I'm writing this on Sunday, the morning after the gig, the tiniest hangover is retreating has removed it's Doc Marten's from my kidneys, Crissi made me and everyone a fried egg sandwich and I now have to strength to tell you about last night.
Before that though, I have to fill you in with some details about the lineup for this gig. Andy and Alain couldn't make it for this gig as Andy has decided to retire from Abdou and pursue the million and one other strings to his bow (he was last seen re-mixing Robbie Williams). I am sad to see him go, but I can understand why and I wish him the very best. He is a top sausage and the World is a better place because of him. Alain has spent the summer in his homeland of Corsica and will be staying there for a while yet. I think he likes the sunshine ;-)
Luckily for me, Jason from the Aussie Abdou has decided to move to the UK for a while so he can fill the vacant bass role. Andy also put me onto Dave, who, after two rehearsals, sounds like he has been playing with Abdou for years. As Jim's Super Stereoworld aren't gigging at the moment I also get to borrow Ben and Pete on drums and keyboards (cheers Jim!)
OK, onto the gig.
Saturday morning was the usual pre-gig rush and panic around the house, as usual, I had forgotten to do loads of stuff and had to rush to get everything together in time for us to pick up the van.
My Bruv, Brian was in the driving seat and thanks to his hairy Formula One driving it was no time at all before we had picked everyone up and arrived at the Bull & Gate.
After a while, the sound-guy turned up and we did a good soundcheck, running through some of the songs that needed a slight memory jog. We stopped to watch Bransby sound-checking before heading up to a local pub, were one of our mates Ngaire was having a farewell bash before heading off to Frome in Somerset, where will soon be a resident.
I got back in time to see the excellent I Ludicrous whose Fall-like songs had me tapping my feet and chuckling. They did a song called Carter The Unstoppable Sex Machine, which was about how there was an uncanny similarity between them and Carter and that they believe that they should have been famous, not me and Jim. Perhaps they were right! They also did a cool version of an old Mekons song 'Where Were You'.
Next on was Bransby, who never fails to impress me with his great songs and wonderful voice. This is the third time that he has played before Abdou and I know that he has got a lot of admirers in the Abdou faithful. 'Plenty More Fish In The Sea' was my favourite today, although all of the songs sounded great.
So then it was our turn. We were all a little wobbly with the effects of a little too much alcohol, and had a few teething problems with broken Bass amp and then a broken bass string. I had to do a solo version of Rose, whilst a new string was being put on. I think that it sounded OK, although my guitar was a little out of tune. That's the first time that I have sung solo in public since busking in the damp pissy subways of Croydon way back in the 80's
Here's the set-list:
Innocent Like Vinocent
I Don’t Know
(Rose)
Abdoujaparov
Aren’t We All
Shut Up
Losers Walk
Birthday
Benjamin & Jumble
Baby Food
Queen Bitch
Maria’s Umbrella
I really enjoyed playing again, especially to be back at the Bull & Gate, scene of many a Carter USM triumph. The band sounded joyfully chaotic, but somehow that made it all the better. It was great to see a lot of moshing and general boogying down the front. Although the drunk bloke who kept on smashing the mic into my face began to get a little annoying. Thanks to Daz (super roadie) for sorting him out. Pete from JSSW joined us for the last four songs of the set and played a very flashy 'piana solo' on Jumble and Benjamin.
We got asked back to do an encore and played out with Really Really Sorry with Crissi and Bransby singing back-ups and Fire Tender Red, with a Fruity / Bransby duet thingy.
So, all in all another great success. I think that we all had a great time. Once again it was like being amongst family and friends. Thanks to everyone that braved darkest North London, it was a very jolly night indeed.
Let's do it again sometime.