Fresh Stains



In 2001, three of the original Understains, Pat, Carl and Mike, struggling with middle-age, felt it was about time to do another gig.  Overcoming the logistics of distance, because by this time Nottingham was no longer the centre of the universe, and with a new drummer, Alex Hunt, they finally performed at the Boatman in Beeston, on 27^th March 2004.  The reception from the largely invited audience of friends and sycophants was one of stunned amazement.  “I haven’t seen as much energy on stage since Elvis in 1980”, said one.  There’s a recording somewhere, which captures some of the atmosphere: the fluffed bits, the flat out of tune bits, the feedback, the dodgy mic switch, the corny banter...
 

The Stains 2007
Pat, John, Mike & Carl (or Mike)

On the strength of this, mind shattering, experience, the guys decided to do it again.  With a (different) new drummer, John Mason, the Stains wowed a packed Three Horseshoes audience – though a zimmer frame was stolen from the car park.  There hadn’t been anything as exciting as this since “Billy, Don’t Be A Hero” went to No 1.

 



Mike, Pat & Carl (or Mike) in action 2006



Adoring fans - the mosh pit at a Stains gig

The lineup proved to be a good one – the band went on to perform at several pubs, abandoned aircraft hangers and front rooms.  But in late 2007, sadly, it folded; the pressure of economics and uncertainty over which tracks to include on the next album, proved too much.  Even so, there are still those who ask, politely and to ensure enough time to book air tickets out of the country, “Will it ever happen again?”

GoonFest, Cornwall 2007