January to March the stable five piece Break Cover rolls into the new year with another gig at Qudos, a charity gig at Ludgershall in the snow and a St Patrick’s Day gig in Upavon in more rain than a religious flood.
March Break Cover take to the Studio for the first time (for the album Uncovered). Simon had used Sound on Sound Studio in North Baddesley before for a couple of albums with Statues and recommended it by playing the most recent recordings. Sound on Sound is an extraordinary studio. If you have a picture in your head of a big posh studio (Abbey Road?) then this isn’t it. A time warp from the 70s has transported every piece of analogue equipment imaginable and squeezed into someone’s garage (exaggerated for effect). However, despite how it looks, the sound Mike produces from his studio is second to none. One day is spent recording 10 tracks and then the day after mixing them. A CD is produced and the model for recording the first of five albums is set.
April to September and the band get down to some serious gigging, 19 gigs including: Sarum Live at the Duck; Salisbury Live in Deacons with Craig sat in the kitchen to fit in; a beautiful summers day at Riverbourne Farm and an absolute joy of a gig at the Beerex in Salisbury Arts Centre. The band also get caught in the rain at Bemerton Heath and the Harlequins’ Football Club. Messtival in Andover sees the hottest gig known to man; there’s also an ex-marine’s 60th birthday bash (in the Coach House in Salisbury) which provides a great deal of entertainment; plus, the first gig at The Bear Inn at Wilton’s wonderful summer beer festival.
September and a double gig at Larkhill Families Day followed by Shrewton Sports and Social Club proves to be the last with Michelle in the band as she leaves to avoid damaging her voice with the types of songs we are playing.
October Louise Wakeham joins Break Cover as our new front person. Lou first dabbles with a song or two at Cloisters but joins us for her first full gig at the Five Bells. The Five Bells is also the last time we see Terry Hogan on bass and Phil Shergold on sound as both leave to pursue other ventures. Ken Jones is promoted from Chief Roadie to “Sound Man”.
Salisbury Music Awards 2013 In other news Break Cover comes second at the Salisbury Music Awards in the Cover Band category. We were absolutely blown away to get nominated in only in our second year of existence and even more flattered and amazed to be voted into second place by the Salisbury Gig Going Public. Honestly, it’s difficult to express what a surprise this was. Thank you so much to the wonderful people of Salisbury for this inspiring result.
November the band showcase Lou at a cheeky session at Sarum Live with Mike Clipson (yes, that Mike Clipson from the un-named band at the top of the page) filling in on bass while we look for a permanent replacement.
December Mike stays on for another New Year’s Eve at Salisbury Rugby Club. Lou is well truly on board and joins the crowd for an evening of great fun.
December also sees the introduction of Terry’s now famous glowing blue Hughes & Kettner Tubemeister lunchbox head. Although at this time it still sits atop a 4×12 this is the first step in Terry and Simon moving to much smaller amps with Terry staying with H&K and Simon switching from Blackstar to Fender before settling on UK built Victory Amps.
