Remember Wurzel Gummidge? Well I've got my grumpy head on today.
"If it's too loud, you're too old!"
That was the slogan on the back of a Kiss t-shirt I used to own (Creatures of the Night-era, I think).
I felt positively ancient this morning, my ears still ringing from last night's onslaught.
Queensbury Conservative Club is a small venue and has the potential to host a very enjoyable, intimate club-show, but last night's wasn't it; as I say about 16 times a day to our darling daughter, "turn it DOWN!"
Volume aside, there were other problems;
* It's slightly ironic that the boys' first show in a smoke-free venue (OK, Slawit sports centre excepted; you know what I mean) was the first time I've seen Dave B's voice dry up on him.
* The stage ceiling was just too low for Dave R who looked fearful of banging his head on it at times.
* Strange crowd.
It was a fairly standard set, so I'll skip on the play-by-play. The sound balance (especially on the vocal harmonies) on Higher Place was absolutely spot on and had me really excited for a great show but, by the time Danny had solo-ed out ...Miss A Thing the problems had kicked in and it was all a bit muddy.
Then Mr Bamforth put himself on my hitlist.
"This is the point in the show where we do a cheesy number like Boston, or this one by REO Speedwagon".
Cheesy.
Cheesy?
CHEESY???
Look, I try not to take my music too seriously. Back in the day I had a perm and even appeared in public wearing spandex trousers, so I'm in no position to take my music seriously. But, you do not, ever, call Boston "cheesy". Not when you play Thunder covers.
Not without terrible retribution being exacted.
Sweet Child O'Mine was accompanied by a young lady channelling mad-dancer-Gordon from Huddstock. If you're reading - yes, we did notice you almost go A-o-T. I laughed. Sorry.
Faithfully is really coming together musically - it gets better with each performance - but Dave's voice was starting to go by this point and the vocal sounded a bit forced. I know you don't want to do a straight copy of the original, but just a little gentler?
Biggest surprise of the night was the crowd suddenly waking up after ...Rosie and demanding another encore - they'd been pretty unresponsive for the rest of the night, but it gave the guys the opportunity to give us another.
They chose More Than a Feeling.
Cheesy, huh?
Next home gig isn't for about 10 weeks - I suspect we'll squeeze in an awayday before then!
An edam sings Thunder. Yesterday.
