Place: Westworld, Manhattan
Time: 28-Sep-1999 around midnight

After the smashing gig, we headed to the hotel with our passes(the after concert party ticket) to the suede heaven.  As we arrived the club,  it was already crowded with people.  I couldn't believe it's the place for the actual party.  I was wondering if it's just the same as the last time at JJ(just promotional stuff for the sponsor).  Any way, there we were stomping by  Barbie Girl, having our free beer pushing around looking for the band to come.

We must have been waiting for more than half an hour 'till the band came in.  They came in from the main entrance, Mat first, Richard, Simon then Brett.  I shook hand with each of them & were waiting to see Neil but after everyone got in, there was no sign of him.  We got into the dance floor area but seems the band had gone into another room(which we didn't even know were there!)  I was the first one of our gang to get in and once I was in, I heard a girl saying to the doorman that the band said it's ok for people to come in.  I turned and wanted to talk to Kel, but I saw her & Yolanda standing outside, the doorman wouldn't let anymore people in.  I was glad to see Ruby(a more calm suede fan) in though.  I tried to ask the guy to let the girls in but he just insisted not.  I turned and saw Brett & Simon sitting at the bar, there were not a lot of fans in, it must be less than 20 fans with a few of the press people & some regular customer of the bar who didn't even know who suede are & were asking if they are any famous, I just go with the flow & say they're areally BIG BAND from England!

I got myself a drink  & get the pictures I took with the band for them to sign.  First I need Brett to sign on the picture I took with him.  I walked over to him & Simon & said Happy Birthday to our b-boy, he was not as energetic as he was on the stage, probably with exhaustion but said thank you & nicely sign the picture for me.  While he was signing the picture, I was talking to Simon & told him how great the gig was but seems something was wrong & took a long while for Brett to sign on that pic.  He said there's  something wrong with my pen…. I couldn't find my other pen & while there were other fans coming over, I stepped back to the other side of the table & tried to find that damn pen.  After Brett finally sign the pic, I turned to Simon & as he saw the picture which we took from the last show, he was really happy to see it(he was even smiling to the camera!)  "Wow!  That's a good one!" Simon said excitingly and when I tell him my name, he just said, "Oh! Maggie is a nice girl's name, a very sweet girl's name!" Thank you Simon, I bet you say that to all you fans but at that moment, I feel really delighted.  I asked Simon where's Neil & he said he's not feeling well as he got a bit too much drink the night before(even though I don't believe in this explanation, I just let it go.  But deep down, I started to really worry about Neil's health problem, he seems so much paler than his lizard-man days.  Will it be the heavy song writing & guitar playing duty killing our stage magnet? *one week from that night, we heard that Neil's collapsed  in Australia, needed to fly back home & cancelled the rest of the Asian leg*

Then I walked towards Richard to say Hi.  I praised him on his backing vocal, he put on the most pleasant smile said thank you and  how he enjoyed the gig.  When he was signing the pic, I told him about our page & asked if he's ever surf on it, he said he's not the one familiar with the net & just pointed at Simon saying he's the one.  I asked if he can write a message for the fans & he took the pen, write on the sketch book thoughtfully.  Then I went over to Mat, he was having a drink & chatted with his mates(Peter and Charlie among the others) & seems was tired of all the pix the fans had asked for, so he started to pull silly faces for the camera. He wrote us the message & then  I turned to Simon again. I told Simon about the site & he said he must have seen it before & I asked if he's got e-mail, he said yes but he doesn't check his mail as often 'cos he's always away.  He wrote his hotmail address & told me to write him.  Sure I'll, Simon.   After chatted with most of the people in that VIP area, Simon, being the nicest band member,  went out to greet the fans who were still outside but Yo & Kel had already gone by that time.

Brett was surrounded by more fans at this time & seems he's not enjoying that.  When there's lesser fans around him, I asked him to write that message & took a picture with him.  But as another girl asked for a picture, he said, "OK, it's gonna be the last picture I take tonight." spontaneously, but seems no one was listening to him.  So the boss was not happy, I just leave it there.   I kind of got my mission accomplished (there was too much on my shoulder as I was the only one of the ASAHK to get in, I kind of felt like I had to get the things done & not disappointing the gals) and now, I can enjoy the after show PARTY.
                                                                                                                                                                                        
I chatted a bit with some new friends met at the party, & saw that tour book which we didn't buy as we were so determined to get in on the front row.  Also had a little chat with my friend who's got us the tickets so I can be where I was.  While I was standing around Mat, I saw him kind of lighten up a bit & just jumping around the place playing with Richard.  I said to him he's drunk  & he was all smiling and said, "NO, it's just Richard.  He wants to fly, why don't you go & punch him?"  Sure I didn't punch Richard.  I just stepped forward to talk to him, I asked why didn't he sing on the show as he did on the Japan gig, "It was just a one off thing, we were just kind of playing around.  Mat played guitar on that gig."  he said enthusiastically. We chat a bit more & then got some silly pictures again.  By this time, Brett had went out & probably met the fan outside.  Simon was talking with a woman who probably have no idea who they are & kept flirting around until the fans came and ask for more pictures.

I left the party at around 3, while I said goodbye to Simon, he asked if they'd bored me as I've to leave so early.. Sure not, I was just a bit tired & think since I've got all I want,  why not give the band a bit of time to enjoy the night?   Simon reminded me to e-mail him before I go

To look aback, compare this meet up  with the last one, I find it more calm and at ease when I talked  with the band.  I was definitely more cool and civilized as I was all prepare to meet them rather than Brett & Simon turned up all of a sudden to get a sandwich.   The band was really down-to-earth, OK, maybe not Brett, but who can blame him when 20 fans in the room all  can't keep their eyes off him & hang on to every chance to touch him, kiss him or take photo of him. Richard could be any lad you meet at the pub, just more honest and you just happens to know he can play his guitar quite well:-) Mat - a bit cheeky at time but loveable;  Simon.... Simon is just Simon, nice, loving and caring for all people around him (even that lady who flirted with him:-).  But their live gig still gave me the thrill like no one does ( I did see quite a few band live in the last 5 years)  I'm glad suede is still a part of my live, it's one of the few things I still clinging on from my teen year,  I can't wait to see them live again and maybe I will have a chance to talk with Neil the next time.  See U all soon.

Cheers
Maggie
xxx
 

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