22/10/2010 Mick Monsta's Birthday Bash @ The Gaff

Subject	Mick Monsta's Birthday Bash @ The Gaff
PostedDate	10/22/2010
	For the second Friday night in a row I find myself back at The Gaff. Tonight's gig is a bit different though, as it's promoter Mick Monsta's Birthday Bash. I'm sure he said a year ago that last year's show at the Underworld would be his last Birthday Gig, but here we are again - only at The Gaff this time.  I think this is a far better choice of venue - better sound, much cheaper bar prices, better atmosphere, and no arsey security staff throwing us out stupidly early! The Underworld does have working hand driers in the toilet though.  Mick also promised last year that he would never sing again - a promise he breaks more than once tonight!  It has to be said, as he would be first to admit, Mick isn't the best singer in the world - but I've heard far worse - often at gigs he's promoted!  The first proper band of the night is Shush. They are excellent as ever, and get the crowd well warmed up with their brand of tuneful pop/rock - with the emphasis on ROCK. They are a lot of new songs in their set at the moment from their recently released debut album, as well as their popular cover of Blondie's 'Call Me'. It's all good.  The main band of the evening is Faces tribute act 2 Faced. Tonight we have Jim Stapley on lead vox, backed by some familiar faces (no pun intended) from bands such as Voodoo 6 and Men & Gods. Speaking of Men & Gods, that band's frontman also puts in an appearance on guest vocals later in the set - along with Mick. Actually, Mick has been on stage throughout the band's set manning 'Mick's Bar' and supplying the band with drinks - to such an extent that there could be a danger of himself and the band being re-named 'Shit Faced'!  This lot are a great party band and we are well entertained by a load of Rod Stewart and The Faces classics, although inexplicably they don't play 'Pool Hall Richard'!  All in all, yet another excellent night at The Gaff. Thinking about it, that seems to be were all my best nights out have been over the last few months. Apparently the place is closed for a refurb over the weekend - which I suspect may mainly involve buying some more black paint and throwing it on the walls!  Who know's - they might even put a new hand drier in the toilet? I'm not holding my breath though. Although sometimes the smell in the toilets has made me want to!

PS: This venue is now closed.