DON'T TRY THIS AT HOME;

Down but not out (or I was sick and still drinking!!)
A Bristol diary
By Caryne

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Well, I very nearly didn't make this one, two days of
the 'cough from hell' had made me totally knackered
and it was just as well I didn't have tickets for
Exeter or Falmouth because I couldn't have made them!
Anyway, two days off work (which had a bonus because I
was able to buy tickets to see The Pixies when they
went on sale at 9am yesterday morning) and lots of
cough suppressant (wow, that stuff makes you feel
weird) and I made it.
I'd posted on the board for pub at 5.30pm so thought
I'd better be there. Over eager, as always, no-one
showed till 6.30pm, so spend a lonely hour on my own
looking like I'd been stood up! Dukie, after some last
minute train arrangements, finally arrived and
drinking began. It was good to meet Tim (Blue Meanie)
as it was his first 'Love' gig, well impressed that 23
year old's are still discovering 'Love' for the first
time, truly it has a universal appeal? Steve 64 had
said he'd make it but didn't see him there or at the
gig, so hoping all is ok? Mike 'bounced' in (well, it
seemed like he 'bounced'!) with a guy who was doing an
interviuew with him, no idea who he was but seemed
like a nice bloke and said he'd send a copy of the
interview to 'The Castle'. Mike (coward) declined my
suggestion of a pint of cider - Huh, he's in the west
country he should know what to drink! Quick enough
with the kebabs but can't handle the hard stuff, eh?
A few pints later we get over the the venue, just in
time to catch the end of 'The Keys' set - oh well,
missed 'em again but the last track sounded just fine.
I hate all Academy venues (time for my rant) the petty
rules ('Are you carrying any foodstuffs?' 'No, it's
just my cough medicine!'), the miserable security,
filthy toilets and crap, overpriced, beer. Bristol
Academy is just typical and added to that the view of
the stage is crap - unless you are at the front or on
the balcony. I opted for the balcony (see, I told you
I was ill) and the gig was bloody excellent. Ok, I
preferred the, sweaty, more intimate gig at Cardiff,
but it was still pretty damn fine. Arthur was on top
form with the hecklers and 'Rainbow in the Sky' is
still growing nicely. Another fine, long, version of
'Signed DC' (I really think that is my favourite song,
especially how it's being played at the moment) was a
high point. I may be wrong but I'm sure they started
'August' and then stopped when Arthur said he didn't
want to sing it but we did get a sublime 'Message to
Pretty' instead. Only one encore, 'Between Clark and
Hilldale', but after three gigs in a row I know
they're getting tired - still a two day break till
Saturday should help. Keep going I got those three
days in Pontins (Camber Sands) booked!!
Final thing, it seems, according to the 'Bristol
Evening Post', we have a new guitarist, I quote;
'The excellent Baby Lemonade, who are the new Love,
were in superb form and teenage guitarist, Mike
Rendle, just gets better and better.' Well, what
more can I say?!!!!!

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All Pix By Dukie Anderson

SCOTTISH ROSE RECORDINGS
www.thefreedomman.com

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Mike Randle
mike@lovewitharthurlee.com

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