Copy Cats
by Geoff Worton
One of the great things about being in Laverne + Ralph is talking about the ways music has played a part in all our lives for such a long time. Working on our website or on a new tune will invariably spark a memory of something that happened years ago so I thought I would share one of those memories with you.
I was singing in a band called The Sensations in the UK in the 1960s, and we got booked to open for Episode Six at a venue in London. Episode Six were big on the UK club scene at the time and had recently had some success with their version of a song called “Morning Dew,” written by Bonnie Dobson. The Episode Six version of the song got some solid airplay in the UK and we started to cover it at our gigs.
On that night in question in London, we closed our first set with “Morning Dew.” With the benefit of hindsight, that was a bonehead move. Episode Six opened their first set with yes, you’ve guessed it, “Morning Dew.” Had we inspired their choice? Their version of the tune really kicked-ass, and boy did they put us in our place. Instant karma certainly seemed to come and get us.
Surprise, surprise, we did not learn our lesson. Episode Six closed their last set by staging a mock fight on stage with dozens of boxes of cornflakes. They ripped open the boxes and showered themselves and the audience with cereal. So cool, we thought, and the audience loved it!
Fast forward to our next gig at The Breaks Club in Hatfield, Hertfordshire. We staged our own version of the mock cereal fight. However, times were hard, and we could only afford five boxes of cornflakes. Needless to say, the effect was underwhelming and was a big yawn for the audience. No laughs. No applause.
To add insult to injury, when time comes to load our gear and get ready to hit-the-road, The Breaks Club’s caretaker bellowed, “Oi, where do you think you’re going?” We answered, “We’re going to load the van and leave.” He wasn’t having any of it and yelled back. “Not until you’ve swept this bloody stage.”
Lesson learned: Be careful whose songs you cover and no more cornflakes onstage, especially at Laverne + Ralph gigs.
