Ryan's Gig Guide

he said he "used to go and see a few bands at JBs in Dudley back in the day but who? I can't remember it was yonks ago. Used to frequent Redditch (Tracy's Night- club) and Brum most of all for bands. Bar- barellas was the place and it was a Stranglers gig that made us form the Cra- vats. Saw The Clash, Jam, XTC, Buzcocks and a host of others at Barbs. Used to drive up in my old Ford 'The Sweeney' Consul and wonder how we got home. Happy days." www.gumbootsforpenguins.com Supporting The Cravats in Stourbridge are their mates,Turning Black Like Lizards.We tried to get some salacious info about them from The Shend he wasn't having any of it... "There is no dirt on TBLL as they are purer than the driven snow." He went on to tell us that they are "breeders of doves, champions of world peace and saviours of endangered species. They famously set up the charity 'Gum- boots For Penguins' and raised over 1 mil- lion pounds although administration costs were high so only £9.43 reached the pen- guins." ...we say: what a highly commend- able endeavour. A NEW DAWN, A NEW DUSTBIN “ Releasing the new LP 'Dustbin of Sound' last Autumn changed lot of things for us. After 35 years a release seemed a wise move and it was welcomed with relish. A host of fine reviews, sales, radio plays and critical acclaim has been pouring like a river through our garden and guitarist,Vis- count Biscuits has fashioned a lovely pond that has attracted many insects of wonder- ment. If somebody had told me when I was 17 that I'd still be playing weird, angular, genre-defying music that confused people at my age, I'd have chortled loudly and bought more than one ice cream.” LEARN TO COUNT MORON “ We also (stupidly) asked if there were any plans for a 3rd album - "Dustbin of Sound was our third so we've already done it." ... oops, soz! "But yes, why stop doing what is enjoyable. I never have and never will. More is written and more will exist when we get round to it but we need to let DoS soak into the world's ears for a while yet." SAX AID? Finally, Shend issued a plea for help on the night "Svor Naan our sax behemoth lives in Worcester up the road and will be walking back after the gig no doubt so any passing motorists please give him a lift." By Fat BlokeWith No Tattoos  www.thecravats.com  www.facebook.com/TheCravats  @thecravats www.ryansgigguide.com rgg May 2018 7