NOT LIKE YOU'D THINK

 

I don't know whether you're aware of the fact but Prague is the most visited city in Europe. Reason being it's one of the oldest and genuine medieval cities still left having escaped any damaged during the war. Besides acting as a backdrop for numerous films such as the first Mission Impossible and doubling up as Paris and various other cities as they used to be, the beer and food are fantastic whilst the female types are reckoned to be some of the most stunning in the world. Reckoned is probably wrong since they're nearly all model quality. The other benefit Prague has is that it's about half an hour away from the town of Mlada Boleslav, home of Skoda.

 

Celebrating the 25th Anniversary of their partnership with VW and with an invitation sent well in advance to the Aged Rocker, Skoda elected to put the old git up at Chateau Mcely for a couple of nights. Most people tend to think the Czech Republic is a bit on the industrial side and in certain areas, it is. The AR for one wouldn't choose to live near to any of the Skoda plants since what tends to surround them are the concrete monstrosities left over from the the days when the Ruskies were in charge. But head out into the countryside especially in the direction of the Saint George's Forest and stroll on, do things look like how you wouldn't think of them.

 

A former hunting lodge Chateau Mcley lies on the outskirts of the village of the same name. Recently refurbished this truly stunning hotel is as authentic as it comes, most of the twenty-three rooms and suites are exactly as they were many years ago, the modern facilities disguised or hidden from view.

 

From the big brass door handle, Belle Epoch lighting, panelled walls, numerous original fixtures and fittings, the multiply award winning restaurant to the extensive grounds, Mcley is Bohemian style and splendour at its best. Add in the luxury spa, staff who move silently yet are on hand in an instant and one of the most relaxed atmospheres you're likely to encounter and this 17th Century transcends modern demands.

 

Genuinely remarkable in almost every way, if Prague is Europe's number one city destination, Chateau Mcley should be the number one place to spend the night.

 

STONE BROKEN

 

Even better live than they are on their new album, Saturday night saw Stone Broken rock Manchester’s Rebellion Club and plenty of their loyal fans and followers. Bursting into life with ‘Not Your Enemy’, lead singer and guitarist Rich Moss and the rest of the band banged out a non-stop session that lasted well over an hour. And with no signs of letting up they added four extra songs and a couple of cover versions if only to prove that they could out do even the originals.

                    

The energy of this band is incredible, Rich never stops, the hard gravelly notes of his voice just as good live as it is recorded, the leading riffs of Chris Davis sharp, unfailingly sure and note perfectly succinct, Kieran’s bass licks as good as you’ll get whilst Robyn’s enthusiasm on the drums never once missed an unrelenting beat. If this band doesn’t go places there’s no justice but that said Stone Broken will probably write a song about it that’ll gain even more air time than their current single.

 

 

 

 

 

 

So look out for the Aged Rocker’s Rebellion based interview with Rich Moss and Chris Davis coming soon to theagedrocker.blogspot.com. Until then, here’s a quick taster of what you should never have missed…………!

 

   

REBELLION

 

Attended one of the best live venues on Saturday too interview Stone Broken. More or less on the corner of Deansgate and Whitworth Street, Rebellion is not only a great place to spend the night it also attracts some of music’s biggest names and top bands. Plenty of room with comfortable places to sit between each performance and a large decked area to sit outside without having to actually leave the club, the layout means when each band is live on stage the audience can get as close up and intimate as they want without any problems.

 

The big, long bar and friendly efficient staff means no matter how busy it gets you’ll never have to wait long for a drink whilst the guy on the door gets everybody past the merchandise and ticket office in a matter of minutes. Even the Aged Rocker got himself and his mates settled and ready with plenty of time to hang up his walking stick and grab the all important Stone Broken interview.

 

 

It also gave the AR a chance to have a quick chat with a new band called Salt Lake. These Brighton based rockers are tangible proof that Britain really does have talent it just doesn’t need to go on one of those horrendous Saturday night talent free TV shows and get on yer wick, have some overweight, fast fading celebrity pass banal judgment or sit there with a fake expression of gushing awe. Instead these three university students fronted by the charismatic lead singer and guitarist Henry Gottelier. Packed with energy, genuine ability and making their way in the business on being able to play and write their own songs, whilst they might be touring the UK on board the infamous white van and living from hand to mouth, at least they’re going about it the way it should be done. Good luck to ‘em!  

   

BEST BROKEN

 

 

What better way for the Aged Rocker to give Suzuki's new Vitara Sport a blast than give it a run up the M6 to my mates at Malmo Guns for a quick bout of clay breaking. Rumour has it that the AR was none to shabby when it came to knocking bright orange discs out of the sky so it was time to remember whether he still had the knack or is he just knackered? At least he looked good behind the wheel of the Vitara Sport, one of the coolest new SUV's on the road, not only does this Suzuki go where others fear to tread, the little 1400cc petrol engine delivers plenty of grunt and it ain't half bad on fuel. Just past Forton Services the team at Malmo have one of the largest selection of competition shotguns in stock they also have some great ammo and a decent little clay layout.

 

Ready and waiting with a couple of new 12-bores and some Cheddite cartridges, it seems old AR's eyes, hands and other vital bodily bits are still in some form of working order, fifty clays were thrown and forty five of them bit the dust in a big way, the ideal way to spend the morning. If you've never tried clay shooting before, give it a go, nothing beats the feeling of seeing those flying discs vapourise especially when the sun's shining and all seems right with the world.

 

If you fancy a blast yourself, give Malmo a quick Google and their number will appear, Bryan and Rosie always willing to help out a beginner with whatever they need even if its nothing more than a first attempt to see if they like it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



TAKE INSPIRATION

 

As years go by and the general activity of living, working and at times surviving takes it toll, generating enthusiasm for absolutely anything can at times become a chore in itself. But a few minutes in the company of author, biker and adventurer Zoe Cano is proof positive that doing something out of the ordinary is more than worthwhile. When a lone female sits astride a classic Triumph Bonneville and heads off across America with nothing more advanced than a few maps and faith in her ability to succeed you quickly realise that there are people still walking or riding this planet who live life to the full.

 

 

And not only has Zoe done it once and written her first book ' Bonneville Go Or Bust' this softly spoken lady biker has done it again, this time travelling around the back roads between the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Coast. Taking in the parts of Georgia, Alabama and the Florida panhandle that few if any tourists ever take the time to visit, Zoe's second offering 'Southern Escapades' takes the reader on a personal journey through stunning scenery, characterful people, the extremes of wealth and dire poverty along with a few near misses.

But it's not so much the books that are themselves another significant achievement, it's the fact this once international business woman has changed her life and her train of thought and decided to do something with her life. The fact it's on two wheels is all the more significant, her passion for this truly individualistic mode of travel combined with not knowing what could be around the next corner a lesson for us all. Whilst most of us let our arteries harden Zoe is doing what we all know we should be, living a life that has meaning if only to ourselves. All that could be missing is the soundtrack to go with it, but if ever a song was written that sums up Zoe's attitude look no farther than Stone Broken's 'Another Day', lyrics that like Zoe, we could all learn to live by.

MANCHESTER BIKE SHOW – 2016

 

Hosted once again at Events City by Andrew Greenwood’s Classic Shows, the 2016 Manchester Bike Show was bigger and better than it’s ever been. Sponsored this year by Vulcanet, a waterless cleaning product that its claimed with degrease, clean and shine anything you care to aim it at, the two halls were crammed with bikes, clothing, accessories of all types along with live shows and demonstrations.

 

 

With over twenty manufacturers displaying their newest models, at least a hundred and twenty trade stands and forty-six owners and riders clubs catering for every make, model, purpose and activity, it came as no surprise that the queue stretched around the building well before the doors opened. Proof positive that bikes can have more than two wheels DTB Panther Trikes not only had their latest three-wheeled creations on show but they also showed their new quad scooters, these four-wheeled runarounds the ideal solution to city centre congestion plus the fact they can be ridden on a car license.

 

 

Further along the passion for retro came alive on the new Herald Motor Company stand. Built to an exacting British design over in China and powered by either 125cc or 250cc Suzuki derived engines, these small capacity motorbikes recreated the days when small was commonplace and bikes looked, sounded and handled like they ought to. Better still, the most expensive of them all will set you back a mere £3,500 plus the usual bits and bobs. As British as they come although they aren’t these little bikes are set to take to the roads in droves, the interest in them massive.

 

 

And when it came to the right gear and the right price, if you couldn’t find what you wanted at one of the numerous clothing stands then it either wasn’t made or you just couldn’t make your mind up. Equally, if one of the new Oily Rag Clothing Company classic t’s, hoodies caps or Resurgence bikers’ denim didn’t float your retro boat then nothing would. And if you needed any more convincing then listening to author and vintage Triumph rider Zoe Cano was more than able to supply the inspiration.

Signing her new book ‘Southern Escapades’ along with her original best seller ‘Bonneville Go or Bust’, her recent adventures around the back roads of the Southern States of America as she zigged and zagged between the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Coast. Taking in the Florida panhandle along with Alabama and Georgia, Zoe’s explorations along with the people she met, the conditions she endured and the sheer joy of two-wheel traveling were enough to enthuse anyone with the urge to ride a bike.

Be it choppers, cruisers, rat bikes, sports bikes, daily riders, bikes for those new to riding, trials bikes or electric bikes, they were all there. In fact if there was a motorbike you wanted to see or sit on that wasn’t there, it was a fair chance that it had never been made but it could well make an appearance at next year’s show given that this event just can’t stop getting bigger.  

If you weren’t a biker when you got to this year’s show you were more than likely were by the time you walked back out. Bikes, boots, brain buckets, bags and insurance were all there by the spade full. All you needed to do was have the spirit to live life on the open road…….you just had to be there man!

 

 

‘ALL IN TIME’ –  

STONE BROKEN

 

Given that The Aged Rocker is getting together with the band at their Manchester gig, a few thoughts on Stone Broken’s debut album are definitely in order. A constant soundtrack in the car and on the hifi back at home, Stone Broken’s new CD ‘All in Time’ confirms and substantiates the band’s increasing number of accolades. In the usual course of things, most rock bands would build up to an album of this quality, usually their second or third offering confirming their style and true abilities. 

 

 

First track on the CD, from the moment their current single ‘Not Your Enemy’ kicks in; all ten songs maintain the band’s relentless enthusiasm, the momentum running from beginning to end. Not bad really when you consider that the four members only came together in 2013 when two Wallsall bands effectively came together, this energetic combination along with lead singer Rich Moss’ voice instantly generating a force to be reckoned with.

To pick out any particular song would be wrong, each one different, each one telling its own individual story although the almost Cajun intro of ‘Be There’ gives no hint as to the music ahead whilst the sentiments of ‘Another Day’ are represent a lesson we could all take inspiration from. What I will say is that Robyn Haycock’s relentless beats, Chris Davis’ lead guitar riffs along with the bass lines generated by Kieron Conroy never fail. Whether new to the scene or been around for years, there’s plenty of other bands around that could learn more than a few things from these four Midlands based rockers.

 

 

And just for a change no covers, all ten tracks written by the band which means they had control over just how each individual song was interpreted. Produced by Romesh Dodangoda, Stone Broken have also taken the road less traveled by not signing to a label, the only way to get your hands on the album being via their website www.stonebroken.com. In other words, no external fiddling or messing with a sound so mature you’d think it had been around for ages.

 

 

Look out for The Aged Rocker’s exclusive interview and show coverage. If their live shows are half as good as their new album, then it’s guaranteed to be something rather special.