The Paranoid Squirrel ep 405

On this week’s show we have Bernie Tormé and The Broken Chords recorded live at The Borderline in London, although Bernie’s Brighton encore, recorded a week earlier, does actually finish things off. I will always sight two guitarists as being hugely influential. Captain Sensible being one, the other; Bernie Tormé. Bernie really does have a real unique sound and playing style, highly distinctive. When I first heard Zakk Wylde playing with Ozzy Osbourne I immediately thought he’d grown up listening to Gillan albums and the live Ozzy bootleg recordings of when Bernie was brought in to finish off Ozzy’s touring commitments in the States after Randy Rhodes’ tragic death.

2014 has been a great year if you a Bernie Tormé fan. A fan funded double CD “Flowers and Dirt” which reached the 100% mark within 24 hours finally ending at 418% and a tour, a proper full on Bernie Tormé Tour! Two dates were penned in for myself, The Squirrel and squirrel associate Arkwright; Brighton on the 22^nd and London 29^th (Unfortunately Arkwright missed the London gig as he was rehearsing with his own band). Two great nights, with Bernie’s sons joining him on stage in Brighton for a run though of “Paranoid”. In London it was the turn of a guest pledger to join Berne, drummer Ian Harris and bassist Chris Heilmann for a cover of Hendrix’s “Fire”.

If you’re quick off the mark you can see Bernie at The Clundy, Newcastle tonight (1^st Nov) or if Scotland is where you reside he’s with you on the 13^th, 14^th and 15^th.

In other news I talk about clashing gigs; Johnny Moped versus Stonewall Noise Orchestra/Goat Leaf. Looks like the Mopeds will have my patronage as the doors don’t open until 9pm for S*N*O. The Squirrel doesn’t call me Armerella for nothing……