One
day I'm going drive to a gig without getting stuck in traffic on the
M25. Left in plenty of time but got to this one part way through the
support band's set but in plenty of time for The Damned.
I've said it before but these reviews get harder and harder to write
- I could just say "the band rip their way effortlessly through
the songs with great panache and still make them sound vibrant and
fresh. Look like they're having a great time too". But that would
be too easy (mind you it would be true).
The Junction is looking spick and span after its recent tarting up
(2 million quid's worth of local taxpayers' money wasted according
to the Captain) and it seemed money well spent - excellent sound system.
Good sized, enthusiatic crowd too.
Managed to get a good vantage point just to the left of the stage
- perfectly placed to see the action. Still can't work out how DV
manages to appear from nowhere - he came on just in time as the Love
Song intro (MGE version) finished, clad in a rather dramatic
black cape - I must bring a camera along to record these entrances.
Slightly different set list to this one - These Hands was not
played with a crowd pleasing New Rose taking its place. The
rest of the set was the same as Oxford including Magic Potion,
which is a great song with a very Damned feel. I've got a feeling
it would make a rather good single. Dave dedicated it to a guy in
the audience "with a nice Afro. He looks like he might enjoy
a good hippy tune. Or perhaps he's just a Mungo Jerry fan".
I've literally just remembered that Neat Neat Neat didn't have
Break On Thru in it either.
Captain treated us to a flash of his (or rather Susy Lollipop's) bum,
a brilliant anti-church rant, a reference to the Christmas lights
episode "we had an exchange of views with the vicar - I told
Dave we should have kneed him in the nuts and been in the national
press tomorrow" and (after accusing Scott of hogging the
limelight ) "roadies they're the scum of the Earth - along
with vicars". Pinch wasn't going to be left out with a diatribe
against The Darkness - "they're not fucking rock music
- this is fucking rock music". "Don't hold back will
you" said the Captain. Dave can do the quips too -"you
look like you're playing a goldfish bowl" to Monty. He did
too.
It might just be my imagination but I fancied Dave gave Captain a
couple of old fashioned looks while he was larking about - once during
the start of Melody Lee when Dave left the stage, coming back
on just in time for the vocals and also during Smash It Up
when Captain invited a couple of ladies up on stage. He certainly
left the stage a bit sharpish once Smash It Up finished.
Another great show and another less than five hours sleep for me -
I certainly wouldn't do it for any other band.
Froggy