VINNY SHEPHERD – him of Wednesday Writings fame – is tonight (Saturday 21st March 2015) performing with his band CubaDrive (described by fans as the Good ‘Ol CubaDrive noisemakers) at the Haven Arms – they kick-off at 8pm and it’s FREE entry.
It was 2011, there was I Vinny, Sitting on a pile of songs I’d written and it was getting quite uncomfortable. Meanwhile my younger brother John was getting older and better on the guitar. He is CubaDrive’s string genius. We decided it was time to get some original stuff out there, added some friends and CubaDrive was complete and ready to spread the word…and the word was good… Vinny
As well as Vinny and John Shepherd, the band is made up of Iain Lowery, Andrew Gravill and Steve Shepherd.
Check them out on their website and the YouTube tracks. Some great photos of the band on there too by long-term friend of the Hedon Blog, photographer Neil Holmes.
Vinny says: “We made this noise” and at the Hedon Blog – although we’ve not seen them live, perhaps until tonight that is – we think (to coin a phrase from Neil Diamond) it’s a beautiful noise!
A great night! And three acts as well. The night started without introductions with a demonstration of Spanish guitar music with one main player, joined in a set each by two others. They were very good!
Carrie Martin was up next with a set of beautiful songs including some she’d written herself.
CubaDrive with a set that included Beatles classics, a cracking version of Slade’s “Cum On Feel the Noize” as well as their own stuff. The group were everything that I expected them to be – and unsurprisingly people were up dancing from their very first song and the dance floor wasn’t empty all night!
CubaDrive – definitely a hit with me. Vinny man – you’ve done good!