Before I begin this blog allow me to introduce myself… I am Mike Porter (keyboard player in the live band Smoove & Turrell) otherwise known as Monkey Nuts, Muppet, The Poo, Ann Widdcombe and general all round daft Geordie mascot.

Music wise:

Just got back from manchester last night – been practising with my bessie mates, the Inspiral Carpets. Im standing in for Clint Boon on Farfisa organ.

Last week was my son Jude’s first birthday – Happy Birthday son.

I was in the studio Andy Talyor of Duran Duran. played piano, Hammond and Farfisa on his new album, which is sounding class – canny psychedelic. I was asked to play in the styles of Mclagan, Auger, Manzarek. Obviously all kiddaz with good hair sense.

Smoove asked me not to mention soccer so I wont…………WHO says soccer anyway!

Football:

NUFC in Europe next year…..?

Hopefully Emma, our manager(ess) will be booking our European gigs around NUFC’s European fixtures next year.

Especially Italy if its after June as the new Stone Island 30th Edition A/W 12 will be out. hopefully get to gig near Mr Carlo Rivetti’s head office in Ravarino, Italy.

Clobber:

Check out the 3 anniversary pieces, an exhibition and a book, to celebrate 30 years of Stone Island:

http://www.stoneisland.co.uk/features/30th-anniversary-pieces/page/30thanpreview/

Just got a belta pair of Nigel Cabourn Army Plimsoles courtesy of my wife Stina.

Cheers to 80’s Casuals for the Cagoule – had my eyes on it for ages – proper functional terrace wear. Ideal for climbing around the keyboards.

Vintage Synths and organs:

Anyone who knows me know im a bit of a collector when it comes to vintage instruments – especially old analogue gear.

My latest vintage synths added to my collection this week are:

Logan String Machine, Roland SH1000 and a DX7 (the later not a true analogue – more FM synthesis – still got some canny sounds in) (already got all 3 of these – but got another 3)

Recent trips:

A few weeks back went to Craig Charles’s Funk and Soul Show in Manchester with about 30 geordies. (on my mate Gash’s stag doo)

A massive thanks to Craig for actually helping to carry wor Youngn (my brother David Porter – Smoove and Turrell’s No.1 roadie (we only have one!) off the pavement outside and into his dressing room.

rant over n oot, till next time…

Mike the Poo Porter x

In Deep – single available now on 12″ vinyl & digital

25th May 2012 – The Place – St Petersbourgh – Russia DJ/PA SET
26th May 2012 – Cult Club – Moscow  Russia DJ/PA SET

tickets for liverpool show available from  https://www.ticketline.co.uk/order/tickets/13270740/smoove-and-turrell-liverpool-leaf-2012-06-15-19-30-00

the following night we are playing in preston

tickets from : http://www.vintagefestival.co.uk/

tickets from : http://www.themagicloungeabout.net/

tickets from www.kosmos-travel.com

Tickets from : www.corbridge-festival.co.uk

More upcoming dates:

5th May 2012 – Anglesley – Wales – Private booking DJ/PA SET
11th May 2010 – Lile – France DJ/PA SET
12th May 2012 – Design & Urban Festival – Rzeszow – Poland  LIVE BAND
18th May 2012 – Thesaloniki – Greece DJ/PA SET
19th May 2012 – Jazz on the lake – Amsterdam DJ/PA SET
25th May 2012 – The Place – St Petersbourgh – Russia DJ/PA SET
26th May 2012 – Cult Club – Moscow  Russia DJ/PA SET
15th June – Leaf Tea Shop – Liverpool LIVE BAND
16th June – Preston LIVE BAND TBC
23rd June – Berlin – Germany DJ/PA SET TBC
29th June – San Pellegrino Festival – Umag -Croatia DJ/PA SET
7th July 2012 – Tynedale Park Festival – Corbridge DJ/PA SET
15th July 2012 – Vintage Festival – Northamptonshire LIVE BAND
27th July 2012 – Magic Roundabout Festival LIVE BAND
4th Aug 2012 – Spraoi Festival – Ireland LIVE BAND
5th Aug 2012 – Spraoi Festival – Ireland LIVE BAND
12th Oct 2012 – Newcastle – Private Booking LIVE BAND
15th dec 2012 – Hoochie Coochie – Newcastle LIVE BAND XMAS BASH

more events http://www.smooveandturrell.com/blog/?page_id=406

Video was filmed courtesy of Band On The Wall and special thanks goes to Craig Charles Funk & Soul monthly club night.

Smoove & Turrell from Band on the Wall on Vimeo.

First up  is the slick Mark Lowry backroom remix of “Slowdown” .North East DJ/Producer Mark Lowry, resident DJ at Newcastle’s Shindig for over 10 years, In house production nerd for UMT Academy!

FREE DOWNLOAD HERE :

Next up is the tight rework of “In Deep” remixed by City In The Distance (The Cassidy Brothers from Smoove & Turrell live band).

FREE DOWNLOAD HERE :