Weāve seen some corking bands this year, but the bird and I are agreed that this goes straight in at Number 1. They were terrific, really brilliant show. From the look of him weāre not getting many more chances to see Jonesy, but his guitar work was sublime, that absolutely classic Steve Jones sound from the Pistols days. Paul Cookās drumming was immaculate, Tony James and Billy Idol also spot on. Brought the house down, fantastic evening. Just round the corner from Molineux at the Civic Halls, the venue has just reopened and I like it a lot, good size for rock.
Sounds like it was a good one Scotty. I know Jonesy has had addiction problems, I hoped he had got it under control, is he looking ill? I think a lot of people fail to realise what a great guitarist he is, dismissing him as a bit of a joke during his Pistol days. Nothing could be further from the truth, and he is highly rated and respected by his peers in the music world.
He looks terrible NK. He had addiction problems a long time ago, my guess is that itās more likely to do with the damage that was caused then than a recurrence of the addictions.
Couldnāt agree more. I loved his sound, just as much after the Pistols folded. My Professionals CDs still get regular outings. If you havenāt seen it, The Fabulous Stains is a great film for anyone keen on that era
Two visits to Wimborne Tivoli over the last week and a half. Wednesday before last was for Albert Cummings, a blues guitarist Iād not heard of before. He was very good, mainly original stuff which resonated very quickly. He also played a couple of covers, a ZZ Top one and finished with an encore of Zepās Rock and Roll.
Last night we were back for Los Endos, a Genesis cover band concentrating on earlier stuff up to about 1980. Nicely performed, weāll be going back when they return next year. Theyāre obviously pretty well known on the circuit as the show was all but sold out.
Learned some interesting stuff about him. He was born in Battersea, played in a pub to earn 25 bob a week for his impoverished family after studying at a school for the blind. He turned down a classical music scholarship in favour of emigrating to the States to concentrate on jazz, (pretty damn brave for a blind youth in the early 1900s.) He wrote Lullaby Of Birdland as the theme tune for a regular radio broadcast from the eponymous club.
And the music was great. Quintet of piano, bass, drums, guitar and vibes, and great arrangements expertly played. Thoroughly enjoyed it.
Shearing was amazing. I remember when we first got a 625 TV, I watched the āJazz 625ā series on BBC2ā¦saw all the Jazz greats, especially the pianists like Shearing, Monk, Peterson etcā¦ Not sure if theyāre on YouTube, Iāll have to check.
Heads up for anyone interested, the Concorde have just announced and released tickets for Elkie Brooks. Thursday 2nd November at 9pm, if you want to see her book straight away, it will sell out quickly.
Slightly off topic I know Scotty, but in case you didnāt see this itās a great interview. Good to see heās still with us, what a character he is. I saw him at , I think Southampton Uni way back when, on a bill with The Pink Fairies of all people I think. I may have the venue wrong, substances were taken! But i remember it being a great nightās entertainment, Eric was fucking mental.
I love Wreckless, NK. Had his first album on 10" LP back in the day, but heās one artist Iāve never seen live. I shall peruse the piece youāve linked, cheers
What the flying fuck has happened to Reading? Bastion of Nirvana in '92 (my last festival gig) to this shit āFoalsā in 2023? FFS has the paying public really become happy to be entertained by wet fucking dross?
This is indeed a fucking challengeā¦ I aspire to be John Peel cool, yet deep down know that to be so you need embrace new stuff no matter how fucking shit it might seemā¦
Reading was a rock festival, like Glasto was āalternativeāā¦ now its all about maxing the Ā£Ā£Ā£Ā£ and fuck any old cunts who think modern stuff is insipid shiteā¦
TBF, I enjoyed Wet Leg, but have to be careful this is not just old bloke liking women young enough to my daughters playing guitar to distort the brainā¦ but as good as they are, its not Kurt in a hospital gown and wheelchair or playing the first comic intros to SLTS in the wrong key and slightly out of tuneā¦
)
I canāt understand it, I never thought she was the type to stray. 
