Tropic at Ruislip Blog
Tropic At Ruislip News and Views
6th June 2024
Dear Live Music Fan,
There is some important news about some short notice gig changes further down in this page.
COMING UP
FRIDAY 7th JUNE
THE SMALL FAKERS
(+ Support from The Veras most of whom you will recognise!)
The Small Fakers were officially launched on a chilly night in February 2007 at a central London shindig attended by fans and associates of the East End's very own fab four, the seminal, sensational Small Faces.
The buzz in the audience that night was intense. Could the SMALL FAKERS even hope to come close to replicating the sound, and the look, of the Small Faces?
Cut to the end of the night and the band have ripped through twenty classic tracks, from Whatcha Gonna Do About It to Tin Soldier with effortless style and swagger, and the audience is almost delirious with excitement, and satisfaction. The Fakers have delivered the goods.
Today, The Small Fakers are established in the Premiership of tribute acts. They have built a terrific international reputation for themselves as the only Small Faces tribute band in the world, and have played to sell-out audiences in Italy, Spain, Switzerland and the Republic of Ireland, and all over the UK. They have played the Isle of Wight festival four times since forming, and in 2008, the day after headlining the festival with his fellow Sex Pistols, bass player Glen Matlock joined The Fakers onstage to perform what many people regard at the Small Faces’ ultimate track, their 1966 number one ‘All Or Nothing’.
The band have also performed with original Small Face Jimmy Winston, who claimed the Fakers were 'much better live than the Small Faces were.' and original drummer Kenney Jones - who also played with Rod Stewart and The Faces and The Who - when he joined the band for a rendition of 'All or Nothing' at Hurtwood Park Polo Club in 2012. He also praised the Small Fakers as being 'Really great, absolutely spot on.' Children, siblings and parents of the original band members have declared themselves Fakers fans too, with Ronnie Lane's older brother Stan even claiming: 'For those who never saw The Small Faces live, The Fakers are as close as you're gonna get.'
This is a terrific high energy show.
Book now at https://www.tropicatruislip.co.uk/ebook or your usual web links.
LOOKING FURTHER AHEAD
FRIDAY 14th JUNE
THE BOOK OF GENESIS
A welcome return to this terrific, fully costumed, tribute to the early years of Genesis.
Don’t miss this opportunity to celebrate the early songs of the influential progressive rock band Genesis with leading UK tribute band The Book of Genesis, who faithfully recreate the 1970s era complete with period musical instruments, fabulous costumes, an animated slide show, and atmospheric synchronised lighting in a packed 3-hour show.
Nigel Betteridge (as Peter Gabriel/Phil Collins) has many years of experience singing the early Genesis songs. This coupled with the theatrical costumes and masks that Gabriel used (including “The Flower”, “Bat Wings”, “Magog”, “Crested Britannia” and more) makes for a truly dramatic performance;
Howard Boder (as Tony Banks) our classically trained keyboards maestro, has gone to a lot of trouble to re-create the early ‘Genesis/Banks’ keyboard sounds. Generous to a fault, Howard tells you how to get these vintage sounds on YouTube (now with over 99,000 hits);
Dave Mason (as Steve Hackett) Dave is our newest member and plays guitars. As a pro guitar teacher and tech he has the right background to take on the demanding role of Steve Hackett. Equipment: Black "les Paul" Gibson, various pedals.
Kirk Watson (as Mike Rutherford) not only has a multi-instrumentalist role (‘Rickenbacker’ double neck-bass/12-string, bass guitar, bass pedals, 12 string acoustic guitar), but sings backing vocals too – his contribution is, quite simply, awesome!
Andy Welsford (as Phil Collins) Andy is the drummer from Romeo’s Daughter and the former drummer for Meatloaf and Then Jerico.
His experience and precision is a great bonus to the band. Equipment: drums and percussion.
It really is a show not to miss if you are a fan of the early years of the band.
Book now at https://www.tropicatruislip.co.uk/ebook or your usual web links.
NEWS
CHANGED SHOWS
Progfathers show 28th June
This show has had to be cancelled as their drummer has been taken ill.
On 28th June we will now see the return of Skylines, a tribute to Camel, who will play a full two set show (which will be seated).
Kraftwerk/Tubular Bells show 5th July
As I touched on last week this show which was set to be on 5th July has been cancelled.
On 5th July we will now see the welcome return of Like The Beatles.
ULEZ (a repeat reminder)
Please remember that Tropic is inside the new expanded ULEZ Zone
OFFICE CLOSURE
I will be out of the office from noon on Friday 7th June until around 2 pm on 12th June and all bookings etc. will be handled off my phone.
The web site will not be updated until 12th June.
LOOKING BACK
THE ROLLIN STONED
Well as predicted it did get a little warm in the room given we had over 200 in attendance but everyone seemed to enjoy themselves.
The Rollin Stoned will return on Friday 11th April 2025 and bookings are now being taken.
I think that is all see you soon.
Regards
Philip
There is some important news about some short notice gig changes further down in this page.
COMING UP
FRIDAY 7th JUNE
THE SMALL FAKERS
(+ Support from The Veras most of whom you will recognise!)
The Small Fakers were officially launched on a chilly night in February 2007 at a central London shindig attended by fans and associates of the East End's very own fab four, the seminal, sensational Small Faces.
The buzz in the audience that night was intense. Could the SMALL FAKERS even hope to come close to replicating the sound, and the look, of the Small Faces?
Cut to the end of the night and the band have ripped through twenty classic tracks, from Whatcha Gonna Do About It to Tin Soldier with effortless style and swagger, and the audience is almost delirious with excitement, and satisfaction. The Fakers have delivered the goods.
Today, The Small Fakers are established in the Premiership of tribute acts. They have built a terrific international reputation for themselves as the only Small Faces tribute band in the world, and have played to sell-out audiences in Italy, Spain, Switzerland and the Republic of Ireland, and all over the UK. They have played the Isle of Wight festival four times since forming, and in 2008, the day after headlining the festival with his fellow Sex Pistols, bass player Glen Matlock joined The Fakers onstage to perform what many people regard at the Small Faces’ ultimate track, their 1966 number one ‘All Or Nothing’.
The band have also performed with original Small Face Jimmy Winston, who claimed the Fakers were 'much better live than the Small Faces were.' and original drummer Kenney Jones - who also played with Rod Stewart and The Faces and The Who - when he joined the band for a rendition of 'All or Nothing' at Hurtwood Park Polo Club in 2012. He also praised the Small Fakers as being 'Really great, absolutely spot on.' Children, siblings and parents of the original band members have declared themselves Fakers fans too, with Ronnie Lane's older brother Stan even claiming: 'For those who never saw The Small Faces live, The Fakers are as close as you're gonna get.'
This is a terrific high energy show.
Book now at https://www.tropicatruislip.co.uk/ebook or your usual web links.
LOOKING FURTHER AHEAD
FRIDAY 14th JUNE
THE BOOK OF GENESIS
A welcome return to this terrific, fully costumed, tribute to the early years of Genesis.
Don’t miss this opportunity to celebrate the early songs of the influential progressive rock band Genesis with leading UK tribute band The Book of Genesis, who faithfully recreate the 1970s era complete with period musical instruments, fabulous costumes, an animated slide show, and atmospheric synchronised lighting in a packed 3-hour show.
Nigel Betteridge (as Peter Gabriel/Phil Collins) has many years of experience singing the early Genesis songs. This coupled with the theatrical costumes and masks that Gabriel used (including “The Flower”, “Bat Wings”, “Magog”, “Crested Britannia” and more) makes for a truly dramatic performance;
Howard Boder (as Tony Banks) our classically trained keyboards maestro, has gone to a lot of trouble to re-create the early ‘Genesis/Banks’ keyboard sounds. Generous to a fault, Howard tells you how to get these vintage sounds on YouTube (now with over 99,000 hits);
Dave Mason (as Steve Hackett) Dave is our newest member and plays guitars. As a pro guitar teacher and tech he has the right background to take on the demanding role of Steve Hackett. Equipment: Black "les Paul" Gibson, various pedals.
Kirk Watson (as Mike Rutherford) not only has a multi-instrumentalist role (‘Rickenbacker’ double neck-bass/12-string, bass guitar, bass pedals, 12 string acoustic guitar), but sings backing vocals too – his contribution is, quite simply, awesome!
Andy Welsford (as Phil Collins) Andy is the drummer from Romeo’s Daughter and the former drummer for Meatloaf and Then Jerico.
His experience and precision is a great bonus to the band. Equipment: drums and percussion.
It really is a show not to miss if you are a fan of the early years of the band.
Book now at https://www.tropicatruislip.co.uk/ebook or your usual web links.
NEWS
CHANGED SHOWS
Progfathers show 28th June
This show has had to be cancelled as their drummer has been taken ill.
On 28th June we will now see the return of Skylines, a tribute to Camel, who will play a full two set show (which will be seated).
Kraftwerk/Tubular Bells show 5th July
As I touched on last week this show which was set to be on 5th July has been cancelled.
On 5th July we will now see the welcome return of Like The Beatles.
ULEZ (a repeat reminder)
Please remember that Tropic is inside the new expanded ULEZ Zone
OFFICE CLOSURE
I will be out of the office from noon on Friday 7th June until around 2 pm on 12th June and all bookings etc. will be handled off my phone.
The web site will not be updated until 12th June.
LOOKING BACK
THE ROLLIN STONED
Well as predicted it did get a little warm in the room given we had over 200 in attendance but everyone seemed to enjoy themselves.
The Rollin Stoned will return on Friday 11th April 2025 and bookings are now being taken.
I think that is all see you soon.
Regards
Philip
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