Shiver me timbers! Rattle me bones!

Fair warning to the land lubbers of Sherston that those infamous scurvy dogs of BlokeSong and #altmvc will be sailing into their community this coming Friday 29th June.

Expect much singing and much ale quaffing in such a convivial establishment - get there early to find a space.

Malmesbury Gig VERY nearly SOLD OUT

 

We need say no more than try to contact Chris via voxbox@btinternet.com or call +44 (0) 7971 918 862 and sign up to the official gig invite on our Facebook page but it might be too late.

Shed Fest Success for The AKsionals

Festival fun on this latest Bank Holiday Sunday included the further adventures of The AKsionals who were pressed into action this weekend when our valiant lads ventured forth at the aforementioned "Shed Fest" at The Potting Shed pub in nearby Crudwell.

Everyone of the dozen or so blokes made the trek from SN6 to SN16 did so with some trepidation given a lack of rehearsal time and one or two late withdrawals, but like the experience troupe that they are they were able to circle the proverbial wagons and bond together for a final impromptu run through beneath some trees opposite the pub.  Despite still being drowned out by the noise of the band that was currently occupying the stage, the lads knuckled down to their preparation and managed to add two more songs their set whilst drawing a modicum of applause from a passer by, which buoyed their spirits before the show.

Storming the stage in front of a sizeable audience the blokes were their usual total contrast to other acts performing during the course of the afternoon.  They regaled the crowd with tales of fine Wiltshire yeomanry, dry stone walling, Vegetable growing contests, singing heartfelt ballad to the event's (rather nervous) lady organizer and rounding things off with a rousing Georgian toasting song.

The fruits of their labour can be heard on the tracks on the Soundcloud playlist below, and they show evidence of comments from long suffering family members that they sounded "not bad, all things considered"

NOT alone in our Shed at Shed Fest

So, as we are not known for passing up a chance to unleash our inner minstrels it has to be admitted that we were somewhat disappointed that we were not able to perform at the first "Shed Fest" being run by top notch local hostelry, The Potting Shed in nearby Crudwell.  One of our number did venture along and can barely remember the majority of the visit after "testing" one too many ales!

However, that is about to be remedied with the offshoot and outlet for unfettered BlokeSong that is the rabble affectionaly known as "The Magnificent AKsionals" who are due to be in action at the 2nd "Shed Fest" this coming Bank Holiday Sunday.

Even without many of the regulars Magnificents, recent outings at the World War 1 Commemorative Event and the latest rehearsal show promise for this subset of the main group.  It also provides a great excuse to dig out one or two lapsed numbers from our repertoire and introduce one or two new ones, all for the love of performing our unique style of singing and to be paid in "proper" Beer Tokens!

Do see if you can make it along to support the chaps and enjoy a grand afternoon out in the late Summer sunshine (fingers crossed!).  The blokes should be on around 15:15 or so and would welcome your support at the location on the map below.


 

Bradford Roots Festival

Would you trust these shifty looking characters with 45 minutes of your time?  We certainly wouldn't, but the good folks of Bradford on Avon did and received rich rewards in the shape of a memorable performance from our valiant Blokes.

We were very pleased to be invited to the now annual Bradford Roots Music Festival A celebration of musical talent in Bradford on Avon that took place on Saturday 11th & Sunday 12th January, 2014.

Our heroes overcame Post New Year hangovers and seasonal snuffles and severe jet lag to lash up a performance that had the audience, including a generous helping of the UK Spooky Men, lapping them up and baying for more.

The show included a slightly false starting "Gringo", followed by a lusty "Turnip Hoer’s Song" with the Vly very much in pesky attendance which neatly segued into a lovely rendition of "Shed" which tees up the slapstick of "The Duct Tape Madrigal" rather nicely.

The blokes then pulled out a beautiful rendition of "Shen Xar" before a number of chaps stepped forward in their Stove Pipe hats to regale the audience with the sing a long with cue cards that is "Unsung Heroes".  

Next came a new piece that has startled each and everyone of us how quickly it has come together and become a firm favourite with the lads, our attempt at one of the classics with our version of "The Norwegian Sailor's Song", which leads rather nicely into our very own classic "The Ashton Keynes Land Shanty" before finishing off with our Welsh section and a lovely "Myfanwy" topped off by a cracking "Delilah" which left the almost capacity audience shouting for more - but we knew we had the head start to the bar so declined! 

All of this can be heard for your delight at https://soundcloud.com/the-completely-mag-ak47/sets/bradford-roots-music-11th and is actually more than half decent.
 

Turnip Soup a Triumphant Success

Gringos, you can trust them, at least according to the chorus of one of our new songs that was premiered at our gig at the Sundial Theatre last week to much acclaim.

Right before the show there was an impressive collection of gringos, bandidos, and even a man stuck on top of what we believe was a comedy horse costume.  All in a night's work for our brave lads.

In fact, there were many new hats getting a first outings as well as two more new songs, our homage to Welsh male voice choirs in the guise of a superb rendition of the classic, Myfanwy, and our tribute to Georgian inspired Aussie man choirs, with the awesome Shen Xar.

No one in the audience appeared too perturbed with any mispronunciations of ancient Georgian but they did seem to relish the silliness of the beards, the "Vly" descending from the skies to threaten the Turmot and some pretty decent singing, even if we do say so ourselves, but only because family, friends and various associates said it first.

Generous applause was received at the end of each piece, so much so that we were lured back on for an unplanned encore that was such a surprise only the basses got told what song we were going to do until the split second before we started!

One final audience participation version of "Down to the River" later we finished and had to leave the capacity audience of well over 200 souls baying for more or rushing out to buy CDs or sign up to the mailing list.

Special thanks go to all who helped make it another great evening, in particular the stunningly brilliant vocal gymnastics of The Croutons, all at the Sundial Theatre and all who helped with the Memorabilia Stand.  Turnip Soup was indeed an autumnal heart warming success.

Sundial Theatre Gig SOLD OUT

We have officially sold out the 200+ seater capacity Sundial Theatre, Cirencester.  All the seats on the regular banked area are sold.  They have now released the seats on the ground for those final lastminute.com purchases so you may find some tickets available on the night, but you would be advised to book via http://www.ticketsource.co.uk/date/69843 to avoid any disappointment.

Here's looking to a cracklingly good show.

Turnip Soup Gig publicity in Village Shop

Thanks to Big Mike and Andy E for unleashing their inner window dressing skills with a quite magnificent display in the Ashton Keynes Village Shop window.   Thanks also to the Shop Team for letting us do it.

This is all part of a reasonably intensive publicity campaign to encourage the final few punters along to our next gig.  Coming in less than two week is our big Autumn gig at the Sundial Theatre with The Croutons.

More info can be found on the full site that can be found here, with us nestled in amongst many other celebrities and class acts!

And once again, let us take the opportunity to make it known that tickets are selling very well with nearly 3/4 already sold, so don't dally, click here to book now to avoid disappointment.