It was recently pointed out to me, by my web maestro, Jason (in a pub of course) that I hadn’t posted anything for a while. Indeed, he was specific as to the actual number of days. Well I promised to rectify that the next day. However, I did not keep my word on that as it is more than a week since I made such a rash statement. Well I’ve probably made a number of rash statements since then but not to do with this post. So, once more unto the breach…

We did the gig at the Chippenham with a slight change of personnel as Jim Mercer wasn’t sure that he could do it. I then arranged for Brian Diprose to dep on bass.
As it happens, Jim called on the morning of the gig to say that he was up for it after all, but it was already sorted. Unfortunately Chris Youlden wasn’t able to make it due to his ongoing problems with his ankle. There was international rugby on that evening so we did a brief spot, two numbers, during half time and then after the match, we did an extended set. It went down well and even many of the rugby fans stayed on and were very complimentary about the band.

I resumed business with Jim at the Alley Cat for a couple of months afterwards. However we recently decided to call time on this particular gig as it wasn’t really going anywhere because of the early time slot. I had enjoyed the challenge of playing in a different format, but we couldn’t see it progressing much. It did nevertheless keep me active as far as the music scene is concerned, so that I will miss that part of it.

Every year, Rex Langsman, brother of guitarist Bruce Langsman who died a while ago, arranges a reunion to remember Bruce. It involves a get-together with some of Bruce’s band colleagues from my band and also from the Nighthawks, plus some of Bruce’s mates from his ATV days. It always means a pub gathering and this time it was at The Swiss Cottage in Finchley Road. This was particularly apt, as Bruce and I started out playing just around the corner at The Hole in the Ground, another venue that got redeveloped, but a nostalgic one for all that.