Modesty Blaise


	1999 09/03/99 The Underground Club, Bristol Jonny Collins, David W.Brown, Gregory Jones, Clem Courtney, Julien Clapperton The Underground Club was at the top of a block of flats. No it wasn't, it was underground. 21/04/99 Biarritz Restaurant, Loughborough Jonny Collins, Gregory Jones Technically not an MB concert, Gregory and I went to Loughborough a day early and played in a restaurant in exchange for some food. Good food too, we gave it 4 stars. We played a half-written "Theme From Uranium Girl" for the first time. Twice. We thought there would be different people in and out throughout the evening but mostly there were groups of people who spent 4 hours eating their dinner. 22/04/99 Loughborough University, Loughborough Jonny Collins, David W.Brown, Gregory Jones, Clem Courtney, Julien Clapperton Joined by the rest of the band for another go on that massive stage. I think this was a warm-up for Spain. 05/06/99 Sala Ritmo Y Compas, Madrid Jonny Collins, David W.Brown, Gregory Jones, Clem Courtney, Julien Clapperton First date of our Spanish tour arranged by Animal Records. Supported by The Elephant Band, this was a good start in a good venue, large crowd, great fun. However, remember not to travel and play the same evening, too tired. 10/06/99 Rock Palace, Madrid Jonny Collins, David W.Brown, Gregory Jones, Clem Courtney, Julien Clapperton Not so much a palace as a youth club. Animal originally planned a large tour but their ambitions exceeded their competence, lovely people though they are. This was a hastily arranged gig to stop us from moaning, having spent the previous 4 night scouring the bars of Madrid looking for anyone who was out. The Spanish don't go out in the week. Hancock nearly got into a fight with a contemporary dance group over the rules of pool, Dave disappeared to Valencia and the rest of us were so well known that the barmen of Madrid had our drinks set up ready for when we'd arrive. 11/06/99 Sala Mariscal, L'Estartit Jonny Collins, David W.Brown, Gregory Jones, Clem Courtney, Julien Clapperton Tour proper starts. A massive 91/2 hour journey across the hot part of Spain in a van ably driven by our good friend Paco Poza of Los Imposibles. L'Estartit is a tacky seaside resort and we were booked to play 2 sets in a holiday disco. They played Boney M before and after us. It was brilliant, I loved it. We went on stage for the second time at 5.20 a.m. One splendid chap saw us in Madrid and travelled for this show, then left before we finished because he had a 9-hour trip back. 12/06/99 Sala Magic, Barcelona Jonny Collins, David W.Brown, Gregory Jones, Clem Courtney, Julien Clapperton Worried about his insurance, Paco wouldn't let Hancock ride in the van with us so we entrusted him to the Spanish public transport system in Madrid and met him in Barcelona. We got to the venue and he emerged from a fountain refreshed after sleeping in the park. Despite the lack of sleep, dodgy electrics and metal floor(yes!) this was probably the best we have ever played. Met some top people, danced to our records in the club, went home happy. 13/06/99 Sala Nitirambo, Lleida Jonny Collins, David W.Brown, Gregory Jones, Clem Courtney, Julien Clapperton Top nightclub in a small town, it experienced it's first major downpour of the year while we were there. I was so happy that it rained I went for a walk in it. When I got back the barmaids were mopping furiously after a cave-in of a roof obviously not designed to repel water. Another fine show, but Hancock stayed in Barcelona and went to a football match. We flew back to Blighty the next day from Barcelona but lost the original artwork for Modern Guitars on the train to the airport. Previous Next