Next Gig - Sunday 5th September 2010 at HARTLEPOOL BELLE VUE CLUB-VERTIGO
 
 

REVIEW OF 2007 XMAS PARTY


Hi there all you peeps,
Tell you what !!!! The annual Hazard xmas party is becoming something of a Cult Gathering. Year after year those appreciating fans come back for more of that stuff that gets otherwise lazy couch potato heads off their backsides and out enjoying themselves.
This year the queue was the same as it always is. 5.45 and it's fifty deep. Doors opened at 6 o clock and anyone daring to arrive after 6.15 could only hope for the leftover seats.
A much enjoyed sight was those colourful boys from Bedlington who once again stole the glam awards with their fancy dress. Great stuff guys.
The Haz Boys (or as they are known Vertigo Boyz) confused? Then you should have read that little bit of paper left on each table explaining the score, opened with a classic that even those poor fans of Meatloaf didn't get to hear at the Metro Arena (Bat out of Hell) I personally much prefer the Vertigo version every day of the week and twice on Sundays. Great opener Boyz. The format took on it's usual shape and after 4 songs the crowd were putty in Griff the Riff's hands. Of course when the Boyz did their trademark song (Blue Moon) the place lifted and there wasn't a hand in the place that wasn't clapping for all it was worth.
Followed by that Pouges medley which had everyone singing for their supper. I personally would like another member of the band to sing this one. (Griff you're too much in tune for that song) not that I'm saying the rest are out of tune or anything. Oh bother !
A newby (Chasing Cars) Snow Patrol had the Bedlington boys standing on their seats and chanting arms aloft. If the crowd's enthusiasm got any higher they'd need parachutes.
The first half finished off with a medley of Queen songs which revealed why there was a walk out on the front of the stage. Blow me ! Freddy Mercury himself made a long awaited come back and fronted the Haz Boyz (sorry Vertigo Boyz) old habits.
Although very entertaining, I don't think he should give up his day job just yet.
Moving swiftly on Rudy West. What can you say about the comedian? Well how about; Superb, Rib tickling hilarious, Funny as **** especially when Michael Jackson appeared.
Let's just say that we all (and I think I speak for most of the audience) hope he appears next year. Just wish I could remember some of those jokes.
Pie and peas were just the best as they always are. (Didn't get seconds this year tho) I'll just have to be a little bit more nimble on my toes next year.
The traditional quiz came next (no rest for the wicked). Remember last year (and the one before for that matter) the same table won both. This time we'd all been swotting up and came fully prepared for a battle.
Bugger me if they didn't go and win it again. This time we were only beaten by 1 point. I suppose there's hope.
Just a quick question (Was that Hugh Fernley Whittingstall over on the next table?)
The second half started off with Bon Jovi - Living on a prayer. Fortunately there was a nice space for dancing because half the audience decided they'd had enough sitting and took to the floor flinging their wigs to all time greats from The Jam (Town like Malace) Ram Jam ( Black Betty) James (Oh sit down) just as well they take no notice of you Boyz. Was that the Kaiser Chiefs I heard?
Bay City Rollers and some Glam Rock Classic Medleys.
To be totally honest I think we'd probably had enough to drink by now and the Boyz could have played Puppy Love and we would have danced all the same, but credit where it's due;
It was a very very well polished (that's not from Poland either) 1st and 2nd set from all the Boyz and a massive Pat on the Back for a much deserved BAND OF THE YEAR 2007.
You get my vote every time because when you go to see the Vertigo Boyz you know exactly what you're gonna get (and that's not just at the Christmas Party)
A great show with great music from four of the Best Musicians in the business.
Could have called yourselves THE FANTASTIC FOUR ! 
Seems to ring a bell, I think I've heard it somewhere else.
Let me just finish off by saying,
Thanks Boyz for a great party and look forward to next years.  
and
All the Best to everyone who was lucky enough to be there.
Big Col

06 Xmas Review
Hi again peeps,
Has it really been a year?
In your lifetime you may have regrets about missing some really great or important stuff. You know the type of things I'm talking about. When you hear your mates talking about it for weeks to come you are so, so envious that you wish they'd shut the (up).
Well yet again those musical magicians that are HAZARD or/and VERTIGO (long story) did it yet again. The HAZARD XMAS PARTY 06 was one of those nights.
We got there really early, as we do every year and still the place was buzzing with people taking their places for the best view/route to the bar
. The Christmas decorations this year were a splendid sight but were not as flamboyant as the crew from Bedlington or somewhere up there. A crowd of around 15 who'd come in fancy dress. They were so colourful it brought a smile to everyone's face (even Ken).
I think it was a great idea and maybe could be a theme for Party 07. What ya think Boyz? Once full the show got on it's way and from the opening few songs it was evident that the audience weren't going to be disappointed.
That intro is a spin from Meatloaf isn't it? Nice touch.
There was as usual, a very polished and tight band sound with the aw some Griff the Riff up front with vocals and those tasty guitar licks. Now I've seen some bands in my time (the first being Beggars Opera in Dunelm 1973) and I've seen some guitarists Gary Moore, Angus (AC DC), Michael Schenker (UFO) i think you get the picture. Well i don't think I'll get any argument if i say that Griff can hold his own with any of them.
After songs like Whiskey in the jar, Blue Moon (accapella), How long an acoustic session to name just a few, the crowd were just getting warmed up. However it can't have been quick enough for those Haz Boyz cos they played their first trump card. Something completely different, a medley of Irish songs by the Pogues. Well, if anyone wasn't warmed up yet this certainly did the trick. The whole place was bouncing,clapping and singing along. There was an old woman just on her way to the toilet to powder her nose. Mrs Hillary, yes those of you who were at last year's party will remember her (she was the one the para medics revived after the pyro explosions went off)
I'm sure she didn't expect them again this year. (Hope you recover soon Mrs Hillary) well at least soon enough to come to the 07 party.
By the end of the first session the crowd were putty in the Haz Boys hands.
The end of the first half maybe but not a pause in entertainment.
Yes the second trump card. The Internationally famous Hypnotist (forgot his name) This guy had people eating out of his hand literally. I must admit i did volunteer myself but i wasn't a good subject (maybe my sub conscious didn't really want to be hypnotised) Even so there was around six or seven that were under his spell. If you haven't seen a hypnotist in action yet let me tell you it's so rib aching funny to see people you know doing the strangest things.
There was a representative from A I R agency under ( so that's how you boys get loads of work ).
The end of the Hypnotist saw the pie and pea supper. Again the quality was excellent an again i had seconds (there went the diet).
Now I've always prided myself on my musical knowledge and always do quite well in music Quiz's. I never felt that our table was going to break any world records or anything but i felt that we'd done quite well. BLOW ME if it wasn't the same table who won last year and again thay got 100% right. Not mentioning any names. Won't be selling them tickets next time (Rolly from Croxdale).
The lights dimmed and the Haz Boys crept out onto stage in the dark. Before the first four notes had been played the dance floor was filled. Bon Jovi, something else (lots of beer by now memory not great) then some 80,s glam rock. Just picturing the Boyz in some tight glittery pants and silvery jackets with those huge lapels. Mmmmmnnnn (Maybe not) If total entertainment is your thing then this is the place for you.
Keeping up the rear on percussion & vocals (Animal 20 years on)
Dixy On keyboard and vocals Stuart (twinkle fingers)
Bass Guitar & vocals Ken (were you in that band SPARKS?) no seriously Fabulous playing. This guy's an un-sung hero. Makes it look so damn easy.
Up front Griff the Riff. Vocals and guitar. A true wizard on guitar. Never ceases to amaze. Great vocals as always.
To sum up the evening. Just Fabulous non stop fun loving entertainment. (Put it in your diary as one of those NOT TO BE MISSED party's)
See you next year
Big Col


xmas 2005

Hi there peeps,
Well the Hazard Christmas party finally came this weekend. It had been a long time coming and it showed at the doors before 6 o clock. The excited fans were already waiting desperately to find the best seats. It wasn't long before all the seats were filled and the lights dimmed. Much to the delight of the Hazard fan's there were excellent renditions of great rock classics from all the greats (Meatloaf, Journey, Eagles, Queen, Thin Lizzy, Del Amitri) to name but a few. Of course there were outstanding guitar licks from the infamous Griff the Riff who stole the show with his vocal and guitar talents. He even put in a couple of up to now, unknown chords of his own. Maybe he's going to re write music as we know it. Nothing would surprise me from the Hazard wizard himself.
There was no expense spared with a lighting show that would have put a monsters of rock concert to shame. Of course the pyro-explosions were breath taking. I think that old lady at the back would agree, even after she'd been brought back to life by the paramedics. The middle bit started with the pie and pea supper which was of an excellent standard. I had to go back for a second. I told the wife i'd take her out for a meal before christmas. (thanks boys)Oh yes then the quiz. After a long discussion with the organizer he finally gave in and slowed down the songs in the quiz. He might as well have played them backwards (mmn there's an idea for next year). Even though our team thought it quite easy, except for two songs from that world famous band from outer Mongolia, (Dropoffsky) we still only got 40/50. Oh well just as well we dont do it professionally.
The second half got many, by now very wobbly Hazard fans leaping to their feet and strutting their stuff around the dance floor (yes this year there was a dance floor) and jumping up and down trying to catch bubbles from the bub-machine. Again fans were treat with some great stuff from (Bon Jovi, T Rex, Status Quo, Graham Parker) of course there were loads more but by this time after sampling numerous pints of John Smith's at outstandingly cheap prices my memory started flagging just a bit. The percussionist got sick of being at the back all night banging his drums like a man posessed and tried his hand at guitar, i think maybe to give Paul a rest coz his fingers must have been burned out by now. The keyboard player gave yet another flawless performance whilst bringing the average age of the band down by 20 years. The bass player (Ken) put a whole new meaning on the word Slapper (think he likes Level 42 or what?). The only thing that spoilt what up to now had been a brilliant night was that it came to an end. Suppose it had to happen eventually.
To sum up, it was a very sucessful and enjoyable Christmas show. Where else could you be entertained to such a high standard, be fed, come last in a quizz and be frightened half out of your witts all in the same night. Well yes i supose you could book your tickets to the Hazard Christmas show 2006 . Long time to wait though, how about an Easter Special.

Thanks Hazard Boyz for yet another great night
Big Col