It's grim out there, so in the long standing tradition of The Barnet Eye we will start with a joke to cheer you up. Today's joke was told to me by Simon Le Bon, back stage at the Underground Club in Stockholm on November 8th 1981. I'd seen them two nights before at The Ritz club and one of the roadies invited my girlfriend and me backstage for a bee with the band after we got chatting at the Bar. Simon and I hit it off, both being North London boys. He gave us free merch and the band signed it all. He also put us on the guest list for the show at The Underground two nights later, where we again went backstage and had a right laugh.
Simon had lived in Hendon and we discussed the local pubs, he also confessed an addiction to TV cop shows. Like me, Simon loved The Sweeney. He then said "By the way, do you know why the Americans never made a version of Z cars, even though it was ground breaking and there was a lot of interest in the format from US channels". I replied "No?". Simon replied "Well you couldn't call a TV show Cop Car Zee could you".
It made me laugh. I've always had a soft spot for the band, even though they are not really what I normally listen to. Simon is a good bloke.
Anyway enough of that. I'll start with a date for your diary, the False Dots next gig
It is our drummer Gray "Rambo" Ramsey's birthday and it would be great to have as many people as possible down to show their love for Rambo.
The Dublin Castle is a really iconic London grassroots venue. It is worth a trip just to see the memorabilia on the walls, posters signed by Madness, Amy etc. Whenever you go, you are immersing yourself in London's Rock and Roll history. The Venue was recently the subject of a brilliant piece on BBC Radio. Listen to it here.
And on to the local gig round up. Follow the Barnet Music Facebook page for full details.
Friday 6th
Butchers Arms 9pm – 11.30pm Groove Rats (Rock/blues)
East Barnet RB Legion 8.30pm – £15 on door members £10 TB/DC (AC/DC Tribute night)
Queens Arms 8pm Karaoke
Saturday 7th
Edgware, The Three Wishes from 8pm (free) - 3d (Covers)
Butchers Arms 9pm – midnight New Colours Soul funk/disco (4 piece)
Ye Olde Monken Holt 9.30pm – 11.30pm James Or (Acoustic covers)
Toolans 9pm –11.30pm Dylan
Lord Kitchener 8.30 pm - late Karaoke with Johnno
The Arkley Club 8.30pm - £5 cash on door Dream Circle (Covers 60s – present)
Sunday 8th
Bohemia Finchley - From 7pm £12 - 52nd Street (Jazz quartet)
Kings Head 2pm – 4pm Nic Bennett
Ye Olde Monken Holt 7pm – 9pm Smokin Whiskers (Acoustic Covers)
Butchers 8.30 – 11.30pm Butchers Arms Jam Electric/Blues/Rock (Full backline available)
Toolans 8.30pm – 11pm Shane & Mervyn Owens
Bohemia3 Cellar Bar 7.30 -10.30 £10 Alex Webb and Tony Kofi
Monday 9th
Ye Olde Mitre Inn, High Street 8pm – 11pm (stables room) Barnet Acoustics Session
Edgware, The Three Wishes from 8pm (free) Jans Jam night
Tuesday 10th
Edgware, The Three Wishes from 8pm (free) - 3d (Covers)
The Builders Arms 8pm – 11pm Jamboree Jam Open Mic/Music Night (2nd Tuesday of month)
Wednesday 11th
Toolans 5pm – 8pm Two in Accord ft Mary O Rourke
Ye Olde Monken Holt 8.30 – 11pm Open Mic Night
Barrington 7.30pm – Johns Open Mic Night
Thursday 12th
Ye Olde Monken Holt 8.30 – 10.30pm Irish Session
Sebright Arms Barnet 7.30pm Open Mic
Maddens 8.30pm – 11pm Ronnie Gordon Legacy (ska, reggae, blue, soul, latin)
Friday 13th
Butchers Arms 9pm – midnight Dukes Of Öl (Covers)
Have a great weekend!
