Greetings
We hope you are fine and dandy :)
Here we are well into 2011 and finally we get to tell you about our new recording 'Proper Job' as well as all the latest.
Returning for a moment to the end of January this year when we received news of the death of our dear friend, supporter and inspiration Don Younger.
Those of you who have followed us from even before the creation of CRUSH UK, when we were Crush and before that Frampton Weller, will have read about our meeting Don in the Prince (Princess) of Wales, Wimbledon in 1997 thanks to Debbie and Terry and our subsequent trips over to play in Oregon.
Don was a one-off. A man of strong views and belief in himself. Don shared his wisdom and enthusiasm with those he chose to befriend, or just hang out at a bar and chew the fat with – whether they asked for it or not ;)
The 'Tavern Rat' lived a full life and his legacy is there for all to see, not just with his beloved Horse Brass pub in Portland, Oregon but with the beer brewing business across the States and beyond.
I went to Don's memorial which was an incredible affair. So much love, respect, sadness and fun was shared in the Horse Brass pub and around the world via a virtual wake on Sunday 12th February. The friends that Don brought together came from all walks of life and we celebrated his life and passing.
Far from it being the 'end' we all committed to keeping Don's work of uniting people and making the best of this crazy life through friendship. I am looking forward to our next trip in September to reacquaint :)
For our part, that is CRUSH UK or 'UK-lele' as we will be in the US next time, are heading back to Oregon for the 'Tavern Rat Tour' this September. Our friends Sue and Joe have offered to take us on a trip that we hope will see us landing in places familiar and new, to play our music. Perhaps we'll see some of “America, the way it used to be” :)
Don Younger 1941 – 2011
UK-lele Tavern Rat Tour 2011 - Monday 26th September – Wednesday 5th October – Oregon, USA
Your venue suggestions and company would be more than welcome as we plan our trip around Oregon in more detail.
Losing Don put a dampener on the beginning of the year, but as we move into Spring we are looking forward to some good things.....
We have completed our new record 'Proper Job'. The fifth most excellent studio offering from CRUSH UK which comes four turbulent years after 'Quiddity' another timeless classic full of great tracks and before that, 'The New Big Thing',.... ;)
We hope to do better commercially with 'Proper Job' and I am currently hounding the media to have listen and critique the ten song (plus bonus tracks) opus.
It's still very exciting after all these years; the reject letters, e-mails, tweets, faceache messages, no response and then, the merest whiff of something to chase down because, you never know :)
Proper Job by CRUSH UK
Woman
So what
When I'm with you
Sick again
Sweet
Got to go girl
55 Special
Always
I don't want you around
Who knew
+ Bonus tracks
Proper Job is dedicated to our friend, supporter and inspiration, Don Younger.
Who is guilty of what?
Martin Weller - Guitars, percussion, harmonica and vocals.
Richard Bell - Drums, cymbals and vocals.
David Cameron Dudley - Bass guitar, acoustic & electric guitars, baritone and treble ukuleles, Farfisa organ, synthetic sounds, Exmouth Pier's Mighty Wurlitzer; bouzouki; Stylophone; Indian harmonium; harmonica; piano; glockenspiel; banjolele, drums, percussion and vocals.
Thanks to special guest vocalists Sarah Corser and Deirdre Ryan.
Weller wrote the originals apart from '55 Special' by Martin Weller and Nick Thorman and 'Always' written by Cameron Dudley.
All songs arranged by Weller, Bell, Cameron Dudley.
Engineered and produced by Weller & Cameron Dudley.
Recorded in Exmouth, Devon. Wimbledon, London and Colne, Lancashire.
'The Umbrella' image is used with the kind permission of Caz Snook of the Snooky Trust, Dawlish, Devon
All rights reserved. Copyright © 2011
Buy the album and or listen to tracks at crushuk.com
Dudley is made up because he finally got his 'George Harrison moment' and has one of his songs, 'Always' on the record. We are very happy for him ;)
Proper Job captures the colour and shape of what we do live as well as getting the treatment from Weller and Dudley with additional guitars and Dudley supplying the majority of weird and wonderful instruments that make up the 'studio' sound.
If you would like to suggest websites, magazines, radio stations, etc. where you think we could get a review, then please let us know.
And of course we would be delighted to hear your views on the record after you have bought it :)
My thanks to Nick Thorman and Stewart White who helped me to develop the songs in the absence of Rick and Dave.
Live and kickin'
In addition to our fifth US trip coming up this September, we're very excited to be playing at the Exmouth Festival in May and a special show at the Grey Horse in Kingston at the beginning of June among a host of other live performances planned for this, our twelfth year together!
CRUSH UK offer their inimitable electric/acoustic live show as ever and now, to fit into house party and small venue needs, we keep it low key and simply acoustic as 'UK-lele' a title coined by our man in Pacific City, Phil B :)
It means we can play all our hits and more without the need for electrickery – no big drum kit, or amps, just the three of us playing acoustic instruments.
If you would like to know more about this side of us, then by all means drop me a line.
We're back at the legendary GREY HORSE
CRUSH UK – Saturday 4th June @ GREY HORSE, Kingston, 46 Richmond Road, Kingston Upon Thames, Surrey KT2 5EE – 0208 541 4328 - Admission £5 at the door
We have played this venue so many times over the years and it is such a pleasure to get another opportunity. We hope see another fun loving crowd in attendance and ready to party :)
We hope you like the price too :)
Ok, so to the itinerary for April and May
April
CRUSH UK - Saturday 23rd April @ BOWLING GREEN, 29-30 Blackboy Road, Exeter, Devon EX4 6ST - 9pm
CRUSH UK - Sunday 24th April @ MANOR GARDENS, St Andrews Rd, Exmouth, EX8 1AW - 01395 276167 - 2pm
Bank Holiday Monday 25th April - TBC
May
CRUSH UK – Sunday 29th May @ MANOR GARDENS, St Andrews Rd, Exmouth, EX8 1AW - 01395 276167 - 4pm
WELLER Solo + UK-lele plugged – Sunday 29th May @ CLIPPER, 33-34 The Strand, Exmouth, Devon EX8 1AQ - 01395 279879 - 8.30pm
UK-lele – First public unplugged show - Monday 30th May @ BICTON INN, 5 Bicton Street, Exmouth, Devon EX8 2RU - 01395 272589 - Times TBC - Donations
Admission is free unless stated. Please confirm wit the venue before you travel.
And the rest of the crew's activity
April
KatZ - Sunday 10th April @ FIRST & LAST, 10 Church St, Exmouth, Devon EX8 1PE - 01395 263275 - 6pm
KatZ - Friday 15th April @ SHIP HOTEL, 132 High Street, Crediton, Devon EX17 3LQ - 01363 777873 - 9pm
Big 'Ed & The Red Rockers - Saturday 16th April @ BEACH, Victoria Road, Exmouth, Devon EX8 1DR - 01395 272090 – 9pm
WELLER - Friday 22nd April @ JOLLY SAILOR, 46 Northumberland Place, Teignmouth, Devon TQ14 8DE - 01626 772864 – 9pm
Big 'Ed & The Red Rockers – Friday 29th April @ FIRST & LAST, 10 Church St, Exmouth, Devon EX8 1PE - 01395 263275 - 3pm
Big 'Ed & The Red Rockers – Saturday 30th April @ EXMOUTH ARMS, 21 Exeter Road, Exmouth, Devon EX8 1PN - 01395 265292 – 8.30pm
May
WELLER – Sunday 1st May @ WILD GOOSE, Combeinteignhead, Devon - TBC
KatZ - Friday 6th May @ NEW QUAY INN, Newquay Street, Teignmouth, Devon TQ14 8DA - 01626 774145 - 9.15pm
KatZ - Saturday 7th May @ PROSPECT, The Quay, Exeter, Devon EX2 4AN - 01392 279667 - 9.30pm
KatZ - Saturday 21st May @ EXMOUTH ARMS, 21 Exeter Road, Exmouth, Devon EX8 1PN - 01395 265292 – 8.30pm
Big 'Ed & The Red Rockers - Sunday 22nd May @ FIRST & LAST, 10 Church St, Exmouth, Devon EX8 1PE - 01395 263275 - 6pm
KatZ - Friday 27th May @ DRAKES, 14 Fore St, Topsham, Devon EX3 0HF – 01395 875172 – 9.15pm
KatZ – Saturday 28th May @ BOWLING GREEN, 29-30 Blackboy Road, Exeter, Devon EX4 6ST - 01392 678962 – 9pm
Please contact me if you would like any of the acts at your venue or event.
Our sincere thanks goes to the back room staff of Leslie who takes care of and does battle with our website – crushuk.com
We would also like to thank Chris Daly for the live photos of all of the bands. The man has patience!
Of course, we would be wasting our breath if it wasn't for the people who support us at our shows, buy our records and generally keep our peckers up with compliments, comments and useful suggestions – Thank you
All best wishes
Martin and the Crush collective x
In memory of Karen, Don and those we have loved and lost
