Blowout Band Night!

The wait was worth it! I was really looking forward to the Blowout Band Night, cunningly organized by the altos and tenors as a social-slash-fundraiser, not only because it was one of those events where all the Pinkies get together for an evening of singing and drinking (and since we have just a fortnight to go before the concert, heaven knows we need it!), but also because this was a great chance to see four very different bands in action.

It kicked off with Nelson Romeu and the charismatic Jackie belting out several rock numbers. You could not have wished for a more energetic start! Then it was time for a switch of pace and sound with the acoustic Thankyou Driver and Cilla's magical guitar. Everyone knows I am a fan of Paleday, so I am not going to gush too much - but when they came on we took to the dance floor. This was also the debut performance of Eurotramp and If I Lived On The Moon. The night ended with the cabaret stylings of Something Fishy. Eliza Mars and Lara Montage - we love you!

Nelson Romeu


Thankyou Driver


Paleday


Something Fishy


All the bands are linked in the Pinkie Friends listings on the right, so check them out. More pics are available in My Pink Bits too!

There's Something Fishy On MySpace

It is of course the fabulous Eliza, Lara, Vinnie and 'Funky' Fingers! They are now on MySpace music so surf on over, make friends and spread the word. Their MySpace page is definitely worth a visit, especially if you are keen on gay cabaret!

What the heck, with all of this MySpace madness going on, I set up a MySpace page myself. So, if you want to make lonely old me one of your friends, then please say hello! I can be found over there too.

P.S. In case you lose this post you can always find Something Fishy linked in Pinkie Friends, and my MySpace in My Pink Bits!

Something Fishy At Bar Wotever!

Some of the Pinkies went down to Bar Wotever in Kings X last night to catch Something Fishy perform. The venue itself is quite small, but it was packed to the rafters. They had a warm-up act, quite unintentionally no doubt, of a tall guy in glasses dressed in pumps, a black devore dress and pearls.

Then Eliza (Tanya), Lara (Gill), Vinny (Carol) and 'Funky' Fingers (Johnathon) came on. They stole the show with a mix of funny, new and gloriously cunningly (mis)appropriated songs. And there was the curious incident with the guitar in the night, and Fingers' synthesizer which seemed to have a mind of it's own sometimes! All great fun.

Ir was also really wonderful to see old members like Line and Iain there, as well as members who have just joined this season, like Maia and Andrew (on his mobile as usual). Something old, and something new. Nothing like the Pinkie family getting behind you!

Here's the video I took of the evening. YouTube only allows me to upload a particular size, so I have had to split it into five bits. If you want the whole video (in a higher resolution too!), then you can grab it, and several photos off my pink bits.

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

The Encore!

Their next performance is on Saturday, the 2nd of June at the Black Cap. Check out our home page or MySpace page for details as they come through!

Fun In The Sun...

...or rather the lack thereof!

Given the amazing weather we have been having, I was quite surprised at how well attended yesterday's rehearsal was, particularly since it was in the recital room, buried in the bowels of the Royal Academy of Music. At least it wasn't hot!

Then again, given that we have had a fortnight's hiatus - what with the weekend away followed in quick succession by the bank holiday - I know I certainly missed our weekly sing-song.

We attacked Big Band Bash which is one of my absolute favourite pieces we have ever sung. I remember first learning it three or four years ago, and just what a hard slog it was with the rhythms and clashing harmonies. Now we have the hang of it though, it is great to really get into the swing of it. And this time round we are doing the whole kaboodle, including Don't Get Around Much Anymore and In A Sentimental Mood which we cut last time due to our smaller soprano and alto sections back then. Yesterday the girls sounded really, really good.

The other surprise for me was how okay (we're not quite there yet) This Woman's Work sounds. Andy has worked his magic with the melodies there, but it is very hard to sing owing to the rather difficult rhythms. As Andrew D was saying, it could well become the next Angels.

Something Fishy also gave us their a capella rendition of Only You - a kind of a taster really, for their free gig at Central Station on Tuesday. Given how great they sound it should be a blast! A whole bunch of us will be heading down there. What I really love is how they have alter egos. You go Lara Montagne!

Finally, a sneak peak at Winter 2007's repertoire. It is obviously not yet fixed, but in addition to the rest of Jenkins' Requiem, Liang managed to track down an SATB version of Come What May from Moulin Rouge. He bought the sheet music from the States, and Mladen has looked at and approved it, so that's something to look forward to. A few years ago I managed to cajole Stefan into singing the duet version (AT arrangement with the 'A' transposed down to 'B' for Stefan) with me. It never materialized, and I am glad it didn't because we would have made an utter hash of it.

Simon, ever the Babs Streisand fan, has put forward People, and which may also get through. I am personally hoping that When I Fall In Love eventually gets done by the big choir, given how successful it was with the small group. Still waiting with bated breath to see what the rest of the choir suggests!

You Can See Something Fishy!

At Lynne and Annie's wedding a select four of the Pinkies (going by the stage names of Eliza, Lara, Vinnie and Fingers) performed an a capella version of Yazoo's Only You. Needless to say they were fab! Now's your chance to see Something Fishy perform a full set, and for free too!

Here are the deets:

Tuesday 17th April
On stage sometime between 9-9.30pm
Free Entry
Club Wotever
Central Station
37 Wharfdale Road,
Kings Cross N1 9SE