Share your favourite Deaf School moments ...

Danced and sang my way through my late teens while spinning Deaf School vinyl: still got them and an infinite source of joie de vivre they are and will be ! ( still know TAXI ! by heart )

Thanks for posting guys, great job by one and all despite the attempts by the band playing in the back room to drown you out. The cream always rises to the top.
Deafsters rule

Hi Brummie Russ and Deafster Mark - thanks for posting the YouTube clip. I think on reflection, maybe we'll have to stick to our day jobs, but nevertheless it was a memorable night.
Cheers Hurtie

Hi Russ
Our dvd on the way to you and the audio is not too bad if you want to polay around with it. Ray and Mardee

Hi BrummieRuss ,
Just watched the Cocktails at 8 performance (Dublin Castle) and I think that you did a sterling job sorting it all out so well . I personally think that it is great but if you are not 100% with the finished product , Damn It , we will just have to do another one !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! .
All the best , and thanks for the organising and arranging that you did .
Cheers
Deafsterpete

Thanks for the update Russ.

Its great to read Enrico's new year message, which sums up the feeling of being a deafster. 2011 was on reflection, a remarkable year to be a DS fan - 15 UK shows plus Tokyo plus a couple of 'secret' performances. I only made it to half the shows, but its fair to say that DS continue to raise the bar for what is a cracking night out. A very happy new year to the band, Ken, Norman (the legendary DJ), Mark (the original Deafster) and other deafsters out there still reading. Looking forward to more DS extravaganzas in 2012

Dublin Castle Cocktails at Eight Video
Having a few problems with the audio on the video but will be working on it this week and hope to publish it before end of week.
Apologies to all Deafsters awaiting publication
Happy New Year to all

I hope all Deafters had a great safe night, welcome to 2012.

Does anyone know if the Dublin Castle-Cocktails at 8 video has been posted yet ?

Yes our friends in japan are not to be forgotten after the terrible year they have endured. I'm sure all DS fans friends and family joing me in sending their best wishes for 2012. All the best to you Zen!

Though my country was suffered from a terrible disaster, this year was a wonderful year for me because my favourite band flew all the way from U.K. to Tokyo and gave us a tremendously enjoyable moment. I hope I could see their gig again in near future.
I wish you all a very happy new year!
Zen

Hey amigo's! what a great couple of gigs, as ever the wonderful Deafster crowd is as big a part of the whole thing as the band..we were both singing the songs after all, especially when I had a few senior moments on the words eh what! As ever as ever. Big surprise was Bigger Splash at the Jazz Cafe with the whole audience singing every word of those lovely verses from the very first word, I felt the magic in that moment, absolutely. Let it not be said Deaf School fans are anything less than sartorially kitted out..dinner jackets, dress shirts and bow ties agogo, how nice to see that, the first new look since the hawaiian shirts is it not? Yeah it makes it that little bit more special, out shopping for some elegant faded glamour gladrags all adds to the event...I mean, that's what I do and what about Bette B's amazing new outfit, loved it she looked just fab, that was a complete surprise to all of us, we only saw it ourselves 5 minutes before showtime so that was nice. How Avo managed the whole show in his handknitted ski jumper I'll never know, combining his weight loss programme with his DS gigs perhaps! and why not indeed! Yeah guys, overall, a wonderful end of year, thanks for all your support and happy faces over all the gigs...who knows what 2012 will bring, whatever it is I wish you all the bestest!! x

Travelled from Ireland to the Birkenhead Gig. What a brilliant night out with all of the Deaf School fans. Singing Happy Birthday to Bette and Enrico singing Jingle Bells and I even got a name check from Steve. Had to get an early flight back on Xmas Eve with a sore head but it was all worth it and its made my Christmas.

Hi everyone
Two great shows to finish a fantasic year following DS around the country!
Hope you had a great birthday Bette! Love the 'new look', simply divine!
As always great to meet up with all our deafster friends
A very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all. See you soon......

What a gig at Pacific Road - still rocking after all these years - the greatest band ever to come from Liverpool - had to go without mates who had Xmas committments thankfully I didn't! Met 3 lovely ladies who enjoyed the night as much as me. Jane from New Brighton was singing along to every word like myself and regretfully I didn't store her number in my mobile correctly (I blame the alcohol) so I can't get in touch today. Maybe I'll have to wait until the next Deaf School gig unless she reads this.

Birkenhead show in 1 word "supercalifragilisticexpialidocious"

It's just passed midnight and I was putting my DS tracks onto the iPod when I decided to Google DS and look where I find myself.

My memories go back to the band playing the LSE in London circa 1977. Absolute knock-out espec when Enrico sang his version of Heard It Through The Grapevine. The final gig I saw was Roundhouse EnglishBoys/WorkingGirls. I still have the t-shirt with the Bette screen print in her red clingfilm dress. Sexy. In between there were countless gigs, pretty much everytime they came down to the smoke. I remember being at the Roxy Club for Johnny Thunder & The Heartbreakers gig and DS came in en-bloc. We had chatted to the band at their past gigs but it still came as a surprise that they came up to us for a chat. It was around the time of Dont Stop The World and the band had been around spray painting the new album name all over the place and one bright spark (Steve never said who) sprayed Dont Stop The Wolrd on the Chelsea Fire Station wall on the King's Road. Doh! It remained there for years and long after the band disbanded. Everytime I passed I would look out for it, a reminder of some great gigs. Long Live Deaf School and God be with those no longer with us.

Just back from the Birkenhead gig=absolutely fantastic,lovely to meet the guys after as well an added bonus.Best wishes for 2012
Loved Rock Ferry (we are both from there originally)

Birkenhead 23/12/11..... Wonderful evening. 10/10. A wonderful way to start the Yuletide festivities/end the year. Music was perfect, band awesome. Thank you all, look forward to next time. Best Wishes, Myke (aka Scarf, Gallery)

just been the birkenhead gig - as always never fail to please thanks v much you made our xmas ! all the best for xmas and the new year and betty looked gorgeous. lots of love alan b

Great show at the Jazz Cafe. Thanks for a fantastic night. I last saw you at Sheffield University in 1977. Hope you are touring in 2012. All the best Paul Bower
Camden Town.

Full set list from the Jazz Cafe reads as follows.

1. Last Night
2. Get Set Ready go
3. Where's The Weekend ?
4. Nearly Moonlight Night Motel
5. The Enrico Song
6. All Queued Up
7. Cocktails At 8.
8 .U Turn Away
9. Darling (My Average Sings)
10. Taxi
11. Knock Knock Knocking (With Lee Thompson)
12. 2nd Honeymoon
12. Rock Ferry
14. Thunder And Lightening (Backing Vocals Suggs)
15. I Wanna Be Your Boy
16. Bigger Splash
17. Capaldi's Cafe

Encores
18, The Rev Rev's
19. What A Way To End It All
20. Shake Some Action
21. Final Act
22. Enrico Sings Jingle Bells

What can I say that hasn't already been said? A great night once again from The Dublin Castle to The Jazz Cafe. Sorry we can't make it to 'the one-eyed town' tomorrow but I hope it's a good show.
Thanks to the Band and to Ken for making it happen.
Merry christmas to Deafsters everywhere.
Ray and Mardee

I can only agree with all the comments already posted on last nights rocking show. Bette on top form and some Christmas singalongs to add to the festive spirit. Im also not able to get to Birkenhead tomorrow night, so a very merry Christmas to Deafsters everywhere and hope to shake some more action in 2012.

Hi Everyone ! What a brilliant gig last night at the Jazz Cafe . Venue was great with a fantastic ambience (posh for atmosphere) . Also the pre-gig performance by the All Male Deaf School Choir at the Dublin Castle was a real gas . Won't be making Saturdays bash but hope to see you all in 2012 .
Merry Christmas to all .
Cheers

All Deafsters

A big thankyou to all Deafsters who turned up at The Dublin Castle for the Cocktails at Eight singalong ith BrummieRuss. It was good to see so many of you there mostly dressed DJ and Hawaian(never could spell Hawaian?).
Hope to have the video up on youtube before Saturday (work permitting).
Brilliant set from DS as usual, pefect location and stunning outfit and hairstyle from Bette.
Those going to Birkenhead have a good one.
Merry Christmas to all Deafsters.
Happy Christmas all

And of course I mean "Cocktails" and not "Moonlight" DOH

What a superb show. Pre gig meet up in the Castle for the Moonlight rendition with loads of familiar faces was fun. Miss Bright looked absolutely delicious last night with a new hair style, colour and an most appropriate outfit. The voice started to go towards the end but but never for a moment did it do anything to spoil the show. Most brave to tackle "Final act" as a finale. Great set with everyone on top form and fitting way to end the year.
Thanks to one and all for a wonderful evening, here's to much more in 2012.

Top performance tonight lads (and lasses) Betty looked and sounded as good as she *ever* has and was on absolutely top form. And the Jazz Cafe was the perfect place in terms of look and vibe. Here's a video Of Capaldi's Cafe (which I visited this morning while in the 'pool after Macca's gig last night - was really disappointed to see how it has been gutted inside) http://bit.ly/uDQ5Fv

Looking forward to Pacific Road gig, havent seen Deaf School since gigs at Mr Digbys back in the day. I am sure this will be a night to remember.
Best Wishes... Myke

Anyone know where pre and post gig drinks will be on Friday

Hi Deafsters
Just setting off, Jacket and black tie packed!
Looking forward to seeing you all in the Castle for cocktails, a sure fire date!
Top notch effort Andy, Kabul !! ScottnJules

Deafsters, with tickets and t-shirts to hand, we shall see you all at the Cafe on Wed. We are driving up from the rural depths of Oxfordshire, so not sure of times, but hope to be in the Castle prior to the show, failing that it will be a DS Fest at the Cafe where only Deafsters know how to Xmas like no other.
Everyone have a safe journey, bring your singing voices along and let the show begin.
O' Happy dayz

I have one spare ticket for Friday Pacific Road standing face value £16.00 ring Sue on 07830447661. See you soon Deafsters xx

I unexpectedly have two spare tickets available for the Jazz Cafe gig that you can have at face value (£12.00 each). Can meet in Dublin Castle on the night if you are interested. See Capaldis Cafe for contact details.
Happy Christmas to Deafsters everywhere.

Happy christmas to all deafsters soz but cant make London on weds got an appointment with the mighty Everton, but we shall be out on friday in the glamourous birkenhead. Anyone wearing Tux ???? have a great night on wed looking forward to the videos cheers steve

Just listening to Enrico & Clive on Radio Merseyside,apparently the Birkenhead gig could be the last by DS until the re opening of the Everyman.

Hi Deafsters
A very Merry Christmas to one and all.
Brass in pocket, train tickets in hand,shirt ironed and only 8 sleeps to go!
Looking forward to seeing you all in the Dublin @ 8.
Scottnjules x

"Don't Forget"

On the morning of the Camden concert I shall be texting Chris Evans breakfast show for his Don't forget feature just before the show closes (about 9:25am) to tell my daughter not to forget we're going to see the best group ever at the Jazz Cafe Camden Road London
Can I invite all Deafsters to do the same and see what reaction we get from Chris Evans?

DJ and shirt ready, see you at the Dublin Castle.

Hi Norwichman and All Deafsters

Just over a week to go and Cocktails at Eight is definenatly on. I plan to be at The Dublin Castle by 6:30-7pm. Bringing my daughter and her boyfriend with me (both Deafster Virgins) and Boyfriens will video on camera. If anyone else can video it and send to me I will edit and put onto youtube with link from Deafschool website.
We really need as many as possible to make this a memorable occasion.

Also suggest we all repeat the performance just before DS come on stage at The Cafe
Hope to see you all there
Merry Christmas

Hi norwichman - a merry Christmas to you too. Hope to get to Dublin Castle by 7pm latest, all tuxed up and ready to Get Set Ready Go.
See you there

Hi Deafsters.A very merry Christmas to all! Are we still on for Cocktails at Eight at the Castle? Hawaiian shirt pressed and Tux dusted off. Has anyone sorted a camera to film the event? If not the bro-inlaw is up for filming on his phone.

deafster - thanks for the update but every day is one day toooooooooooooooooo long !!!!!

gstar, no gigs in place just yet for 2012 but it's only a matter of time!

any gigs in the planning for 2012 yet

Hear hear re Gary Speed guys...and Mark of course Ted, very sad indeed.

I’ll certainly join you there Stephen. Gary Speed always seemed to me the model hard working pro. Absolutely shocking that a family man so young, so popular, so apparently untainted by the kind of unattractive behavioural and attitudinal traits that afflict so many professional footballers these days should take his own life.. A close friend from my days at Liverpool Uni – Mark - died of cancer a couple of weeks back. I found a photo of a him on my laptop today. It was of a group of us with him on a uni reunion in 1997, and was taken in the Willowbank where we were celebrating a 1-0 Everton win against Spurs. I emailed the picture to a group of our friends then headed off to the pub. Turning on the car radio I heard the news about Gary. After I’d got over the shock, I was struck by an eerie coincidence. In the photo I‘d just circulated Mark was holding up the front page of the Liverpool Echo. The headline read ‘Speed King’ in reference to the solitary goal that Gary scored to win the match that day ….. Mark was a big Deaf School fan, by the way. In the days before they had a recording contract, he traipsed all over Liverpool to watch the band with me in places like the Metro and O’Connors. It’s fitting that the last gig we went to together was one of the tribute to Eric performances at the Everyman. As Billy Joel said: Only The Good Die Young. Not entirely true, but certainly massively unjust when it happens to people like Gary and Mark. RIP to both of them.

All deafsters and in particular those of us that follow football please join me in passing on our condolences to Gary speeds family RIP.

Hi deafster Hi I have sent you an e mail with more info.

John, how far down the process are you able to go? It would be helpful to know where the process falls over. Thanks!

Hi John ive got two spare tickets at the mo ,there for collection on the night but if you want them we could sort it out call me or email 07753814612, stephen931@hotmail.com cheers

Is it just me, or is it impossible to order tickets online from the Pacific Road Arts Centre Web Site - I,ve now given up........

Alan - what a great idea and very generous of you. I'll be in touch.

Hi I bought what was described as a bench pressing LP off E-Bay years ago its Second Honeymoon Any ideas on how I could sell it and money go to a charity that Sam’s wife decides? Sorry it’s a strange question to ask.

Grew up in Liverpool in the 70's loving Deaf School - LP's , concerts and trying ( and failing!) to copy Bette's style- ha! Anyway have you thought of performing in Jersey? either at Jersey Live or Fort Regent?

Bordeaux Red

Ever since stumbling apon your 2xLP of 2nd Honeymoon and Don't Stop The World at my record store you guys have become my favorite band. Love from colorado!

Leas Cliff Hall in Folkestone is good!

How about playing the Engine Shed in Lincoln? Great place for a rocking set!

Hey all, Enrico how about the Duchess in York, the Cockpit in Leeds or
the amazing Band room in Farndale, North Yorkshire!
info@thebandroom.co.uk.
Not long to go now!!!!

Hi Enrico, have a look at Fat Lil's Witney (Oxon), a great liitle venue, good PA and lighting and just up the road from me!! http://www.fatlils.co.uk/main.asp

Dave.

The Deaf Institute Manchester would be perfect for a low key gig
only holds about 300 a great venue.
Also the Rodewald Suite ( upstairs at the Philharmonic Hall Liverpool a great
small venue) capacity 120-150 .

cheers
John & Jean

Good stuff pop pickers! Thanks for all the good ideas on venues, will be checking them out..and LOVE the Cocktails at 8 flash mob!

X

Hey Enrico
Two shouts from the South Coast - The Portsmouth Wedgewood Rooms, Southsea, and the Southampton Brook. Both well established live music venues and it would be good to see you back on the South Coast.
Cheers Hurtie

Come to Newcastle!! The Cluny or the o2 Academy would be great!! (And Anne could come and see the John Martins' at the Laing gallery)

Hey Enrico. Good luck with the move from west to east! Why not come to Norwich for your out of London gig, great bars and eating places and great small venues like the Waterfront and The Arts Centre. There is a happening music scene here in dire need of the best live band in the UK and the accommodation is good too especially my B and B, The lovely Wedgewood House!!

I'll also be there - all tuxed up. Looking forward to a memorable night.
Cheers Hurtie

You can count us in as well
Ray and Mardee

Hi BrummieRuss.
Cocktails at 8 at the Castle it is then. See yous all there, really looking forward to it!
ps Have you found a camera person yet? I have a willing but cameraless bro-in-law available if needed!

Hi Deafsters one and all . Looking forward to Cocktails at 8 immensely . See you all there !

Hi Deafsters - Cocktails at 8pm

following discussions with the powers that be it appears DS will be taking the stage at The Camden Jazz Cafe at 9.30ish pm on the 21st Dec.

With this in mind I propose to move The Deafsters performance of Cocktails at Eight from The Spread Eagle to Dublin Castle and perfom it at 8pm (its correct time!).

A second performance will be recreated just prior to the Band taking the stage at The gig.

Hope as many of you can attend Dublin Castle and the Camden Jazz Cafe and join in the singing.

I knew you two would make it down to The Smoke again, ScottnJules! Yes, Brummie Russ, get 'Cocktails at 6' filmed and youtubed and we will feature it at deafschoolmusic.com!

Train booked from Leeds! So its the Spread Eagle at six then, Brummie Russ, for a reprise of our near legendary(?) rendition of cocktails...
Looking forward to meeting up with Deafster friends again.

Hi all Deafsters - a call for help!

Following on from the success of singing Cocktails at Eight in the local hostelry prior to the last London Gig I propose to repeat the moment on 21s Dec prior to DS gig at The Camden Jazz Club.

However this time I think we Deafsters should get it videod and perhaps our incredible webmaster Mark will include it on the official DS website.
To achieve this I need someone to commit to videoing the event as I do not have the equipment to video.

Could anyone willing to video the event at the Spread Eagle - just up Parkway from The Jazz Cafe on the corner of Albert St. Nice biggish Youngs Pub with decent ale. please let me know (on hear or russproctor@hotmail.co.uk).

Everyone is invited to join in the event (any band mmbers are invited to join in, in a camio appearnce (lol))

Time at the moment appears to be 6pm (Cocktails at Six?) as the gig is advertised as 7pm. If anyone could advise on the time the band are on stage this time could be adjusted accordingly.

Hey Teddingtonian
Make a day of it and take her to China Town early on. We may see you there!
Ray and Mardee

The obvious place to meet would be The Spread Eagle - just up Parkway from The Jazz Cafe on the corner of Albert St. Nice biggish Youngs Pub with decent ale. I doubt I'll be able to make it though as I'll be bringing the wife to see DS for the first time and she'll be expecting dinner beforehand!

Hi Deafsters
Could anyone suggest a pub we could meet at prior to the Camden Jazz Cafe gig for a drink and Cocktails at Eight rendition.

Aye but if you want a balcony seat that comes with the cost of dinner included in the ticket you need to go to Ticketmaster. Tables of 2 or 4 are available overlooking the stage at £12 + Booking + £24.50 towards the price of dinner. From memory I think you can include booze in that. I've booked a couple of tables already. Very Deaf School!

Tickets for Camden now available to buy on See Tickets

A Deaf School Christmas!!! How fantastic is this.Must lose some weight and get into that Tux. See all of yous in London!

Camden here I come. Hawiian Shirt, DJ and Homburg.
Cocktails at Eight await.
Just let me knowwhere we are all meeting

Getting my DJ cleaned and ready for gig.

Sounds like a great idea ray_m. If I can't squeeze into the tux I'll have to head off to Moss Bros for a refit:-)

Great idea ray-m, count me in! Getting into the Hawiian shirt is ok but cannot get one leg in the keks of me penguin suit.....to many cocktails at 8!!

We'll have to decide on a meeting place when the gig venue is announced. Dinner suits and Hawaiian shirts anybody?

Me too Brummie Russ. A great Christmas present for all of us.

Hi Deafsters

good to read another London Gig coming up in December.

Unable to make Northern gig so will definatly be at London Gig

I feel another Cocktails at Eight moment coming up!

Brummie Russ

Deaf School please say that you are thinking or going to come down under to New Zealand.

Thanks Enrico perhaps princess princess as well and some new songs please. Great lyrics on all DS songs. As you say they are as fresh today as back in the 70s genius stands the test of time. ps the blues didnt make a great start but at least have won one now. Derek the man utd support wants to know if you fancy coming the everton game with us???

Enrico - it would be interesting to see what Danny Adler would do now with the Danny Adler bit! Langer, Adler and Pilnick on the same stage - would that be a bit crowded? For anyone not sure about what we're going on about, Danny Adler is an American guitarist who was leader of a great 70s band called Roogalator, which was very popular here in the UK on the pub-rock circuit. He played a superb short solo on Rock Ferry - it comes in after approximately 2 mins 10 secs of the DSTW recording - very much in unmistakeable Adler style. The truth is, of course, that the Prince of Clang could cover that solo himself, so no Adler required. Go to www.dannyadler.com or www.roogalator.com to learn more.

Will discuss Steve - driving me banana's wearing your pyjama's pulled up tight in the middle of the night! Love Sam's words on this one and the cheeky change on Ferry to rhyme with beret was inspired. Could be interesting to see what Pilnick would do with the Danny Adler bit!

Just wondering if the band will play rockferry???

Got our tickets for birkenhead. Iam right in thinking the last time the mighty DS played birkenhead was at Mr Digbys at the time of working boys??? Two great shows . Checked out the local boozers , the river view is ok and the old colonial is ok , otherwise there is the brass balance (wetherspoons) all within walking distance. Cant wait what a start to christmas cheers steve

Oh meant to say re the RoxyMadSchool gig as people were wondering, I got to sing Virginia Plain! A big thrill with such an amazing band behind, Suggs and Bette did a duet on Do The Strand with big backing backing vocals from myself and french blondie Vanessa on that and Love Is The Drug from Suggs again before I went all rock and roll on them with Hound Dog in mexican Elvez mode oh yeah! You ain't never caught a rabbit gringo! Should give us some new ideas for the Xmas special eh what?
Enrico x

Ok guys I think I can help with this. It sounds to me like a BBC broadcast we did from the Paris theatre in Regent St in '75 maybe, live radio and we were supporting Vinegar Joe ...with Elkie Brooks and Robert Palmer in the band I guess. That's a pretty wild set you have there, one of the last times some of those songs appeared in a set together as we were always moving on and adding new material at that time. Good you got the full Princess Princess there as that never made it to vinyl until '88 and again it was a live version, charming little song. Midnight in Torremolinos was Ian's intro tune we opened with round that time, pre Last Night. Fascinating Facts folks!!

I think it was an in concert broadcast on radio.I'm sure it's available for download on Ian Ritchies website.

I have a tape from 1976 which features eight live tracks, which for years I have wrongly regarded as a Peel session. The track list is as follows

Midnight in Torremolinos
Princess Princess
What A Way to End it All
Hi Jo Hi
Cocktails at Eight (middle instrumental)
Room Service
Hot Jazz
Bigger Splash

Anyone know where or why this was recorded or broadcast. The only show I remember from those days was something called 'In Concert'.

Cheers

John

Taken from Viva Roxy Music.

Andy Mackay performed at a low key local fund raising event on Sunday 7th August with some of his Roxy cohorts.
The band 'Andy Mackay And Friends' included Phil Manzanera and Paul
Thompson with lead vocals by Suggs from Madness and bass by one time Roxy Music member Guy Pratt
Also in the line up were:
Clive Langer (Guitarist wth Deaf School and producer of Madness, Teardrop Explodes, Hothouse Flowers, Morrisey)
Javier Goyes Congas
Eddie Hart - Percussion
Tim Moore - Keyboards (Nik Kershaw, Bonnie Rait, Hall And Oats, Bee Gees)
Andy 'Rocky' Rock - Keyboard
Bette Bright - Vocals (Mrs Suggs)
Steve Allen - Vocals (Deaf School)
Vanessa Contenay - Vocals (french pop star)
The band played played a mixture of Roxy and Madness songs plus some soul and blues The Kinks 'Sunny Afternoon' and the King Curtis version of 'Whiter Shade of Pale'.

Great news a Christmas gig,tickets booked,what a great early Christmas present.

WOW - what a line up. I saw Roxy in Glasgow earlier this year (very polished), and Madness at Bournemouth in Dec 2009 for TLONF tour (very nutty) - put those together with a scattering of DS and you have a real 'super' group. Its a real shame that there was no chance to see this one-off, but lets look forward to the next DS gigs.........maybe with a Roxy classic thrown in?