Another visit to the city which is apparently the “Seattle of England”, the “Birthplace of America”, the “home of trip hop”, the “Shopping Capital of the Southwest” and “Silicon Gorge”. Probably more famous, however, for being close to Yate, the kind of town that referees come from. Worth the trip?
twistedkitemike
Another fine evening, as always. Early start, so early home despite the antics of the cone-wankers. Good effort to close the M4 completely at J11 and divert us through the scrublands of Reading. But enough of my tish, you’ll all a be awaiting a perusal of the sermon for the evening: –
Westward Ho!
Evening Sun
Third Track Main Camera Four Minutes
Petty
Vitas G
Squabblefest
Pancake Day
Left Lyrics
AOR
Paintball
Bob Wilson
Old Age
Mountain Bike
Floreat
Tommy Walsh
Bane
Look Dad
Chatteris
Joyce
Bad Wools
Fix It
Vatican
JDOG
DPAK
NSD
Trad Arr Tune
…………………………..
Encs:
Trumpton
Cover – Maybe (Thom Pace)
Light Tunnel
The cover was ‘en hommage’ to Dan Haggerty, the Grizzly Adams star and this was the theme tune. Recognized it as familiar at the time, but couldn’t place it or name the song or the writer!
Not as chatty as usual, but still some gems from Nigel. I understand that he has a bad back. It does rather sap the spirit.
Mike…………………….
27 February 2016
(NOt) locked in Rock City, Notts
Would like to have gone to this gig as the Holmfirth gig has been scuppered for me due to a combination of the BBC/FA/Everton FC but I was too busy being involved a lot of cone-wankery on the M1 ;). Needs must, all part of the Gidiot Osborne Long Term Economic plan, etc. Hope the diversion around Reading wasn’t too onerous.
28 February 2016
Dr desperate
Once again, excellent gig, crap venue. It didn’t seem as full as last time, possibly as Showaddywaddy were playing at The Fleece up the road.
The early start meant making the hard choice between pre-gig drinks at The Hatchet and seeing the support (Flux Capacitors) – I think we made the right decision, though rather disappointed that the jukebox in the pub no longer contained any HMHB songs. .
Entering through metal detector arches, managed to give the big hello to Roger and gang before, as if by magic, the band appeared. “Still collecting the school vouchers?” said Nigel, and we’re off with ‘Westward Ho!’ The rest of the set was as above (with ‘Squabblefest’, ‘Paintball’ and ‘Mountain Bikes’ all added after the handwriting of the setlists).
It emerged that Nigel had directed the band to take the A4018 (through Westbury-on-Trym) rather than following the sat-nav and getting caught up in the cone-wankery on the M1 “like some” (nod to Geoff at the back). “It’s like a back way in, isn’t it? You won’t find that on Google Maps, it’s from my collection of maps.” He later asked if anyone was in from Westbury, and informed us that his first guitar was a Westbury (manufactured by Matsumoku, who also made Epiphones). They’d stopped off at Broadmead, Nigel at first claiming that it was to book a John Wesley walk but then admitting it was to score some Solpadeine Plus (“not Max: I’ve got it under control.”)
There was a certain amount of fruitless requesting (“Yeah, that’s one of ours”), though the bloke in front of me who shouted for ‘A Country Practice’ was correctly identified as coming from South Wales, leading to a brief snatch of ‘Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau ‘. He was also given a useful fashion tip, something to do with wearing his jumper inside out. Other audience members included local nutter Big Jeff, two blokes sporting statement necklaces in the shape of large half-biscuits, and my daughter Grace, attending her first Biscuits gig. She was entrusted with the JDOGs, but when I gave her the nod to put them on she declined and handed them over to me. Apparently the bloke behind her said, “You must really love him” and she replied, “No, he’s just my dad.”
Ken (no cap, cover version rule applies) was the first man in Wallasey to try balsamic vinegar; Neil was the man with the experimental side-project. It was alleged that Pam Ferris had had an affair with the Mayor of Dundee, a story that hadn’t yet reached the papers so perhaps should not have been revealed. One song was written with a laundry marker, another while sitting on a bench – Roger will probably let you know which ones. The ‘Paintball’ couple watched repeats of ‘Top Gear’ on Dave (“It’s not just for petrolheads, y’know. It’s for dickheads as well”) and the man in ‘Mountain Bikes’ who first got into the Manics used to be one of Nigel’s neighbours, ditto the irate man with the garage in constant use. Moshers were seen out jogging, and vice versa.
The cover was Thom Pace’s Goldene Europa-winning ‘Maybe’, the theme from ‘The Life And Times Of Grizzly Adams’ starring “the legend and inspiration we lost in January”, Dan Haggerty. My ability to identify it was hampered by mishearing his name as Den Hegarty, bass singer in The Darts. It was followed by LFC runner-up TLATEOTT(ITLOAOT) and a shamefully early Showsec chuck-out.
On to Holmfirth!
28 February 2016
A Middle-AGED HUW
Dr Desperate, I think I was another bloke in front of you. Was your daughter wearing an orange Leeurwarden shirt?
Anyway, just to add some further observations. The bloke from South Wales was told he could get an outdoor ariel for his jumper. Big Jeffs mate getting into an argument which ended with him shouting ‘It’s not the 1970’s you know!’. Someone resplendent in a ‘King of Hi-Vis’ hi-vis. One half of necklace pair was so drunk he was escorted away by security before the end. A very enthusiastic mosh-pit, most of whom seem to land on my foot at some point. Being asked twice where I got my Blackwell & Crossley & Hancock & Henry t-shirt (Red Molotov).
Fine gig all told, now looking forward to a new ground in Cardiff in May.
29 February 2016
Dr desperate
I’m afraid she wasn’t wearing a Leeuwarden shirt, @Huw, but she might be next time. I, on the other hand, was resplendent in a King Of Hi-Vis jacket (and a black satin tour jacket with detachable sleeves).
I witnessed the ‘Not the 70s’ contretemps at close range, and according to FB the Showsec who escorted Drunk Necklace Guy off the premises came back and retrieved his JDOGs for him.
29 February 2016
Chris The Siteowner
Nice: 12 songs from the gig up on this YouTube channel.
1 March 2016
CARRIE ANNE
No amount of cone-wankery could prevent the lovely Roger Green from reporting on events. His Bristol review is now on Gez’s website here – http://cobweb.businesscollaborator.com/hmhb/guest/index.htm
1 March 2016
chedgzoy
It was my daughter in the Leeuwarden Korfball shirt, her first gig too, having been singing along in the car since she was a toddler. She loved it, a genuine proud father moment.
1 March 2016
Dr desperate
Having viewed the YouTube clips of the gig (see above) I suddenly remember some more song intros:
‘Bane Of Constance’ was introduced with “Stewards – A Warning From History”, presumably a Godwin’s Law application to match stewards, as in the TV mini-series ‘Nazis – A Warning From History’. This was last employed at Leamington Spa in 2011, though there was debate at the time as to whether we were being warned about ‘Stuarts’ or ‘Stewarts’.
‘Ode To Joyce’ was about a neighbour who fed milk pottage to her familiar, which took the form of a dachshund called Roy.
‘Trumpton Riots’ was preceded by “I don’t know if anyone’s been to Eskdalemuir? ‘Cos, like, y’know, I don’t know anyone.”
Dumfries & Galloway also featured in the intro to ‘Tommy Walsh’, as it was the mayor of Dumfries (not Dundee) with whom Pam Ferris had allegedly had a fling. “Caused quite a scandal at the time, on the Borders – Wicker Man territory.”
NB10’s 15th birthday shout-out reminded someone of Everton fan Ed ‘Stewpot’ Stewart, to which he responded “He’s the only one left it’s OK to turn into, isn’t he?” and “I hope he’s dead, they buried him.”
He also used to like it when Dickie Davies had his Mallen Streak, and wished he could have one, though he was happy enough being the Fresh Prince of No ‘Air.
2 March 2016
Pail Merk
And let me stop you right there, Mr Blackwell…
These references to “Mayor of Dundee” or “Mayor of Dumfries” are but free-thinking wheezes because neither location would have a mayor. The equivalent to the town/city mayor up here in chilly Jockoland is the Lord Provost, an echo of an area’s ancient burgh. He or she is an elected councillor, but the LP is mainly a ceremonial role, usually requiring the wearing of robes, ruffs, stockings, buckled shoes and pointy hats.
Still a laugh, mind.
7 March 2016