Art Showcase Time

I played the Carling Academy in Liverpool when it was the plain old Lomax back in 2001 before it got the neon lights sign outside and before that when the Lomax was in Cumberland Street on numerous occasions. Oh how the time flies when you're having whatever it is you are having. LOVECRAFT opened the night, the first time I'd seen their new line up, mainstay Craig Whitfield was appealingly unhinged throughout. I especially enjoyed some of the newer songs; great taught stabby guitar arrangements [they now have 3 guitar players] plus some classy Wilsonesque [Brian not Marie] backing vocals from the guy who looks like Gerry Garcia. Trademark toys were also in evidence. LOVECRAFT are my favourite band of the here and now bar none, I believe they are the future sound of something different, something risky, something nobody's quite worked out yet. That's my opinion and I'm stuck to it. They're dead young. Give them time.We enjoyed the Academy gig despite a few technical hitches at the start. I was already in a mood cause they [the wicked sound crew] made me take off all my pedals after the sound check and re set them up minutes before we went on, they'd also messed around with Andys' leads, so it all got a bit rushed and then someone locked us out the dressing room so we couldn't get the guitar tuners...then we were on. Still I'm not bitter...not at all. Some old friends turned up and heckled me with gusto asking for songs from the early 90's that I can barely remember writing which was kind of touching. Shame they all got chucked out before I could say hello, all except Terry the Turnip, Harry Potter Senior and Rapunzle who all helped carry the gear. In total contrast to the cavernous Academy I played another Liverpool gig of acoustic intimacy on 23rd Sept in Kensington Community Centre where I was auctioned off, song by song, by Bill Drummond. The Southport Soup gig scheduled for the same night was cancelled. I'd never played an Art Auction before. There was a web cam and some community debate. It's purpose to sell remaining art and other stuff, furniture and suchlike from the Linosa Close tower block in celebration of the last of it's residents moving into new accommodation on the purpose built Sheil Road estate that surrounds it. The block was used as temporary accommodation for many artists staying in Liverpool over the years, much of their work was included in the sale. Lots included the security guards samurai sword and a key cupboard containing all the keys to all the flats that are soon to be no more, each with brightly coloured plastic fobs, an impressive luminous memento. A short story written in Linosa Close on an old typewriter by Will Self was also up for grabs. The block will be demolished soon. Bill was also there in part to progress his twinnings project [Kensington in Liverpool with Kensington in London]. This involves a kettle exchange [1000 kettles], a meal at Hilton Park and an exhibition at the Tate. There's more info on the site at http://www.penkiln-burn.com More gigs along the SOUP LINE are planned later this year and a live album will follow, if you live on the line you know what to do, VPx