MOTH2

It's my 3rd gig in 6 days which is good going these days. Back at the Moth Club by accident as this gig was originally at the Lexington. I meet Pete Wendy and Jane "at the back" where they have a seating area right next to the merch table. I catch the last song of Low Girl who sound pretty good so shame I missed them. They went down well as a lot of people rush over to the merch stall which is also where they're bringing their kit back to so it's getting a bit crowded. After a catch up chat about all that has passed in the last 6 days the sound goes off in anticipation of October Drift. They start off with the leader singer guitarist having set up in the middle of the room, as in the audience, starting out with just guitar and vocals before the rest of the band gradually come in. It's a great way to start the show and we are soon into an onslaught of heavy grunge guitar riffing. Whilst the obvious comparison is Nirvana, and some of the songs do have a very Nirvana-ish bassline, they lean towards a more choppy groovy vibe. At times they get groovy and remind me of The Charlatans although god knows why as they are far from that swirly Manc dance scene. It just popped into my head. The bassist stands out driving the songs along and all in all they are very entertaining although I don't leave our good view at the back to follow Pete into the crowd. The singer likes getting into the audience and goes walkabout on the tables in the seating bits. The last song is him in the middle again with a big singalong. In fact there is quite a bit of singing along. They seem to be one of those bands who have a small but very dedicated cult following and I'm not sure they'll get a lot bigger. But what do I know. I once refused to pay £25 to a tout to see Nirvana in Bradford partly cos I was tight and partly cos I considered them a heavy rock band. Even worse I was with Ramsay so feel worse for him than for myself. Soz luv. Regrets? I've had a few. And that one I've just mentioned. Anyway back to the 2020's... A great way to end and they have an enthusiastic send off. We finish our drinks then chat for a while outside about life, locks, mudguards and the politics of Glastonbury ticket buying groups. Eventually we part. The Oslo which we blagged into last Saturday has a very long queue of what look like goths and then I remember it's Halloween weekend. Having just missed a train I have to wait a whole 15 minutes for the next and for the whole journey I keep on being surprised by people's outfits. I assume most are Halloween but after 11 on a Friday night in London anything goes on the tube. An enjoyable night out east. Again. Good call Pete.

October Drift

Grunge away

Windmill Wednesday

Partly so we catch up Simon find ourselves at the Windmill for what we are hoping will be a quiet night out. I've got to leave the house before 6.30 tomorrow. Everyone else seems to be out for a big night as the place is packed and everyone getting merry. On stage is a very shiny singer belting out out and out disco tunes on a tape unit (or perhaps something more digital) and she has a great voice for it. This is apparently Vanity Fairy and if you like your disco, which I do, then it's great. Couldn't get near the dance floor even if we wanted to strut our stuff as heaving in there. Disco is obviously the new indie in south London. Provinces take note. Simon hands over the chisels, having not been stopped en route, and we buy gins to remember Pauline. After a bit of fresh air we come back in to see Voka Gentle who are a 3 piece but I'm not sure as we're not that close, the stage is not that big and there is a big speaker that could be hiding someone. Also I think someone comes on to guest for a couple of songs. I'm unsure about them at first as they seem to be channelling American beat folky stuff although they do have great vocals. Something a bit weird (in a good way) about them so it's a psychedelic folk vibe. They then progress a bit into west coast surfer band harmonies with a soft rock feel (OK, say it Jim, The Beach Boys) before meandering off into a wild strange land of folky hard rock at times going all Gong like and I've not said that for a while. They are definitely growing on me. The lyrics are odd and humorous the ones I can catch. Their album cover is reminiscent of King Crimson's In the Court of the Crimson King although the back cover ain't. There may be a musical influence there too. We're won over and I'd love to see them again. The Windmill is a great venue but when it's crowded you have to be in the mood to squeeze between kids a third of your age to get a good view. After they're off we leave sharpish as we both got things to do. Tomorrow. Much better than sitting in a 'Spoons. Good night Simon. Excuse the photo quality as my phone camera is wobbly still and I am using an ancient (i.e. 5 year old) phone which seems to think it's taking photos for psychedelic 70's album covers. I don't think I've accidentally switched on the "psychedelic 70's album cover" mode.

Vanity Fairy

Voka Gentle, some of, possibly most

Memorable Order of Tin Hats

We travel to Barking where Debbie has a flash of nostalgia seeing a bus going to Romford Market. We are visiting Pete and Wendy on their lovely house boat and after a couple of margaritas, a tasty lentil curry with all the Indian restaurant accompaniments and a couple of gins we taxi to Hackney to the Moth Club. This has an interesting history (I find out later... https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/news/latest-news/new-hackney-venue-the-moth-club-set-to-open-september) and is in an old Trade Hall. It's a bit like the east London Windmill although not as gritty with no garden but it does have shiny streamers behind the stage and shiny golden ceiling. Also better for seeing bands if it's packed. We get seats next to the stage and although in some ways I would prefer to be standing in the crowd it's nice to kick back and relax during a gig for once. First band we see are Bollards who are a very tight and entertaining indie funk band with a few interesting quirky deviations. Comparisons are Devo and Talking Heads with a bit of black midi thrown in. (In web search afterwards I see the singer guitarist also plays with Fake Turins who I saw at LAL). The headliners are Alien Tango which has a Spaniard as the front person in a gold lame suit and who is a tour de force serving us a great mix of funk, rock, cabaret and NYC disco and punk. Another heavy Talking Heads influence to my mind. The band are great with a keyboardist who gets the 70s disco vibe spot on (although he seemed a bit nonplussed when I told him outside afterwards) and a saxophonist who lingered back stage before his regular stints blasting away. The crowd love it and it's crowded and grooving. A great set. Afterwards we are energetically moved outside as there is a club night later although I pop back in for a wee and Debbie for a couple of very tasteful T shirts. Not wanting to call it a night we go to the Oslo bar where the bouncers don't want to let us in at first. Not sure if it's our age but after Debbie shows off her new T (cartoon of dog with dynamite up it's arse) one tells me that Debs "looks a bit tired" and we should walk round the block for 20 minutes. All very polite tho. Debbie brilliantly pulls out the "But I'm a nurse" line and of course they usher us straight inside and tell the guy on the door to waive the fiver entrance fee for us all. We get drinks and sit and chat then a bit of light boogieing in the disco upstairs before we decide to head home. By this time it's taxi time so we say our goodbyes and have a pleasant trip through the Blackwall Tunnel back home. A great night. Good call Pete and Wendy and thanks for the nosh.

A classic pub pose

Bollards to you too (note Devo inspired costumes by most of the band)

That keyboard!

Rock and roll

Rocking out

The T that Oslo don't like - unless belonging to a nurse

LAL2022

The weekend starts with a train to Ilkley where I meet Sarah and we lunch before our Ilkley Moor walk. Glorious sunshine as we go into the café and monsoon conditions when we leave so the walk on t moor is swapped for a couple of pints in t Junction before seeing Jo and Maisie at the Palmer place. They’re going to the Leeds Light Extravaganza so Sarah and I pop next door to the Fleece where Ramsay joins us having spent all afternoon drinking Landlord on a steam train. An early night for all as we have a big day tomorrow.

Saturday Ramsay drives to Menston and we train into town splitting then rejoining at the packed Nation of Shopkeepers to see various clients, Linda and Melvin and our first band of the day Chappaqua Wrestling who are an entertaining rocking indie band and a good way to start the day. They go down well. Next down town to the Wardrobe to see Lottery Winners who are local and have a very entertaining front man who seems to be half vocalist half comedian. They deliver a pretty good rocking beat too. A quick trip round the corner to Oporto to squeeze to the front of the crowd, not crowded here, to meet Jo and watch a great guitar driven set by the fabulous Splint. Now the music has really kicked off and we’re in the mood. Dampened slightly by a quick trot through the rain to the university bit we catch most of Warmduscher who deliver a harder dance set than when I last saw their Glastonbury disco set to a sea of very appreciative boppers. Great band great visuals great sound great gig. Down to the Belgrave scene of past serious talking and serious drinking to see a traditional rocking bluesy set by Moorish Idols who are good but not great to my mind. Now we taxi up to the Brudenell which I’m embarrassed to say I don’t move from all day, simply moving between main gig room, bar area, community gig room and outside courtyard bit. There again the music is so good here there’s no reason to venture back into Leeds my only regret not getting to the book club for my traditional evening meal with Malcolm who has stood me up today.

First up at the Brudenell are The Queens Head who I saw a few weeks ago renamed The Kings Head as a nod to the new monarch. They deliver another great funking rocking set which gets the crowd grooving and jumping. An excellent start to the evening. Next door are Melin Melyn who are (is?) a tidy Welsh band (singer) who deliver a quirky set with an amazing vocal range hitting notes high enough to crack the pint glasses. Soup! are a electronica sounding Depeche Mode influenced (I assume) band with a MES vocalist. I like. Back in the community room the Fake Turins make the most of their 12 person contingent by giving us a danceable groovy set which would grace a festival small stage late at night. Or early in the day. Great feel good vibe. 

The Dinner Party grace the main stage to a less than packed dance floor but those who are there, including the kilted / dressed Queens Head guitarist, with a great set of rock with a fresh take on a 70s vibe including a standout out and out blues number. The singer has a great stage presence and with their flowing white dress that could have come from a wedding (I don’t know, this ain’t a fashion blog, although I flatter myself that I look pretty damn stylish today) and shape throwing they owns the stage. The rest of the band are pretty slick dressers too. The music is sharp and at times reminds me of early Queen albums with big tunes often with a traditional rock blues beat and an almost operatic front person. Excellent. As thought the Queens Head guitarist when I accosted him after the set. After that I’m a bit hazy except for hugging and enthusing the DP singer in the car park. Sorry. It makes me pine for my Queen albums which I sold in the mid 70s to fund punk rock 45s. Seemed like a good idea at the time and je regret rien as I think Sinatra sang. Baby Dave are a great looking mob with one of them sporting a proper female skinhead barnet which I always like (I know you don’t Debs) and they have a great front person who had energy to spare. Great lyrics from the ones I could catch and a full on onslaught of rock, reggae, neo-ska rock steady and a bit of rapping thrown in for fun. And what fun we had. Must go see again. After that I’m afraid Opus Kink sound a bit one dimensional rock but maybe I should give them another go not at the end of a long day. The final act is anticipated Los Bitchos who are a fun time rocking group who are in your face DMs sole first. A great end to the day. I leave my hosts who are considering the Wardrobe after party to cadge a lift home in the Melvin and Linda family taxis (thanks guys! you saved my soul) and roll into Westgate and bed at a not unreasonable hour and a damn sight earlier and less spaced out that in previous Live at Leeds. Must be getting old Jim…

Next day it’s a private viewing in the art gallery in which Jo and Poppy have a few pieces and then a walk up the Chevin with Ramsay Jo and Maisie. A great lunch then evening meal before settling down to the traditional post LAL Sunday evening film which was a weird one. Monday morning Jo drops us other 3 off at Menston and I commute into Leeds with Ramsay and Maisie grabbing a coffee from Laynes which serves the best coffee ever (guess who told me that) and train back into London. A great weekend as ever and thanks a million Ramsay and Jo for putting me up / up with me. Come visit London soon!

Splint

VIP

Los Bitchos

Opus Kink

Baby Dave

Baby Dave

The Dinner Party

Fake Turins

Soup!

Melin Melyn

The Queens Head 

The Queens Head 

Moorish Idols

Moorish Idols

Warmduscher

Splint

Splint

Lottery Winners

The Nation of Shopkeepers

Chappaqua Wrestling

The Flying Scotsman at KX

Otley from t Chevin

Otley

The Mosh of the Curser

We have Eva staying and as the Australian (tho south London born) daughter of Ru, one of Debbie's old friends, we have to show her a good time in south London. We of course decide on the Windmill but can't lure anyone else out for the evening maybe because of the forecast. It's chucking it down so after a couple of drinks and take-away we decide against cycling and catch an Uber to the Windmill with Eva sporting Debbie's recently de-Depop-ed fake fur coat. The first band are on and Memory Farm are delivering a heavy grunge set with monotone vocals. The music is great but the vocals could be a bit more varied to be honest. They jump from hard core noisy grunge to a more laid back vibe which oddly reminds me of some of the later less obviously loud and angry Crass stuff. A good start. Eva loves the place which is a relief as it could be a bit intense if you didn't. We do the traditional thing which is to go outside between bands to chat despite a lack of dry benches and sprinkling of rain.

Next up are Neuro Placid who are the best band of the night in terms of entertainment and indeed the music. They have about 8 on stage with various people joining and leaving and them wandering into the audience to share cow bell belting duties. The singer has great presence and is the spit of a young Johnny Rotten (as he was first known to us) with the same snarling and slightly contemptuous way of singing. He looks and sounds great veering from rap to singing to just snarling. The rest of the band look just as striking with odd hats, male bassist in a tight long dress, female guitarist in cowboy boots all in all they look mashed together. The music is like that too. A punky vibe with funky hip hop bebop beats yes veering into the sort of free form jazziness that black midi do so well. The sax adds a great dimension and it seems that you always need a good sax to catch that psychedelic hard core funky jazz feeling. With a good bass keeping it all together of course. There's a couple of times where it seems that the singer is arguing with either the bassist or drummer and one of the others telling him to calm down. Part of the show? Been watching old Pistols videos? It's a great set and gets the crowd jumping. At the bar I ask the cowboy booted guitarist whether their anarchic vibe is well rehearsed or organic. She says that whilst they do practice the shows do take on a life of their own. Worth checking out for sure.

Nossir take the stage and they have a difficult act to follow. They are good changing the anarchic psych vibe to one of British guitar band weaving in and out of rock and a more baggy feel. Again, they go down well and get us jigging about. [This is a bit of a P.S. One of the listings said "secret guests Nossir" and in clicking the link on the flyer it goes to a band called Automotion. Turns out that they are indeed Nossir and include Liam Gallagher's son. So maybe that's why they are on as secret guests under a pseudonym. Also explains why they have that British guitar band slightly baggy feel. Which I wrote before I did this on-line investigation.]

Headliners are Curser which I think is why it's now sold out and an album fundraiser which is maybe why the price is an extortionate 8 quid. Each! Curser have more of a punky thrashy vibe although they are a very tight band musically and do have a hard funky feel too. They get a mosh pit going which I cannot resist partly cos the music wants you to jump about and possibly influenced by a few drinks. It's not a lot of fun in there and as an obviously old un the young sweaty things think it's fun to either push me against the patience losing crowd or to put their horribly sweaty arms round me to hug and gurn at me. Ah well, that's the price you pay for jumping up and down at the front. A great way to end the evening having seen four great bands all giving us something a little different. Eva gives the thumbs up to the place and the bands and we Uber home in double quick time and once we've opened the front door we hang out in the kitchen chatting for a while. Great night and it's always lovely bringing someone to the Windmill for the first time.

Great flyer - I wonder if that was staged?

Grungy

Rotten

Anarchy in the Windmill

Just rappin'

How many musicians can you spot on or off stage? Answers in blog comments

That's for the audience isn't it? Very dangerous in the low ceilinged Windmill.

The red faces are due to lighting not booze

Nossir guitaring

The crowd

Curser