Welcome to our news page!
Just in case you have heard the rumours, yes it is true that Paul, sadly, is leaving the band at the end of this year as he has successfully qualified for the Police and will be based in Reading. We are already holding auditions for his replacement so we guarantee no gigs will be affected and we are available, as ever, for new bookings.
SEPTEMBER GIGS
After Jo returned from a well earned break in late August/ early September, JJB got back to it on Saturday 13th Sept at the wedding of Susan & Paul, held at Bedlington Social Club. Over 300 guests were invited (and all turned up), so the evening was as lively as it gets. Being true rockers at heart, Susan & Paul’s requests included the likes of Ozzy, Green Day, Guns n’ Roses, so it’s fair to say we raised the roof. It was a great night and we were made to feel very welcome. So thanks again to Susan & Paul for allowing us to share their special day!
September 20th brought another wedding, this time at a great venue in Newcastle called ‘As You Like It’ to celebrate Fiona & Gerry’s marriage. We were asked to play our 2 sets later in the evening after their guests had finished what looked to be a gorgeous buffet (the aroma of sticky toffee pudding as we were about to start was almost unbearable!), so everyone seemed very keen to dance by the time we came onstage. It was fantastic to see everyone head for the dance floor as soon as we stuck our first note! We had a wonderful evening and again were very lucky to be made feel so welcome by everyone. Our best wishes go to Fiona & Gerry for a very happy future together.
September 26th sawJJB return to The Ox & Plough in Washington. As ever, we received a great reception from staff and punters alike, who definitely know how to enjoy themselves. Also as you will see from gig listing, following such a good night, we have now been asked back to play Friday 26th December, so make a note of that one…it is the perfect excuse to leave the family get together that bit earlier!
JJB made a debut appearance at The Royalty in Sunderland on 28th September. It is a good sized venue for bands with vey friendly, enthusiastic staff. Although a Sunday night, we still had a great turn out with quite a few familiar faces in the audience. Hopefully we will be heading back there soon…
Gigs coming up which we definitely recommend are 31st October at The Daisy Hill, always a great venue, and 1st November at The Newfield Inn... it's Halloween, so a great excuse to get dressed up and party! We intend to...
AUGUST GIGS by Paul
3rd – Luma
JJB were back at what has become a regular venue in the centre of Sunderland, Luma. Luma is a great, modern bar in the heart of the city with friendly, helpful staff and responsive audience who know & appreciate their music.
18th - The Ropery
Our debut appearance at this bar and restaurant set in a converted riverside rope factory.
It’s an excellent venue for live bands. We were joined by John & Lynda Tobler in the audience. John is a highly successful music journalist, writer, occasional broadcaster, and both he & Lynda run ‘The Road Goes On Forever’ recording label. All in all a great gig was had by the band even when I managed to knock over Brian's new 40th Anniversary Strat which didn't have a mark on it from new! Drummers eh!
20th – Charity darts match at the Pioneer Social Club, Annitsford.
JJB were asked to provide the end of night entertainment after the Ladies’ Darts Final. Being as the night was in support of a great cause –Leukemia, we of course were pleased to waive our fee, that’s just the great bunch of people we are!! We all had a great night, even for a weekday gig! This could be due to our free run of the splendid buffet.
24th - Wedding at Ramside Hall
We were recommended to the happy couple, Stewart and Amanda, by their friend John Bowrie from the Daisy Hill. It was a pleasure to play at such a well organised wedding, the atmosphere was great, with two sets of rock and pop, keeping the dance floor full!
A good mixture of gigs for us this month then, which will be followed in Sept by some more weddings and a trip back to one of our old haunts, the Ox and Plough.
HOLIDAYS!
July is holiday time for JJB and here are some photo's to prove it!
Brian has just returned from 2 weeks in sunny Spain with Jan. The big news is they got engaged and are to be married on November 8th! Apparently they are looking for a good band to play at their evening do, if anyone knows one...
CONGRATULATIONS to you both, from the rest of JJB!!!
Paul (yes that really is him) chilling out at his folks place in Bourg de Visa, France..it's near Toulouse!
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And here is Joe, not taking it quite so easy, somewhere high up in the Alps!
More photo's coming soon... 
JUNE GIGS by Paul!
June 6th – Ox & Plough,
After a four month break 6th June saw a welcome return to The Ox & Plough for JJB. A is usual, the pub was full with punters looking for some good music, which we like to deliver!
A great night was had by the Band and the audience too, if the jumping floor was any kind of indicator! There were even a few JJB followers who’d travelled from further afield, much appreciated folks! All in all another cracking night at The Ox.
June 7th Wedding at the Little Haven Hotel South Shields
The very next night saw JJB at the Little Haven Hotel at the mouth of the Tyne, having been recommended at very short notice by our trusty stand in bassist, Mr Alan O’Neill, to provide the music at Laura and James’ wedding. A great mixture of tunes young and old, including a special request for the bride and groom, meant that everyone was able to get up on the floor and get rocking! The band thoroughly enjoyed the gig, especially the excellent buffet!
June 12th Easy Street Chester le Street
Next week we were back again to what is always a great venue, Easy Street in Chester le Street. A short hop for some of us the Thursday night crowd was boosted by some family and friends from the local area. And also the regulars from the Ox and Plough!
Easy Street is a great, intimate venue with excellent acoustics and is always a great place to play, even on a school night!
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MAY GIGS by Jo
MAY 4th saw JJB heading north to The Ship Inn, at Newton-by-The-Sea, Alnwick. What a fantastic place, hidden away along the coastline, with amazing views of Dunstanburgh Castle, just minutes away from the picturesque villages of Craster and Beadnell. The weather wasn’t great for a bank holiday weekend, but thankfully it didn’t put the locals and tourists off! It was jam packed with people of all ages. Even the local boxer dog joined in (we didn’t get a name unfortunately). Well done to Max for his amazing air guitar, Brian couldn’t have managed without you, and special thanks to Hannah and family for inviting us along in the first place. The Ship Inn really does know now to rock, and hopefully we will be heading back there soon!
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JJB had just enough time to recharge their batteries and appeared back at Easy Street, in Chester-le-Street, on Bank Holiday Monday, MAY 5th. We were asked to play straight after the Newcastle v Chelsea match, to conclude an afternoon of music and football. Unfortunately it wasn’t the right result for the black and whites, but the fun continued nonetheless and we provided a good mix of rock to see out the Bank holiday weekend.
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JJB were delighted to be asked back to play at a garden party in St Helen’s Auckland, Bishop Auckland, having played there last year, to celebrate Cheryl’s birthday on MAY 11th. Our luck was definitely in this year, with the weather being exceptionally good. The barbecue was fantastic, as ever, and the alcohol was flowing (particularly well from the fab cocktail fountain). Stacks of family, friends and thankfully most of the neighbours joined in and ate, drank and danced the afternoon away. In fact they were still going strong when we left. Happy Birthday Cheryl, we hope you had a good one!
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And finally…what better way to finish the month than to be back at The Newfield Inn at Pelton on MAY 31st! We were so pleased to be asked back by Jane and co. as this crowd really does know how to party. As ever, the place was packed and we received a great reception. Even a short power cut wasn’t enough to spoil the fun! With lots of audience participation, some dancing on the pool table and some dodgy drum playing from Jo, the night passed all too quickly! Jane even provided a free Indian meal during the break. What more could you ask for? If you haven’t been already, with live music every weekend and the friendliest staff you could wish for, this place really is worth a visit.
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