Friday 26th November 1999

Southampton - Joiners Arms

The last time we played the Joiners (click here) we arrived 3 hours late and the whole day was a bit of a nightmare. Today we were determined to be there on time, bright eyed and bushy tailed.

For once the ungainly and wobbly machine that is Abdou on the road was in perfect synch with the elements and we loaded the van, picked up Andy, drove to Southampton completely on time.

James, the landlord of the Joiners seemed simply stunned when he saw that we had arrived without any desperate calls for help and directions.

We all watched with much amusement as Harry directed Der and the van down the narrow alleyway where the loading entrance to the venue. It was like watching a Laurel and Hardy film, although I could make up my mind which one was which.

Soundcheck went very well after we sorted out some very interesting bits of feedback. We then were served with a lovely meal of veggie curry, which set us up for the evening. Ian and Mint who were tonight's promoters, had done a fine job with advertising and provided a generous rider ( and we all know how important that is!).

The first band on, Pink Amoeba, were excellent and incredibly young. They also brought a whole bunch of people, including school pals and parents. There's hope yet that a new generation of bands will bring a fresh injection of talent and imagination to the limping dog that is bland guitar based rock.

Second band on, Thirst, were slightly less original (there were traces of Feeder and the dreaded Stereophonics in there), but were a bloody marvellous live band and really got the crowd moshing.

I think that both bands deserve to go far.

We were on-stage slightly late as Thirst decided to do an extra song, this made the changeover rather hurried, but I couldn't hold it against them.

We played a pretty good set, not our best, but tight and loud. Stevie is really coming into his own, his drumming style really suits the harder, faster new sound of Abdou.

We didn't managed to whip the crowd into any kind of moshing frenzy, but I did notice a few people tapping their feet. and the cheer after very song was a good indication that we were being appreciated.

I enjoyed the gig, I felt that I was amongst friends and I feel that Abdou is going from strength to strength. I'm still waiting for the first killer gig and when that happens I know that things will go our way.

Thanks to everyone at the venue and to the kind people who turned up to wave, tap and clap.