The Jam, SLF, Big Country and now THE CASBAH CLUB - Irish Dates

jmc

The Jam, SLF, Big Country and now THE CASBAH CLUB
- Irish Tour, April ’04.

Friday, April 16th: The Limelight, Belfast
Saturday, April 17th: The Olympia Theatre, Dublin
Sunday, April 18th: Dolans, Limerick

Featuring:
Bruce Watson - Guitar
Bruce Foxton - Bass
JJ Gilmour - Vocals, guitar
Josh Philips - Keyboards
Mark Brzezicki - Drums

THE CASBAH CLUB will be performing songs from all their individual incarnations.

- Facts:
The Jam were on the UK album charts for 162 weeks.
Big Country were on the UK album charts for 142 weeks
Both bands had number 1 albums
The Jam had 13 Top Twenty singles (including 4 number 1’s)
Big Country had 8 Top Twenty singles (highest peaking at 7)


- There are fascinating roots to THE CASBAH CLUB

Bruce Watson and Mark Brzezicki spent nearly two decades in one of Scotland's finest rock bands, BIG COUNTRY.

Bruce Foxton was a founder member of first generation punk/new wave's legendary JAM.

The Jam gave Big Country their first break on the British live circuit, opening for them at Wembley Arena for six nights back in 1982, which were their final dates.

With the break up of Big Country and then the passing of STUART ADAMSON in 2001, Bruce and Mark have been working with other acts, but had a yearn to be in a band that was part theirs as opposed to being paid session men. Besides, when Bruce was working with FISH and DEAD MEN WALKING recently, there was a lot of demand for Big Country songs. Bruce and Mark had met for the first time in awhile when recording the new Fish album and decided that it was time for them to make their own waves.

Encouraged by Big Country manager Ian Grant, Bruce and Mark approached Big Country bass player Tony Butler but he was not available, as he has temporarily retired from live work. Bruce says, "I am really looking forward to being in a band again. The only danger is that there are now two Bruce’s."

Mark Brzezicki and Bruce Foxton had a mutual wish to work with each other and nearly did in 2003 with Simon Townshend, so when it became known Tony wasn’t available; it was obvious whom to call. Bruce has been working with STIFF LITTLE FINGERS for the past 14 years, and more recently with 3 MEN & BLACK playing acoustic shows around the UK. When Mark called Bruce said, "Count me in"! Bruce says, "I am very excited about the forthcoming shows. With such a wealth of material and, dare I say, talented line up, this band really has great potential. Here's to the future”.

There is a business connection as well in that Ian Grant was there at the outset of The Jams career in that he gave them their initial gigs in London at The Nashville Rooms and Red Cow (both legendary venues of the pub rock/punk rock era).

The musical combination of these three whets the appetite. Add to it former Big Country keyboard player JOSH PHILIPS with singer JJ GILMOUR formerly of THE SILENCERS and one can unashamedly drool over its musical potential.

Josh's career began when he was fifteen with an appearance in the film and soundtrack of 'Quadrophenia. He has since worked with acts such as Pete Townshend, Phil Collins & Procul Harum & also worked on stage with Eric Clapton, Paul McCartney, & Sting.

JJ has his own band and last year recorded and released a superb solo album "Sunnyside (P.A.L)". It is an emotionally charged intensely personal album, a record of rare honesty, which throughout identifies certain important, influential or amusing people and moments in his life. The chemistry that this new line up will no doubt have will create and exciting melting pot of their combined talent.


- Tickets:
Friday, April 16th at The Limelight, Belfast are €16.50 (inc. booking fee) from Ticketmaster and usual outlets. Doors: 7.30pm.

Saturday, April 17th at The Olympia Theatre, Dublin are €20 (inc. booking fee) from The Olympia Theatre Box Office, Ticketmaster and usual outlets.
Doors: 11.15pm.

Sunday, April 18th at Dolans, Limerick are £18.50 stg. (inc. booking fee) from Ticketmaster and usual outlets. Doors: 8.00pm.

- In addition, a Big Country Official Fan Club Convention takes place at The Russell Court Hotel on Saturday, April 17th.

The Russell Court Hotel,
Harcourt St.,
Dublin.2.
Contact: Ruth (01 4784066)

1pm until 8pm

Admission:
Members £7
Non-Members £10.00

Acoustic performance by ex band members
Fans acoustic performances
Remix session
Q & A
Mastermind
Film
Raffle
Merchandise
Hot Food included with this laminate
All day bar
And more....

Go to www.bigcountry.co.uk for details.

All members will be present. There will be acoustic performances plus signing sessions etc.

jmc

Just a taste of what to expect this weekend...

The Casbah Club: Set List - 13/04/04

The band went down a storm with the following set-list:

Eastworld
Look Away
Town Called Malice
Me And You
King Of Emotion
Never Take Your Place
Down in The Tube Station At Midnight
I Can Feel It
Perfect World
Ships
Butterfly Collector
Fragile Thing
Seven Waves
In A Big Country
Going Underground
Chance