Having just returned from this years Matala Beach Festival ,an event I have supported and given my time to as an artist since its beginning 3 yrs ago,I feel I must publish my feelings about this years shambolic affair .
My wife and I have been working with the organisers for nearly a year to ensure GB Blues Band and 9 other bands and artists involved in the Bands against poverty movement here in Crete got a chance to play and raise money for the charity's of Crete . Sadly the organisers despite all there promise of help let us down badly , The promised Kiosk didn't arrive until mid day on the second day ,no tables for the kiosk . We had to chase to get food vouchers for the bands who gave there time free,so many broken promises .My own Band GB Blues programmed to play the main stage on Saturday were cut because the organisers couldn't co ordinate the times for sound checks ,giving two acts 3hrs each during Saturday afternoon ,all the audience got was 6hrs of some premaddona banging a kick drum while the tried to get the sound right ,Totally unnecessary as was later demonstrated by Hugh Cornwell of the Stranglers who turned up late after Easy jet lost his equipment . Hugh Did a 15min check with borrowed kit and blew the crowd away .
On a more positive note the Earth stage where most of the B.A.P bands played was well run and had great sound thanks to the guy who manned it almost single handed for 4 days ,Antonis you are a star and I thank you for all your help and support ,You did a great job and gave us super sound . I played an hours set with Boston flutist Cindy Scholl and Cretan guitarists Antonis Koulendakis and Mixhalis Ikosipendiakis to a small but appreciative crowd.
The organizers lost out on the opportunity to raise much needed funds for the less fortunate people of Crete by failing to keep their promises ,If GB had been allowed to play a collection would have been taken during the performance ,and as there was nearly 100,000 people attended over the 4 days this could have been a substantial amount .
Matala is the biggest free festival in Crete and could be the best if the organizers learn how to organize .For me it was a disaster and personally cost me an awful lot of money to not appear as I and the other BAP bands all gave their time free
However to end this gripe on a positive note on Sunday night we had an impromptu party at the hotel with Tonis Sfinos and the Playmates (one of Greeces top show bands ) this was fantastic and a great honour to play with these guys as they are true professionals and real nice .Please check out their act on you tube as they deserve to go international .
Graham.
1,501 2013-06-26 06:19:09
Topic: Matala Beach festival Crete(organisational disaster!!!!!!!!!!!) (1 replies, posted in My local band and me)
1,502 2013-06-19 06:41:57
Re: Cover of "Simple Man" song originally by Lynard Skynard (8 replies, posted in My local band and me)
This is in our set for the Matala festival this week end great song well done .
1,503 2013-06-17 16:37:59
Re: MY SQL ERROR (6 replies, posted in About Chordie)
YEP thats what it was all ok now
1,504 2013-06-17 06:52:26
Topic: MY SQL ERROR (6 replies, posted in About Chordie)
the my sql error has popped up again had to come in via the forum rather than the home page .
1,505 2013-06-14 05:49:00
Re: Song you never get tired of playing ? (17 replies, posted in Electric)
Werewolves of London ,we always end the set with this ,I get to indulge my self on slide guitar while Kev howls at the audience.
1,506 2013-06-11 18:17:07
Re: Tomorrow never comes GB BLUES BAND new original song (4 replies, posted in My local band and me)
Thanks Rich glad you like it .
1,507 2013-06-11 06:41:04
Re: Tomorrow never comes GB BLUES BAND new original song (4 replies, posted in My local band and me)
Thanks Pete The organizer at this years Matala festival asked if I could write something which encompassed the feel of the festival and also used the Matala motto in the lyrics "today is life ,tomorrow never comes "Were just gonna do it acoustically on the last day as a closer to Cindy Scholls set as we haven't had time to get it tight for our set on the Saturday .The recording is just me and the looper .
1,508 2013-06-10 21:09:51
Topic: Tomorrow never comes GB BLUES BAND new original song (4 replies, posted in My local band and me)
Tomorrow never comes http://www.reverbnation.com/gbbluesbandcrete
1,509 2013-06-10 21:07:33
Re: New album with my son (14 replies, posted in My local band and me)
That appears to be Turkish raki which is some what closer to Ouzo ,I believe it has an aniseed flavor similar to Pernod .Cretan Raki is made from the left over grape skins from wine pressings these are fermented and then distilled in a large copper kettle type thing called a Kazani .We use Cretan raki here for all sorts of things ,mixed with honey and lemon for colds ,as an antiseptic for insect bites , descaling kettles .One of our bars makes raki cocktails .Its cheap and cheerful about half the price of whisky in the bars and in most villages you get loads given .I was left a 10 litre bottle the other day just so the band can give it away during our performance at the Matala festival in 2 weeks .Its a great life .
1,510 2013-06-10 15:49:39
Re: New album with my son (14 replies, posted in My local band and me)
Rich,
Raki can be 60% + proof depending on who brews it . but as its pretty pure with no chemicals or additives as long as you eat when you drink it and treat it with respect its not usual to get hung over .I'm not sure what the restrictions are on posting alcohol But if you pm your address to me I'll send a sample over for you to try If you want .
1,511 2013-06-08 17:28:45
Re: New album with my son (14 replies, posted in My local band and me)
Just been listening to your tracks Rich ,Nice feel to them ,do you intend to play live when they are finished ?
1,512 2013-06-08 12:01:42
Re: Raki Bar Blues new vid GB Blues Band (6 replies, posted in My local band and me)
last night in sitia when we played at The Wall bar we had the whole bar chanting plus those out in the street who couldnt fit in ,
I cant wait to see how the crowd at Matala beach festival react just imagine thousands of people all chanting a song you wrote .
1,513 2013-06-07 06:21:19
Topic: Matala Beach festival Crete (0 replies, posted in My local band and me)
Well its nearly that time again ,The Matala beach festival is nearly upon us
https://www.facebook.com/matalabeachfestival?fref=ts .
This year GB Blues band will play on Saturday 22 Jun and will dedicate the set to Bands against poverty to try and help people in need in Greece .
The line up this year is massive ,check the face book page for details ,but includes Hugh Cornwell of the Stranglers on the 23rd of jun .
So if your on holiday in Crete between the 21st and 24th of jun or live on the island come and join us ITS FREE!!!!!!! 4 days over 40 acts many activities .
Today is life Tomorow never comes
1,514 2013-06-07 05:59:23
Re: Raki Bar Blues new vid GB Blues Band (6 replies, posted in My local band and me)
Thanks guys .It seems to go well when we do it live ,Wednsday we had the whole bar screaming 1 karafaki etc .Tinight we play at The Wall ,Sitias main rock bar should be a good night .
Pete what area of Crete did you live in as a kid .
Oh and by the way guys we have it out on CD for the Matala festival with Drink your self stupid as the "B side ".
50 cents from every sale will go to Bands against poverty ,Same applies to any Reverbnation downloads of the song .
During the Matala set we will give out Raki to the crowd and collect for Bands against Poverty .
1,515 2013-04-19 08:03:20
Re: Fire On The Mountain (9 replies, posted in My local band and me)
Nice job Russell
1,516 2013-04-18 14:43:38
Topic: Raki Bar Blues new vid GB Blues Band (6 replies, posted in My local band and me)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDhWYBrP … RRFC5ZmUOR
Weve been getting some air play with this recently over here in Crete ,Heres hoping it will be a summer anthem .
1,517 2013-04-06 08:11:20
Re: After midnight JJ Cale cover GB Blues Band Live At BAP. (7 replies, posted in My local band and me)
Thanks for the input Bald Guitardude. Niko does play hard and together with Andreas on bass they make a pretty good pair .This vid was the first time we had played live with line up so its good to pick up some constructive feedback ,we had only 5 rehearsals before the gig .Please keep the comments and observations coming as it all helps.
Graham
1,518 2013-04-05 20:07:46
Re: After midnight JJ Cale cover GB Blues Band Live At BAP. (7 replies, posted in My local band and me)
Thanks for the comment Tubatooter I appreciate the feed back .
Cheers
Graham
1,519 2013-04-01 09:06:48
Re: Waitin for the Man Lou Reed cover GB Blues Live at BAP (5 replies, posted in My local band and me)
Its one of those songs every one loves to get into Kev who is usualy a baladeer really gets off on it if he had hair he'd let it down .LOL
1,520 2013-03-31 20:52:28
Topic: After midnight JJ Cale cover GB Blues Band Live At BAP. (7 replies, posted in My local band and me)
1,521 2013-03-31 20:45:29
Topic: Waitin for the Man Lou Reed cover GB Blues Live at BAP (5 replies, posted in My local band and me)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXrx1xQMxO0
With Kev Jones and Alison n Roll on backing vocal. Live at Sitia Polikendro .
1,522 2013-03-30 09:21:01
Re: Ability to Sing (37 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)
As a regular live performer I cringe some time when I hear recordings of my voice but as we usually get a good reception it must be at least half way to being ok .The main problem I have is I do tend to shout when I cant hear my self as we play pretty loud. Its quite difficult especially as some of the sound guys here don't speak much English and my Greek isn't that good when you ask for more in the monitor you tend to get more of every thing not just your voice .When we have our own sound guy with us then its different and I get to hear my self clear and can regulate the volume accordingly .Main thing though is to live the song and give it all your emotion ,if its a cover make it your own don't copy the original unless you are a tribute act ,enjoy what you do and others will too.
1,523 2013-03-28 06:03:24
Re: The Broken Doll (5 replies, posted in My local band and me)
Really clear vocal Roger , Nicely done
1,524 2013-03-28 05:34:49
Topic: G B Blues Band Rock me Baby Live at BAP (5 replies, posted in My local band and me)
Rock me Baby Live at Sitia Polikendro BAP day one.
1,525 2013-03-25 12:35:04
Re: Leonard Cohen song: In My Secret Life (2 replies, posted in My local band and me)
Ive just listened to both this and the original as I didnt know the song The cover is better than the original well done youve done a great job.