One MASSIVE Bear.

Okay, so I realise things have been very quiet on this blog, mainly it has to be said because this is my first post on it. But trying to organise a nightclub in a university cellar when you only have half the equipment you thought you were going to have is quite time consuming.

But hey we fixed it. Ish. And the first night was a success, and I played my most satisfying DJ set to date (smug as). But thats not what this post is about. Oh no.

Because last night I went to see British Sea Power at The Junction. And WHAT a gig it was. The support was from Silvery and Film School, and I didn't really see Silvery. At all. But what we saw of Film School was good. We could tell why they were supporting a band like British Sea Power but to be honest they just sounded like a poor immitation.

British D Power, if you will. Despite the fact they were American.

But the main event came on with much fanfare and went hell for leather straight into set opener Atom. I'd like to think it was about CERN but I think I might be reading a bit too much into that...

Despite my friend and I feeling about the youngest people in the room, we still had a great time, letting the almost literal wall of sound wash over us.

The presence of a viola and occasional cornet really does suit the sound of this band, and you can really see why they have such a loyal supporters group.

The surreal, 'British', touches added to the experience as well. Obviously the air raid sirens are just incredible, (I want one. I want one.) and the flags are part of their look, but the owls and the odd videos of seahorses and birdlife did nothing but fulfil their reputation.

Then the piece de resistance was having a bloke in a MASSIVE bear costume come on and join them for the encore, as you can (just about) see in my picture...

Our only regret was not having any flags to wave at the appropriate point, and not buying a "British Tea Power" mug before they sold out.

We did invent a new game though... Put 'British' and 'Power' around any middle word to create a musically themed joke. Passed the time on the walk back anyway.

"British Pub Power?"
"British YES Power."

Some highlight tracks from the show, both from latest offering, 'Do You Like Rock Music?' (Answer? Yes I did, very much thanks.):

British Sea Power - Atom

British Sea Power - Waving Flags

In other news, I FINALLY got around to buying myself the Super Black Market Clash album of rarities from The Clash.

Now I already had a lot of them through my purchase of The Clash On Broadway Boxset but there are some INCREDIBLE dub versions tacked on at the end.

Can't believe its taken me so long to buy it really. My favourite band and they still find ways to surprise me and enthrall me from beyond the grave. Says it all really:

The Clash - Justice Tonight/Kick It Over (Armagideon Times Extended Dub Mix)

The Clash - Robber Dub [Dub] (Bankrobber Dub Mix)

So thats all for now.

I'll perhaps wax a bit more lyrical about the tunes I play in my DJ sets next time.

Peace,

Boosh.