12th June 1999 - Langholm Social Club, Scotland

A complete change to the last UK gig that we played. The club was a small and friendly place with an ampl sized stage. We divided the set into three, 2 x 45 minute and one x 30 minute (which of course turned into 3 x 45 minute sets!!) We all expected to be a little unconfortable playing the clubs again but this was not the case. We played our hearts out. Everything seemed to run with a fluid motion which is unusual. Non of us seemed to be trying too hard and as we "chilled out" we played better and better. Overall an excellent gig!

19th June 1999 - Fletchertown Social Club

A happy return to Fletchertown after our first gig there in January. Unfortunately things were against us and the club this time. There were not one but two weddings in the town today so most of the town were there and probably the biggest liniting factor was that the weather was appalling with torrential rain keeping everyone indoors. Did WIPEOUT let a poor turnout spoil our night? No, wejust played harder for those who did come. We split the night into 3 sets as per their request last time and we found that it went really well. The suggestion was to do it mor regularly for ourselves. BeeJay had his turn to break a guitar string, a first for him in this band, but his trusty Twaincaster came to the rescue. All in all a disappointing night for the band but we feel the 30 or so audience went home happy and thats what counts!

10th July 1999 - Longtown Social Club

A first time appearance at Longtown. A small stage off to one side was unusual but we managed to get a good sound balance pretty quickly. By 8pm we had completed our soundcheck so we settled down and waited for the punters to come....and we waited....and we waited...and we waited...by 10pm we were wondering if anyone was going to turn up and if we were going to be paid off!! but the staff didn't seem concerned. At last just after 10pm 3 people came in. We decided to start the set at 10:30 to our audience of 3. After opening with Move It we went into 20 flight rock and for the second time in 2 gigs BeeJay snapped a string. A quick change to Mikes Anniversary strat sorted that one out. All of a sudden, in the space of one song the place was packed!! 2 songs later and it's Roy Orbison's Oh Pretty Woman and in mid song the PA packs up totally!! So whilst BeeJay finishes the song off without the aid of any amplification Laurie sorted out the PA. With the first set finished we retired back to the dressing room where the club steward asks us if we can play on until 1PM, so we sort out a third set and prepare to go out. The place was packed with young women and so we quickly altered the volume of the set to suit, and we went down a storm!! We really were rocking! By the end of the night we were exhausted. This turned from one of our nightmares into one of our best gigs EVER. We were told once again that we were the best band to appear at the club for ages (this is getting embarrassing) and we are already trying to sort out our next booking.

17th July 1999 - Newcastleton British Legion Club

Yet again another new venue for us. A smashing little club out in Newcastleton and once again another visit North of the Border for WIPEOUT. We really are having a lot of fun going up into Scotland as the audiences do seem to make us especially welcome. So different from Longtown the previous week with a slightly older audience who appreciated our adapting the volume down a bit for them. A very small stage area made lighting placement difficult but we managed well and once again were complimented on our show and the authenticity of the music, really nice for us to hear.

Several people have asked us to describe how we organise setting up the band for a gig. I thought I'd describe an average night for WIPEOUT over the next couple of reviews. WIPEOUT normally like to arrive at a gig as early as possible. This lets us set up the bands equipment without any of the audience around to keep the night as professional looking as possible. First up goes the PA system this means that any cables going behind the band are already in place before any other kit comes in. Charlie then has the stage to himself to set up his drum kit without hinderance. Next come the Mics, stands and foldback monitors and the PA is set up for levels and feedback suppression. When the PA is set up the guitar amps and guitars are set up on stage. By this time we are ready to carry out our soundcheck. This is a noisy time which can sometimes upset onlookers as there is a distinct lack of people in the audience and people absorb sound at an alarming rate so the band sets up for a much greater volume than will be heard during the gig which allows headroom as the night goes on. When the soundcheck has been completed the lighting is set up, set lists are taped up and all cables neatened to give a striking visual appearance. All of this goes on before any audience have arrived which means that when they arrive they get a complete show from the moment they walk in until the moment we leave the stage at the end of the night.

23rd July 1999 - Trout Hotel - Cockermouth - Summer Ball

The big night of the summer for the Trout Hotel in Cockermouth, one of the Lake Districts most prestigious hotels, and a real pleasurable change from the club circuit for WIPEOUT. We didn't really know what to expect when we arrived but found that we were to play in a beautiful, silk lined marquee. We were to play DURING the main course of the meal. Now I don't know about you, but the thought of trying to play rock & roll music whilst dinner jacketed diners tucked into their main course without being overbearing (remember drums have no volume control and we have to play to the drummers level) made us worry somewhat! We needn't have bothered ourselves, we got a fabulous response from the audience and played a set tailored around the event...until the power failed, thats the problem with "outside" venues, restricted power supplies. It only took a minute or so for the staff to restore power and we decided to take our first break and supply some appropriate background music. After the meal WIPEOUT fired up with a full cabaret set (albeit with reduced stage lights to lighten the power load) and the audience responded immediately. We were playing to a great cross section of ages from 20 to 60 and everyone had a great time. A costume change for the third set and the night was over almost before it began. Just as we were winding up we were approached by one of the audience who asked if his friend could take over on the drums for the final number. George Orton is a drummer in another 60's band and had been so impressed with WIPEOUT that he was dying to have a go. Charlie agreed and so we finished off the night playing 'Move It' with a new drummer, well done George. This has got to be one of the most enjoyable gigs we have played to date and when Sue, the Manageress, suggested we come back again next year we just had to say yes! Many thanks to Sue and all her staff for making us so welcome and organising the night to perfection.

As mentioned in the last review (see Newcastleton above) many people have asked about an "average" gig for WIPEOUT. We normally play two 45 minute sets but as many of the venues we have played will testify we happily change this outline to suit the venue's needs. Our normal first set is a more cabaret style set which gives a show to those who want a show and the opportunity to dance for the dancers in the audience. The second set is a powerful entertainment session where everyone joins in on the fun. As you will see by WIPEOUT's set list, it isn't all high energy music, we bring the evening to an end with some beautiful songs for lovers before going out on a creschendo with our finale. But don't take my word for it, check out our future dates then come along and see us!!

7th August 1999 - Conservative Club - Penrith

A nice return visit to the Conservative club for us. This was one of the first venues that the band played at in October 1998 and so it was a great yardstick for us to see how we have progressed. We really enjoy playing at this club, it has great facillities and a superb atmosphere and so we seem to pull that bit extra out for them. This was the first outing for the new PA system which now uses JBL EON speakers, a great improvement on the previous TOA system, it was also the first outing for Charlies new Mapex additions to his drum kit, again a great improvement. This was the first time that we miked all the instruments up for a normal venue (we were all miked up for the Brampton Christmas event but not using our own PA gear) which added a new dimension to the sound. We only miked up to improve the spread of the sound rather than for more volume and this worked well It actually made it easier to keep everyone happy as those directly infront of the guitar amps were not deafened but those off axis could hear well. We keep getting told that people won't dance in the first set in clubs and we keep proving them wrong by getting them up and so it was again here with people up to several of the first set numbers. Once again we were assisted by Tim McVittie in his role as soundman, roadie & guitar tech. As I said this was one of the first venues that WIPEOUT played and the difference was very apparrent, the band have matured and become very tight in our sound and our stage presence. Our equipment has improved also with better PA, instruments and lighting to give a better show than ever before.

21st August 1999 - Queens Hotel - Lockerbie

A very special gig for us this one, it was Charlie's Daughrer's wedding and she had specifically asked the band to play for her so of course we said yes. Charlie, of course, had his work cut out during the day and playing made it even harder for him but he really enjoyed playing for the family. We did a single set of almost one and a half hours and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. At one point we were joined by Susan and Donna (Charlies Daughter & Daughter in law) for backing vocals on Mustang Sally and Donna stayed on stage to guest vocal on Rave On a song she does in her own act. The band send the very best wishes to Susan and Eddie in their life together.

28th August 1999 - Royal British Legion Club - Penrith

What a gig!! Another first visit for WIPEOUT and a super little club we found too! An absolutely miniscule stage gave us setting up problems but by 8 we were ready for the soundcheck. With that completed we sat down and waited and against what we had been told the place really filled out nicely. A 3 set night saw us playing to a good crowd in first two sets, and a fantastic crowd in the (much longer) 3rd set, the place was heaving. We had an amazing response from the crowd and the promise of several return bookings next year from the management. We had a great time and were told that this gig even beat our previous best...great!

29th August 1999 - Penrith Guitar Show

A very unusual event for WIPEOUT and payback time for the band to the Fender Club for their help in us getting off the ground. Trying to follow people such as Neville Marten and Eddie Allen who both play in the great Marty Wilde's band (and of course have both edited "Guitarist" magazine)is difficult enough but to do it infront of over 100 fellow guitarists is almost suicidal!! With only ten minutes for the previous band, Footapper, to clear the stage and us to set up AND soundcheck AND get changed, things were tight but we did it and put on a cracking show too. Now many people think that we talk bullshit but this was the first time that we have played in it, well nearly, we were playing in the middle of the auction ring on a custom made stage at Penriths auction mart and although I had doubts when I was first told about this, it was fantastic. The acoustics were surprisingly very good and the stepped steating went a full 270 degrees around the stage, the venue is now dubbed the "Albert Hall of Penrith". As there were so many acts on we only had time for a half hour set but brought the show to a rocking end which was really appreciated by the audience. Many thanks to Malcolm and all the organisers from the Fender Club and Guitar Weekends, and the very best wishes to the other acts who appeared and made us feel welcome, Neville Marten, Eddie Allen, Ken Nichol, Footapper, Martin Fletcher and Peter Kassell and many more.