It's as high definition as we've got at the moment (not long til 8K though, I'd imagine). No 3D, although imagine the helicopter assault......smells - I've lived in a jungle, no thanks!!
****. The owners of the Assembly Rooms in Leamington, a brilliant old venue for live music in walking distance from my house, have closed it (despite regularly sending me emails about coming attractions up to Christmas) citing high rent, rates and maintenance costs. Major blow.
Just saw that on the local news (in Stourbridge tonight) - terrible news, any live music venue shutting is a shame. There is a campaign about at the moment to get rates reduced for entertainment venues around the UK, as they are shutting at an alarming rate, forcing genuine music lovers to gather at the corporate venues (mainly the O2 branded ones) all over the place - they're souless and killing the development of young, upcoming talent. Steve Lamacq runs a week of shows every year going around the UK and hosting gigs at independant venues to highlight the awareness of this issue, and has encouraged his listeners to frequent these places as much as possible - it's sometimes the only way some grass-roots talent can get stage-time. Did you get to many gigs there? Who was the best/favourite?
I go 4 or 5 times a year, at least. Choice is a bit odd, my wife is a true child of the 80s and will always go to see her old faves now in reduced circumstances, so I’ve seen (reluctantly) versions of The Beat and UB40 there, amongst others. Was meant to be there tonight (I think) for Paul Young. Last one by my choice was Wilko Johnson who was great. Missed Alabama 3 through extenuating circumstances last December. But my favourite was a hybrid - The Damned. Simply great fun. It would have been easy to go three or four times a month, but a lot of tribute bands around nowadays. It’s a great place, old style theatre, no seats, holds about 1,000. Though judging by the news tonight they haven’t bothered maintaining it, which you don’t notice so much in the dark. My son used to share a flat about 3 doors away, and the bouncers who he got friendly with would let him for nowt in if he was wandering past and the gig had started.
The Damned are headlining a festival I'm headed to in a few weeks, so you've made that a bit more exciting!! The venue certainly looked a bit run-down on the TV. They said there was a bit of vandalism over the weekend....
I went with my wife to the Seashell in Lisson Grove tonight. As many will know, it has gained a reputation over the years as being the best fish and chip restaurant in London and I'd never been before, so it was time to check it out. I've loved fish and chips since I was a kid, when we would have a 'fish supper' takeaway at least once a fortnight, but rarely partake these days, so this was going to be a treat. Sadly, it was bit of a disappointment. The fish was quality, but with soggy batter - I expected crispy - and the chips were bang ordinary. A very decent bottle of wine and a bill for two of £56, but overall not so impressive. Anyone been there or know of better?
Bit out of your way, but it is very good....... The Chippy Doon the Lane - Best Fish and Chips in Glasgow! https://thechippyglasgow.com/
Good fish and chips is a thing of beauty. I suspect the very best ones are up north. A bit of a drive but.... https://www.bellsfishshop.co.uk/Home The chips at the fish/kebab shop just a few yards from Shepherds Bush station are excellent, a pre match post pub ritual for me and the lad. But nothing else in there is nice to put in your mouth.
Only impressive if he lobbed a bread roll into a waste paper bin from 30 yards. And you filmed it on your 123X ITSJUSTAFUCKINGPHONE.
Had dinner at Brigadiers in the city last night. Used a Xmas voucher gift I was given. Anyway, expectations were high as I’d heard many a good review. Meal cost £198 inc 2 gins each. I’d have been really disappointed if I’d been paying and not using the voucher. I wouldn’t recommend. For me, most local Indian restaurants are probably as good at a quarter of the price.
I saw The Damned a good few years ago at one of the Guilfest festivals (just looked it up and it was 2008). ****ing great band who had the whole field jumping. Well worth a watch and along with Motörhead, one of my Guilfest favourites.
I found out earlier that our visit to the Seashell yesterday coincided with National Fish and Chip Day, so, today being World Gin Day...……
Finally getting my self organised and watching ‘Deutschland 86’. I think it was SM that mentioned it before.....brilliant series that sets the tone of the Cold War and the troubles in South Africa and Angola. Even better than the first series and head and shoulders above Chernobyl, set around the same time.
