DarrenPoyzer
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August 05 - The Long Journey Home My big thanks to Rory Ellis for inviting me to shre the tour with him. We had a ball ... check him out before he heads back to Australia, he has one of the finest singing voices in the world, believe me - www.roryellis.com.
The gig? Good fun. I really enjoyed myself tonight, though felt a little sorry for Rory who found it a little hard going due to the late night booze and conversation. Have to confess also, i got a little pie-faced on the rum and black. Strangest thing, there were three guys at the gig from Wakefield in Yorkshire who by chance had also been at the St Andrews gig, two nights previous and hundreds of miles away! They were heading off to Stornaway afterwards, and having been stalked by them, I really would have welcomed the opportunity to follow them to islands even further North. Alas, it's a long long drive back to Clutton Broxton for us ... but what a tour, what a place, what fantastic and friendly people. One for the special lifetime memories collection. 1
August 05 - St Andrews & Evanton The gig itself was in a cellar bar called Aikmans. Rory was none too chuffed at first as the pa we were presented with was one of those 'pa in a box' things. It did a job for us though, and what at first seemed like a potentially naff gig turned into a real joy, where we were made most welcome. I guess a big reason for this was the love and respect as musicians offered to us by a guy who is one of The Butthole Surfers, who was in the bar watching and enjoying the night with his equally friendly ladyfriend. Thank you both, much much appreciated! Rory Ellis has a fantastic deep voice and some truly soul-stirring stories to tell. In St Andrews, when he played 'Ride', a song about his still-born baby girl, I was wiping a tear or two. I could write more about Rory, he's been a fantastic tour partner, but maybe later ... Our early start into the unknown the next morning also became a beautiful adventure. Setting forth on a 4 hour trip North and beyond Inverness, we crossed more incredible scenery and open country. Scotland really does inspire, and I'm sorry to say but I'll never have the same awe for The Lakes after this. We arrived at The Balconie in Evanton for our afternoon gig. Made very very welcome, we ate well and had the pleasure of our first truly rocking pa system. The gig however was a little quiet, but nevertheless very enjoyable. For my part, I played two new songs, and for the third gig running there was no 'Beaches Of Ibiza' in the set ... am I mellowing? With accomodation here, it seemed only right that Rory and I would contribute to the 'session' when later in the evening, musicians and people from all over crammed themselves into the tiny venue. To be here in the Highlands, taking part in an authentic folk and singaround session, was a thrill and a pleasure. I even took to the piano and reeled off a version of Coldplay's 'The Scientist' - not quite trad, but nevertheless in the spirit of anything goes and well recieved! There was however a real pianist in the house, amongst the outstanding fiddle, harmonica and mandola players, and when Rory and he performed a couple of blues numbers, and Otis Redding's 'Sittin' On The Dock Of The Bay', the vibe got pretty special. The party continued in a local residence (thanks Paula, for party and breakfast!), where we brought out the Neil Young / Dylan back catalogue, and Rory sang plenty of mean low-down tunes. This morning, it's a late start ... Today Loch Ness for more sight-seeing then up to Ullapool for the final gig of the tour tonight. In the Aussie words of Rory Ellis, "we'll catch the monster, cut a steak off it's arse and stick it on the barby". You can take the boy out of Australia ... Big thanks to Steve and everyone at The Balconie, Barbara at Aikmans, Airly at the farmhouse, Jo at Beanscene, and everyone who came to the shows, acquired cd's and made us very welcome. 30th
July 2005 - Live from St Andrews We enjoyed also a day out in The Cairngorms. Such beauty and peace on Earth, I never knew existed. A really good thing for me, as previously I have only visited the Western coast side of Scotland, and this is a whole new wonderful world. We stopped by Balmoral Castle and Rory dropped trousers for the royalty. It made a great picture, and later in the middle of nowhere, in the pouring rain, we paddled barefoot in the River Don. There was a kind of soul cleansing about this, and if I return on my own next time, I think I'll do the fully naked naturist thing ... it feels like the kind of thing you have to do at least once in your life! Tomorrow Evanton, then up to Ullapool, and maybe taking in Loch Ness and Loch Lomond. Time to tune up and play ... dp x
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July 05 - Love Letters Lost Via Text Message I even discovered a few personal writings that belonged to a previous resident, reaching out with emotional hands via some half-poem in a last gasp attempt to find love in the dark. That was strange ... I also found the long lost letter I recieved that inspired the song 'Beautiful Addiction' and the line "How can you say you love somebody, more than someone you love?" That particular letter was from an ex-partner telling me she'd found a new life and a new lover, and yet the wording and sentiment was truly heart-warming; so much so, she inspired the song. This all got me reflecting on recent times when I've written and recieved words from the heart during emotional exchanges via e-mail and text. These will probably be deleted or removed upon upgrade and therefore never be re-discovered, lost forever in the ether. It seems such a shame that priceless words that were once etched in ink and kept forever, can now so easily become cold and disposable via electronic text. I also became the owner of a 2nd hand mobile phone recently, and there were some text messages left on there from the previous owner's boyfriend. One of these reads "One day you will ask me what's more important 2me, you or my life? I will say my life & U will go and leave me without even realising that U are my life!" Great words, lost ... bad grammar good riddance. Love letters can be a source of discomfort for a while, especially if they pre-empt a break-up or are discovered by a paranoid new love, however they do stand the test of time, and are well worth keeping and feeling good about. And there's no shame in writing them. Indeed those of us who write love songs and poetry, are generally very relieved to be able to express love in creative and powerful ways. My life experience tells me you won't find love until you know how to give love, and knowing that you are able to give is as great a feeling as the recieving! Anyone want to write me a love letter? 25
July 05 - Wow what a Weekend! I have to give special thanks to Kevin Farrell who played his own sets throughout the five gigs we played over the weekend, taking in Glossop, Dukinfield and Newton le Willows, and accompanied me throughout also. And not forgetting Patrick Blues for adding harmonica spice in Buxton. To all our new found friends, thank you for making us so welcome ... looking forward to the next time already! dp x 21 July 05 - Scottish Mini-Tour 2005 So next Thursday 28th Rory (www.roryellis.com) and I will be doing something wonderful in Aberdeen and then getting on round to Ullapool and somewhere else etc. I think we're doing four gigs in six days, so there'll be plenty of time for walking and creating head space. Hope the diet survives! As for the new home, it's great, I'll be telling you more about it when I get online there. For now, it's a case of jumping internet time in cafes, via friends and The Pyramid. Let's just say, The Cottage is peace and quiet, pleasant, outstanding, and just about starting to feel like home. Kevin Farrel knows already; he came round last night for a rehearsal and we sat on the grass in the grounds of the big house, strumming whilst the sun went down with a fantastic long-shot view of the Welsh hills. Nice ... 14
July 05 - A Stone Here, a Stone There Health-wise I learned some time ago that your physical and mental well-being are closely linked and a lot more reliant on each other than any of us can comprehend. I remember the last time I moved house, it was when I was splitting from Cath and little Jasmine, and I was so heartbroken I came back to my old hometown of Glossop to die. That was how it felt. This moving home time I am a lot more at peace with myself. I've learnt a lot about how we as animals flutter between basic instincts and the need to love and be loved; how we feed and settle, and how sometimes our moving on to new pastures is not driven by lack of love, but the need to ensure personal survival. For some reason I can't put into words just yet, I feel strong enough to once more embrace the human condition. I am ready to live. The bus waits just around the corner. I smile, take a deep breath and step into the road ...
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July 05 - And the killing just goes on and on and on ... Having close family in London I have to say that my first feeling of course was personal, in particular with concern for my sister Tina, her husband and two children, who are thankfully safe and sound. Tina was caught up in the chaos as she works in Aldgate, whilst her youngest Zak was on a school bus, heading into the heart of the city when the bombs started to explode. It was of course a barbaric cowardly act. And so is the refusal by billionairre businessmen to sign up to agreements to protect the world environment, a selfish greedy act that will lead to future deaths and destruction from (un) natural causes over generations. And so are money deals corrupted 'legally' that bring millions to their knees in poor desperation. There has to be some kind of war on terror, but if the weaponry is controlled by hypocrites who are committing gross economic abuse, it will only lead to more terror. Where's the fucking point in any of that? Can't these children just stop promoting violence and abuse of humanity once and for all? ~ ~ ~ And whilst I'm on one, I might add that millionairre pop stars aren't the answer either ... 8
July 05 - Destiny Has a Shit Sense Of Humour Sitting back to admire my poetic beauty spread across the landscape of my monitor, I freaked as destiny crashed my computer and said 'screw you sunshine'! I have this whole 'life changing moments' thing going on right now ... you know the script, and if you don't, watch that movie called 'Sliding Doors' ... 1
July 05 - Someone Lost, Something Found I am one of those 'births wedding funerals' Church visitors, that's not an apology, and I have to say that on occasions I have felt something very spiritual in Churches. Today the feeling was one of family; human strength and spirit at a time of great sadness. Brenda Goddard had friends from far and wide come to pay their last respects; the holy spirit did not have to strain and scream in desperation today; the holy spirit was one of us. Nothing to compare to the loss of life, the loss of love can seem like the death of something, maybe your heart; the removal of a large chunk of happy smiling life from your soul. We all know the feeling, and if you don't, you've probably never loved, or been fortunate enough to make it stay around for a lifetime. I keep looking down the back of the settee; there's lost love I need to find and it has to be somewhere ... And as for something found? Well, I think I've found a new home, a place to stay, live and write the next album. A mid-Cheshire cottage, within a dreamy view of the Welsh mountains. Keep your fingers crossed for me, I think this is definitely the right move ...
The number available at the moment is limited, and first up this week I'll be mailing out to those who've pre-paid via this website. There'll hopefully be a few on sale at The Magic Band gig tomorrow (Wednesday). From there we'll have a promotion push with promoters and the like, and eventually a general release via handful of shops and distributors. I have to say that watching this concert footage, filmed at The Globe in Glossop in 2003, it's great to see how we managed to capture a little of the magic that graces a gig of that nature; with Fluff, Andy Goddard, and Kirk MCElhinney playing alongside, there was bound to be beauty and a passionate edge, and speaking personally, it was one of the most uplifting personal performances of the last years. So, please do view the samples and visit the cd & dvd page to purchase, and if you acquire a Global DVD, let me know what you think - constructive feedback always very welcome.
I travelled with Martin Milner, former Band On The Wall creative dude and currently Project Manager for Amplifier Youth Music Project in Cheshire. We were attending the launch of Music Leader North East at the vastly impressive £70million Sage Centre in Gateshead (pictured). Wow, it's a big, new, trendy, modern, arty giant slug of a place, pricey if you're skint, but great value if you have the cashflow. Made me wary though when our taxi driver from the station declared that he'd never set foot in the place, and was never ever going to. Problem mate? Have you ever come across that though? Because it seems to be happening more and more ... Art is supposed to be for the people, and is supposed to benefit communities (isn't it? / some disapointingly disagree) yet whenever a massive investment is paid out of the public purse to promote the arts, I find there's always a large section of the working class public who resent it. We have a similar thing with The Lowry Centre in Manchester, virtually twice the cost, with a vast division between those who appreciate it, and those for whom the place is a world away from the planet they live on.
It's a dilemma ... you have to have incredible faith in the Arts to go along with this, and I am a creative person who values community arts, and has the greatest love and respect for people with faith. But it's a question that niggles me from time to time ... I declare an open verdict, my heart and my head are in conflict. Community
Hearts In The Byker Groove Loved it - a smoky little pub, with a side room inhabitted by Fred, singing folk songs on his acoustic, accompanied by a mandolin, a violin, a recorder, and a handful of really decent people making us very welcome. Martin and I contributed with a few songs along the way, and it was great to be here, and again I must emphasise, to be made so welcome. You can't beat this kind of thing - this is Community Hearts! From here we eventually trudged off to make the last train back to Manchester, and I had to laugh at the title of a DJ night in a pub just down the road - Byker Groove! Brilliant ...
Call me whatever, but give me a half-hearted review by some uninterested indie kid in a barely read shoegazers magazine, or a personal e-mail like this, and I'll take the personal niceities every time. Yeh, really enjoyed Aspull, as did Kevin Farrell on acoustic and Patrick Blues on harmonica. 2
May 05 - Punk Doesn't Die, and Never Will
Dirty Circus had the blessing of a very pissed audience - you know what these all day festivals are like - and there was a little animosity that comes with 'lads and drink' that almost spoiled the gig. Thing is though, this band were well above all that, really enjoyed them. The Fast Cars played The Jam's 'In The City'. Geddin'. Enough said! Well, they played lots more great stuff, and songs like Teenage Kicks, Ever Fallen In Love With Someone etc sat very nicely alongside their own songs; loud, in yer face, yet intelligent. Liked this lots. Kevin Farrell joined me on guitar, Patrick Blues on harmonica, and when we'd got a few chairs out and the scally element had pissed off elsewhere, we had a ball. It was especially nice because we've been invited back to perform specifically as a trio at more events in Aspull, and I'm pleased that Kevin and Patrick were both given great respect and recognition. Big thanks then to all the people at Aspull Rugby Club for making us very welcome, and making us feel very much at home. We have
a new Pope ...
Let's be honest, here in the UK, it's Conservative or Tory. There's no Labour Party alternative anywhere near Central Government, and the massed ranks of those who are worth a vote are struggling to swim against the tide, even if they do get in. Likewise, in the US they recently had the choice of sniffing corporate dollar wiped on Bush's arse, or the same corporate dollar prised from the crack of Kerry's underpants. In other words, no choice but the stinker. Maybe how you see it depends on your choice locally. Here in Glossop, our standing MP is Labour's very own pro-Iraq Warmonger Tom Levitt, and it looks likely he'll get in again, with the vote of the 'majority of people in Glossop', on the crest of backing by Glossop and High Peak Labour Party members. There are good people here in Glossop, but amongst them are a handful who when faced with a dilemma would rather swallow shit with their eyes closed than look out for drowning neighbours. To be honest, I'd rather piss in the ballot box than vote for someone who has contributed so bloody handedly to the slaughter of thousands of people with an illegal war. Now if I did that, wouldn't that make the General Election a little more interesting? I wish we had a Loony Party candidate, someone to make people smile and subtly rip apart the stupidity of middle England's anal political slow bullet genocide. We're an island nose-diving into ever widening divisions between extreme poverty and arrogance forchrissake, and just something, something to put the brakes on this is needed. Lord David Sutch, your spirit lives on here my friend, and yet when I visit the Official Loony Party website, I still don't get the buzz I used to. If only my good friend Honest T Blair was standing in Glossop ... I see the BBC online site today has a feature 'How Do The Celebrities Line Up For The Election?'. It's sad I know, but newspaper headlines and tv / pop faces will prompt massive amounts of voting one way or another. Whatever happened to fair democratic elections - is it fair that our population mass has been brainwashed by over-paid manufactured powder puffed up fakers? We're a Nation who's hands have been bloodied by war and oil and there's nothing like a little soap opera to clean things up at Election time ... Joan Collins (pictured) is backing the Conservative Party by the way. Yeh go on then, vote ... make a difference ... our veterans fought in the war so you could etc etc. I think you'll find our veterans had no choice because of the way the world had been divided by extremes of poverty, nationalism and arrogance, the way the economy had been geared up to fuel the war machine, and the way that music and entertainment was used to rally people to the front line and over the top. Onward Christian Soldiers and all that. You know, I'm so sick of all this, I can't even be bothered writing to the local newspaper ... it's so unlike me; I just hope our teachers have something important to say to the children when the mobile networks are down - the message just might get through ... Who knows though, I might just get involved somewhere along the line ... might just chance my aim with that ballot box. 18
Apr 05 - I've Got Tickets For Wales (review) ... T'is was merely a blip. The Five Alls gig in Chepstow was a beautiful riot; at times intense, at times hilarious and loads of fun. The people welcoming and friendly, the hosts well up for the gig, and the hangover replaced by excellent food and accomodation. Retire now and be happy ... Big shout to Rachel Mari Kimber who played also - awesome songs, and a really fine performer, true quality. Not afraid to tell a noisy squaddie to "Shut the fuck up" either! See www.rachelmarikimber.com. Took in a weekend of driving through Wales, listening to Rachel's cd and a little Nick Harper for contrast, staying in Aberystwith and then heading North for beaches and cool sea breezes. Nice ... In particular, found sitting in a bed and breakfast bay window in Aberystwith, looking out to see during sunset whilst sipping wine, a particularly poetic moment. Still not writing anything by way of new songs at the moment ... thing is, even in Chepstow where I played over 90 minutes worth, I still had plenty of Poyzer back catalogue to work with. Notes: * need kick up arse to write new songs * . * getting pissed and talking bollocks is not good PR *
It's a song that never made it; written to a poor standard, rarely performed. It's a song however that came to mind this weekend whilst some fellow songwriters and I took a leisurely walk, coming out of Bamford and stretching our legs beyond the reach of a guitar lead and mic stand. I am of course cursed with foot blisters now, but nevertheless a little wiser, having discussed stress and ways to combat unemployment at great length. Many thanks then to Paul Parrish and David Gordon, two fine fellas and songwriters, who came along to enjoy the hospitality of The Anglers Rest, and the beauty of the Derbyshire countryside. 6
Apr 05 - I've Got Tickets For Wales ... You never know what to expect with unknown gigs, but I have a good feeling about the whole weekend, and a chance to unwind a little ... Just added a gig at The Globe in Glossop to the gig guide. It ain't until Sat Oct 22nd, but it's always a cracking good show in there, so make a date people! 3
Apr 05 - Oxford & Birkenhead Reviewed First up, on Friday I took the trip to Oxford to support my friend Neil Axminster, who is standing as Honest T Blair, a 'New Loony' candidate at the forthcoming General Election. Whilst the gig itself was a noisy, raucous affair, it was a massive pleasure to work again with Nick Toczek, brilliant performance poet, and these days an esteemed and highly successful childrens' author and entertainer. We met just outside Sheffield and during the journey to and from Oxford, we never stopped catching up with talk about friends from years gone by, what we'd been doing, how our careers had developed - talk about catching up, we'd still be talking now if we had the chance! The gig was at a pub called The Exeter Hall in the Cowley area, and as a line-up had that strange mix of loony politics - the noisy, punky, drunken daftness that is on the surface, and courtesy of Nick and I, the subtle politics of an angry yet pro-active generation that seeks to enlighten through entertainment. A real pleasure, Nick was awesome, Neil raised funds, I got a t-shirt ... Saturday was a different world again, but nevertheless rewarding to the extreme as I was working with people whom I admire greatly. We zipped over to Birkenhead, and this time my performing partner was Kevin Farrell on guitar, our venue the 500 capactiy Pacific Road Arts Centre, our role to open up for the mighty Wishbone Ash. This didn't have the personal intensity of my last performance here with the Ash, when I was solo, however Kevin added an extra later of zing and it meant we could put on a show, which at some 50 minutes was a real joy to play. It's a strange rollercoaster ride doing this kind of gig - you have hundreds of people in front of you and you buzz on it, but then if the insecurity tells you for one second that none of them are here to see you, you can start to suffocate. The plaudits, as ever from such a decent crowd as you always get at an Ash, were very complimentary, though I've seldom been more warmed as I was after this gig. My thanks then to Andy Powell, one of the true world class musicians of our time, who took time out to pay very warm and honest compliments about our performance. As a sometimes insecure writer, I've seldom been so delighted to hear such kind words ... Of course I can't write about this gig without telling you the real top notch joy of being part of a show like this - it's coming off stage having done your bit, and watching a band like Wishbone Ash perform. Last night, it was the set list from Heaven, some two hours plus of stadium sized progressive rock concert, complete with crowd pleasers from legendary albums, loaded with personality, style, and world class musicianship. I'm gonna be smiling and dancing round the supermarket later ... 21
Mar 05 - Back to the Wishbone Loughbrough
all change Bring
on the New Loony! 17
Mar 05 - Spring, Where Are You!!! Kee-gone 16
Mar 05 - A Whole New Ramble It's also the case that in April, myself and some fellow songwriters are going on a rambling weekend in the Hope Valley. Now doesn't that sound wonderful and inspirational ... indeed, I'm really looking forward to it. As far as the exhaustion, the very thing that has led to a reduction in my gigs, it's still with me a little - I'm slowly getting there though, and the gigs I am playing are now very special occasions. I'm always wary of whinging about this, but I'm in my 20th year of promoting or playing non-mainstream culture / entertainment now, so a little respect if you please ... |
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August 05 - Ullapool & The Wakefield Groupies
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July 05 - I've Fallen in Love ...
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May 05 - We got a DVD ("everything that's great about a
Darren Poyzer gig") 
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May 05 - Community Arts and a New Beginning
I
guess most people would prefer affordable housing, better health
services, access to further education for their children ... thing
is, how many of these people, given something, would just get pissed
on it anyway? Dunno, what do I know ... I love these arts centres
and being a creative person, loved The Sage and am at home in The
Lowry. I appreciate the many wonderful things these places have
to offer, and the inspired magical people whose work brings them
to life, but would these millions be better spent on starved public
services?
Nice
when this happens ...
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Apr 05 - Pointless Election Rant