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Last night was all about live music and friendships, two things that play such a big part in my life. I travelled up to the 100 Club in Oxford Street to see the first non-chart band I really go into, the brilliant Department S. A massive bonus was Eddie Macdonald, original bass player in The Alarm playing an acoustic support slot. I was also meeting fellow Alarm fans, Jan and Margaret from Norway, who are in London for a few days. The journey up was not without its frustrations and cancelled trains plus hold ups on the line meant that I didn’t arrive at the pub beforehand until 7.00.
Jan and Margaret bought a copy of my Fields of Dawn album, and so rather than post it to Norway, the gig in London provided the opportunity to hand the over in person. It was great meeting them and spending the evening with them. It’s these friendships that have been coming into my life over the last 5-6 years that really have made such a massive difference to me. I know how happy Mum would be to see me forging this new life for myself. If there was anything good to come out of her bowel cancer for me, then this would definitely be it x
Eddie Macdonald played a brilliant set of acoustic songs from his band Smalltown Glory. The songs have certainly grown in stature since I last saw him live almost three years ago. Hopefully 2023 will see the release of the band’s debut album and some full band live dates. Back in 2014 I met Eddie and original Alarm drummer Nigel Twist for my Live & Times charity book. They were lovely, so last night it was really nice to have a brief catch up with Eddie. He was a true gent signing his set list for Margaret and The Alarm album sleeve covers she had bought with her.
Back in 1980 I heard Is Vic There? by Department S on night-time Radio 1. I ordered the single from Opus One, my local record shop in Maidenhead. It was released on an independent label, Demon Records and over the next few months I watched it climb the independent singles chart. A remixed version of the single was then released on RCA and made the top 40. Two subsequent singles Going Left Right and I Want failed to chart much to my disappointment. Around this time the band featured on Radio 1’s In Concert supporting The Jam so I eagerly taped that show and I still have the tape, although most of the recording was included on Sub-Stance album released finally in 2003. The record company dropped the band before the recorded album was released and put a £50,000 price tag on the recording effectively preventing the band releasing the material. I had written to the band in 1982 to find out what was happening in terms of single and album releases, and I got a personal reply from Vaughn Toulouse the lead singer who sadly passed away in 1991, and I finally discovered that the band was no more.
Prior to last night I had only seen the reformed band once, back in 2010 supporting From The Jam in London. That was a real high for me finally getting to see the band that perhaps defined my music tastes and everything that followed. I hope that I don’t leave it so long until the next time I see them. They have released a couple of brilliant albums in recent years, Mr Nutleys Strange Delusionarium and When All Is Said and All Is Done. A new album is imminent but held up by recent line up changes. The set at The 100 Club was outstanding and guitarist and singer Phil Thompson was highly impressive. The set consisted of the three singles by the original band and songs from the new era including some of the tracks from the forthcoming album. I always love it when bands look forwards as much as they look back.
As we left the venue Margaret took this selfie of us with the iconic sign behind us. We went our separate ways at Oxford Circus underground station, but I will see them again in January in North Wales for The Alarm’s Gathering weekend. Friendships and live music, you really can’t beat it!
I took the opportunity at Paddington Station to take a photo of myself with the album as it did feel like it had been a mini London launch night with the handing over of A New Dawn to Jan and Margaret. The album has now raised almost £850 for Bowel Cancer UK, Love Hope Strength and The Bowel Movement. So why not treat yourself to the Vinyl LP, CD or Download and help push the fundraising total even higher.
