"Where Has Spangle Been?"

Some of you have asked where I was between 2006 and 2011. A fair question, and it is an interesting story actually.

As you know, my tours are normally incident packed, and the summer 2006 Spangle Band Reunion World Tour, starting with the South American leg, was certainly no exception! The first night’s gig went very well, and at the post-gig party I was talking to a couple of lovely local ladies and enthusiastically supping the local sparkling “wine”. The rest of the evening is rather hazy, but apparently the Spangle charm was working and one thing may or may not have led to another.

It appears, with hindsight, that I may have mis-read the situation slightly: it turns out that I was not at the after show party at all, but at an official reception. And the ladies in question were, in fact, the feared President’s wife and daughter. Really nothing more than a simple misunderstanding, but it did take four years, a spangle-fanatic guard (thanks Eduardo if you are reading this!) and a microlight flight across the border to sort it out.

It was a shame that we let down the fans by having to cancel the final 237 nights of the tour, but I’m sure anyone who was at the opening night will remember it for years! I’m told it was a stormer, and it was certainly great to be back at the old Club Genocidos los Hombres Indigenos in Cuela del Fecundas again. The best Cocktails for literally miles around, and the outdoor pool is still there (if not the water).

Anyway, we are back rehearsing again and getting ready for another shot at the Christmas number 1. If you want us to play a gig near you, why not add a request below?

Keep on rockin’

Rick x

The Glastonbury dream so close ....

A big Spangle "hello" to all my loyal fans out there.

The dream of playing Glastonbury came so close this year. It basically came down to a straight fight between me and The Wombles for the coveted 70's revival slot. I say a straight fight, but actually they had a numerical advantage and it's amazing how hard you can punch the little buggers without drawing blood. I was on top for a while, but they started to wear me down and (for once) I was quite pleased to see the police arrive!

The damage to the hospitality area was much exaggerated by the press, I'm told, so hopefully the organisers will have forgotten about it by 2013. There is no festival next year, so I can't really see the point of the 12 month exclusion order imposed by the rather square magistrate. I really think they should have seperate courts to deal with the likes of us ... surely different rules should apply to rockers?

Rick x

Hello, it's good to be back!

Massive apologies for the slight 18 month delay in posting. I have been itching to update you all with details of my excitng life and times, but unfortunately court proceedings have prevented me from posting.

How appropriate that just before the world cup kicks off herr 'Richard Spankle' should suffer a humiliating defeat in the German courts and free me to resume my life as the hero of Thames Valley glam rock. My god, the bufoon wears gold trousers for christ sake!

And even better, the damages awarded to me will (after lawyers fees are deducted) keep me in cider for between 17 and 18 days. More details to follow ...

Warum gibt es keine Photographen hier?

Strange

I've just noticed that if you click on "Rick Spangle" in the Favourites Music bit of my profile it fails to come up with any matches amongst other bloggers. I assume that this is a technical fault and will get on to the authorities. It will be a good way to keep in touch directly with the fans.

It's snowing here. Nice.

Rick x

So Here It Is, February

Christmas Single Update: after much research we have found out that releasing a Christmas single in February is technically “stupid”, so I’m afraid you guys are going to have to wait until next year to hear it. However it is not all bad news: I am planning to have a competition later in the year and the winners will be able to come into a room and hear it (one at a time). Good luck ladies!

Thanks to everyone who came along to my Big Birthday Bash. It was apparently a fantastic night, and many things happened. Apologies to those who were locked out due to the mix up over tickets, and to those who were locked in by the unstable caretaker. It was a great shame that I was unable to perform, having been diagnosed by my manager as “tired and emotional” on the evening. Still, if it’s good enough for that shamblebaby chap …

Finally, did you all tune in to the Superbowl to catch me performing in the half-time spectacular? Hopefully not, as there was some confusion at our end and the gig was actually to entertain people queuing in the car park. Ridiculous!! As you can imagine the people couldn’t believe their luck, and joined in the fun by offering me beer as they drove past. Unfortunately some of the cans were empty, and a couple accidentally hit me on the head. Still, at least I got to see the game (in a bar in a nearby town).

Rock on,

Rick x

Rick's Christmas Message

Once again it is time for the traditional Spangle Christmas message. The last year has been almost unique in its similarity to the previous one. The curtailed come-back tour, cancelled Christmas number one single, the loss of another drummer.

A big thank you to all the fans for your support throughout the year: you are what makes it all so special. Christmas is a time for families, and I like to think of all of you as one big spangley family (as long as you don’t all turn up at my place looking for a free glass of Cava and a slice of nut roast on Christmas day!!).

[Note to Spangle: insert something about world peace here – it always looks good. If you can’t think of anything just cut and paste something from Bob’s site]

Have a fantastic time, don’t forget to over-indulge and I look forward to seeing lots of you at Rickstock 2005 in January.

Merry Rickmas!!

RS xxx

Christmas Single Cliffed

I can only apologise that the Christmas single failed to appear in time for Christmas. The legal wrangle with Cliff’s people was unfortunate and (I think) unnecessary, and the injunction a complete over-reaction if what I’m told about my behaviour outside his house is accurate.

Thanks to those of you who came along to the launch party anyway, especially those of you who didn’t know it had been cancelled: your commitment is humbling.

Releasing a Christmas single in February is either revolutionary or very stupid. Once we have worked out which it is we will decide whether to release ‘Christmas Time ….’ ASAP or hold it back until next year. Either way I think it is among my best work for years and can’t wait to share it with you all.

Ho Ho Ho etc.

Rick xx

Ricardos Spanglos in Action (not in Acton)

I have been (anomymously) sent some video footage from my legendary gig at the Club Genocidos los Hombres Indigenos in Cuela del Fecundas on my last South American tour. It will go up on the website once it is finally set up.

It's a smashing venue: outdoors with a swimming pool, palm trees and the finest cocktails this side of Costa Rica. The footage is very entertaining, despite the fact that we only got to play 3 songs.

The riot was most unfortunate. I think the crowd should have made more allowance for my less than perfect Spanish. It was obviously not my intention to tell the crowd that their mothers were whores of Satan. I was actually trying to say that their mothers were 'Whores of Saturn'.

To be honest most of my gigs end like that. Ai caramba (or something)!