1996

13/06/96 The Louisiana, Bristol

Jonny Collins, David W.Brown, Gregory Jones, Clem Courtney, Julien Clapperton

The debut show for the longest-serving MB lineup to date. In the intervening 10 months, I quit with the idea of forming a band with just me and a string quartet(!), and Gregory moved to Loughborough. But all was saved by finally filling the drum stool with Julien. At the time the way of ascertaining if we wanted a drummer was to ask who their favourite drummer was. Most reply Jeff Porcaro or some other technically good drummer who makes unlistenable rubbish. Julien said Al Jackson Jr and we were back in business. Clem arrived at the same time to fill the space behind the organ which had been empty for so long, since Mark left.

19/06/96 The Hallamshire , Sheffield

Jonny Collins, David W.Brown, Gregory Jones, Clem Courtney, Julien Clapperton

Ever travelled the length of the country to play to nobody? We arrived to find that NO local promotion had been done and there really was no paying audience, just the sound people. They could not work out why we played but we reckoned that seeing as we were there, we may as well.

20/06/96 The Narrow-Boat, Nottingham

Jonny Collins, David W.Brown, Gregory Jones, Clem Courtney, Julien Clapperton

For a long time this was the finest show we ever did. We played with The Melons and Friends Of and to have an audience was luxury. A few notable things, this started the custom of MB injuries, Dave caught his hand in a large fan above the stage and still can't answer why he put it in there in the first place, and I wrote the bulk of "Let's Get Together" in the dressing room before the show.

21/06/96 The Physio & Firkin, Leicester

Jonny Collins, David W.Brown, Gregory Jones, Clem Courtney, Julien Clapperton

Some of the people who had seen us in Nottingham the previous night came to Leicester, that was very nice of them.

28/06/96 The Louisiana, Bristol

Jonny Collins, David W.Brown, Gregory Jones, Clem Courtney, Julien Clapperton

Back on home soil again. Don't remember this one.

13/09/96 The Mean Fiddler Acoustic Room, Harlesden, London

Jonny Collins, David W.Brown, Gregory Jones, Clem Courtney, Julien Clapperton

Really enjoyed this one. Played some songs we don't normally do. Used the little Casio keyboard that would feature so heavily on I'm Going Out.

24/09/96 The Kings Head, Fulham, London

Jonny Collins, David W.Brown, Gregory Jones, Clem Courtney, Julien Clapperton

This was a rock pub. Very scary, I'd rather not play there again.

23/12/96 The Louisiana, Bristol

Jonny Collins, David W.Brown, Gregory Jones, Clem Courtney, Julien Clapperton

Another MB Xmas show, which was becoming a bit of a tradition by this point. Still don't remember it. Hot new info!! I have it on good authority from the great man himself that this show marked the performing debut of one Dermot Jones famed contributor to both Modern Guitars... and Melancholia. Dermie supported us on his acoustic guitar, in which case this is the show at which I persuaded him it would be a great idea for the 2 of us to do an acoustic version of "Sound & Vision". I was wrong, it was a terrible idea, note to self, learn chords to songs before getting on stage.

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