The train trip up to Leicester was fast and comfortable the latter cos I happened to have a 1st class ticket without realising it. Surprisingly quiet carriage given it was 5.30 on a Friday but maybe everyone who works in London now goes back up north on a Thursday. First off is Bruce giving me a short back and sides then we have a lovely meal cooked by Christine. We wander into Birstall proper avoiding the Stannie and have a quiet drink outside the pub with the beer garden and catch up which is quite a lot of catching up with Khaldoun as not seen him for we don't know how many years. We try to go into the old mans pub but it's shut at 10.30. Ah well it's back home to watch Northern Soul videos.
Saturday is a lovely day until we start the bike ride so I wrap up and soon regret as becomes lovely again. Bruce me and Khaldoun cycle to a steam railway station for breakfast then round Bradgate Park up the Killa Hill after which we stop off to watch a bit of cricket before returning home. We pop into Birstall proper catching another cricket match where we see one of Bruce's teams players moonlighting and Mankading someone to great controversy. Nowt in charity shops so we ready ourselves for the Big Night and drive into town. Being roadies me and Khaldoun lug kit upstairs at the pub saying hi to Bruce's bassist Wayne and drummer Mike. I say they are Bruce's but they probably don't think that themselves. before settling down to Red Stripe and burgers.
Soon enough we're back upstairs to see Factory Girls who are a two guitar duo playing very listenable poppy tunes which go down reasonably well. A good start. By this time Butty and Hugo have arrived so more catching up chat. Next on stage are the 5 piece Echo Location who deliver an excellent set of quirky indie rock. The singer mooches about when not singing and what seems like nervous energy is fascinating to watch. I say singer but really spoken word (i.e. talking into the mic) which comes over a bit Fall like. Apparently the singer does take off MES too. I wouldn't say they are like the Fall but if you were to ask I may compare them with as they intersect at times given the Fall's prolific and diverse output. They are a great band and to me sound as if they are jamming but with a very together and tight sound. Later their bassist says they write songs collaboratively.
Last up but by no means least by any means are the fantastic The Burnout. I've already bought the single (very limited edition in clear vinyl, in fact at about a dozen pressed very limited in any vinyl) and the T shirt (which I promised to wear to Sugar Babes and The Damned at Glastonbury). The trio serve a very tight punky rock set with great extravagant drumming, a hard hitting bass verging towards JJB with runs up and down, a real rock guitar with a fair few licks and runs and proper rock n roll near drawling vocals. Great lyrics too. All in all a great band and I'm not just saying cos Bruce is my mate. The crowd are very appreciative too. Especially Bruce's close relatives. Ha ha. I would like them whatever and I guess cos their taste in music is very similar to mine so why wouldn't I love what they play? You can't argue with hard edged sleazy pre punk pub rock merged with post punk hard rock. With a bit of straight up early punk thrown in. If that ain't covered all the bases let me know. Any way a great gig complete with demanded encore then downstairs for a few drinks and chats with some of the liggers. That's a bit unfair as it was a free gig anyway. Back home it's the early hours so straight to bed. Sunday Bruce drives me to the station and my journey home is uneventful albeit in a fuller 2nd class carriage. A great weekend. Cheers Bruce. I forgot to get you and the boys to sign my single!
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| Bruce's lovely garden with steam railway behind |
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| The steam railway |
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Not the steam railway but Khaldoun's still fascinated
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| Local cricket |
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| Factory Girls |
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| Echo Location |
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| One of many of Bruce's solos |
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| The Burnout burning up the night |
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