Friday Fun - Xmas is nearly upon us!

 Ok, as its Friday, in the time honoured tradition of the Barnet Bloggers, we start with a joke and once more I'm endebted to the rather wonderful Mr Robert Wilkinson.

Last night my wife asked me if I want to go upstairs with her and she'll put on the Black Lace number for me.
I said "No thanks, I hate Agadoo".

— Robert Wilkinson (@robertwlk) December 19, 2023

This particularly made me laugh, as I went to see Black Grape recently. Clare got some cheap tickets for the gig and asked some friends. They go to a lot of gigs with us, and although they hadn't heard the band, trusted our judgement. A few days before the gig, they decided to gen up. They went on youtube and not quite remembering the bands name, spent the evening learning the words to Agadoo so they could join in. They got a bit of a surprise, to say the least!

How's your week been? For me, Xmas officially started yesterday. I always say Xmas starts with The Pogues. As they are no longer around (RIP Shane), we have been going to The Pogue Traders Xmas gig instead. Last night it was at a packed Dingwalls. I saw the Pogues a few times in the early days. I must admit that recalling those gigs, it would be hard top believe that The Pogues would become a massive part of the way the world celebrates Xmas. 

I think I first saw them at this gig >>>>>>>

My mate Boz Boorer and his missus Lyn were in the Shillelagh Sisters. I always try and get along to watch mates bands and Boz mentioned that "Shane O'Hooligan's" (as he was known at the time) new band were playing with them. I mostly knew of Shane via the tabloid fury that surrounded the incident where his ear was bitten off at the Roxy by his girlfriend. I'd quite liked his band "The Nips" and their single "King of the Bop", but although they'd been going for about a year at that point, the Pogues weren't on my radar. There were a lot of bands around at that point, in truth we were spoiled for choice. Not only that, it was relatively cheap as well, to get in and the drinks were also reasonably priced at most venues.

My band, The False Dots were in a very active stage, with the brilliant Venessa Sagoe on vocals. We had a gig coming up at Dingwalls, so I was going to as many gigs as I could to rustle up support from my mates (no mobile phone or Facebook then). I'd make up a stack of flyers (on the photocopier at work when no one was around) and hand them out.  I think you can see from the listing on the left from the week we played just how spoiled we were, Dr John, Ruby Turner, Katrina and the Waves, The Shilleleaghs, Back Roots all played the same week. If you arrived before 8pm at Dingwalls, booze was half price, so it was dead cheap!  You'd also get to rub shoulders with Lemmy, who propped up the bar and was always amenable to a chat if you bought him a drink!

Anyway, I digress. I went down to watch the Shellelaghs, who were generating a fair bit of interest at the time.  I didn't really get what the Pogues were doing. In my mind, Irish music was what you heard on drunken nights at the Burnt Oak Catholic club, with old men playing it. I loved up beat Irish music, like the Wild Rover, but hated the slow, maudling ballads such as Danny Boy. I watched the Pogues and I felt that Shane had let the side down a bit by abandoning his punk roots. I thought they were enjoyable, but sort of assumed that Shane had decided he could make more money putting together an Irish showband. I don't really remember any of the songs they did, mostly because I rarely was sober at gigs back then. I had no idea that forty years later, I'd be one of their biggest fans. In truth it took me a few years to really get it. I bought Rum, Sodomy and The Lash in 1985, mainly because I wanted to play "The Band Played Waltsing Matilda" to my Dad, as it was about The Anzacs and Gallipoli, something my Dad had an interest in, as an Aussie and ex military man. I played it to him, but he told me he preferred cheerful music. He explained that during the war, he wanted music that was cheeful and took his mind off the fact that death was all around. I was a bit disappointed, but got into the album. 

The next album featured Fairytale of New York, which brought the Pogues to the masses, it is ironic that having opened the door to a massive audience, the subesquent albums didn't really measure up to the first three. What they did do was open up the world to Celtic music. I suspect that the music of the Pogues will endure far more than just about any other popular genre, artist and band. 

Christmas gigs are a big thing for me. The first one I went to, I was still at Finchley Catholic High School. Eddie and The Hot Rods played at The Roundhouse in 1977. They had topped the charts with Do Anything You Wanna Do. The support were The Only Ones and The Stukas. The Rods were amazing, but at the end, they had big fans and to celebrate Xmas put a load of expanded polystyrene balls in front to simulate snow. It was going in everyone noses and mouths and it nearly suffocated the audience. Since then, I think I've done an Xmas gig or two every year. 

This December, as well as Black Grape and The Pogue Traders, we've seen the BBC Elstree Concert Band, Shalamar, The Dub Pistols, Madness and The Lightening Seeds. All have been great nights. We particularly enjoyed Madness in Brighton, we stayed down for the night, it was a proper mini holiday. Madness are a great band at this time of the year especially as everyone was in a brilliant mood!

My band, The False Dots have a big tradition of doing an Xmas gig. In recent years, this was at The Midland Hotel, but post Covid it closed. This year, we are delighted to be playing at The Dublin Castle in Camden. It should be a brilliant night, so please try and come along. If you've never visited the venue, it is without doubt London's best music pub.

Music has given me everything. I met my wife at the False Dots Xmas gig in 1985 at The Three Hammers in Mill Hill. It has given me a business and my friends. I like to think I've put something back! 

The band has a new single out, that we think it is rather good!

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The Saturday List #287 - Ten reasons why I love the Pogues

 I will not be the only one having a rather low key Christmas this year. One key feature that will be missing will be my fix of The Pogues. For many years, the official start of my Xmas celebrations was to see the Pogues Christmas show. This was always a raucous night of drinking, dancing, singing and generally over celebrating. Following the passing of Phil Chevron and with Shane's health problems, the band stopped touring, but fortunately on of my friends, Paul Evans, joined a Pogues Tribute band, The Pogue Traders. I don't need much of an excuse to check out a band, and Paul joining was the perfect excuse. To my delight, they were rather good and their Xmas show at the Dublin Castle was a more than suitable substitute. The band are more a celebration of the bands music than a Tribute, where the band actually pretend to be the characters. The lead singer Lou has the voice of Shane, but doesn't pretend to be the man. Many only really know the band through that Xmas single and through the notoriety of Shane as a hard drinker. The amazing body of music the band produced has been over looked in the hubris. I know Spider Stacey as he's a good mate of Boy Boorer and has done a few recordings and rehearsals at the studio. I had a pleasant evening a while back watching The Rails with Boz, Spider and his wife a while back. He's been on the wagon for a good few years, but he's still good company. 

This week, the Pogues have been in the news for a crushing put down of right wing poster boy Laurence Fox. Fox had tried to whip up a storm about the BBC censoring 'fairytale'. It inspired me to put this list together.

1. Regular readers of the blog will know that my Dad was an Aussie WW2 bomber pilot. For him ANZAC's  day was a solemn day. He was born on 1st April 1917, as the war to end all wars raged. We were taught the story of Galipoli at his knee. We were taught that whilst we should be prepared to fight and if necessary die for democracy, justice and fairness, we should never trust the establishment that would sacrifice fine men in such reckless missions. Whenever I hear this song, I think of my Dad and I shed a small tear. I know they didn't, but I always feel that they played this song just for me.

2. I'm not entirely sure of the exact moment I wanted to play guitar in a rock and roll band, but when I was a small child and my two elder brothers were at home, back in the mid 1960's, they would have their friends around for a 'sing song'. My brothers are twins and had a sublime musical understanding. They would harmonise and bounce of each others playing. As we come from a Roman Catholic, North London background, Irish songs and skiffle were a big part of the equation. Songs like The Wild Rover and The Irish Rover were a massive part of my youth. When they got married and moved out at the end of the 60's that departed the house, but my love of what you could do with a guitar was firmly established. I lost touch with the music, when the Pogues first formed, I wasn't really interested, but given Shane's punk credentials, I went to see an early gig out of curiosity. I instantly got it. This song always transported me back to our living room, in 1967, my brothers and their mates singing songs and us all joining in.

3. My mum was born in Oldham, a suburb of Manchester. She moved to Kentish Town when she was about eleven, he father was seeking work. She still had aunties in Lancashire well into the 1980's. She would tell fascinating stories of her youth in Oldham, trips into Manchester with her brothers, bunking into Maine Road to watch the mighty Manchester City. My mum had no interest in football (unlike her brothers) but loved the atmosphere of the ground and the hot bovril. She told tales of deprivation, of not having shoes, of not having heating, of how her mother had her teeth removed as a 21st birthday present from her mum. This song, about Manchester, reminds me of my mum and her tales of youth.

4. Soho has been a part of my life ever since I became an adult. I've had good times and bad times there. It has changed since I worked around the corner from it in the early 1980's. Nowadays it is rather sanitised. But I still have a romantic love of it. No other song captures the feel of the area in the way this does. It is a fantastic piece of songwriting. Shane doesn't so much sing this song as live it.

5. The North London of my youth was a town of immigrants working on building sites, railways, roads and other trades. Friends Dads would come home in overalls. Pubs would have bars for the workers and separate bars for the posher clientele. The beer was cheaper in the public bar. The railways we use were built by Irish labourers. This song is a celebration of those fine people who made Britain great. The Pogues are one of very few bands that really celebrate the people who made us what we are.

6. If you are in a band and you have a platform, you should use it to fight injustice. There have been few worse miscarriages of justice than the Birmingham Six. To my mind, this is the sort of songs bands should write. Not all the time, but once in a while a band should nail it's true colours to its mast. The Birmingham six were 100% innocent and were fitted up by the Police. Supporting innocent men who have been victims of injustice is something we should all do

7. No celebration of the Pogues could possibly avoid the subject of alcohol. This just happens to be my favourite of their drink songs. I'm not a Whiskey drinker, but this is such a joyous celebration of the culture which has made our lives such fun.

8. Religion is a massive part of Irish culture. This song rather haunts me

'If I should fall from grace with God
Where no doctor can relieve me
If I'm buried 'neath the sod
But the angels won't receive me
Let me go, boys
Let me go, boys
Let me go down in the mud
Where the rivers all run dry'

I do think that anyone who was born in a family of Irish Catholic ancestry has a very difficult relationship with religion and faith. I happen to think that religion and faith are two very different things. I have a problem with religion, the Church has rather let us all down, but none at all with faith, that will see us through. It is a shame that the Irish People don't really have the church they deserve.

9. My missus has the most beautiful brown eyes. Nice of the boys to write this for her. It is one of those songs that won't change the world, but always makes me happy

10. This!

Why I love the Pogues #10 - find out the other nine reasons on Saturday https://t.co/nHacHBjshS

— Roger Tichborne/RogT #CTID 🏴‍☠️🇬🇧 (@Barneteye) November 19, 2020

That's all folks - And no, I didn't include the Xmas song because I guess you know that and if you don't then I suggest you google it. I do love it, but it sometimes saddens me that it is the part of Kirsty's legacy that she is best remembered for. But that's another story

The Sacred Heart Xmas Carol Service Vs The Pogues

On Tuesday evening we had the Sacred Heart RC Church in Mill Hills Christmas Carol concert. The Sacred Heart is lucky to have an absolutely superb choir. There is nothing more moving than Christmas carols being sung by a choir in a church. The lights were dimmed and the choir arrived in procession carrying candles singing "O Come, O Come Emmanuel". The carols were interspersed with readings from the bible and poems from younger members of the parish. The selection included O little town of Bethlehem, Away in a manger, Silent Night, We three kings and Hark a Herald. There was a very spiritual and calm atmosphere, a perfect way to start Christmas. After the service, we retired to the hall for refreshment. There was a good crowd, especially considering the weather, well over 100 people. Whether or not you are religious, I'd heartily recommend the service to you. It was free (even the refreshments) and very uplifting.

On Wednesday night, a complete contrast. I went down to Brixton Academy to watch the Pogues "Fairwell Xmas tour" gig. I suspect that this will be rather like Don't Call Me Dave's retirement from blogging (at least I sincerely hope so). The Pogues exemplify all that is good about Irish Culture. They are a joyous celebration of life and are a damn fine band. I watched most of the gig from the front. The highlights? For me "Dirty Old Town", but it was a very striong set and Shane was in fine fettle. In a week which saw the X Factor final, I pondered if a band such as the Pogues could ever make it today. After the gig, we retired to the "guest" area upstairs with my mates Big Paul and little Paul and Boz Boorer and proceeded to have a few more beers. We finally got home around 2am (for a couple more whiskys).

In my hungover state this morning, I contemplated my Irish Catholic roots and the two very different events. I'm proud to say that it is no coincidence that music is the foundation of Irish culture. Listening to the choir I'd urge everyone who can sing to get involved. It is a simple and honest pleasure. As to the Pogues, they are a fine band, they exemplify the best of Irish Traditional music, enthused with punk rock energy. I don't think they could have emerged from anywhere else in the world, other than London.

I truly believe that London is the greatest city in the world, because it is the most creative city. I believe this is because every generation has a new influx of immigrants who continually stir the cultural pot. Before the Pogues emerged, a whole variety of music blasted out of the PA. From Uptown Top Ranking by Alitha and Donna to The Clash. It all seemed to be appropriate. Music has the power to bring people together. This can take many forms, choirs, rock bands, traditional bands. The title of the blog is "The Sacred Heart Xmas Carol Service Vs The Pogues" but in reality the two go together just fine. I just wish I could sing well enough to join the choir. I'll just have to stick to strumming along in my punk rock band ! Have a great Christmas Eve

Rage Against The Machine

I am overjoyed that Rage Against The Machine have the no 1 spot for Xmas. I can't remember the last time a proper rock and roll band did that with a proper song. I was at my nephews 18th birthday party when the news came through and his friends were all overjoyed. There is nothing which makes me happier than the British public showing its contempt for those who take it for granted.

I run one of Londons most successful independent music studios. I send hearty congratulations to RATM from Mill Hill Music Complex. I hope that this inspires a new generation of individualist and original Rock and Roll musicians to get out there. On Saturday night I was down in Brixton to watch the Pogues Xmas show, which was packed to the rafters. On Tuesday, I'm going to Camden to watch Public Image Ltd.  I cannot think of any less "manufactured" or "packaged" bands than the Pogues or PIL. I've been saying for some time that the music scene needs a massive kick. I just hope that this is that kick. Christmas certainly came early in this house with the news.