Dave Sharp was recently asked by one of his favourite venues, Rockers in Glasgow, if he'd like to perform some Alarm songs for an upcoming evening concert. Surprisingly Dave agreed to the event.

We asked Dave for a few words about the show and he replied asking us to publish his comments below .....

"I've always felt that it would be spiritually challenging for me to play the Alarm's music without the four of us being together and so, until now, I've turned down hundreds of offers to do so.

Late last year I had an opportunity to spend a little time with Mike when we met for the voice-overs for the Spirit of 86 re-release DVD.
I think both of us were pleasantly surprised to find how well we got along whilst re-visiting The Alarm's UCLA gig and the times surrounding it.
We were able to talk through so many things we'd not had an opportunity to discuss after the accrimonious split of the band in 1991, and watching the performance together with Mike was a very healing, cathartic and positive experience for me.

I was appoached by "H" and the folks at Rockers recently, who have been a very supportive venue to both my solo career and my work with the Alarm. They have often asked if I would like to perform some Alarm songs in concert for them and when they approached me this time, following the Spirit of 86 dvd release, I was surprised to find myself warming to the idea and even more surprised to find myself agreeing to consider it...
The Alarm and The Tartan has always been a magic mix!!!

Mike and I recently had a very positive discussion about my playing Alarm songs again after all this time. I voiced my concerns that folks should not see
this upcoming concert as an intrusion into all the great work Mike has been doing in keeping the name and spirit of the original band alive.
Mike was very supportive, positive and encouraging so I'd like to take this opportunity to emphasize that this project is in no way intended to be a replacement for the original band and to say also that I truly hope it will be something that will add positively to all the good work Mike is doing so effectively with The Alarm mmviii.

I contacted an old friend, drummer Simon Smith, and asked him to help me to put together a band of intuitive musicians who are able to express themselves through the chemistry and spirituality of the music.
He introduced me to Wayne Perry (lead vocalist with Omkara), Dave Brown (bass player with One Way System and Tom Szakarly (keyboard player with Shanghai and occasionally Keith Emerson).
I decided to chose the name "AOR" for the project, an acronym for "Alarm Oriented Rock" which I thought would be appropriate.
The focus of the show will be a selection of The Alarm's album songs.

I'm most definitely excited and looking forward to playing electric guitar on The Alarm's music again.

I do hope all who choose to attend the show will share a wonderful and joyous evening of music and that it will reflect the harmony and friendship I feel towards Mike, Ed and Nige.

Above all I hope the evening will do justice to the memory of the wonderful times we all shared with the best rock & roll band in the world... "The Alarm."

God Bless us all.
Dave"

The performance will take place at Rockers in Glasgow on Friday 18 April.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day from all of us here at davesharp.org and the Dave Sharp Myspace crew!

We’re happy to announce that Dave will be staying on an extra night in Scotland following the AOR show at Rockers in Glasgow.

Dave will be playing at The Turf Inn in Dalry with his good friends, The Junkyard Dawgs (MySpace)
His set will feature a selection of Woody Guthrie songs commemorating 40 years of the spirit of Woody Guthrie ahead of his tour with The Hard Travelers in May.

For those who choose to attend the AOR show at Rockers, PLEASE NOTE: There will be an after-show party at the venue, bar until 3:00 a.m. featuring live music from The Fakes.

During a break from AOR rehearsals, Dave asked us to post the following comments:

“I’ve been rehearsing a set of Alarm album songs for the past 10 days.
It has been a wonderful experience to feel Mike’s spirit flowing back into my heart as I listen to his voice and his lyrics.
I’m very much looking forward to stepping out on stage in Glasgow and sharing the music of The Alarm with you all once again.
The members of AOR have asked me to pass on to you the pride they feel in being invited to take part in the show. It will be a beautiful & intimate weekend and I hope that some of you will be able to stay up North with me for the extra show in Dalry with my very good friends, The Dawgs.

Happy St Patrick’s Day to you all.”

Dave Sharp

Well, Folks, here we all are then. The AOR and myself did our final rehearsal last night and we're firing on all five cylinders.
It has been a magical experience breathing new life into the music of The Alarm. It's been a wondrous journey for me, and many a tear has been shed along the way as the music re-awakens all the wonderful memories and emotions experienced with Mike, Ed and Nige.
I'd like you to meet the band that is proud to play The Alarm Album Songs in Glasgow on Friday night.
From left to right: Mr Tom Szakaly (Hammond Organ, piano), Mr Dave Black (bass guitar, vox), Mr Dave Sharp (lead guitar, vox), Mr Wayne Parry (lead vox), Mr Si Smith (drums).

We're all very excited and proud. This sure feels like one hell of a band! Looking forward to seeing you all in God's country. Bless you one and all.
Dave Sharp

Any idea of the timelines for the gig?
One of my mates is hoping to make it along but he won't finish work till late and wants to know when the boys will be on stage and then maybe he can rearrange things and get along to see the gig.

Any ideas ?

James

As far as I know 9-9.30ish.

great pics from last nights gig by glasgow doug over on the hack...

how good does this look :-) ...


http://hackenbushherald.freeforums.org/dave-sharp-rockers-photos-t1053.html



.

Click on the picture to go to a wee slidesshow

Dawn Chorus Live @ Rockers

Only one I got. Enjoy

It was really a magical night, one that almost brought a tear to my eye on 3 or 4 separate occasions as these wonderful songs were played live for the first time in who knows how long.

As I was travelling over on Thursday night and Friday morning, I was saying to myself "I must be out of my F---ing mind to be doing this." But it was worth it every minute and every penny of the journey. Lily and I may have come the greatest distance, but alot of folks did quite a bit of "Hard Travelin" themselves to get up to Glasgow.

For those of us who were fortunate enough to stick around for the Saturday gig at the Turf Inn in Dalry, Dave underwent the transformation from rock god guitarist to veteran bluesman seemingly overnight. He fit right into The Junkyard Dawgs, and we were all treated to two sets of everything from Sharp originals to covers of Dylan, Guthrie, and Stevie Ray Vaughn. All that was missing from an otherwise perfect weekend would have been a set or two of Dave acoustic. It really makes you realize how gifted and versatile a performer Dave really is.

Finally, I'd like to send a special thanks to my new best friend Julian who gave Ned, Vix, and me a ride back into Glasgow last night. The last train was at 23:30, and without him, chances are we were walking the 25 miles back to Glasgow. Cheers!

It really was a special weekend, and I don't know about you, but one that I will cherish for a lifetime.

Missed the gig as I was on holiday,but a friend told me it was a great night and Dave took the time to talk to everyone for photos etc,so I'M a bit miffed at missing out.

Gutted I missed this. Also on holiday. Thanks for uploading the photos / the youtube clip was amazing..

So this isnt going to to be a one off is it..???

...And dont suppose something further south would be on the cards??? ;-)

Absolutely echo all of the above. Glasgow Doug thanks for everything and for making us all so welcome in your city. Fantastic seeing everyone for a such a special show that will live in Alarm history.
I may have the order wrong on 1 or 2, but the set list was:
Permanence In Change
Hardland
Dawn Chorus
Prison Bars
Presence of Love
Black Sun
Knife Edge
Devolution
The Road
Rain In The Summertime
Sold Me
Strength
Rockin In The Free World
68
Rescue Me

Just seen AOR's attempt at 68guns from the gig - sorry to burst everyones bubble who went to the gig but it was an embarresment/insult to the memory of Sharp's involvement with The Alarm. The singer - not knowing the song had to have the lyrics held up, even then to say his timing was off would be an understatement.
Appreciate that other parts of the gig must have been a treat but for me to see that song Sooo poorly delivered does NOT get the thumbs up!
Stuhums68guns

Stuhums - So glad you posted.

I was at the gig last week and whilst it must be said that Dave's own performance was absolutely stunning, I was very disappointed with (Warren) the singer's performance.

I realise that with everyone being caught up in the post-gig euphoria, I may well be deemed controversial, but I found myself cringing more than once at the singer's inability to remember the words to the songs that mean so much to people who have loved them for 20 years +

Again, I reiterate that the band, especially Mr Sharp, were superb, but I drove the 50 miles or so home to Edinburgh feeling a little bit let down.

I suppose last Friday hammered home the fact that whilst Dave is missed from the "Mark Two" band, we are very very fortunate to have Mike still out there giving his all and doing what he does best.

YAWN...