A glorious spring evening on the M62 with the light of a descending sunshine glittering on a trail of vehicles heading West. And this unstoppable road is split in two by a stubborn farmer who would not be shifted by the Highways Agency and Government departments. The farm remains intact and still working as the road divides around it. Supine Orchestra, the group I met in Coventry, is playing a sweet mix of mandolin and guitar as I pass by the highest point of the highest motorway in the UK, and it feels good to be heading for the M61, and on to an open mic at The Mad Ferret in Preston.
The Mad Ferret is a music venue in the heart of Preston that I'd heard good things about from my mate Jimbob who plays bass for Ottersgear. A place that had dedicated its heart and soul to bringing quality music to the town. The open mic is every Wednesday and run collectively by a range of local musicians such as One English Pound, Vox Population and Sully and Becky. My contact for the night is Russell and he has assured me this night takes all comers.
The walls are covered with music posters of a rich variety of bands past and present. Good to see a Wild Beasts poster glued to a post and also the classic Ramones poster over by the stairs. The April gig listing boasts sessions by Middleman, Curtis Eller, Johnny Foreigner, The Crookes and many more.
Dan Jeoffrey, who also helps run the night, kicks off with a few songs on acoustic guitar, including a nice piece about making up his mind. Then another Dan takes us through some covers and adds a little whistling. The world always seems a better place with a bit of whistling in my book. Chris Ward plays a V shaped metal riff and reproduces Anarchy in the UK and Symphony of Destruction by Megadeth. He finishes with one of his own renditions and its great to hear a bit of electric guitar for a change, beating back the acoustic guitar takeover of the past few years. I follow with the kaoss beat poetry and enjoy a bit of light heckling from a friendly bunch here at the Ferret.
One Man and his Beard plays some original songs, again on electric guitar, but this time in more of a punk rock vein. You got to just love this guy. He plays a song called 'Bring Back Top of the Pops' and there's some brilliant audience participation going down from his 'Pans People' who are formation dancing at the back of the bar. It turns out he's made a video of this number so I've included it below so you can see what hilarious good fun this is. Tom Robinson (not the one who gave us 2-4-6-8 Motorway) plays a light reggae number and then its the turn of the featured performer The Bees Neice.
The Bees Neice is from Oslo and Manchester I believe and she (for there is only her) starts with a song about a stolen bike and a request for the return of said bike rom the nob head who stole it. She has a good voice and plays some sweet songs but I realise time has slipped through my fingers again and I'm going to have to leave before the end of her set.
The Mad Ferret is a top notch venue that supports music in all its guises and forms. They got a quality PA down here and the open mic can cope with full bands, as well as solo peformers. I'd recommend it and also many of the great gigs they've got lined up for the coming month.
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