Leather and Beer: Latest News

Okay guys, finally our first live gig. We are playing at The Ark in Edinburgh on Sunday the 23rd November with a couple of support acts. (they are very hot bands so why not make a night of it and come along early enough to see them too). We really want it to be a success so we can build on it for future gigs at the venue so we really are depending on you all to turn up and support us. We will be playing music from our forthcoming album as well as some of the songs you love from the first album. It will be a new and exciting line up. We have the wonderful Denis back on drums with us and, as you know, his powerful yet sympathetic drumming really brings our songs to life. Gordon, our new instrumentalist just adds so much colour to our music that we really feel you'll have a great rocking night. Only £5. I'm sure you'll agree that it's a small price to pay for a great night's entertainment. Doors open at 7.30 and we should be on around 9.30/10pm. When you get there, tell the door person you've come to see us when they ask. Looking forward to seeing you there. Annettexxx I'M SO EXCITED!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi guys we're getting there slowly but surely. The album is coming along. Estimated time of arrival is before xmas sometime. Sorry it's a bit vague but we want it to be right and I'm sure you do too. A great way to deal with the credit crunch though. Support your favourite band and give xmas presents too. hee hee. Annettexx

Hi all ,just keeping you up to date. There's been loads of change in the band but we nearly have a new album's worth of material together and we feel it is a bit of a departure but you've got to move forward. Still lots of good stonkin' tunes but with a bit more depth, I think. I'm trying to think of a way to describe the music now but it's proving quite hard. It's like we've taken the blues beat it up severely with a rock and then soothed it gently back to life to the sound of a mandolin. If you can think of anything, let me know.(make it clean and complementary ,I'm not going be nice anymore about childish negative comments from certain people, here's my thoughts on that ....GET A F****** LIFE!! Anyway, enough of my therapy, here's the news. I am going away for a month! 23 June to 23 July around Europe on the train with (wait for it..........) MY MUM! How rock and roll is that. She's mad and so am I so it should be great. Bad news for you lot is it puts everything on hold till I get back. Studio - August. Album launch September. Edinburgh city centre (venue TBA) Watch this space. You'll get the usual email. If you want to be kept abreast(as it were) of my exploits in Europe, feel free to sign up to my web log at http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog/divachappie/1/tpod.html and click the get email updates link. I still love and miss you all. Can't wait to get back playing for you again. Annettexxxx

Hi all, just to let you know that rehearsal is going very well. It's a real luxury having the option of using different instruments in the new songs and it seems to be working well but I'll let you be the judge of that. We go into the studio at the end of February to produce a demo. There's been a bit of interest in Austin, Texas and Gordon is going over there so it makes sense to take a demo of the new stuff and a fresh press pack. We've decided to arrange a free gig for all the die-hard fans who have stood by us throughout this time and been so patient. It's likely to be in Livingston(sorry Edinburghers but it's usually the other way around, to be fair). If you're on the mailing list, you'll be getting an invite as soon as it's sorted. We still love you all!!!

Annette

Hi guys,

Yes we are still here!

Just thought I'd let you know what is happening with us.

Two new members have joined our band. One is a great new drummer called Addi. He also comes from West Lothian and is a very experienced drummer. He is a great guy and is fitting in well with what we do as
well as bringing his own style which is always good.

Perhaps even more exciting(sorry Addi) is the addition of another member to our ranks - Gordon Irvine.

On our hunt for a harmonica player we had lots of discussions about
how much harmonica we needed and whether we really wanted to stay with
the full on virtuoso harmonica all the time. The fact that a lot of the
new songs we were writing were not really harp songs influenced our
decision. It was a dilema, we really needed a multi instrumentalist.
Luck was on our side and we got that AND HOW!

Gordon is actually from a folk background and plays several instruments. He also loves the blues and is really enthusiastic about
what he can bring to our songs. So far, in rehearsal, we have had the harmonica, which we still need and love,12 string slide, banjo, penny
whistle, and as well as this he also plays mandolin, accordian and various other exotic stuff.

I'm aware he may end up looking like a one man band or inspector gadget so we can't go mad but it is a real luxury being able to write for other instruments.

However, please be assured that the addition of these "traditional" instruments are not going to dilute our sound but actually add a really nice colour to it.

We will still be rocking out and giving you the genetically modified blues sound you have come to know and love from us.

We want to be great for you when we first play so we're taking time to get this right and I'll let you know about our first gig when the time comes.

Hope you had a great xmas and new year.

Annette

Hi all, just to let you know that I have turned off the guestbook until we get our new band members and start playing again. We'll be in the studio in the meantime. Thanks for all the lovely comments which we still have.If you want to comment on our sound or our website, please contact me on info@leatherandbeer.co.uk. The band will always be able to get session musicians in to cover until we find the right people so if you have a gig that you think we'd be right for, don't be afraid to contact us. Don't forget to add yourself to the mailing list if you want us to keep you posted of anything that happens with the band. Love you lots, Annettexx

Well, we've had some really sad news, there has been a fire above Nobles, our regular venue, and they are having to close for a long time. Possibly up to six months. Callum, Duncan and I would like to pass our best wishes on to the management and the staff as they are brilliant people and don't deserve this. Obviously this means that all gigs we had planned there over the next few months are cancelled. As a band we are able to take a positive out of it as we are able to find the right people for moving on without getting stand ins all the time.It gives us breathing space without letting anyone down. We will be going into the studio soon and are writing all the time. The management will let us know when they will be opening and there will be a big opening party. Watch this space!!
Please feel free to use the guestbook for any positive messages for the staff at Nobles and we will pass them on. Same goes for e mails. We will keep you posted of any developments with the band.Love you all lots!

Well, I didn't think we'd pull it off but we did. It was totally different but it was a busy night and I really want to thank you all for comng and supporting us through what was, actually, a difficult thing to pull off. It's not one we will be repeating though, we won't be doing the "unplugged" thing again. Was gob smacked to have got an encore and to still see people up dancing. Special thanks to Ralph for jumping in and helping us out the way he did. Look after yourselves.p.s I wouldn't read too much into some of the negative comments on the guestbook, the syntax looks suspiciously similar in every one! Also, it's really helping the hits to the website so keep up the controversy.

Okay, we've had quite a few questions about why we are doing an unplugged set tomorrow, I suppose the answer is that when you set out in a band together you think that you are all heading towards the same thing. You all want the same out of the journey. The truth is that musicians are the most neurotic and unstable individuals on the planet (I include myself in that). It is a complete miracle if we manage to get together with people who think the same way as we do and inevitably the journey is always shorter than we hoped it would be. It doesn't make the travels any less amazing and enriching. I am thankful for every minute that I have spent on stage with all the musicians that have been in the band. Unfortunately, nothing lasts forever and for whatever the reasons, sometimes we have to move on. The songs are the same, the buggers are constant, like a sort of disease! Callum, Duncan and I have started planning our future as a band. One thing is certain, we really appreciate your support and we are going to continue making music and playing for you. The gig at Nobles on the 29th December will go ahead with a full band (including a drummer) and then we will go into the studio and produce a new album. I will keep all of you informed about what is happening because your support is vital to us and we really don't want to lose it. We truly appreciate all of you. Annettexxx

What a great night! I have to admit that when you start playing a new venue, especially one that isn't known for hosting bands, it is a bit of a hit or a miss whether it's going to take off. Something wierd happened, in that there was a fire scare over the road (nothing to do with me) and everyone had to evacuate and they came in. Although many people left when the alarm was over ( I don't suppose if you are 18, we are your "bag"), lots of people who would have never have heard us stayed so it was a good thing for us and unexpected. Hopefully it will help to get more people through the door at the next gig. The audience were great, again. Gina was a good sport when the entire pub shouted "Hello Gina" when she came in ( I love the power). My Mum and Dad were in the audience and that was great and my Mum got a round of applause just for being my mum! I think she was secretly pleased. A strange, drunk guy told Gordon that although he was gay he would "go out" with me cause apparently, I am how women are meant to look! I don't know how to feel about that. It was great to see some old friends there too. Dave, Lucy Chick and June. Hope you all had a fab time cos we did. Take Care. Annettexx

Once again a stonker!
It was a bit quiet at the start but people started to come in as we played and it got pretty busy. Lots of brilliant feedback. Check out the Baw Bag Gallery where I've put lots of pictures from the Saints and Sinners Rally and if you're having trouble seeing Denis's lovely face in the video below, there photo's of him "playing with fire". See you all next time and thanks for all your support.
Annette

Oh My God! I dont think I've been that drunk for ages-well not since the the last rally. The crowd were great. I was really worried about the sound on stage as we couldn't hear each other (or see each other cause of the lights) It felt a bit like playing in a bubble. I always want us to be the absolute best for you because you deserve it. However, turns out everyone thought it was brilliant and that's a lesson for me. I wont let the technical side worry me cause once your up there, you really can't do anything about it. I'll also make sure we have enough time for a full soundcheck in the future. I wanted to thank the Saints and Sinners, Tom particularly for giving us the chance to show what we do and also all the great comments from the Minehoff lot who were there too. Some lovely ladies in the service station on the way home gave us some great feedback - all in all, I think it went great!! Special mention to the detour posse who fed and watered us. It was Denis the drummer’s first time staying over at a rally and I think he’s a convert. Check out the video below of him playing the burning wood in the fire at 2am. The drunk sounding woman talking is me. Good God! Great site, Great crowd, Great night!! Roll on the next rally.

Hi there. Sorry I didn't get this journal online sooner, I'm still recovering from the football on Saturday. Much wine and Gin - not in the same glass. I swear these Noble's gigs are getting better each month! I got a proposal!!(of marriage-dirty minds). Funky Pungheid(bass man) has a very pretty admirer-she must have left her guide dug ootside and we sold a few albums and had great feedback. The audience were great. Two encores this time. Hope you all are doing great and we look forward to seeing you at the next gig on a Saturday again.

Hi all.

The first gig at this venue went really well. Thanks for all who came, if you hadn't been there, I reckon the place would have been pretty empty. The management were pleased and we have another gig coming up there. Watch the relevant space on the website. We're going to do our best to promote it. Duly noted about the fact that there was no draft beer!!! In light of the name, it was a bit off. We'll double check with the management that the same thing won't happen next time. A few people commented that the sound wasn't as good as it has been in the past at other venues. Thanks for the comments and we will get it sorted for the next time. A new venue with an unusual layout very often means strange acoustics to deal with. Lets try to make this one a goer as there aren't many live venue gigs in Livingston.
Annettexxxxx

Animated GIFs



FAB FAB FAB. It was a great gig, the weather stayed good for most of the day. After playing we all got slightly "tired and emotional". Special mention to Kevin, Darren and John for feeding us. We met up with a lot of brilliant people and made some goood connections for further rally gigs.

Hi all
I haven't posted an entry for a while since Gordon has been on holiday. The last gig at Noble's was a good one as usual. Not so many familiar faces but plenty of new ones and a very interesting young lady doing some rather adventurous dancing!
Really looking forward to next week's gig at the Ace of Spades rally in East Lothian.We plan to camp out after the gig and should have some interesting stories to tell you all.

Hi all, just wanted to say thanks to you all for making last night's gig great, as usual. A special mention has to be made for Denis Lynch who has joined us as our drummer. He did a fantastic job, after two rehearsals he played as if he had been with the band for years. The great thing is we can only go from strength to strength as he settles in. People have been asking why we don't play more often and the answer to that is complicated. Mainly it's due to venue's not being willing to pay a decent wage for an excellent band. We are all a little long in the tooth to play for peanuts and although we do this because we love it, we won't be made a fool out of. If they can get a less experienced band for half the cost and they bring their friends with them, they think they are doing well. It is a bit short sighted as you all know that there is a huge audience out there for our brand of music and venues need to invest a little to build a good turn out. Stuart at Noble's had the foresight to do this and he is reaping the dividends as it is always busy and with no trouble. We will keep looking for new Edinburgh venues but until then you'll need to remember the adage "good things come to those who wait" Take care and see you all soon!!

Well it's with some regret that I have to anounce that our drummer Dave is leaving the band. Dave has decided to put music on the back burner for a while and I hope that when he decides to pick up the sticks again, he finds a band that he loves playing with as much as he did Leather and Beer. We all wish him the best for the future.
Don't worry though, we have secured the services of a great drummer for the next few gigs while we set about auditioning a new member to the team. Look forward to the same stonkin' Rhythm and Blues at the next few gigs.

Another great gig at Noble's! There are lots of brilliant people coming to the gigs. It's great when you see the same faces again and again, especially when they bring new people with them. Lots more good noble gigs to come. Watch this space. Also, Duncan is over the moon because someone asked for his autograph in Livingson. I am filled with equal measures of disdain and jealousy!!

Well we had a brilliant party in the house and garden for Callum's 50th. We had an impromptu gig with Dave playing drums on a garden chair! I thought Callum wouldn't last cause we started at 2pm but he was still standing (albeit like the leaning tower of pizza) at 1am. I've put some pics on the photo gallery page so check them out!