London meet-up, December

[Ean]

Right so it's the Assembly Rooms at what o'clock? I have no problem with being the first person there, but not if it's hours before anyone else turns up.
And I'm thinking of you here Ean. Have you planned your route yet?

Hey, that's... a fair cop. I'd planned my route last time. It's not my fault TFL are a bunch of amateurs when it comes to organisation.

I'm aiming to be in Woolwich somewhere around 3 - 3.30, so should be in town by about 4.30 I guess (or, on past form, about ten minutes before doors . ).

[Dark Lord of Barnet]

Never mind.

You meant this one...

The Assembly House

Handily not mentioned on the other map.

Yes - that's the one! I know a quite a few chose to meet up in that place when the Wildhearts played at the Forum before. I don't know if I'll be able to get there early enough after work to have a drink beforehand, but I'll drop in on the way if I have time...

[Nomad]

I'll be there with a handful of friends, but it's probably a bit late for most people knowing this...

[beerofthedark]

Great night as per. Very good to meet up with folks before the gig, including (but not limited to) Ean, Tiggy, Tiggy's mate, Sarc, Mrs Sarc, Damien's Bristol contingent (you guys need a gang name or something), InstantKarma, etc.
It's always good to have people to goggle at the price of a burger in Kentish Town with.
Missed Tragedy due to a greasy chip pit stop.
I wasn't overly impressed with A, but I don't really know their songs so I can't really judge.
I thought our boys sounded pretty f**king good, but I suspect from the battering Ginger gave his mike stand that the sound on stage wasn't as good. Although the man was clearly pissed off for almost all the gig, he did give us a spine-tingling My Old Friend The Blues which more than made up for any disruption, for me at least.
They also delivered the most apocalyptic version of Caprice I think I've ever heard them do. Stupendous.

[InstantKarma]

Was great to see you again beery! those chips were pretty darned good imo for a greasy chip pit stop...though I do wonder what Mashrooms are lol

Gig was fabulous (even if Ginger wasn't in the best of moods...he's human and that's why we love him...no bullshit with that man).

Today I'm in some pain as my shoulders and the back of my head took a bit of a battering but I was down the front having a good time which was the main thing!!

Also MEGA big thanks to inglorious1 for the lift home

can't wait til the next tour

[Damian]

I thought the gig was great. Ginger was clearly having a hard time, and to do what he hasn't always done in the past under those circumstances - to acknowledge the fact, get his head down and finish the set anyway - and even extend it after a monologue about the power of music... it was quite something to watch.

There is still a place in the world for The Wildhearts, in answer to Ginger's question. So you "overshot" with the venue sizes... you wouldn't be the only band. Apart from current "buzz" bands, he should think how many other bands still pull reliable-sized crowds every night. It's not that many. Even REM booked a gig at Cardiff Millennium Stadium in the summer (capacity 70000 I think) and had to move it to the Arena (capacity: 6000). The reaction to stuff off the self-titled record was as good as that for the "Earth Vs" stuff, and that's the main reason to continue. When people only want the old stuff it's possibly time to call it a day (although I'm one of those that thinks gigs should always mix old and new).

Anyhow, it was nice to meet so many people last night but I must apologise because I was (and still am) not in very good health at all this week, and it was really hard to concentrate. So if I seemed detached or on another planet, that was why. Sorry! It was still nice to see so many people. I got to meet the legendary Sarc! That was worth the journey in itself. He's an absolute gent, but don't tell him that because he'll worry that his reputation's at risk.

The Bristol contingent, incidentally, was just me and Teresa. The other two people with me were my friend Philippa (a bit of a fan - this was her second gig) and her partner Dan (who isn't a fan and just came for the pub - top bloke).

I'll stop talking now. Keep going, Ginger.

[Sarc]

It was still nice to see so many people. I got to meet the legendary Sarc! That was worth the journey in itself. He's an absolute gent, but don't tell him that because he'll worry that his reputation's at risk.

Cheers Damian the cheques in the mail but congrats to yourself for being such a generous fella, Id not even though about giving the flu to Mrs Sarc for christmas and there y'go the first time you meet her and you pass it on, much appreciated. Hope you're feeling better now anyways,

[Damian]

It was still nice to see so many people. I got to meet the legendary Sarc! That was worth the journey in itself. He's an absolute gent, but don't tell him that because he'll worry that his reputation's at risk.

Cheers Damian the cheques in the mail but congrats to yourself for being such a generous fella, Id not even though about giving the flu to Mrs Sarc for christmas and there y'go the first time you meet her and you pass it on, much appreciated. Hope you're feeling better now anyways,

Oh man. It could have come from one of a thousand people, but one of those is indeed me. Please pass on both my apologies and my best wishes...

[beerofthedark]

Was great to see you again beery!

hmm...not sure whether I should encourage that particular version of my username - people might get the right idea about me. I think, all in all, I probably prefer Andy.

The Bristol contingent, incidentally, was just me and Teresa. The other two people with me were my friend Philippa (a bit of a fan - this was her second gig) and her partner Dan (who isn't a fan and just came for the pub - top bloke).

whoops Would they be flattered or offended to be known as Bristolians?

[InstantKarma]

Was great to see you again beery!

hmm...not sure whether I should encourage that particular version of my username - people might get the right idea about me. I think, all in all, I probably prefer Andy.

See, I just never know if people want their real names on boards or not....so I wait until they've made it clear that they don't mind (i have some friends on other boards who really don't want people knowing their real names unless they've said so....the internet can be a strange old world!!!)

[Assmask]

I don't think I'd be that keen on being called "Ass" for too long.

[Dark Lord of Barnet]

I couldn't make it early enough for a drink in a pub beforehand, and missed the first band as well. I did manage to meet a few of the usual suspects during and after the show though.

[Sarc]

It was still nice to see so many people. I got to meet the legendary Sarc! That was worth the journey in itself. He's an absolute gent, but don't tell him that because he'll worry that his reputation's at risk.

Cheers Damian the cheques in the mail but congrats to yourself for being such a generous fella, Id not even though about giving the flu to Mrs Sarc for christmas and there y'go the first time you meet her and you pass it on, much appreciated. Hope you're feeling better now anyways,

Oh man. It could have come from one of a thousand people, but one of those is indeed me. Please pass on both my apologies and my best wishes...

Now I've got the bloody thing.