By way of explanation of the music here:
"Don't Ask Me" is an example of a complete amateur let loose in a studio. The rubbish song, stupid lyrics and weak vocals are by me. The brilliant drums and production are by John Parish and the brilliant bass and guitars are by Richard Williams.
"Coming To Get You" is another simple song (daft lyrics again, sorry) and an attempt to make a huge rock sound. It might have worked if I'd had a huge rock voice but I still love Richard's heavy guitars and John's deep production.
"Do It" was a moment of madness. Even though I can't stand football, I put this daft ditty together with the help of Martin Johnson and Richard Williams. The reward came when Capital Radio used it as their theme for the 2002 World Cup (although they never paid me). It was loosely based on the first single by Thieves Like Us, the band I managed in the seventies.
The last track is the daftest. Released in 1983, it actually sold quite a few copies. It is notable for sounding ridiculouly dated apart from the synth solo by Chris Stonor at the end.
Other bits and bobs: By profession, I write language teaching books. If your child is doing GCSE French or German, chances are they'll be using one or other of them. I have also written books on live music ("Volume") and travel ("V.A.C.A.T.I.O.N"), and also wrote the history of the Joiners Arms venue in Southampton ("Access One Step").
My passion is live music, and the gigs listed on this page are for the "Americana" gigs run by me and Richard Williams at the Railway Inn, Winchester. Please come and visit us!
This month we mostly have Catie Curtis (with a Richard Thompson cover), Lindsay Fuller and The Cheap Dates (and who amongst us isn't?), Josh Fix with a track from the well-titled album This Town Is Starting To Make Me Angry and the rather lovely Red Rooster.
Four more little sonic gems for your August pleasure are now available on the site. Blitzen Trapper, Boulder Acoustic Society, Jay Brannan and The Wiyos. Yet another fine quartet even though we say so ourselves as picked them out.
Hello, after an unfortunate hiatus, the reasons for which are probably best not gone into here, we finally have some new music on the AUK MySpace site. For your listening pleasure this month we offer Nathan Oliver, Conrad Ford, the irrepressible Todd Snider and the delightful Beccy Owen. Don't forget too, for those of you within striking distance of Leicester, Electric Dustbowl 2 on 19 September.
Hello, it's that time of the month again when we add more lovely music to our site. This month's happy foursome are The Barker Band in wistful mode, the summer of love-ish Old Californio, the anything but summer love-ish Christopher Rees and, wait for it..."Travelling Salesman's Young Wife Home Alone On Christmas In Montpelier, VT" from Casiotone For The Painfully Alone, which evenr if it was rubbish (and it's not) just had to be included for the names alone.
Itâs that time of the month and our site has four new tracks up for your listening enjoyment.
This monthâs box of delights include the swaggering groove of Blackie & The Rodeo Kings, the insanely catchy folk-pop of Antje Duvekot, the languid Great Lake Swimmers and, a little belatedly but better late than never, The Young Republic.
A particularly strong month, even if we do say so ourselves. Check them out, you won't regret it.
I also enjoy scraping the barrel of my illustrious recording history. I don't think I ever heard Coming to Get You before. Maybe you could put together a CD for die hard Gary Revillo fans. (ps I now have 4 sheds)
Anyone else think 'Watch It' has come full circle and now sounds like a cutting edge piece of retro electro? Could easily be some Metronomy or Crystal Castles side project...
Hi Oliver, Such sad news about Mint,it's really warming though to see so many people remembering him on his tribute page.
Yes,I am in Melbourne for at least a year. I've hooked up with a great singer,guitarist called Alysia(girl in the photo) and we are trying to take Australia and the world by storm!! It'd be great to see your nephew at one of our shows,has he got as good music taste as you? We have some shows coming up(first one tomorrow) so ask him to come along!
How are things back home?....I hear it's very cold and miserable?....sorry to rub it in but it was 37 degrees here yesterday : )
Hi Oliver, Great family photo. Are you perchance going to see John Parish at the End of the Road Festival?
Say Hi to Rachelle when she plays Winchester. You might apologise for her lack of gigs in the south west, but explain that you had a hand in it. I think she's actually better off doing Norwich and London than sleepy old Totnes. But hey! Let me know when you might be next on the horizon.
hey oliver,thanks for the ad man.yet again failed to obtain glasto ticket.no doubt you will be there again.the camel would be a great way of getting around if you can sneak it in.catch you soon .all the best sandy
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