Brixton

We’re making good time heading across London after a slower start than expected due to the tedious rigours of hiring equipment, still Johnny Roadhouse come up trumps in the end. It’s a size issue as we can’t fit Andy’s beast of a bass rig in the mini bus; plus we all hate lugging it. Bens at the wheel again as we slip into the exclusion zone and get flashed. I make a mental note to sort it later. We arrive at the Windmill in good time; it looks like a gaudy scout hut with a cactus logo and Christmas tree lights, council estate country and western style. Inside we’re met by the jesus of cool who’s apparently a sound engineer. The sound-check is all function and no detail still you can never really tell what’s what until the gig proper. Then it’s off to eat the worst Mexican food in London, truly awful and expensive, if only I could remember the name of the place to advise avoidance at all costs. Still the waitress was nice. On return to the gig at least we have a decent crowd. We say hi to Nick from UNPEELED who are promoting tonight’s show, then we’re on and taken slightly by surprise at just how good the sound is onstage, the engineer knew what he was doing after all, which inspires us in all the right moments. Reactions are favourable and the camp is happy. Then we’re off to Nick and Louise’s ample Victorian manor house in Crystal Palace for cocktails and pizza where we get top beds and showers. Next day I realise we’ve not paid our exclusion zone fine but it’s too late by then and the operators having none of it. Even the charming telephone manner of Mike Joyce can’t win them over. £50 it is then. Drag n all. We take an early lunch and head off to Aldershot for more of the same, VP