on: www.fezheads.com
and  www.myspace.com/fezheads

The Fabulous Fezheads accept no liability whatsoever for any injuries, mental, or physical, sustained during participation in the Fig & Date Fayre. Participation is purely at individual risk.

 ]]></description>
            <author>Phil Afkatglhoops</author>
            <pubDate>Mon, 22 Sep 2008 12:43:32 +0100</pubDate>
        </item>
        <item>
            <title>Charity Cricket</title>
            <link>http://www.unsignedbandweb.com/music/bands/11329</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Charity Cricket Match………

We got roped into playing a charity cricket match yesterday, organised by the Routledge Cricket Club in Surrey.
Don’t know how we ended up doing it, the general consensus was that we didn’t say NO quick enough and it was all a bit surreal really.
The thing is we don’t play cricket, and there we were in our Kaftans Fezzes and white Trainers (to protect the pitch) on a glorious late summer’s afternoon pissed, and playing cricket.
Neil was a star and drove the Minibus ( the OBV being currently of the road ) and despite the accident on the way - a trike went into the back of us at Oakdeane Cafe – a good day was had by all.
Scary Kev our wicket keeper, and captain for the day, injured himself on the third ball but gamely carried on although he have to be carried back to the pub after the match by his drunk mates, but there were some unexpected stars to.
Pete Cleggett a demon fast bowler, Gobby’s batting, Father Ken running (yes running) Keith the camel as umpire, to name a few
We came second, but we did ourselves proud, and it was all in a good cause
Talking of Scary Kev’s mates, they were supposed to be ringers but we forgot to explain to Kev that ringers are supposed to be better than us not worse!
Mind you the 10 pints beforehand didn’t help them.

Anyway must dash need to slaughter another goat for the barbi…...

Afkatglhoops
 ]]></description>
            <author>Phil Afkatglhoops</author>
            <pubDate>Thu, 30 Oct 2008 12:22:08 +0100</pubDate>
        </item>
        <item>
            <title>Phil Afkatglhoops breaks silence on gear……</title>
            <link>http://www.unsignedbandweb.com/music/bands/11329</link>
            <description><![CDATA[There’s a lot of rubbish talked about electric guitars and gear in general, mainly by people who just don’t play many gigs.
It’s easy to be a bedroom guitar hero - not so simple when you have to do it for real.
The Fabulous Fezheads have been touring constantly with the same Old Blue Transit Van since 1919, so we know a thing or two……
There are a couple essentials that I require out of all my instruments and equipment

That it stays in tune under all conditions
It keeps working under all circumstances

Everything else is a bonus

There are basically only 2 types of guitars Fender and Gibson, everything else is either a copy of a variation on – Steinberger’s don’t count as they’re just silly
Even modern Fenders and Gibson’s are copies, just massed produced copies of the 1950’s originals

Most people are either Fender players ( Keith ) or Gibson players ( Slash )
I don’t like Gibson’s, I’m a Fender player myself, although I have strayed to the dark side when playing mandolins, however without my two favourite brands are Hohner Pro and Burns.

Hohner pro guitars from the 1980’s and 1990’s are just the best kept secret in the guitar world, they turned out better J Basses than old Leo and better Les Paul’s then old Les.

I have a couple of Hohner basses that I use for live gigs and Fenders for the Studio

I hate guitar snobs
When you’re faced with festival crowds in dodgy weather conditions, the last thing on your mind is whether you have a nitro paint finish, Seymour Duncan’s and a brass nut.
It’s, am I still in tune, can I remember the words, and what the hell comes next!

I have a dog of a bass for such situations – Old Picky
Old Picky is an Aussie bass from down under that cost me £36 from Australia (£6 was import duty) and is basically a lightweight P Bass for girls finished in a tasteful Hot Pink Sun Burst - nice
After an extensive rewiring job caused by a stray peavey bandit in the back of the Kebabs Old Blue Van, Old Picky is now my first choice to tackle the gigs where other fear to tread.

Rule number one never take anything precious to a festie - certainly not a decent guitar 
And try to use other people’s amps and PA wherever possible

The Fezheads mainly use old peavey amps because they are so durable
One of our Bandit combos survived a drunk sitting on a round of full pints which someone in their wisdom had placed on top of the amp after a gig at the Stroud Music Festival.
Somehow this guy’s bottom managed to crush the glasses with the beer in them, they literally exploded with a bang, filling up the amp with a combination of best bitter and glass splinters - 
The amp survived – not so sure about the drunk…..

Another thing that I don’t get is relic guitar thing
Why would anyone spend a fortune on a deliberately aged instrument?
Spend the summer with the Fezheads in the Old Blue Van, all your gear will quickly age from closet classic to relic!
We can relic anything even people….ask father Ken

Anyway must dash need to slaughter a goat for the barbi…...

Afkatglhoops
 ]]></description>
            <author>Phil Afkatglhoops</author>
            <pubDate>Fri, 12 Sep 2008 10:08:47 +0100</pubDate>
        </item>
        <item>
            <title>The Fabulous Fezheads - Brief History</title>
            <link>http://www.unsignedbandweb.com/music/bands/11329</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Brief History

The Fabulous Fezheads are the Countries Premier Sand Dance Vaudevillian Illusionists carrying on in the Tradition of Old ‘Blind Ned’ Cleggett and his Famous Stage Act of the 1930’s the Amazing ‘Flying’ Cleggetts.

Starring his Great Grand Son Pete the ‘Flying’ Cleggett the Fabulous Fezheads were actually founded in 1991 as the result of a chance encounter between Adonis Kebab, El Turnipo, Phil the Hun and Pete the ‘Flying’ Cleggett while performing at the Brighton Arts Festival.

Listening to tales and stories of Pete’s amazing family Music Hall Act with the Sand Dance, and Ned’s Spectacular Stunts they were inspired to form a new act to include the Sand Dance and adopt the Fezhead name.

1996 we made the leap into Stage illusion with Cleggett the Escapologist – “the ‘Flying’ Cleggett is Bound, Blindfolded, then Nailed and Chained in the Sarcophagus of Dhoom from whence he’s challenged to Escape!”

Having fulfilled part of his dream to perform one of the Famous Stunts of his Great Grandfathers Stage Act, Pete felt it was time to press on so we became the Fabulous Fezheads

In 1997 the Fezheads came of age with the revival of The Flying Cleggett – “the act that put in ‘Flying’ into Cleggett. Pete risks everything when he is Loaded then Fired as a Human Projectile.”
This was shortly followed by the Vanishing Cleggett ( Magic )  Hoops of Destiny and Laces of Fire ( Both Stunts )

In 1999 we built The Wheel of Death -  “a rotating wheel of death upon which the ‘Flying’ Cleggett is used as a spinning Human Target for our resident Knife thrower ‘Phil the Hun’.”

Although we had practiced for many months there were still safety concerns with this Act especially when it was first premiered at 5.30am during a pagan May 1st Dawn Ceremony!

The Wheel of Death is in fact based on the old American burlesque Act of ‘Chopper’ Smith and his performing Baboon in the 1930’s Midwest.

The original Act consisted of ‘Chopper’ strapping the unfortunate Baboon to the Wheel of a Wagon and throwing knives between the spokes of the wheel and the Baboon.
Obviously we could not ( for various legal, moral and practical reasons ) lay our hands on a Baboon and Wagon, however we appeared to have the next best thing in Pete the ‘Flying’ Cleggett and Adonis Kebabs brilliance for building Stage Props.
The Act of the ‘Flying Cleggett and the Wheel of Death’ consists of Pete (the ‘Flying’ Cleggett ) being strapped onto a revolving wheel of death and having knives thrown at him by a Blindfolded Knife Thrower! 
The Blind Knife Thrower purely using the sound of Cleggetts voice as a guide for the deadly blades.

2002 saw the premier of Dr Roger’s Cabinet of Correction – “In a desperate attempt to improve his performance, Cleggett is clamped by his head in a Cabinet of Correction and Sawn in half in order that Dr Roger can perform corrective surgery!”

In 2005 the Fabulous Fezheads Band went Electric and during 2006 recorded their concept album Fezphobia

In addition we for the last 10 years we host and promote our own Festival The International Fig and Date Fayre held the last weekend in March at different locations around the UK.

For information and performance details please consult our extensive website: www.Fezheads.com  or  www.myspace.com/fezheads
 ]]></description>
            <author>Phil Afkatglhoops</author>
            <pubDate>Mon, 22 Sep 2008 11:49:39 +0100</pubDate>
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