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“London’s, (Just About), Burning” 09 Feb. 04
The other year Breadfoot went and got hisself all tangled up with this band. They made up a record and then rather then go solo Breadfoot took the band over to London to kick some shows. This is how it all went down.
Yeah, yeah, so maybe I should start by apologizing for the really poor pun of a title for this piece. Uhm, but I’ll tell ya it’s not always easy, (being greasy ), trying to think up something all witty and smart to say, so buttons.
Anyhow, this here’s the story of a band named JATB. Poor Brooklyn band barely… ah, shoot, I can’t go through with it…honestly folks, I don’t know what’s gotten into me…
So, yeah, uhm, where was I ? Right, got myself over to the UK end of November. Did some chilling near Kent. Drank a few pints. Had a nice wander about the downs. Up to London for a floor spot at Comedownandmeetthefolks on Sunday the 30th. And then that same night was over to the 12 Bar to catch Shwervon and Thomas Truax. Kicked a few other solo sets thru the course of the week and then on Friday I was headed to London Heathrow to meet Lil’Mo and Paleface.
And that’s ‘bout where our story begins….
Friday 05 Dec. 03
Mining for Gold on Resonance 104.4 FM and the BorderlineUp near 8 a.m. Hadn’t slept well. Tea and a shower. Chatted with Shaun. Gathered my bits and was out the door. Piccadilly line at the way to Heathrow. Made my way to the terminal 3 arrivals. Found Paleface and lil’Mo. Come to find that PF had gotten off the airplane sick, and well sir, I gotta tell ya that “PF” was looking mighty rough.
Piccadilly to Holbron. Central to Tottenham Court. Met Johny Brown at the 12 Bar. And he took us straight aways over to the resonance studios. We unpacked our gear. PF moving awful slow. 15 minutes later we where in the booth ready to go.
Despite his condition, PF made a real good go of it. Turns out though, that was all PF had in him. He got to saying that he was feeling worse. Andy Lowe from the 12 Bar took us over to a clinic near by. And on account of PF complaining about chest pains they went and put us in an ambulance to Royal College Hospital.
Get there to the emergency room and they wire PF up. After all the tests they came to figure that he wasn’t gonna kick so they sent us to the waiting room. PF bundled hisself up and lay down on the benches. Mo made some phone calls and got herself something to eat. It was after she came back that we decided that I should go solo at the Borderline.
Back to the 12 Bar for my gear. Gave Andy the low down and headed direct like for the Borderline. Redlands Palomino Co. was checking. Met Alex and Simon from the Snakes. Told them all what had went down. My buddy Lloyd bought me a whiskey. Said howdee to the Borderlines’ main man Barry E. And then it was time for me to get it.
Had just finished my set when Mo and PF showed up. They had rushed over form the hospital thinking they could still make the set. Turns out PF has got himself some sorta infection in his lungs. Talked abit on how to play things. I said I didn’t think he shouldn’t push it. Told ‘em I’d call on Saturday and said later.
After MO and PF had bounced got to talking to my friend Joanne. She was telling me ‘bout how she heard it was snowing in NYC. Ate the slices that I’d picked up earlier. And then chatted abit with Tim from WWMM.
Three songs into the Snakes set I got to feeling like I oughta bounce myself. Said my good-byes. Joanne walked me to the tube. Back at Joans’ I got to remembering that I totally spaced on ringing back Sarge. Got him on the horn. Apologized a bunch. Made plans to get together for a pint on Tuesday.
Winding down. Tea and Shortbread. And a show on the BBC about the Clash. Think it was “bout a year ago that Joe Strummer died. Damn they were a good band !
Saturday 06 Dec. 03
Twisted Ranch at The Windmill, BrixtonSlept ‘til 10 a.m. Tea and a shower. Did the dishes and worked up a batch of squash, ‘tators and peas. Out the door near 5 p.m. Victoria line to Brixton. Captain’s in the house. I grab a pint and we talk sound check.
Near 7 p.m. ring Mo and PF. No go. Looks like I’m solo again. Tim Perry shows up we say howdy and chat a bit. Andy Hank Dog wanders in with his friend Wendy. Me and Wendy end up talking for awhile. Mostly about New Mexico, and redwoods.
Second act on takes ages to set up. Got some sorta electronic keyboard effect that makes this real insane high pitched whining sound. Was thinking that it musta been driving all the dogs in the neighborhood absolutely fuckin’ nuts !
Okaythen. Time for me to kick it. Told the folks I could die happy now knowing what a Dennis Hopper Choppers sounded like. .Kicked a short set. Packed up. Tim P. got me a pint. Put it away and rushed off for the train. Dag ! just missed the last one. Had to get the N24 to Victoria and then the N279 to Finsbury Park. Took near two hours. And the whole way all I could think about was a three piece meal from the chicken joint.
Oh, well no joy. Settled for beans and eggs over toast. Turned on the T.V. Shaun came in. Talked and smoked and watched late night music shows ‘til near 4 a.m. and then crashed hard.
Sunday 07 Dec. 03
Comedownandmeetthefolks at The Fiddlers’ Elbow, Kentish TownUp near 10 a.m. Joan’s a bit under the weather. She was watching some friends’ kids the other day and musta caught something. Hit the shops. Eggs, bacon, butter and juice. Worked up a good breakfast. Called Mo and PF. Checked e-mails, and then started getting my shit together. Shaun helped with the kit. Joan phoned the car service.
Hit the Fiddlers Elbow nears about 5:30 p.m. A coupla fellas helped me load in. Set up the drums and then ordered a pint. Got to talking to Eric and Doug fromAtlanta. Had met Doug a year ago December when cdamtf was still at the Golden Lion.
Excuse myself to go chat with Paul and Sally. PF and Mo walk in a little after 6 p.m. Turns out they couldn’t get into the 12 Bar. And well that’s where they left the drums and harmonicas and stuff. Geez, guys just doesn’t get any easier I guess.
Well, sir, Mo rounds up some funky little drum, and we just wing it. Seems like folks really dug it anyhow. Even hollered for another tune.
After our set get to talking to Neil Cleary. He says he dug it. Real happy that Anna and Kit could make it. We all have a nice chat and Anna gets to telling me that she’s due to be on Top of the Pops on Saturday.
Talking to my buddy David Vinson come to find out that I missed him proposing to his girlfriend. Tell ya what, they met at a cdamtf shindig and I’m happy to say that she said yes. Sure wish them the best of everything.
Me and PF got to talking awhile with this fella named Ski. All ‘bout music and art and stuff. Ski is the one who made up the nifty cdamtf logo. Later on I chat with Nick from Bucketful of Brains about the Clash and the Beatles “naked” Let It Be. Nick, he don’t like it too much at all.
Getting on. Barmaid rings up for a car. Back at Joans’ I nuke the Lamb Korma and Chana Masala that she ordered up for me earlier. Shoveled my face full of curry while watching Play it Forward with Shaun.
Monday 08 Dec. 03
Blang ! Club at the 12 Bar
Up fairly early. Eggs, and beans over toast. Joan’s still working on her cold. Check e-mails, and then call Mo and PF. Seems he’s feeling better. Figure on a lazy afternoon. Me and Joan consult Shauns’ “Book of Doom”. Decide on some Woody Allen. Tea, shortbread and Manhattan.
Out the door at 5:30 p.m. Piccadilly to Holborn. Central to Tottenham Court. Make the 12 Bar just after six. Meet Shari. She’s on the boards. Explain the situation with PF being sick. And then check my instruments.
Hanging out chat with John from Mistys’ Big Adventure. Meet Simon aka Filthy Pedro. He tells me about the antifolk.co.uk thing he’s trying to start up. Order some sausage and mash and talk some more with Simon.
Sarge Kicks it alittle after 9 p.m. He’s added cello, drums and another violin. Sounds great ! Ghost still is my fave, but they finish with a new tune that is way cool. MBA is on next. Totally fun and groovy ! They even have a fella in some kinda red jump suit with with hands all over it. He’s like one happy, crazy, dancing howdee !
Mo andd PF show up during MBAs’ set. Me and PF go over some of the melodica tunes. Kick it near eleven. Afterwards Mo’s friend trys to take some pictures of us thru the t.v. Ain’t long before they bounce.
Me I get to hanging out some more. Shari sports me a pint. Chat abit with Doug and Eric, (from Twain), and Andy Lowe. Johny B. from Resonance comes to fetch me. Another pint at the bar. Johny gets to saying he really dug the set.
Near time to roll. Shari calls a car. Doug and Eric pile in too. First stop Camden. Next is Finsbury Park. Nite yawl.
Wednesday 10 Dec. 03
Easy Come Acoustic Club at the Ivy House, PeckhamNescafe and a bath. Served up the rest of the jambalaya I made with eggs. Damn good eats, if I don’t say so myself. Afternoon found us again consulting the “Book of Doom”. Tea, bisquits, Shadows and Fog.
Ring MO and PF. Figure to meet at Victoria Station. From there it’s British Rail to Peckham Rye. Outta the station and Joanne is waiting. Over to the Ivy House. Meet up with Andy Hank Dog. Load in the kit, set up and check.
Evening starts with some floor spots. We kick our set. Went down real well. Someone even got to saying that we were better than the Tindesticks. Not sure who they are but I guess that’s a good thing ?
Say our goodbyes and give Andy big thanks. Pile back in Jo’s truck. Train to Earl’s Court. Piccadilly Line to Finsbury Park. Hit the chicken joint for 3 piece with coleslaw. Oh baby, oh baby.
Thursday 11 Dec. 03
Tallpoppy Presents at the Wheatsheaf, FulhamUp at 9:30 a.m. instant coffee and a hot bath. Clementines and a banana. Me and Auntie Joanie figure to hit the shops today. First stop is the London Resonator Centre. We’re like two kids in a candy shop. I was eyeing up this Kalamazoo archtop but had to settle for a couple of new slides. Quick stop to refuel. Chocolate au pain and coffee.
Next is a toy store called Becks’. Joan was tempted to get her this nephew the drum kit but admmted that she couldn’t do that to her sister in law. Hit a pub off Camden Pass and then made a b-line for Joans’ local for another.
Back at the house. Shrimp and avocado sandwiches. Ring Mo and PF. We’ll meet at Parsons’ Green and then head over to the Wheatseaf. Hit the Wheatsheaf near 6 p.m. Say howdy to Tom, soundcheck and then kickback.
Bit after ten we kick it. Real good set. Folks really had fun. They got to trying to get PF to twirl his tassles and hollering for more banjo. So we closed with Good to Go. Packed up and pushed off. District line to Earls’ Court. Piccadilly line to Finsbury Park.
Believe it or not I went for the 3 piece chicken deal again, but, uhm, I used up all the ketchup, sorry.
Friday 12 Dec. 03
Up All Night at the Crown and Two ChairmanWake near 9 a.m. Coffee and a good soak. Hit the shops. Work up a proper feed for me and Joan, who seems to be just about over her cold. After that I monkeyed with my guitars. Tried out my new slides. Spun Joans’ new disc, then laid back and napped.
Little after 5 p.m. me and Joan are out the door. Grab sandwiches on the way to the Crown and 2. Meet Plush at the club. Learn that he’s booked six bands. Next find out that the sound desk is fried. Plush figures to run over to the Spice for a replacement. This isn’t looking good.
Get through soundchecks. Time for our sandwiches. Auntie Joanie gets to asking all the bands to help keep things moving along. Evening gets started ‘bout eight. Running pretty smooth. Frazier Gregory is being difficult. And then goes on to finish with a sing along that took forever.
Enjoy Big Daddy Splash and Pleasure Gene. During Pleasure Gene there’s some trouble with the vocal mic. Joan sorts it out quick as she can. Really starting to wonder. MO and PF show up. There’s one act left.
Soon as they finish we rush the stage and get set up. Hoping that the landlord will let us sneak most of our set in. Kick it with $ or Fun. Drop Valentine but pretty much all worked out. Folks dug it and we got in most of our set.
Afterwards trying to sell cds, pack up my gear. Start helping Joan hump the PA and drums down to the cellar. Looking for Mo and PF they musta bounced. Finish putting everything away. Quick chat and thanks to the landlord and we’re off. Chicken is on Up All Night. Oo- whee !
Saturday 13 Dec. 03
ROTA at the Nottinghill Arts ClubUp near 9 a.m. showered. Worked up some coffee. Late night. Did some smoking. Did some thinking. Joans’ up,‘bout eleven now. Hit the “caf” for a traditional breakfast. After breakfast we score a Christmas tree and take it back to Joans’.
Time for me to get my shit together. Early show today. Pack up and change. And am out the door by 1:30 p.m. Outta the tube at Nottinghill Gate, down the block, around the back and through the door. It’s 2:10 p.m.
Meet Alesandro. He’s on the sounddesk. We talk about photography and how people see things. Check my instruments and get to chatting with Paul aka Spinmaster Plantpot. Mostly about how it is that most musicians don’t ever think like it’s a good idea to sound check. Kinda makes ya wonder.
Start talking to Tanya and Nigel. Someone buys me a beer. Trying to explain to Nigel the difference between country, ol’timey and bluegrass, (it’s harder then it looks ). Leo Trout is on first, next is The Seven Inches.
Next we’re on. Kick our set. Groovy lights. Folks seem to be diggin’ it. Believe it was Sally that hollered for Nervous Girl. Finish with Just about to burn. Got it going so fast at the end that PF could barely keep up. Not sure what happened it just sorta kinda took off.
Hung out for a bit afterwards. Time for us to bounce. MO and PF are headed back to pack. Me I’m off to meet my buddy’s in Shabby Rogue. Well, okaythen, see ya back in duh burg.
Okaythen, there ya have it. Stop on by www.justabouttoburn.com for more of what all we got going on. Or if ya wanna you can go on by www.breadfoot.com. Might do to post more Jatb in the uk stuff there when I get a chance. And you can also look in on what I got going on my lonesome.
‘til next time. Peace and love bf
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