Biography of - Off The Hook
2001 to start of 2006
Way back yonder on the 25th November 2000 the then four-piece band "Off The Hook" kicked off their first ever gig to a packed house at the aptly named Pack Horse Inn, Low Seaton, Workington thanks to Brom and Linda.
Throughout the course of that first night and after many gaffs, stops, starts and playing harps in the wrong key (Wots changed since?) some of the crowd were finally drunk enough to take to the empty dance floor, where a kind of ritualistic, spasmodic type of Break dance was witnessed by many a bleary eyed partygoer in Seaton that long night ago.
At the following practice, and after a lengthy discussion we decided to "give it a go"...The "rest is history" as they say.
The very next gig at The Central, Egremont was nearly a disaster, and could have been fatal! After only three songs the pub was cast into total darkness when drummer Ian Taylor's sharp legged drum stool accidentally cut through the mains lead! Super Spark Barney, by candlelight, proceeded to the cellar and soon got the show back on the road - and the beer pumps working! (Never played there since!)
New Years Eve Party Night at Baggrow Village Hall saw the departure of original Bass player J Griffiths (Griff) having decided to pursue a career as a DJ.
But what a memorable night it turned out to be ... Thanks to Mark Graham and his motley crew ... the Gypsy girls, and not forgetting the "flying blow up doll" ... the locals had never seen anything like it!
Not long after the Festive Season was over and after a few frantic 'phone calls, our new bass player was in. Barney chuffed to be teamed up with his old mate Ian Rowell .... It was meant to be!
A couple of photo's of 'Off the Hook' then....
2001 saw Off the Hook play at their first Maryport Blues Festival. Four gigs were done ... all packed. A very memorable one being to an enthusiastic crowd outside the Lifeboat on a very hot Sunday afternoon.
There was another change in the line up when drummer Ian Taylor departed. Then 'New' man Bryan Sowerby was welcomed aboard and played "at the drop of a hat" in Silloth at the Balmoral Hotel ... another excellent gig! Since then Bryan has left us and has once again been replaced by young man named Jamie Reed....
Over the following years Off the Hook continued to play at the Blues Festivals, Beer Festivals, Bike Rallies and the various pubs and organizations throughout the county, occasionally venturing further afield. Then, in Nov. 2004 a local keyboard player (Sparky) was persuaded to come to the Pack Horse in Seaton for a jam with us. "A good night was had by all" and Off the Hook became a Five Piece.
In February 2005 Off the Hook finally brought out their 1st CD ... Off The Hook - Live and Head On ... thanks to Peter James. It's selling well.
Off the Hook are now working on their new CD which hopefully won't take as long, and will be original stuff! The bands' attitude is "Don't take it too Serious" ... Get out there and play some good "Head Down, Arse Up! Boogie Music .. Please the crowd, have a Crackin' night and get booked back sometime!
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