Pub grub...

so every now and then you have a gig that goes bad for you but great for everyone else.. this was one of those gigs.

we rolled to the portland in order to partake in a strawberry fair benefit gig as the headline act for the first time in our short history.

we got our gear in, set up, and the problems began with dave's amp getting broken, luckily we were able to get it fixed by the ever handy jazz prior to getting on stage.

having so much time to kill, we hit the bar which was my first mistake. i always make a point of not eating or drinking before a gig, it keeps me sharp, keeps me focused. but this time i decided that due to hunger and just generally being out of it from works stresses and strains that id partake in food.

we then went to watch the first band, chainstoke.. a sleaze/classic rock band who put on a good show, and if they didn't take themselves seriously they would be a good laugh.

east strikes west were next, the best sound ever at the portland i believe was said, mainly due to having a sound guy who has followed them on tour.

next up was us, we went through the first 2 songs without a hitch, before i realised my amp wasn't pulling its weight.. i found out through "over me" a cable had not been connected, so had to rush in and get it plugged... this was also the song my voice decided to go.

we hammered through "coffee is warming", and went into "burn forever" which we followed up with the simple machines tune "need more time".. this presented an issue as i couldnt keep my voice in key, due to a combination of not hearing myself and it being fucked and it just got worse through "right where i belong".

i cam off the stage feeling like shit, one of the worst performances personally for a long while, but the major contrast was that the others and the crowd enjoyed it.

on the up side we were tighter in terms of playing together, i just couldnt sing...

one has to take nights like this on the chin and get on with it. now we plan to take some time to get the songs finally recorded and mixed and then start writing new songs.

line up:

chainstoke
eaststrikewest
paper soldiers

set:

sleepy eyes
take me out
over me
coffee is warming
burn forever
need more time
right where i belong