Blog: The Wilmington Arms

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After a Saturday spent revamping and updating the website it was rather nice to get out of the front door in the evening and off to FARRINGDON, for the Damnably Presents gig at The Wilmington Arms. I STRODE manfully into the bar to find the landlord gesticulating wildly at me, eventually having to say "You need to go outside and go in the door to the side" as I didn't know what he meant. As I went out again one of the security guards on the door said to the other "Yeah, I know Santa Claus doesn't exist NOW, but..." What?!?

Once inside I discovered Lazarus Clamp just starting to soundcheck the drums so said hello and FLED - I have heard enough drum soundchecks to be fairly sure I won't miss anything - and went back into the pub, to see if I could see any CELEBRITIES. It's owned by the same people who own The Hawley Arms, apparently, and every website that mentions the pub goes ON about how you can expect to see The Famous Crowd in there. I didn't spot any, though I DID spot Ruddles County on the pumps, BEER of my younger days and, I am happy to report, still very nice indeed.

Back inside I suggested George, promoter and also, as Former Utopia, first act on, do a soundcheck and then I'd use his settings. This turned out GOOD as he had another guitarist, vocalist AND violin player with him so needed some TIME and while this all went on I volunteered to do the door... I thought I might as well volunteer as, as experience has shown, I very often seem to end up doing it, and spent a happy hour or so GREETING incomers.

I had a quick chat to THE TIGER, who was there in his Lazarus Clamp Capacity and just after he left with them for CHIPS some PALS arrived, which was all rather delightful. Former Utopia did their set and then all of a sudden it was my turn, to go up and do THIS:

The Peterborough All-Saints' Wide Game Team (Group B)

The Gay Train

It Only Works Because You're Here

Being Happy Doesn't Make You Stupid

Do The Indie Kid

Easily Impressed

The Lesson Of The Smiths

I'd been EXTREMELY ANXIOUS beforehand, and much of this carried on throughout the set which meant it was quite FAST and SHOUTY, but seemed to go over OK - people didn't spontaneously join in with Being Happy Doesn't Make You Stupid but DID do the correct bits for Easily Impressed, and afterwards a number of people said they liked it including, BIZARRELY, some nice Italian people who all said "I really like your accent". Nobody has EVER said that to me before! Also, for some reason I switched Easily Impressed and The Lesson Of The Smiths around, as Easily Impressed is usually my last song, and thus CONFUSED myself slightly, so that I introduced it by saying "Thanks very much, I'm MJ Hibbett..." and then realised it WASN'T my last song. This was my 66th gig of the year, HABITS have been formed!

After I'd got myself packed away we watched Lazarus Clamp, who were GRATE - they were especially enhanced this time by twinkly lights on the back of the stage, which made it all seem strangely CHRISTMASSY. They were also enhanced a LOT by the sound, which was brilliant - they have a Lady Soundman at The Wilmington Arms, is it me or do Lady Soundmen always tend to make it LESS loud but MORE audible? It sounded GRATE, although I do still think THE TIGER should introduce a LOUD FEEDBACK section into their final song, rather than leaving the stage when they play it.

I then NIPPED to the pub section with aforesaid PALS for a lengthy discussion concerning BANDS and stuff, before returning for Calvin Party who i have somehow managed to know of for YEARS but never see, but who were dead good and SEEMED to finish with an Old Skool Hip Hop MEDLEY... though that may have been the Ruddles County. There were then HUGS, CHAT, and a quick hop back to the TUBE and home. I got home late, tired, but very happy - what a lovely night out!
and CONFUSED myself, as th
posted 7/12/2008 by MJ Hibbett

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