Bristol!!!

["Paul Vearncombe" <Paul@Ve...freeserve.co.uk>]

Wow!  What a gig!

As usual we arrived FAR too early at the Folk House - the support band
were still setting up in the bar.  Swanned about for a bit and ventured
downstairs to the main hall, totally oblivious to the fact that the door
was closed because the Aeroplanes were soundchecking.  Consequently us
four idiots suddenly burst in as they are ripping into Jazz Baby.  Gerard
gives us a grin from the stage and we wave and duck back out.  Decide we
should pop out for a beer and come back later.  Wander off to The Ship for
far too long - that old evil canon has us in its sway.  When we eventually
stagger back the support band is coming to the end (they sounded great,
but I am ashamed to say I can't remember their name).  The bar is insanely
packed and the only way to get past people to get to the bar is by
levitation.  The only place left to stand in is right next to the support
band, which involves squeezing past Gerard who is watching.  Amazingly, he
recognises me immediately from other gigs and we're chatting like old
mates.  As the support finish, Gerard says "right, everyone into the main
hall", and in we go, still gassing away with the big guy.  I said "hi" to
him from Stacy and Gerard told again the story of the neon plane.  He was
a bit distracted the whole time because Rodney had disappeared off to a
pub and was due on shortly.  Gerard told me how pleased he was with the
new band, particularly the way they could reinvent the songs a bit, like
putting banjo into ...and Stones.

Rodney having been found, he played a great set and Whistling in the Dark
amazed me once again.  For the final song he said that he had been bribed
two packets of fags to play the Moped Song, but really wanted to play
Julianne.  So the audience had to cheer for whichever song they wanted to
hear.  Naturally we were treated to a blinding Moped Song.

And then the main attraction, which was over far too quickly.  The new
songs get better with every hearing.  Art Star went down well, but my
current favourite is Raise the Roof High, which kicks ass.  Jazz Baby was
played, apparently for the first time.  After a while the audience really
got into it and a very respectable but very good natured mosh pit
developed, assisted by Wojtek and art star Ann Sheldon.  The sound was
brilliant and the band played their socks off and seemed to really enjoy
it.  The clamour for encores was almost as loud as the music itself.
Amazingly, my brand new copy of Cavaliers survived the mosh pit and I'm
listening to it now.  Sounds weird, like the early stuff.  Can't wait for
the new album proper, which seems like a long-overdue baby, just pushing
to get out.  Aeroplanes on the up?  Undoubtedly.

PV