Libertines

Chinnerys is a pub on the Golden Mile, sandwiched between the
amusement arcades, with its own gig facilities. I got there around 7.50
and already there were quite a few people waiting around for the doors
to open at 8pm, or so it said on the ticket and the placard outside the
place. The doors remained shut till about 8.30 when they opened and let
everyone in, slowly so there was a queue.

There is a bar at the back, mixing desk to the side and the stage about
forty feet directly in front of the bar. The place was empty but soon
filled up. I was surprised by the number of girls there, so I said
hello to a few of them as you do, and got a beer. I usually drink
Guinness.

The first band came on about 9pm, they are called Kill City and are
fronted by Lisa who told me that their influences included X Ray Spex,
and Throbbing Gristle amongst other bands. I thought she did sound a
lot like Polystyrene. They are a five piece: lead and rhythm guitars,
bass, drums and vocals. They did a good set, and I know that they
enjoyed themselves. Thats the thing, you have to enjoy playing else
it's no fun.

There was a pause while the stage was cleared of the stacks and guitars
and amps. So I got another beer, and talked to Rob from the
board.

About ten the Libertines appeared. Carl and Peter launched into their
set and the sound fair exploded off the walls. The driving bass and
machine gun drums added to the sound. Up The Bracket was their second
song, and I knew that it was a classic, I had heard it before on mpeg
from the board (I think that was the track I played 15 times in a row).
They alternated between the two mikes and made a show, stopping
occasionally between songs to tune guitars or just pause. The first
pause was so long I thought that the power had gone, but it was still
there, and the sound held the mosh pit in its fist and shook them, as
they boogied madly to the beat.

Thats the thing, not only do you have to play rock n roll (and I mean
in the modern sense) you have to look the part and the Libertines look
the part, they walk the walk. They did some really good songs. Both
Carl and Peter take on lead vocal duties, while the bass player stands
almost motionless on the left driving the bass.

The crowd yelled out for Waster, Skag and Bone Man. Where I was
standing I could hear the band fine. Their appeal is universal. I am 39
and I expect a lot of the people at the front were half my age and we
all liked the band.

After the set finished, there was a rush for the tshirts and posters,
and while I was up there getting a couple of badges, a young lady was
trying to get the last band t shirt, but she didnt have enough cash, so
I gave her a fiver. It's only money and she has the tshirt she wanted,
which I am sure she will treasure.

I had a chance to talk to Carl briefly before he went off to get some
cigarettes. I was with some friends of mine in the back room. They had
an acoustic in there - maybe the same one that was in the NME, which I
got a chance to play briefly. I didnt have a pick with me but Peter
kindly gave me a Dunlop plecky so there was no risk of breaking
strings. One of the girls I was with also played the guitar and I think
she kept Peter's plectrum.

By this time the place was almost empty, and apart from the broken
glass where the mosh pit had been, it was quite tidy. One of the other
girls, Sarah still has her Reading Fest wristband on, and so do
I.

Single "Up The Bracket" out on September 30, album expected mid
October.