Do you remember the first rhyme

Last week i got back on the wild horse of spoken word. Loved it.  Its not happened much this year. The Dirt has took over.. and rightly so. Its a juggernaut of noise and verse. Heading to places Leon cant!.

Last week was special not only as it a top venue in Mash guru in Macclesfield but i got to co feature with Pal Culain Wood. A mega wordsmith. We started at similar times… 5 years ago. Met early on in our journeys. Write about similar subject matter. Paths regularly cross but this felt mega..

Aside from shouting down the mic ove had two workshop groups running. In Oldham with Hack and on line with ex vets at company of makers. Both conclude this week. Timely as the Dirt take a breather and head to japan soon.

The dirt have also had some mega gigs recently. We loved a trip to Derby to play dubrek studios!!.

Before we breather theres 3 mega Dirt  gigs left. Lancaster at kanteena (23.05) party in pews in Macclesfield (26.05) and psych mabfest (08.06)… leon will also do a pro palestine med relief fund gig on 02.06 in manchester.

I have fingers in other pies i am announcing soon. An art exhibition.. promotion in another city.. more gigs leon and The Dirt.

This creative journey keeps me going.. i love it.. For anyone who thinks they have no creative bones.. dont kid ya self.. its out there..

So heres a few pics posters and bits coming up before we take 6 weeks off and as soon as we get back!!..

Demo land

So.. whats going on.

Well leon is hiding in the shadows of The Dirt.. hes still jumping out now and then.. but mostly.. letting the filthy sonic sounds take to a stage!!..

The Dirt are busy doing doing gigs all over and in between creating demos for album two..

We have 7 tracks written.. 4 of which have been played live at some point!.. lyrics written for the other two pieces.. we have a title and cover artwork ideas.

So we are ahead of schedule for a december studio date.. The album is planned for 2025 release. More on that later.

Festivals are taking up the summer as is a trip to japan!.. a busy autumn is planned and we have 7 gigs booked into 2025 too. So if a promoter is reading this.. and if ive pestered you for a gig.. May 2025 is where we are at.. yes booked a year in advance.

Or come chat to me about been part of a DIY tour we hope to plot for sep/oct next year!.. ill be getting onto that later this year.. haha.

We have our own fest with pal Richie this year. The conjuring takes its first steps into the woods 16-18 Aug.

I am co plotting a gig in manchester with Abbattoir blues in manchester in july.

And i will soon announce a sheffield residency with pals at Dorothy pax. Taking the sonic psych punk garage and heavy to a sheff venue!!. Look out for “corrosion”…

As for leon.. i did a fest 10 days ago with after all. Did my regular night in Accy.. Ive got more fest compere stuff and a couple of solo gigs.  But like i say.  Its the Dirts time..

As such ive attached a few gig pisters to show where you can grab us.

We did a steam punk fest at weekend and a cracking manchester gig before it..

So.. on that note. Check posters.. see where we are.. and come along.

See what the fuzz is about!

Absent.. no longer

Its been a long time since i dragged my arse onto wordpress. Too long.. i try at least every two weeks.. not leave it 2 months.. 

MID TOUR.. Sorting cancelled gigs..replitting gigs.. on the road tour part 2 .. Damaged music batch.. designing hats.. getting the rest of the year in some order gig wise.

Its ace.. i love the DIY. But neglected a blog.. updates creative natter. Whsts on and whats gone…

On that note. EMF tour was mega.. we went on holiday in the sun.. updated- uploaded and upheaved sachiko visa apllication for next 30 months!!.. (i may rant on that soon!)…

Weve done a few gigs.. two with italian giants JuJu in sheff and Hull. Then we joined mates Amon acid and others at Bradfords 1in12 club.. iconic!..

Next up is manchester in 5 days on Tue 09.04.. at The Rose and Monkey..

Leon is quiet – er. The Dirt train is chugging so i need rehearsal down time and creative space for this.. But im still popping up at various events.. so dont forget me.. im still mouthing off.

Anyway.. this is hello.. im back rambling and more to come soon.. until then heres recents pics and a few gig posters for stuff coming up before we go back to japan in june!

Back on it

The Dirt tour that is.. with EMF.

First five dates were mega.. it can consume you. Venue to venue.. yravel time.. load ins.. sound checks.. stage times.. finding parking.. time to eat.. never to relax.

Then… set time.. 30-40 mins of raw energy.. An explosion of all thats been tetained.. rehearsed .. reflected .. reviewed.. then released.

I love it… and we go again..

After a 12 day breather.. ish… we are back on it for 6 gigs in 10 days.. Liverpool- Glasgow – newcastle – Portsmouth – Norwich – wolverhampton.

I say breather as i gave actually kept going behibd the scenes. Ive dealt with CD issues.. merch creation.. Leon solo gigs. Book production delays.. cancelled gigs.. rebookings..

The life of a DIY artist.. again… love it.. it all .. well nearly all comes good in the End!!..

I even found time to write new verse. And the dirt once back in rehearsals this werk spat out the foundations of two new tracks.. “End game”.. and “chaos”..

You can see where the next album is heading!!… post apocalyptic cyber psych punk… put that on ya genre defining record shop labels!!..

Anyway.. music is been created.. as are solo words.. The Dirt are politely having to decline a few gigs due to a heavy schedule up to December all ready.. its a nice place to be.. we hope we can accommodate more into 2025..

When album 2 will be plotted incubated and ready to spawn!..

At the moment im sat in the calm before the storm.. camomile tea.. some fuzz club belters on the turntable. Ready to unleash the Dirt beast tomorrow.

Voice rested.. lungs relaxed.. legs elevated

Now time to bounce!!!!.

Heres what gone on so far.. and where we are heading .

Lets do a Dirt Blog

So this year is the year of the Dragon in Japan.. so its time for The Dirt to breath fire and fly!

Something has to give, so Leon will get out there … but less.. The Dirt are ready and its time to roar!!…

New art project with a very limited edition release.. lots of gigs / Festivals and an 11 date tour with EMF that kicks off this Friday.. we are Buzzin.

We then intend to head into the studio for album two at the end of the year… Label or stay DIY… its a question we get asked!

So the dates.. we have lots.. and dare i say, currently have no intention on seeking more for this year… we are rewriting our press info for 2025 now!.. wow!.. few chats to nail down and we will announce the others.. but so far this year we are here…

19.01 – 17.02 11 x EMF tour dates.. check poster

19.03 – sheffield JuJu support

20.03 – Hull JuJu support

30.03 – Bradford psych/doom weekender

13.04 – Manchester – lions Den

26.04 – tbc near peaks

11.05. – Derby .. Dubrek studios

26.05 – Macclesfield – Party in the pews

08.06 – Mabfest – Tamworth

20.07 – Manchester – peerhat

26-28 Jul – Kozfest – Axminster

10.08 – Bradford punk fest

17.08.- Conjuring Fest – Lakes

31.08 – Space chase 7 fedt – cannock

05.10 – Derby – Dyonusis psych fest

05.12 – NE – TBC..

31.10 – Manchester TBA!!!…

08.11 – Midlands TBA

Come see what the “Fuzz is about!!”

Heres some posters

Happy new year

Hope everyone had a top xmas and new year.. now the dust has settled on the festive period and theres evidence of trees in wheely bins its time to crack on at the business end. Technically behind the scenes its not stopped!!

2024 is a year for The Dirt to breath and grow and Leon to step back. We hope!!.. less spiken word and a bit more preplanned bouncing stage affairs!

Last year closed with a leon gig at my new monthy compere residency at The Globe in Glossop. And this year kicks off with a leon gig at the Spiritual home thats the Peerhat in Manchester. A rock for Gaza benefit gig by the amazing ‘gig economy’ with some top bands too.

After that its The Dirt … the Dirt … the Dirt.. In 2 weeks we commence an 11 date EMF suppourt tour coveringb4 weekends… yep.. #unbelievable.. its been quoted in responses alot. We start with a weekend in Bristl thekla (19th) and london Islington Garage (20th)…

Many more places that are on the poster atrached… even a local.gig at Holmfirth picturedrome .. buzzin..

Behind the scenes ive been plotting a carefully curated summer of love and activities.. A few leon featured slots are to announce and a full on festival season spilling into Autumn.

Socials have the full list. But ive attached a few posters of places we can be found!.

And we have even found time to write half of the next album.. four tracks are in the pipeline.. two of which have already been aired live!.. time to go fishing.. for a label??…

So.. busy year planned and weve even squeezed in a month trip back to japan (no leon tour this time!).

Thanks to all who have supported us so far.. lets go again this year! Heres a few posters

What a year!!…

As the Dirt and Leon projects shut down for an xmas breather we reflect… on what has been a mega year.

The Dirt- An album release -Agitator.. That has shifted all its limited 100 press vinyl copies. As CDs continue to sell with downloads. Listed in the top 100 albums by Louder than war. And top 25 by Emerging Rock Radio. Gigs nationally on a pure DIY system. And now, announced 11 date tour with 90s icons EMF. Yep its unvelievable!

For a band that loves the DIY ethos and thrives in a battle of respect for the alternative, unsigned and underground this journey has been mega.

Two years live now.. learning the craft, meeting great new folk and bouncing with the old. Whats not to love. New tracks in a set that is evolving into something we call ‘an event!’…

If youve not been, come along sometime!

As for Leon.. well i dont stop.. project ideas come.. go.. get seized.. loose pace.. thrive and die.. thats Art…

Big achievements were firstly getting book 3 out there – An iridescent dream. Thanks to Kitty Aurora for the artwork.. and especially steve Reilly who has a brilliant digitals skill of making what goes on in my head a reality and a tangible product!!..

Leon also filled a massive studio at shiine on fest. Poetry at a music fest on sunday morning to a packed space.. Mega!!.. loved it.. As I did introducing EMF to several 1000 at Bearded theory. This journey is crackers. It takes me to the most crazy places.

Ive loved the close up cosey business end too, featuring at out of town poetry events, compering festivals, activism events. Also collaborations with musicians facilitating talks and workshops.

Everything i do makes me pinch myself. This year astounded me.. oh and i did a week tour of Japan with Matt McManamon of Dead 60s in september too!. Haha..

So where fo we go next?

The Dirt have a full year of gigs ahead of them. New tracks written so at some point studio beckons for a 2025 release. Lots of events, festivals and gigs to announce. LETS EMBRACE EMF FIRST!!

Leon has a few things bubbling. Featured word slots. A regular compere gig night in Glossop at the Globe. And a festival to organise.. yep.. it never stops!!.. love it.

On that note im signing off to reboot, refuel regroup and repair.. Ready for a mega year ahead.

Come say hello somewhere.. maybe buy a book.. a CD.. a T shirt.. join the pig pen party!!..

Thank you to all that have supoorted this incredible journey so far.. its mega from this side of the mic.. we hope you have a top time on the other.. lets meet in the middle and have a bounce!!.

Take care.. have a top festive period.. be nice.. and happy new year!! Heres some stuff to look at!

Last run of the year

Soon we start the last run of gigs in 2023 before The Dirt and Leon take a long well earned break into 2024 when we then kick off with an 11 date EMF support your around the UK.

I will round this amazing year up after this last 10 days of gigs but wow. What a year!!.. from album release (Dirt) to book release (Leon). And all inbetween radio, podcasts, gigs and fests!!

The Dirt kick in to this last session on the back of two great listings in albums of the year last week. So Louder than war and Emerging Rock Bands.. thank you…

So.. the last lap of 2023.. whats happening. 2 gigs for the Dirt and 3 for Leon. Lets fo it..

Thu 07.12 – LEON in Accrington at The Crafty fox. Some top poets and wordsmiths join acoustic action and me for my third night at the venue this year!. Free

Fri 08.12 – THE DIRT in Manchester at Lions Den. Headline slot joining some great bands on a top DIY line up!. Tiks https://fatso.ma/YYyp

SUN 10.12 -LEON in Mossley! Honetown book gig at The Vale centre. More acoustic action and top poet spoken worders. Free

Fri 15.12 – THE DIRT in Keighley at Studio 5 live with pals ‘beep beep aargh’ and punky reggae DJ. Be a cracker .. tiks

https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/studiofivelive/t-zzkpare?fbclid=IwAR3td9LWAC3zNzs5MOwFYiHMabQLfFr8CH2CWdjHQaQcQh-xWpaE7tePLz4

Sun 17.12 – LEON in Leeds at Chemic Tavern. New book release gig with top leeds based wordsmiths story tellers with an open mic. FREE.

In summary a cracking run in to an xmas break before 2024 has an early lift off!!.. The new book ‘An iridescent dream’ is still on stock, as are the previous two. Ee have a handful of vinyl left with plenty of T shirts and CDs. Great xmas gifts may i say!!..

So heres some pics posters and promo

Lift off

Firstly.. what a week.. where do i start!

From performing at Shiine on festival where i got to meet and hang out with mates, like minded gig folk and some iconic musicians i have followed since my early 20s… no name drops today!

I reflect now, buzzin that my art is being accepted and validated in all corners of the performance world.. so thank you…

Shiine was amazing, a massive crowd for my spoken word in a huge studio area. Hundreds on a sunday morning embracing an alternative art at a predominantly music fest. Loved it.

As The Dirt… we got to announce a tour in Jan/Feb 2024 with iconic band EMF!.. i will say it… “unbelievable!” The response to this has been amazing. We cant wait to take our sound to new venues and more folk. The hardest secret i have had to kerp.. that i technically failed miserably with to family and friends!!.. haha

Our last few Dirt gigs have been great too. We seem to be finding great folk and bands in new towns we get the opportunity to play in. Stockton last friday was mega. Great punters and Skalom D were great to meet. I even got a message from kingsley (Benefits) on us in the area! Amazing!

Back to Leon and my third book collection is moving nicely. Even though its official release is at our next manchester gig on 8th Dec…

So.. all is great in the pig pen.. The Dirt fuzz and buzz.. Leon chats and rants!!..

Promotion and events is a new pond for me to toe dip.. The conjuring feftival in the lakes next Aug is catching a few eyes And my first monthly collab at the Globe glossop on saturday went great..

On that note.. i am signing off to go post merch.. thank you everyone for comments on my/our achievements. IT MEANS SO MUCH!!..

Bring on 2024

Countdown is progressing

So.. the new book is soon to be released, launched and celebrated over the weekend of 8-10 December 2023.

Test prints received and edits made. It is now looking like a belter. BRILLIANT Illustrations by kitty aurora and excellent tech work pre publishing by Steve Reilly of fluid prepress.

So excited to release this latest product and last in this style of the collection of three books.

Other ideas will take diffrrent formats.

One calender to month until this new book can land on laps, coffee tables and shelves.

Books available from me at cheap deal on presale.
Currently £11 but rises to £12 on Monday 13th Nov when early bird concludes.the bulk order for physical release will then be made.

Come save cash!!!.. grab an early copy.

Message if intrrested!!

Weekend of launch will be busy

Thu 7th Dec- crafty fox Accrington warm up pre launch gig

Fri 8th Dec – launch celebration at Lions Den Manchester. The Dirt play with musical pals. Tickets on sale

Sun 10th – matinee show in Mossley. Info coming soon!!

So… come join An iridescent dream!!!