However, in the last few days a couple of my other favourite bands have been added to the bill at the Purple Turtle in Camden - which I can get to a lot quicker than W14. Sorry girls, but I'm sure I'll be seeing your band again soon...An interesting night at the Purple Turtle, but not as good as it should have been.
Dead Monroe were a late addition to the bill as they only found out two or three days ago. Vamps 'N' Gypsies were an even later addition and couldn't tell anyone they were playing until the day before the gig. Therefore, neither band got much chance to promote the gig and get people to actually go. The promoter had booked five bands, but had told four of them they didn't have to bring drums or backline amps - so they didn't bring any. Normally when this happens it's the headline band who go on last and let the other bands use their gear. However, this time the promoter had told all the other bands they could use Dead Monroe's gear - and they were going on second. The promoter had also neglected to tell Dead Monroe that he had told all the other bands they could use Dead Monroe's equipment! Not surprisingly, the band were less than pleased when they arrived at the venue and found this out. If you are in a band that goes on early then you expect to come off stage and pack your gear - your job is done. Then you can either just relax and have a few well earned drinks and enjoy watching the other bands, or head off home if you have a long way to go. Dead Monroe come from out in the wilds of Essex, and their drummer Ben in particular wanted to pack up after their set ready for a quick getaway. If he'd done that then the following bands wouln't have been able to play.... A compromise was reached and the following two bands (on the bill) were allowed to use Dead Monroe's gear. However, they didn't know at the time they agreed this that Vamps 'N' Gypsies were also supposed to be playing - after the 'headliners'. This fuck-up by the promoter left Vamps 'N' Gypsies out in the cold - left to play late but with no equipment as they had been told they wouldn't need to bring any....I can't remember the name of the band who were playing when I arrived. They were a three piece featuring girls on bass and guitar/vox and a guy on drums. Their sub-grunge music didn't make much of an impression on me and seemed a bit plodding. The girl on bass was playing a Thunderbird though - which was cool.
Dead Monroe turned in a sharp and well polished performance as usual and seemed popular with the crowd. Well I say 'crowd', but due to the lack of promotion there weren't actually that many people there. The sound wasn't brilliant and they struggled with feedback on Justin's semi-acoustic bass. It wasn't too bad overall soundwise though, and the band have very strong songs - which is always good.
Of course their set would have been even better if they had played their 'hit'... 
Next up were Messiah. (I resisted to temptation to make any remarks like "No they're not - they're just very naughty boys!"). I just missed them the other day at an event at the Oh Bar! but was told they were very good. They were actually pretty good, but not really my sort of thing - a bit cheesy in an 80's style. Good musicians, but I'd prefer a bit more AC/DC & G'N'R style and less Bon Jovi. They were sort of like a junior Red Star Rebels.
I can't even remember the name of the 'headline' band - I'd never heard of them before anyway. I can't remember anything at all about their performance now - and it's not because I was drunk either. That's how much impression they made. They need to try harder, whoever they are...
After the 'headline' band played Dead Monroe removed their equipment from the stage and started their long journey home - they had let the bands they had agreed to (with the promoter) use it, but I don't think he told them about Vamps 'N' Gypsies...
The band decided they were going to play anyway as they had made the effort to get to the gig. They went on with whatever amps were left they could scrounge from the other bands, and just a snare drum for the drummer instead of a whole kit - not even a drum stool! Vamps 'N' Gypsies gave the best show they could in the circumstances and it was good fun all the same. Singer Nikki ended up singing from on top of the bar, as did guitarist Stu later on. As I had 'last tube' issues I had to rush off the moment the band finished their set, but it was certainly well worth staying for.
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