I played at a Velvet Underground charity do at Maryhill Community Halls on Saturday night with my friends Tippi and Nick Clark.
About a month ago, Tippi had asked me if I would be interested in playing guitar for her at the do. After lengthy negotiations between her people and my people (heh...) I agreed but only if both Budweisers were chilled.
Originally, we were going to play 'Pale Blue Eyes' but found out at the last minute that Monica Queen had first dibs on that. I suggested that 'Candy Says' and Tippi agreed. So I went away and practised in the key of D but then I contacted Tippi who says it more suits her voice in the key of G.
Anyway, we met up for a short run through on Friday night and then I was forced, against my will, into a drinking contest with her. Needless to say, I won 'cos she's a girl and everyone knows that girls are biologically inferior at drinking. This is a fact because it's in the Bible..
We met up the following evening before going on to the gig. Being the consummate professional I even brought my own guitar and only had to borrow a lead, capo, guitar tuner and plectrum.
The acts had already begun playing by the time we arrived at the Halls. Tippi checked out our onstage time. 10.45pm after the interval. TEN FORTY FUCKING FIVE... on a Saturday night? They expected us to stay sober until then?
We relaxed, sat down by the bar and had a few drinks- I prefer red wine before playing because it doesn't bag me up or cause me to belch into the mic. Nick and I reminisced about yesteryears. One tale concerning us at 4 in the morning, perched on Kelvingrove Fountain with a bottle of perfume and milk seemed to have Tippi slightly horrified. I can't see why... We cheered her up by telling her about the times Nick and I had backed Nico and that we had nothing to do with her death.
Got told that it was interval and we could set up. Went onstage and picked out a Vox amp to play, tuned up and left our guitars on stage. We weren't using a drummer and Tippi wasn't playing guitar. She would sing the verses and I'd sing the choruses. I was a bit concerned because I tend to speed up on stage without a drummer.
I found it quite funny when Tippi asked did we have our onstage drinks since we were only doing one short song. Still, it's best to be prepared. Anything could happen...
I have to say that I felt a little nervous. I hadn't played live for about seven years and had forgotten about the brightness of stage lighting. I turned my back while the MC introduced us. I've never been into that MC thing. I always preferred going on in darkness while an introductory track played, testing the mics and amps and then straight in when the track stopped.
I actually felt slightly nervous. Perhaps, it was because it wasn't my gig and didn't feel in control. Anyway, we played as rehearsed and I felt great coming in to sing the choruses.
When we came off, we all wished that we could have done more songs. I had the taste for playing again...
Will I play again? I'd like to think so... Thanks Tippi.