Contents:
- Editor's welcome
- HMR Circle
- Geoff Butterworth: Watercolour Artist
- Rochdale Judo Club
- Interview with John Blundell
- Theatre Review: The Haunting
- This is Rochdale
- The Lol Goodman Band »
- Take a walk in Bluebell Wood
- The secret to beautiful lashes
- Interview with Antonio Sheldon
- Dental Implants
- It is Spring: Make a Will
- Little Miss Miracle
- Food for thought this Spring
- Lily May Boutique
- Interview with Andy Walker MBE
- Hairdressing Trend - Going Grey
- From puppies to dogs
- Top quality furniture with Simpson Furniture
Spring 2019The Lol Goodman Band
Local blues rock band the Lol Goodman Band are gearing up for their busiest year yet with their first stateside tour in America and the upcoming release of their fourth album, ‘Scruddy and the Healing Sun’.
Formed in 2013, the band’s line-up consists of front man Laurence ‘Lol’ Goodman, bassist James ‘Doc’ Horrocks, drummer Matt Denny and Paul Nicholls on keyboard, with frequent guest appearances by drummer Tony Crabtree and Phil Barrett on guitar and keyboards.
Lol explained, the line-up helps “keep things fresh”. Lol began writing and performing his own material at the age of 14, going on to become the front man of one of the north west’s best live bands, delivering the gritty sound and feel of 1960s and 70s blues rock.
Teaming up with James, a good friend of many years, the Lol Goodman Band was formed with the introduction of then-drummer, Jon Firth.
The band has produced three successful albums of original tracks: ‘Old dog ‘n’ licks’, ‘Tautology’ and ‘Just wanna say…’, going on to sign with Right Track Records in 2016, an exciting development for the band which also featured a global distribution agreement with Universal Music, one of the leading entertainment groups.
Lol said: “We have just finished recording our new album. It needs mastering, which we plan to do at the Abbey Road studio. It is a 15-track album, all written by myself, which will hopefully be out around May.
“‘Scruddy’ is a very personal album; a lot of the tracks reflect the mood I was in when I was ill with depression. That said, it isn’t an album full of despair; there are a lot of fun songs on the album.
“We will also be publishing a track list of lyrics in the CD sleeve, which we have never done before.”
Their forthcoming album also features guest vocals from one of New York’s finest solo blues artists, Jessie Galante.
Lol said: “It was an honour to have her contribute towards the album.”
Since formation, the band has swapped playing local pubs such as the Cask and Feather on Drake Street for larger audiences, such as the Upton Blues Festival in Worcestershire, The Great British Rhythm and Blues Festival in Colne, and Cumbria’s Maryport Blues Festival.
That said, Lol and his band mates still frequent Rochdale, taking part in the Flying Horse Hotel’s popular jam nights on occasion.
Lol added: “The music scene centred in Rochdale is very active with a circle of great musicians, and we sometimes take part in the jam nights at the Flyer, which are organised by Nigel Pickering.
“We should play more local shows though.”
In addition to their upcoming release, the group are also preparing for a tour of LA later this year.
Lol said: “We are hoping to go in May or September to keep the festival season free; it should be very exciting.
“2019 is going to be a very busy year for us.”
‘Scruddy and the Healing Sun’ will be released later this year.