Friday 15 May 2015

The Riffs




I’m not sure where or how it started but I know it was in the early eighties at some point that I became obsessed with Reggae and SKA. Many things could have been the catalyst; Gregory Isaacs Night nurse album on my cassette player; finding and purchasing a vinyl copy of ‘The harder they come’ at a middle school fete, was it the hand-me-down singles of the fluctuating two tone era, or indeed the release of ‘Legend’ by the late and great Bob Marley? Whatever it was, it gripped me and has since been my genre, my forte when it comes to music ever since.


So it’s very fitting that the first ever interview with a band that I do is with people that do exactly what I love and it wasn’t easy for me because the distractions of the bands sound check were fantastic and I just could not dismiss them.


The Riffs will be our headline act at ‘Music For Muscles’ on 30th August this year and last Friday I caught up with them to find out why they consider it important and the significance. It’s about 21:00 and I’m talking with Greg Tilley; the bands manager. The Riffs first gig was on March 26th 1989 in the new Pegasus public house, 73 Green Lanes, Stoke Newington supporting, The Loafers. The band members have changed a few times but the music remains the same and it’s great. Like me, Greg reminisces about listening to two tone and reggae that was around in the eighties, and with that came the curiosity to go backwards and find out the origins of this great sound. As we’re talking, in the background I can hear ‘red, red wine’ being sung by Tony Tribe, which is exactly the sort of original that we were both referring to.


I was chatting with the entire band whilst a sound check was under way and it was very clear and apparent that these people were listening to the same things as me growing up and influenced in the same way except one big difference, they got up and learnt to play an instrument or stood in front of a microphone and sang.


During the 70’s and 80’s there were changes in this branch of the musical tree. SKA was original, the precursor for Reggae but pioneers like Island record’s; Chris Blackwell began to champion the genre and make records that were more popular with the mainstream British and American market. Some might say Reggae had been diluted to become acceptable but Blackwell had achieved what he had set out to do and that was put more Jamaican records and artist under our coffee tables and onto our 45 players, having mixed it to sound more Pop and Rock and to therefore make it more acceptable to a global audience.


With that, like anything, there will be contingents that go back to originality and strip it back down again; with attitude too. The likes of ‘The clash’ covering Junior Marvin’s ‘Police and Thieves’ and Stiff little fingers covering Marley’s ‘Johnny was’ , more rebel music, two genre’s of music that went hand in hand. So with all this influence and people like Blackwell making this music easily available it is no wonder that we had a big rise in SKA, Reggae and Two Tone.


This is why we have bands like The Riffs, a passion to play what they love and believe. Not forgetting of course how much fun SKA is. You cannot beat that beat, the sort that will make you bounce to the bar rather than walk. These sounds that will make you smile from ear to ear. That’s why I’m here listening to one of my favourite local bands because all that’s gone before is played out on a Friday night in front of me and its ace!  A combination of the melodic sounds of reggae, the hard working, Trojan like punch of SKA with a little touch of punk attitude.


The Riffs are not a covers band; they play some great, original stuff including a ode to Mac the Sax, A former Saxophone player for the band that unfortunately, passed away too soon. The song opens with Spenny (Lead vocals) singing from Mac’s perspective and asks “enough about me, let’s talk about you” which tells you a lot about the ethos of that man and indeed the band as a whole.


It’s that selfless attitude that puts me here in the first place and leads me right back to the start of this, giving me the opportunity to explain why this band will be our headline act at our unique event in August.


On 1st September last year I had just finished my challenge to raise awareness and funds for Muscular Dystrophy UK, this being a condition that I have. I immediately needed a new project because this is what keeps me busy and is my tonic. So I had this idea to have a physical sporting event during the day and then a music event in the evening. Until now I haven’t explained that I have known Joel, the riffs saxophone player for some years now and it was as I’d finished last year’s challenge that Joel told me his son, Finley had been diagnosed with SMA (spinal muscular atrophy), another form of Muscular Dystrophy.


As I mentioned, I spent most of the evening talking to Greg about the band and his words were the same as my thoughts. We must do this; we need to raise funds for research for treatments and another important factor is to make sure our friend knows that we are there for him too. Any diagnosis of any condition can make you feel very lonely and personally I think that’s criminal. I thought the least we can do is help with that and show some loyalty and solidarity through tough times.


As for the distractions and the things that made this hard well they’re back as I try to wrap this up and conclude. The band finishes the sound check with a fantastic version of Johnny Too bad, by the slickers. Like I said, you’ll smile from ear to ear.


Thank you Greg (Management), Spenny (guitar, vocals), Steve (keyboards), Duane (Bass), Clemmy (Drums), and Joel (Saxophone and Friend)

The Riffs

 


Music For Muscles - Catch The Riffs playing at the Aristocrat, Aylesbury, 30th August 2015.




You can join us on facebook here.

Visit The Riffs website here. 


"One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain" 

- Marley.



Friday 1 May 2015

Count Me In



Over the last two years I've taken part in Muscular Dystrophy UK’s ‘Mile For Muscles’ event and I have to say, I love it. Hundreds of people all over the country move an extra special mile between May and September to raise funds for vital research and support for families affected by muscle-wasting conditions. This summer I plan to do the same and I’m inviting you to come with me and this time it’s going to be an adventure that together we’ll never forget.
Myself and my older brother both have a condition called Limb Girdle Muscular Dystrophy. As you may well imagine I love my brother to bits but I don’t like how the condition is affecting him, he is getting weaker and it’s becoming quite evident as he relies on his power chair to get around. There is an expectation that I will deteriorate too, that this is how my life will be and what I have to look forward to. We’re not alone; over 70,000 people in the UK have a form of Muscular Dystrophy including families I know well. These conditions are devastating and like the last two years I’m not prepared to just sit and watch people that I love deteriorate. I’m Martin and I’m here to help the best I can. 

On the 22nd March 2015 there was a lifeline appeal on BBC One hosted by Sue Barker, MBE. Sue Barker is the Charity's President and just a fantastic person whom I was very lucky to meet. During the appeal Sue told the stories of seven year old Abbi Bennet and Jonathan Gilmour, both of whom are living with different types of Muscular Dystrophy.
“Every step you take is powered by your muscles, but there is a condition that can turn even the tiniest movement into a struggle. It’s called Muscular Dystrophy and it causes the muscles to get weaker and weaker over time: for many that includes the muscles that allow the heart to beat and the lungs to breathe.” – Sue Barker MBE.

The stories were very emotional and although about very different types of the condition, they rang true with me and felt especially close to home: those loved ones talking about family and also Jonathan addressing what I think is important, inspiring you to do your best to help yourself and also look out for the next generation. For me this is an opportunity to help those that, in the future, may be less fortunate than you. 

I honestly feel that we have one chance whilst we're here on earth, that it’s very short and everyone should do their best to make an impression, leave a footprint which says “I was here - and it was bloody fantastic!”. I’ve tried to do that, to help as many people as possible just by telling others about Muscular Dystrophy, sharing with them the story of my diagnosis and how my life has changed for not just myself, but my family and those around me too. It’s not all bad and some of that is because I started to write and it’s great. The internet is a platform that I never thought I’d be on but I am and I love it here! 

I am a dad and I have three wonderful girls that look up to me and I know I’m supposed to point them in the right direction and give them a thirst for life, make sure they know that if
It throws you a curve ball that you’ll hit it back regardless. I want them to grow up believing that every hurdle that is put in front of you, well then you jump it and set yourself up for the next, however high
.
I’m also supported and have been for years by my wife, Michelle. Michelle has such a willingness to help others it is unreal, a very selfless and thoughtful person who I couldn’t do without.
I’m not scared of pain, I don’t really fear much if I’m honest. The one thing that does scare me though - in fact, it petrifies me - is not trying, or making any effort and I can imagine that would come with regret too which is something I would hate. I wouldn’t want regrets because I haven’t done something that I probably should of, or even regrets because I haven’t done something that I probably could of. 

There’s too much focus and emphasis on what people don’t have and what they wish they could do and the same could be said of me, sometimes by even focusing that way you forget what you do have and forget what you can do. 

Right now I can still walk and I get out and about and it’s invigorating and refreshing. I may not go far and I may not go for a long time but I do get out on my own legs. I know this won’t last for long and as I said earlier, I’m not scared of much, not even losing the ability to walk. I need to be able to look my girls in the eyes one day and say “Daddy has done all he can, I’ve tried and I’ve had a great time along the way”… 

So now you know that I’m ready for life’s challenges and my attitude is a very upbeat one, I want to tell you our plan and how we’ll need your help. 

On Sunday, August 30th I have organised and plan to take part in a relay. This will be a very special relay over the distance of a marathon. Over 26 miles, over 30 participants, raising huge awareness and vital funds for world class research into muscular dystrophy. A marathon of miles for muscles – A very unique event, an orange relay never been seen before. The day will also consist of a festival of music and entertainment which is free to all. The organisation is coming on very nicely albeit lots of hard work but I’m sure it’ll be worth it. 

We have to do this, we have to help people like my brother, Abbi and her family and we need to make sure that we are fulfilling Jonathan’s request to look out for the next generation. It’s something so very little… 5,280 feet, 1,760 yards, about 1,609 metres or indeed one mile. Could you take on one of the 26 miles for us? Could you help me to help others? Help with vital donations?
That’s the question I’m asking of anyone reading this and that adventure that I spoke about at the start of this, well that starts here and now…

JUST GIVING PAGE  

30/08/15, Aristocrat public house, Aylesbury, Bucks, HP21 7SZ. 12:00.

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#MileForMuscles
#CountMeIn


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