Bang Bar, Basingstoke, 28/02/09. Mark's Tour Diary.

Kat’s Driving tonight, which is cool, plus its Saturday night, hey I might have a drink and break the Teetotal curse Brassneck has brought upon us. Of course I won’t be alone, as I'm sure Sid will be on his usual student brew.

So, it’s about 6.40, all three of us are onboard and talking about the 'Bull and Gate' gig and the bass player incident. We're all still amused by this and continue with the usual banter before a gig. The sat-nav does its usual and takes us nowhere near our destination. So, as we start slating it and go round in circles we then decide to ask a by passer. It turns out to be the bass player from the first band who duly tells us its just down the road on the left! Damned sat-nav was right, but the sign was so small for the 'Bang Bar' we missed it.

We are pretty early and shortly Neil and Ben turn up, at which point Ben leaves again to go and get some monitors from home.

We all then decide to chill out in the back room and talk, worryingly, about the shooting last year at this venue and point out the 'BRS posters' on the wall. 'Our Lost Infantry' are soundchecking and the sound isn’t great. Not in respect of them, just the general acoustics of the room. I hope this improves once we get more people in here, if any turn up. In fact there is a rumour that one of the bands is bringing a coach of 50 people, well, if that’s the case the place should be rammed.
“Brassneck, you're up for a soundcheck” shouts the promoter. So, we set up and play 'Stupid What ?' which sounds ok, although as we thought levels are a bit odd because of the enclosed arch surrounding the band. Still, we get a good level and leave the stage ready for Nadeen White.

Now, Nadeen what can I say about Nadeen ? I had heard a lot about her from Sid and the rest of the band, although I can’t say I have ever met her before. Dressed as a pirate, which was unusual but well dressed, she took to the stage, did a brief soundcheck and did her set. It was pretty good and I thought she had a good vocal. A very powerful vocal considering the size of her. Near to her finish my mate Adam turns up with his new missus who seems very nice.

We have a quick chat and soon we are up, he hasn’t seem us play since Winchester probably 8 months ago so hopefully he can see an improvement. The place really is rammed, the coach-load really did turn up and although they all look like Millwall supporters hopefully we should be able to win some of them over. We do, people are really taking notice and the new track 'Too Much, Too Drunk' sounds great......then Bang ! 'Depression.......' does its usual silence of the room and complete attention. Is it me or do I mention this every time? I never seem to tire of this song! Well, it’s a success, we get a great response and the feedback I get from everyone is really good. I duly talk to Ben about the feedback and he proclaims no bugger ever says anything to him! I think they're all frightened of you mate and don’t realise you're not like every other primadonna singer song-writer.

We are then at the bar getting a drink and 2 other big events happen. In fact these 2 big events came past 3 or 4 times, in and out and all over the place. Those that were there will know what im talking about. In fact who cares I think nearly all the guys were transfixed on this girl with the biggest rack on display ever, although Sid apparently missed her (Busy with Nadeen no doubt). What did she look like ?? Sid exclaims at practice on Monday night !! All of us look at each other and it’s at that point we realise none of us has any idea what she looked like. "Blonde hair" Neil points out , which is about the extent of the description and all of the 'Brassneck' men stand quiet in the stereotypical cloud put over us where female assets are involved. Anyway back to the set (the music set now) the next band are up and sorry I have no idea of their name ('The Zeros' - Ed) and are fronted by an unusual out-of-place looking frontman singer. They are pretty mediocre, good musicians, just the same old story of dull unvaried material. They are followed by 'Sevasa' I believe, who are the people that have brought the big crowd of football hooligans. I switched off after 'Hi-Ho Silver Lining' and turned my attentions to the ever growing mosh pit getting ready to kick off at any moment.

Well, it’s all over and 'Our Lost Infantry' are getting ready to play. At this point Nadeen, for some reason, decides to pull down her trousers and show us her batman pants! Different ! Then she tries to persuade me and Sid to show her our pants (no chance there, nobody sees my Spiderman pants).

At this point I look across and poor old Kat is looking so tired and really wants to go, but she knows me and Sid really want to watch 'OLI '. They play a great set as per usual and are a really good band to play alongside.

We then pack up and say our goodbyes, by this point me and Sid have had a few to drink and Kat has to put up with our drunken banter all the way home, bless her ;)

Mark