Psicle: An institution

Just so's it's not all negative I'll start with the institution that is Herne Hill Velodrome where me and Simon spent a very pleasant if latterly damp Saturday afternoon watching various races, some easier to follow that others, buying bargains at stalls,, listening to the very amusing Ned Boulton and chatting to Derney experts. And finding out about pacing Triumph motorbikes. All very enjoyable and interesting.

Tuesday I'm up in Birmingham for a conference. It's been at least 15 years since I've been here at all and 35 since I left after spending 5 years here. Wandering around the centre is disorientating as some places I recognise and am transported back to the early 80s and other parts I just can't picture what was there before. A lot of people lying on the streets and seems to be a lot more drinking strong lager and cider on the street. Maybe it's the damp miserable day that I notice it more than I think it is like in London. I've decided to visit the legendary institution that is the Digbeth Civic Hall where Olly and I used to jump about to hard core punk bands whilst also trying to avoid flailing fists and boots from the various factions such as the Birmingham punks (probably a nuance as the the different areas I didn't quite get), NF skins, the Kidderminster punks (a surprisingly friendly lot when I hitched a lift with them but beware meeting their gaze at a gig or be accused of screwing them up or eyeing up their women) and assorted locals who liked a punch up all intent on making the mosh pit (did we call it that back then?) their own. Anyways times have changed and it's now the O2 Institute (branded of course) and I'm looking forward to visiting again. Cage the Elephant have cancelled their gig there so I go check out The Lafontaines who are a sort of rap band from Motherwell, apparently. The gig room is up the top of the building and not the big downstairs with balcony that I remember so disappointed from the get go. There's not many here which surprises me as this seems to be the only thing on tonight and two gigs have been cancelled. Maybe it's the cost of entry (£12 + £2 + £2) and the London bar prices. Mostly young crowd but a few over 25 all of whom seem to be unreasonably excited. Maybe they don't get out much round here. Everyone looks a bit bland, including me, and I hate to say this but dated. The two cool looking girls turn out to be photographers who leave after a few songs anyway. So the band. Not to be confused with Fontaines DC. By any stretch! I've missed the first band so it's a mite more expensive than the Windmill per band. The band come on to much screaming from the audience, modern life of course so boys screaming as much as girls, and start us off with a few upbeat numbers that are what I can only describe as not very urban rap. A lot of posturing and right away we're into getting us to wave our arms in the air, to make some noise and to wave our arms in a left to right wave as if we're at some awful arena event. And that's the problem. They come on far too much like let's all have a good time together and put our hands in the air. Just play the damn music and let us decide if we're having a good time and want to wave at you. Maybe I'm too old school and curmudgeonly? A bright start with some hip hop indie cross over dance beats and at first the front man is entertaining enough and gets a good rapport with the audience. Later he jumps into it then jogs to the back to stand on the bar. So in some ways I quite liked him. At this stage the music is a bit poor mans Beastie Boys. OK, a deeply poverty stricken BBs but it then descends into a faux urban R&B vibe with the drummer crooning. Also I swear to god there's a bass line in there but only 3 on stage plus some guitar work that ain't coming from the guitarist. And a bit of synth that isn't the guitar? That's all a bit odd and I may be wrong. Once he gets us all to crouch down then spring up then to wave our phones as torches on I'm fed up what with the constant exhortations to enjoy ourselves wear thin and once he bangs on about us buying his merchandise for 5 minutes I feel I've seen enough and trudge down the stairs imagining gigs of yore and step out into the drizzle of Digbeth. It seems somewhat complimentary to my mood. I never like finishing books or gigs early and feel bad cos at least they're up there and I just hide away playing bass with Pete. There again we don't charge people £16 to see us and sell shite beer for over a fiver. Now there's a thought Pete. So my homecoming to that institution of energetic and edgy punk rock is hardly the return of the prodigal and Brum hasn't given me what I'm sure she has to offer these days. I'm back up in a month to see a 20/20 match at Edgbaston. Hope the weather is better or it will be a 5/5 match. And I guess I'll be treated to the same histrionic exhortations to enjoy myself as it's and evening match rather than a test. See you soon Birmingham.