Christmas - what's that all about?

Well, at the moment it's about the new Stackridge single 'North St Grande (Dancing Together By Christmas Time) and it's downloading thereof. It's available at Amazon, iTunes etc and if you're not careful you may even catch a video of us performing it. There is also a 4 track video that can be had from the same sort of places. Of course the problem with downloads is that they cannot be wrapped in seasonal paper and inserted in a sock that has been nailed to the mantlepiece, so such a purchase is a purely selfish affair. Go on spoil yourself and marvel at the unashamed audacity that comes with one's dotage. Come and see me when you can and say 'Hello', but in the meantime have a majestic Yule and a spiffing New Year. Mutter

Sun, Sea and Sangria

Hello there, Linda and I have recently returned from a blissful seven days and nights in Carralejo in Fuertaventura. The coolest of days was 28C! We had a large room ten paces from one of the hotel swimming pools and a choice of turquoise watered, white sanded beaches within 5 minutes walk. Now I've made you all sick I will digress.
Stackers did a couple of cracking gigs this last weekend: Friday night saw us in the well-seasoned, sleazy confines of The 100 Club in London. What a cracking venue, I love it. The sizeable crowd appeared to agree with me too. By way of a change Saturday was in the, now revamped, St David's Hall, South Petherton. This is an adapted church building which has been a live music venue for some years now. The flotilla of members who run and administrate this lovely gig should be commended for their dedication and attention to detail - the free beer for band members is a genius touch which should be deployed in all venues thoughout the planet.
I have a gig at No 10 in Bridport Tuesday night and MSB practice on Wednesday in anticipation of the two gigs next weekend. I've hit the ground running after the break in The Canaries. Pip! Pip! Mutter

Nothing of note, save some new notes

Yo! Very little going on above the water level, but the MSB beat combo continue to beaver away below decks honing what have now become standards in our oeuvre and topping up the repertoire with new songs. Songs about drug addiction, spendthriffery and a boring night in a bar, the usual guff.
A Stackridge rehearsal looms as does a gig in Southend -on- Sea with Curved Air. That will be a weird experience, reminiscent of the old days at The Lyceum or The Roundhouse, but with a load of saggy old duffers rather than the snake-hipped, pert bosomed gods and goddess of yore. What a way of NOT making a living!
See you around,
Mutter

Gigging In The Current Age

Hello. Warning: a bit of a gripe coming up.
I'm sure it's not only happening to me but I reckon getting a sufficient quorum of people to attend a gig is getting tougher by the day (I have been to see one or two others and there seems to be a similar pattern emerging). The first blow (or suck) came with the non-smoking rule being foisted upon every pub in the land, now at any juncture in the evening 30% of the audience is outside frantically striking a light. This means that the performer has to cope with a more or less passing trade throughout their set rather like a busker in a furnished subway. You get their attention, they go out for a quick puff, then you have to get them back again when they return to quaff and warm themselves before the nicotine nibbles at the vitals again.
Now, added to this, we have the prohibitive cost of going out in the first place - baby-sitters, taxis/fuel, bevvy, nosh etc.
I don't know about your locale but down here the pub gig is the first step into live performance for all would-be world beaters. If this carries on Britain will no longer punch above its weight on the global stage. We will be home in front of the telly sipping a cold tin of chemical wash watching someone else from somewhere else doing it. Gripe over, bon chance, Mutter.

Film Stars in the Faking

Hello, In some manic driven move Stackridge are going to be filmed performing 3 songs from AVFCS and 'Slow Train'. This will, they tell me, facilitate our relentless drive to world domination and may even give us a shoe in on one of next year's more esoteric festivals.
I personally feel that a troupe of clear eyed, lithe hipped, twenty nothings miming to would stand a much better chance, should such young'uns be hungry enough for stardom. I consider society to be calloused and weather-hardened enough to countenace a blonde curly haired, blue eyed 'Andy Davis' doing back flips over a pouting Adonis-like 'James Warren' ululating and going calf-eyed at the camera. Now, even I would pay to see that!

Summer Is A Going On

Hot Diggidy Dog, The august month of August hoves into view and we're sluicing flood debris out of the back doors already. Global warming? 'tis more global wetting. I had a great time supporting and listening to Geraint Watkins and Robbie McIntosh the other week. Google the guys and feast your ears on some fine playing. Stackridge, for various reasons, are off the scene for a month or so, but fear not MSB are up and at 'em at various locations (see gig guide on this page) and I'm doing a few gigs with friends. On these occasions rather than batter your senses with my own material I choose to destroy the good works of others (Tom Petty, Paul Weller, Norma Shearer, et al). If you have the misfortune to be in my viscinity on one of these shows take pity and hand me a pint of Staropromen and try not to look too disappointed - I bruise easily. Yoiks, and futhermore, Tally-Ho! Mutter

Another Month Another Fist of Hangovers

Bonjour mes braves, How's it going? It's been a bit full on in the land of Slater I can tell you. The old lager support system (ie work) has reached the inevitable seasonal fever pitch: weddings here, school commems there, and burials thither. The gigging has picked up too with the solo stuff, MSB and Stackers. The Stack album ( A Victory For Common Sense ) is due for release on the 13th July and we await a galaxy of stars in magazine and paper reviews (we've got 4 in August's Mojo already so we're well on the way). It took me much too long to get to Ruislip and back in the car and Druidstone was no better, anyone out there with a teleportation system up for grabs give me a call, I'm your man. Mutter

Blimey 59 on Sunday!

Yes folks, That's right the old duffer has made it thus far without too much mishap. It must be the way I've looked after myself: I treat my body like a temple, I always keep my shoes on the outside. The more perceptive among you may gather from the gig list that MSB are at The Hope & Anchor, Bridport this Saturday (June 6th) the eve of the afore-mentioned momentous event. It could get quite messy after the gig! This is a not so dry run for next years 60th - assuming we get that far. Mutter

The Story Thus Far

Hello again. The weekend of backing Errol Linton has rapidly evaporated in the psyche. Errol is a great harp player and a greater human being. Every gig went down a storm despite my guitar playing. Look out for him.
You may see on the recently updated gig list that I am doing some solo supports for Geraint Watkins and Robbie McIntosh. If you don't know who they are then just Google and goggle at the spew of credentials. I can't say how much I'm looking forward to sharing the bill with the two of them and their band. Pigs in manure don't even compare in terms of rapture.
The new Stackridge album 'A Victory For Common Sense' is released on Mon July 13th and there are plans to batter the music world into acquiescence with promotional sledgehammers and orgiastic launch parties. Be very afraid Radio 2.
Mutter.

Onwards and upwards

Busy week with Stackers this week, starting at The Globe, Cardiff on Wednesday from there we head progressively northward culminating at The Inn at Athlones, St Andrews on Saturday night. The mind boggling, ass numbing mileage will be spent with all ten of us (band plus Mike the manager and Dave the sound) sharing the fetid air in the front of a van, the rear portion of which will be rammed to the gunwales with gear and luggage. James brings a suitcase; what it contains I have no idea as he always seems to wear the same misshapen apparel day after day. Think of us and muse on the folly of the life we have chosen. Pip! Pip! Mutter

A Good Good Friday

An extended Bank Holiday weekend, WHOO-HOO! What makes it even more savoury is the fact that there are 2 MSB gigs in the offing too. Tonight (the good Good Friday alluded to above) at The Rock Gardens, Weston-Super-Mare. A new venue to us so we hope to deliver the goods in no uncertain style and get a re-book (not a rebok, something entirely different). Tomorrow (even better Saturday?) we repair to The Old Ship, Upwey, Weymouth. This is almost home turf for us as we rehearse in The Old Ship's skittle alley/ function room most midweeks. We hope that we can attract a sizable crowd to help repay Pam and Kev for their support.

Mutterings from Bridport

Yo! Dudes and Dudettes,
The Stackridge album (A Victory For Common Sense) is now in the home strait of the mixing process, but things have overrun for the last release date, July is now being mooted. This gives us plenty of time to get the pressing? burning? mastering? or whatever right and make sure that any photos have been lavishly airbrushed to way beyond recognition.
MSB continue to rehearse and add to the arsenal of Mutter songs. Talking of which I wrote a chorus in my sleep the other day (saved for posterity by scooting downstairs and getting the guitar out to work out the chords before i fell back to sleep) to which I have now added verses. Just a bit more music and a damn fine lyric and another one will have been hatched. I can't shake the feeling that my 'dream chorus' is something from the 60's though, no one has recognised it yet though.
Hope you are all well,
Mutter

Further Guff

I've just updated the gig list (Posted Feb so scroll down the page a bit). You have the complete list of CONFIRMED gigs for 2009. There will be others. MSB practiced Wed night which means that the three new songs (Cindy Lou, The Old Dog & The Unforgiving Man ) are shaping up nicely. We've also done some rather tasteful tweaks to a few of the regular numbers too. We hope you'll like them. Great article about yours truly in April's edition of Maverick too. Onwards and upwards,
Mutter

Album Review Rock and Reel magazine Jan/Feb 2009

Riding A Hurricane. Star rating 3/5.
Planting his flag firmly in the territory somewhere between Richard Thompson and Eric Bibb, Mutter Slater returns with a collection of a dozen new songs delivered in his warm blues voice in an organic-feeling acoustic setting. Opening track 'Excuse Me Ma'am' sets rhe tone - Mutter's urgent, yet intimate vocal delivery over his percussive rhythm guitar, a double (sic) bass and unadorned drums - and this groove continues throughout Riding A Hurricane.
By about the fourth song, however, the lack of anything beyond the basic instruments begins to pall a little. Although the songs themselves are of a very high quality and Slater's voice is served well by the aural backdrop, I found myself craving a dash of trumpet counter-melody or an occasional harmonica fill to add some piquancy, some flavour.
When Mutter treats us to some breathy flute, on the coda to the title track, and bassist Chris Lonergan adds subtle bottleneck to 'Triumph Bonneville', they provide some sheen to the production that would be welcome elsewhere. All in all though it's an admirable return to Slater's blues roots. David Innes.

There we are. That's Terry Doble behind the old Beverly drum kit (sometime accordian player with Rave to the Grave) and John Martin on the guitar (a Kay?). The curtains are something which I have managed to erase from my memory.

The latest ...

Hello,
MSB gigged in Yeovil last night. A slendid hostelry called The Quicksilver Mail (mein host Pete Lambden). Ady was in Germany mit Ben Waters so Dan Wheeler of Bridport more than ably deputised in his stead. Like most pubs these days the attendance was not as it once was - a fanfare here for the publicans around Britain who continue to support live music in the face of bitter and austere circumstances - but those who did turn out were most attentive and encouraging. MSB are not a covers band which tends to go against the grain with a lot of punters but Pete's pub gave us the benefit of the doubt and came along for the ride.
The newer numbers are gradually bedding in (Cindy Lou, The Old Dog, The Unforgiving Man) and go down as well as the comparatively familiar older songs. We have enough fresh material in the set now for another album. When the time comes to record it we should know them inside out.
The son of an old, old friend of mine (John Martin - no not that one!)sent me a photo of me in my first ever band the other day. A dewy eyed 14/15 year old cupping a blues harp and looking rather sharp (What happened?). I will try and get it posted sometime soon.
Mutter

Album Review from Maverick magazine Feb 2009

Riding a Hurricane (Star rating 4/4)
The man in the bowler hat rocks back.
Powerfully understated album of acoustic rock from an unlikely source - Mutter Slater, the genial,bowler-hatted flute player from (now reformed) 1970s folk-rockers Stackridge,with production by the once angry young man Billy Bragg. Here Mutter drops his trademark cheery farmboy vocals in favour of a darker,deeper,hugely individual (and unrecognisable) growl. At times it's sad,at others it turns into something like a curious bass yodel,but it's always powerful.
Mutter also,apart from a couple of moments,drops his flute in favour of some decent guitar picking,sometimes bluesy,sometimes Dobro like. He's backed by a simple bass/drum set-up,the sort of snappy bouncy rhythm you'd expect from a rockabilly band. The result is a hypnotic backdrop over which Mutter's vocals dart and leap. It might be a three-piece band, and it might be acoustic, but it's not like anything you've heard before with the production making the most of the simple instrumentation.
All the songs are Mutter compositions,and are first rate,and far from straight forward,with not an ordinary number amongst them. It's hard to pick out the best...there's the plaintive yet saucy 'Excuse Me Ma'am',the singalong 'Last Train From Heartache',and the desolate 'I'm Holding Your Picture' and 'Strangers In One Room'. And the title track is a six minute epic of darkness and light.
It's a world away from Stackridge,but each track works with a dreamy insistence. Excellent innovative stuff which cries out to be heard live. Nick Dalton.

An Album Review from www.eMusic.com

Riding a Hurricane - This is a real gem of an album, an absolute diamond. Produced by Billy Bragg (respect, respect) who clearly knows great songwriting talent when he sees it. Mutter Slater, the superb showman, singer and flautist of the great British rock enigma that is Stackridge, takes us on a wonderful journey of discovery and surprise here. Wistful, poignant and emotional songs - all backed up by awesomely powerful singing from Mutter and a razor-tight, stripped-down backing band. From the title track to 'I'm Holding Your Picture' and 'Strangers In One Room' this is moving music. Classic stuff. Bring on more.

February 2009 and I've woken up.

Hello,
I've cracked the blog code and got in here so I'll be short and precise before the cyber world tumbles round my ears.
Gigs lined up thus far for this year -
Sat March 14th MSB @ The Quicksilver Mail, Yeovil 9pm
Wed April 1st Stackridge @ Robin 2, Bilston, nr Wolverhampton
Fri April 3rd Stackridge @ Bacon Theatre, Cheltenham
Sat April 4th Stackridge @ The Rydall Arms, New Milton, Hants
Fri April 10th MSB @ The Rock Gardens, Weston-Super-Mare
Sat April 11th MSB @ The Old Ship, Upwey, Weymouth 9pm
Sat April 18th Stackridge @ The Bury Met, Bury
Wed April 22nd Stackridge @ The Globe, Cardiff
Thu April 23rd Stackridge @ The Cluny, Newcastle-on-Tyne
Fri April 24th Stackridge @ The Ferry, Glasgow
Sat April 25th Stackridge @ Athlones, St Andrews
Fri May 1st MSB @ The Ropemakers, Bridport 9.30pm
Sun May 3rd MSB @ Royal Portland Arms, Portland 3pm
Fri May 22nd Stackridge @ Crewe
Sat May 23rd Stackridge @ The Boardwalk, Sheffield
Sat June 6th MSB @ The Hope & Anchor, Bridport 9.30pm (Mutter's Birthday Gig!)
Sat June 20th MSB @ The Best of Dorset Festival, Nr Dorchester
Fri Sept 11th Mutter & Friends @ The Quicksilver Mail, Yeovil 9pm
Sat Oct 3rd Stackridge @ Ipswich
Fri Oct 15th Stackridge @ Tivoli, Wimborne
Sat Nov 7th Stackridge @ St David's Hall, South Petherton.
Sat Nov 14th MSB @ Sailor's Return, Weymouth 9pm
Sun Nov 15th MSB @ The Red Lion, High St, Stevenage.
Mon Nov 16th MSB @ The Bull's Head, Barnes
Sat Dec 19th MSB @ The Exchange, Sturminster Newton (sharing bill with Jon Amor)
I think that will do for now as far as gigs are concerned. There will be more to be inserted and added as time lopes on.
As far as MSB are concerned there have been some complimentary album and gig reviews in Maverick and Rock and Reel magazines and there is to be an article in the next edition of Maverick too. I've been writing some new material some of which has made it into the set. We rehearse as much as we can to keep it tight for the night. Aaron(my son) and I have been demoing some alternative arrangements of a couple of new songs. We hope to have them available as free mp3 downloads when Aaron has sufficient spare time - he's busy finishing his own recording (EP out in April and album to follow on Universal)
Sorry again at being a slouch at this stuff. See you around,
Mutter
Stackridge have been hard at it in the studio.'A Victory For Common sense' the new album should be out on Helium records in April/May.