2011 End of year Review Part 1

January

First gig of the year was by my friends in Tinyfish (less Jim Sanders and Leon Camfield but with Tim Eyles playing guitar) is a very small bar off Charing Cross Road. This one was for McMillan Cancer Support. We, the Tinyfish support group, piled into the 12Bar and found space in a backroom with a billiards table. When Tinyfish played, we made our way to the smallest venue I've been in. Simon, Tim & Paul managed to get on the stage – Rob Ramsay sat on the edge to play harmonica.

We got to see Larry Miller on two successive nights, playing this time without the keyboard player (Ian Salisbury). And Larry is tremendous. Both nights were seated which tends to me a bit of a subdued atmosphere. But Larry Miller's infectious enthusiasm means that it is impossible not to have a good time.

19Jan Tinyfish, 12 Bar, London

21Jan Larry Miller, Swindon Arts Centre

22Jan Larry Miller, Tropic, Ruislip

29Jan Paul Menel, The Peel

February

We went to a Floyd tribute band in Ruislip – they weren't brillant – the vocals left a lot to be desired even for Floyd. The place was packed out – maybe 300 people. Stupid. The next day I happened to be standing next to Dave Kilminster (guitarist in the Roger Waters' band) at The Peel watching a band (Panic Room) playing much better with one of the best singers in the country. There were about 100 people there. No justice.

13Feb Panic Room, 12 Bar, Swindon

19Feb Mick Pointer's Scrip for a Jesters Tour, The Peel

25Feb Floyd Effect, Tropic, Ruislip

26Feb Panic Room/ Matt Stevens, The Peel

March

Tinyfish were playing at the CRS award ceremony. It took ages to find our hotel, and we only just made it back to the venue in time for the Tinyfish set. It was really fun to watch the awards being presented. Mostly Autumn did well; Tinyfish got nominations for the Best New Band(!) and Best Album. My choice Satellite got the nod for best song – a big congratulations to Panic Room and their singer Anne-Marie Helder who was also Personality of the Year. This is one exceptionally talented lady – who managed to even fit in a charity parachute jump around commitments for 3 bands.

At the end of the month we were off to Riffs in Swindon for Megadaze – the launch party for Pendragon's new album Passion. Pendragon are such a brilliant set of people. In truth, the place was ridiculously packed for the gigs, but I didn't mind in the least – it was just so much fun to be part of the event. It was a two-day event – the new album was played over the PA on the Friday and then the band played a set. Saturday there was a “ProgFactor” - and some of the “singers” had a unique style. Tina Booth came along to help judge, but Clive Nolan was the real star – playing the Simon Cowell role brilliantly. It's rare that Clive gets the spotlight but he is a really fun person. Rachel Wilce did a hog-roast for the crowd. I know of no one who works as hard as as selflessly as Rachel Wilce. She is a truly wonderful person, and has some lovely stories. A big well done to Pendragon as Passion made the album charts.

05Mar Pallas/ Tinyfish, CRS Awards, Wath-on-Dearne

19Mar IOEarth/ The Wild Archive, The Peel

25Mar Pendragon/Andy Sears Riffs Bar, Swindon

26Mar Pendragon/Andy Sears Riffs Bar, Swindon