Re: Aeroplanes Xmas Gig 2002 (I'll explane later)

["Nick Walters" <nickw@bl...co.uk>]

Hello!

Yes, it was a top Aeroplanes Xmas gig. Time was when one would say, 
"Christmas isn't Christmas without Eric and Ernie", but nowadays we say, 
"Christmas isn't Christmas without Rodney and Gerard. And Wojtek and 
[insert whoever is in the band at the time]." And Angelo, apparently, 
though I didn't recognise him at all.

Unlike some I didn't have to travel far to get to Fiddlers; I merely left 
my house, walked through some dark, cold, dodgy back streets and 15 
minutes later I was there. Turning up "early" (8.30 isn't early for most 
gigs) again, I sat on my own and nursed a pint. There weren't many other 
people there, as I sat there waiting for my friends I heard a cello pick 
up the tune of "Ceiling Roses" which somehow intensified my feeling of 
isolation. Then, excitement! Rodney walks past, looks in the bar, and then 
walks away! Then, a strange bloke came over and said, "Are you PV1, or 
PV2?" To which I replied, "Neither, I'm NW1, or NW2; I forget which." This 
was Austen, who told me about the "naming children after our car" bit. 
(Pity Gerard can't remember! But then he is getting on.) 

The place began to fill up as 9.00 approached - still no sign of my chums 
- so I started writing some story notes on a Fiddlers flyer and got quite 
into it when they arrived. PV1, or is it 2 (scrolls down) ah! It is PV2, 
aka. Paul Vearncombe, aka. The Emperor Ming, walks in, with his girlfriend 
Laura, and Alan and Ruth. Hadn't seen Alan for ages so the chat and beer 
flowed and suddenly it was 11 o' clock, and still no sign of the 
Aeroplanes! Good of them to always come on late and allow me to catch up 
with old acquaintances. Though they come on SO late, that I'm beginning to 
suspect that what we're actually seeing is the previous year's Xmas gig, 
exactly a year late. (Told you I'd explain later!)

They were brilliant, as usual, and better than last year, I think (by 
which I mean 2001... or do I?). It was all a bit sedate at first - I 
remember the gigs of the early 90s at the Fleece and Firkin where the 
death-zone would be raging scrum where bruises, broken noses and squashed 
toes were badges of honour. Alan and I, veterans of those Aeroplanes 
death-zones, were mortified. "I'm not pissed enough!" moaned Alan. 
Wife-beater (aka Stella) was duly administered, and during "Gunning The 
Works" (I think) Alan sprang into life, and so began a modestly sized but 
nonetheless lively death-zone. A headbutt in the nose was recieived during 
"...And Stones" but sadly not enough to draw blood. Still, it was great 
fun!

It was odd seeing the set-list so prominently displayed, spoiler-like, on 
the side of a speaker. "Don't look at it", advised Ming, but like the eyes 
of the Gorgon I was unable to look away though was not turned into stone 
(apart from my liver which is pretty well calcified). So surprises like 
Bagpipe Music were spoiled for me, though I did have the bonus of 
anticpation. Highlights for me: Jack Leaves and Ceiling Roses, two of the 
prettiest Aeroplane songs. Paper Plane - which ROCKED! -  fantastic. 
Rodney's "Barlfly" is a brilliant song (much better than the plodding 
"Frit at Night" which just bores me I'm afraid). 

Had to leave pretty promptly afterwards so no chance of a chat with anyone.

Same time next year, then!

Or maybe January?

Nick W







  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Paul Vallis 
  To: blueplanes@st...net 
  Sent: Monday, December 08, 2003 8:30 PM
  Subject: [Blueplanes] Bristol gig


  Hi all,

  Indeed it was nice to put some faces to names, even if I'm not sure I 
could get them all right in an identity parade today!

  Twas indeed a good gig.  Shame no Ian Kearey (he was billed in the ad in 
Venue Magazine) and I'm not sure there are any previous Aeroplane 
connections with Bill Cargill (rhythm guitar) or the bass player, but it 
didn't stop the enjoyment one bit.  Shame I was driving otherwise I'd 
probably have been moshing with the rest.  At least my left foot gave Nick 
and PV2 a soft landing when the (I'm guessing here) combination of 
alcholol both ingested and spilt onto the floor sent them flying.

  Might be up for Shropshire in January.  Will see how things work out.  
Keep us posted on that one!

  PV1



  From: "Paul Vearncombe" 
  Reply-To: blueplanes@st...net 
  To: 
  Subject: Re: [Blueplanes] Blue Aeroplanes gig in Shropshire 
  Date: Mon, 8 Dec 2003 18:13:29 -0000 
  MessageHi all 
  Back in action following a technical difficulty.  Thanks Steve for 
resolving that one for now... 
  Gig was fantastic.  Much as I love the crowd-pleasers it's great to hear 
something old and weird from time to time - Gunning the Works and Bagpipe 
Music both kick ass live, and Frightened at Night was a nice treat.  
Missed the after-show beer due to complicated return journies but it was 
great to meet you all/again! 
  But when's the bloody album out?!?! 
  PV2 
     ----- Original Message ----- 
     From: Steve Burt 
     To: blueplanes@st...net 
     Sent: Monday, December 08, 2003 12:32 PM 
     Subject: RE: [Blueplanes] Blue Aeroplanes gig in Shropshire 
     Backstage, of course. I do seem to remember tugging your sleeve and 
saying that's where we were off to why don't you join us. Pretty quiet 
affair this year. No Gerard's mum in attendance or his girlfriend Ann for 
that matter. Had a good chat and managed to get posters signed etc. Lots 
of talk about the new record - most of which went straight over my head 
due to number of beers consumed and recreational cigarettes smoked. Good 
gig tho'. Hope all goes well with the birth etc. See you next year no 
doubt. 
     Steve 
     -----Original Message----- 
     From: blueplanes-admin@st...net [mailto:blueplanes-admin@st...net] On 
Behalf Of Philip Hendry 
     Sent: 08 December 2003 11:09 
     To: blueplanes@st...net 
     Subject: RE: [Blueplanes] Blue Aeroplanes gig in Shropshire 
     Steve, 
     Where did you disapear to after the gig....did you get th swig JD 
with GL do tell? 
     Phil 
       -----Original Message----- 
       From: blueplanes-admin@st...net [mailto:blueplanes-admin@st...net] 
On Behalf Of Steve Burt 
       Sent: 03 December 2003 09:16 
       To: blueplanes@st...net 
       Subject: RE: [Blueplanes] Blue Aeroplanes gig in Shropshire 
       Oddly enough, I had them booked for my fortieth birthday seven 
years ago but their then manager (who's name escapes me and has been 
deleted from mt pda) seemed to vanish off the face of the earth and I 
couldn't risk a no show so I made other arrangements.  It was never going 
to be the same party after that tho'. 
       Steve B 
       * I shall be in attendance on friday 
       -----Original Message----- 
       From: blueplanes-admin@st...net [mailto:blueplanes-admin@st...net] 
On Behalf Of Philip Hendry 
       Sent: 02 December 2003 17:53 
       To: blueplanes@st...net 
       Subject: RE: [Blueplanes] Blue Aeroplanes gig in Shropshire 
       You lucky bastard......how much do they charge..thinking of getting 
them in for my 40th in a few years...count me in ! 
         -----Original Message----- 
         From: blueplanes-admin@st...net 
[mailto:blueplanes-admin@st...net] On Behalf Of Neville Street 
         Sent: 02 December 2003 17:25 
         To: blueplanes@st...net 
         Subject: [Blueplanes] Blue Aeroplanes gig in Shropshire 
         Hi 
         Can I add something your mailing list? 
         I am promoting an Aeroplanes gig on 22 January at the 
Buttermarket in Shrewsbury, Shropshire. It is part of my birthday 
celebrations but open to the public. However, anyone wishing to attend can 
email me for cheap get in fliers! 
         Thanks. 
         Neville Street 
         Stella Six - Press & PR 
         22 Stones Square 
         Burlington Place 
         Shrewsbury 
         Shropshire UK 
         SY3 7JA 
         T: +44 (0) 1743 246917 
         F: +44 (0) 1743 246917 
         M: 07967 717259 
         E: nev@st...com 
         www.stellasix.com 
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