Gin Pit - Hot News

 

1st September 2024 GIN PIT have stopped playing gigs after 1st September 2024. Singer Max is still running his own guitar tech business, noting customers such as the Courteeners, Oasis' Bonehead, The Ting Tings and The Lottery Winners - check him out at www.cottamguitars.co.uk. Guitarist Dave is playing in the ACOUSTIC Status Quo tribute aQuoStick, while bass player Steve & drummer Jon are looking at other opportunities. Thanks so much for supporting us over the past 11 years - Max, Dave, Steve & Jon

Sat 10th Aug 2024 GIN PIT are at the Party @ Parkside, Golborne Parkside Sports and Community Club, Rivington avenue, Golborne, WA3 3HG Music from 12 noon to midnight via a number of DJ's across the main room and outdoor stage. GIN PIT live band are on the outdoor stage at 1pm & 3pm, with the Wigan Ukulele Band in the main room. From 5pm the theme is dance music with hours of clubland and house music, from Kelly Llorenna, Jenna Lee, Rececca Rudd and Karen Parry. Please note all outdoor activity will end at 9pm Party @ Parkside event & tickets page

June 8th 2024 "Happy Birthday to me!" Gin Pit are 11 years old in June 2024 and have done around 400 gigs since we played our first gig on June 8th 2013. Many thanks again to all the venues & festivals that have booked & rebooked us

Sept 2023 Introducing GIN PIT's new drummer Jon Kelly - Jon started playing the drums when he was 7 after hearing Led Zeppelin's Whole Lotta Love on the radio. He played at school in orchestras, school plays and young rock bands. As an adult he started as the resident drummer in a Social Club in Widnes, playing there for over 7 years. In 1989 joined Mel C's mother in her band T Junction (mum also did a Tina Turner Tribute), then with Fat Al's Attraction from Warrington. From 2003 Jon was with the excellent SwampStompers blues/rock band for 10 years. After which he joined the Hydra rock band in 2019. Some drummers that really influenced Jon are Ian Paice, John Bonham, Buddy Rich, Steve Gadd and Dave Weckl. John takes over from Neil Tomlinson, who is leaving us to join what's looking like a great new INXS tribute band. Neil's been a brilliant drummer with us for 7 years and we wish him all the best

Sat 26th Aug 2023 Gin Pit played Sat 26th Aug at GOTHVW - Gathering Off the Hill - Astle Park, Chelford A family orientated, fun-filled, weekend for Volkswagen enthusiasts of all ages www.gothvw.co.uk [tickets for 2023 SOLD OUT] See videos from GOTHVW on our YOUTUBE channel

Feb 20th 2023 After lockdown - which felt like nearly 2 years of being away - its great to have people showing interest in what we do again. Thank you so much! Maybe it won't take 2 years to get to 1000 now?

Feb 5th 2023 Gin Pit's IT department (2, if you count the dog) has updated our WEB site - about time he woke up! He's gone all mobiley friendly, and also added a new YOUTUBE channel, with new videos of Gin Pit, old videos of Gin Pit, and blasts from the past from various bands we have previously been in (viewer discretion is advised). Wanna see our drummer Neil on BBC TV in 1981?

Dec 31st 2022 New Years Eve, GIN PIT back again for another NYE gig at The Wizards Hollow Rock & Biker Bar, Saddleworth - www.facebook.com/Wizardshollow

Aug 2022 NEW SINGER: Max Cottam joined Gin Pit. Max had been playing in his own band Hard to Handle for the last 20+ years, along with running Jam Nights around the North West. As our frontman, singer and joint lead guitarist, Max lends a new twist to the Gin Pit band. He's a full time guitar tech as well, noting customers such as the Courteeners, Oasis' Bonehead, The Ting Tings and The Lottery Winners - check him out at www.cottamguitars.co.uk

Dec 30th 2021 GIN PIT at the Christmas Party for The Harley Davidson Rider's Club in Cumbria

Nov 5th 2021 Another great night for GIN PIT at The Old Black Bull (TOBB), Preston. Not only did our drummer Neil get proposed to by Julie, but we also had Frank & Julie Knight join us again, for Frank to sing a few songs. Singer/songwriter Frank has toured with AC/DC's drummer Chris Slade, and has performed all over the world with many great bands, including Milan's well known "Alto Voltaggio" ("High Voltage" in Italian) Many thanks Frank, you absolutely rocked the place! Videos from TOBB here Here are brilliant YouTube clips of Frank Knight ...and another on YouTube featuring Chris Slade & Frank Knight

July 3rd 2021 MILESTONES With what feels like years off due to Covid-19, we finaly played our 300th gig at Dobbies Sport & Social Club, Radcliffe. Loved it, and now back there again in December

Feb 8th 2020 "31st Bent & Bongs Beer Bash" at North West Roller Sports, Bolton Road, Atherton, M46 9JQ. The event is over three days: APPROX BAND TIMES Thursday 6th Feb - night: The Hats Friday 7th Feb - night: The Three Saturday 8th Feb - 1pm to 4pm: Big Red and the Grinners Saturday 8th Feb - 4pm to 8pm: Gin Pit See this YouTube Video for footage of Gin Pit at B&BBB in 2019

Nov 16 2019 GIN PIT played at the Boothstown Beer Festival, 4 pm till 11pm. Held at Boothstown Royal British Legion on Friday 15th & Saturday 16th November 2019

Aug 23rd 2019 GIN PIT played outside Eadie's (74 Albert Road, Colne, BB8 0AG) at the Great British Rhythm and Blues Festival, Colne The festival draws thousands of visitors from all over the world, alongside many, many local and UK based music-lovers. The Great British Rhythm & Blues Festival returns to Colne for the 30th year, hosted by Colne Town Council

May 26th 2019 UK BikeFest 2019: EUROPE'S BIGGEST INDOOR BIKE FESTIVAL MANCHESTER SONS OF ANARCHY SPECIAL with TOMMY FLANAGAN & KIM COATES BEC Arena (Bowlers Exhibition Centre) May 24th to 26th Longbridge Road, Trafford Park, Manchester, M17 1SN YouTube: Promo Video Check out the pictures of GIN PIT at UK BikeFest

May 25th 2019 "EagleFest": GIN PIT are at Eagle & Child, Whitefield for their annual Music Festival on May bank holiday Saturday. from 3pm Onwards - outside BBQ “Beg to Differ” - “Katie Rhodes” - “Maria & James” - “ZACKoustic” - “Jennifer Rice”- “MoonCandy” and Headlining at 9pm “THE GIN PIT” The Eagle & Child, Whitefield, Manchester, M45 7EY

Feb 16th 2019 MILESTONES: We play our 250th gig back again at The Punch Bowl, Atherton. Loved it the last time we played there at "PunchFest" on August bank holiday - their annual charity music festival raising money for Dementia UK. The Punch Bowl, Atherton, WN2 3AY - Saturday 16th Feb

Feb 2nd 2019 "30th Bent N' Bongs Beer Bash" at North West Roller Sports, Bolton Road, Atherton, M46 9JQ. The event is on Thursday 31st January, Friday 1st February & Saturday 2nd February, with GIN PIT on Saturday 2nd around 5:30 till 8:30 (closes 9pm Saturday). Please check web links for opening times See this YouTube Video for 2019 footage of GIN PIT

Sept 22nd 2018 "Beer & Cider Festival", The Old Hall Inn & Paper Mill Whitehough, High Peak SK23 6EJ. From Midday till 11pm. GIN PIT on from 8pm.

Aug 26th 2018 "PunchFest" - August 26th, bank holiday Sunday, GIN PIT are playing The Punchbowl Atherton's annual charity music festival, Punchfest. This is a FREE event raising money for Dementia UK NOTE: GIN PIT are now due on at 7pm The Punch Bowl, Atherton, WN2 3AY

July 14th/15th 2018 GIN PIT are playing on the MAIN STAGE at the Hale Barns Carnival 2018. Its a two day event on 14th & 15th July - with Gin Pit playing on Sunday 15th at 3pm - just before the start of the WORLD CUP FINAL being shown! Hale Barns Carnival is a community event which features weekend market, animal displays, funfair, classic and super cars, live attractions and amazing entertainment. Last year it had over 10,000 visitors over the weekend, this year they are going even bigger, with BBC Radio broadcasting live from the event St Ambrose Playing fields, Hale Road, Hale Barns, WA15 0HF Watch actor John Challis ("Boycie", Only Fool & Horses) YouTube: Carnival Promo Video and watch actor Shaun Williamson ("Barry" from Eastenders) YouTube: Carnival WORLD CUP FINAL PROMO

July 14 2018 Oldham Rugby Union Football Club, Manor Park, OL8 2TJ - family fun activities throughout the day, with GIN PIT playing from 7pm

June 8th 2018 "Happy Birthday to me!" Gin Pit are 5 years old in June 2018 and have played 220+ gigs since we played our first gig on June 8th 2013. Many thanks again to all the venues & festivals that have booked & rebooked us

May 28th 2018 GIN PIT played on the MAIN STAGE at the Darwen LIVE Festival 2018. Its a two day event on the end of May Bank Holiday - with Gin Pit on Monday 28th at 2pm. Darwen Live is one of the Biggest FREE to Attend Music Festivals in the UK and takes place annually. It presents 100’s of musicians, at many venues in and around the town centre. Last year the police estimated that the festival brought around 30,000 people into Darwen over the weekend and they had 4,000 people at the main stage SUNDAY 27th MAIN STAGE (1pm till 10pm) Tarantino Disco, 3 Minute Window, Evil Pink Machine, Bradford, The Laurens, Covered in Punk, Janet Devlin, The Soul Convicts, Lancashire Hotpots, Paul Young MONDAY 28th MAIN STAGE (1pm till 9pm) Angels & Bandits, Gin Pit, Kerri Watt, Breaking Waves, Millie Manders & the Shut up, Electro 80's, The Ordinary Boys, Grace Davies (X-Factor), John Powers (Cast, The La's)

May 27th 2018 Here we are getting ready to start, back again at the "LostFest" Festival - Lostock St Gerard's Football Ground, Wateringpool Lane, Lostock Hall, PR5 5UA, Sunday 27th May - Midday till 8pm - GIN PIT on at 4pm - now in its 8th Year, with PR5, Ruth Naylor, Restless Angels, Gin Pit, Deepwater Blue & Outsmarted

Jan 2018 GIN PIT playing at the Horseshoe Bar at Blackpool Pleasure Beach in January! T'was a cold and wintry night complete with hailstorm (and that's not another band). Take a look at the pics way down on our Pictures Page

Dec 31st 2017 New Year's Eve 2017 found us doing a Carry on Dubbin! Playing at the VW New Year’s Eve Camp in Cheshire. T'was well organised inside a large greenhouse and we had a great time. Take a look at the photos way down on our Pictures Page

Sept 2017 Here's introducing our newest band member, drummer Neil Tomlinson. In the late 70's, Neil recorded with Chris Sievey & The Freshies (later known by his character "Frank Sidebottom"), and was on the 1982 record "Jilted John" and the 1986 Richard Derbyshire song "Living in a box". In 1984 he played with the Eurythmics for 5 shows when their regular drummer was ill. After a spell with a few tribute bands - AC/DC, Kiss & Free - Neil was in more recent years with 5th Element, The Wrangling & Zero Gravity. Neil replaces Allan, our founder drummer, who leaves to pursue other music projects with his passion for playing original music. All our best wishes and thanks to Allan, who is a truly brilliant drummer And thanks also to drummer Simon Moore, who has played with us at quite a few gigs recently. Simon is a professional drummer who tours regularly with Ruby Turner, and has worked with artists such as Jools Holland, Ian Brown, JLS, The Christians and Jocelyn Brown. Videos of Neil drumming with The Freshies on TV back in 1981 are on our YouTube channel

Aug 5th 2017 Well, when we got a very polite text from Frank Knight asking if he could come along to our Whittles, Oldham gig and sing some AC/DC songs with us, we where hardly likely to say no thanks! Singer/songwriter Frank has toured with AC/DC's drummer Chris Slade, and has performed all over the world with many great bands Many thanks Frank, you made our night/week/year! ...and here's a great YouTube clip of "Alto Voltaggio" featuring Chris Slade & Frank Knight

July 15th 2017 Winwick Carnival, Winwick Leisure Centre Grounds, Warrington, WA2 8LQ. Midday till 5pm, with GIN PIT on around mid afternoon. Fun for all the family, acts, fairground, live music! Entrance is £1.50 in adv, £2 on gate. Kids under 10 are free! ...and later that evening around 9pm we are then at The Eagle & Child in Billinge!

May 28th 2017 "LostFest" Festival - Lostock St Gerard's Football Ground, Wateringpool Lane, Lostock Hall, PR5 5UA, Sunday 28th May - Midday till 8pm - GIN PIT on around 4:45pm - now in its 7th Year. Desolation Row - Chasing Crows - Off The Rails - Toca Bonito - Gin Pit - Deepwater Blue - The Outsmarted

April 2017 You may remember the launch of GIN PIT beer in 2014 by AllGates Brewery. Well, GIN PIT's now also become a new "Imperial Russian Stout" available from Manchester micro brewery Beer Nouveau - at 8.9% proof it should hit the spot! If you want to see more about our band's name see About the Band's Name

Aug 29th 2016 GIN PIT to play Glastonbury! Not quite - its "Glaston-Bury" - that fine annual fund raising event in Bury which raises many thousands for Bury Hospice. August Bank Holiday Monday 29th June

Aug 21st 2016 at the “Cogheads” MCC - Bike Club Fun Day, in the car park at the rear of The Arndale Centre, Accrington. "Thank you so much for playing at our Cogheads MCC bike show and family funday. You were fantastic." - CB, Accrington - facebook

June 17th 2016 Looking forward to Friday 17th June at the George & Dragon, Leigh. Nice outdoor stage, on from 9pm.

April 2016 Thanks for over 500 LIKES on our Facebook Page. Our new "My Sharona" video also got loads of shares and has now had 1100+ views on facebook, with another 570+ via YouTube.

April 30th 2016 Beer & Music Festival at The Railway Inn, Chorley, PR6 0RD. Runs from 29th April till 2nd May, with GIN PIT on Saturday Night from 9pm

Oct 31st 2015 MILESTONES: We played our 100th gig this weekend, back again for the 5th time at The Blue Bell, Warrington. Just missed this happening the week before at Iain & Shelly's The Hindley Arms (99th gig) where we played our 50th gig milestone last year! It would have been spooky if it could all have happened on Halloween night too! The old "out-by-one" error that Dave keeps managing to find on his guitar too...

June 22nd 2015 Listen out for Gin Pit on Monday 22nd June between 10pm and 11pm the "featured band" on the Moorlands Rock show on Moorlands Radio 103.7fm

Jan 2015 Thanks to the BOLTON NEWS who wrote an item on Gin Pit on 22nd January 2015, having spotted that we are playing at The Brass Cat Churchgate, Bolton on Sunday 1st March. The article was also published in the BURY TIMES and the LANCASHIRE TELEGRAPH the same week [click here to enlarge paper]

Dec 13th 2014 Gin Pit are back again at The Boulevard, Wigan on Sat 13th December - one of our favourite venues with an excellent in-house PA, sound engineer and lights. It's their 8th Birthday Weekend (must take a cake), and we are already booked back at The Boulevard for more dates in 2015

Oct 18th 2014 Pendle RDA (Riding for the Disabled Association) once again hold a 24 hour sponsored ride on "Pride" - the mechanical horse. Last year this charity raised £3324.63 at their first event. This year they have the Guinness Book of Records in attendance. Starts Saturday 18th October through till Sunday 19th. Gin Pit play early evening on Saturday 18th. www.facebook.com/pendleRDA YouTube "Pride" Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORsAW3qclTA Much love to all the members of Gin Pit who played an awesome gig for Pendle RDA, you were fabulous, thanks - Event Organiser, Pendle RDA

Aug 29th 2014 Gin Pit are on at the Wigan Live Festival at The Tudor, New Market Street, Wigan, WN1 1SE

July 2014 Sat 19th July - Gin Pit play the Widows Sons MBA National Biker's Rally, Canberra Club, Samlesbury Aerodrome. "Saw you last night at Canberra and you are excellent lady you have one hell of a voice and the band can play brilliantly. When I normally hear a band announce they are about to play hendrix I normally head for the exit, what great rendition female vocals against your top man on the axe you did that song and Jimmy proud. I'm from London so if you ever get down this way I want to know." BGB (facebook) "You were brilliant." AB (Event Organiser, Facebook)

June 2014 Gin Pit played at the Leigh RUFC Beer Festival on Friday night 13th June between 7 and 10pm - outdoor stage

May 2014 Gin Pit played at the NW Triples Biker's Rally held at the Coast Riders Diner, Blackpool, on Sat night 10th "Cheers David, Dee and the rest of the band for providing the music at the NW Triples Rally last night. Great night had by all!" - TB, NW Triples

May 2014 Fri 2nd May - Gin Pit play the Burnley Blues Festival, New York Stage at the Pavilion Cafe, Queens Park, Burnley, BB10 3EF, 7:45

April 2014 Easter weekend with Gin Pit at The Boulevard, Wigan - excellent live band venue with in-house PA. Playing Saturday night, with The Troggs there on Sunday, "Wild Thing", "Love is all around".Back at The Boulevard for more dates in 2015. "I'm really glad you enjoyed your gig with us last night and it was a pleasure having you. We received brilliant feedback from the customers whom demanded we get you back. Please can I confirm the dates that we gave to you last night" - Email - The Boulevard.

Our First Gigs! - June 8th 2013 Starting off with a good one! Sat 8th June 2013, we were at The Lancashire Rock & Bike Show, Blackpool, with the excellent AC/DC Tribute band "Heatseeker" on later. Then later on Sat 8th June evening we were the last band on at the Cavendish Beer Festival