Gig Diary March 1st
March 1st 2000 will go down as a momentous occasion in this crazy thing known as 'Rock History'. It was on this very day Sir Fruit of Bat launched a fab compilation CD with 16 'up and coming bands'. All had been given the chance of letting the public hear their talents. The album was titled 'There's A Madman On The Roof' (on one of the coolest new labels, 'Spinach Records') and to celebrate it's release six of the acts featured were to play at Brixton's infamous George IV. I was asked to compere this potentially wonderful evening! How could I refuse, eh kids?
My night started when I met my dear friend; serial piss-head Gavin at Brixton tube station at approximately nineteen hundred hours. We got a quick bite to eat and made the walk to the George IV. I didn't realise the journey would be so bloody long from the Tube Station. I'm sure it was only a five-minute walk last summer (when the mighty Abdou last played there), I'm asking for a limo and chauffeur next time, my legs were killing me (they had a machine gun at the ready, ha! Ha!)
Anyway we got our little selves there in the end and into the George we went. I saw Rich from 'Allergy' (one of the featured bands) and he told me nobody had sound-checked yet and things were running late. Oh well, I thought to myself. Better get a couple of beers in then! As I was a tad nervous about this compare malarkey quite a bit of Dutch courage was called for, I can tell you dear readers. I was soon joined by some familiar faces like Kenny (an infamous character known to many Abdou fans), Nina & Tim, ex -of Pharmacy amongst others. We all had a nice chat and the booze was flowing. I knew it was going to be a good night :-)
The first band on that evening were Malowski. I went up to the stage suitably attired for my comperes role (Shiny black boots, Levi black boot cut Jeans, Shiny black shirt and a mod style suit jacket!). I welcomed everyone, told them why they were here, advertised the CD and got the show underway! The band themselves started brilliantly with a good punk racket. After a while though they became a bit samey but that's probably because I didn't know the material that well. The singer looked fantastically unhinged and definitely had a certain charisma.
I decided to mingle a bit before the next act! I said Hello to Jim Bob, Der, Alain & Andy Abdou. They were all very pleased to see me (if you count the phrase 'Piss Off Marc' as welcoming that is!). Before I knew it, it was time to introduce the next turn who was called 'Bransby'. If you'd had told me I would have enjoyed a bloke playing angst ridden songs on an acoustic guitar I would have laughed in your face. This man was superb though! He had the voice of an angel and his lyrics were spot on. Even though we were running well short of time people were impressed enough to get him back on and demand another song. Well done Bransby!!
Nothing, though, could have prepared me for the next band, fantastically called 'Holy Roman Empire'. They were sooooo f*cking good. They played to backing tapes and a drum machine ( a la Carter) but with more of a futuristic Y2K sound. There were three of them all singing with one of them playing a guitar and another bashing a huge cymbal. It was kinda like 80's synth pop gone wrong but very quirky & occasionally punky! I loved every minute of them and advise you check them out. My favourite song was the fab single 'Benazir Bhutto'- Buy it!!!
I then thrust onto the stage to introduce the reason many people were here tonight. That was of course to witness the majesty of the mighty Abdoujaparov. I read out a few (made up) dedications and proceeded to get the crowd whipped up into a frenzy of hormonal excitement (I think!!). It was at this point (during his entrance) that Fruity fell off the stage. Sorry mate but it was dead funny :-) The boys played a blinding set full of 100 pounds of raw Rock n' Roll energy! Fruity was well pissed and was thus in top form, telling jokes and having banter with Andy and Alain. I actually really enjoyed 'Benjamin and Jumble' that night (normally that's the song I choose to visit the little boys room too- not tonight though, it really worked) They closed with 'Maria's Umbrella' and the crowd pogoed like there was no tomorrow. An extremely enjoyable half an hour or so was had by all! Abdou are definitely one of the bestest live bands ever & that’s official!
There were still two acts left though! Would the fun ever stop? The first were ' Big Orange' that were enjoyable in a 'Simon and Garfunkel' type of way. The crowd definitely seemed to warm to them. Check out the song 'Andrea' on the Madman CD, you'll like it! I do think, though, that perhaps ‘Little Ripe Satsuma’ is a better name for their band. I’ll write and let them know, I think.
The evenings performances finished with a great Indie-Rock outfit from Stevenage known as 'Allergy'. Not before though I said the immortal line: "Girls often say to me, Marc I wouldn't mind a climax- well I have one for you now, here's Allergy!!!" The crowd didn't laugh but I thought it was hilarious (some people, eh?). 'Allergy' made sure the night finished well indeed with a fast paced set that had everyone swinging (though not in a sexual way I hasten to add!). 'Plastic Armour' was a highlight for me. The crowd seemed to enjoy the last song which I think was called' The Only Living Boy In New Cross'.
All in all, there were a great mix of bands and everyone seemed to have a smashing time. The night was not to end here though. I had C.D. signing to do. Yes, your favourite compere was asked to sign a few CD's (or more to the point I said 'Can I sign your CD pleeassssssssssseee!'). I drank more Beer and had more antics (like being sick and stuff like that). In years to come people won’t be claiming that they saw The Pistols at ‘The 100 Club’ or The Beatles at ‘The Cavern’. Instead there will be tales of how great it was at The Spinach Party!
It was then time to carry on partying in a crazy Y2K fashion (yeah!!! Let’s have a revolution!). We all meandered back to ‘Chateau Fruitbat’ for large helpings of Bailey's and Jack Daniels'. I seem to remember, admist these festivities, being in Fruity's bathroom and the room was spinning quite a bit. I was borrowing a contact lens case from Fruity's better half, Crissi. She asked me if I was alright and If I wanted a bowl to be sick in. I decided that the best cure was to carry on drinking.
My next memory was then rolling around on the fireplace in Fruity's studio with a quilt because I felt all tired. When I woke up I was in the lounge, how did that happen??? When I came to my senses most people had left. I said goodbye to Fruity and my merry way I went. It was a fantastic night and I really hope the compo CD does well. Thanks to Nina, Kenny, Gav and Neil for being ace company amongst other others. A big suck-upy thanks to Fruity though for putting on the night and letting me compere. Hope I wasn't too bad me old son!
Marc Ollington - Compere