Aye up, funsters!
I’m delighted to report that Friday night’s escapade to the Packhorse was an absolute blast! We were expecting a busy night, what with it being main man Liam’s birthday bash – what we weren’t expecting was to find the entire street filled up with wall to wall motorsickles, meaning we had to double park in the bus lane and unload onto the street.
We also weren’t expecting there to be a support act playing when we arrived – but there was! Turned out to be a very affable chap, on his own with a set of backing tracks, who very helpfully shipped his kit out the way for us to set up as soon as he’d finished, before even going off to get paid. And, although the pub was busy, the thoughtful punters kept a space clear for us to set up, so we had a nice easy ride.
Just as we started playing, lovely boss lady Ange started laying out a substantial buffet for all comers, and just moments later, right on cue, our Ben – previous bass player of this parish – came striding in, with a huge grin on his chops.
I’m beginning to think he may actually be psychic*.
We couldn’t allow such a golden opportunity for tomfoolery to pass, so part-way through the second set, Abs called him up to sing a couple of numbers with us, which went down very well – to our surprise, we even nailed a tune that we’ve not gigged for several years…
A couple of demanded encores with guest vocalists from the crowd, and we finally collapsed in a cheery sweaty heap.
Marvellous fun. Or, as the lovely Ange put it, “Well, that was crap, wasn’t it? You can fuck off now…”
Coming up this weekend, a couple more lively ones…
Friday 9th – O’Neill’s Bristol
Smack in the middle of town, where parking’s a bastard and so’s the clean air zone, and the booby-trapped bus gates – nonetheless, we’re assured by Abby that this one is going to be a hoot.
Saturday 10th – Blue Lagoon, Bishopston
Always a bit mad in here, once the band is set up on stage, they barricade you in with furniture to stop the punters from clambering all over you. To be fair, I personally would be prepared to allow a select few of them a little clamber, but it would make it harder to play the solos at the same time.
That’s it for now, so till next time
Square on
A
*On many previous occasions, Ben and I have said/thought exactly the same thing at the same time, but up until now, I’ve assumed this was simply because we have to share the same brain cell….