No names, no pack drill, if you know you know, if you don’t,
well just enjoy the waffle!
So, the world has kept turning but I have tried to do my
best to remain in my own little bubble outside of work, one of the issues that I
suffer from, I really don’t feel wanted, so I don’t belong, at least that what I
keep telling myself. We missed the boat on Friday simply because I thought the
FM tour was in May and our last minute invitation was denied, simply as the
wife was in no shape to go and stalk Mr Overland, after pulling a muscle in her
already bad back, a bit more of a warning we probably could have prepared for
it, but for once we missed the boat, its ok I have seen them over 50 times but
hey ho you know it would have meant mixing with the great unwashed.
The next day we had been long in preparation to celebrate
some birthdays and the birth of a new star all rolled into one, I had been
counting down the days for it, however I was still full of trepidation as it
was really the first proper time out in a pub, all unmasked I felt like a
member of Kiss in some weird alternate universe……..well maybe not quite! but I’m
getting ahead of myself (as always), this again was not the blog I had prepared,
but I thought I should do something to celebrate re-joining the human race.
I had burrowed deep into the earth not wanting to share my
collective experience and I had kind of enjoyed it, I hadn’t really been missed
by anybody (or so I had thought) when the invite arrived I was happy but
nervous all in the same moment in time, the venue I had been invited to a few
times over the years but in reality its too far out of the way for a public
transport person to go, then I met my wife and things became easier but the
venue changed hands a few times. Ok so it has only taken me 34 years to
actually get to it, a mixture of belated 50th birthdays and the
launch of a new local band, it was also the night we met the youngest’s “boyfriend”
we both warned each other to be on our best behaviour, we were, but the plan
fell at the second hurdle, not by our hand but more of that later, I was up
early on the morning and I had my countdown pre flight check and cunning plan
all sorted, this was not going to go wrong, I was in charge…..well kind of,
everything was going to plan until the wife managed to add 9 minutes to the
schedule, I held my nerve and my mouth, be calm was the mantra for the evening.
Once on the road the smoke signals were sent to say that we
were on our way, destination should be achieved within the allotted travel time
(me obsessed with time…..who knew) we arrived safely and picked up our cargo,
the journey on to our final destination was muted to say the least, we were all
on our best behaviour, we arrived at the venue, early, even so there were two
trips around the car park before deciding to park down the street, then a slow
walk back to the venue, young couple ahead, old couple limping behind. We climbed
Everest to the designated area, and we were first, how the hell did that
happen? We arrived in time to catch the
tail end of the soundcheck, the room was readied, no small feat considering
there had been a bouncy castle in the room two hours previously.
The girls grabbed a seat and I dragged the “boyfriend” still
an alien term (she is my baby even at 27) back down the stairs as the bar
upstairs wasn’t yet manned, I’m good but I wasn’t carrying 4 drinks up all
those stairs, small talk ensued, I played the dutiful father, and I was a good
boy even to the point of ensuring he got a drink and not a soft drink he had
asked for (pfft as if) then back up the stairs to wait for the onslaught, yes
my work head was on (as it always is) and I situated our group next the only
fire exit (and did a quick calculation as to how many people could be in there)
I then turned my attention to the band who were dealing with sonic issue, I noticed
some expensive equipment and was soon working out how to get that Gibson
Explorer out of the room, I wasn’t too bothered about the BC Rich, lots of
expensive keyboards, nice but I wasn’t expecting Rick Wakeman, this was music
that although I didn’t mind , I didn’t have a lot invested in, I was here to
celebrate a lovely couples landmark birthdays ( I wish I was that bloody young)
and a debut vocal performance, judging by the soundcheck we were not going to
be disappointed, the soundcheck over people started to show up most faces were
familiar, I didn’t know them to speak but I would say I recognised about 30% of
the audience, soon it was time for the big moment.
Now this will be short and to the point, I knew all of the
tracks and could actually sing along to them all, but as I said this wasn’t my
favourite genre of music, but I was going to be entertained and in reality that’s
all you could ask for, not a full set list but some of the bands covered included
OMD (one song instead of two next time) leave some gas in the tank, that will
come with more time to polish the act, Phil Collins (I loved as it was really
authentic in the guitar playing) Depeche mode, which I thought was going to be
the song of the night, Ultravox again two songs ,I like the band but mix and
match a little more, Fiction Factory who I remembered but I thought I had had a
stroke as the name of the band refused to come out of my filing system of a
brain, not expected but enjoyed, Kraftwerk again a joy and a revelation and the
track of the night as the vocalist declared “he loves the song” Gary Numan, the
set was a resounding success, the vocals were great however the only criticism
was you could tell how hard they had worked as the banter was so quiet between
songs because , nothing wrong with the banter, but speak as you would sing,
directly into the microphone, I will even forgive the acapella version of Baby
Shark, it goes to show that you know how to work a crowd.
A couple of hints to add to the setlist some Japan,
Blancmange, you get the vibe, and I promise I wont shout for Tales of
Topographic Oceans (ask your wife she knows) I’m sure there’s a lot more than
can be added maybe even a couple more OMD and Ultravox but keep it in single
numbers for the set, just my humble opinion, mind you most people are pissed
when they go to see a band anyway!
The keyboards were sumptuous and the guitar suited the songs
not too loud and raw, I’m glad to see
musicians playing to suit the music and not to suit their egos, now this isn’t
a “review” simply a few well thought out observations, the next time we come to
see you, trust me that will be a review, but on tonight’s showing I’m hoping to
see them a few more times, damn good and a big thumbs from the short fat bald
speccy guy about half way back in the room, now all you have to do is breathe
and do it in a hostile environment with people who don’t give a shit,
personally I think the whole band will wipe the floor of any audience who isn’t
listening and win them over, go figure that’s my honest opinion!
The night from my point wasn’t perfect as I managed to spill
my drink over the wife, I behaved and didn’t have a strop, I had a great night
with great company ( although I’m sure I have the start of onset Alzheimer’s because
although I have enjoyed the company of the couple sat next to us I had another
stroke trying to reminder their names (still no good I will have to ask, for
the sake of my own sanity) we made the way back to the car, which was fine
however I had been expecting it to be on bricks for some reason, the return
journey was more of the same but with a little more conversation between all
four of us, we dropped them off for the chippy, then we headed back to
Gimpsville and time to watch the Toon
win again on match of the day, good god what has gone wrong with the world?
Now we behaved on the night, but a certain rapscallion (I mean
that with the greatest love and respect) nearly raped me as I stood at the bar
waiting to be served, oh I have missed his company, he then arrived like Lord Flash
heart next to the wife and then discovered the “boyfriend” who he only slightly
molested, he told me off twice for spilling my drink, and had the audacity to
be shocked when I groped his wedding package at the end of the night (see you didn’t
like it lol)but that force of nature was what was needed to drag me back from
my self-imposed drudgery, its at this point all that I have written so far has
been without the use of my notes, I better check to see if I have missed
anything, me with my reputation!
It would appear that I hadn’t missed anything of any note,
the name game is in play I was going to use a song from the set last night
however I chose not to, I picked from an album that I was playing as I started
typing this, if you get it right you will have googled it. And so a blog
completed with nearly as much fun as the band last night maybe that’s all I need
is to re-enter the “actual” world, I’m not sure if I am ready for that just
yet, still a work in progress, but it has reignited the passion for writing and
I promise the next one will be the that was intended two blogs ago, so thanks
for a great gig, a great party, some great company, and well an injection of
FUN! Today I have set about my chores with some relish for a change, my work
bag is packed, so all I have to do today is finish this and get it posted,
maybe just maybe there might be another
one sooner than you thought possible these days, so spread the disease,
watch the skies for the incoming, until the next please one stay safe, the
actual disease is still out there, but until then……Toodles!
