Top Yorkshire Covers Band - REAL PUB ENTERTAINMENT!!

Thursday, April 28, 2005

The Controversial band biography by Phil (the tall one) has been leaked to this Blogsite.
Did he say it was all illegal then change his mind.....? Can you trust any of The Erics......? What happened to the hamsters......? its ALL here!!

This is everything the way I saw it & it might be good to do a biog page for each of us cos I reckon we all have a story to tell.

Phil

The truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth...............with cheese!

D.O.B. 7th Oct 1971
Classical guitar grade 3
Piano grade 6
Music theory grade 8.
Most influential band - The Beatles.
Other favourites - Tom Petty, Van Halen, Gin Blossoms, Metallica, Bruce, Tom Robinson.
Favourite Guitarist - Mike Campbell - (Tom Petty & the Heatbreakers) Why? - Because he has an unbelievable ear for 'the right guitar sound' for each song. And he's pretty good too.
Worst gig - In Ton y Pandy Naval club - Wales where we lasted only 15 minutes on stage, & for most of that we were being pelted with full bottles & cans of lager.
Best Gig - Supporting Timmy Mallett on his Polkadot Bikini tour of West Bromich.

History
I first met Dave at age 13 (and was scared of him) at West Leeds School where Paul was also lab technician (or whatever he was back then).
I Got involved with School drama productions where Paul was playing drums for the music group backing the production.
Through the after show production parties I met Sam (who was a fat bastard back then but still had hair) & shortly afterwards began to attend 4 Millions gigs where Dave was behind the mixing desk. I got quite pally with Dave & his cronies & generally we used to get pissed, turn the master volume up to full & sing at the top of our voices.
I Left school at 16 to go to music college & was recruited to play keyboards for 'Monody' a heavy rock/metal band playing all their own stuff. Most of the bass players at college were into jazz which obviously didn't fit the metal scene so 'Monody' were looking for a bass player.
We played our first gig in the guitarists front room (no bass player)
One of Dave's cronies, Kev Dodsworth, was working behind the college bar & we got talking about bands. Kev told me that Dave played bass & after weeks of trying to get hold of him, I finally got him to a rehearsal. A few weeks after that we recorded a demo tape & played our 1st proper gig at the Stone Trough in Rawdon, Leeds.
Monody split after one gig probably because we thought we'd conquered the world by having a tape & playing a gig.

After that I played keyboards in loads of bands that did nothing but rehearse until one finally came along that organised some gigs. 'Tiger Bay'. We were full of enthusiasm & thought we could be the next Bon Jovi but truthfully we were really shit and had an awful sound. For some reason though we kept getting asked back to pubs & played all over the place including 4 tours of Wales. At the end of the day we were nothing more than a working mens club band trying to do 80's rock covers & that simply was going out of date. I left because I thought I could do my own stuff better than the cover versions we were playing.

I formed Happy Salad in 1992 & took the role of lead guitar. Alright I aint no Sam Hirst but who gives a fuck. What I played worked within the songs and I wasn't that bad. Sara (my bird at the time - later married her - big mistake) on vocals, her mate Lynne on Keyboards (fit as fuck - should have married her instead), me on guitar.......no bass player & no drummer. The bass player was easy .........Dave. Drummer not so easy until Paul split up with his wife Nicky & seemed to need a focus. The 4 Millions split at that point too. He was living with Dave at the time & he talked him into coming down to a rehearsal. He turned up with a drum machine looking anything but enthusiastic. My initial thoughts were - "Tosser - what's the point?" but after running round a few ideas he seemed to pick up & got really into it.
Paul introduced us to his mate Nick Ward who had nearly made it big time on drums with a band years earlier. I forget their name. We asked him to do the mixing desk for us. First couple of gigs were fantastic but it very quickly went a bit dead. It was probably a mixture of the original material that no one had heard, a few below parr cover versions, and a less than brilliant sound due to a lack of decent equipment.
Towards the end of Happy Salad my marriage to Sara was on the rocks and I was really fucked up. Rehearsals stopped & communication between band members stopped. I imagine Paul & Dave had had enough & maybe were looking for a way out but found it hard to actually ring up & tell me. The break in communication allowed them to reunite with Sam to form 'US 4'. The good thing that came out of Happy Salad was a pretty good demo tape. I still think the songs have something about them.

'US 4' were brilliant. The first gig I went to my jaw was on the floor. The sound, songs, & tightness just blew me away. I wanted the same & formed 'Stuff' with an old mate from school. 'Stuff' was never going to be an 'US 4' & I quickly realised it was going nowhere & packed it in.

'US 4' were going well but ocassionally I would stand in for 'Alex' their rythmn guitarist when he couldn't play. In this respect 'The Erics' (as they are now) had been formed, but I don't think at that stage any of us thought we would ever end up as a complete unit. As it happened, there appeared to be trouble in the 'US 4' camp and from my point of view their eventual split was a case of Alex & Paul fell out with Dave & Sam. Either that or Dave & Sam fell out with Paul & Alex.

These troubled times led to me, Dave, Sam & Nick forming 'The Erics'. We were struggling to come up with a name but after a boozy night in the New Inn, Churwell we decided that Eric Morecombe was the best thing since cheese was invented so we said "Right - The Erics it is then"

At the time we started there were loads of guitar bands like Oasis, Cast, Radiohead, Pulp, Ocean Colour Scene, Manics, Trash, Shed 7, Dodgy etc. So the right cover songs for the right people in the right pubs were there waiting to be played. To be honest this is a remnant of the 4 Millions days who knew how to play the right sort of stuff to an audience, and 'US 4' certainly carried this on to some extent.

The Erics though, started off playing what was being heard in the charts at that time, and people loved it. Nick is a shit hot drummer with a really good vocal range. He was able to bring something vocally to the music that wasn't really there with 'US 4' or the 4 Millions. Taking nothing away from either of the two you understand.
So there we were, playing, going down well, going back & going down well, a few arguments here & there but generally on top form & never really having a bad gig. What could go wrong? Nick - the bastard - decided he was going to fuck off to gondwanaland to take up the digerydoo & shagging sheep. Well that was it wasn't it? The Erics were doomed !

We were on the point of collapse, and lets face it the drummers we were auditioning couldn't get past the 1,2,3,4 count in bit, until Dave & Linda's 10th Wedding Anniversary. Good old persistant and lovable Dave, insisted Paul came to the do in an effort to patch things up with his old buddy. One thing led to another and before long Paul had picked up his sticks & got behind the kit again. Sam & Dave had sex. Paul's piles put me off.

It was very clear from the out set that things would rock. Paul was simply amazing. He added a whole new dimension to the band in terms of the awesome power he emmitted through the kit. Me & Sam quickly learned we would have to by new gear to cope with the increased volume.....and Dave soon cottoned on too!! We took the opportunity to learn new songs & I feel now we've really stepped it up a gear. Gigs are coming in thick & fast, new & better venues. Not that the old ones are bad!!!

To sum it up we've all been through a lot and somehow have all played a part in one another's lives for such a long time. We're all good mates.........apart from me & Sam, Paul & Dave, Dave & Sam, me & Paul, me & Dave, Paul & Sam. We know what we want in terms of being in a band and without sounding like I'm blowing our own trumpet - "WE FUCKING ROCK" and "WE FUCKING LOVE IT"

Most sincerely - Phil - the tall one.

Saturday, April 23, 2005

Posted by Hello


The Sewer Rats in Silsden and the game of two halves!!

With a long night in prospect and a fairly ordinary first set, it looked like the lads unbeaten record might be coming to an end at this biker gig.

However after a long half time chat, thrown tea cups and the hairdryer treatment from Sam - team erics plunged into the second set with renewed vigour.

Sensational guitar work from Sam, cracking versions of 'You Shook' and 'American Idiot' led by Phil and Dave respectively and blistering (quite literally) drums fromPaul turned the game on its head and gave the lads a deserved victory.

We left the gig knackered but happy.

Really big thanks to all the Sewer Rats, it was some night!!

Saturday, April 16, 2005

Posted by Hello


Just over 18 months ago my drums were gathering mould in a garage.

I couldn't have predicted that I would be playing at all, let alone back with my old mates in The Erics.

I found out on Thursday that the band had been 'summoned' to play for a Satan Slaves biker event in Castleford! (we have had to decline as we have other commitments). They had evidently heard us before and been impressed. Also Sam informed me that there have been complaints, from neighbours across the road!!, about the volume of the drums after our last gig at The New Inn. As my drums are the only unamplified gear we have, these two bits of news combine to make a near 46-year old very happy indeed.

With my two twentysomthing daughters regularly bringing their mates to gigs, my three year old son naming U2 and Stereophonics songs as his favourites, all I have to do is make sure he can play drums or guitar and that he hates the Tories and racists, and I can sit back with a smirk the size of Tony Blair's and say "son, one day all of this will be yours".

Cheers

Paulxx

The Big Gig List - update


DEC
SAT 10TH - CRIMEA CASTLEFORD
FRI 16TH - NEW ROSCOE LEEDS (DAVES BIRTHDAY)
SAT 17TH - PRIVATE PARTY
BOXING DAY - NEW INN MORLEY

.
2006
.
JAN
Sat 28 - POPLAR ALTOFTS

FEB
Fri 10 - TUT N SHIVE YEADON

MARCH
Sat 4 - PRIVATE PARTY MORLEY

sat 11 - NEW ROSCOE LEEDS
sat 25 - LION CASTLEFORD

APRIL
Sat 15th - Gem Bikers Bramley -See band for tickets
Sat 22 - CROSS KEYS MORLEY

MAY
Sat 6 - TUT N SHIVE YEADON

Fri 12 - NEW ROSCOE LEEDS
Sat 12 - POPLAR ALTOFTS

JUNE
Fri 16 - LION CASTLEFORD

Sat 24th New ROSCOE LEEDS (wedding but all welcome)
fri 30 - CRIMEA CASTLEFORD

JULY
Sat 8 - TEAM SOBER BIKER DO PATELY BRIDGE
Fri 14th - GET RATTED BIKERS DO (headline)
Sat 15 - CHURWELL FOOTY DO

Sat 22 -CROSS KEYS MORLEY

AUG
Sat 5 - TUT N SHIVE YEADON
Fri 11 - NEW ROSCOE LEEDS

Sat 19 - BIKER DO SQUIRES/SHERBURN HEADLINE
(CHARITY AIR AMBULANCE)
Sat 26 - POPLAR ALTOFTS

SEPT
Sat 2 - CRIMEA CASTLEFORD

Sat 16 - NEW ROSCOE LEEDS
Fri 22 - LION CASTLEFORD



OCT
fri 26 - LEEDS MAG BIKERS HALLOWEEN DO
Sat 21 - POPLAR ALTOFTS

NOV
Fri 17 - NEW ROSCOE LEEDS

sat 18 - TUT N SHIVE YEADON

DEC
Fri 1 - CRIMEA CASTLEFORD
sat 16 - CROSS KEYS MORLEY

Fri 22 - NEW ROSCOE LEEDS
fri 29 - LION CASTLEFORD









MORE TO COME.............

KEEP 'EM PEELED

Posted by Hello


Believing we could cut some place of our own with these drums and these guitars......................

Great night at The Carlton in Castleford and many thanks to all concerned.

What was good about this gig was the vibe in the band, it was reminiscent of the days when our music was all about politics, campaigning and trying to make a difference. Of course playing a set of covers in a pub in the centre of Castleford on a Thursday night is nowhere near the cutting edge anymore, but the atmosphere was there in the band. It really seemed to matter.
No one really fancied the late night, the loading/ unloading gear or the work next day but everything came together and it was a special gig.

We have taken an extra gig here on Thurs 26th May - its the only public gig we are playing in May - be there, it could be special again!!

Monday, April 11, 2005

Posted by Hello


Age shall not weary them................

Two performances in two days should have have taken their toll on Paul and Sams creaking frames. However the adrenaline did its job and The New Inn was treated to a vintage Erics gig.

New material came together, guitars were swapped and restrung mid-set, Crusher strutted his stuff and the crowd responded with dancing and singalongs late into the night. Gigs like this are why we keep playing!!

One of the best recent performances of Wont get fooled again was greeted by a huge cheer from the local rabble - these Churwell guys really know how to rock and we thank them for it.

Next gig (if you can cope!!??)

The Carlton - Castleford Thursday 14th April

Saturday, April 09, 2005

8/4/05 The Crimea Castleford...AWESOME!!! Posted by Hello

This was the best Castleford gig for quite a while.

The Crimea was packed and the band played a really tight set including Sanctuary and Dakota for the first time. Both went very well and look like becoming popular additions to the set.

Jimmy the landlord was so fullsome in his praise that even Sam was embarrassed. Looks like we might be adding a Sunday afternoon at this venue in the near future so what this space (bring the kids an deafen them into silence!!).

Sam was trying out yet another guitar!! and Phil has had his amp repaired, so its onwards to the New Inn. See Ya there!

Saturday, April 02, 2005


The Erics at the Tut........

It wasn't packed at the Tut n Shive but what the Crowd lacked in quantity they made up for in quality.

Phil was using Sam's spare amp, he had problems as the volume control was glued to Sam's usual setting of 11. Once the sound had settled at its normal ear-splitting level, the band delivered a set which left the locals promising greater numbers at the bands next visit.

It was great to see old friends from the 4-Millions era. This led to a post gig nostalgia-fest of even greater intensity than normal. Thanks to all of you that came.

next gigs are:

The Crimea - Castleford Fri 8th April

The New Inn - Churwell (Morley) Sat 9th April

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