This show seemed to be a long time coming. After the fabulous evening we all had at Dean’s Birthday Bash this show seemed to be an eternity away. Sputnik played in Swindon back in January, right when the UK was right in the midst of the worst winter we’ve had in many many years. This prevented most of us from attending so when this Swindon show got announced it was pretty much a sure thing, for me especially after they gave permission for Doc Jnr to attend.

Jnr & I met up with Dean, Jo, Paul(a) and Amanda (and Mr Degville briefly) at our hotel and we headed into Swindon with the intention of catching the sound check. On arriving at The Furnace we met up with Lynn, Martin, Jo and Damian Smith. We chatted for a while before abandoning the idea of hearing the sound check and deciding to just head straight to the bar, where I then bumped into John Kovacs who I remembered speaking to briefly at the Brighton show earlier this year. So it was drinks all round, Doc Jnr made himself comfortable with Martin and Jo and helped himself to their cheesy chips. SputnikFred and SputnikBiker made a surprise appearance at this point. So many Sputnik die hards about it was just like being at a London show.

Anyways we eventually headed into the venue itself. Supporting Sputnik were The Dolls, a UK based New York Dolls tribute act. I don’t know much about the New York Dolls but they played a real tight set which really did set the mood for what was to come. Certainly one of the better support acts I’ve seen in my 10 years gigging with Sputnik. I’d catch ’em if you get the chance.

Wasn’t really keeping a check on the time but I think Sputnik did appear as planned around half 9. Both the boys were dressed in blacks and greys, a look I very much approve of I have to say. Martin was adorned with several torches on his arm and hat which proved very effective in the low lighting atmosphere.

What followed was an extremely tight set during which Martin didn’t miss a single beat. There were a few very slight technical hiccups during the first few numbers but this didn’t phase Martin at all and he didn’t fuck up on any lyrics at all. Not even on Alien Christ. Yes, Alien Christ marks the first live appearance of some Piratespace material since the arrival of Sigue Sigue Sputnik Electronic. This is my favourite song from that album and this all new electronic version is amazing. I wonder if any or all of Piratespace is to be re-recorded. I guess time will tell. This was the first time I’ve ever heard the song live with the lyrics intact and in the right order. Well done Martin!!!

The complete set was

ROCKIT MISS USA
SEX BOMB BOOGIE
21ST CENTURY BOY
TEENAGE THUNDER
SUCCESS
MASSIVE RETALIATION
DANCERAMA
IS THIS THE FUTURE
ALIEN CHRIST
M*A*D
JAYNE MANSFIELD

**encore**

DON’T DABBLE WITH THE DEVIL
LOVE MISSILE F1-11

They certainly did whip the crowd in Swindon up. I wish I’d recorded it now although I don’t think it would have turned out too well at the stage was quite high and surrounded by barriers. Still having said that what happened after the encore makes me glad the camcorder stayed in the bag.

The crowd were asking for more and Martin asked if anyone wanted to come up and sing. Well you know me, I’m just a shy little chap from Norfolk who doesn’t really like being up on stage too much. But once the chant of Come On Doc, Come On Doc started what was a boy to do. So I grabbed Doc Jnr and we did indeed head up to the stage where I proceeded to absolutely murder Rockit Miss USA, in full no less, the whole bloody song with Jnr helping out on the chorus. I seem to recall getting a round of applause at the end. Ha ha probably glad I shut up. I should have done Massive Retaliation. After that we were joined by Dean, Paul, Lynn I think and maybe a few others and we proceeded to have a crack at Alien Christ. After praising Martin who was the one forgetting the lyrics????

After that DJ Dust’s set started and I had to leave the venue with Jnr because of his age. We hung around outside for a while as Martin was doing his usual impromptu meet and greets, photos and autographs. I got chatting with a couple of girls from Gloucester who happened upon the gig by chance and had really enjoyed the show, as I think everyone there did. Strangely there was no merchandise stall, shame as I think he would have sold out for sure.

So another great evening with a cool cool band and some truly fabulous friends. It was especially cool to finally meet Martyn Fly Ward and Damian Smith.

I hope a return to Swindon is on the cards.

YOURS TRULY, JO AND LYNN IN THE ROLLESTON PRE GIG

IN THE FURNACE NOW (VENUE THAT IS) WITH AMANDA

DOC JNR'S DJ DUST CD THAT HE FORGOT TO BRING OUT WITH HIM

SPUTNIKFRED MADE A SURPISE SHOWING. HERE HE IS MAKING AN IMPRESSION ON THE GIRLS, THEN WITH ME & DAMIAN

ATARI BABY???

THIS WAS DOC JNR'S THIRD SPUTTY GIG AND HE ENJOYED EVERY SECOND OF IT

DID QUITE A BIT OF BOPPING ABOUT WITH AMANDA ALL THROUGH THE SET BLESS HER

I REALLY AM STARTING TO GO GREY, GETTING TOO OLD TO ROCK AND ROLL?

AFTER THE SHOW WITH JOHN KOVACS

WITH JO AND AMANDA JUST BEFORE GETTING (NICELY) TURFED OUT

DOC JNR DOES LOVE THE LADIES

TEN YEARS OF GIGGING AND STILL MEETING FAB NEW PEOPLE, JNR AND I WITH DAMIAN SMITH AND MARTYN FLY WARD

OUT ON THE STREET NOW FOR THIS FABULOUS SHOT WITH MARTIN, JO AND LYNN

MORE GROUP SHOTS, PAUL(A) ALWAYS LOOKS SO DAMN HAPPY =)

WITH DEAN, JO AND SPUTNIKBIKER

FLYER

SET LIST