1:22 (a bit like The Mad Ferret in Preston) is a venue that does loads of good work for live music - encouraging new bands and local music, and also bringing in some great artists from all over the world. The Acoustic Club is part of this picture, with a stage that is open to anyone who wants to sing a song, tell a few jokes, bang a drum or maybe even act the scene from a movie, anything goes - as long as its unamplified, because on this night, 'acoustic' means exactly that, totally unplugged.
Now I have to say I have a preference for electrification. The availability of a PA makes for a more diverse range of musical possibilities. But I also think as a musician its good to put yourself outside of your comfort zone and try different things - that's how you learn and develop your skills. Without a PA there is only you, your voice and the instrument, and it if it goes horribly wrong, it really doesn't matter on this friendly night. You can still walk away having learnt something about what works, and what doesn't.
Stevo is the compere for the night and he does this in good humour and in a way that makes everyone welcome. He also introduces the 'shit quiz' which is so called 'because..., its shit!' Thankfully, this is a reference to a rubbish quiz, rather than the shit performance art I described in my last blog. The prizes for the quiz are equally shit, and on this night include a shot glass for one, a broken bar sign, a plastic fork and a tin of obscure something. Each question in the quiz follows each performance, and as each performer gets only one song, the night moves quickly once it gets cracking at around about 10pm - its a late start and a late finish down here at 1:22.
Caleb begins with a song about the acoustic night. Marky plays a Naked Ladies cover. I play an Old Man Pie tune on accordion (rather badly). Ken plays a lovely 12 string guitar. Dan plays Clear Blue Sky, a cover of the masterful Chris Whitely tune. And between each performance there is a shit question (something like):
What was the name of the sheep that scientists cloned in the 1990's?
(a) daisy
(b) dolly or
(c) rose, from Marsden.
Marsden comes in for some stick on this night and if you don't know Marsden (which most of you won't) you should visit it some day to find out why.
Joshua Blinkhorn is a regular here at 1:22 and he plays a jazz piece 'I can't get started (with you)'. I've seen Josh play a good few times now and I love what he does. I would have liked to have heard one of his own uniquely crafted songs, but he certainly does this jazz number justice. In fact, last year Josh let me put out a couple of his songs on my own 'virtual' record label and I've included them here for your listening pleasure (check out the free guitar tuner while you're at it):
There are more performers. Will plays a cover of Nothing Else Matters by Metallica. Liz plays a Crowded House song and Natalie plays Billy Jean by Michael Jackson. Tom and Andy, a father and son duo, play a bluegrass number.
The Acoustic Night is an assett to Huddersfield's musical goings on and gives everyone a fair hearing. Because the night is unamplified a shhhh policy is enforced so if you want to go somewhere for a good old chin wag this night isn't for you. But if you want to listen to people of all abilities and skills simply enjoying playing a little music, or you want to have a go yourself, or if you like shit quizes, the club is definitely worth a visit.
For more info check out their website:
www.122live.com
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