Reasons to be Cheerful 1-2-3!

Hello to you out there in Normal Land,

I know it’s been a while, but this message should bring good cheer, for 2015 sees the 10^th anniversary of the Wild Hare Club and a very special show on my birthday, 31^st of January, at Lyde Court featuring the legendary Blockheads.

 

For most of you, The Blockheads should need no introduction, but if some of you younger folk need a primer on their early years with the legendary Ian Dury watch the marvellous feature film Sex and Drugs and Rock and Roll.  The prize-winning film was scripted rather brilliantly by Paul Viragh who I shared a student house with back in the day. Strangely he didn’t join me for the free Blockheads show – It’s Only Rock ‘n’ Royal - on the day of Charles and Dianna’s wedding at Crystal Palace. I nearly got beaten up on the tube that day for wearing a badge with the official picture of the couple but with a bald-headed Charles and the caption ‘The King and Di’.  Oh well, it still makes me laugh.

Now fronted by Derek ‘The Draw’ Hussey, Dury’s best friend and minder, The Blockheads line-up still includes Chaz Jankel, Norman Watt-Roy, John Turnbull and Mick Gallagher from the band that recorded New Boots and Panties.  Their music continues to develop, a decidedly funky, modern-day music hall style that propels lyrics that combine poetry, puns, earthy humour and deadly-accurate observations of everyday, British working-class life.

Along with some new material, including songs from the recently released Same Horse Different Jockey, you can expect to hear and sing along to Hit Me with your Rhythm Stick, Reasons to be Cheerful (Part 3), What A Waste, Clevor Trever, Sweet Gene Vincent and many more from the illustrious back catalogue. 

Adding some feminine wit and charm to the evening is Bristol-based singer-songwriter Lori Campbell. Armed with a pint-sized guitar, uke and supreme mouth trumpet skills, Lori will knock your socks off and get you in the mood.

And as if that wasn’t all enough entertainment for one night, the Reggae Pie DJs will be hitting you with the finest ska and reggae rhythms before, between and after the live acts.

Tickets are £20 and available via the  Lyde Court website.  Doors open at 7.30, The Blockheads will hit the stage at 9.30 and there will be drinking and dancing until late.  The Blockheads have garnered an avid legion of fans, many of whom will travel far for such an intimate show, so to avoid disappointment please book now.

Cheerfully yours, Richard MC of the WHC