Gigs

Book OUT NOW. Album OUT MONDAY!

Posted on Leave a Comment

Hello folks,

It’s been a busy week in Camp Gareth. Not that I have a camp. Although I am rather camp. As this weirdo goes on to explain. Anyway…I’m rambling.

My book, How NOT to be a rock star, is out now. I’m really proud to have it out there and available. It seems like a lifetime since the idea was planted, into my half cut brain, in a Glasgow bar.

You can order the book by clicking here. If you want a signed copy, just pop a request in the ‘notes’ section and I’ll try and get it sorted for you.

I know that appears arrogant saying ‘if you want a signed copy’, and I do feel a bit of a prat saying it, but there have been a few requests. And I’m nice.

As if that wasn’t enough to be going on with, my second album, A Brand New Battle, is available on Monday, through Eromenas Media.

The album is only available in CD format for now, with a digital release scheduled for late October.

I’ll have a full list of HMV stores and Independent Record Outlets that are stocking the album, across the UK, in the next day or two. I’m just waiting for a final list from the label.

There will also be a direct link for you to buy directly from Eromenas Media, if you can’t get to a record store, or live outside the UK.

We’re playing a release show on the Isle of Wight on October 24th, with a London launch, Manchester launch, and a Glasgow launch, yet to be confirmed for the end of October. As soon as I confirm the dates and venues, I’ll let you know.

I really hope you like the CD. It’s my best work to date, and I’m really happy with how it came out. It was recorded raw and with emotion. I hope that comes across.

Have a great weekend all. x

Bestival, Book, & Full Band Rehearsals…

Posted on Leave a Comment

Hello everyone,

Hope you all had a lovely weekend.

I’m feeling somewhat fragile myself. I fear I’m getting too old for Festivals! The Bestival just about finished me off.

Was great to see Stevie Wonder though. A frighteningly talented gentleman.

I performed myself. It was only one tune before my Dad gave a speech. It was all a bit of a set up with a girl, obviously a plant, climbing onto the stage and spouting nonsense. I hope she spends her 30 peices of silver wisely. I would recommend a less generic ‘punk’ haircut. 🙂

I enjoyed my performance though, and the crowd seemed to get on board.

 

My book was released on Friday, but for some reason, there was some glitch on the postage. Basically it works out the weight automatically, and it was working it out as £6.90. That’s extortionate I know. I’ve managed to sort it now and it’s gone down to £3 odd. That’s what it costs to send so there is no profit in the postage.

If you want to order the book, How NOT to be a Rock Star, click here.

Tonight I’m rehearsing for the first time with the full band. I’ve been doing the acoustic thing for a couple of years now, and can’t wait to get back to making a racket. It’s the reason I started playing. I can’t wait for that.

The album is out on MONDAY!!! Eeeeek! I really hope you like it!  It’s only available on CD. The downloads aren’t available until October. You can’t beat the real thing anyway!!! 🙂

Take care folks! x

 

Live @ Troon Festival…

Posted on Leave a Comment

Hello folks/folkettes.

I’ve been lucky enough, to be invited to perform, at this years Live @ Troon Festival.

The Festival, in Ayrshire, Scotland is in it’s third year. It’s growing and growing with so many wicked acts performing this year. I think I might actually be the only non Scottish act, which is pretty flattering.

Unless of course, they just want to kidnap an English guy as a sacrifice. Maybe I’m the hog roast?

I brought my England shirt. Just to stoke the fire.

If I don’t end up on a spit, with an apple in my mouth, I’ll be performing these two slots at the Festival.

Tonight (Friday 31st Aug) at Fullertons. I’m on at 9pm, supporting my good friend Jono.

Sunday (2nd September) I’m performing in the SuCasa Tent on Troon beach. I’m on at about 2pm.

If you’re about, come on down! x

Geeks Unleashed Interview, & Big Bike Bash…

Posted on Leave a Comment

Hello everyone,

Just a quick note to say an interview I did for Geeks Unleashed, is available here.

You can follow them on Twitter @unleashedgeeks.

This weekend I’m back down South playing The Big Bike Bash. Its a weekend festival is the New Forest, dedicated to mountain biking. I personally couldn’t give a monkeys about the bikes. I’m there to sing, drink, and be merry.

Check out Big Bike Bash for more details.

Hope you’re well. x

Signing on the dotted line…

Posted on 1 Comment

Hey everyone,

Hope you’re all good.

My contract arrives in the morning for the UK release of ‘A Brand New Battle’. I have to go through it and sign, but we’ve been talking for a while and I’m sure there will be no problems.

The label is called Eromenos Media and is based in Manchester. It’s only a UK release. This means in will only be available in record shops up and down the UK. Unfortunately all you guys outside the UK will still have to purchase CDs from the website. I’ll send a personalised message or something to make you feel special. 🙂

Or of course, you can download from itunes, amazon etc…

The album is earmarked for release on September 17th, with a London show to promote the release on September 21st.

It’s only at the planning stage as I haven’t signed yet. But like I said, I don’t foresee any issues.

I’ll then be off on tour throughout October. I’ll be mainly playing Universities before ending the UK tour with a massive show at Wembley Arena on October 27th.

As soon as the dates are confirmed, I’ll let you know.

I’m really excited about what we can create here. Eromenos are a small up and coming company, full of drive and passion. That’s exactly what I wanted. So many bands sign to major labels and then sit on the back burner while the label focuses on their ‘major’ acts.

Plus, to be honest, with my surname, I could write Rubber Soul and I wouldn’t get a look in. You may not know this but a music investment company in London offered me £100,000 to release my first album, It gets worse at night. That was on the table on the condition that I changed my surname. As you can see by the name of my website, that didn’t happen. One thing I’m not, is a sell out. I’d rather be poor and look my maker in the eyes thanks.

Another great thing about Eromenos is they are a media company and film makers aswell. We’re already talking to a director about the next singles video.

It’s more than likely going to be ‘What’s love without meaning’. But that’s open to suggestion.

When I sign, I’ll be sure to post a staged signing photo. You know the annoying pose that footballers pull when they’re signing for a new club. Yeah, one like that.

Have been writing loads in the last few days. All very melancholic. I’m thinking I might get into a studio and make an acoustic album before I start work on another album proper. If these songs were the follow up to ‘A brand new battle’, I think I’d alienate any new listeners I got!

It’s been a pretty hard year so far. So the songs reflect that. A lot of pain and anger in the lyrics. I like the songs though and don’t want to waste them. I think an acoustic album would be a good idea. I’ll just give them away or something. But not to people that are contemplating suicide. I’ll probably send you over the edge!

Have my first gig since I moved, on Sunday. Playing the Pitcher & Piano in Derby. It’s just me an a couple of mates, playing some acoustic sets each.

It’s completely free and kicks off at 6:30. If you can make it, come say hey.

Anyway, I best go. The swimming pool is calling my name.

Be safe. x

 

Album Release.

Posted on 1 Comment

Hey everyone,

Just got off the phone with the label and it looks like the release date for the album is September 17th.

It will be available for download and on CD at outlets across the UK. It’s just a UK CD release at the moment but you’ll be able to download Worldwide. I’m guessing you’ll be able to buy a hard copy from here or from the label at some point.

I’m just waiting for the documents to arrive so I can go through and sign on the dotted line. Only took me 12 years of being a musician to get noticed eh? 🙂

Sorry if I’m sounding a bit vague but until it’s all signed, sealed, delivered, I’m not divulging too much.

There will be a release party in London on Friday 21st September. I’ll let you know all the details as soon as I have them.

To celebrate being offered a contract, I’m going for a swim.

x

Live @ Troon Festival.

Posted on Leave a Comment

Hello Everyone,

I have been confirmed to perform at this years Live @ Troon Festival in Scotland.

The Festival takes place from the 31st August to September 2nd in Troon, Ayrshire.

I am not sure of my venue and slots yet, but will let you know asap.

Check out the festival at www.liveattroon.com.

x

Isle of Wight Festival…

Posted on Leave a Comment

Hey all,

I’m lucky enough to have been handed 3 slots at this years Isle of Wight Festival.

I’m playing the Zebra Bar at 18:00 on Thursday (21st June) evening, and 16:00 on Sunday (24th) afternoon.

Plus I’m playing the Life’s a Beach Stage at 16:30 on Friday (22nd).

Hopefully see you there.

x

Germany Treatment, Film Soundtracks & Isle of Wight Festival…

Posted on 1 Comment

Prost!

I don’t have a lot of internet availability in Germany, but I’ve managed to get some wifi for a few minutes.

I’m over in a town about an hour from Stuttgart getting treatment on my leg, and my spine.

Physically I’m a bit of a mess. When a woman that treats people that have been in wheelchairs for 30 years, looks at your spine, and says “Wow!”, you know you have issues.

I have/had vertebrae that were out of place and a spine as crooked as a politician. The ‘problem’ is, after years of playing through pain, and 5 surgeries, my pain threshold is through the roof. While that sounds like a positive thing, it isn’t.

Because I learnt to ignore the pain, I never did anything about is. Just got on with it. So 3 of my vertebrae, one rib and my sacrum have been completely in the wrong place for the best part of 25 years.

Yesterday I had all those vertebrae moved, and put back where they should be, while concious, and with no pain relief. If I had to describe the pain, it would be in BLOCK CAPITALS and contain quite a lot of swear words.

My back in agony, but my posture is correct and after another treatment today (that I’m dreading), I’ll be fixed and painfree for the first time in living memory.

Another thing, a bit random. When I woke this morning, I walked down to the hotel lobby to get tucked in to some food. I was quickly pointed towards the garden…where I saw this…

A leopard just pacing around the garden…

Just rolling about…

ANOTHER. NORMAL. DAY.

Yesterday, they played a film here in Germany. It was a film about the new technology they’ve been developing to regenerate spinal columns and muscle fibres.

The film features Windsurfing World Champions, Surfers, NBA Basketball players like Chicago Bulls Joakim Noah, and yours truly. Remember Who You Are was used as the main soundtrack of the film. Was pretty amazing to watch a film, in another Country, using your music. Very proud.

On the music front, I’ve been confirmed for this years Isle of Wight Festival. I’ll be playing on the Life’s A Beach stage again. As soon as I get the times, I’ll post them up.

I’m off to chill in the sun. The calm before the back breaking storm.

xxx

Bestival.

Posted on Leave a Comment

Oi.

I am playing this years Bestival as part of my Dads presentation. He’s speaking on the Friday afternoon, and I’ve been invited to get up and play a couple of tunes before and afterwards.

x