We’ve put together a fun photo video of the band’s trip to Easdale Island & Achmore last year which fits in with the lyrics of this classic String Driven Thing track.
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EASY TO BE FREE
Would you like to be travelling on a sailing ship at sea,
Out on the waves as they move beneath your feet,
Feeling the wind as it quivers in the sheets,
It’s easy to be free
It’s easy to be free
It’s easy to be free
Would you like to be leaving …

Chris & Robin will be appearing in the Acoustic Tent…. more details to follow in due course.

The band played their first gig of 2010 at The Doghouse in Balloch. Chris’s son, Robin returned to the fold, playing lead guitar and providing backing vocals. As well as having his own solo career ( he won the Billy Kelly Songwriting award last year), he has released his first album, Down To Reverie, which has been receiving great reviews and much airplay. If he’s not busy enough, he also teams up with brother Mervyn playing bass in his band. It’s great to see him …

After the band’s successful gigs in Bavaria last year, they have been asked back to do a few more. Chris will do a rare solo acoustic gig at Cafe Konrad, Vilsbiburg on Saturday 8th May. Then, after a few days rest, the rest of the band will join him for three gigs the following weekend. Note that Pauline will be in attendance and, hopefully, may be persuaded to rattle her tambourine. Put it this way, it will be in the luggage!!!!

To celebrate 40 years since the release of String Driven Thing’s first single – Another Night in This Old City, Backshop Records are hosting a special, invitation only, House Party at a secret location in Glasgow. Special guests for the evening will be original band members, John Mannion & Pauline Adams. There will be a limited number of invites for fans, so, tell us why you think you should be there by contacting Chester (use the contact page) and the best ones will get their invites.

SxSE
No, not another alternative festival but a 1000mile round trip to London & Cambridge for a gig and two radio sessions. Regular rhythm section, Andy & Dick, were (due to work commitments) unable to make the trip but Ronnie Garrity (bass guitar) & John Bradley (drums) were more than adequate replacements. Chris’s son Robin also joined us on the trip. Read all about it in our diary below and have a swatch at the photovideo of the trip.
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String Driven play NXNW
No, the above is not a typo. The band ventured on a trip during August that may not have had the kudos of SWSW, but everyone agrees that NXNW was equally satisfying. A stripped down version of the band – Chris, George & Andy – crossed the Atlantic to perform at a tiny gig in a small island pub.

Easdale Island has a population of about 70, no shops & no cars but it does have a delightful little venue… The Puffer Bar. With everyone …