Langwathby Village Hall

Rigging up the rig

Arrive at venue 5.30 for 5 O‘clock.

Beer – Vinny had brought some beer that hadn’t gone out of date, what a treat!

Set up with moderate stress levels.

What’s that funny noise coming through the speakers?

Donny gave the big connecter with all the wires in a big shake, and all was fixed!

Next job - wiring the new lighting rig – Cue Troy ‘Sparky’ Cullen.  “What colour is live these days”? Unbelievable!

Sound check

Went well, three new songs - Vinny had been rehearsing the songs all week, rather than the usual five minutes before rehearsal chestnut  “has anybody got the songs on tape for me to listen to”? So it didn’t take long at all!

Doors open

In pour the crowd!  The subtle background music of ‘Paranoid’ by Black Sabbath got them all nicely settled while they waited for us to start.

Off to the Pub

Crisps, nuts and more beer! Who’s driving the van? Oh that’s right, Troy ‘Clarkson’ Cullen.

The First Set

Good, very few mistakes, lots of off the mic shouting – dancing was good! The hall floor was very bouncy, which helped a lot people to move their upper bodies up and down, side to side and round and round.  Superb!

Interval

No food, but an offer of fried egg BAPS after the gig

Beer – nice CANS of fosters (free of charge).

Second Set

Good start, powerful song, going well.  Sh*t no lead vocals!  Donny was muted! – Jumbo to the rescue, pressed the red button, two ‘gold stars’ in the bag!

The Thank Yous

Organizer on the mic – “As JD would say, SHUT THE F**k UP! Thank you to Absolutely, thank you for coming”  Nice touch. 

Rigging down the Rig

Fairly rapid, van ready to load in no time at all!

Cully had a rather unfortunate accident with a box full of microphones and cables.  Some inconsiderate band member hadn’t checked that the box was fastened correctly before Paul lifted it! Bang out of order! Poor Paul.

The Van

Flat battery!

On any Absolutely evening, the nominated driver takes full responsibility for the keys, checking that the van is locked and that all the internal and external lights are switched off.

Need I say any more?

These are the times we’ll remember……