Saturday 30th January 1999

Chelmsford - Y Club

It has been a bit of a struggle this week. I woke up on Monday morning with a really bad stomach ache and spent the whole week trying all sorts of pills and potions vainly trying to make it better. I thought that I must have an ulcer or something, it just wouldn't stop hurting.

We had band practice on Tuesday and it just wasn't gelling, we tried our hardest, but somehow it wasn't come out right. If you ask anyone in a band, they'll tell you that sometimes this happens, I know it always used to happen with Carter. So we just put it down to luck and hoped that Friday's rehearsal would turn out right.

Indeed, Friday's rehearsal was much better, despite the fact that I was still suffering from my aggravating belly, I had a bit of trouble remembering the words, but I put that down to the huge amounts of Ibruprofen that I had been swallowing over the previous four days.

Saturday, the day of Abdoujaparov Gig #2. I didn't really sleep much the night before due to nerves and stuff, so I woke up feeling pretty shitty. I've never been much of a nervous bloke, but this singing lark is a lot more difficult than it looks and I'm terrified of forgetting the words.

I fired up my trusty Laptop and printed out the setlists, then we went to pick up the van - load up the van and set off for Chelmsford. Thanks to the superior navigational skills of veteran roadies 'arry and Micky we found the Y Club with no difficulty at all and we soon had the equipment loaded in and ready to Rock 'n Roll.

Whilst the guys were setting up I squeezed in a quick interview with Radio Phoenix (the station is due to be on air for 28 days in March). It was my first interview for a while so I rabbited on for ages, but I think that some of it made sense.

We had a pretty good soundcheck helped by the friendly and efficient venue soundgeezer. We soundchecked with Baby Food, Aren't We All, Rose and Queen Bitch.

After the soundcheck we went out to get some chips to line our stomachs for the impending alcohol intake. When we got back we did a quick photo session with the lovely Miriam, who politely bossed us around and snapped hopefully at our best sides.

Before we had time to get settled into the dressing room, Pharmacy were on-stage sounding like they had been playing for years, despite the fact that they looked like they weren't long out of short trousers (that's a compliment, people). They are a really good band with some great songs and I recommend that if you get the chance you should go and see them.

As per usual, I had a billion things to do in the hour before we were due to go on stage so I managed to miss most of Ton Up Kid. What I did hear though, sounded pretty pro and raucous. I guess that they should be huge pop stars as they are already acting like they are.

Abdoujaparov wandered on-stage unceremoniously at about 10:30 and we quietly went about our business. I have made a mental note to sort out an intro tape for the next gig as our entrance isn't the most exciting I've ever seen for a band.

I still had my bad stomach (yes, it's boring for me too) so I had a bit of difficulty concentrating and as a result forgot half of the words for the first song, There's Nobody Less Rock 'n' Roll Than Me. We quickly followed that slowie with some faster songs and the set began to take shape and momentum. My favourite part of tonight's set was the quiet and slow acoustic bit in the middle, somehow the louder songs sounded a bit leaden.

I felt a little uncomfortable up there on-stage as there was quite a bit of space between myself and the crowd. That is apart from Rob, Mark and Kenny who were right up next to the stage and dancing like mad things for most of the set. Thanks to Rob who helped me with a few lyrical prompts.

I noticed loads of folk with assorted cameras and tape recorders so I expect that there will be a shed load of bootlegs flying around before long.

SETLIST

There's Nobody Less Rock 'n' Roll Than Me
I Don't Know
Punk Confetti
Aren't We All
Losers Walk
Rose
Birthday
Queen Bitch
Murder On Dalberg Rd
Baby Food
-
The Abdoujaparov Theme Song
Maria's Umbrella

So to sum things up for the gig: Not as good as the Water Rats gig - must do better - can do better - will do better at The Garage next Saturday.

By the way, thanks to Essex Police. We were stopped in our van just outside Chelmsford and our passengers in the back were told to get out or our driver Micky would be charged with dangerous driving. This meant two hefty cab fares back to London and an extreme emptying of my wallet (Boo Hoo).

Don't worry, I won't let the bastards grind me down,

love fruity xxx