The Hot Lips Haines Trivia Page

Did you know or even care that . . .

‘Downtown Blues', first performed on June 9 th 1974 at the Punchbowl in Burton-on-Trent, mouldered in the ‘back of the book' for decades before being revived as a sound check number in 2002 and is now a track on the latest album.

The first gig in ‘the Wilderness years' as Wang Dang Doodle, was at the Brewhouse in Burton-on-Trent on 3 rd March 1996.

The White Lion, Brinklow was a popular venue for the Band during the eighties. On 23 rd June 1984 the set, which surprisingly didn't start with San Francisco, was Beedle um Bum, My Gal, Bes' Friends, Tight Like That, Blues My Naughtie Sweetie and Mr Slater's Parrot. The second half was Washington at Valley Forge, Christopher Columbus, All Worn Out, Jollity Farm, If You's A Viper and Mama Don't Allow.

Only two numbers played on the Band's first gig at the ‘Pilot' in Coventry on 28 th January 1970 are still in the book today ~ Jug Band Music and Mama Don't Allow. San Francisco Bay Blues made its first appearance in the Band's repertoire at the second gig on 30 th January 1970

On Sunday 10 th January 1971 the Band played The Victoria Hotel Folk Club in Wolverhampton for £10 and the following night the Boldmere Folk Club in Sutton Coldfield for £6.

At Glasshoughton W.M.C. in Castleford the Band played four spots of five numbers each during the evening. A change from the afternoon when they'd play one spot of fifteen numbers at Avery's in Sherburn-in-Elmet.

Of the original members playing in the Band today, only Jazz Beasley has played every gig. Lips didn't play Kettlebrook W.M.C. in Tamworth on 13 th October 1973 and Bean was too ill to do The Burnt Post Folk Club on 17 th December 2000. Jazz and Bone shared the vocals that night. Bone's Band service was interrupted by a brief solo career at Cleckheaton W.M.C.

In the late seventies, the Dog & Trumpet in Coventry provided regular and plentiful work. The Band's first gig there was on Thursday 15 th September 1977. With three spots required, several numbers, including San Francisco and Somebody Stole My Gal, were played twice.

San Francisco Bay Blues is the Armpit Jug Band's most played number of all time, with Mama Don't Allow in second spot, narrowly ahead of the now little played Marching Through Georgia. However, the most played number of 1971 was Frankie & Johnnie and 1974 saw Boodle am Shake at the top of the list. Ukulele Lady was first played along with Sweet Sue for the very first time at the same gig in 1972. Jollity Farm did not appear until 1974, Blues My Naughty Sweetie in 1976 and Laughing at Life in 1982. The Sheik of Araby has been around for some twenty years, while more recent ‘favourites' include Slug Surfin' and Minnie the Moocher in 1990 and Mean and Evil Blues in 1991.

The Wanderings of the Armpit Jug Band have taken it to gigs as far apart as Clapham in North Yorkshire and Weymouth in Dorset, Hartlepool and Chippenham, Gillingham and Southport. Steadfastly refusing enticing tours of the Shetland Isles, the AJB's solitary venture into foreign parts found them in Welshpool W.M.C.

( up to Spring 2003 ! )