Preston 12 Bar

It’s only down the road so sure no problem and the promoters decent and the venue to has a cool reputation...I’m talking to Jamie again as tompaulin have a show booked and sure I’m more than happy to do the support. Last time I played here was with Ron Sexsmith at the Adelphi back in the Suicide Dad days. It’s warm and wasteful Sunday as I arrive at the 12 bar in time to catch most of the tompaulin soundcheck which is refreshingly good in light of yesterdays festival sound disasters, John the engineer clearly knows the room. Then we’re all off for curry where I engage in endless sports banter with Ian the banjo player recalling my on the pitch at Villa Park Replica Shirt experience [I am prone to bore anyone and everyone on this subject] He’s a Sheffield Wednesday fan, recently promoted to the Championship and with everything to play for. He was also mugged in Manchester though not for supporting the Owls it must be said. I return first to the gig to catch Super Kings, a Preston band who were immensely listenable with cello and piano, not the usual hard guitar noise you come across. This band were attempting to be different, they also had some great little songs, like a frenzied Elton fuzzed up and camp, Ray Davies meets the Scissor Sisters…...maybe? Any way I can’t quiet pigeonhole them which is always a good sign. The singer reminded me of a young John Howard and it was just yesterday I met Johns bass player who also plays with Sister Vanilla…anyway, sorry for rambling. If you don’t know of John Howard you really should do, he’s genius and I don’t use the word lightly. My gig goes off pretty well, I’ve even got my own table of people who’ve come down to see me from Sheffield so thanks Anna, the gig is intimate enough to have some proper living room style banter with them and others and I fear my mouth got the better of me in terms of waffle at some points still it was really enjoyable to be playing acoustic again. I even did a few poetry requests which don’t happen so much nowerdays. I also did some of the newer songs soon to be recorded for the new record. After the show I meet some local philosophers and talk about Revolt into Style, the song [it’s new and I’m just about record it] and the George Melly book from where I stole the title [I’m not the first as my google search just confirmed] oh well….tompaulin play a great set, inspiring,up close and personal. It’s been good these last two days catching up with them and such. Stacy has also agreed to sing on the new record which I’m dead excited about, I’m preparing a little broken hearted duo for us as we speak. I drop Anna off in Chorlton at 1.30am and then I’m home and out of it in no time. Tomorrow we start rehearsals at Spooners for the album, VPx