The Duke, 5th June 2021

So where do we start? Let’s forget about the last gig-less 8 months and start at the present.   

As we all re-emerge from under our rocks and look for rock’n’roll, the more attentive of us ended up at The Duke on the 5th June, 2021 in Bratton. Bratton? Fools!! Hey, no one heard of Woodstock till ’69.  

Anyway, so to catch up with the last band in to, and the one of the first out of lockdown, the PB’s waved the live music flag to anyone interested and we are glad to report that quite a few were very interested and we are proud to feedback that the acorn of rock’n’roll is reborn and flourishing well. 

It’s a relative term, but PB music historians wont place this gig as their finest, but will comment there were moments which were sublime and some others that were absolute bollox, and it was these elements of light and shade that made it one of the more interesting. However, it will be more noted for when the PB’s tried to bend rock’n’roll time and start a gig at tea-time and not at 09:15. But in these uncertain times we must consider all options. But hey, it all ended very well indeed.  

All jokes aside, it was great to be out again, great to see an audience again and great for The Duke for hosting us.  So BIG THANKS to everyone who came out, supported, hosted and most importantly, for everyone for being an inquisitive human being who got off their arse to see what live music was up to. We salute you. 

As a sign off and for you audio / visual pleasure………..

Somerset Arms, Semington, 19th Sept 2020

So what are you going to do when the autumn equinox is a few days away and the sun is shining brightly for the last few days of summer? 

We’ll tell you what you going to do. 

Book in the Peaky Blinders to finish off a  day of revelry in a pub garden in Semington and leave the 2020 summer behind in a warm after glow. 

((Tables of 6, 2m apart x 20 ) + a variety of beverages + dance area) x Peaky Blinders = GOOD TIMES

After the usual PB fare, we felt we were in the groove, so we chanced a tribute to the legendary Toots. We started 54-46 together and ended 54-46 together, and in our song book that is a success. (The bassist from Bay City Rollers also died earlier in the month, but we deemed 70’s pop to be inappropriate). 

Anyway, we had a hot dang rockin' good night. 

It could very well be our last outing this year, who knows. If so, all take care of yourselves, MAHOOSIVE thanks for coming out to see us and making it all such good fun.

Love to all and see you soon as we are allowed out again.

The PB’s.

Bubbles Seen at Semington

As per the very recently announced  - "Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden has now confirmed that indoor performances with socially distanced audiences will in fact be allowed again from August 15 "

Therefore from the 15TH , not a day later,  The Peakies recommenced the good fight of taking live music to the masses, kicking off at what has become a regular slot at the very fine establishment of the Somerset Arms in Semington, which is not in Somerset. 

Quite literally blew off the cobwebs from the gear and gave it a go, based on the wobbly foundation of a random rehearsal a few weeks ago. 

Social bubbles floated around, appropriate distancing maintained at all times and hands washed between every slice of rock n roll. 

It wasn’t the most razor sharp of performances and it wont be the new normal, but a fine workout for all concerned. We did draft in our bass player stunt double Lisa in case Si had forgotten how to play the big cello, but after a pre-gig pep talk from Lisa he was able to deliver the goods. We are forever in her debt.

The Peaky’s only play fast songs. 

The Peaky’s only play dancing songs. 

Fast Songs + Dancing Songs  = A World of Trouble 

As the video clip shows two very fine dancers simply could not help but chew the fruit pastille that is the Peaky Blinder dancing music cannon. 

When these 2 very fine individuals entered the Prestbury Sports Bar last night they were in the top of health. 

However, 90 mins later it resulted in chronic dehydration and excessive wear and tear to the tibia and femur meaning that next time we play this fine establishment they will need to take turns in pushing their better halves around in wheel chairs. 

On a VERY MUCH more serious point, the only reason we play gigs is for people to do this very thing. PURE JOY and we salute you. 

And as band friend Sue always pops out her camera out here is a quick slice of Chuck Berry………..what’s not to like? 

And very finally, the very active man of the Warminster live scene, Charles Drought, took a few pics of ‘ahem’ very 5 handsome men which just need to be shared……

The Artisan, Frome - 20th Dec 2019

Firstly, when we get sent a video or two post gig we forward them onto our film editing contact Quentin T to edit. He usually edits outs all the mistakes and boring bits but with Friday night’s edit from Frome he told us “it would be a crime against rock n roll to remove one second of this musical gold treasure box” hence here it is for your visual and audial pleasure….. (BIG thanks to Sue for vids)

Secondly, it’s the end of year and a time to reflect as well as look forward. 

Looking back, we errrrr did what we do. We love what we do, its aint always pretty but we love it. BUT what makes it so much fun and so special, is the good number of great people in this beautiful country who get out, support live music, have a drink, have a sing-a-long and dance to what we do. WE THINK WE ARE ALL COLLECTIVELY A SUPERB BUNCH OF ROCK’N’ ROLL CITIZENS. 

Looking forward into 2020. We have a devised a great new game plan. More of the same. 

So until then , Merry Xmas and a Happy New Year to you all.

Much Love, The PB's

13th Dec 2019 - The White Swan

We haven’t done a pub gig in a while, so at short notice we popped up at our spiritual home of The White Swan in Trowbridge for a blast. 

Question, what’s better, a cup of tea or a Costa Frappuccino with a double shot of vanilla essence?

Or, cheese on toast and tommy K in the morning after the night before, or an oyster truffle served on a bed of kale? 

The point being, it’s the simple things, small but perfectly formed, that are best in life. 

So it aint the swankiest boozer in Wiltshire and it wasn’t the biggest crowd, but we wouldn’t of had it any other way. 

Any if you didn’t join us on Friday here is what you could have had…….. 

Big thanks to Donna who took the vids on her phone. Stood like rock in a stormy sea ignoring jumpin’ Tony throughout. BIG THANKS.

29th Nov - Jay and Holly's Engagement Party. The Constitutional. Chippenham.

Well that was quite a night in many ways. 

Firstly, some disappointing band news. When the drummer was recruited to the band a while back, he was informed he would be joining a band of MEN who could rock n roll old school style. And yep, they looked the part with their hats and tatts, so he joined. However, to say the drummer is devastated to find last night the band putting their gig shirts on the radiator to make them nice, warm and cuddly before going to the stage, as ‘its chilly in the room’, is a massive understatement. The drummer is now making enquiries if he can join Westlife as they are made of sterner stuff. 

Anyway, to business. We first met Jay and Holly in the summer at an outdoor gig on a sunny afternoon. What is now a favourite band story, at this summer gig, Jay who had been hard ‘on it’ all day, asked our bass player ‘if had ever seen the Peakies before’ only minutes after finishing our set. See blog…..https://peakyblindershome.com/home/blog/25th-may-somerset-arms-semington

Anyway, business cards were swapped, resulting in the honour of sharing the love at their engagement party in Chippenham. 

We love gigs like last night. Not a Scooby do of what was happening….. 

We thought we were Queen at the beginning of the show due to the excessive stage lighting....

At some point, we turned into a girl band (most of the band fitted right in. See paragraph 1.) ……. 

Who is this woman, what is she doing, was she invited? We have no idea.………… 

Auntie Jean (apologies if the name is wrong, but it was definitely an Auntie) had a drum lesson.....and so it went on like this throughout the evening. But all this beautiful chaos was brought to a fine conclusion with the Peaky 'Son of a Bitch' sing-a-long dance-a-long, closing anthem. 

Thanks Holly. Thanks Jay. Congratulations on this first celebration. You have our number for weddings, christenings, 18th’’s, 21st’s etc. 

Much love, The PB’s. 

P.s. – What nice staff and security at The Constitutional in Chippers. We are sure live music brings the best out of people. BIG THANKS.

Evening All 

First time out to Players in Westbury for the PB’s. 

Good news, they put us up on the dance floor and under more flashing lights than Blackpool could dream of. 

The bad news, we were on the dance floor so where did the dancing take place? We could not really tell due to the tsunami of neon. However, from what we understand the creative folk of Westbury found a space and danced totally uninhibited in the darkness totally butt naked (well, mostly true but I did I make up the last bit) 

Not really bad news, but certainly a hindrance, but our singing Steve is very sensitive to the change in seasons and since the clocks have changed has been all of a dither and the wet weather of late has brought on a tickly chest. Bless. His voice just about held out to the end but now convalesces with a Night Nurse (…..called Betty) 

So, we get a couple of weeks off before our next private party, but we might slip in a cheeky pub gig in a couple of weeks if all the rock’n’ roll stars align. Watch this space. 

Till the next time. 

Love PB’s.

Halloween Bash - Stand Up to Cancer - Melksham 26th Oct 2019 

Sometimes you could think that there is only bad news going around in the world, but you don’t have to look that hard to realise there is actually a lot more good stuff going on. People doing good things for all the rights reasons and for no personal advantage 

The Peakies met two such people last night. Let us introduce to you @Mikayla May Ayliffe and @Kayleigh Gullis. This dynamic duo has now set up a series of charity Stand Up to Cancer events over the past year or so, and it was our privilege to play their 2019 Halloween bash in Melksham last night. 

Not known to the band at the time of the booking, we have discovered a secret love for makeup and dressing up and we have already been asking around to see if we can star in a local Panto and offering discount rates if Steve can play a particularly busty Widow Twanky 

Anyway, back to business, after the drummer regained concentration and came back down to earth from dizzying heights following a raffle win of coasters and placemats, we did what we do. As per a blog of a couple of weeks ago, we have found when it’s a rockin’ a bit of Tina Turner always goes down very nicely, so never rehearsed, its almost free jazz improvisation…..its Proud Mary…… 

GREAT NIGHT. BUT most importantly of all, the collective efforts of all involved yesterday tallied a very impressive for Stand Up to Cancer…… 

SO 3 CHEERS FOR Mikayla and Kayleigh, Hip Hip Hurrah, Hip Hip Hurrah, Hip Hip Hurrah

21 Sept 2019 - SAUVE

I guess you could say last night was a typical gig when the Peakies were just taking care of business. A few old songs, a few new ones (well one, Nancy’s These Boots Are Made for Walking) and a few songs with mistakes in. It’s what we do. 

But gigs are never the same. 

We don’t know where these people come from, but a lady in a lovely pair of sparking heels joined us at the mics for Walking on Sunshine. A fella who we thought would absolutely bomb did a very fine job indeed of accompanying us through Suspicious Minds and despite losing to the All Blacks that day, a chap in a South Africa shirt did some fine dancing throughout with his partner. 

However, the highlight in many ways was that friend of friend ,Jackie, who has had a tough time of late and hasn’t been for a night out in quite a while, admitted  to being a big Tina Turner fan, leading to an impromptu Proud Mary. We all felt much the better for it.

Live music and live audiences at their best.  (And if you weren't with us last night, you can join the last chorus of the last song in a sing along to the vid below. The words are very easy to pick up)

We sincerely thank you all in making the effort on getting out and joining us in making the good times. 

Big Love. The PB’s.

13th Sept - Steeple Langford Beer & Cider (and Gin) Fest 

A bit self-indulgent, but when we strike it up and slip into gear and the sound is great on stage, it can raise a hair on the back of your neck whilst you play. At Steeple Langford we were 45 minutes in and still all our hairs were well on their ends. So were we knocking it out the park or was it was because it bloody freezing? Well it a bit of the first and a lot of the latter. 

As we are slaves to rock n roll we don't carry a fine selection of woollens from C&A in a range of autumnal colours in the band van. So what do you do? You play each song faster and louder so to generate heat. 

So whilst we cracked on with it , we're glad to report the groovin' people of Steeple Langford also clicked that by clapping and dancing self-preservation was assured. 

A fine night. BIG thanks for having us at your 20th festival. 

Im also sure when they closed the door of the stage area the lights went off. Mmmmmm,

EVENING,

We’ve mentioned this before, but our extensive Peaky Blinder research proves there is a deep and strong ley line of rock n roll goodness in Mother Earth surfacing in Semington running east towards Bradford on Avon. 

We tapped into the good times Saturday on the tea-time shift in the fine and welcoming Somerset Arms at Semington. Our 3rd trip out to the beautiful people of this fine village and filled their garden shed with the usual PB nonsense. It’s worth a mention that due to holidays and a lack of PB rehearsal time it wasn’t the most razor-sharp performance we’ve ever knocked out, but the dancing public of Semington are a forgiving bunch and will do their fine dancing throughout, pretending not to notice the occasional bum note, dropped beat or missed line. We salute you. 

We then got on the PB tour bus and did a road trip of 5 miles to Bradford on Avon for a Sunday outing at the Rising Sun. 

Due to space issues on stage, guitar shredding, harmonica tooting, melodious singing ‘2 Guns Begbie’ did most of the set in cubicle #1 of the Ladies. 

We also introduce to you a new member of the band. BIG BAD Peter Pillar. He has quite an on-stage presence and he’s a right bugger to get on the tour bus, but we love him all the same. Check him out in the video!!!!!! 

And finally, we met the thinking man’s Simon Cowell. 

The pop Svengali of Bradford on Avon. 

Blah blah blah…anyway he’s known to us and you as Rodney. 

Anyway, the wise man that he is, who probably doesn’t know a F sharp from a C major, but does know when the good times are a rollin’ took vids of the all locals dancing (not of the band) and digging the very fine night that we all had, so he can share their good times at a later date. We thought that was a very cool thing to do and captured the good vibes of a very fine evening at The Rising Sun. Well done ALL of us. Great great night. 

Next bank holiday Xmas eve. Hopefully see you before then.

As we were packing down last night a chap walked over and told us that we were….. 

Remarkably below average or remarkably stupendous? We’re opting for the latter.

Elvis. Presley or Costello? We do ‘em all. 

Man with an impressive belt buckle but more notable for his fine dancing on tables. More please.

Amstel was drank by bass and guitar#1. Low alcohol lager by driving guitar #2. Bitter then cider by drummer. Water and cider by singer. Guitar#1 moved onto Baileys post gig. His favourite colour is pink.

Rockin and a rollin’ is what we do. We chuck in all the mistakes on purpose otherwise we would be too good and would need to charge more. 

Known fact. No sentences about rock n roll start with the letter K. 

A good night had by all with all the usual dancing and singing. 

Brilliant bar staff who helped unload your car of gear as well as ensuring you never went thirsty all evening. Quite superb. Other pubs please follow this best practice.

Lisa added some glamour to the band. We need glamour. Simon get yer coat. 

End of the list I wish I never started.

See you all again in 2020. 

The Peaky Blinders

29th June Greyhound Better than Glasto. Official.

As per our FaceBook post earlier in the week……. 

What begins with G and is the place to be so to see some quality live music in the South West tonight??? 
Yep - The Greyhound. 
Dont watch some miserable Manc badly singing in a field down the road on TV. 
Watch a cheerful chap who can sing in a pub down the road live. 

And that is By Order of the peaky Blinders 

Well, don’t say we told you so, rumour has it we were at least as twice as cheerful and at least twice as good than Gallagher rehashing the 90’s at Pilton. 

We can also add the beer was cheaper, the toilet queues shorter and you got your own bed at nighttime. Its was a winner all round to be at The Greyhound last night. 

We are not going to wax lyrical about the fun times at The Greyhound last night, but just quote the King and say that all of us were........

“Taking Care of Business”. 

News update; Steve is now sponsored by the ultimate rock’n’roll cobbler themselves, Crocs, and will be wearing a variety of colours at our summer shows. Pop by and chat Crocs with Steve and Si anytime.

25th May - Somerset Arms, Semington

It was  our second time out at the fine Somerset Arms in Semington. We reckon it must lay along ancient ley-lines which generate doses of seriously good vibes. As is sometimes the case, their annual Cider Fest isn’t competing with Glasto, but its probably more fun and we’d play here and not on the Pyramid Stage if we were given the choice. 

Guitar Todd got in the mood and bought himself a very expensive guitar stand made of of hay and Steve now has a designated stool to accommodate his one tambourine. 

So usual Peaky Blinder nonsense done under the stars on a very fine early summer evening in Semington.  Lovely. It was. Lovely. Thanks to all who made it so much fun.   

Before we sign off; 

Who played bass for Oasis? 

Could you pick out Led Zep’s bass player in a line up? 

No. Of course not. That’s the lonely life of playing something with only 4 strings. Obscurity guaranteed. 

However, even with this already very low level of expectation, being asked post gig by a big geezer who was taking videos of the band just moments earlier “they’re good, have you ever seen them before” did surprise our bass player somewhat. 

He was a very needy clingy child who always cried when loosing sight of mummy. So this affront triggered a strong reaction and he has now burnt his bass and starts guitar lessons tomorrow first thing.

27th April - The Longs Arm, Steeple Ashton

When we were asked to play The Longs Arms,  Steeple Ashton,  Spring Fete 2019, we thought how wonderful. 

Such a pretty village with its 15th century church and its Tuscan style market cross, we were expecting a traditional affair, with a tombola and maybe a few rounds of bingo. Singer Steve had practiced his bingo calling, legs 11, meal for two 69 and all that. But how wrong we were. 

It was a truly wild affair, and I don’t mean leaving the crusts on the cucumber sandwiches or putting the milk in first when making a cup of tea. 

Get some very fine cider on board (in quantity) plug in, turn it up to 10 and crack on. We had a whole lot of fun. The PB style Green Day sound check ended up being the starting gun and we were off, rattling through what we do and ended up our closing anthem / singalong S.O.B. 

Generous amounts of dancing and singing along is the norm at a PB gig, but it is never ever assumed and always very very gratefully received and appreciated. It would be pointless without you. BIG love from the Peaky Blinders to the Longs Arms and the crowd for looking after us so well.

SUAVE 13th April – The Annual PB Caption Competition

We had a few bumps in the road to navigate along the way to rockabilly nirvana last night. 

BUT firstly – it’s the annual PB caption competition 

Answers on the ‘leave a comment’ link at the bottom of the web page. 

THE PRIZE – A drive in the Peaky Bus with the band (you will need to do the driving) around the Westbury ring road on a wet Tuesday in November. Unloading of band gear optional. 

So why the above? 

Moments prior to doing what we do, getting the singing and dancing underway in order to celebrate Shelley at Suave’s birthday, Steve was unwell and in quarantine. However, after strong medication and dubious other substances he left his sick bed to deliver a blinder. 

Unfortunately bass slappin’ Si got hold of the medication and without water nor food , and having the constitution of a weak school girl with asthma he lost his mind. 

But despite all this and a generous dose of feedback in set one, it was a great night. Maybe it was vol au vents delivered to the band mid set (we’re a very posh band). 

Happy birthday Shelley and thanks once again for Suave for looking after us so well. The Peaky Blinders.

BIG Trouble in the Space Time Continuum 

If you ever need to set your watch, or find yourself running late for a plane and need an accurate time source, you come to a Peaky Blinder show as at 09:15 GMT we start a rockin’. Not 09:14, not 09:16, 09:15. It has always been this way. 

That’s until you are in a showdown with a big corporate bad-boy conglomerate.   

As Weatherspoon’s sell very cheap beer, brewed by very young one armed orphans in Bangladesh, The Prestbury are using the magnetic pull of live music to drag people from these establishments and into a local live venue with a 9 o’ clock sharp fiesta of Saturday night happiness. 

So if you stayed in a Wetherspoons on diet of cheese and onion and Fosters looking at the sad flashing lights of a fruit machine, did you…… 

 - See the Peaky Blinder unveiling of a Costello classic done PB stylie?….NO! 

 - Witness a revamped Bruce number and a new Imelda May work, still in progress (i.e. we cocked it up)?....NO! 

 - 2 Guns’ new shoes?....NO! 

 - C C Rider done with such energy and pace it made the Duracell bunny look like it needed Viagra?......NO? 

 - 2 sets of such music goodness you had to join the dancing throng?......NO! 

 - See Todd avoid all the hard work packing down at the end of the night?.----NO! 

 - I could go on, but you get the idea 

So as the Peaky Blinders were entered onto the Wiltshire version of Sunset Boulevard, the Prestbury Sports Bar wall of fame, I strongly suggest get down to your local music venue for 09:00 so the natural order of things can be restored and we can start at 09:15. 

(Photos by the great @PhotosByPaul.photography with photos from last night to follow) 

At the third beep it will be 09:15 A-Wop-bop-a-loo-lop a-lop-bam-boo exactly 

A Touch of Class 

Last night was how you do it. 

ONE – Band fed and watered pre-gig , on a reduction of juice de tomato avec beans, a pomme-de-terre with its vetements on, a jus of piccalilli, onions in their thousands soaked in malt wine vinegar, some artisan blue cheese from Stilton served with some top fermented hops in water, decanted into a glass marked Carlsberg. 

TWO – The audience made a serious effort. Gents in black tie, looking like Bond in his autumn years and women looking like they walked off the set of ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’ 

And THREE – The band got a billing in the programme….’Music to dance to supplied by The Peaky Blinders Band, a rockabilly band with an extensive repertoire’ 

So with this mood of sophistication and refined high culture, we knocked out a belter set of dinner jazz, no tune less than 12 minutes, long bass solos and some scat singing from Steve 

DID WE HELL, WE PUSHED THE PEDAL TO THE METAL AND KNOCKED IT OUT THE PARK and all followed in dancing goodness and swinging happiness. This audience was so classy they even clapped in time. 

A top evening, thoroughly enjoyed by band and we reckon the audience too. A lady came up as we were leaving and said “thank you so much, the music was wonderful.” Nothing more to add yer honour.

WARNING - 18+ only. Look at Todd's eyes and his thigh ticklers too long you will have nightmares for at least a month. You have been warned. 18+ only.

New Year, BIG changes with the Peaky Blinders. 

Time stands still for no man. So as we kick off 2019 gig heaven we thought we would really shake things up. We threw everything at it this time. 

So we are very proud to announce……….. that Steve has bought a new pair of shoes.

Despite only a couple of full practices we thought we knocked it out the park, all due to Steve’s new shoes. They are sparkly and everything and we reckon they lifted the band performance at Jill's 50th in Westbury

There is an alternative theory that the one-man band that is, “Brian-2Guns-Begbie-you hum it and I’ll play it better-Hastie”, has come back to the PB’s after a year in the wilderness. We are not too sure where he has been, but he does have dirty knees, however he’s very welcome back to the PB family. 

So with Bri alongside Todd geetar goovin’ and singin’, Steve in his new shoes delivering his heaven sent vocals and Si and Andy making them all look good and doing all the hard work, we think we have something rather special for 2019. 

So please come along and check us out in 2019. We’d love to see you. 

BUT A FINAL HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO JILL.

And that is by order of the Peaky Blinders.