Story One and Only @ The Social Nottingham 30 Mar 06

Yesterday was a great day as I for one did not wake up with a hangover - "Shock, Horror, Faint and Amazement!"  Well anyone that saw me at the Cosmic Rough Riders gig will vouch for the fact that I was completely out of my tree!!!

Had a quiet day doing absolutely nothing and getting very excited about another musically brilliant night coming later.  It had been 12 days since Coventry and annoying "Topshop" man and it was about time I had my fix of Story One.

Finally left home after numerous attempts to wake the Flowerpot who had been drinking since breakfast. Got into town and met with the rest of the gang.  Had a drink in The Pit and Pendulum before doors opened and then went straight upstairs.

I must confess despite liking some of the opening acts I was chatting to different people throughout and did not pay a great deal of attention.  (How bad am I??)  One thing that did get my attention was Felix doing a cover of "Disposable"....but I dont want to talk about that!!!

We made our way to the front of course for the boys and crowd, sound, set and performance was one of the best I have seen.  There was even  a few people singing along and this made me smile.  I could go through the setlist and bombard you with words like WOW and Awesome, but these blogs are starting to get boring now.

Will say this though, last night was the 13th time I saw Story One play and it was the first time I saw them being asked for and playing an Encore.  Ooh 13 lucky for some.....well it is lucky for me actually.

It was most surreal to be mobbed afterwards with the Hull Massive amongst others, Myspace does have a lot to answer for.  Great seeing Tom again too who was converted in January (I also believe he has some nice pics - perhaps he will oblige).  Some more Birthday wishes to James - nice to meet him too.  

It looks like I managed to talk them into coming to Sheffield on the 1st May, well they have to, so they can get their copies of the new single "Out of Season" signed by the boys, because after that date, they are not going to want to talk to us mere fans anymore :-P

I think that covers it and I will get my fix in 2 weeks time in Southampton.  Thanks to all friends who shared this magnificent evening - glad you all loved it!

Cosmic Rough Riders @ The Vic Derby 29 Mar 06

They say its a well known fact that one should not blog when drunk, well fuck it I say we are doing it now!!

Flowerpot is here with me and dispite being drunk she high on life just like me.  Oh my God to live in this house one has to believe it to feel it lol!

I took her out for her birthday but she did not have a tube of glue where I was taking her but she was very willing - such a tarty cow!  Moo Mooo Mooo

Ok so after a bottle of wine and a  few pints of Strongbow in the classy Bentink Hotel (where all the beautiful people go) and missing 3 trains we finally managed to get on one to take us to Derby.

At the Vic Inn waiting was a Helen, Julia, Ant and Richard - all very sober or is it just us very drunk.  We drank some more and met some people including Mickey whom she is texting as we speak.  After she snogged the face off him when we left, but less said about that the better.

Ok back to the purpose of this blog, ahhh the Cosmic Rough Riders who dispite my handing out and distributing tons of their leaflets, did not have a bloody clue who the hell I was.  Much to my dismay as you can imagine. 

Anyway I was not impressed with the sound in The Vic tonight, was not enough vocals, found it very hard to hear Stephen sing.  I was up front with Richard behind me (I am sure he was checking to see if I was ok) I enjoyed the songs but to be honest most of the night is a blur....

I do remember after much stick for them to sing happy birthday to the flowerpot and me requesting "Justify the Rain", they finally sang it (well it was only after I said it was the only one I liked).  Not lying exactly but eh lets not go there.  Still did not sing happy birthday, well not properly anyway, so I had to give a glorious rendition in the pub afterwards.  Richard of course backed out as he was supposed to sing it!!!

Well at least the Cosmic boys Stephen, Mark and James (and the bald one - I don't remember his name) were very obliging - well only after I fetched them - to come and take some piccies with all of us. I almost dread to see what those are like and I am sure Helen will take no pleasure in showing me up.

Night did not entirely go as planned, although Flowerpot says she enjoyed herself.  We are now necking some Rose and I am probably more pissed than in the Vic but what do I care.  I don't have work in the morning.

Ok if  you want a good night out join us for Story One tomorrow night in the Social on Pelham Street - you will love them.  Not as much as I do, but they are fucking awesome!!! 

Goodnight Vienna :D

PS:  I still have sand in my shoes.....

Other people's views from the same night:

Helen - there is also some very embarrassing pictures on there  - Shame on you Richard!!!

Richard - a true fan

Ant - short and sweet

Party, Skegness & Protocol @ Leadmill - 27 Mar 06

Sadly had to leave Anton's (Rescue Rooms) brilliant party on Saturday night a tad early as I felt like death warmed up (apologies to Kate for being a party pooper). I got to hear some fab bands though and will definitely check out Saint Joan and The Recovery at a gig soon. Gutted all round that we missed We Show up on Radar but we will make it up to you Andy. Thanks Anton for having us.

After sleeping all of Sunday found myself wide awake at 3 in the morning talking to Sam on myspace. Decided we would meet for coffee and I somehow found my way to Skegness for sunrise and breakfast. Yes a little crazy I know, but why not? Its not like I have work this week or anything - not that work would stop me!!

Great sunrise pic :o)

Went to Doncaster to meet Mark before making our way to Sheffield to see Protocol. I have not seen these guys since November last year when it actually kicked off this whole myspace thing for me and gave me the idea for my charity gig. I had given the guys grief that night for not playing "Headaches and Heartbreaks" and Stevan and Dom in particular were very apologetic and told me to come to Cambridge following night....well that did not happen unfortunately. Got some great pics that night even though I looked like a rabbit caught in headlights (actually must remedy that with a decent pic sometime). I also remember having a lengthy discussion with David (keyboards) the boy from Dundee and he was ever so nice.

Anyway back to last night the Leadmill was not particularly full but there seemed to be mostly Protocol fans there and it was just a nice atmosphere. We sat in the bar and we could see the guys signing stuff for fans in the distance. I thought I would go and say hi at some point but then they all disappeared.

We made our way to listen to one band and promptly went and sat down again this band Situatinists was not my cup of tea, or perhaps I was not in the mood for them.

Stood outside the door and spotted David. He came over big smile and hugged me and called me by my name, which in my book is a very sweet considering its been 3 months and these boys must be mobbed with crazy fans at every gig. I was chuffed that he remembered me and that was just the start of lovely evening. Then as boys were about to go on Dom was at the drums and also said hello "Gosh you are awfully cute" is something he will have heard a few times before - but I could not help myself.

Music started and I was in heaven opening the set with a powerful version of "Hot under the Collar" and think the objective was most surely achieved there. Next one I recognised is an old fav "Beautiful Girlfriend" and found myself singing along, dispite it being a while. Next up was "Deborah" which was the B-side for "Where's the Pleasure" which then followed and that really got everybody singing. This explosive song is such a winner and the way John deepens his voice for the line "...so where's the pleasure with you.." is so very sexy.

Night was rounded off perfectly when I finally got to hear "Headaches and Heartbreaks" again. That is such a sweet song and it should be in every set list from now on...."Do you hear that Protocol???" The set ended with "She waits for me" which was Protocol's first single and a winner with the crowd everytime and finished things off beaitufully....BUT...

Gripes again lads, firstly you don't sing "Love is a drug", no set is ever ever ever complete without that amazing intoxicating beautifully rhythmic anthem and then you tell me Leeds is cancelled. Why do you do this to me??? Now I have to go to Bristol - are you coming Helen?

Ok I really did have a fab time...thanks Mark!

Censored @ Hard Rock Cafe Nott'm - 23 Mar 06

Yesterday was officially my last day at the Driving Standards Agency - Woo hoo!!!   (Well I went in this morning too) So my dear boss insisted on buying me a drink first.  Well its not often that a Scotsman buys a drink, so I thought why the hell not?!  Hmmm but doctor warned against effects of alcohol and chemo and I should have heeded the caution as Strongbow took full revenge on me!

5 pints later Helen, her mate Helen and I made our way to Hard Rock Cafe to see the fabulous Censored.  We were a little tipsy  to say the least, but I was still feeling ok at this point.  Hard Rock Cafe was absolutely mobbed and we arrived just in time to hear first act on who was Will Jeffreys.  Liked the bluesy sounds he was making and thought it was a lovely opening act for Censored.

Censored came on to rapturous applause and they did not disappoint.  First time of hearing the full band sound and loved the way my favs "Johnny Boy" and "All you got to do is ask" sounded.  I really find it hard to believe these boys are doing their A-Levels!  I liked the songs that I had not heard before very much too and will be at many more a Censored gig.

Thanks for good wishes and hugs Matt and it was very good to finally meet Chris and Nathan too.

Least said about "The Heroes of Switzerland" the better, but we have decided its not ironic at all - there just aren't any!!!

Was great to see old friends again, Helen, Richard, Mark, Nigel, Mike, Gareth and new friend Helen. 

Pics to follow soon!!!

Richard Snow & The Inlaws, Tom Wardle Band & The Crooks @ Vic Inn Derby 22 Mar 06

This night started a bit shakey and after rushing like mad to get to the Venue and being late, the nerves truly set in when I got there.  There was  not a band in site and no soundman.  I then think to myself, "Why the hell do I do this??".

Anyway shortly afterwards Richard Snow arrived and after the mere mention of cake, treated us to a fab version of Dlugokecki's cake song.  Well he sang when he was able to stop laughing.  It was a glorious moment indeed and I managed to get it on video.

Sadly did not get to see much of Richard's acousticish gig with Justin (who normally plays drums) on bass.  But from where I was sitting at the door it sounded pretty impressive.  I remember finding it really hard to sit still during Lonesome Cowboy and anybody that came through the door during that time would have seen me throw a few shapes! 

Helen then swapped with me for Tom Wardle Band (thanks mate) and I went to watch my first gig of Tom with full band.  Must say loved the full band sound and especially think it suited Midnight Man.  Also loved the Love 2 and finishing off with Ode to Ace in good old rock n roll style was really awesome. 

Next came the turn of The Crooks, who were the unknown entity to me.  Fine I had heard their demo songs and they were highly recommended as a live act.  Boy were we all in for a treat!!!  Not familiar with many of the songs, but one that stood out for me was Golden.  I really liked that one. 

We ended up eating Helen's lovely cake and chatting to two other bands that turned up on the night The Four Last Things and Newsum Turn.  Thanks lads it was good to meet you all.

Thanks to all my mates who made an effort to come and also all the fans.  Watch this space for more of the same....