I was there.
How many times you heard that? Normally punctuated with the word man. We all like to have been there for a little bit of history but we have to trust the people who say 'I was there, man' as there's seldom any proof. Sadly, as we know, people lie. The Beatles famously played Doncaster Gaumont in 1963 and it would seem that about 80,000 people turned up. I worked with a guy who swears he was there. He's 5 years older than me. He'd have been less than a year old. Hmmmmm. Likewise it would seem that The Pistols played to thousands at The Outlook back in '76.
Half the problem with 'I was there' moments is you don't know it is an 'I was there moment' til years later. I saw The Inspiral Carpets at The Hacienda many moons back supported by a band called Rain. I didn't really pay much attention to them. It was only years later I found out Rain was a fledgling only one Gallagher Oasis. OK I can say I was there but then have to admit to not watching them.
It's a bit different with sporting events i.e. you know you've just witnessed a bit of history, e.g. the 1966 World Cup Final. You didn't have to cling to your ticket in the hope that in 15 years time people would realise how momentous and historic the occasion was. I have a sporting near miss in the I was there thing.
Cricket. Botham's Ashes - 1981. The historic third test at Headingley when England won against all odds. In actual fact the odds on the Saturday evening were 500-1 on an England victory. I was there. On the Saturday when England's batting line up was humiliated by the Aussie bowlers. The only bright spot a beligerant half century from one I.T.Botham. I was back at school on the Monday when Botham and Dilley tore into the Australian line up and again stuck in Mrs. Lindley's geography class on the Tuesday as Bob Willis ripped cricket history to shreds. So yes I was there but not to witness anything particularly historic. That final day's play is another one for people to lie about though. A crowd of about 4000 that it would now seem was actually 40,000.
Live Aid came up with a way to stop the fake I was there thing. T-shirts only available on the day from Wembley with 'I was there' on them. Only downside was they didn't print enough so if you couldn't get one on the day you could send a copy of your ticket off to get one. Defeated the object somewhat.
My basic point to all of this is that the Bang Bang Romeo/Dexters gig at The Leadmill last Saturday felt like it may well have been an 'I was there' moment. Only history can say though. In the spirit of this though I had a quick chat with Bang Bang Romeo after the gig and here's what they had to say:
SS: So Leadmill debut. How was it?
BBR: Bloody Brilliant. We loved every minute of it, and it was a pleasure to headline on our debut show. Everyone at the Leadmill were so professional, it was great to work with them.
SS: What's it like getting that kind of reaction 'away from home'?
BBR: As an unsigned band, leaving your home town to gig somewhere you've never played before, and pack the place out was incredible! The support has been great, everyone's behind us and we can't thank them enough. The audience made our night.
SS: Did the quality of Dexters' set put added pressure on you?
BBR: Dexters are one hell of a band aren't they? There's absolutely no wonder they are on the road to success. They're stage presence is immense, and they definitely put the pressure on, but good pressure! Was great to gig with such a brilliant band, and we hope our paths cross again.
SS: What next for Bang Bang Romeo?
BBR: Next, we plan on taking this all the way. Being involved with 'This Feeling' is spot on for us and we'll hopefully continue to work with them, they create a great platform for bands like us! BBC6 Presenter Tom Robinson is interested in us and is a fan of our track 'Bones'. We're still working with big writers and producers, and are organising a 2013 summer of gigs and festivals. Right now the sky's the limit and we can't wait to see what happens.
I think that'll do for now.
Laters
SS
Playlist Wednesday 27/02/13
Tom Hark - The Piranhas
Keep The Car Running - Arcade Fire
Antarctica - Sound Of Guns
Second Summer Of Love - Danny Wilson
Fire - Kasabian
Battleship Chains - The Georgia Satellites
Forevermore - Missing Pages
Some Might Say - Oasis
Molly Gray - The DN Allstars
Fluorescent Adolescent - Arctic Monkeys
The Stars (Are Out Tonight) - David Bowie
Seek It - Richard Hawley
At Least Those Kids Are Getting Fed - China Rats
Cum On Feel The Noize - Slade
We Are Us - Twisted Wheel
Not Too Young - The Tricks
On A Day Like This - Elbow
The Great Leap Forward - Billy Bragg
Adore Me - Bang Bang Romeo
The Cutter - Echo And The Bunnymen
The Distance - Funeral For A Friend
Chasing Rainbows - Shed Seven
Slumdog Millionaire - The Beeds
Lust For Life - Iggy Pop
Vicar In A Tutu - The Smiths
Paradise City - Guns N' Roses
Green Eyed - September Girls
Come Back To What You Know - Embrace
Everything Must Go - Manic Street Preachers
If You Wanna - The Vaccines
Retreat - Mynas
No One's Gonna Love You - Band Of Horses
Sacrilege - Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Make Me Smile (Come Up And See Me) - Steve Harley And Cockney Rebel
Radioactive - Kings Of Leon
Country Girl - Primal Scream
Baggy Trousers - Madness
Egyptian Reggae - Jonathan Richman And The Modern Lovers
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