I used to associate Jeremy Hughes, Ken Tupper and Neil Hammond with fascinating(!) spin classes, breathtaking(!) stories about Plato and Socrates and the famous first Certificate (pronounced with a British accent). Now, after going to their concert at the Railway Club November 6th, there is another word that comes to my mind: Music! If you haven't seen them yet, make sure to be there the next time they perform, 'cause these teachers really know how to play!

Thanks to good advertising in our school, the tiny club was quite crowded this Wednesday night. At approximately 9.30 pm Neil?s band, Cleia, entered the small stage. The group consisted of another guy and a female trio. They "warmed up" the audience by playing some six or seven songs of traditional, British/Canadian folk-music (correct me if I?m wrong!). By using instruments like the flute, guitar, harmonica and what reminded me of a traditional Irish drum, the group certainly made me think about brown pubs and green

fields! The songs varied from being mellow to pretty high energy and they were very good at singing in different keys (at the same time of course). I was really impressed by the girls? flute-duet and the way Neil treated all the instruments he played. He has definitely a

lot of musical talent and versatility.

After a short break the members of Galleons Lap hit the spotlight. With Geoff Hicks on the drums, Dough Woods on the bass, Ken on the guitar and Jeremy as the lead vocal, also playing the guitar and the accordion, it was time to rock and roll. Starting with a pretty fast paced song, I immediately began to follow the beat with (almost? every piece of my body. I think many others did, too! What probably amused me the most, as the concert proceeded, was the relaxed atmosphere and the fact that these musicians really seemed to enjoy playing. (Well, it was kind of hard to tell by just looking at Ken, but I am sure he had a swell time, too!)

To me, there?s nothing as fun as listening to good

music, and I tell you, this is certainly good music! This

type of Irish/Canadian folk rock is catchy, funny and

makes you clap your hands and tap your feet. Galleons

Lap sings about different things, like worms on a rainy

day (Lowly worm) to heavy hangovers (Hangover) and these are lyrics with a great deal of humour. "Can you spare me some change for a cup of coffee" is an excerpt from Beloved son, a song about homeless people. Of course you?ve all heard that question before! Other songs I remember vividly are the typical

fast ones; Funny thing and Long way, both with excellent guitar playing, and I actually felt an urge

to dance, but I didn?t?for some reason. Not to mention Oldest story told and the amazing song

with Ken singing and Neil playing the harmonica till his face turned blue. That was so cool!

So if the dreary Vancouver weather makes you sad and miserable, and you haven?t got anything better to do, you should definitely check out these two bands. I can?t deny that I liked Galleons Lap the most, with the simple reason that it?s more like my type of music. Cleia?/font>s music isn?t very drum-oriented, and as the little drummer-boy that I am, I must say I prefer music with a solid drum kit-beat. But both bands are worth listening to, and I recommend you to keep your ears and eyes open to find out about their next gig. You?d better not miss it, or you won?t pass your class! (Teachers sure have too much power these days!!)