The Fox : you want to....

This was the band's first venture into sunny Shropshire. Chris was "globe-trotting" this weekend having just returned from a wedding in Scotland where apparently he got totally blotto! Still he arrived back on Sunday afternoon ready to make the trip down to Oswestry.

First impressions were "small". Beautiful-looking tudor-type venue frontage &.... well, yes, small! Low ceilings, the main part of the pub was like a collection of cottage front rooms & felt just as welcoming/inviting. Built around 1560 - this is not a history lesson by the way or a study of English architecture but this place was cool. The owner John & barman Steve made us very welcome & entertained us with various stories about the Fox.

The Fox has one main "secret". You pop down a little alley at the side & there opens up a courtyard at the rear with a cracking little stage undercover with "proper" electrics - no dodgy extensions etc here. Next to that is a little snug/smoking area where Lynne camped out with all her merch. Both Martin (drummer) & Luke (FUK crew) looked at home in there with nice armchairs & a little wood-burning stove - you want to go there now don't you? In fact Adam (Reaperman) & girlfriend Sadie (FUK crew) looked so at home we thought they'd moved in. Along from the snug was a canopy for the audience to stand under if the weather turned a bit & in the corner of that area was a bloody great gas BBQ which sparked up about half-ten to serve up some awesome burgers/hot dogs/potatoes etc.... you still want to go there now don't you?

After soundcheck was complete, our host handed us an array of acoustic instruments - acoustic guitar for Chris, acoustic bass for Adam, bongos for Martin & even Crazy Mike (FUK crew) joined us on a nylon-strung acoustic. Here was the band's chance to limber up with a little impromptu unplugged session in one of the afore-mentioned cottage front rooms, in front of the fire.... you still want to... ok, ok, I know you get the picture!

We started the proper set on stage playing to a small number in the audience, feeling good but a bit quiet then the guys/gals out there hit the phones & our reputation in Oswestry took a leap. Thank you all those who phoned their mates & said "get down here now". In fact our host told us everyone would soon arrive & they did - book them & they will come! So, soon after we had a good crowd, great response & the set went excellently. And even Chris managed NOT to fall down the 3 steps in front of the stage. As we do nowadays the set we played majored on material from the Face of Adversity album & the Salvation single/EP. Plus, as we were playing a long set this night, we ventured in with a nice choice of covers like Heaven & Hell, Highway Star, Holy Diver & everyone seemed more than a little merry.

By the way the beer was ace. A CAMRA real ale pub which lived up to its' reputation. The Stonehouse was awesome... you still want to etc etc. After the two sets we then whiled away a happy hour or two drinking & talking our usual beery shite, getting to know a few of the excellent regulars.

Big thanks to our hosts John & Amanda, plus Steve & other staff. Big thanx to everyone who supported us at this gig & also bought some nice CDs & T-shirts off us - keeps us off the streets...maybe!?

There's some nice photos from the gig (including the best armchair & wood-burning stove) loaded up on MySpace already so why not take a look?

Our next stop is the bikers' paradise known as the Bike & Hound (Hyde, Cheshire) this Saturday 31st May for more Fury UK rock & madness. Hope to CYA soon!

Fury UK
xxx