2007 was a great year for The Fallen and the Band started 2008 with 25 gigs in the diary and 50 songs to choose from. Nik decided that he wanted to leave Suffolk and so left the Band in January. We recruited local guitar legend Geoff Slater and were soon rocking again.

Geoff has been in many Bands and after playing solo for a few years was keen to get back into a working band. Geoff is a great rock fan listing Whitesnake and Thin Lizzy as his favourites along with guitar masters Steve Vai, Eddie Van Halen and Jimmy Page.

Ben injured his back at the end of 2007 so we did not do any gigs at the start of the year. This gave us time to rehearse and get Geoff up to speed and also learn a couple of new songs. Ben's back is still playing up but he is still rocking while the doctors decide how to fix him!

We played The Oak in Sudbury on 23rd February, our first gig for a while and our first with Geoff on lead guitar. A great crowd including loads of our regulars - we played The Cowboy Song and The Boys are Back in Town by Thin Lizzy for the first time - see us back at The Oak in May.

1st March saw us at The Angel in Glemsford - what a rocking night with standing room only - sorry to anyone who could not get it! A great pub and a great crowd - we played a set list of 31 rock songs - back at The Angel in June - see you there.

Below is a copy of the Gig write up from The Angel Website.

"March 1st marked the return of live music to the Angel with the first appearance of the year of The Fallen, a group described in the local press as 'West Suffolk's Heaviest covers Band', an epithet that they are more than happy to live up to. With previous guitarist Nick having gone AWOL latest incumbent into the ever-changing lead guitarist spot is Glemsford axe legend Jeff Slater stepping into breach, musically the lads are now tighter than Roy Porter when it comes to his round and the arrival of Jeff gives them an added dimension in that he is also able to occasionally take over lead vocals in order for singer Andy to finish his pint rest his voice. Over the course of a 2 hour set in front of an enthusiastic crowd(at one point there was a most un-Angel-like mosh pit forming) The Fallen belted out a fast paced, no frills set of classic rock tunes, pausing only for breath with a perfect rendition of 'Freebird' and a pacey run through of Thin Lizzy's 'Dancin' In The Moonlight'. Other set highlights included a couple of Iron Maiden songs(possibly played for the benefit of resident Maiden fiends Kevin and Steve Laz), an inspired thrash through Led Zeppelin's monstrous classic 'Rock and Roll'(a number which provoked some spectacular headbanging from the more hirsute members of the crowd)and Fallen signature tune, their no-hold-barred charge through Don Henley's 'Boys of Summer'. Hell, the boys even managed to pre-empt Science John's calls for 'Freebird' by playing it before he had a chance to start shouting for it, welcome home lads, look forward to seeing you back here in June."

On Saturday 8th March we played our first time at The Swan in Long Melford. This was to celebrate Landlord John's birthday. It was a really great gig with everyone having an excellent time especially us! Geoff is fitting in very well and has added to our sound. A storming set on a rainy night - back at The Swan in July.

April 2008 - Ben's back is now better and he is ready to rock. Adz bought himself a new Flying V guitar and Geoff has changed his amp (again!)

A rocking night at The North Street Tavern, Sudbury on Saturday 12th April. A great pub to play at and a full house for The Fallen. We played a good set and tried a couple of new songs. We are back at The Tavern in July.

Great to play at The Haymakers again. Fun crowd - especially the men playing pool - loved the air guitar!! Ben used his new BC Rich bass for the first time, check out the Gallery for pictures. The second set got the pub jumping - a great night, we'll be back at The Haymakers in June.

May the 10th found us at The Working Mens Club in Long Melford. A welcome return to the Club. A hot evening as we rocked through Thin Lizzy, Metallica and Maiden. We played 'Fool for your Lovin' for the first time and by the time we had played through Ozzy, Led Zeppelin and AC/DC we had the place rocking. Thanks to everyone for coming along - Jude, Lynne, Trudie, Jess, Gary, Lewis, Tracey and Toni! - Cheers guys. Back at The Club in October.

16th May and we are back at The 5 Bells in Cornard. We always enjoy playing here and tonight was a rocking Friday in Cornard. We played a set of 31 songs to a small but lively crowd, the second set going down especially well. Big thanks to the Landlady Wendy. We look forward to our return to The 5 Bells in June.

23rd May - Our first time playing at The Cock in Hadleigh - Tonight we used our brand new powered monitor for the first time (Our last one blew up!!) We had our own room! unusual but it worked well. Not a lot of people to start with but a good crowd by the time we started the second set. We had everyone singing to Livin' on a Prayer, unforuntately did not have enough time to finish our set off with Rock 'n' Roll. We look forward to playing this when we confirm a return gig.

30th May - Another debut, this time at The Highbury Barn in Great Cornard. We now have our second new powered monitor but we had a few sound problems. It was a good gig even though we had to contend with the heat, a small space and a boxing match on the pub tv! We managed to sort the sound out and the pub filled up for the second set which went down very well.

31st May - The Shoulder of Mutton, Assington - Really great gig tonight at our third new venue in a row. Lovely pub full of friendly locals, great landlady who appreciated a good quality rock band! The sound was perfect tonight, thanks to Geoff's mixing desk. We all really enjoyed the gig and played 'Fool for your Lovin' for the first time.

7th June - The Angel, Glemsford - Great to be back at The Angel again, this time for a Charity Gig to raise money for the Spinal Injuries Association. We did a great set and then a few more songs with people putting money into the bucket to keep us playing. Kevin and Paula laid on Chilli and Rice and the evening ended with us playing The Trooper for Kevin for a donation of £20. The event raised £350 for the Charity and a good time was had by all. Thanks to everyone for coming along and for your generous donations. Look out for lots of great photos on the way soon!

BREAKING NEWS

As you probably know Iron Maiden are playing their only UK date at Twickenham on the 5th July. On the 4th July Iron Maiden Fan Club are hosting a Charity Night in London. This event will be headlined by the number one Iron Maiden tribute band, Hi-On Maiden. They will be supported by two bands ONE OF WHICH WILL BE THE FALLEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A return visit to The Railway in Ipswich on Sunday 15th June, not a lot of people and not a lot of fun. We did a good set but will not be returning to The Railway.

Friday 27th June and we are playing at The Haymakers in Cambridge. We enjoyed ourselves and the pub was quite full by the time we started Set 2. We played Jailbreak for the first time and maybe the last!

Friday 4th July travelling down to London to do the Hi-On Maiden gig - decided to spend our earnings on hiring a Chrysler Grand Voyager, kebabs and beer! A really great day, 400 Maiden fans at The Ruskin Arms in East Ham. The pub is where it all began for Maiden. We opened the show followed by the excellent Insaniac and then a storming set from Hi-On Maiden - a cracking band and a great bunch of lads. We arrived home at 3.00am tired and happy. Seen it, done it and got the T-Shirt!

The following evening we played The Melford Swan. A really good pub with a lively crowd - good to see Sam, Dave, Ben and co at this gig.

We played a private party (wedding) on Saturday 19th July outside in a marquee. Cold and damp but we played a solid set with the groom coming up to sing a couple of songs with the band. Dave did not feel very well but a good dose of Fallen Rock did the trick.

Back at The 5 Bells in Cornard on Friday 25th July - really enjoy playing at The 5 Bells and great to see everyone dancing and enjoying the songs especially Freebird, Sweet Child of Mine and Rock 'n' Roll.

The Fallen are now taking a few weeks off. We need a break! but will be back at the end of August.

*NEW DATE - Saturday 20th September - The Royal Standard in Ely*

Thanks to everyone for your ongoing support - see you at the next Gig on the 29th August at The North Street Tavern, Sudbury

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