KILBURNFLYER

Wembley Arena was not overfull for Motorhead and Alice on Saturday but that didn't matter too much. Got right down the front and felt the bass in my chest in the best traditions of attending a Motorhead gig. Was with a few friends one of whom has the claim to fame of being photographed on the No Sleep to Hammersmith album. A great set comprising the usual standards - no class, overkill, ace of spades and metroplis (plus killed by death which is a real crowd pleaser but is a track I just don't like - never have) and a smattering of later songs. Absolutely excellent stuff and an acoustic Whorehouse Blues as part of the encore capped a really enjoyable concert. Joan Jett preceded motorhead (my main reason for attending) and was enjoyable - a few too many covers including AC/DC by Sweet and Do you Wanna Touch by Gary Glitter (the irony was lost on her) but I love Rock n Roll and Hate Myself for Loving you were both excellent.

Alice Cooper always surprises me - he has a great back catalogue and is a great performer but were it not for the presence of motorhead I would not have even bothered going which would have been a shame as he impressed me again. A great show all in all and the last proper rock show on my slop chit for this year. Still got a couple of shows by the manics next months and the regular squeeze xmas show but thats all. May slip in and see Thin Lizzy if I can get out of a work do especially as I understand that Diamond Head are now supporting rather than the very dismal Queensryche.

Have been discussing with mates my best gigs of the year so will have to think further before writing this crap for my own amusement.

KILBURNFLYER

Am still feeling a bit shagged out from the weekend and a very late night at work on Monday and very early start yesterday but I know I am recovering as I am already whistling "Bomber" in anticipation of Motorhead on saturday. I know they are playing second fiddle to Alice Cooper but I have not seen them for nearly a year so really looking forward to it. Understand they are the most likely headliners (i.e already booked) for next years Hard Rock Hell which would be just fantastic. Only way to feel the noise is when it's good and loud......................

KILBURNFLYER

A very busy few days. The Pistols were far better than I had feared they might be - they are clearly a bit of a parody and doing it simply for the money but what's wrong with that. I think people can take music a bit too seriously sometimes with a few overheard comments of "not what they were" "this not what they stood for" - they stood for nothing and as a band they were as tight as two coats of paint and simply reeled off never mind .... with stepping stone thrown in for good measure. Not a classic but a very enjoyable show.

The weekender at Minehead was just such great fun. Got about 6 hopurs sleep over 2 days. Met lots of interesting people, had many pissed conversations and did not see any evidence of any trouble whatsoever. The whole thing was well organised and most bands gave it their all. A few highlights for me were Twisted Sister who were billed as headliners and didn't disappoint - last time I saw them was at the Marquee when I was about 15. Zodiac Mindwarp were great - I may have a blindspot here as when I suggested this to Dave Ling in one of my pissed conversations he said they did ok for a band who only have one song - bit of a shame he has that view as I have always loved them and think they havbbe a good number of good songs. Saxon were very good. I loved UFO - me and a mate spent the whole gig bouncing around down the front in stupid shaped cheap sunglasses (I looked like Elton John's fat brother) screaming out the lyrics. Everyone else I spoke to thought they were a bit crap because they were clearly somewhat pissed - Phil Mogg could barely stand but still sung beautifully if bizarrely he could barely speak. Tesla and Diamond Head were very professional even though they had to contend with graveyard slots. Missed Turismas (sic) and Raven which was a bit irritating cos I was dealing with a work issue and there was a unanimous view that they were both very good. The last band on were Beyond the Grave who I had never heard of but was very impressed by - think they will become well known shortly as they have a good sound. All in all a fantastic event.

Heaven and Hell rounded off the weekend nicely at the Brighton Centre - very crisp, very professional but only managed an hour and a half.

KILBURNFLYER

A busy recent few days of gigs - some good some bad.

Harry Connick Jr at the Royal Albert Hall on Saturday was a sublime treat. Not my usual fare but have been a great admirer of his for many years. He is just so fucking talented it makes you envious. Beatiful voice, brilliant musician and a man who seems so at ease on stage that he looks born to it. Mainly his new album of tracks inspired by or made famous in New Orleans. He has a disarming easy charm and was really very funny in his banter with the audience. Wasn't on for long though - even managed to get back home in time for match of the day.

Sunday at the Roundhouse for one and a half gigs by the Stranglers - the extra half was the first 7 or 8 songs which had to be repeated due to some technical problem (the whole thing was being recorded for an anniversary DVD). Has been a number of years since I have seen the Stranglers - first time since Hugh Cornwell left - and boy were they good. Fantastic song selection - No More Heroes, 5 Minutes, Dagenham Dave, Get a Grip, Nubiles, Feel Like a Wog etc etc. Was just brilliant - played great with great sound and a great venue. John Cooper Clarke supporting was his usual self - virtually exactly the same set and the same gags as when I last saw him support The Fall last year. Myself and a mate both had too much to drink and independently made fools of ourself when talking to Stuart Pearce - I thanked him for not winning the FA Cup in 1991 and my mate fawned over his days with the Hammers. Pearce is a real football legend and a big punk fan - top man.

Monday at the Roundhouse - Siouxsie - was just shit. She looks great but her voice was flat and her band seemed uninterested and played without any passion. She is a marvel when in full tilt and spellbound is one of my all time favourite songs - hope it was just an off night. Will certainly keep the faith as she has never been a disapointment before.

Off for a full weekend of music - Sex Pistols on Thursday, Hard Rock Hell at Butlins Minehead on Fri and Sat - UFO, Saxon, Twisted Sister, Diamond Head and Zodiac Mindwarp plus loads of others and then Heaven and Hell in Brighton on Sunday. Should be a reet laff if I don't go deaf.