IS IT REALLY JULY ALREADY?

Well, apart from saying Happy 43rd Birthday to my wee brother in Ireland who never actually reads the blog (unlike my other wee brother in America who tunes in every single day), there’s only one other thing notable about the 1st of July.

It’s not long now until the second night of Blog Rocking Beats.

A week on Saturday to be precise.

10th July from 7pm – midnight in the Kitchen Bar of the Flying Duck in Renfield Street, Glasgow.

This time round Drew from Across The Kitchen Table will be away on holiday, as will Gareth from How Does That One Go Again? That means it will be just me and ANCB from A North Country Boy who will be spinning the discs and hopefully providing the entertainment.

The ever-helpful Ed from 17 Seconds has been in touch saying he’s be happy to get involved and its an offer that is hugely and truly appreciated. But we’ve decided that we will soldier on as a duo and cross our fingers.

Given that it will have only been four weeks since the last outing we wont have forgotten anything that could turn it into some sort of technical nightmare. We’re also sure we’ve enough records in the collective collections to make it almost as eclectic a night as the first time round, although some of the great dance/northern soul stuff that Drew brought along will sadly be absent.

A wee confession to make. Unlike last time when absolutely everything that was played was vinyl, there’s a strong possibility that some CDs will be pressed into action. This is entirely to do with the fact that from circa 1990 – 2008 just about everything I bought was on CD rather than vinyl, and while I have plugged a few gaps with second-hand purchases over the years there are still quite a few things I want to play that I only have on shiny silver things.

But I promise there will be no i-pods, mp3 players or laptops used on the night. I remain strictly roots.

As ever, I hope all of you who read this and who live anywhere near Glasgow will be able to pop your head in the door and say hello. It really was a highlight of the first night when I got to meet regular reader and occasional commentator Son of the Rock who, along with a couple of mates, had travelled in from about 15 miles away to give Blog Rocking Beats his support. I’d love to be able to meet more of you in the flesh and hopefully play a record that you particularly like. Who knows, I might even put my hand in my pocket and buy you a beer……

Entry is free right up to 11pm, and anyone who comes along can stay-on afterwards for the Half My Heartbeats night in the space next to the Kitchen Bar. It’s on from 11pm -3am and judging from what I’ve heard others say it’s a cracking good night. ******

So expect lots more plugs for Blog Rocking Beats over the next 10 days. And beware, if somehow I have your e-mail address on file, you can expect some sort of e-mail at the beginning of next week imploring that you come along.

I should also mention that I’m intending to play lots of songs that will be different from the last setlist, although there will be a handful which will be given yet another airing. Last time round, these three got played:-

mp3 : Friends Again - Sunkissed
mp3 : New Order - Age Of Consent
mp3 : The Go-Betweens - Streets Of Your Town

Other songs from the same bands are likely to feature this time round. But which ones?? As Morrissey might say, Why Don’t You Find Out For Yourself? by coming along………

Cheers.

PS : Here's a wee bonus track. Something that wont ever be played at Blog Rocking Beats. But in the midst of all the stuff going on with World Cup 2010, it's one of my all time favourite football songs. This one is for Son of The Rock

mp3 : The Supernaturals - High Tension At Boghead

Read here for a bit of an explanation.

****** Have since discovered that the Half My Heartbeats lot are in fact putting on a live show that night which begins at 7.30pm. It features Water Wolves, Standard Fare and Kid Canaveral who by complete coindidence were the subject of yesterday's posting on TVV.

I'd like to think that Blog Rocking Beats will be a night that complements that sort of live line-up, and hopefully a few folk will be able to make their way back and forth between the two parts of the Flying Duck*****