Friday 30th April 2010, Pokey Hole, Netherseal near Derby.With special guest John Williamson (from Animals and Friends) and Mike Bowdens http://www.thepokeyhole.com
Saturday 12th June 2010, The Regent Centre, Christchurch. With special guest China Crisis http://www.regentcentre.co.uk
July 2010
Sunday 18th Dordrecht- Big River Festival Holland.
August 2010
Sunday 1st New Quay Festival. South Wales, Featuring Dave Sharpe The Alarm
Saturday 14th Reepham 10 Summer Festival.Norfolk
Saturday 28th Upton Town Festival. with special guests The Blockheads and Ex Simple Minds.
Sunday 29th Mathew Street Festival Liverpool. 12.00 on stage
September 2010
Saturday 11th Kamenz, Hutbergbuhne, Germany
November 2010
Saturday 13th Essen Grugahalle, Germany
Wednesday 24th The Pavillion, Rhyll, as special guests to The Blockheads.
Thursday 25th Walkabout Barnsley
Friday 26th The Paladium Club, Bideford.
----------------------
January 2011
Friday 21st Tivoli Theatre,Wimborne. as special guests to The Blockheads.
May 2011
Friday 27th Halle, Peiznitzinsel, Germany
Sunday 29th Nice & Sleazy Morcambe
July 2011
Friday 22nd Berlin, Tempelhof, Germany
Saturday 23rd Ahmsen, Freilichtbuhne, Germany
August 2011
Saturday 13th Werne, Freilichtbuhne, Germany
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Year of the Rat Tour 2009
Thursday 3rd December 2009 Homfirth Picture Dome with local support
Friday 4th December 2009 DNE Club Wakefield with special guests China Crisis
Saturday 5th December 2009 The Mick Jagger Centre, Dartford. with special guests Eddie and the Hot Rods
Wednesday 9th December 2009 Key Street, Clitheroe. with special guest, Dave Sharp from The Alarm
Saturday 12th December 2009 The Roadhouse Birmingham, with special guest, Dave Sharp from The Alarm
Sunday 13th December 2009 Ropetackle Centre. Shoreham with special guest, Dave Sharp from The Alarm
Wednesday 16th December 2009 Norwich Waterfront as special guests of The Blockheads also featuring Dave Sharp from The Alarm
Thursday 17th December 2009 Electric Ballroom, London as special guests of The Blockheads and Eddie and The Hot Rods
Friday 18th December 2009 TJ's Newport with local support
Saturday 19th December 2009 Pigs Nose Inn, East Prawl. Devon with local support
Monday 21st December 2009 The Tunnels, Bristol as special guests of The Blockheads also featuring Dave Sharp from The Alarm
Wednesday 23rd December 2009 Move Music Venue, Galashiels. Scotland. With Special Guests
Summer Tour 2008Saturday 26th July 2008- Pigs Nose Inn, East Prawl, Devon
Monday 4th August 2008 - Key Street Music Bar, Clitheroe
Wednesday 6th August 2008- The Robin, Bilston, Wolverhampton, WV14 7LJ
Thursday 7th August 2008 (+ THE VIBRATORS) 100 Club, 100 Oxford Street, London W1
Friday 8th August 2008- Rebellion Festival, Empress Ballroom, The Winter Gardens, Church Street, Blackpool. On stage 10.20pm
Saturday 15th November 2008 Charter Hall, Market Street, Okehampton. with special guest Andy Watts from The Seahorses
January 2009Thursday 15th Key Street, Clitheroe TBC
Friday 16th The Cluney Newcastle with special guest Andy Watts from The Seahorses
Saturday 17th Theatre Royal Wakefield with special guest Blackheart Andy Watts from The Seahorses
Wednesday 21st Leeds Irish Centre with special guest Andy Watts from The SeahorsesThursday 22nd Corn Exchange, Bedford. with special guest Andy Watts from The Seahorses Friday 23rd M Club Crewe with special guest Andy Watts from The Seahorses
Saturday 24th Corn Exchange, Newbury. with special guest Andy Watts from The Seahorses
Sunday 25th Rock n Blues Festival, Skegness with Eddie and The Hot Rods, Dr Feelgood, Wilko Johnson,The Hamsters etc
Strictly speaking the year of the Rat ended on 25th January 2009
Monday 26th Exmouth Pavillion with special guest Andy Watts from The SeahorsesTuesday 27th The Musician, Leicester with special guest Andy Watts from The Seahorses
Wednesday 28th The Arts Complex, Solihull with special guest Andy Watts from The Seahorses.Thursday 29th The Playhouse Alnwick with special guest Andy Watts from The Seahorses Friday 30th The Buccleuch Centre, Langholm, with special guest Andy Watts from The Seahorses
Saturday 31st The Platform Morcambe with special guest Andy Watts from The Seahorses
February 2009 Sunday 1st Martletts Hall, Burgess Hill. with special guest Dave Sharp from The Alarm
Tuesday 3rd Swansea Sin City with Eddie and The Hot Rods
Wednesday 4th Huntingdon Hall Worcester with special guest Dave Sharp from The Alarm
Thursday 5th The Castle Wellinborough with special guest Dave Sharp from The Alarm
Tuesday 10th Baby Blue Club, The Albert Dock, Liverpool with special guest Dave Sharp from The Alarm
Thursday 12th Ashcroft Theatre, Croydon with special guest Dave Sharp from The Alarm.
Friday 13th The Brook Southampton with special guest Dave Sharp from The Alarm
Saturday 14th The Playhouse, Harlow with special guest Dave Sharp from The Alarm
Sunday 15th The Robin Bilston with special guest Dave Sharp from The Alarm
Friday 17th April 2009 SPIRIT OF 77 FESTIVAL West Coast Bar, King Street, Margate. £13.50 http://www.westcoastlive.co.uk/Saturday 18th April 2009 Hailsham Pavilion with support
Thursday 23rd April 2009 Rothes Hall, Glenrothes. Fife. Scotland with support tba
Friday 24th April 2009 Motor Cycle News (MCN) Festival. Skegness
Saturday 25th April 2009 Didcot Arts Centre
Monday 25th May 2009 Darwen Town Festival (Free Festival)
Saturday 13th June 2009 South Shields Ampitheatre (Free Festival)
Saturday 27th June 2009 PARTY ON THE FARM - Edolphs Farm, Charlwood. Surrey RH6 0EB http://www.theratsatedolphs.co.uk/ £20
Tuesday 4th August 2009 Ypres Town Festival. Belgium
Boomtown Rats @ Ieper
Boomtown Rats @ Ieper
Wednesday 30th September 2009 Monte Carlo, Monaco Le Moods with special guests
Friday, September 18, 2009
The first Rats Tape
http://www.irishrock.org/ipnw/bands/boomtownrats.html
I just read about a demo tape from the Rats pre-record contract. Interesting that the only songs to ever make it to record were Neon Heart and Born to Burn. Menage A Trois did get an airing on BBC Radio 1 back in 1979, but there are few unknown Rats songs. It is also possible that these tracks changed names and are familiar. However, I don't have any idea on that.
I guess no one has this. Do they? You know it's Christmas soon? Should you have it or a copy, let me know. But don't expect me to pay for it, I've given out plenty of rare MP3s/videos so I'm due some payback!
You can get a flavour of the tape from the originals. Use Spotify to construct a playlist, unless you happen to have all the tracks. I bought Burnin' by the Wailers yesterday, so bar a couple of tracks I have most of them somewhere.
There are 22 tracks on the tape with seven Rats originals. Dave Moloney (of Vipers fame) plays drums on the first 10 tracks, Simon Crowe on the rest.
In general, I have gone for the version The Rats are most likely to have copied rather than the true original.
| Side One | |
| Rolling Stones (Original Chuck Berry) | Little Queenie |
| Little Walter | My Babe |
| Boomtown Rats | Gettin' Back To Me |
| Wailers | Get Up Stand Up |
| Boomtown Rats | New Wave (New Age) |
| Boomtown Rats | Neon Heart |
| Chuck Berry | Promised Land |
| Ronnie Wood | I Can Feel The Fire |
| Rolling Stones (Original Nat King Cole) | Route 66 |
| Boomtown Rats | Born To Burn |
| Boomtown Rats | Jesse James |
| Side Two | |
| Eddie Cochran (Original Clyde McPhatter song) | Money Honey |
| Dr. Feelgood | All Through The City |
| Rolling Stones (Original Chuck Berry) | Carol |
| The Who | My Generation |
| Dr. Feelgood | Riot In Cell Block #9 |
| Little Walter | My Babe |
| Dr. Feelgood (Original John Lee Hooker) | Boom Boom |
| Dr. Feelgood | Don't You Just Know It |
| Boomtown Rats | Getting Back To Me |
| Boomtown Rats | Menage A Trois |
| Rolling Stones (Original Chuck Berry) | Little Queenie |
Monday, July 20, 2009
Thirty years ago - I Don't Like Mondays released
And he can see no reasons
'Cos there are no reasons
What reason do you need to be shown?
Tell me why
I don’t like Mondays
I wanna shoot the whole day down
I Don't Like Mondays is the most famous Rats song vying with Do They Know It's Christmas? as Geldof's most well known composition. The story behind the song is pretty well known. On the morning of Monday 29th January 1979 in San Diego, a 16-year-old schoolgirl, Brenda Spencer, took the .22 calibre gun her father had given her as a Christmas present and aimed it at the school playground directly opposite her family home. She killed two men and injured eight children.
Her explanation for doing this was "I don't like Mondays, it livens up the day."
The silicon chip inside her head
Gets switched to overload
And nobody’s gonna go to school today
She’s gonna make them stay at home
And daddy doesn’t understand it
He always said she was good as gold
Geldof claims he was doing an interview in Atlanta with Johnnie Fingers when the news story came through on the telex and started writing the song the same day.
However when Mondays was performed for the first time in San Diego itself on 27th February 1979, he claimed to have read about the incident in the newspapers and saw it on the televison in London. The first rendition
To quote Geldof from the San Diego concerts....
San Diego 27th Feb 1979 - ."..about a month ago we read in the paper in England about Debbie Spencer...."
San Diego 28th Feb 1979 - "...what happened was we were watching the box in London and next minute san diego came on the tv screen and there was a picture of this girl I think Brenda Spencer....."
http://www.wolfgangsvault.com/boomtown-rats/
This is a more likely, if less interesting, explanation, especially as Geldof was probably not in the US at the time. Geldof and Fingers did tour the US in January 1979 and visited a number of radio stations but at the time of the incident it is likely they had returned to London.
The alternative account from Is That is? is littered with inconsistencies such as the incident happening four months previous rather than just one month. This is Paul Vallely, his ghost writer, using his creative licence.
The Telex machine is kept so clean
And it types to a waiting world
The most famous rendition of the song was at Live Aid in 1985 when Geldof
paused to dramatic effect on the snippet -
And the lesson today is how to die
Which was an apt statement for the day, albeit in the context of a song about a spree killer. Interestingly, this was the first school shooting of its kind, a phenomenon that culminated in the infamous Columbine tragedy.
The song entered the UK charts at number 15 and reached number one the following week and stayed there for four weeks. It didn't fare so well in the United States thanks to the song being more or less banned from the radio, and peaked at number 73.
It also represented the commercial peak of The Boomtown Rats, A Tonic for the Troops re-entered the UK album charts on the back of the success of I Don't Like Mondays. For a short period they were arguably the biggest band in the British Isles.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Don't_Like_Mondays
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Chicago/Change The World
Cover of "Chicago/Change the world" by Crosby Stills and Nash sung by David Gimour, Chrissie Hynde and Bob Geldof in support of "Pentagon Hacker" Gary Mckinnon. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gary_Mckinnon
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Midsummer’s Gig for Dave McHale - Blackrock Rugby Club - Sunday 21st June 2009 - 6.30pm
Dave McHale, 58, died in late May 2009 in Frankfurt after losing his battle with cancer.
Dave played on Mondo Bongo and V Deep and toured with the band in the early eighties. He was thought of as the unofficial seventh member of The Boomtown Rats. Dave played keyboards and saxophone and was a session musician of some repute.
Hot Press
Dave played on Mondo Bongo and V Deep and toured with the band in the early eighties. He was thought of as the unofficial seventh member of The Boomtown Rats. Dave played keyboards and saxophone and was a session musician of some repute.
The Midsummer’s Gig for Dave aimed to raise funds to erect a bench in his home town of Monkstown, County Dublin in his memory.
Garrick Roberts, Pete Briquette and Bob Geldof took part in a one-off musical tribute at Blackrock Rugby Club and sung Dave, from the In The Long Grass LP, the song that he wrote about his friend's plight .
Geldof was inspired to write 'Dave' after McHale's girlfriend died suddenly. "We had dropped Dave off in London after a tour," he explained. "He had a row with his girlfriend and she took off. Then he found her dead from a five-pound bag of heroin. I wrote this song the next day."
Hot Press
Friday, March 13, 2009
Another date for Geldof in the Irish pub in the middle of the Fucking Desert
Geldof certainly seems to like it out there. His annual St. Patrick's date at the Dubai Irish Village takes place on Friday March 13th. Tickets available from www.itp.net/tickets
Entry Charges: Dhs100
Opening hours: Door open 7pm show stars 9pm
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Spotify now available to everyone in the UK
This is a great streaming service along with www.we7.com that will allow you to listen to a vast back catalogue of music including ALL the Boomtown Rats albums, among many others. Pretty much everything from Bob Dylan to Pulp (well except The Beatles). There are some advertisements but other than that it's all FREE!!!
Starting today people in the UK will no longer need an invitation to join Spotify, you can register for the free streaming service directly from the website.
http://www.spotify.com/en/products/free/
Starting today people in the UK will no longer need an invitation to join Spotify, you can register for the free streaming service directly from the website.
http://www.spotify.com/en/products/free/
Thursday, January 29, 2009
See The Rats in Harlow for a Fiver!
Credit Crunch Special! Treat the love of your life on Valentine's night.
http://www.playhouseharlow.com/whatson/plays/boomtown-rats
Toni Weekes presents...
Original Boomtown Rats Garry Roberts and Simon Crowe with Peter Barton and Darren Beale present The Rats In Concert
Sat 14th February 2009 - 7.30pm
Main Auditorium
Featuring Special Guest Dave Sharp from The Alarm.
Price: £5
Dates and times
14 February, 2009 19:30
http://www.playhouseharlow.com/whatson/plays/boomtown-rats
Toni Weekes presents...
Original Boomtown Rats Garry Roberts and Simon Crowe with Peter Barton and Darren Beale present The Rats In Concert
Sat 14th February 2009 - 7.30pm
Main Auditorium
Featuring Special Guest Dave Sharp from The Alarm.
Price: £5
Dates and times
14 February, 2009 19:30
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Geldof in Norway
Some dates by Geldof in Norway. I had no idea he was so popular in Scandanavia!
9th December Lillestrøm Kultursenter http://www.rb.no/lokal_kultur/article3981992.ece (or maybe not according to the reviews/comments)
10th December Skien Ibsenhuset http://www.ta.no/pulsen/article3984562.ece (seemingly popular in Skien)
11th December Nøtterøy Kulturhus
13th December Tromsø Kulturhus - so far north, it is more or less in perpetual darkness in December! http://www.nordlys.no/kultur/article3991104.ece
14th December Oslo Gamle Logen AS http://tb.no/article/20081212/KULTUR/443990649/1011/NYHETER
9th December Lillestrøm Kultursenter http://www.rb.no/lokal_kultur/article3981992.ece (or maybe not according to the reviews/comments)
10th December Skien Ibsenhuset http://www.ta.no/pulsen/article3984562.ece (seemingly popular in Skien)
11th December Nøtterøy Kulturhus
13th December Tromsø Kulturhus - so far north, it is more or less in perpetual darkness in December! http://www.nordlys.no/kultur/article3991104.ece
14th December Oslo Gamle Logen AS http://tb.no/article/20081212/KULTUR/443990649/1011/NYHETER
Monday, September 15, 2008
On A Night Like This DVD
A re-release on DVD of a Rats gig from 1985. Was previously available on VHS and also on the now deleted Someone's Looking DVD . I'd advise tracking that down rather than getting this, unless there are a host of previously unavailable extras.
Led by the inimitable Sir Bob Geldof (and totally overshadowed by his later charity work on the Band Aid and Live Aid projects), the Boomtown Rats were nevertheless an important and notable band who were a real force in the charts and active between 1975 and 1986. 5 of the band's Top 40 singles, including 2 Number 1's, are included in this rousing performance to a rammed crowd filmed at The Dominion Theatre, London in 1985.
Tracklist:
1. Elephant's Graveyard
2. Charmed Lives
3. Lucky
4. Neon Heart
5. Someone's Looking At You
6. Dave
7. Hold Of Me
8. I Don't Like Mondays
9. Talk In Code
10. Rat Trap
11. Drag Me Down
12. Looking After no 1
Friday, August 08, 2008
Thursday, August 07, 2008
100 Club
Garry Roberts and Simon Crowe were back, but this time they had two new recruits. Peter Barton and Darren Beale.Peter Barton is a strong R'n'B vocalist who added depth to the vocals on a bunch of classic tracks. Barton even wore his pyjama bottoms lest anyone miss Fingers' sartorial style. He was aided and abetted by Darren Beale whose virtuoso guitar made up for the lack of horns, strings and keyboards. There was the majestic drumming of Simon Crowe holding it all together, and the authentic sound of Garry Roberts, providing the main riffs that made the Rats sounds from 1977 -1979.
The audience were treated to a run through of many of the Rats finest moment from the late seventies.
They played (Peter Barton on lead vocals except where stated) ....
- Close As You'll Ever Be
- Looking After Number One
- Neon Heart
- Mary of The Fourth Form
- Joey's On The Street Again
- Someone's Looking At You
- I Can Make It If You Can
- She Does It Right (Lead Vocals : Garry Roberts)
- Like Clockwork
- Riot in Cell Block #9 (Lead Vocals : Simon Crowe)
- She's Gonna Do You In
- All Through The City (Lead Vocals : Simon Crowe)
- Rat Trap
- She's So Modern
- I Don't Like Mondays
It was brilliant! Go and see the Rats! Next stop Blackpool.
Monday, August 04, 2008
Key Street Music Bar, Clitheroe
Monday 4th August - Key Street Music Bar, Clitheroe 01200 422 588. Doors 7.30pm
“We asked but Bob politely declined. He said he's doing his own thing now,” said Simon. “Bob's gone in a different musical direction and we're about taking it back to basics."
Simon wants to make sure I make it clear that it's just two of the original line-up reuniting — himself on drums and Garry Roberts on guitar. They're being joined by The Animals' Peter Barton on bass and Darren Beale on lead guitar.
“I wouldn't say 'just' two of us though,” said Simon. “We'll be playing the songs we used to play when we first started off in 1975 — all the early stuff that really defined the Rats, We're drawing the line after the second album.”
“Garry and I talked about it before but although we could have got a few pub gigs we didn't really have the contacts in the music business to make it work from a commercial sense,” said Simon.
Simon and Garry contacted the other Rats but they were all too busy.
“We thought we'd just carry on anyway,” said Simon. “The music comes naturally to me and Garry but the new guys have had to do a bit of homework. It's not been a problem though. They're such good musicians they've slipped into it.”
“We did a gig in Devon the other day and the place was hopping — it was absolutely electric. It was so long since it's happened like that I forgot the feeling.”
The band hope to record a new album in 2009 but they're not getting carried away.
“We're taking one step at a time,” said Simon. "We're just going to get out there and see what reaction we get. But the message is watch this space. We're back, we're in action and it could be Boomtime again.”
“We asked but Bob politely declined. He said he's doing his own thing now,” said Simon. “Bob's gone in a different musical direction and we're about taking it back to basics."
Simon wants to make sure I make it clear that it's just two of the original line-up reuniting — himself on drums and Garry Roberts on guitar. They're being joined by The Animals' Peter Barton on bass and Darren Beale on lead guitar.
“I wouldn't say 'just' two of us though,” said Simon. “We'll be playing the songs we used to play when we first started off in 1975 — all the early stuff that really defined the Rats, We're drawing the line after the second album.”
“Garry and I talked about it before but although we could have got a few pub gigs we didn't really have the contacts in the music business to make it work from a commercial sense,” said Simon.
Simon and Garry contacted the other Rats but they were all too busy.
“We thought we'd just carry on anyway,” said Simon. “The music comes naturally to me and Garry but the new guys have had to do a bit of homework. It's not been a problem though. They're such good musicians they've slipped into it.”
“We did a gig in Devon the other day and the place was hopping — it was absolutely electric. It was so long since it's happened like that I forgot the feeling.”
The band hope to record a new album in 2009 but they're not getting carried away.
“We're taking one step at a time,” said Simon. "We're just going to get out there and see what reaction we get. But the message is watch this space. We're back, we're in action and it could be Boomtime again.”
Friday, July 25, 2008
Rats first gig in 20 plus years in Devon.
Hundreds were turned away and left outside the Pigs Nose Inn , East Prawl, Devon for the return of The Rats. A set comprising of early songs and Dr. Feelgood covers went down like a storm. A great night out for those who happened to be on vacation in that part of the world. The rest of us have a few opportunities to catch them in August and early next year.
Fingers Fest
Seems like Johnnie is pretty busy way out east. No wonder he wasn't able to join The Rats.
Fuji Rock Line Up
BBC report
But while the event is unashamedly based on Glastonbury, Fuji Rock is a totally different experience.
"It might be inspired by Glastonbury, but done in a Japanese way," says the festival's international organiser, Johnnie Fingers.
Fingers' real name is John Moylett, but he is better known to many as a founding member of The Boomtown Rats. He has been working in the Japanese music scene for 15 years, and has been part of the Fuji Rock team for six of them.
'Fuji experience'
"We call it the Fuji experience. It is like Glastonbury, but has been perfected in that Japanese way," he says.
"The biggest difference is that is so clean. Everybody cleans up their own mess.
"It is also so secure and safe. People leave things out without worrying about theft."
Fingers adds Fuji Rock - named after the mountain which played host to the first festival in 1997 - has set itself apart by keeping sponsorship to a minimum, concentrating on the festival's spectacular setting in a steep mountain valley.
"Japanese people are so used to being surrounded by advertising and sponsorship, so we have tried to make this feel like a weekend away in the countryside," he explains.
The festival attracts a mainly Japanese crowd, with about 90% of revellers being local.
A final question for Johnnie Fingers - has he persuaded any of his old Boomtown Rats bandmates to visit Fuji Rock yet?
He shakes his head: "Not yet. Bob Geldof was over here recently and we had dinner. It was the first time I'd seen him in 20 years - but he mainly wanted to talk about the G8."
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Bobby Geldog in the Wizard of Cott
You just can't keep the Rats out of the news these days......
Daily Mail
GMTV Interview with Gerry Cott
Bobby the westie is hailed by critics as the real star of the capital's Wizard Of Oz show
Toto is played by Bobby, a West Highland terrier who has something of a showbusiness pedigree - he is the protege of former Boomtown Rats guitarist Gerry Cott.
Mr Cott, who founded the group with Bob Geldof but quit before their fifth album was released, has coached Bobby to perform tricks that leave audiences open-mouthed
Mr Cott, 55, who lives with his wife Cathy and sons Harry, 19, and Sonny, 11, near Leatherhead, said: 'He has integrated so well with the cast because he is so calm and relaxed.
Our method of training works on the dog's character and confidence, which means they can be comfortable even on stage in front of hundreds of people.
'It is a bit like, "Look at me, look at me,"' said Mr Cott.
'It was a little unfair of him to muscle in on such a lovely moment in the play.'
He and Harry, who is working as Bobby's chaperone during the show's run, spent a week integrating the dog with the cast and teaching Sian Brooke, who plays Dorothy, a series of silent cues to prompt his performance.
Mr Cott, who was born into an Irish farming family, said he enjoyed working with animals and that his time with the Boomtown Rats had helped him gear his training towards the film, music and television industries.
He said contrary to some rumours, Bobby was not named after Geldof.
The Cotts, who own dress designing company Phoenix Cobham as well as running Dog Training One2One and A-ZAnimals, have helped coach thousands of animals using an American training method Mr Cott refers to as 'dog whispering.'
Daily Mail
GMTV Interview with Gerry Cott
Bobby the westie is hailed by critics as the real star of the capital's Wizard Of Oz show
Toto is played by Bobby, a West Highland terrier who has something of a showbusiness pedigree - he is the protege of former Boomtown Rats guitarist Gerry Cott.
Mr Cott, who founded the group with Bob Geldof but quit before their fifth album was released, has coached Bobby to perform tricks that leave audiences open-mouthed
Mr Cott, 55, who lives with his wife Cathy and sons Harry, 19, and Sonny, 11, near Leatherhead, said: 'He has integrated so well with the cast because he is so calm and relaxed.
Our method of training works on the dog's character and confidence, which means they can be comfortable even on stage in front of hundreds of people.
'It is a bit like, "Look at me, look at me,"' said Mr Cott.
'It was a little unfair of him to muscle in on such a lovely moment in the play.'
He and Harry, who is working as Bobby's chaperone during the show's run, spent a week integrating the dog with the cast and teaching Sian Brooke, who plays Dorothy, a series of silent cues to prompt his performance.
Mr Cott, who was born into an Irish farming family, said he enjoyed working with animals and that his time with the Boomtown Rats had helped him gear his training towards the film, music and television industries.
He said contrary to some rumours, Bobby was not named after Geldof.
The Cotts, who own dress designing company Phoenix Cobham as well as running Dog Training One2One and A-ZAnimals, have helped coach thousands of animals using an American training method Mr Cott refers to as 'dog whispering.'
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Geldof plays the Pori Jazz Festival in Finland
His last scheduled date this year. Unless he's planning to join the Rats......
Expect the usual of undue amounts of solo material and a rendition of I Don't Like Mondays.
Time:
15:00-21:00
[ 6011 ]
Place: Kirjurinluoto Arena
Performers:
• Ann Hampton Callaway & Novosibirsk Big Band
• Return To Forever: Chick Corea, Stanley Clarke, Al Di Meola & Lenny White
• Metro Special Edition feat. Randy Brecker & Dave Weckl
• Bob Geldof
Tickets: 55 eur
http://www.porijazz.fi/content/view/119/146/lang,eng/joe=esiintyja?lang2=en&artist_no=21803&venue_no=35832
Expect the usual of undue amounts of solo material and a rendition of I Don't Like Mondays.
Time:
15:00-21:00
[ 6011 ]
Place: Kirjurinluoto Arena
Performers:
• Ann Hampton Callaway & Novosibirsk Big Band
• Return To Forever: Chick Corea, Stanley Clarke, Al Di Meola & Lenny White
• Metro Special Edition feat. Randy Brecker & Dave Weckl
• Bob Geldof
Tickets: 55 eur
http://www.porijazz.fi/content/view/119/146/lang,eng/joe=esiintyja?lang2=en&artist_no=21803&venue_no=35832
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Geldof goes to Halle
Geldof and band played the Händels Open in Halle.
21.00 Uhr Halle (Hallmarkt) Bob Geldof und Band http://www.festevent.de/
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Back at the Irish Pub in the middle of the fucking desert again.
Geldof played The Irish Village, Garhoud, Dubai. Those guys must love him even if he didn't think too much of the venue first time around. Also a little safer than Libya. Also Geldof had a pretty dull interview in Dubai!
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Geldof Backs Dustin For Europe
Live on RTE1 from 8pm (if you can bear it!)
http://www.ireland.com/newspaper/frontpage/2008/0223/1203619293486.html?via=me
His participation in tonight's final may have already ruffled a few feathers, but Dustin the Turkey yesterday received the heavyweight backing of Bob Geldof in his bid for Eurovision glory.
The musician and co-founder of Live Aid said it would be nothing short of "rank poultryism" should "one of the greatest talents this country has ever produced" fail to be selected to represent "our glorious musical heritage" on the world stage.
"The mere fact of his being a turkey should give Ireland the edge," suggested Geldof.
He said it should not be claimed that "simply because this giant is a turkey he is somehow unfit to represent his country".If the Eurovision Song Contest was known for anything at all, he added, "it is the vast number of turkeys it produces each year . . . Sure won't he gobble them up!"
Asked to comment on Bob Geldof's support, Dustin said he was glad to have the support of someone who, "like meself does a little bit of charity work in his spare time". He added: "I really am chuffed. We couldn't get Christy Moore."
http://www.ireland.com/newspaper/frontpage/2008/0223/1203619293486.html?via=me
His participation in tonight's final may have already ruffled a few feathers, but Dustin the Turkey yesterday received the heavyweight backing of Bob Geldof in his bid for Eurovision glory.
The musician and co-founder of Live Aid said it would be nothing short of "rank poultryism" should "one of the greatest talents this country has ever produced" fail to be selected to represent "our glorious musical heritage" on the world stage.
"The mere fact of his being a turkey should give Ireland the edge," suggested Geldof.
He said it should not be claimed that "simply because this giant is a turkey he is somehow unfit to represent his country".If the Eurovision Song Contest was known for anything at all, he added, "it is the vast number of turkeys it produces each year . . . Sure won't he gobble them up!"
Asked to comment on Bob Geldof's support, Dustin said he was glad to have the support of someone who, "like meself does a little bit of charity work in his spare time". He added: "I really am chuffed. We couldn't get Christy Moore."
Friday, December 07, 2007
Geldof plays Germany
7th Dec 2007 Columbia Club Berlin
8th Dec 2007 Hartenholm Festival
9th Dec 2007 Weltsalon Tollwood Winterfestival Theresienwiese, München
The gigs took place, an audience turned up and some reviews
8th Dec 2007 Hartenholm Festival
9th Dec 2007 Weltsalon Tollwood Winterfestival Theresienwiese, München
The gigs took place, an audience turned up and some reviews
Friday, October 19, 2007
I am Bob
Best thing Geldof has done since, err, the Great Song of Indifference.
Geldof is abandoned by his chauffer at a remote pub in the north of England. A lookalike competition is taking place which Geldof competes in order to win the cash prize and get to Scotland. Geldof has to compete with a Geldof lookalike singing a duet of I Don’t Like Mondays, which would be a splendid promo in its own right, and answer questions on Geldof. With a running time of around 19 minutes, this is a little gem that is well worth taking a look at.
Watch it http://www.comedybox.tv/index.aspx?filter=picks&clip=10249
Review from the Times
http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/film/london_film_festival/article2689689.ece
Geldof is abandoned by his chauffer at a remote pub in the north of England. A lookalike competition is taking place which Geldof competes in order to win the cash prize and get to Scotland. Geldof has to compete with a Geldof lookalike singing a duet of I Don’t Like Mondays, which would be a splendid promo in its own right, and answer questions on Geldof. With a running time of around 19 minutes, this is a little gem that is well worth taking a look at.
Watch it http://www.comedybox.tv/index.aspx?filter=picks&clip=10249
Review from the Times
http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/film/london_film_festival/article2689689.ece
Saturday, September 01, 2007
Geldof in Poland
Not a lot I can add other than there were two free concerts, an audience turned up and Geldof did as well.
1-Sep Warsaw
2-Sep Lubin
http://www.warsawvoice.pl/view/15646
Irish singer and charity campaigner Bob Geldof performed with Polish rock musician Lech Janerka at a Music for Peace concert on Warsaw's Teatralny Square Sept. 1. Geldof always wrote rock music with lyrics that never stayed indifferent to reality, and so his involvement in the Warsaw concert is no coincidence. Like Geldof's, Janerka's music is rebellious and expressive. With the Klaus Mitffoch band, which he formed in 1979, Janerka recorded an album titled after the name of the group that was hailed as one of the most important in the history of Polish pop and rock. The lyrics dealt with the reality of communist Poland in the 1980s, and many of the songs criticized the regime of the time.
Sept. 1, 8 p.m.
1 Teatralny Sq., free admission.
1-Sep Warsaw
2-Sep Lubin
http://www.warsawvoice.pl/view/15646
Irish singer and charity campaigner Bob Geldof performed with Polish rock musician Lech Janerka at a Music for Peace concert on Warsaw's Teatralny Square Sept. 1. Geldof always wrote rock music with lyrics that never stayed indifferent to reality, and so his involvement in the Warsaw concert is no coincidence. Like Geldof's, Janerka's music is rebellious and expressive. With the Klaus Mitffoch band, which he formed in 1979, Janerka recorded an album titled after the name of the group that was hailed as one of the most important in the history of Polish pop and rock. The lyrics dealt with the reality of communist Poland in the 1980s, and many of the songs criticized the regime of the time.
Sept. 1, 8 p.m.
1 Teatralny Sq., free admission.
Monday, August 20, 2007
I Predict A Riot
Geldof off causing trouble in Libya. Rumours that the rioting started when he gave some of his solo material an airing are grossly exaggerated! Those Libyans have exemplary musical taste :-) . Word to the wise, stick to the Rats material in the future.
No one knows why Geldof was out there for an unannounced concert at a politcal rally for Gadaffi's son. Maybe it was political, maybe just financial. The band almost lost their equipment to boot. I suspect the next time Geldof is back in that part of the world it will be in the Irish pub in the middle of the fucking desert.
http://www.jeuneafrique.com/partenariat/article_jeune_afrique.asp?art_cle=LIN26087couacizahgn0&part=50
... the young people suddenly awoke with the arrival of Bob Geldof, the celebrated rocker and anti-poverty campaigner. Before starting, Geldof suggested the soldiers leave. Things then started to get nasty! The crowd chanted ("Libya! Libya! "), the spectators rained projectiles onto the stage, forcing Geldof and his musicians to wrap things up quickly.
http://commentisfree.guardian.co.uk/hisham_matar/2007/09/no_hope_for_change.html
... when Sir Bob Geldof then took to the stage to play a rock concert, talking in the language Libyans had been kept from learning and which they needed most in interacting and trading with the outside world, the crowd protested. Sir Bob tried to calm them, but their contempt grew even stronger. For days after streets were cordoned off in Benghazi, where many young men had been stirred.
What remains difficult to understand, however, is what was Geldof doing there in the first place? Accepting an invitation to play after the dictator's son's speech suggests support of a regime that has oppressed the Libyan people for 38 years.
Sir Bob Geldof's appearance on stage brought all this back; reminded us of what had been taken from us and was now being returned, by the very regime that had imposed this narrow interpretation of who we were, without apology or even an explanation, and in the grotesque form of a pop concert.
No one knows why Geldof was out there for an unannounced concert at a politcal rally for Gadaffi's son. Maybe it was political, maybe just financial. The band almost lost their equipment to boot. I suspect the next time Geldof is back in that part of the world it will be in the Irish pub in the middle of the fucking desert.
http://www.jeuneafrique.com/partenariat/article_jeune_afrique.asp?art_cle=LIN26087couacizahgn0&part=50
... the young people suddenly awoke with the arrival of Bob Geldof, the celebrated rocker and anti-poverty campaigner. Before starting, Geldof suggested the soldiers leave. Things then started to get nasty! The crowd chanted ("Libya! Libya! "), the spectators rained projectiles onto the stage, forcing Geldof and his musicians to wrap things up quickly.
http://commentisfree.guardian.co.uk/hisham_matar/2007/09/no_hope_for_change.html
... when Sir Bob Geldof then took to the stage to play a rock concert, talking in the language Libyans had been kept from learning and which they needed most in interacting and trading with the outside world, the crowd protested. Sir Bob tried to calm them, but their contempt grew even stronger. For days after streets were cordoned off in Benghazi, where many young men had been stirred.
What remains difficult to understand, however, is what was Geldof doing there in the first place? Accepting an invitation to play after the dictator's son's speech suggests support of a regime that has oppressed the Libyan people for 38 years.
Sir Bob Geldof's appearance on stage brought all this back; reminded us of what had been taken from us and was now being returned, by the very regime that had imposed this narrow interpretation of who we were, without apology or even an explanation, and in the grotesque form of a pop concert.
Sunday, July 22, 2007
Geldof second on bill in Florence
Geldof did turn up. I was holidaying in nearby France, but we didn't meet!
The Italia Wave Love Festival, to be held in Florence from July 17-22, features first-rate Italian and international guests such as Bob Geldof.
ITALY WAVE, 22 July 2007 http://www.arezzowave.com/italiawave/programma22.php
MAIN STAGE
[00.15] Carmen Consoli
[22.05] Bob Geldof (Ireland)
[20.20] Naturally 7 (USA)
[19.25] Julie Feeney (Ireland)
[19.00] Waines (Sicily)
The Italia Wave Love Festival, to be held in Florence from July 17-22, features first-rate Italian and international guests such as Bob Geldof.
ITALY WAVE, 22 July 2007 http://www.arezzowave.com/italiawave/programma22.php
MAIN STAGE
[00.15] Carmen Consoli
[22.05] Bob Geldof (Ireland)
[20.20] Naturally 7 (USA)
[19.25] Julie Feeney (Ireland)
[19.00] Waines (Sicily)
Thursday, July 05, 2007
Rock Goes To College - BBC 4 - 7.30pm
Forty minutes of a great performance. Shame I missed it :-( Don't suppose anyone out there has a recording? on DVD?
Thursday, June 28, 2007
He Bangs The Drum
Simon Crowe is back on the road with Jiggerypipery with two dates in Scotland this weekend.
"I think the Boomtown Rats was a pop band really. We invented our own style – we were out to be successful, but not in the sense of wanting to be celebrities – though that was possibly an ambition of Sir Bob's. But we got to go around the world a couple of times – and we sold a lot of records!"
Highland Times Article
There are even some MP3s available so you can listen to what Simon is up to these days Listen to Jiggerypipery
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Geldof at the Hay Festival
A busy day or two for Geldof. He'll need to rest up before heading off to the G8 summit in Germany.
An interview with Mariella Frostrup (Video)
Bob Geldof in Concert
Featuring:
House band, back from Colombia and Spain, play infectious, danceable Irish folk-rock. Frontman talks the talk. Sponsored By: The Granary
Price: £17.00
www.hayfestival.com
Set List?
1. The Great Song of Indifference
2. Love or Something
3. A Sex Thing
4. When The Night Comes
5. Walking Back To Happiness
6. Banana Republic
7. Harvest Moon
8. One for Me
9. Mudslide
10. I Don't Like Mondays
11. Birthday Suit
12. Attitude Chicken
13. Someone's Looking At You
14. Joey's on The Street Again
15. Rat Trap
16. Room 19
17. Chains
18. Beat of the Night
19. Diamond Smiles
An interview with Mariella Frostrup (Video)
Bob Geldof in Concert
Featuring:
House band, back from Colombia and Spain, play infectious, danceable Irish folk-rock. Frontman talks the talk. Sponsored By: The Granary
Price: £17.00
www.hayfestival.com
Set List?
1. The Great Song of Indifference
2. Love or Something
3. A Sex Thing
4. When The Night Comes
5. Walking Back To Happiness
6. Banana Republic
7. Harvest Moon
8. One for Me
9. Mudslide
10. I Don't Like Mondays
11. Birthday Suit
12. Attitude Chicken
13. Someone's Looking At You
14. Joey's on The Street Again
15. Rat Trap
16. Room 19
17. Chains
18. Beat of the Night
19. Diamond Smiles
Saturday, March 17, 2007
Geldof back at the Irish pub in the middle of the fucking desert
Precious little I can say about this, other than to report it happened and it was a free gig. Next stop Hay-on-Wye in May.
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticleNew.asp?xfile=data/weekend/2007/March/weekend_March71.xml§ion=weekend&col=
Bob Geldof is back at the Irish Village in Dubai a year after his last visit. The event is free and the crowd thickens, but there is enough standing room for all. Some laze on the lawn and enjoy the breeze and the timeless voice wafting though it.
“The same old shirt, the same old suit, the same old place and the same old song,” says Geldof to an uproarious crowd. “I never thought we’d celebrate St Patrick’s Day in Dubai with a sandstorm,” he quips. “But it’s a balmy night.”
He croons to a crowd that can’t seem to get enough of him — some old favourite numbers, one that he wrote during a trip to a remote Africa, that was never recorded, and a nice mix of loud and fast numbers and soft and sensuous ones.
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticleNew.asp?xfile=data/weekend/2007/March/weekend_March71.xml§ion=weekend&col=
Bob Geldof is back at the Irish Village in Dubai a year after his last visit. The event is free and the crowd thickens, but there is enough standing room for all. Some laze on the lawn and enjoy the breeze and the timeless voice wafting though it.
“The same old shirt, the same old suit, the same old place and the same old song,” says Geldof to an uproarious crowd. “I never thought we’d celebrate St Patrick’s Day in Dubai with a sandstorm,” he quips. “But it’s a balmy night.”
He croons to a crowd that can’t seem to get enough of him — some old favourite numbers, one that he wrote during a trip to a remote Africa, that was never recorded, and a nice mix of loud and fast numbers and soft and sensuous ones.
Friday, January 26, 2007
Geldof at Hay Festival Colombia
They thought it was all over (well I did!) , but Geldof decided to continue with his music career in South America.
At $12.000 Colombian pesos a ticket it sounds expensive (probably is in Colombia), but equates to about £3.00 or $5.40. You could even have blown a tenner and rattled your jewellery at Geldof. 20% of the audience were students on a freebie, handy if you can't shift tickets.
"STUDENTS GO FREE TO BOB GELDOF'S CONCERT.Registration is open now. Enough places available" - On the day!
As for the gig itself, there was a crowd of 10,000 (gasp!), and he performed for around two hours. Among the songs reportedly played were I Don’t Like Mondays, This is the World Calling, The Beat of the Night, and Room 19 (Sha la la lee).
The following day, dressed like the man from Panama, he was presented with a a guitar fashioned from a decommissioned guerrilla AK47 at the Teatro Heredia.
And no hurricanes to spoil the spectacle this time.
It's possible there may be a podcast coming soon on the Hay Festival Archive site..... (don't hold your breath though)
http://www.hayfestival.com/archive/contact.aspx
http://books.guardian.co.uk/comment/story/0,,2005281,00.html
http://www.eluniversal.com.co/hay-festival/
http://www.eskpe.com/secc_eskpe/musica_eskpe/otrasnoticias/ARTICULO-WEB-NOTA_INTERIOR_ESKPE-3394755.html
http://www.gematours.com/hayfestival/en/
20:30H, PLAZA DE LA ADUANA
Bob Geldof in concert
The Hay Festival is pleased to present, for the first time in Colombia, Bob Geldof, organiser of the legendary concerts Live Aid and Live 8 and founder of the band Boomtown Rats. Geldof’s music fuses an Irish sound with classic rock and he is one of the great international music stars.
TICKET PRICE: $12.000 Colombian pesos
VIP ZONE PRICE: $ 40.000 Colombian pesos
Alternatively, hear him speak!
12:00- 13:00h, Teatro Heredia (Heredia Theatre)
Bob Geldof in conversation with Peter FlorenceAs well as being an exceptional musician, Bob Geldof was one of the main organisers of the Live Aid (1985) and Live 8 (2005) concerts which attracted world attention towards the growing problem of poverty in Africa. In July 2005 the Live 8 concerts drew crowds of 3 billion people spread across ten different cities. Largely due to international pressure exerted by the attendance success at the concerts, members of the G8 agreed to significantly increase economic aid to several African countries. The charismatic rock star will talk to Peter Florence, Director of the Hay Festival, about music, Ireland and with regards to Africa, about the G8 leaders, aid programmes and trade tariffs. Simultaneous translation into Spanish will be provided..
At $12.000 Colombian pesos a ticket it sounds expensive (probably is in Colombia), but equates to about £3.00 or $5.40. You could even have blown a tenner and rattled your jewellery at Geldof. 20% of the audience were students on a freebie, handy if you can't shift tickets.
"STUDENTS GO FREE TO BOB GELDOF'S CONCERT.Registration is open now. Enough places available" - On the day!
As for the gig itself, there was a crowd of 10,000 (gasp!), and he performed for around two hours. Among the songs reportedly played were I Don’t Like Mondays, This is the World Calling, The Beat of the Night, and Room 19 (Sha la la lee).
The following day, dressed like the man from Panama, he was presented with a a guitar fashioned from a decommissioned guerrilla AK47 at the Teatro Heredia.
And no hurricanes to spoil the spectacle this time.
It's possible there may be a podcast coming soon on the Hay Festival Archive site..... (don't hold your breath though)
http://www.hayfestival.com/archive/contact.aspx
http://books.guardian.co.uk/comment/story/0,,2005281,00.html
http://www.eluniversal.com.co/hay-festival/
http://www.eskpe.com/secc_eskpe/musica_eskpe/otrasnoticias/ARTICULO-WEB-NOTA_INTERIOR_ESKPE-3394755.html
http://www.gematours.com/hayfestival/en/
20:30H, PLAZA DE LA ADUANA
Bob Geldof in concert
The Hay Festival is pleased to present, for the first time in Colombia, Bob Geldof, organiser of the legendary concerts Live Aid and Live 8 and founder of the band Boomtown Rats. Geldof’s music fuses an Irish sound with classic rock and he is one of the great international music stars.
TICKET PRICE: $12.000 Colombian pesos
VIP ZONE PRICE: $ 40.000 Colombian pesos
Alternatively, hear him speak!
12:00- 13:00h, Teatro Heredia (Heredia Theatre)
Bob Geldof in conversation with Peter FlorenceAs well as being an exceptional musician, Bob Geldof was one of the main organisers of the Live Aid (1985) and Live 8 (2005) concerts which attracted world attention towards the growing problem of poverty in Africa. In July 2005 the Live 8 concerts drew crowds of 3 billion people spread across ten different cities. Largely due to international pressure exerted by the attendance success at the concerts, members of the G8 agreed to significantly increase economic aid to several African countries. The charismatic rock star will talk to Peter Florence, Director of the Hay Festival, about music, Ireland and with regards to Africa, about the G8 leaders, aid programmes and trade tariffs. Simultaneous translation into Spanish will be provided..
Thursday, January 04, 2007
Bootlegs! (Courtesy of HappyFanClub)
A list of bootlegs - I haven't got any of them. All MP3s gratefully accepted.
BBC in Concert 1978
52.40
01. Intro 02. Mary Of The Fourth Form 03. Me & Howard Hughes 04. I Never Loved Eva Braun 05. Don't Belive What You Read 06. Rat Trap 07. Kicks 08. Joey's On The Street Again 09. Living On An Island1 0. She's Gonna Do You In11. Like Clockwork1 2. She's So Modern13. Looking After Number One14. Do The Rat
Live in Germany 1978
41.53
1. Close As You'll Ever Be 2. Never Bite The Hand That Feeds3. Kicks4. She's So Modern5. Joey's On The Street Again6. Don't Belive What You Read7. She's Gonna Do You In8. Do The Rat9. It's All The Rage1 0. Mary Of The Fourth Form11. Looking After Number One
Middlesex Polytechnic 1978
52.33
1. Mary Of The 4th Form 2. Me And Howard Hughes3. I Never Loved Eva Braun4. Don't Believe What You Read5. Rat Trap6. Kicks7. Living In An Island8. She's Gonna Do You In9. Like Clockwork1 0. She's So Modern11. Do The Rat
Live at Rainbow 1978
49.32
1. Mary of the 4th Form 2. I Never Loved Eva Braun3. Close as You'll Ever Be4. Late Last Night5. Me and Howard Hughes6. Like Clockwork7. Joey's on the Street Again8. Rat Trap9. Don't Belive What You Read1 0. So Strange11. She's So Modern1 2/13. Looking After N°1 14. Blind Date
Live Rarities 1978/79/84
64.11
track list Live at the Musiklanden 1978 1. Never bite the hands that feed 2. Kicks3. She’s so modern4. Joey’s on the street again5. Don’t belive what you read6. She’s gonna do you in7. Do the rat8. It’s all the rage9. Mary of the 4th form1 0. Looking after n°1 Live in Los Angeles 1979 11. Having my picture taken1 2. Rat trap13. Keep it up14. “Promo Radio” Live for The Tube 1984 15. Drag me down16. Rat trap
Live 1979
49.32
Live in Frankfurt 1. I don't like mondays 2. Like clockwork3. Nothing happened today4. Nice' n' neat5. Having my picture taken6. Rat trap7. Kicks8. Someone's looking at you Live at Hammersmith (London) 9. Like Clockwork1 0. Charmed lives11. Up all night1 2. I don't like mondays13. Rat trap
Live at Boston Mass ( 2 CDs) 1980
43.32 + 44.36
CD 1 1 Wind Chill Factor (Minus Zero) 2 Like Clockwork3 Nothing Happened Today4 I Never Loved Eva Braun5 Nice 'n' Neat6 Having My Picture Taken7 Joey's On the Street Again8 I Don't Like Mondays9 Someone's Looking At You
CD 2 1 Keep it Up (very beginning cut) 2 Rat Trap3 Kicks4 Mary of the 4th Form (incl Band intros)5 Blind Date6 She's So Modern7 Looking After Number 18 Sleep (Finger's Lullaby)
Live at NHK-Hall Tokyo 1980
61.18
1. Wind Chill Factor (Minus Zero) 2. Like Clockwork3. Nothing Happened Today4. I Never Loved Eva Braun5. Nice 'n' Neat6. Joey's On the Street Again7. I Don't Like Mondays (end cut)8. Rat Trap9. Mary of the 4th Form1 0. Blind Date11. She's So Modern1 2. Looking After Number 1 13. Diamond Smiles
Live at BBC College Concert 1982
51.48
1. Like Clockwork 2. Charmed Lives3. Up All Night4. House On Fire5. Nothing Happened Today6. Never In A Million Years7. Sleep (Finger's Lullaby)8. I Don't Like Mondays9. Having My Picture Taken1 0. Rat Trap11. Keep It Up
Live at BBC's Radio One 1982
62.38
1. As Close As You'll Ever Be 2. Like Clockwork3. Charmed Lives4. House On Fire5. Nothing Happened Today6. I Don't Like Mondays7. Joey's On The Street Again8. Having My Picture Taken9. Rat Trap1 0. Someone's Looking At You11. Keep It Up Bonus track:1 2. Looking After No. 1 - (live for Ireland - 1986)
London 1982
46.58
1. Like Clockwork 2. Charmed Lives3. Up All Night4. House On Fire5. Wild Chill Factor Minus Zero6. Never In a Million Years7. Sleep (Fingers' Lullaby)8. I Don't Like Mondays9. Having My Picture Taken1 0. Rat Trap
Live at Tenax 1982 Italy
71.45
1. Never Bite the Hand That Feeds 2. Living in an Island3. Stir It Up (B. Marley)4. Charmed Lives5. Wind Chill Factor (minus zero)6. Sleep (Finger's Lullaby)7. I Don't Like Mondays8. Joe's on the Street Again9. Having My Picture Taken1 0. Rat Trap11. Keep It Up1 2. Banana Repuplic13. Under Their Thrumb14. Someone's Looking at You
BBC Rock Hour / Westwood One 1982/83
51.13
track list BBC Rock Hour - (198 2) 1. Like Clockwork 2. Charmed Lives3. Up All Night4. I Don't Like Mondays5. Rat Trap Westwood One (1983) 6. Nothing Happened Today7. Never In A Million Years8. I Don't Like Mondays9. Having My Picture Taken1 0. Rat Trap11. Keep It Up
Sight & Sound 1984
38.53
1. Like Clock Work 2. Charmed Lives3. Lucky4. Tonight5. Talking in Code6. Someone's Looking at You7. Dave8. Rat Trap
BBC In concert 1985
57.43
track list 1. Intro 2. Charmed Lives3. Lucky4. Neon Heart5. Wind Chill Factor (Minus Zero)6. Dave7. A Hold Of Me8. I Don't Like Mondays9. Talking In Code1 0. Hurt Hurts11. Rat Trap1 2. Drag Me Down13. Looking After Number One
Aid & More! 1985/86
53. 29
track list Boomtown Rats - Self Aid1. Someone's Looking at You 2. Joey's on the Street Again3. Looking After N°1 B. Geldof - Will Shriner Show4. You Can't Be Too Strong Boomtown Rats - Unre. traks5. Say Hi to Mick6. Precious Time7. Walking Downtown Boomtown Rats - Live Aid8. I Don't Like Mondays9. Drag Me Down1 0. Rat Trap Boomtown Rats -Live at Tenax11. Do They Know it's Xmas?
Live in Glastobury 1986
time 58.59
track list 1. Introduction 2. Charmed Lives3. Lucky4. Neon Heart5. Wind Chill Factor6. Dave7. A Hold of Me8. I Don't Like Mondays9. Talking in Code1 0. Hurt Hurts11. Rat Trap1 2. Drag Me Down13. Looking After N°1
On a Night Like This 1986
56.33
track list 1. Elephants Graveyard 2. Charmed Lives3. Lucky4. Neon Heart5. Someone's Looking at you6. Dave7. Hold of Me8. I Don't Like Mondays9. Talk in Code1 0. Rat Trap11. Drag me Down1 2. Looking After N° 1
Ireland & Dubliners 1986
time 71.39
track list 01. C’MOON EVERYBODY / U 2 0 2. PRIDE / U 2 03. SUNDAY BLOODY SUNDAY / U 2 04. MAGGGIE’S FARM / COLD TURKEY/ U 2 05. THANKS THE INFORMATION / VAN MORRISON 06. HERE COMES THE KNIGHT / VAN MORRISON 07. A TOWN CALLED PARADISE / VAN MORRISON 08. SOMEONES LOOKING AT YOU / BOOMTOWN RATS 09. JOEY’S ON THE STREET AGAIN / BOOMTOWN RATS1 0. LOOKING AFTER N° 1 / BOOMTOWN RATS11. LEAVE MY KITTEN ALONE / ELVIS COSTELLO1 2. COMPLICATED / ELVIS COSTELLO13. MANY RIVER TO CROSS / ELVIS COSTELLO14. I HOPE YOU’RE HAPPY NOW / ELVIS COSTELLO 15. PUMP IT UP / GLORIA / ELVIS
BBC in Concert 1978
52.40
01. Intro 02. Mary Of The Fourth Form 03. Me & Howard Hughes 04. I Never Loved Eva Braun 05. Don't Belive What You Read 06. Rat Trap 07. Kicks 08. Joey's On The Street Again 09. Living On An Island1 0. She's Gonna Do You In11. Like Clockwork1 2. She's So Modern13. Looking After Number One14. Do The Rat
Live in Germany 1978
41.53
1. Close As You'll Ever Be 2. Never Bite The Hand That Feeds3. Kicks4. She's So Modern5. Joey's On The Street Again6. Don't Belive What You Read7. She's Gonna Do You In8. Do The Rat9. It's All The Rage1 0. Mary Of The Fourth Form11. Looking After Number One
Middlesex Polytechnic 1978
52.33
1. Mary Of The 4th Form 2. Me And Howard Hughes3. I Never Loved Eva Braun4. Don't Believe What You Read5. Rat Trap6. Kicks7. Living In An Island8. She's Gonna Do You In9. Like Clockwork1 0. She's So Modern11. Do The Rat
Live at Rainbow 1978
49.32
1. Mary of the 4th Form 2. I Never Loved Eva Braun3. Close as You'll Ever Be4. Late Last Night5. Me and Howard Hughes6. Like Clockwork7. Joey's on the Street Again8. Rat Trap9. Don't Belive What You Read1 0. So Strange11. She's So Modern1 2/13. Looking After N°1 14. Blind Date
Live Rarities 1978/79/84
64.11
track list Live at the Musiklanden 1978 1. Never bite the hands that feed 2. Kicks3. She’s so modern4. Joey’s on the street again5. Don’t belive what you read6. She’s gonna do you in7. Do the rat8. It’s all the rage9. Mary of the 4th form1 0. Looking after n°1 Live in Los Angeles 1979 11. Having my picture taken1 2. Rat trap13. Keep it up14. “Promo Radio” Live for The Tube 1984 15. Drag me down16. Rat trap
Live 1979
49.32
Live in Frankfurt 1. I don't like mondays 2. Like clockwork3. Nothing happened today4. Nice' n' neat5. Having my picture taken6. Rat trap7. Kicks8. Someone's looking at you Live at Hammersmith (London) 9. Like Clockwork1 0. Charmed lives11. Up all night1 2. I don't like mondays13. Rat trap
Live at Boston Mass ( 2 CDs) 1980
43.32 + 44.36
CD 1 1 Wind Chill Factor (Minus Zero) 2 Like Clockwork3 Nothing Happened Today4 I Never Loved Eva Braun5 Nice 'n' Neat6 Having My Picture Taken7 Joey's On the Street Again8 I Don't Like Mondays9 Someone's Looking At You
CD 2 1 Keep it Up (very beginning cut) 2 Rat Trap3 Kicks4 Mary of the 4th Form (incl Band intros)5 Blind Date6 She's So Modern7 Looking After Number 18 Sleep (Finger's Lullaby)
Live at NHK-Hall Tokyo 1980
61.18
1. Wind Chill Factor (Minus Zero) 2. Like Clockwork3. Nothing Happened Today4. I Never Loved Eva Braun5. Nice 'n' Neat6. Joey's On the Street Again7. I Don't Like Mondays (end cut)8. Rat Trap9. Mary of the 4th Form1 0. Blind Date11. She's So Modern1 2. Looking After Number 1 13. Diamond Smiles
Live at BBC College Concert 1982
51.48
1. Like Clockwork 2. Charmed Lives3. Up All Night4. House On Fire5. Nothing Happened Today6. Never In A Million Years7. Sleep (Finger's Lullaby)8. I Don't Like Mondays9. Having My Picture Taken1 0. Rat Trap11. Keep It Up
Live at BBC's Radio One 1982
62.38
1. As Close As You'll Ever Be 2. Like Clockwork3. Charmed Lives4. House On Fire5. Nothing Happened Today6. I Don't Like Mondays7. Joey's On The Street Again8. Having My Picture Taken9. Rat Trap1 0. Someone's Looking At You11. Keep It Up Bonus track:1 2. Looking After No. 1 - (live for Ireland - 1986)
London 1982
46.58
1. Like Clockwork 2. Charmed Lives3. Up All Night4. House On Fire5. Wild Chill Factor Minus Zero6. Never In a Million Years7. Sleep (Fingers' Lullaby)8. I Don't Like Mondays9. Having My Picture Taken1 0. Rat Trap
Live at Tenax 1982 Italy
71.45
1. Never Bite the Hand That Feeds 2. Living in an Island3. Stir It Up (B. Marley)4. Charmed Lives5. Wind Chill Factor (minus zero)6. Sleep (Finger's Lullaby)7. I Don't Like Mondays8. Joe's on the Street Again9. Having My Picture Taken1 0. Rat Trap11. Keep It Up1 2. Banana Repuplic13. Under Their Thrumb14. Someone's Looking at You
BBC Rock Hour / Westwood One 1982/83
51.13
track list BBC Rock Hour - (198 2) 1. Like Clockwork 2. Charmed Lives3. Up All Night4. I Don't Like Mondays5. Rat Trap Westwood One (1983) 6. Nothing Happened Today7. Never In A Million Years8. I Don't Like Mondays9. Having My Picture Taken1 0. Rat Trap11. Keep It Up
Sight & Sound 1984
38.53
1. Like Clock Work 2. Charmed Lives3. Lucky4. Tonight5. Talking in Code6. Someone's Looking at You7. Dave8. Rat Trap
BBC In concert 1985
57.43
track list 1. Intro 2. Charmed Lives3. Lucky4. Neon Heart5. Wind Chill Factor (Minus Zero)6. Dave7. A Hold Of Me8. I Don't Like Mondays9. Talking In Code1 0. Hurt Hurts11. Rat Trap1 2. Drag Me Down13. Looking After Number One
Aid & More! 1985/86
53. 29
track list Boomtown Rats - Self Aid1. Someone's Looking at You 2. Joey's on the Street Again3. Looking After N°1 B. Geldof - Will Shriner Show4. You Can't Be Too Strong Boomtown Rats - Unre. traks5. Say Hi to Mick6. Precious Time7. Walking Downtown Boomtown Rats - Live Aid8. I Don't Like Mondays9. Drag Me Down1 0. Rat Trap Boomtown Rats -Live at Tenax11. Do They Know it's Xmas?
Live in Glastobury 1986
time 58.59
track list 1. Introduction 2. Charmed Lives3. Lucky4. Neon Heart5. Wind Chill Factor6. Dave7. A Hold of Me8. I Don't Like Mondays9. Talking in Code1 0. Hurt Hurts11. Rat Trap1 2. Drag Me Down13. Looking After N°1
On a Night Like This 1986
56.33
track list 1. Elephants Graveyard 2. Charmed Lives3. Lucky4. Neon Heart5. Someone's Looking at you6. Dave7. Hold of Me8. I Don't Like Mondays9. Talk in Code1 0. Rat Trap11. Drag me Down1 2. Looking After N° 1
Ireland & Dubliners 1986
time 71.39
track list 01. C’MOON EVERYBODY / U 2 0 2. PRIDE / U 2 03. SUNDAY BLOODY SUNDAY / U 2 04. MAGGGIE’S FARM / COLD TURKEY/ U 2 05. THANKS THE INFORMATION / VAN MORRISON 06. HERE COMES THE KNIGHT / VAN MORRISON 07. A TOWN CALLED PARADISE / VAN MORRISON 08. SOMEONES LOOKING AT YOU / BOOMTOWN RATS 09. JOEY’S ON THE STREET AGAIN / BOOMTOWN RATS1 0. LOOKING AFTER N° 1 / BOOMTOWN RATS11. LEAVE MY KITTEN ALONE / ELVIS COSTELLO1 2. COMPLICATED / ELVIS COSTELLO13. MANY RIVER TO CROSS / ELVIS COSTELLO14. I HOPE YOU’RE HAPPY NOW / ELVIS COSTELLO 15. PUMP IT UP / GLORIA / ELVIS
Monday, November 20, 2006
Geldof Moves Out To The Country With Jools Holland
Bob Geldof's first recordings since Sex, Age & Death
For The Good Times and The Pilgrim
Geldof has always been a great fan of Kris Kristofferson, who wrote these songs, and when he went to see Kris performing in London, Geldof was blown away when Kris dedicated "The Pilgrim" to him.
Moving Out to the Country
For The Good Times and The Pilgrim
Geldof has always been a great fan of Kris Kristofferson, who wrote these songs, and when he went to see Kris performing in London, Geldof was blown away when Kris dedicated "The Pilgrim" to him.
Moving Out to the Country
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
Colours are Brighter
Franz Ferdinand, Snow Patrol, The Kooks and Four Tet are amongst the artists contributing to a collection of children’s songs curated by Belle and Sebastian, to raise funds for children’s charity, Save the Children. ‘Colours are Brighter’ will be released on Rough Trade on October 16th, with all profits and artist royalties from the record being donated to the charity.
Wednesday, October 04, 2006
Arrivederci amore, ciao
Geldof played in Milan. A bigger audience this time! And with no more concerts scheduled and no album in the offing, this could be the last Geldof concert.
The MTV webcast is a mix of songs and interviews conducted in English with the questions/responses translated into Italian by the interviewer as she conducts the interview. She sits between Geldof and BobVince Loveday whilst conducting the interview. The latter looks like Johnny Vegas' dad!
The performance is at its best when Geldof dips into the Rats back catalogue; there is a storming version of Joey's on the Street Again in Part Three of both the video and podcast. Sadly the audience remaimed seated, though they looked to be tapping their feet and enjoying the free show!
Enjoy!
Video Audio Podcast
Broadcast Songs
The Great Song of Indifference
Love or Something
----------------------------
A Sex Thing
Walking Back to Happiness
Banana Republic
----------------------------
The Beat of the Night
I Don't Like Mondays
Joey's On The Street Again
----------------------------
Rat Trap
Encore....
A Hole to Fill
Attitude Chicken
Given he can't take his solo career any further, I don't suppose he would be tempted to have a 30th anniversary reunion with the rest of the Rats in Dublin next year, would he? Nah!
The MTV webcast is a mix of songs and interviews conducted in English with the questions/responses translated into Italian by the interviewer as she conducts the interview. She sits between Geldof and BobVince Loveday whilst conducting the interview. The latter looks like Johnny Vegas' dad!
The performance is at its best when Geldof dips into the Rats back catalogue; there is a storming version of Joey's on the Street Again in Part Three of both the video and podcast. Sadly the audience remaimed seated, though they looked to be tapping their feet and enjoying the free show!
Enjoy!
Video Audio Podcast
Broadcast Songs
The Great Song of Indifference
Love or Something
----------------------------
A Sex Thing
Walking Back to Happiness
Banana Republic
----------------------------
The Beat of the Night
I Don't Like Mondays
Joey's On The Street Again
----------------------------
Rat Trap
Encore....
A Hole to Fill
Attitude Chicken
Given he can't take his solo career any further, I don't suppose he would be tempted to have a 30th anniversary reunion with the rest of the Rats in Dublin next year, would he? Nah!
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
Garrick the Plumber Turns Nasty!
Garrick Roberts is making his way as a plumber out in the wilds of Herefordshire
Garrick the Plumber
Anyway, now Garrick has come out of hiding, he has wasted no time in putting the boot in with regard to Geldof.
Roberts said: 'During the 1980s, we signed an agreement saying songwriting royalties would be split – with 50 per cent going to the writer and 50 per cent going to the other band members. But when the band split up none of us, bar Geldof, heard anything. We weren't given any control over the songs and haven't received a penny,'
'... we appointed solicitors to ask Bob Geldof and the accountants dealing with the band where the royalties have gone. Every time one of our songs appears on a greatest hits album, money is generated – but I haven't seen any of it.'
'He [Geldof] was always much more of a self publicist than the rest of us. He's learned to use his fame. It's what he's about now.'
Unpaid Royalties
Bob the Self Publicist
Tell it as it is! Even if the Rats never get to court, a reunion at Maddison Square Gardens could set them up for life! I'm backing Garrick, he always looked the hardest.
Friday, September 22, 2006
The Rain in Spain Falls Mainly on....
...Geldof!
The concert was aborted after 30 minutes due to a hurricane. There was an near capacity audience thanks to the free tickets and the massive presence of college students.
http://www.elmundo.es/elmundo/2006/09/22/solidaridad/1158941837.html
http://www.hayfestival.com/segovia/en-prog-21.asp
22:00, Plaza del Azoguejo Square (Aqueduct bridge)
Bob Geldof in concert
Celebrate the Hay Festival with a concert by the founder of The Boomtown Rats and Live Aid. Bob Geldof's music fuses an Irish folk sound with classic rock and he is one of the great live performers, to dance to, to listen to and to enjoy
The concert was aborted after 30 minutes due to a hurricane. There was an near capacity audience thanks to the free tickets and the massive presence of college students.
http://www.elmundo.es/elmundo/2006/09/22/solidaridad/1158941837.html
http://www.hayfestival.com/segovia/en-prog-21.asp
22:00, Plaza del Azoguejo Square (Aqueduct bridge)
Bob Geldof in concert
Celebrate the Hay Festival with a concert by the founder of The Boomtown Rats and Live Aid. Bob Geldof's music fuses an Irish folk sound with classic rock and he is one of the great live performers, to dance to, to listen to and to enjoy
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
Tom Robinson stands up for Geldof
Fair play to Tom Robinson. He had little to gain from supporting Geldof in this way, but he has stated that The Boomtown Rats were a significant band in their late seventies heyday. "Why all this bitter schadenfreude when it comes to Bob and the boys ?" Indeed, what did Geldof do that was so wrong? Always got it in the neck.
Still bit of a cheek for Tom to lump himself in with the Rats and Squeeze, he wasn't that good! Though he wasn't bad to be fair (Up Against The Wall, 2-4-6-8 Motorway, War Baby and Glad To be Gay).
Bigmouth Strikes Again
I'm appalled by the torrent of ignorant, spiteful bile directed towards Bob Geldof and his music in response to yesterday's post - typified by HowSoonIsNow's comment: "As a musician he's a dead loss: mountain of attitude, molehill of talent."
Blimey. An Italian promoter made a major miscalculation as to venue size and ticket price - a not uncommon occurrence - and suddenly it seems to be open season on Geldof's musical career and personal integrity.
To begin with the music: you don't have to like Bob's songs to at least respect the fact that others - including me - have liked them a lot. Here is a man who wrote 13 top-30 hits between 1977 and 1990, including two number ones.
Any fool with modest talent, reasonable looks and towering ambition can knock out one or two hits if they are lucky and pushy enough. Look at James Blunt. Or me, come to that. As Lady Bracknell might have said, to have written half a dozen hits may be regarded as good fortune; to have written more than a dozen looks like talent - at least from where I'm sitting.
Certainly, artists and their music fall in and out fashion. But album tracks such as The Beat of the Night (Deep in the Heart of Nowhere) and The New Routine (Sex, Age and Death) make regular appearances on my iPod - and radio playlists - on sheer musical merit alone.
And, contrary to Scrittipolitti's posting, the Boomtown Rats didn't have a "heyday" in 1981, when they may or may not have been "reassuringly shite": they had a genuine, measurable, shout-it-from-the-rooftops heyday in 1977-8, when they clawed their way from obscurity to the NME front pages with a series of blinding gigs that blew away all competition night after night. The songs were great, the band were hot and Geldof was a rivetingly charismatic frontman.
If they lost the plot later on under the pressures of success, it was no more than happened to contemporaries such as TRB, Squeeze, the Hot Rods, Graham Parker and countless others. So why all this bitter schadenfreude when it comes to Bob and the boys ?The uncharitable sneer from Correspondent Bob's solo career was "a half-hearted exercise which never took off and was over 20 years ago" is simply incorrect: Bob's hilariously defiant Great Song of Indifference made number 15 in 1990 and was widely covered in dozens of languages by recording artists across the globe - for the simple reason that people everywhere liked the song - on its own merits - very much indeed.
As to his subsequent lack of musical output, Bob's personal life, in case you've forgotten, was devastated by loss, strife and tragedy during the 90s in the full intrusive glare of the world's media, gleefully detailing every fresh blow. He told me three years ago that at times of crisis there would be an average of 40 reporters camped outside his house. A scooter from the Daily Mirror and a van from the News of the World with blacked out windows tailed him everywhere he went. Even when he escaped the pressure at the weekends in Paris with close friends, there would still be journalists waiting for him on the Eurostar home.The astonishing thing is not that it took him until 2002 to write another album - the critically acclaimed Sex, Age and Death - but that he managed to make one at all under such conditions.
Whatever it is Bob Geldof wants, I'll bet you a quiet family life comes top of the list and getting his picture in the papers is pretty close to the bottom. The problem is that, whether he likes it or not, he has one of the most recognisable faces on the planet, which gives him almost unique access to the world's media - and most powerful political leaders - whether he chooses to use it or not. Many of us feel that world debt and global trade barriers are a humanitarian scandal and Aids is an unfolding global catastrophe. But not many of us can do much about it beyond charitable giving, letter writing and attending the occasional demonstration. Let's suppose for a moment that Bob actually would like a quiet, easy life - News of the World permitting. What would you do in his place, knowing that simply picking up the phone might save dozens or even hundreds of lives? Put up the shutters, mutter "I've done enough" and tell the world to go fuck itself? Or would you be big enough to accept the facts, the horrible responsibility that circumstance had thrust in your lap? Would you have the strength to put yourself in the firing line all over again, resigned to the fact that the media would think and write the worst about you whenever possible; and that whether you sought to alleviate a little of the world's unnecessary suffering or simply sit on your arse like everyone else, armchair critics would rip you to shreds?
"Just think, all that self promotion and no one wants to know. Perhaps he should put up a montage of suffering Africans to get the punters in," wrote Xuitlacoche on yesterday's blog. Well, comment is free, and you are entitled to your opinion. Mine is that, on balance, the world is a better place thanks to Geldof's efforts than if simply sat down, shut up and crawled into a corner, as you would seem to prefer.
Bob himself expressed all this far more eloquently, and at greater length, in his review of 1985 for the Guardian last December.
Bigmouth strikes again? More power to his larynx.
Still bit of a cheek for Tom to lump himself in with the Rats and Squeeze, he wasn't that good! Though he wasn't bad to be fair (Up Against The Wall, 2-4-6-8 Motorway, War Baby and Glad To be Gay).
Bigmouth Strikes Again
I'm appalled by the torrent of ignorant, spiteful bile directed towards Bob Geldof and his music in response to yesterday's post - typified by HowSoonIsNow's comment: "As a musician he's a dead loss: mountain of attitude, molehill of talent."
Blimey. An Italian promoter made a major miscalculation as to venue size and ticket price - a not uncommon occurrence - and suddenly it seems to be open season on Geldof's musical career and personal integrity.
To begin with the music: you don't have to like Bob's songs to at least respect the fact that others - including me - have liked them a lot. Here is a man who wrote 13 top-30 hits between 1977 and 1990, including two number ones.
Any fool with modest talent, reasonable looks and towering ambition can knock out one or two hits if they are lucky and pushy enough. Look at James Blunt. Or me, come to that. As Lady Bracknell might have said, to have written half a dozen hits may be regarded as good fortune; to have written more than a dozen looks like talent - at least from where I'm sitting.
Certainly, artists and their music fall in and out fashion. But album tracks such as The Beat of the Night (Deep in the Heart of Nowhere) and The New Routine (Sex, Age and Death) make regular appearances on my iPod - and radio playlists - on sheer musical merit alone.
And, contrary to Scrittipolitti's posting, the Boomtown Rats didn't have a "heyday" in 1981, when they may or may not have been "reassuringly shite": they had a genuine, measurable, shout-it-from-the-rooftops heyday in 1977-8, when they clawed their way from obscurity to the NME front pages with a series of blinding gigs that blew away all competition night after night. The songs were great, the band were hot and Geldof was a rivetingly charismatic frontman.
If they lost the plot later on under the pressures of success, it was no more than happened to contemporaries such as TRB, Squeeze, the Hot Rods, Graham Parker and countless others. So why all this bitter schadenfreude when it comes to Bob and the boys ?The uncharitable sneer from Correspondent Bob's solo career was "a half-hearted exercise which never took off and was over 20 years ago" is simply incorrect: Bob's hilariously defiant Great Song of Indifference made number 15 in 1990 and was widely covered in dozens of languages by recording artists across the globe - for the simple reason that people everywhere liked the song - on its own merits - very much indeed.
As to his subsequent lack of musical output, Bob's personal life, in case you've forgotten, was devastated by loss, strife and tragedy during the 90s in the full intrusive glare of the world's media, gleefully detailing every fresh blow. He told me three years ago that at times of crisis there would be an average of 40 reporters camped outside his house. A scooter from the Daily Mirror and a van from the News of the World with blacked out windows tailed him everywhere he went. Even when he escaped the pressure at the weekends in Paris with close friends, there would still be journalists waiting for him on the Eurostar home.The astonishing thing is not that it took him until 2002 to write another album - the critically acclaimed Sex, Age and Death - but that he managed to make one at all under such conditions.
Whatever it is Bob Geldof wants, I'll bet you a quiet family life comes top of the list and getting his picture in the papers is pretty close to the bottom. The problem is that, whether he likes it or not, he has one of the most recognisable faces on the planet, which gives him almost unique access to the world's media - and most powerful political leaders - whether he chooses to use it or not. Many of us feel that world debt and global trade barriers are a humanitarian scandal and Aids is an unfolding global catastrophe. But not many of us can do much about it beyond charitable giving, letter writing and attending the occasional demonstration. Let's suppose for a moment that Bob actually would like a quiet, easy life - News of the World permitting. What would you do in his place, knowing that simply picking up the phone might save dozens or even hundreds of lives? Put up the shutters, mutter "I've done enough" and tell the world to go fuck itself? Or would you be big enough to accept the facts, the horrible responsibility that circumstance had thrust in your lap? Would you have the strength to put yourself in the firing line all over again, resigned to the fact that the media would think and write the worst about you whenever possible; and that whether you sought to alleviate a little of the world's unnecessary suffering or simply sit on your arse like everyone else, armchair critics would rip you to shreds?
"Just think, all that self promotion and no one wants to know. Perhaps he should put up a montage of suffering Africans to get the punters in," wrote Xuitlacoche on yesterday's blog. Well, comment is free, and you are entitled to your opinion. Mine is that, on balance, the world is a better place thanks to Geldof's efforts than if simply sat down, shut up and crawled into a corner, as you would seem to prefer.
Bob himself expressed all this far more eloquently, and at greater length, in his review of 1985 for the Guardian last December.
Bigmouth strikes again? More power to his larynx.
Sunday, July 23, 2006
Knobbled!
Of course, there had to be a rational reason why 45 people turned up in a 12,000 seater venue...
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,3-2282704,00.html
Francesco Iacovone, the impresario who organised the concerts, said that he suspected sabotage. “We have been boycotted,” he said, though it was not clear why or by whom. It was incomprehensible that “an artist whose internet site has 19,000 visitors” and who had “fans throughout the world” had failed to arouse interest in Italy.
Signor Iacovone said that some internet sites had falsely claimed that tickets for the concerts were sold out, and that he was “considering legal action”.
...now whatever happened to that gig at Shepherd's Bush that was postponed?
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,3-2282704,00.html
Francesco Iacovone, the impresario who organised the concerts, said that he suspected sabotage. “We have been boycotted,” he said, though it was not clear why or by whom. It was incomprehensible that “an artist whose internet site has 19,000 visitors” and who had “fans throughout the world” had failed to arouse interest in Italy.
Signor Iacovone said that some internet sites had falsely claimed that tickets for the concerts were sold out, and that he was “considering legal action”.
...now whatever happened to that gig at Shepherd's Bush that was postponed?
No one loves Geldof (ok, maybe 45 people do!)
Bob Geldof has been forced to cancel two concerts in Italy because of lack of public interest, after only 45 people turned up to see him perform in Milan, Italy's La Stampa newspaper reported on Saturday.
News24
Excuse the google translation, but
“On my passport he is written that I am musician."
i) They don't have occupation on a passport
ii) A musician!
La Stampa
News24
Excuse the google translation, but
“On my passport he is written that I am musician."
i) They don't have occupation on a passport
ii) A musician!
La Stampa
Thursday, June 29, 2006
Fort Manoel on Manoel Island, Malta
Geldof played a late night/early morning gig in Malta.
Set list included I Don't Like Mondays, The Great Song Of Indifference, Harvest Moon, Banana Republic, Mary Of The Fourth Form, Rat Trap, Mudslide, My Birthday Suit & Scream In Vain.
http://www.timesofmalta.com/core/article.php?id=229082
Set list included I Don't Like Mondays, The Great Song Of Indifference, Harvest Moon, Banana Republic, Mary Of The Fourth Form, Rat Trap, Mudslide, My Birthday Suit & Scream In Vain.
http://www.timesofmalta.com/core/article.php?id=229082
Monday, June 26, 2006
Down By The Jetty
Back in 1975, Canvey Island's finest released the album that would inspire a generation. Not only was it a major influence on The Boomtown Rats eponymous album, but also The Jam and other members of the class of 1976. What the Ramones did for stateside punk/new wave, The Feelgoods were doing this side of the pond. With its stark black and white cover, and recorded exclusively in mono, it was not of its time. So pay homage to Lee Brilleaux, Wilko Johnson, John 'Big Figure' Martin and John B. 'Sparko' Sparks!
[From the sleevenotes - Down By The Jetty COLLECTORSEDITION]
I also recommend a visit to http://www.drfeelgood.de/albums.htm
Monday, June 12, 2006
Links to Rat Sites
As Bob Geldof can no longer take the views of his fans and has disassociated himself from the forum, I thought I'd better provide a link from here...
Boomtown Rats & Bob Geldof Forum
Other good Boomtown Rats sites
UK
USA
Japan - Banana Republic
Boomtown Rats & Bob Geldof Forum
Other good Boomtown Rats sites
UK
USA
Japan - Banana Republic
Sunday, April 16, 2006
A small crowd at the back of an Irish pub in the middle of the fucking desert
Geldof finds his level ;-)
Bob Geldof was in Dubai to speak at an DIHAD, an international development conference. He also found time to perform at The Irish Village, which is Ireland' own little corner of Dubai and sports a few Irish pubs and a large garden area. It's a pretty good venue with a capicity, by my estimate, of less than a 1,000 and decent acoustics given its outdoors. Geldof didn't quite see it that way, bemoaning the fact that his career had come to performing to 'a small crowd at the back of an Irish pub in the middle of the fucking desert'.
http://zalam.typepad.com/omar_salem/international_development/
Bob Geldof was in Dubai to speak at an DIHAD, an international development conference. He also found time to perform at The Irish Village, which is Ireland' own little corner of Dubai and sports a few Irish pubs and a large garden area. It's a pretty good venue with a capicity, by my estimate, of less than a 1,000 and decent acoustics given its outdoors. Geldof didn't quite see it that way, bemoaning the fact that his career had come to performing to 'a small crowd at the back of an Irish pub in the middle of the fucking desert'.
http://zalam.typepad.com/omar_salem/international_development/
Saturday, April 01, 2006
Geldof gets IRMA award
Bob Geldof is the third recipient of the IRMA Honours award.
The award, which is organised by the Irish Recorded Music Industry recognises the outstanding talent and contribution of an artist or individual to Irish music.
Previous award winners are Christy Moore and Larry Gogan.
"The last time I came back I was given the freedom of my home town and now the people that I grew up with are here tonight so I'll really be getting the prize from them. There is nowhere else on the planet I'd rather be and no other people that I'd want to be with than those here
"Thanks to the IRMA and the Rats who were a great band. It's great to be Irish and come back and see Ireland suddenly change for the better.
"Irish people used not to be taken seriously. Now we are, in terms of music, as Ireland has become a brilliant place for music.
"The music ones (awards) are the ones that count for me because that's what I think I do. I've got a lifetime achievement in Britain and America and Europe but I've never seen the people who I grew up with or who helped the Rats get started ever be part of one of these things.
"So the people who owned the record store in Dun Laoghaire ... people who helped us at the beginning get gigs, they are all here plus the bands that followed the Rats, like The Radiators, The Pogues, I suppose U2, The Thrills. To have a whole generation who helped make that change in music means more to me than being in London in a posh hotel with people who would be considered major, major stars
"Of course I understand that the Boomtown Rats unto themselves wouldn't get it, that the Boomtown Rats plus my solo thing wouldn't get it - I know that but don't forget that Live 8, Live Aid and Band Aid came out of music.
"I know how to do gigs and TV out of music, so if I hadn't been in this little band from Dun Laoghaire,that cranked up one summer afternoon 30 years ago none of this would have happened."
http://www.irma.ie
Sunday, March 05, 2006
Freedom of Dublin for Geldof
Bob Geldof was awarded with the Freedom of the City of Dublin. He was presented with a scroll and crystal globe during the ceremony outside the Mansion House.
"It's raining and it's cold but it's a beautiful day and I can't think of a more beautiful day or more beautiful city to hold this in than Dublin.
"If London made me, then Dublin formed me. To be a freeman of one of the most free cities on the planet is indeed something. When I say it is a free city, the atmosphere here, the ability to say and do what you want, is freer her than in most cities around the world.
I have lived all my life in this town, which in reality during my childhood was a little brown, little pinched, little parochial town on the edge of Europe. You now have this expansive city, one that sort of marries the generosities of a nation.
"And it didn't seem to connect at all with the world that I was hearing coming in on the radio and imagining coming in on my head. In 1975, myself and a group of friends got together to make a band that would articulate the possibility of a different Ireland.
"I am equally proud the first ever [Irish] rock 'n' roll number one, indeed the first in a new wave, was from an Irish band called the Boomtown Rats, and it was wrote about this city and it was called Rat Trap."
"It's raining and it's cold but it's a beautiful day and I can't think of a more beautiful day or more beautiful city to hold this in than Dublin.
"If London made me, then Dublin formed me. To be a freeman of one of the most free cities on the planet is indeed something. When I say it is a free city, the atmosphere here, the ability to say and do what you want, is freer her than in most cities around the world.
I have lived all my life in this town, which in reality during my childhood was a little brown, little pinched, little parochial town on the edge of Europe. You now have this expansive city, one that sort of marries the generosities of a nation.
"And it didn't seem to connect at all with the world that I was hearing coming in on the radio and imagining coming in on my head. In 1975, myself and a group of friends got together to make a band that would articulate the possibility of a different Ireland.
"I am equally proud the first ever [Irish] rock 'n' roll number one, indeed the first in a new wave, was from an Irish band called the Boomtown Rats, and it was wrote about this city and it was called Rat Trap."
Friday, February 24, 2006
Geldof is Hero Of The Year!
Unbelievable!
http://www.nme.com/news/bob-geldof/22329
ShockWaves NME Awards 2006 pay tribute to the Live8 man
Bob Geldof has been named the Hero Of The Year at the ShockWaves NME Awards 2006.Readers of NME and NME.COM voted for the singer ahead of Carl Barat, Pete Doherty, Liam Gallagher and Arctic Monkeys' Alex Turner in the category.
Last year saw Geldof make a huge stand against global poverty with the staging of the Live 8 concerts across the world which were attended and watched by 3.8 billion people and featured performances from Paul McCartney, U2, The Killers, Coldplay, REM, Stevie Wonder, The Who, Destiny's Child, Razorlight, Kaiser Chiefs Madonna and the reformed Pink Floyd.
Following the concerts, the subsequent G8 summit promised to give $50 billion more aid per year by 2010, AIDS drugs to all those who need them, care for all AIDS orphans and debt cancellation for 18 countries.
And as if that wasn't enough!
http://www.nme.com/news/bob-geldof/22329
ShockWaves NME Awards 2006 pay tribute to the Live8 man
Bob Geldof has been named the Hero Of The Year at the ShockWaves NME Awards 2006.Readers of NME and NME.COM voted for the singer ahead of Carl Barat, Pete Doherty, Liam Gallagher and Arctic Monkeys' Alex Turner in the category.
Last year saw Geldof make a huge stand against global poverty with the staging of the Live 8 concerts across the world which were attended and watched by 3.8 billion people and featured performances from Paul McCartney, U2, The Killers, Coldplay, REM, Stevie Wonder, The Who, Destiny's Child, Razorlight, Kaiser Chiefs Madonna and the reformed Pink Floyd.
Following the concerts, the subsequent G8 summit promised to give $50 billion more aid per year by 2010, AIDS drugs to all those who need them, care for all AIDS orphans and debt cancellation for 18 countries.
And as if that wasn't enough!
http://www.nme.com/awards/news/22301
Live8 wins Best DVD prize
Bob Geldof collects the gong at the ShockWaves NME Awards 2006
Bob Geldof has accepted the Best DVD award for Live8 - and was introduced by his old pal Bono. The U2 singer presented Geldof with the award via a video link-up, where he said that he was glad Geldof hadn't told him to "fuck off" when the idea to re-create Live Aid was touted last year.
Live8 - which was held last July in London Hyde Park and other cities across the world, saw stars including Madonna, Pink Floyd, Razorlight and The Killers unite to call for debt relief.
The subsequent DVD set compiles 120 performances, adding unseen backstage footage, messages and documentaries.Other nominees in this category included 'Dig!', Green Day: Bullet In A Bible', 'Kaiser Chiefs: Enjoyment' and Morrissey: Who Put The M In Manchester?'.
Friday, January 27, 2006
Vote Geldof for the NME Hero of the year
www.nme.com/awards
You have to register (as many times as possible), but this is an attempt to mobilise the masses and get Geldof a Brat to go with his Brit! Of course, there will be the added pleasure of wiping the smile of the smug NME jounalists.
The other contenders...
Carl Barat
Pete Doherty
Liam Gallagher
Alex Turner
PS You can also vote for Live 8 as best event/DVD, and if you ain't too familiar with modern music, just vote for Franz Ferdinand in all the relevant categories.
You have to register (as many times as possible), but this is an attempt to mobilise the masses and get Geldof a Brat to go with his Brit! Of course, there will be the added pleasure of wiping the smile of the smug NME jounalists.
The other contenders...
Carl Barat
Pete Doherty
Liam Gallagher
Alex Turner
PS You can also vote for Live 8 as best event/DVD, and if you ain't too familiar with modern music, just vote for Franz Ferdinand in all the relevant categories.
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
I Don't Like Mondays - Channel 4
The story behind the song..... (repeated on More 4 Wednesday 25th Jan 10.00pm)
On the morning of Monday 29th January 1979, 16-year-old schoolgirl Brenda Spencer took the .22 calibre gun her father had given her as a Christmas present and aimed it at the school playground directly opposite her family home. She killed two men and injured eight children. All she would say at the time was "I don't like Mondays, it livens up the day." The incident inspired the Boomtown Rats' number one hit song. It was the first school shooting of its kind, a phenomenon that would spread across America and culminate in the infamous Columbine tragedy. This film examines allegations surrounding a seemingly ordinary suburban family behind the eerie detachment of Brenda Spencer's original statement. I Don't Like Mondays secured unique access to Brenda's prison parole hearing in September last year and includes exclusive and revealing interviews with members of Brenda's family as well as her victims. The film traces the bizarre events of that day and asks how and why it happened.
The program started and ended with the song. At the end, the Police chief condemned the song as idiotic, and the NBC reporter had similar comments. Most incredibly, one of the girls shot refered to the fact that she heard the song every Monday at about 2pm, when she started work and enjoyed it!
Most interesting was the interview of her father, Wallace, in the last part. He still lives in the same house that faces the school and the time of the interview was when the kids were leaving school. He was in total denial of his part in the incident (interestingly enough, he married his daughter's cell mate), and didn't believe the way he raised his daughter had anything to do with it. His ex-wife believed he was the one who should have been in jail.
Brenda Spencer was tried as an adult rather than a minor. She pleaded guilty to killing two people, and did not face a jury. This may have spared her the death penalty, Obviously, many of those who were shot or who lost a family member all wanted her dead and believed she would do it again if released. This was not a view shared by those detached from the incident.
Ultimately she is a fairly stupid girl/woman whose ambitions were to find any excuse to get out of jail and work on a fork lift truck. A lot of her parole hearing related the shooting to the abuse she suffered at the hands of the father, though that seems to be de rigueur for elicting sympathy these days.
The Spencers were as a family made disfunctional by a father who wanted to have affairs yet be able to return to his wife and thought nothing of the consequences of giving a 16 year old girl a rifle for Christmas.
I don't believe she would reoffend if released. In the context of the light sentences handed out to the happy slapper murderers in this country yesterday http://www.london-se1.co.uk/news/view.php?ArtID=1964, she seems to have had a bad deal. I guess it all depends on whether you believe prison is to rehabilitate or punish. Her notiriety, the first school spree killer, has ensured she is still behind bars.
Having watched the programme, I do feel that Mondays, unlike Bowling for Columbine which condemned the lax US gun laws, came across as a nasty opportunistic song. People were affected by this incident, and hearing the song must bring back a lot of bad memories.
I never felt the song was apt for either Live Aid or Live 8. It's never been one of my favourite songs, but watching this, made it seem even lesser. Maybe it's time to retire it.
On the morning of Monday 29th January 1979, 16-year-old schoolgirl Brenda Spencer took the .22 calibre gun her father had given her as a Christmas present and aimed it at the school playground directly opposite her family home. She killed two men and injured eight children. All she would say at the time was "I don't like Mondays, it livens up the day." The incident inspired the Boomtown Rats' number one hit song. It was the first school shooting of its kind, a phenomenon that would spread across America and culminate in the infamous Columbine tragedy. This film examines allegations surrounding a seemingly ordinary suburban family behind the eerie detachment of Brenda Spencer's original statement. I Don't Like Mondays secured unique access to Brenda's prison parole hearing in September last year and includes exclusive and revealing interviews with members of Brenda's family as well as her victims. The film traces the bizarre events of that day and asks how and why it happened.
The program started and ended with the song. At the end, the Police chief condemned the song as idiotic, and the NBC reporter had similar comments. Most incredibly, one of the girls shot refered to the fact that she heard the song every Monday at about 2pm, when she started work and enjoyed it!
Most interesting was the interview of her father, Wallace, in the last part. He still lives in the same house that faces the school and the time of the interview was when the kids were leaving school. He was in total denial of his part in the incident (interestingly enough, he married his daughter's cell mate), and didn't believe the way he raised his daughter had anything to do with it. His ex-wife believed he was the one who should have been in jail.
Brenda Spencer was tried as an adult rather than a minor. She pleaded guilty to killing two people, and did not face a jury. This may have spared her the death penalty, Obviously, many of those who were shot or who lost a family member all wanted her dead and believed she would do it again if released. This was not a view shared by those detached from the incident.
Ultimately she is a fairly stupid girl/woman whose ambitions were to find any excuse to get out of jail and work on a fork lift truck. A lot of her parole hearing related the shooting to the abuse she suffered at the hands of the father, though that seems to be de rigueur for elicting sympathy these days.
The Spencers were as a family made disfunctional by a father who wanted to have affairs yet be able to return to his wife and thought nothing of the consequences of giving a 16 year old girl a rifle for Christmas.
I don't believe she would reoffend if released. In the context of the light sentences handed out to the happy slapper murderers in this country yesterday http://www.london-se1.co.uk/news/view.php?ArtID=1964, she seems to have had a bad deal. I guess it all depends on whether you believe prison is to rehabilitate or punish. Her notiriety, the first school spree killer, has ensured she is still behind bars.
Having watched the programme, I do feel that Mondays, unlike Bowling for Columbine which condemned the lax US gun laws, came across as a nasty opportunistic song. People were affected by this incident, and hearing the song must bring back a lot of bad memories.
I never felt the song was apt for either Live Aid or Live 8. It's never been one of my favourite songs, but watching this, made it seem even lesser. Maybe it's time to retire it.
Rats on BBC Radio 6
The Boomtown Rats 1978 Peel session was broadcast tonight in its entirety! Starting with Like Clockwork at approximately 10.15pm and followed by Me & Howard Hughes at 11.10pm. Then just after midnight, came (Watch Out For) The Normal People and Living In An Island.
You can catch it for up to seven days at http://www.bbc.co.uk/6music/shows/dream_ticket/
Don't miss it!
You can catch it for up to seven days at http://www.bbc.co.uk/6music/shows/dream_ticket/
Don't miss it!
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