Next Sunday at 2pm sees The False Dots annual Christmas party gig. This is a long tradition dating back five decades! At the behest of Tom the Trumpet, we have put together a very special Xmas song for our lovely fans. It has verses in Portuguese, Spanish and English! Maybe a unique thing. Our Xmas gigs are always a blast.
Some of the most important moments in my life happened. The list below is the year, the sequence number of Dots gigs and the venue
1980 - 1 - 13 December - The Harwood Hall, Mill Hill
Our first ever gig. Number one. We had all manner of things planned, but our singer never turned up. We had a blast and it was the moment I realised the False Dots will never die (while I'm alive). The Local paper came down to review it and we made enough money to go for a curry and have a beer after and to pay for Xmas presents for my friends and family!
1983 - 29 - 18th December, Barnet College
This was an amazing gig. Venessa Sagoe had joined on vocals and we really kicked ass. Barnet College really rocked that night. We'd just learned we had a gig in February at Dingwalls, which we knew was a massive opportunity. We had an amazing post gig party at the caretakers cottage at Bunns Lane Works. I'd never felt happier as everything seemed to be going right in my life. I had an amazing band, I'd just got a brilliant day job, I had a I girlfriend I loved and the future was rosy! What could possibly go wrong?
1985 - 44 - 22nd December, The Three Hammers Pub, Mill Hill
Our next Xmas gig was the night that changed my life! Who would believe such things happen in the Three Hammers Pub? It was the night I met Clare, who is now my wife and with whom I have three amazing kids. We played with Rob Taskers band, Soldier Bike. Their manager Eamonn Burns worked for John Henry, so borrowed a massive PA system, drapes and lights. The Hammers has not seen a night like it before or since. Allen Ashley was on vocals. we'd just got back from Belgium and were in high spirits. We went a Warehouse party in Shoreditch after. It was a very special night.
1988 - 46 - 28th December, The Midland Arms (now Claddagh Ring), Hendon
Our next gig was at the Midland Arms. We had ex Mods vocalist Neil Cox on vocals. Neil was obsessed with Mod music. The set was sprinkled with covers of Mod classics such as All or Nothing by The Small Faces. It was a good gig and we had a little party back at my house after. It was the first post gig Xmas party I had in my own house. We parties until 6am.
2002 - 52 - 20th December, The Three Hammers (Boz Boorer joined us on guitar)
There was a big hiatus in the band,but we got back together and decided to do a special party back at The Three Hammers. No wild parties, as we had a two year old baby! The gig was a real blast and the Highlight was Boz Boorer singing the Polecats hit Rockabilly guy with us.
2007 - 58 - 18th December, Mill Hill Music Complex Party
In 2007, we decided to do our Xmas party at The Mill Hill Music Complex in studio seven. As usually happens, it was a pretty good bash. I didn't realise it would be the last Xmas party with Paul Hircombe on bass. That story had a bad end, but we were on good form. As often happens at MHMC parties, there was a brilliant jam session after the band played.
2009 - 60 15th December, The Claddagh Ring, Hendon
This gig was organised by Barnet Unison for activists. It was our first with Ady Denton on bass. It was a good night, we played with an Irish band and then there was a DJ playing hardcore drum and bass.
2012 - 69 - 13 December, Friern Barnet Library (End of occupation party)
This was the night Graham Ramsay AKA Rambo and Allen Ashley rejoined the band. We were chronically under rehearsed, Graham handn't drummed for a while, but my best memory was my Downs Syndrome cousin Tessie dancing to Action Shock. We got a good reaction and it inspired us to get back gigging properly.
2014 - 71 - 20th December, Midland Hotel, Hendon
This was more a jam night than a full on gig, but it was a blast. The Midland was struggling and the then Landlord John was trying to make the pub a music venue and so we stepped in to support him. We did a fair number of gigs there. I think we played there more than anywhere else apart from The Dublin Castle in Camden. It was always fun.
2015 - 75 - 19th December, Chandos Arms, Colindale
We were very excited to learn that new landlords had taken over the Chandos Arms in Colindale and we proposed an Xmas party gig there. It was a blast, the pub was packed and it went well, helping to establish the Chandos as a music pub, winning pub of the year. We formed a very close alliance with Emily and Are at the pub and really helped them get music going at the pub.
2016 - 79 - 16th December, Midland Hotel, Hendon
We were back at the Midland Arms. We came up with the idea of the Barnet Eye Community Awards and we held the ceremony at the pub, then did a gig. It was a great night. For the next four years, until covid, it was a big fixture in the Barnet year. It was great to get people down and show our appreciation for their efforts for the community
2017 - 83 - 9th December, Chandos Arms
We were back at the Chandos Arms and back with the Barneteye awards. The Barnet Labour Party decided to hold their Xmas dinner at the pub on the same night. I dragged the Ex MP and GLA member Andrew Dismore up to present the awards. He doesn't like me but he joined in the fun. There are some great videos of it on the blog. Brilliant local band Drop Pink joined us.
2018 - 89 - 14th December, Mill Hill Rugby Club
We chose The Rugby club for the awards in 2018. For various reasons, this was perhaps the Xmas party gig I have least good memories of. The Rugby club agreed to host and promote it. They forgot and when we turned up, they were really embarrassed. To make matters worse, their own party was the night after. A few punters and friends turned up, but it was a grim night.
2019 - 93 - 13 December, Midland Hotel, Hendon
This was the night after Boris Johnson won the 2019 General Election. Most of my friends were in a dour mood. It was our last gig with Allen Ashley. Although we didn't realise that it was the end of an Era it felt like it. None of us knew that Covid was around the corner. In hindsight, it is clear that the False Dots had run out of steam and ideas. It was a good gig, we had fun, but we were stuck in a bit of a rut. The Community awards also was not quite what it had been. In hindsight, it was the perfect end of the decade, given what followed. There is a nice video on the blog.
2023 - 104 - 23rd December, The Dublin Castle, Camden Town (supporting The London Sewage Company)
By 2023, the Dots were back and kicking as a three piece. I was back on vocals after 40 years! In September, Tom Hammond joined on Trumpet. Initially it was to do a few songs. He is now a central part of the band. We were supporting Punk Legends The London Sewage Company. It was a real blast. It was perhaps the gig where I realised the new line up kicked ass. Even better, I had a drink after and watched a great band.
2024 - 119 - 13th December - Our big Xmas Gig at The Dublin Castle - Supporting Radical Dance Faction!
Last year, our gig was supporting the legendary Radical Dance Faction. They were brilliant. It was packed. One of the best things about being in the False Dots is we get to see such bands for free! All of my kids, their mates etc came down for the gig. We had a blast. The perfect preparation for Christmas!
We have prepared a special Tri Lingual treat in Portuguese, English and Spanish to celebrate Xmas.
We will also be premiering our new single, coming out in the Spring. We think you'll love it. It mashes up Punk, Ska, Hammer Horror and Benny Hill. Don't miss out!
And next Sunday we do it all again!
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