RAPIERS ARE GO!

CVs Full of Telstar

Speaking of Telstar film parts, a dozen or more apparently came via Casting Call Pro: 

...an online directory of professional actors, presenters, agents and casting professionals... With 15,000+ industry professionals on our system we really are the central point for the UK acting community, listing the very latest acting jobs, auditions and casting calls...

Besides the expected "Featured Extra", "Stunt Double" and "Music Fan", Casting Call Pro's fascinating credits page lists more evocative Telstar roles like "Tornados Fan" (Michelle Crane), "EMI Secretary" (Collette Winter, Danielle Voller, Sarah Hannah) and can't-wait-to-get-to-know-her "Groovy '60s Chick" (Louisa Kenten).

NB: Collette, Danielle and Sarah are seen posing with lucky lads Nathan, Colin, John and Neil in the second of yesterday's Telstar photo call shots.

Waiting on Telstar to Orbit Cinemas

Scanning the entertaining Facebook.com profiles* of Nathan J. Hulse and Neil Ainsby reveals reminders that our lads play bit parts (NJH: "I'm an EMI executive and a photographer") in the forthcoming film Telstar about '60s producer Joe Meek, starring Con O'Neill, Nick Moran, Kevin Spacey and Rita Tushingham. 

As yet, I find no release date for this production, originally slated for summer 2008, on IMDB.com or the official site.

The Back Story

In late August 2007, Neil, Nathan, John Tuck and Colin Pryce-Jones spent a day filming, as reported here.

"Wardrobe took our measurements but asked us to come in our normal '60s-styled gear as well. They were so happy with our appearance that we didn't need to be fitted!" Nathan said at the time.

The images of sartorial splendour below came from the shoot.

TELSTAR STARS: Top, clothes make the Rapier men. Above, posing with cast members Collette Winter, Sarah Hannah, Ruth Wynne and Danielle Voller; photo by Patrick Barclay.

*Sorry, registration (free) required to view

Video Triple Play + 1: Hank Marvin Explained

Atlantis

Double Stop Time

Man of Mystery

The Godfather of Delay

"Jet, what are you doing here in the Forest of Dean?"

As George Weston noted, Gloucestershire's Royal Forest of Dean College Theatre earns, well, rather low marks in promotion.

"When Jet booked into a hotel down the road from the theatre on Friday night, the owners said they were big fans of his and asked what he was doing in the area," says Ralph Gowling. "They were amazed to hear he had just played only a few minutes away and that they had been blissfully unaware of a show that had been on the books for months."

A "peed off" Mr. Harris—yes, the Big Bad Bassman himself—minced no words on the MSN Shadow Music board.

"I had a look on the [theatre] website a couple of days before the gig only to see NO GIGS IN JULY... was I going all the way to the Forest of Dean to be asked what are you doing here? Apparently they are only really interested in their own productions but are quick enough to take their booking fee and percentage of the door. How the f*&^&*g hell are we supposed to keep live shows going and make a living with people like this that have no right to hire the theatre out in the first place?" 

Ouch.

Double ouch.

Me and My Shadows fared finer Saturday at the Kidderminster Harriers Social & Sports Club in Worcestershire, where a packed audience of 200 greeted the rock 'n' roll party.

"The man there promoted it," says Ralph.

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[UPDATE 07.29.08: Hmmm... re-checking a recent post, I found the Forest of Dean College Theatre did indeed have an online promo spot for MAMS, maybe hidden from all but moi.]

West of My Mind

Tell me, does Taunton in Somerset qualify as the West Country?

I think so, I hope so. 

I drove there with Ralph Gowling three summers ago, on the eve of the Wayne Nicholls Memorial Tribute, to see prodigal Rapier Neil Ainsby return to the fold. 

On the journey there and back, I recall little except endless slowdowns on the motorway as we passed speed cameras, and a forest of roundabouts we negotiated near Reading at 1 a.m. to find petrol and crisps. Sigh, no "You are now passing into/leaving West Country" signage.

Ever since I read a description of The Dave Clark Five's star turn in the 1965 film Having a Wild Weekend as a "typical John Boorman escape to the West Country", I've been fascinated by the idea of place conjured by that destination. Boorman directed HAWW ("the Sunday morning hangover to The Beatles' A Hard Day's Night", some say) and 1981's Excalibur, my favourite retelling of the King Arthur legend. 

Mind you, the latter was filmed in Ireland, not proper Arthurian environs like Tintagel or Bodmin Moor in Cornwall, but its dream-like, emerald green-and-silver sheen has always beckoned me, whether I knew it or not, to the southwest corner of England.

Mention Jet and The Rapiers to Attract Punters

George Weston of Chepstow presents a fan's eye view of the Me and My Shadows action last night in Coleford, Gloucestershire. Then adds a dollop of common sense for all concerned.  

The boys played a blistering set... Jet [Harris] was on his usual form, with his sardonic, dead-pan humour, pretending to forget what he was going to play and then going for it, big-time, note-perfect, playing a Jaguar, a Precision Bass and a Strat.

Billie Davies was unfortunately unwell and was sadly unable to perform.

The Rapiers were spot-on with everything they played, doing The Shads stuff plus some good ol' rock 'n' roll, including material from Buddy Holly, Johnny Kidd & The Pirates and even Screaming Lord Sutch! All in all, a very good gig indeed!

One thing rankled, however. The only reason I found out about this gig was on [the MSN Shadow Music] forum. There were no advertisements in the local papers and the audience was therefore smaller than it could have been. Also, the website for the venue and the tickets just said Me and My Shadows, without mentioning Jet or The Rapiers. Marketing point follows: If you want to attract the punters, say who you are on the adverts!

Datebook 2008

Update

The Rapiers and Jimmy Jemain celebrate "50 Years of Cliff" by kicking off a Monday night residency at the Isle of Wight's Shanklin Theatre on 28 July. For four straight weeks, you might ferry over to Shanklin...

... a town of great character and charm with many interesting small shops and a variety of hotels and apartments in former Victorian country houses. Sheltering cliffs provide the ideal suntrap position for the seafront Esplanade, where there is safe bathing from a sandy beach, water sports, car parks, hotels, amusements and a host of pubs and restaurants. The first week of August is traditionally Carnival Week with carnival parades in the town and sports and fireworks at the County Ground. —Iwight.com

For ticket reservations, contact the Box Office on 01983 868000.

In the Spotlight

Leading Rapiers fans Ann and Colin Green are throwing another all-Rapiers rave at their favourite jiving venue, Totton's Empire Hall, on 18 October. By my count, this makes four R-related shows the Southampton couple have hosted over the past couple of years, including bills with Mike Berry, John Leyton and Jet Harris. Highlights here and here.

Don't be a disappointed slowcoach! Order advance tickets from the Greens on 023 8086 3356 because none will be available at the door.

A Ladder of Success

"We got a five-minute call for our first official show with Kytsun 'Cliff Richard' Wolfe," says Nathan J. Hulse, setting the scene at the Garrick Theatre in Lichfield, Staffordshire three weeks ago.

"We wander on stage. The curtain is about to go up. Then Colin announces, 'Is anyone around to do anything with these ladders?' Kytsun kindly moved them to the side, just as the lights went down and the show started."

Seems a forgetful theatre crew, after adjusting overhead lighting, left the apparatus in plain sight. Or maybe these art lovers were simply recreating Yoko Ono's historic 1966 Ceiling Painting installation. (It caught John Lennon's attention, yes it did.)

Some Things Just Stick in My Mind

DUFFY DOES MEEK: Welsh songbird-of-the-new-century Duffy has recorded Please Stay for actor Nick Moran's upcoming Telstar biopic of Joe Meek, who famously produced the Burt Bacharach tear-jerker with Liverpool's Cryin' Shames in 1966. Thanks to Duffy namechecking Joe all over YouTube, the wizard of Holloway Road should see his profile raised with Generations X, Y and Z... YOU JUST DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING TO REPLACE IT: The world, well, Britain at least, changed its pop music axis on July 24, 1958 when Cliff Richard recorded Ian Samwell's immortal rocker Move It at EMI's Abbey Road Studios. Happy 50th to Sir Cliff's finest hour, often revisited by The Rapiers... IN THE WINGS: An insider with the Me and My Shadows team says: "Momentum has clearly built up behind the MAMS shows because we have now had a sudden run of surprise guests—first Denny Laine of The Moody Blues and Wings [Heritage Ball], then Cliff Richard [Caron Keating Foundation] and on Sunday [Ton-Up Day] Oh Boy! TV show stalwart Vince Eager." Lesson? "It is reaching the stage where if you don't book a MAMS show or a MAMS-linked gig that you could miss out on one of these special appearances." So it goes! Your next opportunities are Friday and Saturday, in Coleford, Gloucestershire, and Kidderminster, Worcestershire, respectively. Visit our Datebook 2008 page for details.

Post o' the Week: A Shaker Speaks

Gentlemen of The Rapiers,

We received your telegram as we took the stage yesterday afternoon at Fort Perch Rock, New Brighton. A delightful tonic as we were still a little jaded having come back from the Amersham Rock 'n' Roll Club earlier that morning—what a great place and a fab crew!

Many thanks for your kind words and the best of British luck to you all.

Cosmic Bob,
The Shakers

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Mr. Cosmic B. plays guitar for my favourite modern Liverpudlian quartet wot I've never seen in the flesh. For lovers of the "Mach Schau Sound" and the "Benzedrine Beat", The Shakers have a full datebook over the next month, especially during the International Beatles Week Festival, 20-26 August 2008, when Liverpool goes stark raving mad for all-things Lennon-McCartney-Harrison-Best-Starr-Sutcliffe.

Rapiers Benefit Kirsty McDonald Fund This Fall

If you call Hucknall or Nottingham home, save 29 November for a very special Rapiers charity show in support of the Kirsty McDonald Fund, organised by Tom McDonald in memory of his daughter, who passed away in 2002 after a heart attack, only 16.

The fund benefits children at local area hospitals. Notes the clipping below:

The Rapiers' lead guitarist, Colin Pryce-Jones, said the group were delighted to accept the... engagement after hearing of the Kirsty Fund appeal.

Tom has personally asked me to appeal to area Rapiers fans. My pleasure.

The show is at the Bowman pub and restaurant on Nottingham Road, Hucknall. Tickets are £12.50. Order by calling 0115 963 0813 or 07812 160561 or the Bowman on 0115 968 0650.

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Rockin' at Jacks Hill

"Ton-Up Day", vintage British motorbikes and the book launch of author Chester Dowling's paen to the rocker lifestyle Just for Kicks brought out The Rapiers and a crowd of about 1,000 Sunday afternoon at historic Jacks Hill Cafe near Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire.

"We played inside the cafe—didn't want to risk the rain—for an hour, which went down really well," says Nathan J. Hulse, noting the band appropriately burnished their hour-long set with a trio of tracks by "true blue British rocker Johnny Kidd", including I'll Never Get Over You, Lindy Lou and Please Don't Touch. Singers Billie Davis and Vince Eager also performed.

POLICE SQUAD: Black and white Rapiers Colin Pryce-Jones, Nathan J. Hulse, John Tuck and Dave Lawes look sharp when it counts. Photos by Janet Pryce-Jones.

BUILT FOR SPEED: A mate's BSA bike in front of Jack's Hill Cafe. Photo by Nathan J. Hulse.

Under Chandelier at the Grosvenor House

Riddle me this, Batman. What do original works by an obscure British instrumental combo rocking up Tchaikovsky (Cougars), American singer songwriter (James Taylor) and soul songstress (Bessie Banks) have in common?

Nine eclectic minutes by The Rapiers (Saturday Night at the Duckpond), Billie Davis (Fire and Rain) and Denny Laine (Go Now) at the Heritage Foundation's Annual Summer Ball in London last month.

OT Video Triple Play: Less Gassy, No Strong After Taste

Rhythm and Greens/Rhythm 'N' Greens/Rhythm & Greens

Yeah, baby! Ooh, ah!

White Burns Marvin guitars around their necks, befitting the occasion at a recent Bruce Welch Shadowmania, Neil Ainsby, Nathan J. Hulse and Colin Pryce-Jones with drummer John Tuck recreate the raucous title track (all-important sound effects included) from The Shadows' 1964 film short, a daft, mock history of Britain's beaches.

Nitpickers note: The variant "and", "'N'" and "&" connecting every other "Rhythm" and "Greens" reference (film, book, record) drives my proofreading genes insane. I can't find a consensus on the spelling, so choose your own.

Dixie Fried Madrid Style

Mas, por favor!

Two more rockers from that 2006 sojourn in Spain, starting with Carl Perkins's rockabilly standard Honey Don't, proving Colin Pryce-Jones knows Sun Records riffs. Then Mickie Most's Son of Brand New Cadillac masterpiece That's Alright, one of the standouts on You're Never Alone With The Rapiers. 

NB: Can't get enough TA? Another live version is here.

Do You Wanna Dance in Spain

Uno, dos, tres, quatro!

Shot in December 2006 in Madrid, Spain, this boisterous DYWD a la Los Shadows finds loco hombre Neil Ainsby cracking up compadre Nathan J. Hulse muy bien.

NB: Guessing the initial burst of applause follows a wild John Tuck workout on Wipe Out.

Let's Peppermint Twist Again

I never went ape for the original Joey Dee and The Starliters hit (nor, frankly, a version the Rapiers waxed on a 1986 EP), but I made a busybeeline to the storied Peppermint Lounge’s West 45th Street address immediately after arriving in New York City for the first time, February 1982, 18 winters after The Beatles swanned in. Ironically, the only thing I remember from headliner Marshall Crenshaw was Cliff and The Shadows’ Move It, though, at the time (tsk, tsk), I knew only a version by my San Francisco hometown heroes The Flamin’ Groovies.

Digression over, the point at hand is this frenetic PT by the Brad-Neil-John-Colin Rapiers, circa 1993-2001, featuring vocals and frenzied lead guitar from Mr. Dallaston and Mr. Pryce-Jones, respectively.

Some Things Just Stick in My Mind

MBE FOR MR. HARRIS?: It's news to to me, but the campaign for ex-Shadow Jet Harris to receive an MBE (Member of British Empire) "is gathering strength", writes William Hooper. High time for the man who taught Britain to play electric bass. To support Jet's nomination, contact Pat Le-Bruin at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, 2-4 Cockspur Street, London. For the record, mates Bruce Welch and Brian Bennett were honoured with OBEs (Order of British Empire) in 2004. But Hank Marvin, citing personal and private reasons, declined his... NEIL RATES HIGH, TOO: What prompted one Richard Burse do sing out, "Neil Ainsby is just a Rock God!"? Seems this YouTube video of our lad belting out Do You Love Me? like 1967, 1968, 1969 and 1970 never happened... PRETTY PHOTOS BY NJH: Scanned Nathan J. Hulse's ever-blossoming photo blog lately? Wow! Lotsa beauty shots vying for your attention.

Datebook 2008

Our lads' Summer 2008 calendar sports solo gigs, Me and My Shadows theatre dates, plus a residency on the Isle of Wight. Here are the latest highlights worth repeating.

Updates

• Jimmy Jemain joins Rapiers at Isle of Wight's Shanklin Theatre in July (28) and August (4, 11, 18).
• Sixties Icons in Concert, with Colin Pryce-Jones guesting with Rockin' Horse, confirmed for 2 November at Theatre Royal Windsor. Website shows wrong date and bill.

New

• Pickering Showground, Pickering, Yorkshire, 21 September 2008.

Cancellations

• Provisional date in Cornwall, 24 August 2008.

In the Spotlight

Me and My Shadows goes to Uni when The Rapiers, Jet Harris and Billie Davis hit Coleford and the Royal Forest of Dean College Theatre on 25 July. This Gloucestershire hall "is clearly in a picturesque part of Rapierland", says gadabout Ralph Gowling, "but I don't think many people know about the show yet!"

Now they do. For your comfort, the Forest Theatre is:

... the number one venue for entertainment in the Forest of Dean. The venue plays host to professional artists, groups and celebrities as well as providing a platform for community groups and the RFDC Theatre Company (in residence).

Post o' the Week: Full Marks for Joy

[In response to recent RAG! post "More About the Night Cliff Sang With The Rapiers" with Colin Pryce-Jones's thoughts on backing Sir Cliff Richard at the Runnymede Hotel.]

Hi, Colin. I'm so pleased you enjoyed the night of the [Caron Keating Foundation] Ball, it was great to see you backing Cliff.

Had an email from Cliff's office: he had a good time too and we all raised about £8,000 for the Foundation.

Joy Passman
Event organiser

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From accounts on the Cliff Richard Forum (membership required to view), Joy and team did a smashing job at Runnymede. I'm guessing it was her prompting that led Cliff to perform with The Rapiers.

Wordle This

What's in a "Wordle"? Says inventor Jonathan Feinberg:

Wordle is a toy for generating "word clouds" from text that you provide. The clouds give greater prominence to words that appear more frequently in the source text. You can tweak your clouds with different fonts, layouts, and color schemes. The images you create with Wordle are yours to use however you like. You can print them out, or save them to the Wordle gallery to share with your friends.

I used my RAG! blog URL to create my first Wordle art. Love it! Instant go-go typography, "I Spy a Rapier Name" game playing, Bedazzled-like cinematic titling, CD artwork, you name it. Try it now.

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Friday Night and Their Hearts Were Bright

Kudos to fine fellow Philip Cook for forwarding images from The Rapiers' appearance with Sir Cliff Richard at a benefit in aid of Caron Keating Foundation one week ago at the Runnymede Hotel.

Clockwise from top left: Neil Ainsby, Nathan J. Hulse, John Tuck and Colin Pryce-Jones listen patiently as Cliff performs an acapella Miss You Nights; John and Colin all smiles during a brush with BritPop greatness; performing The Young Ones; Cliff helps Janet Pryce-Jones de-tag a Burns 12-string.

OT: Just Don't Mention the War

I found this timely British Airways promotion splashed across my BA account login ahead of the July 4 American Independence Holiday weekend. Great to see historical Anglo-American relations so blissfully cozy after 232 years.