The Highliners
What's
the gossip ! 
2005
January 2005
The web site has been completely reorganised. It is now far less fun for the young and able who like to root around in obscure and rarely visited parts of the site, and has been made as simple and easy to use as possible for the simple and easy . . .
We are planning to go in to the studio to record some new tracks this month, and they made be made available on the web site.
Currently in discussions with promoters regarding shows this year.
2004
Now it has been a while since we have added to the web site,
worth waiting for tho'
The mighty Ginger has been whacking those drums and making them scream for mercy, but Tim is now back behind the kit.
Talented Tim, who shall be known as Tim (The Highliners first touring drummer) had been busy on riddem guitar lately....check out the photo gallery for some shots of Teenage Tim
Southend Dave (from The Vulture Squadron) is now doing all the fiddly bits on guitar
- some girls have said he looks like Virgil's brother, well he's more like Virgil's brother than Vorn's brother...let's get some shots on the photo gallery-
and big thanks to Pronghorn who have kindly lent to us their handsome Lamma for some parping on sax when they have a gap in their touring schedule, for more info and gig dates for Pronghorn here's the bands address www.Pronghorn.co.uk
September '99
We now have a new front door to The Highliners website; www.TheHighliners.com easier to remember, and to pass on to friends in The Family. This new front door but will connect straight to this site (automatically if we can work out the coding!).
We've had a busy summer with some changes to the content of the new album. It's now in the hands of our record company Vinyl Japan and it's in their release schedule for later this year.
A couple of our favourites, "The Nun's got Plums!" and "Erotic Food" could not be included in this album, and will be included in the next one.
July '99
We announce the departure of Russ "Tiger" Ward who has recently focused his talent with his new band, Death Valley Surfers. Tiger is now known as "Russ Surfer", and is fronting the DVS's both singing and playing guitar. Although playing some Highliners songs much of the DVS's set is pure and original, a mark of the versatility of the north London man.
We wish him success in his new venture!
April '99
The new album has (almost) been finished;- The Producer has taken the recordings to Los Angeles for further inspiration, sunshine and cocktails at a studio near a beach. We hope he finds a few mistakes and asks us to fly out to L.A. for a couple of weeks.
More and more "old faces" are creeping out of the woods and saying howdy to us, it's great to hear from you and to find out what you are up to. (Who remembers Non?) Where is Tatty these days?
Stretch works as a Tour Manager with Bands now and says he is always having people come up to him at gigs to ask about all The Highliners and reports: "It's always a good suprise for me 'cos most of the people have put on a few pounds and often have a sensible haircut, but usually say I look exactly the same!"
Late March/April '99
Two days before the show in Belgium we heard rumours that the show had been cancelled. Sure enough, the next day we were told that the Police had got a Court Order preventing the concert on the grounds that they did not want a repeat of a concert the previous month when there was a riot.
Highliner fans in a riot? That does not sound likely. . . . . . . .a little drunk on the floor maybe, anyway we hope you had a good time in the local bars if you did make the journey and as we always say, phone the venue before you leave home.
March '99
Do you have the new address for our site in your favourites folder?
Tiger is fronting a new band called Death Valley Surfers but will still be on the drums at our
NEXT SHOW
on Saturday March 13th, somewhere near Brugge in Belgium (see the Pyschobilly webring gig list for the band list and full details). The popular Mr Doyle will be on guitar for this show. If you make it, come and say howdy.
Virgil assures us that FREE SAMPLES of the new Highliners wine (or will it be vintage cider Virgil?) will be available to try at the show near Brugge.
February '99
The album is taking longer than expected but we think it will be worth the wait.
January '99
New years eve '99 and The Highliners took a road trip to a mega party in Holland, thanks to all involved and see you at the next show
The new, and still untitled album is making good progress in the studio at the moment, and as we write, it is expected that Luke will be laying down the vocals next week.
Before that can happen though we have to re-record "The Nun's got Plums". The original gem was damaged in an unusual and unlikely combination accident involving a burning guitar, a Pamela Anderson lookalike on roller skates, and a crate of opened beers being delivered to us by the lookalike . . . .
Dec '98
Russ "Tiger" Ward has been tripping around mainland Europe lately with the Celtic Bones. "Meeting up with Highliner fans and drinking heavily" is what Tiger has enjoyed and is looking forward to doing at this years Big Rumble (see Nervous Records website). If you see the drum monster there buy him a drink and ask him to tell you about the hotel aftershow parties -- especially one in Holland about a year ago when he and Mr Doyle were drinking at a party in a hotel bar for 14 continuous hours . . . .(see photo gallery!)
Due to the shame of that evening, Doyle had to leave The Highliners soon
after that night and is now on stage with the Celtic Bones
And has been immediately replaced by a fantastic guitarist from London who
takes the stunning good looks and charisma of The Highliners to a new height
. . . her name is Kathy X and will be featured on the new album
Which is well underway. Pre recording rehearsals are now complete and recording
proper starts mid November '98.
We are still looking for the album title so your email ideas are welcome as is your feedback about the site, email us or add your comments for all to see in The Highliners Guest List so that we can all have a laugh
Talking of a laugh, the extra Highliner seen running around on stage in
different costumes doing daft things is the brave and heroic Virgil.
Stretch the bass would like to say a big thank you to Virgil for stepping in to the big man's boots at a recent show in Belgium and playing bass like a man possessed
Virgil would like to say a big "Hey" to the girls reading this
. . . photos of the man in many costumes can be admired and copied from
the photo gallery
And finally, where did the phrase "The clowns are in Town"
first come from? answers please by email or guest book