16-8-2019
2018 SEES JOHN TAKE A YEAR OF REFLECTION AND CONSOLIDATIONThis year I decided to pull back on all commitments to theatre as a committee member, junior harlequin teacher and participant in shows.
To take a breath, concentrate on family, health and relief teaching at Wairarapa College.
Also, a lot of work on the GHL houses like insulation, heating and ventilation re: the new compliant requirements. Plus a wee bathroom reno at Burns st.16-8-2019
BASSRICK LTD TO FULLY RENOVATE EXTERIOR OF THE GHL KURIPUNI HOUSEIn February this year John and team started work on the Kuripuni house exterior.
This included repairing weatherboards, chogging all gaps and No More Gapping everything, new roof, full exterior paint -half Merino, Grey Chalice, dark grey, oil based white on windows...
19 Days later, we are done...very nice.16-8-2019
SONG WRITING CONTINUESI am writing new material and have yet to record them.
I am taking a hiatus currently while my left broken arm heals ...due to an accident in the final days of finishing Burns St....time for rest and relaxing.16-8-2019
JOHN, STEPHEN, TARA PLAY TIN HUTT GIGThe Wednesday night once a month Grafia gig thing was happening and Dr Rob asked me to do a set...so the three of us rehearsed 5 songs and away we went, small crowd but a nice job, albeit a little sweaty from my point of view...lights and nerves.
Cry to me - A hard days night -gary moore song and a judas priest number, one after nine o nine...plus a jam on Valerie..with a miss cheetham singing...that was in April 201916-8-2019
MAY THE 8 START FULLY RENOVATING BURNS ST DANNIVERKEThis house got the works, both inside and out, new roof, carpet/Lino. paint and repairs, curtains, awnings and a pergola at the front, range hood,...9 weeks...me and the team but mostly me near the end.
16-8-2019
RELIEF TEACHING AT WAIRARAPA COLLEGEBack into it this year...year number 8 for me as a RT.
16-8-2019
BASSRICK LTD TO FULLY RENOVATE THE GHL KURIPUNI HOUSEIn February this year John and team started work on the Kuripuni house exterior.
This included epairing weatherboards16-8-2019
A SUCCESSFUL SEASON OF FOOT ROT FLATS AT MATS MASTERTON -JOHN ON BASS 16 -25 NOVEMBER 2017I was asked to play Bass for the wonderful show at MATS directed by the very capable Marilyn Bouziad. We had sold out houses for the season from 16 -25th November 2017.
The musical director was the awesomely talented Anna McBride who plays a mean piano, she can dance, and sings like an angel -all in one young lass.
This show was a lesson in reading the music score, the bass score and was far removed from my usual format of playing the song from memory. So concentration overload and following bars and repeats and turning score sheets whilst keeping up. I managed to follow the chord charts and had licence to improvise my part.
I have been uplifted and improved with technique...thank you FRF.16-8-2019
JOHN PLAYS A WISEMAN AND GUITAR AT ST PATS CHRISTMAS EVE 5PM MASS 2017Yes, a wise man was I, singing "we three kings of orient are" along with 2 others -plus I was on guitar duties with the band as well.
I was bringing the Frankinsense...16-8-2019
BOUNCERS SEASON COMES TO AN END ON SATURDAY NIGHT SEPTEMBER 25 2017I have just finished the show...and awesome play about the life and times of 4 BOUNCERS ..Ralph, Les, Judd and lucky Eric...We played a total of 20 characters between us...Frekin brilliant it was and well patronised to boot.
Directed by Margaret Jesson, the project was a 3 and half month indulgente of three rehearsals a week and a show run from Tuesday the 12h through to Sat the 25h with Monday the 18h off...now that is committment...but the results were spectacular producing a sick well paced show . Well done all and well done LimeLight Theatre and the Carterton Events Centre for puttin this on..
The Bouncers were...Nathan Roseman, Ethan Roseman, Greg Webb and John Mabey1-1-2018
BASSRICK LTD HAS TWO PROPERTIES UP FOR SALE -25 KENT CARTERTON, 68 GREY ST WOODVILLEA brand new rebuilt 1920's Villa has been moved from Woodville to 25 Kent St Carterton and then ---a 6 months journey of attention with work and toil every day to complete and present a high end three bedroom house and developed section for sale in the high three's.
There now remains the section for sale in Woodville in the low fortys...Fully serviced and developed....on trade me and Kent is with Jo.Kelly & Co.1-1-2018
WE PLAY A WCM LEGAL CHRISTMAS GIG IN GREYTOWN DEC 9 2017John and some friends play a well recieved gig at a swanky locale in Greytown and this sporns a new band to play into 2018.
John Mabey, Stephen Parkinson ans Jordan Tredway - a qick gathering of keen muso's formed to entertain the lawyers and office staff and partners for a night odf singalongs and dance music stemming from the depths of the 50's, 60's, and 70's with a strong bent towards authentic Beatles songs.26-9-2017
JOHN PLAYS GIG AT REGENT 58 CARTERTON AUGUST 2017A gig was organised by some of the patrons of Carterton's premier draft beer haunt The Regent 58 Bar. The gig was a Saturday night, Raging fire as the brazier, outside keeping the drinkers warm, Soulful singing going on under the dart board inside..The session and IPA's flowiníg freely.
The muso's that night included, Rachel and Jack - Ken and Jana- Dave Clarke aka... The Holy Loner and John Mabey... A night to remeber this one...Chants of let's do this again could be heard from the distant footpath as patrons staggered home and muso's floated away back to their lives....
26-9-2017
KIWI RAIL TRAIN HITS MY BASSRICK CAR ON THE KENT ST CROSSINGThe bloody KIWI RAIL warning lights and Bells were NOT WORKING at 10.42am on Tuesday Sept 5th as I was heading back to my section at 25 kent having come from the 24h rubbish dump trip... turning right into kent from Tavener St, So I had heaps of time (15 seconds) to look and see any hint od flashing red lights....as I have done many many times these in the past 4 months having worked on the 25 kent st project. Plus I live in RHodes St and have to cross that railway crossing as well...so let us just say I am FAMILIAR to the Nth degree with railway crossings and their danger.
So these light we NOT working..My assumption, as is the case with every other motorist, that - if the warning signos are not working then we asume there is no train coming approaching, .So I approached the crossing heading East with typical care and correct caution -, as well as slowing down as I have done many many time before because I am about to turn right into my section...2 houses down on the right from the crossing...At this crossing looking left , any train is obscured due to a huge Hedge and carshed b bloocking any view untill about the 15 metre mark from the lines...This was when I saw the train and braked hard, I had a trailer on as well...The train tooted, split second timing here, I braked and slid into the train which shared off the front of my car...???
So ....without work vehicle and alsmost killed....KIWI RAILS REACTION, ...cold haerted ambivalence.26-9-2017
25 KENT STREET CARTERTON PROJECT NEAR COMPLETION.I have spent almost 5 months (On piles May the 4th) developing this relocatable house from Woodville - sitting on the front section at 25 Kent St Ctn.. The 1920's Villa is looking amazing and has been fully and completey fully "done up".
New everything, i.e. Wireing, Insultaron -floor, walls ceiling, replaced studs, bearers, purlings where needed, gibed over sarking, new plumbing, new lo fire and heat transfer system, Gas hot water, clothes line and outdoor pared áreas, new bathroom, veranda, carport, new iron, paintred roof, landscaped, boundary fence, new Kitchen and light fittings and lights, fully painted interior and exterior, new concrete driveway and paths. new front vence..and a row of chrissillinias along west side for privacy, .this house is fundamentally brand new with a Character shell.
What a ride it has been...not to mention costly.
I am selling this beauty with the Mike Perau agents26-9-2017
HARLEYS LOUNGE PERFORMS THE 70's MUSICThe last Harleys lounge performance ...to date and ...so far for the Harlequin Theatre was a tribute to the 1970's music, this was held in May ...A selectivo few privileged people showed up to witness a wonderfull display of musicaliza and rendiciones of favourite and ....some obscuro 1970's music. .The musicians who attended were: Bob C G, Kate Marshall, Stephen Parker Paddy Addison, John Mabey, Tony Burgess (Levin) Keith Austin.Stefan Brown...One could say.... the elite of Wairarapa Nusicians!...one could say....perhaps a travelling band of merry men might be in order here....because the sounds were electric and tight.
Anymore Harleys Lounges...perhaps when I have the time ..26-9-2017
JUNIOR HARLEQUIN DRAMA CLASES COMES TO AN END. SEPT 2017My class of 10 students performed their end of term three production..."Robin Hood" on FRIDAY THE 15TH at 6pm. The kids arrived at 5.30pm to prepare - costumes and make up. Some Parents helped back stage -Jacqui and Robin, I was on Lights and Dave Clarke on Sound. The show was filmed by Mario, The play went very well considering the reduced rehearsal time available due to childfren being unable to attend.
A quick thankyou to all was had...A quick presentation and speech in the green room basically saying I am done...5 years is enough and I am off...to my opening night of BOUNCERS at the Carterton Event Centre to start at 8pm.
So too ta loo and pip pip ..
Thanks to Roan, Micah, Rebecca, Charlei, Grace, Kaitlyn, Ian, Ocean, Maia, Carol B, Logan and the ones that left during the course - Aimee, Megan, Pyper, Sam, Levi, Cruze,.
So the five shows have been.."The Bungling Burgalés" ... "Little Red Rocking Hood"..."The Perils of Princess Persillena"..."The story of Helen of Troy"... "Robin Hood"
As a trayendo Darama Teacher I will be pursuing my passion to write plays and short stories and also begin again to récord my music..14-3-2017
HARLEYS LOUNGE AT HARLEQUIN 1950'S HITS WEDNESDAY FEB 22The night went very well with a selective group of musicians that worked well together.
Set in the Harlequin Foyer, the lineup up consisted of: Keith austin, Stephen Parker, Bob Cooper-Grundy, Kate Marshal, Hartley Towersey, Paddi Addison, Dave Clarke and myself.
So, we had an appreciative audience who listened to cleverly arranged 1950's hit songs...Elvis, Bill Harleys, Skiffle, Johnny Cash, Hanks Williams, Cliff Richard's ... and many more.
Instruments aplenty - Paddington on drums, Kate on violin, flute and accordion and vocals, Dave on guitar and vocals, Keith on Grand piano, Stephen on guitar and vocals, Bob on guitar and vocals and John on guitar and bass and vocals.... some lovely sounds washing over our eyes that night....mmmmmmmmk, yes indeed.
14-3-2017
JUNIOR HARLEQUIN CLASSES FOR 2017 IN FULL SWING ON TUESDAYS AT HARLEQUINI am the junior harlequin drama teacher for the 4th year in a row this year. We have 15 very talented primary school students ranging from years 3 to year 8.
Classes are humming along with student forming performance teams to work on small plays.
Here they learn the art of performance, voice, movement, space and many of the drama elements and skills required for coherent and realistic acting performances with their scripts.
We learn the skills of remembering script,writing up character assessments, scene analysis and audience interaction.14-3-2017
COMEDY GROUP _ THE CRACKED ACTORS CONTINUE TO MEET ON WEDNESDAYS AT HARLEQUIN FOYERI am a part of this writing group which aims to create a comedy sketch / skit show to be performed in public - and I believe to help raise funds for the local community radio station- Arrow FM.
Our learned comedy coach is non other than Mike Wilson - the manager of Arrow FM.
We are but 8 strong and have varieties of talent and ideas that doth make one laugh at times....silly us we all say as our eyes drip with laughter.
14-3-2017
PLAYED BASS AT ST PATRICK'S SCHOOL MASS SUNDAY 12THAgain, I got to play in the St Pat's churchyard band or the SPCB with Brendon, John Murray, Chris C, Siobhan C,
As usual we rocked the concregation out of their pews and blew that room away....with high powered hymns.
God Bless the blues.
14-3-2017
SOUND FX FOR HARLEQUINS LATEST PRODUCTION ... BLIND EYE.THE current stage production at Harlequin .... Blind Eye by April Phillips requires a complex sounds effects platform to enhance the action on stage.
I was charged with creating this CD of effects and sound Foley and put it together here at my recording studio in Carterton ... Bassrick Studio 2.
The play which is currently in mid season and is going well.
7-11-2016
HARLEY'S LOUNGE ON WEDNESDAY 23RD NOVEMBER -A VAN MORRISON NIGHTHarlequin are holding the very popular Harleys Lounge on the 4th Wednesday night at Harlequin theatre. November the 23rd starting at 7pm $15 tickets.
Come along and see local musicians play their favorite Van Morrison song acoustically. Dr Rob will MC and Stefan Brown will be in charge of the musicians.
Van the Man laid down some memorable tunes ..brown eyed girl, gloria, stone me, crazy love to name just a few and of course . Moondance.
See you all there, I might be playing as well.7-11-2016
BUSY ORGANISNG AND WRITING HARLEQUINS DECEMBER PRODUCTION -A MURDER MYSTERY DINNERWe are producing a MM dinner this year -called "DEADLY GLITZ AND GLAM", linda Voice suggestion -9 characters and happy to have Greame Burnard as MC this years. We welcome Lorraine MacDonald back on stage.
The production dates are: Thursday 1st and Friday the 2nd of December starting at BAR open at 6.30pm to be seated by 7pm
Then the following Thursday the 8th and Friday the 9th - 4 show all up.
This one will be a goody -lots of fun.
It's about a glitzy Hollywood pre-awards party -who wants to win, who's willing to do anything to stop them...you get the picture.
Held in the Harlequin Foyer on Dixon St Masterton .. $45/ticket and 8 tables of 6. Includes a meal and fun and games for everyone. Tickets at the Shear Museum -cash only folks
See you there!7-11-2016
JOHN WRITES HIS SECOND PLAY IN DOUBLE QUICK TIME.I have finished my second play as at today -Monday the 7th of November. This was originally going to be part of the Doug Ten Broeke Sit Com series we were writing, But I took my idea and translated it into a script for theater.
The play wrote itself, I seemed to be in the zone as it flowed out onto the keyboard - and is called "THEATRE BOARDS".
Two act play and came together well. I hope to workshop this after I have work shopped "COFFEE" -my first play.
Each of these plays will be sent to Playmarket for review and the ADAMS playwrite competition.7-11-2016
JOHN AND HARTLEY TOWERSEY PLAY THE POST OFFICE HOTEL SATURDAY OCTOBER 15THI was asked to MC the Post Office Hotel Lyp Synch Battle competition by "Bourkey" the owner, I said Ok and thought to get Hartley to help out on Sax.
The Job entailed introductions - there were 8 contestants, and playing songs between the ccontestants perfromance,
We had to get the crowd going, and have a lot of fun at the same time
And yes...what a great night it was, Hartley and I shared the lead singing, a local - Stuart Sowry helped out on Bass. I used my studio TRUTH speakers and a mixing desk as PA, put guitar and vocals through - more than enough and clarity to burn. Bourkey closed the bar at 3am.6-10-2016
LOOKS LIKE A MURDER MYSTERY WILL BE THE HARLEQUIN CHRISTMASS PRODUCTIONDue to difficulties being faced in casting our next Christmass Production we will be running our very successful and popular Murder Mystery shows in December 2016.
Linda Voice and myself will begin writing these shows in October to be ready for Rehearsals in November - We will be seeking about 6 -8 actors for the cast who can perform improvisation and be quick witted and funny all at the same time..6-10-2016
HARLEQUIN COMMITTEE DUTIES DEMANDING.My role as promotions and news letter person I have been busy -the next news letter due out this month high lighting the next show, the program for 2017, the reviews and reflections of shows past and notes on what we need to survive at Harlequin Masterton.
6-10-2016
SHORT STORIES CONTINUE TO BE WRITTEN.I have been steadily writing my short stories as inspiration comes my way. To date , it is looking like I may have enough to compile a collection for publishing ... lets just see...
6-10-2016
"COFFEE" THE PLAY IS NOW COMPLETE.Well, it is finally finished to the point it is ready for workshopping.
I have just written in two more characters in ACT two as there was an unhealthy unevenness between ACT 1 and ACT 2 -Act one was 60 -70% of the play.
106 pages long.
So I fattened out Act 2 - with the arrival of two teachers enterinfg the Café and giving us an insight into the issues of being a teacher in 2016.
I mam happy with the characters, the dialogue and the structure and comedy the play breathes.
My next move is to work shop it with local actors - say, some 8 or so...this should happen in October sometime on a Saturday afternoon at Harlequin Theatre.6-10-2016
BASSRICK LTD PROPERTRY MANAGEMENT DIVISION EXPANDSBassRick Ltd Property management division -Prestige Property Management -has divested into managing rental property outside the Grabey Holdings portfolio.
I was asked by the owners of a house to manage their proety -a three bedroom Carterton Property.
The project was to Clean, tidy, refurbish and prepare their property for high end rental tenants.
The project was undertaken and begaun August 20th.
Work begun on August 20th 2016
Tenant secured Oct 4th 2016.
Yard & Gardens attended, Trees Trimmed, Inside prepped and painted, repaired, new carpet and curtains and lights - Outside - repaired and partly painted, water blasted
Long life smoke alarm installed -done.6-10-2016
JOHN DIRECTED AND PRODUCED THE JUNIOR HARLEQUIN THEATRE DRAMA CLASSES END OF TERM 3 PRODUCTIONWhilst learning lines, rehearsing for TOTS and relief teaching and property managing, I had to organise and manage THE rehearsal schedule the JHDC production -"The Hysterical History of the Trojan War".
The cast of 12 Students - Aimee, Ash, Roan, Aliesha, Caleb, Megan, Penny, Charlie, Rebecca, Sammy, Piper, Micah did a fantastic job and the play was a huge success.
Two nights we performed in front of parents and friends -Thursday 22nd at 7pm and Friday night 23rd at 7pm with a little rap party on Friday night.
Micah's dad -Dave Clark, provided the sound and SFX. He actually made the songs and SFX on his home studio with Logic Pro X and Midi -Carol Buck helped with stage managing.
Audience Numbers of 40 -50 each night - well done all, I am very proud of all the students and in particular, the fact that this production was very much student driven with characters and costumes all created by the students, the improv ideas on the night, the charm and timing and fun they all demonstrated during their performances - well done.6-10-2016
THE TAMING OF THE SHREW UNDER PRODUCTION SEPT 1 THROUGH TO SEPT 10The show has begun and the lines learnt - so many lines and not just "normal" lines either...a talented cast -Scot Neilson, Andrea Carmen, James Riley, Tim Clarke, Hal Morgan, Carol Buck, Mike Eckford, Jono, Linda and Grace Voice, Roan Mabey, Amberly Sutherland, Nik and Marilyn Bouzaid on stage as well as doing her directing duties.
A challenge for any theatre actor and worth the effort -the play grew and developed into a fine, worthy and classy production that was smooth, energetic, funny and true to Mr Shalespeare intentions - even though the play was set in 1950's Rural NZ with town names like Pongarora, Napier, Hastrings, Palmy, Tauranga.
We could have done with a few more punters but alas, this is the sign of the modern digital age and the way people choose to spend their entertainment dollar.
Well done to all and I, personally enjoyed immensely playing Petruchio - with beard and long black rubber boots.6-10-2016
JOHN RELIEF TEACHING AT M.I.S AS MUSIC TEACHERI have been doing the odd relief teaching job at MIS as the music teacher - enjoyable
6-10-2016
BASSRICK LTD PURCHASES PROPERTY IN WOODVILLEBassRick Ltd has purchased a three bedroom property in Woodville, tenanted and ready for renovations this summer.
6-10-2016
JOHN TO PLAY PETROCHIO IN TAMING OF THE SGREW AT HARLEQUIN THEATREI was given the role of Petrochio in TOTS with Marilyn Bouzaid, My first Shakespearean role. The cast is full of hugely talented actors. The play is to go on in te first week of September.
Will keep you informed.8-6-2016
CONTINUE TO PLAY BASS WITH BRENDON CONNOR AND FAMILYMy ongoing music relationship with Brendon, John Murray, Chris Connor and friends continues this Sunday at St Pats Church at the 10am Mass -Sunday 12th June. I love these times as the band is tight and we have been playing as a group for the past 4 years.
8-6-2016
TEACHING PRACTICUM AT KURANUII am currently doing my Practicum at Kuranui teaching Senior Drama and an AG/Hort Year 12 class.
Observing The Rock Quest bands at work - some talented musos here.
A 4 week practicum to satisfy my TERP requirement - I Finish up this Friday 10 June.8-6-2016
BAND JAM MONDAY 6 JUNEI headed out to Tara Deans house just outside of NMasterton at around noon to gather with some fellow like minded musicians to Jam.
Sam K on guitar, John M on Bass and vocals and Tara D on Drums - epic would be a word to describe the outcome. Sam had not played for some time, but his talent was no less diminished over time....Loud would be another word that fits the occasion, loud and groovy.
Looking forward to our next meeting, not to far in the near future,
Will keep you informed.
Also, if you are reading this and know of a huge rock singer who might like a place in the front...contact me .
31-10-2015
RECORDING AT NEIL MADDIFERS IN WELLINGTONRecording with Brendon Connor , Nick Madden to record the backing tracks of the new St Pats Xmas CD. in September.
31-10-2015
TPOPPOP A SUCCESS WITH 2 SHOWS AT 2 AND 5 PMGood houses and excellent performances by the cast, thank you guys...well done.
18-8-2015
JUNIOR HARLEQUIN REHEARSAL MOVING ALONG WONDERFULLYThe current rehearsals for TPOPPOP are going great, the students are having fun and the schedule is right on track for the performance night on September 19th at 2pm with the notion of having a second show at 5pm.
18-8-2015
CHUNUK BAIR FINISHES ON AUGUST 15 WITH HUGE APPLAUDES AND ACCOLADESA furious, engulfing nd challenging 2 and half months of rehearsals and show have concluded. The cast were terrific and the media cover all positive as were most...if not all...the punters comments.
The summary...powerful and emotional.
Words to die for...some nights were a little low as the schedule took it's toll on some of the players.
As one of the cast...MAC...and having done over 50 plays and musicals in my career as an actor/director ..this one was the most
demanding physically and mentally.
But happy to have been apart of such an epic production produced by LIMELIGHT THEATRE and directed by the capable and inventive director LYN BUSHALL.9-8-2015
ONCE ON CHUNUH BAIR OPENING NIGHT AT CARTERTON EVENTS CENTRE SATURDAY 8 AUGUST 2015It was 100 years ago that the battle of Chunuk Bair in Turkey at Gallipalli happened and Limelight Theatre have produced the classic Once on Chunuk Bair to commemorate this occasion.
A cast of 13 capable men actors do justice to this harrowing tale of gallantry and despair.
John Mabey (me) , as Mac is one of the 13...The show is on every day until August 15th
Tickets at Event Finder.
Comments from the almost full house last night...were that it was "a moving and well performed piece of theatre"..tears were not absent from many punters.
The NZ first MP Ron Mark was font and centre enjoying the performance...an ex millartaruy man himself...he could relate to the situation and life as a soldier in battle...the Heat, the Flies, The lice, the wrench...not pleasant at all...one could say9-8-2015
BAND REHEARSAL TUESDAY AUGUST 4 FOR ST PATS ALBUM RECORDINGMet with Brendon Connor and Mick Luden at Micks huge historic house for our first band rehearsal.
Brendon directed Mick and me through 8 songs as we prepare for the recording session at Neil Maddifer's studio in Wellington.
This project is to record the St Pats choir singing a number of tunes that we sing at monday morning singing time at the school.....a Beatles Medley, Lenard Cohens..Hullelujah..to name but a few...
15-7-2015
HARLEQUIN THEATRE DECKCHAIRS SEASON FINISHES WITH GREAT REVIEWSThe latest Harlequin show "Deckchairs" concludes on Thursday July the 9th to great reviews and average attendance. The performers did a fantastic job of creating believable characters and real plot lines. Enjoyable to watch.
15-7-2015
LIMELIGHTS ONCE ON CHUNIK BAIR REHEARSALS PROGRESSING WELL.With 3 and half weeks to go , rehearsals for the next Limelight production..."Once on Chunik Bair" are going well. The set is finished, the lines learnt, the moves coming together, the characters well established and it is now the fine tuning and pace to tidy up.
A moving and fast paced re-enactment of the Fernleaves fighting to hold Chunik Bair in WW2 on AUGUST the 8th 1915.
Authentic costumes, rifles, and dialogue....a great play to be apart of...
Will keep you posted...look out for advertising in the local paper.1-7-2015
VOICE OVER WORK FOR STUDIO 2The studio 2 platform is being used for voice over work, sound effects and backing tracks this year so far..
Recording to begin again on third album in the holidays...Yes/No/Maybe...a working title...
John playing most instruments...with a little help from some friends...
11 tunes all from the pen of John Mabey..
Will keep you informed....1-7-2015
WRITING OF DOUG TEN BROEKE SIT COM UNDER WAYJohn is a co-writer with Doug on this exciting project where we are writing a season of sit com episodes based around a key character,
Joint collaboration and writing meetings underway...
Will keep you informed as we go...1-7-2015
THE OPENING OF HARLEQUINS WINTER PRODUCTION THIS THURSDAY JUNE 2 -DECKCHAIRSThe three one act plays involving two women in each acting out three different sceanios with hilarious conclusions
Door sales available and they start at 8pm..
I will be on lights and sound and the show looks to be a classic season..1-7-2015
ONCE ON CHUNIK BAIR AT BOOKS DOWN STAGEA lines rehearsal held last night to run through ACT 2 on the WW1 play Once on Chunik Bair directed by Lyn Bushel produced by Limelight Theatre here in Carterton
...The play is developing well and is stacking up to be a pearla..
25-6-2015
REHEARSALS IN FULL SWING FOR LIMELIGHT THEATRES NEXT SHOW...CHUNIK BAIR...SEASON DATES AUGUST 2015The cast of 13 men are in full swing rehearsing the play under the direction of Lynn Bushell. We are currently in a cold shed located past the paua shell buildings and gather Tues/Thursday/Sunday at 7pm
A talented bunch of fellows and a geat story of WW1 set on a hill of wool bales.
I/John MAbey play Mac...a tough rugby sort.
Will keep you informed as we go...Act 1 is all set and lines learnt...Act under construction..25-6-2015
JUNIOR HARLEQUIN DECIDE ON MAJOR PRODUCTION FOR 2015...THE PERILS OF PRINCESS PERCILENA OF POMEGRANATEJohn Mabey, Drama teacher of Junior Drama classes at Harlequin Theatre conducted auditions in early May with his 12 students and after much deliberation with assistant Carol Buck...the cast list was finalised.
The production date for this show will be at the end of term 3...September the 19th...
More to follow as progress along....
pRODUCTION DATE SET AT September25-6-2015
HAD A BAND GET TOGETHER AT HARLEQUINS GREEN ROOM ON SATURDAY JUNE 20 AT 1PM -5 MUSICIANS.A first get together was held at the green room to see how we all 'related' as a potential band. An eclectic gathering one might say - a brilliant caberet styled keyboard player who sang Carol King beautifully. A drum tutor and house music enthusiast, a song writer/singer/rocker and power vocalist, a mellow quiet bass player of Fender Jazz fame and a Blues/RnB guitarist singer...
We jammed and played and tried various arrangements of standards for a couple of hours....then left thanking each other for their time pondering the idea 'can we work as tight rhythmic unit playing enjoyable and well presented music to be proud of....
It was nice to play again in a band setting..25-6-2015
JOHN AS SOUND AND LIGHTING ENGINEER FOR HARLEQUIN PLAYtHE NEXT PLAY PERFORMANCE AT hARLEQUIN THEATRE WILL be THE 3 ONE ACT PLAY SERIES CALLED DECCHAIRS.
THIS WILL BE DIRECTED BY Diana Boulton and stars 6 experienced actors.
Cruise Missile with Maria Hinton and Rita Ann Cashmaille
Reunion with Janet Osborne and Carol Buck
Cupboard Love with Cathy Mabey and Yvonne Way.
The simple set of two chairs and a table.
DATES: July 2 - July11, Tickets at iTickets and look for advertising in the papers.
7-6-2015
MURDER MYSTERY HAPPENING IN JUNE...THIS YEAR 18, 19 JUNE AT HARLEQUINThis years Murder Mystery Dinner is all about Real Estate...called Real Estate Reality..
7-6-2015
2015 A YEAR OF DRAMA THEATREOh What A Lovely War, the first show at Harlequin Theatre for 2015...Directed by Marilyn Bouzaid and featuring a cast of thousands...well, perhaps 20 is more realistic....but we are representing thousands of soldiers who died...
I am writing this on this day Sunday the 7th of June, quite a lovely sunny winters day here in Carterton.
The play was a great success , making a nice profit and having an average of 60% attendance...An awakening history lesson as well for most of us in the cast about the machinations of WW1....not very pretty let's just say...
23-9-2014
JOHN RELIEF TEACHING AT WAICOLI have been relief teaching at Waicol pretty much every week for the whole year so far, Very intense and very enjoyable.
A lot of PE teaching and English and Maths with some Tech thrown in but mostly PE
Go Waicol!23-9-2014
REHEARSALS HAVE STARTED FOR TREASURE ISLAND -THE PANTOMINE AT HARLEQUIN THEATREJohn is musical director for this show involving pirates and such like
He will be playing the guitar on stage and being one of the characters..albeit a small role..
Some of the tunes will be "Lilly The Pink"..."Wild Rover"...."We'll be watching you"...."Money Money Money"....Girls just wanna have fun"...."Sailing".... and a whole bunch more.
Rollicking good fun and full of Panto type one liners and fun stuff
Due on stage early December 2014.23-9-2014
JUNIOR HARLEQUIN 2014 PRODUCTION A HUGE SUCCESS LITTLE RED ROCKING HOODThe 2014 production for Harlequin Theatre Junior Drama classes - namely - "Little Red Rocking Hood" - original script written by
Jeffrey Leask and adapted and directed by John Mabey - the Junior Harlequin Drama Teacher here in Masterton -was successfully performed on Saturday 20th September at 4pm to a FULL HOUSE.
All the cast of 12 students and CArol Buck, had a fantastic time and the programme for the day was well received by all that attended -mostly family and friends.
The first half was the show LRRH, followed by a 10 minutes intermission then we had the students perform 4 short plays of 2 players - Finders Keepers. 4 players - Medicine for sick boys. 5 players -The Bank Job. and for 3 players -Planet Earth.
The cast for Little Red Rocking Hood was:
Timothy Osbourne
Roan Mabey
Caitlin Galbraith
Angel Eades
Alice Nicholls
Caleb Murdoch
David Chapman
Micah Clark
Kaitlyn Dawson
Megan McCaffrey
Ursula Faulkner
Logan Tubman-Wallis
Carol Buck...stage manager as well
John Mabey....director/sound
Camrin Williams....lights
Thanks everyone who helped out...awesome23-9-2014
STUDIO 2 HAS NEW DRUM KIT -MAPEX MERIDIAN MAPLETo improve the drum sound and to allow for some double kick action, we bought this new kit from The Rock Shop Palmerston North in the last 6 months.
My son -Roan, who is a talented drummer is getting drums lessons from the equally talented dimension that is Jordan Tredway.
Just on Jordon, that session drumming idea I had has somewhat changed as it was pointed out to me that I am a drummer and so I will lay down the rhytnm tracks on these songs.
29-6-2014
HARLEQUIN MURDER MYSTERY FOR 2014 IS ON JULY 9 10 11 AND 18This years annual MM theme dinner will be "Meet The Candidates" as we are heading into an election year here in good ole NZ.
The structure, the programme, the characters and the activities have all been created and refined so it remains for the cast to run through the 'scenes' and improv and nut out some dialogue with motivations and reasons to kill each other....so to speak.
The cast for 2014 MM are:
Pat McKenna, Mike Eckfort, John Mabey, Lynda, Phil Wisconski, Marilynn Bouzaid, Cathy Mabey.
We have 3 candidates giving speeches, a prying Journo and an annoying lobbyist, a jealous scheming wife of one of the candidates and a 'big money' man who is pulling the strings.
Come along and work out 'WHODUUNIT'
You can acquire your tickets
from dash tickets online.
29-6-2014
FULL TIME RELIEVING AT WAIRARAPA COLLEGE 2014As things have panned out I am relieving quite a bit at Wairarapa College this year and one of the joys of doing this is that I get to spend time in the drama and music department.
The talent at this school is just mind blowing and on occasions I get to jam with the students and teach them a little as well.
The school just had their yearly variety concerts this past Thursday and Friday in the hall.
Spectacular and uplifting are two words that come close to describing how I saw and heard it.
Congratulations WaiCol and the music department.
26-6-2014
BASSRICK STUDIO 2 NOW HAS I MAC AND LOGIC PRO X AS ITS RECORDING PLATFORMDue to an increase in miking demand (especially on the drums) and recording time, the studio has upgraded to the Aplle I Mac and Logic Pro x.
I have been waiting for this upgrade for some time -vis a vis the lack of activity in the studio and hence my posts...so now that we are up and running -faster - I will now concentrate on finishing the 3rd album in my collection of home made (literally) songs that I did write.7-8-2013
JUNIOR HARLEQUIN PRODUCED THE PLAY WITH SONGS 'THE BUNGLING BURGLARS'As the drama teacher I had to put on a junior harlequin show as part of my contract and also as part of the learning process for the kids. So rehearsals began, line learnt, action and characters developed and BAM...the show went on 20th July to a full house...then 21,24,25,26th performances...The kids did very well, a great review and some very excited children...well done and now back into Tuesday and Wednesday lessons till the end of the year.
Lots of improv, play development, theatre sports and games.7-8-2013
PLAYING BASS AT THE ST PATRICKSAlong with Brendon & Chris Connor and John Murray I will be playing some tunes with the kids for the benefit of the Grand Parents of the children who go to the school.
The choir are in excellent form and there will be skits and various other things happening as well...the rock n roll life never ends :)7-8-2013
PROPERTY MANAGEMENT DUTIES CREEPING UP TO A BUSY TIMEBeen doing maintenance work on the houses lately with the good help of Hartley Townsley and my brother Gary...and in the next 3 weeks a major reno job will need to be done in Pahiatua.
Dealing with tenants in the tenancy tribunal as well...all fun and games in the life of a property investor.7-8-2013
WORKING WITH MY STUDENTS ON ASSESSMENTS AT TATCBusy marking and tutoring the students in my 2013 class at TATC
7-8-2013
RELIEF TEACHING TOP OF THE BILL FOR TERM 3Back into a busy time of relief teaching this term at Chanel and Makoura so far.
7-8-2013
ROAN TO PLAY HIS FIRST GIG THIS SATURDAY THE 10TH OF AUGUST IN CARTERTONRoan, my 9 year old son who has taken to drumming like Kieth Moon to drugs, is to play in a make shift band for the 40th birthday party of Mike Roe Penny this Saturday. The gig is at the Carterton Fire Station (Mike being a volunteer type fireman).
The Band will consist of Mike on guitar, John M on bass, Roan m on drums and Father Kevin on keys. Nothing like being thrown in the deep end for your first gig eh! He's been practicing daily and now has a double kick peddle and his idol at the moment is Thomas Lang and Dave Weckel.7-8-2013
JORDAN TREDYWAY TO PLAY DRUMS ON THREE SONGS AT BASSRICK STUDIO 2I have asked Jorden T...my 9 year old's drum tutor to play and record the drums here at the studio on 3 songs. Jorden is a mean as drummer and knows how to hit the skins...so to speak, so as he was coming in to play on the new song "take me to your heart" he suggested why not a few more while the kit is all set up...so I gave the demos of my versions of "909" and "Angels".
We are looking at later in the month for this to happen...looking forward muchly.7-8-2013
AUDIOJUICE PLAYED AT SHERI WALES 50TH ON JUNE 29 2013We were asked to perform at this occasion by the lovely Sheri and so I had to get the band together...Viki was out of down so I happened to come across the very talented 'LEAH'...a bluesy type girl who makes a damn fine coffee at the Village Grinder in Kuripuni.
Hans, Darren, Rob Ten Broeke , myself and Leah got together on the night and rocked out a 2 set gig. Rob hadn't played with Darren for some 8 years...a great night. "Take another little piece of my heart" (Janis Joplin) was a mean as song sung by Leah...Thanks Sheri for reigniting the groove and giving us some momentum.2-2-2013
JUNIOR HARLEQUIN TEACHER FOR 2013I have also been awarded the job of teaching Junior Harlequin at the Harlequin Theatre for 2013.
We have registration day on Tuesday 5th of February and the course will be 2 days a week for one hour per Day.
This will be, at this stage on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 4 till 5pm. We will be putting on a Junior Harlequin full production as well as part of demonstrating the children s performance abilities.2-2-2013
THEORY TUTOR AT TARATAHI AGRICULTURAL TRAINING CENTREI have secured the role of being one of the theory tutors at TATC for the National Certificate in Production Management (Level 5.
I start on Fen 4th and it involves lecturing at block courses for students.14-1-2013
JOHN PLAYS 'DAVE' IN THE KIWI PLAY - 'UNDERSTANDING WOMEN'After my directing business with a Toe in The Water I embarked on an acting role under the directorship of Maria Hinton and with a relatively short rehearsal time we were into it!
Mark Hinton, Steve Lillyson and myself brought this kiwi play alive in a mans shed with boat and typical sundry crap and heaps of tui beer.
A great season from Dec 6th to the 14th. Much fun indeed!!!14-1-2013
BOB COOPER GRUNDY HELPS OUT ON 'IF YOU KNEWI had Bob C G come into the studio to lay down a solo track and some extra fiddly bits at the beginning and the end....very tasteful.
14-1-2013
PROPERTY MANAGEMENT DUTIES HAVE BEEN THE ORDER OF THE DAYThe studio and live playing have taken a back seat of recent days as my property management duties have been required for one of the Pahiatua houses. Shit tenants that leave a mess!!!
14-1-2013
IF YOU KNEW SENT TO AUSTRALIAMy latest song called "If you Knew" co written (some lyrics) by Lance Corbett has been sent to Smithtown NSW Ozy to have drums laid down by the incredible Chris Adey of 'KeyGrip' Fame back in the early 90's in Brisbane.
31-10-2012
RAVING SUCCESS OF "A TOE IN THE WATER"A successful season both dramatically and financially for A Toe in The Water. Full nights were had for all but 3 nights which only had a couple of rows spare -well done Simon, Simone, James, Marilyn, Deb & Mike we say and congrats on a great show.
31-10-2012
RECORDING OF "IF YOU KNEW"In the studio trying to nail this bugger...taking a wee while to find the right groove, tempo and style...I have the structure, the melody, the chords and the arrangement done.
Hans De Vries will have a copy to put a gat track down. then drums and the rest...as one does...will send a copy of the song to Chris Adey in Ozy for him to put his drum track on it...a brand new gazillion dollars D W kit is what this lad has perched in his studio he told me....so looking forward to that!31-10-2012
REHEARSALS FOR UNDERSTANDING WOMEN HAVE STARTEDWe have started rehearsing for the Harlequin theatre Christmas show directed by Maria Hinton
starring John Mabey, Mark Hinton and Steve Lillyston with Deb Keats.
A funny comedy about three blokes in a shed trying to understand women...a NZ play so very KIWI
Opens in December...early December.31-10-2012
PROPERTY MANAGEMENT IN FULL SWINGBassRick Ltd has been busy managing the GHL houses with repairs and maintenance and tribunal issues.
31-10-2012
SOUND MIXER FOR MAKOURA COLLEGE RAVE FRIDAY NOVEMBER 2I will mixing the sound for a gig at the Makoura school Hall on Friday night starting at 6.30pm which will feature bands from Makoura and other schools.
31-10-2012
CAUGHT THE BOOTLEG BEATLES SHOW IN WELLINGTON ON FRIDAY 26TH OCTOBERYes , I managed to see these chaps at the St James Theatre in WellyWood and thank god I did!
Their show would have to be THE BEST rock show I have ever seen ever!. Now i know a Beatles tune when I hear one and these chaps hav it down to perfection...one might say the production values and sound would be way better than when the actual lads actually sang themselves back in 63'.
The characterisation and attention to detail was magic...for a moment you could believe they were THE BEATLES...orchestra, string quartet...Penny Lane..."Got to get you into my life" The choice of what to play in the 2.5 hour show would be a challenge. John Lennon was so life like, so close to the real thing, George was funny and Paul was Paul...Ringo just proved to me what a clever bugger he was on drums and the clever drum parts and in fact seeing a band perform these songs just showed why these L & M are regarded as brilliant song writers....such clever arrangements.
Most of the crowd were over 50 with a few exceptions...my 8 year old son who just loved it as well and a few young teenagers wanting to groove....the crowd were enticed by Lennon to get up and dance..."I saw her standing there" and Long Tall Sally...and Can't buy me love...
God I love the Beatles!!!31-10-2012
JOHN RELIEF TEACHING AT MAURICEVILLE SCHOOL AS WELL AS MAKOURA & CHANELYes, I have been asked to do relief at the school, mainly the junior class of year 1 to year 5. A delight and such a happy and playful school.
26-8-2012
DIRECTING A TOE IN THE WATER AT HARLEQUINWe are in final stages of rehearsal for the new Harlequin theatre play "A Toe In The Water" -A play by Derek Benfield and stariing a very talented cast of Simon Dotrice, James Riley, Marilynn Bouzaid, Simone Sail, Mike Eckford and Deb KEats.
Set in a health farm, this is a typical English farce with people coming on and people going off - misunderstandings and sexual inuendo.
It has been fun and the play is coming together nicely.
We open on September the 6th followed by the 7th and 8th then the 11, 12, 13, and final night the 14th. Tickets from World Travelers in Lincoln road Masterton.27-6-2012
MAKOURA YEAR 11 MUSIC CLASS VISIT STUDIO 2Belinda Carey, the music teacher at Makoura brought her year 11 music class to studio 2 as part of their NCEA level 1 AS on studio technology and recording technique.
As part of the learning process, John got them to play their song of choice that they were currently studying...Green Days Boulavard of Dreams. So they played and attempted to sing it as it was being recorded. A one hour session with questions and playing.
A CD was made of their efforts and everyone had a great time and the students were buzzed at having been in a recording studio as well as actually record a song...well done Belinda.27-6-2012
PROPERTY MANAGEMENT DEMANDS INCREASINGThe need to spend more time on managing the property investment company has increased this year with R & M, financial restructuring, asset improvement and tenant management all requiring John's attention at an increasing rate.
Recent PIA seminars have highlighted the need to reassess the goals and objectives of the GHL investment strategy in order to increase net wealth and provide flexibility and finical independence.27-6-2012
JOHN RECORDING SONGS FOR HIS THIRD ALBUMJohn has been recording his new tunes in the studio when time permits.
A version of the Beatles tune "The one after 909" has been recorded with a slight ska feel...John is playing all the instruments on this one.27-6-2012
JOHN HAS BEEN BUSY AT ST PATS, CHANEL AND MAKOURAThis term (2) at St Pats primary school, Masterton, John has been running the Friday afternoon drumming sessions for their Arts Programme. This is a one hour session where children learn the skills of drumming and get to perform in a and type setting playing rhythms.
There are all manner of percussion instruments and the children chose which one they prefer, then a simple drum piece is played with each child playing their part to make the whole rhythm...like an orchestra of sorts.
We will be performing our song to the school and parents this Friday the 29th June in the school Hall at 2.00pm.
John has been relief teaching at Chanel and Makoura through the term.27-6-2012
JOHN GETS PART IN THE END OF YEAR PLAY AT HARLEQUIN THEATREMARIA HINTON is to direct this kiwi play which will be showing in December of this year.
So John will direct his play and then begin rehearsals for the one he will be play a character in.27-6-2012
JOHN TO COMMENCE REHEARSALS OF THE PLAY TOE IN THE WATER AS DIRECTORAs director, John will steer the cast towards opening night on September the 6th 2012. The play is a classic english farce and stars Simon Dotrice, Marilyn Bouzaid, Simone Sail, James Riley, Mike Eckford and Deb Keats. All bring their unique talents to the play and having had one or two ensemble gatherings so far, I am confident in producing a fantastic version of this Derek Benfield play at HARLEQUIN Theatre Masterton.
10-4-2012
TIGHT LIPPED PERFORMANCESTo date, TL have performed live 4 times post the completion of the new CD 'REPUTATION'
The first one being a casual Party gig at a house in Longbush Carterton...a short 10 song affair.
The second gig being the Launch of the CD gig at the fringe Bar in Wellington March 17th
The third gig being an outdoor short set during the Round The Vines Martinborough playing for Atarangi Vineyard. Playing under a tree as the contestants ran and walked by..
The fourth being a one set gig at the Horse and Hound pub in Masterton playing the Tall Poppy original music club held on Thursday nights...10-4-2012
RECORDING OF THE BRENDON CONNOR PENNED SCHOOL MUSICAL STARTS WEDNESDAY APRIL 11THBrendon Connor, Mike Luden and John Mabey will commence recording the musical score of this primary school musical at Brendan's Studio in Masterton to-morrow Wednesday 11th April 2012 at noon.
27-2-2012
AUDIOJUICE TO PLAY LOUNGE THIS FRIDAY 2ND MARCH 2012Audiojuice with Mike Rigg are to play a 3 set gig at the lounge this Friday night the 2nd of March 2012...starting at 8.30pm...
We played the Lounge last time on February the 3rd and it was a hoot with great chemistry between us all..Mike Hans Darren and John
Come along to support a great rock n roll band that defies explanation.. You will have a night like no other...the memories will be imprinted on your brain like burnt toast and sugar...this will be stuff you will talk to your gand kids about when they ask..."what was music like in Carterton in the early 21st century Grand Dad?".. Screeds of type print in Times Roman 12 will be written about this nght...documentarys on BBC world and the ARTS channel and Rialto will be made about this night...myths and legends will sporn form this night on regarding the amazing features and happenings that occurred that night and the people who attended will be hunted down by muso experts and lovers of all ages to come to get actual eye witness accounts of the night...so be there and be someboby!27-2-2012
FINAL MIXING SESSION OF THE BARRY SMITH ALBUM MONDAY 27 FEBRUARY 2012. -SESSION 33Today, Monday the 27th of February saw me in the studio completing the final mixing for this album so that BS can then take it onto Paddi at the Mobile to MASTER.
I started at 11am after a good session at the gym and a coffee in hand...Most of the early material was pretty much mixed to satisfaction already...Reputation, Columbo road, For another day...Walls offered a degree of work as I had to tidy and mix Zeeks many guitar tracks....My everything needed some work...after 4 hours it WAS DONE...FINISHED...COMPLETED...I burnt a CD for BS to listen to and take to Paddi.
He got this at 4.53pm today....tthis has been a long journey and one that has taken longer than expected...I estimate my time with studio session time and the inevitable post session mixing, playing, re-mixing and re playing time to be a total of about 140 hours all up...At $25 an hour that adds up and so this is my gift to Barry as I said I would help him out with project...hope it is what you were after mate...all the best with the album!27-2-2012
TIGHTLIPPED PLAY AT THE ANNUAL TIM DRUZIANICK MUSIC PARTY ON SATURDAY 25TH FEBRUARYThe gig was at a farm house on a hill on a road in Longbush. This used to be the house where James and Helen Gawith lived...I'd been there once for dinner.
Now this gig was sort of special as it was to be the FIRST live performance of the current TL line up with me on bass.
So it was that we arrived at 7.45ish to a packed out party with tents, and cars and kids and bands and BBQ food and straw bales and lights and happy party people.
The set up was great altough you wouldn't say the sound was 'grunty'. but nevertheless an awesome set up.
There were young Wellington covers bands doing a fine job of the beatles tunes, local school bands playing top 40 stuff...as a bass player, the bass sound was no existent from the mid lawn (audience area)...the bass amp was a grunty Mesa Boogie combo...yummy
So we..Tightlipped -led by Barry Smith, moved onto the stage area quite late at around around 9.30 -10ish...the first thing I did was turn the bass amp up. We played a selection of Barry Smith songs from the album we had been working on for the past 8 months...went well although a little ruff from never having played them live before.
I left at 10.40pm having had a very enjoyable evening catching up with old farming friends and other happy musicians...thank you organising guys for the night...lovely.27-2-2012
SESSION 32 AT STUDIO 2 THE FINAL SESSION FOR THE MUSICIANS 24 -2 -12Friday night, the 24th of February was when Zeek arrived at 7.15pm to record his last session. This was to re-record some solos on Walls and touch up a few others.
The session lasted till about 10pm when Zeek left to find his way back to Featherston.21-2-2012
JOHN FULL TIME RELIEF TEACHER AT CHANEL COLLEGE SINCE THE BEGINNING OF TERM 1I started a full time teaching schedule -24 periods a week and 6 free periods, at Chanel on Friday February the 3rd teaching year 7/8 science, Year 9 science, year 11 science and year 11 Maths -all with 2 classes in each year.
A fantastic school and what I have expected teaching to be...21-2-2012
SESSION 31 AT STUDIO 2This session was a Monday night session on February 13th from 6pm till 9.30pm.
Barry finished his vocals, re done main vocals on Lay your love line, and Walls, Zeek and John and Barry did some BV's on Harder man, state I'm in and Lay your love line.
One more session with Zeek on guitars will see the very last session of this long awaited album....since 3 of May 2011.
13 songs....then we hand it over to Paddi at the mobile to master, then onto Amstore to press and copy, then add the CD sleeve and there you have it.
Send off to a dozen labels, NZ on Air, radio stations, reviewers, sell at the launch gig on March 17 in Wellington...sell at subsequent gigs...7-2-2012
HARLEQUIN MURDER MYSTERY A GREAT SUCCESSThe 3 show nights were a raging success with the BBQ guests having a great time, good food, laughs and entertainment with a quiz, and they had to make up a song to the tune of Jingle Bells about neighbors.
Cathy and Roan were involved and participated along with...Mark Hinton, Catherine Graydon, Jim and Barbara Barr and John from Johnno bar with Phill the BBQ cooker.7-2-2012
SESSION 28 FOR BARRY SMITH ALBUM - TUESDAY 17 JANUARY ZEEK ON GUITARZeek arrived at 10am sharp to work on the remaining 4 songs and to "brush up" on some of yesterdays efforts. By 3pm the work had been done and Zeek had to return Raymonds amp.
Out of the 13 songs Barry wrote - [which is why I keep referring to this project as a 'Barry Smith' album as opposed to a tightlipped album -due to the fact that no one else in the 'band' had an input into the writing of the songs.
- there are 4 songs remaining to be re-recorded -yes, do them again -so Barry has said that we need to re play the drums with a different feel -that means we are to rehearse these songs to death -record them live and hopefully that will be it!
Seven months and to date -28 recording sessions plus all the extra time we engineers and mixers do late at night (you guys know what I'm talking about)to get the sound right -an estimated 120 hours spent on this album to date!
1-2-2012
SESSION 30 AT STUDIO 2 WITH ZEEK GUITARS ON TUESDAY 31 JANUARY 2012Tuesday January 31st saw Zeek arrive early before his 11 am session. The day saw Zeek lay down his guitar parts to the 4 new songs we recorded on Sunday.
Then Zeek went over some of his older parts on other songs to just 'finish' off the tunes.
I laid down my final bass lines on the 4 songs...a mix was done and then the session concluded at 5pm. A successful days work.30-1-2012
SESSION 29 AT STUDIO 2 -DRUMSSunday January 29th was the final drums session for the album. Four songs were re -recorded -Harder man, Lay your love line, walls and my everything. Jamie arrived at 1.00pm to set up and mike up followed by Baz and Zeek at 2pm.
The session was a 'live' performance in order to get the drums down. We will need to do the guitar and bass again. Bazz was singing in the lounge separate from us and we laid down three songs first....had a break then the last one. finished at 5pm.
There will be two more sessions -guitars and backing vocals...and then a final mix and then onto Paddi A for mastering...a long project this has been but it is sounding grunty and kiwi like.22-1-2012
JOHN TO PERFORM IN HARLEQUIN THEATRE MURDER MYSTERY DINNER FEB 25 26 27John and his wife Cathy are part of the cast of players to perform the annual summer murder mystery dinner at Harlequin theatre.
The 3 night show starting on Wednesday 25th through to Friday the 27th begins at 7pm and will go till 10.15pm.
This years theme is a neighborhood BBQ and the residents of Wannabe street are invited - along with all their interpersonal hangup, conflicts and issues.
The cast are: John & Cathy Mabey, Jim & Barbara Barr, Mark Hinton, Simon, Catherine Greydon and John from Johnno's Bar.
Very funny, very mysterious and very Harlequin...see you all there.
The tickets are $45 each and covers the show, the 2 course meal and prizes. Get them from United Travel....22-1-2012
AUDIOJUICE HAVE LOCAL MOTORCYCLE RALLY GIG ON FEBRUARY 18THDarren Knight, the drummer for Audiojuice has secured a local Motor BIke rally gig here in the Wairarapa on Saturday February the 18th.
We all look forward to playing motor bike oriented songs for the lads on this fine February day22-1-2012
TIGHTLIPPED TO PERFORM ON SUNDAY FEBRUARY 12THThe long awaited new line up of TIGHTLIPPED will perform their first gig on Sunday 12th of February at a private function in the Wairarapa.
Barry Smith -gat Vocals, ZEEK guitar, BV's, John Mabey -bass, BV's and Jamie on drums. These are the musicians who have been playing on the new Barry Smith album being recorded here at BassRick Studio 2.22-1-2012
AUDIOJUICE TO PLAY BATTLE OF THE BABES COMPETITION AT CASTLEPOINT PUB FEB 11February the 11th - a Saturday, will see Auduiojuice hit the stage at the Whakataki to entertain the battle of the babes fishing competitiors and their supporters.
This will be battle of the babes gig number 4 for John Mabey who has played the gig before with the Jaywalkers & The Beamers.
MIKE ASHLEY RIGG will be making a late guest appearance to help out.
Also -VIKI CLARKSON -the Audiojuice original lead vocalist and Castlepoint resident, will be up on stage singing with the lads as well as a one off gig.22-1-2012
AUDIOJUICE TO PERFORM AT LOUNGE FEB 3 AND MARCH 2Audiojuice will be rocking the LOUNGE in Carterton on Friday February the 3rd and Friday March the 2nd.
Starting at 8.15pm
We will be featuring a guest artist -
Mike Ashley Rigg will be joining the Audiojuice Crew - John Mabey, Hans De Vries and Darren Knight on stage as guitarist and singer.
Mike will be performing a set of his most popular covers...come along and feel the experience!
22-1-2012
SESSION 27 FOR BARRY SMITH ALBUM JANUARY 16 WITH ZEEKMonday 16 January saw Zeek arrive at the studio just after 10am for a whole day session on just his guitar parts, over dubbing, layering and solos.
He borrowed a guitar amp from Mastahuna guitarist Raymond Butler...the sound was grungey.
We worked on 5 songs through the day finishing up at 4pm.
The songs are developing a full guitar sound now and we worked on adding and constructing some clever guitar parts to enrich the sound.22-1-2012
AUDIOJUICE ARE NOT PERFORMING AT WHAKATAKI NEW YEARS EVEDue to the Whakataki RENEGGINGING on their contract, Audiojuice will not be performing there on New Years Eve.
The pub have chosen to breach their verbal contact with Audiojuice by cancelling the gig and what is worse, having two Carterton Bands perform there instead when their reason for cancelling is that since Viki Clarkson has refused to play at the Whakataki, they wanted LOCAL musicians, and they now regarded the existing Audiojuice line up as not being 'local' so what do they do???..get two Carterton bands to play??
The line up for new years eve would have been...
Mike Rigg -guitar and vocals
Robby Ten Broeke -guitar and vocals
John Mabey -bass/guitar and vocals
Hans De Vries -guitar
Darren Knight -drums
Arguably one of the better rock line ups in the Wairarapa...go figure???23-12-2011
CHEVUXX VISITS STUDIO 2 MONDAY 19 DECEMBERChevy Te Oreore Tilyard AKA CHEVUXX called in on the studio to let me here some of his work. He is an 18 year old rapper originally from Masterton and residing in PNth. He written and recorded 80 songs. Mostly on Garage band and with a friend who takes the backing tracks from the etheral music dimension known as the www. He wants to do this for a living and so we will introduce him to K ones label Illegal Musik...we will see...
23-12-2011
BARRY SMITH SESSION 26 SUNDAY 18 DECEMBER 2011Zeek and Barry entered the studio at 12 noon on Sunday 18 December to record more of Zeeks blazing guitar solos. Two more songs were completed and Zeek now has to concentrate on the remaining few and thus the new Barry Smith Album will be complete...MAID in NEW ZEALAND...a 12 songs monster with 12 Barry Smith penned songs and featuring the talents of Zeek on guitar, Jamie on drums, John M on bass, guitar, keys, drums, vocals and engineering and mixing skills and of course the VOICE himself...Barry Smith on Vocals and rhythm guitar.
The release date is now sometime in March at a gig in Wellington.14-12-2011
STUDIO 2 RECORDS DANIEL PECKTuesday December 13th at 11am, Daniel Peck arrives and begins to record a new cd.
Funded and supportied by Di Batchelor, Daniell played two new songs...this time on acoustic guitar with double tracked vocals.
A 2 hour session and nicely simple.14-12-2011
NEW BARRY SMITH ALBUM TO HAVE LAUNCH GIG ON JANUARY 28TH 2012 IN WELLINGTONThe release date for the new Barry Smith Album " TIGHTLIPPED MAID...IN NEW ZEALAND is to be on January 28th in Wellington 2012
14-12-2011
SESSION 25 FOR BARRY SMITH NEW ALBUM...MAID IN NEW ZEALANDZeek arrived fresh and alert on Sunday December 11th at 12 noon to lay down his guitar parts for to the remaining songs...HE listened to all 13 songs first then proceeded to lay solo and rhythm tracks to 2 more songs...the songs are sounding full and rocky at this stage.
The session ended at 3pm14-12-2011
SESSION 24 FOR BARRY SMITH ALBUMZeek has now entered the studio to lay down his guitar parts for the album...thus concluding all the bits that make up the songs...On Saturday Dec 3rd...a somewhat worse for wear Zeek staggered into studio2 at 1pm and played on two songs. Barry was present to oversee the recording, The session concluded at 3pm.
17-11-2011
JOHN TO RECORD WITH BRENDON CONNOR AT HIS HOME STUDIO FRIDAY 18 NOVEMBERJohn, Brendon and a drummer will record some tunes at Brendons studio on Friday November 18th at noon.
This will be a first for John and Brendon, as their duo have only played live gigs. Recording some of their tunes with the drummer from the Veranda Band should make for an interesting and exciting session...will keep you posted.17-11-2011
AUDIOJUICE HAVE SECURED NEW YEARS EVE GIG AT THE WHAKATAKIAudiojuice, the favourite band at the Whakataki Castlepoint, are to play NEW YEARS EVE and will help you see 2012 in with a rocking good time.
They kick off round 9pm....see you there you Juicers!!!!17-11-2011
AUDIOJUICE TO PERFORM LIVE AT THE LOUNGE ON SATURDAY 10 DECEMBERAudiojuice have been asked to play at the Lounge on Saturday December 10 2011. This will be a return gig for Audiojuice and the first one played at the Lounge with their new drummer DARREN KNIGHT.
The gig will start at 8.30pm and be a 4 set performance including all your favourite Audiojuice songs and some new ones.
So if you are a hanker'in for some spanker'in good times...then come on down and boogie with us...will be nice to see you again.17-11-2011
JOHN IN FINAL STAGES OF REHEARSALS FOR GREYTOWN LITTLE THEATRE SHOW"The Opposite Sex"...the latest play to be held at Greytown Little Theatre is in final pre production stage where there is only 4 more rehearsals before opening night on WEDNESDAY 23RD NOVEMBER 2011.
The Playing dates are:
23,24,25,26,27,30, December,1,2,3.
You can get your tickets from PickWick Papers in Greytown.
An hilarious sex romp comedy featuring the talents of: Scott Neilson, John Mabey, Yvonne Way and Jo.
See you all there.....whoever you are!!!!17-11-2011
SESSION 23 FOR THE NEW BARRY SMITH ALBUM. MONDAY 14 NOVEMBER..ALMOST THERE!On Monday 14th of November which was a indeed a Monday...at 11am, Zeek and Barry called round to Studio 2 to lay down the Zeek guitars.
This session was predominantly Zeek playing a rhythm track to the existing songs with a distorted gat from Barrys amp.
So out of the 12 songs recorded, Zeek played on 10 of them.
All I need to do is mix it and get the Barry Smith sound he is after....rocky, modern and tight...31-10-2011
THE OPPOSITE SEX PLAY AT RUNNING STAGEThe cast are finally at the "Run the play" stage which happens tonight Monday 31st October at 7pm at the Greytown Little Theatre".
Weeks of rehearsal has seen the play come together and with Act 2 under our belts, we went back to Act 1 to rehearse that yesterday.
So it will be tonight we will finally run the whole play as Act1 followed by Act 2...looking forward to it.
The play starts on November the 23rd through till December Saturday the 3rd.....a very funny play at all angels and well acted and directed ...Do come along and look out for the advertising soon to be launched all over the Wairarapa.31-10-2011
NUMBER 22 HAS ARRIVED...RECORDING SESSION 22Sunday the 30th of October saw the last of the drums to be recorded during the 22nd session of Barry Smith;s new Album.
Jamie, with the help and direction of Barry and John , laid down a blistering drum score for reputation, and completed the drums for "Not About You"
So all the songs basic tracks are done, we now have ZEEK to play his parts on 70% of them, I need to mix and produce the BS Sound that he wants and to play a few bass lines...31-10-2011
FIRST BLUES JAM WITH DARREN AND STEVESaturday October the 29th at 1pm saw the first gathering of a blues unit consisting to date of...Darren knight on Drums,...John Mabey on Bass,...and Steve Orr on Guitar,...with Caleb on Keyboards...
The get together was at Darren's upstairs bungalow and resulted in working on 12 original blues songs mostly written by Steve.
The name for this unit, who only play self penned blues songs..."Steve and The Orrsome knights"...or something like that...I guess this will be tentative untill the others agree.
We hope to play occasionally at festivals etc and original loving venues about the place.
Will keep you informed....26-10-2011
NUMBER 21 IS THE NUMBER WE ARE UP TO NOWYes, 21 sessions so far in the recording history of Barry Smiths new Album...yet to be named....a 13 track wonder of rock, country, regae and ballads.
Tuesday 25th October saw Barry play the outro of his song.."You said you'd call me"
We discussed the what songs still need work and decided on those that are finished.
We are almost there........23-10-2011
AUDIOJUICE PLAY WHAKATAKI ON SATURDAY NIGHT 22 OCTOBERAudiojuice played their current favourite venue at the moment...the Whakataki, Castlepoint. Viki and the gang played a four set night to a very appreciative crowd.
To night we had PADDI ADDISON on drums due to the fact that our new drummer ...Darren Knight was unavailable...Paddi offered his unique and very tight groovey stylings which propelled the band into a new dimension.
John has been a long time bassist accompanying Paddi's drumming in the band "Mike and The Riggers" and to a less extent..."Grafia"
New styles, new feels were the order of the night and our performances were tight and on fire. HAns improving every gig played.
I played my shuffle acoustic version of "Angels" as the first number of the night on my Epiphone...just lovely...very nice...
Paddi knew almost all the tunes and did a marvelous job sitting in...thank you mate!
23-10-2011
SESSION TWENTY FOR B SMITH AT STUDIO 2To day, Sunday the 23rd of October was another drumming session for the Barry Smith new album....Jamie was in to lay down another drum track for "Hang'in Around"
As usual..1pm till 3pm. Quite a bit of time working out the drum patterns and taking 5 or so practices before laying it down...just the mixing and production to do....joy, joy, joy...23-10-2011
JOHN TO HELP WRITE SONG FOR ERIKAH NANSEN OF ILLEGAL MUSIK FAMEJohn and Lance Corbett were in the studio on Friday the 21st October 11.am till 2.00pm to work on a song that Lance had written the lyrics to.
Lance is a young song writer living in Masterton and has been given the opportunity to submitt a song to Erikah Nansen for her to record with Illegal Musik.
LAnce presented me with the lyrics and an idea of how the song should flow. I have been working on putting it all together with a chord sequence, melody and rhythm. I am to sing and record harmonies and give the song to Lance so that he can pass it on to Erikah for her analysis....
The working title is "If you knew"...It is a ballad and a catchy one at that...will keep you informed.23-10-2011
SESSION NINETEEN AT STUDIO 2On Tuesday October the 18th saw Barry call round to studio 2 at 6.15pm...He recorded a new version of a song...this one entitled..."Blood, Hate, Revenge...Barry played his guitar track to a click track...We have 13 songs to date.
23-10-2011
SESSION EIGHTEEN FOR THE BARRY SMITH ALBUM AT STUDIO 2October...Sunday the 16th saw another drumming session for Jamie on the new Barry Smith recordings.
From 1pm till 3.30pm drums were recorded and added to 3 songs...
The recordings are nearing the end and only final mixing and sound production to do...11-10-2011
BARRY SMITH HERE AT STUDIO 2 FOR SESSION SEVENTEEN ON TUESDAY 11 OCTOBER.Tuesday night....a regular gathering at studio 2 for a recording session working towards completeion of Barry's latest album.
Tonight Barry re-recorded his song 'TRICKS' to a click track and put down a new number....'BLOOD, HATE. REVENGE'...this one to a drum track,
Two guitar tracks laid down...the room amp sound and the direct from the amp sound.
A guide vocal was put down using the SM 58.
The session went from 6.15 till 8.20pm.11-10-2011
SESSION SIXTEEN AT STUDIO 2 ON SUNDAY OCTOBER 9 FOR BARRY SMITH ALBUMTo day Jamie the drummer and Barry called round at 1pm to lay down some more drums.
This time Jamie played "Lay your love line" and 'state I'm in'. There was about 4 or 5 takes on each tune and Jamies played to a click track.
The session finished at about o'clock. Then I spent time getting a drum sound and mixing the tracks -about a further two hours...the things you do to make a good sound!6-10-2011
SESSION FIFTEEN WITH BARRY SMITH AND DRUMMER JAMIETuesday October 4th from 11am saw Jamie lay down his drum tracks to 2 of Barry Smiths songs....Colombo Road and Harder Man. The session lasted until 2.30pm.
I have to mix the tracks and get ...a sound for the kit plus lay down a bass line.
Zeek will be sent the songs to learn his guitar parts for a recording session next week.3-10-2011
MUSIC VIDEOS OF BASSRICK STUDIO 2 SONGS UPLOADED TO YOUTUBE CHANNEL.I have uploaded a selection of songs to my Youtube channel- BassRickMusic. These are a selection of songs from the past and present that have associated slide show and actual video clips.
Autoscope, Cool Cats, Mic Assassins, Barry Smith, John Mabey and KeyGrip so far.
I intend to upload many more for your listening and viewing pleasure.3-10-2011
SESSION FOURTEEN FOR BARRY SMITH AT STUDIO 2 SEPT 27Barry called in at the usual time slot of 6.15pm armed with his strat and a song book. This session was to look at all 13 songs recorded to date and brush up on some of them in order to create a CD for Jamie and Zeek to listen to and sort out their parts.
One of Barrys slow numbers - 'Walls are crashing down' required a wee bit of tweaking. By the end of the session - 8.30pm, the 13 track cd album had taken shape and now only needs the input of the drummer and lead guitarist to finalise the product.
12-9-2011
JOHN BEGINS REHEARSAL FOR THE GREYTOWN LITTLE THEATRE PERFORMANCE OF OPPOSITE SEXThis is a play directed by Margaret Jesson and is a comedy, it features two couples who happen to know each other from the past.
The play will be the Christmas show at the Greytown Little theatre and will have a season from the end of November to the first week of December...will keep you informed on the progress.12-9-2011
JOHN INVOLVED WITH THE HIGH SCHOOL BANDS WORKSHOPA meeting was held on Friday 9th September with the music teacher at Makoura - Belinda Carey, who will be hosting the September 30 HS band workshop.
There will be workshops on playing, stage performance, sound, song writing and music industry knowledge.
It will be called..PROMOTION, PRESENTATION, PERFORMANCE AND PAY..I will keep you informed.
Bella Kalolo will be the quest speaker.
This will involve all the Wairarapa high Sc12-9-2011
SESSION THIRTEEN FOR BARRY SMITH AT STUDIO 2Tuesday Septemnber the 6th saw Barry Smith in the studio re recording "Call Me" Barry tried the song using the acoustic Epiphone instead of the more 'harsher' sounding electric
A vocal guide was put down and the basic song architecture was laid down. A drum track click guide was used and the 2 hour session was up.
The session was also used to go over the other songs and decide what to leave in and take out and what to fix up.
We are over half way to completing the TIGHT LIPPED album.5-9-2011
AUDIO JUICE TO PLAY WHAKATAKI IN OCTOBERThe band, Audiojuice featuring a new drummer -Darren Knight, are to play October Saturday nights at the Whakataki near Castle Point.
We play the 1st, 8th, 22nd and 29th of October5-9-2011
FINAL PRODUCTION OF DANIEL PECKS ALBUM COMPLETEDaniel Pecks producer and supporter, Di Batchelor ordered 50 CD's to be burnt and collated.
From here the CD's will be available for sale. A 6 track EP is of D Pecks original and unique songs and reflects his Busking talents and style.5-9-2011
JOHN, DARREN, HANS, VIKI PLAY WHAKATAKIOn Saturday night, August the 20th, this band played a four set gig at the Whakataki. It was Darren Knights (drums)first gig with this line up and a great time was had by all....in fact we got lots of gigs to follow because the people thought we sounded alright...
The pub had quite a few 'bikey' type people there which made for a dancing, drinking kinda evening. The volume was up which was matched by the energy of the band.
Hans had his new amp so was belting out riffs all over the ceiling...a great night indeed.
The name of this band..."The Beany Boys"24-8-2011
JOHN JUDGES HARLEQUIN THEATRE JUNIOR THEATRE SPORTS COMPETITIONMonday night, the 22nd of August, John, along with Dianne Bolton and Richard Brookes, judged the performabnces of the theatre sports teams.
These were the junior novices from Channel, Solway, Kuranui and Nth and Sth primary school. I lot of fun and well done to Channel for winning.24-8-2011
JOHN WORKS ON BARRY SMITH SONGSOver the past week i have laying down bass and drums tracks and re-mixing the latest songs.
Zeek has to finalise his guitar parts and then record them.
Follows will be a period of analysis and re-mixing to get it sounding right...what to leave in and what to leave out.16-8-2011
BASSRICK LTD WEBSITE TO HOST MUSIC AND VIDEO PLAYING FACILITIESBassRick Ltd Web designer -Wez Hind has been engeaged to upgrade the site to include Muisc playing and buying facilities plus and Tab for Multimedia facilities.
This will allow opportunities for songs from albums to be heard and promotional videos to seen and heard.
Artist through the studio will have promotional and selling opportunities via the BASSRICK MUSIC LABEL which is in the process of being formulated .
I am compiling a "BEST OF" Album featuring some of the best artist original music that have been recorded here at Studio 2.
This is exciting stuff and will provide a local forum for muso's and song writers to have their songs recorded, featured and released on a local music label - using both the internet medium and hard copy CD's.16-8-2011
JOHN PLAYS DRUMS AND BASS ON A NEW BARRY SMITH RECORDINGI played a drum track and a bass line for the reggae type song "Harder Man" on Sunday 14th August.
I laid down a guitar, Bass and drum track on "State I'm in" on Sunday and Monday the 14th and 15th august.
Jamie the drummer will be in the studio to lay the final drum tracks down after the the songs have been constructed and polished.16-8-2011
BARRY SMITH WITH ZEEK RECORDING SESSION TWELVE ON SATURDAY 13TH AUGUSTBarry and guitarist Zeek were at Studio 2 to lay down solo guitar parts from 1pm till 5.15pm on Saturday 13th of August. Zeek, who plays guitar for "The adventures of Mike Jofler" played his first attempt solo parts to 7 songs this day.
The guitar was recorded via his amp with the NT 2, About 3 or so attempts were played and recorded. The songs were then bounced and a copy of the songs sent to Zeek for analysis and for refining.16-8-2011
SESSION ELEVEN FOR BARRY SMITHStudio 2 saw Barry Smith work on two new recordings on Tuesday 9th August 2011. He arrived just after 6pm till 8.15pm. "Tricks" and "Call Me" - a reggae feel song. New guitar parts and some bass lines.
Barry has 14 songs down to go his new album, Half have been completed to date.3-8-2011
BARRY SMITH IN THE STUDIO TO RECORD SESSION TENTuesday August the 2nd Barry calls round to record a whole bunch of new songs in studio 2.
This session was different to the others in that he just laid down the songs using his amp, miked with the NT 2 and sand guide on the SM 58. 4 new songs were recorded in their basic phase.
Two and a half hours later we were done...a very mellow time was had by all.
The Album is looking good at this stage...I have work to do on laying down the other tracks and gettin a kick arse mix..29-7-2011
BARRY SMITH RECORDS SESSION NINE IN STUDIO 2Yesterday - Thursday the 28th of July at 1.15, Barry called round to the studio to begin the recording of two new songs in Studio 2. They were "Columbo road" and "State I'm in"
The basic drum click and guiotar parts were recorded along with a vocal line and harmonies. Today I have been adding a drum track and bass and another guitar track to Columbo road.
These two are pure rock n roll tunes and require the treatment as only we can apply. Just a note...there is a degree of work required to make a simple rock n roll song that has a full and chunky sound...I am still working on it as i write.
The session was complete by 3.45pm29-7-2011
STUDIO NEWSMichelle the body builder was in today to have her accompaning music track edited and trimmed - a Nickleback song. This being for her posing routine for the up and coming body building competition in 6 weeks to be held in Wellington.
Michelle won her last competition and is looking set to win again...she works out in "BUCKS" gym in Greytown...good luck Michelle!27-7-2011
JOHN CONSIDERS RE- WRITING HIS PLAY 'COFFEE'Inspired by Michael Palins' second diaries "Halfway to Hollywood" - the years from 1980 to 1988, I have been enthused and zoombilated to write and create more. MP's enduring and ever busy schedule of writing with Terry Jones, writing and acting in films (The missionary), working with the Monty Python group -Meaning of Life, collaborating with John Cleese as 'Ken' in a "Fish Called Wanda" and writing a Limericks Book, being asked to act in various film projects -"The Dress", "Time Bandits" plus a heap of other acting/writing/directing projects that he appears to be doing all at once just seems to make one feel..."What the bloody hell am I doing with my life?"
So it is with renewed zest and some other bloody clever amazing sounding word which I don't seem to have at the tip of my tongue just right now, that i go forth and start being more bloody creative and productive.
Writing this play, finish writing and recording my third solo album -in fact the songs have been written, I just need to bring them to life and mold them into hit songs, Play live a lot more with AudioJuice and the duo Connor/Mabey, plus finish recording Barry Smiths album and then tour the CD live around the lower North Island =To start with anyway.
I was to be directing the play "A Toe in the Water" a British comedy farce, for Harlequin right now for the next 8 weeks, but alas, due to not casting it fully it is now a project to do at a latter stage - it requires 3 men, 3 females.
I am also currently working on creating a you tube video for "Our Little Boy", the song I have recorded for Roan -our son. That will be a mixture of movie footage and stills from our archives over the past 7 years -what to leave out???27-7-2011
BARRY SMITH INTO STUDIO 2 FOR SESSION EIGHT ON THURSDAY 21ST JULY 2011Barry called round on Thursday 21st July for a tidy up session. He re sung the chorus on " Lay your Love Line" and added some vamp vocals
We went over all the other songs and concluded that they are all good and now just need ZEEKS guitar parts.
Next sessions will be to record new songs...rocker and rock n roll is what Barry tells me...8-7-2011
MAKOURA BAND FALLEN END RECORDS TWO SONGS IN STUDIO 2The second band from Makoura - "Fallen End" was in studio 2 on Wednesday night the 6th July from 3.10 till 5.00pm to record two of their original songs.
Rua, Ruben and Chris played and sang their tunes with high energy and in a relatively short time. Rua on bass and guitar, ruben on gat and chris (a guitarist) on drums. They are school chums and played in the recent rockquest here in Masterton.
They classify themselves as a punk,metal heavy rock band...so quite a range there to write songs about!
I mixed and bounced the tracks about 5 times to get what I was after...a full heavy drum bass driven sound...very eavy...very umble!8-7-2011
BARRY SMITH AND JAMIE IN STUDIO FOR SESSION SEVENLast night, Tuesday July the 5th, 2011 Jamie the drummer set up his kit in studio 2 to record his drum part for "Reputation" and " Lay your love line" - a reggae feel song.
Barry arrived to over-see the project. As usual no more than 2 hours were spent on recording. A cd of the songs was burnt and Jamie took this away to analyse.
Much fun and hilarity was had by all....3-7-2011
MUSIC VIDEO FOR OUR LITTLE BOY UNDERWAYLast night I began putting together the music video for my song "Our Little Boy" using Movie Maker.
A series of still photos at this stage playing out as the song progresses. This will be uploaded to youtube for all to see and will be put onto this website as well.3-7-2011
JOHN IS MUSIC TEACHER AT MAKOURA FOR THE WEEK OF 4 TO 8 JULYWhile Belinda Carey is away dealing with the issues of family and the loss of her mother, I am taking her classes for the week.
A solid programme of NCEA level 1 composition with reflection, notation and analysis of their performances at the recent music performance concert held in the Makoura Hall Thursday night 30 June. This was for NCEA assessment purposes. I drove the sound gear and mixed the groups. Now all the students have to do is write what they did down in an acceptable format for assessment...no worries!3-7-2011
MIKE RIGG LEADING THE WAY WITH MR GROOVEI checked out the Mr Groove video on you tube last night - from their performance at the Lounge Carterton...very nice and very groovy lads...Mike doing a fine job playing acoustic guitar and singing with well controlled vocals...
Great choice of covers to get the crowd a bopping...3-7-2011
MAKOURA BAND KOIA RECORD 2 SONG DEMOKoia, a band consisting of year 10 and year 12 students is a reggae band form Makoura College Masterton. They were in Studio 2 on Wednesday the 29th of June from 2.55pm in the afternoon to record for the first time their two original songs: "Feelings" & "A quarter to three".
The band performed and recorded trhe music first followed by the singers...all complete and mixed by 5.20pm. I burnt a copy for them to take away...they were a very happy group of students. Apiana on drums, Tui on Bass, Honi on Gat, Jenny, Helen and Kerriana on Vocals with Apiana's mother providing the direction and musical guidance...well done everyone26-6-2011
AUDIOJUICE TO PLAY TARARUA CLUB PAHIATUAThe Tararua Club in Pahiatua are keen to have AudioJuice play at there establishment soon...look forward to playing my home town again...The last time being at the Post Office hotel late last year.
I was drinking and playing pool with an old school friend -Warren Hewitt,- now I am told Warren is a champion pool player in these parts, so it was quite chuffing to have beaten him 5:2. We all had quite a few Tuis that night so we were both handicapped to some extent. When the convo got to music...I said I have a band and we play the sort of stuff that goes down well with the club punters...so a card was exchanged and the committee will be informed and a date will be set for a one night only gig to rock the locals. Will keep you informed!26-6-2011
AUDIOJUICE HAS SECURED NEXT YEARS BATTLE OF THE BABES GIG IN FEBURARYA call to me by the organisers of this auspicious occasion resulted in AudioJuice being given the gig. Yeh...this was based on our performance at the Whakataki last month, so we do have an influential something that people pick up on...talent and energy I guess!
The Tararua Club in Pahiatua are keen to have AudioJuice play at there establishment soon...look forward to playing my home town again...The last time being at the Post Office hotel l;ate last year.26-6-2011
JOHN LOOKING TO DIRECT SEPTEMBER PLAY AT HARLEQUIN THEATREI have expressed my interest in directing the Harlequin Theatre's September play. At the moment, the play at hand is a classic british farce, unless a better alternative can be established quickly then this may well be the play i am directing.
Michael Wilson has been consulted and he suggested something by Thomas Sainsbury -whoever he may be...and MW is not one to offer crap ideas...so we will investigate this T Sainsbury and just see how bloody clever he is!26-6-2011
JOHN RELIEF TEACHING AT MAKOURA FOR MOST OF JUNE 2011I have been relief teaching at Makoura, mostly music, computing and home room classes. Very enjoyable and a great school.
26-6-2011
BARRY SMITH IN STUDIO 2 FOR SESSION SIX WITH JAMIE THURSDAY 23 JUNEJamie and Barry arrived at 6pm to record two new songs. "Not about you" was laid down as one take with Barry on Gat and singing and Jamie playing drums. This was a basic demo to establish format and style.
Some final touches on "Lay your love line" completed and final mix done. I put a new gat part down as well as a piano part to finish off the song.
Bounce down completed Sunday night for Barry to listen and critique.26-6-2011
BARRY SMITH IN THE STUDIO FOR SESSION FIVE TUESDAY 21 JUNEBarry came into the studio to lay work on and fix "lay your love line" - a catchy ska/reggae type tune. A good 2 hour session with harmony vocals complete and a new guitar track by Barry.
I later mixed the track and put down a new bass line.19-6-2011
AUDIO JUICE PLAY MASTERTON SERVICES CLUB FRIDAY 17 JUNEAn early start...7.30pm, however, the club was almost full with the regular club goers and drinkers and couples and bingo players and pool players and drinkers and single type oldish type people who love to drink and listen and dance to their kinda music...which i have to say, AudioJuice did exactly that...play their kinda music.
We had them dancing in the first set...talcum powder on the dance floor an all!!!. We played quite quietly to start with - Kenny mess'in with the kit as one does when playing quietly. We could see the groovers tapping along and singing to the tunes...they actually liked what we did...several regulars...who like to drink...came up to us and said .."where are you guys from?" ahh we are from here actually, the Wairarapa...been here for some time.."You guys are great, just what we need here". It was with these comments of appreciation and affirmation that we indeed know what we are doing and can lay down a track with some groove and gusto when the mood takes you down...that we went to the bar and got a drink...
Viki was particularly on form this night and was a groov'in chick - strutin her stuff in center stage and keeping the punters interested and drinking...which they all like to do!
I managed to sweat out about 3 litres this night, as I tend to do, my voice had not quite recovered from the cold I was recovering from this week so by the end of the night, one was a tad bit croaky.
A great gig, we all enjoyed it and the punters stayed on and wanted more...but we finished as per the contract at 11.30pm
19-6-2011
MIKE RIGG IS LOOKING TO SELL HIS STRAT, AMP AND PEDALMike Rigg called today to inform me that he is keen to sell his gear - his Stratacaster, Amp and effects pedal for about $2,500...very reasonable I thought.
Mike is taking a break at the moment, focusing on other things like relationships and such like and just generally enjoying life. Actually he's not the first muso of late to inform me he's taking a break at the moment...Elton H is also taking a break...enjoy your time is what I say...
No more luggin gear around, travelling home at some god awful hour in the morning trying to stay awake, knackered from screaming and giving your all play'in to a bunch of drunk (but appreciative) punters who basically want blood from you when you say...this is our last song!.."what...aw come on hows about anaaafa one eh?...what about the gambler...you must know that one...come on..bloody tossers play some more..wankers" this is particularly common from that one individual who thought he could drink his monthly quota of Tui in one night...but we love them all don't we..god bless them...the fans!
19-6-2011
MAKOURA MUSICIANS TO RECORD A SCHOOL ALBUM OF ORIGINAL MATERIAL IN STUDIO 2Fresh from Rockquest, the Makoura musicians will come into the studio and record their original songs in order to make a 12 song Makoura School album for 2011.
Their music teacher Belinda and myself will [project manage this effort and help the bands lay down their material.
There are about 6 bands to record and give that they are really well rehearsed, this should not take too long...looking forward to it I must say...i will keep you posted.19-6-2011
MASTER PECK TO REFINE AND REMIX HIS NEW EPDi Batchelor, Daniel Pecks' producer has indicated Master Peck will be back in the studio to refine some of the recorded 6 songs and re-mix a few tunes to 'get it better' for release.
19-6-2011
CONNOR MABEY DUO PLAY CORPORATE GIG AT COPYHORNE SOLWAY MASTERTONBrendon and myself played a very successful corporate function at the Copthorne Solway Park venue on Saturday night the 11th. The Avicultural society which to the uninitiated (and that includes B & me) is all about people who fancy PARROTS!. And yes, they've heard just about every line from the Monty Python parrots sketch....they didn't seem too amused when I rolled into the beginning of that one, still they where very jolly and squawked appreciatively as we performed our 3 sets...just lovely. And we got quite a nice bit of nosh to boot and a gig in Auckland if we want it.
15-6-2011
DANIEL PECK RECORDS 6 SONGS IN TWO SESSIONS AT STUDIO 2DANIEL PECK, SUPPORTED BY dI bATCHELOR OR AS SHE IS NOW KNOWN...dI PETERSON, HAD RECORDED 6 OF HIS OWN SONGS OVER TWO SESSIONS HERE AT STUDIO 2. Session one on Wednesday 25th May and session two on Thursday 2nd June...a total of 5.5 hours to record and mix...a further 1/2 hour was spent tidying up some of the mix for a demo CD to be burnt and taken away for analysis. Mr Peck wishes to sell this 6 track CD whilst busking around and Di wishes to use the CD to promote this new talent to all manner of recording labels and A & R men in NZ.
15-6-2011
BARRY SMITH RECORDING SESSION FOURTuesday 14th June saw Barry in the studio at 5.45pm to record another Smith penned tune called "Reputation". An up tempo number with great vocals. I suggested harmonies on the chorus and after 3 hours, we had the basic track down. Now i have to put on a ass track, Jamie a drum track and Zeek a gat solo. What a way to spend an evening....creating songs from ideas...just marvelous.
13-6-2011
JOHN BECOMES BASS PLAYER FOR TIGHT LIPPEDBARRY HAS ASKED ME TO JOIN THEIR BAND AND HELP OUT ON BASS. i SAID oK AS IT IS PURE ORIGINAL MUSIC AND THE BAND WILL BECOME A PLATFORM TO PLAY MY ORIGINAL WORK.
tHIS OPPORTUNITY FOLLOWS ON FROM FROM RECORDING SESSIONS WITH THE BAND... Now for some lower case news...that damn caps lock key just keeps getting in the way!
The Tight Lipped sessions will fit in with my commitments with my band AUDIOJUICE and the Connor/Mabey duo. Someone once said that having multi units to perform in and maintaining a variety of styles will not only keep things interesting, but allow for more work at different venues. After all, being a musician in the Wairarapa is some what difficult to maintain regular well paid interesting and audience friendly music.13-6-2011
BARRY SMITH IN STUDIO 2 TUESDAY 14TH TO CONTINUE RECORDING HIS NEXT ALBUMSession four will be on Tuesday for Barry when he will record 2 new songs and tidy up the last 3 songs. the sound, the songs, and the singing are all coming along nicely, we are nowhere near the final mix and tight lipped guitarist still needs to lay his part down...hopefully this Saturday morning???
Having the TASCAM US 1641 just takes the studio potential into another dimension...thanks Tascam!13-6-2011
AUDIOJUICE TO PLAY THE MASTERTON RSA ON FRIDAY 17TH JUNE 2011Viki has organised a gig for us at the RSA for all the jolly old drinkers and the like and people who love to spend lots of time out away from home drinking...I will let you know how that goes.
13-6-2011
TESS OHARA IN THE STUDIOTess was in studio 2 today, Monday the 13th June working on some new material and some performance related aspects of her wonderful show. Lovely lady and very nice to work with I must say:)
11-6-2011
AUDIOJUICE PLAYED WHAKATAKI ON SAT 4TH JUNE TO A WILD CROWDAudioJuice put together a very passable 4 sets at the Whakataki on Saturday the 4th june having not played live together as the original line up for about 6 months. The band gelled and grooved wonderfully. There was fun at all angles and the crowd loved it.
Hans has his new ART amp and was rock'in the joint even though the volume knob never quite made it to 1!!! What will happen when we go past the ONE level and delve into the realms of 2 - or God forbid...even three?????.
The band got extra gigs from the night which is always a bonus and an affirmation that what we do seems to connect with some people...Rock On....11-6-2011
DANIEL PECK RECORDS THREE NEW SONGSDaniel came into the studio to lay down three more tunes he has penned lately. One in particular was quite clever..."Yummy"...a good guitar riff and full of energy. Mr Peck asked for a co[py of all 6 songs recorded and thus, a 6 track CD was burnt for him to take away and review. I am waiting on the notes for refinement. We will see. His 'backer and producer" ...a Di Batchelor has heard the songs and just loves them...
11-6-2011
BARRY SMITH RECORDING SESSION THREEOn Tuesday 7th June Barry S came to the studio to finalise the three tight lipped songs and help with the final mix. Another guitar track was laid down on one song and a new bass line, the songs were mixed and bounced then burnt onto D so Barry could take them away, give the CD to Zeek to learn solo parts.
The next session will be Zeeks screaming guitar solo parts.24-5-2011
SESSION TWO RECORDING WITH TIGHT LIPPED BARRY SMITHSunday 22 May from 3.30pm saw Barry Smith enter the studio and continue the recording of their album. An acoustic gituar track was laid down by Barry to a click drum track and then vocals to follow. Harmony work on the two previous tracks were also laid down.
Their drummer, Jamie was present to discuss his up and coming drum recording session. Nice work Barry!16-5-2011
CONNOR / MABEY DUO PLAY LOUNGE JAN 5 and STRADA JAN 6Connor / Mabey duo played STRADA on the first Thursday of January 2011 ..The 6th being the Thursday that we did actually play...This gig follows on from the previous Night at LOUNGE BAR Carterton on Wednesday the 5th..A tour if you will!!!!
The duo played and sang and harmonised for the 3 set gig that they are now becomming famous for. They exude a light, friendly, casual if not laid back approach to their performance. Chatting with the crowd, maiking jokes, talking amongst themselves and the like...a real relaxed fun evening impregnated with tight harmonies and obscure, if not aged classic songs...songs by DYLAN, LENARD COHEN, CSN, SIMON & GARFUNKEL, CAT STEVENS, McCARTNEY, MARK KNOFFLER, and the like.
The Lounge Gig was well received and enjoyed by all...A note worth noting, was that a richly embellished gentleman with the long locks of a princess and dress style of a surfer...came over to our couch in a break (it's not called the lounge for nothin)HE was in fact a "PROFESSIONAL MUSCIAN" by the name of CRAIG SMITH -the very CRAIG SMITH who penned the childs book "WONKY DONKEY" and wrote the hit song of the same lyrics "WONKY DONKEY" and he tells us that this childrens book is NUMBER ONE in AUSTRALIA.
Craig was in town doing library gigs whilst on a NZ tour. He quite liked what we were doing in the duo which was rather nice we thought.
The gig at STRADA on Thursday was, as we beleived,a good night given that the bar/cafe was the sort of place people came to catch a bite before going to the movies or on to somewhere else.
The crowd were appreciative and clapped after each song...smiles were observed and laughter heard...signs that people were enjoying themselves...and in fact upon chats with these people they did in fact CONFIRM they liked our style!!!
We were intially joined by Music royalty in the form of MIKE RIGG and PIP HANSEN from Deaf Lemon...who I understand are taken a well earned break...However they only stayed for the first 3 songs in set one...I don't think we were Pip's cup o tea...not young enough! still as Brendon always says...we do what we do and we can't please everyone...never a true word was spoken...what ever that means.
Anyway...we finished and was approached by the manager on at the time...he said..."very disappointed, not very professional, some harmonies off, we have a lot to learn" ...Strange we thought, how completely out of touch he was to the crowd response...and indeed he admitted it was only his perspective...a misguided and somewhat tainted one no less???? I guess we won't be back there in the near future....perhaps just for coffee???16-5-2011
JOHN DOES RELIEF TEACHING AT MAKOURA COLLEGEIn keeping with my desire to teach as a career change and as a passion,I was asked to do relief work at Makoura College. So this past week I spent 3 days there teaching music, learning center and home room. A very enjoyable time in which I saw some very talented students and a school heading in the right direction. I was impressed by the music fraternity and the up and coming musicians. I look forward to seeing how they progress.
16-5-2011
JOHN M PLAYS DRUMS FOR DOUG TEN BROEKE BAND FOR CHCH FUND RAISERDoug Ten Broeke called and asked JM to play drums for his band the "strange case of mr ploppy does a dump???" -Actually it is called "the adventures of Mike Joffler" and so it came to pass that the drums and stuff made their way to Lance Hoppings big shed near the Paua shell factory and set uop in the bar area. The songs where hard rockin and the sound was hard rockin and the crowd were hard rocki...the whole place was just loud and rocking.For someone who had played 80% of their tunes, John made the group rock with his hard energetic style of drumming...4 to the floor and push it out, that's what you do, The guitars were screaming with blistering shreds and sustained orgasmic vibrato notes piercing the eardrums of anyone within 50 metres...Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, Purple, Metallica, and heaps of heavy shit like that...JM managed to sing a couple od rock classics and a huge bunch of fun was had by all...Yeah Rock on Carterton and owners of ferkin big Harleys!!!
16-5-2011
AUDIO JUICE TO PLAY QUEENS BIRTHDAY WEEKEND IN JUNE AT THE WHAKATAKI AT CASTLEPOINTAudioJuice fans will be treated to a special performance at the pub on JUNE the 4th. This will be special because AJ haven't played for a wee while and we will all gather for the first time and see what happens. I'm looking forward to this as the show will be the familiar tunes but with a thresd of improv and spontaneuity. Do come along and have a great night because we sure are gonna...!
16-5-2011
JOHN PERFORMS IN THE LATEST MATS PRODUCTION -"FOR THE LIKES OF US"An Andrew Lloyd Weber /Tim Rice jobby that took awhile to get off the ground -this musical is filled to the brim with catchy melodic songs that make your heart melt - very talented chap this ALW....He was only 16 when he wrote it. The show started on Saturday the 14th and runs to the following Saturday the 21st. Directed by Marilyn Bouzaid and supported by a marvelous orchestra headed by Craig and Andrea -the show sweeps along beautifully and has the wonderful back stage MATS crew that make the show and very enjoyable experience indeed...do come along...it's a bit like Oliver but with nicer songs.
16-5-2011
BARRY SMITH RECORDS AT STUDIO 2Barry Smith, from Tight Lipped arrived at Studio 2 Friday night the 13th of May at 6.30pm with guitar in hand and a head and book full of his tunes. He recorded the basic tracks of two songs and a quick third with just him and the epiphone in front of the RODE NT2. Barry is in the process of recording an album and will be doing so in the next few months. He aims to hit the road with these new tunes and a new band...keep an ear out for this eternal rock star.
11-4-2011
JOHN M TO PERFORM IN MATS MID YEAR SHOWThis early Andrew Lloyd Weber and Tim Rice production called The LIKES of US is a musical as only ALW could write. Very much an OLIVER type play/musical with similar period costumes and characters. John plays in the chorus taking a few solo spots with a few lines singing. The main actors are Robin Gardner and Tess Ohara with smaller parts to several stalwarts of MATS theatre. The songs are melodic and catchy, the singing is brilliant and the musicality is in great hands with Andrea Carmen on Piano and Craig (her partner) on conducting...a fun cast and a fun show...and of course, it would be not the great masterpiece that it is without the directions of MARILYN BOUZAID as director. YEEHH
11-4-2011
JOHN KEEPS IN CONTACT WITH FORMER DRUMMER AND FRIEND CHRIS ADEY FROM THE KEY GRIP AUSTRALIAN DAYSVia Face Book, Chris Adey tracked john down and showed him his new drums...a DW set for recording and mean as grunter set of Ludwig for live performances...check the John Bonum bass drum!
Chr5is is groovin and several bands and looks like hes da man in his promo shots of the band...notr sure of the name but they probably play -very eavy' very umble' type music.
Chris performed and recorded with John and their friend Leo Joseph in the band Key Grip back in the early 90's in Brisbane. Leo is now Mr Blues in Canberra and Chris is in some town in NSW and of course John is in Carterton....however, with advent of the internet age...we can all record new material via the web and transferring music files to each other to lay down their parts...the stones do it so why can't we.11-4-2011
JOHN M TO TAKE MUSIC CLASSES AT ST PATRICKS PRIMARY SCHOOL IN MASTERTON IN TERM 2John has been asked to help with the music lessons at st Pats school along with musician and colleague Brendon Connor.will keep you posted on how this goes.
11-4-2011
DI BATCHELOR RECORDS 5 SONGS IN STUDIO 2 LAST WEEK OF MARCHThe amazing character that is Di B came into the studio and over two sessions laid down some very fine and melodic tunes that resonated love, peace and harmony.Di sang to some backing tracks and played guitar on the Irish Blessing.
Some help with harmonies made a nice touch to 'Can't help falling in love" The 5 song CD was done and dusted over a 4 day period with 2 sessions to lay the parts down then a final session for touch ups. Some time was spent on
remixing and mastering. A very happy Di floated out of the studio on the 29th March. And as she would say...just...just marvelous11-4-2011
AUDIOJUICE TO PLAY WHAKATAKI PUB IN MAY/JUNE 2011AudioJuice will rock the pub sometime in May and/or June with their classic takes on some very classic songs plus a few of their own...be one of the lucky ones and catch their performance and make it a big night...ya won't regret it!
11-4-2011
JOHN M AND MIKE RIGG PLAY GIG AT OPIKI HALL 12 MARCH 2011This was an impromptu gathering of musicians to help out a friend whos own band mates just couldn't make it. The drummer decided to go back to Denmark and be with his recently created new wife...so he'll be playing Danish songs from now on and talking wiv a foounny accent.
They also didn't have a bass player who for some reason couldn't find his left sock that matches his right one, and damned if he wasn't going to play a big with odd socks!!!
So Tony B, and Julia , his good wife,called me up (band mates from the PEDESTRIAN days in the 80's)to help out, he had a friend turning 40. So I was to be on drums and he needed a bass player as well...that's when Mike R was contacted...so off we went to find OPIKI hall...quite difficult really when and yet easy when all there is to OPIKI is several houses and a hall. A classic country wooden hall with stage...Tony b on acoustic gat, JM on drums and bass, MR on drums and bass, and Paul - a fantastic smooth lead guitarist on lead guitar plus Julia on vocals...MR, Jm and TB took the main vocal job...
What a gig...acoustics all over the show but some fine rockin was had by all...this was a case of learn the song on the fly...playing drums certainly helps as you don'y have to work out shit loads of chords and where the hell they all fit in! Don't ya just love gigs like that! Nice beer, nice food and we got paid.1-2-2011
J NINE RECORDS 3 SONGS AT STUDIO 2New Hip Hop star from Napier records his newly created rap songs. Jordon aka J 9 was in the studio last week laying down the 'beats' and rapping to his songs...John M helped with the backing tracks playing bass and keyboards...Jordan is a 20 year old with big ambitions...he hopes to move to Auckland and work with K One's record label.
17-1-2011
AUDIOJUICE ALBUM -SONIC SQUEEZE-The new album is coming along nicely...songs like "Rock Star", "Too much of Not Enough", Too small to be Big" are showing signs of a classic album developing. AudioJuice intend to submit 2 songs to NZ on AIR for review and the HIT DISC cycle.
Main song writer John Mabey says the band are developing well and are finding their unique sound...the recording process is creating a bond as only spending hours in a recording studio can do!
Listen out for these tunes when next AudioJuice perform.16-1-2011
OTHER NEWS - MICASSINS RECORD ANOTHER SONGTHE MicAssins, or part of the MicAssins ..Lee and A dog had recorded another song in STUDIO 2 in December 2010.
To date the MicAssins who feature CALEB VITALE aka K-ONE have recorded 8 songs at BASSRICK STUDIO 2.
K-ONE is now becoming quite a successful Hip Hop star in Auckland and soon, all of NZ and beyond.
The MicAssins featured on the TV programme - PHUNK NATION
16-1-2011
AUDIOJUICE PLAY LOUNGE FRIDAY 14 JANUARY 2011Our band AudioJuice fullfilled their commitment to play at the LOUNGE BAR in Carterton on Friday the 14th of January even though their drummer and vocalist, Ken Walker was away in Christchurch that night.
Ronald Karitaiana jumped in at the last moment to help out along with his nephew CRUZE KARITAIANA who performed an amazing first set singing to his backing music. Cruze is currently on tour with STAN WALKER and sang many of the songs he does as support for STAN W. Thanks you Cruze..you will go far.
The gig went well given that Ronald hadn't played drums for some time. The first set was managed via one of Johns studio TRUTH monitor speakers which did a cracking job of providing a full fat sound for Cruze and the acoustic first set of AudioJuice.
An appreciative audience although some of the crowd were tested with the degree of looseness the band offered on some songs...
Ronalds vocal ability provided strong harmony and on occasions, Ronald took the lead vocal.
The last set saw John take to the drums, Ronald moved to bass and a RnR set was hammered out bringing the dancers to the floor.3-10-2010
MIKE AND THE RIGGERS PLAYED WAICOL BALL 21 AUGUSTAn imporomptu gathering of the lads at the Masterton town hall for a two set gig as the entertainment for the Waicol senior ball 2009
3-10-2010
JOHN MABEY PLAYS 'HARRY' IN THE ROGER HALL PLAYFour Flat Whites in Italy is yet another Roger Hall success and Harlequin Theatre in Masterton will be performing the show on stage at the end of November /early December 2010. Directed by Marilyn Bouzaid and starring Janet Osbourne, John Mabe, Janis Potter, Jim and Barbara Barr and featuring the talents of the legondary Richard Brookes
this show is set to be a biggy!
This show marks a return to the stage for John who hasn't been seen on the boards since his minor walk on bit in "Are you being served" directed by Lorraine McDonald way back in December 2008.3-10-2010
JOHN PLAYS BASS FOR ORCHESTRA IN THE WAICOL SHOWJohn was bass player in the 12 odd strong orchestra playing the musical score for the Wairarapa College show "The Wiz". The first show for 2010 in their new Hall.
The show was performed on Thursday 16th, Friday 17th and Saturday 18th September.
Though John is essentially an 'ear' musician, this project taught John to become a bass cleft reader.
The guitarist for the show was Doug Ten Broeke, the son of John's friend and fellow musician, Rob Ten Broeke. A very successful show and well performed and was directed by the legondary Marilyn Bouzaid.2-10-2010
AUDIOJUICE ENTER THE STUDIO TO RECORD THEIR FIRST ALBUMHaving done a stint of playing at the Lounge in Carterton, plus gigs at Tinui and Pahiatua, AudioJuice have moved into Studio 2 to record their first song towards their debyt album...the songs entitled "Rockstar" has a ska feel with Rock n Blues undertones...The Album will be an 11 songs wonder featuring the members of AudioJuice and one or two specialist...it is called "SONIC SOUND SQUEEZES" Look out for this CD in the shops early next year!
2-10-2010
BASSRICK STUDIO 2 RECORDS NEW HIP HOP/RAP ARTIST...DANIEL THE P MANIt was a birthday gift from his mother that he coulod have 3 hours recording time at BassRick Ltd Studio 2. And so it was on Saturday 25th of September at 1.30pm the P Man laid down some very nice and lyrical tunes about his love and his life. 2 hours later he walked out of the studio with a mixed CD of 5 songs...songs he wrote the "beats" for and the lyrical lyrics as only rap artists can...a very talented young Wairarapa musician waits to be launched.
2-10-2010
BRENDON CONNOR AND JOHN MABEY FORM DUO...PLAY AT LOUNGE SAT 25TH SEPTA new Duo in town featuring the award winning song writer and founding member of WILD GEESE -Brendon Connor, joins up with veteran musician vocalist and bass player John Mabey to perform harmony duo vocals in a 2 set performance show. They cover the likes of Simon & Garfunkel, Loenard Cohen, Everly Brothers, Cat Stevens, Beatles, The Byrds, Crosby -Stills and Nash,Bob Dylan and a whole bunch of other similar styled folky type songwriters. Their debutr Gig at the lounge was well recieved and punters were given the song list "MENU" in the form of a Cafe menu style where you have the song selections for the entre' and then the main course....very professionally done just that little bit different.... Watch out for these two in a cafe or vineyard near you!
2-10-2010
THE HISTORY AND BEGINNINGS OF THE BAND GRAFIAIt was a chance meeting of John Mabey and Dr Rob Maunsell way back in early 2006 at the Masterton Medical Centre that led to the formation of the blues band known as Grafia. John, an actor, soil fertility expert, husband to Cathy and father to son Roan, a musician of some talent able to play several instruments (not at once of course)and owner of a recording studio where he lives in Carterton, was in need of a doctors opinion regarding a niggling left hand carpal tunnel issue. His regular doctor, a Nick Crozier was booked up so it was to Dr Rob Maunsells room John was sent.
30-9-2010
AUDIOJUICE PLAY LOUNGE ON FRIDAY 24TH SEPTEMBER 2010Again AudioJuice grace the stage at Lounge and put on a professional 4 set performance with some moments of improv, hillarity and human frailty...the crowd were appreciative and stayed on to fill the coffers of Petras till, helped along by the sudden surge of 20 or so young partry goers seeking a late night drink.
30-9-2010
AUDIOJUICE PLAY THE POST OFFICE HOTEL ON SATURDAY 4TH SEPTEMBER IN PAHIATUAThis was a returning to his home town type gig for bassist and vocalist Johh Mabey as his new band AudioJuice took to the stage at the newly refurbished Post Office Hotel starting at 8.30pm.
They performed their clean and tight versions of some very rocky tunes from the 60s through to now.
The crowd were appreciative and morphed through the night from a middle aged gathering drinking beer and singing along to develop into a dark moody group of young Pahiatuaites....the band finished up at 12.30pm...
Then the loud CD music started drilling holes in the ear drums and forcing sane people outside..we quickly packed the gear and left..it was a cool calm cloudy night as we all headed south to the confines of our Wairarapa homes.30-9-2010
WHATS BEEN HAPPENING?Right, it's been a while since my last blog but a few things have happened over this time.
I completed my massey course and passed...Alright! So now i can teach..
Mike and The Riggers played the DHB gig pre christmass...what a hoot that was..
I have formed AUDIOJUICE..Ken Walker drums/vocals...Hans De Vries on Gat...Viki Clarkson on vocals and me on bass/gat/vocals
10-7-2010
AUDIOJUICE PLAY LOUNGE FRIDAY 9TH JULYThis is AudioJuice's 3rd gig at the lounge and they played their 3 set lists...The band play a mixture of rock and blues...KEn Walker takes 4 songs...John Mabey takes about 10 songs and Viki Clarkson takes the rest to make up theeir 30 song gig list.
10-7-2010
MIKE AND THE RIGGERS PLAY THE LOUNGE THURSDAY 8TH JULY 2010It was with joy that all 4 members of the band took time out from their other musical committments to gather for a band performance at the Lounge last Thursday the 8th July . The band had not been together since December 2009. The gig was a hoot and a natural groove and ease spread outward from the stgae. These 4 lads with Mike rigg on lead vocal captivated the appreciative crowd all night long. It was a pleasure to see this band do what they do well...that is...play on the fly, groove and oimprov the songs with feeling...very nice.
30-9-2009
BASSRICK STUDIO 2 QUIET AS MANAGER STUDIES TEACHING AT MASSEYThe energies of the managing director, John Mabey have been directed towards studying for his his post graduate diploma at Massey University Palmerston North. A Post Grad Dip Teaching (secondary) studied extramurrally has been challenging and demanding. John has put his music recording and performance activiites on hold this year. However, he has been writing songs and intends to record all of them over the summer period using the studios new 16 track sound card -this will finish off his third album to date: Yes -No -Mabey.
A 12 track CD featuring some of his best material so far.11-6-2009
MIKE VERNON RECORDS HIS SONGS ON GUITAR AT BASSRICK STUDIOS TO BE SENT TO HIS AUSTRALIAN BAND FOR COMPLETIONLocal guitarist Mike Vernon plays and records his 9 songs on guitar at Studio2. Mike had these songs and wanted to lay them down with rhythm track so as to be able to send them to Australia for his band (Bass and Drums) to learn.
Then he travels to Oz and they reharse the songs, record them and play live...that's what this studio is all about..."Turning Thoughts into Music!11-6-2009
ARROW FM RADIO SHOW A HIT...LAYING IT DOWN AND KEEPING ON TRACK...MARCH, APRIL, MAY 2009John has just completed a three month stint with Arrow FM 82.7FM...Access Radio here in the Masterton Town. The show, entitled..."Laying it down and keeping on track...a show about the recording industry in the Wairarapa was put to air every MONDAY morning from 9.30 till 10.30am.
The show featured local musicians and recording technicians who told their stories of what it is like to record and be recorded. The featured artists were: Paddi Addison, Stefan Brown, Mike Rigg, Quinn Lockyer, Barry Smith, Hartley Towersey, Tony Burt. The show was designed to encourage recording artists in the Wairarapa, inform and educate musicians in the process of recording.
The format was to have an interview, play their music and generally play local songs recorded in various studios to give showcase the different styles and quality of recording here in the Wairarapa.
The show was sponsored by BASSRICK LTD and was thoroughly enjoyed by all....go Arrow FM!11-6-2009
BASSRICK STUDIO 2 UPGRADES TO 16 INPUT SOUND CARDThe studio has now progressed into the big time and has secured a TASCAM US 1641 sound card capable of recording comfortably 12 tracks simultaneously.
That means...FAT clear and grunty drums!!!!! The sound card comes with a new full drum mike set to record 8 drum tracks at once...talk about separation, clarity and PUNCH...so come on down and record that song you always wanted to....11-6-2009
MIKE AND THE RIGGERS ARE TO PLAY WAIRARAPA COLLEGE SENIOR BALL ON FRIDAY 21ST AUGUST 2009M & T R's are to play at the Waicol Ball. This being as a result of many requests from the students. M & T R's played the gig last year and were a huge hit with the kids. This year the set will be from 7.30pm till 10.00pm. 2 one hour sets of groin pulsing, heart thumping, panty wetting rock as only can be made by these lads form Carterton and Masterton. If you have already left school, then shame on you...this will be a gig not to forget...how many hymens are going to get broken that night....we all wonder???
11-6-2009
BASSRICK STUDIO 2 BUSY WITH LOCAL MUSICIANSHartley Towersy has been contracting the studio to record and copy and mix backing tracks for his solo projects...
30-4-2009
JOHN PLAYS BASS ON TWO NEW MIKE RIGG SONGSJohn was asked to contribute a bass line for 2 new MR songs being recorded at THE MOBILE -produced by Paddi Addison. Disorder Blues and Dirty Money...real rockers and somewhat of a departure from the ballads of Mikes first album. Mike has a new gat (strat) and a new amp...so he has a new sound...some nice work by Dave Dewsnap and his wife on vocals, Toby Mills on some keys and of course, Paddi Addison on thundering drums...look out for Mikes next Album.
30-4-2009
JOHN MABEY PLAYS WITH BARRY SMITH AND TIGHT LIPPED AT THE PINES WELLINGTON FRIDAY 24TH APRIL 2009John sat in on drums for Barry and Robbie K for this gig - a quiet Teachers wind down affair. John played acoustic gat to start with and then swapped between drums and bass with RK. A 4 set affair, much happiness had by all and what a view.. The trip home was a very mellow affair. BS played some of his originals and the crowd loved the good ole kiwiana diet.
30-4-2009
PAT MCKENNA BAND PLAYS BASIN RESERVE WELLINGTON WITH JOHN MABEY AND ROBBIE KEATING SUNDAY 12TH APRIL 2009Pat Mckenna Band plays a great gig at the Basin Reserve for the Wellington Balloon festival. Mike Dew, John Mabey bass & drums, Robbie Keating -bass & drums and Pat on guitar vocals rewarded the audience of some 2 -3000 with swampy versions of some classic pop and blues songs...the sound was phat and punchy. The gig was an hour set...fun was had by all!
30-4-2009
JOHN MABEY PLAYS WITH PAT MCKENNA AT LEVIN ON SATURDAY 11TH APRILJohn and fellow drummer/bass player, Robbie Keating, supported Pat McKenna at the Levin Balloon festival in the showgrounds on Sat 11th April. Guitarist Mike Dew made up the 4 piece and some swampy tunes were punched out...a good gig.
30-4-2009
PAULA STORY RECORDS 15 VOCAL TRACKS OVER BACKING MUISCPaula came into the studio to record her voice over some amazing cover songs in order to produce a demo CD to give to potential employers. Some 15 songs were recorded in one session. A second session required some tweaking and remixing and the CD was then sent off...what an amazing and versatile voice this talented young woman has.
30-4-2009
BASSRICK STUDIOS RECORD NEW ARTISTMike Verner, a song writer, composer and guitarist, records 8 original songs for his Australian band. Guitar tracks were recorded and mixed, then sent to the drummer and bass player in Melbourne to learn. Mike will travel to Oz and the band will record the songs in a Melbourne studio.
20-3-2009
MIKE AND THE RIGGERS PLAY ORIGINS FESTIVAL SET AT QUEEN ELIZABETH PARK MASTERTON FEBRUARY 6THOne 6 song set was played at 11.30am...the first band up powered by Noise Productions sound system. An appreciative crowd applauded.
The set was...
1. Can't Always Get..Mikey with T&J
2. Cross Cut Saw..Toby
3. Before U Accuse Me (swing)..John with T&M
4. Stuck in The Middle..Mike with J&T
5. Angels..Mike with T&J
6. Saw Her Standing There..John, Mike, Toby20-3-2009
MIKE AND THE RIGGERS PLAY A MEMORBALE GIG AT MAGGIES 60TH PARTY UPPER PLAIN ROAD MASTERTON FEB 6TH 2009M & T R's played a fantatstic relaxed gig on the patio of Maggie & Co's hide away rural Crib on the Saturday evening having freshly come off the stage of the Origins Festival at Queen Elizabeths Park.
Paddi, John, Toby and Mike played some of their best versions yet and let rip, to say the least, of some classics with a new and fun sense of energy that deserved recording. The memory of those songs will only last in the sane minds of those who were there. It may have been the serene setting, the appreciative crowd, the dam fine chemistry that runs through tis band or simply the absolute pure talent ozzing from the hands of these four musicians, whatever it is...the songs played by this groove quartet would have had multiple orgasms if they were lusty young trollops being played with!
The friends of Maggie played an interlude of Ukelele songs and funny verses helped by Paddi and John.20-3-2009
A NEW FORMATION OF AN OLD LINE UP TO BE FORMED FOR APRIL GIGS AT LEVIN AND WELLINGTONA new band is to be formed to play the Balloon festivals in Levin and Wellington over the Easter weekend of April 11th and 12th 2009.
The band will feature the rhythm section of John Mabey & Robbie Keating who will be laying the bed for frontman Pat McKenna and his associate Mike Dew on lead guitar.
The style of music most likely to filter through will be heavy Rhythm and Blues. John and Robbie will be swapping between bass abd drums depending on the tune! Look out for this one...we will be coming to your town.20-3-2009
PHUNK NATION FILMING AT BASSRICK STUDIO 2 ON SATURDAY 14TH MARCH 2009The new AND up and coming TV series "Phunk Nation"...a show about a world winning nz Hip Hop dancing team called "PRESTIGE" are roving the lengths of New Zealand stopping off at rural areas to check out the talent and arty bits of what NZ has to offer. Director, Lisa Morrison called in on John M at BassRick studios and chatted about the music scene here in the Wairarapa. John had previously recorded the Masterton Hip Hop band "MICASASINS" and so it would be this group that Phunk NAtion would interview and film recording a song here in the studio. On Saturday morning at 11.00am March 14th, the crew arrived, the band arrived and filming began. A tight fit for me little studio buyt some good footage was had by all and after a good 3 hours, they left happy as!
That sfternoon, at 2.00pm at the Taratahi Pub, a small party was had featuring the dance moves of PRESTIGE and some local talent. The MA's got up and sang "Bounce" Angels" and "Like it Like This"20-3-2009
MIKE RIGG RECORDING NEW ALBUM AT THE MOBILESaturday 28th February at the Mobile in Carterton, John, Mike and Paddi recorded the basic tracks to two of Mike Riggs new songs..."Disorder Blues" and "Dirty Money". The songs were played live untill all was well with the drums. John took the demo away to work out a bass line.
24-1-2009
MIKE AND THE RIGGERS WITH DAVE DEWSNAP PLAY ALANA ESTATE PRIVATE FUNCTION TUESDAY 20TH JANUARY 2009A GENTLE GIG AND IN A SMALL HIGH CEILINGED STOREAGE ROOM JUST OFF FROM THE DINNING AREA. A WELL PRESENTED 30 ODD CROWD OF BUSINESS TYPES ATE AND DRANK AND DANCED THE NIGHT AWAY TILL 11.30PM .
Now for lower case news...The band played it's usual crowd pleasing numbers with a little help from Daves repertoire, the night went well and enjoyed by all.16-1-2009
JOHN COMPLETES HIS 4TH SONG TOWARDS HIS NEW ALBUM YES/NO/MABEY"Our Little Boy" has now rapped and is in the can - to coin a movie set phrase - just being hip an all! A song penned by John some 10 months ago as a jam and idea session (7 minutes) was reconstructed and laid down on Christmas day 2008 and is now completed and a more radio friendly 3.12mis long ...the violin part yet to be re done with a real violin - possibly with Ed Cook from Greytown.
This is song 4 towards John's up and coming 3rd Album. To date we have -1. Too Damn Happy To Sing The Blues (Mabey/Joseph) Heard The News (Mabey) Our Little Boy (Mabey), Come Back To Me (Mabey).
2009 will hopefully see the completion and release of this new album. Collaboration with Mike Rigg is intended and we will see what happens. John is keen to write with other fellow Wairarapa musicians...16-1-2009
MIKE AND THE RIGGERS UP AND COMING GIGSFriday February 6th Origins Festival - Masterton
Friday February 6th, 60th Birthday Party Upper Plain Road Masterton.
March -Bristol Hotel Cuba Mall Wellington
March - Bodega Night Club Wellington
June -O'Malleys Pub -Wellington.
June - San Fran Bath House Wellington
16-1-2009
NEW RADIO SHOW AT ARROW FM 92.7 CALLED 'LAYING IT DOWN -KEEPING ON TRACK WITH JOHN MABEY MONDAYS 9.30 -10.30AMJohn is to host this new show featuring and explaining the recording industry in the Wairarapa. Interviews and discussions about the recording process both from the engineers perspective and the musicians.
Kicking off live on Monday the 9th February with a recorded show played on January Monday 26th and Feb 2nd...listen out for this one!16-1-2009
DAVE AND THE SNAPPERS TO PLAY AT ALAN ESTATEWith Mike Rigg out of town and the rest of Mike and The Riggers keen to play, Dave Dewsnap is taking his place and so we are now being called "Dave and The Snappers" for the night.
Alana Estate winery in Martinborough Tuesday 20th January 2009.14-1-2009
MIKE AND THE RIGGERS TO PLAY ALANA ESTATE FUNCTION ON TUESDAY 20TH JANUARY 2009The popular Wairarapa RnB band is to play a closed function at the Alana Estate in Martinborough on Tuesday night. Toby Mills from Noise Production will be supplying the PA and also performing with the band.
Our front man Mike Rigg will unfortunately be unavailable that night but the very capable Dave Dewsnap will be taking over on guitar and some vocal duties duties that night. So the line up will be Paddi on drums, Toby on Keys and vocals, John an Bass and vocals and Dave on Gat and vocals. If you are lucky enough to be one of the select few who are attending...then you are in for a rocking good night of 'lets see what happens!!14-1-2009
QUINNE LOCKYER NEWS ARTICLE IN WAINEWS WENESDAY 13 JANUARY 2009An article written by Piers Fuller of the Wainews team highlights Quinnes path to recording his debut album "I Will Be Thankful". The article highlights the important calaboration between John Mabey and Quinne that was required to get the album completed. BassRick Studio 2 has again produced another fine album!
24-12-2008
THE JEEF PECK GROUP HAVE REHEARSAL FOR SATURDAY JANUARY 10TH 60TH BIRTHDAY GIG AT MASTERTON COSY CLUBJohn, along with Jeff, Hans and Roger had rehearsal today, Wednesday 24th at 12 noon in the Masterton Town Hall going over their set list. Mike Rigg will help out with 2 sets on the night.
24-12-2008
JOHN MABEY TO PLAY NEWS YEARS EVE GIG AT BROTHERS WEDDING IN HASTINGSJohn's older brother, Gary, is to wed the lovely Helen on new years eve and John, with fellow Muso, Ron MArk will offer some light entertainment for the masses, Possibly, Mike rigg may come along and help out!
24-12-2008
QUINNE LOCKYER ALBUM COMPLETED AND READY FOR DISTRIBUTIONQuinnes new album has been put together with sleeve, back page and CD case. The album "I will be thankfull" is now ready to give out at concerts and for presents at Christmas. Quinne hopes to get air play on Radio Rema and other similar stations...Well done Quinne!
24-12-2008
WAINEWS PIERS FULLER TO CONDUCT NEWS PAPER ARTICLE ON QUINNE LOCKYER DEBUT ALBUMFriday the 19th December at 1.30pm, Piers will interview John Mabey, Quinn and Jacqui Lockyer at thier home regarding the release and completition of Quinns debut album recorded by John Mabey at his BassRick Studio 2 in Carterton.
24-12-2008
JOHN COMPLETES HIS SECOND TEACHING STINT AT A MASTERTON PRIMARY SCHOOLJohn has completed his second REAP teaching contract at Masterton Primary School term 4 having ccmpleted a contract at Carterton's St Marys School in term 3.
The role was as Music teacher from 1.30pm till 3.00pm each afternoon untill his allocated hours were up.
Very enjoyable and rewarding.17-12-2008
JOHN HAS SMALL ROLE IN HARLEQUINS LATEST BLOCKBUSTER - ARE YOU BEING SERVEDJohn plays the 'Male Customer' in Harlequins sold out end of the year show. Act 1 Scene 6, is where John comes on and has dialogue with Mrs slocum(Lynn Bushell) and Miss brahms (Caitlin) about Fur coats..very funny and not long at all.
The season is from Monday 8th Decemebr through till Friday 19th December. John also has been sharing Bar duties with another bit player, Len Liedbetter on alternative nights.17-12-2008
QUINN LOCKYER ALBUM IN POST PRODUCTION STAGEQuinns new debut album entitled "I will be Thankful" is finally at the post production stage where the album cover and sleeve are being designed and made this week. Jacqui, Quinns wife, will be putting this together before Christmas. The CD is complete and sounds fantastic.
17-12-2008
MIKE RIGG IN WAINEWS ARTICLE WEDNESDAY 17TH DECEMBERA Fine article bt Piers Fuller -journalist, exposing Mike's new music video which can be viewed at the following link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LoCqNf9IrYE
Manager John Mabey, says this is just yet another event in the ongoing road to promoting Mike and his music.12-12-2008
QUINNS NEW ALBUM AT THE FINAL MASTERING STAGE AND DUE FOR RELEASE SOONMasterton song writer Quinn has finished the hard work and his new christian 9 song album has had it's final mix down at Studio 2 at BassRick Studios and is now at the Mobile for final mastering. Sunday 14th December 2008
12-12-2008
MIKE RIGG AND JOHN MABEY INTERVIEWED BY THE WAI NEWS FOR A NEWS PAPER ARTICLE ON MIKES NEW VIDEOSThursday 11th December at 9.15am outside strada cafe, the lads met Pierrs from the Wai News and so the interview happened. A photo of the Ocean Shines Video to come.
12-12-2008
MIKE AND THE RIGGERS PLAY WAIRARAPA DHB GIG ON FRIDAY 12TH DECEMBER 2008Another ssuccessful gig by M&tR's at the Wairarapa DHB Christmas function held on the hospital site in a Marquee. Three goog sets with some really good improv and jamming that excited the crowd of about 100. Godd food and an appreciative crowd helped the band pull off some amazing renditions on their very liquid set list.
6-12-2008
MIKE RIGG NEWSPAPER ARTICLE SATURDAY 6TH DECEMBER IN WAIRARAPA TIME AGE PG 3An interesting picture of John Mabey and Mike rigg in comic pose out the back of Mikes new employ...The Village grinder where JM is being the director and Mike the Talent. This article, Page 3 of Saturdays 6th December 2008 Times age informs the readers that Mikes new music video for Appreciate it and Ocean Shines will be on The Welcome to the Gun Show on ALT TV channel 65 on Sunday 7th at 10.30pm and Monday the 8th at 10pm
2-12-2008
MIKE RIGG RADIO INTERVIEW ON CLASSIC FM MASTERTON TUESDAY 2TH DECEMBER AT 11.30AMMike and John are to conduct an interview with the morning DJ at Classic hitz Fm Masterton regarding and promoting Mike's new videso for Appreciate it and Ocean Shines which are to be screened on Alt TV on Sunday the 7th and Monday the 8th
2-12-2008
BASSRICK STUDIO 2 ABOUT TO RELEASE THIRD ALBUMJohn Mabey and his BassRick Studio 2 have almost completed THEIR THIRD ALBUM. An album for "QUINN". A religious album of songs penned by Quinn. Nine (9) tracks in all and the result of 12 recording sessions with the first session being Friady the 1st of August 2008. The final mix down is being completed and then off to the Mobile for mastering. Quinn plays guitars and some bass and does all the vocals along with Jacqui, his wife helping out on some BV's. John Mabey and Quinn have produced the album, John has helped out on some of the playing especially on track 9 (he plays all the instruments)and the bass on track one. We are in post production now and formulating the album cover and sleeve design and developing a marketing strategy to get this out to the masses.
2-12-2008
MIKE AND THE RIGGERS PLAY 60TH B PARTY AT POUNUI LODGE WESTERN LAKES ROAD SATURDAY 15TH NOVEMBERThe money was good, the venue was a barn, the scenery superb and the small appreciative crowd enjoyed our brand of rock n roll and RnB. However, there was no facility for a cuppa tea at the end of the gig which, for bass player John Mabey was most confusing- these were people of an age where a cuppa tea was as vital as air itself...very strange!!...plenty of pinot and nibbles though!
2-12-2008
MIKE AND THE RIGGERRS NEWSPAPER ARTICLE ON HIS LATEST VIDEO RELEASEThere is to be a newpaper article both with the Times Age and the Wairarapa News regarding the new music videos recently completed by Mike and The Riggerrs, Shot by Mario Geremia and filmed at Harlequin Theatre. We will keep you informed.
2-12-2008
MIKE AND THE RIGGERS PLAY WEDDING AT EKETAHUNA COMMUNITY HALL FRIDAY 28TH NOVEMBERA thumping marathon 2 set 5 hour gig was had and we blew the punters to heaven and back. Typical of such events, they wanted a waltz, some Bob Seger and requests which we all seemed to just play - and play well...by the last hour everyone was sufficiently pissed to want to dance, so the floor was packed as we were winding down. We played another hour...8.30pm till 1.30am...Some stand out songs performed on the huge stage..One after 909, Rock me gently. As is now becoming the norm at Mike and the riggers gigs..a gaggle of young ladies swoon arround Mike pleading for his every attention and more recently their hot panting desires are being directed to the newly single Toby Mills. I guess keyboard players know how to tinkle the the right notes on certain musical forms!. Having said this, it is Mikeys job to look cool, be sexy and draw the babes...he does this well and his lovely partner Abby should be very proud.
29-11-2008
MIKE RIGG VIDEOS SENT TO ALT TV TO BE AIRED DECEMBER SUNDAY 7TH & MONDAY 8THMikes new music videos of Ocean Shines & Appreciate it have been sent to ALT TV Welcome to the Gun Show and will be aired on...
Hi John,
got your videos. looks like you guys had a lot of fun making them! Well done :)
we will play them on the show on Sunday 7th december at 10.30pm, and also on monday 8th dec at 10pm.
if you are up in Auckland at any time give us a shout!
Cheers!
Dale :)
Not bad for some lads in Carterton...tell all your mates.29-11-2008
MIKE RIGG MUSIC VIDEOS ON YOUTUBEMike's latest music videos for Ocean Shines and Appreciate it can be viewed on Youtube by typing in MIKE RIGG APPRECIATE IT enjoy and tell all your friends and even people you don't know!!!...
29-11-2008
MUCH FUN AND HILARITY ENJOYED BY ALL MAKING MIKE RIGG MUSIC VIDEO.It was an early start to the day for producer and director John Mabey on Saturday November the 15th, the day for shooting the Mike Rigg and his Riggers new music video. The song is Ocean Shines, Trk 10 off Mikes New album "Living For Now" and there was a second videos made of "Appreciate it"...Trk 9 off his album. The shoot commenced at 9am at Harlequin Theatre Dixon Street MASTERTON, THe back drop to the video being the "Are You Being Served" set...Harlequins latest production. THe camera man was Mario Geremia (was a bullfrog), The shoot went very well and took about and hour and a half to shoot the song 10 times. Mike plays all the instruments...Things went pretty much to plan and we had great help from Mario who knew just what to do to capture John's ideas.
If you look closely you can see John's son Roan in the videos as well...he's 4 and half.
So who's in these videsos? Mike Rigg, Toby Mills, Paddi Addison, John Mabey, Darren Knight & Roan Mabey...that's who!
We then had time to film a video of Appreciate it which took 3 takes. Mario edited the viodeos that night and by Sunday evening we had the final product...one or two extra tweeks were required on Monday to create the very clever and funny videos you can all watch on YouTube right now.
These have been sent to ALT TV for veiwing on the GUN SHOW.14-11-2008
MIKE & THE RIGGERS TO SHOOT MUSIC VIDEO AT HARLEQUIN THEATRE SATURDAY 15TH NOVEMBER.M & T R's to shoot the video for Alt TV...finally, from 9am till 2pm...Ocean Shines and Appreciated.
14-11-2008
MIKE & THE RIGGERS PLAY AT BARRY BENTLEYS 50TH AT THE LOFT, FEATHERSTON ON SATURDAY NOV 8THThe band wooed the 50 odd attendees who were special enough to be at Barrys big day at the wonderfull LOFT venue in Featherston. This was the first gig where the lads utilised the fine technology of IN EAR MONITORS...John playing without a bass amp was surreal...looking at the set up was realatively sparce in comparison to the Marquis gig...no big monitor speakers and on stage amps, this has heralded in a new era of controlled playing, better listening, tighter harmonies and better pitching for all...welcome to the big time...Rod Stewart uses these!!!
The Band played a one two & a quarter hour long set from 9.15pm till 11.30pm. Much appreciated and an enjoyable conclusion to a special birthday celebration for a very nice chap...The dinner was a degustation dinner...6 small courses with appropriate wine with each. Lovely heart felt speeches and performances from his mens choir and a song from his wife and daughter...very nice.14-11-2008
MIKE & THE RIGGERS PLAY A VERY SUCCESSFUL HALLOWEEN NIGHT AT THE MARQUIS HOTEL IN CARTERTONM & Th R's: Mike Rigg, Toby Mills, John Mabey and Paddi Addison played to a well costumed and excited crowd at the Marquis of Normandy Hotel on High Street in Carterton on Friday the 31st October. The band , supported by a huge grunty PA c/- of Noise Production...ala Toby...started at 9.00pm and played a 4 set gig till 1.00 am. Most other venues had closed way before that time but M & R's held the crowd till the very end...with cries of more, more, more. The sound was powerfull, tight and grunty with harmonies by the front three..John, Mike & Toby soothing the ills and any keen listener. This was a gig to be at...This was the first of the many pub, public kick arse gigs to follow and it was the launching of Mike and The riggers onto the Wairarapa/Wellington circuit and letting the other bands know we have arrived!!!!
14-11-2008
MIKE & THE RIGGERS PERFORM THESE CONCERTSM & The R's are booked to perform at the following gigs:
October 31st, Carterton.
November 1st, Carteton
November 8th, Featherston
November 15th, Western Lakes
November 28th, Eketahuna
December 6th, Masterton
December 12th, Masterton1-10-2008
MIKE RIGG RECIEVES RAVE REVIEW BY AMPLIFIER (nz music informer) FOR HIS ALBUM LIVING FOR NOWReview Mike Rigg – Living For Now
Mike Rigg is a self-taught multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter. He has created an album that is interesting, catchy and quite good....
"Living for now" and "To turn away" give the album a great start and remind me of Failure -era power-pop legends The Posies. "A black magic" is a nice song and I find myself smiling when I hear the guitar solo - very Tenacious D. "The story goes" has a great melody and a cool twist at the end.
The real surprise and by far the best song on the album comes just when things start to drag a bit. "Appreciate it" is a smack in the face. It's the second to last song of the album. I'll come right out and say that this song has some serious balls. It's a weird surf-punk-rock fusion with great vocals and some dirrrty guitars. I love it! Once again I'm reminded of The Posies and more specifically "the other Posie" Ken Stringfellow's edgier offerings. The fireworks continue with the album closer "Ocean shines".
Read the full review here on NZ Music Informer at this address: info@amplifier.co.nz
[amplifier] Download Dub Asylum. Tim Guy. Celadore. Mike Rigg. Mars. News. Charts. Newsletter #91 – 18 September 200815-9-2008
MIKE AND THE RIGGERS RECORD A DEMO CD AT THE MOBILE ON SUNDAY 31ST AUGUSTThe band 'Mike and The Riggers', consisting of Mike Rigg...lead guitar and vocals, Toby Mills...keys and vocals, Paddi Addison....drums and John Mabey...bass and vocals, recorded a 5 song demo CD for promotional purposes. The process was a joy says Mike, We started laying down the basic music tracks simultaneously in Paddis studio, ..the sound was fantastic, that started at 10.30pm and we had all the basic tracks done by lunchtime. We took an hour off, then came back and laid down solos and extra guitar bits followed by the vocals. We all sing a song, except Paddi who doesn't sing in the band. We also laid down lots of harmonies which Toby, John and me seem to do well. the whole session was complete by 4pm.
We recorded parts of the songs so as to give the potential employer a taste.. Trk 1. B 4 U accuse me..rocky, sung by John. You can't always get what you want...sung by Mike. Cross Cut Saw sung by Toby, Mustang Sally sung by Mike and John, 6345789 sung by John.15-9-2008
FULL HOUSE BOTH NIGHTS AT ARATOI WITH GRAFIA AND OTHERS PERFORMING THE BLUESThe Grafia Blues Project was a success with full housesboth nights at the Wesley Wing at Aratoi. Dr Rob M had organised the shows with artist friends and musician friends. Grafia took to the stage last on both nights. The Friday night gig being a little loose but Saturday night proved to be tighter and with more grunt. A small crowd of dedicated blues followers stayed behind to dance and groove with Grafia with a high light being when Dougal got up and jammed with the LAds...John M, Mike R, Robby and Dave D with Dr Rob on harp.
15-9-2008
GRAFIA TO PLAY ARATOI ON FRIDAY 22 AND SATURDAY 23 AUGUST AT THE BLUES REVIEWMasterton Blues band GRAFIA, with Dr Rob Maunsell are to play one set on each night with support bands from Wellington.
The legendry Dave Murphy will be playing, Pat bleaklys band, and many others. Come along and enjoy an art exhibition by famed artist from Napier and local Masterton talent, enjoy food and wine from Entice and listen to the blues. Unplugged style on Friday night and upbeat swing on Saturday night...a must for all connoisseurs of quality art and blues.18-8-2008
MIKE AND THE RIGGERS PLAY WAICOL BALL FRIDAY 8TH AUGUST AT MASTERTON TOWN HALLThe Waicol ball for the 16 & 17 year olds was held at the Town Hall on Friday the 8th August 2008 and M & the R's played a 2 hour set from 7.30 to 9.30pm to warm the young crowd before a DJ took to the stage and pumped out drum and bass as only DJ's can. The set by the famed group...Mike Rigg on lead, Robbi K on Bass, John M on gat, Paddi on drums and Toby on Keys with vocals from M, J and R and T, was heralded as phenomenal and joyous producing tight harmonies, rocking rhythm and audience appeal aplenty with great crowd interaction and fun. The set started with an improv jam with John on Mikes strat while he went off to get a strap from Dr Robs. Then it grew into a wall of tight, punchy RocknRoll and Blues. The PA was massive and the sound was crisp, chunky and heaps of bottom end...this is a band who know what they are doing and can match anyone anywhere.
20-6-2008
GRAFIA TO PLAY NEW BAR IN TOWNAberdeen will host Grafia for a night of Blues..the date has yet to be announced but our manager...Dr Rob is in negotiations with the owners...keep an ear out for this one!
20-6-2008
GRAFIA TO PLAY MASTERTON CLUB ON AUGUST 9THThe hard blues band GRAFIA is set to play a private function on Saturday 9th August at the Masterton Club...John on Drums/Bass/Guitar/Vocals. Mike on Guitar vocals/Bass and drums and Robby on BAss/Drums and Vocals and Dr Rob on Vocals and Blues Harp will rock you all night long.
20-6-2008
MIKE AND THE RIGGERS TO PLAY A SATURDAY IN JULY AT JOXER DALYS MASTERTONTo promote Mike Rigg and his new Cd Joxer Dalys will be holding and event on a Saturday in July (will let you know which Saturday) Buy a CD and get a free Beer...Speights are launching a new beer and this will be a promotional gig both for Mike and the Beer. Big advertising in the Times Age and posters will help. That's Paddi, Toby, John and Mike at Joxer Dalys in July 2008.
20-6-2008
MIKE RIGG MISSES OUT ON AIR NZ HITS CD FUNDING ROUND FOR JUNE WITH OCEAN SHINESMike was unsuccessful in getting funding for this time round but we will be submitting "LUCY" for the next funding round...wish us luck!
20-6-2008
OCEAN SHINES VIDEO TO BE MADE BY STUDENTS...The new video for Ocean Shines and Lucy as requested by ALT TV will be made by multi media students and will be shot in Masterton and possibly Wellington and possibly at Joxer Dalys Gig...will let you know.
20-6-2008
MIKE AND THE RIGGERS TO PLAY WAICOL BALL ON AUGUST 8TH AT MASTERTON TOWN HALLThe Waicol Ball will feature M and R's at their 2008 senior Ball to be held at the Masterton Town Hall on Friday the 8th of August. The band will predominantly play Rock n Roll for the sweaty hormonal teenagers and then a DJ will take them in to the late hours.
The band starts at 7.30pm and will play for 1.5 to 2 hours... Mike will play one or two of his numbers as well...check it out!30-5-2008
MIKE RIGG SONG TO BE PLAYED ON KIWI FM NIGHT SHOWAndrew Fagan, from the Mockers and Kiwi FM has listened to Mike Riggs new album and favours LUCY as a hit single. He says he is going to play Lucy on the new song list on PM KIWI FM. He also liked Beautiful Girl, Appreciated, Ocean Shines and Story Goes. This is yet another success for Mike Rigg in the ongoing promotion struggle to get this young talented singer/songwriter heard on the NZ radio network. Look out for this one and tune in to KIWI FM. Tune onto 102.1FM, 102.2FM, 102.5FM and check it out.
30-5-2008
MIKE RIGG TO PLAY KITTY OSHEAS ON COURTNEY PLACE WELLINGTONRenowned covers venue The Irish Pub, Kitty O'Sheas will host Mike and The Riggers from July onwards. The date is yet to be confirmed but keep an eye out for advertising with this one! The Gig will be from 10pm till 2 am and will consist of 4 cover sets and a few Mike Rigg originals. The style is Pub Rock n Roll and feature Mike Rigg and John Mabey on vocals with splendid harmonies from Toby Mills.
30-5-2008
MIKE AND THE RIGGERS TO PLAY MATARAKI SOLSTICE FAIR CONCERT SATURDAY JUNE 28TH AT CLAIRVILLESaturday June 28th – Sunday June 29th
MATARIKI SOLSTICE FAIR CONCERT & FIREWORKS DISPLAY
WAIRARAPA A & P SHOWGROUNDS CLAREVILLE
New Zealand’s largest Winter Solstice Fair featuring art and craft stalls, ethnic food, and entertainment through out the day
30-5-2008
GRAFIA PLAY AMAZING GIG AT DR ROBS BIRTHDAY BASH FRIDAY 9TH MAYFriday the 9th May saw one of the most spectacular blues gigs the sleepy town of Masterton has ever seen. Grafia rocked the stage at Robs manauka street address in a frenzy of blues and rock unmatched by any band in the Wairarapa today. The event was heralded as the zenith in ultimate kick arse blues performances to ever be staged. The night started with Stefan Brown and Vaughn playing their kind of jazz and blues. The crowd of friends and blues entusiasts were treated to rare and classic versions of legend blues numbers of the greats. As the night grooved on Stefan and V were joined by Paddi and John and Mike and the sound developed into a might and energy aimed to move the limpest of legs. dr Robs magnetic blues harp pulled the faintest of listeners into the relm of magic with harp melodys from distant planets weaving in and out of the musical mist. With anticipation akin to the tension similar to five brazillian virgins slowly climaxing to a simultaneous orgasm...Grafia hit the stage with the thunderous and pulsating verve that no human could resist and they exploded their unique style of grunty blues onto the waiting, panting audience and the night was alive and kicking from then on...there was no turning back.... Dr Rob blowing on his harp and singing as only he knows how...Mike flaying at his gat and screaming his vocals as if possessed flooding the crowd with unadlterated bliss...John ripping through vocal gymnastics and belting out songs like they deserved freedom from years of dungeons and chains... Paddi and Robby laying down the most earth shattering and thunderous rythmn groove ever to set foot in manuka street and bedding down the force needed to support the others meandering melodies and screams of soulful blues licks..yes this was indeed an performance to be hold...a performace that if you were there..your life has been changed forever...! Dave Murphy followed with the soul and spirit of the greats..Robert Johnson and John Lee Hooker....if those guys were at the party they would be impressed and be inspired to learn just that little bit more..such is tha talent of this guy..he was backed up with the groove machine of John on Bass, Robby on Drums, Mike on Gat and Stefan on Piano...and of course Dr Rob helping out on Harp...what a sound. Then we had two lovely girls from wellington to play some blues as they do...fantastic. It was at 4am that the music stopped...the lads fell to the couch, the floor, the spare beds to retire exhausted and staisfied...and then someone in the dark distant echo of the night said..."lets do it again"!
30-5-2008
MIKE RIGG TO PLAY CHARITY CONCERT AT THE MASTERTON TOWN HALL ON SATURDAY JUNE 14THMike Rigg will offer his talents to a charity gig at the Masterton Town hall on Saturday June 14th to help raise funds for a cancer sufferer here in Masterton.
27-5-2008
ALT TV THE GUN SHOW WANT MIKE RIGG VIDEONZ independent music channel 65 Alt TV have agreed to have a Mike Rigg music video and wish to play it on their GUN SHOW. We are waiting for funding on this one. The songs will be LUCY and OCEAN SHINES. A thought is to use film students and get them to do the video as a project?
26-5-2008
MIKE RIGG TO PLAY MASTERTON CLUB ON JUNE 7TH WITH DARREN KNIGHT AND JOHN MABEYThere is to be a private function at the Masterton Club in Masterton on June 7th where the band will be similar to the Tulloch Lodge band except Tony Burt won't be playing due to his hernia operation. Darren on drums, Mike on Guitar and John on Bass although, Robby K may move to Bass and John onto 2nd guitar.
26-5-2008
OCEAN SHINE IN THE RUNNING FOR NZ ON AIR HITS CDThe Mike Rigg song "Ocean Shines" has been submitted for selection to the NZ on Air NZ Hit Disc and the results will be known in June 2008. If the song is chosen then money will be offered to re-record the song and a $5000 grant will be available to shoot a music video. This will indeed be a boost to Mike's music career and something we really wish will happen...
26-5-2008
MIKE RIGG BACK IN THE STUDIO TO RECORD HIS SECOND ALBUMMike and his manager/studio owner, John Mabey are back in the studio to record a bunch of new songs recently penned by Mike. This time round the soundwill be punchy, rocky and and slightly scattered with grunge featuring a harder , more distinct drum sound.
26-5-2008
INDIERHYTHM TO SELL MIK RIGGS NEW ALBUM ON LINEOn line music store indierhythm is to sell "Living For Now". to check out the site and listen to some of Mike's songs go to...http://www.indierhythm.com/product.php?cdId=3576
26-5-2008
AMPLIFIER TO SELL MIKE RIGGS NEW ALBUMMike's management has done a deal with Amplifier to sell on line, "Living For Now". Check out their link http://www.amplifier.co.nz/artist/36655/mike_rigg.html
26-5-2008
MIKE RIGG CD'S FOR SALE IN WELLINGTONMike Riggs new album "Livng For Now" is now available in CD/DVD store on Cuba Street and reral Groovy on Cuba Street Wellington. So if you are near there, go in and get a copy....I dare you!
26-5-2008
MIKE RIGG TO PLAY WELLINGTON VENUESMike Rigg is to play Bodega and Sanfransisco Bath House in July. Wednesday nights new talent at Bodega where he and his band The Riggers will be sharing the stage with 2 other new bands. Tuesday nights at Sanfran Bath House which is acoustic night of originals, M and T R will be playing from 8pm onwards doing a set of Mikes new songs. Look out for dates on this one.
8-5-2008
GRAFIA PLAYS AT THE TIN HUTT BLUES NIGHTGrafia laid down a half hour set from 7.15pm till 7.45pm on Wednesday night the 7th of May...and the crowd went wild... or as much as blues loving Tin Hutt goers can wild up.
Dr Rob was in good form featuring his husky blues voice and the band played relatively mildly for the appreciative crowd. The ODD person mentioned that it was a little too loud...I guess age probably has something to do with that?. The band performed 7 tunes and played tight. This set the seen for the rest of the night...the main act being a young chap who knew how to get rhythm for his home made nylon string gauitar. A great singer as well, very animated but after 5 or 6 tunes they became very samey with a similar style for most of his songs...This chap gets to play with the black seeds on their European tour. A great night indeed was had by all.4-5-2008
PESDESTRIANS MEET FOR THE LAST TIME BEFORE PAUL GOES TO DENMARK80's new wave band the PEDESTRIANS formerly based in Pahiatua, have met today in Palmerston North for a meeting to finalise their much anticipated album. John Mabey, their bass player and producer along with Paul Lea, their drummer and creative genius, presented the final mix of the CD 1. Tony Burgess, their guitarist and Forrest Chambers (formerly Panny)were typically in awe of the work and much praise was flung about the cafe where the meeting took place. This now concludes the 2 CD set project and Paul Lea can now leave for Denmark for 3 months to charm and win over his future wife to be..Hella. The lads all agreed that each member should write their own songs and upon Paul's return in August...the band is to re-enter the studio and record a true PEDESTRIANS album of original material...anticipation mounts...we will keep you informed...Forrest surpirised everyone by arriving on his new red BMW 650 motor cycle...he is a wee bundle of surprises is our Forrest!
4-5-2008
MIKE AND THE RIGGERS HAVE TASTY GIG AT KFC MASTERTONMike and the Riggers performed to a hungry audience at their KFC/Sounds gig on Saturday 3rd of May 2008 as part of winning the local band/song competition put on by sounds and KFC. The set consisted of 4 Mike Rigg songs and 2 covers...stuck and Can't... with Heavens Door as an encore...the crowd were salivating for more. Amongst the greasy chicken and salty hot chips were the sounds of tight harmonies, moving keyboard solos and the groove machine of John M and Paddi A. Mike 's voice was in top form and 4 CD's were sold on the day. The venue...inside the local KFC store, was remarkedly conducive to producing a great mix and comments such as.."best sound ever" and "I was moved to eat more chicken" could be heard mumbling from half full mouths of eager chicken loving music fans!.. Keep an eye out for this up and coming talent...
4-5-2008
GRAFIA REHEARSING FOR CROSS CREEK BLUES NIGHTThe ultimate blues band, GRAFIA are into final rehearsal for their performance at the cross creek blues club night on Wednesday 7th May 2008, Paddi, Dr Rob, John, Mike and Robby will be playing 5 numbers such as 'Cross Roads', '6345789', 'She caught the Katie', 'She's an artist' and 'before you accuse me' plus the times they are a changing...the version by Bryan Ferry...massive stuff.
See you at the TIN HUTT on Wednesday night...the band hits the stage at 8.45pm29-4-2008
MIKE RIGG ON CLASSIC HITZ TUESDAY 29thMike Rigg is to play live on the Masterton Radio Station Classic Hitz 90.1FM from 11.00am. There is to be an interview with the DJ and Mike will play a couple of his songs live...just his guitar and his voice. Manger and fellow Rigger, John Mabey may also help out on harmonies. Listen out for this one at 11.00am on Tuesday 29th April 2008. Don't forget, you can buy Mike's new debut album at Sounds record store on Queen Street in Masterton for $24.95.
29-4-2008
MIKE RIGG IS PLAYING AT TULLOCH LODGE SAT 26th APRILMike Rigg along with drummer Darren Knight, Bass player John Mabey and slide guitarist Tony Burt will be playing at the SUZUKI function at Tulloch lodge here in Masterton on Sat 26th April.
This function will be to celebrate the launch of Suzuki's new road bike range.
The entertainment will be this incredible rock line up featuring some of the Wairarapa's finest musicians. The gig starts at 8.30pm untill after midnight...see you there...29-4-2008
MIKE RIGG AND BAND PLAY AT THE GOLDEN SHEARS TAVERN MASTERTONMike Rigg with his band the RIGGERS played their first public gig last night at the Trust House Golden Shears Tavern Friday 11th from 7 till 10.30. A very appreciative crowd of loyal fans enjoyed 7 new songs off his debut album.
The Riggers are...Paddi Addison on drums....Toby Mills on Keys and BV...John Mabey on Bass and vocals...with Mike on Guitars and vocals. The band warmed up in the 2nd set and took the crowd by storm with new and powerful versions of some good ole favourites when they played the covers set.
Can't always get what you want..by the stones being a stand out..John's performance of 'everynight'...a Paul McCartney number with the tight 3 piece harmonies form Toby, Mike and John touched the hearts of all who heard it...some of the best harmonies you'll ever hear!
Mikes version of ..Stuck in the middle with you...an old steelars wheel tune...Gerry Rafferty..was a smash hit and a pumper... We'll let you know when Mike and the Riggers are playing next...Rock On!!23-4-2008
MIKE RIGG WINS WAIRARAPA KFC SOUNDS COMPETITIONLocal talent, Mike Rigg has topped the voting battle for the KFC sounds local original home grown songwriting competition with his song Living For Now...the title song from his new debut album with same name.
Mike is to play at his local Masterton KFC store at 11.00am on Sat 3rd of May with his band the RIGGERS. Mike will play a set of his own tunes for 30 minutes. Come along and support this local talented songwriter and crab yourself some of that great KFC chicken while you are there.16-4-2008
MIKE AND THE RIGGERS NEXT GIGSMike and the Riggers are set to rock the Waicol Hall one lunch time early next term. Mike is to play all his songs off his new album...Living For Now'. 500 screaming fans will groove to the new tunes for a 40 minute lunchtime set then go out and buy the CD from Sounds in Masterton.
M & the R's will be playing (hopefully) at Joxer Dailys and the new ABERDEEN Bar in the next month ...watch out for advertising..
M & the R's will play Palmerston North and Wellington bars that favour new zealand home grown music...Bar Mode, Bodega and so on...keep an eye out for these ones!16-4-2008
DON'T FORGET TO VOTE FOR MIKE AT KFCGet onto the KFC website and click onto the voting section, then choose the Wairarapa region, click on Mikes "Vote" tab and enter your e-mail address and name and vote....we wan't Mike to win this regional competition with his song 'Living For Now'.
At writing, he is at No: 1 so far...let's keep him there.16-4-2008
PEDESTRIANS NEW ALBUMJohn Mabey - Bass, Paul Lea - Drums, Tony Burgess - Rhythm and Forrest Penny - Lead have completed their one and only studio album after 25 years when they gathered at BassRick Studio 2 in Carterton to record a selection of their favourite songs from the Pedestrians play list 25 years ago. They reformed for the album and on December 8 & 9 2007 they laid down the basic tracks of 17 songs and over the following 2 months additional tracks, vocals were laid down. John mixed and fiddled till the sound was able and Paul wizzed and chopped at photos to create the album cover and
posters. The release and launch of their CD entitled "Live and Other Splendid Hits" will be on Saturday the 12th of April 2008 at Tony & Julie Burgess 20th wedding anniversary in Levin...at the Barn House Party.
12-4-2008
YOU CAN HEAR MIKE RIGG ON CD BABY NOWClick onto this short cut and go to Mike's CD BABY site to hear the new songs of his debut album 'Living For Now'...http://cdbaby.com/cd/mikerigg. Enjoy the music and buy the CD...Cheers
8-4-2008
GRAFIAThe ultimate rock blues band for the Wairarapa. This band features Paddi Addison on drums, John Mabey on Guitar, Robby Keating on Bass and Dr Rob Maunsell on Blues Harp. Vocals are shared by Rob, John and Robby. Mike Rigg sits in on lead gat to finish off this awesome groove machine. They practice at Dr Robs mansion on Tuesday nights from 7.30pm. Their next major show will be at the Cross Creek Blues night on the first Wednesday of May...being the 7th. They will be playing 4 of their best songs that is guaranteed to leave you wanting more...
8-4-2008
AVATAR -THE MOVIE BY JAMES CAMERONJohn Mabey has completed three days shoot on this movie as an extra. 2 days at the Porirua sound stage and one day at Stone Street Studios Miramar, Wellington. The scenes are in a bar and a street scene. Three days for about 5 minutes of film...a lot of waiting around and I got to read Ben Elton's new book...'Blind Faith'
8-4-2008
RELEASE OF DEBUT ALBUM FOR MIKE RIGGLiving For Now is the title of Mike's new album released through BassRick Music. 10 well penned songs feature on this quality CD with a stand out 'single' being track 10...Ocean Shines. Mike has submitted track one...'Living for Now' in the KFC sounds original music competition. You can vote for him by going to www.kfc.co.nz and click on vote. Mike and his band are playing at the 'Golden Shears' bar at the horse shoe tavern this Friday 11th from 7 till 10pm. Local FM radio will be there abd you can purchase his new CD there for $20. There wll be a BBQ and prizes...see you there.
The CD is currently for sale in sounds at Masterton for retail $24.95. Support your local Wairarapa talent and go and buy a copy...cheers.