Still

An in-store gig is a beautiful thing. They can be early in the day, don’t involve a support band and most involve a signing. Bliss! Last week saw me travelling over (and under) the Severn river three times (!) for gigs. Monday Bob Mould with my bestest mate Matthew Hampton, on the Thekla (we stood outside the Fleece looking confused until I realised I was a fuckwit and had got the wrong venue) , which I think was the first time I’d been on the boat for three years (?). Just Bob and guitar he rattled through a selection of solo, Sugar and Husker Du songs. Great, noisy fun.

Next up was the much delayed Pip Blom in-store in Rough Trade with my other bestest friend and gig kemosabe, Steve Dixon. Fuck, but Pip Blom were good! The drummer especially was giving it some! Grear, energetic set, although Pip’s vocals could have done with being higher up in the mix. Met the band afterwards. Never really know what to say, so when I was getting my two copies of the album signed - I admitted to the band that I’d bought two copies by accident cause I’m a fucking idiot, which got a laugh and the guitarist said that getting the spare signed “Increased it’s resale value.” - I said to the drummer that she must be exhausted, she said no, then yes. Nice to see Pip Blom’s mum on the merchandise.

The third gig and second in-store of the week was Soccer Mommy again at Rough Trade at 12, or so I thought…I got up early for my long Sunday run, then caught the train to Bristol, all very pleasant, and wrote some of the ‘Oblivion Black’ sequel. Got to Rough Trade and found myself at the counter next to Sophie Alison aka Soccer Mommy as I picked up the album and wrist band. I’d actually bought three copies of the album cause I’d bought one online cause it came with a free signed print, then bought one to get into the in-store and forgot I’d ordered one from Spillers! Doh. Suppose I will sell one of them, it’s a good album but that’s ridiculous. It didn’t even take me a sneeze to buy three books and then I went into the ‘gig area’ ready for the gig. I waited, and waited and waited. She didn’t take the stage until 1, an hour later than billed. Was I pissed off? You’re damn right. My back was in half! I tried to reason it out, and for some of the time I was a little Zen. I was just a little concerned cause I’d made plans to meet Kate Dulson to talk all things books at 1, so I didn’t want to keep her waiting.

Sophie took the stage and said straight away that it would just be songs from the new album, fine by me! With her solo and acoustic(ish) the songs just flew and she was charming and funny between songs: “What’s your favourite song from the new album? No, I’m not playing that one.” I was near the front for the first few songs but then went to the back so that I would be near the front for the signing, this wasn’t my first rodeo. It was a great thirty minute set, i got a Record Store Day EP of her’s signed, and told her that it was hands down the RSD release I’ve played the most, she seemed pleased and told me a bit about the making of the EP, I had to get away before i got flustered and said something stupid. Then I met up with Kate and her lovely husband and went for lunch

Of course the one thing missing from the trilogy of Bristol gigs was ‘Big Jeff’, the legendary gig Terminator who recently was seriously injured in a house fire. Jeff would have been at least one if not all of my week’s gigs. God speed you Jeff and see you down the front soon.