Thing's didn't look to good on locating the venue for my 10th (count 'em) Sputnik gig. A couple of ominous looking green doors on a building on the side of the street. Green doors!!!!!! I had visions of being mutilated by hundreds of angst ridden Shakin' Stevens fans. However, as with all things in life, appearances can be deceptive and inside the venue was actually pretty cool.

We met up with Martin and Neal almost straight away (well the bar does have to come first). They seemed glad to see a familiar face, Neal especially was pretty chatty and told some amusing stories about collapsing wardrobes, pine needles and his ex girlfriend (not all connected though, now that would make a great video). Martin asked if I would help him get his make up stuff sorted with Cathy and I agreed on the condition that he didn't fuck up Alien Christ tonight. After they left to get ready for the show I went to talk to Cathy, busy as ever flogging Sputty goodies, and got quite carried away chatting to her about all sorts of SSStuff (including how her and Caroline thought I was either seriously ill or dead altogether because I was so late getting to the previous nights gig!!) I knew someone cared somewhere.

The support act, Bonemachine(?) weren't bad, I liked the projected image backdrop they played to, very Sputnik. They left after a short set, loads of smoke was pumped onto the stage as the Clockwork Orange intro began.

Even as SSS took to the stage you just knew that they really were going to pull out all the stops tonight. Martin looked like a reject from Rentaghost in his yellow chequer suit, Tony in black piratespace t shirt (how does he stay so bloody thin)? Neal was in his grey suit and you all know what Lisa looks like.

The set list ran very similar (almost identical infact) to The Garage show. Ghost Rider was dropped from the medley, Little Caesar was dropped altogether (shame) and Atari Baby was added. Each song was performed effortlessly and perfectly, even I'm happy to say, Alien Christ, during which Martin gave me a resounding thumbs up as if to say "told ya I can do it". They were all having a real laugh on the stage tonight. Somebody asked repeatedly for Hack Attack. "we haven't done that in years" was tj's response. Neal commented on the fact that the band have moved on slightly since then. It would still be good to hear it though. Tony had to remind Neal which chord to play Rebel Rebel in. During the set some of us got involved in a rather childish game of toss the sweaty towel back at Martin when he chucks it at you, that is until somebody ran off with it. Lisa forgot to load the sequencer for the encore but I'm sure she was forgiven. A member of the audience joined the band for Success, it's a pity he didn't actually know any of the words but he looked as if he was enjoying himself. At the end of the set Tony gave a brief but nice thanks to the fans who have supported the band since their return and especially the last year. He said he won't forget us. We know that Tony.

This whole gig was professionally filmed on 4 cameras, 1 on each side of the stage and 2 cameras down on the front row. This has to be one of the best, if not the best, gigs I've seen the band do yet. It's going to be web cast and (hopefully) released on DVD and video too. That'll be fuckin' fantastic!

Afterwards, we chatted to Tony about the frenzy in the crowd at London, the London radio broadcast and forthcoming gigs. Martin was introduced to his youngest fan yet and I wish I'd gotten a photo of them together to post on the site. I've never seen anyone so looking forward to seeing Sigue Sigue Sputnik.

So then, an absolutely fantastic gig. If more of my usual gang had been there it would have been bloody perfect.

No trouble either.

GOOD PROMOTION, THESE FLYERS WERE PASTED EVERYWHERE

WHERE MARTIN APPLIED HIS MAKE-UP

AFTER THE SHOW WITH TONY 'tjbo$$$' JAMES

TICKET