White rabbits!
I struggle to get out of bed on a Sunday
morning at the best of times but this morning was one of the worst in a long
time, I could have quite happily stayed in bed all day. Saturday night is a
night that I try to avoid going out on if I can help it, preferring instead to
be in my pyjamas on the sofa in front of the television. Give me a gig any
night of the week (even Sunday) and I’m there but Saturday night in the city
centre can go and fuck itself. Luckily I didn’t have to venture into the mini-Beirut
that is the Market Square as I was going to Spanky Van Dykes to see a band that
I have been a fan of for ages but had only seen on one occasion prior to last
night. August Actually supported Captain Dangerous at Jam Café in January 2013
and although I was aware of them I hadn’t given them my full attention until
that night. I was impressed enough to find out more but sadly on the rare
occasions they have performed since then I have missed them for whatever
reason. Last night was the release date and launch for their debut album, The Forever War, and very likely to be their last gig so
there was no way I was going to miss this, even on a Saturday night.
Spanky Van Dykes is a lovely place to go for a
quiet drink during the day in the middle of summer when the students have
deserted the city. I have never previously been in the place on a Saturday
night and in future it will take something very special to get me to do it
again. Upstairs is fine (although the sound wasn’t great) but the bar
downstairs was a bit of an arsehole magnet. Standing outside having a cigarette
between acts, at least four different people asked if I was Jesus with the
pride in their question that suggested that they thought themselves the first
people to have thought of such a comedy gem. The atmosphere wasn’t
intimidating, just moronic.
The first band was in full swing when I arrived,
and Gary and Cibele were positioned well enough to grab a table when one became
available (two nights running I have been able to sit down at a gig,
brilliant). I didn’t miss much as the first band was making the most offensive
racket and had thankfully nearly finished. No! Disco were launching their new
single ‘Your Orange Car’ and took to the stage with ease drawing huge support
from the room. No! Disco are a band I have always had time for and have played
on the radio a handful of times, including my American show. The crowd was on
their side and apart from pockets of talkers the mood of the venue was a good
one.
I was surprised that there weren’t more
familiar faces from the Nottingham music scene in attendance, although the turnout
was pretty good. Perhaps it was because the crowd paid to get in, almost an
alien concept in Nottingham. It is for this reason that I couldn’t understand
why there was so much talking going on while the bands were playing. Fucking
disrespectful is what it is.
After the gig we went to a studio space in the
Lace Market where there were loads of people we knew and a cheap bar. It was
nice but I’m used to watching a gig and then going home so Gary and I left them
to it at about half past one and took the night bus home. They’ll probably make
us take it back when they find out it is missing.
(No Sunday Alternative podcast this week due to computer fuckery)
===
February housekeeping
I rely on donations via the PayPal button to enable me to provide free
online content. This year there are plans afoot for more podcasts plus
documentaries, comedy sketches, short films and other content that will be
available free of charge.
My audio books can be downloaded from my Bandcamp page.
My books (including my latest, Bowie Day), are available to download to your Kindle.
This daily blog can be delivered to your Kindle for 99p a month
If you want an audio book or e-book and would prefer me to get more
money, cutting out the corporate middlemen (or women) then make a donation of
one pound or more, and then email me with ‘I paid a pound or more’ in the
subject line. In the email simply tell me what you want and I’ll email it to
you.
steveEoliver@gmail.com
@SteveOliver76
@SteveOliver76
