A Bad Terrorist croons at The Bull

The entertainments host at the Bull on Wednesday night didn't know what to say about Bob's performance.

One man and his homemade accoustic guitar crooning 'Mystery Train" a Drug Co. song about jealous love followed by a Bob's stylised version of a track from the musical 'Grease'.

Fans of the Bad Terrorists filthy Rock n' Roll listened to Bob's passionate performance with wide eyes and dropped jaws, what is going on ?

... A Bad Terrorist playing covers from a musical with Bob standing absolutely still (that's definately a first) and singing in earnest into the mic with his eyes closed and lips puckered up to the microphone that made his voice purr loudly, hmmm, a very soulfull and intriguing performance, 'I think we'll do a 'Grease' evening next week blurted out the promoter over the claps and cheers of the punters.

Barry getting ready for gig a@ Park Hotel, Wivenhoe

ZAP POW goes wild in Wivenhoe

As predicted Bob and ZAP POW went wild in Wivenhoe much to the delight of the crowd from Essex Uni with an unscripted song that went something like this: -

"you can find us at MYSPACE://.com//badterrorists::////@.myspace//.com@myspace.myspace.com::/ ..." and so it went on and on and on until Bob and ZAP POW became confrontational with a scantily clad girly who claimed it to be herspace - MYSPACE - sang Bob and the one string, " no it's MYSPACE" retorted the girly ... and here she is, claiming the stage with her friends in Bob's space... ...again: this time singing along to "Fucking hate traffic wardens", or something like that.

ZAP POW at the Cider Festival

Bad Terrorists are back at Unit One for Monday night rehearsals. Knobhead has been using the rehearsal space and time to try out the 2 new guitars he has made this month. Barry has invested in a set of metal brushes - great sound Barry, Bruce has had the hole in the bull fiddle patched up and it sounded great with the spoons on Thursday evening. Bob, as well as breaking in the new built guitars and breaking strings on old guitars has taken one of last year's creations off the wall and out to gigs...

Yes, the star shaped one string ZAP POW guitar made from chip board from B&Q, (I know because I carried across town on the back of my bicycle). The one string guitar has a profound effect on Bob's performance: he gets inspired by the feisty little one string guitar to make up lyrics and music of the moment, Bob and ZAP POW get transported into frenzied lead solos using the pointy bits of the body to smash the foot pedals and create some grating classic feedback by waving the ZAP POW in front of the speaker, it looks like the guitar has a life of its own, like a wild puppy pulling at the leash it plays around and entices the guitarist to engage in its madness leaving Bruce and Barry behind Bob and ZAP POW are a crazy and unpredictable union. The power of the performance at the Railway Tavern Cider Festival at the weekend stirred some cider swilling fans to scramble up onto the stage to get closer to the action, luckily Wendy intervened with excellent crowd control skills and order was restored and the show went on, Bob being oblivious to the goings on as he belted out a song about drinking cider, it was intoxicating and infectious performance.

So, cheers to ZAP POW and I fear he may be taking it to the Gig in Wivenhoe this evening I wonder what Bob and ZAP POW will be making a racket about this time.

Loud and feisty at the Railway Tavern

Local artist Ben Quail captured the spirit of the gig at the Railway Tavern in Brightlingsea at the Weekend. Bruce on the left of the picture with slicked back hair and freshly trimmed beard used his latest purchase: a white pedal that makes an echoey, wah wah sound, Barry is centre of the picture holding a stick and looking very jolly, Bob on the left looking feisty and furious and completely unperturbed as the landlord leapt onto the stage to look for the source of the burning smell that was filling the room. OOPS, Ben's jacket, pictured over the sketch had caught fire!

Bob and Dylan

After standing in the corner in a contemplative state Bob retreated to the kitchen on his birthday bash and took comfort in the blamange, Vol au Vents and sponge cake while Dylan played his guitars and the band bashed out Dylan James' hit songs.

Then order was restored, the jamming continued until the wee small hours, Bob resumed his position with the band, the volume was turned up, including a resounding bass line from Bruce and energy was running high; playtime ended with grating distortion from Rob's Mandolin as he rammed it up against the speaker while Bob on rythm was hitting the speaker with his guitar, Mike was rocking on the sofa and beaming Barry bashing the drum kit in the corner of the living room while a collection of friends and groupies were by then horizontal by the fireside blissed out with the music.

Bruce goes Shopping

Bruce celebrated his now massive spending power by going shopping...

"That's not a Rickenbacker" Bob mused.

Bruce engaged with his new acquisition immediately, he stroked and caressed the woodwork before getting the feel of the enormous strings under his fingers; he soon began to pick at one of the long, chunky strings: it vibrated under his finger work with a deep rumbling sound. Before long he was plucking tunefully, eyes closed and rocking with his instrument, by this time Bob had joined in with rhythm guitar, "it feels like a dance partner..." OK Bruce, um... dinner's ready. Then Barry arrived and a drum line was added as the house filled up with supporters for the evening's Bad Terrorist gig at Bob's local.

Oddly,that was the last we heard of the Bull fiddle that evening: Bad Terrorists played with squeaky Mike and Rob the eagle at the Foresters and although the physical form of the double bass was much admired, sadly the sound was lacking, 'Turn it up Bruce" yes, we all agree, a stunning instrument, looks good with the beard, makes a great sound too and we'd all like to hear it.