Only 8 sleeps

until we see those crazy Hayseed Dixie boys for the first and probably only time this year. They're mostly resting and doing festivals this year but we're able to see them during their short tour of southern England.

Can't wait. Must find some energy from somewhere to have a good bop on the front row, who cares if I'm bedridden the rest of the week.

Rock it to us Deacon Dale!

An early Christmas present

Those wild boys from Deer Lick Holler have been busy and given us not one but two new freely download-able tracks as a gift for Christmas. Kind of makes up for the fact that they have not toured this autumn, after 8 years solid gigging they did reserve a rest. Barley Scotch aka John Wheeler was supposed to be doing a solo tour of 'songs and standup', a reprise of his appearance at this year's Edinburgh Festival, however the deepening financial crisis and lack of ticket sales have forced him to cancel.

So mosey on down to their 'Tasting Room' and have a listen now. Hey, even download them if you really like them.

Happy Holidays

It's Thanksgiving over the pond tomorrow, the official start of the 'Holiday' Season. In honour of this and as an early Christmas present to those of us here, those ever busy Hayseed boys have given us two previously unrecorded tracks as a thank you to all of us for supporting them over 8 long years of continuous gigging.

You can download them and as the man says 'spread them around' from here. Send them to your mates and educate them as to the true nature of Rockgrass. My fave has to be Father Christmas, a revival of an old Kinks track written well before the days of Asbos but as my fellow Hayseed fan Stellalover says, it sums up an Asbo Christmas perfectly. I think it has a touch of the Pogues about it too. It would make a great Christmas single and here they are giving it away for free. Thanks guys.

Just another little tune.

I first heard this at a Hayseed Dixie gig in Exeter a few years ago. Not one of theirs but it was being played over the pa before hand, Dave Bennett's choice perhaps?

Anyway have a giggle and try to ignore the pictures, hopefully not representative of what's in my fridge.

Net Friends

A few weeks ago we travelled north spent two evenings in the company of those Boys from Deer Lick Holler and also had the opportunity to spend some time with a couple of my closest friends. The amazing thing is that one of those, I had never met 'in the flesh' as it were until then. I have known this person almost 7 years here on the net and because of the distances involved and the fact that neither of us are particularly well we had never been able to engineer a meeting before.We originally met on an American run chat site specific to our ailments, or in my case the the 'wrong' diagnosis I was being treated for. Eventually Board Wars caused that site to disperse and we moved elsewhere to another American site. The same thing happened again, so we gave up the chat sites and contact each other directly now. The third member of our little group comes down here on holidays and we endeavour to meet up then, the last time being about 4 months ago. It was a lovely meeting, we all gabled away as though we had been around each other for ever. It felt comfortable and easy, not at all like being in the company of strangers, even the Worst Halves felt like they had known each other a while.

Tomorrow we travel to Bristol to see the band again and will meet up with other friends originally found here on the net. Wonderful to think that our paths would never have crossed had it not been for the internet.

Been there, done that, got the t-shirt and guess what?

Don Wayne Reno signed it. Just for me.

Watch him here at Holmfirth the following night. Just as well we didn't get to see Dale Reno in his undies at Mansfield on Saturday, might have made me blush!

On the move

It's official, after 12 months of total insecurity, disillusionment with the housing situation and the inability to sell my house, I'm actually moving. In less than 3 weeks.

After having very poor service from my letting agent yesterday I called them up to give them the proverbial rocket. Just as I was about to fire them completely, they actually decided to ring the lady who had viewed last week and get some feedback. Wow, some feedback! She wanted it and had been unable to contact them. So I do have a tenant after all. Really she wanted to move in by July 1st. Given that is only 10 days away I postponed until 14th. So yesterday afternoon finds me buying carpets for a whole house, re-jigging schedules and chasing the depressed painter and the singing plasterer. WH press-ganged his usual support team for the move itself.

This weekend I am away at a show and in 2 weeks time we are both off on a jolly involving those Hayseed Boys, some relatives and meeting a close and much treasured friend in person. That gives me one weekend to pack the house and the other one to move. We have no kitchen and no bathroom at the new place so we'll be camping for a while.

One thing is certain, it's going to be busy round here.

Strutting our stuff in Stroud

( Picture taken Feb 2008, Borderline London copyright Life in the Straighjacket)

Monday night we travelled to Stroud in Gloucestershire to see Hayseed Dixie live, WH having also seen them the night before in Exeter. 2 gigs on consecutive nights has got to be good going, he's more of a fan than me now.

We knew we’d got the right place when we pulled into the station car-park behind the Imperial Hotel and parked right by JW's famous new bike. After checking out the windows of the Polish deli and Polish restaurant (never knew Stroud was so ethnic) we settled in Wetherspoons on St Patrick’s night to the sound of two Irish guys having an argument and a whole bunch of, you-guessed-it, Poles. Shortly after the meal arrived we got a first glimpse of JW and Dave-who-does-our-sound trying to act all incognito with tweed cap and horn rimmed glasses. We kept our distance but did notice several other ‘fans’ paying homage at the service counter. Jake was spotted having a crafty smoke outside. Time to leave and go suss out the venue. The Subscription Rooms are owned by the local council and are an old fashioned theatre venue with chandeliers, a ballroom and a recent makeover of the bars and cafe area. Huge bouncers in Crombie coats guarded the door and divested us all of any suspicious looking articles, in my case half a (plastic) bottle of water. We wondered what we were in for.

Inside, the clientele seemed to be a mix of the local 'arty' types and yummy mummies attired in Boden and Joules. " A glass of chardonnay I think please, Henry." The men were bank-manager smart in casual mode, cashmere sweaters and cord trousers. Quite odd really. We wondered if they knew what they were in for. One or two broke the mould and looked like the normal Hayseed crowd, if anyone who loves them can be considered normal, a crowd of lads in false beards and cut off dungarees, a handful of bikers and the usual denim/leather clad brigade of lone males with too much hair. Frightened off by the distorted wall of sound which greeted us as Instill started their support set, we retreated to the coffee bar which declined to supply us with coffee but appended the statement that if they had known that 600 people would all be wanting coffee they would have switched the machine on. We sat and drank our cokes surrounded by an atmosphere more akin to a school PTA meeting amid cries of "Oh No, they've even got a siren now" and a loud "Ger off,you're crap" in a Brummie accent. At that stage we began to think there was another alternative event going on in the building.

Fortified by the warm coke, again we ascended the stairs for the main event as Instill performed their final number. the applause was lukewarm. The crowd in front of the stage did not seem very interested in any of the music, rather they were keen to seen 'down the front' and were braying to their friends across the room. Trays of pint glasses were placed on the stage and conversation resembled the hunt ball. When the boys came on to tune their instruments there were several loud cheers from the back and the whole hall surged forward in anticipation, displacing the local hoi-polloi with a few real fans.

After the customary 'Hello and Welcome', Kirby Hill got them going properly. The crowd seemed to be Hayseed newbies as very few hands went up when JW asked who had seen them before. The boys were on cracking form though and soon won them over, almost bringing the house down with Holiday about ¾ way through. They appeared to have been injected with speed as they tore through a mix of oldies and No Covers stuff. Dale was doing a great Maori haka for most of the set, his eyeliner even darker then usual; Jake got a load of laughs for fancying the support drummer (really?); and Don-Wayne dedicated his Daddy’s tune to Rachel-at-the-back for the encore. Dale singing 'Sweet Alabam' was just one high point in a set which had all the stomping classics and those of us who knew the words singing along as fast as we could manage which was not fast enough most of the time. A musician friend had told WH that on the Sunday they played at least 200 beats per min and this seemed even faster. After over 90 minutes the show was over.

We had to skip the after gig party at a pub up the road and had to high-tail it back down the M5 to go to an early funeral on Tuesday. No doubt there would be a few sore heads in Stroud that morning. We've just got to wait another few months now for the boys return later in the year as we can't get to any of the other gigs on this tour sensibly, holidays, weekends away and work conspire to prevent us.

The boys from Deer Lick Holler

Just one of over 100 pix that WH took at the Borderline in London on Monday night where we went to see our fave band Hayseed Dixie on the second leg of their European tour 2008; they had played in Reykjavik the night before. It was a great night with a party like atmosphere, helped along by the shots of Jack Daniels the band provided us all with. Ostensibly it the was the press launch for the new album, but 150 dedicated fans didn't need a press presence to have a great time dancing and singing along with the old favourites. Too bad a lot of the press failed to show, we drank their JDs for them. Additionally, as the album had only been out 7 days we hadn't really had time to get word perfect by then; fuelled by JD, no-one noticed.

WH and I had spent the day trawling the shops around Oxford St and trying to resist the temptation of buying anything so we didn't have to carry it. By 5pm we had had enough and went to meet other Hayseed fans for a barbecue at Bodeans. Meal over, we trecked to the Intrepid Fox to met yet more fans and then hot foot it to the Borderline just around the corner. The evening continued in similar breakneck fashion culminating in a train ride back to our hotel in Slough at almost 2am, following an extremely decadent Greek kebab an hour before on Oxford Circus.

I am now paying for all this activity, aching in places I didn't know I could but strangely I haven't had the crash which would inevitably follow such behaviour over the last 16 years. I hesitate to say it but if I don't crash then I will KNOW I am on the mend.

Now I look forward to seeing the guys in Exeter in March. This morning I even talked our kitchen supplier into going too, another new recruit to the tie-dye and dungaree army.

Oh No it's the big O

WH has a birthday with a zero on Friday, we are celebrating on Saturday and a HUGE surprise will be revealed for the Birthday Boy. Can't say any more yet but it will be great. I'm so excited.

In other directions, I am so busy I don't know where to turn, trying to sell this house, tidy up, do the garden, sort the new house out, sort the business out and organise a monster party and THE surprise.

I saw my Lovely Lyme Doc last week and he is amazed with my progress, I am definitely 50% back to normal, maybe more on a good day. 3 more months of treatment and then I can stop for a while to see if the symptoms return or not. Met with a friend yesterday whom I had not seen for 6 months and she was stunned. This keeps happening a lot now, it's really odd, it takes a while for me to get used to the new improved version, let alone anyone else.

To celebrate both events we are off to the British Press Launch of the new Hayseed Dixie album in London next Monday. If you get chance have a listen, it's brilliant and just like the title, No Covers, there is not a 'cover' in sight. Time to take these guys seriously, especially the writing talent of John Wheeler. It's a new direction for them and we'll be celebrating a new direction for us too.

Excitement, Excitement

In the cold of November I am already thinking about the spring and the news that Hayseed Dixie will be back touring in the UK in March is just what I wanted to hear. C'mon guys, update your website!

Oh, a little bird told me that the new album will be out just prior to that.

I'm warming up already.

Music was my first love

And it still is.

Since my relative recovery from Lyme I have rediscovered a mis-spent youth of concerts, gigs and playing loud music in my car. At the moment on the CD player is the Kerosene Brothers (the alter-ego of Hayseed Dixie) Choose Your Own Title along with everything Hayseed Dixie ever released. Intersperse this with UB40's Greatest Hits, all sorts of Notis Sfakianakis and some vintage Christopher Cross and you get a really weird mixture. As Barley Scotch says you need more than one kind of music in your machine.

Last week we went to see The Treefrogs at Combe St Nicholas, a brilliant night made even better by the lunatic dancer who managed to stay on his feet against all the odds. I'll never look at our plasterer the same way again! Rock on Danny! This week we're hoping to see the Lost Boys, another one of Danny's collaborations, at the George in Uffculme. Having seen Hayseed Dixie 4 times this year along with an abortive visit to Status Quo at Dudley Castle, we're now off to see Madness and UB40 5 days apart in Plymouth in December. There are rumours too of a Mad Dog McCrea gig sometime soon too.

Meanwhile if I get to wondering what my muso relative is doing across the pond, I can always watch The Old Southern Bluegrass Riverside Boxwap Family Band.

Six things I have done in the last few days

Just to prove I am actually doing something........

1. Made a jar of preserved lemons

2. Seen Hayseed Dixie in Bristol. Wow, best gig ever.

3. Turned another year older.

4. Driven for hours collecting building materials.

5. Received the biggest display of flowers I have ever seen. They are still filling the living room and scenting the whole house.

6. Started on the demon steroids yet again, only this time I am losing weight, not gaining it.

Back soon with more stunning highlights!!

The disappointment continues

Well the gig of the year was a wash-out, personally speaking. First off, the motorway was closed so we had a long detour via Wales. This meant that we were an hour late for lunch with the other Outhousers. Nevertheless we had a great time and a great lunch with lovely people. So far so good.

Later we left the hotel in brilliant sunshine, got to the Gig in a bit of cloud, saw the first two groups and by then it started to rain. And rain. And rain. Halfway through Hayseed Dixie we had to leave. By then my muscles were shaking and I could barely move. Our clothes were dripping wet and we could wring out the water.

One hour later we were dried off and sitting in warm clothes in the local Tandoori! Three days later I am still suffering the effects of getting so wet and sitting in pools of water for an hour, cold water and neurological Lyme do NOT mix. We didn't even get to see Status Quo, the headline group at all.

I thought that if I got my op date on Monday that would cheer me up. Last Friday I was told I could have it as soon as possible, by Monday that date was mid October. The surgeon didn't think to tell me he was on holiday for the WHOLE of September.

So I'm still waiting.

To alleviate the boredom I've booked to see the Hayseeds again in Bristol on 23rd September, indoors. This time it had better be good!

I'm IN at the Outhouse

Just an update on my ongoing saga with the Hayseeed Dixie Outhouse. Well someone read my moans on here and took pity on me (thanks Kook) and now I'm a fully fledged member, posting and all.

A week on Sunday we're seeing them live with Status Quo at Dudley Castle, just hope my foot recovers in time, I feel a serious need to bop coming on.

First I'm in then I'm out

I've had it with the Hayseed Dixie World Service. I finally got to join their Outhouse at the 7th attempt, posted one message and got kicked out. Some poor chap who must live near me, spent ages trying to help me out and I finally thought we'd done it. That feeling was short lived. I just went back to post again and I find I've been de-listed AGAIN.

I give up. It's not like me, but I have spent HOURS trying to sort this out, I even got a new email address and resurrected an old one, all to no avail. Why they think I am some sort of risk goodness only knows.

The gig on Thursday incidentally was brilliant, even though my heart was in another place. I'm looking forward to Dudley now in September with Status Quo.

As for their Outhouse, I think I'll pass.

Sad times

I lost a dear, dear friend yesterday. The Mother I should have had, instead of the one I got. Our friendship spanned 21 years, a generation gap, the loss of several relatives on both sides and whole lot more.

I went to a concert last night, knowing she was at life's end but her words were ringing in my ears, "Well I wouldn't waste tickets that I'd paid good money for. No way"

A bittersweet moment in the Hayseed's set, they played an Elvis song as a one off, one of my friend's favourites. I knew then she'd gone.

The day I walked into her life, which is how it actually happened, both our lives were changed forever. My life has been richer for knowing her, and I think I added a bit to her world too.

Her real family are now in mourning and shock, for this was sudden, she was well last week and gone this week. The whole of her community now surprised by the unforeseen, quick exit. Now she is at peace and I am left to ponder on why I should lose both mothers within 6 months.

Sometimes life just isn't fair.

Hayseed Dixie - The Outhouse

The Outhouse is the message board part of the Hayseed Dixie World Service. I have tried unsuccessfully 4 times now to join this and each time I do, I never get the activation email to actually open the account. I even emailed the webmaster twice on the help tab, but he never ever answers.

I'm not sure what's going on here, I've tried different email addresses and even posted this blog in the hope that someone will realise I am a Genuine Fan but they just never let me in.



I'm off to see them at Bridgwater tonight and I might just accost one of the team if I can and ask them why they keep shutting the door on me. Maybe there's some thing about devon girls that's a bit TOO HOT even for them.


JW if you check this out please LET ME IN.

Rocking with the Hayseeds

This time last week I was off to see my fave band Hayseed Dixie at Exeter University. Once again they kept the audience bopping away for a full two hour set, full of gems like their take on Walk this Way, Holiday and Dirty Deeds. I prefer their original material and their best on the night (and on their new album) has got to be She Was Skinny When I Met Her although John Wheeler aka Barley Scotch dug himself into rather a deep hole in the intro given the age and stature of some of the audience (myself included).

I have now found that I can re-live some of their concert material for free on a brilliant site of their archive material and YES! it's free in line with their philosophy of giving good value for money and playing for expenses only. Have a good laugh at gems like Kirby Hill and listen to the speed and skill of Don Wayne Reno's banjo playing and Dale Reno on the mandolin. Barley Scotch isn't bad on the fiddle either.

If you like rock and you like something different you'll love this.