All and sundry. Plus a few others .......... it could be you!
FRIENDS OF ALLEYCATS:
COOL BANANA
Matt and Trev started jamming together at Alleycats. Alleycats regular Brandon soon joined in and Cool Banana was born. Various contributors/members, with Alleycats connections, have since helped evolve the Cool Banana sound.
Cool Banana have kindly provided a song for the Alleycats MySpace, which can be downloaded.
THE VISITORS
The Visitors were popular Alleycats regulars in the Priory days, testing and polishing material. It was obvious that The Visitors had a great sound and potential. We were right. Check out their MySpace and catch one of their gigs. It was great to see them support Nick Harper at the Cellars recently. They have kindly agreed to provide a song for the Alleycats MySpace, which can be downloaded from their MySpace site (click on the above link). Enjoy.
1st SUNDAY of EACH MONTH at THE BARLEY MOW, Castle Rd, Southsea.
3rd SUNDAY of EACH MONTH at the WINCHESTER ARMS, Winchester Rd, Portsmouth
Alleycats is a open mic evening that has had a loyal following of musicians (poets, etc) and audience members. Even better, it has never stagnated, with a flow of fresh faces who have ensured that every Alleycats is different and entertaining.
Many bands in Portsmouth have formed through meeting, playing, jamming, testing material and having fun at Alleycats. Above all, that is the key to what Alleycats is about - the chance to enjoy making music, regardless of your ability. If you love music, want to play to a supportive and appreciative audience - then Alleycats is for you.
We usually try and allow three songs per act (depending on how busy the night is). We all need the first song to get into the swing of things. There's usually a good number of great musicians willing to support nervous players.
Acknowledgements to Great Uncle Viv (the Technicolour Mr Sparkle) who took a number of the photos and from whom we nicked the profile image.
A bit of history once again nicked from Viv (with a little editing) in order to get the profile up and running ... read on dear friends ......
AlleyCats Music Club started out as a jam session at Al's house in North End Portsmouth in 1996.
Al and Viv got together and decided to look for a venue to promote an open mike evening and after a few weeks searching they managed to get a Thursday evening at the old Top Cats night club in North End, which, incidently, Viv used to manage. (Top Cats is now the Post Office Social Club)
AlleyCats name came about as to get to Top Cats you had to go down an alley, hence the name AlleyCats. From there AlleyCats went to the Air Balloon on a Thursday evening and later expanded to two evenings with the other night at The Priory Inn Victoria Road North Southsea on a Sunday. Sadly the Air Balloon and the Priory are no more.
AlleyCats continued to go from strength to strength thanks to the efforts put in by Al , sound tech John The Hat (John is also available to hire for your gig Tel:07919342424)and fashion guru Trev.
AlleyCats then moved to the The Tap, in North End, every Sunday Evening, until Summer 2007, when it was time to move to another venue. After 11 years, Allan decided to pass on the Alleycats ..baton' to John the Hat. (The ..baton' being the familiar backdrop, which was painted by Laura, a friend of AlleyCats, and has been with us for many years.)
John and Trev decided that Alleycats is such a special music and social event that it should carry on.
We've had our first night in Moocher's Bar at The Travellers Rest and here's the photographic proof. We all had a great time. As they say - it's good to be back.
And the second night at Moochers Bar - photos by TMS - aka Great Uncle Viv (many thanks)
Sadly, there's no more live music at Moochers Bar. PCC have put their stamp of disapproval on it. Once again, PCC stiffle live music. Seems ear-splitting jukeboxes are ok, but even accoustic music is considered too radical....... (cont'd Ranters Weekly, issue236).
However, there's good news ....... we have just confirmed arrangements to hold Alleycats at the Winchester Arms , in (wait for it ..... ) Winchester Rd on the THIRD SUNDAY of EVERY MONTH as of 16th MARCH.
Looking forward to it, as it's a great pub. One again, we seem to have accidently chosen a pub that serves really well kept ales. Strange that, eh?
For those who don't know where to find The Winchester (shame on you), here's a map
We had a fabulous night at the February Alleycats held at the Barley Mow. Photos below show how well attended it was, so thanks to everyone for contributing. The most gratifying comment of the evening was "now this is like the Alleycats we've missed". I think we're back - yippee!
We had a fantastic first night at the Wichester on Sunday 16th March. A huge turnout of musicians and audience members made it a great evening. The only disappointment was that we couldn't get everyone on. Sorry Laurie and Dave, we'll make it up to you - honest!
Here's the photos to remind you of the night if you were there, or see what you missed.
Where will AlleyCats go from here? Well thats up to you, so come along and enjoy a pleasant evening of different sounds from many local and not so local musicians just doing their thing. Feel free to bring your instrument, voice or presence, and plug in. This is your evening.
We're playing at the Guildhall on Thursday March 19th (tomorrow night) only £3! and then supporting Nick Harper on Saturday at the cellars... Wicked!!! Come along!!!
Asolutely one of the best AlleyCats last night at The Winch. I've put a load of photo's up on facebook (vivian Gregson)lots go back tothe first night of AlleyCats circa 1996.
Just 2say keep up the good work..I used 2 go 2The Priory wiv an X of mine called Lorry,we had sum gr8 times there,luvly place,good atmosphere,brill landlord called Viv..I remembr the barmaid called Laura,luvly gal..And Mat the punky 1 whos now a star in Cool Banana..I miss the Alleycats..wen u nxt c Lorry say Hi 4me!!!TC.x
Great Uncle Viv says click on my pic to to view 2 videos of AlleyCats at The Priory plus take a nostalgia trip back to 1983 to 1994 with some of the past local bands, some are still going strong. Enjoy. Viv
Good luck with your first night at the new venue. Won't be able to make it down myself as I have prior engagement, but will definetly try and make it across soon, especially as it's in staggering distance. Not quite as close as the Priory was, but not far off!
Hey Alleycats! a big merry xmas from The Visitors, glad to see you're still doin your thang! Hope to catch up at one of your new venues soon. Jim and Ross
Jeez - o ! There is nothing to rival Alleycats here in Glasgow. Every Sunday night I think about you guys and it has to be said a tear has been shed. Keep on Rockin' and good luck inthe new Venue. Happy Xmas and a groovy New Year Y'all.
Looking forward to greeting you all at AlleyCats on Sunday at Moochers Bar at The Travellers Rest, I'm not sure if you're aware but I am one of the partners in The Travellers.
