JOE’S BROTHER’S BOOK.
My brother Brendan has written a book to tie in with the 150th anniversary of Sheffield FC, the world’s oldest football club who formed in 1857. It was published in October by Sports Books. It’s a fascinating and irreverent look at how football evolved in Victorian times in England’s public schools and Sheffield’s factories. It’s a perfect Xmas present for that football loving relative (and indeed anyone interested in rugby, cricket and Aussie rules too). Every page packed with a potential quiz question. Some of it’s amazing. (Eg, the factory where our Dad worked (and me and Brendan too in summer holidays) had a team which reached the quarter finals of the FA Cup, going out to West Brom). You can get it from Amazon, The Book Depository.com, etc.
“From Sheffield With Love” by Brendan Murphy
Published by Sports Books paperback, RRP £8.99
There’s a Yorkshire Post feature/interview with Brendan here.

GIG CRAPNESS
Something In The Water (me, Polly and Tom Alder’s other band) played a crap gig at The George Tavern this week. No soundcheck, soundman not there ‘till 9, one feeble monitor which we couldn’t hear the vocals in. So we couldn’t hear ourselves singing and apparently neither could anyone else. In hindsight we should’ve just walked off after the first song but we gamely struggled on with the engineer’s tweakings making no difference.
Then tonight I’ve cancelled my solo gig for Filthy Pedro’s night in Archway. I’ve got a sore throat. Which I’m trying to protect for recording vocals on Monday.

GIG AUSPICIOUSNESS
Still, the next Blang on Wednesday Dec 12th should be a cracker with Being 747 and their From Amoeba To Zebra show and the return of Ashley Reaks, the last time he played I laughed continuously for 30 minutes. See Blang site.

RECORDINGS
We’re still slowly recording a new LP on weekends/days off. I’m in on Monday to record vocals and hopefully my voice’ll be better. I’ve had a cold at some point at least during the recording of every single Buzfuz album to date. We’re still planning to release Popes Part 3 as a single and we’re talking to Sam Alder (Tom’s brother) about making a video for it. More news next year.

Keep well
Joe