Flash@TMB Posted January 13, 2004 Report Share Posted January 13, 2004 Unexpectedly we are ahead of schedule with the refurb. All the interior walls are down and it's now easier to get an idea of how the place will look when it's finished. It's not always clear how a job like this will turn out, because sometimes you run into structural issues when you strip everything back. Thankfully we've cleared all the major hurdles and, since some breaks went our way, the end result should exceed the original vision. The new stage looks like it's going to be 2 feet wider than the outgoing one in addition to being positioned centrally across the room, as opposed to stuck in the corner. The capacity appears to be dramatically increased without being altogether obvious.For a while it looked like there might be a pillar positioned in front of the RHS speaker stack (uugh) but when we opened the wall up there was no pillar as such, so the space is now wide open and pillarless (PHEW).The chimney turned out to hold 3 flue pipes, 2 of them very historical. The removal of these has created another 12sqft of floor space.It will be possible to see the entire stage from every where in the bar apart frm the toilets and the very extreme LHS of the room, although the LHS will still have a view of at least 3/4s the stage.The dancefloor is fuckin massive for a venue of our size and positioned right in front of the stage.I beggining to think that the place is really going to be transformed by all this.Watch this space.Flash Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flash@TMB Posted January 14, 2004 Author Report Share Posted January 14, 2004 AndAs of yesterday the builders managed to claw out another foot of width on the stage. The new stage is now going to be 3 feet wider than the old one, and is positioned exactly central. This will make a huge difference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VEYDEN Posted January 14, 2004 Report Share Posted January 14, 2004 Cant wait to see the diff from B4... Should be cool. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rachie Posted January 14, 2004 Report Share Posted January 14, 2004 I swear my friend actually cried when he realised you were closed last Friday... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flash@TMB Posted January 14, 2004 Author Report Share Posted January 14, 2004 I felt the same way last time the bar was refitted back in '94. It seemed like it was closed for months, my social life was in ruins Worse was when The Venue shut back in '89. This was in the pre Palace era and would be the equivalent of Moshulu closing down. The place was at the peak of it's powers, this was a disaster for us.I also got a real pang when I saw that RGU had transformed the Sloe Club into a student shop. You expect these places to be around for ever.Let your friend know that we are about a week ahead of schedule and this is only the second week. The target date for reopening wass the 14th Feb, but looks likely to be much sooner.It'll be worth it, everyone will be blown away! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rachie Posted January 15, 2004 Report Share Posted January 15, 2004 I will pass it on. No fear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Karloff Posted January 15, 2004 Report Share Posted January 15, 2004 Sounds ace People will have two kickass alt venues within spitting distance of each other! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flash@TMB Posted January 15, 2004 Author Report Share Posted January 15, 2004 One thing...Having venues close together is a big boost. People move between them throughout the course of the evening, and know in advance that they have the option of an easy change of scene.Although the new layout is classic mini venue, The Moorings will continue to operate primarily as a drinkers bar. We have approached 4 promoters and intend for each of them to run 1 Saturday per month, putting on a mixture of local bands from Aberdeen and new bands with good reputations from all over.On Fridays we will continue to host the Wrecking Ball.On Sundays we intend to offer short term residencies to local bands and also stage a jam session but in a slightly modified format.We may occasionally put on a bigger act on the odd weeknight, but aside from that weeknights will be given over to the jukebox. The jukebox will be broadcast through the new PA, the sound of the new PA is HiFi quality and it sounds just as good a low volumes.The bar will continue to offer it's selection of specialist spirits, bottled beers, and draught products. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Startex Posted January 18, 2004 Report Share Posted January 18, 2004 Flash.Curious about the moorings becoming a hot new venue. What's the PA specs and would you be interested in staging goNORTH events if the possibility was explored? Also, what's the license. Are you going for a 14 + over? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flash@TMB Posted January 18, 2004 Author Report Share Posted January 18, 2004 PAYes we are interested. (virtually) All bookings for the bar will now be done through promoters as opposed to direct. Promoters will be entitled to charge ticket sales or door money, but all expenses must be covered by that pot.Live music will occur on Sat and Sundays. Sundays the bar will organise it's own jam session / open mic affair. Fridays we stage The Wrecking Ball, this is a Rock Night with a DJ. Mon-Thurs we operate as a bar only, but would be happy to stage a big name act if the opportunity arose.We are looking to work with 4 promoters and assign each a particular Sat of the month. Any 5th Saturdays will be set aside for special occasions.The stage is located centrally against the far wall. It's on two levels, 24" front 4' deep and 39" 6' deep riser. There's about 15 feet of width between the stacks. The stage has tremedous visual impact as it faces the front door from the other end of the room.The PA is a consists of Funktion One speakers and MC2 amps. This uses 2 double bass bins located under the front of the stage, with the top cabs mounted high up inside custom made units. There are 2 twin delay speakers about 2/3rds the way down the room where the sound from the main stacks has dispersed too far. These only comprise high and mid, as the bass travels just fine.One stage we have 6 wedges and a subwoofer.The desk is a Yamaha DM1000.There's a Behringer graphic will built in NA and the main compressor/limiter is a Behringer Composer Pro.Total power is 25KW. Yes that's TWENTY FIVE so read that part twice.Our workable capacity is a comfortable 200.Get in touch with me and we can arrange something.Flash Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flash@TMB Posted January 19, 2004 Author Report Share Posted January 19, 2004 Oops yes we're going for 14yrs+ admission - however that will depend on demand. For high demand gigs I'd rather pack the bar with drinkers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flash@TMB Posted January 29, 2004 Author Report Share Posted January 29, 2004 Latest on the refurbJust another update on how the work is commencing.We only have 1 hurdle left to clear, everything else has worked out fine.The stage had to be extended 2 feet in width, so this has robbed 2 feet from the new dancefloor. The new specs are:Stage 15 feet x 6 feet x 23" stage front.15 feet x 6 feet x 38" riser.Each speaker stack takes up 20" of width so the visible stage length is 11 feet and 8" accross. The previous stage length was 8 feet and very off centre.The dancefloor is 17 feet x 10 feet at it's narrowist and over 12 feet at it's widest. The previous dancefloor was 12 feet by 9 feet.The new roof is installed on the building and the low centre section of ceiling has been raised.The new central heating system is installed.We've uprated the mains supply to the building to cope with the new PA.The new PA is due to be installed towards the end of next week.The new fire exit is formed.The new cellar stairs are in place.The decorator has stripped all the existing wallpaper and patched th holes in the walls.The toilets are reformed, and tiling commences this weekend.We are no longer ahead of schedule but we are bang on the money.Flash Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bryn Posted February 3, 2004 Report Share Posted February 3, 2004 Hey, will you be wanting bands to play at a 'grand opening' I pictured you might be having? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flash@TMB Posted February 4, 2004 Author Report Share Posted February 4, 2004 mmm hmmmOh fuck yeah! The only problem is that we don't know exactly when we'll be opening, so the likelihood is that we'll actually be open 'unofficially' for a short time before we start the celebrations. There is a rumour going round that a major act might be lined up to play the bar as part of these celebrations... Flash Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
layla Posted February 5, 2004 Report Share Posted February 5, 2004 yeah, i heard a rumour too, if its true i will be very happy. the bar better be open soon, the last month has been horrible for me n pete... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flash@TMB Posted February 5, 2004 Author Report Share Posted February 5, 2004 PeteI met Pete in Market Street this lunchtime. He was walking a little sausage dog??? Anyhow I took him in past the bar for a look.I think he was surprised by the extent of the changes, which is wierd considering he helped me measure up, and I recall talking at him (sic) about what the plans were.Anyhow I'm sure he'll clue you in.Flash Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flash@TMB Posted February 15, 2004 Author Report Share Posted February 15, 2004 Sound System installed and fired up... YEEhaaAAWell last week was a very busy week. Nick Taylor from Taylored Sound came over and installed our new rig.Believe me words cannot do this thing justice. Your HAVE to hear it. It can go from whisper quiet up until... well we don't really know how lound because the downlighters started to fall out of the ceiling at 75% power. Even then it was clear as a bell and didn't hurt our ears. It's clarity compares with a really expensive HiFi even at very low volumes. The rig has more room to breathe with the room opened up, and having the bass bins under the stage really helps. There's a set of full range wide dispersion delay speakers (same make, same quality) further down the bar and they give the illusion that the sound is still all coming from the stage whilst boosting things at the back of the house. We can now get an even volume throughout the house without deafening the people at the front.This is I truely believe the best sounding rig in town. What's more is that the jukebox will be driven through it at all times because the quality is so good a low volumes we don't need a second system.Nick also did some work on the interface to the jukebox, and this has eliminated the circuit noise, and broadened the spectrum of sound that it delivers to the PA, so even our creaky 20 year old jukebox is indistiguishable from our good quality DJ decks.We had a lot of fun listening to our favourite CDs they way they were intended to be heard. I even enjoyed listening to stuff I didn't like because it sounded so good.This system also differs in other ways from the one that we road tested before Christmas. The amps are the ones recommended by the speaker manufacturer, and the bass speakers have a revolutionary cone made from parachute material.Relocating the jukebox has also ensured that everybody in the room will have a complete view of the stage. Our new stage is much wider, and roughly ther height of the Lemon Trees at the front, but 15" higher at the drum riser.We've tried really hard to ensure that:The sound is second to none throughout the room.Everyone has a perfect view.The bar is easily accessible and facilitates speedy service.The range and quality of booze is excellent and competitively priced.The toilets are easy to access, clean, odour free, and there are plenty of cubicles in the ladies.The lighting is subdued so that everyone looks their best :OThere is plenty of room to dance, and the dancefloor is immediately in front of the stage.The floor is reinforced and doesn't bounce when we're busy.There is seating for half our capacity then the seats are out.We now anticipate opening unofficially ~1st March.Flash Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flash@TMB Posted February 15, 2004 Author Report Share Posted February 15, 2004 Artists & Artwork RequiredArtists required...As a side effect of the rennovations The Moorings Bar will have some blank walls where historically there has been murals. We'd like some artwork to fill the spaces. The style we are looking for is an amalgamation of NY subway graffiti art, tattoo art, airbrush, custom automotive paintwork, and comic book art. The themes we'd like to explore include:sea, pirates, treasure chests, mermaids, gallions, skeletons, Treasure Islandstar wars canteenacustom motorcycles, bikers, Ghost Rider... I have customised one of my motorcycles and I'd love for it to be featured, photo to follow...muscle cars, mad max, gothic futurewomen of the night, Soho, After Hoursalcoholmusic and bands but NO actual characters, actual bands etc to be mentioned or depictedghosts1970sIn front of our stage there will be an aluminum roller shutter door like you see in front of shops in deprived areas. We'd like this door to be sprayed with a "Davey Jones' Locker" mural.What's in it for you? Well for starters you get your artwork displayed in the bar, potentially for a very long time. A few free drinks, and some discount here and there, perhaps a booking for your band, free admission, your CD on the jukeox, your special tankered behind the bar, a plaque in your honour in the toilets Basic quid pro quo type deals. We're looking for people that are mainly prepared to do this for the love of the bar and the hell of it... the same reasons that we've almost bankcrupted ourselves doing these rennovations.We'll cover the cost of all materials, and feed and water the workers during the process.We'll need to see some sketches prior to letting people loose on the walls, these can either be scanned in and emailed or taken to the bar once it opens. There is a finite ammount of space so we won't be able to commission every idea. We're looking for works of all shapes, sizes, and scale. Get in touch with me if you are interested.Flash Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cloud Posted February 15, 2004 Report Share Posted February 15, 2004 I think it's safe to say that for someone who's never been to The Moorings before, it's sounding like a decent place to go already. I'll definitely be paying a visit once it opens Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flash@TMB Posted February 26, 2004 Author Report Share Posted February 26, 2004 It's looking like on Tuesday the 2nd of March we are unofficially reopen. We had hoped to open this weekend but the varnish on the new floor won't be dry until Tuesday.The place is looking and sounding more awesome every day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Tam o' Shantie Posted March 1, 2004 Report Share Posted March 1, 2004 i fucking love the moorings. it was so fucking ace before the renovations that i can't even fathom how ace it'll be now. please go. such ace booze and just everything Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danny Doubt Posted March 2, 2004 Report Share Posted March 2, 2004 i may indeed pay a visit! flash does your dad live in Culter by an chance? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gumpy Posted March 2, 2004 Report Share Posted March 2, 2004 Originally posted by layla:, the last month has been horrible for me n pete... i can imagine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flash@TMB Posted March 3, 2004 Author Report Share Posted March 3, 2004 Originally posted by Danny Doubt:i may indeed pay a visit! flash does your dad live in Culter by an chance? Yes, I used to live there too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danny Doubt Posted March 6, 2004 Report Share Posted March 6, 2004 yeh he lives down in the Paddock? I think he has heard our band bashing about at wot we like to call rehearsals...or jus noise!I may even know you??Danny.p.s. i will pop in at some point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.