14/4/01 - The Windmill - Brixton

Scene One - Interior of Brixton Wholefoods, a cosy hippy kind of place with a staff of small furry animals

Overheard - Luke (unfeasibly young and handsome sticksmans for Six Degrees) talking to Crissi (beautiful, slightly dotty uni student and girlfriend of) Les (ageing but still fairly good-looking in a cheeky chappy sort of way frontman for Abdoujaparov).

Luke - 'yeah, we've got a gig at The Windmill next week, we've only just found out and we haven't even got a support band yet'

Crissi - 'cool, what day is it on?'

Luke - 'Saturday'

Les - 'we'll do it'

Luke - 'what?'

Les - 'Abdoujaparov will do it...seriously'

Luke has a strange look on his face, trying to work out if Les is taking the piss or not

Les - 'SERIOUSLY mate, we'll do it, I fancy doing a gig'

Luke - 'er, ok then'

Scene Two - Exterior of Windmill Pub, Brixton. Various band members unload a white van comandeered for the evening.

Loud music is pumping through the PA courtesy of a DJ practising his various breaks and scratches, this makes it quite hard for everyone to be heard so the following conversation is conducted in screams, punctuated by 'whats', 'ehs' etc

Les (to Luke) - 'where do you want everything then?'

Luke - 'I don't mind, it's up to you'

Les - 'well it's your gig mate, set it up how you want it'

Luke - 'can we use both of your amps?'

Les - 'sure, but don't break 'em' (this is said with a smile and as a joke, but Luke looks a little nervous all the same)

After a lot of arranging, re-arranging, tripping over cables, bumping into microphone stands, everything seems to be in it's right place and a soundcheck can begin. The DJ stops and the soundguy starts to work his magic on the slightly ropey PA. Some of the monitors don't seem to be working and he keeps stepping out from behind the desk and jamming his head against the speakers in hopes of hearing something.

Six Degrees finish their soundcheck, it sounds pretty good despite having one of their number missing and still on her way from holidaying in France.They head back outside the venue, they are all very young and wouldn't normally be allowed in the pub.

Abdou do a quick soundcheck and head to the bar, it is many years since they were not allowed into pubs because of their age.

Scene Three - Three hours later, the venue is filling up nicely, the atmosphere is great, everyone has a smile on their face and a beer in their hand.

A different DJ has arrived and has unpacked a box of precious 7" vinyl, the grooves of which contain glorious punk rock circa 1977-79. This is wildly appreciated by the crowd and bands. 'Ace Of Spades' by Motorhead is playing as Abdoujaparov take the stage.

Les (through the mic) - 'I'd like to apologise for interupting that fabulous song, it's one of my all time faves and this DJ is one of the best I have ever heard. This first song is 'There's Nobody Less Rock N' Roll Than Me' and I hope that I remember the words.'

Most of the song features just Les on guitar and vocals, but suddenly it launches into full-on punk rock, the three piece band sound shambolic but very energetic. The gig continues in this fashion with broken strings, forgotten words, bad jokes, more great tunes including a new one introduced as "Emergency Medical Hologram".

During the set, the band are joined onstage by Richard (from top band Allergy), who limps onstage in shorts and a plaster cast, the result of a skiing accident. he picks up his guitar and plays perfect lead guitar for 6 songs. Then Richard leaves the leaves the stage to a big cheer and Jim, (from Les' old band carter) joins in and plays the last three songs, it's all a bit chaotic, but the moshers at the front seem to be enjoying it.

After 45 minutes and 15 minutes longer than they should have been on stage, the band amble off to a huge ovation. It had been a great gig, not exactly note perfect, but very 'punk'

Scene Four - A bit later, Six Degrees are onstage.

Four sixteen year old musicians: Luke on drums, Julian on bass and vocals, Tommy on guitar and Ellen (yes, she made it back from France just in time) on rhythm guitar. They are playing energetic, modern, exhuburant, 90 mph punk rock and their musical skills far bely their age. The crowd is very appreciative and even the heckling is made in a loving way. Julian, looking about twelve years old and down to his pants and socks, is funny and confident as a frontman. The rest of the band look and sound great, Ellen is trying to be cool, but can't help breaking into a huge grin, she is obviously having the time of her life.

Scene Five - Post gig. Hurrah, the pub continues serving and the party continues. the DJ is still playing top tunes and there is a big crowd dancing in front of the stage.

Crissi is seen wandering around chatting, goosing the boys from Six Degrees (Luke's mum looks on, bemused). Les is being his usual drunken self, beer bottle permanantly in the drinking position, one arm around the nearest girl, big grin on his face. Jim and Jakki up at the front dancing their hearts out. Jason hassling the promoter for a gig for his new band "The Invisibles". Ben and Les' brother Brian (supplier of the van and muscle) are packing away the gear (gawd bless 'em).

Scene Six - Interior, Les' house 5am.

Crissi rides a bicycle into the living room, teeters for a second and then falls off. After this she decides to take herself to bed. Bransby and Marc have a small contretemps over a girl that both of them had snogged (name of girl withheld just in case). Marc storms off somewhere. Bransby falls asleep. The telly is on, but no one is watching. Les is chatting away to Angie and making no sense whatsoever. He ends up falling asleep with his head on her shoulder.

Camera pulls back to reveal a mess of sleeping bodies, a faint snoring is heard over the sound of early morning tv. Fade.

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