By The Fire, live at O'Connells. 27/09/2013.

Evening Strumpets,

The Charmers headlined the warm up night for this years "Middlesbrough Live" in an Irish Bar called O'Connells.  We had a fantastic night, and here's the first video from the night.



Till the next one learn something new,

Mark.

I should Coco!

Evening Strumpets,

It is my absolute pleasure to inform you that the Charmers have been given the privilege of supporting Coco and The Butterfields (again) and John and the Ragmen on Oct 4th.  The thing that makes this one extra special is that it is going to be on The Endeavour (well a replica, but in my head it's the real one) in Stockton.  I played it last month with The Broken Broadcast, and it is a truly magical experience.  Tickets are £5 and I have a few so if you want one let me know.

Till the next one, learn something new,

Mark.

Lakes

Evening Strumpets,

Here is a song which is very young in it's existence, it didn't exist half an hour ago, and it will probably not exist in this format for much longer, but I like singing it and playing it like this.

listen to ‘lakes’ on Audioboo

Till the next one, learn something new.

Mark.

Alice Charmer.

Evening Strumpets,

Here's a tune written by our Denty, and it's as good as any damn thing any of the other of us have written.



Till the next one, learn something new, like how to write a song, half as good as this,

Mark.

Rosedale Run V2.

Evening Strumpets,

Here's another go at Rosedale with percussion.



Till the next one, learn something new,

Mark.

The Road.

Evening Strumpets,

Here's the recording I did not realise was played.  Just heard it again for the first time, and it's not bad.

listen to ‘The Road’ on Audioboo

Till the next one, learn something new,

Mark

should check my inbox a bit more!

Afternoon Strumpets,

Just found out that a tune (The Road) I sent off to BBC Introducing several years ago was played on Bob Fischer 's show. Unfortunately it was on 22nd July 2011. DOH!!!!!



Till the next one, learn something new like I just have!

Mark.

Never known where.

Evening Strumpets,

Two of the Charmers, Carl and myself had the pleasure of playing at a friends charity do last weekend. Unfortunately we took to the stage as the pie and peas were being dished out and there was not a lot of interest from the punters for our unique style of buffoonery.  As we were playing, proving that a two legged dog is still a dog but not a very good one, especially if it needs a pee, the crowd were paying as much attention to us as a blind deaf Tibetan Monk would to a Madhur Jaffrey TV show. This led to me altering the lyrics to our songs (i.e "We won't stay long" became "hope you choke on your pie and peas" and so forth.)

As Carl remarked "Never has so little been listened to by so many by so few".

I haven't enjoyed playing as much in ages, it was genuine hoot, and the night made over a thousand quid for charidee which was the NSPCC.

Here's a video from our practice round here last week.  It's one of my songs, and it took the longest time to get into a groove, but we're getting there, and this might be a future pub pleaser.




I`ve long been a sinner, of this i`m not proud
Most days pass me by, like i`m in a blur
I`ve drank and I`ve stolen, been up and been down,
i`ve lived but I`ve never known where

The laughs and the fires, I store with me now
As i`m looking back, i feel a slight tear
the fights and the heartaches no longer mean much
I`ve lived but I`ve never known where

My memories cleanse me, like water on skin
My conscience is never in doubt
and if there's a heaven I`ll stand at the gate
and I`ll dare them to try and keep me out

I`ve danced with the sinners and I`ve dined with the priests
I`ve sung with the angels, and laughed with the beasts 
I`ve seen Men lay starving, and I`ve thrown away feasts
I`ve lived but I`ve never known where.

Till the next one, learn something new.

Mark.