Buttermarketeers

The running joke about the Shrewsbury gig concerns Ben and a mix up with the promoters who are convinced he was once in a band called The Beanstalkers. He does come from Shrewsbury but the only beans he has ever stalked are currently planted on his allotment. This amuses us no end in a sad in-band-joke kind of way and sure he’s bound to know the way to the venue having played there with the Stalkers on numerous occasions…right then. It’s sunny day and Craig and I are driving to the said metropolis, we get lost but arrive first. Hospitality is with Colin and we make tea at his house which is some five minutes from the venue. It all feels pretty civilised. Colin has a label and is about to release old Nightingales stuff. I remember them from Brum years ago and we talk about The Prefects and Selly Oak and The Bournbrook Hotel in that small world mindset that befits the margins of the independent music sector. I wish him well with his label. The Buttermarket venue is Cellar styled and slightly cavernous and the others have arrived and we’re soundchecking in the proverbial audio fog. Perhaps we’re just too loud on stage…I’ve given up trying to work out exactly what the problem is but …when people are here we’ll cross our fingers. The dressing rooms have been cordoned off by a material door, like festival dressing rooms. We have beer and then we’re off for food. There is no support tonight so we don’t have to shift all the gear around to make room which is nice. My daughter Leah, her boyfriend Joe and other friends have turned up so naturally I do my utmost to embarrass her with stories from her childhood. The venue is filling up nicely. The gig starts well but after 5 songs Craig’s amp dies so I elongate the spoken introduction to Jesus Stole my Girlfriend, I mean, I really rabbit on, so if you were there no I don’t usually talk that much…I was just waiting for the signal. Despite Ben’s furious attempts at re-fusing it’s no good; the amp is dead so Craig will have to share mine. This of course makes our soundlife even muddier and we’re back in fog once again. Despite the technical mishaps the gig seems well received. Leah guests for the encore on Confessions of a Sperm Donor and it all seems a bit surreal [she thought she was doing Jesus and the Angel]. Later I’m selling CDs to anyone and everyone so thanks to all of you for supporting the band. It really is appreciated. We leave with a pleasant taste in our hearts in search of the beloved Costa Coffee, VPx .................Ben Knott,Beanstalker................................