Lost At Sea

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Alan Hunter - vocals and guitar and writer, Chris Croft - tenor sax,
Paul Clapham - drums,  Rolf Startin - bass,


 

listen to four songs at  www.myspace.com

see a video of parts of several of our tracks at my space videos

 

Music and lyrics copyright Alan Hunter 2006 (Huntersongs) 
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Rock / blues / jazz
 
  

Guitar and Vocal

Alan Hunter is the creative core of Lost At Sea - he writes the songs, and delivers the emotional drive when the band plays. His singing and his rhythm guitar have a rare melodic power which lifts the band miles above the norm. Alan’s lyrics are impressive and frequently autobiographical revisiting his Geordie roots in Newcastle as evidenced on the bands upcoming release “Songs from Greatcoat Days”. Alan’s influences range from Free to Lucinda Williams via Richard Thompson et al!! Originally Alan formed Heartland, who gigged for a number of years and built up a loyal following, but imploded with the loss of bass player Alan Still. Chris and Alan later founded “Lost At Sea” The name not only comes from the fact that we are based in Poole, but also it's kind of how we feel about our lives most of the time! 

 

Sax

The other unique feature of the band is Chris Croft's tenor sax, which is more of a second guitar or extra voice than a sax.  Chris had played with Coming Soon (jazz/rock), Mirage (Rock), PDQ (original rock based in Yeovil), and Zube Zube B'Dang (funk based in Bristol) before moving to Poole and joining Heartland.  After Heartland split up, he played jazz with Jazzamba and the Toucan Funk before returning to Rock ("I missed the meat!").  Chris is an unusual frontman in that he is both exuberant and tortured - the result being some powerful and highly emotive sax playing.

 

Drums

Paul Clapham. Rock solid, technical, cut his teeth with the professional Liverpool-based Fly by Night touring Europe and the north east, then Weymouth-based Contraband, and the soul band Chain of Fools.  The solid rhythm section gives the band its foundation for an expressive and dynamic sound.

 

Bass

Currently on bass is Rolf Startin (Ex Hawkwind and Nick Turner), a great player and cooler than glacial melt water! Occasionally we feature Mike Kneller, ex Manitou and Galahad bass player: he looks like Jesus and plays like God! 

 

The result:    An eclectic mix of styles with a bluesy foundation, all written by Alan.  Our current set is expressive, explosive and full of passion.

 

Lost at Sea have recently played with the likes of Dino Baptiste and The Agency including several Festivals.  Lost at Sea are big on dynamics, we make the “spaces” count, then step up the emotional power. Each song is arranged differently live which keeps the edge - no compromises, no Guru, no limits!

 

Lost at Sea are a uniquely original band on the local circuit, we play what we want to play, music that we believe in - and we know you like it that way too and look forward to seeing you at one of our forthcoming gigs.

 

If you wish to be added to the bands mailing list, then please email us on  gigs@lost-at-sea.co.uk 

 

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News

 
The band would like to extend a hearty thank you to everyone who came to our gig last night at the King Charles on Poole Quay, what a fantastic venue in terms of location, acoustics and not least the historic setting in which we were able to play.
 
Although billed as "Acoustic", our set was simply played at a somewhat lower volume than normal in observance of the requirements of the locals, so apologies to those turning up expecting to see Chris with a flute and Alan with a Martin D28!
 
Further great news about this fantastic venue is that "Lost at Sea" have been given an EXCLUSIVE short term residency running upto January 2009! Dates are shown below and will be supported with media advertising prior to each gig.The band and the King Charles would really appreciate your support for these forthcoming events, and we would love feedback from all of you as to whether you would like any of these dates to be purely acoustic...your wish is our command!
 
Hot on the heels of the Christchurch Regatta gig is a live recording of three numbers from the gig with supporting film footage! This should soon be on our MySpace section of the website www.lost-at-sea.co.uk to keep you entertained with material between gigs!
 
Artwork for the fortcoming album "Songs from Greatcoat days" is still being finalised, however you will be first to know when we have a release date, including a "Pre-release special offer"...watch this space! If any of you require further information regarding any aspect of the bands activities, background, inspiration, instruments, etc etc etc, then please drop us an email to  gigs@lost-at-sea.co.uk and not only will you receive the information you crave, but also an option to join our embryonic mailing list for our proposed Lost At Sea newsletter!
 
We look forward to seeing you all soon "Further on up the road!"
 
Alan, Chris, Rolf and Paul.
 
 
PS - We are now on youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_PrzawmuZE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvFtpsPnRh8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2x0vBb_y64
though the myspace video page will give you better quality sound

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Upcoming gigs:
always 9.30 - 11p.m. approx

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Saturday 6 September

The Bell, Wimborne

a lively pub right in the middle of town,

71 High Street, Wimborne, Dorset, BH21 1HS

http://www.beerintheevening.com/pubs/s/38/3835/Bell_Hotel/Wimborne

now confirmed - this gig is ON

 

Friday 12th September

The Ropemakers

Bridport

back again at this excellent pub

36 West Street
Bridport Dorset
DT6 3QP

http://www.pubsulike.co.uk/pubs/online/index.asp?pubcode=DT63QPTR

 

 

Wednesday 24 September

The Beach and Barnicott

Bridport

www.beachandbarnicott.co.uk
 6, South St, Bridport, Dorset DT6 3NQ

http://flickr.com/photos/finntasia/2544054623/in/pool-ilivehere

 

Friday 26 September

The King Charles

Poole

(Thames Street, just off the Quay, BH15 1JN)

http://www.beerintheevening.com/pubs/s/28/2844/King_Charles_Inn/Poole

 

 

Friday 24 October

The King Charles

Poole

(Thames Street, just off the Quay, BH15 1JN)

http://www.beerintheevening.com/pubs/s/28/2844/King_Charles_Inn/Poole

 

 

Friday 21 November

The King Charles

Poole

(Thames Street, just off the Quay, BH15 1JN)

http://www.beerintheevening.com/pubs/s/28/2844/King_Charles_Inn/Poole

 

Friday 9 January 2009

The King Charles

Poole

(Thames Street, just off the Quay, BH15 1JN)

http://www.beerintheevening.com/pubs/s/28/2844/King_Charles_Inn/Poole

 

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 our current set list:

1.       Stilettos

2.        On The Long Road Down

3.                Time

4.       Beautiful Like A Child

5.         Greatcoat Days

6.        Been Gone So Long

7.   Is That Really You?

8.               Wicked Blue

9.                Place it in a kiss

10.          The One That Got Away

11.                 It's getting late

12.        The Price You Pay

13.               Ghost Train

 

all of these tracks are on the...................................

 

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CD now available!

click here to download free or listen to four tracks from our album!

get your copy at the gig or send us a SAE and £10

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Email us:    gigs @ lost-at-sea.co.uk

www.lost-at-sea.co.uk


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click on the thumbnails to see larger versions:


 


Create a thumbnail gallery just like this one using Magic Gallery software

 


recognise Chris from somewhere...?





Many of these photos were taken by a good friend of ours who is also the best photographer in the business - www.andyscaysbrook.com
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and finally....................................Some lyrics for you:

Greatcoat Days

I’m scared of my life

It’s hopeless you see

I don’t see the point

Of acting seriously

I’m tired of the myths

The state sponsored spin

The “how you too can be” books

And other conditioning

Then my heart hits the floor

I don’t care any more

And I long to hear your voice

See your smile

And it all gives way

To another greatcoat day

Of tearful gazing

And sketches of Spain…

Juniper and Grain

Wash away the pain

Did I come in at the end

Or leave at the start?

Do I follow your plan

or follow my heart?

There’s a sign at the end

Of a political highway

Says “Move over friend

Or else do it my way”

I lost my franchise

Over a cup of Earl Grey

Lost everything else

In much the same way

And it all gives way

To another greatcoat day

Of tearful gazing

And sketches of Spain…

Juniper and Grain

Wash away the pain

 

 

 

 

Been Gone
      So Long

(to Newcastle)

Gonna show you round

The river side of town

By the fish quay sands

Where the old man frowns

Down by the mission lights

The old harbour walls

This place comes alive

When the nighttime falls… all over town

Rhythm of the river

Heartbeat of the folks

Faces full of mischief

Old men telling jokes… in this town

This place breathes with the unsteady ease

Borne of poverty and pain

So let’s get down to the Wooden Doll

Make everything alright again

Remembered faces in timeless places

Feels so good, feels so right

The spirit of these people

Is in my heart and soul tonight

I swear to you

You know it’s true

Life just begins, and it ends,

By a bend of this drunken river

Nobody need pretend

You see, my baby

This heart will never mend

Till I return to this place

That has become my very best friend

 

 

Ghost Train

Midnight train approaching

Sends a shiver down the track

And a steam whistle moan

Cuts across a lovers’ pact

Behind nicotine stained windows

Crucifix against her chest

Rosa just stares out

Into another hungry night…

The station clock hits midnight

As I jump on board the train

And the carriage hosts a tribute

To stale liquor in the rain

Hip flask metal sends

A fire down my throat

So I light a Lucky Strike

Just to set the journey up…

My thoughts turn to Rosa

As we nudge along the track

And I look over my shoulder

But she ain’t lookin’ back

Staring clean out the window

No focus in her eyes

As the wheels beat out a rhythm

A lullaby to the night…

I take another sip of Bourbon

Before looking back again

But she’s vanished into the evening

On this god forsaken train

On her seat lies the cross

And by it there’s a note

Says “Sure was good to see you son

But now I’ve gotta go”

Sure was good to see you son…

So take care of all your business

Don’t let nobody down

And don’t ride on the midnight train

When there’s no one else around…

 

The Price
       You Pay

He’s been pondering everything for oh such a long long time

Recognising angels but the demons they win every time

The circumstantial evidence suggests that he’s losing the race

But the truth is for living and it’s staring him blind in the face

Consumer driven forces determine his fate

He’s selling you security and he’s propagating hate

And I know he’s gonna come down before it’s too late

He’s compromised by dreams of riches and material things

But he despises the acknowledgement of his ‘position’

and the pain that it brings

A spiritual confusion dominates his working day

But he can’t get to grips with the price that he’s having to pay

You know he’s got to come down before it’s too late

He’s walking on thin ice but he can’t skate

And I know he’s gonna come down before it’s too late


 

Is That

Really You?

When my ship comes in

I will find you, just the same

When I see the hills

And hear you call my name

Is that really you?

Waving up to me from the quayside

It’s two years since I left

Swept away on a high tide

But I ask myself how did you spend the time?

Do other men see you the same?

For a girl like you temptation’s never far behind

Have you playing the game?

I never saw your face

Look like it does today

You’ve had some sun

While I’ve been on the waves

I never saw a smile

As bright and as wide as this

A hundred magazines

Could not replace your kiss

Chris is hung like a donkey

But I ask myself how did you spend the time?

Do other men see you the same?

For a girl like you temptation’s never far behind

Have you playing your games?

Better than the pictures

Even the ones in the back of my mind

No more of these goodbyes

In the rain and the storms you’ll hold me tight

 

 

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We hope to appear again soon at

the Greyhound, Blandford

starting at 7.30

outside if the weather is good (well, you never know!)

 

 

also again at

The Green Room

at The Portman

Boscombe, Bournemouth

97 Ashley Road, by Kings Park, BH1 4LT

Admission Free

 

 

 

The Crown, Bridport

one of our favourite gigs

check out these two links:

http://www.lemonrock.com/crowninn

http://www.lemonrock.com/lostatsea


 

 

The Black Dog

Weymouth

3, St. Mary St, Weymouth, Dorset, DT4 8PB

http://www.beerintheevening.com/pubs/s/25/2537/Black_Dog/Weymouth