Reader…I’ve spent much of January in the studio tweaking and fiddling and messing around as you do, the rhythm section of the new record is more or less boxed off until next phase of studio editing [the Dave Draper weaves his magic sessions] the rest I’ve been sweating over, percussion half way there, backing vocals from the band again half way there with more to come. The usual internalised drama I have every time I make a record prevails over … Read More >>
Hello all friends & subscribers, excuse the REM reference, Michale Stipe isn’t keen on Shiny Happy People apparently, but I digress…here’s to a better fairer kinder new year, bring on 2019…
Political madness aside 2018 was the year of ‘Return of the Native’, the Worcestershire themed the album came out in June, picked some great reviews from the Daily Mirror to the Irish Times and across many of the online review sites including Whispering & Hollerin & R&R Magazine; … Read More >>
Rob Steadman and I head across the channel to Belfast ELMWOOD HALL, part of the University Halls, for a gig on Sat 8th December. I was last there supporting 4 Men and A Dog [I think they were called] back in 2004 when I worked as an Artist in Residence at the Cathedral Arts Festival. Its a beautiful hall as I recall. This will be our second show with Duke Special, last weeks was such a joy to … Read More >>
Meanwhile in Manchester’s Lever Street Studios Ollie Collins [bass] and Che Beresford [drums] have been laying down their parts for a new Parlour Flames album [although we’re not sure we’ll call ourselves that again this time around], we need to weigh up the pros n cons. I’ve written and recorded all the songs here in my own studio but we aim to go posh to finish it off in a more sonically swanky setting come the new year. Details will … Read More >>
Thrilled to announce I’ll be supporting the fabulously talented Duke Special in Dublin on Sat 1st December at Liberty Hall Theatre, ticket link HERE and at Elmwood Hall Belfast on Sat 8th Dec ticket link HERE. These will be duo shows with Rob Steadman [back in action after mat leave] on keys. It’ll be touch n go whether I’ll be fit enough to play guitar but either way we’ll adapt the gigs to suit. Its been a good … Read More >>
Later than anticipated heres a really well put together Review by Marin Raybould at Whisperin n Hollerin of ‘Return Of The Native’ – Label: ‘Shadrack & Duxbury – Genre: ‘Indie’ – Release Date: ‘Ist June 2018’- Catalogue No: ‘SADCD013’
Our Rating: 8/10
Vinny Peculiar’s quirky pseudonym is likely to give a false impression. Although clearly a square peg in a round hole, when it comes to fitting in with ‘ordinary’ life, there’s no studied eccentricity or attempted exaggeration of his … Read More >>
After mistaking a kerb for a road I managed to crash my bike on the Liverpool Waterfront on Sunday 28th Oct. The resulting broken arm has merited the cancellation of forthcoming gigs, a sling, painkillers and several restful weeks lined up by way of recuperation. Its painfully annoying but I suppose it could have been much worse. I blame the low sun, the glistening lights and the bizarre colouring of pavement and road both grey making it near impossible to … Read More >>
October & November gigs ….
Saturday 27th October we are over the water at Thornton Hough Village Hall, Wirral. Its been a long time since I played Wirral, looking forward to it having heard amazing things about the venue – tickets are just 5.00 and available here – Support comes from the wonderful Buffalo Riot
Wednesday 14th November I’m opening for Amy Rigby at Gullivers, Oldham Street, Manchester. Tickets here
Sat 17th November I play Davenham Theatre, Northwich Cheshire tickets … Read More >>
Here’s a nice new review from ROCK N REEL MAGAZINE of Return of the Native, nicely put together by Boff Whalley, July 2018. … Read More >>
Thrilled to get a highly commendable 4/5 star review in The Irish Times from the esteemed pen of Tony Clayton Lea. The album is available to buy/stream from Bandcamp or from this site
Album: Return of the Native
Artist: Vinny Peculiar
Label: Shadrack & Duxbury
Genre: Rock
Let’s hear it for the man who has the wisdom to name his record label after the fictional undertakers firm in Keith Waterhouse’s 1959 novel, Billy Liar. And join the dots, if you … Read More >>
