P.A.W.S. Benefit Concert

Many of you may be labouring under the misapprehension that P.A.W.S. is the name of an animal charity, but I can assure you all that this is not the case…well, it might, be, but not to this particular singer/bassist. It stands for “Plays Again With Stef”. Because 2 weeks ago, I climbed onstage with my old buddy Stef Cybichowski and we played live together for the first time in 33 years, no rehearsals, nothing. (Unless you count the 2 hours on the plane where Stef was listening to the songs on his ipod!)

I don’t gig locally very often , but the opportunity afforded by this Charity bash coinciding with Stef’s weekend visit was too good to pass up. So my mate Mario Moriche, Stef and i took to the stage in Mojacar’s artisan centre, and the years fell away. It’s frightening to think what sort of rhythm section we’d be if we’d played together for 33 years! I only re-established contact with Stef a couple of years back, and through the miracle of technology he supplied drums on three tracks from my Blue Odyssey album, but we were never in the same room at the same time.

Back in the murky 70’s, we shared a flat in Derby as green 18 year-olds, and before the decade was out, went our separate ways, Stef playing in Germany, and me in Scandinavia.  When we re-connected, it was like sitting around in our old lounge back in Vicarage Avenue, as if no time had passed. There is something special about musicians. Your relationships just endure. Even if you’ve been out of touch, and you can pick up where you left off with consummate ease.  The way we just walked on stage and ‘did the gig’ was amazing, and an experience I’m so grateful for, and hope to repeat. Let’s not wait another 33 years, eh matey? 🙂

Photos by Deano

Kev Moore

Pass the Drumkit!

Drummer Stef Cybichowski - as he appears in his group comic - I kid you not!

Received a great surprise last night , in the form of my mate Stef’s completed drum track for “Pass the Biscuits” the tribute to King Biscuit Time and Sunshine Sonny Payne that will appear on my new album Blue Odyssey later this year.

It’s no surprise that Stef’s done a great job however – the track has come alive now he’s added his driving rhythms to it. I can’t tell you how much fun it is to be able to collaborate in this way, and I know Stef feels the same. I still marvel at the technology that allows us to do it.  I’ve already sent him the next track to begin work on!  His own band, Break for cover, have just returned from touring Holland, so he’s been a busy guy. His enthusiasm is invaluable in spurring me on to complete some of the last remaining tracks. I confess to being my own worst enemy here – I have an initial creative spurt where pretty much the whole project is sketched out in its entirety , which I take full advantage of, because I know my momentum slows a little as the project progresses.

The producer raises a hand in thanks to the drummer!

But listening back to Pass the Biscuits last night I was mightily pleased, the track really jumped out of the speakers at me – so, onto the next, with renewed enthusiasm!

Kev Moore