Thursday, November 01, 2012

Adventures in a Pub on a Cold, Wet Sunday Evening

Ladies and Gentlemen, what follows is why I had to start blogging again...

Last Sunday the clocks went back. I was still feeling a bit wrung out and the weather was diabolical and then of course, it was dark by 5 pm. I'd put on my comfy clothes, snuggled down on my favourite corner of the sofa, got my Shiny Things nearby and basically got ready for an evening in reading a trashy book.

When I started hanging out with Lawrence last year, he introduced me to Norwich's gig scene. We'd go down to Jurnet's Bar in Wensum Lodge for their Acoustic Nights, listen to acts play their funky music. We'd go to Olives on Magdalene Street for Penguin's Acoustic and Eclectic evenings. I've seen some amazing bands and my music collection has grown because of it. What I've really loved is getting to know the museos in the bands, thanks to the power of Facebook and the fact that Norwich is actually a small village really. 

One such band is Das Fenster and the Alibis. Voodoo rock'n'roll with a dangerous edge. I am pretty sure we were at their first ever gig and we've been following them around ever since.

Lawrence was working over the weekend, and I was not feeling up to much, so we agreed that Das Fenster's gig on the Sunday evening was probably a no-go. I snuggled down, got my iPad out and then it started.

A poet, who I will call H asked if I was going and then there was a quick flurry of exchanges with another poet J, joining in. In the end, I got up off my butt, changed and picked up J. Off we went to the pub, very early as it turned out.

Now the Edward VIII advertises itself as a 'live music venue'. It's not in the most salubrious area and it's not the most well-heeled establishment, but it's fun. In we go. I sent a text to Lawrence saying I was there, with poets.

We caught up, drank and waited H and her husband M to rock up. There was much kissing of cheeks when they did.

Das Fenster and the Alibis are a trio. There's Das Fenster on lead vocals, guitar and occasionally piano, Pearly Gates on double base and Stagger Lee on drums. The pub soon filled up. What the poets and I hadn't realised is that it was published as a Halloween affair, with loads of people turning up in fancy dress. The walls, pictures, beer pumps were draped with cobwebs, spiders and bats. Witches and pumpkins adorned the windows; all illuminated by UV light which made the whole thing a little bit creepy. Think luminescent cobwebs...

They got up, introduced themselves and started playing. In the year since I've known them they've only got better, adding new material and they are great show men. I won't go into too much detail, but click on the links for a taste of the music. I'm nagging for the album they're busy recording.

So anyway, they start and so do two hecklers. I'm not sure what it is about drunk men, they think they are so funny. At one point I wondered whether this was going to be my first ever pub brawl. Happily, they reigned it in a bit, with the occasional comment from the floor. The poets and I sat in the corner up on bar stools, which meant I could see. What we hadn't realised is that we were sitting over the smoke machine, which enthusiastically set to work. Unfortunately, it did it's job too well, getting to the point where I couldn't see a foot in front of my face.

There's a certain cool factor to the lead singer saying from the stage, between tracks "Lawrence, Roses is sat in the corner over there!" Lawrence had arrived and couldn't see me in the smoke and darkness. My night was complete as far as I was concerned...what did I know? They played my favourite song "I won't go back" and it was stonking. I had to have jiggle.

When the gig ended, Lawrence accompanied me outside as I had a nicotine break, the pub secures the doors once the gigs start and it took us a minute to realise we had to lean on the front door to keep it open so we could get back in. We were joined by one of the hecklers and his girlfriend. Both were well in their cups. I smoked in silence whilst they slurred their way through their conversation and then I unwisely I looked at Lawrence and pointed out how patient he was being.

The heckler's girlfriend peered at him and then looked me straight in the eye and announced "It means he's crap at sex!" 

WTF?

"I wouldn't say that at all." Was my mild reply. My first job was in my dad's pub. There's very little that can shake, rattle and roll me. I've seen it, heard it and frankly, if she thought she could shock me, she was disappointed.

"Oi loik you. You're nice people." She puts her arm around me, squashes me to her net jumper and introduces herself and her boyfriend.

"What's your names?"

Quick as a flash, without even a pause, Lawrence says he's 'Eric' and I'm 'Louisa'.

Lousia? Really?

If I'd have stayed home on my sofa, I'd have missed out on this experience. Definitely worth getting dressed for.

14 comments:

  1. Lawrence sounds a bit of a wag:)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Those serendipitous adventures are the best some times! I haven't been to a bar/pub in years.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Stop by sometime and we can soon change that!

      x

      Delete
  3. I think "wag" is British for a person who can take a joke. :-)

    I love those impromptu evenings, Roses. I would've been right there next to you.

    Pearl

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    Replies
    1. Ahh...wag over here is a slightly derogatory term for Wife and Girlfriend (of footballers), so thanks for that. And yes, he's up for a laugh.

      Are you kidding, I would be plying you with all kinds of alcohol.

      One day honey. One day.

      Delete
  4. eric & louise? he thinks fast on his feet, sugar! i like that! ;)
    xoxoxoxo

    i found this: Definition of WAG

    1: wit, joker

    2obsolete : a young man : chap

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes he does think on his feet. Yeah, I like that in him too! :D

      He certainly has much wit...not particularly a prankster though (which I'm happy about).

      He definitely is a chap. I can tell these things ;)

      Delete
  5. Young people only think of a wag as a WAG, now? I feel old. A wag is a humorous person, not in the sense of telling jokes but of having a sense of humour, coming out with teasing or jokey things. Witty, but not in the studied, clever Oscar Wilde sense, naturally quick-wittedly amusing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm young people?!

      You just made my day! :D

      Yep. You've just described my Lawrence!

      Delete
  6. All wagging aside, this is an evening I wish I'd attended. What a cool adventure! The unexpected ones usually turn out best, huh?

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    Replies
    1. We would have had awesome fun together.

      The band are such good fun and the music is fab.

      It certainly was a great experience.

      Delete
  7. Pearl is more or less right. Wag - a bit of a joker but here's the thing: I misread it thinking that Lawrence meant he was Louisa and you were Eric. Then he would have been a right wag!

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    Replies
    1. Crikey. Lawrence looks even less like a Louisa than I do!

      :-)

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