I travelled down to Coventry with SputnikFred and SputnikBiker, none of us had previously been able to figure out what type of venue The Jailhouse was, it turned out to be a pub with a function room. We got the venue really early, nearly walked in on Martin, Tony and Neal having their evening meal before proceeding to set up the merchandise stall. Tony came through to speak to us. He told us that 4 new songs were gonna be tried out tonight, all in the old du da da da da du da da da style. He said that none of the songs were finished properly yet, and that Deg's was struggling remembering the lyrics (nothing new there then). Tony aims for the new album to have 10-12 tracks in all and said that the final version of Mickey Mouse Is Going To Hell would run to around 8mins in length.

He also spoke of having a new agent for Europe and to expect a number of festival appearances over there this year, and maybe some shows in Japan and (I think he said) the USA. Don't quote me on that though, I may be wrong. After this he returned to the function room to set up the t shirt stall and begin the sound check which we stood and watched. There were a some new t shirts on sale, several colours of the "Original Freekster" shirt, Neal wore the blue one on stage, and a "Sputnik In London 2002" shirt with the logo in Union Jack colours which Tony wore. There were 3 of the famous Sputnik jackets on sale too. Needless to say they weren't for sale long. The sound check consisted of all the new songs that were played that night, some of Rockit Miss USA and 21st Century Boy and all of Atari Baby.

During this time the bar was filling up with some familiar faces which was nice to see as this gig seemed to have a lukewarm reception from the fandom. Penny, Barry, ShyGirl, Cakeman, Jon Nurse, Coyote, Lloyd, CM with missus and several others whose names I've forgotten. The problem was because I'd been there since about 6pm I was quite inebriated on blue shit by the time the band took to the stage just after 11pm.

Just like Brighton and Chelmsford last October it was clear from the start this was gonna be a great show, they seemed especially keen to try out the new material and they started with Mickey Mouse Is Going To Hell. Here's the full set list.

MICKEY MOUSE IS GOING TO HELL
EVERYBODY LOVES U
21ST CENTURY BOY
ALIEN CHRIST
EVERYBODY WANTS WHAT SPUTNIK WANTS
ORIGINAL FREEKSTER
THE KING OF ROCK N ROLL
HOUND DOG
ALIEN@TION
JAYNE MANSFIELD
SLAVE TRADE
LOVE MISSILE F1-11
encore
SEX BOMB BOOGIE
ALL SHOOK UP
ATARI BABY
ROCKIT MISS USA

I was pissed!! No point denying it but the only "old" song I noticed any difference in was Slave Trade which has had it's ending changed slightly. But the new stuff!!! Fuck Me!! It's wild!!!! Just call the new album Flaunt It II. You ain't gonna be disappointed, driving space bass, echo's, effects the works. My favourite new song is Everybody Wants What Sputnik Wants which is a fast and catchy sing along number with a beginning very much like Gimme Some Loving. The Blak Elvis tracks were performed pretty much as they appear on the album, The King Of Rock N Roll is now sung with (more or less) the same words as the recording rather than the demoish version played on last years final UK tour, the other two Blak Elvis tracks were OK but they pale into insignificance compared to the totally new SputStuff. I spoke to Jenny about the new songs afterwards, she thinks they are cool too and had only heard them for the first time the day before. You wouldn't have guessed seeing her onstage. And then, well I remember drinking more blue shit, dancing and air guitaring. I spoke to loads of people who I can't remember before Penny, Barry and myself finally left around 2am.

And the DJ played some Dead Or Alive AND Trashcan Darlings ("Holiday In My Head" to be exact Chris!!!) Cool venue, great gig, hopefully the first of many 2002 UK shows.

Jenny's now been playing with the Sputniks for a year on and off so happy anniversary!!!

OUTSIDE THE VENUE FAR TOO EARLY

ONE OF MY FAVOURITE PHOTOS, NO IDEA WHAT WAS GOING ON HERE

DJ COYOTE, PEN AND A VERY RED FACED GUY

JON NEEDING OUR ASSISTANCE

THIS WAS LITTLEPAWS, SPUTNIK SURGERY & SPUTNIK FUTURE VISION

HELPING EACH OTHER STAY UPRIGHT AFTER FAR TOO MUCH TO DRINK

HA HA HERE IT IS AGAIN, SPUTNIKFRED AT 2.30 A.M. IN A COVENTRY KEBAB HOUSE