The Killing Moon

Just because there's a killing moon tonight ! Being a Manchester City fan, I've always had a soft spot for this song. I've had a strange day. Watched my boys team Watling FC under 10's win 4-3 in a rather bad tempered (by the parents) match. It is sad that some parents don't realise that they influence the children when they abuse the ref. Sad really.

Went out and did a heavy days canvassing. We did in and around Mill Hill Broadway. I had the surreal experience of knocking on the door of  a brothel and asking the rather attractive young lady who answered if she would be supporting me. She looked rather bemused. I knocked on the door of another guy who studied our leaflet for five minutes and then said rather solemnly "I will have to discuss this with my friend and I will ring you to tell you if I support you".

The oddest moment was the bloke who said when he got our leaflet -   "What happened to the old bloke with the moustache?" I took it that he meant Conservative John Hart. I replied that he was standing again for the Conservatives. "He always tells me the same joke when he comes around". I asked "Is it funny?". He replied "No, not really". I wanted to tell him a funny Lib Dem joke, but my mind went blank. If there are any Lib Dem comedians out there who have a Lib Dem joke book I could borrow, I'd appreciate it.I asked if he would be voting Lib Dem.He replied "dunno, I might - depends how I feel on the day".

It can be an uphill task. One lady told me "I really like all the things you are doing locally. The campaign for the 186 bus, free parking, dog mess and the potholes". I was pleased "Will you be voting for us then". She replied "No, I don't like Lib Dems". I wasn't so pleased. A friend rang to say that he'd just been knocked up by John Hart in Lidbury Square. "Did he tell you a joke" I asked. "No, was he supposed to". Anyway, if you live in Mill Hill Ward and John Hart knocks on your door, ask him to tell you his joke. I really want to post it here.

So why the killing Moon by the Bunnymen on a Sunday night on a post about canvassing. It sort of sums up how you feel when you've spent all day trudging around Mill Hill only to be told 500 times "erm, I don't know, I haven't made my mind up" I suppose the only good thing is that 499 of those people who haven't made their minds up told us last time they were Conservatives, so I guess if we work just that bit harder, they might come over to us. Those who said Lib Dem last time still seem to like us. What is noticeable is that no one who said "Labour" last time is still admitting to supporting them this time around. I think the expenses issue has really hit the trust of the working class Labour vote.

The Killing Moon by Echo and the Bunnymen

Under blue moon I saw you
So soon you'll take me
Up in your arms
Too late to beg you or cancel it
Though I know it must be the killing time
Unwillingly mine


Fate
Up against your will
Through the thick and thin
He will wait until
You give yourself to him

In starlit nights I saw you
So cruelly you kissed me
Your lips a magic world
Your sky all hung with jewels
The killing moon
Will come too soon

CH

Under blue moon I saw you
So soon you'll take me
Up in your arms
Too late to beg you or cancel it
Though I know it must be the killing time
Unwillingly mine

CH X 2

La la la la la...

CH

La la la la la...

CH

La la la la la...

The Roundhouse

Of all the places in London to have a night out, my favourite is the Roundhouse in Chalk Farm. This may have something to do with the fact that the very first Punk Rock I ever saw happened there on 6th June 1977 (The Ramones, Talking Heads and The Saints). Then again maybe it doesn't. Tonight I was there to watch Echo and the Bunnymen. I thoroughly enjoyed the gig, they are a truly awesome band, but I kept turning over the question in my head "Why is an industrial shed built 150 years ago my favourite venue in the world".  I put this question to my friend Derek who is an award winning designer. He said that he thought that maybe constraining designers was actually beneficial. I really don't know. All of the buildings I like most in London The Roundhouse, St Pancras, etc, blend old & new. The most successful venue in the world is the 02 (formerly the Dome). I don't actually believe it works as a venue. It's too big and you are too detached from the band.

Sadly the economics of music mean that the O2 dwarfs the Roundhouse in financial terms. That is why the top bands play there. I'm off later this month to see Smokey Robinson at the Roundhouse as part of the BBC electric proms. I doubt there'll be a more enjoyable gig at the O2 in the next 10 years.