Wednesday 2nd June1999

London - The Garage

"I know that I have forgotten something" I said to Ben as we hopped into a taxi that would take us to JFK Van Hire. I always forget something, I always know that I have forgotten something, but I can never remember what the hell it is.

This time it was my cheque book which I needed to pay for the van. We were already 10 minutes from home and I didn't fancy asking the driver to turn back to Brixton so a cashpoint hop around Camberwell was in order, I'd just have to pay in cash. The nice lady at JFK said I didn't have to give her the £100 deposit as we looked like nice honest chaps (we are, we are!).

Ben was driving today as Daz (our usual roadie / driver) had to go a see a man about some loft insulation. I wouldn't mind, but he hasn't actually got a loft.

We drove to Music City where we rehearse and store our gear, loaded up the van, bought a few bags of chips and headed off North (London, that is).

When we arrived at The Garage, ALL the headline band were still soundchecking and looked as though they were going to be some time as the roadie was checking everything himself as the band were all asleep in their lovely silver tourbus. There was a deal of confusion over sharing drumkits and amps but eventually we worked out that the only way to do it would be for everyone to use their own stuff.

We managed to get a quick soundcheck in, unfortunately without Andy (our bass player) as he was still on his way to the venue. Still, it sounded very fine onstage so we packed down the stuff again and I headed to the pub to have a quick chat with Uncle Squid and Marc. We were soon joined by Gav, Myra and Rob, if my hangover befuddled brain serves me right. I was on the mineral water as I was still feeling a little delicate after the previous night's drinking session with Abdou regulars Adrian and Ana.

When the door opened at 7pm I returned to the venue to deliver the Guest List, which to my great relief was received with a shrug and an OK (it was a bit large and I was expecting trouble).

Later on after another visit to the pub it was time for I Against I to strut their punky stuff. I quite liked them as they had a bit of AC / DC in there somewhere. It was mostly a pretty traditional US brand of surf punk though and after a while I lost concentration and anyway, I had a lot of people to talk to ;-)

There was the usual bunch of happy smiling faces as well as some new aquaintances to make.

I was so busy chatting a nd drinking that I didn't have the time to get nervous and before you could shake a lamb by the hand it was time to go onstage.

It was lovely to see the gang form the Carter FanChat list at the front and to hear the dulcet sound of their combined renditions of the top twenty chant hits. I liked "we love you Fruity, oh yes we do" it's nice to feel wanted.

First off was the usual "Nobody Less Rock 'n' Roll Than Me", followed closely by "Aren't We All". The sound on-stage was great and playing was easy, I felt very relaxed and loved.

Mind you there were a few hecklers shouting "Pants" and "Get Off", but I'm afraid my hearing isn't what it used to be so it was like water off a deaf duck's back.

We did the Abdou Theme and Baby Food, Maria's Umbrella, you know, the usual stuff. We played a pretty good version of the new unfinished song called provisionally "Just Shut Up" and finished with a 'cod rock' version of "Too Old For Rock And Roll" which had a lot of purist skate punkers tearing at their Mohawks.

It wasn't the best gig ever, but in the top 4 and I was pretty happy with everyone's reactions after I got back in the venue after loading up the van with the guys. Apparently the sound was very good so congratulations to the venue sound geezers Helena and Dave, both top sausage indeed.

The rest of the evening was spent in the company of an increasingly intoxicated bunch of friends.

I watched ALL, the main band of the night for a while but, to be honest they didn't really grab me by the balls, mind you, what does nowadays? God, I tell you, the state of music these days !!!

Thanks to everyone who came and thanks to Harry and Daz for their excellent roadie work.

This morning at 7am I was found walking around the park, singing to the squirrels.