Christmas Tunes

'Tis well known that it doesn't really starts to feel like christmas until you've finished your third gin and tonic, defending your life choices to your elderly relatives, and have found that magic resolve to produce home-made music. So here's a few to get you started...

The Beach Boys: Little Saint Nick

Wham: Last Christmas

The Pogues & Kirsty McCall: Fairytake of New York

Slade: Merry Christmas Everybody

John &Yoko: Happy Christmas (War Is Over)

A Spaceman Came Travelling: Chris DeBurgh
(Don't ask me why, I just get a feeling it could be made credible in an acoustic arrangement)

Mele Kamikimaka: Bing Crosby
(The ultimate ukulele Christmas track)

BUG @ Livesy Hall

BUG are to perform at Livesey Hall in Sydenham (well, the address is Perry Hill, which seems to be more Lower Sydenham/Bell Green) and is in aid of two charities, Kid's Company and The Smile Train. A Christmas set? More of uke box? A child-friendly set? Anything's possible...

Sunday Night Uke Box @ The Amersham Arms

You pick it. We play it. The whole ruddy night! Or at least till our bar tab runs out.

8:30pm, Sunday December 14th
The Amersham Arms, Newcross Road

And it's free!

BUG @ The Montague Arms

Last Monty skit of the year. So feel good covers, snapped strings and bloodied fingers all round!

Tuesday 25th November
8pm,
The Montague Arms,
Queens Road Peckham

Tunes for november...

Heard someone suggest this a while ago

Word Up: Cameo

And these are from last week

There She Goes: The La's

Mr Blue Sky: ELO

'Smooth Transmission': Sade v Joy Division

Halloween at The Monty!

The Montague Arms, Queens Road Peckham
8pm-11:30ish

You think it's impossible don't you? Halloween hits on the uke? From the 80s? From the 50s? Gothic rock?! An epic mash-up?! Mwahahahaha! You will pay for your doubt! You WILL pay! (Approx 3 quid on the door).

Good Ol' Digger!

Please find linked below arrangment for 'Gold Digger' by Kanye West in the style of Johnny Cash. Just humour me...

'Good Ol' Digger'

Halloween tunes!

Halloween rocks. This is fact. There is nothing refutably wrong about sweets and dressing up. So please find my first suggestions for Halloween tunes below for our next Open Mic at the Monty (28th Oct).

Firstly, because, it's the law...

The Time Warp: The Rocky Horror Picture Show

Secondly, because it'd be freakin' hilarious, and I think we're allowed to like him again by now...

Thriller: Michael Jackson

Thirdly, because I'm still a goth in my black, petrified heart, and it's about time we did a full choral intro...

This Corrosion: Sisters of Mercy

And here's the you tube for sisters of mercy if you never went through that phase

This Corrosion: You tube clip

Open as ever to more suggestions!

Tunes for Sun 14th Sept

Here find tunes to try this Sunday. We'll be finalising our set list then so don't forget to bring anything else you'd like us to try!

'Sally MacLennane': The Pogues

'Kiss': Prince

'Just Can't Get Enough': Depeche Mode

Brockley Uke Group to play Kelvstock on 27th of Sept!

Brockley Uke Group have been duly invited to do an acoustic slot at 'Kelvstock@The Hob Goblin' as part of The Newcross Festival. We're playing between 6 and 7pm and are being paid in drink so expect an especially spirited set.

That's Saturday 27th Sepetmber . 6pm. The Hob Goblin. Newcross Road.

Because we love uke...And you feel that...

Tunes from 31/08/2008

Here be links to freshly tabbed tunes. If this does not work I will actually, in all verity, weep. These are links to google docs which you should have no problem printing, I just hope the formatting remains in tact. Any ideas about how to upload pdfs are welcome. PS queen in a straight link to chordie.

Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger: Daft Punk

Here Comes Your Man: The Pixies

Love turns to building On Fire: Talking Heads

Video Killed The Radio Star: Buggles

Come Up and See Me (Make Me Smile): Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel

Don't Stop Me Now: Queen

BUG to play Monty again!

Because we love you...(And you feel that)...BUG shall open the next Montague open mic on September 23rd. And by god are we cookin' up some mash and cheese!

That's The Montague (Queens Road, Peckham), 30th of September, 8:30 start. Come along to stomp and holler!

Links archive Part I!

Look at it! Just look at it! It's bloody breathtaking!

For the benefit of anyone considering joining BUG or anyone who can't be arsed to go through their emails here is a as comprehensive as I could manage links archive of everything song I've ever posted out. I'll be missing a few as some people sent their song choices out as pdfs. I'm gonna figure if there's a way I can post them here.

Anywho. Knock yourselves out.

Cat Stevens- "If You Wanna Sing Out, Sing Out"
Chords (Ignore the intro if you want):
http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/tabs/c/cat_stevens/if_you_want_to_sing_out_sing_out_crd.htm
And how it goes for those who haven't heard it (Not to mention a lovely picture of the man himself)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NDq36YD1ESM

Electric Light Orchestra "Mr. Blue Sky"
Chords (Not as hard as some of them may look!)
http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/tabs/e/electric_light_orchestra/mr_blue_sky_crd.htm
And how it goes
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98P-gu_vMRc

The Rolling Stones: The Last Time
Chords: (This version contains E. And I know some of you have feelings about that chord but it's the only version I can find. If you have any other versions that you'd rather play feel free to mail them around)
http://www.rockmagic.net/guitar-tabs/rolling-stones/the_last_time.crd
And how it goes (Also a chance to see keith when he last occupied a recognisably human form)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0adgEdCdWvA

Prince: "Starfish and Coffee"
Can anyone remember/and/or post the chords we used. They were fairly easy I think. Here are the lyrics anyway
http://www.lyricstime.com/prince-starfish-and-coffee-lyrics.html
And of course, it being prince, there isn't a free version to be found on the internet. So we'll just sing along best we can.

New Order: "Blue Monday"
This was THE jam track of last week so feel free to mess around with it all you want
Chords and lyrics
http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/tabs/n/new_order/blue_monday_crd.htm
And I genuinely can't believe that no one knows how this goes. But if you wanna see the awesome videp again, knock yourself out
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftJZomwDhxQ

Elvis Costello: "What's So Funny About Peace Love and Understanding"
Really struggling to find a version similar to the one we played last week. Can anyone remember and mail them around?
How it goes (Albeit a live version)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3ZXdvN3orA

The White Stripes: "Hotel Yorba"
Chords and Lyrics: http://www.giantflightlessbirds.com/ukulele/hotel_yorba.pdf
We've sung it already, so I'm pretty sure eveyone gets the jist.

Bright Eyes: "At the Bottom of Everything"
We tried this at the first meeting and it was pretty easy and fun so I though we could have another bash
Chords and Lyrics: http://www.giantflightlessbirds.com/ukulele/bottom.pdf
And you tube clip (If only to see the awesome video): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qikRcAiCtKM

Kraftwerk: The Model
Chords: I reckon it's just A minor and E minor all the way through. Feel free to correct me should you be compelled.
Lyrics:http://www.lyricsdepot.com/kraftwerk/the-model.html
Youtube clip: http://www.youtube.com/watchv=QgS252XT_Ts

Random brainwave I had last week but forgot to bring up at the meeting.
The Bangles: Walk like an Egyptian
Chords & Lyrics: http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/tabs/b/bangles/walk_like_an_egyptian_tab.htm
Youtube clip:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MimmTdn9314

As we've been playing it every week and only me know it, here's the links for Fisherman's Blues by Mike Scott and The Waterboys
Chords & Lyrics: http://www.alligatorboogaloo.com/uke/tabs/031007.html
(Also a really wicked site for ukulele chords and tabs, I believe that Joy to the World is on there as well. Probably another good one to try)
Song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rc0a9P7Wxo8

Aha: Take on Me
Chords & Lyrics: http://www.alligatorboogaloo.com/uke/tabs/040716-1.html
Youtube link (As if you don't listen to it daily already) : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RMWXyEHoN88

Another one I suggested a while ago but forgot to act upon for last week

Queen v Bowie: Under Pressure

Chords & Lyrics: http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/tabs/q/queen/under_pressure_crd.htm

And youtube link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UdaHCLlBkWU

James: "Sit Down"
Chords & Lyrics: http://www.azchords.com/j/james-tabs-1966/sitdown-tabs-143743.html
Song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ew7Zkkucos8

Moldy Peaches: 'Anyone Else (But You)
Chords & Lyrics: http://www.ogregod.com/view/moldy_peaches/anyone_else.htm
Song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rWjuIanddY

The Editors: "Munich"
Chords & Lyrics: http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/tabs/e/editors/munich_crd.htm
Song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5xRVm-JX5Rk
Kudos to anyone who can work out/play that kick ass tremolo riff in the chorus

The Smiths: "Ask"
Chords & Lyrics: http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/tabs/s/smiths/ask_crd.htm
Song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtJtRXtaBN8
Extra points for impersonating Morissey

Dolly Parton:"Jolene"
Chords & Lyrics: http://www.giantflightlessbirds.com/ukulele/jolene.pdf
Song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tiO3SIOOc_4

No Surprises: Radiohead

http://www.alligatorboogaloo.com/uke/tabs/031205.html

The Kinks: 'Louie Louie'
http://www.alligatorboogaloo.com/uke/tabs/030823-1b.html

Paul Simon: 'Me and Julio'
http://www.alligatorboogaloo.com/uke/tabs/030628-1.html0

Lou Reed: 'Satellite of love'
http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/tabs/l/lou_reed/satellite_of_love_ver2_tab.htm
Not sure if this is the version jeremy proposed but it's practically the same chords as Mr. Blue Sky. Mash up anyone?

Bowie: 'Starman'
http://www.lovebolts.co.uk/transcription.php?16~Starman

Fall or The Kinks: 'Victoria'
http://www.azchords.com/k/kinks-2195/victoria-145446.html

Boney M: 'Rasputin'
http://bettylou.zzruss.com/rasputin.htm

Elton John: 'Crocodile Rock'
http://www.doctoruke.com/crocodilerock.pdf

Blondie or the Paragons: 'The tide is High'
http://bettylou.zzruss.com/thetideishigh.htm

Frankie Lane: 'Rawhide'
http://bettylou.zzruss.com/rawhide.htm

The Beatles: 'Act Naturally'
http://bettylou.zzruss.com/actnaturally.htm

The Kinks: 'Lazing on a sunny afternoon'
http://www.alligatorboogaloo.com/uke/tabs/030705-1.html

Blondie: 'Denis'
http://bettylou.zzruss.com/denisblondie.htm

The Beach Boys: 'Sloop John B'
http://www.ukeland.com/pages/media/music/Sloop_John_B.pdf

Famous Blue Raincoat (Leonard Cohen)
http://www.guitaretab.com/c/cohen-leonard/3733.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9aRKZFR5imM
Obviously needs playing uke speed but I really like this song. Sorry!

Holding out for a Hero (Bonnie Tyler)
http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/tabs/b/bonnie_tyler/holding_out_for_a_hero_crd.htm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7f_HsjpSVaI

The Zephyr Song (Red Hot Chilli Peppers)
http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/tabs/r/red_hot_chili_peppers/the_zephyr_song_crd.htm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yenH27_rp9I

Can't Explain (The Who)
http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/tabs/w/who/i_cant_explain_crd.htm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1uFcPjILC7k

Dirty Old Town (The Pogues)
http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/tabs/p/pogues/dirty_old_town_crd.htm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVUZuVZWHkk

The End Of the World As We Know It: REM
http://www.guitaretab.com/r/rem/15896.html

'The Light At The End Of The Tunnel': Half Man Half Biscuit
http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/tabs/h/half_man_half_biscuit/light_at_the_end_of_the_tunnleis_the_light_of_an_on_coming_train_crd.htm

The Only Living Boy In New Cross -Carter USM

http://www.carterusm.co.uk/songs/newcross.html#chords

Belle and Sebastien 'Boy with the arab strap'

Chords and lyrics:
http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/tabs/b/belle_and_sebastian/boy_with_the_arab_strap_ver2_crd.htm

And new strumming style to match for those feeling a bit more adventurous
http://ukulelehunt.com/2008/05/06/belle-and-sebastian-the-boy-with-the-arab-strap/

There is a Light That Never Goes Out: The Smiths

http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/tabs/s/smiths/there_is_a_light_that_never_goes_out_crd.htm

BUG to headline Brockley Christmas Fair!

Fans of Brockley, the ukulele and Christmas will no doubt be psyched to know that BUG will be headlining the second annual Brockley Christmas fair, December 13th, on a fully pedestrianised Coulgate Street. What's more entry is free. Mulled vino will be available in ruddy great vats. Stalls, random goods, day long entertainment.
Quelle recession indeed...

Let us not forget that the ukulele probably represents the true meaning of a credit crunch Christmas. Cheap, fun and accessible. God bless us, everyone.

BUG on film @ The Monty!

Busty salutes to the BUG-gers who performed at this week's Monty open mic. I had an awesome time as usual. Sorry to the folks who I didn't actually say good bye to. I find that with adrenalin like that it's best to just ride the wave to it's natural destination. That said I have little to no memory of just when and where that wave finally crashed.

Enough of my social drinking. Observe the righteous uke cover...

Brokley Ukulele Group at The Montague Arms from Lawrence Martin on Vimeo.

Bug to play Monty!

'Tis confirmed that Bug will play the next Open Mic at The Montague Arms (Queens Road). We're in the warm up slot at about 8:30 pm on August 26th. For those that don't know the Montague is actually the best pub in London, sporting the biggest collection of fascinating pub crap you have EVER seen and bar staff so charming I want to lean over and plant a wet one on both cheeks for a good 8 seconds. We have a 20 minute set which frankly is packin' more rock than a geology convention, including some we know and some we learned just now. Get ready for some serious irony...

We've played a gig don'tcha know

Sometime in July BUG started, developed and tore apart the South East London uke-cover, comedy-folk suburban-core music scene by playing to well over 50 people as part of Telegraph Hill's 'Hillabaloo Festival'. With a set including 'Raw Hide' and tunes by Bright Eyes, The Mouldy Peaches, The White Stripes and Carter The Unstoppable Sex Machine. Though the sight of a unprecedentedly large and engaged audience set a few knees shaking (Not least my own, rather pronounced knees) a few bars in and we're rockin' like dashboard hula girls in a hurricane. Full body hugs to everyone who performed and attended. It was a crackin' afternoon! ...

It started with a uke...

A lone purple ukulele once stood in the corner of The Broca coffeeshop in Brockley. It was abused by toddlers, puzzled over by guitarists and mocked by tourists. But the uke stood tall and one by one the closet uke players of Brockley emerged from collective obscurity to touch its tender nylon strings and tease forth an endless stream of comedy covers, mash-ups and songs of heart-breaking beauty. They continue to meet each week at The Broca with the intention of battering the memory of George Formby into the ground...