Nottingham

I remember playing The Rescue Rooms like it was yesterday. It was in fact 2003 and I was doing a solo tour with Helene the band. I headlined that night [we took it in turns on the tour], the band had gone home early and I recall playing the gig to about 10 people but alas by the time the gig ended [and I really went for it as you do when there’s nothing to lose] the Rescue Rooms were deserted. And I mean deserted. The sound engineer was in the bar and the people who were there when the set started had all gone [to get the train I like to think!]. Of course I had no idea of this exodus as I really couldn’t see a thing what with the lights on stage and my ever failing eyesight. I think this is what they mean by paying your dues. So….these thoughts are with me as we arrive late afternoon at a venue that is notoriously hard to find; still I can remember exactly where it is much to the amusement of the band who don’t expect such confident directional directives form me…we usually reserve the final word on such matters to Ben. We decant and we load in. It hasn’t changed a jot. I remind the sound engineer we are not an EMO band and would he mix us vocal heavy, it’s a very loud stage and the acoustic keeps feeding back. The hotels just down the road and walk-able, which is a bonus. We hang around for food which is Mexican and excellent, check in, walk back and catch the last couple of songs from Miles and Erica who is dressed like a nineteen thirties silent film diva, snow white cotton dress porcelain skin ruby lips. She looks kind of other worldly…you can’t help but be drawn in. They go down a storm. By this time I’m starting to feel a bit out of sorts, I’ve come over a bit, well, faint. I put it down to sleep deprivation…that and old age! The gig happens. I make reference to my impending heart attack and miss the first bars of OPERATION like I wasn’t even there. I’m having a mini concentration crisis. I never quite get it back and I still feel bad about not doing an encore but I really did feel wobbly as hell. I forget all about the CD sales malarkey and disappear into the night in search of bed rest. I hearby apologise for the lack of sparkle and the absence of engagement. Remarkably several people have since commented on the gig positively so all is not lost. It just felt like it was at the time. Later that night at 3am I’m joined in bed by Bonehead who tells me a joke about a psycho path, it takes him a few goes, you have to laugh really. And then we’re out for the count without any help from hotel security. We’re home tomorrow. It’s been a busy week. VP