Gig report - and last post?

The atmosphere before the gig was palpably expectant.  Burton in Lonsdale’s village hall looked like a rock venue; Kate Vose and her team had done an amazing job; the backdrop was brilliant; the lighting looked great; Simon, who had been working most of the afternoon to get the sound mix right, stood by his desk…there were imperceptible nods.

As the first notes of the old Chuck Berry number, ‘Roll Over Beethoven’ sliced through the air like audio kitchen knives, the audience sat up: perhaps this was a serious music event after all?  Immediately, some abandoned their bottles of Pinot and sherry and streamed onto the dance floor.  And really, that set the tone for the rest of the gig.  At times, the gyrating dancers were in danger of joining the band; mic stands were nudged.  By the end of the evening, it was probably only those who were incapable of getting up that weren’t on the floor, doing their personal impressions of the jive and so on.  Purists can say what they like – originality is best, but people enjoy a good covers band because they know most of the songs.  And the Stains were plainly there to entertain.

The numbers ranged from the Big O’s ‘Pretty Woman’ to ZZ Top’s ‘Sharp Dressed Man’, with a smattering of Clash, Blur and Killers.  Quieter moments in the 30-odd two set performance included ‘Under the Bridge’ and ‘Do You Want To Know A Secret’; the band even pelted out a competent rendition of the Dooby’s funky ‘Long Train Running’, found time to dedicate a rocking ‘Let’s Work Together’ to the Parish Council and, in homage to another (much more expensive) gig the following day at London’s O2, a fairly wild version of ‘Brown Sugar’.

At the end, the group seemed unprepared for the persistent demands for an encore.  Actually, they were – no band should do forced encores – but in the end the Stains reprised ‘Johnny B Goode’ and everyone seemed pretty content with that.  Especially Marie.  By then, of course, it was way past everyone's bedtime.

It should be added that the profits from the event, together with additional money raised from a raffle organised by Andy Ive, will put much needed cash toward Burton in Lonsdale’s Parish Plan.  So, overall – a highly successful evening, thanks to everyone who bought a ticket and helped make it work, including the long-suffering Carole and Amanda.  A particular word should go to Simon Willan, who not only loaned the PA but also worked like a Trojan getting the sound mix right.  A link to his own band, the superb ‘Swarm’ used to be included on the right but, alas, they have ceased flying.

Finally, is this the last post?  Probably.  Unlike Bond, the Stains have no plans to be back.