Urban Bar

I think Dan likes pubs.

London pubs range from the spit and sawdust "Leaky Cauldron" sort of place to the posh eatery that serves beer, if you must, but would rather sell you wine at over £40 a bottle. I have yet to find a posh pub that has a rock venue upstairs. If you know of one, please tell me.

Every rock band has to pay it's dues by "playing the toilets".  Even the Beatles did over 1000 hours of gigging in the strip clubs of Liverpool and Hamburg before making their first record. Our son Nick's first gigs were in school and at outdoor charity events, but then he graduated to the "toilets" around Cambridge; the "Man on the Moon", "The Portland Arms" and so on. Now these venues have had some well known bands on their way up, and again on their way to oblivion. You might be witnessing the start of something great or the last thrashes of a dying beast, but its always worth the price of a ticket and a pair of ear plugs.

You don't say!

Tradition has it that to make it big you have to move to London. It still makes sense, I guess, but less so as the years go by. Music has become totally international. As a session man, you might be better off in Brussels and as a band you might do better in Oslo, Reykjavik or Paris, but my bet would be on Austin Texas. But you still need to hone your act, harden your fingers and learn your trade in the toilets. A gig in a room above a pub in Whitechapel where they offer Salsa classes may seem like a retrograde step, but its goes to make up that essential 1000 hours.

Kieran, showing that he has no tattoos.

Being at the Urban Bar was like old times in other ways too. Nick's old bandmate and childhood friend, Kieran, has recently moved to London and he stepped up to play a really competent rhythm guitar  and sing harmonies. Drums and bass were provided by his bandmates from Mr. Dupret Factory who seemed to enjoy a good rock-out as a change form the deliberately understated approach their band normally takes.  (Track them down; it's worth it).

The set for the evening drew on songs from Nick's forthcoming album, so this was a first public airing for them. All the songs are strong, with great hooks and unexpected turns. The small audience was right up there with the band by the third song and, encouraged by the support, the band loosened up and had a good time. So did I.

Acoustic support

Going to gigs like this makes me remember the freshness of hearing new music; the tension in the stomach, the lift of the heels and the broad grin on my face as the songs move from groove to groove.

We attended this gig as a family that included myself, Hanna, Robin and Dan as well as Nick and Gabby. We all enjoyed the night out, despite arriving home after midnight. We sat down in the wrong pub for an hour and watched football on big screen while drinking beers and joking for an hour. Dan loved every minute. When we found the right pub there was a delay of another hour, but Dan carried on partying. I think he likes pubs. We thought the gig would be too loud, but Dan loved it. We are thinking of going to a festival with him this summer; if there is a summer.

I'll let you know when Nick's new album is out.

Nick and Kieran