Album finished tomorrow…

Hey guys and gals,

I hope you had a lovely Christmas. Mine was blurry, but thems the rules in England.

I’m in the studio tomorrow to finish the album. I’m excited and nervous at the same time. I really hope you like it!

Next year will be a good one. I can feel it.

Have a great New Years Eve. Be safe. Make love not war.

x

Merry Christmas…

Hey all,

Just a quick message to wish you all a merry Christmas. Not a religious man, but I am a beer and food man. So have fun being merry and friendly with each other.

Check out gandtippers.com to see what this weeks show is all about. It’s a Christmas Special y’know.

Be safe everyone. xxx

8 tracks done, 4 to go…

Hey folks,

I went into the studio today and blasted out the vocals on another 3 tunes. I have now completed 8 tracks and only have 4 more vocals to do before the album is complete.

I know it seems like it has taken ages but all together so far, it’s only taken 14 days. I have had to spread it out due to costs but to nearly have an album done in two weeks, is pretty impressive in my book.

The financial situation that musicians have to face is incredible. Did you know that my first album, It gets worse at night, was released on iTunes on December 7th 2009? That is nearly 2 years to the day, and I have still not seen ONE PENNY of the sales revenue that album generated. Pretty mad eh?

So for that reason, this album has taken longer due to the distinct lack of funds at my disposal. I guess that’s why so many acts these days come from privileged backgrounds and attended private schools. They need Daddies money just to fund their careers.

But, despite what you may have read about my family in the papers recently, I come from a normal working class background and therefore, funding an album takes it’s time.

They may have the funds, but at least I have the soul.

Basically, I just went round the houses to say, ‘Sorry it’s taken two years to come up with a second album’. I just hope you think it was worth the wait!

I was using the working title ‘The Non-Delivery Boy’ for the record. Based on the fact that I have promised much in several different areas and failed to deliver in each. Did you know I was once voted by Bob Wilson (Arsenal & Scotland) as ‘The most promising goalkeeper in Britain’? There’s a fact for you!

But despite not quite making it in football, Ice Hockey and music, I am very proud of what I have achieved. Representing your Country is certainly not something to feel bad about. So for that reason, I have scrapped the title. It’s too negative. I want this album to be a positive thing. A rebirth after a couple of pretty horrible years personally.

Now I’m thinking the title ‘The long road to the middle’ is more fitting. Some people have bumpier rides than others, but fundamentally, we’re all going to the same place. We’re all equal.

x

Sunday Times.

Hey all,

Thought you might like this. For some reason we’re pictured in The Sunday Times Movember coverage.

I’m second from the right by the way.

Nice touch though! x

New Album, Alex Lloyd & Movember…

Hey folks,

I hope you are all splendidly well.

I have finished the tracks for my new album. On Monday, I start the vocals. Should be finished with them within the next 3 or 4 weeks. Then a quick mastering and it’s all finished.

I haven’t worked out a running order yet but the tracks I have laid down are…

Jenny, Satellites & Wires, Colours, Remember Who You Are, A Brand New Battle, What’s Love Without Meaning, Paint The Town Red, Beat Up, Growing Pains, Don’t Say It, Adrienne & Sleep With The Girl.

I don’t have an album title yet but I’ve been using the working title of ‘The Non-Delivery Boy’. It seems that in my late twenties I’ve realised that as a footballer, musician & ice hockey player, I promised much, but never quite delivered. So I guess the title is a tongue in cheek dig at myself.

I can’t wait for you to hear the record. It does sound great. Totally up another level from ‘It gets worse at night’. As long as I am getting better and not worse, I should be pleased right?

As soon as the record is done and released, I’ll be back out on tour across Europe and across the UK. I’ll keep you posted.

Tonight is Thursday night. That means one thing. The G & Tippers Show. On tonight’s festivities is the legend that is Alex Lloyd. Massive MASSIVE artist from Australia. He’ll be pitching his wits against yours truly in the G & Tippers quiz. I hope I won’t let my fellow English down!

Also, check out my Movember efforts. I think you’ll be quietly impressed.

x

This weeks tomfoolery…

Hello all.

First, can I apologise for the lack of G & Tippers.com action recently? Our servers have been having a few issues and we’ve been unable to get access to the site.

All back and running now though folks!

In the last few weeks we’ve been having multiple themes within the show. You listeners really are spoilt y’know. I hope you appreciate our dedication! 😉

This Thursday will be no different.

We have a bit of an Alex Lloyd special as the Australian legend is performing in London the following week. Hopefully we will be able to have a wee chat with the man himself as well as playing his genius tunes. If you didn’t hear the show in which we interviewed Alex, check out his official site and listen to some songs. They are special.

www.alexlloyd.com.

Because it’s been Remembrance Sunday this weekend, we wanted to have a feature that focused on memory. What are the weirdest memories you harbour from your youth?

It’s a weird thing memory. I can’t remember what I did last Friday, but I can remember EXACTLY where I was on September 1st 2001. Granted, England did smash Germany 5-1 that night. Not easily forgotten. But you get my point. What bizarre memories do you have?

Also, we want to know what your favourite cartoons are. It can be anything. Whether it be more adult based cartoons like The Simpsons or Family Guy or old school classics like Super Ted or Banana Man. Let us know.

And finally, we want your tales about the work place. What are the funniest, most tragic or generally odd things to happen while at work?

Tweet us at www.twitter.com/gandtippers or email us atgandtippers@vectisradio.com.

Tune in this Thursday at 7pm British time.

www.vectisradio.com.

Be safe.

G x

 

This Thursdays G & Tippers Theme & Fridays Show…

Hey there people!

Just a quick note to tell you about this weeks G and Tippers Show.

This week, we’re talking about make ups, and break ups. We want your magical stories of how you met the love of your life. Did your eyes meet across a crowded room? Did you nosh him off in a pub toilet and decide it tasted ‘alright’?

We want your tales of romance.

But, as in life, there is no good without evil. Therefore, we want your best break up stories as well.

Did you walk in to find him shagging his receptionist? Or did you find pictures of dog porn on his lap top?

Let us know! Tweet us at www.twitter.com/gandtippers or email us at gandtippers@vectisradio.com.

The show goes out on Thursday night on www.vectisradio.com. 7pm til 10pm UK time.

Tune in!

Also, me and Tim are playing a show on Friday night at LA Bowl in Ryde, Isle of Wight. We’re on from 9 til 11 and entry is free. Plus, the beer is cheap.

What more do you need? xxx

 

Damien Nettles Awareness Gig.

Hello everyone,

On Sunday there is an awareness show to coincide with the turning of 15 years since the disappearance of Damien Nettles.

Damien disappeared from Cowes, Isle of Wight in November 1996. To read about Damien and the ongoing search for him, click onto www.damiennettles.com.

The show is taking place at The Princess Royal in Newport, Isle of Wight, this Sunday. Me and Tim will be playing an acoustic set at around 4pm.

Entry is completely free. Any support would be greatly appreciated.

Peace. x

Movember.

Hey all.

Just a quick message to tell you all about Movember.

Basically from the first of November until the 1st of December, you grow a moustache in aid of male cancer charities.

The whole point I suppose is to look like a bit of a prat. I have no problem with that so I’m happy to have a hairy top lip.

Today is day one and here is my progress…

By the end of the month, it will be pretty special I think.

If you want to get involved, or donate, get your arse over to my personal Movember page http://mobro.co/garethicke.

I’ll keep you updated with daily images to let you know how the growth is progressing!

x

Germany.

Hello all,

Today is my first day of treatment in Germany. I’m here because (thanks to the NHS) I have ulcers on both my eyes.

Basically I had red eyes one day due to hayfever, they put me on a steroid called FML and my eyes went white again. Happy days! The only down fall is that FML is allowed to be taken for a MAXIMUM of 6 weeks because of the damaging side effects that it can cause.

Now guess how long I was prescribed it for? EIGHTEEN MONTHS. So needless to say, my eyes are fucked.

I’ve been in Germany since Monday evening and I get my first treatment today, another tomorrow and then home on Friday. Lets hope it does the trick!

I’m down near the French border, about 100km south of Frankfurt. It’s beautiful round here. Another reason to keep my eyesight!

I’ve basically been told to relax and chill out before I get treatment. I’ve found two very different ways of doing that.

Yesterday we went to a special salt water swimming pool. It’s pretty cold here and the pool goes outside. But the water is 36 degrees. It’s amazing.

Check out the image below…

Now, that makes sense right? Relaxing in a pool? Perfect.

So then I drove 75 kilometres to a place called Bretten and picked up a 1967 BMW 2000CS. As you do…

The difference between the one above and the one I picked up were pretty significant. I carried the doors, bonnet and windscreens and loaded them into the truck. Then pushed the car to the trailer before winding to pulley and dragging the car on to it.

Like I said…relaxing.

Got back after midnight, ate a full on Moroccan chicken dish, climbed into bed, go the hump that the cover was itching, stole my girlfriends ‘onsey’ and got into bed. She’s a lot smaller than me…obviously… So I woke with the biggest wedgie you could possibly imagine!

It’s ok though, I saw an Elephant today (In the Zoo).

Hope you’re all well. x