CLASSIC CATHOUSE CREEPERS

Two things your require when you attend a Cathouse Creepers gig, plenty of energy and hard wearing soles on your footwear. If the Stray Cats rumbled in Brighton, Cathouse Creepers cause an earthquake wherever they play. The energy-packed gig is a sight to behold, with your feet finding it impossible to keep still, the constant foot-tapping is in danger of wearing your shoes out. With all the classic 1950’s rockabilly hits and a who’s who of all the greats and their tracks, the gig rocks on and on at lightening pace. Their recent gig at the Duck and Drake, confirmed this is a band that gives you the chance to time-travel back to the rock era and classic three minute song after three minute song. If you want to be rocked and entertained until you drop, then catch the Cathouse Creepers.

THE DUCK ON TOUR - BUTE-IFUL

The Duck and Drake on Tour 2006 party, met at Leeds City bus/coach station at 7-45 on Friday morning to visit the wonderful Isle of Bute off the West Coast of Scotland. The twelve-strong party, consisting of a variety of ages, backgrounds and cultures, showed how the wonderful thing called music can unite people together. Traffic congestion around West Yorkshire brought a delayed start, but spirits (in more ways than one!) remained high throughout the journey, which saw us finally board our ferry at 6-30pm, a smooth, if bracing sailing of 35 minutes, followed by a five minute drive took us to our hotel. After dinner, the search began for some “Live” music. Eventually we found “The Argyle Arms” where the locals proved friendly and the owner Robin Patrick proved to be a very versatile and accomplished musician, playing keyboards, lead guitar, accordion and the bagpipes, in a set which lasted four hours, dancing took place in the true D & D tradition, with one of our group completing his Strictly Ballroom application form as he danced. Returning to our Hotel at 1-30, tired but anticipating an excellent weekend ahead. Saturday saw many of the group set out on various walks in the beautiful scenery, or relaxing on an island, where time seems to have ground to a standstill 30 years ago, one police officer looks after the graffiti-free, litter-free island where respect for people and possessions are all important. Saturday night and it was back to the “Argyle” and another four hour set, covering a varied and enjoyable range of music, this included a set from Dave of our party, playing his cittern, much to the delight of the locals. Sunday morning brought a guided (?) tour of the island, where we had to take the word of the guide, that landmarks or wildlife where there, but obscured, one passenger quipped “I’ve never seen so many unseen things!”, this all made for a jovial and light-hearted trip, before a walk around the deserted Rothesay, which transported us back to UK Sundays of our childhood, with no supermarkets or DIY stores to visit or endure. Our last evening was spent at the Black Bull hostelry and enabled our group to bond even further, as musical tales where exchanged. An early start and with fine weather again prevailing we arrived back in Leeds at 5-00pm Monday tea-time, weary but high after a wonderful four days of friendship, good humour and a few drinks along the way !!! Special thanks to Trudie for organising everything and making sure everyone had a good time, despite not being in 100% health herself.

“When friends meet, hearts warm”