Particle Man, Particle Man, Doin' the things a particle can ...
If you recognise the above lyric, then you too are an aficionado of geek rock and I salute you. For years I thought I was alone, but judging by the number of sweaty people in the Astoria last night, I have been labouring under a misapprehension.
They Might Be Giants were marvellous and their support act - a grey haired accordionist who played songs of lost love - was strange but in a good way. Even Bucko - the boyf - whose music tastes run more to the Leatherface, Snuff and Metallica side of things, was tapping his toes by the end of the night, and allowed himself a little smile at Istanbul not Constantinople. But then, you'd have to made of stone not to, surely? If only the_heiress was able to view this post, she woudl be delighted to know that they didnt do Spider, the song which scared her so much back in our roomie days.
I love the Astoria - being able to sit down at a table and drink cold beer whilst being entertained by geek rock's finest is so much more civilised than shuffling about in the mosh pit. Although I only attempted the mosh pit once, at a Carter gig in 1992 and I think the experience may have put me off for life. To be fair, I did have a 17 stone skinhead trying to climb onto my head for most of the night. The bruises were impressive.
All in all, I think I have had a very positive musical experience this year. Dont go to a gig for yonks and then get to see all my favourites in the space of 6 months. Bloody marvellous. Now, if only Spanish combo Camela would do a tour of Nortg London pubs, I could die happy. I bet femme_letale would join me ...
They Might Be Giants were marvellous and their support act - a grey haired accordionist who played songs of lost love - was strange but in a good way. Even Bucko - the boyf - whose music tastes run more to the Leatherface, Snuff and Metallica side of things, was tapping his toes by the end of the night, and allowed himself a little smile at Istanbul not Constantinople. But then, you'd have to made of stone not to, surely? If only the_heiress was able to view this post, she woudl be delighted to know that they didnt do Spider, the song which scared her so much back in our roomie days.
I love the Astoria - being able to sit down at a table and drink cold beer whilst being entertained by geek rock's finest is so much more civilised than shuffling about in the mosh pit. Although I only attempted the mosh pit once, at a Carter gig in 1992 and I think the experience may have put me off for life. To be fair, I did have a 17 stone skinhead trying to climb onto my head for most of the night. The bruises were impressive.
All in all, I think I have had a very positive musical experience this year. Dont go to a gig for yonks and then get to see all my favourites in the space of 6 months. Bloody marvellous. Now, if only Spanish combo Camela would do a tour of Nortg London pubs, I could die happy. I bet femme_letale would join me ...