Festering Amid Empty Beer Bottles
July 2005

Hello again

A bit late again with the News and Views, though a mate has pointed out that these bulletins usually contain neither of either... Confessions of a Guitar Teacher has now been formally proposed as a new title but trust me, you wouldn't believe me if I told you...

The Mustangs did a great show at the Rowlands Castle Village Fete - 400 "Rowlies" turned out to watch us and blow me down if every man jack of them didn't get up and dance, sing along, storm the stage and almost carry us shoulder high across the A3 ... it was a great night and we really enjoyed it... I was buzzing with all my new found energy that my daily jog has given me (to call it a run would be doing runners a great disservice)... amazing how this keep fit game makes you feel better and keeps you, well, fit. This show was Derek's biggest home gig and I swear he didn't stop smiling from the second he stepped foot on the stage to the moment he fell off it.

I should add at this stage that our Crew - Tim and Tina, do a fabulous job with the gear and lights at these big shows... bathing The Band in all manner of eerie glows to supplement our sonic assault...

I've also done a few solo shows that I've really enjoyed... (no eerie glow required)... the Gipsy Hill Tavern is a great new London venue I am singing in and it was lovely to see a few faces there on July 7th, despite the traumatic events of the day... watch out for more shows there in the future... I also slipped down to the excellent Kolebka Bar in Southampton, run by the genial Jan; and I've been asked back there too... maybe these people are having trouble finding acts... ??!

The Band is playing the Gipsy Hill Tavern on August 19th, before kicking off the gigging in earnest again in September with 9 shows that month alone ... check out the gig guide on the website ... I'll also be soloing here and there so please check back at my gig page to get details ...

By the way, I loved Live 8... Pink Floyd... magnificent... The Who... what a guitar sound... Dido... swoon... and so many others that day who pulled a great performance out of the bag. Funnily enough, I recall, just over 20 years ago, sitting transfixed - motionless - in front of my parent's television as Live Aid stirred into life and the mighty Quo launched into Rocking All Over the World. I barely moved from that spot all day long, soaking up every chord, every drum beat, every camera angle of the day. By that time I was well under music's spell and had long planned to commit my life over to it ... and as I sat there watching Freddie and the boys steal the show, I promised to myself that if Geldof ever did another Live Aid, I would gladly accept the invitation to play and would do a 'Queen' and steal the show.

Fast forward 20 years and what do you know? They do another Live Aid and where was I? Not soaking up the adoration, prowling the stage like a panther, but semi-comatose on a sofa opposite Ben, festering amid empty beer bottles and half eaten Subway sandwiches. Funny how life sometimes doesn't pan out like you think it will...

Until next month...

Adam