RAPIERS ARE GO!

MEET THE RAPIERS! The line-up, left to right: Colin Pryce-Jones (lead guitar, vocals), Nathan J. Hulse (bass, vocals), Neil Ainsby (rhythm guitar, vocals), John Tuck (drums). Also: Dave Lawes (rhythm guitar, vocals).

Remembering Wayne Nicholls, 1967-2005.

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Rapiers at Towcester Ton-Up Day

Remembering Wayne Nicholls, 1967-2005.

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Wayne Nicholls, 1967-2005. Never to Be Forgotten.

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Shadowmania 2011!

Return of The Rapiers to Amersham Rock 'n' Roll Club

Ever so fittingly, The Rapiers revisit the scene of their spectacular 25th Anniversary celebrations in 2008 (and a royal 2009 birthday party for yours truly), the Amersham Rock 'n' Roll Club, on 2 July 2011, to remember the late great Jet Harris.

Sources say members of Jet's family, including his sons, are due to attend.

Rapiers on the Boat That Rocked

Brrrr!

Another cool Nordic sojourn for The Rapiers last week, this time on a Rock 'n' Roll Cruise, delighting punters embarking from Oslo, Norway and ferrying to Kiel, Germany.

In port, John Tuck, Colin Pryce-Jones and Neil Ainsby flank Perry Dear (in shades) from boss Norwegian beat combo Peter Berry and The Shake Set.

Ice patches leaving Norway.

Ahoy, Rapiers on deck!

Everyone had their sea legs, 'cept maybe Neil. Photos courtesy Nathan J. Hulse, Steinar Kallander.

Rapiers Exposed in Finland

Cheeky Nathan J. Hulse couldn't resist documenting fuzzy English "in event of fire" emergency instructions from The Rapiers' Hamina, Finland hotel stay a fortnight ago, then suggesting Colin Pryce-Jones rehearse the final point.

Exposure aside, The Rapiers hotted up a Night of Frantic British Rock 'n' Roll at the Jack-Up Club.

"The gig went well, 180 people in attendance, just short of capacity," says Nathan. "We did a whole mix of material, including a tribute to [the late] Jet Harris, 36-24-36, Apache and Scarlet O'Hara, a solid 90-minute performance, no break. Colin was suffering with his voice slightly but he managed."

On the way back to England, Nathan captured snowbound Finland in a new shade of blue from the Nordic air.

Jet Harris, 1939-2011.

Terrence Jet Harris, co-founder of The Shadows, "James Dean with a guitar", MBE, the man who wielded the first electric bass in Britain, died of cancer last week in Winchester, England. He was 71. His funeral is Thursday in Basingstoke.

I have not spoken directly to The Rapiers, who supported Jet for nigh on 25 years in live performance, including Shadowmania upon Shadowmania, but I know they honoured him at their recent weekend gigs in Finland and Norway. Rapier bassist Nathan J. Hulse also paid his own respects on his Rapiers Sound blog.

For now, it's my turn.

Something Really Important

I will miss Jet's stage wit very much, so keen, so sharp, so self-deprecating ("I spent 20 minutes combing my hair, and left the bugger at home... Diamonds was No. 1 for six weeks, not six minutes like your boy bands today..."). But most of all I will miss hearing him perform on stage, entering to the strains of The Man With the Golden Arm, like God himself whacking the strings, sending an almighty rumble straight to your insides. You knew the whole thing was something special, no matter how many times you saw him, no matter how many times you heard Diamonds or Nivram.

Thankfully, the relevant obituaries from The Guardian, Daily Mail and BBC got the man's legacy right. From the BBC: "Sir Cliff paid tribute to his former bandmate, saying: 'Jet was exactly what The Shadows and I needed—a backbone holding our sound together. Jet will always be an integral part of British rock 'n' roll history. Losing him is sad—but the great memories will stay with me. Rock on, Jet.'"

For a limited time, you can replay a fine, hour-long radio tribute by presenter and rock 'n' roll historian Geoff Barker.

Jet Appears to Me

I have to laugh at the first time Andrea and I met Jet. We were in Epsom, I think, in the late '90s. Before the show, we were waiting in the canteen to meet up with The Rapiers, when through the doors comes Jet.

"Are you Greg? I've got a message from Colin. He'll be out soon!" I was gobsmacked, I suppose. Here's Jet Harris, founder of The Shadows, musician on Apache, The Savage and Wonderful Land, one of England's original bad boys of pop, hitmaker, bassman extraordinaire, co-architect of "That Sound", simply delivering a message like nobody's business. Talk about down to earth.

As I said, I haven't talked to Colin. I simply can't imagine his sadness, his heartbreak to learn of the passing of one of his absolute lifelong idols, indeed "the living legend", as he introduced Jet so many times on stage. (Lest we forget, Jet recorded Doing the Hully Gully with the lads on their 1991 longplayer Return of the Rapiers.)

The last time I saw Jet live was at The Rapiers' 25th anniversary show at the Amersham Rock 'n' Roll Club in 2008. Here's a clip of FBI from that night, taken with my camera—apologies for the out-of-focus zoom.

I remember Jet also came to a memorial in July 2005 at the Wyllyotts Theatre in Potters Bar to honor the late Wayne Nicholls, Rapiers rhythm guitarist, tragically killed in a traffic accident in June. (At right, that's Jet rehearsing during the soundcheck with Shadow Bruce Welch, Colin Pryce-Jones and John Tuck.)

Related, I recall hearing of a conversation between Wayne and Jet from a show they did together. Jet confessed stage fright or nerves to Wayne, who calmly said, "Don't worry about a thing. I'm right behind you, Jet!" to reassure the man, just before they hit the stage. Such a lovely thought, two musicians sharing a time, a place, a moment, a friendship.

End of an Era, Beginning of a Legend.

A gentleman named Mark Lundquist posted that, upon reading of Jet's passing. I like it.

I hope Jet is at peace, free from all pain and cares. And I hope he knows how much joy he brought so many people, not just in the UK, but all over the world. I'm glad I got the chance, or should I say privilege, to experience some of that joy.

On the way to work, the morning after Jet passed, while listening to The Tall Texan in my car, under rain gray cloudy skies in San Francisco, I shed a tear in memory of the man.

Truly, one of our Shadows is missing.

Above left: Jet backstage at Shadowmania, Lakeside, Frimley Green, September 2002. Photo by Colin Wood. Above: Cliff Hall, Wayne Nicholls, John Tuck, Nathan J. Hulse, Colin Pryce-Jones, Jet. Clacton-on-Sea, England, July 2005. Photo by Steve Terrell.

Rapiers Roar Back to Towcester Ton-Up Day

Making their fourth annual pilgrimage to Northamptonshire's Jacks Hill Cafe, The Rapiers join the "celebration of Ton-up, Coffee Bar Cowboys and Rockers at this historic A5 cafe" on Sunday, 17 July 2011, supporting dawn-of-British-Pop legend Wee Willie Harris, famous purveyor of Rockin' at the 2 I's.

Rapiers Land at Concorde Club in April

Swank!

"Established in 1957 and set in a beautiful old school house, the [Concorde Club] boasts an excellent restaurant, wine bar and hotel. Originally set up as a jazz club it now offers a diverse entertainment programme including live music five nights a week."

Including The Rapiers as The Shadows on 7 April, part of the club's Thursday Tribute Night series. (Rockerry as Duffy, anyone?)

The Concorde is a private members club based in Eastleigh, near Southampton, Hampshire, real Heinz Burt territory. Not a Concorde VIP? I hear buying a meal gets you in the door. But confirm by ringing 023 8065 1478. Further contact details here.

And on Rhythm Guitar: Dave Lawes.

Rapiers Ferry Cross the Oslofjord

Closest I've ever come to rockin' at sea is watching Donny Osmond sing CCR's Travelin' Band in the ship lounge on the cheesiest Love Boat episode ever hoisted on its own petard.

More scintillating seafaring sounds? Why The Rapiers embarking on the good ship Color Magic for a Rock 'n' Roll Cruise, from Oslo, Norway, southward to Kiel, Germany, 26 March 2011.

Our lads sail forth during a weekend of swing, Elvis, rockabilly, twist and garage rock sounds courtesy Color Line Cruises and your captain Steinar Kallander of Red Planet Agency.

"We've done something like this before, from Sweden," remembers Colin Pryce-Jones, presumably hoping for calm waters during their famous Shadows steps.

Rapiers Bracing for Skegness

The Rapiers are off to Skeggy for one-day stands, twice in the next six weeks, first at Butlins on 24 March, then the Richmond Holiday Centre on 1 April.

Neither Lincolnshire venue show a specific listing for the lads, so double check before you go on holiday by mistake.

And on Rhythm Guitar: Dave Lawes (both shows).

Rapiers Go Frantic in Finland!

The Rapiers headline a Night of Frantic British Rock 'n' Roll & Stunning Guitar Greats on 19 March at the Ravintola Jack-Up club, Hamina, Finland, up the coast from Helsinki.

With help from Real Gone Records, scenester Eddie Lasko is spreading the news about this special Saturday night shindig to hepcats all over Western Europe.

Need I remind you that the lads without fail tear it up overseas—crazed Finns will see to it!

And on Rhythm Guitar: Neil Ainsby.

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Rapiers Going Down to Avon Beach

Colin Pryce-Jones just rang to confirm The Rapiers' 5 March gig at the Sandhills Holiday Park, Avon Beach, Mudeford, Christchurch, Dorset, east of Bournemouth.

"So far, all our current 2011 dates are solo Rapiers shows," says Colin. "Quite the change from last year's theatre tour supporting Jimmy Jemain in Holland."

And on Rhythm Guitar: Neil Ainsby.

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Scenes From the Dutch Tour: 3

Gleaned from various sources are odds 'n' sods views of our lads going Dutch. Clockwise, from top left: 1) Channeling early Shadows record sleeve iconography, 2) Colin Pryce-Jones and Nathan J. Hulse facing up to Hank Marvin and the late John Rostill, 3) Posing with singers Jimmy Jemain and (out of stage clobber) Ricky Aron, who stepped in for Jimmy on tour, 4) Casting a spell in black and white, 5) Cast and crew celebrating Tour's End.

NB: Photo credits include Nico Schepers.

Scenes From the Dutch Tour: 2

Now we're scanning Nathan J. Hulse's Facebook pages for added highlights from almost 50 Netherlands nights.

Scenes From the Dutch Tour: 1

After two months rocking rocking Holland theatres with their sold-out Tribute to Cliff Richard & The Shadows: The Golden Years stageshow accompanied by singer Jimmy Jemain and Shadmasters guitarist Rogier van den Oven depping on rhythm, The Rapiers are finally back home for the holidays.

Good news for the Netherlands: Insiders say the show returns for an encore in 2012.

That Look: I Photoshopped this evocative college by cherry picking live snaps from Rogier's Facebook profile. Best of the bunch? Easily the '62 Stratocaster confluence close-up.

NB: Photo credits include Nico Schepers.

Colin Pryce-Jones, Jimmy Jemain on Dutch TV!

Learn why The Rapiers need a wooden chair on stage. NB: For full screen viewing, watch on YouTube.

Rapiers See Amsterdam

Between gigs last week, singer Jimmy Jemain daytripped with Rapiers John Tuck and Nathan J. Hulse into Amsterdam, where their tour winds down next month.

Rapiers Still Life from Holland Stage

Prerequisite hardware gear for a revival of On the Beach methinks: Vox amp with stand, Vox echo unit with chair, Burns 12-string. Photo courtesy Nathan J. Hulse.

Behind the Scenes on Holland Tour

Images from The Rapiers' Dutch sojourn include a photo call backstage with production manager Yvonne Hageman, mixing and stage gear, plus a dressing room shower doubling (take your sci-fi pick) as a Star Trek transporter or Dr. Who Dalek.

Photos courtesy Nathan J. Hulse.

And on Rhythm: Rogier van den Oever!

Going Dutch, The Rapiers are barnstorming through Holland this month and next, offering a sparkling tribute to the Golden Years of Cliff Richard and The Shadows with singer Jimmy Jemain.

Alas, being away from England for eight solid weeks precludes either Neil Ainsby or Dave Lawes from handling rhythm guitar duties.

Solution? Call a Shadmaster!

Standing capably in is Rogier van den Oever, ex-member of Pipeline '61 and currently in The Shadmasters, based conveniently in Holland. Decked out in Rapier burgundy and black finery, he's third from left between Colin Pryce-Jones and John Tuck, courtesy this snap from Nathan J. Hulse.

Sometimes Things Really Are Black and White

The monochromatic flipside of yesterday's colour parade comes from guitar tech extraordinaire Geoffrey Strachan, who, on more than one occasion, has been Johnny-on-the-Spot, saving the day before the curtain went up on The Rapiers.

"Colin Pryce-Jones asked me to send these pics of their current stage setup," he says. "I converted the originals [snapped by Nathan J. Hulse] to black and white to look like The Shadows' old stage setup."

Begging the question: Doesn't a Vox front line look retro cooler in B&W?

Geoffrey also forwarded pix of Colin's latest hardware: Vox Phantom VI and Antoria guitars, lovingly restored with the aid of Mark Alderton, Terry Hume and Roberto Brandoni. But that's another note entirely, coming soon.

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