Archive
6 August 2010
Old Tennis Shoes newspaper article discovered
Today we were sent an article from the Lancashire Evening Post from August 2007 about the Dog & Partridge in Preston, where Old Tennis Shoes used to be the resident house band in the 1970s.
To read the full article in the Lancashire Evening Post, click here, or to see a photo of the article, click here.
With a huge thank you to Kath for bringing it to our attention.
To read the full article in the Lancashire Evening Post, click here, or to see a photo of the article, click here.
With a huge thank you to Kath for bringing it to our attention.
9 April 2010
Uncovered: The Barradeel Tapes
Recorded in 1984 in Amsterdam. Guitar & Vocals: Kevin Chapman & Dave Deakin, Bass: Nik Walker, Drums: Louis Luz
With a big thank you to Dave Deaking for keeping the tape for over 26!!! years and converting it to CD.
With a big thank you to Dave Deaking for keeping the tape for over 26!!! years and converting it to CD.
November 2009
Old Tennis Shoes reunion tour
In November 2009 Old Tennis Shoes did a reunion tour of Wales in the original 1970s line-up with Kevin Chapman and Clayton Moss on guitar, Nik on bass and Callie Ramsay on drums. It had been over 25 years since the original line-up last played together. During a benefit concert for the Masquerade Theatre Group in Llanfyllin they were joined on stage by local MP and Masquerade patron Lembit Opik playing the mouth harp.
Click here to read what the press had to say and here to see the photos.
To read a review of one of the gigs please click here.
Click here to read what the press had to say and here to see the photos.
To read a review of one of the gigs please click here.
4 December 2009
A review of the reunion tour by our #1 fan
Die Hard Fans Pilgrimage to Wales
A pleasure and a privilege to watch this awesome band again after at least fifteen years absence from the rock scene in any guise, and almost thirty years since the original four first cut their musical teeth - way, way back in the unforgiving clubs of the North West UK and sometimes tougher clubs & bars of Europe. Last night won new fans for the band, and took die-hards like me full circle on an emotional rock & rollercoaster ride.
What I witnessed on this rainy, cold Sunday 29th November 2009 night was exactly the same inevitable & inexorable process that I (and every one who sees them ) go through every time this band play live. It was simply superb to watch Old Tennis Shoes work their magic one more time, just for old times sake. Hypnotizing then enthralling anyone who came within their deadly reach.
The unlikely venue, a rain soaked estate pub in Newtown Mid Wales, was a hard place to get to, and the locals were going to be a difficult audience to please. Some of them had even lined up two tables in front of the stage and sat with arms folded challenging the lads to entertain them. The friendly Welsh banter flowed strong from this hardcore local audience, the humour served cold along with the beer & whiskey, their tables placed in a sort of mock X-Factor judge's podium style. This was going to be a stormy night one way or the other....
It's Nine O'clock and time for the lads to show what they can do - Kevin introduces the band and launches into a trade mark slowly building guitar riff. One shoulder cocked high and face twisted into that classic Kevin style; the smack of Callie's drums and Nik's thumping bass count in Clayton's guitar chops and licks that seamlessly echo Kevin's stylish vocals and guitar. Old Tennis Shoes are back and 'Comin' on Strong' - powerfully, irresistibly rocking any intial indifference present into jaw dropping disblief. I am watching chuckling to myself thinking - well, you better believe it 'cos this is just the opener and there's way, way more to come! Nods and glances of approval and instant Welsh respect abound.
Suddenly it's Clayton front and centre, delivering another white hot guitar solo with a speed and accuracy that wrenched emotion from somewhere deep down in my soul. This is good shit and we all want more. The X-Factor atmosphere has evaporated into irrelevance now - and we are only halfway through the first set! The jury's not out anymore it's hanging onto the table for dear life! Song after song last night OTS delivered fantastic rock and roll, Kevin and the lads working the audience in their slick, inimitable OTS style. It was like they had never been away. Breathless, and reeling from the fiercest rocking we had all just taken, the midway break was almost a relief for both the Welsh 'judges' & long time fans alike.
During the recess of OTS court proceedings, we all rose again for the well respected Mr. Eddie Gartry and honourable Dangerous Dave - who were evidently well equipped to carry the burning torch kindled by our heroes. Let's face it OTS are going to be a tough act for anyone to follow. Eddy & Dangerous clearly had more than enough talent & experience to keep the room happy for the time required for a beer or three to be sunk.
It's time for the second set, Eddy calls the band up on stage and explains that Newtown is really lucky to witness this moment - somehow by this time everyone knows they know! The tables are kicked aside and judges, jurors and long time fans alike are dancing up and down the length of the bar. OTS have done it again just like they always do, and just like we knew they would. All too soon this time the set is finished and we go mental screaming for more, more, more of the juice we are all so badly addicted to. The boys oblige finishing up with 'Whiskey & Gin' (my favourite) then finally 'Highway 45' (demanded by Cass); Kevin dedicates both encore songs to...'Well you know who you are', knowing glances and smiles are exchanged. This is not Hell or High-water, this is Manna from Heaven. There is absolutely no doubt now - OTS always were and always will be the best of the best of rock bands.
Lawrie Stott
A pleasure and a privilege to watch this awesome band again after at least fifteen years absence from the rock scene in any guise, and almost thirty years since the original four first cut their musical teeth - way, way back in the unforgiving clubs of the North West UK and sometimes tougher clubs & bars of Europe. Last night won new fans for the band, and took die-hards like me full circle on an emotional rock & rollercoaster ride.
What I witnessed on this rainy, cold Sunday 29th November 2009 night was exactly the same inevitable & inexorable process that I (and every one who sees them ) go through every time this band play live. It was simply superb to watch Old Tennis Shoes work their magic one more time, just for old times sake. Hypnotizing then enthralling anyone who came within their deadly reach.
The unlikely venue, a rain soaked estate pub in Newtown Mid Wales, was a hard place to get to, and the locals were going to be a difficult audience to please. Some of them had even lined up two tables in front of the stage and sat with arms folded challenging the lads to entertain them. The friendly Welsh banter flowed strong from this hardcore local audience, the humour served cold along with the beer & whiskey, their tables placed in a sort of mock X-Factor judge's podium style. This was going to be a stormy night one way or the other....
It's Nine O'clock and time for the lads to show what they can do - Kevin introduces the band and launches into a trade mark slowly building guitar riff. One shoulder cocked high and face twisted into that classic Kevin style; the smack of Callie's drums and Nik's thumping bass count in Clayton's guitar chops and licks that seamlessly echo Kevin's stylish vocals and guitar. Old Tennis Shoes are back and 'Comin' on Strong' - powerfully, irresistibly rocking any intial indifference present into jaw dropping disblief. I am watching chuckling to myself thinking - well, you better believe it 'cos this is just the opener and there's way, way more to come! Nods and glances of approval and instant Welsh respect abound.
Suddenly it's Clayton front and centre, delivering another white hot guitar solo with a speed and accuracy that wrenched emotion from somewhere deep down in my soul. This is good shit and we all want more. The X-Factor atmosphere has evaporated into irrelevance now - and we are only halfway through the first set! The jury's not out anymore it's hanging onto the table for dear life! Song after song last night OTS delivered fantastic rock and roll, Kevin and the lads working the audience in their slick, inimitable OTS style. It was like they had never been away. Breathless, and reeling from the fiercest rocking we had all just taken, the midway break was almost a relief for both the Welsh 'judges' & long time fans alike.
During the recess of OTS court proceedings, we all rose again for the well respected Mr. Eddie Gartry and honourable Dangerous Dave - who were evidently well equipped to carry the burning torch kindled by our heroes. Let's face it OTS are going to be a tough act for anyone to follow. Eddy & Dangerous clearly had more than enough talent & experience to keep the room happy for the time required for a beer or three to be sunk.
It's time for the second set, Eddy calls the band up on stage and explains that Newtown is really lucky to witness this moment - somehow by this time everyone knows they know! The tables are kicked aside and judges, jurors and long time fans alike are dancing up and down the length of the bar. OTS have done it again just like they always do, and just like we knew they would. All too soon this time the set is finished and we go mental screaming for more, more, more of the juice we are all so badly addicted to. The boys oblige finishing up with 'Whiskey & Gin' (my favourite) then finally 'Highway 45' (demanded by Cass); Kevin dedicates both encore songs to...'Well you know who you are', knowing glances and smiles are exchanged. This is not Hell or High-water, this is Manna from Heaven. There is absolutely no doubt now - OTS always were and always will be the best of the best of rock bands.
Lawrie Stott
2 December 2009
Old Tennis Shoes Reunion Tour 2009
The Old Tennis Shoes Unplugged/Unhinged tour 2009
The Eagles did it, Deep Purple did it, even Bad Company did it, but we never thought Old Tennis Shoes would… But on the 27th of November the original 1970s line up consisting of Kevin Chapman, Nik Walker, Callie Ramsay and Clayton Moss, reformed to play a charity gig for the Masquerade drama group in Llanfyllin in Mid Wales. This memorable night was followed by 2 more fantastic gigs, making it into a legendary mini-tour.
We would like to say a very big thank you to everyone, staff and audience, at the Old New Inn in Llanfyllin, the Black Lion in Llanfair and the Flying Shuttle in Newtown for their warm welcome and enthusiastic response.
To Kath, Jill, Dennis, Lawrie and Cass for driving many, many miles to show their support.
To the gents of Blues State UK, Richie, LJ, Frank and Rob, Toby, Shaun, Geoff, Dangerous Dave, Andy, Bob Guy and Blah Blah for all their help.
To Jeni for a fantastic after-gig party cum birthday bash, to Mo for her well famous culinary skills and Treena and Vicki for their publicity talents.
BUT MOST OF ALL…a huge thank you to Mssrs. Gartry and Holden for making it all possible. It wouldn’t have happened without you guys.
The myth turned legend!
The Eagles did it, Deep Purple did it, even Bad Company did it, but we never thought Old Tennis Shoes would… But on the 27th of November the original 1970s line up consisting of Kevin Chapman, Nik Walker, Callie Ramsay and Clayton Moss, reformed to play a charity gig for the Masquerade drama group in Llanfyllin in Mid Wales. This memorable night was followed by 2 more fantastic gigs, making it into a legendary mini-tour.
We would like to say a very big thank you to everyone, staff and audience, at the Old New Inn in Llanfyllin, the Black Lion in Llanfair and the Flying Shuttle in Newtown for their warm welcome and enthusiastic response.
To Kath, Jill, Dennis, Lawrie and Cass for driving many, many miles to show their support.
To the gents of Blues State UK, Richie, LJ, Frank and Rob, Toby, Shaun, Geoff, Dangerous Dave, Andy, Bob Guy and Blah Blah for all their help.
To Jeni for a fantastic after-gig party cum birthday bash, to Mo for her well famous culinary skills and Treena and Vicki for their publicity talents.
BUT MOST OF ALL…a huge thank you to Mssrs. Gartry and Holden for making it all possible. It wouldn’t have happened without you guys.
The myth turned legend!