So, as I have created a news page I thought it best to post some news. I decided to update the website, hope you like the new “gold” look, and invited the boys in the band to send me some interesting stuff. So far all I got was Mike bought some new drumsticks and some new pants.

But seriously the boys have been doing some serious rehearsing, not only on new songs, but spending a lot of time on harmonies. Its amazing how good harmonies can fill a song out when there are no piano or string backings available.

We haven’t had many gigs recently, but things appear to be picking up now, and of course the big one, Rock and Roll at Scougall, is coming on the 4th August.

So far we have arranged for two further groups to come along and do a couple of sets, which means the boys will be able to relax and enjoy the night a bit more.

The next gig is back at the Anvil next Saturday, it’s a bit of a hit or miss venue, can be good, or crap, just never quite know. Fingers crossed anyways.

Well still no news items from the boys, so just a quick work from me to say that any news will be welcome.

E-mail received at last, woo hoo! It's from Allan to let me know that a further 2 gigs are confirmed. He also said he likes the News page, strange boy.

2nd September 2007.

Well a lot has happened since the last entry, mostly the fact that summer has passed by leaving us all drookit, but there you go, that’s the penance for living in Scotland.

However on the music front we had a hugely successful August with all 3 gigs going amazingly well. Rock n Roll at Scoughall was a runaway success, mainly due to the fact we decided to hold it in the middle sized tattie shed and that the local campers who turned up danced for hours from start to finish, and even more afterwards. The hangover in the morning emptying the beer bottles out of the shed was most unpleasant. We reckoned on their being between 70 and 80 folk there, and the main thing was that hey were all there to enjoy the music and did! A special mention to the Brigadier who was an able substitute on the shakers!!

After that we did the QD in North Berwick, and whilst it is a pokie wee boozer, it was mobbed and their was about 30 bodies crammed onto the wee dance floor all screaming for more, and jumping, rocking, throwing beer over us and just having the time of their lives, can't wait till next time.

And the final gig of the month was in Whistle Binkies, it's a music bar in Edinburgh, so it was a 50-minute showcase spot, and we went down a treat again. In fact so much so that the manager wanted us to do yesterday night, but we were already booked, pity about that, but hopefully more to come from there.

I did get some excellent video footage from the gig, which I am sure you have already enjoyed.

5th September 2007.

Recieved a text from Allan to let me know that we have our first confirmed bookings for next year, both at the QD in North Berwick, so if they are half as good as the last one then they will, indeed, be half as good.

16th October 2007.

Got another couple of gigs in North Berwick for next year, both at the Golfer's rest.

Also looks promising for the Black Bull in Dalkeith, the manageress was very impressed with us and , although fully book utill December, she wants us to call in early January and she will be able to give us some gigs for next year.

On a lighter note, we had another go at the quiz in the Golfers last Thursday and came second, missing out by 1 point, next time we can win!

27th January 2008.

Thats the first gig of the year over, and it went swimmingly well. Quite a few years since we played in the Golfer's in NB. The crowd wasn't huge, but the people who made the effort to brave the appaling weather were very appreciative, and certainly enjoyed themselves.

The sound was of an excellent quality, the high ceiling played a major part in this, and although the volume was cranked up from last year, there was no distortion.

The only down side was Iain's tendonitis flaring up, and a song having to be dropped, but hopefully this can be cured.

As its a few weeks to the next gig, we are going to spend the next few Thursdays recording a new demo, the old one is really weak, so when thats done I will put it on here, so look put for that.

10th March 2008.

What an amazing night we had in Auchendinny on Saturday, and we can't wait for an invite back!

It was our first gig there, and obviously we were a little bit trepidatious (look it up folks) about how we would go down, but we shouldn't have worried. The pub is really well set up for live music, and the local punters clearly know how to enjoy themselves, and make the most of their night out. There was a load of singing and dancing, and no hint of trouble, which was a huge bonus after a few jaunts into darkest Bonnyrigg!

Right from the beginning we were cheered and danced along to, and this was reflected in the boys as they played one of their tightest sets ever. They actually got a bit carried away and forgot to take their second break, but a quick hand gesture from me reminded them. The hand gestures I got back really cant be mentioned here. There were smiles all round on the stage, on the floor, and behind the bar.

The boys also took a chance to try out Stormy Monday on stage, and it went down a treat.

 The biggest cheer of the night came right at the end when after the final song they were called on for an encore, and heeding Linda’s advice to keep the noise down, promptly hammered out Whole Lotta Rosie again, bloody fantastic!

So a big thanks to Linda and Karen for having us, and hope to see you soon.

26th March 2008

Good to be back in the Quarter Deck after such a great night in August last year. The place is looking a lot smarter after the face-lift that was started the instant we finished playing last September. In fact as we were walking out, the builders were walking in!

Unfortunately it was quite quiet early on, possibly due to the pub next door having a band on as well, but we were way better than them. On the plus side, it filled up as the night went on and we’re assuming it was because word had spread about the good looking guys playing in the QD, and not the cheap drink and late licence.

So overall, it turned out another good night, finishing with a requested encore of Greenday’s Holiday.

Looking forward to going back in August again this year – hopefully it’s the same night as the Highland games.

The other good news is that we are hoping to get a gig arranged in Mallaig for May this year, should be excellent.

(This weeks guest author was - Allan MacKinnon)

11th May 2008

Well its been a traumatic month or so starting with the last gig in the Golfer's on the 5th April. It was a disappointing gig, not the best of sounds and not the best of atmospheres in a fairly quiet pub. However the boys were prepared to put it down to just one of these nights but on the Tuesday Mike announced he was quiting the band with immediate effect. Although there had clearly been issues this did come as a bit of a shock to us all, but such is life and we wish Mike all the best in his future project and many thanks for all the hard work over the last 4 years.

The next task was to get a new drummer and we were very lucky in finding Jamie Wishart from Dunbar within a week. He is a bit younger than most of the boys, in his early 30s, but this just gives him more stamina for playing longer!

We had to cancel the 2 gigs at the Black Bull, in Dalkeith, and have decided to make the next gig Rock and Roll at Scoughall, and spend the next 3 months nailing our exsisting songs, learning a few new ones and burning a new demo CD.

So like the pheonix from the flames the Workshop will return fresher, stronger and a damn sight better!

22nd May 2008

Thought I had best update this. As you will have seen smashing new picture on the front page, no need to hold in the beer bellies on that one, eh lads. I have done a wee bit of a rejig to fit it in, but I think it looks OK.

We had a really good sesion on Thursday evening, and managed to get 7 really good tracks laid down for a new demo. We are all happy with them, but will be doing a wee bit of tinkering next Thursday just to see if we can improve.

The next gig is still Rock 'n' Roll at Scoughall, and its looking like being another good one, and hopefully following on from that we can start getting more regular bookings.