Well well boys and girls, it's been a long time since I've been writing on here so I'll bring you up to speed...
We've had a funny old summer, since playing at Ashford-in-the-Water a lot has changed in the land of Rio 5
Big Dave became a fully-fledged member of Debyshire's Finest AND he, and his good lady wife, Helen, became 1st time parents, with the arrival of Joel - many congrats to them.
This major life change meant Big 'Un had to change his priorities and he has opted to bring up his son, something that the rest of the band whole-heartedly agree with.
So the search was on for someone to step into the, not insubstanial, shoes of Big 'Un... we scoured the land, held numerous auditions and finally plumped for Dave Micklethwaite (it made sense as we wouldn't have to change the business cards) from Elsecar (oop North) and the plan was to play at The Grouse on Hallowe'en then...
Ian, the guitarist, decided to go playing badminton (?!) and managed to snap his achilles tendon (I think there's a lesson to be learnt here) and so, Hallowe'en had to be cancelled - much to our dismay.
Thats where we're at then, Ian in plaster and Big Dave changing nappies. We have got a couple of private functions lined up for December, hopefully there will be a pub gig in there soon, but really we are at the peril of Ian's foot. But 2009 is, at the moment, looking very rosy for Rio 5!
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Sunday, July 06, 2008
Ooooh it's just like Glastonbury
I'm seeing a pattern emerge when it comes to Rio 5 gigs, whenever we go out and play, it throws it down with rain! check the previous posts if you don't believe me...
So the idea of playing outside at Thornbridge Hall, Ashford-in-the-Water (no pun) for the NSPCC in the pouring rain, went down about as well as having to get up at 9am on your first Sunday off in 2 months... hmm
But it's an outdoor gig, in the country, in the fresh air and we don't have to take the PA system, so lets load up the van and get this show on the road.
That'll be a country lane then, a single track, to the wonderful place that is Thornbridge, a really nice country pile with a wonderful view over the peak district.
We were the first of 4 bands throughout the day, Rio 5, Junkyard Dogs, Frank White and Stoned Angels, so we had to deal with all the obstacles: the rain coming sideways, the lawn being sodden, the fact that there was only one side on the gazebo, I'm kinda glad we got there at 10.30am.
But a helpful groundsman found us some sheets of wood to put the drums on so Symon didn't sink into the quagmire, and an end for the gazebo and when that was sorted it was positively tropical, so we set up our mini kit, watching the rain come down in sheets, the boy scouts playing "splat the rat", listening to the brass band playing in the courtyard.
Then the best bit, rdf media were filming a documentary for Channel 4, I'll keep an eye out for it and let you know, and the host (some woman I didn't recognise in a pink dress) came and head a look, then we had to pause so they could record "a piece to camera" and then we rocked on!
Seriously, if the weather had been nice it would have been a wonderful gig, we enjoyed it and appreciate the people that stood their in their wellies with their umbrellas and applauded us, thankyou very much, and to South Yorkshire Entertainment for giving us the chance to play - then when we'd packed down and were coming home, the sun came out.
I'm seeing a pattern emerge when it comes to Rio 5 gigs, whenever we go out and play, it throws it down with rain! check the previous posts if you don't believe me...
So the idea of playing outside at Thornbridge Hall, Ashford-in-the-Water (no pun) for the NSPCC in the pouring rain, went down about as well as having to get up at 9am on your first Sunday off in 2 months... hmm
But it's an outdoor gig, in the country, in the fresh air and we don't have to take the PA system, so lets load up the van and get this show on the road.
That'll be a country lane then, a single track, to the wonderful place that is Thornbridge, a really nice country pile with a wonderful view over the peak district.
We were the first of 4 bands throughout the day, Rio 5, Junkyard Dogs, Frank White and Stoned Angels, so we had to deal with all the obstacles: the rain coming sideways, the lawn being sodden, the fact that there was only one side on the gazebo, I'm kinda glad we got there at 10.30am.
But a helpful groundsman found us some sheets of wood to put the drums on so Symon didn't sink into the quagmire, and an end for the gazebo and when that was sorted it was positively tropical, so we set up our mini kit, watching the rain come down in sheets, the boy scouts playing "splat the rat", listening to the brass band playing in the courtyard.
Then the best bit, rdf media were filming a documentary for Channel 4, I'll keep an eye out for it and let you know, and the host (some woman I didn't recognise in a pink dress) came and head a look, then we had to pause so they could record "a piece to camera" and then we rocked on!
Seriously, if the weather had been nice it would have been a wonderful gig, we enjoyed it and appreciate the people that stood their in their wellies with their umbrellas and applauded us, thankyou very much, and to South Yorkshire Entertainment for giving us the chance to play - then when we'd packed down and were coming home, the sun came out.
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Oh my goodness... he isn’t going to... is he?
It's always a bit scary playing new venues, but that's something we're going to have to get used to this month as we've got 4 new places to take The Legendary Rio 5 Experience to...
The first of these was last night, The Manor Bar @ Brampton Manor Country Club, Chesterfield.
A very nice venue, low roof and stone flag flooring which makes it a nightmare to get a good sound and we were playing in the (unlit) fireplace. I kept asking what was burning until I twigged. D'oh
A very nice venue, low roof and stone flag flooring which makes it a nightmare to get a good sound and we were playing in the (unlit) fireplace. I kept asking what was burning until I twigged. D'oh
So we set it up, it was a tight fit (less room than The Oak) but somehow we managed to fit it all in, rigged up the laser and sank a few pints of the amber nectar and mingled with the tanned and the toned of the audience, Ian had just got back from Barbados and Symon had been in the Maldives so they didn't look out of place.
Showtime came around and off we went and we got them up dancing by the end of the first set (thats always a good thing) but the fun was to come in the 2nd set where we moved Mustang Sally up the running order (at the request of "that bloke") and he came up to join us and to be fair he was the life and soul of the party, and thats what it felt like, the atmosphere was the same as at a wedding, fantastic.
The shocking part came at the end of the 2nd set, You Can Leave Your Hat On, most famous for the end scene in Full Monty, where Robert Carlyle and the boys, well, get their kit off - not to be outdone, "that bloke" decided he was up for a bit of that, all the way down to his scrundies, hmm, luckily he was facing the other way and I was hiding behind Ian but I do know that it was recorded for the archives so, no doubt, it'll be on youtube soon.
After that you can't really top it but it certainly broke the ice and everybody thoroughly let their hair down, resulting in lots of singing, dancing and the keyboard player standing on the sofa and doing his best Jerry Lee Lewis impression.
Brampton Manor, thankyou soooo much for having us, the audience, you were great, "that bloke" - special thanks to you, we look forward to absolutely seeing you again.
Next gig is The Moorakers - Keswick Drive, Newbold/Dunston. Sat 3rd May - another new venue so we need some helping hands. We'l see you there!
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Pic: Kev shows "Our Adam" how to play with his elbowsWhen it rains on Brampton, it really rains, I mean in bucketloads. So you find a pub and stop in it, then order a taxi, get a kebab and go home.
Luckily The Grouse is a very popular place and those hardy souls who made the journey were in the right place for a brilliant night out. We love playing The Grouse, a nice intimate gig, good beer, great staff and we rocked it!
We're getting used to our 3 set format now and from the opening bars of "Ziggy Stardust" to the end of "Stick Together" we had a really good time, we even got "the singing barmaid" up along with some others to help us out with Mustang Sally (that girl can sing) - I do wonder where Sharon, the landlady, went when we were looking for volunteers... hmm
Again there was a broad range of people in the audience, the young townies (where did those 3 lovely ladies go?) having a few drinks before hitting the clubs, to The Grouse regulars who know good entertainment when they hear it and Rio 5 were well recieved by all.
I've added a few photos from Friday night to our mobile photoblog, simply use your mobile phone's web browser to search for "rio 5 eyemag" and scroll through our galleries.
Our next gig is Fri 25th April @ Brampton Manor, a new venue for us so we need a lot of helping hands to make it a success.
Sunday, March 09, 2008
You know it's a good gig when...
You know it's a good gig when you're set up and sound-checked before people start arriving.
You know it's a good gig when you've got a great sound on-stage and off-stage
You know it's a good gig when you're swigging rose wine straight from the bottle (very nice it was too!)
You know it's a good gig when everyone gets dressed up in 70's gear and gets totally into the spirit of the event.
You know it's a good gig when you've got more lights, lasers and big smoke than U2.
So we all got changed into our 70s gear (Elton John on keyboards, Ozzy Osbourne on Vox etc) and set off into the first of 3 sets with Ziggy Stardust a rapturous reception, thats the beauty of playing in a proper village out in thesticks, everybody turns out for every charity gig and really enjoys themselves and raises loads of money, £460 last night at the last count.
Come the 2nd set, and a few more beers in everyone's bellies, and the party really got started, singing along, dancing, shouting and cheering (particularly during James' Sit Down, which is a 90's song kids, but who cares?) to songs from Joe Cocker, The Commitments and Free.
A quick change into our Blues Bros outfits (and didn't we all look smart) and on to a stage bathed in blue light, for Sweet Home Chicago and a rip-roaring last set, Delilah, Caroline and the legendary Team A v. Team B contest that is "Gimme Some Lovin'" (it was a draw).
I honestly cannot thank everyone enough for making last night an absolute success and one which will live in the memory for a very long time, Trish and the Eyam "Crazy Gang" for giving us the chance to return to The Mechanics, Jono Havenhand for doing an outstanding job on the lights and sound - it wouldn't have been the same without you, Gill for giving me a lift and making us all a packed lunch (she is too good to us), everyone who paid their money, turned up, bought raffle tickets and glow bracelets and made it. THANKYOU SOOOOO MUCH!
Photos from the night are on our myspace: www.myspace.com/rio5rock and also available as a download for your mobile phone, simply point your wap connection at wap.eyemags.com and search for "Rio 5"
You know it's a good gig when you're set up and sound-checked before people start arriving.
You know it's a good gig when you've got a great sound on-stage and off-stage
You know it's a good gig when you're swigging rose wine straight from the bottle (very nice it was too!)
You know it's a good gig when everyone gets dressed up in 70's gear and gets totally into the spirit of the event.
You know it's a good gig when you've got more lights, lasers and big smoke than U2.
So we all got changed into our 70s gear (Elton John on keyboards, Ozzy Osbourne on Vox etc) and set off into the first of 3 sets with Ziggy Stardust a rapturous reception, thats the beauty of playing in a proper village out in thesticks, everybody turns out for every charity gig and really enjoys themselves and raises loads of money, £460 last night at the last count.
Come the 2nd set, and a few more beers in everyone's bellies, and the party really got started, singing along, dancing, shouting and cheering (particularly during James' Sit Down, which is a 90's song kids, but who cares?) to songs from Joe Cocker, The Commitments and Free.
A quick change into our Blues Bros outfits (and didn't we all look smart) and on to a stage bathed in blue light, for Sweet Home Chicago and a rip-roaring last set, Delilah, Caroline and the legendary Team A v. Team B contest that is "Gimme Some Lovin'" (it was a draw).
I honestly cannot thank everyone enough for making last night an absolute success and one which will live in the memory for a very long time, Trish and the Eyam "Crazy Gang" for giving us the chance to return to The Mechanics, Jono Havenhand for doing an outstanding job on the lights and sound - it wouldn't have been the same without you, Gill for giving me a lift and making us all a packed lunch (she is too good to us), everyone who paid their money, turned up, bought raffle tickets and glow bracelets and made it. THANKYOU SOOOOO MUCH!
Photos from the night are on our myspace: www.myspace.com/rio5rock and also available as a download for your mobile phone, simply point your wap connection at wap.eyemags.com and search for "Rio 5"
Sunday, March 02, 2008
3 sets? 3 SETS!
Yes Rio 5 are back on the road with their new-look show - new songs and a new 3-set format! Unveiled last night (1st March) at The County Hotel, Saltergate, Chesterfield.
From the opening power chords of Ziggy Stardust (by David Bowie) to the closing notes of Gimme Some Lovin' Rio 5 had the audience in the palm of their hands. It's been 10 weeks since their last fix of 70s Rock/Soul and we delivered the goods, we slipped one new song in - Leave Your Hat On by Joe Cocker (from The Full Monty film) which was very well recieved, luckily Dave Stone left his clothes on (shudder at the thought) but we left out 2 other new songs, you'll have to come to the next gig - NEW VENUE ALERT! - at Joplins Bar, Low Pavement, Chesterfield on Fri 14th March. It's the first time we've played here so we need many helping hands to turn out and help us make it a rousing sucess - we need to be supporting live music pubs to keep bands going and to keep the pub trade alive.
Check out the website: http://www.rio5.co.uk/ for the full list of gigs...
Right, I'm off now, got to sort out my Elton John outfit for Eyam Fundraiser, 8th March. Come back soon to see the pictures - it's going to be great!
Friday, February 22, 2008
Check out this event: Now Thats What I Call Rio 5!
You could be excused for forgetting about Rio 5 as we've not been out and about for a few months, but do no worry, Avid Reader, we've not been resting on our laurels, we've been working hard learning new songs and polishing the old favourites. We're back out on the road from 1st March. We'd love to see you there!
Hosted By: Rio 5
When: 01 Mar 2008, 21:00
Where: The County Hotel, Saltergate, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, Midlands S401UT
Description:Fantastic Live 5-piece 70's rock covers band, with a few soul numbers thrown in for good measure!
Click Here To View Event
You could be excused for forgetting about Rio 5 as we've not been out and about for a few months, but do no worry, Avid Reader, we've not been resting on our laurels, we've been working hard learning new songs and polishing the old favourites. We're back out on the road from 1st March. We'd love to see you there!
Hosted By: Rio 5
When: 01 Mar 2008, 21:00
Where: The County Hotel, Saltergate, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, Midlands S401UT
Description:Fantastic Live 5-piece 70's rock covers band, with a few soul numbers thrown in for good measure!
Click Here To View Event
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