Nottingham Whip 26th May 2007

The first full whip of the year took place this weekend in Nottingham. Although this was billed as a main whip many months ago, sadly two members could not be present. One member was lost through feeble excuses, the other through an extremely absent minded holiday booking. It is noted here on the blog that both reasons are not acceptable! Anyway, the proceedings started on the Friday (the warm up night) with a trip from the suburbs into Nottingham centre. Firstly a visit was made to Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem, a fine public house which soon became the scene of blasphemous events. Upon entry one member of the party was openly ripped by the slightly stout Yeoman of the bar for wearing nothing other than a Tyketto T shirt. The heretic (aging dinosaur rocker) then launched a verbal assault on Danny Vaughn himself, together with a general rubbishing of all acoustic guitar music. Whilst the pub is both an unusual and interesting venue, it clearly is the home of unbelievers and should be approached with caution. Following a drink we moved onto the Salutation Inn. Upon entry, the ground floor was found to be a standard Nottingham establishment, however up stairs was a haven of rock. Friday night was Karaoke night, and much was talked about entry to sing a 'cock rock' number to the full audience of the Sal. Wisely and due to insufficient vocal ranges, no entry was made.

The Saturday saw the full whip proceedings, following a visit to a local building of historic interest. After the full appreciation of a bottle of Skyy vodka by the members of the whip (coupled with the usually caffine based energy drinks and 'cock rock' DvD), the party moved to Nottingham, starting this time with the Sal. Once again the upstairs was a rock haven, although this time with no Karaoke. Following a swift visit to the Tap 'n' Tumbler, entry was made into the city of rock. Music was varied but did incorporate a reasonable amount of 'cock rock' enabling the members to indulge in the usual ludicrous dancing and total loss of self respect. During the evening contact was made with an indirect whip victim of some 15 years ago. Whilst this individual did not attend the whip, they did have the (mis)fortune of meeting the whip members post whip, joining in with the drinking throughout the evening. This was the last time the individual was seen for 15 years. The mystery was solved however, when the facts were established. Following a collapse, hospitalisation and being 45 times over the legal limit, the individual involved was advised not to drink for a number of days unless death was desired. They then avoided alcohol for a number of years. This is clear evidence of how important the whip is in preparation for a night of binge drinking. One other notable event was the trial of a new Tyketto dance. Whilst still in development a new synchronised dance emerged incorporating many complex maneuvers requiring both concentration and agility. Further choreography is required, but early indications are that this new development is a direct result of extensive brain cell damage due to vodka abuse.

Whip a Week Early?

It would appear the whip may have been staged a week early. Check this poodle rock extravaganza out, it even has a link to a 'Forever Young' cover:



http://clubnight.wildside-net.com/

Nottingham Rock City - Is it still rock?

A crisis has hit Vodka Whip towers, it was bad enough when news reached us that our beloved 80's/90's rock had been cornered into one Friday night a month. But now it seems that while the main rock/alternative night is back on a Saturday, there is a lack of the hair rock we worship.

This is grave news as it may threaten the frequency of future visits to the spiritual home of the whip, so we need YOUR help...

If you are reading this the chances are you found our page thanks to a mention of one of the rock bands we love. If you have visited Rock City in the last few months, please post a comment or email us (vodkawhip@hotmail.com) to tell us what the chances are of hearing those bands on a Saturday (or indeed Friday if our info is wrong) night.

Your input will be very much appreciated, for information leading to a successful whip visit we'll buy you a drink (vodka based of course) in Rock City itself.

Hair Metal Quiz for popularists

Although there is a shortage of good c**k rock bands in this quiz there is still a fair smattering with Poison and Cinderella making appearances.

Name that hair-metal band!

Anything less that 10/12 is a disgrace and more revision is needed. Get out those old albums or click on the links on the sidebar of this rock and vodka based blog.

Mr B on lead guitar....

Is this Mr B wielding his axe?

Pure Gold 2 - Danny Vaughn @ The Purple Turtle, Camden - 8th May 2007

So what can I say the great man produced another stunning performance in London last night, despite some technical problems afflicting, in the main, guitarist Tony Marshall. Can't see the likeness to Mr T myself. Dante Fox were very good, well worth checking out, and T-shirts at a bargain fiver you can't go wrong!

Suspect the set-list for the Vaughnster was very much the same as the previous night, it was indeed finely crafted blending the best of Danny's "solo" career with a smattering of Tyketto classics. Too busy dancing to write a set-list myself but songs that I can remember off the top of my head (although it is entirely possible I may be confusing one or two with listening to the CDs earlier in the day, confirmation would be appreciated from anyone else that was there), anyway they include:

From Tyketto: Burning Down Inside (which some idiot then called out for later in the show), The Last Sunset, Seasons, Meet Me In The Night, The End Of The Summer Days, Wings and of course the mighty Whip anthem, Forever Young.
From Vaughn: Is That All There Is, Shadowland, The Voice, Haunted, Was There A Moment.
1 cover: Cold Sweat
And most of the excellent new Danny Vaughn-Traveller album.

Fantastic gig, wish that Dudley was more feasible this Saturday, really needed to book a hotel much sooner I suspect, although temptation still lives until Saturday is gone!

Pure Gold from Danny Vaughn - Rescue Rooms, Nottingham 7th May 2007

Today (8th May) working has been a struggle due to the effects of a a gig, a few pints and a late night. This struggle was worth it as last night the Miester Danny Vaughn put in a storming performance at the Rescue Rooms Nottingham. Dante Fox must be mentioned at this point as they too performed strongly in support. Following 30 minutes or so from the Fox, Danny and band played a long set (some 1 hour 45 minutes). The show opened at a blistering pace, not pausing between the first three songs for applause. After a finely crafted set incorporating a fine mix of Vaughn numbers from all three albums, focusing on Traveller, the new release, blended with a substantial number of Tyketto classics, the crowd were brought to a near climax as Danny and co finished with 'Wings' before the encore. Following a sort pause, Danny and band returned for a few more numbers, closing and climaxing the crowd on what else but the legendary 'Forever Young'.

An additional bonus was that Mr T (sporting some additional head cover) was seen playing lead guitar along side the great man himself. A publicity photograph is shown below which although shows some resemblance, is nowhere near as good as the 'lookalike' factor in the flesh, which I have to say was remarkable.

Mr T's stunt double

Sheffield (Whip on Tour) 27th April 2007 - Sheffield Casbah

The Casbah is a decent venue, the fact that it was located in the same block as our hotel being an unexpected bonus on this occasion.

The unusual aspect about this club is the bar upstairs that feels just like, well a bar, the room downstairs is very much a club style room though. We were surprised to find that this room wasn't open when we arrived a little after 11pm. A number of the rockier elements of the clientele were looking slightly uncomfortable in the bar with a selection of indie style music filling the air.

At 11:30 the barrier was opened and the Whip contingent were the first down the stairs, straight onto the dancefloor for Extreme's Get The Funk Out. The music early on was of suitable whip style, later on the heavier side of rock was merged in although a few tracks still enticed us on to the floor.

Notable other attractions included the young lady with the flashing sign, yes I would have bought you a drink if you hadn't made a mistake with your grammar!, and the young lady giving her boyfriend an entertaining lapdance. A fine selection of vodka based drinks was on offer at reasonable prices.

A slightly early bolt for the door was instigated by one of our number, provoking a ripping from the security on the way out. Still with the lack of energy on Saturday morning anyway, it may have been wise...

All in all a fine venue, a slightly higher proportion of cock rock in the DJs collection wouldn't go amiss though!

Vodka Whip On Tour

So a venture out for a mini-whip in Sheffield this weekend, research has generated a veritable list of suitable venues with the Dove & Rainbow and Casbah favourites for Friday night with D&R, Lord Nelson and Corporation the likely haunts for Saturday.

Just don't tell the hotel we are smuggling vodka in!

Bon Jovi

Cock legends Bon Jovi play the O2 Arena (Millennium Dome to the uninformed) on Sunday June 24th. This happens to be the very same day that Aerosmith play Hyde Park so Vodka Whip suspects an even more "less than rock" oriented crowd than usual for the New Jersey outfit.

Still will be a good gig, indoors too. So if you decided not to go to Aerosmith then get yourself tickets when they go on sale on Friday 9am.

Tour Dates

There are a variety of Vodka Whip endorsed tours due in the next few months.

Firstly Danny Vaughn himself treks around the UK in May, Mr T is hoping to get down to London for this (Camden Purple Turtle 8th May), although the originally suggested trip to Dudley JBs on the 12th is now looking less likely, but could still be persuaded... Check out the Danny Vaughn website for full dates.

Motley Crue sleaze their way into Hammersmith Apollo on June 11th, day before Mr T's birthday so he will be there for that one then. Only other dates are at Download on the 9th and Manchester Apollo on 12th.

Mr T is also off to Bryan Adams, Wembley Arena on May 11th, Aerosmith, Hyde Park on June 24th, Thunder, Chepstow Castle - June 30th.

Thunder tour again in November/December, Mr T has plans to see them in Narwich and London, full tour dates on Thunder Online

Reminder that the Nottingham whip is on the weekend of May 25th/26th. The mini-whip in Sheffield is set for April 27th/28th.
Hoping for promotion for Forest and Yeovil (but in reality it will probably only one of them), promotion to be denied for Birmingham and Derby (although again one of them will make it), and relegation for Sheffield United, to maximise the potential dates for whips for next season!

Eurotrek

So the insanity was rather a good idea in the end.
What am I talking about? Well my trips to Europe to see a couple of gigs. Firstly to the Matrix in Bochum, Germany to see Thunder, a great gig, good club in the venue afterwards, and barring getting off at the wrong station on the way back to the airport a smooth trip. (Oh and the rather quicker than anticpated landing back at Stansted!) Because of the amount of travelling time involved I didn't get much time to look around but managed to squeeze in a museum based in an old mine in Bochum which was nice.

Then just this week I went off to Graz in Austria to see Therapy? at the Orpheum. A nice little venue, and another great gig. No support and an early finish were a little strange, but still good and well worthwhile. Had a couple of days to look around and Graz is a really beautiful city, lots of good looking young ladies as well, so it was all good, well apart from being woken by doors banging in the hotel when I'd only had 3 or 4 hours sleep after being out until 3am.... I found a bar that had rock and metal playing, mainly with the videos on the screen as well, on Wednesday so went back after the gig on Thursday as well.

It was good to have a chance to chat with the members of both bands after the shows, thought I was too old for autograph hunting but what the hell makes the trip that bit more special, got some photos as well so may post them up when I get them developed (or maybe not as it will reveal my identity!)

So I'm looking out for more gigs when I am on holiday in the summer, these European trips are fun! For the moment I'll have to look forward to the usual round of gigs in London, but the Thunder show in Chepstow Castle should be a good one too with the unusual setting and a town I haven't visited before.

Here We Go Again

It's been a bit quiet on here recently, well yes, we all had New Year to get over first! However, all has not been quiet in the world of the whip.

Firstly there was the potentially controversial move of the first Nottingham whip of the year to the weekend of May 25th/26th. No objections have been posted but we are waiting for confirmation of the accommodation arrangements, hopefully a large bunch of flowers on Valentine's Day has helped ease the request through...

Secondly a proposed Sheffield whip looked doomed due to a clash with the World Snooker Championship, our usual hotel was fully booked, a more expensive alternative has been secured, but this does have the added advantage of being even closer to our usual destinations. The weekend of April 27th/28th will see a Vodka Whip visit to Sheffield's Casbah, Corporation and Lord Nelson, DJs please dust down your copy of Forever Young for us.

Finally the legend that is Danny Vaughn is starting to announce tour dates. So far this has thrown the possibility of a live leanback at Dudley JB's into the equation on Saturday May 12th. There is a club after the gig so Mr T is proposing a hotel overnighter, early indications of interest from the fellow whippers may be necessary to secure the accommodation required. Sadly a double header on this occasion is not possible for Mr T due to an earlier booking for Bryan Adams on the Friday evening!

So a month full of Vodka Whips and cock rock looks on the cards, gentlemen start your emails please!

A Naughty Naughty Christmas

Whilst watching some appalling television this Christmas I saw a bit of the film 'Santa Clause 2' (I know - don't laugh). Almost could not believe my ears when I thought I could here the dulcet tones of Danger Danger in the films soundtrack. Anyway, a small amount of research has indeed revealed:

"Naughty Naughty Christmas"
Written by Bruno Ravel, Steve West (of Danger Danger)
Published by Bumming Fog Music & Get in Your Mouse Music (BMI)
Performed by Danger Danger
Courtesy of Low Dice Records and Kramden Enterprises Inc.

Unadulterated c*ck in a kids film, who would have thought it!

If you want to hear it see the myspace link below:

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=4716617

Homage to Danny Vaughn - FOREVER YOUNG

Check this but perhaps not at work - please come hear to listen to the dulcet tones of Danny Vaughn and to practice those leanbacks.

A quality post I trust you will agree and finely sourced.

No screen licking boys - I know you want to.

Thunder Christmas Party @ Rock City

So after seeing Thunder at the Planet Rock Xmas party the previous night, I assumed that at least some of the songs would feature in the sets at their own bash 24 hours later, how wrong I was. A packed house at Rock City, every vantage point was quickly taken, including all the way up the stairs to the balcony, anybody staying too long in the pub found themselves stuck towards the back.

As billed they played 2 sets, the first lasting 50 minutes was acoustic and then after a short break they returned for a full on electric set, which itself was just over an hour and a quarter. The crowd were in good form, and the vibe was bubbly, hello to the people I met from Worcester, and those I met again from previous Thunder gigs, there is a real community feel at a Thunder gig, if you've never been make the effort it is well worth it...

Again they were superb, the only 2 songs that were played the previous night were current single "The Devil Made Me Do It" and the title track of the current album "Robert Johnson's Tombstone", both featured in the electric set. Also on the setlist were the likes of "She's So Fine", "Fly On The Wall", "Today The World Stopped Turning", "Shake The Tree", "It's All About You", "Stand Up", "Don't Wait Up" and many more including a number of covers such as "Band On The Run", "Play That Funky Music" (which they have recorded in their own right as well of course), and finishing with a festive double bill of "Happy Xmas (War Is Over")" and "I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day". Iwish I could remember every song off the top of my head but there were so many crammed in that I can't pick them all out right now.

Looking forward to getting the free CD, will bring back happy memories.

So off to see Iron Maiden tomorrow, will be a little bit different! Trivium are supporting and have just booked tickets to see them next year so hoping they are as good as the hype.

Have a good Christmas and a rockin' New Year.

Is this Mr B with a cap on?

Check this YouTube video. This is just for Mr B and Mr G our resident axe men. Top tune though.

Planet Rock Christmas Party - Thunder

I was one of the lucky winners of tickets to the Planet Rock Christmas party at the Carling Academy, Islington last night. Really just a free booze up upstairs for the invited VIPs and a gig with a couple of giveaways for the rest of us. The "Welsh Totty" cheated her way through the competition for the PLanet Rock anorak, we didn't mind too much, and nor did the DJ, as she provided a great view of her arse while doing so! "Nice bloke Steve" won the anorak, despite the cheating, the crowd were supposed to shout the answers not write them down for you Wendi! Geordie Dave also provided entertainment by hecking the DJs then getting up on stage for the karaoke to win himself an anorak that looked like it might be a bit of a snug fit on him...

Worth going just for the superb Thunder, a fantastic set from them, as always, even if it was a little shorter than they played on the November tour. They included the current single "The Devil Made Me Do It", with mass sing-a-long but without the crowd singing competition featured on the tour. Other songs featured included Loser, River Of Pain, Low Life In High Places, Love Walked In, You Can't Keep a Good Man Down, Love Walked In, Back Street Symphony, I Love You More Than Rock N Roll and of course the traditional set closer Dirty Love. Sadly I didn't win the Gibson guitar in the draw afterwards so trundled off home, no free booze for me either.

Looking forward to seeing Thunder again tonight at their own Christmas show at Nottingham Rock City. Will try to post details if I get the chance.

A Message from DV

Yes the composer of the whip anthem "Forever Young" has been in touch, the one and only Danny Vaughn is amongst the recent visitors to www.vodkawhip.co.uk

"That brings a smile to my face, as did your web site. Man, we all have embarassing hair pictures from our past, don't we?
All the best for the holidays, "
Danny Vaughn

Rock City Regular

Slightly off topic, I happened across a picture of one of the usual rock city regulars;



Or is it Mr B? Remember he only cut his hair off to hide the grey, looks like he's been growing it back ready for the next whip!